Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Congrats to Jessica and Justin!



I really love her "Audrey Hepburn bangs," can't wait to see the rest of the pictures from People Mag!




Monday, August 13, 2012

Miley Cyrus: Blonder and shorter

First she wowed us earlier in the year with shorter locks and then she went blonde, blonde in the summer.  And now, Miley Cyrus did it again, going much shorter with short sides and long on top --- somewhat like the "Rhianna cut."  And she can rock it.








Thursday, August 2, 2012

Sun Exposure and Skin Aging



As much as we all enjoy the sun, it is very easy for a bit of unprotected sun exposure to lead to permanent damage to our skin. Skin is an excellent record keeper. Every moment of exposure to daylight is recorded and stores up like money in a bank. The result is skin damage, also known as photodamage. The top cause of premature signs of skin aging, sun damage shows on the skin in the form of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and can lead to a repressed immune system and the potential for skin cancer.

Even if the periods of sun exposure are brief (say you sit outside for 20 minutes whilst you eat lunch), the cumulative exposure is enough to cause skin damage and signs of aging. The first line of defense against damage is the daily use of spf. Even on cloudy or overcast days UV rays can cause damage to your skin. Just wearing spf on sunny days is not sufficient, it should be added to your daily skin care routine all year round.

Sunscreens have become much more sophisticated in recent years and there are now formulations available for every skin type. A skin therapist will be able to advise which spf product is perfect for your skin and how to easily add it into your daily regimen. Whether you require sunscreen on it’s own, a spf moisturiser to wear under make-up or a foundation with added spf, there are options available. So no excuses for not being properly protected!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Hair Removal for Guys

Can you imagine getting a bikini wax alongside your woman? Neither can we. However, men have come a long way since the days of showing up to work in an unbuttoned button-down that revealed an army of hair fighting its way past the nape of their necks -- haven't they? While you likely won't go the Brazilian route, you might be surprised (or not) to hear that men are taking it off -- their body hair, that is.

Is it weather-related? Is she hinting at it? Or, have you been curious about how you would look with less hair? Whatever the motivation, men have already arrived at this point.  Between waxing, shaving, electrolysis, tweezing, trimming, and laser hair removal, men of all ages, sizes, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and professions are getting rid of excess body hair.

We're not advocating waxed legs or arms -- jeez, a dude should look like, well, a dude -- but we do advocate taking the time to do your homework to figure out what's best for you.


Waxing and sugaring


What is it? Waxing is a hair removal trend for men that involves spreading hot wax on to the desired area, and then applying a strip of cloth or muslin onto the wax, rubbing it, and ripping off the strip in one fell swoop -- wax, hair, root, and all.  Sugaring is similar to waxing, only it uses sugar paste (which usually consists of a mixture of sugar, lemon, water, and even citric acid and gum arabic) instead of wax and is a method of hair removal that goes as far back as ancient Egypt.

Since some men might be embarrassed about getting waxed at a salon, there are at-home aestheticians who can perform this at home. There are even do-it-yourself waxing kits -- but unless you're a glutton for punishment, it's pretty hard to put yourself through such torture and it can get very messy.

If you opt for waxing, go to a professional.   If you choose to get your genital area waxed , keep in mind that most spas and aestheticians simply wax the areas surrounding your crown jewels -- so only the regions around and above the base of the penis get the royal treatment.

Men are also booking appointments at salons or spas for eyebrow waxes. With guys like David Beckham boasting nicely shaped brows, it seems men aren't settling for less. According to the spa director at Esthetique, in Hamden, Connecticut, 86% of his male clientele get their eyebrows waxed.

Guys, this really isn't about becoming a pretty boy -- it's about not walking around with a unibrow. Makes sense. Don't aim for a perfectly arched eyebrow, but waxing is a good way to get rid of eyebrows that are out of control.

