BeChicMag.com

It’s that time of year again where some of the most beautiful women from around the world can be found on your small screen for the Miss Universe Pageant. And this time, we have an exclusive contest just for you!

For your chance to win $250 worth of products from the New Pantene line, leave a comment below telling us who YOU think will win this year’s pageant! One lucky BeChic reader will receive the following:

• PANTENE’s new Hair Solutions Line- Shampoos, conditioners, stylers ( gel, mousse, hairspray, crèmes, leave-in treatment, ampoules, detanglers)
• Bath robe
• Bathing slippers
• White Terry-Cloth Head turban (towel for head)
• Brush
• Loofahs

And it’s one heck of a line up! Representing the United States is Rima Fakih- the first ever Arab American and Muslim to be crowned Miss America. Running for Dominican Republic is 25-year-old Eva Arias from Santo Domingo. But according to the Miss Universe site, the contestant with the highest rating so far is Venus Raj from The Philippines! Take a look at the ladies here, and let us know who YOU think should win tonight and why by leaving your comments below.

Catch the show tonight on NBC or Telemundo at 9p.m. I’ll announce the lucky winner tomorrow! – Mercedes

By DELAILA C.

Atop the 30th floor of The Metropolitan Towers there is a beautiful panoramic view of the city, a table of assorted cheeses, meats, and fruits, a wine bar serving delicious cocktails and lots of mingling among beauty bloggers, fashionistas, make up artists and businesswomen. I exchange business cards with a few and even get some camera time introducing BeChic. Amidst all of this we are all eagerly waiting to hear what dermatologist Jeannette Graf will share with us about beauty and skincare. Pad and pen on hand and I am ready as she begins…

Remember that old adage, “You are what you eat?” Well, it’s not just a phrase- it’s to be taken literally.

Dr. Graf says that many of the foods we eat are not helping us look our best. Besides leading to break outs and challenged skin, what we consume also compromises our energy level leaving us restless and unable to perform to our full potential.

Why is this?! Well there is a scientific term called pH or potential of hydrogen- it measures the amount of acidity or alkalinity in the body, with an ideal pH being a 7. Everything we eat affects our pH. Our aim is to be as alkalized as possible as doing so promotes healthier skin and a rejuvenated body inside and out. Sugars, processed food and other inhibitors cause for high acidity in our bodies, which we should try to avoid as much as possible.

Become your own antioxidant by choosing the right foods; it’s as simple as getting in your eight glasses of water a day.

Dr. Graf goes on and introduces the Skin Care Challenge, a 2-week regimen geared to give “your cells the ingredients they need to function optimally and at its fullest alkaline potential. In no time will you see vibrant, more youthful skin.”

Are you up for the challenge? Pick up a copy of Stop Aging, Start Living, a straightforward insight as to why living a well-balanced life will help you look and feel your best. Start the challenge today. Come back and let us know about your experience, we would love to hear about your progress!

By Johanna Marie Ferreira

These days it’s hard to cough up money on expensive products. So one of the best ways to save on beauty care is to use natural items. Some of these are remedies my mother tried on me while others are from friends whose relatives have been using for years!

Rice Water: An Ancient Anti-Aging Treatment

Asian women are admired for their beautiful, clear and flawless skin. One of their secrets to keeping their complexions smooth, translucent and youthful is washing their faces with rice water. Rice water is simply the water that comes from washing uncooked rice. Once the rice is soaked the water becomes cloudy in appearance. This works because rice contains a high concentration of PABA (para aminobenzoic acid) and this tends to work effectively as a sunscreen. To make your own homemade rice cleanser, simply take a bowl and soak about a cup full of white rice. Clean the rise thoroughly. Once you see the water become cloudy, drain the water into another bowl. Repeatedly splash the rice water over your face. For best results, do not towel dry your face, instead leave the water on your face to air-dry. Your best bet is to do this whenever you’re planning on making rice that way you don’t waste it.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda: A Natural Whitening Remedy

Combining hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is a great way to whiten teeth naturally. Many dentists recommend it and it’s also an active ingredient found in many whitening toothpastes. Baking soda effectively polishes teeth without scratching the surface of the tooth, and it also works to prevent tartar buildup. Whether you’re looking to whiten your teeth or just maintain a healthy smile, hydrogen peroxide should definitely become a part of your daily oral hygiene regimen as it works as an antiseptic property, preventing infections and bacterial buildup. To make your own hydrogen peroxide and baking soda whitening treatment, take a small cup and add ½ a teaspoon of baking soda. Then pour a dash of hydrogen peroxide until the mixture turns into a paste. Apply the paste to your toothbrush and brush as usual. You can also brush afterwards with your regular toothpaste.

Eggs and Mayonnaise: A Deep Treatment Conditioner

Eggs and mayonnaise treatments effectively work to restore moisture and shine to dry/damaged hair. The mixture creates a deep conditioning treatment that leaves hair healthier, silky and soft. The reason why this works is because eggs contain protein and fatty acids that assist in nourishing your hair and the vitamins contained in eggs such as, vitamin A, D and E are vital to your hair’s health. The ingredients found in mayonnaise are eggs, oil and vinegar. These ingredients combined help to moisturize, add shine, and balance the pH levels of your hair. To create your own homemade egg and mayonnaise conditioning treatment, add one egg and ½ cup of mayonnaise to a bowl. Mix the ingredients well and then distribute the treatment throughout your hair from the roots to the ends. Then cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and let the mixture set for about 30 minutes. Shampoo to remove the treatment and rinse thoroughly.

