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The 30 Day Hair Challenge...

Intra Force

Less is NOT more

Sorry the bottles look a little funny I have been using them!



Redkens new Intra Force line is here!  Do you want Thicker, Fuller hair in 30 days or your money back?!  Then listen up!  You can try Intra Force risk free for 30 days.  If you are not satisfied and couldn't see results Redken will give you a full refund.  Wow, Redken must really stand behind this product to be giving out full refunds!  I had heard of this line coming out a few months ago and waited patiently for it to finally launch the beginning of March!  It's a system that is suppose to be compared to Nioxin but better.  I have personally been using this system for 14 days and love it!  Intra Force is great for anyone who has thinning or fine hair.  

When your hair is thinning, its embarrassing.  Sure you think well I'm only 25, only older peoples hair starts to thin.  Not true!  I have many clients who go through stages of their hair thinning out, pregnant mommies lose hair and anyone who has recently had surgery or on new meds can have hair lose.  Intra Force visibly improves the health and appearance of your hair in just 30 days.  It addresses thinning hair by 1. Detoxifing it with Zinc PCA - Which helps reduce excess sebum and DHT on the hair and scalp that build up. 2. Stimulating with Arginine - Essential amino acid that helps to stimulate the scalp. 3. Nourishes with Vitamin E - A derivative that nourishes the scalp to provide a good environment for healthy hair to grow.  

Proven Results:

•  Thicker, Fuller hair in just 30 days
•   Up to a 95% decrease in premature breakage with continued use

System 1: For Natural, Thinning Hair

• 75% of users noticed increased fullness
• 70% of users noticed a thickening effect
• 70% of users noticed enhanced density

System 2: For Color Treated, Thinning Hair

• 82% of users noticed increased fullness
• 81% of users noticed a thickening effect
• 80% of users noticed enhanced density

Intra Force is a three tiered customizable treatment program to promote your hair's density.  First you start out with a in salon scalp stimulate service to purify the hair.  Which I have to say my hair felt very nice and clean once this was done!  The in salon service is a professional microdermabrasion treatment that will help to maximize your at home results. 

It's Proven To:

• Accelerate cellular turnover by 25%
• Remove the buildup of dead surface cells

*Schedule this service once a month or during each salon visit for continued results.

The next step is to densify your hair with your at home system.  Talk to your stylist about which system would work best with your hair type.  The color treated hair system provides UV protection and additional conditioning benefits.

Step 1: Shampoo

It is a detoxifying cleanser that helps reduce excess sebum buildup and DHT to promote density and a healthy scalp

Step 2: Toner

This nourishing toner detangles, moisturizes and strengthens your hair to prevent premature breakage and improve its manageability.

Step 3: Treatment

It is a fast absorbing daily treatment that energizes the scalp and promotes hair density so hair looks and feels fuller and thicker.  It is a daily stimulant treatment for your scalp.

There are also additional products that can be used with the 3 step system. 

Micro Boost: Targeted treatment for low density hair lines.  It is to be used if you have a low density hairline.  Characterized by a more advanced thinning, and hair loss around the crown and forehead area.

Hair Advance: Intensive treatment for noticeably thinning hair.  It kick starts your treatment program.  Use this treatment for thinning hair intensified by stress or seasonal changes.

Hair Densifier: Thickening foam for all hair types of thinning hair.  It's a weightless, PVP free moose.  Provides lasting volume, shape and definition.  Leaves hair stronger, more supple and easy to style without all the buildup.  Use everyday for styling support and fullness.

We will see how I fell about this system at the end of my 30 days.  I will say right now that I love it!  When I wash my hair it feels very fresh and clean.  The shampoo and toner have a minty tingling sensation to them.  Then the treatment moose actually feels like it adds hair to my scalp.  The first time I used it I was scared it would look oily in my fine hair but once it was dried and styled you couldn't even tell.  I would recommend this system to anyone with thinning or fine hair.  Don't just take my word for it, read more real life stories at Intraforce.com.  Visit Intraforce.com for full details!

