Ghana Twists, revered for their beauty and protective qualities, require proper care and maintenance to preserve their elegance and durability. Understanding the essential care routine is crucial for ensuring the longevity and health of this intricate braided hairstyle. Let's explore a comprehensive guide to caring for Ghana Twists with insights specializing in top-tier hair styling services.

Maintenance and Care for Ghana Twists

Keep the Scalp Clean: Despite the protective style, it's vital to maintain scalp hygiene. Use a diluted sulfate-free shampoo or a specialized braids cleanser to gently cleanse the scalp, removing buildup or residue without causing frizz or unraveling the twists.

Moisturize Regularly: Hydrating the scalp and hair is essential for preventing dryness and maintaining the twists' suppleness. Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or a moisturizing spray to the scalp and twists every few days to keep them hydrated.

Avoid Over-Manipulation: Minimize excessive pulling, tugging, or frequent touching of the twists, as this can cause frizz and weaken the style. Be gentle when styling or arranging the twists to prevent unnecessary stress on the hair.

Protective Bedtime Routine: Wrap the twists with a satin or silk scarf before bed to reduce friction and preserve the style while preventing frizz and breakage. Alternatively, using a satin pillowcase can also protect the twists during sleep.

Maintain Scalp Health: Apply natural oils like jojoba, coconut, or argan oil to the scalp as needed to alleviate dryness or itchiness. Massage the oils gently into the scalp to nourish and promote healthy hair growth.

ExpressBeautyOnline's Care Recommendations

ExpressBeautyOnline provides clients with personalized care tips to maintain Ghana Twists' longevity and appearance:

Post-Braiding Maintenance Instructions: After installing Ghana Twists, Offers detailed instructions on caring for the style, including recommended products and routines tailored to the client's hair type and preferences.

Scheduled Maintenance Check-ins: Encouraging clients to schedule follow-up appointments for maintenance checks allows ExpressBeautyOnline's stylists to assess the twists' condition, address any concerns, and provide additional care guidance if needed.

Product Recommendations: They often recommend specific products that complement the needs of Ghana Twists, such as lightweight moisturizers, scalp oils, or gentle cleansers, to ensure optimal care and health of the twists.

Additional Care Tips for Longevity

Refrain from exposing the twists to excessive heat, such as direct sunlight or high-temperature styling tools, to prevent damage.

Be cautious when swimming or showering to minimize the twists' exposure to water, and always pat dry gently with a towel afterward.

Conclusion

Proper care and maintenance are integral in preserving the beauty and durability of Ghana Twists. Guidance and personalized care instructions empower clients to maintain their Ghana Twists, ensuring a prolonged and stunning hairstyle while promoting healthy hair.

In summary, by adhering to a consistent care routine and following expert advice, individuals can enjoy prolonged wear of Ghana Twists while preserving their elegance and protecting their natural hair.

Achieving vibrant fashion colors on dark hair without the need for bleaching has been a long-standing challenge for many individuals seeking bold and vivid hair transformations. Traditionally, bleaching dark hair was considered a prerequisite to attaining vibrant hues.

Recent advancements in hair coloring techniques and products have opened doors to new possibilities. We delve into innovative methods that allow those with dark hair to embrace vibrant fashion colors without the necessity of bleaching.

Understanding the Challenge:

Dark hair naturally contains more melanin, making it more challenging for vibrant colors to show up without lightening or bleaching the hair. Bleaching is used to lift the hair's natural pigment, creating a blank canvas for brighter colors to adhere to and appear more vividly.

Specialized Techniques for Dark Hair:

Direct Dyes and High-Pigment Colors: Some brands offer high-pigment or direct dye colors that are specifically formulated to show up on darker hair without the need for bleaching. These colors often come in vibrant shades and can impart rich tones to dark hair.

Color Depositing Products: Certain color depositing shampoos, conditioners, and temporary hair color mousses are designed to add color to dark hair without the use of bleach. These products can provide a temporary pop of color that washes out gradually.

Pre-Lightening Treatments: While not as harsh as traditional bleaching, there are milder pre-lightening treatments or color lifters available that can lift the hair's cuticle slightly to allow for better color absorption without fully bleaching the hair.

