Note, not everyone can pull this look off.

If you ever find yourself flush with cash and in Tribeca, go spend your windfall on some new eyebrows from Jimena Garcia at Tenoverten salon — she’s a bona fide artiste and just the coolest. (This we know from our heady fashion magazine days.) Alas, if your budget, like ours, is more in the range of the tip at a fancy place like that, where do you go in Brooklyn? We want to make a list of reader-recommended eyebrow joints, so we’ll kick things off with a find from Nikki Jo Grossman’s South Brooklyn beauty guide:

I have been a customer of Raheela’s (1117 Coney Island Ave.,  718-859-3133) eyebrow threading salon for years now and I am yet to find a comparable salon for shaping, speed and price. At $7 for eyebrows and only $1 more if you choose to do your upper-lip at the same time, you’re not finding a better deal. With upward of 7 women performing threading services simultaneously, the wait is usually pretty short. But if you are like me and demand perfection in an eyebrow then I suggest waiting for Raheela herself. You’ll find that most of the patrons there are doing the same.

Do you have a Raheela-caliber eyebrow ace? Tell us in the comments. Thanks!

Yes, this is a terrible picture but you get the idea.

Unless you’re doing a rose petal hoohah at D’mai, Brooklyn nail salons can blend into one another, with better or worse colors, cleaner or crustier foot baths, more or less sadistic technicians. But here’s an inexpensive neighborhood place that deserves a Brokelyn shout out. A basic mani-pedi at Nails by Amy, a newish nail salon on Ft. Hamilton Parkway in Kensington Windsor Terrace, includes a foot massage to rival big-name Manhattan spas, all for the low low price of $19.99 Tues. – Thurs., and $21.99 Fri. – Sunday. Both times we’ve been, were assigned to Jimmy, Amy’s husband. That Amy is one lucky gal — this dude knuckles and kneads your feet into a state of higher being for nearly 20 minutes, and his other pedi skills are up there too. Word from the other massage chairs is that the ladies are just as badass. By the way, Nails by Amy is right around the corner from another Kensington Windsor Terrrace reader fave, Haircare by Yolanda.

Nails by Amy, 2907 Ft. Hamilton Parkway at East 4th St., 718-436-2898 

Sunday, November 27
2 to 4 pm
Third Root Community Health Center, 380 Marlborough Rd. at Cortelyou.
RSVP in person, by phone at 718-940-9343 or by email at rsvp@thirdroot.org

Led by Liz Neves, maker of Raganella’s Botanical Solutions

[via Krrb]

For best results, blend avocado first. Unlike me.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that my hair was looking like a dirty rag. Whether Seasonal Affective Disorder was taking its toll or the cause was lack of sunlight, I needed a boost. I’d always heard that avocado, beer, olive oil, and yogurt gave hair great shine or body, so I decided to put all of them in my hair (one at a time) to see if any of those claims had a basis in reality.

DISCLAIMER: It won’t behoove you to use these products instead of store-bought shampoo and conditioner, but it could save at least $10 from buying a hair-treatment masque.

(The really good ones, like Kérastase, will run you about $45 or more for a 6.8 oz jar.) For those who have no idea what a hair masque is, just think of it as a marinade for hair. Just like no one wants dry, flavorless meat, no one wants parched, dull hair.

For each treatment, I rinsed my hair with water and then applied liberal amounts of the product being used as a masque, then let it marinate on my head, however uncomfortably, for about three to five minutes. Then I washed it out, sometimes several times, and when my hair dried, I inspected it for ad-worthy shine.

For that blue-ribbon shine

1) Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboy ($4, N7 Market, Williamsburg) Your experience need not be as uncomfortable as mine was — just think ahead and take the beer out of the fridge first. That annoyance aside, the smell of cold PBR at 9 am on a Friday proved extremely nostalgic. I used 3/4 of the tallboy can, and nothing was noticeable right away, but once my hair dried naturally for a night on the town, it shimmered subtly. I happen to know from experience that the longer you let beer sit on your hair and the more often you do it (thank you, college tailgate weekends), the shinier and smoother your hair gets. Just make sure to rinse it all out, or you’ll be that girl who smells like PBR.

2) Regular Olive Oil ($4, N7 Market, Williamsburg) I had terrifying visions of this particular experiment because I thought the olive oil might never come out, leaving me with hair like a 13-year-old skater boy who hasn’t figured out that it is indeed best to shower every day. Using three handfuls, I smelled like a fantastic Italian meal about to be cooked. Upon drying, my hair was still lightly coated in olive oil fat, nourishing my roots and giving me great sheen and smoothness all around.

