Manicure Monday: fall is here! wait, no ?

by : Katrina

Happy Manicure Monday everyone!

“Katrina it’s 70 degrees today, tomorrow 84, and Wednesday 92!-_- and then back down to 70 on Thursday”  – morning text for Kim (lol)

NY weather seems to be trying to make it’s way into fall but still can’t cut the cord from summer just yet- similar to our manicures this week.

Kim’s Mani:

Color: OPI  “dulce de leche”  –  a beautiful nude/pink cream color!

& on her pinky: OPI ” diva of geneva”  – A red based- purple color with the perfect gold shimmer.

Isn’t her home mani on point though ?

Sam’s Mani:

Color: “Sprung” by OPI from their Mariah Carey Collection

The perfect and fun shimmery- copper color. &  its opaque!

Salon: Spring Nail on 14th st

Katrina’s Mani:

Color: “After School Boy Blazer” from Essie‘s fall 2013 collection.

This blue-black color is perfect.  Also- Lasted longer than any other Essie color I’ve tried.

Salon: Rose Nails – NJ

Thanks for checking out our bipolar manicures to match NY’s bipolar weather. What do you guys think?! 

Cutting off the Claws

by: Katrina

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! After weeks of growing my nails to what to me is “claw” lengths, the saddest day came when I had to cut them off. 😦 Having long nails definitely made me feel pretty, more girly, and all that good stuff- plus they looked amazing! But from scratching myself by accident to getting caught in random things- I just couldn’t take them anymore. How do you ladies do it?! Sam also had to trim her claws down. It was a devastating week for both of us but if you can’t even work a copy machine because of your nails- its a problem. Are we just being dramatic ?

Left: Last picture of my claws in American Apparel “Office”

Right: Post claws in Essie’s “Meet me at the altar”

Sam’s Mani: ” Up Front & Personal” by OPI

Nail Salon: Inwood Nail 4963 Broadway (between 207th St & 211th St) New York, NY 10034

Kim’s Mani: “Where’s my chauffeur?” by Essie

Nail Salon: Spring Sun Nail Spa 221 W14th st New York, NY 10011

Kim is still fortunate enough to have her beautiful claws!

Do you ladies prefer long or short nails ?

Beauty on a Budget- Tiffany

By: Sam

Hello there, beauties! Today I’d like to introduce you to an old friend of mine, Tiffany Mendez. I met Tiffany while working my first job (in retail) when I was just 18 years old. From then on, I always noticed how much she loved makeup and how impeccable her skin looked despite how much she experimented with it. In social media she refers to herself as Tiffy Rouge, where she showcases her vivacious street style and bold makeup looks (that she does all her own.) Since we’ve started blogging, I always thought she’d be the perfect girl to feature on Thirteenth & Hudson. Luckily when I asked her, she was thrilled to share her insightful & affordable beauty secrets with us and with you all :-D.

Name: Tiffany Mendez

Age: 24

Location: New York City, NY

Skin Type: Combination

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On her skincare: “Since I wear makeup on a regular basis, I need to keep my skin looking healthy at all times. We all get breakouts but I always try to keep my skin healthy by drinking lots of water. I also use homemade remedies to keep my skin glowing. Sometimes I wash my face with salt and water, which is good for breakouts and cleaning impurities. I also use apple cider vinegar with organic rose water (mixed together) as a face wash after all my makeup is removed. I use a cloth to wash, and then let it dry. The rose water kills the strong vinegar smell, so I recommend using it before bed”.

Fave Beauty Products: “My favorite foundation to use is from Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Makeup (shade 60). It fights breakouts and does not clog pores. I say, run to the nearest drug store and grab it in your shade, you will thank me later (lol). I always get a medium tone or a slightly darker shade if I want a natural looking tan. My favorite mascara is Volum-Express The Falsies by Maybelline. It literally makes your eyelashes look full and longer. For lips and eye makeup, I love ‘Wet N Wild‘ products. I have recently discovered their amazing and affordable products. From lip stains to matte lipstick, you name it, they have it! I love their 967 (Dollhouse Pink) lipstick (pictured above). I advise every girl to give Wet N Wild a chance. Trust me–your bank account will thank you”.

