All posts tagged Artist

8 Steps for a Flawless At-Home Manicure

by Carrie Dagenhard on May 16, 2012 in Beauty, Health & Beauty

From the supple softness of your skin to the elegance of the high-gloss finish and rich, thick color perfectly brushed across your nail beds – few moments in life are as gratifying as the minute you step outside of the nail salon and admire the artist’s handiwork. A manicure is a great way to pamper yourself, boost your mood and raise your confidence, but if you’re running to the professionals every time you’ve got a chip then things can start to get a little pricey. In order to save cash, and avoid waiting in line, here are a few steps to achieve a flawless salon-look manicure at home:

1. Take off all old polish with a thick cotton ball and your choice of remover. Your local Bay Area drug store or beauty shop should have plenty of options ranging in price. One of the best products is The Stripper by Deborah Lippmann (about $16). However, if your goal is to save money you may want to opt for Cutex (under $4). Be sure to do a sweep around your skin to remove any excess polish that may have bled onto your cuticles.

2. Clip and file your nails to the desired shape. As you may have noticed, short, slightly rounded square nails are the current rage. This length keeps your nails neat, clean and easy to manage.

3. Dip your hands in warm water with a touch of bubble bath. Soak them for about five minutes. Then apply a bit of cuticle oil, such as Sally Hansen Vitamin E & Cuticle Oil (about $5).

4. Invest in a cuticle pusher, such as the one made by Tweezerman ($15), or you can buy a wooden pusher for a couple dollars at most beauty supply stores. Use the tool to gently push the cuticles back from the nail.

5. After wiping excess oil off your nails with a soft towel and evening with a buffer block, apply a base cost such as Essie Protein Base Coat ($8) or OPI Natural Nail Base Coat ($5).

6. Choose a color. If you’re not ready to invest in a whole bottle, many beauty supply stores offer sample sizes that are generally just enough polish for one manicure. Starting at the edge of your nail, carefully swipe the color from the cuticle to the tip and cover the nail in three to four strokes. Add one coat to each nail, then start at the beginning and add a second coat. For especially thin shades, a third coat may be necessary.

7. Finish with a top coat, such as Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Advanced Strengthening Nail Topcoat (about $3) or, if you’re in a hurry and need a fast dry, you may want to try out International Nail Manufacturers Out the Door Top Coat (about $5).

8. Allow your nails to dry – then, using a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover, remove any stray bits of color that may have leaked onto your skin. Afterward, take time to step back and admire your work!

Marc Cohn at Yoshi’s San Francisco

by Paria Amini on November 11, 2011 in Celebrity Spotlight, Events, Local, Review

On Tuesday evening, fans gathered at Yoshi’s in San Francisco to hear the soulful music of artist Marc Cohn. This was the first time I had attended a concert at this venue, and found Yoshi’s to be one of the best locations for a show that I had visited. Effortless parking, spacious seating, and excellent cuisine made Yoshi’s a memorable setting for a relaxing evening. Breaking away from the band, Cohn sang with only his guitarist Shane Fontayne for this very intimate performance.

The night began with some of Cohn’s classic numbers, like “Perfect Love,” a song about his brother and the innocence and thrill associated with young love. Other songs from the set included “29 Ways,” a rendition of Willie Dixon’s 1956 original. This is the only cover song Cohn produced prior to his most recent album, Listening Booth: 1970 which came out this past year. The concert soon transitioned to songs from this album, including Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Only Living Boy in New York.” Although not usually a fan of cover songs, Cohn produced the album choosing only songs from 1970, a year that played a pivotal role in music, as well an in Cohn’s development as an artist.

A special shout out to a fan in the audience, Cohn treated a young lady to a rendition of his most well-known song, “Walking in Memphis” by adding lyrics with her name. I am sure it is not a moment she will soon forget. One of the highlights of attending a concert is hearing the story behind the lyrics. As Cohn admitted during the concert, while not every song is based off a true story, those that are consist of matters close to the heart, like Cohn’s father. Amongst Cohn’s most famous songs, “Silver Thunderbird” tells the story of memories Cohn recalls about his father, who was 60 years of age at the time of his birth.

One of the most memorable moments of the night came at the end when Cohn closed the show by merging the music of “Paper Walls” with the lyrics of “True Companion.” A unique take on the songs, the result was a surprisingly refreshing combination of two favorites. Naturally, when attending a concert, you never expect to hear the artist perform nearly as good as recorded on the album. But with Cohn, this is not the case at all. The same harmonious vocals are combined with a soulful execution, in a performance that captures the raw emotion of the lyrics. It is as though Cohn is reliving the same experience that inspired that song long ago.

