The Convertible Strapless Bra: Tricky To Manuever But A Must-Have

The bra.

Love it or hate it, we just need to wear one most of the time. And since it is summer with lots of bare skin fashion, you need a great bra that instantly hides the straps + offers up solid support. 

So let's put down the hood and talk about the CONVERTIBLE.

That's right ladies, the convertible strapless bra. And if you don't own one, well, you need one. It is a must-have.

Here are a few interesting bra nuggets:

1. Did you know that the most popular bra size here in the U.S. is a 36C?! Hmmm, well, we certainly got robbed.

2. Did you know that a woman should own 3-5 everyday bras, according to fit expert for Vanity Fair, Tiffany Aschenbrenner.

3. Did you know that you also need a high-impact sports bra and a convertible strapless number for special occasions?

4. Did you know that the smart thing to do, is rotate the bras throughout the week? "This will minimize stretch and extend a bra's life from regular wear and tear," Tiffany told InStyle magazine.

5. Did you know that when it comes to caring for bras, we've been told that hand-washing is better than machine-washing?.

Getting back to the convertible strapless bra, we attempted this morning to fashion ours into the criss-cross style to hide our bra straps from a top with cut-in shoulders. We struggled, dork that we are. It took some adjustment, but the convertible is a clever bra, and works!

Check out this Parisa Body Veil Convertible Strapless Bra, $38, free shipping at Nordstrom.

Hubby Apollo's Gone To Prison But Phaedra Parks Keeps Eye Makeup Looking Fab!

Atlanta Housewives star Phaedra Parks probably knew this was coming down, but the glamorous southern belle never lets them see her sweat.

Her bad-boy husband Apollo Nida has just been sentenced to 8-years federal prison time for his role in a much-publicized mail, wire + bank fraud scandal.

He's done the prison thing before, but it hurts because he and Phaedra have a beautiful family with 2 adorable, little boys.

Miss Phaedra, ALWAYS a proud, strong woman, did NOT attend yesterday's sentencing hearing in Georgia's US District Court.
We think Apollo got a soft sentence, considering the charges initially involved up to 30-years behind bars for identity theft + money laundering totaling some $2.3 million.

Meantime, Phaedra Parks has always continued caring for her family and was even out peddling her new book, "Secrets of the Southern Belle" back in April of this year.

Phaedra's makeup is ALWAYS immaculate, prim + proper. And her cat eye makeup is FAB!

LOVE the sultry, black eyeliner + sexy faux lashes!

To get those pretty peepers, try these light, natural-looking false lashes from lashesinabox #10, a  20-piece set for $25.

Makeup artist Mikaela South gives an excellent demo on how to apply the LashesinaBox #10 false lashes. Check it out here.

Dreads Are Dope When You Look Like Ciara: But Hair Needs TLC

We don't care what the critics say, because there are a few of them out there giving thumbs down to new mama Ciara's sexy, super-long dreads.

We think Ciara looks gorgeous with her new extension locks! Is that a heavy look for a hot summer full of humidity?

Oh, yeah. But---when you look like beautiful Ciara, you can rock the dreads. Word has it that Ciara got the dreads for a new Calvin Klein ad campaign coming up.

And then there is this TV dreads pioneeer, Lisa Bonet, STILL choosing her signature dreads, and STILL looking fab in them.

Huxtable hair was where it was it, and still remains so.

Even Lisa Bonet's hot honey Jason Momoa had dreamy dreadlocks for a while.
Yes.....Dreads are dope. BUT----not the easiest hairstyle to care for. Some people think you don't even attempt to wash dreads, but that is a major No-No.

Of course you have to shampoo and add some TLC, or tender loving care to dreads.

We did some studying up on dreads and found this great website where you can learn ALL about dreads and the right hair products to keep dreads tight and just about maintenance-free.

Check it out here.

And for some amazing facts + rumors about dreads, see this website at dreadlocks.com.

Want To Try Going The No-Poo Route For Healthier Hair? Try Suave Coconut

Hair.

If you check our extensive archive here at Beauty Tip Today, you will be bombarded with tons of posts about HAIR.

Yes....We are obsessed, since our own locks are a stubborn head with a mind of its own, so to speak.