On her hair: “My number one asset when it comes to my overall look is my hair. I prefer Organix Moroccan Oil products, it works magic on any hair type. I always try different things with my hair, from coloring to heat styling, I’ve done it all that’s why I use products that will maintain moisture and keep my hair looking healthy”.

What’s your beauty secret? “Sleep. When your body restores itself, it benefits your entire body. I try to sleep 8 hours when I can, it will prevent you from looking like the Cookie Monster or older than you actually are. Plus, always remove your makeup before bed. You will remain beautiful and younger! Hope my beauty secrets helps all the hot ladies in NYC! xx”.

For more of Tiffy Rouge, be sure to check out her YouTube channel: Tiffy Rouge and Vine: (@tiffyrouge)

Pretty & Pristine

By: Sam

Hey, hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend! Today, instead of simply showing off a cute manicure, I wanted to include a few tips of my own for maintaining strong and healthy nails.

As you know it is always important, whether at home or at the nail salon to use a base coat. This is the base coat I’ve been using for about a year:

This base coat is made by a Colombian brand called, “Quimica Alemana“. I was introduced to this base coat by my local nail salon, Inwood Nails (4963 Broadway (between 207th St & 211th St) New York, NY 10034). My sister’s manicurist, Fisher always uses it on her nails and my sister liked it so much she purchased one from the salon. Ever since then, we both use it as a base coat wherever we go to get our nails done. It is advertised on Amazon.com ($7.39) as a “nail hardener”, treating nail chips, splits, and peeling. I also like to use it as a clear coat when I take a break from getting regular manicures (about once a month for about a week).

On my manicure “breaks” I also like to use NK’s Garlic Treatment (with Vitamin E) ($1.99):

It is designed to condition and fortify the nail to heal and prevent the wear and tear of frequently manicured (and gel manicured) nails. I know the word garlic may be a put off, but it is scent-free. I recommend using this at least once a week if not more. This was also purchased at my local salon but can be found online!

So here’s my manicure for this week:

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I opted for something simple…for now. My birthday and graduation are coming up so I’m saving all the drama for later this week, lol. This is OPI’s “It’s a Girl” as the first coat and then I chose OPI’s “Princesses Rule!” as the shimmery second coat. ;). I can’t complain, my nails have been in pretty good shape since using these products.

What are your favorite base coats/nail treatments?

A Gem from Japan

By: Katrina

Hey guys, I wanted to tell you about how I plan to keep my skin hydrated this spring/summer, especially on hot and humid days like this! My aunt took a trip to her homeland and brought me back some Japanese goodies!

Aside from the best thing ever made –GREEN TEA KIT KATS, she got me the next
best thing for my face: Puresa Face Mask. The information on the box is in Japanese so I had no idea what it was for- all I knew was I was curious enough to try.

I tried the face mask 3 days ago:

After spending last weekend in Miami , the sun and salt water did some damage to my otherwise normal skin. So, I washed my face before applying the mask using my usual face wash (Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser, $6.99) Instructions say to leave the mask on for about 10-15 minutes, then after taking it off, gently massage the mask residue left on your skin (no need to rinse!)

The mask left my face feeling so smooth and soft that I didn’t even need a moisturizer afterwards. How is that even possible?!

So, with a little research I found that the mask contains enough collagen to not use moisturizer for the day. I didn’t have to use my Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($16.99) for 2 ENTIRE DAYS- has never happened. Today is the 3rd day and my skin feels smooth
and hydrated:

For me, this is perfect to use for the summer, after laying out in the sun for too long!

You can purchase these masks on eBay for $12 for a pack of 5. The only other place I’ve seen them are at Mitsuwa (Japanese market place ) Fortlee, NJ for $13.00.

*There are different masks from this brand for different skin types. 😉

Has anyone else tried these ? What do you look for in a face mask?

