Quantcast
Channel: Style & Beauty
Viewing all 18686 articles
Browse latest View live

Khloe Kardashian Wears A Clingy Wrap Dress For An Afternoon Of Filming

0
0
"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" Season 10 is currently in production and Khloe Kardashian was dressed to the nines while filming in West Hollywood Thursday.

Kardashian wore a tight burgundy dress with long sleeves and a wrapped waist with a pair of black sandals while filming that afternoon. She waved to fans amid a throng of paparazzi as she made her way to a Mercedes SUV.

The 30-year-old stepped out with Kourtney Kardashian and Kris Jenner. The ladies headed to lunch with Jenner's rumored new beau, Corey Gamble.

khloe kardashian

khloe kardashian

khloe kardashian

How to Style Winter Boots With You Magazine's Amy E Wiliams

0
0


Perhaps it's just me, but every year with the winter season approaching and the hunt for a pair of boots beginning, I am stuck deciding what to go for. New cuts, new lengths, new shapes and a whole lot of choice.

YOU magazine's fashion editor Amy E Williams is discussing new and returning boot trends this Autumn, with tips and tricks on how to style your favorite Chelsea boots with the latest fashion, what to remember when trying out a new cut like the midi boot and how to work a splash of colour into your outfit. It's time to let your boots do the walking as well as the talking.

2014-11-07-Screenshot20141107at12.59.39.png

For more cultural news follow Crane.tv on Twitter or find us on Facebook or Instagram

Kate Beckinsale Rocks The Choker Trend On The Red Carpet

0
0
Chokers are making a big comeback.

What was a teenage style staple in the '90s is now a glamorous accessory, and Kate Beckinsale is the latest celebrity to jump on the trend. Beckinsale wore a gold choker with a plunging, cut-out white dress to the Battersea Power Station Global Launch Party in West Hollywood Thursday night. She gave the necklace plenty of attention sporting an up-do and simple makeup.

Other celebrities to rock the style recently include Kim Kardashian, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Rihanna.

kate beckinsale

kate beckinsale

Ellen Lets Fans Meet 5 Seconds Of Summer -- But Only For 5 Seconds

0
0
On her show Nov. 5, Ellen DeGeneres gave fans of Australian pop-punk band 5 Seconds Of Summer the surprise of a lifetime: the chance to meet the band.

But for how long? Five seconds, of course.

It didn't take long for the fans to attempt selfies with the guys -- one group even caught the singers in various states of undress.

And hey, looks like Ellen couldn't resist snapping a selfie with 5SOS, either.

A photo posted by Ellen (@theellenshow) on




Oh, yeah. There's a Vine, too.

The Importance Of Polaroid - Why I Still Love To Shoot With Instant Film

0
0
2014-11-07-5012.jpg


My fashion photography is grounded in art. I love the old, painterly feel that a Polaroid gives and the excitement of seeing how it will turn out, and never really knowing. Polaroid film is old, and often that makes it imperfect and each frame is unique - I love that. I also love the instantaneous nature of seeing something coming to life on print.

2014-11-07-5012.jpg


There is a difference with shooting Polaroid film compared to digital. Polaroids give such a raw, vintage feel that is impossible to achieve with digital, even with retouching. There is an organic rawness, and uniqueness with each image.

2014-11-07-5012.jpg


One of the greatest things about shooting with Polaroid, and film in general, is the fact that it makes me step back and think about what I'm aiming to capture. With digital, it is easy to shoot so many frames in a short amount of time without taking the time to think through posing and emotion, for instance.

2014-11-07-5012.jpg


The fact that Polaroid is pricey, and there are a limited number of shots, makes me step back and think more before taking the shot. It's a large part of what makes it special, and this is also helpful when teaching students to think about quality over quantity - shooting less frames that are better quality.

2014-11-07-5012.jpg


The moment I look for before taking the shot is the right emotion from the model to match the films dreamy, old world feel.

2014-11-07-5012.jpg


After taking the shot, there is an emotional response as I'm waiting for the image to develop. It's exciting and also a bit nerve wracking because the film is old and the cameras and lenses I use aren't perfect. I'm waiting to see the colors, the pose and the sharpness, to see if everything matches the vision I had for the image. When everything comes together seamlessly, it is magical to watch! The fact that things aren't perfect is something really special and part of the emotional connection I have.

