San Diego's Premiere Threading Salon

How to Look Mad Hot

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:00:44 +0000

It goes without saying that the 1960’s had some fabulous fashion looks and also some faux pas, but if you haven’t figured it out by now, the 60’s are back thanks to the AMC series MAD MEN and it’s good-looking cast.

mad sexy

Now, one would think that since Mad Men premiered in 2007 that this whole “trying to look like Joan Holloway” would be over by now, but it’s not. Just walk into any Banana Republic store this season and you’ll find a whole 2012 line of Mad Men wear. Even the launch of their most recent line coincided with the series’ fifth season premiere. So if you’re feeling stuck in the decade of “fashion what happened”, try some of these tips for that mad hot look.

MAD LIPS
Cherry red lips with rose cream blush will give you the boldness that will not only make advertising execs swoon, but even make your hubby turn his attention from the TV. And what’s even better – you don’t have to go hunting for the right shade of 60’s because Estee Lauder has just released their very own Mad Men line of makeup in adorable retro-chic cases. Also, check out M.A.C. makeup’s lipstick in Vegas Volt to get that Betty Draper color you know you’ve been after.

MAD EYES
Like bold lips, eyebrow shape played a huge role in framing the face for this period. First, figure out the best arch for you. And it wouldn’t hurt to get an eyebrow pro like Beauty by Dolly to help. Next, use a precision brow pencil to give a little extra definition to those areas that may seem a bit sparse and then set your brows with clear mascara. Whether you use a skin tone eyeshadow or go a few shades darker, add some spiky fake eyelashes to give off that sexy flirty look.

MAD HAIR
Nothing says the 60’s than a little teased hair or an updo. According to Allure magazine , softly teasing the crown of your hair and pairing it with some light waves, will easily give you the look you desire without too much fuss. The key to those tousled locks? A wide-barrel curling iron and then a good shake of your hair once you’re done. If you desire to pull your up, add a hair ornament.

MAD DRESS
Flaunting your curves is welcomed if not honored in Mad Men-style. So ladies get ready for a slim fitting yet simple sheath dress that accentuates the waist and keeps the cleavage concealed. Less is more with this look and since your lips and eyes are making the statement, let there be a little mystery. Or if a sheath isn’t your thing, try a cigarette pant with a tie-neck blouse. Just don’t forget to accessorize.

Beauty by Dolly is San Diego’s premiere provider of all-natural threading and waxing solutions, with locations in Hillcrest and Mira Mesa. Contact us at 619.664.4740 or info@beautybydolly.com for more info!

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No Time For a Vacation? Try a Mini Spa Staycation

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:28:30 +0000

I know, it’s only March, and you’re probably thinking that summer can’t come fast enough so you can take a vacation. But in our hectic lives we forget that vacations are really about simple relaxation and giving ourselves that extra nurture that we need to look refreshed. So why not try a mini spa staycation in Bankers Hill on your weekend off and return to work looking like you just spent a week in Bali?

Now you may be asking, what’s a staycation? It’s a little vacation right in your very own home – all you need is your kitchen, a bathtub, a good book, a bottle of red wine, and a cozy bed.

1) First rule of staycation is to avoid your phone and computer for a day. I know, that sounds IMPOSSIBLE, but a little break from Facebook once in a while, will do you tons of good. Plus, if you WERE in Bali on a white sand beach, would you really care that Jenny changed her status from “in a relationship” to “it’s complicated”? Nope.

you deserve it!

2) Make your house feel like a spa. First take a pitcher and fill it with filtered (or spring) water and lots of sliced lemons. Then, make cucumber slices and chill them in the fridge. Thirdly, take a few small face towels, wet and roll them, and place them in a bowl of ice drizzled with eucalyptus essential oil. The towels will soon become aromatic. As soon as nightfall hits, light those candles you’ve been saving.

3) Meditate. Take a moment to connect with yourself and clear all the thoughts crammed inside your mind. Whether you’re thinking about work or the latest gossip, today is your day to relax, so set a timer for 11 minutes, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and let it all go. If it’s hard for you to do it alone, there are lots of great meditation podcasts that you can try such as Meditation Oasis.

4) Take a bath. Shut off those lights in the bathroom, take in two lit candles, grab one of those eucalyptus towels, your cucumber slices, and a glass of lemon water, and melt away the tension. Personally, I’m a big fan of Aura Cacia’s bath packets with essential oils, but even some simple Epsom salts will make you feel like you’ve just gone to a spa. Once in the bath, cover your eyes with cucumber slices and cover your face in the eucalyptus towel. Breathe in the oils and relax.

