STYLE

Here at The Stylish City, we’re all about saving money. Heck, you could even say that it’s our primary goal. What we’re not OK with, though, is skimping and cutting corners. For example, a super discounted pair of shoes may be alluring, but they’re not worth your money if you’ll never wear them. And sometimes it’s not about buying cheap things, as there are times when splurging today means dollars saved tomorrow. Ultimately, we’re all about making wise financial decisions when it comes to your style and beauty senses.

Which leads us to nail salons, where pathogens have the potential to thrive. There are many a Groupon and countless salons with enticing specials that draw you in. We love getting a good deal, but not when it compromises health, happiness and safety. If you’re a little unsure about the cleanliness of a salon, refer to these tips before handing over your hands and feet.

1. Get There Early And Look Around

“Arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment so that you have time to glance around the salon,” advises Robert Urfer. He’s the founder of Lucas-Cide Salon and Spa Disinfectant, so he knows all about banishing bacteria. Urfer says to evaluate whether the salon presents itself as clean, professional and organized. “A tidy salon is a good indication that the owner and technicians value cleanliness and more likely taking extra steps to sanitize their equipment and tools. If trash cans are overflowing and dust is collecting on shelves, do not trust that the foot baths and nail clippers are sanitary.”

2. Locate The Professional License

All salons must have a license clearly posted near the entrance. With the salon license should also be all the technicians’ individual licenses.

3. Examine The Tool Sterilization Station

Locate the tool sterilization counter. “Some salons use UV sterilizers – devices that resemble toaster ovens,” says Urfer. “A UV sterilizer does not kill bacteria. Instead, you should see a bottle of disinfectant.” That liquid should be clear, not cloudy. Also ask if the salon regularly test strips the disinfectant solution to make sure it’s up to standard.

4. Check Out the Pedi Stations

Technicians should clean and disinfect footbaths after every single use. To do this, they should wash the tub in hot, soapy water and then fill it again with water and disinfectant. That solution should run in the footbath for a minimum of 10 minutes before being emptied and wiped down.

5. See if Technicians Wash Their Hands

“If you are getting acrylic nails or fillings, make sure the nail technician washes her hands before getting started,” advises Urfer. “She should also apply an antibacterial spray or gel to your hands.” Additionally, the technician should use properly disinfected tools and discard disposable items — such as nail files, paper towels, cotton balls and cotton buds — after every use.

6. Cut Cuticles Are A No-No

Even if the customer requests their cuticles cut, it is not wise to do so. “Cuticles provide natural protection against infection in your nail bed,” explains Urfer. Not only that, but cut cuticles are very susceptible to infection. “Rather than allowing the technician to cut them back, ask the technician to either leave them alone or gently push them back.”

3 Tips For an Even Cleaner Experience

• Consider bringing your own nail tools. This not only cuts down on waste, but ensures you’re using tools that have only been used on yourself and were properly cleaned by you.
• If you’re worried about infection, opt for a MedSpa instead of a standard salon. These are overseen by physicians and are held to medical sanitary standards.
• Give the State Board of Cosmetology a ring if you have concerns about a specific spa. “The State Boards of Cosmetology are in place to look out for the clients well being,” says Urfer.

By Wendy Rose Gould

There are women whose beauty and fashion senses never seem to go out of style. Women such as Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Coco Chanel and Grace Kelly. They’re classically beautiful, effortlessly stylish and forever chic; the type of women who were emulated at their time, emulated today and will continue to be emulated for many years to come.

Today we’re focusing on Grace Kelly, who was not only a movie star and style icon, but a princess, too. Grace acquired movie star status in the 1950s during TV’s golden age, where she served as the leading lady in numerous popular films and even won an Academy Award. Her elegance and poise was even further confirmed — perhaps even enhanced! — when she retired from acting at the ripe age of 26 and married a handsome Monaco prince by the name Rainier III.

It’s been nearly 35 years since Grace Kelly passed away, but she’s still on the tip of our tongues and forefront of fashion discussions. It’s no surprise that everyone wants to emulate her classic style. And no, you don’t have to go platinum (but if the color suits you…).