2014-11-07-MG_6478.jpg


The physical nature of the Polaroid print is really useful. It's great being able to put them side by side and see how the poses and story flows. It is easier to see how the shoot is coming along, and the direction I need to take in directing the model. Sure you can do this with digital too, but I like being able to hold the print and move them around and sequence them.

2014-11-07-5012.jpg


Shooting with Polaroid is very social too. Everyone on my set loves seeing them develop and are surprised to physically hold the image in their hand. As I explained, the tangible factor of holding an image is so different than seeing a digital image on a screen, and it really excites the team and my students.


2014-11-07-5012.jpg


2014-11-07-MG_6396.jpg


See more of my work:
www.EmilySoto.com
http://instagram.com/emilysoto

13 Times Bethany Mota Made Us Fall In Love With Her

0
0
She's a YouTube extraordinaire, "Dancing With the Stars" contestant and an iTunes sensation. Basically, Bethany Mota is well on her way to conquering the world -- and looking absolutely charming while doing it.

Today, the teen triple threat turns 19 and we've rounded up every GIF that sums up why she is, and always will be, the cutest.

1. That time she and Stitch were BFFs.


2. That time she was all patriotic.


3. That time when she was the cutest tiger ever.


4. BRB, crying.


5. That time she made us want to be a cat (and/or a vampire).


6. That time when she acted all super modest.


7. That time when pink and yellow polka dots never looked so good.


8. That time she took car selfies to the next level.


9. That time we were super jealous of her lip shade.


10. That time she was, again, THE CUTEST EVER.


11. That time she was the swaggiest.


12. That time she was just all-around adorable.


13. Happy birthday, Bethany! We


Follow HuffPost Teen on Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pheed |

Lea T, Transgender Model, Announced As Face Of Redken

0
0
We love this!

Lea T made history this week when Redken announced that she would front the haircare brand, reportedly making her the first transgender model to become the face of a global cosmetics brand.

“I love working with Redken because they appreciate all kinds of beauty," Lea T reportedly stated. "They believe in the individuality of the person, and I think that’s really important.”

Lea T was reportedly discovered in 2010 by Givenchy artistic director Riccardo Tisci -- having since been called the world's first transgender supermodel by Oprah.

While she is breaking new ground with her Redken role, Lea T isn't alone within the transgender model community. In July, supermodel Andreja Pejic came out as transgender and later launched a campaign encouraging others to come out and live authentically. Carmen Carrera also came out as transgender after rising to fame as a contestant on "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Fashion Photographer Kenneth Willardt On Nude Portraits, Life Lessons And Photoshop (NSFW PHOTOS)

0
0
When photographer Kenneth Willardt's new fashion title, "The Beauty Book," landed on our desks, we thought, "Oh, this is fancy!"

The 304-page book is a work of art itself with its red and green microsuede limited-edition cover, which features stunning images of style icons like Claudia Schiffer, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga. But this isn't your run-of-the-mill photography coffee table book. Instead, Willardt created an app version where the images transform into lifelike GIFs. (See Robyn Lawley posing naked with bunnies below.)

On the eve of his New York exhibition and book launch, HuffPost Style caught up with Willardt to find out what it takes to be one of the most-sought after photographers in the industry and what it's really like to shoot famous faces and bodies.

WARNING: Photos below contain nudity.

HuffPost Style: How is "The Beauty Book" different from all the other fashion photography books out there?

Willardt: The augmented reality is one of the elements that makes this book very unique because it adds a whole new level to the experience of reading a book. Today we interact through our mobile devices and share what we like with our friends and colleagues with everything from going to a show or viewing art in a book.

jennifer lopez

HuffPost Style: What has been your most challenging photo shoot so far?

Willardt: Rebranding L'Oréal [shoots] for the last five years has been challenging and rewarding -- all of them. I have been so fortunate to have worked with some of the most beautiful and iconic women in the world like, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Jane Fonda, Natasha Poly, Doutzen Kroes, Julianne Moore, Frieda Pinto, Lara Stone and many more.

HuffPost Style: What's the best piece of advice you can offer aspiring fashion photographers?

Willardt: Get up early every day and be grateful to all those who either let you into their studio or help you out -- never burn bridges!

frida pinto


HuffPost Style: How do you feel about nudity?