The Road to Hair Recovery

By: Sam

Last time I gave you the 411 on my hair, I was cutting off the damage and bitter-sweetly accepting my new short do. I realized however, regaining hair health isn’t just about getting rid of what’s damaged but to ensure that future growth is healthy and strong. In the last few years I’ve experimented so much with color (dying & toning) that I can only imagine my hair’s a bit traumatized and needs a little TLC in order to achieve my latest hair goal: Rapunzel length hair. (lol).

So here’s my hair 3-4 weeks ago:

For those who do not know, I have (3b-3c type) curls. Also my hair gets very dry (as most curls do), prone to frizz and needs extra hydration. I know on average,  hair grows about 1/2 inch-1 inch a month, but I am going to share with you my “my hair growth system” which includes steps and extra tips that I feel has been working for me.

1. Taking hair supplements– I started taking Phytophanère Hair And Nails Dietary Supplement ($59, Available at Sephora) right about when I took this picture. A bottle comes with 120 capsules which will last you two months, taking 2 a day in the morning with a glass of water. These supplements contain Biotin, Vitamin E, Vitamin B & C, Omega 3 and 6, and much more. Instructions recommend you take them for at least 4 months. I know it is not proven that these will 100% work but I do feel like due to taking these supplements, my new growth (and will show you in another post very soon) has been much softer, stronger, and overall healthier. Also my eyelashes are the longest they’ve ever been!

2. Shampooing as little as possible – Washing your hair to keep it clean is okay, but washing your hair too much can be drying. So, I’m now washing my hair 3 times a week and use sulfate free shampoo. My favorite is Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo ($9.99, Available at local Pharmacies, including Walgreens). *Do take note that if your hair becomes very dirty and oily, at least once a week use a standard shampoo that contains sulfate. Also, NEVER rinse your hair with very hot water, cool water helps retain its moisture.

3. Weekly Deep Treatments – This is a very important step! Me personally, I like to put on deep treatments and sleep with them overnight (I put a towel over my pillow when doing so) and fasten my hair into a top bun. I like to alternate 2 deep treatments, one being Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil ($13.59 on Amazon.com, available at your local Trader Joes), and the other being Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque ($9.99, Available at local pharmacies, including Walgreens). Coconut Oil contains nutrients like Vitamin E, K, and iron, which help shield hair protein and retain hair moisture. I have been doing this consistently for about 2-3 months and have noticed a difference in my hair. No matter what your hair situation, a deep treatment is a must.

4. Cut back on heat styling– Imagine being put in the dryer with rollers (high heat temp), then getting your hair blown out, and going over it with a flatiron. Now imagine doing that once every week for a number of months. I mean…that has got to take toll on your hair. I am vastly cutting back, blow drying my hair 1-2 times a month (at most). This prevents further damage and breakage on ones hair. Also, try to cut back on the use of hair gel (which may contain alcohol, and is therefore drying).

5. Eating Healthier– I am a firm believer in “you are what you eat”. I simply try to be mindful of foods that have been known to be beneficial for hair. I eat lots of avocado (essential fatty acids) and have poultry (protein), and add blueberries (Vitamin C) to my fruit smoothies, and use spinach (iron, vitamin C, beat-carotene) in my salads. Drink lots of water, too! *For more info on “hair friendly” foods check this out: Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair (By Elizabeth B. Krieger & Reviewed by Victoria Barbosa, MD)

6. Massage Your Scalp – I like to do this as often as I can, it is said to be good for your hair as it stimluates hair growth and blood flow. I think of it has giving my hair a well-deserved hug for all I’ve put it through. *For an extra special scalp massage, I like to put Josie Maran’s Argan oil (ranges from $14-$96, available at Sephora) in my hair and massage using my fingers (not my nails) in slow circular motion.

7. Regular Trims– Even if your goal is to have long hair, regular trims keep your hair looking healthy. You don’t want those split ends to rise now do you? So trim every 6-10 weeks, unless your hair really needs some repairing and there is a lot of damage, 4-6 weeks.

In future posts, I will be showing pictures of my hair progress; straightened to show the length as well as my curly hair to show the difference in overall healthiness. (fingers crossed!)

Hope you guys find these tips to be helpful :). Are you in the process of growing out your hair? What has been beneficial to you?

