You have Something on your Face

Simply cleansing your face twice a day is good but do you know what is being left behind?  Dead skin cells that asphyxiate themselves to the epidermis creating dull skin, uneven tone and it can also contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Everyone should use an exfoliant, it is very important to keep in your skin care routine year round.  Removing dead skin celss and excess debris releaves the skin and allows it to breathe. 
exfoliating also helps other products such as masks and moisturizers to penetrate better and make up to go on smoother.  However, different skin types need different amounts of exfoliating.  Sensitive and oily skin only need exfoliation once a week, twice a week for normal skin and three times a week for dry skin.  Sensitive skin people should avoid abrasive scrubs, opting for products with jojoba micro-spheres or mild forms of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA).  Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant is a good suggestion for sensitive skin.  All exfoliation should be done at night, followed by a face mask designed for your individual skin type.

Watch your lips

When it comes to aging, most people focus on reducing wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes, cheeks and mouth, but it is also important to take care of your lips.  The skin around the lips is highly sensitive and therefore more susceptible to damage from harsh weather and UV rays.  Even stress and poor nutrition can play a role in your mouth and lip's youthful appearance.  It is important to use an anti-aging lip product because it can restore some of the necessary nutrients like antioxidants and hydration that depletes as people age.
Anti-aging lip products can also deliver a necessary level of moisture that keeps skin firm and supple.  Ingredients like alpha hydroxy remove limp, dead skin cells to reveal a firmer more vibrant layer underneath mean while retinal and peptides can actually speed up the rate you produce new skin cells.  Anti-aging lip products should be used twice a day especially in extreme weather conditions like sun and harsh winds to provide moisture. 
Check out Dermalogica's AgeSmart Renewal Lip Complex which minimizes contour lines and helps prevent signs of aging.

Add Some Aroma Therapy to your Routine

Boost your hair and mood with aromatic products.  Hair holds fragrance even better than skin, so by scenting your hair the aroma has the potential to be present all day long.  Citrus scents have uplifting properties and can really help awaken a weary mind and body.  Peppermint helps yo sharpen the mind aiding concentration and focus.  Floral scents can help aid in relaxation, calmness and bring feelings of joy and energy.
            Citrus Scent-Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo
            Peppermint- Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Tea Tree & Pureology Hydrating Conditioner
            Floral- Wella Brilliance Mask & Catwalk Curlesque Shampoo

Preparing for Spring part 2

Effortless sexy is coming for a visit this spring!  The unkempt look can be done on any hair texture.  While it is most popular down, it should most definitely be tried in an updo or tousled pony tail.  Use a blow dryer and a texture spray to create volume and added texture.  Enjoy Texture Spray would work great!  You can also add a chic braid to your tousled pony or messy updo.

Is It Spring Yet?

As we anxiously await the arrival of spring on the west coast, let's get prepared!  There are many changes taking place in the hair and nail world and we need to uncover all of them one by one.
Have you noticed all the retro hairstyles on the runways and red carpets? They haven't gone unnoticed by us and we are in love!  There are quite a few 30's and 40's styles being worn by today's celebs.  Our favorite is the super glamorous style like Bette Davis wore in "All about Eve."  The fabulous brushed out waves have been spotted all over.

To create the soft waves curl your hair using a 1" iron, making sure to protect your hair. Chi Infra Texture would work great for protection and to hold the style without being tacky or hard.  Re-spray the curls and brush out your hair creating a severe part where you prefer. 

Out Last Night

In the words of Kenny Chesney “we went out last night one thing starts leading to another”, I know most of us have done this.  Go out and have a good time on a night you have to work the next day.  After a long night of fun, you won’t have an extra 15 minutes to get yourself looking fresh for the day, so quickly evaluate what seems to be your biggest party night give away so that you can hide the evidence.  Redness, blotchiness, puffiness, lack of color, the list could go on and on, so here are a few of the most common.

For redness:

Apply Dermalogica’s Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15 Redness Relief to help counter act the redness and put some moisture in your dehydrated skin.

