Bay Area Fashionista

Brazilian Blowout Controversy: thankfully there are safe alternatives

The Brazilian Blowout controversy has exploded since Women’s Wear Daily published an article on October 8, 2010 detailing the excessive amounts of formaldehyde found in Brazilian Blowout products. When the news broke, many beauty salons began pulling the products from store shelves. Unfortunately the Brazilian Blowout products had been advertised as “formaldehyde-free,” thus sparking the controversy over the large amount of fomaldehyde which was actually found in the products. The controversy sparked Health Canada to issue a firm warning to salons in Canada. Distributors of Brazilian Blowout have stopped shipping their products to Canada as of Wednesday, October 12 2010 in response to Health Canada’s warning.

According to Women’s Wear Daily, the Oregon Health and Science University’s Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology conducted a study and then released the lab results which show that the Brazilian Blowout product contains between 5% and 10% formaldehyde. According to Health Canada, the levels were at 12% in lab tests. There have also been health related problems reported in Canada due to the formaldehyde levels in the Brazilian Blowout products.

Thankfully there are three products on the market for Fashionistas seeking the same sleek, healthy hair and manageable results a Brazilian Blowout provides.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair ShuSu Sleek entered high end salons in September 2010 and provides both an at-home solution and a traditional salon treatment. Clients have the choice of which product they wish to use; salon or at-home.

Kerastase Paris Oleo-Relax Slim has already been on the market for awhile and also offers an at-home treatment as well as the salon option.

blow Ready Set Blow launched in September 2010 in fine salons in New York. Hopefully this line will reach California soon!

All of these products are safe to use and provide fabulous, smooth silky blowout results. the results can last anywhere from three to six months depending on how you care for your hair at home. Happy shopping and hairstyling! And of course, stay fabulous

Spring 2011 Jewelry Trends from the runway

The spring 2011 runways gave the fashion savvy a glimpse into what will be hot this upcoming spring. For fall, jewelry was markedly absent from the runways as designers created collections centered around either the vintage theme or the minimalism theme. Even with the vintage theme, jewelry was scarce. The occasional necklace or pair of earrings would pop up here or there, but there was not one type of jewelry or theme that stuck out. The models ears were naked, their necks were empty and their arms unadorned.

For spring 2011 there was a complete change in attitude and move away from the minimalism look from fall. The necklaces were large, sparking a return of the bib necklace from a few seasons ago. Chokers returned to the runway, reminiscent of the choker trend from roughly a decade ago. The bibs and the chokers on the European runways for spring were decadent, embellished and anything but minimal.

There were also cuffs on the spring 2011 runways. The cuffs were bold and featured stones, beads and other embellishments which could easily blend together with a choker or bib necklace.

The third most notable jewelry trend from the runways were long, shoulder brushing earrings. The last time the long, shoulder length earrings were on the runway in such full force was about one decade ago. Roberto Cavalli showed feather earrings. Chanel showed shoulder skimming feather earrings as well as shorter dangles which hit about mid-neck, yet were bold and easy to spot from several yards away. Dolce & Gabbana went more for a classic yet bold approach to the large earring trend for spring 2011. D & G showed large, gold bangle earrings reminiscent of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

Jewelry is back with a vengeance! Minimalism has gone by the wayside as we move into the resort and spring seasons. This is a great trend to shop your closet and look for those bib necklaces from a few season ago as well as those cuffs and chokers from ten years ago. The long earrings and bold earrings might be a good trend to buy new and invest in one or two fabulous pairs of statement earrings. The styles are fresh and very different from the last time bold earrings were in style. Chanel feather earrings a bit too much? No need to fret! Jewelry companies such as Cookie Lee offer affordable jewelry which is right on trend. The current collection includes bold cuffs, necklaces and of course earrings! Happy shopping and stay fabulous.

Rain boots for fall; stay fabulous even during the worst storms!

Rain boots and rain shoes are one of the more difficult items to find while shopping for fall. Although the rainy season has not started yet here in the Bay Area, this is the perfect time to shop for rain gear since the stores are fully stocked and many Fashionistas are not thinking about the wet weather just yet. Every year, Bay Area Fashionistas wait until the first rain storm to run to the mall for rain boots, rain shoes and other wet weather essentials. By the time everyone arrives at the store for rain gear,all of the good items are gone! That is why the best time to shop for rain boots, rain shoes and rain gear is right now; before the rain comes.

The biggest challenge for a Fashionista on a rainy day is staying true to his or her personal style yet remaining as dry as possible. That last thing anyone wants to do is wear a fabulous pair of leather boots when the rain is pouring down out of the sky! The best solution for remaining dry and leaving the Prada boots at home is to invest in a fabulous pair of rubber boots; and not the ones from a fishing store!

Chanel has the most incredible pair of rain boots for fall 2010. Chanel’s rain boots hit about mid-calf and feature two camellia’s on the outside shaft of the boots. There is a goldtone Chanel insignia on the flowers making the rain boots not only functional but fashionable! Although the price tag is high for rain boots at $395, as long as Chanel’s rain boots are not worn while walking through a river on a fishing trip, they should hold up for several years; making the Chanel rain boots a good wet weather investment purchase.

Gucci is also offering a rain boot for fall with a 2″ heel in black, green or bordeaux rubber. The boots are sleek and offer straight lines which helps to make them easy to pair with any wet weather outfit. Gucci’s rain boots are $270. Burberry also offers rain boots for fall with their signature nova-check at $225. There are also rubber lace rain boots by Valentino for $295 which are lavender and sassy.

The largest selection of rain boots comes from Hunter. Hunter offers everything from traditional rubber or “welly” boots in a variety of colors to motorcycle inspired styles with straps and buckles. The Hunter line of rain boots can be found for under $225 at Neiman Marcus.

Staying dry and looking fabulous can go hand in hand. There is no reason to throw on yellow fishing boots as soon as the sky opens up. Chanel, Gucci and Hunter offers fabulous and fashionable solutions for Fashionistas in the Bay Area and beyond. Happy shopping and stay fabulous.

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