Hairdryers

Hairdryers

Which one to buy?!?!

Well here's your answer, or at least a little help to get you on your way!  I know when you go into a store and look at hairdryers it can be very overwhelming.  There are so many different styles, shapes, sizes and brands on the shelves to choose from.  Just because one dryer is more elaborate and more expensive then the other doesn't always mean its the better choice!  My hairdryer at home recently died so I just grabbed one out of the closet to use, which was probably from when I was in high school (about 9 years ago!).  I didn't even realize that I was using this plain jane hairdryer for probably about 2 weeks or longer.  Just out of habit my dryer is always in the same spot and I didn't realize it wasn't the greatest.  Well I did soon enough because my hair paid for it.  It began to get very dry and felt like hay in some areas.  I hadn't colored my hair recently so I didn't know what was going on.  I started using moisture treatments and oils and nothing was helping.  It wasn't until my friend Natalie started talking about her hair dryer and how it was frying her hair that I realized, duh!  So is mine!  I know, I know, what a bad hairdresser of me!  So anyone can fall into this trap and not realize it until its to late.  

I have gotten together a few tips to help you along the way when your shopping for a new dryer.  Also if you have a hairdryer at home make sure it has some of these options I'm talking about.  1st make sure it gets above 1800 watts, 2nd make sure it has multi heat speeds and a cool shot button, 3rd look to see if it comes with a concentrator attachment to help straighten your hair as you dry it or a diffuser attachment for curly hair.  There are many different prices of hairdryers.  The price is not most important, but does have a little to do with picking one out.  A $5-$20 hairdryer is very inexpensive at first, but can cost you a great deal in the end.  It can scorch your hair and pull it into the fan cage causing it to break off.  A $20-$80 hairdryer is normally suitable for someone who just dries their hair daily.  It has a few different settings with heat and cooling.  Also more and more are being developed with ionic and ceramic features.  A $80-$100+ hairdryer is considered a Professional dryer.  Normally these can only be bought by a professional at a beauty supply store or at a salon who retails them.  They are made for repeated daily drying use, as hairdressers do over and over on clients daily.  The pro dryer is normally more quiet and dries hair in half the time with the ionic and ceramic features.  

What is ionic and ceramic ?!  Every hairdryer produces charged particles, either positive or negative.  A $5-$20 hairdryer uses a positive charge which causes the cuticle covering the hair shaft to open, which then causes the frizzy and dull appearance over time.  $20-$80 hairdryers normally use negative charged ions.  The ionic charge causes the cuticle to remain flat, trapping moisture to eliminate frizz and add more body.  It helps dry the hair faster, shiner, smoother and banish static electricity.   The ceramic technology distributes a radiant heat which protects the hair shaft causing it to feel lighter, softer and more manageable. 

Then there is the option tourmaline that most hairdryers are offering these days.  Tourmaline generates a higher number of negative ions to expedite hair drying with sleek shiner hair.  Most hairdryers offer both ionic and tourmaline options together.  So keys things to remember when looking for a dryer: Watts, ionic,and tourmaline.  I purchased a new hairdryer once I realized that my old one was drying my hair out.  I bought the Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Styler.  Suggested retail price $52.99.  At the salon I use the Chi Pro.  Suggested retail price $150.00.  I can already tell a difference in my hair from using the Infiniti nano Silver dryer.    

Make sure to take care of your hairdryer to make it last longer.  Keep it clean, especially the cage/vent on the back.  You can use a old (dry) tooth brush to clean it.  Keeping that clean from lent and hair will help the air flow thru correctly.  Hope this helps!

Infiniti Nano Silver

Chi Pro

Would You Like to NOT Shave EVER Again?!

Laser Hair Removal

Silky, Smooth Forever

Want hairless underarms and legs like these?!?  Laser Hair Removal is your answer!  I get asked all the time about my experience with laser hair removal so I figured I would just share with everyone at once!  I had always wanted to get the treatment done but was always so nervous.  I used to get razor burn, ingrown hairs and would cut myself all the time when I shaved.  Once I started in the salon world and trusted someone to wax me I began getting waxed.  Then I started waxing myself because it was easier to do it on my own time and not hassle someone else.  The problem with waxing is, you have to let your hair grow out to a certain length before you can even get waxed.  So yes in the dead of summer you could have 1in. long under arm hair!  I thought, there must be another solution.  I heard a commercial on the radio for laser hair removal and decided what the heck I might as well look into it.  I did my research and had a few consultations with places that did laser hair removal.  I finally decided I was ready to take the leap and just do it!  I choose to go to Loving Laser for many reasons: laser hair removal is all they do, a doctor is always on stand by in case something would to happen, licensed nurses are doing the treatments and after my consult I felt very comfortable with the situation.  Loving Laser offers many different specials throughout the year,  that's when I got on board!  The buy one area get two areas free sold me!  I decided to have my bikini, under arms and inner thigh done at first.  So I went to my first treatment and decided it wasn't bad at all and totally worth it.  They were still having the special so I bought another package and decided to also have my full legs, and face done as well (so no chin hairs when I'm older for me!).  I am basically having my whole body done, which is amazing!  I love the girls who work at Loving Laser and have really bonded with one of them that normally does my treatments.  Most places offer free consultations, so if your thinking of doing it call and make an appointment!  Here are some of the questions I normally get asked.