For under eye troubles, including darkness, puffiness and deep lines:

Use Mavala’s Concealer to mask under eye troubles and any blemishes that decided to surface for the morning after party.  The wand makes it easier to maneuver and keep good control of placement.

For pink eyes:

I’m not talking about the infection.  A rough night out can make your eyes look like you are in worse shape than you even think.  Eye Bright pencil by Benefit is perfect for rimming the inside of your lash line to mask that discoloration that occurs with lack of sleep.

For a washed out face:

Dust a blush or bronzer along your cheeks and forehead to bring your skin back to life or at least make it look like it is.

How to Care for Naturally Curly Hair

The number of curly girls getting straightening treatments is on the rise, which is most likely due to the unfair reputation curly hair has for being unmanageable.  We like to encourage naturally curly clients to embrace curl, because when you are equipped with the proper care and styling techniques, those curls will inspire envy.

CARE-Curly hair is undeniably drier than straight hair because of the increased amount of protein in the hair and the shape of the individual hair shaft. Even products that help increase moisture in the hair often dissipate and vanish rapidly.  Always apply leave-in conditioning products to curly hair when it is very wet, almost dripping.  The hair will soak in the product more effectively, because the drier the hair is, the quicker the product will evaporate.  A leave-in moisturizing conditioner will also help to define the curls and decrease frizz and fluff.  It is very important to remember not to wrap your hair up with a towel after you have applied your leave-in conditioner. Because the texture of a terry cloth towel will create frizz when the outer layer of the hair shaft grabs onto the cloth particles, you shouldn’t use it to dry your hair at all.  For the least amount of frizz flip upside down and use paper towels, a T-shirt or a micro fiber towel and a scrunching action to dry hair trying to disturb the curl pattern as little as possible. 

STYLING- Knowing how to style curly hair properly is often the biggest challenge.  After removing some of the water from your hair, flip upside down and using the same scrunching action apply your gel.  As a general rule, you should refrain from using the blow dryer as much as possible.  To help minimize frizz let your hair air dry most of the way and then use your diffuser and blow dryer on the lowest heat and air flow setting as possible.  Try to keep your hands off your hair and let the diffuser do its job.

Speed up your morning Routine

Dragging ourselves out of bed gets increasingly harder as the week goes on.  Some girls adjust by taking their routines on the road (i.e. mascara in the car, lip gloss as you walk, etc.)—but this can prove to be dangerous.  By now we’ve all heard the shocking story of the woman who wrecked her car while shaving her bikini line.

A shocking amount of women take over an hour with their morning beauty routine but then there are those more reasonable women that dedicate 30-60 minutes to the beauty gods. To help everyone catch a few extra minutes of shut-eye, I’ve compiled some tips on how you can speed up your daily routine and get your self out the door a little faster.

Wash your hair the night before and style it in the morning

Getting your hair styled just right probably takes up a lot of your morning.  Get your day off to a good start be showering the night before, and putting off the styling until the sun rises.  This works for girls that straighten their hair but a great alternative is to pull your hair into a loose tousled side braid.  Give yourself a side part and loosely gather hair to the side of your head, securing a sexy, disheveled braid.

Use pencil liner instead of liquid

Since we’re barely awake enough before work to see what color we’re applying to our eyelids, there is no point in trying to successfully use notoriously difficult liquid liner.  Take the easy way out and quickly trace a line on your upper eyelid with pencil liner and then gently smudge.  It’s perfectly office appropriate and not at all time consuming.

Try having a curled mascara brush

Having a curled brush on your mascara wand makes your lashes curl without the added step.  Make sure to carefully trace each lash with mascara, and twist your hand upward as you apply.  This should result in the desired effect, without having to break out the eyelash curler.

Use a tinted moisturizer

Tinted moisturizer is a great way to skip extra steps in your beauty regimen—don’t bother with your face moisturizer or foundation, since it cleverly combines both.  You can simply smooth the light weight product over your skin and go.  For the days that you have more blemishes than you would like to admit you can always use a little concealer.

