Month: July 2020

Brown Hair Dye Kits That’ll Transform You Into a Brilliant Brunette

Finding the perfect brown hair dye can be tough. You can’t tell if by looking at the box that you’re going to end up with bright reddish brown hair or brown hair so dark that it’s nearly black. Those dye mistakes can take a while to fade. Or if they do begin to disappear, they might leave your hair looking even more red. If you wanted to look like a bad knock-off Cheryl Blossom, you would have gotten a real red hair dye. Assuming that’s not the effect you’re going for, it can be extremely frustrating. That’s why we combed through and identified the best brown hair dye kits for you. 

Whether you’re just looking to touch-up your last dye job or ready to become a full-on brunette, these hair dye kits can help. They’re fan-favorites and include instructions that are easy to follow for those of you who have never used box dye before. One of our picks even comes with a conditioner, so you can nourish your hair afterwards. The dyes come in a variety of shades, so you should be able to find the exact brown color that you’ve been envisioning.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Non-Chalky Dry Shampoos to Revive Oily Strands

I’m pretty sure that we can all safely agree that dry shampoo is without a doubt one of the most genius beauty inventions of all time. For those with fine or oily hair, the powdery spray is basically a lifesaver. Or, if you’re like many people and prefer not to wash your hair daily, dry shampoo can instantly mop up extra oil, revive volume and texture, and give your musky locks a fresh scent when a shampoo just isn’t on the agenda. Another hack? You can actually use it to lighten up outgrown roots on blonde hair—I have done this many, many times, and it seriously works like a charm.

Unfortunately, while dry shampoo comes to our rescue time and time again, it’s not exactly gentle on the hair—especially if you have dry ends, bleach-induced breakage, or damage of any kind. Because of its chalky consistency, it can be rather drying—not to mention accumulate follicle-clogging buildup on the scalp, which can cause flaking, irritation, and inhibit hair growth. Fortunately, opting for a dry shampoo formula that’s infused with hydrating argan oil can help reduce these “side effects.” These formulas not only bring limp locks back to life while soaking up the grease, but they also nourish and moisturize your mane as well. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few of favorite non-drying formulas to test out for yourself.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Mercury Retrograde? What’s the Fuss All About?

mercury retrograde

Yesterday, I was on the phone with my sister, who lives and is quarantined in Buenos Aires. She was complaining that so many different things around the house needed fixing.

As she was telling me about her broken electric oven, her television and cell phone malfunctions, I immediately thought of Mercury retrograde and looked up the dates for this year. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Mercury has been in retrograde since June 18th.

I had the pleasure of sounding like a seasoned astrologer, which I am certainly not since my incursions into astral influence are limited to reading the occasional horoscope in a magazine at the doctor’s office.

But this time, quite sure of myself, I blamed all of my sister’s problems on Mercury being in retrograde motion. She took a second to absorb what I was saying and then we laughed. “I knew there was a reason for all these misfortunes!” she said.

I learned about Mercury retrograde last year in a similar phone conversation with my friend Diane who lives in Manchester. I told her about my air conditioner’s compressor, which had malfunctioned in 90-degree Miami heat, my television, which turned on and off at random, and Siri, who spoke to me without any provocation in the middle of the night.

The A/C had to be repaired, but both the TV and my phone “healed” themselves in a few days without any intervention. Diane, who is very interested in and serious about astrology, gave me the answer. Yes, you guessed it: Mercury retrograde was in full steam.

I’ve always admired her conviction and her vast knowledge on the subject of how the other planets affect us here on Earth, so I thought I’d dig deeper.

Do Astrologers Have the Answer?

It turns out that three or four times a year, the planet Mercury goes in retrograde motion – that is, it appears to move in an opposite direction to planet Earth. The same thing happens when our planet passes Mercury in our orbit around the Sun.

In fact, however, Mercury is just moving slower than Earth, creating the visual illusion that it’s moving in retrograde – much like when we’re travelling by car parallel to a train and the train seems to be going backwards. That’s the simplest explanation I have found.

Mercury Retrograde Is All About Communication

Mercury retrograde is blamed for everything from miscommunication here on Earth to technological bugs, botched business deals, scams, missed flights, mechanical issues with our cars, or even a broken cell phone.

Astrologers believe that you should take extra care during this time, and many enthusiasts say you should think twice before buying a new phone, home appliance, computer, or a car.

They also advise to take precautions with the things you have; keeping your phone in a safe place and making sure that your water bottle is kept well away from your computer, for instance. It is also not a good time to sign any business deals or hold relationship-defining conversations.

