A Few of My Favorite Things

The month of April has not only brought some beautiful weather to North Carolina, but has also brought me a huge amount of creative and business inspiration. I wanted to share a few things that I've been loving this month that I've found motivating and, of course, a few makeup gems that I couldn't keep my hands off of.

My first favorite has to be British Vogue's YouTube series The Future of Fashion with Alexa Chung. This series explores the backbone of the business of fashion, and really shows the science behind the scenes of major fashion houses in the industry. It's a beautiful documentary that shows how important hard work is and that things don't actually happen over night. Success of any type takes time and hard work.

On a much lighter note, I have pulled out my In The Balm of Your Hand palette again. This palette is the perfect full face palette, it contains stunning shimmering eye shadows, blushes and a killer bronzer. My Third love for this month has to be the Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara. I love the slightly hourglass shaped brush and the gorgeous volume that it gives my lashes without being clumptastic. It's the perfect mascara for the hot, humid days to come.

My last two favorites have to be these fabulous sunnies from Ray-Ban. I like the Erika style because its classic, but the slightly oversized shape gives them a little glamour.

As I stated in the beginning, I've found a lot of motivation creatively this month. One of the blogs that's helped with that is Career Girl Daily. This blog covers all of the bases for female entrepreneurs. Whether it's what to wear to an interview, tips for finding creative inspiration or how to wind down after a busy work week, they have you covered.

For more details on my favorite products for the month, check out our latest YouTube video!

Make today amazing!

~Shana

How To Use Velcro Rollers

When you think of Velcro Rollers, you probably envision a cute little Grandma tucked under a hooded dryer in a retro beauty parlor. Don't worry, that's not what we are going for today!

The truth is that these "old- school" rollers have been updated and are super practical for us busy ladies. They don't take a ton of effort, however, they can really elevate your hair game. Here are three reasons why I love Velcro Rollers:

1. They help smooth out the surface of the hair. When you allow your freshly blow-dried hair to cool on large Velcro rollers, like the pink ones above, you won't get a curl, it'll just have add a bit of body to the roots and bend to your ends.

2. They add Volume! All of our Grannie's weren't kidding, using Velcro rollers through the top of your crown will take your hair to new heights... Literally. I like to use three of the purple rollers, above, in a Mohawk section on the top of my head for maximum volume on my fine hair.

3. They add a polished look to your hair with minimal heat. When hair is allowed to cool on Velcro Rollers, the cuticle of the hair has a chance to lay down, giving you a smoother result that will last all day. When you've rolled your hair up in the rollers, a quick blast with a warm hair dryer is all you need to reap the benefits of these rollers.

For more tips and intructions on how to use Velcro Rollers, check out the video below!

Have an amazing day!

~ Shana

5 Must Have Products For Glowing Spring Makeup

Spring is the time of year when we get those glimpses of flowers blooming, birds chirping and the Sun shining. It's, also, the time of year when we are so excited to get outside and enjoy the warmth of the sun that we've missed for so many months! Most importantly, I love the fresh, easy makeup looks that feel so right during the Spring. As I was brainstorming for an upcoming makeup tutorial, I looked at which products I kept going back to. The products that I was, not only, excited to use but made me feel so excited for Spring.  These products are perfect for creating an easy, glowing Spring makeup look.

1. Glo Minerals Tinted Primer- This primer has a pinch of color, is available in 4 tones, and leaves the skin with a natural, demi- matte finish. It's great for layering, but can also be applied in a flash with your finger tips.

2. MAC Expensive Pink Eye Shadow- This shadow is the perfect blend of pink, copper and gold. It applies like silk, can easily be built up, and will make blue and green eyes pop!

3. Glo Minerals Blush in Sweet- This shimmering blush is a blend of pink and coral and brings life to the skin. I have a hard time not using it everyday, because I love the fresh glow that it gives the cheeks (I feel like you can tell that I love it because I'm all up in that pan!).

4. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Moonstone- This buttery- soft powder illuminates the face with even the most delicate application. It can be used as an inner eye corner highlight, brow bone highlight, and will make your cheek bones glisten! I find that it's perfect for fair to medium complexions.

5. Glo Minerals Revive Hydration Mist- This facial mist has been a favorite for years. You can mist it on clean skin to help add moisture and prepare the skin for foundation. But, you can also use it to set your makeup and add a natural glow. The scent is a delicate mix of peppermint, lavender and rosemary... Amazing!

To see how beautifully these products work together, check out our latest Spring tutorial!

Warm Caramel and Brie Dip

About 8 years ago, I was obsessed with a show called "The Hill's" on MTV. And, every time that a new episode aired, my girlfriends and I camped out in front of one of our TV's and waited to see if Lauren and Heidi would finally make up or if Spencer would shave his flesh beard. It sounds crazy, but you can't question female bonding rituals. That was around the same time that I realized that several of my girlfriends were amazing hostesses, and their "easy" snacks made my store bought salsa cry itself to sleep every night. Instead of feeling bad about myself, and my hostessing abilities, I just started stealing their ideas. So, with that being said, I must admit that I have "borrowed" this recipe from my friend Amy and have impressed people ever since.

I most recently shared this delicious dip with party goers at a friend's baby shower. I like it because its a mix of savory and sweet. I normally serve it with green apples and water crackers, which helps it appeal to snack lovers of all kinds. Even though it contains dairy, this is a gluten free recipe. I've found it pairs well with rice crackers, for gluten free fans, if the apples aren't up your street. So, here we go, my first recipe post...

Start by removing the outer covering (the papery bit) of a circle of brie with a knife, then place it in the bottom of an oven safe dish. I recommend something ceramic, like Corning Ware. Next, you'll open a container caramel fruit dip, and just dump it on top of the brie in the dish. see? Easy so far! 

Next, dump 1/4 cup of almond slivers and 1/4 cup of dried fruits bits on top of the caramel and brie.  You can play with these proportions depending on your taste, or just add more of both if you'd like. The nuts and fruit add more texture and interest to the dip. And, dare I say nutrition? Nahhh.

Once you've thrown those four ingredients together, pop it in an oven heated to 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. It should be a bit bubbly on the sides and consistent in texture in the middle. And, voila! You have a delicious dip that will please everyone. Pair it will apple slices and crackers of your choice, and your friends will surely be impressed!

The Spring is Here Giveaway!

Spring is a time of sunshine, beautiful blooming flowers..... and humidity! I have no control over the natural beauty that we see around us this time of year. However, I can help with that humidity part!

This year The Hue Lifestyle will be giving away the perfect kit for humidity proof hair. The Bumble & bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer will help detangle and protect your hair from heat styling with your blow-dryer. For added volume, set the top "Mohawk" section of your hair with the Jet Set EZ grip rollers. I would, also, recommend prepping your dry hair with the GHD Style Smooth & Straight Spray, before you use the Hot Tools Gold Titanium Flatiron to smooth your locks to a glossy finish.

By using these amazing tools, you'll look fabulous all Spring long!

To enter, just subscribe to our blog, The Hue Lifestyle, by entering your email in the box below. The Giveaway will be open for ONE month and the winner will be chosen on April 25, 2016. And, contacted via email.

What are you looking forward to this Spring? Share your favorite things about Spring in the comments below, and have a great day!

An Evening With Kate

One of my favorite bloggers and YouTube beauty guru's is Kate from The Small Things Blog. She's relatable, and loves sharing hairspiration, and yes, I'm making that a word. The icing on the cake was when I found out that she was based in Raleigh, N.C. I was so happy to see a local hairstylist sharing her knowledge and passion with the rest of us. Last year, she started offering hair styling classes in area salons. When Jamie, my co-worker, and I saw that she was offering an up-do class that fit into our schedules, we signed right up!  This was a perfect opportunity for some quality girl time and some new up-do ideas and tricks. After class, I was able to sit down with Kate and ask her a few questions on life, work and, of course, beauty.

