Known for their outrageously bright, modern packaging and light-hearted, catchy product names like “Dirty Secret” Dry Shampoo and “One Curl at a Time” Curl Serum, TIGI has now re-launched their full line of cosmetics.  It only takes a moment to see that their makeup is “pure TIGI” and follows their philosophy of providing beautiful, long-lasting products that are always versatile and fun.   Offering tons of shades, from great neutrals to the boldest brights, rest assured you will have no problem finishing off your entire look and easily transitioning from day to night… in a snap.  

Though we just received the products, of course we couldn’t help but dive right in!  Already we’ve found some standouts in the line… here are our Top 3 picks:

#3 Pick: Crème Eye Shadows and Eye Shadow bases: great colors, consistency, and the best part…. has to be the wear-ability (super longwearing) especially when you pair the Eye Shadow base under the Eye Shadow.

#2 Pick: Our Makeup Artists “love, love, love all of the TIGI Lipsticks!”  Why, you ask?  2 reasons: they’re heavily pigmented (with superb shades) and happen to be super moisturizing. 

#1 Pick: the Liquid Enhancer.  Turn any powder Eye Shadow into a crème!  It’s super easy to use and it really intensifies the pigment- meaning that you’ll get a ton of versatility out of your shadows; you’ll be able to change the color/shade depending on your mood.  Seriously, this is a must-have, “don’t leave the store without it” product.  Check it out in below…

Here is Lush Eye Shadow Quad.  We’ll focus on the fabulous turquoise shade:

 … Who knew it was so easy to get 3 different looks from 1 Eye Shadow?!?  

So, how’d we do it?

• Top: Just add Liquid Enhancer and presto… You now have a creamy, richly-pigmented color (which added more iridescence to the turquoise shadow and highlighted the green-gold tones).  Depending on the brush you use, it can be an eye shadow, eye liner, or both!   

• Middle: Nothing added.  This is the true Eye Shadow color applied directly on the skin.  On its own it’s definitely a nice color, though less bold…  You can definitely see it looks sheer, somewhat subdued, and less saturated (versus adding Liquid Enhancer).

• Bottom: Eye Shadow base applied prior to Turquoise Eye Shadow.  Talk about taking the color to the next level!  An application of Eye Shadow base supercharged this Turquoise Shadow, intensifying the blue color and making the pigment “more true.”  Additional pluses: you’ll get a longer wear and less creasing from your shadow!  

So, there you have it, our current Top 3 picks from the new TIGI Cosmetics, come in and check out the entire line for yourself… you won’t be disappointed!  Plus, now until Friday you’ll receive 15% off all TIGI Cosmetics at Total Beauty Experience… Don’t Miss out!

Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi line has long been a favorite, but get ready- because it’s about to get even better.  Over 30 years ago, John Paul Mitchell Systems introduced Awapuhi Shampoo (considered by many as “the product that started it all”) and now, they welcome the all-new Awapuhi Wild Ginger line.  

The family includes:  Moisturizing Lather Shampoo, Keratin Cream Rinse, Keratin Intensive Treatment, Styling Treatment Oil, Texturizing Sea Spray, Shine Spray, Finishing Spray, and Kera Triplex 2 Step Repair (a professional in-salon treatment).

Talk about a multi-tasking lineup of products!  Containing an exclusive blend of keratin proteins called KeraTriplex™ that heals hair from the inside out; these products get to the core of dry, lackluster locks.  The Awapuhi Wild Ginger products seal and repair damaged hair, helping to keep strands strong, healthy, and super shiny.

Since many of us receive professional color and/or chemical services as well as use heat-styling tools regularly at home, the sulfate-free formulation is ideal.  Get the look you want and let the Awapuhi Wild Ginger products repair the damage… your hair will thank you!