Also be sure to follow us on Twitter: @13thandHudson

Beauty 101: Mom Edition

By: Kim

You always hear the stories of little girls playing dress up in mommy’s closet: stepping into her heels, climbing into her prettiest dresses, drowning ourselves in her longest pearls. It’s truly organic to want to look and feel as beautiful as our moms when we watched them get ready every morning. As for me though, I took the game of dress-up to a new level by scouring through mom’s makeup bag as often as I could.(Sorry Mom! :))

Of course there were the staples: a red lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, and then there were the products whose purpose I couldn’t quite understand (foundation? Bronzer? What’s that?) I wish I knew then that these products would become staples in my every day life. (Perhaps I could’ve started saving for my beauty habits back then? Lol.)

Growing up, I admired my mother for very many reasons. One thing you simply could not ignore, though, was her beauty.

Paying homage to the women we adore, admire, and love, we present to you Thirteenth&Hudson’s beauty secrets from our moms. Happy Mother’s Day to you all!

Kim:

My mom lives by DIY and home remedies for skin care. Recently she sent along this tip for an at-home cleansing facial mask using baking soda. Enjoy!

Sam:

My mom’s beauty secret is that she will never leave the house without her favorite lipstick: Revlon’s 006.

Katrina:

I’m convinced my mom has secretly found the fountain of youth but she swears by the Lancome Energie De Vie line and a healthy lifestyle

Shea Moisture- My Curl Thirst Quencher

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by Katrina

On the hunt for the right curl cream? Sam introduced me to Shea Moisture products, which was also suggested by Refinery 29. Before, I used Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curl cream and it just stopped working like everything else. My hair was also damaged from years of flat ironing at least 3x per week so I needed something to bring my hair back to life. I cut off what was left of my damaging ombre and started using the Deep Treatment Masque (available at Walgreens $8.99) once a week. I would leave it in over night and wash my hair in the morning.

What this product does: This all-natural intensive treatment masque deeply moisturizes and repairs dry, damaged, or brittle hair. (perfect for transitioning chemically treated hair to natural)
Pros: Affordable for those on a budget, smells good, contains sea kelp to seal and smooth hair cuticles, and argan oil to promote hair elasticity.
Cons: None (So Far)

While my hair is still wet, I apply the Curl Enhancing Smoothie(available at Walgreens $7.99).

What this product does: The nutrient rich vegetable butters condition hair, and restore moisture and shine. It enhances curls, minimizes frizz, and provides curl control.
Pros: A natural product. Contains coconut oil, silk protein , and neem oil which are all beneficial for curly hair! Smells amazing.
Cons: none!

Since I started using my hair feels very soft and my curls are more defined. Also, its lasts! no need to re-apply the curl enhancer the following morning. So far these products are the best products I’ve found for my hair. Get to Walgreens ASAP while they’re still on sale! I’ve been using these heaven sent products for 6 weeks now. Check out the slideshow for before and after pictures!

Has anyone else tried any of the Shea Moisture products? Please share your curly hair secrets with us!

Product review- Butter up!

Let me tell you about my secret weapon …

Name: Raw African Shea butter

Price: $5!

Where you can find it: Any local beauty store, I have yet to see it at the pharmacy or places like target.

Skin type: Normal, but reacts weird to extreme temperatures (too hot /too cold).

Why I like this product: My skin and the winter don’t get along. This cold weather leaves me feeling dry and sometimes itchy. Itching leads to scratching which leads to rashes and they are not a good look! Sam introduced me to this product about 2 years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since . You can use it for just about everything- the label speaks for itself.

I apply this once a day over my entire body (preferably after showering before bed) so I wake up with my skin feeling like a baby’s bottom.

The Shea butter comes sort of grainy and hard so rubbing it between your hands will melt it and make the application much easier . ( or you can count on your bf to leave it on top of a radiator by accident until it melts -which is what happened to me) It doesn’t have much of a girly/pretty scent so I like to throw on some baby cologne after wards.

This product is also great in the summer and can be used as sunscreen, oh and perfect for massages 😉