3) Fage 2% Plain Yogurt ($2.50, N7 Market, Williamsburg) This smelled so delicious going on that I snuck a taste, but sadly it smells a lot better than it tastes, which makes it perfect for a hair masque. I ended up only needing to use half the large container, and in the end, there was no visible change but the feel of my hair was silky smooth, which I apparently appreciated because I ran my hands through it all night long.

4) Hass Avocado ($1, veggie stand at Greenpoint Avenue and Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint) By far the most awkward application, and most disgusting clean up. I did not enjoy putting crushed avocado on my head. All I kept thinking about was how I wanted to enjoy Product No. 4 drizzled with some Product No. 2 for a snack. However, after a late-night avocado hair masque, I awoke with buttery smooth, shiny, awesome-feeling hair. To avoid the hurdles I ran into, blend your avocado beforehand and use as a liquid or paste, or mash by hand. I figured crushing it with my hands would be enough, but it wasn’t. I’m pretty sure there is still avocado in my drain, another reason for the roomies to love me.

Look at that hair! For best results, try all four.

The Bottom Line: These were all fairly and surprisingly effective, but the best deal and the best result is avocado. However, since that can be messy, your second best bet is olive oil since only a few handfuls of oil are used per treatment with good results (Those who just wanted to drink the PBR can breathe a sigh of relief).

So while you might not be able to cure your SAD, you can step out with hair-commercial tresses for only a dollar per treatment or less. And that’s something to get happy about.

What do you do?
I’m currently in the last semester of undergraduate theater studies with Empire State College. I teach dance at P.S. 209 in Sheepshead Bay through the YWCA, and I intern with Community Word Project at P.S. 27 in Red Hook. My goals are to pursue an MFA in drama, and eventually a PhD in Shakespearean studies.

What are your duties as Miss Brooklyn?
My first few months were full of interviews with local media and appearances around Brooklyn. It’s your job to get the word out about this fantastic program, and the opportunities it provides young women. Secondly, you represent Brooklyn at the Miss New York pageant. The highlight of my year was working with the Block Institute in Gravesend, which serves children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Does Miss Brooklyn have to make any kind of pledges not to pose nude?
Yes—actually! The Miss America Organization, which runs the Miss Brooklyn pageant, is very conscious of its image, so certain things, like posing nude for photographs, are quite obviously off limits.

What’s the best part of being Miss Brooklyn?
Being at the Miss New York State pageant in Albany and having “YO BROOKLYN!” yelled at you the entire week by passersby.Every time the contestants went out in public with our crowns and sashes on, people would see “Brooklyn” on my sash and go nuts!

How did you do?
I believe there were 21 contestants at Miss New York this past year. I ended up as 4th runner up, which I was thrilled about!

A lot of our readers might not be “pageant types.” Any idea how a girl who works in an indie bookstore and cuts her own hair could win this thing in 2010? Let’s assume she has at least one tattoo.
The judges are looking for the young woman who will bring the most to the table as Miss Brooklyn, not the girl who can best play the part of a “pageant queen. I encourage ANYONE who meets the eligibility requirements and is willing to dedicate a year of her life to community service and representing Brooklyn to compete. Don’t buy a “pageant wardrobe”… wear what you feel beautiful in. And depending on where your tattoo(s) are, I’d recommend using some Dermablend to cover them, not because tattoos aren’t awesome, but from a distance (like the distance between the stage and the judges/ audience), tattoos often look more like really bizarre birthmarks, which might be distracting when you’re modeling a swimsuit…

Keelie with Kimberly Cantoni, Miss Staten Island 2009, in a fashion show at last year's Miss New York pageant.

We’re a budget-living blog. Any advice on where to buy a cheap swimsuit or pageant heels?
I’m a full-time student, and I work two jobs to be able to afford to live here and pay for college, so I’m a big eBay and second-hand shopper. For pageant-related stuff, www.pageantresale.com is an online consignment store that sells shoes, swimsuits, gowns… everything! I’ve gotten a majority of my appearance wardrobe from the Salvation Army in Sheepshead Bay. Wednesdays are “Family Clothing Day,” so all clothing and shoes are 50% off except for one specific tag color. I’ve found some surprisingly high-end stuff there. Also, you can solicit sponsors, and Brooklyn has been generous to me in that respect.

