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.

How to Cope with Limp Locks

Fine hair can be a real bummer when it comes down to getting a style you like.  There are a few tricks to help you maximize your minimal tresses.  The proper haircut is the first step.  Most fine, thin hair looks better kept at shoulder length or shorter.  A nice shoulder length cut with surface layers will help you get lift on top and the appearance of all over fullness.  If you insist on long locks keep some long layers and read up on styling techniques.
Adding some highlights for dimension helps in two ways.  One it roughs up the outer layer of the hair shaft making it look thicker.  And two the added dimension gives the illusion of more hair.
Always use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, using the conditioner only on the ends.  Apply a volumizing or thickening styling product prior to blow drying.  Blow dry your hair in sections lifting at the roots and then drying the ends.  Remember how your hair dries is how it stays!  If you let your hair dry flat to your head you wont be able to get any lift at the roots when you try to style it.  Well placed curls with rollers or an iron also help create lift.  When you have a section to curl, over direct it by pulling the section up away from where it lays.  If its on the top of your head and you want it to go back pull the section towards your face and place the roller.  When you are styling after the curls have set or cooled part your hair on the side creating the illusion of fuller thicker hair.

Product 101

Shine Enhancers

• What they do: They create a shiny, glossy finish and make color appear more vibrant
• Why use them: Not all hair is created equal!  Blonde or curly hair is naturally less shiny, while straight or brunette show good shine.  Dry and brittle hair also lacks luster.
• Shampoo- Redken Blonde Glam, Catwalk Curlesque or Sleek Mystique
• Conditioner- Redken Blonde Glam, Catwalk Sleek Mystique
• Styling product- Bedhead Head Rush, MoroccanOil Glimmer Shine Spray

Curl Booster

• What they do: Create bouncy, frizz free curls and add definition.
• Why use them: While we love our curls they need help.  Weather it be because they are lazy or coarse and unruly perfect ringlets don't come naturally.
• Shampoo- Deva Curl Low Poo & No Poo, Catwalk Curlesque, Bedhead High Definition
• Styling Products-Bedhead Foxy Curls Contour Cream, Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier

Volume Creators

• What they do: Volume makers promote lift at the roots and the appearance of thicker fuller hair.  Creating extra body and bounce can be difficult to do while maintaining healthy looking hair.
• Why use them: Even with the best and most vigorous blow dry technique fine limp strands will still fall flat without good products.
• Shampoo-Pureology Pure Volume, Paul Mitchell Extra Body Daily
• Styling Products- Pureology Pure Volume Blow Dry Amplifier, Big Sexy Blow Dry Gel
• Tools- Medium barrel Vent Brush

Straightening

• What they do: Temporarily tame textured hair, smoothing waves, reducing frizz and fly aways.
• Why use them: If you want smooth sleek hair, these products will help you achieve your desired look.
• Shampoo & Conditioner-Joico Silk Results, Matrix Sleek, Pureology Super Smooth
• Styling products- Enjoy Straightener, Pureology Super Smooth Cream, Catwalk Sleek Mystique Blow out Balm
• Tools- Large barrel Vent Brush

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. 

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.

Just for Curls

Thanks To a major curl comeback in Hollywood and on the runways, women all over the world are embracing their curls after years of trying to smooth them down. For some women it is a love hate relationship, they want to love them but they get so frustrated because they don’t know how to manage them. The key to awesome curls is hydration, keeping your curly tresses moisturized minimizes frizz. Also doing a glaze helps to lay down the outer layer of the hair shaft to minimize frizz. There are so many products out there now for curly tresses to tame and enhance waves at home, here are just a few our customers rave about:
Pureology Real Curl-Color preserving, conditioning, frizz control, humidity resistant, shine, sunscreen, and thermal protectants
Catwalk Curlesque Light Weight Mousse- Conditioning, frizz control, and shine
Sebastian Potion 9- conditioning, frizz control, shine, and thermal barriers
Redken Fresh Curls Spring Mousse- conditioning, frizz control, humidity resistant, and shine

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.

