Let Believe Help Make Prom Perfect

Whooosh...Hear that sound? That is the school year flying by and, before you know it, Prom Night is upon us. No matter how long ago we graduated high school, Prom is one event we've never forgotten and the whole staff at Believe wants to help you make your own magical night one you will remember forever, too.

Here's some tips we've found to help make it a perfect prom night:

• Stop dieting now. It's too late to lose significant weight and it is time to pick out your dress. If you want it to fit on prom night, accept your body as it is (you are beautiful, you know) and pick a dress that flatters your figure as it is. Buy Spanx to make things smoother underneath, but extreme dieting will just make your skin dry and flaky, your hair dull and your energy low.
• Having gotten the dress, it is time to get the shoes and start wearing them for a longer period each day. You don't want to be breaking in new shoes on the dance floor. Give Insolia Inserts a try. They fit right in your heels and shift the weight off the ball of your foot--saving all kinds of pain. (You still might want to stash a pair of fold up ballet flats in your purse, just in case.) If you find your feet swelling, return the shoes and get a half size larger than you usually wear. Also (an old model's trick) drinking water that has been boiled with fresh parsley, then strained, is a safe way to get rid of extra water that causes bloating.
• Once you've got the dress and shoes, have your mom or friend take a photo of you and bring it to us at Believe. We can help plan hair and makeup that will perfectly complement your look. You should also make an appointment with us as soon as you can, so we can do your hair and makeup for the big night.
• You might want to glitz up your look with sparkling hair extensions (we'll put them in for you) or braided ribbons or (you do only get to go to one prom in your life)how about a tiara? If Kate Middleton can do it, why not you? Just bring your ornaments to us at Believe and we will work them into the perfect hairstyle.
• Get a Believe facial to start out with a clean slate for your makeup--but schedule the facial a few days before the prom. Give your new skin a chance to settle in--makeup will look better and last longer.
• Stock up on some blotting papers to slip in your purse to take the shine off before all the photos you'll be taking. And, on the subject of photos, be sure to empty your PDA of all photos before you leave. You'll need all the memory space you can get to capture your friend's dazzling ensembles. Even guys clean up great for prom.
• This is a night for waterproof mascara! Not only will you work up a sweat dancing, but emotions may get the best of you. You'll be moving on in your life soon--college, travel, joining the military--and the realization that your high school days are drawing to a close might bring a tear or two. Pack a few lacy hankies in that purse of yours.
• If you need the perfect jewelry to complete your look, check out our collection at Believe. Each piece we carry is designed by an artist, not mass-produced. The last thing you want to look like at prom, is like everybody else.

Our last piece of advice, but an important one...

• Pose graciously for the ten million photos your Mom and Dad want to take of you before you leave. It will only take a few minutes and means a lot to them now (and will mean a lot to you later.) Thank them for the time and money spent, give them a kiss, and then...

Head out to have an awesome Prom Night.

Looking Good In Photos

With Spring having (finally) made an appearance, what might be called "The Celebration Season" is upon us. First Communions, Confirmations, Graduations, Passover, Easter, Baptisms and Christenings--all events to be marked with some good wishes and lots of photo opportunities. The pictures taken now will last a lifetime (or several lifetimes now that family photos are being saved in digital archives) and if you want your great-great granddaughter to think you were gorgeous, here's a few tricks to help make those of us not naturally photogenic look our memorable best:

Stand Up Straight: Your mother was right. Don't slouch. Breathe normally, push your shoulders back, then relax them. You will look healthier and in a group setting you'll come out looking better than the your droopy cousin.

Put Down The Plaid: As the weather warms up, we want to break out the bright floral or printed fabrics but, while strong color can be good in a photo, patterns can overwhelm you. Horizontal stripes make you look wider and closely-spaced stripes can create weird effects (and tend to run together when printed.) Solid and neutral colors work best, though watch out for red, black or white—they present too much contrast in digital photography.

Improve On Nature: Hide those dark under-eye circles, annoying zits, and any skin redness with makeup. Come on into Believe and we'll do a makeup consultation with you, featuring our incredible GIELLA custom blended cosmetics, before the big day. Or make an appointment to stop by early in the morning and we'll do all your makeup for you. For now, here's some makeup-for-photo tips:  keep blotting papers and a soft brush with a little loose powder on hand for last minute touch-ups on-site and, if the day is warm, run a little antiperspirant over your forehead and upper lip to avoid sweating. 

Get The Red Out: Use eye drops to clear the red from the whites of your eyes. Staring at a light source (not the sun) for a few minutes before the photo will shrink your pupils and reduce the chance of red eye. (A professional photographer or even an amateur with access to Photoshop software will take care of this problem in the final product anyway.)