Jamie, Kate and I after the class

My first question was "What inspires you creatively?" She humbly responded that she gets much of her inspiration from other creative types in the industry. She gains inspiration from what others are doing, not in a competitive manner, either. Kate truly appreciates that we all have different styles of doing hair and believes that we all benefit from sharing knowledge.

Kate wears many hats as an entrepreneur, blogger and mother, so I asked "How do you set aside time for your family?" She tries her hardest to stick to specific, set work hours, so that when she's not working she can be completely present during family time with her two busy boys and supportive husband. She believes that there is a bit of give and take when finding the right balance to work life and family. Which I'm sure many of you totally understand.

Some may assume that beauty guru's are full glam all of the time, but Kate is busy working mom, too. So, I asked her about her REAL beauty routine. Kate says a must for everyday is under-eye concealer and a cute fabric elastic to tie her hair up into an effortless ponytail. If she has a little more time she curls her lashes and adds a coat of mascara, a fresh lip color, a swipe of blush and a quick fill-in to the brows.

Those of us in the beauty industry naturally have an over-abundance of hair products, and you know what? We love each and every one of them. That's why I love asking people this: "You're on a desert island and you can bring 3 beauty products with you, what are they?" Kate would stay fresh and glam by bringing her Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral, Benefit Roller Lash, and Kenra25 Hairspray.

Kate using Jamie as her model. Photo by Jordan Maunder

I loved sitting down with Kate and being able to get to know her a little bit more. And, if you're able, I recommend signing up for one of her styling classes. She's a doll and a very patient educator. No matter your skill level, you'll learn so much and I know you'll love her style as much as I do!

Here are a few more pictures from our class at Parlor Dry Bar.

All of the ladies after our up-do class     Photo by Jordan Maunder

Parlor Dry Bar located in Lafayette Village

Kate with one of her gorgeous models, Jamie.

Ouai To Go, Jen!

As someone who stalks, I mean draws inspiration from, many celebrity hairstylists off Instagram and social media, Jen Atkin has been on my radar for quite a while. She has created stunning looks forChrissy Teigan, Lorde, Jennifer Lopez, and , of course, the Kardashian sisters. I've found her work so inspiring that when I heard she was launching her own product line I had to check it out.

The Ouai line, pronounced "way", is a perfect balance of cleansers, conditioners and practical finishing products.  When the line was launched, I had to try the Volume Shampoo and Conditioner, as well as, the Texturizing Hair Spray. The Volume Shampoo and Conditioner are superb for color-treated, fine strands like mine. My hair and scalp felt cleansed, but not depleted of moisture like most volumizing shampoos can leave your hair. The Volume Conditioner is the perfect companion for the shampoo because it doesn't just detangle, it adds moisture. That may sound a little scary to those with baby fine hair, but that moisture softened the hair, without effecting the hair's style longevity, or making your hair go flat and greasy by lunch. The icing on the cake for me was the scent of these two products... I know, I normally opt for fragrance free products. But, this one might have stolen my heart . It's not just clean, but it's not quite a perfume scent... It smells like rich-girl hair. You know what I mean, it's effortless, captivating, and high-end. I've also been enjoying the Texturizing Hair Spray. This styling spray gives subtle, buildable texture that doesn't weight the hair down. It's the perfect product for creating wearable, undone hair.

I'm #Ouai happy that I was able to try these gems from Jen's new line. It's a nicely curated line that makes styling your own hair effortless, yet makes you feel glamorous. All I have to say is "Ouai to go, Jen!"

Beyond Basic

I've had a longtime love affair with Glo Minerals. So, when they launch a new seasonal collection, I'm all over it. The Essence Clutch came with two of their new lip crayons, which are so creamy and hydrating. It also included their new Cream Contour color in Warmth, which gently melts into the skin for a superb glow. I have to say, though, that the stand out for me was the includedElemental Eye Collection.

