Krista Blocker's Guide to the Perfect Curl

Quad Cities Hair Wizard- Krista Blocker

A “How To” Curl Your Hair

 

 

            I have assembled my very best TOP TEN tips when it comes to curling the hair.  I hope these help you as much as they have helped me!

 

1.The first tip is how to use a flat iron to correctly curl the hair.   SO... you would start out with a section of hair like you were getting ready to flat iron, you then make a 180 degree turn with the iron.  You would then want to grab the tail of the hair that is still sticking out and wrap it back up over the hair to make a complete 360 degree rotation, and then pull down the hair shaft with the flat iron. Viola you’ve got a beautful loose curl. 

2.   Hair curls best on any length with a one inch curling iron.  Anything bigger will give you more body then curl, and anything smaller will give you a tight spiral curl. You don’t want to look like Shirley Temple.  

3.  To achieve the optimal loose curl on long hair use a curling iron, and on short hair use a flat iron.  It’s not absolutely necessary, you could you the other, but these tools give the best look at that length. 

4.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS, curl the hair away from the face.  This opens up the face, not encloses it.

 

5.  Before raking your fingers through your hair to break up the curl, make sure the hair has completely cooled.  Hair sets as it cools.  If you break up the curl before it has time to cool off then your curls will fall out. 

6.  DO set your hair will a light weight hairspray when complete, to ensure that your style will be locked in ALL day long.  Better yet, prep your hair to be curled with a prepping spray, or spray meant to be used with heat before and light hairspray after.  This is the secret to how the celebs never have to worry about their hair not looking perfect.  Also, make sure you are using a heat protectant so you don’t damage your hair in the process.

7.  Don’t feel like you have to re-curl all of your hair on the second day.  It’s the perfect time to wear a looser curl.  Emphasize what you have and then just go back in and refresh a few pieces.  Spray a little spray shine, and you are out the door.

8.  Loose curls are flattering on ANY face shape.  The bounce, the added height, and the automatic lift it gives the fave is a killer combo to looking your best.  It’s a no wonder how come are styles always revert back to some type of curl. 

9.   Don’t over think how each and every curl looks when it comes to curling your hair.  You don’t want every piece curled exactly the same, the exact same way.  I often have people who say they give up curling their hair because they can’t get uniform curls.  Wait until you are completely done curling your hair before you go back and tweak the minor imperfections in the hair.  Chances are you will end up liking it when you see the whole hairstyle together.  Please, trust me and follow this tip!

10.    Last, but not least if you are struggling to curl your hair.  Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist to show you.  That is what we are here for.  Sometimes we forget to explain what we are doing when we are styling your hair because it comes like second nature to us.  I love to teach someone new when it comes to their hair!

Read more ...

Women, Food, and God. Book review by Libby Carstens; QCA Advocare Rep and Health Guru

Well..here goes..You want to hear something from a nutritional box observing, workout loving, make anything out of protein to substitute flour junkie? Let’s get to the point. This is scary to say. I’m a compulsive eater... Sometimes uncontrollable.  I want to know every way NOT to compulsively eat because...well don’t we tend to try to be so interested in things we want to fix about ourselves?

I feel like I’m the only one out there and we all try to hide things and be a perfect mom, wife, woman, friend that sometimes no one sees the real us. Then....I read this book. Actually audiobook because I drive A LOT and I can multitask. It’s called Women, Food and God.

 

 

 

WARNING!! If you are not a person of faith, I’m not going to talk about God or anyone else’s “higher power” and neither does the book. This is about food and the power it has over us for some reason. Yes, I believe we all need some sort of Higher Power and mine is God and praying or meditating or whatever you call it really does help.

This book has given 7 guidelines to eating that are SO simple. It’s becoming aware of yourself doing them and getting out of the habit that’s hard. Perhaps it’s CHOOSING to not do them.