Haircut Time:  Come into Believe for a haircut a few days before the occasion for a cut and color, giving your new “do” time to settle in before the big event. We'll not only give you a cut that will flatter the shape of your face and a color that will play well in a photo, but suggest some products like AEstelance's Butter or Keratin products like Ricci and Latte to keep down the frizz on a humid day, Agadir Moroccan Mousse or AEstelance's Volume (sans alcohol) to pump up the volume so your hair doesn't go flat, and White Tea Embrace hairspray to keep from looking wild and windblown.

When to Blink:  Halfway through a count of three (if the photographer gives you one) is the answer, so that your eyes won’t be mid-blink for the shot. 


Work The Angles:  Known as the model's pose, stand so your body is 3/4s towards the camera and put one foot in front of the other, with one shoulder closer to the camera than the other. Turn your head slightly to the side and look straight ahead—you’ll look like your are looking straight at the camera. Look slightly above the camera when the picture is taken (unless the photographer is at a lower level—then you'll have to look directly forward or it will look like your eyes are closed.) Lean slightly towards the camera to improve facial definition and minimize the look of wrinkles and flabby skin. Oh and your “good side” is usually the side where your hair parts.

How 'Bout That Double Chin? Everybody's nemesis can be hidden by tilting your head up slightly and position yourself so that the camera is a little above or at your eye level. Or put a hand under your chin like you are resting your head in your hand (keep your thumb side out of the camera’s view) and don't put any real weight on your hand—you'll smush your skin and make things worse. Lastly, put your tongue up on the roof of your mouth. (Our makeup expert at Believe can also help you cheat a little with shading makeup for under your chin and to narrow your nose and slim your cheeks. Cheaper than liposuction and your secret it safe with us.)

Smile And Relax: Don't hold your breath and don’t clench your teeth and don't say “cheese” no matter what the photographer says. Try a relaxed closed mouth smile or an open mouthed smile with the lower lip relaxed and down (you might have to practice) and make sure your smile reaches your eyes. If you have to pose all day, you might try a trick taken from the Miss America pageant—Vaseline on your teeth to help your lips slide smoothly for hours of smiles. Best of all, think happy thoughts. Your state of mind will shine through into the photo.

Remember to make your makeup ad hair appointments with us at Believe early—particularly at this time of year—and we will do our part to help make sure you'll be looking your very best for your special (and memorable) occasion.

Perfect Gifts For Everyone On Your List!

Chanukah is almost over and Christmas is coming right up! If you've seen the full-to-bursting parking lots at the Mall or waited way too long to speak to Customer Service when your internet shopping went awry, you know that time is flying. 

If you are sick of the crowds, out of ideas, and wish you could wave a magic wand and have all your shopping behind you, we at Believe (doing double duty as fairy godmothers) can grant that wish. (Consider it our little gift to you.) 

Here are our picks for Perfect Gifts For Everyone On Your List: 

Your Mom: Is your mom always complaining about falling in love with a shade of lipstick only to find to it has been discontinued? No more. At Believe's Custom Makeup Bar,  our makeup artist, Sam (tempted away from Lancombe, et al) will create the perfect shade (or replicate the shade from that last little bit left in the tube) right in front of you...and we'll keep it on file forever. No more discontinued lipstick blues or any other "discontinued" blues...ALL makeup can be duplicated.  She's guaranteed to love it.

Teenager Girl: Is she all vegan and organic? We have nail polish with no formaldehyde. Not only is it better for her, its better for the planet. Or how about a Young Person Acne Facial?  Let her face the future bump-free and with more confidence.

Teenage Boy: Long hair is making a comeback, but that in-between stage (when it's growing out) is a mess. Buy him a Cut and Style to keep it in shape (and sexy) while it is getting longer. Do you really think Robert Pattinson got that tousled look from nature? 

Grandmother: Is she tired of looking her age?  Send her in for a custom color by Chromastics. Permanent and Demi-Permanent colors are based on pure tones.  Countless colors can be achieved and due to a soy and hydrolyzed wheat protein base, the product actually helps repair her hair, no matter how long (or how badly) she's been coloring it.

Husband:  It is about time that he discovers the joys of facials. Not only will the rubbing of aromatherapy oils and moisturizing creams surely become one of his favorite activities, but it will help erase tension (and wrinkles) from his rugged face. Don't just buy him a gift card--Make an appointment for him with our brilliant aesthetician, Jackie, for an Age-Defying Facial. Afterwards, make a night of it. How about a candlelit diner after at the nearby Iron Horse Grille for just the two of you? (Be sure to tell him he looks even more handsome than usual.)