The Elemental Eye Collection palette is a perfect blend of four warm eye colors and four cool eye colors. They include a matte and shimmery highlight shade, as well as a rich black. With this palette, you can create any look from demure to daring. I was impressed by how rich the shades are considering that they are mineral eye shadows. For me, The Elemental Eye Collection totally beats out the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. You get more variety of colors than the Naked Basics, and I feel like the Elemental Eye Collection has more colors in the mid-tone range. And, that makes it more versatile for me.

Two other qualities that make this palette shine for me are the sleek packaging and the fact that Glo Minerals is cruelty free. The Elemental Eye Collection has sleek, compact packaging that makes is great, not only for everyday, but for travel as well. You can, also, rest easy knowing that no sweet animals were tested or harmed in the creation of this stunning palette. That sounds like a win to me!

For an easy eye look using the Elemental Eye Collection, watch the video below.

Looking Back & Looking Forward

In 2015, I can safely say that I explored more makeup and hair products than ever before. I even dabbled in the world of laser skin treatments. What can I say, I'm a pretty wild lady. As I looked back on my top beauty picks for 2015, it was nice to see a few longtime loves were still in the mix. My Philosophy Purity face wash and MAC's Syrup were two of my first high end beauty products and they continue to be in my daily routine. It is nice to spice things up, though, and that's why I'm so glad that I discovered the Glo Minerals Liquid Ink Liner and the AG Hair Sterling Silver Shampoo and conditioner. The Liquid Ink Liner is an amazing long- wearing, satin finish eye liner that makes winged liner a breeze. I, also, went more cool-toned with my color this year by trying a demure version of "Granny", or grey hair. The Sterling Silver Shampoo and Conditioner helped moisturize and beautifully maintain the strong violet tone I was rocking. I loved it so much that I even brought it into the salon, because I knew that all of my blonde clients would love it, too. Its the most effective toning shampoo I've touched in years. For the full list of my Top 15 Beauty Products of 2015, check out the latest video on our YouTube Channel.

Going forward into 2016, I would like set a few beauty goals. The First is (1)to take off my eye makeup each night. I'm pretty good about removing my face makeup, but I often can't be bothered to remove my stubborn waterproof eye makeup. As I get closer to 30, and fine lines are presenting themselves each minute, I know it will help dramatically just by adding this step into my nightly routine. (2) The Second goal is to use up products before repurchasing a similar one. This will help me to not be wasteful, and maybe save a little cash by asking myself " Do I need this?" (3) My Third goal is to take a little better care of my skin by doing a weekly at-home spa routine. I want to use a purifying mask to purge the nastiness out of my pores, and then follow it with something super nourishing, like a hydrating sheet mask. What are your Beauty Goals for 2016?

It's Right "In theBalm of Your Hand"

The Balm is a company that I've heard and read many bloggers and vloggers rave about. I've even lusted over it in the aisles of Duane Reade when I've visitedNew York City. For some reason I never pulled the trigger, and tried any of their products. That all changed recently when I was able to get my hands on their holiday palette, In theBalm of Your Hands.

This palette features two lip shades: a nude, caramel shade and a buildable red. The formulas are creamy, moisturizing, and can be used on the cheeks as well. When you open the larger side of the palette the possibilities are endless. It features three blushes and one bronzer on the top row. Let me say that this is the perfect palette to tour their most popular products. The Hot Mama Blush is a fresh, glowing peach shade. The Instain Blush is a matte, flirty pink shade, which is perfect for long days. However, we can't forget about Cabana Boy Blush. Cabana Boy is very pigmented, so use a light hand, but the cool undertone is perfect for fall and winter. I've spent the past few weeks layering these three beauties, and let me tell you, alone or layered they are stunning. They can really be adapted to any skin tone. The perfect compliment to these Blushes is Bahama Mama, the matte bronzer in the palette. This is a perfect winter bronzer or contour shade for fair to medium complected ladies. Bahama Mama is also the ideal eye shadow crease shade for the five eye shadows in the palette.