Vinegar: A Natural Dandruff Solution

Vinegar has been used as a natural dandruff remedy for centuries. It’s known to kill off the fungus found in dandruff and restores the proper acid/alkaline balance of the scalp. The most common types of vinegar used to treat dandruff are white vinegar and apple cider vinegar. To create your own natural dandruff solution, simply mix an equal amount of warm water and vinegar to a bowl. Then take a cup and pour the mixture onto your scalp and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse the solution out and wash your hair with a gentle shampoo.

Brown Sugar – A Natural Body Scrub

Did you know that brown sugar is a great ingredient to exfoliate your skin? It has been discovered that brown sugar helps keep your skin smooth and radiant. To make your own brown sugar scrub, mix a cup of sugar with 1/3 cup of olive oil. Shower with lukewarm water and massage the scrub throughout your body, focusing on drier areas. Rinse off the brown sugar scrub with warm water. It’s highly suggested that you wash your body off with soap afterwards because the scrub can leave your skin a little oily.

Johanna Marie Ferreira is a freelance writer and editorial assistant for the City University of New York (CUNY).

Whether you’re a die hard Twilight Saga fan or not, we’re sure the name Ashley Greene rings a bell. With the premiere of Eclipse earlier this week, Greene has been a huge hit -almost bigger than Kristen Stewart who has the leading role- and that could be because of Greene’s gorgeous locks thanks to hairstylist Ted Gibson.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Gibson before the premiere at this Fifth Avenue salon where he gave me practical tips on achieving Hollywood Hair in under 10 minutes! Here they are…

Hollywood Hair in 10 Minutes:

1. Shine: For the girl on-the- go searching for a star look, Gibson recommends starting by applying his Hair Sheet throughout the entire dry head. “It has UV protection which is essential for girls during the summer,” says Gibson. “It helps to fight frizz and it smells good; it has lavender oil. If you’re a girl that doesn’t shampoo every single day it’s perfect because it acts as a refresher to.”

2. Preparation: After applying the Hair Sheet, move on to the blow dry. It’s important to part your hair into different sections (1.5 inch and about about two inches wide).

3. Brushes and Nozzle: Gibson recommends the Y.S. Park Brush which has a combination of boar and nylon bristles, and says you should always use your nozzle when blow drying because it gives direct heat to your hair which results in smooth locks.

4. Technique: As you’re blow drying, it’s important to take your hair up as high as possible, making sure to get all the ends in, and then rotate all the way down and twist. Repeat throughout all sections, and watch it already start the wave factor in your blow dry.

5. Making it Hollywood: Add waves and natural looking curls by taking your sections and using a large barrell curling iron.

6. The Big Finish: Hold hair in place by adding a light spray such as Ted Gibson’s Beautiful Hold Spray. -Mercedes

And voila! That’s how to get Hollywood Hair in 10 minutes! For a full demonstration, see our segment with Ted on BeChic TV!

By Samantha S.

“The biggest mistake women make is purchase makeup they find trendy and popular instead of looking for the products that are right for them.”

Khuraira (pronounced Herrera) is an innovative makeup artist who not only provides women with amazing beauty products, but also with the tips and tools to keep their skin beautiful and healthy. Her life is truly an inspirational one. She was raised by her aunt in the small town of Jos, Africa in a shack with no running water or electricity. And yet, through these conditions, Khuraira managed to find an outlet through nature and colors. “I love colors,” says Khuraira. She would use leaves, blueberries or sunflowers to create beautiful henna colors. But her true love for makeup aspired during her first job at Lancome. Her passion for beauty led to the start of her own business, products and boutique in Tenafly, New Jersey.

There has been a lot of buzz over her Dark Circle Complex Primer. Women are especially enthralled with its bright orange appearance, an uncommon color in facial products. Khuraira told me about the first time she discovered the orange shade as a primer:

She first experimented with different bronzers for skin with oily undertones. In San Francisco, she tried using orange lipstick on one of her clients of  darker complexion and found that it worked miracles! Hence, the birth of her Dark Circle Complex Primer. Women have fallen in love with this product.

When starting her beauty line, Khuraira says she wanted to create makeup that made women feel flawless and nourish their skin at the same time. These products are enriched with antioxidants, peptides and aloe vera. Looking beautiful and being healthy, now that’s truly the best of both worlds.

For those looking for expert tips on how to apply makeup such as the orange primer, Khuraira holds special events in her boutique like makeup parties, airbrush sessions and “makeup wardrobing” sessions with her clients. Her airbrush makeup sessions have become a hit.  She invites women to bring their own beauty products so they may learn how to properly apply them.

“The biggest mistake women do is purchase ‘trendy’ makeup, instead of the products that are right for them,” says Khuraira. “Just because the makeup looks great on the model in the commercial, doesn’t mean it will look the same on you. Your makeup should match your lifestyle.”  A respected business woman shouldn’t be wearing bright blue and purple eye shadow to the office, says Khuraria.

Another big mistake she noticed among her clients is that they might have the right makeup, but not the right tools. Finding the right brushes is a struggle many women go through. Truth is, Khuraira just wants to see her clients looking good and feeling good on the inside too. -SS

For more on Khuraira, visit her Web site at Khuraira.com