Ideal parts to wax: Eyebrows (unibrow), back of neck, back, chest, toes, and knuckles
Pain factor: 8/10
Bottom line: With repeated use, hair gradually becomes thinner because the roots are weakened, but the hair will grow back, albeit at longer intervals. So, if you want to lessen the hair that grows on your toes or chest without permanently abolishing it, this would be the ideal way to go.

Tweezing
What is it? With the help of a trusty pair of tweezers (the sharper, the better), pluck away at the hairs you want to eliminate.

Unless you have lots of time on your hands and can take the constant pinching sensation, save the tweezing for those smaller regions that are covered with excess hair (or for ingrown hairs). Of course, this method is far from permanent.

Ideal parts to pluck: Eyebrows (unibrow), nape of neck
Pain factor: 4/10
Bottom line: Spending more for high-quality tweezers is worth the price. Don't forget to keep up with regular maintenance.
Trimmers
What are they? When it comes to body hair that you'd like to keep short, electric trimmers can do the trick with no pain, fuss or mess.

Ideal parts to trim: Ear hair, nose hair, nape of neck, pubic hair, arms, legs, the possibilities are endless.
Pain factor: 1/10
Bottom line: A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. There are so many electric and nonelectric trimmers out there for a guy to choose from, so go for it.
hair today...
Between the various hair removal trends for men, there is no reason for a guy to let his pubic area grow out of control or his unibrow to attract attention. You could always stick to shaving, but there are some areas that require more care and shaving can cause irritation and razor burn.

Try the method that best suits your needs and your budget.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Sunburn 101

How many of you have ever experienced a sunburn? I’m guessing that almost all of us have, with an embarrassing blush! Yes, we know it’s wrong and we kick ourselves when we are wincing with pain as we try to dress. But maybe if we truly understood what is happening to our skins as we nonchalantly lay in the sun for that extra 10 minutes, we wouldn’t be so lax.

A sunburn is the skin’s response to extreme ultraviolet (UV) exposure and indicates severe damage. In as little as 10 minutes of intense UV exposure, the skin sets into motion a system of defense against this enemy. The first indication of damage is redness. This is the body’s inflammatory response in situations requiring repair and is a result of dilating blood vessels. The skin will then start to lose moisture and hydration, which will be apparent with a feeling of tightness. Slowly, skin cells will start to thicken and melanin pigment will be produced (tanning) in an attempt to stop the UV rays from penetrating through to the deeper layers and damaging the DNA of the cells. When the skin is exposed to high levels of sunlight this may result in hypo or hyperpigmentation which appears as irregular light or dark patches. The body is excellent at coping with minimal amounts of damage, but if exposure is greater than the body’s ability to repair and mop up, more serious consequences may result. If DNA is damaged and its repair mechanisms are inhibited, skin cancer may occur.


Why Does the Skin Peel?
Peeling after a sunburn is your body’s way of getting rid of the damaged cells that are at risk of “losing control” and becoming cancerous. Due to this danger, all damaged cells are instructed to commit suicide by repair mechanisms within these cells. This mass suicide of cells results in whole layers of damaged skin peeling off, to be replaced by other cells underneath those layers.

I Have a Sunburn, What Should I Do Now?
First of all, you should take care of the cause of your problem: get out of the sun immediately. Drink plenty of water as you may be dehydrated. If skin is severely blistered, seek help from a medical practitioner. Otherwise it is important to take down the inflammation and try to reduce damage to the deeper layers of your skin.


Take a cool bath (no products added) and then blot skin dry. Avoid greasy creams, which prevent the skin from cooling and may make the situation worse. Rather, apply generously a soothing after-sun gel to red areas and then stay out of the sun and the heat. Look for ingredients such as Clove, Liquorice, Lavender, Cucumber and Yucca to reduce irritation, pain and redness. Also look out for an incredible ingredient called Japanese Alder to accelerate the repair of UV induced DNA damage. Couple this with ingredients such as Algae and Hyaluronic Acid to rehydrate the skin and you should be well on your way to a calmer skin.