Mercury Retrograde, Covid-19, and the Beginning of Lockdown

Checking the dates when Mercury was retrograde in 2020 – which was from February 17 until March 10th – and the early stages of the pandemic, I realized that this celestial event may have had an effect on communications and relationships right from the start.

I shuddered as I remembered the frantic interactions with family and friends in the beginning of lockdown when we acknowledged the importance of Skype, Zoom, and Facetime to communicate with our loved ones.

Sometimes we were successful and sometimes it was difficult to communicate as we learned how to use the many online tools. We suddenly realized that they were indispensable and a blessing in these unusual times.

Flights Delayed and Cancelled

As the coronavirus took over the world, many people could not return home and had to ‘shelter in place’ wherever they were. I was expected to fly from Miami on March 16th to meet my daughter and grandchildren in New York.

They were coming from Ottawa to celebrate a birthday, and we were planning all sorts of fun things, including watching Hamilton on Broadway. Instead of flying, however, I decided to stay home and prepare for my own isolation.

I’m still in shock, thinking that had I taken that flight, I could have been forced to stay in New York locked down in a hotel in Manhattan until now – my daughter without her husband, my grandchildren away from their home and me.

Mercury Backtracks Again

After a short break, Mercury went retrograde again on June 18th and will remain so until July 12th. The astrologers seem to think that when Mercury is in retrograde it gives us a chance to slow down, to reconsider, to be grateful and mindful, and to take things slower.

Also, to be kind, thoughtful, and to communicate with our friends, even those we haven’t seen or heard from in years. To be cautious with our relationships and make an effort not to hurt with our words or with our actions.

This is where our time in isolation pays off. For several months now we’ve had the time to ponder, to be introspective, and grateful. Whether we believe or even understand astrology, we can agree that this is good advice. The next Mercury retrograde will be from October 14th until November 3. Be prepared.

I’ve Become a Believer!

Mercury is in retrograde as I write this. I’m watching my computer and phone like a hawk. Fortunately, I’m not driving much, so I guess my car is OK. My relationships with those I care about are in good shape, and I have spoken with people I haven’t seen in quite a while.

My gratitude journal is flowering daily with what I am fortunate enough to have. I am paying attention. If you would like a more professional approach to the matter of the planets, there is plenty to read on the subject. Read up and enjoy, I’m sure your further research will be interesting.

Has Mercury retrograde caused you any communication problems? Are you interested in astrology? Tell us your experience with this astrological phenomenon!

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Red Hair Dye Kits That’ll Give You a More Natural Look

Sometimes when red hair dye goes wrong, it goes really wrong. You thought that you were going to look like Madelaine Petsch or Jessica Chastain after you were done with the box dye, but instead you look like Ariel from The Little Mermaid in the worst possible way. No matter if you’re touching up your roots, injecting your hair with some more red or going auburn for the first time ever, you should be a cautious shopper. You should know exactly what shade of red you want and carefully evaluate your options. We found the best red hair dye kits for you. 

Not only do these kits have a wide variety of reds, ranging from light auburn to a red so dark it looks purple-y. You’ll be able to find a shade that suits your style. Two of our picks are ammonia-free, so you won’t have to deal with that horrible smell emanating from your head while you wait. Those two dyes are gentler on your hair and more moisturizing. Our third pick does have ammonia in it, but it does promise a multi-tonal look and to last for up to eight weeks.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Trendy Green Eyeshadow for a Celeb-Loved Look

It feels like all of a sudden celebrities and influencers started trying green eyeshadow again after taking a break from the shade. In pretty pastels, deep forest greens and bright neon hues, it’s seriously versatile. Plus, it’s easy to find a green shade that pops against your unique skin tone. There are just that many options to choose from even just in the green family.

Don’t be afraid to try the celeb-loved eyeshadow color. It doesn’t have to be ultra-bold. Try combining green with a deep shade of plum or navy to brighten up a smoky eye. Or go for a monochromatic look with all-over lid color and a swipe of green on the lower lash line. It’s gorgeous with rosy cheeks and a pink lip and looks fresh during any season.

Shop ultra-blendable green eyeshadow in matte, shimmer and glitter formulas for a variety of Zoom-ready eyeshadow looks either day or night. Choose from a palette filled with shimmer and glitter hues, a more neutral mini palette with pops of contrasting colors or a single eyeshadow in shimmery forest green. The possibilities are endless. These affordable picks are highly pigmented, too, and have minimal fallout. You can’t go wrong with that.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes

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