Willardt: Nudity is purity and honesty. It lets us be in touch and understand who we really are. Feeling empowered by your body no matter what shape or size is a beautiful thing.

karlie kloss

HuffPost Style: What's your stance on Photoshop?

Willardt: With great lighting, makeup and hair, you rarely need to use Photoshop for anything other than color, contrast and a conduit into LiveEdit.

HuffPost Style: What's the inspiration behind your aesthetic?

Willardt: A lot of my aesthetic comes from my Danish roots with a mix of a modern, Brazilian style, [which I picked up] from spending time at my home in Rio. Also the American culture and history from living here for the past 20 years.

claudia schiffer

HuffPost Style: What lessons have you learned from shooting plus-size models that have impacted your work?

Willardt: I never thought shooting Robyn for my last show would create such massive conversation about plus size models versus conventional models. I like women especially when they are comfortable in their own body and she certainly was.

HuffPost Style: Who is your dream person to shoot?

Willardt: My dream person is the next person I photograph!

robyn lawley

"The Beauty Book" is on sale at teNeues.com and 558gallery.com.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Sophia Loren Pressured To Get A Nose Job As A Young Actress

0
0
Ummm ... what?!

Sophia Loren is regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses of all time, but in the early days of her career, she was apparently pressured to get plastic surgery. The 80-year-old screen legend made the revelation during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

I always tried not to listen to these people. They were saying that my nose was too long and my mouth was too big. It didn't hurt me at all because when I believe in something, it's like war. It's a battle. But even Carlo [Ponti] said, 'You know the cameramen, they say that your nose is too long. Maybe you have to touch it a little bit.' And I said, 'Listen, I don't want to touch nothing on my face because I like my face. If I have to change my nose, I am going back to Pozzuoli.' At that time, they used to do noses like a French nose with a little tip at the end -- they liked that. Can you imagine me with a nose like that?


In her memoir, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life, Loren describes going to Ponti's office for a test screening and the cameraman saying she's "impossible to photograph." When Ponti, an Italian film director and Loren's late husband, later suggested she try "softening" her "dominant profile," she refused.

"I didn't want a small, turned-up nose," she wrote. "I knew perfectly well that my beauty was the result of a lot of irregularities all blended together in one face, my face. Whether I won or lost, it was going to be in the original version."

Loren, who was a beauty pageant contestant as a teenage girl before becoming an actress, has continued to avoid cosmetic surgery.

“I think it’s in the DNA,” she told OK! Magazine last year. “If you want to look always young, maybe you should make the mistake to do some surgery, but I don’t like that very much. People get so unhappy, because they make mistakes. I would be so much afraid of it. So much!”

Taylor Swift Crashes Young Fan's Photo Shoot While Jogging (In Full Makeup)

0
0
Taylor Swift is the kind of superstar who surprises fans at their bridal showers, writes encouraging messages on their Instagram photos, gives them money to purchase Chipotle on their birthdays and invites them into her home to eat homemade cookies and listen to her latest album (before everyone else).

And in her latest attempt to become St. Taylor -- or at least the friendliest celebrity out there -- Swift crashed a young fan's photo shoot while she was jogging in a Nashville area park.

Swift was just working on her fitness in the great outdoors when she jogged her way into a fan, who was in the middle of a photo shoot with photographer Sarah Bailey.

The 24-year-old stopped and took the time not only to chat with the girl, but to pose for a couple of photos. And luckily, she was camera-ready: Swift sported a Notre Dame hoodie -- her younger brother Austin's school-- and a full face of makeup. (Of course Taylor Swift jogs wearing red lipstick and mascara -- after all, this is how she looks after her ModelFIT workouts in New York.)

taylor swift

taylor swift photo

H/T: Jezebel

Here's Proof That 'Pick A Color' Is One Of The Most Stressful Phrases In The English Language

0
0
There are only two options when you're choosing a polish color at the nail salon: the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Between 'Peach Daiquiri', 'Twin Sweater Set', and 'Flawless' (WTF kind of color is flawless?!), the myriad of options may prove too overwhelming to handle. This new sketch from Above Average perfectly illustrates the remarkable accomplishment of finally making that decision.

Can a New Mascara Change Your Life?

