Halo Couture vs Hidden Crown halo shaped hair extensions comparison. Which is better - the differences HERE!

I just attended the International Beauty Show (IBS) in New York City. This is where stylists and industry wholesalers go to learn about the hottest, newest and best selling products in the beauty biz! Trust me this is the place you see it all!

Attendees at the IBS show

I met a lot of women with questions about the halo designed hair extension and so I thought I would write about the differences of these ingenious products!

There are a couple companies in the US that sell this type of extension and were displaying their goods at the IBS Show - namely HaloCouture and Hidden Crown.

Both companies sell 100% human REMY hair, not synthetic. REMY HAIR is considered premium in quality because the hair cuticles are kept in tact unlike other type of extensions and created in such a way that they look completely natural!

Both HaloCouture and Hidden Crowns' halo shaped hair extensions are similar in width and both are lace backed layered wefts. One of the biggest differences outside of retail pricing (See below $$), is in the way each is fitted/attached and the amount of hair on each halo which is measured by weight (grams).

HaloCouture Closure

Here is a photo of the way HaloCouture halo's are fitted - they use a bra like strap attached to a wire. The issue with this is that it can be bulky and irritate the scalp and if you have a small head like I do it can bunch up. 

Hidden Crown fastener

The Hidden Crown's design is much simpler - a single micro clip and knot. 

RETAIL PRICING:

• HaloCouture 16 inch Original Halo, 100 grams - $350 (20 inch - $460)
• HaloCouture 16 inch Layered Halo 145 grams - $480 (20 inch - $580)
• Hidden Crown 16 inch Halo 140 grams - $249 (20 inch - $269)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The retail pricing for HaloCouture's original halo is over $100 more than Hidden Crown AND its' 40% LESS hair than Hidden Crown. The pricing for HaloCouture's layered halo which is just 5 grams more hair, is nearly double ($560)!

The HaloCouture layered Halo is hair that is layered within the halo design. For the $230 price difference, I would suggest taking your Hidden Crown Extension to your stylist to customize to fit your hairstyle perfectly if you want layered hair instead of thick ends. Rumor has it that Hidden Crown will be launching it's own Hidden Crown LAYERS later next month.

Hidden Crown has thick ends. This is called "double drawn" hair in the industry. 

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Winter SKINCARE - Jojoba / Hohoba oil works - even for acne prone skin

WATCH the VIDEO {HERE}

A big thank you to Arizona Midday for inviting me back this week to share some beauty fixes with viewers on Channel 12, nbc in Phoenix. 

Even in Arizona temperaturea drop, and heaters go on, and our skin dries our more quickly - looking dull and dreary. In fact, if you are experiencing tightness,  or flakiness, it could be a sign that you need to upgrade your moisturizer or apply more frequently.

Moisturizers and lotions are really just emulsions of oils and water. You might be skeptical of using a straight out oil on your face or body, but this is a trend quickly becoming adopted by many beauty fanatics, and for good reason - especially when your skin is in distress.

Jojoba oil - [pronounced hohoba] - is known as an oil, but technically it is a wax ester. This is important to know because wax esters are the closest compounds to natural skin oil or sebum. When you use jojoba [hohoba] oil, your  skin believes it is responsible for producing enough oil, thereby reducing it's own oil production. Good news! this is why jojoba oil is non-comedogenic even for acne prone skin! Jojoba/Hohoba oil is readily available for about $10 in health food stores and at Whole Foods.

When your skin is suffering and chapped, it can easily become inflamed which is the time you should reach for an OTC Hydrocortisone Cream before applying moisturizer. And for those deep cracks use Vaseline, oils or Aquaphor ointment.

TRICK for using: After bathing apply the petroleum jelly, oil or ointment BEFORE you dry off - they all spread super easy. Then, finish drying off with a towel. These products will create a barrier on your skin - trapping the water and forcing the hydration back into your skin and protecting it from losing moisture because of evaporation.

To  listen to more winter skin care tips you can  watch my entire segment here:

Hung over. Beauty Fixes for a late night.

Today you may be thinking that ringing in 2015 may have been better without that fourth glass of champagne. Here are some quick easy tips to looking your best today after a fun night of toasting to the New Year!

1. Hydrate. Duh...
We all know that drinking water first thing when you get up in the morning can kick start your internal organs and help your skin glow. However, there is new research that links drinking 8 glasses as soon as you rise (a traditional Ayurvedic treatment) and waiting an hour before eating anything, with positive results for weight loss, cancer, asthma and other diseases. This resolution is mine for the next 30 days - to see what a difference it can make. 

2. Aspirin. Not just your for your head but also to alleviate inflammation in your face. Dissolve the aspirin with a little water in your hand and use it as a mask. More on that {HERE}

3. Two coats of mascara 
This will help cancel out the redness in  your eyes and make them bigger. Just avoid the lower lashes which could weigh down your eye by drawing attention to any darkness underneath. Also use cold spoons that have sat in ice. underneath your eyes to reduce puffiness

4.  Pop on some blush and lip gloss - preferably in pink.  This will make your face look flush and healthy.

5. No shamPOO.
 You spent a lot of time getting the perfect NYE do, so juzz it up with some dry shampoo to keep volume all day long without having to shampoo again. How to make your own with corn starch {HERE}

Wishing you all a beautiful 2015!

XO Shelley