Professional Expertise: Skilled hairstylists and colorists have developed innovative techniques to layer and blend colors strategically on dark hair, creating multidimensional and vibrant effects without the need for full bleaching.

Tips for Achieving Vibrant Colors on Dark Hair:

Start with a consultation: Consult with a professional colorist to explore options and techniques best suited for your hair type, condition, and desired outcome.

Choose the right products: Invest in high-quality, vivid color products specifically formulated for dark hair to achieve better results and longevity.

Test strands: Consider doing a strand test to preview how the color will appear on your dark hair before committing to a full application.

Embrace temporary options: Experiment with temporary color products or hair chalks to test different shades and determine the color that suits you best before opting for a permanent change.

Embracing Vibrancy on Dark Hair:

While achieving vibrant fashion colors on dark hair without bleaching presents challenges, it's now more achievable than ever before. With the right techniques, products, and professional guidance, individuals with dark hair can explore a spectrum of stunning, bold hues without the necessity of bleaching.

At ExpressBeautyOnline, celebrate the diversity of beauty and encourage individuals to explore innovative ways to express their unique style, regardless of their hair color. Let your dark locks become the canvas for a vibrant, colorful transformation that reflects your personality and individuality.

Finding the right sunscreen for your skin can be challenging due to the plethora of options available. Online beauty retailers offer a wide selection of sunscreens to choose from. To make the process easier, consider the following steps when searching for the perfect sunscreen:

Know Your Skin Type:

Understanding your skin type is crucial when choosing sunscreen. There are specific sunscreens formulated for different skin types. If you have oily skin, opt for oil-free or mattifying sunscreens. For dry skin, look for hydrating and moisturizing options. Sensitive skin may benefit from a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Check the SPF Rating:

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating indicates the level of protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. It's recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for daily use. However, if you have fair skin or are going to be in direct sunlight for an extended period, consider SPF 50 or higher.

Broad-Spectrum Protection:

Look for sunscreens labeled as "broad-spectrum." These protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can lead to premature aging and UVB rays cause sunburn.

Water Resistance:

If you plan to swim or be active, consider a water-resistant sunscreen. Remember to reapply it after swimming, sweating, or towel drying, as no sunscreen is truly "waterproof."

Consider Your Lifestyle:

Different activities may require different types of sunscreen. For everyday use, a lightweight and non-comedogenic formula may be ideal. For outdoor sports, you might prefer a sport-specific sunscreen that's sweat-resistant.

Ingredients:

Pay attention to the ingredients in the sunscreen. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, consider mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are less likely to cause irritation. Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients like avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene. They can be more cosmetically elegant but may not be suitable for everyone.

Fragrance-Free Options:

Fragrance-free sunscreens are better for those with sensitive skin, as fragrance can cause irritation.

Ease of Application:

Consider the format of the sunscreen, such as lotion, cream, spray, or stick. Choose one that you find convenient and comfortable to apply.

Allergies and Skin Sensitivities:

If you have allergies or skin sensitivities, carefully review the ingredient list to avoid potential irritants.

Read Reviews and Seek Recommendations:

Online reviews and recommendations from skincare experts, dermatologists, and friends with similar skin concerns can help you find the right sunscreen for your needs.

Sample Sizes:

If you're uncertain about a specific sunscreen, consider purchasing sample-sized versions to try before committing to a full-sized product.

Consult a Dermatologist:

If you're still unsure which sunscreen is best for your skin, consult a dermatologist. They can recommend a product tailored to your specific skin concerns.

When shopping for sunscreen on ExpressBeautyOnline, look for products with high ratings, customer reviews, and descriptions that match your specific criteria. Remember that sunscreen is a vital part of your skincare routine to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation, so take the time to find the right one for you.

Hi y'all

I'm looking for someone to try out and spread the word about my all-natural body wash and scrub.