Little Kids:  We love them and make it fun for them to get their hair cut. We promise to listen and let them tell us what they want (with mom's permission, of course) and since all little kids love to act like big kids, they'll have a blast. (Yes, everyone gets a celebratory lollipop-even the parents.)  We also have a sulfate-free haircare line especially for children, Circle of Friends, with fun scents like raspberry, banana, orange, blueberry and root beer.

In-Laws: They might actually agree their son or daughter didn't do so badly after all, marrying you--if you get them one of our fabulous massages. Whether it's a relaxing Swedish, full of wonderful oils and soothing strokes, or a Deep Tissue Massage, that will help ease the pain of those older bones, this gift is sure to be a hit with even the crankiest of in-laws. (And you'll be a hit, too.)

Co-workers: They are always tough to shop for, we know. How to get them something nice, but not too personal and, if your office engages in blind gift exchanges, what's a good one-size- fits-all gift to get? We recommend body butters like Aestalance--great for everybody's static-y hair (or bald scalp) and other dry bits.

Stocking Stuffers: The ZUM family of products make great stocking stuffers--give ZUM Organic Goat Milk Soap (in your choice of fragrances),  ZUM Mini Hand-Creams for everyone to carry in their briefcase or car, and ZKISS Organic Shea Butter Lip Treat  is welcome during these cold, drying months.

YOU: Let's not forget the most important person here. Instead of all those broken resolutions, make a real change in 2011. Consult with Lisa, Believe's owner (and one of the few Master Stylists around)  for the perfect new style and color or really do it up for that New Year's party and get So. Cap. Hair Extensions to instantly turn your workaday short hair into long and flowing locks. Extensions are not just for Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, you know. YOU are a star, too. Here's to shining brightly in the new year.

Wishing you the Best Every Day of the Year,

Lisa & The Team At Believe Beauty Lounge

Welcome All To Believe's New Blog!

When I opened Believe Beauty Lounge three years ago, I was delighted to be joining the wonderful community in Pleasantville.

Now I am just as happy to announce that Believe Beauty Lounge has fully joined the online community, too--expanding our web presence by joining forces with BehindBlogs.com, a social networking service.
BehindBlogs.com will help us keep you right up-to-date with the goings on here at Believe, with daily updates to our Facebook page and Twitter feed and, best of all, a weekly article on this, our new blog!

On our blog, we get to explain what we do here; introduce new staff, products and services; keep you current on the latest trends in the industry; let you know about discounts, fundraisers and other special events; invite you to seminars by industry experts and, through the comment section that follows each blog entry, we get another way to talk with you, our clients, and find out what you are thinking, what you need to know, and how we can best make your visit to Believe Beauty Lounge a relaxing and fulfilling experience and one you can't wait to repeat. We want you to come back again and again and enjoy it every time.

As this is our opening blog article, we thought we'd repeat for our regular customers and tell our new (and future) ones who we are and how Believe came to be...

As a graduate of New York's prestigious Wilfred Beauty Academy in 1984, I was well-trained, but inexperienced, when I had the good fortune to meet local hairstyling legend Franco Marino, who hired me for his business, presently Beautiful Hair Color Salon, and took me under his wing. Franco was a master (and former Colorist Of The Year) and as his right-hand woman, I got to soak up all the knowledge I could absorb and it was quite an education. I am ever grateful for all I learned from Franco.

When the time came to open my own salon, Franco and I became friendly competitors. Though I was scared to death to start such a new venture, I was encouraged by my husband Stewart (my partner) to "believe" in myself (that's partially where the name came from) and I was offered support, (emotionally and monetarily) by many of my clients, who I am thrilled to say followed me to my new salon.

I wanted Believe to be cozy and intimate (making our 500-square-feet shop an asset) and welcoming...a place where everyone who worked here listens to the customers and works with them, not on them. It is, after all, your hair, skin and body and you know them much better than we do (there's that listening thing again.)

There's no room for superstar stylists or divas with attitude here. (I think that's why we have such a good retention rate--our customers come back again and again...and recommend us to their friends.)

Our staff is entirely dedicated to you and is made up of:Caroline and myself are hairdressers and colorists (I am a board-certified colorist, one of only 2,500 in the country); my Personal Assistant/Manager Shannon; full-time makeup artist Katrina (who is training Sam to learn all she can about custom-blended makeup), and Jacqueline, our Medical Aesthetician. Michele has also just joined us as NYS-licensed massage therapist and we even have a pinch-hitter who can do a basic manicure for those special occasional when you are pressed for time.

We at Believe know we have to earn your business everyday and we do our very best to make sure your experience is a good one. We promise to never take our relationships with you, our treasured clients, for granted.

Thanks so very much for your trust and your business. We look forward to working with you again soon.

Lisa Koebbe Bevan

Owner

PS: Be sure to "like" our Facebook page and subscribe to our Twitter feed to be in on happenings and discounts at Believe and check back here next week for another article on our new blog.