Make your cream blush double as shadow

Cream blush is faster to apply than a powder—so ditch the brush and use your fingers.  After swiping some color onto your cheeks, use the remaining product to add a little color to your eyelids.  Remember you have already applied eyeliner, so just adding a light shade to your lids will complete your daytime look and get you out the door quickly.

TAKE CONTROL

Do you remember the days when our hair spray choices were limited? Those days are definitely gone!  Here’s a look at three essential types that will satisfy a variety of styling needs.

Working Spray

Use a working spray to allow for combing or sculpting the hair during styling.

Sebastian Re-Shaper adds volume and texture to the hair while blocking humidity.

Enjoy Styling Spray adds volume to any style while adding thermal barriers and shine.

Finishing

Use a finishing hairspray to set a style and keep it in place.  These fast drying sprays come in a variety of formulas. 

Pureology In Charge Plus is a great non-flaking color protecting hair spray that fights humidity, adds shine, and blocks harmful UV rays.

Redken Quickdry is a great medium to firm hair spray that doesn’t flake or make the hair feel stiff or tacky.

Shine Enhancing

Use a shine enhancing hairspray to leave hair looking shiny and healthy all day long.  Most shine enhancing hairsprays tend to offer humidity resistance.

Moroccanoil Luminous Hair Spray adds tremendous shine, fights frizz, and blocks humidity.

Catwalk Sleek Mystique look lock Hair Spray is a medium hold spray that helps fight frizz, block humidity and adds gorgeous shine.

Braided headband

Braids and headbands are two of the biggest hair trends right now, so combining them is the next logical step.  If you need a style that keeps your hair back but doesn’t give you a horrible headache, this is the look for you.

Follow the steps below to get this gorgeous boho style

Make two parts, one on each side of the head near the ear.  Comb the remaining hair backwards and put into a ponytail.

Take the right side of the hair and braid, lifting us and around the head.

Wrap a hair tie on the end of the right side.  Repeat on the left side.

Lift both braids and wrap around your head, positioning them towards the front.

Secure both braids along the bottom of the head with a bobby pin. Release the remaining hair in back.

If you are unable to successfully get braids in place, you might consider trying “Braidies” from the Tony Tail Company.

WHAT IS THAT GUY STARING AT?

AS GIRLS, IT'S PRETTY MUCH OUR JOB TO OBSESS OVER THE SMALLEST DETAILS—LIKE THE WRINKLES WE SWEAR WE SEE.  FURTHERMORE, WE NATURALLY ASSUME THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS JUDGING US AS HARSHLY.  BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THE GUY AT THE OTHER END OF THE BAR IS TOTALLY STARING AT OUR MINUTE WRINKLES. WE ARE OUR OWN WORST CRITICS!

WE WANT YOU TO STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF AND FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL MORE BEAUTIFUL.  BELOW IS A LIST OF BEAUTY FLAWS THAT ARE A TOTAL TURN-OFF, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIX THEM.

BAD ROOTS

GUYS DON’T NOTICE MUCH ABOUT HAIR AS LONG AS IT’S SOFT AND THEY CAN RUN THEIR FINGERS THROUGH IT –THEY’RE HAPPY.  BUT IF YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A BAD COLOR JOB (LIKE SUDDENLY IT’S BRIGHT ORANGE) THEY WILL NOTICE.  OR, IF YOU PUT OFF GETTING YOUR COLOR TOUCHED UP—SINCE, MAYBE, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION—AND YOUR ROOTS TAKE UP HALF YOUR HEAD, THEY WILL ALSO TAKE NOTE.  SO, IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE THE JUMP AND PERMANENTLY CHANGE YOUR HAIR COLOR, KEEP IT MAINTAINED.

FAKE BAKE

NOW THAT THE VAMPIRE TREND HAS BROUGHT PALE SKIN BACK INTO FAVOR, MANY OF US RE EMBRACING OUR FAIRER COMPLEXIONS AND ARE HITTING THE TANNING SALON A LOT LESS OFTEN.  BUT, IF YOU OPT TO BAKE, KEEP IN MIND THAT MATCHING THE OOMPALUMPAS IS NOT ATTRACTIVE TO ANYONE.  HOWEVER BEING NATURAL IS.  IF YOU CAN’T RESIST A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR IN THE WARM WEATHER, TRY A SELF-TANNING LOTION SUCH AS SUN.

