Bari Studio may only be a year old, but the TriBeCa fitness hotspot is quickly gaining fame.  What makes it different from your average fitness studio is that it’s invitation only, which eliminates the possibility of over crowded classes.   Bari considers itself a tribe, because no member is ignored.  In fact, before joining the rest of the tribe, new members have to take a private BariONE class in which they are measured and prescribed a workout plan, so they can track their progress.

The Bari workout is a mix of anaerobic and aerobic movement, fusing together dance, pilates, yoga, gymnastics, martial arts and sports training.  Split between five different classes, you’ll never get bored at Bari.  In fact, you won’t even feel like you’re working out… until after class, when you’re too sore to even walk up a flight of stairs.

We decided to give Bari a try and signed up for BariPEEL, an 80-day workout challenge.  It started off with Bari’s signature 7-day detox meal plan, followed by frequent outdoor classes and nutrition seminars, such as a trip to the farmers market.  Kale shakes and 7AM workouts may not be on our list of favorite things, but only after ONE week we were welcoming toned abs back into our lives.

Bikini season is closer than you think.  Whether you join the tribe or stick to your old fitness regime, as the Bari Code states, it’s time to “get high from exercise” and whip yourself back into shape.

Click images to enlarge:

Photos: Esquire

Carrie Underwood: “When I gain weight, it’s in the spare-tire area. I’ve told trainers abs are a physical impossibility for me. And every single time, they’re like, ‘Well, we’ll get you abs!’ So do I have them? No! But they’re as flat as they’re probably going to get. Push-ups work out everything. If you do them right, you’ll feel it in your abs. I do four sets of 10 to 20.”

Jessica Alba: Alba does this all-over toning move: Begin standing and holding 5lb dumbbells – your left arm should be chin height and your right arm should be extended to the ceiling. Take a giant step to your right, landing in a lunge, with your right knee bent and angled slightly forward. Keep your left leg straight while simultaneously lowering right arm to shoulder height. Pause momentarily, then push off your right leg, returning to the starting position with your feet together and right arm extended to ceiling. Perform 12 reps then repeat on left side. Perform 2 sets.

Cheryl Cole: While in girl band Girls Aloud Cheryl lost a lot of weight, and this was mostly down to the hectic schedule and continuous rehearsals and gigs, which simply meant she was burning a lot of calories doing dance workouts. Cheryl would often perform this fitness routine, as devised by the bands personal trainer: 30 minutes running on the treadmill. 60 minutes weight training exercises.

Zoe Saldana: Instead of only sweating to look good for one big event, Saldana strives to make healthy habits second nature. “After the premiere of Avatar, Steve felt like my training dropped off and he was like, ‘You need to come back.’ He was right, you really have to nurture your body,” she explains. “I have a lot of respect for people who do it, because it’s a lifestyle.”

Rihanna: Rihanna admits her body is the result of “a lot of hard work and a lot of running on the treadmill.” Carbs are the enemy but if I go three days without them, I start getting weak. If my trainer had her way, I’d eat small meals every three hours, but I sometimes only eat once or twice a day. I work out every day but I need a trainer to motivate me – I don’t find it much fun working out on my own.” “Everyone wants to have slim, perfectly-toned legs and I’m the same. I do weights but I don’t want my legs to bulk up so I do a lot of cardio. I’ve lost a lot of weight since I started working out and if I exercise every day for a week, I can drop several pounds. If I diet, I see even faster results.”

Adriana Lima: Exercises 2 hours 6 days a week. Working out should be a part of everybody’s routine,” she says. “I know sometimes you don’t have time — that’s why I love jumping rope, because you can take it with you anywhere and you don’t need to do it, like, one hour. You can do it ten minutes and it’s like 45 minutes of running.”

Amanda Seyfried: “Running a half hour four to five days a week keeps me alright–five days, because I feel guilty when I don’t. I also go to Harley Pasternak’s three times a week, and I love it. He’s fun and we do different things every time. It’s 45 minutes, and he kicks my ass! My legs are really strong, and I feel really great. And I go to my pilates teacher, Nikiko, on the weekends–she’s all about stretching and toning and being long and lean.”

Anna Paquin: “I like to mix things up so I’m not doing the same thing every single day,” she said. She also works out on the elliptical and stationary bike she keeps in her garage. “Let’s face it, gyms aren’t open at four in the morning. So if I can’t do anything else, I can get a perfectly good workout in my garage!”

Miranda Kerr: Miranda spends about four sessions of 75 minutes each at the gym. Her workout is usually a combination of exercises targeting all muscle groups, but which places emphasis on her legs. Thus, Gelband says, Kerr does 30 minutes on her legs, 30 on her core, arms and balance, and 15 minutes on stretching afterwards. To keep her legs lean and toned (and, of course, cellulite-free), Miranda also does a 5-kilometer run and weight work, plus some boxing on the side.