And no, it is not then ok to go out into the sun the next day for another blast! Remember, your skin is still trying to heal and so must be kept out of direct sunlight for a good few days. Keep in mind, the skin is a great record keeper and even with a great after-sun product, irreparable damage may have occurred in the form of premature aging or skin cancer that may only reveal itself later. Think twice next time you decide “just another ten minutes;” your immune system is listening!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Let's hear it for the Curls!



Soon to be in theaters, Disney/Pixar movie, "Brave" will have us all embracing our wild side.  Meet Princess Merida, a fiery redhead with tons of curls!  To tame our real curly cues, thank goodness for Bumble Bumble Curl Conscious.


A complete line of shampoo and conditioner, plus a deep condition mask for curls that are extra dry.  Two leave in cremes, one for fine curls (Defining Creme), and the other for course curls (Calmining Creme).  And if your a mousse girl, the Bb. Holding foam is a soft foam to give the curl extra hold and structure.

This summer, put away your blow dryer and flat irons and embrace our curls!







Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Mermaid Tail Braid

We can't just get enough of braids!  Here's another tutorial we found and LOVE, the Mermaid Tail braid!







 



 Thank you, Bebexo for the great tutorial!



Friday, May 11, 2012

Farewell to one of the Greatest, Vidal Sassoon

"If you don't look good, we don't look good," was Vidal's motto and every hairdresser's too.  Thank you for inspiring us and farewell dear stylist.









Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Are You Shampooing Correctly??

Even though we've been shampooing our own hair for most of our lives, I often find that many of my friends and clients aren't doing it right. A good shampoo is more important than you might think, and if you do it wrong, you can even damage your hair! Here are my tips for the most efficient shampooing job resulting in the squeakiest clean and healthiest of hair!

Find the right shampoo for you. Always consult with your stylist about this before buying shampoo. You might need shampoo for color treated hair, you might need it for volume, dry hair, flaky scalp or for just plain normal everyday cleaning. The first step is to be using the right product and your stylist will help you figure out what your shampooing needs are.

Don't shampoo too often. If you are in the habit of shampooing every day, it's likely that your scalp is working over time to produce the natural oils that are being stripped away when you wash your hair. This is one reason why you might feel like your hair is dirty the next day. Try to skip a day and once your hair is used to that, you can start shampooing ever two days or more. If you hate oily looking hair, you can use dry shampoo on your roots and it will look good as new! Another trick is to just shampoo your bangs (if you have them) and put the rest of that dirty hair up in a cute topknot or pony. I only shampoo every 5 days thanks to dry shampoo. It's changed my life.

Focus on your scalp. Shampoo can really dry out your hair, so instead of scrubbing roots to ends, I scrub roots only and let the shampoo do its job cleaning the rest when it's being rinsed out. My hair is naturally brittle, and with highlights on top of that, I want to avoid any extra drying out that I can.

Repeat if necessary. It's not really necessary to use handfuls of shampoo to get it clean. I suggest doing a good scrub with just a quarter size amount of shampoo for round one. You wont get a good lather, but you'll loosen up all the dirt, oil and product that's building up. After rinsing, repeat with another quarter size and it should lather right up! This foamy, soapy-ness is how you know your hair is clean.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Are you hungry for the Katniss Braid?

DIY HAIR

It's been 2 weeks and "The Hunger Games" is still in the number 1 spot in theatres.  Not only is the movie still going strong, Katniss's infamous braid is a trend that will stay with summer just around the corner.


via refinery29

Start with deep side part.  Then take a quarter section of hair and divide it into 3 strands and start braiding.
Continue to french braid the hair towards the nape all the way to the opposite side and continue regular braiding.  Secure with a rubber band.  Viola!

side view
back view










Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Get Wedding Ready Part 3: Make-Up

MAKEUP


The finishing touch to the perfect bridal look, your makeup.  The makeup should reflect your personality and enhance your natural beauty.  If you're doing it yourself, invest in a good foundation and/or concealer to build a nice clean canvas for the makeup.  A makeup primer is a great way to make the makeup last longer.  If you plan to have a makeup artist, always do a consultation.


















Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Get Wedding Ready Part 2: Hair

Hair



Of course you don't have to commit right away, but if you love a style and need to grow it out or get a cut, always consult with your stylist to get you there.  Bring pictures of styles that you like and of course the picture of the dress.  Any headpiece or tiara should be mentioned in the consultation so the stylist will know what's the best placement for it.

If you don't have 8-9 months to grow out your hair, extentions are another option to get the length you're looking for.  And it can also help clients with thin hair.  Extensions can be the permanent bonds or the temporary wefts.  Again consult with your stylist.


                           
bonded
clip ins







Then discuss your color, cut and conditioning treatments.  Remember, your stylist needs time to perfect your wedding day look.
                                           

Monday, March 5, 2012

Get Wedding Ready: What you need to know and do!

This week is all about getting wedding ready. Here's the 3 most important for brides when preparing for the perfect day----Skin, Hair, and Makeup.

SKIN







To best prep skin before the wedding is at least 9 months, but some of us don't have that much time.  If you're using any prescribed or over the counter facial products, most of them require at least a few months to take full effect.  The solution, set up a series of facials or chemical peels with an esthetician. Each treatment is 100% customized to your skin's needs.  Whether you're dry, oily, or sensitive, they can help to make sure you look your best on your perfect day.


Facials cleans, exfoliates, and nourishes the skin to promote clear and a well-hydrated skin.  First a skin analysis  is done to determine what treatment and products to be used. Next, is exfoliation.  Mechanical exfoliation has a gritty texture and is used with a steam vapor directed at the face.  Chemical peels can be part of a facial, but it's usually a stand alone service that can be done in a series.   Then, extraction is done to remove blackheads and whiteheads.  It is not recommended for really sensitive skin since it can cause discoloration if done improperly.  Effleurage is a facial massage using classic strokes to both relax you and stimulate the your skin and facial muscles.  A customized facial mask is then apply to the skin.  Lastly, applications of toners and protective creams for the skin.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Calling All Men: Guy's Styles

Hair

Refinery 29 hit the streets of NYC looking for hairstyles that real men wear.  They even got the 8 men to dish out their styling tips and how often they get it trimmed.  From James Dean to our natural curly men, we got you covered.

"James Dean"  Cut:every 4 weeks
"Short sides, long and loose on top"  Cut: every 6 weeks
           

"1950s undercut" Cut: every 6 weeks
"Mad Men" Cut: every 2 weeks
           

"1920s, short sides, long on top"
Cut: once a month
"Long, shaggy"  Cut: Once a year           

"Long and blended" Cut 2-3 times a year
"Short enough for it to curl"
Cut: every 3-4 months
           





Thursday, February 23, 2012

DIY: Curling fine hair

Hair




1.  You will need a 1- 1/4 inch barrel iron, KMS FreeShape Hot Flex Spray, KMS Hair Stay Maxium Hold Hairspray, and a clip

2.  Prep hair with the KMS FreeShape

3.  Starting at the nape of the neck take a 2in horizontal section

4.  Then take 1in section, starting in the middle of the hair and start curling and sliding the iron as you wrap the hair around.  Unwind after 5-10 secs.

5.  Curls should look like this and curl away from the face

6.  Continue curling

7.  Lightly spray KMS Hair Stay hairspray and finger style the curls

8.  Finished style

**you can also spray hairspray before curling the hair for better hold.




Monday, February 20, 2012

Fringe Benefits

Hair

The bangs are still going strong.  They give life to an old haircut and adds shape to any face.  But what if you didn't get what you want and ended up with short choppy bangs?!?!?!  No need to worry, that's what bobby pins are for or you can just embrace it like actress Rooney Mara of  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.


She went from this:


to this:




If you're not looking for the short choppy bangs, here are the most requested celebrity bangs.












