Tag: PRIMP

Hair Colors That Scream Summer 2022

Published on by Lee2 Comments

With the imminence of hot weather right around the corner, you’re likely swapping for cooler sheets and breezy clothes. You’re preoccupied with the important changes that will make summer not only easier, but bearable. The last thing you’re probably debating is a big hair change. In 2022, we get that a big hair change isn’t going to solve your problems; we’ve evolved past that as a society (or at least, once we all hit the mid-20s). But that’s precisely how these trending summer hair colors were developed. They’re subtle, chill, and very “that girl.”

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Beyond a low-maintenance haircut, a new take on your hair color can make you feel like you just stepped onto a runway… even if you’re just commuting to the office in the morning. If you’re lusting after a new look (or just want to see what all the hype is about), these hair colors will give you hella inspiration at your next salon appointment. 

1. “Expensive Blonde”

We discussed “expensive brunette” heavily in the winter and early spring, but this summer, it’s coming around again for the blondes. What is “expensive blonde,” you ask? Unlike the icy, platinum blondes and balayage that have us in a chokehold all of the 2010s, expensive blonde is all about a blonde that looks truly natural and subtle. It usually contains a lot of really fine highlights throughout that add dimension in a soft way. It’s typically more on the neutral to golden side, which is a sharp shift from the white blondes we all were partial to years ago. Blonde is getting a refresh, and I, for one, am stoked about it.

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2. Ginger

In 2022, everyone’s going red (us included!). You’ll be hard-pressed to find a celeb who hasn’t taken it for a test drive. Kendall Jenner, Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, SZA—it’s everywhere. Luckily, there are tons of different red tones you can try depending on your skin tone and your current hair color. Blondes can make the easy shift to strawberry (like Sweeney did), while a brunette can add extra warmth and brightness with a cherry red or copper.

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3. Mushroom Brown

In summer, we usually look forward to golden, sunshine tones in our hair. But in 2022, the grungier, the better—even in our hair color. Mushroom brown isn’t the first wave of a ’90s hair color revival (we mean, “expensive brunette” was practically made by the ’90s supermodel), but it nods in a very different direction than we’ve seen previously. It’s grungy and lived-in, thanks to those cool, grey tones. It’s perfect for someone who’s looking for a color they can easily transition to fall and winter instead of having to change up their hair tone once the seasons change.

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4. Rose Gold

If there’s any color trend getting us excited right now, it’s rose gold. While it’s bright and different from your usual blonde-brunette-redhead, it still somehow looks natural and subtle when paired with a shadow root. If there’s anyone who can show us how chic it is, it’s Hailey Bieber, who just rocked this color on the cover of Allure this spring. 

5. Buttery Blonde

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Golden tones of blonde have been swirling around the last couple of years (largely thanks to the influencer, Matilda Djerf), but “buttery blonde” is a fresh take. It’s a bit darker than the blonde we’re used to, and it has lots of dimension through lowlights instead of highlights. This warm color somehow always looks natural and might even make people believe you were born blonde (we won’t tell anyone the truth!). 

6. Chocolate Caramel

A warm, caramel brunette dream doesn’t get any more summertime. It’s like you drenched your hair in honey. You can go for a balayage to keep this low-maintenance or bring the brightness up to your roots to frame your face. Issa Rae has tons of extra dimensions in her curls that make this hair color look extra glam. To get a similar look, ask your hairstylist for lots of babylights throughout.

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7. Warm Brown

For brunettes who don’t want to add lightness but are looking for a change for summer, you can’t go wrong with adding a touch of warmth to a chocolate brown shade. This looks like your hair just got a natural boost from being in the sunshine, and it’ll pair beautifully with all the bright summer clothes in your wardrobe (per Selena Gomez’s bright green above). 

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And what’s even better, you might be able to get this at home with an at-home toner or hair gloss to save a little money. 

8. Y2K Highlights

For the early adopters, this trend is about to blow up in a major way, so now’s the time to prepare yourself. The early aughts are in everything beauty, fashion, and pop culture (hi, Bennifer!), so it was only time we started nodding in that direction for hair color. If you’re worried this will make you look like you’re 13 again, trust us: hair colorists in 2022 aren’t about making you look like you just stepped out of a middle school dance. Instead, they’ll add bigger highlights throughout your hair up to the root. Think of it like you dumped a whole bottle of Sun-In on your hair—that’s the vibe.

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#PeriodPower! We’re Sharing All Your Period Stories…

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

Isn’t it strange to think that despite half of the planet experiencing periods at some point in their lives, we still feel a need to hide it as if it were some horrible, unnatural thing? It’s time for that to change! The reality is, that periods are natural. And more importantly, this isn’t just an issue for people who menstruate, those who don’t have periods also need to take part in the conversation and educate themselves on the menstrual cycle.