If you ever have a goal to read a certain amount of books this one should be on the list for sure. She goes into how women view food and some staggering percentages about how the majority of women from a young age are ALWAYS “dieting” in some form or another. Whether we’re going on a vacation, getting married, going to be in a wedding, just had a baby, getting ready to have a baby, it’s almost short weather, it’s January 1st, or you just don’t want to look at yourself in the mirror anymore, we are just always trying to change the size of our thighs or other body part hoping we’ll like ourselves more. One story from the book I thought interesting was a women who goes to get liposuction on her thighs because she hates looking at them. After recovering from the procedure, guess what? She still hated them. It’s not the thighs, but the standard and our view of them.

Let’s see these guidelines....

1.  Eat when you’re hungry.

2.  Eat sitting down in a calm environment. (this does not include the car)

3.  Eat without distractions including radio, TV, newspaper, Kindle, iPad, computer, books, and intense or anxiety producing music.

4.  Eat what your body needs.

5.  Eat until you are satisfied. Not stuffed.

6.  Eat with the intention of being in full view of others.

7.  Eat with enjoyment, gusto and pleasure.

When I first heard these I thought, “that’s easy”.

Then I immediately started being aware of when I eat, how I eat and WHY I eat when I’m not hungry.

It blew my mind. So obviously eat when you’re hungry.

Think about this- You Are Only Hungry For Two Reasons

1.  Your body needs nourishment.

2.  You are feeling empty and hungry for something else such as: love, social connection, balance and purpose.

Anyone reading this as a mom Number 2 is just funny. Calm... so 2 kids on your lap and another asking for a glass of juice is not calm or distracting? LOL The car is a big one as well. It’s so easy to mindlessly eat in the car and not realize you ate way too many almonds.

Distractions are big. Example- I always have the TV on or music on my phone. It’s easy to eat when the girls are at home, because there’s constant activity, but every Wednesday when they go to Dad’s house, its so quiet.

I became aware that I am used to noise so when they leave and I’m alone I like to “distract” my heart and mind with music. I ate more than when I consciously turned it off and really felt my feelings and gave myself permission to miss them and be bummed. I think we try to literally eat our feelings that we never know WHY we’re going to the refrigerator 10 min after we had a full meal. Our stomachs are full, but our feelings are being subdued with the wrong thing.

Deepak Chopak M.D. says “That the body you’re looking at now, is the product of your past experiences, and you’re looking at the past. If you want to know what your experiences were in the past, look at your body now.”

If you want to create a new body, create new experiences NOW. Not later.

I love thinking about this. How we view and see food now has to change, if we want change for ourselves.

 Eat what your body needs. In Women, Food and God, the author talks about we are restrictive about certain types of food that we deprive ourselves and then of course later binge. She says don’t limit anything. When you realize you can eat anything, it’s not a big deal to have a couple pieces of chocolate and be Ok with it!

Another thing Deepak Chopak M.D. says

about eating is on a scale from 1-10

 

1-Famished

2-3 You are hungry

4-5 You are satisfied

7-9 You are uncomfortably full

10 You are stuffed

 

Eat when you are hungry at a 2-3 and Stop when you’re a 4-5. Easier said than done.

 

Do you ever sneak food? I’m guilty. Example- You know that cake is sitting there so you just take a sliver at a time so if you eat tiny pieces throughout the day it won’t equal a whole piece. LOL

What we eat in private is still worn in public. That really gets to me as well to be fully accountable to myself.

 

Lastly, eat with pleasure, enjoyment and gusto. I think of Europeans when I hear this. Food is an incredible connector of people. Food is the center of every party, wedding and get together. So instead of feeling guilty or a failure for eating that truffle, bacon wrapped lil smokey or few potato chips that maybe your favorite food. Enjoy it, be thankful you can eat a little occasionally, and move on...We have so many other things to worry about than the size of our jeans. Nothing is sweeter than being confident with yourself and working to fit in a smaller size, but I don’t want to put that self-esteem issue onto my daughters to think they have to worry about every morsel they eat for the rest of their lives. Let’s start a new revolution of women who LOVE themselves and accepting of every body.

As for me, being aware has changed everything! I feel whole to give permission to feel my feelings and enjoy my meals:)

Read more ...