Who are your sponsors?
Ellen Stein (www.kettlebellen.blogspot.com) is my personal trainer, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty as my fitness sponsor—she comes to my house to train me, helps me book appearances, sometimes drives me to appearances and even secured my hair sponsor for me! Joe Taylor of J Taylor Salon on 3rd Ave in Bay Ridge does my hair—he’s PHENOMENAL! Bend and Bloom Yoga in Park Slope and Bikram Bay Ridge gave me free classes to help me cross-train before Miss New York. Pacific Tanning in Park Slope gave me free airbrush tanning. Bensonhurst Dental Care donated teeth whitening services. Karolina Almanzar did my makeup for my headshots, David Gardiner photographed me, and Bond St. Studio donated space for my headshot shoot. Additionally, Aqua Health Rehabilitation, Wafels and Dinges, Nature Pure Spa, Miss Jessie’s, Spartak Chocolate Company, North American Crystal, My Darling Diva, Covenant Ballet Theatre and the NY Steakhouse all donated services, goods, time, effort or financial support to me during my year as Miss Brooklyn.

Wow. Any budget beauty tips?
And I’ve been going to Bay Aqua Nails on Sheepshead Bay Rd. since I moved here in 2005—it’s nothing fancy, but it’s cheap (appx $25 for eyebrows, manicure and pedicure), and they get the job done. I’m really DIY when it comes to this sort of thing. I make my own exfoliant out of coffee grinds and almond oil or yogurt. And I’m a drugstore girl when it comes to cosmetics.

What’s your advice for the Democrats and Republicans on forging an agreement on healthcare?
I’d like to remind them that while they stall and re-write and argue with each other, they’re doing so as insured Americans. They’d do well to try and channel some of the urgency of the uninsured Americans who cannot wait much longer for affordable healthcare.

Does Miss Brooklyn get free drinks?
I actually don’t drink, so yes, my drinks are free, but only because I’m drinking water.

Red lips have been the perennial go-to since Cleopatra. Perhaps that’s because anyone with enough nerve can really rock a true red—it gives contrast to the fair and pop to the dark-skinned. In winter, being swaddled in bulky coats and hiding hat hair becomes a statement with a properly-hued pout. Here, reviews of five lipsticks available at our local Duane Reade, rated with a little help from a crimson-lipped friend. Just go easy on the eyeliner, in the name of all that’s holy!

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Wet ‘n Wild, “514A” ($.99)
An impressive palate selection, shiny color, and lackluster wear (as well as horribly unimaginative color naming system). I picked a scarlet-ish red and was not terribly disappointed for the first hour, mostly because I barely talked, let alone ate. After coffee, I was left with a reddish-pinkish lipliner effect that was hot with slip dresses in the mid-’90s.

Rating:

1 Scarlett
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Wet ‘n Wild MegaLast,”911D” ($2.99)
MegaLast: it promises new, it promises improved. Initially, it was more satisfying. A few hours later, I looked like the Norman Bates of Sephora—pinky red everywhere. What was left on my face delivered embarrassingly clown-like lips. Ouch. Still, not slippery-slick like so many others in its price range and the tip gives you the ’50s style shape that usually requires liner. An improvement worthy of the extra $2, but not one to risk the Big Night Out on.

Rating:

2 Scarletts

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Prestige, “Heartbreak” ($4.50)
This one came out around a neon rose. It took a lot of dabbing and wiping to get the dense, almost sticky, lipstick to achieve critical hue. Once there, the color stayed firm(ish) in the face of food and drink, but wiped off instantly on skin (so careful kissing or coughing). With repeated application, you will be left with a perceptible stain that will last most of the day.

Rating:

3 Scarletts

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NYC, “Retro Red” ($.99)
They got “retro” right. The color was rich enough to stain a glass in a dish-detergent commercial. The shade, though, was off, making me resent NYC for missing when they were so close to the mark.

Rating:

3 Scarletts

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Fran Wilson, Red “Mood Matcher” ($2.99)
A 12-hour, color-changing lipstick whose list of ingredient chemicals went halfway around the tube? I was suspicious. Putting it on, the color was a bright pink. Failed again! But wait- the color changing kicked in, and my lips grew more scarlet. This is the closest to red I’ve found so far, and the longest lasting. A cheap lipstick that’s finally pretending to be a real lipstick.

Rating:

4 Scarletts

Random fashiony photos courtesy of Peachfrog.

Don’t feel bad if Fashion Week has you pining for your own runway moment—for the next week, you don’t have to leave Brooklyn to get glammy. Starting on Saturday, quirky designer discounter  Peachfrog (136 N. 10^th St.), is throwing an all day fashion-show-cum-rock-concert in their Williamsburg boutique. It all starts with free beer and pizza at noon and then gets rolling at 4 p.m. with sets from Canada’s Dinosaur Bones and New York’s own The Fire and Reason, followed by dance troupe Cuban Soul on II. At 7 p.m. is a fashion show featuring Peachfrog customers dolled up in merchandise from the floor by the shop’s in-house stylist. It is Brokelyn policy not to argue with free beer and pizza.