Fortunately, many amazing organizations are drawing attention to this issue and getting the conversation going – find out more about how you can get involved here. We wanted to support this movement and hear your #PeriodPower stories too, because the more we share, learn and destigmatize periods, the more empowered we are. Our bodies are powerful, and that is nothing to feel shameful about!

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We recently asked you guys to join us in this movement and send in your period stories via our @BeautyLeeBar Instagram DMs, and we were so overwhelmed with the response from you all! We’re sharing some of your incredible stories below – we’re sure there are so many here that you can all relate to and many others that will open your eyes to a bigger issue.

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Thank you so much to everyone who sent in their period stories – we heard some truly heartwarming and eye-opening stories. We also received so much support from you on continuing this story, so stay tuned!

One other important key issue some of these story’s highlight is just how much period poverty there is across the world. Period poverty affects people globally, and in some cases, many women are forced to use unsanitary and toxic substitutes or are restricted to their houses or bathroom for days. For many, missing school because of their period is all too common. Find out more about period poverty and how you can get involved here.

Let’s carry on this conversation… Leave your #PeriodPower Stories in the comments below (leave an anonymous comment by not writing your full name, or by writing ‘anonymous’ in the name section, and no other details will be published). Thank you for joining us!

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

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Why Knotless Braids Are All the Rage RN

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Knotless braids are the rave in today’s hair fashion even though knotless braids have been around since the 2000s.Celebrities like Beyonce, Zendaya, Jhene Aiko, Kelly Rowland, and Keke Palmer, to mention a few, have all rocked this particular hairstyle in all its glory. Traditional box braids are beautiful, but they also demand high maintenance. With knotless braids, there is no such thing: they’re easy to style as well as maintain.

Knotless braids are your typical box braids but without the traditional knot that is started at the base or root of the hair. Unlike traditional braids, which typically add extensions at the root, knotless braids begin with your natural hair and then extensions are fed in further down the braid.

Because knotless braids do not begin with a knot, there’s very little tension on the scalp, thereby lessening the soreness that braids usually have, thereby allowing you to leave the salon headache-free. It’ll prevent tension bumps that occur when the hair follicle is inflamed, which causes a red sore to arise! Another major benefit of knotless braids is that you can style your hair and sleep comfortably straight after the appointment, without any pain!

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What Are the Benefits of Knotless Braids?

  • They Serve as Protective Styles: If you want to take a break from styling your hair while still protecting it, knotless braids are the right choice.
  • They Are Painless: As I have mentioned before, traditional box braids require a tight hold on the hair roots which causes pain. Knotless braids do not require a tight grip and, as such, are painless.
  • A Natural Look: Because of how they’re installed, knotless braids give a seamless natural look.
  • They Are Low Maintenance Styles: Knotless braids only require that you oil your scalp/hair roots at least every three days to prevent dryness.
  • They Last Long: You can keep them in your hair for as long as you want. However, I advise that you only keep them in, for 4 – 8 weeks.
  • They’re Easy to Take Out: All you need to do is snip out with scissors where your hair stops on the extension and then begin to loosen the braids.
  • No Tangles/Knots in Your Hair Afterward: Since knotless braids do not start at the base of your hair, they don’t leave it all tangled up at the roots. So, you don’t lose much hair when you’re taking them out. Hey, there’s a reason they’re called “knotless”. In all, knotless braids don’t damage the hair.
  • allow me to retain all my new growth and protect the older parts of my hair.
  • enables me to moisturize my hair and scalp without issue, and cleanse and care for my scalp.

Possibly the only downside of having knotless braids is they don’t necessarily last as long as other braids tend to – four to six weeks. Hair Stylist explains that the longer you leave them in, the more hair damage can occur if they’re not taken care of properly, or if the braids are heavier. It is always a great idea with any hairstyle to give your natural hair a break. If you are someone who braids your hair back-to-back, this can eventually take a toll on your strands and cause breakage or damage

It’s important to take care of them with oils and nightly wrapping.

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Another thing to keep in mind is knotless braids take longer to install than other braiding techniques as you’re consistently stopping to add extra hair.

The best way to keep your knotless braids healthy is by wrapping them up every night before bed and oiling the scalp to maintain moisture. Here are our favorites: Camille Rose MINT CONDITION BRAID AND SCALP SPRAY $12, Mielle Rosemary and Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil $10, Tea Tree Oil $3, Jamaican black castor oil $7, Shea Moisture Moringa & Avocado Power Greens Hair Rinse $13 …. just to name a few!