TOO MUCH MAKE UP

A GUY CAN APPRECIATE A GIRL’S GLOSSY LIP OR SMOKEY EYES EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT CAKED ON MAKE UP IS NEVER AN ATTRACTIVE LOOK.  TRENDS ARE FUN TO PLAY WITH WHEN YOU ARE GOING OUT WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS, BUT THE NATURAL LOOK WILL WIN GUYS OVER EVERY TIME.  SINCE WE ALL KNOW LOOKING NATURAL ISN’T AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS, START WITH A GREAT LIGHT WEIGHT FOUNDATION OR A TINTED MOISTURIZER AS A BASE AND THEN APPLY A BIT OF PEACH BLUSH TO YOUR CHEEKS.  KEEP YOUR EYES SUBDUED WITH A NEUTRAL SHADOW ADD A FEW SWIPES OF MASCARA AND FINISH THE LOOK WITH A LIGHT LIP GLOSS.

HUGE BAGS

WE TEND TO FORGET THAT SMALL BAGS, SUCH AS CLUTCHES EVEN EXIST.  ALMOST ALL OF US HAVE HAD A GUY FRIEND, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, MAKE A SLY COMMENT ABOUT US “CARRYING OUR ENTIRE LIVES IN THERE”—WHICH WE, OF COURSE, LAUGHED OFF.  BUT AFTER YEARS OF HEARING THESE COMMENTS, WE’VE COME TO REALIZE THAT GUYS ARE A LITTLE INTIMIDATED BY THE IMMENSE SIZE OF OUR PURSES.  IT COMES DOWN TO THIS—NO GUY WANTS THEIR GIRLFRIEND TO BE MATERIALISTIC OR HIGH MAINTENANCE.  SO, WHY DO YOU NEED TO CARRY SO MUCH IN YOUR BAG IF YOU’RE AN EASY GOING GAL?  WE’RE NOT SAYING TO PART YOUR WAYS WITH YOUR FAVORITE MASSIVE ACCESSORY, BUT MAYBE SWITCH IT UP EVERY NOW AND THEN AND CARRY A CUTE CLUTCH OR A SMALL TOTE INSTEAD.

A LIPSTICK ON YOUR TEETH SMILE

ALWAYS SMILE; YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT BE FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR SMILE.  IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT THE FIRST THING A GUY NOTICES ABOUT YOU IS YOUR SMILE.  WE OFTEN GET CAUGHT UP WORRYING ABOUT ALL OF THE OTHER DETAILS-LIKE HOW HOT WE LOOK IN OUR JEANS—THAT WE FORGET THE EASIEST TRICK OF THEM ALL, TO SMILE.  BUT BEFORE YOU FLASH THOSE PEARLY WHITES MAKE SURE YOU ARE FREE OF LUNCH DEBRIS AND SMUDGED LIPSTICK.  IN THE CLEAR? FLIRT AWAY!

5 Summertime Hair issues and how to cope

#1 Sun scorching
When your hair is already chemically processed it is more prone to sun scorching. Hair that is already depleted of moisture will become like straw without any protection. Use whatever SPF you can find to protect those locks!
#2 Green Hair
Porous hair soaks up everything weather it be good things or bad! And blonde porous hair is the worst!!! You should always pretreat your hair before swimming in a pool or the ocean. Using an acidic conditioner to help close down the outer layer of your hair shaft is the best way to stop the penetration. I recommend thoroughly wetting the hair and leaving in the conditioner for the best protection.
#3 Using Chemicals
Using 6% peroxide to “add highlights” is awful! Although people believe it isn’t damaging, applying peroxide blasts open the outer layer of the hair shaft and it can turn the hair into shredded wheat. This cannot be fixed!
#4 Raking or Frying Sun Tortured locks
Any hair combing, brushing, or blow drying has the potential to cause more damage. Grandma’s 100 strokes a night recommendation needs to be tossed out the window! Always use a good detangling leave in conditioner before using your wide tooth comb/pick to get the knots out. Use a tourmaline blow dryer and apply a thermal protecting conditioner before you blow dry.
#5 Putting groceries on your hair
Food belongs inside you! Eating omega-3 rich foods, such as fatty fish and flax seed oil, benefit hair. Some people insist on putting food on their head. Lemon juice, beer, onion juice, olive oil, and mayonnaise are a few do-it-yourself hair treatments and that I detest. You should use real hair products they have been tried and tested true to do what they are suppose to.