What colors NOT to wear! By: Kelcy Hanson of Sweekit Photography

 

 

 

What may be popular in style may not be the most popular if you are getting your child’s pictures taken or family pictures. As a photographer, I want your child(ren) to look the best in the photos that you are going to be hanging on the wall. It is hard to know what looks best on your child so here are a few suggestion:

 

●     What color of eyes does your child(ren) have? Eyes can play a huge role in what colors look best on kids! If you really want them to stand out, you can either choose to dress the child in the same color (blue shirt to pull out blue eyes) or choose the color opposite on the color wheel. Same goes with hair color-- if the child has red hair, typically greens look best and really make the red hair stand out!

●     What kind of skin tone does your child(ren) have? Some colors tend to really wash out a person so be cautious to find colors that compliment, not clash :) If the child has fair skin and blonde hair, a pale pink outfit might not compliment their skin as well as a darker pink/coral color!

●     Instead of the ‘hot’ neon colors, choose a few of the following-- Mint green instead of lime green; coral pink instead of bright pink; pale yellow instead of neon yellow, etc.

 

●     Neutral and timeless colors and styles will always photograph the best and stand the test of time.

●     Patterns, colors, oh my! Keep it simple-- too much distraction with the clothing takes away from the beautiful face of your child!

 

 

This season, neon colors are very popular! They look super adorable on kids and neon is everywhere! Unfortunately, the camera doesn’t have the same love relationship. Neon tends to have negative effects on skin tone and the true color of neon is very difficult to capture through a lens. Easy to see to the naked eye, but very difficult for a camera to ‘see’. When neon is photographed, it also leaves a color cast on the person’s face/neck/arms.

 

Also, contrary to what you see a lot, another color to avoid is wearing all white. Although it is a great color to look all uniform as a family, white reflects every color around it. Just slighting changing a child’s outfit from white to an off-white or cream color can make a huge difference!

 

Hopefully these tips will help you pick out outfits for your next photoshoot! Next, I will be writing a few tips on how to dress your family for a cohesive look!

 

(Stock photos from Crazy 8 clothing store, www.crazy8.com.)

Read more ...

10 MUST HAVE Makeup Brushes by Brittany Chevelle; QCA MakeUp Artist

                                               Brittany's 10 MUST-HAVE Makeup Brushes

 

Before I get started, let tell you a little secret from the pros: You do not need every brush that is on the market. There are 10 brushes that are essential to your makeup kit. Believe me, the rest of the brushes are wonderful to have, but with these 10 brushes, you will be able to recreate any look! :)

                                                                    FACE BRUSHES

 

1. Large Powder Brush-  Great to dust loose/compact powder/minerals all over the face and body.  This brush is very full, softly rounded, and will give you sheer coverage. Perfect for setting liquid foundation with a light-weight powder.

 

2. Blush Brush-  This brush is very versatile as you can use it to apply blush, bronzer and/or highlighter. You can purchase a rounded or angled blush brush, depending on your preference.

 

 

3. Foundation/concealer brush-  This is great for spreading a liquid/cream foundation over the skin to get a flawless finish. You may also use this brush to apply a moisturizer, a primer, concealer or even cream blush. Just be sure to clean the brush if you plan to use it for foundation and blush, or you may consider buying two of these brushes, one for each product.

 

4. Mixed Fiber Flat Brush – This is one of my favorite brushes. I love to use this brush to apply my liquid primer and liquid foundation for an airbrushed, flawless application. It is also a great choice for those who love to contour and highlight as it can be used dry to blend powders and/or creams. This is also a wonderful choice for mineral powder lovers. Just use in place of your buff/kabuki brush.
 

 

                                                                     EYE BRUSHES

 

5. Small Shading brush – This brush is great for applying eyeshadows to the eye lid or crease because it deposits concentrated color to area it is applied.

 

6. All Over Brush-  This brush deposits sheer to medium coverage and is great to use all over, and may also be used in the crease for a softer look.

*Depending on the desired look, you may use either brush in the crease. The small shading brush will give you a more precise/defined crease.

 

 

7. Blending Brush-  This brush is great to use without any makeup, to blend and soften lines of applied eyeshadows. You may also use it to apply eyeshadow for a sheer wash of color.