I'm not a bot ad or anything. I'm just one of u who had skincare issues. and tried million skincare products few worked but didn't last long and a few products even killed my super sensitive skin whereas they perfectly worked for others. finally, after a lot of hustle and experiments, I invented a new combination of ingredients that are perfect for me. and I just love it. and I want people to help people like me but IDK where to start what to do.

so kindly help me out

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TqR_0sXvcEw&feature=share

Hi All -

I recently started making short & sweet, honest, brief reviews. I'd love for everyone to check them out.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BGaunf7i45c&feature=share

I have recently dyed my dark brown hair at home a gorgeous peachy pink colour using these drops! Super pigmented and easy to us, full review here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX99Cw1KM8Y&t=204s

Makeup Review

Product: Velvet 59 Contour is a Girl's Best Friend cream to powder palette

Link (Price): https://velvet59.com/collections/contour-kits/products/contour-palette?variant=1037250887 ($45)

Shades: Light/Medium/Dark

Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83TFh7zyDJc

Skin type: Oily-combo, acne-prone, slightly sensitive

Pros: Versatile, Easy to apply, Easy to blend, Lasting power, Matte finish, Creamy texture, Cute packaging!

Cons: Pricey compared to alternatives

TL;DR: Video shows quick contour tutorial. Let me know if you find it helpful at all!

I bought mine online as a spare and noticed that the text is color white. Im pretty sure the text of the original beauty blender is black.

I also noticed at the bottom it has a sticker code that conceals the code that is actually on the packaging. What's on the sticker is the UPC number of the original beauty blender which is 7 13757 27370 1 but when you peel it what's actually on on the packing is 6 96859 11566 0 which is a UPC number of beauty blender airport pro pouch according to upcitemdb.com

Did i buy a knock off? can someone confirms thankss!!

https://youtu.be/56dnE3PrV0o

Vitamin C is vital for skin health because it can help rejuvenate photodamaged skin as you know sun exposure is the number one reason the skin ages. Clinical trials have shown that when applied topically, vitamin C promotes collagen formation helping to maintain youthful skin.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Correcting Creme

0.37 fl oz

$32.00

you can buy it from Ulta but not Sephora

pictures here

my skin type: normal

pros: this stuff works really well! I'm glad I bought it.

in the past the only redness correcting stuff I had used was drugstore level (Loreal anti-redness correcting primer) and it just wasn't doing the trick.

My skin isn't ruddy so I just use it for blemishes, not as an all-over primer, but you can use it that way too.

It blends easily, even on super pale skin like mine.

I do primer, then foundation, then this, then a regular concealer, and it covers blemishes almost entirely.

I would recommend taking it with you for a re-application if you plan to be out and about all day -- even with setting spray I needed to re-apply it after about 8 hours.

The packaging was pretty basic but did the job fine- it comes in a small cardboard box and the container itself is glass with a metal lid.

cons: it won't ENTIRELY make a blemish vanish if it's especially red or the bump is really big.

TL;DR: great stuff, not magic but I'm really glad I bought it.

Worth the price? : yes

Limited Edition Tarte Rain Forest After Dark Palette

• 0.14 oz Highlighter in Champagne
• 0.14 oz Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess™
• 0.21 oz Blush in Unleashed (nude rose)
• 6 x 0.035 oz eyeshadows in Bare to Explore (pink beige), Make a Mauve (plum mauve), Plum Away with Me (dark plum), Up to No Gold (gold), Tan-gled Up in You (tan), Don’t Turn A-Brown (dark brown)
• Step-by-Step Glamour Guide

Price and Sellers

The palette sells for $38.00 USD. It is a part of the Fall 2014 collection, so it is a limited time item. They do a Fall line every year, and they always do this style of palette. With the six eyeshadows, bronzer, highlighter, and blush. I don't know how long they are making it, but you can usually still get them through Christmas. It is available through:

Sephora

Ulta

Tarte Cosmestics Website

Case and Swatches

Smokey Eye Look with Palette (including blush, highlighter, and bronzer)

Pros

I like to consider myself an avid Tarte-o-holic. I love Tarte. Usually Tarte's eyeshadows are not some of my favorite, though. They tend to be chaulky and patchy, and for a mid-end product I personally rather spend my money on Too Faced. HOWEVER!!! These eyeshadows are some of the best Tarte eyeshadows I have worked with (I own about 5 separate Tarte Palettes, including BeMattenificant and last years Fall 2013). As you can see in the picture, those are swatches with no primer, and is a secondary swatch (first on finger then on arm). They are very creamy and very pigmented. I prefer these over my Two Faced eyeshadows.

The Bronzer and Highlighter are their standard products. They are very nice quality. The bronzer is a matte bronzer, and does run a little on the orange side, which makes it great for that all over "glow". They highlighter is a nice subtle shimmer. Not super highbeams, but definitely and everyday highlighter.

