Take a Seat in Style…

We all make it our duty to beautify and groom, but sometimes there’s not enough time in a day to book an appointment.  Or, you may find yourself being a little skeptical about trying a new salon.  Let’s not even mention the fact that it can be so difficult to find a professional who specializes in a service you would like to have done.  Founder and CEO of StyleSeat, Melody McCloskey, took all of these concerns into consideration and created a genius website that solves all of these issues.

Death to the yellow pages, and move over Yelp!  StyleSeat is an online haven for finding the best of the best beauty and wellness professionals in your area.  Through this interactive site, you can search for local  pros, view images of their work online, and even check out reviews from other clients.  To top it off, you can also view schedules and book your appointment online.  It’s quick and easy, and I’m surprised nobody thought of this a long time ago.

On the flip side, StyleSeat is a wonderful tool for stylists.  For professionals trying to maximize their businesses, it’s like having a personal assistant, publicist, and marketing rep all in one.  Stylists can easily keep track of their schedules for the week, and send out promotions and deals to their clients.   There is even a function that allows you to keep track of how well your business is doing on a weekly basis.  Annnnd not to mention, you have the opportunity to connect with other professionals in the industry.

How much does it cost to sign up?  It’s 100% FREE for professionals and consumers.  So, what are you waiting for? Go check out StyleSeat like… now. 

6 sexy snaps for StyleSeat!

Happy 2012 from 2 Snaps and a Twist!

photo credit: coated.com

I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you for supporting 2 Snaps and a Twist, and continually adding to the success of this site.  In 2011, 2 Snaps was viewed almost 9,000 times and I hope to multiply upon  that number in the new year.  Some of  2011′s most viewed posts include CND: My Shellac Attack,  and Beauty Alert: Red Carpet Manicure (you LOVE nails, haha!)

Through the highs and lows, good days and bad, laughs and cries, 2 Snaps and a Twist has always been my outlet.  Your compliments, words of encouragement, and of course…beauty samples help me to  continue to push  further.  Expect more than a blog in 2012. Expect a brand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make the big picture bigger….

Happy New Year from 2 Snaps and a Twist!

The Makeup Routine. Dissected.

It all starts with having a clean slate.  Washing away any impurities and imperfections from the past, and scrubbing for perfection.  After realizing there has been damage that won’t automatically disappear, the makeup routine comes into play.

Begin with the eyes.  The eyes are the main attraction, and your windows to the world.  Sometimes we unknowingly speak with our eyes.  As much as we try to hide or remain silent, the eyes speak volumes.  So play them up!  Go for a color palette that fits your mood.  Purple is always pretty paired with a heavy black liner.  Don’t forget to groom the brows!  Brows can be the make or breaker, and the goal is never to be broken. Right?

Next, there is primer before foundation.  Prime and mentally prep before masking those insecurities to the world.  Then, grab your tinted moisturizer, liquid or powder, and begin to cover up what you don’t want others to know.  Be open, but always reserve a little for yourself.  Allow time for healing, be patient, and don’t cake your face to the point where there is no return. Set a foundation.

Let’s move on to the cheeks–our pillows of embarrassment, our gatekeepers of nerves, and sometimes compassion.  No, we all don’t get naturally rosy, but one rouge sweep can create the illusion.  The cheeks add structure to the situation.  The cheeks create balance.  Think about the highlights of life, smile, and sweep bronzer throughout your cheekbones.  Exaggerate the bronze goddess in you!

Finally seal the deal with the lips.  The lips are associated with the voice.  Your voice is what can change preconceived opinions.  The voice is what sets you free. The voice is what will get you to the next level when others are in doubt.  The voice portrays beauty x 2 with or without the makeup.  So be sure to make your bold lipstick pop! Don’t forget that glossy overlay for a lasting impression.  When you speak, you’ll speak with confidence, passion, and dignity.  Remember, those are the lips that you want everyone to remember.

THIS IS THE MAKEUP ROUTINE. DISSECTED.

Fashion Forward: Diane Von Furstenberg teams up with Brazilets!

Famous Fashion Designer, Diane Von Furstenberg, has collaborated with Brazilets to add her own personal touch with quotes like, “Love is Life,” and “Be the Woman You Want to Be.” Diane is perfect for this brand as she has exercised philanthropy in the past, and serves as a role model to many aspiring designers.

For those of you who don’t know, ” A 200 year-old tradition from mystical Bahia, Brazil, “Brazilets” are worn throughout Latin America and provide a spiritual significance for all who wear them. Wrap Brazilets around your wrist and tie three knots, making a wish with each knot. When your Brazilets naturally break down and fall off, it is believed that your three wishes will come true (brazilets.com)! Brazilets have been featured in magazines such as Elle, Cosmo Girl, and US Weekly.  Celebs like Lauren Conrad, Anne Hatheway, and Kristen Stewart have all supported the brand, and you can too! For only $5, you can purchase a Brazilet online.  PLUS, 20% of all proceeds go towards ‘Plant a Billion Trees’ Plantabillion.com which is dedicated to planting one billion trees in the Atlantic Forest–the most endangered forest in Brazil. 

