Fight Winter Skin: Stay Smooth and Hydrated for a Springtime Glow in January

Here in Florida, winter doesn’t take much of a toll on delicate skin; Local concerns are focused more on sun damage. But I often have clients who migrate north or have spent much of their lives trying to hold back the effects of New York and Chicago winters, which are often accompanied by dry indoor air, smog, and day-to-day stress.

No matter where my clients come from, seasonal skin care presents challenges, and we’re all searching for ways to keep skin protected and hydrated under changing conditions. Here are a few general skin care tips that can help:

1. Skin produces natural oils that protect and hydrate better than any available product. So let these oils do their work. Wash your face with water, never soap. To remove makeup, use gentle cleanser, but don’t scrub, and don’t rub your face aggressively to dry it. Just pat with a soft cloth.
2. Skin thrives on organic, plant-based nutrients, not harsh chemicals. The delicate skin cells of the face also respond well to retinol, or concentrated vitamin A. Look for skin products that contain actual retinol, not derivatives like retinyl or retinyl palmitate.
3. For the sake of your skin, try to limit sleepless nights, hectic scheduling, and excessive alcohol consumption. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, carrots, and colorful fruits.
4. Baby your skin when you can. Schedule regular facials, including a glycolic or vitamin C peel at least once every few months.  For daily moisturizing and protection, we recommend Aveda Balancing Infusion for dry skin, and the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Skin Care Starter Kit for dry-to-medium complexions.
5. No matter your age, where you live, or how the seasons affect you, always protect your skin from the sun. Use a daily moisturizer or foundation with sunscreen, and wear sunglasses with UV protection.

Men’s Hair: What to Ask For and How to Maintain

Many men (and women too) often settle into a comfortable routine when they find a style they like. It can take a few hits and misses, but people are creatures of habit, and once we develop a steady relationship with a look, it can seem risky or unnecessary to make a significant change.

But change is necessary. And it’s also fun. If you’ve been wearing the same style for more than five years, it’s probably time to start looking for something new. Begin by paying attention to celebrities and other men with styles you admire. Consider your overall look, including your bone structure and clothing preferences, and keep an eye on men who make the kind of impression that you’d like to create when you walk into a room.

Note how different lengths, part placements, and textures have different effects. And when you’ve narrowed down your options, find a way to describe your intentions to a stylist. (For a completely new hairstyle, it’s probably a good idea to visit a professional stylist rather than your regular barber. Go online or get recommendations from friends if you aren’t sure how to choose.) Once your stylist understands what you want, ask questions as he or she conditions, cuts and sculpts your hair.  Most salons will be more than happy to provide tips on maintaining your look, and if you ask about products, your stylist can easily give recommendations. Some products are only available or accessible through high end salons, but feel to ask about alternatives and substitutes.

If you leave with a new style and find that you can’t perfectly reproduce the look by yourself, don’t worry. Just make the style your own and wait to see the changes it brings into your life.

Men’s Hair: Current Celebrity Looks

Both men and women often come into my salon with a specific celebrity look in mind, and I’ve decided that movie stars play two important roles in our society: 1. Acting in movies, and 2. Providing inspiration and ready descriptions for those of us in search of a new look.

For men, this is especially true right now. This is partly because celebrity looks are very accessible this season. Popular red carpet styles for men have never been more attractive, laid-back, and easy for regular guys to wear and maintain. The look of the moment is short and messy, and it’s a look that compliments almost every age and every type of masculine bone structure.

For the longer end of this look, stars like Johnny Depp and Bradley Cooper let the hair grow out in front and fall almost to the collar in back. The long version requires a bit more attention and product than the shortest end of the spectrum, where we see a look just barely long enough to show life and motion. Stars like Zac Efron keep the top and sides well controlled, but still able to be tousled and shaped. The midrange short messy cut has been seen recently on almost everyone from David Beckham to Josh Duhamel. This cut allows a variety of looks that can change with your mood. It can be combed out for serious occasions or artfully deconstructed with product for outings that are fun and relaxed. Whether it’s dressed up or down, the short cut always stays within a safe range between professional and outgoing.

A healthy, well maintained head of hair that looks a little (just a little) out of control will always be a crowd pleaser. But for now, keep it short. Wait until spring and summer to see the return of longer styles.

Image By: Downing Street

Women’s Hair: Hot Style and Sculpture Trends for 2012

When it comes to hair, fashion is capricious and moody, and some years the hottest looks seem to come and go every time the wind shifts. 2012 is shaping up to be one of the most variant years ever. Tight, sleek cuts are in, but so are messy knots and romantic tangles. New York and Paris Fashion week have already shown us a few very different looks that are now making their way to the street.

