Aveda’s Smoothing Treatment Service

Beautiful hair comes in every texture and every natural style. And as many of us know, the most fascinating hair in the world can be the thickest, the strongest, and the most sensitive to environmental conditions like humidity.  If your hair is rebellious, temperamental, very fine, or very coarse, be grateful. Your hair is full of life! It’s radiant, just like you. But you should also know how to bring your brilliant locks under control when you need to.

Here at my salon we offer a wide range of soothing and smoothing products that can tame stubborn kinks, frizz, and fly-aways. Our services are available to help you add gloss and weight and even re-texture your hair for a radical, semi-permanent change when you feel like trying something new. Since we support Aveda and recommend their line of healthy, natural skin and hair products, we can also tell you a bit about their treatment services, and the Aveda Smoothing Treatment is one of my personal favorites.

This keratin-infusing treatment involves a special technique using Aveda’s Smooth Infusion products and a single procedure that can leave your hair smooth, relaxed and humidity-proof for up to two months. 83 percent of the ingredients in your Smooth Infusion treatment come from plant based and non-petroleum derived ingredients. This safe, ecofriendly procedure relies on natural tourmaline to loosen curls and waves and make the styling process easier, even after months of washing, daily styling and exposure to all kinds of weather conditions.

If you’re interested in putting Aveda’s Smoothing Treatment to the test, visit the company website to find a location in your area. Meanwhile, feel free to contact my salon for more information about smoothing treatments, Aveda products and our own range of services that nourish your hair and make the most of its unique beauty.

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