There has been SO much information about the no-poo system, and how "washing" your hair with silicone-free conditioners or baking soda + apple cider vinegar will deliver stronger, healthier, shinier, cleaner HAIR.

Well, that's what all the testers claim to have received after trying the no-poo method out for a few months.

We have tried the so-called silicone-free conditioners, and for us, well, we're not sure it is that effective. Yes---no-pooing left our locks SOFT + tangle-free. But super clean and odor-free?!

Hmmm. Not for us.

But.....we are just one tester. Many women + men have become no-poo converts and report LONGER + healthier locks compared to frequent shampooing.

After doing some beauty research, we have found that SUAVE Naturals Conditioner in Tropical Coconut is one of the best + cheapest no-poo conditioners to try,

And it IS a super beauty budget buy at just $2.29 for a BIG 22.5 fl. oz. bottle at your favorite RiteAid store.

So, how do you no-poo?

We stumbled on to a blogger named Rebecca, an expert no-poo-er for 2.5 years now.

You can check out Rebecca's no-poo method here.

Hair Already Damaged In Early July? Then Spritz + Watch A Miracle!

Heat + humidity can both do a number on your hair. The sun can fade colored locks swiftly + extensively. It can also leave behind the frizzies and even dry out your mane.

On top of all that, highlighting, blow-drying, straightening, bleaching, flat-ironing and so forth, all serve to weaken the hair shaft + remove the shine. Usually by the END of summer, your hair is CRYING out for help and tender loving care.

Well, it's ONLY early July, and some of you might already be struggling with limp, dull, dried out tresses. A healthy trim will clean up some of the damaged hair. But the products you use also play a key role.

We adore leave in hair treatments because we are lazy and like many of you, prefer the quick fix. Here's a good one that most salons sell, but that you can also pick up at beauty stores. NOT cheap at $21.99, but it works effectively and lasts a while.

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin (at Walgreen's) promises to perform 10 great hair things:

1. Maintenance of keratin straightening treatments
2. Increases styling and manageability
3. Perfect for all hair types
4. Replaces lost protein
5. Protects the natural keratin in hair
6. Protects against heat
7. Restores hydration balance
8. Detangles, defrizzes and adds shine
9. Strengthens hair structure
10. Seals cuticles for extra silky hair

To see the complete collection of It's a 10 hair treatments, click here.

First Lady Michelle Puts On BIG, Gold Hoop Earrings Like J Lo For WH July 4th Party

We LOVE it!

First Lady Michelle Obama is photographed wearing BIG, and we mean 4-inch, gold HOOPS yesterday at a July 4th barbecue on the White House South Lawn, honoring the country's servicemen + servicewomen.

So very J Lo, Mrs. Obama!

The First Lady looked elegant in a flirty white, sundress with hair neatly pulled back in a chic bun.

“Because of you, we’re safe, we’re free, we depend on you for our way of life, and the sacrifices you make are extraordinary,” President Obama said.

The President warmly greeted military families from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

It's not easy for a First lady to define her style while spending her moments in the White House under such a prestigious position.

Michelle Obama likes to break the First Lady fashion rules, and we admire that about her.

Big, 4-inch hip hop hoops are quite unique + edgy for a First Lady. The jewelry choice surprised us when we caught her last evening on the news.

We applaud the BIG, gold signature, J Lo hoops!

Celebs All Loving The Ripped Jeans Look: Rip It Real Good!

Ripped jeans.

You either LOVE the look or HATE it.

Whatever you feel about it, it's a HOT summer trend, and celebs of all ages are letting theirs RIP!

Jane Fonda....Yes, the Academy award-winning actress even showed up on the red carpet in a pair of slim-fitting ripped jeans. Okay....Jane has a gorg figure still at age 76. Work it, girl!

And then there was Mama Kris Jenner Kardashian also in the ripped jeans trend, doing it in white.

By the way, every Kardashian + Jenner gal have been snapped in sexy ripped jeans. Model Kendall

has been wearing ripped jeans EVERY week. She's in TopShop Moto Vintage Ripped Boyfriend Jeans. 

 And of course, stylish mama Kim really let hers RIP in a major fashion statement:

Want to get with the ripped jeans look? Then rip it real good, and check out these ripped beauties from TopShop.

Get your summer lovin' grunge on, girls!