If you have yet to hear Cohn live, he is the one artist that I see every time he visits the Bay Area, and a performance of his is not one that should be missed. Visit here for a list of upcoming tour dates. In the meantime, you can purchase Cohn’s recent album Listening Booth: 1970 online.

M·A·C COSMETICS’ GLITTER & ICE ENTER A WINTER WONDERLAND at Bloomingdale’s

by Hasti Kashfia on October 24, 2011 in Beauty, Health & Beauty, Local

WHAT: This holiday season M·A·C shines with all the glittery and glossy goodness that we all love about this time of year! Enter a winter wonderland of Glitter and Ice: inspired by Olympic skater Johnny Weir a magical world filled with sparkle, shine, and splendor. Frosted shadows in snow globe compacts, glittery glosses, posh powders, and glimmering nail lacquers make your holiday season glisten. The M∙A∙C Holiday Collections are enchanting – for both boys and girls! Celebrate all the glitz and glamour and have a happy M·A·C holiday!

M∙A∙C’s Holiday 2011 collection is full of spirit! Glitter and Ice: A wondrous world of sparkly Dazzleglass Crèmes, frosted Lipsticks, and shimmering Beauty Powder. Eyes glisten with Mineralize Eye Shadow in winterized shades and luxurious Technakohl Liner. Glimmering Paint Pots, bold Opulash mascara, Pigments and Nail Lacquers in opulent colours are the final touches to create a lavish holiday look.

To celebrate the launch of the M·A·C Glitter & Ice makeup collection, M·A·C Cosmetics will be offering
complimentary makeup applications at Bloomingdale’s. M·A·C Senior Artist Louise Zizzo will also be on hand to provide her makeup expertise.

WHEN: Friday, October 28th thru Sunday, October 30th

WHERE: Bloomingdale’s San Francisco

FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk

by admin on September 14, 2011 in Bay Area Moms, Events, Local

It is Friday evening and the workweek is over. What next? See a movie? Meet some friends for dinner? Catch up on laundry? How about something new and out of the ordinary? This is exactly what locals are doing every first Friday of the month at San Jose’s own South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk. Unlike a typical Friday, San Jose’s art walk is a great way to indulge in street fare, interact with local artists and listen to new tunes you can’t find on the radio.

I recommend beginning your creative adventure by getting a bite to eat at one of the local food trucks. Although a follower on Twitter, I have never had the chance to actually try MogoBBQ. Obviously I had not checked into Twitter that evening because I was overly excited when I stumbled on their food truck parked near the stage. Per Mogo’s recommendation, I ordered two Korean tacos with pork soaked in a sweet barbeque marinade and topped with a fresh slaw and a dash (or two) of Sriracha. For $2 each, my wallet was happy. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my thighs.

After I wiped the remnants of the savory marinade off my face, I made my way down the Street Mrkt. It was a perfect night with the sun setting, fragrance of food filling the air, and music gyrating through the ground. Adults and children tinker with handmade crafts such as laser cut wood pieces, handmade jewelry, and vintage furniture accents you can’t find at Urban Outfitters. Creativity spills across First St. as artists paint on canvases, thread beading into scarves, and spray paint on the street, all the while, inviting you to take a look at their craft. The sweetest moments were those when children were getting their hands dirty playing with various art materials such as clay, foil and paint. Walking down the Street Mrkt is a unique way to intimately interact with artists.

Once you have made your way through the Street Mrkt, it is time to visit some of the local galleries that go unnoticed on a typical day. On a special night like this, galleries open their doors and invite visitors to explore their inner artist with visual inspirations splashed across the walls. Each gallery either has a DJ, musician or band to set the mood. Each gallery features talented artists who share with visitors their experiences through their art. It is easy to get lost in a painting, as you look deeper into the details. Silicon Valley is known for its innovation and these artists somehow mingle their imaginations with their innovative environments. With a glass of wine in hand and the moon sneaking its way above downtown San Jose, strolling through San Jose’s art district definitely makes for a relaxing and inspiring evening.

Don’t miss the next South FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk which takes place every first Friday of the month. For more information, visit http://www.southfirstfridays.com/ and sign up for their newsletter to receive updates on the next art walk lineup.

And don’t forget we currently have 3 contests going on!
- Sole Society
- Soho Hearts
- VE Salon
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