The blush is a great pink with a light coral undertone. It looks different in the pan, than swatched. I personally love the color. I think it is a very universal skintone color. I am a huge advocate of the Tarte blushes. If you haven't tried one, this is a great palette to do so (technically you get more product than in a standard blush compact). The blush is very long wearing, and holds up nicely throughout the day. Tarte blushes are very very pigmented and you hardly need to apply.

The other great part about these style of palettes is they have all you need for your face. You can do neutral looks, or bold looks. Great for travel.

Cons

The only major con I can think of is the bronzer runs orange. So it isn't the best sculpting tool for everyone. It's nice for an over all glow, but probably wouldn't be the best for fair skin. The other con I suppose is the price. Dropping $38.00 on a palette might not be easy for everyone, but it is a great deal for the cost. Also, if you are not a fan of purple shadows, the palette is limiting. Last years palette was a tad more neutral (browns, golds, and gray/greens), which was a bit more universal.

TL;DR

This palette is one of my favorite Tarte palettes (if not all palettes). If you are looking for a good introduction to Tarte, and are a fan of purple/neutrals. This is very worth it. Great for travel. Awesome price point for what you get. Bronzer is a bit on the orange side.

Worth the price?

I actually broke this down in excel, and if you paid the normal product price per oz, this palette price is would run $81.24. So you get over a %50 savings buying the palette. So yes, I do find it worth the price. The Math.

Product: Real Techniques Starter Eye Set

Website: http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-eyes-enhanced/starter-set

Synthetic or Natural Materials? These brushes have synthetic bristles and aluminum handles with the brush name written on the side. The set comes in a black panoramic case which can be used for display or travel purposes.

Purpose: This set is designed for beginners, giving them the basic tools for eyes and brows.

• The brow brush I actually use for defining my crease or a soft wing (weird, I know) because it gives me a nice defined line for a cut crease.

• The expert crease brush I use as an all over wash, and for deepening my crease. Because it's nice and round, it blends evenly over the top of my lid and slightly up my brow bone rather than just depositing product in the crevice.

• The base shadow brush is great for doing the first sweep of colour across the lid. Because it's a stippling style brush, the dark bristles spread the colour while the longer white bristles gently diffuse the shadow.

• The domed shadow brush I don't use as much, purely because it is a little big for my lids. If I do use it, it's for my outer V on a dramatic look.

• The accent brush is my favourite. It's fantastic for the lash lines and for fine detail work. I use it over my Sigma because this is smaller and more dense.

Brushes

Pros: These brushes were my very first set, the step up from the little foam applicators that come with most drugstore eyeshadows. I love these brushes, and still reach for some of them over my high-end brushes. The colour code is a really clever idea, helpful for beginners who aren't sure what each brush is meant to be for. My top recommendation for anyone who wants quality brushes at a lower price point. EcoTools are made by the same company, but I still prefer the Real Techniques because they're softer and not quite as scratchy as EcoTools. I'm a bit of a softy, OK; I like my brushes to feel like angels kisses. Fallout is minimal, mostly depends on the shadows you're using.

Super easy to clean, I use Napoleon Perdis Brush Cleaner every day after use for sanitary purposes and then once/twice a month (depending on usage) give them a good wash with baby shampoo and a quick swirl in rubbing alcohol to sanitise. I've had absolutely no shedding of any bristles from the first wash to now. The ferrule design is fantastic.

Cons: The brushes are useful to start with, but once you get a little more advanced with your techniques and application, you're going to want a larger range and higher quality. Don't get me wrong, these are nice, but when you feel the difference between a high-end brush and the low to mid-end, you rarely go back.

Aussies, order the brushes from iHerb or Amazon. Priceline Pharmacy sells them for $44.95 and I got mine from Amazon for $29.95.

TL;DR: Definitely worth their price. Phenomenal brush kit for beginners.

Crown Brushes - "All Eyes On You" Brush Set

This set comes with five duel end brushes (almost like getting 10), and a mesh pouch.

These descriptions are my own person interpretation. The website doesnt really have any sort of description.