 

8. Fine Tipped Eye Liner Brush – This is perfect for liquid or cream liners to create a defined look. ex. Cat-eye or winged-liner

 

9. Angled Brow Brush-  This brush is great for powder or creams. You may also use it to soften the look of brow pencils.

 

10. Lash comb/brow brush- This brush is great to sweep through the brows, blending any shadow or pencil lines, and shaping unruly brows.

I like to apply my mascara, comb through with the wand, let the mascara dry and then reapply. This is the BEST way to get fanned out lashes, with volume and no clumps. :)

 

Invest your money is good quality brushes, quality over quantity. In this case, less can be more!

 

Here are some prestige brush brands that I recommend: Make Up Forever,  Bobbi Brown, MAC, Obsessive Compulsive. You can find these at Sephora, Department Stores, and online.

If you aren't ready to make quite the investment just yet, but want to use some good quality brushes, I also recommend Sonia Kashuk, Real Techniques, EcoTools, and Sigma. Most of these you can find at Target or Drugstores.

(Most pictures were found on Sephora.com)

Read more ...

A Few of My Favorite Things by: Sherri Scott; Interior Designer and Mama

 

And These Are a Few of My Favorite Things:

 

I always love hearing what other moms simply can’t live without.  Didn’t we all register for baby items that we NEVER took out of the box?  I know I did.  Well here are a few things that I have used that I have loved.

 

 

 

1.      The Mommy Hook $6.99: I registered for this when I was first pregnant and NEVER used it.  It stayed in the car with the stroller, but it was just never something I needed until Mia came around and I went grocery shopping with an infant and a toddler.  With Alyssa sitting in the front of the cart and Mia in her car seat in the large cart where was I to put groceries.  I started using it regularly after my groceries were bagged I would clip them all to the front handle of the cart and be on my way.  And then just unclip and transfer all the bags to my car.  I seriously carry a good ten grocery bags on a clip.  LOVE this!

2.      Halo Sleep Sack Early Walker $26.00.  I always swaddled Alyssa when she was a baby and then when she started rolling she slept without anything.  After she turned one I gave her a lightweight, breathable blanket.  With Mia I swaddled, then sleep sacked and now she is in a sleep sack early walker.  Although she is nearly 17 months I have yet to give her a blanket and thinks she looks adorable cruising around in this.  At night her feet are tucked in the sack and in the morning she can pull her feet out and cruise around the crib.

 

3.      Teach Me Time Clock $40: Sleep is precious for parents of young children.  To keep our little one in bed until it is time to wake we have a Teach Me Time Clock.  The green light turns on when it is okay to get up and it manages to keep our oldest in bed usually until then.  It is much like the OK to Wake clock but has an AC adapter instead of batteries and also teaches time.  Our girls sleep without a nightlight so the light from the clock is a bit of an adjustment, but we simply turn it facing away to keep the light at a minimal.

4.      Nose Frida $15: When kiddos are sick with stuffy noses it is the worst.  I think Mia was six weeks old and had her first cold and it broke my heart.  The poor thing couldn’t breathe and the bulb syringe didn’t seem to do the trick so we got a Nose Frida.  The idea of this is really gross.  My husband refuses to do this.  The red part goes in your mouth and the blue part in the child’s nose and SUCK.  Gross, right.  There is a filter so it isn’t as though you get anything in your mouth, but still maybe not for the weak.  It works a million times better than the bulb and you can control how hard you are sucking if it is a newborn.  I swear, every parent NEEDS this.

5.      Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser $9:  Okay and something for momma.  I am always trying to find a great skin cleanser that doesn’t break my bank, but that I feel makes a difference in my skin.  My sister recommended that I try Cetaphil so I bought it and gave it a try.  The first couple of months I didn’t really think there was much of a change in my skin but now that I am nearly through the bottle I love it.  My skin feels so much smoother and blemish free, which says a lot since I am 5+ months pregnant with hormones galore.  I definitely recommend giving it some time like I did.  Of course, everyone’s skin is different and something else may work better for you.  Maybe our TCOT expert, Brittany has a few recommendations as well for you to try.