Friday, January 27, 2012

Preparing for Your Color Appointment

Preparation Will Lead to Better Results
Any Hair Stylist will tell you, when it comes to coloring hair,  the fewer variables they have to deal with the better the outcome will be. If a client comes in and their hair is completely unprepared for a color service, the process can be longer and there is a smaller chance that the result will be as fabulous as it would otherwise be.  To guarantee a better result for yourself and avoid additional costs of unexpected preparation treatments, it's smart to take a few extra steps to prepare for your appointment before stepping into the salon.  Follow these few simple steps to properly prepare for the hair color treatment you've scheduled for yourself.

1. Avoid Hair Conditioner
In order to permanently color your hair, your stylist must penetrate your hair shaft to deposit color pigment. The process involves opening up your cuticle to deposit or remove color.  The easier it is to open your cuticle, the easier it will be to deposit the pigment and less damaging the process will be on your hair. A difficult to open cuticle may result in more damage to the structural integrity of the hair and a less permanent or rich result. Many people don't realize that the purpose of their hair conditioner is to actually close the cuticle. A tightly closed cuticle will make the hair shaft more smooth and reflective and provide that healthy shine and silkier feeling. However, a tightly closed cuticle is quite counter productive to the hair color process. Clients should try avoiding using hair conditioner for at least 1 - 2 days prior to a hair color appointment.  This will enable you to come in with a less tightly closed cuticle and make it easier for the color to penetrate your hair shaft to deposit the color pigments.

2. Clarify
A few days before your appointment, use a clarifying shampoo. This will remove any buildup and "clean the canvas" so to speak so that your color is more vibrant and true. 

3. Avoid Scalp Irritation
Your stylist will do everything they can to ensure a great salon experience for you including making sure you are comfortable. No one wants to experience an irritated scalp during a hair color treatment that may only lead to heightened irritation during the treatment, blow drying, and styling process. It is a good idea to not scrub, scratch, or otherwise manipulate your scalp for 1 - 2 days before your hair color appointment. If you are experiencing any scalp irritation, you should let your stylist know before the service begins.

4. Go Natural
During your service, your stylist will wash, condition, dry, and style your hair. To begin the process, they will have to remove any tangles, braids, twists, or any such styles to your hair and begin with a natural canvas from which to start. In order to save time and trouble, avoid having any tight styles in your hair before you arrive at the salon. Your stylist will appreciate it and be able to do a much nicer job.  If you must come to the salon with styled hair, opt for something lose and manageable that can be quickly removed or washed out. Avoid tight braids, kinks, or tangles.

5. Select Your Colors
Professional hair color is as much an art as it is a science. There are so many paramaters to deal with that you must ultimately trust and rely on your stylist's individual creativity. Remember that they see clients all the time, have a deep understanding of what colors are going to look best with your skin tone, eye color, and facial structure; and should be used in a consultancy capacity to guide you through your selection.  However, also keep in mind that your stylist is not a mind reader. Ultimately, you will have to be happy with your hair color and to do that, you must have a good idea of what you want.  Before your appointment you should look through magazines or online photos to select shades and tones that you like. Bring these photos with you to your appointment. Be prepared to show them and describe why you like them. Be open minded to feedback and guidance and work with them to determine what works best for you. Be as open minded, bold, or conservative as you like. Make sure your hair color is an expression of who you are and what you want to look like. But overall, have fun and enjoy the experience!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tips for a Better Life in 2012



1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, and while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. I like to take this 10 minutes (sadly sometimes just 5 minutes if pressed for time) to think of everything that is going RIGHT and not wrong and to give thanks for what I do have...so many people have it worse.

3. Buy a DVR and record your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to _______ today.”

5. Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2011.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six. There is so much wisdom to learn from people in their 60's, 70's, 80's --take some time to take it all in. As far as kids go...try to remember what it was like to find everything so exciting and so new. We can learn a lot from kids!

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants!

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clean clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out credit card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Ask, Believe, Receive. (And it WILL happen!)

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often.. (Or email them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: “I am thankful for _________________. Today I accomplished _______________.

38. Remember you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door! It just doesn't happen though on it's own YOU NEED to stop thinking negative thoughts and focus on wishing good things in your lives and everyone around you!
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