Don’t Want to Braid Your Hair? Do This Instead

You may love braids but don’t want to add extensions to your hair because of certain reasons best known to you. However, you can still rock braids on your head as though you braided them into your hair. How? Get a braided wig! Braided wigs are easy to wear, and the fun part is you can take them off and put them back on whenever you want! The best part? No one will even notice!

Do you like knotless braids? Ready to join the knotless box braid gang? Let us know in the comments below.

HOMEMADE ROSEMARY + COCONUT OIL MASK

Published on by Lee1 Comment

New year, new you right? Ya Ya, we’ve heard it (and said it) all before. And while we all have goals and things, we want to do to better ourselves, we also understand that it doesn’t all happen at once. Let’s take our beauty routines for example. Refreshed and glowing skin is always at the top of our lists. But honestly, after the holidays who has $$$ to spend on new masks and serums and creams and whatever else we need? That’s why we did a bit of research and made our mask instead. It checks off a few boxes on our list of being better humans. Self-care? Check. Save money? Check. Take care of our skin? Check.

And guess what? You can probably make this with items already in your kitchen leftover from breakfast. It’s 4 simple ingredients with a few steps to a refreshing mask that you’ll want to make a daily habit (if we all had the luxury of time to treat ourselves to a mask a day!). We love it while we’re listening to our favorite podcast, reading a chapter in a new book, or even during a girls’ night in with a little rosé.

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Rich in nutrients including iron, calcium, vitamins, and antioxidants, rosemary in various forms —rosemary extract, rosemary oil, and rosemarinic acid —is effective for many skin types and is found in skincare cleansers, soaps, face masks, toners, and creams. This herb is used widely in aromatherapy as its stimulant properties refresh, rejuvenate and help you feel energized.

Rosemary is a potent antioxidant; it protects the skin and prevents signs of premature aging. Aside from its anti-aging properties, it’s great for acne, dry skin, and eczema. Not to mention you can also use this mask as a hair mask. 

When massaged into the face, rosemary oil can help lightens dark spots and blemishes on the skin resulting in an improved skin complexion. The anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary extract help to reduce swelling and puffiness of the skin. It also helps to heal burns and soothe the skin.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 sprig of rosemary (finally putting my garden to use!)
  • 4-5 tbsp. Greek yogurt (more for a thicker consistency)
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • sugar (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Roughly chop rosemary
  2. Melt coconut oil in a small saucepan and mix in the rosemary
  3. Simmer this mixture for 8-10 minutes, rosemary will begin to lose its color
  4. Remove from heat and strain rosemary pieces from the mixture. Discard rosemary
  5. Add oil to a mixing bowl and let cool slightly
  6. Before oil has solidified but has had time to cool, mix in Greek yogurt + honey. The paste should be smooth so take your time mixing!
  7. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to ensure your mixture is cold
  8. Finally, mix in the sugar (use sugar if you are using it immediately, it will act as an exfoliant. if you are saving for later, don’t add until you are ready to use)
  9. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks (we’d recommend using this mask 1-2 times per week if you love it!)

* Makes 3-4 masks *

Why am I putting this on my face?

  • Rosemary oil helps stimulate cell renewal, promoting healthy healing, while moisturizing and improving skin circulation.
  • Greek yogurt is full of lactic acid that helps smooth dry, rough skin and dissolves dead skin that clogs pores. Its anti-bacterial properties are great for acne-prone skin.
  • Honey can almost do it all. It promotes collagen building, it’s moisturizing, and its antioxidants nourish the skin which can assist in the healing of acne scars.
  • Sugar, as explained above, will act as an exfoliant if you are using your mask right away. When applying, lightly massage the mask onto your skin. If you are saving your mask for later use, do not add the sugar as it will dissolve. You can add if you decide to right before use.
  • Coconut oil contains vitamin E and saturated fats which moisturize, repair, and restore quickly as it is rapidly absorbed into the epidermis.

How to use it?

After you have washed your face, remove the mask from the refrigerator. Apply a generous amount all over the face, avoiding the eye area. Wait about 30 minutes or until the mask feels dry and rinse. We recommend following up with your favorite serum and/or moisturizer.

How did it work for us?

After this mask, we noticed that our dark spots looked more faded and our skin looked even, vibrant, moisturized, and was glowing. The skin felt so soft that we thought we were in heaven. Didn’t even need to add any moisturizer because the skin was already soft and hydrated! It’s going to be a go-to for a quick weekday refresh!

Warning: Always do an allergy patch test before applying anything to the face. What works for us may not work for you!

Is a skincare refresh on your to-do list for the new year? What masks have you tried making at home?