0
0
2014-11-07-photo3copy.JPG


"This new mascara routine will change your life," the salesgirl assures me as she slips a couple of shiny tubes into pink tissue paper and into a tiny glossy shopping bag.

I had just spent the past 45 minutes with her, applying, removing, and then reapplying lipstick until we found the shade and texture that made it look and feel like I had no lipstick on at all. After all that she also sells me a tube of mascara and this magic mascara foundation that will not only separate and lengthen my lashes, but apparently also change my life.

I am a latecomer to makeup. My mother never wore makeup -- not even face lotion. I don't think she ever used any product on her skin, yet even now, in her 60s, her face is plump and smooth and rosy like a peach. When I was a young girl she once received a round case of eyeliners from France. She had no use for them so she gave them to me, but of course I had no idea what to do with them. But I remember the black, transparent case and the silver pencils bunched together with tiny dots at their ends showing blues and greens and grays. They smelled like crayons dipped in perfume.

I suffered from severe eczema my entire childhood and into my high school and early college years and my skin only tolerated prescription moisturizers. Any attempt at applying mascara or foundation ended with watery eyes and itchy, scaly skin. So the first time I had real, professional makeup on my face was at my wedding. Even though my eczema abated by then, having my makeup done for my big day never occurred to me until my hair stylist asked about it. Maybe it was the resentment I built up towards makeup and other skincare products during my eczema years that made me question the necessity of makeup. I mean, who wears makeup? Only people who have something to hide, or who are so horribly insecure that they must turn to blush and eye shadow to gain confidence behind their mask. Right?

But on the morning of my wedding the beautician expertly plucked my eyebrows -- ouch -- and applied just the right amount of foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss. She turned me around to face the mirror and I was hooked. I looked so... beautiful. I still looked like me -- only with brighter eyes, glowing cheeks, flushed lips. I looked like I imagine myself looking without makeup, but now I saw that without makeup I was mousy and gray and not bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked like I felt.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with being mousy and gray. Life goes on and whether there is light behind your eyes does not depend on the amount of makeup you apply. I know that, and even after the wedding makeup revelation I didn't wear makeup every day. Somehow without the occasion and the pretty white dress I felt silly with my face painted. Where was I going that required makeup? Work? The grocery store? Daycare pickup? I also didn't know what and how to apply where, what looked good on me, and the sheer number of choices when it came to colors and tools was just too overwhelming to someone who for 26 years thought of Chapstick as makeup.

On a whim, I tried makeup again last year, right around my birthday. I can't really explain why, but after all those years of trial and error, this time I immediately craved the orderliness of tiny bottles and compacts and brushes; the ritual, the time -- those five minutes when I have to look in the mirror and pay special attention to the wrinkles and freckles and spots, gently addressing each one, applying color and shimmer and powder. I finally don't feel like I am covering up anything; instead it feels like I am acknowledging and appreciating my skin, the shape of my eyes, the slant of my cheekbones, the soft lines of my lips, the curve of my eyebrows.

Maybe it was all those years without makeup that make me feel like wearing it now is no betrayal of any kind of principle about beauty or authenticity. I know the person under the powder and blush -- all of her imperfections, her strengths, her secret lives, and her hopes. I know what I look like without concealer and foundation and I am OK with all of it. I know that I am wearing makeup not to hide or improve or change who I am or what I look like. I don't want to label it, qualify it, or attach more meaning to it, nor do I think that it will get me a promotion or more friends. I do it to enjoy and appreciate a small ritual that marks the beginning of each day, to celebrate being a woman, to express my mood in color, to add a touch of shimmer to what might be an ordinary day.

I do know that as much as the salesgirl and all the glossy advertisements want me to believe it, a new mascara is not going to change my life. But it is hard to refuse even the possibility of change that comes in a sleek black tube and costs under $20. As the salesgirl hands me my bag and I leave the store with the scent of powders and perfumes lingering on my clothes, I am tempted to believe that if I wanted to change my life this would be a good way of doing it: a small adjustment of my daily routine, with a longer look in the mirror each morning and seeing who is truly there, who has been there all along.

Zsofi McMullin lives in Connecticut and blogs at http://zsofiwrites.com

Ode to a Shoe -- Fetish

0
0
2014-11-07-manyshoes.jpg


I don't have a problem,
I can quit if I want to,
These shoes are like friends,
And who the hell asked you?