1. Fluffy lid brush, with a small dome blending brush

2. Flat oval brush with a small precision brush

3. Oval chisel brush with a larger precision brush

4. Large fluffy chisel brush with a small pencil brush

5. Angled brush with a spooly

Price and Seller

The brushes are sold directly through Crown Brushes for $19.95 USD. The brushes also might be sold on Hautelook from time to time.

Crown Brush Link

Natural or synthetic materials:

It doesn't directly say in the product discription what the brushes are made out of, which is a tad annoying. I had to do some digging around on the website. Linked Here. By matching up the colors with the pictures (totally scientific). I'm guessing they are a mix of sable, boar and goat. Crown Brushes do claim to be a cruelty free company, in which no animals are harmed or killed during the fur removal process. I will leave it up to use to determine your thoughts on the matter.

Brush Use:

The brushes can be used for a variety of eyeshadow and eyebrow applications. It's a great starter set, if you want to try certain shapes out, but don't want to shell out the money.

Brush Set Album

Pros:

It is a great starter set. I purchased this awhile ago to get a feel for the brushes. You essentially get a brush for ~$2 a piece. It is very affordable. My personal favorite brush is the angled brush and spooly. It is a great dupe for the Anastasia one. The bristles are firm, but soft and are great for applying eyebrow products. The angle brush is small enough to keep your from the accidental power brow. My other personal favorite is the large dome brush. It is great for crease blending. It is soft and keeps it's shape. If you have smaller eyes this set is nice as the brushes are on the smaller side, which makes application easy for people with less lid area. The brushes clean up very nicely. I use normal shampoo, and I do add in a bit of conditioner since they are natural bristles.

Cons:

The brushes are duel ended, which might be a major bust for some people. You really can't put them in any sort of upright holder in fear of ruining on of the ends. The lid brush is loosing it's shape on me. The brushes haven't had any fallout, but the bristles for the lid brush are getting bent and out of shape. You can tell with some of them the construction isn't amazing. Some bristles are uneven and which make them look a bit cheap. I don't get much use out of the smaller brushes as they are just too small for my eyes. They aren't as soft as some of my other brushes but they do get the job done. They are natural hair, so that might be a con for some people. I personally probably wouldn't have bought them in the first place because of that, but I got them awhile ago, and didn't know to much about bristles. Also, you have to order them online. I don't know any brick and mortar stores that have them. So that might be a con for some people.

TL;DR

Good starter set for someone looking to up their eye game. Made of natural animal fibers. Good price, but don't be expecting high end quality.

Worth the price?

Yes, I would say they are worth the price. They are on par with elf brushes, and equal out to be the same price.

Here's my review for Elf's eyelid and face primer! http://imgur.com/a/cVA2I

Hey, guys! There were some requests to open up /r/BeautyReviews to more than just makeup, and that has been taken into consideration! New templates can all be found here!

Welcome to the sub! Please check out the sidebar for the templates used for reviews. Since I knew someone would probably ask at some point, I'm going to post the first review of the sub for reference!

Stila Lip Glaze

0.08 fl oz, $22, sold at Sephora

Color: Guava

Album

Skin Type: My lips are usually a little chapped. :(

Pros: I actually like this gloss because it doesn't have a lot of pigmentation, so I can apply one layer for a sheer gloss, or apply a few layers for the pink to show up. It's very versatile. I also like this gloss because it helps with my chapped lips! Having it on all day is really moisturizing. I really like how soft the brush is, and I like the way you dispense the product. The bottom of the tube twists, (if you've used Benefit's Push-Up Liner, you know what I'm talking about), and once you've brought product to the top, one or two clicks should be all you need to apply. I also really like the smell! It does smell sweet like guava, so I think it's probably safe to assume that each glaze smells like the fruit it's named after.

Cons: A lot of people tend to not like sticky glosses, and if you pack too much on, this gloss will feel like honey. I swipe on a layer, then pat it into my lips with the brush tip. If I want more color, I repeat that a few times. This gloss also doesn't last too long, so if you're going to wear it out, I'd definitely stash this product in your purse for reapplication.

TL;DR: I really like this product. The color is layerable and moisturizes my lips. It also smells sweet! Some people might not like the texture because it can get sticky if you apply a lot.

Worth the price? I think the two things that would make it worth the money are the brush applicator and the sweet smell. I'm happy with my purchase!