 

Those are just a few things that I currently cannot live without as a mom.  Are there any products you wish someone had let you in on the secret?

Read more ...

My Lasts by Lindsay Asta; TCOT owner

As the delivery of my new (and last) baby approaches I am having such mixed feelings. So excited to meet this beautiful, perfect little one and yet willing the days to slow down at the same time. My three oldest children (2, 4 and 8) are just growing up way too fast. I love each new and exciting chapter with them and love to see the amazing people they are turning into. With that said, it's all the lasts that are making me heavy hearted.

My oldest son just lost his last front tooth. He picks out his own clothes. He gets himself ready in the mornings. I can't remember the last time he wanted to snuggle up and cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. When I tucked him in and kissed him goodnight on the eve of his 8th birthday a few weeks ago I cried like a baby! I wonder, how much does he really need me for these days? When will he be too old and too cool to hug me and tell me he loves me before leaving for school? When will I be completely uncool to him?

With my four year old son I just keep wondering...is this his last nap? Is this the last time he will cuddle up and ask me to hold him so he can fall asleep?  I can't believe this fall he will be in pre-k and it will be his last year of preschool...unbelievable, it feels like he were just born. Will he even need me to hold his hand on his first day of kindergarten? He plays soccer and goes out to play with the "big boys". He goes to preschool and then surprises me with everything he learns...(insert sigh here)

And my baby girl, I am unsure how she is already two! She tells me we are best friends, will she always say that? Right now she need your mama to fall sleep, comforting arms to hold you tight, when will be the last time until you too, won't need your mama so much? All this little girl wants to do is play babies and make-up, Minnie Mouse dress up and do hair and nails...with me! Will she always love to spend time and share all her favorite things with me?

I know we have so much to look forward to, but am I alone in missing all the lasts? We get so excited about the firsts in life...baby's first smile, their first words and steps...first day of preschool and kindergarten. How about the last diaper you changed or the last bottle you gave them or the last time they nursed. What was the last bedtime story you told them. It's all these things I will miss with my older children as I prepare to welcome our last baby.

So, I will continue to try to live in the moment. Enjoy each and every thing, because even in that moment I might not be having very much fun, but because it just might be their "last".

Read more ...

Dry Shampoo tested and approved! By Krista Leigh Blocker, QCA Hair Stylist

            As the hairstylist of the group, I can tell you that I have tried just about every dry shampoo there is on the market.  Both professional and non-professional brands.  When I come home with another new product, I tell my husband it’s market research to justify my obsession with the latest and greatest beauty brands.  From the ones that I have tried, hands down, I have found one that is far better then the rest.  It would be Alterna Bamboo Cleanse Extend Dry Shampoo.  I give this one an A+ in ranking because it is great for all hair colors and textures.  Unlike some of the others that come in powder form, this one comes in a spray form making application super easy.  The powder dry shampoos that you shake onto the hair to apply, do not spread as evenly as this spray form does.  I’ve also seen issues with other dry shampoos, that once applied it can leave a white residue on the hair, especially those with dark hair.  This one when shaken properly leaves no residue.  To those of you that have never used a dry shampoo, you are definitely missing out!  It will change your life!! No joke.  Out of all the products that are out there right now, this is the best invention to come out. I would highly encourage you to go out, and try a dry shampoo particularly my favorite one.  :)

Read more ...

The next book you should pick up!!! -Carly Morris, TCOT founder/owner

If you have read this book, then you know what I'm talking about! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I would consider myself an avid reader, I am always looking for my next favorite book. Well let me tell ya, this book did not disappoint. In short, its narrated by a sassy/spunky teenage girl who is dying of cancer and her love story with another teenager who happens to be a cancer-survivor.
Their story is quirky and artsy fartsy and adorable. The character's wit and charm make you fall in love with them.

It is true that this book is categorized as a YA (young adult novel). Don't let that deter you!!! It has eloquent writing and really tugs at the heart strings. I would also go as far to say that this book provoked deeper thinking about death and dying....it did for me anyway.