The closet floor's covered,
But I don't really care,
Green rug like the bedroom,
Not much under there.

It's true that their numbers
Rise into the hundreds,
They're all necessary,
And Hoarders hasn't called yet.

I've pumps, mules and flip-flops,
Slides, sneakers and Mocks,
And, heaven help me,
One pair of red Crocs.

I've boots made for walking,
And shoes made to run,
No jogging these days though,
Screw that. I am done.

The husband dislikes it,
When I go to the store,
There's no room for his shoes,
Mine take the whole floor.

"You bought shoes?" he asks me,
"Really? Can't you abstain?"
But they were on sale,
And he protests in vain.

I don't see the issue,
I don't let it phase me,
He knows he can't fight it,
If he wants to touch me.

See, shoes make me happy,
Shoes make me dance,
'Cause shoes always fit,
Unlike my pants.

This Is What It Looks Like When It's Time to Leave Your Relationship

0
0
In today's day and age, it is very common for single people to linger too long in the wrong relationship. Of course, this is understandable, as often times, the unknown seems very scary and a current relationship is usually quite comfortable. However, if you really want to get married, you need to know when it's time to say "enough is enough" and move on, no matter how difficult that might feel to you.

Take a look at this list. If you are experiencing one or many of these scenarios, you need to take a deep breath and move on because the time has really come for you to find another relationship.

1. You have given the ultimatum many times and nothing has changed. If it feels like the same old thing all the time -- you yell, you cry, you threaten that you are going to leave and yet you still standing there, in a state of limbo and not getting what you want, then you know the answer. It's time to move on for real, this time.

2. You created and extended your mental deadline on the relationship too many times to count. We all do it, we make a mental deadline and say that if something hasn't happened by a certain day, that's it. But how many of those deadlines have passed or have you extended and meanwhile, time is marching on?

3. Your fights always end up the same way. Do you feel like you are taking two steps forward, just to take two steps back? Fights are meaningless, if they don't accomplish anything. Are you getting anywhere in yours?

4. Your requests for couples therapy have been ignored. How many times have you requested that he or she go with you to couples therapy to work through your issues and see if you can get to the next level? How many times has your partner said yes, but then never gone with you? How can you solve the issues and work through them if your person won't take the time to go discuss them?

5. Your friends around you have had their relationships progress while yours has stayed the same. How many times have you felt that burning envy in the pit of your stomach when someone you know has gotten into a relationship, gotten engaged and married in short order while your relationships lingers on, the same as it always has been, stagnant and not progressing? You know the answer; too many times to count. Don't you actually want your friends's situation to be you?

6. You have started to panic on a daily basis that things are never going to change. Are you waking up at 4:00 a.m. in a panic that you are going to be single forever? Do you know deep down that the situation is never going to change? Listen to heart and your mind; you know the truth.

7. Your family and friends have done endless interventions to tell you to move on. How many times have your loved ones tried to get you to move on because they see the handwriting on the wall to which you refuse to pay attention? Have you stopped returning their calls because you know what they are going to say to you next?

8. Your partner's divorce is no closer to being final than it was the day the two of you started dating. Yes, divorces take a long time to complete. However, if your partner's divorce is just not moving any closer to a resolution, you need to ask if he or she really wants it to be resolved. And furthermore, how serious is he or she about taking that marriage step with you if he or she isn't pushing for the divorce?

9. You've started hating gifts because you know that is his/her way to try to appease you. You used to love little sweet nothings flowers and gifts, but now you hate them because they have become symbols of more excuses as to why you aren't getting what you really want -- an engagement ring or a marriage certificate. Gifts are wonderful when they come from the right person; go find that person and leave this one in the dust.

10. This same pattern has happened in other relationships, yet you don't know how to break it. Have you been in other relationships which go on and on forever and somehow they don't work out and you remain not married? This can't be a coincidence. You need to break this pattern now.

Are there any other signs that you believe indicate that it's time to move on from a relationship?

