The First Real Haircut

I waited until my daughter was two-years-old to take her to a salon for a haircut, choosing to maintain her mane at home until then. While she was younger, I felt comfortable trimming her hair, as there wasn't enough of it for me to feel intimidated by. But then it happened. There was more and more hair that got larger and way too in charge. Sure, I thought about doing it myself to save money, but when I weighed the amount of stress it was causing me to conceive of how to cut through the tangled web, I put the scissors down and realized it'd be money well spent.

I was surprisingly school-girl giddy before we went down to the West Village where the salon was, Doodle Doo's, and had naively expected my daughter to be the same. But upon entering the festive place, she started to cry,  pleading "NO, NO, NO!" It was the classic, Mommy! I refuse to get a haircut! scenario, which for whatever reason, I was totally unprepared for. Probably because all of her previous at-home cuts had been trauma-free. The staff, including our stylist Lisa, were wonderful though -- within minutes, through soothing talk and rewards (including bubbles and playing her favorite movie, Annie, for her) she was calmly getting her haircut. Not to mention they had effectively pacified this Mama, who was a tiny bit shaken up by her baby's shear shrieks.

And in a few short minutes, it was all done, and the little one's hair was expertly shaped-up, styled in butterfly-clips, and most importantly, she was beaming.

First real haircut? Done!

As my daughter sits in her chosen chair, Daddy's lap, while quite happily sucking on her lollipop, stylist Lisa, who herself has curly hair, works with her ringlets.

The celebration of a haircut "all done!": bubbles!

Kid Haircuts 1-2-3:

1) Taking your child to a local salon can be a less stressful way to approach cutting hair, than the DIY way. There are many salons specifically designed for kids, with stylists trained to work with yes, fidgety and impatient heads! If you are in the NYC area, I recommend Doodle Doo's, on Christopher Street (kid's haircut: $35), but another good one to try is Lulu's Cut & Toys in Park Slope, Brooklyn (kid's haircut: $22). Lulu's salon also does adult haircuts, which is an added bonus.

2)  For those of you outside of New York, here is a good list of nationwide kid's salons with links to their sites. You can also consider asking a friend for a salon recommendation if you see a child with a haircut you like!

3) While your child is getting his/her trim, ask the stylist for tips on how to maintain the longevity of the cut, e.g., are there any easy things s/he can show you how to do at home like a quick bang trim?

-N.C.


Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Healing the Adult Boo with Halloween: Pt. 1

A Pre-Halloween explosion atop my vanity: The kid(s) probably already have costumes, but how about you, why not dress up too? It doesn't have to be complicated. I'm doing a pink painted half-mask I found at my local 99 cent store (above left) with the addition of some lashes and make-up I'll write about next week.

I'm late on my post this week, ahhhh!

I got sick, my daughter got sick, and then it was a snowball effect of other life-frustrations getting entirely out of control. You know ... one of those weeks were you look in the mirror and it takes you a second to, um, unearth your eyes behind the pillows of puffiness and sofa cushions of swelling.

So I did two things to cheer myself and my daughter up. For me, and me only, when I did have to leave the house, I put on a dark, wine-hued lipstick and mascara to offset my swollen eyes (the dramatic lipstick averting attention from the tired eyes). For the both of us I did a mini Halloween shopping spree to prepare for the holiday itself -- evidenced in the opening photo -- as well as to ready us for a costume party we've been invited to next week. Because, dressing up? Well, that's just the best mood lifter ever!

I got a mask for the little one too. It helped cheer us up during our not-so-great days. We pretended to be jungle cats and growled.

Wine for Halloween, the Rouge Kind 1-2-3:

A couple of brooding, deep and purple-reds for you.

1) Revlon Matte Lipstick in Wine Not, $8.

2) Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Gilded Wine, $25.

3) Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Fatale, $30.

My mix of the day: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in BR785M and M.A.C. Cosmetics Lipstick in Up the Amp

Don't feel like buying anything new? No need! Mix any red or brownish-red lip color with a violet or fuchsia one.


-N.C.


Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Conceal Me Pretty!

