Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Beauty...

It’s so refreshing knowing that after the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and the change purse is feeling a little light, it’s no secret that the semi-annual sale at Vicki’s Secret is underway! There’s nothing like starting the new year off right with some brand new, sexy little things!!!


Enjoy 25% off your favorite bra’s; ladies if you don’t have The Miraculous Push Up Bra, you are so missing out on the ultimate cleavage enhancing brassiere!!! It’s like “silicone for BEAUTY dummies”- you gotta have it!!!




Also endulge in the panty raid at up to 45% off! Don’t forget VS Beauty and embrace your favorite makeup, body care and fragrance plus lots more, at up to 50% off!

If you are an Angel VIP, your shopping spree should have started online 12/23 if you are BEAUTY & brains, otherwise you can shop Victoria’s Secret store nationwide on January 4th for the hands on race to the best deals on sexy little things, for the sexy little kitten in you!!!

Guys, even though Christmas is in the past, we love receiving gifts just because we wanna feel sexy! I’m just sayin’!!!

Sexy Shopping Beauties.....

Catwalk with Your Highness

While working on a shoot with one of my favorite hairstylist friends...I was introduced to royalty!

All I remember is him picking up an unknown can and spraying whatever it contained in short spurts, over a bouncy head of curls. At the stroke of the brush I stopped and whispered, "OMG! What was that you just sprayed"? Instantly I was in love with the soft, sexy aroma that filled the room; but thinking he must have sprayed some new celebrity endorsed fragrance to clear the smell of freshly ironed hair.

To my surprise, what I was smelling was Catwalk Volume Collection's Your Highness Weightless Shine! Obviously, this shine spray had me at "hello",and I went searching for it immediately following the shoot.

After using the product for a few months, I've discovered that not only does it smell yummy, it adds a touch of royalty to any style. The weightless formula is amazing as it dissipates in a matter of seconds, leaving no oily build up just beautiful, illuminating tresses!

If you're in need of the perfect holding spray, another fav of mine from Catwalk Volume Collection...Try Your Highness Firm Hold Hairspray. Just a quick spurt of the nozzle because a little gives form-fitting style, yet leaving your hair the freedom it needs to bounce and behave. As you're flaunting your catwalk, not only does your hair look good, and feel good, but your hair smells good, just like your highness should!

To All My Naturalistas- Kiss Your Rainy Day Hair Woes....Buh Bye!

We're all excited because spring is here and Summer is in the air BUT....with that being said, we must be prepared for all that it brings! Spring showers, summer rain, nighttime thunderstorms, humidity, precipitation and whatever else mother nature decides to spring on the earth AND our beautiful hair!!!

I share with you some of my secrets to adorable hair for rainy days, just in case you're caught out there without a clue...

You are going to love me for this....I suggest working with the authenticity of your texture instead of reversing it and trying to fight it from reverting back unexpectedly! Trust me, I know but hear me out....I have the perfect solution to marshmallow puff hair!

Simple enough, your new BFF for this season should be your hair product!

Some of my fav's are:

Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner/Styling Cream: Leaves the hair soft in texture but defines your curls to perfection! No crispy frizzies- your curls will bounce and behave like never before! If you're not sure where to find it, no worries! If you need it like yesterday...just google search Mixed Chicks and type in the city in which you live and you will be sure to find a salon or beauty supply store near you that carries the product! If you're in an area that doesn't carry it...just log onto www.mixedchicks.net and you can order online!!! Food for thought: When I first discovered the product a few years ago, I would travel from the east coast all the way to LA to restock! Sounds crazy huh? Well my curls are totally worth it and I haven't found a product that my curls love more!!! Side bar: It also works wonderfully on weaves as well as relaxed hair!




Kinky-Curly Curling Custard: This is an awesome choice for all curl patterns. I love the fact that it is organic and most importantly contains NO Alcohol! It actually adds moisture back into the cuticle layer of the hair and since it doesn't contain any silicone, petroleum or any other ingredient which is common for curly hair products...it is great for daily use because there is no build up! When you think "go green", you usually don't think of going green with your hair stuff, but in this case you can flaunt your curls while protecting the environment! How cool is that and while shopping in your friendly neighborhood organic food market, Whole Foods, you can pick up your new BFF there as well!






More of my fav curly hair products are Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Cream, and Curls Rock Leave-in Moisturizer.











Now that I've shared some of my product secrets with you, the right thing to do would be to share some style secrets with you too...

So, gather your products, diffuser, bobbi pins, curling iron etc. and let the fun begin!

