Cover the Grey with Generation Klean Gray Disappear

Image from MyLifetime.com

You could go and see Liam Neeson in The Grey, an alternately exhilarating and perplexing tale about a group of Alaska Pipeline workers who survive a plane crash and then have to fend off a vindictive pack of wolves.  Or you could cover up your gray hair with Generation Klean's Gray Disappear ($15.99). Actually, the two aren't mutually exclusive, so you can do both.

Although Hollywood twenty-somethings like Kelly Osbourne and "Project Runway All Stars" designer April Johnston (see photo to the right) think it's cool to dye their hair gray, I'm intent on covering my silver streaks.

Gray Disappear conceals grays in seconds, and is helpful for touching up the pesky dye-resistant gray hair around my temples.  Plus, it's rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, Panthenol and natural waxes and free of parabens, sulfates and propylene glycol.

Generation Klean Gray Disappear easily washes out with shampoo and comes in an attractive mascara-like tube in shades of Gold, Blaze, Espresso and Onyx.  It's available online and at fine retailers nationwide.

Giveaway: Valentine's Day Jewelry from Shabby Apple

Why wait for that special someone to shower you with pretty things on Valentine's Day?  You can treat yourself to a romantic piece of costume jewelry from Shabby Apple, the vintage-inspired clothing and accessories online retailer.

Better yet, if you're the lucky winner, you will receive a lovely cameo necklace or Alice in Wonderland-inspired bracelet from Shabby Apple.  Here's how to enter to win (you must complete all three steps to be considered and combine info in one comment):

1) Retweet this post.

2) Follow me on Twitter @TracyEHopkins or on Google Connect.

3) Leave a comment with your first name & email address, and tell me your favorite romantic comedy.
(This giveaway offer ends Monday, Jan. 30 at 11:59 p.m.)

The Duchess ($52): Vintage style cameo necklace with gold metal setting suspended from 24” long chain.

Cameo 40 X 30mm.

Handmade in the USA.

The Queen's Rose ($52): Beautiful vintage style pink cameo with white rose set in silver metal setting. 

Setting is suspended on 15” long sterling silver chain.  

Handmade in the USA.

Dark Secrets of Wonderland ($32): Gun metal multi-chain bracelet with gun metal charms and lobster clasp closure.

Charms:  clock, scissors, hour glass, cross, and various sized gun metal heart lockets.

Materials: gun metal hardware and charms.

Measurements:  8” inches at furthest link.

Handmade in the USA.

Images courtesy of Shabby Apple

Golden Globes Looks for Less with Dalia MacPhee

By now, we've all reviewed the hits and misses of the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards.  So we know what looks-for-less we'd like to wear to our next formal event (or at least the imaginary gala in our heads).
Everything She Wants adored Sofia Vergara's va-va-va voom midnight blue, fishtail Vera Wang gown and Reese Witherspoon looked sexier than ever in her skin-tight, scarlet Zac Posen mermaid gown (apparently a new hubby does a body good).

Photo credit: Dalia MacPhee

Thanks to the Los Angeles-based evening wear line, Dalia MacPhee, we can get these red carpet looks -- plus several other choice celebrity knock-offs -- for under $400. Known for their intricate beading and rich fabric blends, Dalia MacPhee dresses are available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus locations nationwide.  See the entire collection online.

Jason Wu for Target Collection Hits Stores Feb. 5!

Jason Wu's capsule collection for Target will debut in stores on Feb. 5, 2012.  It's full of flirty frocks, sophisticated stripes, buttoned-up blouses that can easily transition from day-to-night, and a mix of classic and whimsical accessories.  So why didn't I save the Target gift card my parents gave me for Christmas?  

Luckily, I can treat myself to a Wu creation since all of the Target items from Michelle Obama's favorite designer are nicely priced from $19.99 to $59.99!

Here's a sneek peek at Everything She Wants' fave looks from the Jason Wu for Target collection:

Long-Sleeved Blouse in White with Black Ribbon, $34.99 (available at Target.com only), also available in Blush with White Dots. Pleated Full Circle Skirt in Black, $29.99, also available in Navy Floral.

Front-Flap Bag in Blue Floral, $39.99.

Front-Flap Straw Bag in Cream, $39.99

Cat Scarf, $19.99.

Jersey Dress in Red/Navy Stripes, $34.99. Cat Tote in Cream, $39.99.

Images courtesy of Target.

Winter Wardrobe Essentials from QVC Under $150!

Baby, it's getting cold outside.  So here are a few cute winter gear picks from QVC collections by uber-stylist Rachel Zoe and legendary American designer Isaac Mizrahi that will help us face the freezing temps in style:

ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! Faux Fur Lined Trapper Hat With Pom Poms, $19.56

ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! Water Resistant Suede Lace-up Boots, $72.24

Luxe Rachel Zoe Cape with Faux Fur Collar and Removable Belt, $143.12

Photos courtesy of QVC

New Year, New Skin with Joanna Vargas Skincare

We all want flawless skin.  Aesthetician to the stars Joanna Vargas can help us all achieve that beauty goal.  Everything She Wants' regularly visits her understated salon in New York City for anti-aging and acne-fighting facials boosted by microdermabrasion, oxygen and LED light therapy.  And my skin always looks brighter, firmer and younger after each visit.

Joanna Vargas Skincare line.

Now everyone can get the Joanna Vargas spa treatment at home.  In 2011, Vargas launched her own, antioxidant-infused skincare line.  The four natural products in the line -- Vitamin C face wash; Daily and Rejuvenating Serums; and an Exfoliating Mask -- contain what she calls "the building blocks for a radiant complexion."

All the products aim to speed up cell turnover, erase fine lines and tighten the skin.  I especially love the mask (it's more like a scrub), which uses fruit derived enzymes and a fusion of volcanic ash and mineral-rich clay to gently draw out impurities. It evens your pigment and skin texture, refines your pores and softens your skin.

All Joanna Vargas Skincare products can be purchased on her website.

Winter Hair Care Tips for Women of Color from Dana's Loft Hair

Recently, Everything She Wants shared my hair makeover at dana's loft HAIR.  During my visit, personable celebrity hair stylist Dana Gibbs also gave me a few winter hair care tips I'd like to share:

Hair stylist Dana Gibbs.

Use a moisturizing shampoo.  It's important to cleanse your scalp, but you don't have to get your hair squeaky clean anymore.  So you don't strip your hair of its essential oils, use a moisturizing shampoo.

Keep it simple.  With so many products on the market, people get confused.  We use so much product, it starts to work against you.  Try Dana's Kera Plus line or stick with a regimen that works for you.

Condition, condition, and condition.  Cowash (washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo) in between washes to keep your hair moisturized and sit under the dryer with a deep conditioner.  After styling, put in a leave-in conditioner.

A silk scarf is your friend.  Sleep in a silk scarf and wear a silk scarf under a wool hat to protect your edges.

New Year, New Me: My Hair Makeover at Dana's Loft Hair

It's a new year, so it's the perfect time for a hair makeover.  I've been wearing my hair in twists for about a decade and during that time I've only had it blown out and trimmed a few times.  So I jumped at the opportunity for Dana Gibbs, celebrity stylist and CEO of dana's loft HAIR (96 Orchard Street, 212-677-7701), to give my hair some long overdue TLC.

"More than half my clients have natural hair, and they can wear it straight or curly," says Dana, who specializes in blow-outs, perms, weaves and the Brazilian Keratin treatment. "[Black women] are the only ethnic group with so many [styling] options."

My twisted hair before my makeover.

Since my tresses are completely relaxer-free, in its natural state my hair shrinks up a lot after it's been washed.  And I haven't seen its actual length in at least a year.  I also had a resistant gray patch in the front that I desperately needed covered.

Dana blowing my hair out.

So the first step in my makeover was for Dana to put a dark brown color in my hair, which she let sit for about 20 minutes.  Afterwards, she rinsed and washed my hair with the Kera Plus Shampoo from her formaldehyde-and-sulfate-free Kera Plus Collection.  Then she applied a deep conditioner and sat me under the dryer for another 20 minutes.

"Keratin is a protein that helps to strengthen the hair," explains the stylist who has worked with Rihanna, Raven Symone and Corrine Bailey Rae. But she cautions, "there's no secret formula to help hair grow faster. It can break as fast as it can grow, depending on your own [growth] cycle."

Once the conditioner was rinsed out, Dana combed through my hair using my trusty Ouidad Double Detangler comb.  She then sectioned my hair into twists and sat me under the dryer again to get out the remaining moisture.

Finally, she blew my hair dry using a brush and trimmed my ends.  I couldn't believe how long my hair was once it was blown out, and my edges -- although thinner than the rest of my hair -- were in better shape than I thought.  Dana then dabbled on some Tex Me Pomade (my fave new hair product) from her ME Collection and flat-ironed my hair.

The last step was styling my hair.  Dana said she wanted to give me loose, playful curls like Tracee Ellis Ross.  And she did.  I couldn't believe my hair could achieve such bouncin' and behavin' heights. Although the style only lasted a day and I wore my hair pulled into a pony for the next few days, I'll definitely return to dana's loft HAIR the next time I'm an un-twisted sister.