*DHT -

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen, synthesized primarily in the prostate gland, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands by the enzyme 5α-reductase by means of reducing the 4,5 double-bond of the hormone testosterone.

*PVP -

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also called Polyvidone, is a water-soluble polymer made from the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone:^[1]

^{Definitions found on Wikipedia.com}

Mascara: My New Favorite

I have tried so many different mascaras through the years.  Lately I had been using Lancome and always had liked it.  I have longer lashes that tend to stick straight out if they are not curled with a eye lash curler before and after mascara is applied.  I started to get little black flakes under my eye that sat on my cheek bone.  It started out to be just every now and then but then turned into a everyday thing.  It's sad when your boyfriend is constantly wiping the black stuff off your face everyday!  So I knew I had to find a new mascara asap.  So I asked my friend the make up queen Hope (makeuphope.blogspot.com) what her advice was.  She told me that my mascara was probably getting to hard and making my lashes to brittle once it was dried.  She recommended I try Cliniques Lash Doubling Mascara that she has loved for years.  So I gave it a try and absolutely love it! 

 Lash Doubling Mascara

It Comes in Black, or Black/Brown. 

I love the tapered brush, it lets you get every inch of lash covered at one time.  The mascara magnifies each lash to make them look half their size and leaves them full of volume.  Once my lashes are dry i can still go back and curl them without it leaving black residue on my cheeks.  The formula dries but leaves your lashes feeling soft and touchable.  Lash Doubling is also alot cheaper then what I was paying and can be found at most department stores where Clinique is sold.  The price is normally around $14.50.

Bottom Lash Mascara

While I was at VonMour purchasing my Lash Doubling Mascara, the lady at the counter informed me of the new Bottom Lash Mascara that Clinique had just launched.  So i purchased it as well.  It's a smaller tube and has a tiny brush to let you reach those bottom lashes.  The formula is also a smear resistant to help with any smudges you may get.  The tube still comes with the 90 day supply that Clinique stands behind for all of their mascaras.  It's normally $10 and can be purchased where all other Clinique mascaras are found.  I didn't think having a separate mascara for my bottom lashes would make a difference, but it truly does.  It helps to open up my eyes alot more.  I recommend both of these products to anyone!   

 

Sorry I have been MIA for a few days.....

I have recently had surgery to remove Endometriosis.  This is my third surgery and things went alot better then in the past.  March is actually Endometriosis month, so what better time to have my surgery.  Just say a quick prayer that one day they will find a cure for this horrible disease that effects millions of women everyday, including me.  Thanks! Now, while I have been unable to get to the computer I have been thinking of so many blog posts I could be doing!! So watch out!!! 

~To find out more about Endometriosis go to Endometriosisassn.org

The Things Your Hairdresser Will Never Tell You....

I was searching around on the internet and found this article, "13 Things Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You". Its from Readers Digest on March 12,2010. The interview is from Maureen Mackey from Readers Digest. I think this article can be very beneficial to some people and help them build a better relationship with their hairdresser. Also it will help you get the most of your time while in your stylists chair. I added a few things next to each myself.

1. "I'm a beautician, not a magician. I can give you Gisele Bundchen's haircut, but I can't give you her face." ~Meaning just because you love the hair in the picture on her doesn’t mean it’s going to look that way on you. Keep this in mind when your hairdresser explains why she doesn’t think it will work well with your certain hair type.

2. "Come at least 5 minutes early. If you're running late, please call ahead. Show me some basic respect. This is a business, not fun and games." ~Everyone gets caught in traffic or running behind every once and a while. Just always call or text to say I’m running a little late. If one client runs late then it throws off the whole rest of our day.

3."Don't ask me to 'squeeze' you in when I'm already booked. I'd be taking away time and effort from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way." ~Asking to be squeezed in puts us in a tough situation. Of course we want your business but we also want to give each client the proper time and care each deserves.

4."Hairdresser school does not teach about counter-transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders. If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an opinion." ~We love listening to your problems and hearing about your life but face it were more interested in your hair and making you look good!