Get the skinny

There are so many women out there that wish they could get there hair chemically straightened but either cannot afford it or their hair is in bad shape. There are a few at-home styling and care products that can temporarily mimic the results of a Keratin Hair Taming Treatment.

Onesta Hair Care Smooth & Shine Thermal Straightening Crème
Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream
Matrix Biolage Thermal Active Repair Cream
Pureology Super Smooth Smoothing Cream

Pureology

COMPREHENSIVE COLOUR CARE SYSTEMS FOR ALL TYPES OF HAIR

ANTIFADE COMPLEX®

Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that attack hair follicles and colour pigments, compromising hair health and colour vibrancy. Pureology’s exclusive AntiFadeComplex® contains a blend of potent antioxidants and full spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreens to protect colour from free radicals.

ZERO SULFATE® SHAMPOOS

Surfactants are an essential part of a shampoo’s cleansing system, but common surfactants, known as sulfates, can fade colour vibrancy. To gently cleanse without stripping colour, our ZeroSulfate® shampoos include a mild cleansing system, with no added salt, derived from coconut, corn, and sugar to deliver a rich lather and help optimize colour retention.

NATURE-INFUSED FORMULAS
FOR PURE PERFORMANCE

100% VEGAN INGREDIENTS

Pureology combines the best of nature with advanced technology to ensure pure performance and radiant colour, and our products are made without animal products or by-products.

ORGANIC BOTANICALS

We are committed to developing naturally-based formulas infused with organic botanicals harvested from plants grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or chemicals.

CONCENTRATED FORMULAS
FOR PURE INDULGENCE

Indulge in the ultimate multi-sensory experience with highly concentrated formulas bursting with superior ingredients that deliver up to 80 shampoos—two times more than other shampoos. Our rich lathers, featherlight textures, and decadent masques surround the senses with aromatic essences, creating a luxurious experience and incredible results. Colour-treated hair is silky soft with dramatically improved condition and remarkable shine.

Pureology 10% off 7/26-7/31

BEDHEAD URBAN ANTIDOTES #3

RESURRECTION™ SHAMPOO

Perfect for: Weak, brittle hair that needs an intervention

Urban Antidote #3: Admitting is the first step! Face it . . . Your hair needs some rehab. Let the hydration therapy begin. Bring weak & brittle hair back to life with this powerful moisture packed shampoo.

Making a comeback has never been so easy.

• Moisture overhaul
• Helps keep color vibrant
• Zeros in on dry, damaged hair

RESURRECTION™ CONDITIONER

Perfect for: Weak, brittle hair that needs an intervention

Urban Antidote #3: Admitting is the first step! Bring dead-end hair back to life once and for all. Formula targets areas in the most need of repair, giving your whacked out hair the revival it has been waiting for!

• Revives lifeless hair
• Thermal protection from harsh conditions
• Zeros in on dry, damaged hair

 

 

BEDHEAD URBAN ANTIDOTES #2

RECOVERY™ SHAMPOO

Perfect for: Dry, Damaged tresses that need a moisture hit

Urban Antidote #2: You've dyed, you've fried, so take your dull hair to the bright side! Help moisture-deprived hair to the ultimate recovery.

Let this potion help strengthen & shine your worn out locks

• Hydrates dried-out strands
• Protects colour from fading
• Prevents pesky split ends

RECOVERY™ CONDITIONER

Perfect for: Dry, Damaged tresses that need a moisture hit

Urban Antidote #2: Drench moisture-deprived hair with a rush of hydration that gets stressed-out tresses back in action & on the road to recovery.

YOU'LL BE ADDICTED TO HOW STUNNING YOUR HAIR LOOKS!

• Moisturizes for major softness
• Protects from thermal & combing damage
• Prevents pesky split ends

 

 

 

BEDHEAD URBAN ANTIDOTES #1

URBAN ANTIDOTES™
RE-ENERGIZE™ SHAMPOO

Perfect for normal hair that needs a daily pick-me-up

Urban Antidote #1: Work hard, play hard ... That's how you roll. Get yourself back to normal with a hydrating, strengthening & shine-enhancing shampoo.