Samantha Daniels is a well-known professional matchmaker and relationship expert. She is the President of Samantha's Table Matchmaking, a bicoastal matchmaking service which caters exclusively to busy, successful professionals who have no trouble getting dates, but who have yet to find that one person with whom to spend the rest of their lives. She is also the author of "Matchbook: The Diary of a Modern Day Matchmaker" (Simon & Schuster). She is a frequently relied upon dating, relationship and romance expert, and is seen regularly on television, on the radio and in national newspapers and magazines. You can follow her on Twitter @Matchmakersd. You can also follow her on her Curator page on OpenSky, where you can get advice and picks for shopping from Celebrities. Her most recent project is The Dating Lounge, the invitation only dating community on Facebook where friends date each other's friends. For more information, go to www.SamanthaDaniels.info.

The Best Shampoo For Your Hair Type

0
0
The importance of shampooing has been drilled into our brains since we were little. Having grease and grime on our scalps isn't very appealing, after all. What our moms likely didn't tell us? Which shampoo -- of the many options -- we should be using.

Why This Ingredient Is The Gold Standard In Anti-Aging (VIDEO)

0
0
In recent years, retinoid skin creams have been one of the most buzzed-about products in the beauty market. What exactly is this anti-aging ingredient -– and do you really need it?

"A retinoid is a vitamin A derivative that is the gold standard for improving skin,"says O, The Oprah Magazine Beauty Director Val Monroe. "It improves elasticity, it helps to regenerate collagen, it diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, it's a great exfoliator."

Originally, retinoid was used for treating acne. "Researchers noticed that when they were treating people with acne, that the people who were using it were getting much better skin tone and wrinkles and fine lines were disappearing," Monroe says.

Unlike some anti-aging products, Monroe says the use of retinoids should begin early on. "Almost every dermatologist I've ever spoken to has said that it's a good idea to start using a retinoid in your 20s and continue to use it for the rest of your life."

To try prescription-grade retinoid, you'll need a visit to your dermatologist's office. For the drug store version, Monroe says to look for "retinol" in the ingredients. "With a prescription version you can look for improvements in about three months. Over the counter takes a little bit longer because the retinol is not quite as strong as the prescription version, and so it's going to take three to six months for you to begin to start seeing an improvement in your skin," Monroe says.

Those with sensitive skin may find that retinoids make your skin dry and flaky. "But it's a good idea to keep using it because ultimately, you're going to see an improvement," Monroe says. "You can get around the irritation aspect of it by using it every other night or you can even put a moisturizer on top of the retinoid after you've applied it."

The one caveat: Don't use this product if you're pregnant. Otherwise, Monroe says retinoid cream is great for most anyone looking for a youthful glow.

Beauty director Val Monroe also dishes on the 5 best new makeup products to buy.



Like Us On Facebook |
Follow Us On Twitter

We're Ready For The Holidays Thanks To This Week's Cheap Celeb Finds List

0
0
This week, two of our favorite Hollywood stars dominated our cheap celeb finds list: Alessandra Ambrosio and Beyoncé.

Ambrosio stepped out in two affordable sweaters that we are now lusting after, while Queen Bey rocked some killer striped pants and a plaid shirt that have both been added to our Christmas wish lists.

Check out all the cheap items we spotted in Hollywood this week and let us know which ones you're coveting.


The Truth About Hair Loss And Baldness Cures

0
0
SPECIAL FROM Next Avenue


By Laine Bergeson

Hair loss, common for men and many women in midlife, can have profound emotional and psychological effects. So, too, can baldness cures advertised as magical remedies.

“There’s this guy, a regular caller on my radio show, who had his head disfigured by a terrible hair transplant,” says Spencer Kobren, founder and president of the American Hair Loss Association and author of The Bald Truth: The First Complete Guide to Preventing and Treating Hair Loss. “He purposely became a New York City cop so he could wear a hat.” And he refused promotions so he could remain a beat cop and keep wearing the hat.

Forty percent of hair loss sufferers are women, and the phenomenon can be particularly devastating for them. “With men, hair loss in midlife is expected and they can still be seen as attractive,” says Kobren. “But for a woman, it is over.”

This makes women especially vulnerable to all manner of hair loss “cures,” and the possibility of spending lots of money, time and emotional investment on ineffective treatments.

“A lot of men are suicidal,” says David Kingsley, author of The Hair Loss Cure. “And it is very traumatic for women. It affects their social life and their life with their spouse or partner.”