Get to know the products:

CLEANSING AND CONDITIONING
 

• Moisturizing Lather Shampoo: rich and creamy, sulfate-free formulation; hydrates, protects color, and contains keratin protein to repair dry, damaged hair
 

• Keratin Cream Rinse: daily conditioner; detangles, strengthens, moisturizes, and adds intense shine

TEXTURIZING PRODUCTS
 

• Texturizing Sea Spray: get a tousled beach look while adding volume and movement
 

• Styling Treatment Oil: lightweight oil; eliminates frizz, adds softness, shine and silkiness

FINISHING PRODUCTS
 

• Finishing Spray: provides flexible, shiny hold, blocks humidity, and has UV protection
 

• Shine Spray: fine, lightweight mist provides a light, natural finish

KERATRIPLEX 2 STEP REPAIR (IN-SALON TREATMENT)

• Step 1: product is applied from a vial (the keratin protein is absorbed in the hair)

• Step 2: deep penetrating cream is applied, then placed under heat for 10 minutes

What exactly is the secret weapon, Awapuhi?  This perennial, known commonly as Shampoo Ginger, is found in many tropical countries.  For centuries native Hawaiians have used the fragrant juice of the Awapuhi ginger plant to moisturize and heal skin and hair.  In order to maintain its hydrating properties, much care is taken while harvesting/processing each plant- often by hand.  In 1987, after learning of this miracle plant, Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria started growing and harvesting the awapuhi ginger root from their sustainable, solar-powered farm in Hawaii for use in their line of hair care products. 

Check out the entire line of Awapuhi Wild Ginger products

at Total Beauty Experience and SAVE in August:

all month long, all Awapuhi Wild Ginger products are 15% off! 

Visit us at 2929 Arden Way in Sacramento

Ah, summer.  As the days heat up, many of us try to stay as cool and comfortable as possible.  Summertime clothing options often are a bit more skin-baring; tops are sleeveless or strapless and dresses have spaghetti straps or halter necks… herein lies the problem: what if you have rough, bumpy skin on your upper arms and are embarrassed to show it off?  For starters, rest assured, you are not alone!  Keratosis Pilaris (aka “KP” or “follicular keratosis”) affects as many as 80% of adolescents and 50% of adults.  Though it is a completely harmless condition and not contagious, KP can still have significant impact- causing embarrassment, insecurity and can contribute to (or exacerbate) anxiety and depression.          

What exactly is Keratosis Pilaris?

Many experts believe that Keratosis Pilaris is a chronic, genetic skin condition.  It appears most often on the upper arms (both on the back and outer areas), but also occurs on the trunk of the body, thighs, and buttocks.  In severe cases it can be found on the lower arms, legs, and on the face (which can be confused with acne)… basically, it can be found anywhere on the body except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  Yikes.

KP typically consists of scattered, rough patches on the skin with 10-100 very small bumps (similar in appearance to goose bumps).  Dryness and redness often accompany the patchy, bumpy areas.            

What causes it?

Keratosis Pilaris is caused by a buildup of keratin (a protein and key structural agent of the skin, hair, and nails) around the hair follicle.  If a hard cap is formed over the follicle, resulting in coiling the hair inside, it can lead to an ingrown hair.  “Picking” or scratching bumps/hard caps can result in scarring.  So, while treatment and exfoliation options are recommended, care and caution should always be considered.    

Normally, the body’s natural exfoliation process sloughs away dead skin cells and debris.  In the case of Keratosis Pilaris, an excess of keratin is not only being formed, it is not being sloughed off in a timely fashion.  Remaining on the skin, this keratin surrounds and, ultimately, clogs the follicles.  The end result is bumpy, rough, dry skin. 

What can be done?

Numerous options are available for KP sufferers, from over-the-counter creams and lotions to professional treatments and prescription products.  Though varying degrees of success and satisfaction have been reported among individuals, there seem to be some general rules of thumb:

• Consistency is key, there is no overnight cure- be patient and prepared to dedicate time and effort to seeing results.