Warning, this book will most likely make you cry. Like probably sob. Like probably that ugly cry/sob.
I actually read and amazon review of someone who said he was a teenage boy and he said this book made him cry. So buyer beware.

The author, John Green is a great author that has some other popular books available. I had to know more about him after I finished reading this book so I did a little digging. He actually wrote this book with someone in mind. His inspiration was this 16yr old girl, he randomly met at a Harry Potter Fan Conference with his brother. This girl had thyroid cancer and he kept in sporadic touch. Ready more about that here!!! (warning there might be some spoilers in that interview) The girl who inspired this book actually has a book of her very own. Find out about that here. I am thinking it might be a good follow up read for me since I just recently finished the book.

Another exciting thing about this book is that they are adapting it into a movie due out this Summer. I'm hoping that they do this story justice because it definitely has been added to my list of favorite books.

Read more ...

Meet the Woman behind the Makeup Brush! Brittany Chevelle, QCA Make up Artist

Let's get to know a little more about our favorite makeup Artist, Brittany Chevelle!!!

To find out more about Brittany, check out her fb page HERE

 

 

What inspired you to start in your field? How long have you been at it?

The creativity and expression that makeup artistry offers, just to each person doing their own makeup. I loved being able to share my passion and knowledge with women who had never been taught these skills, or had the interest in wanting to use makeup but not sure how to apply it, and what products to purchase.

 

I have been in the field professionally for over 6 years, but using my creative skills for about 10.

What has surprised you about your career?

 

That you never will know everything there is to know. You can always learn more skills, and because it is such a creative process, you can appeal to all kinds of kind people. And that's the great thing about this field, is that I get to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and diversities.

 

What has surprised you about becoming a mother?

 

 I was surprised at how fast time goes by. How your wants and needs change completely, and you make sacrifices, and sometimes give up the things you once enjoyed, so you can spend more time with your child. I don't spend an hour primping myself each day like I used to. I loved that "getting ready" time, but now I realize that their are more important things that have to be done. Now, I might do my makeup and hair once a week! haha

 

What are some of your favorite mom duties? Least favorite?

 

I love teaching my daughter through songs, books, and everyday moments. I try to use every day occurrences as lessons. My husband and I sing what we are doing, or narrate everything we do! haha

I would say, meal preparations are my least favorite. I like to feed my family home-cooked meals, so it's important to me to plan them. However, it's not always my favorite chore.

 

What do you love about living in the QCA?

I love the big city-small community feel. Everyone here is connected somehow, through someone that you know. It's pretty amazing. We have so much to do here, and ways to connect with others.

Who/what inspires you?

 

My husband is my biggest pusher. He wakes up ready to start the day and get things done. I, on the other hand, need to wake up for at least an hour! haha He really is such do-er. I can say without a doubt that he has motivated me in every possible way to be better and do better.

 

What is one of your favorite childhood memories associated with your field?

(example: learning to do make up with mom, decorating your room)

So most people don't believe this about me, because I always have my makeup on and hair done (always before having kids!) but I was such a Tom-boy.

I didn't wear much of any makeup until my later years of high school. You couldn't even catch me in a dress growing up. I climbed trees, fell out of them, played football with the boys, and ran around our farm barefoot.

 

What do you do to "feed your soul?"

 

Books and art. I love a good book, and most often will finish them within days of beginning them. One of the biggest reasons I love my career is because I am able to express myself through my work, because to me, a face is a canvas, and I get to share that joy with a client when they love how they look.

What kind of advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting a career in your field?

I think real world experience and education are great tools. The more faces, especially faces of all shapes/size/age/ethnicities you can touch, the better you become. It's not about how much makeup you own, or if its the best brands. You have to invest in a solid kit, learn new techniques and trends, and apply them.

 

Can you tell us some of your favorite blogs to read?

I enjoy "A bowl Full of Lemons" for her great organizational skills and printables.

I also really like "Six Sisters Stuff" for their recipes.

Anything that will help me become a more organized person, and has great recipes! :)

Read more ...