The Wet Look

Slicked back hair with a tight, minimalist approach is very in right now. This look is sleek and glamorous, but simple and easy to put together, especially if your hair is naturally straight and your cheekbones are slightly flared.

The Postmodern Bob

Bobbed hair and bangs are making a comeback this year, but the 2012 version has its own geometric, not-so-pixie-like elegance. The new bob is fierce, not sweet, and it’s slightly or severely asymmetrical. The look depends on razor-sharp edges and smooth texturing, so it may require high maintenance if you’re accustomed to waves or loose ringlets.

The Tangled Twist and Messy Knot

The slightly disheveled, early-morning-rock-star look never quite goes out of style for those who wear it well, but this year the look will be everywhere. Wayward pieces falling from an updo, tangled strays, messy curls, loose pins and clips, and a lack of structural soundness will turn heads this season.

Center Parts and Angular Bangs

The center part will play a role in each of the looks above, and will work for both razor straight sleek cuts and more disheveled styles. The part will appear often with the season’s most popular trend: a carefree, natural style that looks just in from a hike or outdoor adventure. Like the center part, angular bangs can finish either a sleek style or a dreamy, tossed-together collection of loose waves.

Image By: The Style PA

Are you buying Aveda, Paul Mitchell at major retailers, grocery or drug stores

I wanted to share this article with you, as I had this discussion with two of our salon guests today. I hope this is informative to you.

What is Product Diversion?

Diversion is when products designed and meant for exclusive distribution at a specific salon end up on shelves of an unintended store.  In other words, diversion occurs when professional salon products like Aveda, KIN, Redken, Pureology and Paul Mitchell are sold at non-salon locations.

Consumers who buy professional hair care products at major retailers, grocery or drug stores may not be getting the bargains they think. These retailers are fueling a grey-market industry that deals in counterfeit, stolen and outdated merchandise.

Because professional hair care products are not regulated by the FDA, consumers may be getting ripped off. Not only are they paying more for the products, but they are also not guaranteed by hair care companies like Aveda , KIN, Redken, Pureology and Paul Mitchell.

It’s definitely a buyer beware situation. In some cases, these products have been found to be tampered with and when tested contained high levels of bacteria- which can cause irritation or even infection.

Purchasing diverted products can be dangerous especially if there is a recall on a particular product.  Retailers will not be notified of a recall if they are not an authorized dealer.

How to tell if merchandise may be diverted:

-Cans may be dented or dirty.

-Part of the batch code may be missing or tampered with.

-Lettering on the bottle may be faded.

Unfortunately, diversion is legal.  Any professional product you find outside a salon that contains the words “for sale in professional salons only” or “guaranteed only when purchased in a salon” have been diverted.  These products are not guaranteed to be at the same level of quality as those found in the salon. Because these products go through many channels during the black market process, sometimes the products can cost up to two times more as you would pay in a salon.

Professional products should be purchased in a professional salon because only trained and licensed stylists can make educated product recommendations for your specific situation.

Written by Michelle Rybicki

Women’s Style Trend: The Center Part for All Hair Lengths

For almost a generation, the center part has been adopted with caution by stylists and fashion savvy women, since it has the potential to widen a round face, draw attention to the nose, and divide the face in way that can emphasize any form of facial asymmetry. The center part can look severe on some faces and as a result, it can be risky. The side part, on the contrary, offers a safe way to lend balance, harmony, and elevation to the features. But these days, risk is in. And so is the concept of finding beauty and drama in slight, deliberate asymmetry.

Stars on the red carpet have already embraced the center part, and daring women everywhere have followed their lead and left the sweet, safe side part behind. When it’s paired with a glamorous style and a color that suits the face, the center part can easily become the center of attention.

The best part about choosing the best part is that changing your part can dramatically alter your look with almost no commitment. Before you consult with your stylist or cut your hair, experiment with different parts on your own. Note how a slight change in your part can alter the angles and shadows of the face, and can elevate or de-emphasize the cheekbones, the eyes, the jaw line or the smile.

A center part can work well with or without bangs, and can showcase the life and shine of both short and long hair of every texture. But one of the hottest center-part looks of the moment is one that I’m asked about almost every day. This in-demand, somewhat retro style involves grown-out bangs, cut to the jaw line or longer. With a neat part in the center, the hair (curly or straight) is swept symmetrically back from the face or into an elegant updo.