RE-ENERGIZE TIRED HAIR AND GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!

• Livens up moisture levels
• Boosts hair strength
• Promotes colour retention

 RE-ENERGIZE™ CONDITIONER

Perfect for normal hair that needs a daily pick-me-up

Urban Antidote #1: Put some oomph back into your tired, over-stimulated hair. Supercharged hydrating conditoner helps strengthen weak, blah hair giving it a rush of shine and health.RE-ENERGIZE & GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!

• Blast weightless shine
• Detangle unruly locks
• Boost hair strength

 

DEVACURL

Botanically infused and always 100% sulfate-free!

Depart from the ordinary with this exclusively designed hair care system for curly, wavy and chemically processed hair. Deva's interchangeable product line allows for individuality, simplicity and the freedom to address your hair's specific needs.

"Americans are addicted to lather" says the tress-obsessed curly girl Lorraine Massey, author of the must have book, Curly Girl (Workman Publishing,2001). Massey warns, "laundering curly hair (which is what most people are doing with ordinary detergent shampoos) just about guarantees a mass of over-dry, frizzy, shapeless locks." That's why Lorraine, along with co-owner Denis daSilva, world-class chemist Ralph Zissel and Devachan's acclaimed Color Director Shari Harbinger developed the Deva product line. This unique system, with its own unique blend of botanically infused moisturizers and cleansers, will rejuvenate, restore and respect your hair's natural order without the use of harsh chemicals.

What is in the Deva System? The answer is what is NOT in the Deva System. We took the poo out of shampoo, the harsh lathering and dehydrating detergent found in most shampoos that has no inherent value in the cleansing process. We've removed all unnecessary chemicals that often play on hair's vulnerability. We added extra botanical and moisturizing ingredients that cleanse, condition and re-hydrate the hair, more than any products existing on the market today. Each product has it's own unique blend that will enhance the overall quality of dehydrated hair. 

 http://www.youtube.com/user/DevaCurl

FOUR COMMON SKIN TYPES

With the skin being one of the largest organs of the body, it’s no wonder how much emphasis is placed on caring for it. The skin is also the most visual of all the organs and good skin care means a more beautiful, healthy you. Our genetics, race, and age all play a factor in our skin type. How our skin reacts to our diet, hormones, the environment, and climate we live in can help us determine how to choose the best skin care products and the most effective way to treat our problem areas. I’ll outline four common skin types:
NORMAL
Normal skin feels comfortable and requires the least attention. Those lucky enough to have this skin type have a proper balance of moisture and oil production to have healthy, smooth skin with minimum breakouts. Cleansing with a mild soap everyday and using a light moisturizer is usually enough for this low maintenance skin type.
DRY SKIN
Dry skin can affect any age group but it’s more common as we get older. It’s uncomfortable and tight, often with dry patches that can get irritated and itchy. Because of the lack of oil, dry skin is prone to fine lines and wrinkles appearing. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer often, underneath makeup and before bed to increase the comfort level and reduce your chances of unwanted lines.
OILY SKIN
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands work overtime and provide too much oil, giving our skin a shiny and sometimes greasy appearance. Large pores often are a characteristic of those with oily skin and teenagers frequently experience pimples and acne, reducing their self esteem. Fortunately there are many products on the market today to keep the oil in check, thus reducing or eliminating any scarring that may occur. Use of makeup or powder helps to soak up excessive oil while minimizing shine.
COMBINATION SKIN
Combination skin is the trickiest to care for because some areas are dry, some are oily and some are perfectly balanced. Oily areas are usually in the T-zone and forehead while dry areas are common on the outer areas of the cheeks. Use of hair care products that come in contact with the skin around the hairline can cause an unwanted drying affect. There’s no one product that magically solves problems for each individual area so it’s best to take the time to treat combination skin types accordingly.
No matter your skin type or environment you need to cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize and protect. Always use sunscreen, your health and life depend on it!