Katy Perry: While Perry admits she hates working out, she stays fit by jumping rope. “I love jumping rope,” she said. “It’s like dancing. I can double jump, I can cross, I can do all of it. I look like Rocky!” “On holidays I eat whatever I feel like,” she told Women’s Health. “But on tour the catering is a lot of grilled chicken—nothing fried. Everything is organic, and I have soy milk. No chips in sight—if they’re in front of you, you eat them.”

Beyoncé: An upper body workout can get boring with all those repetitions, so Knowles added her own twist. “I’ll put on a song that I really like and do [biceps curls with] 5-pound weights the whole song,” she told us. Or, using 3-pound weights, she’ll box for the length of one track. [Doesn't count, everyone knows Beyoncé is a robot.]

Megan Fox: “I’m very lazy. I hire a personal trainer who is supposed to come three times a week. He comes to me – I don’t even have to leave the house. He’ll come to my house and I’ll be lying in the exact same spot he left me in. I’ll be like: ‘Not today! Not today!’” Even though Fox doesn’t like to exercise, she does it in order to keep those flat abs. She starts with 30 minutes of cardio, and then another half an hour of Pilates or cycling to burn some more calories and keep her slim figure.

Oh Yes They Did: Oh No They Didn’t!

Hello Fashion Bombshells!

Reader Andrea from Cali recently wrote in asking about the Brazilian Blowout or Brazilian Keratin Treatment and if it’s good for Black hair. She said, “I’m in the process of trying to find a good salon that can help me get my hair healthy, but that’s hard to find in San Francisco. But a few of my co-workers are getting Brazilian Blowouts done and I was interested, but I don’t want to damage my hair anymore. Any information you have would be great.”

Having heard of the treatment and knowing fellow beauty bloggers who have had the treatment done but never trying it out myself (sounds too expensive for my blood…lol), I dug in to do some research.

Turns out the ‘Brazilian Blowout’ is actually a trademarked name. According to www.brazilianblowoutblog.com, it’s often misconstrued and explained wrong as there are a number of “Brazilian” hair techniques on the market at the moment. In fact they ask you to not confuse the process which uses keratin with processes that use formaldehyde. Yes, formaldehyde–the stuff used to embalm dead bodies. *shivers*

So what is it? According to the official Brazilian Blowout website:

The Brazilian Blowout is the most innovative and effective professional smoothing treatment in the world! Through the use of a Brazilian Super Nutrient Complex and a proprietary polymer system, the Brazilian Blowout actually improves the condition of the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle. The end result is smooth, healthy, frizz-freehair with radiant shine!

So what makes them different?

What makes us different? The ONLY Professional Smoothing Treatment that improves the health of the hair. No Damage! and No harsh chemicals! NO FORMALDEHYDE!! Entire treatment completed in just 90 minutes! No down time! The minute you leave the salon, you can wash and air dry your hair, and it will be smooth, frizz-free and radiant! Results last up to 12 weeks. Leaves hair smooth, shiny and frizz-free! Acai aftercare products ensure longest lasting results.

What’s with all the exclamation marks? *shrugs*

So what’s the procedure?

After the hair is shampooed and conditioned with special Brazilian Blowout products (the hair must be squeaky clean in order for the products to work effectively), the hair is then towel-dried and sectioned into four parts. Then the Brazilian Blowout Professional Solution is applied and combed through the hair. After the solution is applied, the hair is blow-dried and then flat-ironed. The hair must be as smooth as possible.

After heat is applied, the hair is then rinsed and the Brazilian Blowout Mask is applied and then rinsed out. Brazilian Blowout Leave-in Conditioner is applied and then you style the hair as usual. Your hair might curl or kink up again when you wash it or it gets wet, but the pattern is much more loose and supposedly remains this way until the treatment wears off. According to videos I’ve seen, your hair will straighten easier and faster with the help of heat styling tools.

I had my hands folded tightly while I mouthed “We don’t believe you, you need more people” because most videos and pics I’ve seen feature non-Black women.

But then I came across this one of a stylist in California performing the treatment on a client who had been in a weave for two months.

The client seemed to have about 6 inches of natural hair with some relaxed ends. The procedure was performed like in the Brazilian Blowout training video but I couldn’t help but cringe over the excessive amount of heat used for this procedure—and even more seems to be needed for curlier or kinkier hair. I’m also not at ease with the amount of tugging done on the hair (our hair whether relaxed or natural is too fragile for all of that) and also with the hair needing to be squeaky clean (hello, hair stripped of its natural oils).