Schedule an appointment for Saturday at Woodley and Bunny salon (96 N. 10^th St.), for a free cosmetic make-over using Smashbox’s new Heartbreaker collection. Get done up before heading over to Peachfrog. That way you can bring a little extra smolder of your own to the scene.

On Sunday you can still catch the tail end of Hayden-Harnett‘s (211 Franklin St.) studio/warehouse spring cleaning sale. On offer are a unique collection of samples, vintage items and “oddities” for up to 80 percent off.

Brooklyn-based clothing label Brooklyn Royalty has big plans for Fashion Week in Brooklyn. These plans include an interactive guide to Williamsburg and a party on Feb. 18 at the label’s new concept boutique Kingdom at 170 N. 4th  St. (between Bedford and Driggs). This unofficial launch party for Kingdom is free and open to the public. Attendees will get to see the new collection of models and view a video installation of the Fall 2010 lookbook. Other amenities include DJs, drink specials and prizes. It’s sure to be a good time, but Brooklyn Royalty designer Bob Bland is also asking that those who feel affected by the passing of Alexander McQueen dress in mourning and share their feelings in a memory book to be sent to McQueen’s office in London.

“We want people to see that fashion week isn’t just about Manhattan and the tents. Brooklyn and Williamsburg is where a lot of the fashion is coming from to begin with,” said Bland of her plans.

If for some reason you’re not sure yet what Bland means, Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, curated by King Gurvy designer Arthur Arbit, will be as good an intro as one could hope for. Entering its fourth year, these two days of avant fashion, art, dance and music (showcasing 12 designers) will take place Saturday February 20 and Sunday February 21 at Glasslands Gallery, 289 Kent Ave. Doors are at 8 both nights. Eight is also the number of dollars required to get in and see the collections of designers like Alisha Trimble and the maniacs behind Ruffeo Hearts Lil’ Snotty. The after-party on Saturday will be DJed by Jonathan Toubin, while the after-party on Sunday will feature fittingly forward-thinking music from future-electro star MDNR and DJ sets from members of These Are Powers and The Pink Stallone.

Have we missed anything? As always, please let us know in the comments.

My school is holding some events and I (and my fellow stylists!) need models. We are taught by excellent instructors in a beautiful, extremely clean studio using professional product lines. We workshop with lead stylists from the top salons in the city. (You know, those ones where people pay $600 for a haircut?) Every step of every service is heavily supervised from start to finish. And it is really, really cheap. Here’s what we need:

1) We are hosting a haircutting fundraising event in Manhattan on Feb. 16. Haircuts are $15 (any style) with 100% of the proceeds going to Haiti relief.
2) We are also hosting a hairstyling competition on Feb. 23 and are looking for models for any style of bob haircut.  The haircut is FREE and a lot of us would love to incorporate some cool/funky/creative color (of which the price can be determined… it will be next to nothing.)  Rumor has it that this will be judged by stylists and owners of some of the top salons in NYC (previous judges were from Cutler Salon, Frédéric Fekkai Salon, Paul Labrecque Salon, Beth Minardi Salon, etc) and promises to be a great event and an excellent opportunity to get a new look for next-to-nothing.
3) I personally am always looking for people who want to make a drastic/funky color change.

If anyone’s interested in either of the above please feel free to contact me at CristinaR.hair@gmail.com. Thanks!

Tyler Sussman and A.J. Block of the Didge Project, featured on Well+Goodnyc.

Whenever we find out about a promising new blog that has to do with Brooklyn, affordable anything, or a combination of those two, we feel the need to pass along the info. So here’s Well+Goodnyc, a new site dedicated to helping New Yorkers find accessible ways to feel, as the name suggests, well and good. Though the blog covers all of NYC, it has some fun Brooklyn-related items already. Currently, their top story is a feature on the adorable lads behind The Didge Project, a healing-through-didgeridoos org that we’ve been meaning to do something on. (Can someone PLEASE bring didge yoga to Brooklyn?)

There’s also this piece calling the “skegging” the new unitard of Brooklyn (And we thought it was something involving skateboards and Bud!) The blog also dares to answer the question of which yoga studios don’t smell totally gnarly; two they suggest are here in Brooklyn. Do we hear a third? There’s a woman from Bushwick who uses her juicer leftovers as a face mask, now that is definitely Brokelyn-approved since we have also been known to smear fruit over our faces. And strictly for voyeurs, a story on what a $900-a-month gym membership gets you. Unlimited personal training! That place isn’t in Brooklyn, which, given our finances, is all… well and good.