Purchasing only cruelty-free makeup brands is extremely important to me, and I have been doing quite a bit of research to find out exactly which brands test on animals, and which ones don't.

This issue was brought to the forefront recently, when LUSH cosmetics held a demonstration in the UK to fight for the ban of animal-testing amongst cosmetic companies. It really made me take inventory on my own personal cosmetic collection. I was shocked to find some of the companies that were previously 100% cruelty-free, are not anymore. This was so disappointing so I did some research and found which cosmetic companies are still CRUELTY-FREE!     Many of these brands below are also available in your local drugstore, and are very affordable. 

1. Style Strands (of course!)

2. Picasso Hair Feathers (http://www.picassohairfeathers.com)

3. Lush Cosmetics 

4. E.L.F. Cosmetics 

5. Physicians Formula

6. NYX

7. Wet n' Wild

8. SmashBox

9. HardCandy

10. Lime Crime

11. Stila Cosemtics

12. TooFaced Cosmetics

13. Aveda

14. Morroco Method Hair

15. Natural Glow Sunless Tanning 

16. Paul Mitchell

17. The Body Shop

18. Victoria's Secret

19. Yes to Carrots 

20. EnvyTan

21. EcoTools (Cruelty-Free False Eyelashes!)

22. Piggy Paint Nail Polish

23. HoneyBee Gardens 

24. Everyday Minerals

25. Mineral Fusion

It might be a bit daunting at first to take on the task of buying only 100% cruelty free products, but it is so much easier than you think! No need to throw out all your existing cosmetics, but why not pledge from here on out, to buy only 100% cruelty-free cosmetics. You will look and feel better when you do! If you already are using cruelty-free cosmetics, let me know in the comments section, what are you favorite products?

  Oh, and if you're looking for a fun, 100% natural and 100% cruelty-free way to spice up your hair this spring, why not hop over to view our Hair Extension Highlight or Hair Feathers Collection? Click here to shop! 

Keepin it real since 88,

 Chelsea

1. How are Style Strands different from colored clip-ins?

3.  Will Style Strands damage my hair?

4.  Are they difficult to apply at home?

5. Are they suitable for kids?

SHOP Style Strands Hair Extension Highlights HERE!

 Summer is quickly approaching - as I write this, the sun in shining, and I can see little flowers just peeking through the ground. This gets me so excited because summer is my absolute favorite time of year! I find everything is better in summer - fashion & beauty included.

First, my skin is so much better in the summer. I can finally ditch those heavy moisturizers and opt for a sheer BB cream over heavy foundation.  Secondly, the bright colors of summer fashion brighten up my day and I love incorporating color into my wardrobe.  But what about our hair? Do you find your hair looks better or worse in the summer?

Summer humidity can sometimes make our hair balloon out to 2-3 times its normal size. The sleek hair  you had minutes ago, can turn into  a wavy. frizzy mess if there is a lot of humidity. So what do I recommend? Aside from using proper hair products, I always grow my hair out just in time for summer! 

The added length is great for throwing your hair up in a ponytail on those hot days, creating a gorgeous fish-tail braid, or my personal favorite, rocking those amazing boho-waves. All these styles are amazingly effortless, but tend to look better with longer hair!

So lets get right to it, how can you grow longer, thicker and stronger hair in time for summer? 

1. Condition & Moisturize 

    Try using a restorative, deep conditioning treatment on your hair twice a week. This will make your hair stronger after only a couple    weeks. Our hair breaks every time we brush it, which means our hair is constantly growing but never getting any longer. By having strong hair that can withstand your daily brushing/styling, you will notice longer hair in no time!

2.  STOP brushing your hair (while wet)

Okay so you don't have to stop brushing your hair entirely, but definitely stop brushing it while its soaking wet! Why? Our hair is MUCH more delicate when wet, and the bristles will cause the hair to snap easily! So whats the solution? Let your hair dry 50% before ever running a brush through it, and even then, choose a wide toothed comb!

3. Get your diet on track and take your vitamins! 

When we are under nourished, lacking proper nutrients and vitamins - our hair growth slows significantly. Over the winter months, we tend to eat more comfort foods and less fresh, raw foods. Make an effort this month to eat lots of fresh fruits & veggies and incorporate one key supplement into your diet - Biotin. Biotin will help your hair and nails grow at a faster rate, and you will notice the difference within one month.  

4. Shampoo your roots ONLY 

Shampoo strips our hair of dirt and oil. But at the same time, it often strips our hair of much needed natural oils that keep our hair healthy. Rather than applying shampoo to your hair from root to tip, only shampoo the roots of your hair. This will prevent the ends of your hair from becoming dry and brittle, allowing your hair to grow longer and stronger!