Red’s Radar

L’anza Healing Hair Care Beach Spray helps create a fresh from the beach look, including tousled waves and loose natural separation. It also contains thermal and triple UV protection to shield hair from the sun’s damaging rays.
Hydrate HydraWhip by Pureology is an emollient-rich formula that contains avacodo, jojoba and shea butters along with rosemary, sage and green tea to restore moisture and softness to fine color treated hair.
Redken’s new Structure Wax creates unsurpassed piecing and separation while adding tremendous shine and texture to dry hair.

COLORS MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT

WOMEN ARE GENERALLY DRAWN TO THE COLORS THAT FLATTER THEIR FIGURE AND COMPLEXION. YOUR FAVORITE COLOR DOESN’T ALWAYS APPEAR IN YOUR WARDROBE IF IT DOESN’T DO A THING FOR YOU. IF YOU’RE THE MAJORITY, THE COLOR YOU MOST OFTEN CHOOSE TO WEAR IS THE IMAGE YOU WANT TO REFLECT, AND THE COLOR MAKES YOU LOOK AND FEEL GOOD.
LET’S HAVE FUN! FIND OUT WHAT FASHION STATEMENT YOU’RE MAKING WITH THE COLORS YOU WEAR ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS—AND WHAT THE COLOR OF YOUR CLOTHING SAYS ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY.
BLACK-CONSERVATIVE YET SEXY, YOU KNOW THAT BLACK IS VERSATILE. WEARING BLACK CLOTHING MAKES YOU APPEAR THINNER, GIVING YOUR SELF-ESTEEM A TURBO-BOOST.
PINK- TRADITIONAL AND CHARMING, PINK IS FEMININE ALL THE WAY. A PINK AND BLACK COMBO IS A TRENDY TWOSOME FOR WOMEN WHO LIKE TO ADD MYSTERY TO THEIR OTHERWISE GIRLY IMAGE.
RED-BOLD AND VIBRANT, YOU LIKE TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. RED PORTRAYS THE ADVENTUROUS SIDE OF YOU THAT’S UNDENIABLE.
BLUE- FUN LOVING AND FREE, BLUE CLOTHING ATTRACTS INDEPENDENT WOMEN WHO ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR INNER SELVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
ORANGE-EXTROVERTED AND GUTSY, ORANGE MEANS YOU LIKE TO STAND OUT IN THE CROWD. NEVER TAKING LIFE FOR GRANTED, YOU ENJOY NEW CHALLENGES AND HAVE A TENDENCY TO COME OUT ON TOP.
YELLOW-ALWAYS THE OPTIMIST, YOU’RE ATHLETIC AND OUTDOORSY. YELLOW REFLECTS A VIBRANT PERSONALITY AND GREAT INTUITION.
WHITE-THOSE WHO FAVOR WHITE PREFER “SAFE” COLORS FOR A PERFECT MATCH. WHITE CAN BE A GREAT ACCENT FOR A DEEP DARK TAN, ADDING SEX-APPEAL TO THE “COLORLESS” COLOR.
GREEN-IF YOU’RE HOT ON GREEN YOU’RE A DOWN-TO-EARTH, NATURAL BEAUTY. WHILE SOMEWHAT STUBBORN, YOU’RE STILL “THE GIRL NEXT DOOR” WHO LIKES TO HAVE FUN.