What is Laser Hair Removal?  It is a pulsating beam of light that shines thru your skin to a individual hair follicle and kills it.  It gets rid of any unwanted hair.

Do you have to let your hair grow out?  Nope! They want you to be freshly shaven so that the light can pick up the hair follicle bulb and kill it.  Towards the end of your treatments they may ask you to not shave so they can see if there are any areas that they need to focus on more then the others.

Can you tan?  Nope! Your not suppose to have any color to your skin or the laser will burn you.  Your not even allowed to use self tanners because they sit on the skin and trick the laser thinking you have dark pigment.  So the laser works better on light skin and dark coarse hair.  

How long does it take until your hair free?  Each person has different skin tones and hair color and texture so it will be different for everyone.  They normally say you need 8-10 treatments at the minimum.  I am on my 12th visit I believe.

How often do you go?  At first you start out going every 4-6 weeks then they move it to 6-8 weeks, 9-10 weeks and 13 weeks.  Your body hair grows on cycles and they have to catch the hair on the different cycle to assure they kill all of the unwanted hair.  

Does it hurt?  I wont say it doesn't hurt but I do think my tattoo hurt worse!  It almost feels like a rubber band smacking your skin over and over again.  I just keep telling myself that this is forever so I can suffer thru a little bit of pain!  They do offer numbing cream that you apply before a treatment.  I have opted not to use this because your suppose to get better, faster results without it.  So I don't know much about the numbing cream.  

What do you do during a treatment?  Depending on what area you are doing, it has to be visual.  Which means you may be half way naked thru some of a service.  They have robes you can wear and try to keep you as covered up as they can.  It's all women at my place so I feel very comfortable with them.  Just think how many other people they see on a day to day basis.  You lay on a table and have goggles on to protect your eyes.  They can give you stress balls to squeeze during the treatment if needed. I normally suck on candy and distract myself with talking to the nurses the whole time.

What if it comes back?  Loving Laser offers a life time guarantee.  So therefore once my treatments are finished and if in a few years I have a dormant hair that appears I can go back and have it lasered.  

Is it expensive?  I'm not going to lie it is a little expensive but think about what your getting done, its forever!  Never having to buy shaving cream, razors or waxing again.  All that time you wont have to spend in the shower shaving over and over again.  They offer payment plans thru Care Credit.  I'm sure every place is different so do your research before you commit to anything. 

What does the laser look like?  This was the best picture I could find of what the lasers they use on me looks like.       

I can't think of any more questions off the top of my head, but feel free to email me if you have any! SLBHAIR3323@hotmail.com

       

New Treatment

Paul Mitchell

Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratriplex

So, I have been strictly a Redken girl until the last year or so.  I have been venturing out from what I know like the back of my hand and trying new things.  There are so many professional product lines out there.  I have been dipping in to many of them here and there lately and came across this treatment.  I never was a huge fan of Paul Mitchell because it always reminded me of when I was a kid with the big puffy bangs and thats all I used was Paul Mitchell hairspray.  Bad time in my life with Hair!  Any who I had been seeing more and more about this treatment and products and decided it was time to try it out.  I got my color done yesterday and went a little blonder which made my hair even more dryer then it already was.  Which is a whole different blog post!  I called and made an appointment with a Paul Mitchell focus salon and went in today for the in-salon treatment.  It only took about 25-30 minutes and left my hair feeling so good.  Granted the girl who did the treatment put alot of other products in it because she wanted to curl it afterwards and made my fine hair a little hard from so many products.  I know tomorrow when I wash it and style it the way I like to everyday that it is going to feel amazing.  I can already tell the difference in shine and how bright my color looks now.  As stated above the in-salon treatment reduces breakage up to 80%, what blonde doesn't want that!  Improves shine up to 35% and prevents color fading by 67%.  That right there had me sold enough to at least try the treatment once.  The in-salon Wild Ginger treatment is a highly concentrated blend of Keratin proteins that helps to repair and seal the cuticle all the way to the core.  After the treatment you are suppose to use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  There is a whole line of products that follow the Awapuhi that I cant wait to purchase and try myself.  So if your in need of a little extra conditioning I would recommend the Awapuhi Wild Ginger in-salon treatment!  I believe I will be purchasing the kit and start offering them to my clients as well.

The Secret To Great Skin:

The Secret Is Out!