5) Cozy up. Order in and pour yourself a glass of red wine. Remember that book you’ve been dying to start reading? Well, now’s the time. And if books aren’t your thing, why not grab a few Allure mags and catch up on your beauty tips. Best part of all, you have nothing to do today, so read them in bed.

Don’t forget, the pampering doesn’t have to stop there. You can continue to get your spa fix without having to venture out of town. Even here at Beauty by Dolly, we can make you feel like a million bucks with a simple sugar wax and a little eyebrow love. So before you stress on the idea of three more months till vacation, pick a staycation Sunday and let it all melt away.

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Men’s Brazilian Waxing without the Heat in the Heat of Hillcrest

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Men’s Brazilian waxing is hot, especially in hillcrest! In fact, it’s fast becoming as popular a hair removal solution for men as it is for women. These days, men’s magazines dish up hair removal advice as often as women’s.

Eyebrow Threading Tips from San Diego Expert Beauty by Dolly

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:24:31 +0000

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. And if that’s the case, then the brows are the frames. So they better look good. We all know how messy or unshaped eyebrows can look sloppy and how sleek, shaped brows can complete a style.

No Time For a Vacation? Try a Mini Spa Staycation

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:02 +0000

Now you may be asking, what’s a staycation? It’s a little vacation right in your very own home – all you need is your kitchen, a bathtub, a good book, a bottle of red wine, and a cozy bed.

you deserve it!

For exclusive coupons, deals and beauty tips, like us on Facebook!

viagra

My What Pretty Eyes You Have

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:00:37 +0000

Do you ever wish you were born with gorgeous eyes? You know the ones. Perfectly shaped and icy blue. The eyes that catch everyone’s attention. Well, as we know in beauty, some things we’re born with and there are other things we, well, create the illusion of. And getting those pretty eyes we always wanted is not as difficult to achieve as you might think.

The first key to the eye-popping eye is to make sure our eyebrows aren’t taking all the credit. We definitely don’t want those bad boys interfering with our look, we want them to enhance it. Whether you pluck, wax, or thread, eyebrow shaping is the first order of business. Once our brows are looking bodacious, we must figure out what type of eyeshadow look we’re going for. Is this for day or night? Are you feeling conservative or frisky? We can probably assume that if you’re going to work in Bankers Hill on a Monday morning, you may not want to go for a bold blue eyeshadow statement, but rather a little shimmer to give those sleepy eyes a pick-me-up. But once Saturday night rolls around, you’re going to want your eyes to make a statement.

i want these eyes!

So how do we achieve these night and day looks? I turned to some of the experts for their “how to” experience to show, even me (a “special occasion” eyeshadow wearer), how simple it can be.

DAY.

So what happens when you’re bouncing back after a fun weekend and your eyes look dull and sleepy on a Monday morning? Easy….you shimmer your way into the new day. According to Glamour magazine, a tiny hint of shimmer under your lower lashes will make you look bright-eyed and beautiful without all the fuss. This little bit of glow makes a world of difference and you can even refresh later in the day for those after work drinks.

NIGHT.

There’s been so much talk on the hot blue eye color surrounding Kristen Stewart’s eyes at many recent events, that even I wanted to know how she gets that look. You can see by the photo that it’s ALL about her eyes. Her face has very little makeup, her eyebrows are full yet shaped to perfection, but it’s her eyes that are drawing us in. While the shade is very similar to her own eye color, it’s how the eyeshadow is applied that really makes it stand out. Growing up my mom always taught me that eyeshadow only goes on the top lid….but not anymore! The blue on Kristen’s eyes not only surrounds her upper lid, but also gives nice definition on her lower lid.

According to Hollywood Life, you can easily achieve this look with either a brush or your fingers, whichever will help you balance out both eyes and give a nice blend. The more you apply, the greater the intensity. Start light and work your way up. Just always remember to apply concealer and foundation to your lids before bringing on the blue. You can also check out BellaSugar’s very helpful video on how to get that bold blue eyeshadow looking dreamy and not nightmarish, here.

It’s true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder…but I think all beholders would agree that whether your eyes shimmer or rock the night, these eyes are mighty fine.