• Exfoliate regularly: try a combination of mechanical (scrub) and chemical (hydroxy acids) exfoliants.  Lactic acid and salicylic acid are great choices; lactic acid is naturally hydrating and less irritating (versus other AHAs) and salicylic acid (if a 2% or less concentration) offers both exfoliation and anti-inflammatory benefits.  In addition to exfoliating agents, look for products that also contain vitamins, like A, C, and E.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  If your skin is dehydrated, KP seems to be a little more persistent.  Drink water and moisturize regularly.  Make sure you don’t confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin- dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks oil.  Therefore, a light-to-medium weight moisturizer can be perfect, focus on humectant ingredients (like hyaluronic acid) not necessarily an oil-based formulation.

• Soothe & protect: if redness is present, it seems natural to use soothing agents (like botanicals) to calm it down.  Also, make sure that your skin is protected with at least an SPF 15 on a daily basis.  Sun damage can lead to additional conditions and issues- let’s try to limit these whenever possible!

When you join us on Thursday, July 28^th from 12:00pm-4:00pm for our Summer Skin Therapy Event, you’ll receive a professional-strength exfoliation treatment and get a one-on-one consultation with a skin care expert … 

It’s the perfect way to start saying “Bye-Bye” to your Bumpy Arms this summer!  Call us at 916.481.7994 to reserve your spot!  

A good liquid-lined eye is unstoppable; it’s precise, chic, and adds a little glam to your overall look.  If you’re wondering how to achieve a perfectly defined application, instead of being left with a mess on your hands (literally) – learn from a pro!  We asked Total Beauty Experience Makeup Artist, Kasey Morrill, (who happens to create one mean cat eye with liquid liner) if she could share some expert tips. 

Here goes:

(By the way, to the ever-lovely Magdalena, thank you for modeling!)

1. Hold brush, start at the inner corner of the eye and slightly rest the brush tip on the lash line. 

*Kasey’s Tip: Make sure the eye liner is as close to your lash line as possible!  This helps to prevent a noticeable “space” (where a little bit of your skin color peaks through between your liner and your lashes)- this creates a puffy or tired effect… which is so not a good look.  

2. Lightly “drag” brush across the lower lid, directly above your lashes.  Continue application, working toward the outer corner of the eye- stop just before you reach the corner.

*Kasey’s Tip: Make sure you are “lightly lifting” the skin (if necessary) with your opposite hand, do not “tug” or “pull” on this delicate skin while you’re applying makeup.  You can cause damage that over time leads to noticeable wear & tear… always treat this fragile, thin skin with care! 

4. Lightly repeat the line as necessary. 

*Kasey’s Tip: Keep the application light and steady, it’s much easier to go over the line again in order to thicken it up where necessary.  Be patient!

5. Now it’s time to flip your brush (notice how the brush tip faces the hairline).  You are now creating the “wing,” choose where you want the line to end (shorter= more conservative; longer= more dramatic).

6. Connect the line.  Repeat for a more dramatic look.

7. And one eye is done!

8. Repeat on the other eye.

8. When both eyes are done, check the outer “wings” to ensure they are balanced and make sure liner thickness is consistent on both eyes.

9. And voila!  The end result= one hot liquid-lined pair of eyes!

If You’re New to Liquid Liner, Where Do You Start?

• You’ll find Liquid Eye Liner will typically be either a Brush Tip or Pen (looks like a felt-tip marker)- really, it varies with individual preference which one is “better;” Kasey suggests a Brush tip if you are new to liquid liner and/or if you have a little bit of an unsteady hand.  She feels the application is a little easier with it. 

Our Top 3 Picks for Liquid Liner:

• Mavala Liquid Eye Liner, retail price $13.95

• Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen, retails for $24.00

• Sorme Jet Liner, retails for $9.99

To purchase any of these liners, you can find them all at Total Beauty Experience. 

If you’re still a little hesitant to tackle the liquid-lined eye… see it in person!  Stop in to see one of our Makeup Artists for a free consultation, which includes personalized recommendations, application tips, and a demonstration.  

This Just In! 