The In theBalm of Your Hand Palette features two shimmery shades: a silver grey, and a light copper. You can rev up your eye look by using the two deep shades: a warm chocolate brown and a silky forest green. The cherry on top has to be the tiny Mary-Lou Manizer in the corner. This highlight is stunning on the eyes, whether in the inner corner, lid or under the brow. Where she really blows your mind is on your cheekbones... Mary-Lou Manizer gives the most silky glow on the skin. You can use a light hand for a subtle glow, or really go for it and get an almost wet finish to the skin. Even as an oily monster, this highlight is magnificent and stands up to all the hype you've heard about it.

The bottom line is this, if you've never tried any products from theBalm you need this palette. If you're already a fan of the company, you need this palette. The quality of the shadows, blushes and lip colors is amazing, and that's why I feel like this is the perfect getaway palette. It's everything you'd need to create day and night looks, whether you're staying in town or are setting sail for a bigger adventure.

A Few of My Favorite Things in October

The month of October is such a transitional month for North Carolinian's. It wasn't until the end of the month that it started feeling like Fall, at all. This month's favorites are a group of products that made me excited to get ready for my day on these crisp mornings that we've been having. So, let's dive it!

The Becca Ever-Matte Primer is a must for anyone who deals with excessive oil. As the month cooled off, I'd use it just in my T- zone. This is the key to my makeup lasting for a 10 hour workday. I, also, added the AG Hair Sterling Silver conditioner to my weekly shower routine. I shampoo my hair first in the shower and then let my conditioner soak in for the rest of my time. This hydrating conditioner also neutralizes out yellow, or golden, tones in blondes or light hair. It's an absolute must for any blonde, and would be amazing for you ladies rocking extreme grey tones in your hair as well. My favorite eyeliner this month was the Liquid Liner from Glo Minerals. Waterproof is an understatement with this liner, it will not budge once it has set. The thin, felt tip applicator makes it so easy to get a precise flick, or a dramatic wing. The color is a deep, opaque black with a subtle satin finish, gorgeous! This liner has found a permanent place in my professional kit and my personal makeup bag.

These next three products definitely took my classic look to the next level! I'm so bad for biting my lips and eating off my lipstick through the day. So, when it comes to lip color I need something that wears off naturally. That's why I'm loving this combination this month. Urban Decays Liar lipstick is my perfect brown nude shade. It's so creamy and moisturizing, but has a long wear time. This is actually my second tube of it, because I accidentally left my first one on set for Love It or List it. After months of missing it, I had to have it back in my life. I've been layering it under Marc Jacobs Lip gloss in Rebel Rebel, and it's a stellar combination. Rebel Rebel is a natural rose color with a violet undertone. You notice a subtle shimmer in the package, but I don't find that it transfers to the lips and gives you Glitta face. I also like pairing it with MAC Patisserie and Syrup. The packaging is sturdy and luxurious feeling, and the formula inside is a thicker, long wearing consistency. The icing on the cake is the soft minty scent of this gloss, it's an all around fabulous lip gloss! Now, I'm about to blow your mind. I fell in love with a highlighter this month...I know...I'm oily...What am I thinking? I originally looked into the Becca Highlighters for my kit to fill a few gaps that I had. I picked up Moonstone, and for a while I just stared at how beautiful it was. Then, I realized that I will always need more shimmer in my life so I started using it every day. And, I haven't stopped. On myself personally, this creamy powder applies smoothly to the skin and makes you instantly radiant. It's beautiful on the tops of the cheeks, cupids bow, or as an eye shadow. I love that when I use it I look purely glowy, it doesn't emphasis my natural oiliness at all.

A few months ago, I needed an updated business card holder. So, I happened to be perusing the Darling Magazine online store and saw this adorable case from Hawks & Doves. It went right into the cart and in a few weeks it was on my door step. I didn't realize until I got it in hand, that this sturdy black leather case was handmade in Raleigh, NC. I love that it's stylish and I get to support another local business.

I hope you enjoyed my favorites for this month. Let me know your thoughts on any of these gems if you've had a chance to try them in the comments below. See you soon!

It's a Perfect Time for a Joyride

At the most recent Fashion Focus Hair show in Charlotte, I was introduced to Bed Head's newest product, Joyride. After watching them use the "texturizing powder balm" onstage on so many different hair types, I knew I had to take it for a spin.

When I brought it back to the salon, I used it on everyone. Man, woman, short, tall, EVERYONE. The educators referred to it as a primer for the hair, and that's the best description of the texture of the product. It feels just like a face primer that you would use before foundation. Unlike a face primer, though, you can use it as a finishing or texturizing product on dry hair.

I enjoyed how easy to use and versatile Joyride was on clients. It isn't necessarily a "smoothing" product, it just adds a little "feel" to the hair, like subtle texture. When I used it on coarse, wet hair it would help softly smooth fly aways and block humidity. When used on coarse, dry hair it added separation to the ends of hair and would be great for defining curls. On fine, wet hair it adds styling control to the mid-shaft and ends of hair. When used on dry, fine hair its great for taming fly aways.

The bottom line is that Joyride is an easy to use product that can make all hair types more manageable. You would want to keep in mind, though, that this is not a "one and done" product. It's meant to be layered or cocktailed with other products for a personalized effect. Even with that being said, I really enjoyed taking a Joyride, and I think its about time that you do too!

The Sweatshirt That Changed Everything

Why do I feel so empowered by a sweatshirt that says " Smart Blonde?" I graduated with High Honors and I'm naturally a brunette. So, why would this sweatshirt speak to me? Simply, It's not something you hear everyday, and I like it.

I understand that stereotypes exist, but I've always been one that really enjoyed breaking them. Why is it that our hair color alone lets people think they know our personality? Where did these ideas start? Ditsy Blonde, feisty redhead, mousy brunette...

Rosalie Duthe is the first recorded " Dumb Blonde". Rosalie was known for pausing so long before speaking that everyone thought her to be "dumb" or possibly having a mental handicap. She even inspired a satirical play in 1775, where all of her contemporaries poked fun at her. Perhaps she wasn't " dumb", maybe she she was just surrounded by jerks and was pausing to put her words in order. We will never know... In any case, after at least 240 years, let's put these mean phrases to rest. There will always be negativity and people who want to tear us down. Here are a few tips for building each other up:

1) Realize that we are all equal and different. We each have different strengths and we should use those strengths to support and encourage one another.

2) When you meet someone new, stop and look for 1 positive trait. Look for the good in others.

3) Give genuine compliments. We love when people notice our fabulous blowout, but it's more enriching to compliment someone's patience, kindness, endurance, or positivity.

Shakespeare coined the phrase "All the world's a stage." If that's the case, there's room for all of us up there. The Blonde, the Redhead and The Brunette. So reach out your hand to the gal next to you and help her up. It's time for the second act!

The beginning of something new...

The concept of something "new" can evoke an array of emotions.  A new pair of shoes can be so exciting that you create an outing to wear them to.  A new friend can make you laugh and warm your soul.  On the other hand, a new position at work could create a little anxiety and stress.  In either case, something new is an opportunity for change and even adventure.

Here at TheHueLifestyle.com I'm excited about exploring this new adventure.  After standing behind the chair as a hairstylist and makeup artist for over 10 years, it's time for a little change.  I love helping my clients learn to recreate styles for themselves.  I love when I'm able to help a client find a product that makes them fall in love with their hair again, or make their morning routine just a little bit easier.

TheHueLifestyle.com was developed to help clients of Salon Hue, and virtual clients around the world, with their hair needs.  I wanted to create a one-stop shop where you can learn about products and techniques and be able to purchase the perfect kit of products for your needs.  And hopefully you'll find some inspiration for something "new" in your life too.

And that brings us to where we are now, the beginning of something amazing and new.  TheHueLifestyle.com... it's not just great hair, it's a lifestyle.

August 2015 Favorites!

Want to know what products we're loving in the salon right now?  Check out our August 2015 favorites video and see!

Plus, we're doing a product give-away!  Just subscribe to our YouTube channel and like @salonhue on Instagram for your chance to win a prize pack of products from Alterna's Bamboo line.