5 Ways to Channel The Graceful Grace Kelly.

Keep Things Simple

Part of Grace Kelly’s signature style was her ability to marry accessories and clothing in a way that was particularly effortless. This was achieved through good taste, of course, but also through her disciplined simplicity. To Kelly, bling was more about a stand out piece than an entire hand full of gems and neck dripping with diamonds. A solitary statement necklace paired with a sleeveless A-line dress was Kelly’s go-to look, as were classic silhouettes that accented her figure.

Splurge (Sometimes)

Admittedly, Grace Kelly’s pecuniary circumstances were perhaps more relaxed than most. Still, you shouldn’t be afraid to splurge every once in a while on items you know will last. In the end, you may end up saving yourself money. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Is this something I could pass on to my daughter? To my granddaughter?” If the answer is yes, consider it an investment piece. Heirloom quality items are always justifiable.

Forget Trends

Want to know the easiest way to fall out of fashion? To have a picture that you look back on and cringe, saying “What was I thinking?”

Trends. Garments that are heavily ornamented or extremely “right now” will fall by the wayside, but the classic, heirloom pieces we alluded to above will stand the test of time. Solid-color pieces in neutral hues (reds, taupes, blacks, creams, grays whites) are a great place to start. Get them in separates, dresses, shoes and bags. No bling, no ornaments, no details. Simplicity is key.

A Fresh Face

It’s fun to play with makeup, no doubt. If you’re trying to emulate Grace Kelly, though, forget about the blue and purple eyes, overly drawn eyebrows and Marilyn-esque lips. Instead, perfect that “no makeup makeup” look, which is all about creating flawless skin and slightly enhancing all your features without making it look like you’re wearing makeup at all.

While we’re at it, let’s talk nails. For a Grace Kelly vibe, you’ll want to skip the wacky nail art. We suggest a buttery nude, a rich red or a simple, shiny clear coat over perfectly manicured nails.

Keep Hair Out of Your Face

If you look at pictures of Grace Kelly, you’ll discover that she almost never has hair in her face. Instead, she pulls it back in a sleek ponytail, wears a headband or curls away from her face.

This is the signature trademark of a woman who’s confident. It’s also a way to look timeless, as hair trends come and go very quickly. Speaking of hair trends, forget the ombres, the sombres, the chunky highlights and splashy dyes. Keep it natural and effortless and you’re one step closer to Grace Kelly status.

By Wendy Rose Gould

You don’t have to be a DIY queen to get the most out of your pantry. If going to the effort to combine mashed mangoes with Raw honey, or eggs with olive oil, isn’t your idea of a pleasant afternoon, that’s OK. Still, there are items in your pantry and refrigerator that can actually do a ton of good for your hair. Not by creating a concoction applied externally, but via plain ol’ consumption.

Today we’re showcasing 6 ingredients that comprise your hair’s dream diet. Eat these items often and bask in the glory of a healthy mop.

Salmon

This fatty fish is a wonder food of ultimate magnitude. It’s ultra rich in both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which not only makes hair appear more lush and radiant, but can expedite growth. If you’re not a fan of fish, opt for an omega-3 or salmon supplement instead.

Biotin Supplements

Speaking of supplements, let’s move right along to Biotin. Many women’s multi-vitamins already contain a day’s supply of Biotin, but if yours doesn’t, we highly recommend adding a Biotin pill to your daily morning pill swallowing ritual. Biotin bolsters keratin infrastructure and, consequently, improves nail, hair and skin health.

Spinach

Hair loss becomes more common as we age, but it’s not explicitly an issue faced by the mature crowd. The major contributing factors are stress (experienced by all ages), iron deficiencies and hormonal changes (menopause being most notable here). While we recommend speaking to your physician about serious cases, there are foods you can consume that fight against hair loss, including spinach.

Walnuts

These fatty nuts are another good option for those battling hair loss, but it does more than that. Walnuts stimulate hair growth, a plus for those trying to reach max length, and they also contribute to elastin production, which makes hair more lustrous and healthy-looking.