Hair loss treatment is a $3.5 billion industry — as big as the over-the-counter cold and flu market. “But about 99 percent of the treatments don’t work at all,” says Kobren.

So what triggers hair loss in midlife, what really helps and what is nothing but a gimmick?

The Causes of Hair Loss

The most effective treatment for hair loss depends on what is causing hair to fall out in the first place. There are a variety of reasons men and women lose hair, according to Kingsley. They include:
  • Heredity

  • Hormones

  • Stress

  • Poor diet/missing nutrients

  • Chemical hair styling services

  • Certain medications

  • Surgery or high temperature


Sometimes the cause is a combination of factors. One person may lose hair due to a mix of stress and a recent surgery or medications. Male pattern baldness (MPB), on the other hand, is the result of the intersection of hormones and heredity, occurring in men who have a genetic sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Contrary to popular belief, notes Kingsley, genetic hair loss probably isn’t tied to your mother’s father. “The latest research indicates girls follow mother’s father, boys follow father’s father,” says Kingsley. “But most likely, it is an assortment from both.”

The very first step a person should take, says Sophia Emmanuel, a certified trichologist (a professional trained in all aspects of care and treatment for the head and scalp) in New York City, is to find a dermatologist or trichologist to help diagnose the root cause of hair loss.

Diagnosis can include blood work to test for nutrient deficiencies, scalp examination (looking at patterns and shapes of hair loss, possibly a skin biopsy) and gathering medical, lifestyle and family information.

Once you know the cause of hair loss, you can choose targeted treatments that help maintain the hair you do have or regrow new hair.

Hair Loss Treatments

One hair loss myth, note both Emmanuel and Kingsley, is that all hair loss is permanent. “It’s not,” says Kingsley.

When the cause is nutrient deficiency or stress, for example, the hair loss is typically temporary. In such cases, hair growth can be encouraged by addressing the underlying problems: working to build up the body’s stores of zinc, boosting iron levels and better managing stress — though experts note that it may take several months to see progress.

Genetic hair loss, on the other hand, is largely permanent, as is any type of hair loss triggered by scarring on the scalp, says Emmanuel. Scarring can be caused by chemical hair styling services or too-tight pony tails, a problem Emmanuel sees with many African American women who are hair-loss sufferers. She adds that scarring can also be triggered by some autoimmune disorders.

Women with genetic or autoimmune related hair loss “have very few options” for hair regrowth, says Kobren. Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) has been FDA-approved for women in a 2 percent concentration, but it only helps maintain existing hair and does not promote regrowth.

Kobren encourages women interested in using minoxidil to buy it over-the-counter to save money. Lots of companies will add minoxidil to expensive shampoos and charge top dollar, he says, when straight minoxidil is available for much less money at regular pharmacies.

Men with genetically-driven hair loss have more options for hair regrowth, continues Kobren, thanks to a drug called finestaride, which is marketed as Propecia by the pharmaceutical giant Merck. Finestaride works by blocking the creation of dihydrotestosterone, which fuels male pattern baldness, and double-blind clinical trials have shown that finestaride can noticeably thicken men’s hair.

Many men shy away from taking finestaride, however, because of the possibility of sexual side effects, including loss of libido. And, more recently, studies have shown that those side effects may persist after discontinuation of the medicine.

What About Surgery?

Surgery can be an effective option for men with male pattern baldness, says Kobren. The procedure’s success is predicated on moving DHT resistant hair to areas on the scalp that previously grew DHT-sensitive hair. Because DHT sensitivity is rarely the problem for women, they almost never gain long-term benefit from the procedure.

This is despite aggressive marketing to women, who may feel vulnerable due to hair loss, making them a susceptible target.

Kobren says: “Surgery is often the first place women go, but I strongly advise them against it.”

Men, too, need to use caution because the success of the procedure all depends on the quality and training of the practitioner performing it.

“The whole field of cosmetic surgery is a very dangerous place,” says Kobren, and that is especially true in the booming hair loss market. “I know a gynecologist who promotes himself as a hair transplant specialist.”

In the wrong hands, a transplant can disfigure and further traumatize a hair loss sufferer.

Kobren founded a group, the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.org), to help identify qualified practitioners. He said the organization has received over 900 applications, but accepted just 65 people based on the quality of their work.