Image By: catrineh

AVEDA’s Smooth Infusion™ Texture Smoother VS. Traditional Keratin Treatments or Straighteners

For those of us who have unmanageable, frizzy hair but do not want to straighten it with harsh chemicals, it is like a dream come true to find out that AVEDA launched their new, natural smoothing treatment, called Smooth Infusion Texture Smoother Treatment.
AVEDA’s innovative formula is up to 83% naturally derived and less damaging than traditional keratin treatments or straighteners; such as Brazilian Gloss or Brazilian Blowout. Traditional retexturizing chemicals, including formaldehyde, ammonium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide are replaced with naturally derived ingredients that deliver equally smooth results without dangerous fumes or damage  to the hair.

How does it work?
The secret is AVEDA’s patent-pending formula using Tourmaline, which smooths hair in a three-step process.
Step 1: Tourmaline loosens the natural hair. The gentle energy of Tourmaline loosens the bonds that curl and kink the hair.
Step 2: Mineral sulfates smooth the hair. Mineral sulfates help realign the hair bond so the hair is smoother.
Step 3: Corn and an enzyme help lock in the style. The combination of a corn-derived amino acid and a naturally derived enzyme help lock the smooth new texture into place.
Using this treatment is a safe, non-permanent way to control unmanageable hair. The Smooth Infusion Texture Smoother can last up to 2 months and is a great starting point when considering a more permanent straightening system (Check out Smooth Infusion Retexturizing System).
SPECIAL OFFER: Get $50 OFF your first Smooth Infusion Texture Smoother! (Regular Price: $250)

Call Now for a FREE Consultation!

Red Hot Red: The Season’s Most Sought-After Color

Sound the fire alarm! From deep, velvety hues with cool undertones, to higher pitched, golden reds like wild-rose infused honey, red has arrived, and it isn’t leaving any time soon. This hot color has taken over the stage and the audience can’t get enough. If you’re looking for a color that will stop traffic, melt snowdrifts, and start scandalous rumors, look no further. But know what you’re getting into. Red is a color that goes off like a gun, and without a little forethought, a move to red can easily leap right out of control. Make sure the tone you choose is exactly the one you want, and make sure your colorist knows how to create a look with dimension, texture, energy, and life. In the wrong hands, red can become flat or shrill, and you don’t want that. When your red speaks, you want the room to listen.

The first rule of red is: Don’t strike out on your own. Here at the salon I see plenty of emergency cases of home-coloring gone wrong. After a do-it-yourself disaster, a client will often come in with a look of despair under the tragic aftermath of an impulsive coloring attempt, and red seems to be the culprit more often than any other color. The reason is simple: Natural red hair occurs in a wide spectrum of shades, and choosing the perfect shade can be serious artistic challenge. Creating beautiful, multi-dimensional red and then glossing to give shine and polish requires many years of experience and the precision application of products that hold bold colors in place. Consult with a professional colorist before you make the exciting move to red, and know in advance what you’ll need to do after your treatment to keep the fire and vibrance in your look.

Image By: Alaskan Dude

Your New Years Updo: The Valentino Style French Braid

I’m often besieged at this time of year with urgent questions about New Year’s Eve style options. Every year seems to have its own hot look or signature updo, and 2012 is no exception. This year, as a result of Valentino’s 2012 runway show during Paris Fashion Week, the Valentino French braid has taken center stage. This show-stealing take on the classic French braid can be sleek and elegant or bold and edgy depending on your approach. A flawless, intricate braid with the right product can turn you into a grown-up fairytale princess, while a little messiness can undercut the sweet factor and showcase your dangerous side. Talk to your stylist, or if you’re up to the challenge, you can sweep the braid together on your own.

First, envision a classic vertical French braid, but oriented around the head like a crown. The twisting medieval elegance of the braid lies in the luscious curve of each lock and the suggestion of depth, complexity and texture. Begin with a section of hair close the crown, just above your right ear. Divide the hair into three sections. Each section will become a separate French braid. The middle section will wind across the crown of the head to the other ear, the top section will move along the forehead, and the bottom section will move across the back of the head. Use pins to hold each braid in place at its final destination over the left ear.

Before you begin each braid, apply a calming product or de-frizzing oil. I recommend Intelligent Nutrients, an excellent line of organic products that we use here at the salon. When each braid is complete, spray one final time to control wispiness for a sleek, regal look. Otherwise, let a few wayward strands escape for a more romantic effect. A beautiful braid should be balanced and secure, but the winding strands should catch the light in a playful and fascinating way.

Image By: Debs (ò‿ó)♪