There is SO much you can do with natural hair! Be creative, dare to be different! Not everyone has curly hair! No matter the curl pattern, you can wear it totally natural, and diffused for shape! Pin it up on one side, wear it all out, if it's longer you can pull it up in a loose ponytail, with a headband, etc. The options are endless! If you desire more of a structured curl, utilize your hair tools! Let your hair air dry with a little product and use a small to medium sized barrel curling iron (depending on the length), wrap the hair around the outside of the barrel (Do NOT clamp the hair in between), hold it for a few seconds to smooth and form the curl/wave, slide the barrel from inside the hair and oh my gosh....the perfect coil or wave is born!!!

It's all about how you rock it...and just like these Hollywood Beauties:

Be confident, Be flirty, Be classy! Embrace your curls!!!



Photo courtesy of www.accesshollywood.com



Photo courtesy of www.shakira.com



Photo courtesy of http://onlinemusicnews.files.wordpress.com

A Divine Touch!

At night, I take time to sit still and reflect! In the beauty biz, you never know who's going to sit in your chair from day to day. This is one of the reasons why I LOVE what I do...

I was blessed to work with a beautiful young author whom is also a motivational speaker to young girls and teens. She was shooting promo pics for her new book... As a person that's deemed a role model, you would think they themselves have it all together right? Well let me just say, you never know what someone is going through!

Today, like many days, I was needed to bless someone with my words as well as with my hands!!! I recognized this early on in our session and was thankful I received encouraging words before I set out on this beauty mission! Here sat a pretty girl that for all of her life has been ridiculed for being herself! Since she's "different" from the rest of her family, she's been probed to having a mental disorder and is manically depressed!

As a makeup artist- not only is your touch essential in relaxing your client and making them comfortable but...I realize the beauty of it all! A divine touch soothes the soul bringing forth the beauty from the inside out! When she sat in my chair she was nervous, lacking a sense of confidence. Ironically wearing my "Beauty Angel" T-shirt, with kind words, a gentle stroke of the brush and a divine touch, she was totally transformed! When she got in front of that camera, she was a new girl! Beautiful, confident and a shining star!!! It is days like this I live for...I love being the influence to a smile!!!

"The soulful eyes discover underlying beauty, a divine touch enhances style and character; hence revelation magnifies the beauty in you!" ~Cataanda J

A BEAUTY-ful Man!

Typically when you think BEAUTY, the first thing that comes to mind is NOT a beautiful man! Well, believe it or not...Men are some of my best clients!

Image is everything in this world and men have the desire to look good and pamper themselves too! Since the kick off of this year, seems like I have done more male grooming than I've done, EVER, and guess what...I'm LOVIN' it!!! *giggles* For a female beauty expert, you already don't have to do much to grasp his undivided attention! Once you have him in your chair he becomes vulnerable, the role is suddenly reversed, and he is all yours! Just think Janet Jackson...CONTROL!!! ;-)

Men look to women for opinion and approval! Ultimately as a woman, we can get a man to do whatever we want as long as we are kind and gentle when communicating! So the same goes for their "beauty" regimen! Whatever we tell them to do, they will do, whatever we tell them to buy, they will buy- you get my point! When it comes to beauty, guys tend to follow instructions much better than women!

While working various events for companies such as L'Oreal, and AXE- a men's grooming product, I've learned that men are very inquisitive and are extremely interested in properly caring for their skin, hair and nails! As guys don't want to spend a lot of time standing in the bathroom looking in a mirror, they are definitely looking for a quickie! When recommending products; skincare regimen; or making simple suggestions, be sure it combats their issues! Men like to feel the product working for instant gratification!

Prime example...

I had a conversation with one of my male actor friends last night! His concern is keeping his complexion clear and free from any makeup he wears on set...Being that he's not the metro-sexual type when I suggested he go to the spa and get a facial, I realized that was too much effort for him. His response was "No, that's doing too much! I need something I can just pick up in the store that's quick and that's good." Although that works best for him, I have other clients/friends that would prefer to go to the spa for a facial in addition to committing to a home daily skincare regimen! It is important to get to know your clients lifestyle and their personality in order to customize a grooming agenda that works for him!

Here are some products I recommend for the average guy that just wants to pamper himself in the privacy of his own bathroom are:

L'Oreal Men's Expert: consists of cleanser, moisturizer, aftershave, etc. To help preserve his sexy, these products also contain anti-aging ingredients!



L'Oreal new go 360 Clean: deep facial cleanser (green) and the deep exfoliating scrub (orange). These two products are simple and basic just to get the job done.



www.lorealparis.com

AXE: men's grooming line which consists of deodorant body spray, underarm care, shower gel, aftershave, cologne, skincare, shampoo, and hairstyling products. Axe is known for their smell goods! Most scent names usually have a shower gel companion and sometimes a deodorant.




Grooming Lounge Men's Grooming Solutions for the common shaving, skin, and haircare challenges actually allow men to get an "I just got a professional shave or haircut" feeling!