5."Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy." . ~Most people don’t look good with all one length hair, and if they do they are probably 12 years old. Some soft face framing layers can always update and change a hairstyle.

6."Bodies and hair change as hormones change. If your hair is dry, listless, or brittle, or if it's not holding color or style the way it used to, see a doctor. If your hair isn't over processed, you could be pregnant (surprise!) or menopausal (yes, I can tell)." ~It’s amazing the things you can tell thru your hair. Everything you put in to your mouth comes out in your hair. Yes, that means food, medicines, and drugs. Also any new illness’s or surgeries can change the texture of your hair.

7."A trim is not 'just' a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge and time. Would you say to your dentist, 'it's just a tooth,' or to your doctor, 'it's just a leg'?" ~This kills me every time I hear, “ Isn’t a trim cheaper?” NO!!

8. "That single dollar bill you stuff into the shampoo person's hands isn't doing her any favors. A dollar bill doesn't buy anything anymore. You should tip her at least $3- more if your hair is long." ~This doesn’t pertain to me, I have never had anyone but myself shampoo my clients.

9."If you want to buy a bottle of color and do your own hair to save a buck, you can live with the consequences." ~Trust me there will be consequences! Mostly to your wallet because your probably going to have to pay to have corrective color done to fix whatever mistake you have done. The color that comes in a box from the local grocery store could have been sitting on that self for months. Therefore the color has already oxidized and just because it says light brown on the box, when you put it on your hair its going to look black. Then guess who your going to be calling to fix it?! That’s right your hairdresser!

10."Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me." ~Most of the time we can remember small bits of your last style but not down to if we thinned it last time or if your keeping your bang longer this time. Pictures ALWAYS help!

11."Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours? Kids don't sit still, Kid's kick. It's and intense experience." ~I absolutely love doing children’s hair, but it’s going to cost ya. The style now for little girls is a more grown up look. Well that’s considered a grown up cut which is a grown up cost. A normal kids cut is just cut straight across the back, that’s it! Anything more your going to have to pay for.

12."Standing all day and using scissors and a blow-dryer takes a toll- I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to. I'm a physical wreck." ~This is true, if you see me sitting down for a minute it’s not because I forgot about you while your color is processing. It’s because I wanted a little breather, more less my feet wanted a break!

13. "We see women at their worst. Their hair is wet, they have foils on their hair, they have no make-up on. There's nothing for them to hide behind. So they tell us everything. The truth is, I really don't care what they do sexually. I'm only interested in their hair." ~This goes back to number 4 again!

Keep these things in mind on your next visit to see your hairdresser! I also found this article posted after the “13 Things Your Hairstylist Wont Tell You”. Its from the same interview by Maureen Mackey. “14 MORE Things Your Hairstylist Wont Tell You”. I didn’t like number 15 in the interview so I changed it to 14 things!

　

1. I'll work hard to make you happy and I'll want you to like it.~If you for whatever reason don’t like your hair never hesitate to call your stylist. Also don’t forget to call them when you really like your hair as well!

2. For stylists, tips should be 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of your bill.

3. Sure, you can bring your child or your dog in, as long as you control them.~This is more about other clients in the salon. Most people come to the salon to be pampered and relax for a few hours. How can the mom who left her kids with a sitter to get her hair done and have a break relax if your child is running around and screaming right next to her.
 4. I need to charge you for my time.
~I went to school and got my Masters in Cosmetology. Therefore I am a professional. So any service you are requesting from me, you will be charged for. My time is valuable and I have many clients to take care of.