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Spring 2012 Beauty Looks for a Day in Bankers Hill or a Night in Hillcrest

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:14:00 +0000

While the groundhog may have seen his shadow leaving more winter than some of you can handle, here in San Diego the temperature feels…well…like spring. And spring temperatures can only bring to mind one thing – Spring Beauty Trends! Now, as we know, New York Fashion Week shows their spring line in the fall and their fall line in the spring…so by the time us fashion and beauty novices find ourselves coming into a new season, we sometimes aren’t sure if we’re “in the know” or “oh…noooo”. To help with that, we’ve put together a little guide on some of the looks you can attempt this spring that won’t leave you looking like a runway disaster but a hip, fashion master.

Pucker up ladies.
Statement Lips are all the rage this season, whether it’s wine, magenta, or crimson, lips that pop make for a perfect goodbye to winter, and a hello springtime fun.

Bold brows.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, if you’re going to opt for a subtle lip this season, Statement Brows are in order. Giving your eyebrow a more defined shape or adding a bit of fill-in color to your already shaped eyebrows will give you a new look without too much fuss. Just remember….if you’re thinking of going “scouse” read here before you do.

Winning streak.
If you’re not into your face making a statement, how bout your hair? Hair Streaks made an appearance on the runways and now you can bring that look to San Diego. While pink and blue help that little rocker inside you let loose, you can choose a less daring look with a streak of blonde or red – just enough to keep you fashion forward.

Gracefully slick.
The “wet hair” look is back and in a big way. Now, that doesn’t mean you can go out of the house with wet hair and think you look fabulous all day. Getting a “wet look” takes some work. It means products – and lots of them! But once you achieve that shiny, slicked back look, you’ll have others thinking you and Heidi Klum were separated at birth. Worried about how to achieve it? Fashionising explains how here.

You can be catty.
Ok, so maybe you can’t be catty at work or with your family during Sunday supper, but you can be catty when you’re out and about on Friday night. That’s right, playful, catty eyes allow you to bring the diva out without all the drama. Allure Magazine recommends a slanted edge liner to give you that effortless wing tip when you apply.

Time to pony up.
If you’ve scrolled through the list and are thinking…”there’s no way I can pull off these spring trends!”, you’re wrong. Because the ponytail is where it’s at and yes….I mean that easy, familiar, pull your hair back look. Whether it’s a simple ponytail, a side version, or a more intricate loop style, the ponytail can be a day or night look that doesn’t take much effort to achieve. See? You can TOTALLY be a fashionista in Mira Mesa.

Sequins Eyeshadow for Spring 2012

And….how bout getting an eyeful?
If you feel like you can conquer all these looks in a week and want to dazzle the club scene in Hillcrest, check out the fun, yet more extreme sequin-embellished eye. Move over Pat Benatar. These eyes will make sure that you will not only win on the love battlefield but also the beauty one.

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Eco-licious Beauty Products That Are Almost Good Enough to Eat

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:00:58 +0000

Even if you don't shop at Whole Foods, wear Toms, or tote around your goods in recycled totes, you might still be wondering what's in your beauty products, because as we know, toxic ingredients do not make for a beautylicious girl. So even if you're saying vegan what or gluten who, it might not be a bad idea to add to your beauty regimen some all natural products that actually list ingredients that don’t sound like strange chemicals that could go in your car. As you may or may not know, anything we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream so it’s probably a good idea to give your skin something it deserves. Plus, it’s the New Year, and what could be more refreshing than to start 2012 off with some products that will make you feel as good as you look.

My first two favorites are from 100% Pure, a company that is 100% Natural and refuses to use “fillers” or “synthetic chemicals” in their products. If you’re into keeping your newly shaped eyebrows looking good, their Fruit Pigmented Eye Brow Powder Gel is a must! This wonderfully textured gel is made from apricots, peaches, coffee, tomatoes, and even black tea. There are no artificial preservatives, fragrances, or synthetic ANYTHING! Choose from Brunette or Taupe at the reasonable price of $15. And if you’re wondering what Kate Hudson’s been bragging about to help with those puffy-eyed mornings, check out their Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. This little heaven in a tube provides not only help for puffiness, but helps dark circles and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Yes, please!

Speaking of wrinkles, next on my list is Derma E’s Vitamin A Retinyl Palmitate Wrinkle Treatment Gel. It’s an oil-free gel that absorbs beautifully and provides healing nutrients that speed up exfoliation and leaves your skin feeling GOOD. But before you use it, you may want to exfoliate with the Body Deli’s Blueberry Fusion Micro-Scrub. Talk about good enough to eat! This cleanser is made with key superfoods, blueberries and acai, and is chock full of organic ingredients that guarantee to diminish sun spots and give your skin clarity.