5. Say Goodbye to DYE (a least temporarily....) 

Okay so I don't expect you to stop dying your hair completely... no need to walk around town with 3 inch roots. But., there are other alternatives for changing up your look that require absolutely NO dye at all. Want to add some blonde highlights for summer? Or try out the gorgeous Ombre trend this summer? Or how about some peek-a-boo lavender highlights? All these looks are perfect for spring and summer, but if your using dye... your hair will become damaged and you can say goodbye to growth.  Hair Extension Highlights are the answer: applied at home in minutes, these highlights can change up your look instantly without damaging your hair! 

    Now...

 I truly hope you found the tips above helpful to achieving gorgeous hair this summer. I love helping women get          the hair they have always wanted, and as some of you know,  I am able to provide you with more than just great info. I also sell some killer premium hair products! Check out our gorgeous selection of Hair Extension Highlights here. We have a wide range of colors that will keep you on-trend this summer, from lavender to ombre, we got you covered! 

==> WATCH SEXY ST.PATRICK'S DAY STYLE  VIDEO

Things you probably didn't know about St.Patrick's Day...

The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.

In Chicago, on St. Patrick's Day, the rivers are dyed green.

In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps.

Many young people dye their hair green for the special day.

Many people wear green on this holiday to avoid being pinched.

Many bars in the United States, and abroad, serve green beer to celebrate St. Patty's Day.

Awesome people wear our Goddess Green Luxury Pack on St. Patrick's Day


Okay... so I added the last one myself.  The  other facts Google helped me out with. On St.Patrick's Day you don't have to dress in green head-to-toe to get in the spirit and participate in the festivities!  There are super easy ways to dress up your hair, nails and make-up  that are both festive AND beautiful.  To learn more, you can either watch the video tutorial pictured above or keep on reading.

The HAIR

I loved this look so much that I plan on wearing it through the spring and summer and not just for St.Patrick's Day!  To get this look I just straightened my hair and added the new limited edition Goddess Green Luxury Pack.  I placed half the pack (8) on my right and the other half on the left (8), closely together surrounding my ear.  This is a great spot for hair feather and highlight placement because it allows them to be very visible while keeping the micro-ring hidden.

The MAKE-UP

I added neutral and bronze shadows to my upper lid adding the lightest color from the inside corner to the middle of my lid.  Then I applied a darker bronze shadow from mid-lid to the outside corner and blended together.  I then used my lightest color to highlight my brow bone and the inside corner of my eye.  For the St. Patrick's Day POP of green I lined my lower lash line with a forest green shadow.
To complete the look I added a set of false lashes and a coat of mascara on my upper and lower lashes.

The NAILS

I am so excited to do this for St.Patrick's Day... this way my nails will really stand out while I hold my green beer. All you need is green and clear polish and some caviar beads in either green or gold. 

Step 1:  Apply a coat of green nail polish

Step 2: While wet, gently roll you nail in the caviar beads.  They will stick to the wet nail polish.

Step 3: Allow nails to dry

Step 4: Apply a coat of clear nail polish and let dry.



Hope you liked this St.Patrick's Day Style Tutorial!

P.S  The Goddess Green Luxury Pack is a limited edition product and will only be available until March 17th (or as supplies last).   If you LOVE this look as much as I do, be sure to check it out before it disappears!

== CLICK HERE  TO VIEW  GODDESS GREEN LUXURY PACK

P.P.S  It's also on sale and we offer FREE Worldwide Shipping! wooo!

 Sometimes (okay all the time) mascara dries out wayyyy before it's shelf life.   Mascara's can be quite pricey  so here's a really quick tip to help you make the MOST of your mascara, and extend the shelf life just a little bit. 

Tip: For eye health, never keep a mascara for more than 3 months. Our eyes are very receptive to bacteria, and dust, bacteria and all sorts of nasty stuff can live in your mascara tube. So despite this wonderful trick, it's best to replace your mascara at least once every 3 months. If you've had an eye infection, throw it out and replace it right away. 

Want MORE beauty tips? No problem - just subscribe to Style Strands on YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/stylestrands   

or, 

LIKE our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/stylestrands 

We all want to have the latest “look” but most of us can’t afford to buy a new wardrobe and accessories every time the seasons change! The good news is that if you strategically pick out some versatile accessories that are all-seasons appropriate you can look like a fashion guru all year round (while sticking to your budget).

I want to show you 4 key pieces, all under $20, that will give you an incredibly stylish look through winter, spring, summer and fall!  These pieces can also be dressed down for school or shopping, or dolled up for a night out.    Versatile pieces like these are the secret to looking like a fashion vixen without breaking the bank.