5. You represent me.~So it’s in my best interest for you to look good. You’re a walking billboard for my business!

6. I am not all things to all people.
7. I'm not in this business to make hundreds of thousands of dollars.~I’m in it because I love it. Of course I want to make a decent living like everyone else, but at the end of the day I just want to go home and still love my job.
8. Men will tell you things they won't tell their wives.~“My throat hurts.” “My back aches.” They want a little sympathy, which maybe they can’t get at home because their wives have heard it all before, or they’re not listening. So they tell us. It’s the only place they can unload and vent about their problems.
9. Spend a little money on the right products.~Products is the key to most hairstyles. Professional shampoo and conditioner have the right ingredients in them to keep your hair healthy and well nourished. Styling products can make or break a style. Trust me were not selling you these products to see who can sell the most. We truly believe in the product and what they can do for your hair.
10. My work takes time.~I understand we all get in a pinch when we only have this amount of time till we have to be at our next stop. If you have had your hair done before you know it takes the same amount of time each time. Color has to process for a certain time period before it is oxidized on your hair. You can’t just speed it along any faster then what it takes on it’s own. If your in a pinch and don’t have time for what is needed reschedule.
11. Leave it at the door.~When a client has had a bad day and in a bad mood, it rubs off on me. They sit and complain about this went wrong and this went wrong and before you know it were both complaining about everything. Leave your complaining and problems at the door. Your time in my chair is to be pampered and relax. When you leave you shouldn’t even remember those silly problems.
12. If you cancel at the very last minute, that's lost money to me.~I can’t fill that appointment with little or no notice. Obviously emergencies come up and that can’t be helped. Just try to give your stylist as much notice if you have to cancel or be late for a appointment. Don’t just not show up. Most stylist don’t make a hourly wage so therefore that’s money lost to them.
13. Putting too much junk in your hair will almost always kill a look.~The stores are saturated with every possible product to make thin hair thick, dull hair shiny, and curly hair straight. But more is not more. Your hair wants to be healthy. That doesn’t mean trying to totally recreate it every day. You will know when to much is enough for your hair. Try out different things until you get your product regimen down right.
14. Do not attempt hairstylist-speak.~Do you really know what “point cutting” or “graduation” mean? Leave the terminology to the professionals please. Just because you read something in a magazine or on the internet doesn’t mean you know its exact terminology.
　

Bangs, Bangs, Bangs.....

Bangs!

Straight Across or To the Side?!

There are so many different ways to wear your bangs.  I also believe that everyone sees each and every bang differently.  My personal favorite bang on just about everyone is a side part with a thick side bang.  I prefer my own bang to be a bit longer and fuller since my hair is so fine.  When going to your hairdresser for a new bang look, ALWAYS bring a few pictures with you.  It's hard for us hairdressers to get on the same page as you when you personally don't know what type of bang you really like.  Also make sure it is something that you are really truly wanting to commit to.  Bangs can be cut to go from long to short, side swept to full frontal blunt or a variety of in between styles.  They can be worn to minimize large foreheads, help control annoying cowlicks or disguise a bad haircut!  Make sure you and your hairdresser choose a bang that fits your actual style, hair type, and face shape.   

The straight across bang look can either be thick, or more fringed.  This look works well with oval, square, or round shaped faces.  To get a little volume with a straight across bang use a round brush on either damp or dry hair.  You can also just use your fingers to dry them for a more natural look.  These are two pictures that I have had brought into me by my clients.  Resse Witherspoon has more fringed bangs as where Katie Holmes has a more blunt, thicker straight across bangs. 

The side swept bang is very popular for pretty much every face shape.  Some people like to have a deep side part for a more thicker and fuller side bang.  Others like to have a softer part just a little off the center for a more blended natural bang.  A thicker side bang can be cut bluntly with many layers.  To where a softer side bang can be just a few shorter tapered pieces to flow back into the rest of your hair.  Alot of people like their bang to just fall down naturally and not be so noticeable.  If your bang isn't falling the way you want it, it may be to thick.  If so your hairdresser can thin it out a little and and texture for more movement.  All of these photos have a pretty deep side part besides the bottom right picture.  Ashley Olsen's bang is a little more softer and natural looking.  Nicole Richie's bang hits right at eye level which helps accentuate her eyes.  The top right picture has a longer bang that is more fringed on the ends.  Cameron Diaz also has a side part with a longer bang that flows back naturally with the rest of her hair. 



Which bang will you choose for your new spring look?!?!?

One of My Favorite Quotes: