Valentine’s Day is around the corner and love is in the air. Contrary to popular belief, Valentine’s Day is not just about love for a significant other. Sometimes, we all need a day to love ourselves, our friends and just have fun! So, if you’re not going out on a date this Valentine’s Day, go out with some pals or even yourself because you deserve a night for some self-love! Here are some tips to help you look as amazing as you feel.
There’s nothing more enticing than a radiant glow. If you haven’t already, we seriously recommend picking up a good face highlighter. For a more striking appearance, pair your highlight with some sharp contour to give you a chiseled finish. This helps, especially if you plan to spend the evening in a dimly lit area. If you’d rather have an innocent, angelic look, skip contouring all together and bring out your best features with just highlighter. Strobing is a great way to make your best features pop without overloading them with dark shadows. Either way, you’ll be sure to look flawless.
There’s something special about blush. Most of the time, people don’t use blush and go for something subtle. However, if you’re planning on spending Valentine’s Day throughout the evening in a dimly lit area, then blush is your best friend. Aside from giving you a flushed look (who doesn’t feel flattered making someone else blush?), it gives you more dimension and doesn’t wash you out against low light and harsh shadows. For those of us who do wear blush every day, go for something a little deeper than normal to help add that healthy appearance in low lighting. Just make sure you don’t go too overboard!
Kissing and lipstick don’t always go hand in hand. If you do plan on getting a kiss goodnight, then we recommend not reaching for a striking plum or Marilyn red. Instead, go for a soft pink, berry or a nude tone to help compliment your lips without the fear of going everywhere! Add a little gloss to the center for an extra pop and you’re all set. If you’re taking the night for yourself or hanging around with some friends, then go bold! A matte liquid lipstick in deep tones is the perfect product for you! They have amazing coverage and, for the most part, won’t budge so you don’t have to worry about reapplying after a few drinks. Make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your lips before applying any color to your lips. Keeping your lips soft with help your lipstick to stay and not overemphasize any dryness you might have.
As much as we hate to say it, try not to use hairspray in your hair. Hairspray can make your hair too shiny, stiff and overall not romantically tousled. Instead, use a finishing serum or cream to smooth out your strands while still keeping them soft and in place. Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Smoothing Cream is amazing for giving a soft appearance without weighing your hair down too much. If you must grab hairspray, go for something light like Aveda’s Air Control. It will give you a hold without being too much for your hair. You can always sprits a little onto your brush and gently run it over your flyway to keep them down throughout the evening.
Who doesn’t love big hair? Nothing shows that you’re ready for a big night out then big hair. Get yourself a blowout. Your XEX Stylist knows you and knows your hair. They’ll know just the right way to add height to your hair. Book your appointment the day prior to Valentine’s Day (or the morning of) to achieve that day old, tousled bed head look. Then, grab some MoroccanOil Dry Shampoo and sprits it on your roots to bring back some volume and texture. If this isn’t giving you enough volume, don’t worry because Aveda’s Hair Potion is there to give you that last little oomph you’ll need to feel sexy and in charge.
Whether you have a hot date planned for Valentine’s Day or not, don’t forget to go out anyways and treat yourself. Nothing makes us feel more amazing than looking and feeling absolutely fabulous.
When it comes to damaging weather, winter takes the cake – especially when it comes to our hands. No matter how many layers of deep moisturizing lotion we apply, it doesn’t seem like enough against blistering winds and subzero temperatures. We can’t completely eliminate the damage cold weather causes, but we can take certain steps to help prevent painful, cracked skin.
Water is one of the main reasons our hands dry out quicker in the winter. We’re used to washing our hands for every little thing, but when mixed with the dry air, it can do more harm than good. Unless you’re about to prepare food, just used the washroom or are around sick people, you don’t need to be washing your hands every time you touch something. Water sucks moisture from your skin and harsh soaps strip of your natural oils. The key is to wash less and make sure you’re using good soap when you do. Finding good, sulfate free body washes and hand soaps, such as Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Hand and Body Wash, can help.
When it comes to keeping your hands soft, the right moisturizer is all you need. For something that’s not too heavy- for those of you who need less moisture than others- a cream based moisturize like Aveda’s Stress Fix Hand Cream should do the trick. For those of you who struggle with extremely dry and cracked hands in the winter, a thicker moisturizer like Aveda’s Hand Relief or even a body cream (which tends to be thicker in consistency) should help. If you are one to suffer from extremely dry skin and a good moisturizer is not doing the trick, invest in an oil to help act as a barrier between your skin and the air. Aveda offers several different concentrates to cater all types of skin from extremely dry to the extremely sensitive.