MoroccanOil, known for their signature oil treatment products that provide incredible shine & silkiness, has just launched 2 new products: Extra Volume Shampoo & Conditioner.  This is great news for anyone with fine or limp hair (people who typically keep anything with oils far away from their strands) because this new formulation, while providing a boost of volume, also offers gentle cleansing, detangling, and hydration… while not weighing the hair down. 

Here are some of the reasons why we’re so excited about it:             

• Light-weight formula adds volume to fine or limp hair from the inside out
• Revitalizing nutrients protect and nourish
• Color-safe
• Sulfate, phosphate and paraben-free
• Keratin-enriched

Its secret weapon for volume: MoroccanOil’s Extra Volume Shampoo & Conditioner contain a unique ingredient called Tilicine (derived from the buds of the Linden plant).  Tilicine, along with other ingredients, penetrate the hair and plump the cuticle from the inside out.  In addition, the ingredients add moisture, increase volume, and reduce static.

We give MoroccanOil’s new Extra Volume Shampoo & Conditioner 2 thumbs up! 

To get them while they’re hot, visit Total Beauty Experience.  

According to Extra, RevitaLash (America’s #1 Cosmetic Eyelash Conditioner) has another reported fan across the pond: Princess Kate.  In fact, they say she fancies the Eyelash Conditioner, Raven Mascara, and the New Perfect Primer.

It’s a Top Pick.  Though it’s already hailed by many a cosmetics/skin care maven as the “go to” lash enhancer, while boasting an impressive celebrity following and numerous “I-swear-by-this” customer testimonials, adding a royal fan is surely great news for RevitaLash.  Once you try it for yourself, you’ll see what the buzz is all about.  Not only do they have proven results, the story of how RevitaLash came about is really touching… here’s one for all the romantics out there.  

Inspired By One Woman.  Michael Brinkenhoff, M.D. (a practicing Ophthalmologist for over 25 years) developed RevitaLash for his wife Gayle while she recovered from metastatic breast cancer treatments.  After chemotherapy treatments left her lashes sparse and fragile, Dr. Brinkenhoff sought to create a formula that would renew her lashes.  Working with a team of cosmetic chemists, the end product was a success.  Gayle’s lashes were once again strong and beautiful.  RevitaLash was born.

Originally developed as a gift of love for one woman, RevitaLash is now available to anyone who wishes for stronger, longer lashes.

    “Often we feel helpless when someone we love is suffering. I am very fortunate, in my own small way, to have been able to help Gayle through her recovery. Watching her be excited about her beautiful looking eyelashes has been a real joy.”

 — Michael Brinkenhoff, M.D.

And It Gets Even Better…  Expect to hear even more rave reviews.  With a new advanced formula, packed with peptides and botanicals, RevitaLash is now better than ever.  Clinical studies showed lash improvement in only 3 weeks:

• 97% saw “improved appearance of eyelashes”
• 92% reported “their eyelashes appeared more lush”
• 94% reported “their eyelashes appeared more youthful”

Get ready to create lash envy with thicker, richer, longer lashes… find RevitaLash products at Total Beauty Experience.

Thanks to some big formal events this year, hats have been front and center in the media… some understated and polished while others were über-adorned attention-getters.  Whatever the case, we must admit that HATS are our favorite summer accessory and we are excited to offer a sizzling summer-time selection of San Diego Hat Company’s wide brims and caps.

This is one trend that has been around a while.  It’s no surprise; hats have been around for a long time.  Through the decades we can see they have served their purpose aesthetically, helping us display our fashion sense, as well as offering functionality and protection.  Nowadays, we can still appreciate the stylistic value of a hat, especially in summer, but we should also consider the useful benefit they provide- protection from damaging UV rays. 

Protect your assets!  By shading your face (don’t forget your neck!) and hair, you’re shielding those areas from the harmful effects of the sun.  Without even knowing it, you’re guarding against short-term irritants like: sensitivity, sunburn, dryness/dehydration, and hair color fading.  While at the same time, you’re fighting long-term effects of sun exposure: accelerated aging of the skin (yes, we’re talking wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of elasticity, etc.) as well as skin cancer. 