So should you try this?

Well, I’m no Wilfred Beauty Academy or Sheneneh’s Sno Nuf Hair Salon grad, but I’m giving this the side eye for now. If you’re natural and want to switch things up with a straight style, I feel you run the risk of damaging your kinks. We all know the story of a friend of a friend who had natural hair until she went to a salon and her hair was inadvertently heat trained. And if you’re relaxed, all the added heat and tugging with this treatment seem to be excessive. Arguably, some might say a relaxer just might contain more chemicals than the Brazilian Blowout. Might be a point there.

Remember the Rio perm was also supposed to be safe, too. I bet there’s still ladies out there recovering from the bald spots.

Would you try this?

Have you tried the Brazilian Blowout? What were your results?

~Danielle

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My normal routine when I visit Whole Foods is to start in the beauty section first. I know that it takes a while for me to peruse the health and beauty section therefore there isn't a need to let my Greek yogurt sit in the basket.  I have been passing the Jane Carter Solution products for years.  Seriously for years.  I kept walking past the brand and kept telling myself that I will purchase it one day.  Well that day was a few days ago.  I decided to go with the Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner.  This is a great lightweight conditioner that smells divine, leaves my hair baby soft, and a little goes a long way.  It's so good that I've poured it in to travel size containers so I'm never without it. 

LINK LOVE:Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner

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LINK LOVE:Art On The Street: The Spectacle of Advertising

Who knew that one of the loveliest red fruits to ripen during summer were amazingly good for your health as well!

According to Alive.com Tart Red Cherries contain…”contain flavonoids called anthocyanins–naturally occurring pigment compounds that impart colour to fruit, vegetables, and plants. Flavonoids, which contain antioxidants, help to protect the plant from disease. Research has shown that these natural plant chemicals also help remove toxins from the body.”

Removal of toxins from the body contributes to clearer skin and better overall health and well being! Great skin and a great body will help you look your best, in your best red dress, so let’s hear it for Tart Red Cherries!

Find out more here.

LINK LOVE:The Best Red Dress Tip: Tart Red Cherries – Good for your Health!

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Belly Friendly

• Blueberries-linked to less fat
• Asparagus- Natural diuretic that helps get rid of water weight.
• Salmon-Foods high in omega-3 fats promote digestion.
• Watermelon- one of nature’s water-weight nixers
• Citrus fruit- add lemon in your water to aid with digestion

Bloat Causing

• Alcohol-heavier drinks add more belly fat
• Soy sauce-salt increases water weight
• Canned soups-high in sodium
• Popcorn-airy foods pooch out the stomach
• Dried fruit-high in fiber, but loaded with sugar

Source

LINK LOVE:Beauty Bubble: Foods for a Flatter Tummy

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I know you’ve all penned this day in your calendars, I know I’ve been waiting for this day a long time: Today, LR Health & Beauty Systems is debuting squinty tough guy Bruce Willis‘ “signature collection,” which he created in partnership with the German beauty company.

“I personally feel that the new Bruce Willis fragrance is the manliest scent in the world,” said Tilo Plöger, chief operating officer of LR Health & Beauty Systems. The Willis scent reportedly contains notes of grapefruit, pepper, and vetiver.

First announced in April, the collection includes hair and body wash, deodorant, aftershave balm, and eau de parfum–which clocks in at ~15% aromatic compounds compared to eau de cologne’s ~5%–since naturally, badasses need to smell strongly of badasses.

According to United Networker, Bruce Willis told reporters at the press conference in Frankfurt “with great enthusiasm” that “the development of my new fragrance together with the very committed and passionate LR team was really a lot of fun. The products stand for individuality, uniqueness and sustainability. That’s what convinced me, and what unites me with LR.”

The design of the perfume bottle, in the classy yet intrepid, indomitable, macho, rugged style expected of Willis, incorporates a huge metal badge which adorns “the exceptionally high-quality glass flacon,” which apparently is “heavy in the hand,” because John McClane would never use lightweight perfume bottles, damn it! And of course, the packaging mimics “brushed aluminium and embossed riveting.”

Finally, the product tagline is the stuff of Don Draper: “Smart Guys Live Forever.”

Damned straight.

scented source

Alan Cumming did it better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SHFQ5V3kZE

LINK LOVE:Coming soon to a Walmart bargain bin near you!

People are always talking about how being a binge drinker can add on quite a few pounds; however, no one really looked into what this meant for the average drinker. Recent studies are revealing that binge drinkers are much more likely to head to the gym than those who don’t drink. Why? I’m thinking it’s because they want to shed off the pounds they gained the night before, but some people say it’s the same kind of thrill.

LINKAGE: Allure