Even if we wanted to, keeping the windows open all year round doesn’t help the dry air that comes along with winter. Closing the windows and putting on the heat doesn’t help either, the air is even drier than it is outside. So, what can you do? A humidifier is a fantastic investment, especially in the winter time. Not only will it help your skin stay moisturized as you sip hot chocolate and watch movies on the couch, but it can also help you breathe better if you notice that your nose gets clogged when the windows are closed.
When it comes to the damage the winter produces to your hands, it’s no laughing manner. Make sure you’re moisturizing every chance you get and investing in nighttime serums that help heal your hands while you are sleeping. Always remember to wear gloves and drink plenty of water to keep your skin youthful and soft.
If you’ve never used dry shampoo, then you are missing out on a lifesaver. Dry shampoo takes those non-shampoo days from dull and dirty to fresh and clean all within the matter of seconds. With that being said, most dry shampoos come in an aerosol can. These cans create volume, texture as well as sucking up all those excess oils. They’re great—if you’re looking for volume and texture. For those of us who don’t like the texture that aerosol dry shampoos leave, finding something else to do the job can be difficult. Sure, baby powder or corn starch will suck up the oils, but they will also leave a white residue on your hair. If your hair is dark, then that might not be the best idea.
Well, not to worry! In the past few years, Aveda has perfected and released a new kind of dry shampoo that helps those in need. This dry shampoo does not come in a huge aerosol can, but a more compact bottle. The specially designed lid helps you twist and shake some product into the trap without spilling it. All you need is a little squeeze to your roots and the product will do the rest.
It starts as a powder and lightly dusts your roots. Then it begins to soak up those oils leaving your hair soft and clean without any extra volume and texture. This product is especially great for fine hair because it doesn’t weigh it down as much as most other dry shampoos do. If you’re unsure about which type of dry shampoo would be best for your hair, your XEX stylist can help you in the right direction.
Are you thinking about going red? Don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of women think about making the change. Red hair stands out from a crowd, but natural redheads come rare. Red hair is undeniably beautiful. When done incorrectly, it can also be a complete disaster. Before you make the change, check out these tips to help you decide whether or not going red is right for you.
The first thing to understand about red is that not all reds are the same. Red hair comes with a variety of undertones. Take them into consideration when booking a color appointment with your stylist. Reds can range anywhere from shocking to soft and natural. Talk with your stylist about which reds will compliment your skin tone the most. Your stylist can help you pick out a swatch for the exact tone you’re looking for whether it be a fiery orange-red, a cooling blue-red or something in between. Consulting with your stylist is one of the most important steps to take when you think about going red.
If you’ve ever known anyone who has gone red, you might be aware at the upkeep it requires in order to stay bright and vibrant. It’s a lot more work than brunette or blonde to keep red looking pretty, but it is doable. With the proper maintenance, your red hair will last just as long as any other color.
Your stylist is the best person to talk to when it comes to the shampoo and other product you should use. It’s recommended that you wash your hair with cool water to help seal the color in. Then after the first wash, skipping a few will help keep the red in for longer.
Red hair is stunning and makes everyone stand out from the crowd. Just keep in mind that red might be one of the most difficult colors to remove from the hair and can require multiple appointments with your stylist in order to remove.
Talk with your XEX stylist today to figure out if red is right for you.
Spring is finally almost here Chicago! The snow if almost melted and you don’t have to wear 5 layers of clothes to go outside. We couldn’t be more excited for the warm weather.
The theme of this spring seems to be casual and loose. Here are some of our favorite styles for the season.
The ponytail isn’t going anywhere. It’s still popular and we’re seeing it worn low quite a bit. Keep your ponytail loose to get some volume and playfulness.
Instead of neat, flat bangs go with swept over or choppy bangs.
Bobs are really popular right now. Whether it’s shoulder-length, side-swept or has an outgrown look, as long as it’s a bob it’ll be in style.
Use a series of small twists in your updo to give it an extra touch.
For those with straight hair, part it straight down the center for a bold look. Combine it with highlights for a great overall style.
Credit: Fashinisers, Harper’s Bazaar.
