The History Of Razors – most likely tidbits left out of beauty schools‘ history classes.

30,000 B.C.
Cavemen get vain. Smart archeological people figure out that the earliest shaving razors were made of flint blades, which started out incredibly sharp, but dulled after use. Yes, cavemen used disposables.

3000 B.C.
Metal mania. Thanks to a lot of metal clanging and banging, copper razors (which make for a more “permanent” solution) make their way into the mainstream… well, if you want to call Egypt and India the mainstream of the B.C. era.

1500 – 1200 B.C.
Designer razors. Leave it to the Scandinavians to bring style to the art of shaving. Razors discovered from this time period were adorned with etchings of cool stuff like horses, and came in cute leather carrying cases. Seriously!

500 B.C.
Alexander the Clean Shaven. Apparently the “great” one was obsessed with having a smooth complexion. Legend has it that he wouldn’t be seen in battle before shaving.

300 B.C.
B.C. Barbershops. A rich Greek businessman, Publicus Ticinius Maenas, decided that he was too rich to shave himself, so he brought over professional barbers from Sicily, and started a fad. In fact, in Rome, a popular 21st birthday ritual included a first-shave party to celebrate adulthood.

50 B.C.
All hail the beardless. Speaking of Rome, Julius Caesar was very into personal grooming, down to plucking stray hairs with tweezers. As they say, when in Rome… shave like the Romans do.

1066 A.D.
Razor trickery. William the Conqueror defeats King Harold in the Battle of Hastings, in some part thanks to his army’s calculated decision to shave their faces and cut their hair to resemble monks. The deception meant that King Harold’s spies underestimated the enemy threat, and the rest is history.

1500
New world barbering. Archeological evidence indicates that the Aztec Indians of North and Central America created razors from volcanic glass. The first hot shave?

1770
The book on shaving. Perhaps it’s no surprise that a Frenchman literally wrote the book on shaving as an art form: The Art of Learning to Shave Oneself (La Pogonotomie). Sort of like a beauty how-to article, the guide may also be the first to introduce the concept of “safety” razor.

1847
Who you calling a hoe? The hoe-shaped razor (resembling the farming tool) that we recognize today can be credited to English inventor William Henson. It’s all about a comfortable grip.

1901
Shave safely. King Camp Gillette (you know, the-best-a-man-can-get guy) teams up with an MIT genius named William Nickerson to perfect the safety razor, complete with double-edged, disposable and replaceable blade. Side note: Isn’t Nickerson a funny name for a guy who wants others to shave without getting nicked?!

1914
The war on facial hair. Gilette’s popularity skyrockets worldwide after he cuts a deal with the U.S. Armed Forces to give every enlisted soldier a safety razor and blades as part of their off-to-war care package. Foreign soldiers are envious, and European sales soar.

1921
Invention intuition. Adapting a military idea for a practical use inspired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jacob Schick to invent a new razor – the Magazine Repeating Razor. Similar to how a magazine clip contains bullets, this razor housed replacement blades right in the handle.

1928
No water required. Schick invents and patents the first electric dry shaver, great for roaring ‘20s men on the go.

1970s
Back to basics. The disposable razor, not popular since the stone ages, makes its way back into mass popularity. Cheap to make and easy to use, all of the major razor manufacturers offer a throwaway option.

Today
Headline-worthy beards. If you’re a celebrity, sporting a beard represents a lifestyle choice. Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Conan O’Brien, Joaquin Phoenix – need we say more?

Via: Spa Beauty Schools

You’ve seen them out there making headlines, raising eyebrows and perking paparazzi. It’s a simple pleasure we take in life by seeing celebrities in their “not-so fine” moments, especially when those moments are fashion and makeup mishaps. You know, when the celebrity in question looks more like they just got out of a stint in the slammer than off the red carpet. Well, today ladies and gentlemen (more so ladies) is your lucky day because this is a list of top celebrity fashion disasters. Enjoy!

Nicole Kidman
This one’s tough because Nicole Kidman typically radiates beauty and she does so subtly – never flaunting the vibe that she’s 1,000 times prettier than you like some celebrities do. But, this makeup mishap is just too hard to ignore. Next time Nicole, make sure you check your makeup in different lighting before you grace the presence of hundreds of flashing cameras.

See For Yourself: http://bit.ly/sq4jIp

Lindsay Lohan
Remember when it was semi-funny to make fun of Lohan’s absurd run-ins with the press? Well, it’s far past the road of funny and the car has really just taken the path to pitifully sad. Talk about a celebrity fallout. Well, despite the massive amounts of negative comments she already receives, Lindsay so eloquently lands on this list as well. In fact, finding a picture to encapsulate Lohan’s fashion disasters was probably easier than beating a 4-year-old in a spelling bee.

See For Yourself: http://bit.ly/u4OAeh

Christina Aguilera
Remember when Christina first hit the music scene with her “Genie in a Bottle” hit? Then you probably also remember her looking cute and innocent and not…well, like this. Although Christina has finally gone back to emphasizing her true beauty look as of late, the above picture really displays that whole drag look-alike phase that she went through during her “Dirty” period.

See For Yourself: http://bit.ly/v5zHjp

Mischa Barton
Mischa Barton is beautiful, there’s no denying that. But, sometimes even the most beautiful women can look straight up scary if their makeup application shares a closer resemblance to the aftermath of a fight than a trip to the salon. In this particular case, it looks like Barton just got double punched in the eyes. Is that black bruising or eye shadow?

See For Yourself: http://bit.ly/svJcxm

Carrot Top
This is believed to be comedian Carrot Top… in drag? Nope, just Carrot Top being himself. There is so many things wrong here that this picture should be in one of those children’s activity magazines (like Highlights) where you have to circle everything that is out of place in the picture. Although, this picture would probably only have one circle – the entire image.

See For Yourself: http://bit.ly/tggnMC

Our favorite celebrities always seem so put together—perfect hair and glowing, flawless complexions. We’d all like to replicate their look but most of us aren’t willing to shell out the big bucks that they do to look that good.  How can you be red-carpet worthy without spending a fortune on spa treatments and blowouts at the salon?  We’ve picked out a few celebrity make-up artist tips that won’t break the bank.  In fact, these items can all be purchased at your local drugstore.  No need for a shopping trip to Rodeo Drive!

Five Inexpensive Hollywood Beauty Tricks:

1. Primer: Okay, some stars really are born with perfect skin.  But most of them have a little secret called skin primer.  Most skin primers are silicone-based and act as a thin layer that fills in fine lines, large pores and acne scars. The result? A smooth, flawless complexion! Give skin primer a try and you’ll understand why Hollywood make-up artists call it the under-make-up make-up.

2. Skin Illuminator: Where do all the stars get their glow? Skin illuminators!  Most skin illuminators are pearlized shimmer creams that you put under your foundation or mix with your foundation for a fresh, glowing complexion.   Celebrity make-up artists warn that skin illuminators should not be confused with shimmery powder, which can end up looking like a sparkle-overdose.

3. Fast Lash by Tweezerman: Medication to make your eyelashes grow? Expensive.  Fake eyelashes? Messy and inconvenient.  The trick to get quick Hollywood lashes?  A secret to the stars—Fast Lash by Tweezerman.  In fact, it’s one of the most requested products for celebrity photo shoots and special events.  You first coat your lashes with regular mascara, then use Fast Lash which looks like a normal mascara tube but really contains dry white flakes.  These pieces of harmless polyester fiber act as a lash builder when you add another coat of regular mascara.  You’ll end up with thick, luscious lashes!

4. Blue, Yellow or Orange Concealer: You may not believe us, but putting these colors of concealer under your eyes will actually make them look better– trust us!  Blue-based concealer helps reflect light and makes eyes look brighter.  For even darker under-eye circles use yellow or orange concealer which will neutralize the darkness beneath the eyes.

5. Shampoo With Dimethicone Copolyol: Ya, we can’t pronounce it either. What we do know though is that shampoo that contains this ingredient has a little extra “oomph!”  Next time you need to purchase shampoo, make sure it has this volume booster in it.

Love makeup beyond just reading about it. Consider going to a makeup artist school and becoming certified.

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Lead in Lipstick and Other Lipstick Myths

Sexy, vibrant, and ultra sleek, lipstick is an essential ingredient in any girls make up bag. As much as women love the satiny shades, rumors and wives tales abound about its safety and uses. Are these claims fact or fiction? Get the full scoop on the top four lipstick myths by reading further.

Myth #1: There is lead in lipsticks that are cheap.

This rumor is primarily spread by way of an email message from a friend. It claims that once high priced lipsticks have been marked down to incredible prices because it was discovered that they contained lead. The message goes on to say that you can test your lipsticks at home by rubbing them across a gold ring. If the lipstick color turns brown or black, then it contains lead.

In fact, many lipsticks do contain a small amount of lead. However, these amounts are present only in minute amounts. The FDA, which is responsible for the safety of consumer cosmetics, has tested several brands of lipstick. The results show that any lead found in lipstick is well below the recommended levels to ensure health and safety. They plan to continue to monitor the levels by ongoing testing and reporting. You cannot test for the presence of lead at home. This requires sophisticated scientific equipment.

Myth # 2: Wd-40 can remove lipstick stains from clothing.

Wd-40 has been a petroleum-based staple of American households for years. The claim, usually circulated by e-mail, is that it will remove lipstick stains from clothing. There is a lot of information on the web from people who have tried this and say it doesn’t work. However, according to the official WD-40 website, it is listed as a way to remove lipstick stains from carpeting and clothing.

Myth # 3: Lipstick can cause cancer.

This relates back to the hoax about the lead content of lipstick. The reasoning is that by swallowing or absorbing the lead present in lipstick, a woman can get cancer. The American Cancer Society debunks this theory, citing FDA studies that show that there is not enough lead present in lipstick to cause cancer. Lead poisoning causes fatigue, weight loss, and mental sluggishness. A person is far more likely to be poisoned by lead from old paint or old toys than by wearing lipstick over several lifetimes.

Myth #4: The average woman will swallow up to six pounds of lipstick during her lifetime.

This one has been circulating for many years and is absolutely false. Depending on the source, the amount of pounds ingested varies between three and ten. The rumor began appearing sometime in the 1990’s.

Considering that a normal rube of lipstick contains approximately 3 grams of product, you would need around 151 tubes to make a pound. To reach six pounds, you would need an astronomical number of lipstick tubes to make up six pounds. In addition, that is assuming that the woman actually ate the whole tube, which we know is not the case. Lipstick ingestion can only occur when the product is licked off the lips or is absorbed into the skin. Thus, only a very small amount of the product applied is actually consumed.

As the winter months get colder having long hair not only radiates our beauty but also keeps us warm! But how long is too long? There are a number of women in the world that have long hair, but others have LONG hair! Here’s a good point to bring up with your friends as you discuss your latest hair trends for the New Year. The Guinness World Record gives the world record for the longest hair as 18 ft, 5.54 inches! Owner of these overwhelming trestles: Xie Quiping.

Growing your hair this long takes time! It took Xie Quiping 30 years! She started growing her hair our when she was just 13 years old in 1973! We can’t even imagine how having 18 feet hair would feel! But we couldn’t resist.

Ten obstacles having 18 feet hair would cause:
1.    Washing
2.    Brushing
3.    Blow drying
4.    Styling
5.    Sleeping
6.    Exercising
7.    Sitting
8.    Running
9.    Driving
10.    Swimming

What do you think ladies?

Everyday fashion magazines and commercials on TV tell us about the next great thing.  The lipstick that lasts all day.  The mascara that makes your lashes long and full.  Despite all the hype, sometimes a product will do it right and prove the old saying “if it aint’ broke, don’t fix it.”

The classics on our list aren’t fancy or include any new, crazy offer, but they consistently remain best-sellers with women around the world and will continue to keep us looking great for decades to come. Check out our list of seven beauty products that have stood the test of time.

1-    Johnson’s Baby Oil - This gentle formula has been a classic for both babies and grown women for more than 100 years!  Besides its moisturizing qualities, Johnson’s baby oil is great for removing stubborn eye make-up and shaving when you’re out of shaving gel.  The oil locks in up to ten times more moisture than regular lotion.

2-    Chapstick – There’s a reason Katy Perry sung about this stuff—it’s the best! ChapStick, which was created in the 1930s, has become such a classic that almost all lip balm today is called “chapstick.”  Even though the company now makes a wide range of glosses and balms, the original stuff in the classic black tube and cherry-flavored red tube, remains a crowd-pleaser.

3-    Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream – This Procter & Gamble product debuted in the 1960s and has been a favorite, natural skin cleanser ever since.  The crème is one of the simplest but most effective face washes out there.  It’s clean, menthol smell and tingling feel clean pores deep and leave skin soft.

4-    Essie’s Ballet Slippers Nail Polish - This timeless color is perfect on almost every skintone and can be appropriate for any occasion.  This best-selling color is even a favorite of celebrities who rave about the “go-with-anything” shade. This flattering light-pink color should be your go-to nail polish!

5-    Maybelline Great Lash Mascara – Despite all the new-fangled mascaras on the market today, this classic—with its notorious pink and green bottle—remains a beauty favorite of ordinary women, fashion editors and celebrities alike.  This affordable mascara that can be purchased at drugstores proves that beauty doesn’t have to come at a price.

6-    Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion- This cosmetic line’s cult-classic doesn’t come in a fancy bottle but since the 1970s this lotion has been known for smoothing skin and improving the complexion.  This infamous yellow lotion is lightweight and provides a moisturizing “drink” for skin without being sticky or oily.

7-    Chanel No. 5 – As the first perfume to be introduced by the famous Coco Chanel, this classic fragrance has been a favorite of women worldwide since its debut in 1921.  Chanel No. 5 truly proves that classic never goes out of style with its powerful, feminine scent.  Known as the “world’s most legendary fragrance,” the perfume remains in the highest ranking perfume sales today.

What classic beauty products did we miss?  What are your favorites? Let us know!

Often times cosmetologists, who attend cosmetology school for their specific beauty interest whether it’s hair, makeup, or nails) are publicized as not being as smart as women who went to traditional colleges. Personally, this issue is unfair. It’s wrong to judge someone based on the type of education they have decided to obtain. This is coming from a recent conversation between friends as we all huddled around the TV a few nights past to watch the Amazing Race. Being a huge supporter of Jill since she is a successful hairstylist and going strong in the race, one of my non-cosmetologist friends thought it was “okay” to say she was surprised that Jill had been competing so well against the other constants, being that she is just a hairstylist.

Cosmetologists are just as smart as traditional college grads and can be, if not even more successful.

Three famous cosmetologists to help me make my point:

Madam C.J Walker was the first African American to make hair care products and a grooming system, becoming the first black woman million.

Mary Kay Ash was the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics. It’s a little hard to create cosmetics and beauty products without a cosmetology education.

Which brings us to Coco Chanel, this fashion icon also invented her own perfumes. She’s a legend to us.

Power to the cosmetologists!!

Throughout history women have done just about anything to achieve beauty, even if it kills them – literally. For every potentially dangerous and odd ancient beauty regime, we are sure glad that there is a much safer and more modern approach used today.

Lead eyeliner, (that’s not painful at all!)
Once upon a time (this is no fairy tale mind you) ladies of the Middle East used to grind up lead – an obvious metal poisoning element when consumed– and apply it to their eyelashes, eyebrows and eyelids. You’ve seen the warnings on various lead-based products to never consume lead, right? Well, I have a feeling that rubbing lead around your eyes is equally, if not more severe.

Today, thankfully, there are much safer ways to make your lashes, brows and lids look great. With the creation of mascara, eye liners, primers and eye shadow, women have a much easier and harmless way to make their eyes stimulating.

A little poison to achieve a little radiance
Women in England used to ingest arsenic for the purpose of achieving a certain glow to their skin. As we all know, arsenic is deathly poisonous. Although those English women had beaming skin, they had to pay a price – shorter, much shorter life spans.

Lucky for us, we have learned a lot over the past couple centuries about what affects the look and texture of skin. Simple things like cleansing, exfoliating, consuming fluids (non-poisons of course) and maintaining certain diets, in addition with modern skin creams can help keep skin beautiful and glowing.

The alternative uses of lion urine
Venetian women in the past used to pour lion urine on their hair and sit in the sun to achieve their beautiful blonde highlights.

Fortunately, we have advanced our methods for highlighting hair over the years with do-it-yourself kits or by going to professional cosmetologists and hair dressers at salons. Regardless of the method you choose to don those beautiful blonde locks, you can rest assured that you won’t need to worry about using lion urine, or any kind of urine for that matter, to achieve your desired golden color.

Bug Blood (do you even need to guess?)
In England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, lovely ladies of the time sought rich red lip coloring. Don’t we all? To achieve that luscious red tint, beauties would take the squashed remains of insects and rub it on their mouths for that crimson-red shine.

Unless you’re partial to using insect guts as lip balm, you too can achieve lusciously red lips at a much easier price. Between lip balm, lip gloss and lipstick, women today have several choices to gaining that ruby-red look without having to go to extremes.

It’s safe to say the days of using animal urine, insect remains and poisons as beauty products are behind us. Just remember, the next time you’re putting on your makeup or opening a new hot red lip stick, to thank all the dedicated beauties of the past, who sacrificed themselves to make today’s products realities.

Okay, I admit it. The Real Housewives franchise is my guilty pleasure! I was so excited when I watched the Atlanta season premiere the other night and saw Empire Beauty School featured on the show.

Kim Zolciak, one of the most controversial women on the show, took a lot of heat last season for wearing a wig. Turns out she claims to have had a disease that made her hair fall out. This season, she has decided to turn a negative into a positive and start her own wig line.

During her trip to Empire Beauty School, Kim seemed overwhelmed by the amount of education needed to become a cosmetologist. She made it very clear that education was not her thing, instead deciding to hire people with the know-how to help her in her business venture. Although she decided to personally skip on the Empire Beauty School education, she seemed to enjoy her trip and even made a comment about hiring one of the cosmetology-educated women she met that day.

Whether you love her or hate her, what do you think about Kim’s proposed wig line? I think it’s an obvious direction for her to go in and I’m excited to see what comes of it. I’ve personally never worn a wig but think it would be fun to have short and curly hair one day, and long and dramatic hair the next day. Plus many women suffering from cancer or a condition like Alopecia, which causes bald spots, want and need options.

Also, to the Empire Beauty School students and alumni out there, were you excited to see your school in the spotlight? Do you think it was accurately portrayed? Let us know!