Dark Chocolate

Probably our favorite food on this list (naturally), dark chocolate is definitely a good one for those lusting after perfect hair. Dark chocolate promotes excellent blood circulation, which not only makes you feel and look amazing, but promotes hair growth.

Eggs

You know how Bubba Gump says you can do a million things with shrimp? Well, the same is true for eggs. These babies are loaded with vitamin D and cholesterol (the good kind), which provides max shine for your tresses. Deviled eggs, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, egg pizza, eggy souffle, soft boiled eggs…

By Wendy Rose Gould

Many stars shone brightly at the Met Ball with their floor length gowns and impeccable hair. Today, though, we’re dishing on some of our favorite cosmetics looks from the evening.

For example, we loved Beyonce‘s gothic goddess vibe, Cara Delevingne‘s super smokey eye, Lupita‘s fresh, spring-inspired face and Taylor‘s classic red lip and winged eye combo.

With the help of Palladio Cosmetics and glo minerals‘ makeup, we’re showing you how to get each of the four aforementioned looks. You can use the makeup products listed below, or you can use a similar product you already have on hand.

Cara’s Smoky Eye and Statement Brow

1. Shade the lid up to the crease and below the eye with a dark brown eye pencil, such as glō minerals’ Jeweled Eye Pencil in Bark ($18). Blend it out with a brush for a soft, smoky effect.
2. Next, apply a black eye pencil, such as glō minerals’ Precision Eye Pencil in black ($16), both above the lash line and inside the upper and lower waterline. Make sure you choose a product that’s water resistant to ensure it stays on all night.
3. To achieve Cara’s enviable brows, start by gently filling in any sparse spots with a brow pencil that matches your brows’ darkest hairs. After blending thoroughly, set the brow with a clear gel to prevent any out-of-place hairs and add a touch of shine.
4. Complete this smokey eye look with several layers of your favorite mascara.

Beyoncé’s Gothic Lip and Bronzed Eye

1. Wine lips are all the rage right now, and Beyoncé definitely went for it at the Met Ball with a deep berry lip that flawlessly completed her Givenchy haute couture ensemble. The key to making a statement lip work is the right preparation: exfoliate your lips ahead of time, then apply a lip liner to prevent feathering and ensure your lipstick lasts through the night. The Palladio Herbal Perfecting Lip Liner ($5.99) is cool because it’s a clear formul.
2. Follow the liner with a dark garnet shaded lipstick. What you select depends on your coloring, so try a few shades before settling.
3. To balance out this wine lip look, Bey kept her eyes simple. To recreate a similar eye, sweep a slightly shimmery bronzer over the cheeks and onto the eyelids for a subtle glow.

Lupita’s Lilac Eye Look

Recently named “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World,” Hollywood favorite Lupita Nyongo set off her emerald gown and springy headband with soft lilac and perfect skin. For this look, we’re referring to Palladio’s Herbal Eyeshadow Quad in Spellbound ($8).

1. Start by using the lower left shade – a shimmering, pigmented lilac – over the lid to build a strong color. Gently blend some of the same color on the lower lash line.
2. Use the upper left shade – a pale lavender-tinged shimmer – to subtly highlight the brow bone and inner corner of the eye.
3. Finish the look with a pink flush of blush. We recommend a very pink and springy look for this.
4. For your lips, apply a peachy gloss, such as glō minerals’ limited edition gloss in Delight ($16).

Taylor’s Classic Red Lip/Winged Eye Combo

Country Darling Taylor Swift is forever wearing a red lip, so it wasn’t a surprise to see her in that signature berry red at this year’s Met Ball. The whole look was straight out of Old Hollywood

1. After prepping your lips with a balm, reach for the perfect shade of red. You’ll want one that leans more “blue red” instead of “pink red.” The former is more traditional, Old Hollywood and will make your teeth whiter, too. Try Palladio’s High intensity Herbal Lip Balm ($6.99) in Red Rush for the same bright, matte lip as Swift’s.
2. Taylor also wore a classic cat eye. We recommend a liquid liner to get that same perfect and dramatic line. Try glō minerals’ Graphic Liner ($20), which features a sturdy felt tip.
3. Finish with your choice mascara.

By Wendy Rose Gould