Tuning is the adjustment made to the tuning pins by the piano tuner to bring each string to its proper tension. There are approximately 230 separate strings on the piano, each with a total of between 160 and 200 lbs. of tension.
The standard international pitch is 440 cycles (or vibrations) per second. This is the pitch that sounds when “A” above middle “C” is played thus we call it A440.
If a piano is allowed to go 1/2 step below pitch, it can mean a difference of 3000 to 5000 lbs. of tension on the strings and plate. When your tuner tells you your piano needs a pitch raise, he means the tension needs to be increased so he can bring the sound back to standard pitch (A440).
All pianos go out of tune whether they're played or not because of expansion and contraction of the wood due to atmospheric changes. A good rule of thumb for a piano in a home near my location would be twice a year – when the heat is turned on for the winter and then again when turned off for the spring.
Really the best answer is “As often as the user feels it is necessary” and pianos used in concerts, recording studios, TV and radio are tuned before each performance.
Cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics have come a long way in recent years. As the animal testing industry has been exposed more and more, customers have demanded products that were free of any animal-derived ingredients and not subject to animal testing. Lipsticks in particular were always known for containing animal-derived ingredients like lanolin, fat, gelatin, and many others. However, since many companies have eliminated these ingredients and therefore, the cruel processes used to obtain them, you can now shop worry-free for your favorite vegan lipsticks!
My all-time favorite vegan lipstick is the Studded Kiss line by Kat Von D. This line is fairly new, just released in January 2018, but try it once and it will instantly become your new favorite as well! It contains absolutely no animal-derived ingredients as they are replaced by synthetics, such as synthetic beeswax. The collection comes in 40 amazing colors including a white-out mixer. The white-out mixer is the best thing since mashed potatoes! It can be used as a primer or base to bolden the lip color you put on top of it, or it can be used to mix colors together for your own custom shade. The Studded Kiss line also comes in three finishes: satin matte, glimmer, and metallic.
Aside from being animal-friendly, my favorite feature of Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss line of lipsticks is that they feel completely weightless. Usually, you find one of two things with lipsticks: Either they feel weightless and have very little color or body to them, or, they look great but feel extremely heavy and get on your teeth all night. The Studded Kiss line does not do that. The lipsticks are extremely pigmented, bold, and beautiful all the while feeling like absolutely nothing is on your lips. You won’t be plagued with half-smiles or constantly feeling the need to check your makeup in the mirror while wearing this lipstick. You’ll put it on and forget all about it.
My favorite color of the Studded Kiss line is Ophelia. It is a subtle nude chestnut shade in the satin-matte finish. I tend to be an earthy gal and I love the way natural colors look on me. I also have smaller lips and relatively pale skin, so I enjoy colors that brighten my lips up and give me a “tan.” Ophelia is a gorgeous color that is bold in it’s own right. I also find the color Poe to be extremely intriguing. I haven’t tried it yet because I’m afraid to go so bold, but the color is beautiful. Poe comes in the shimmer finish and it is a deep navy blue. It is definitely on my list of shades to pick up for a fun night out.
Kat Von D has been known for taking a cruelty-free stance when it comes to her cosmetic line. Her new lipstick line, Studded Kiss, is a great example of how beautiful and bold lipsticks can be without using animal derived ingredients or animal testing. There is no reason that every other cosmetics company cannot follow her example. The new line is extremely pigmented and light weight, with beautiful colors that are perfect for those who dare to go bold, or for those who prefer a more subtle look, like me.
Kayla Clough is the email specialist at OurStart. Kayla is a recent graduate of Eastern University in PA where she majored in Marketing and Human Resources. Kayla loves all things fashion, her golden retriever Max, and coffee. When she is not working, you can find her binge watching Sex in the City and baking her latest find on Pinterest.