2 Snaps and a Fashion Forward Twist! Make a wish, and help plant a tree!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: Wunderlich, Inc.

#CyberMonday: Get Your Shop On!

(photo: blogmyflorist.com)

Following the Black Friday madness (pepper spay, and all!), today is Cyber Monday.  Hitting an all-time high in sales revenue last year, Cyber Monday is one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.  Many deals are featured exclusively online, and these sales definitely keep the holiday shopping frenzies moving.

Here are few cool deals that I’ve found , and you should check out as well!

  • Stila Cosmetics will be offering up to 80% off on Cyber Monday during their Warehouse sale. (via Seventeen.com)
  • Extra 30% off all reduced footwear and handbags at ALDO!
  • Asos The affordable fashion destination is offering 25% off the Asos Collection, which includes party dresses, fall/winter staples (hello, new coat!), and shoes for every occasion. (via self.com)
  • G+L’s Polished Cyber Shopper 4 piece polish bundle set now available for ONLY $33! Go to GingerandLiz ! (via @GINGERandLIZ Twitter)
  • Up to 75% off the entire site at Blue Fly.
  • Spend$35, Save $5/Spend $50, Save $10, Spend $100, Save $25 all at Carol’s Daughter.
  • Best Buy has free shipping on everything + free $10 E-gift cards on purchases of $100 or more.
  • Save up to 40% on Garmin products until 11:59 p.m. tonight!.
  • Save an additional 30% off sale items today at LuLus
  • Friends and Family celebration at Butter London! You can save an additional 30% off on all online orders. Enter CELEBRATE11 at checkout.

Subscribe to 2 Snaps and a Twist today, and receive beauty goodies in the mail by the end of this week!

Happy Shopping!

Say Yes to a Breast!

Early this morning, thousands gathered for Newark’s Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Military Park in Newark, NJ.

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, supporters were given the opportunity to donate money to save lives by helping people get well, stay well, find a cure, and fight back.   Mayor Cory Booker led the pack, and charged walkers to celebrate the fight against Breast Cancer.  Together Newark has successfully raised about $152,000, and the number will continue to grow. 

“Create more pink with your green. That’s more research, more services, and more survivors because of your generosity.”~American Cancer Society 

Find out how you can say yes to a breast today by visiting http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/

Special shout outs to #teamsayyestoabreast  @Jihana, @Keshia, @Shanieah, @Aaliyah, @Krista, @Vicmarie, @Jennifer, @Alexis, and our special Team Captain @Eleise.

2 Snaps & A Twist for everyone who helped create another birthday.

Brands that Give Back: Clean & Clear GirlUp

 

{photo credit: Yahoo! Finance}

What’s my Sunday motivation?  A beauty brand that is giving back!  CLEAN & CLEAR has joined forces with the United Nations Foundation’s GirlUp Campaign to help meet the needs of girls all across the globe.  GirlUp is a campaign that links girls from the United States up with girls in developing countries.  Young ladies in the US who join this beneficial campaign, have the opportunity to help the less fortunate with basic but essential needs.  You can start by just donating $5, which is known as a “High Five,” toward helping girls around the world the right to be respected, educated, healthy, and safe.

This past Friday, GirlUp hosted a rally in New York City where girls from all over had the chance to learn more about the campaign and how to get involved. There were different booths set up around The Times Center where you could learn fast facts, and participate in activities to better understand what girls in developing countries have to go through to survive.  Noted Fashion Photographer, Nigel Barker, came out to support and keep the momentum pumping.  Check out his response below on how and why you need to become involved with GirlUp!

Join the conversation about CLEAN & CLEAR GirlUp today by visiting http://www.girlup.org/

2 Snaps & A Twist for Brands that Give Back!

Trying to Gain My Independence…

Okay, okay!  I know I have fallen WAY back from the beloved 2 Snaps & A Twist, and I’m not going to sit here, and give you another cliché post about how I have been grinding (I mean, I have but…).  I have been being a 22-year-old trying to find a happy medium between work and play.  Without hard work, there is no play.  However, you have to pay the HIGH price of hard work before you can indulge in any ”real” play.  I am beginning to hate the quote, “you have to pay your dues.”  After a while, it starts to feel like you are paying down to the last penny just to do it the way it’s already been done before.  That’s wack.  Maybe I’ll understand later. Who cares.

These last couple of months, I have been watching like a fly on the wall.  I’m observing how “it’s already been done,” and how I can do it better, flyer, and fresher.  Do I have the correct answer? I don’t, but slowly but surely I’m putting the beautiful pieces together of an amazing puzzle.

Focusing less on the imperfections, and more on the uniqueness.

Trying to gain my independence….

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Jacqueline Laurean