Well, with your face looking young and beautiful, your eyes looking energized, and your brows looking perfect, there’s only one thing left — Jane Iredale’s Chocoholicks Lips. These four tasty looking glosses take you from day to night without all the chemicals. Finally….now you can lick your lips to fruit extracts, avocado, and turbinado sugar.

While these products are sure to get your beauty regimen eco-licious, there are lots of other companies trying to find ways to keep your beauty products non-toxic. Just look at the ingredients and don’t settle for synthetic. Even at Beauty by Dolly we offer a 100% natural sugar wax made only of sugar, water, lemon juice, and glycerin — because we all know, beauty ISN’T only skin deep.

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To Scouse or Not To Scouse…THAT is the Eyebrow Question

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:46:42 +0000

I’m Greek. Yup, that means, ‘oh no, make room for the unibrow’. It’s true. It’s a lot of work keeping my eyebrows looking like they aren’t taking over my forehead, and like all beauty maintenance…looking good takes effort! I used to pluck my brows every morning, suffering with every pinch, and then finally discovered much less archaic forms of eyebrow primping like threading or waxing. But according to the trend forecast for Spring 2012, the rumor is that the natural eyebrow shape is out and the “Scouse Brow” is in. Now, you may be wondering, what on earth is a scouse and how does that change one’s eyebrow? Well, for those of you not from the UK, “scouse” is a term for people living in Liverpool who have a highly distinctive accent. And from the looks of the photos, this new “brow” seems to also be HIGHLY distinctive.

Before and After as seen on "Desperate Scousewives"

First debuting on UK-reality series Desperate Scousewives back in November, this trend has caught on so much that even the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is sporting these bold brows. Here I thought the intimidating eyebrow was something to be ignored – but apparently it’s taking on a life of it’s own. So, the question on every beauty enthusiast’s mind is to scouse or not to scouse? Allure Magazine calls this “One Makeup Trend to Avoid” and perhaps with good reason. The scouse brow is an intense makeup undertaking. At first you need to thread or wax your eyebrows till they are almost non-existent and then you need to paint them perfectly symmetrical. One unsteady hand movement and your scouse is going to look soused. For those wanting to attempt the “scouse brow” at home, UK company, Shavata, makes an eyebrow stencil kit that will help you from walking around Bankers Hill or Mira Mesa in mismatched eyebrows.

Going Au Naturale on the Red Carpet

But how bold is too bold? As far as the 2012 Red Carpet season is concerned – it’s about eyebrow shape, not eyebrow Sharpies. The choice is yours. Just know that whether you need a pre-scouse thread or a post-scouse “help me look natural again” re-shaping, Beauty by Dolly is here through the good, the bad, and the somewhat bizarre trend forecasts for 2012.

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Threading: Far East Hair Removal in San Diego

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:43:25 +0000

In San Diego, where it’s summer year round, it’s always a good idea to have smooth skin to bare! And now a hot new trend in hair removal offers a solution that can let you do just that!
Threading is a hair-removal technique with a long tradition in the Far East. For centuries, threading artists have used this precise, fast and long-lasting technique for beauty and skin care.
Threading is a process in which a piece of strong thread is held taught on various fingers and the thumb. The threading artist moves the string systematically over the hair, removing it at the follicle and leaving a smooth finish on the skin. Because the hair is removed at the follicle, threading is a long-lasting hair removal technique. Threading customers can go three to four weeks with smooth skin. This can be important in beach towns like San Diego, where there’s very little “down time” for bare skin!
Threading also offers real precision in sculpting hair which means that it’s a perfect solution for eyebrow shaping.

Natural Solution
For customers looking for natural beauty solutions, threading is ideal. It uses no harmful products and relies on the expertise and technique of the threading artists rather than chemicals. And because the process doesn’t require expensive chemicals or equipment, threading is an economic hair removal solution.
With all these advantages, it’s no surprise that threading has made its way across the Pacific to San Diego, where eco and beauty conscious customers abound!
Beauty by Dolly is San Diego’s premiere provider of all-natural threading and waxing solutions, with locations in Hillcrest and Mira Mesa. Contact us at 619.664.4740 or info@beautybydolly.com for more info!
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