He advises people interested in transplants to comb through the site for someone in their area. But Kobren cautions that the site is just a starting point — a place to begin to do due diligence. Just because someone is listed there, says Kobren, doesn’t make him or her the right practitioner for a particular client.

The most important thing someone interested in surgery can do, says Kobren, is homework: talk to specialists, meet people they’ve worked on, read reviews online. This piece is critically important for success.

It is also important given the price of the surgery.

“The average surgery is about 2,000 grafts,” says Kobren, “and grafts are between $5 and $11 per graft. You can be talking a minimum investment of $20,000.”

Other “Cures” and Myths

Kobren believes that two other emerging therapies hold promise: platlet-rich plasma therapy and laser therapy, but at this point he doesn’t endorse either.“I haven’t seen enough clinical data yet to show that it works,” he says. Anecdotal evidence, however, has been promising.

The vast majority of other miracle cures — like thickening shampoos or standing on your head — are nothing more than snake oil, says Kobren. And even effective therapies can be ineffective if the treatment and the root cause don’t align.

Kinsley highlights three other myths about hair loss:

  • Myth: Washing your hair every day causes hair loss. “That’s rubbish,” says Kinsley. “It doesn’t make your hair fall out. Don’t be frightened.”

  • Myth: Shaving your head makes hair grow faster. “No, it doesn’t,” says Kinsley.

  • Myth: There is a fast solution. With some medical issues there is a quick fix, says Kinsley. “A person goes on medicine and it’s all under control. With hair loss, it’s different. There is no one thing you can put on the scalp or take to fix the problem.”


Read more from Next Avenue:
Transforming life as we age
Who says elderly dogs aren't as cute as pups?
Why voting always matters

Best Tweets: What Women Said On Twitter This Week

0
0
The women of Twitter were in fine form during #Election2014 -- and the night of Nov. 6 inspired some of their best material. Abbi Crutchfield was relatively underwhelmed by the time all was said and done, tweeting "This recent election didn't have half as much sex or murder that my favorite political dramas taught me to expect."

The Republican takeover of the Senate put things into perspective for lauren ashley bishop, who tweeted "the only 1% i'll probably ever be a part of is getting pregnant on birth control."

Need something to get your mind out of the post-election gutter? Kim Bongiorno reminded us of one solution: "Once Taylor Swift's song is stuck in your head it is REALLY hard to just shake it off."

For more great tweets from women, scroll through the list below. Then visit our Funniest Tweets From Women page for our past collections.













































Me, Myself and My Bag

0
0
I have always been a handbag enthusiast. Since I can remember, I have been carrying a purse with me. I can't recall exactly when or why I became hyperaware of this accessory, but it felt like an organic development that little did I know would result in a lifelong friendship.

Between the ages of five and 10, the contents of my bag were more or less useless. Usually, I would stuff them with snacks and various types of candy, along with my favorite jumbo sized Bonne Bell bubblegum flavored Lip Smacker. Sometimes my favorite Barbie doll would be in there too, with a few extra outfits, just in case she wanted to change during lunch. I began to peruse my mother's closet and leave with a serious case of bag envy, counting the days until she would let me borrow one.

When I started middle school, I carried a purse with me to school every single day.

As I grew in age, my purse grew in size. I was able to fit all my favorite belongings in it, which were mostly from either Claire's or Sanrio. They were all organized and compartmentalized as I saw fit. Looking back, I think it was a representation of my soon to be manifested OCD. It was an extension of myself. I slept with my purse to next my bed. Even on sleepovers, it slept on the nightstand.

In high school, I dealt with some major separation anxiety. I went away to boarding school, and for about the first two weeks, I carried on as usual bringing my purse and my school bag with me to classes. I noticed that in this new environment, I was the only one carrying two bags. I started to hide my smaller purse in my school bag, and then graduated to consolidating all of my essential items into a small pouch that I tucked away next to my pencil case.

For some women, life is looked back on through the lens of a dress or a favorite pair of shoes. For me, bags are a time marker, an object on which I can look back on and recall a feeling or an event. They carry inside of them parts of who I was, and who I am.

My purse isn't where loose pills of Advil go to die or bobby pins disappear into a dark abyss. God forbid one should find a crumpled up old Kleenex in there!
Viewing all 18686 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images