#1 Light Weight Scarf

Light weight scarves are great for all seasons. Materials to look for include cotton, silk and polyester.
How you wear your scarf will also make a difference - in the winter, wrap it around your neck a few times and during warmer months simply drape it around your neck (yes, sometimes practicality and fashion go hand in hand).

                                                        In the summer this is how I wear my scarves.  I don’t need them to keep
                                                             warm, it’s purely a fashion choice.  Allowing your scarf to just hang
                                                          around your neck like this will also allow you to showcase necklaces.

See the difference accessories make?  This simple black cotton shirt went from boring to super stylish and put together.   

(Want   this   scarf ?  You   can   purchase   it   HERE   for   only    $17.95   +  FREE   Shipping)

#2 The Finger Tip Ring

You may or may not have seen these before.  This trend is fairly new but spreading fast!!  Because it’s new and only seen on the very fashionable, this piece will give you instant fashionista status.

Rings are fabulous year round.  Bronze jewelry is especially versatile because it looks great with all colors  - neutrals, bright and bold shades, black and white – you can’t go wrong!

(LOVE   this    bronze   finger    tip    ring?    You   can   get   it    HERE   for only    $11.95  + FREE  Shipping)

#3  Bow Jewelry

Bow’s aren’t new, they’ve been worn in hair and embellishing clothing for years!  However lately you may have seen them popping up more and more from jewelry to fabric prints.  There is something very pretty and sweet about a bow and that doesn’t go out of style no matter what season it is.

                                                           With ribbon and bling, these bows couldn’t be any prettier!

(Want  some  beautiful   bow   accessories? You  can  purchase them   HERE   starting  at   $11.95 + FREE Shipping)

#4 Collar Tips with Chain

I am OBSESSED with these and here’s why... I have a ton of collared shirts in great colors and materials that I’m terribly bored with. They’re just way too business-like.  However, when I add collar tips they are completely revamped and brought back to life.  I get a stylish shirt and jewelry all in one!  Better yet, its the easiest way to take a day-time work look into the evening for drinks with friends.

                                                 The black skulls with gold chain add some edginess to a conservative shirt.
                                                                  For winter months add them to a thick cotton shirt and
                                                                    in warmer months you can add it to a shear blouse

(Would  these  look    AMAZING    on  your   shirts ?    Pick  up    a  pair    HERE   for   only $9.95 + FREE   Shipping)

About 5 months ago I made the decision to start carrying  accessories for fashion guru’s everywhere.  I looked for only the hottest pieces and am so thrilled to carry these beauties in my Style Boutique.

I’d love to hear your opinions on the new line of accessories – just leave a comment below!

Chelsea,

P.S Don’t forget I offer FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING on all items!

         We've all heard phrases like red hot or lady in red used to describe the attractiveness of a woman. That's certainly true, IF it's done properly.  "Proper", of course, is subject to definition, depending upon your goals. Right now I'm going to talk to you about looking and feeling sexy this Valentine's Day whether your having a girls night at a martini bar or a special dinner date with your man!

The LRD (Little Red Dress) .... Is it a staple in your closet?

         Several studies and psychologists have provided strong evidence that both men and women found the opposite sex significantly more attractive and appealing when they were wearing the color red. Funny enough, when men were shown pictures of  the same woman, one picture wearing blue and the other in red, the men were more likely to date the woman in red and also said they'd spend more money on her!?!?  

        Now, I am definitely not suggesting this be your goal for wearing red, but it's interesting to see what a huge difference a color can make in one's opinions. Psychology is certainly not short on surprises!

         I remember my second date with my boyfriend.  We went to a trendy pizzeria (my dream date - who doesn't like pizza and wine!?) and I wore a knee length, boat neck, cotton dress from Forever 21 in a deep red.  My wardrobe consists mostly of neutrals and black but it was a warm evening and I chose to wear this comfortable dress.  Well, I've never received so many compliments and to this day he still talks about that $20 dress which I now save for special occasions.  After reading these studies, I don't think I would have gotten the same reaction if it was in a different color.

If a red dress or red shirt is too bold for you and not quite your style, there are other easy ways to incorporate red into your look.

Here are a few ways to add some red flair this Valentine's Day:

* Statement necklace

* Arm candy

* Earrings or a bold ring

* Red heels or even some black pumps with red soles

* Lip gloss or lipstick

* Hair accessories (headband, hair bow, hair feathers)

         If you don't have any red pieces, you can always revamp old jewelry with paint.  Just head to your local craft store
or dollar store for some crafty and affordable inspiration!

Colors can portray different feelings depending on the context, but on the dating scene this color truly is considered RED HOT!

Until next time, XO

P.S  Want to treat yourself this Valentine's Day?  Check out my DIY fashion post and video by clicking HERE