My daughter shows me her eye patch.

I wonder how handy a face patch would be for this Mommy
those days I feel like giant pimples are taking over my life.

 Upside down, on the nose, lopsided: eye patches make for lots of giggles.
Thanks to our good friend L. for the party favor!

Oh, the woe of adult acne. Not to mention the appetizer plate of blemishes, scars, et cetera, one would like to cover up so they look somewhat fresh off the shelf when walking out the door. Some days I wake up and there are so many monstrosities on my face, I feel like I can't bear to leave the house. But of course I can't do that. Duty calls.

My daughter was playing with a pirate's eye patch the other day, and it occurred to me that sometimes that I wish I could just cover up those teen-aged red-dotted parts on my face with a big old piece of curtain and call it a day. But of course there's a better way that's not so Halloween. I mean spooky is good when you're doing it on purpose. But for everyday, let's show off the pretty and hide the pimply.


Concealer 1-2-3:

1) When you're dealing with light scarring and/or blemishes, try any of these of these concealers (from budget to splurge): Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector Concealer ($5), M.A.C. Cosmetics Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer ($17) , and Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer ($70). You can't go wrong with any of one of these. The Maybelline is a great, overall buy and product; the M.A.C. has the added benefit of sun protection and a slightly heavier finish, and therefore coverage; and the Cle de Peau is the Rolls-Royce of concealers -- its finish is superb.

2) It is okay to use concealer on top of pimples, just use ones that won't clog pores. None of the above recommended ones should. Also, I like to apply a little treatment on the area before the concealer goes on, e.g. something with benzoyl peroxide like Clearasil. This way, I know the pimple is being treated while being covered.

3) Make sure the concealer is blended well with your skin or foundation. Use disposable sponge wedges or rounds so that you don't transfer any unnecessary bacteria from your fingers to your face and/or affected areas.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Fresh Flowers, For You and For Me

This rose reminded me of the flower in Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince.
It was big, beautiful, and a little contemplative.

This week, my daughter has been saying the phrases "for you" and "for me" over and over, like a catchy refrain from a song that's stuck in your head. And she's been very generous of late -- treating me to oodles of imaginary chocolates and foods as she plays. I thought I'd return the favor to all of you with this pretty, pale, pink rose I found at The New York Botanical Garden at a recent visit. The color really struck me because it was so quiet, yet moving.

A rose, my late maternal grandmother's most loved flower, to share on this fall-tickled Friday.

My daughter takes notice of a small bunny who was loving the Edible Garden exhibit at the NYBG.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Fabulous in a Few for a High School Reunion

Everyone wants to look amazing at their high school reunion. Years may have passed, but inside we always essentially feel somewhat the same. We may have kids and responsibilities now, but those teen-scented memories never do quite go away. We remember all the crazy things we did, the goofy things -- the things you only do when you're that young, and of that mind.

My friend Jessica called me for some beauty help in preparation for an upcoming reunion. I thought it'd be fun for you to see how it all came together (and all the make-up we used was what she had at home). And when you're done, you can find the links to the products below.

Jessica before, with a clean face and just moisturizer

Jessica after, reunion ready.

Fabulous in a Few 1-2-3:

1) Eyes: M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Honesty ($15)

2) Cheeks: Nars Blush in Dolce Vita ($26)

3) Lips: Sephora Collection Lip Attitude-Glamour Lipstick in Rosy Frivol 06, ($12)


-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Rock a Runway Look with a Drugstore Haul

 
Runway at Home 1-2-3: The Lips

1) Pick your look,

Jil Sander Spring 2011
Photo: Gianni Pucci / GoRunway.com via www.style.com

OR

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2011
 Model: Julija Stepanaviciute Photo: Luca Cannonieri / GoRunway.com via www.style.com

2) For the Jil Sander look (on top) go with Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstain in Bitten Berry ($7). Make sure your lips are moisturized before applying, as stains tend to be drying.

3) For the Dolce & Gabbana look, try e.l.f.'s Lip Stain in Heartbreaker, Mysterious, or Fashionista ($3).

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.