Remember: Size matters (so does material)!  Most sun-savvy experts recommend a hat with a 6-inch brim all around can offer great protection.   Regardless of the brim size, don’t forget to take into consideration what the hat is made out of.  If structured from loosely-woven material more UV rays are filtering through, which can lead to more damage.  To make it easy, many hats are now “UV rated” and come with a tag letting you know what Sun Protection Factor (SPF) it has, many offering up to 50spf.

Go figure, this summer you can look fashionable and be doing your skin and hair a favor.  The time is now to start better protecting yourself from sun damage. 

Don’t wait, check out all the HATS at Total Beauty Experience today!                 

This July get to know KENRA hair products… you’ll find out they make way more than just an amazing hair spray.  If by some reason you’re not familiar with their hair spray, get ready to meet your new favorite product: KENRA Volume Spray 25. 

Since 1988, KENRA Volume Spray 25 has been an industry favorite and has won the Stylist Choice Award for 7 years in a row.  Total Beauty Experience customers agree, long ago declaring it a favorite and making it one of the Top Selling products in the entire store.  Something that may come as a surprise for all you Volume Spray 25 fans out there is this: KENRA has 2 full lines of hair care products: KENRA Classic and KENRA Platinum… you’re missing out if you haven’t given any other KENRA products a try.

As an added bonus, all KENRA products are 15% off for the entire month of July! (In store only)  So, it’s the perfect time to stock up and try something new.

Why you should check out KENRA products: formulated with the highest quality ingredients around, including many natural botanicals, KENRA’s motto is “the proof is in the products.”  Here are some of the top reasons why we love KENRA:    

1. Their formulations use pharmaceutical-grade and cosmetic-grade ingredients.  Each product is developed “with stylists and clients and for stylists and clients.”  Only the best will do. 
2. They give back.  KENRA professional supports breast cancer awareness and partners with this incredible non-profit organization, The Rapunzel Project (which helps cancer patients keep their hair during chemotherapy through cold cap therapy).  They believe “if you look better, you feel better and if you feel better, you heal better.”  Bravo. 
3. All Shampoos are color-safe.  Gentle cleansing agents provide an effective cleanse that’s mild enough to preserve color, maintain moisture, and avoid damage.  This also makes KENRA shampoos a perfect choice for anyone who has sensitive skin and/or has ever suffered from irritation, breakouts, etc. from shampoos.
4. Conditioners contain wheat and silk proteins.  Designed to maintain moisture and provide strength, Kenra conditioners promote healthy, shiny hair.  Who doesn’t love that?
5. Styling & Finishing products (mousse, crème, spray and gel products) are: non-flaking, humidity-resistant, do not build up on the hair, and are shampoo soluble.  All mousse and gel products are alcohol-free.  These products make it easy to get the style you want.

Stop in to Total Beauty Experience in July to get to know all of the Kenra products… 

Our hair care experts will help you meet your perfect product match!

Get them while they’re hot!  Feather Hair Extensions: the most popular hair trend for 2011 (justprnews.com) are now available at Total Beauty Experience. 

Why people love them:  Feather extensions are perfect for someone who wants a little change to the look of their hair but doesn’t want anything too drastic, permanent, or costly.  Because the feathers are attached to the hair with a tiny silicone bead, they offer very low impact (damage) to the hair itself.  They are simple and fast to install as well as take out.  So it seems, the toughest decision will be what color to choose… as there are so many available!

In addition, they’re incredibly easy to care for- requiring no real additional effort or special handling.  Feathers can be washed, curled, flat ironed- you name it.     

To top it off, they’re affordable.  Currently, Total Beauty Experience has two special offers (which include installation).  You can purchase:

1 FEATHER for $10

or

3 FEATHERS (in the same location) for $25

Even celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Selena Gomez, Hillary Duff, and Steven Tyler have been spotted with bright plumes in their tresses.

So, if you’re ready to join the hottest hair trend… Check out our selection of feathers today! 

Stop by 2929 Arden Way or Call 916.481.7994 with any questions