Some other favorite products for men are Jack Black and Kiehl's!!!

Beauty Is No Secret...

Hey Beauties!!!

This is my Beauty Diary and YES, this is where I will write all my BEAUTY thoughts, desires, tips, ideas, challenges, step by step instructional stories, etc. Don't be surprised, this is sure to be RANDOM!!! LOL My mind is constantly envisioning any and everything BEAUTY and how to create it!!!

SO.....Let's think BEAUTY!!!

Sydney & the Bucket!

Not only do I love the kids but I admire their confidence!!! While making a routine house call to one of my clients...I gained a new lil' fan...a 3 year old named Sydney-she's the cutest! Of course she was curious as to what her mother and I would be doing for the next hour and a half to 2hours BUT when we told her that we were "doing" hair, well SHE decided she needed to be up close and personal! It had been 8-10 weeks since her mothers last touch up so...Relaxer time it was! Now this little girl reminds me of myself when I was her age- very shy (acting), very conscious and aware of her appearance but most of all intrigued by whatever her mother is doing! SO...we sat her in the bar stool beside us and went to work!

I went through the motions...draped my client...sectioned the hair in four...based the scalp (use Syntonics Comfort Gel Pre-Relaxer Scalp Protector with Phyto extracts)...and the relaxer application began (use Syntonics Botanical Conditioning Creme Relaxer)! The whole time I was applying the relaxer, 1/4inch section by 1/4inch section-Sydney did NOT blink an eye! She watched my every move.....After a few minutes of repetition, Sydney says "Mommy, I wanna put the brush in the bucket and put it in your hair"!!! HILARIOUS...

At that point a light bulb went on in my head! Not only does 3year old Sydney think all you do when giving a touch up is "put the brush in the bucket and put it in your hair", but there are many stylists that take this approach when applying a relaxer be it a touch up or virgin head of hair!!!

Please, please, please research your hairstylist, confirm they are licensed by state board, learn their history and experience level, and ask LOTS of questions BEFORE trusting they know the proper application process to a healthy, relaxed head of hair!!! I've worked with many clients that have had their hair badly over processed from relaxer by a professional! The key is to straighten the hair to a silky smooth texture with out breaking down the integrity of the hair! If your stylist's relaxer touch up blue print is written by lil' Sydney.....Do NOT sit in the chair!!!! SAVE YOUR HAIR.......

Sharing the Gift of Beauty!

Hey and Welcome to Cataanda J's World where "Beauty Is My Mission"!!!

Ok so, of course I have to tell the story of how I first started this journey to BEAUTY!!!

At the age of 3, yes THREE ;-)I was a lil' diva-fashionista-beautyologist in the making. I had a SUPER-sized interest in fashion and a trip to Jacobson’s Department Store was my ideal of fun. Dressing up and striking a pose was my favorite past time, and by the age of 5 I was modeling for my favorite store in the Jacobson’s Back to School Fashion Show. I remember that day just like it was yesterday! I took initiative, styled my own outfits, applied my own makeup and chose exactly which mini motorized car I would drive, ALL on my own. And YES, it was a red convertible sports car!!! *giggle* I did it all so well, EVERYONE was AMAZED...

Between the ages of 6 and 9, I continued to develop my craft. Whenever my mother had a special occasion, believe it or not, I was her "personal makeup artist". This is when the passion flourished. I was fascinated with the eyes...I loved applying eye shadow. Today, the focal point of the face I paint is the eyes, which has become my signature "Cat-Eyez".

At the age of 8, I unveiled yet another talent. I would occasionally attend Beauty School with my mother. I had always played dress up with my dolls, and would braid their hair. Well the day I got my hands on a mannequin for the first time was like "doll" heaven! A life sized head was all I ever wished for! The finished looks I created would explain my skills as a cosmetologist today. Once again, everyone was astonished by my abilities at such a young age. I'd always hear them say...this chile is gifted!!! Of course back then I was clueless as to what that really meant. I was my mother's lil' assistant and I continued to develop many skills; and after a while I began to build my very own clientele! My grandmother was my very 1st LIVE client! LOL Eventually I took over my "mother's book", as she changed careers, I was now on the path to Beautyland.....

From my preteen years through now, the passion has intensified and BEAUTY is my life!!! I have incorporated etiquette, fashion, make-up artistry, and hairstyling in my everyday lifestyle as well as in my career. I have been very blessed to work amongst some of the best in the industry and for some of the top beauty companies in the world! I'd like to invite you to continue this journey with me into Cataanda J's World, as I continue on this quest to "Sharing the Gift of Beauty"!!! I have so much more to do, experience, and to love- so many places to go, people to bless, and smiles to influence! I am going to the next level and I'd like to take you with me....