The Steps To Having Great Skin

If you want smooth healthy skin this summer then listen up!  I recently read an article in the April issue of Allure about "Your Great Skin Must-Haves".  I thought to myself what a great topic for my blog that will benefit everyone!  My own secret to getting great skin is facials!  I have battled with acne for years now.  It seems to never go away!  I had tried everything from drug store stuff, over the counter stuff, even fad tricks people said that worked for them.  Nothing helped!  Not even the drug Accutane worked for me!  So with that being said I was always on the look out for help with my skin.  Sure I have had facials before but never like the facials I receive from Pat at The Refuge.  Her facials are almost two hours long and consist of different techniques each time.  I have been going to see her for over two years now and can proudly say I finally have my skin under control!  I normally go every 6-8 weeks for a routine core facial treatment.  Don't get me wrong of course they are relaxing but not all fluff and buff!  It's more of a treatment that is customized to my skin at that time of the appointment.  I finally have found something that works and has evened my skin tone out.  I have learned so much from Pat and also being a cosmetologist myself know a lot about skin care.  At the Refuge Pat has designed her own skin care line with the help of a scientist and I absolutely love everything she sells!  It's called R Skin.  Here are a few things that works for me and a little from the Allure article.

First: Gentle Cleanser

Allure suggests: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

I use: 

A glycolic cleanser for at night and a chamomile cleansing lotion during the day.  I have sensitive to dry skin so using two cleansers helps even out my skin tone.  The glycolic cleanser is a gentle exfoliant and helps to balance and condition the skin. The chamomile cleanser gently and throughly cleanses the skin.  It also has Vitamin A and E in it that help to moisture and balance my skin.  

Second: Mild Exfoliator

Allure suggests: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Toner

I use:

 Daily Microfoliant by Dermalogica.  It is a rice based powder that activates with water and releases the ingredients on your skin.  

Blueberry and Coffee Bean Exfoliating cleanser.  The deep cleansing lotion contains many high powered antioxidants.  The small beads help to exfoliate the dead skin cells.  

Micro Dermabrasion cremes.  Have a gritty texture that gently exfoliates the skin without irritating it.  

With any exfoliant you only want to use it 2-3 times a week.  Removing your dead skin cells on your face everyday can be harmful to your skin and cause irritation.  

Three: Moisturizer with SPF

Allure suggests: Replenix CF Advanced Anti-Photoaging Complex with SPF 45

I use:

Herbal Silk moisturizer, Moisture Perfecting Creme, Moisture Replenishing Creme.  Yes, I use three different lotions for different times of the year!  I told you my skin can be crazy!  The silk Moisturizer is amazing for my dehydrated skin in the winter months.  It helps to refresh my skin and add a smooth silk feeling to the texture.  Moisture Perfecting Creme is great for my skin in the fall and summer as is the Moisture Replenishing Creme depending on how my skin feels that day.  No, everyone does not need to go out any buy three different moisturizers, this is just what works best for my own skin.

SPF: I personally like to put my sunscreen on separatly then my moisturizer.  I like to use a SPF of 65 everyday under my lotion, especially in the summer.

Four: Anti-Aging Night Cream

Allure suggests: Philosophy Help Me Retinol night Treatment 

I use:

   Retinol resurfacing Complex.  Retinol is all the rag right now with skin care.  I have been using it for almost a year and love it for at night time.  It gently smooths your face, evens your skin tone, and restores your skins youthful texture.  You truly can see a difference within days.  

Next is a few things I have found on my own and with the help of Pat that also help. 

The Clarsonic Mia.  This tool is amazing and a key essential in my skin care regimen.  Pat suggested I start to use the Clarsonic over a year ago.  I thought wow it's $149 at Sephora, can I pay that much for this tool.  Boy am I glad I broke down and bought it.  I have seen so much improvement in my pores and overall skins texture.  The Clarsonic is good for all skin types and is recommended by most dermatologists and estheticians.  I chose to get the Mia, the smaller version of the Clarsonic.  Pat said that was all I needed and would be good for my smaller hands.  You should start out using this tool twice a week and then can add in a extra day once your skin is used to the Clarsonic.  It is a exfoliant and is stripping your skin cells and oils every time you use it.  Thats why estheticians recommend you only use it 2-3 times a week if that.  If your skin is too oily and your stripping your dead skin cells everyday your skin then works in over time and will reproduced more oil to make up for it.  Same goes for if you have dry skin, stripping your natural oils and cells with only cause your face to be even more drier.  I personally recommend everyone go buy a Clarsonic Mia!  Just use it with your everyday cleanser and see the results right in front of your eyes.

Of course there are many other things I use on a daily basis for my skin but I can reveal ALL my secrets! :)

Where to buy products:  All of my R Skin care products have to be bought directly from Pat at The Refuge.  Dermalogica can be purchased at Beauty First and many professional salons.  The No. 7 Microdermabrassion product is from Targets No.7 line.  When using new skin care products its always best to consult with a dermatologist or esthetician first.

Sorry some of the bottles look a little funny, as i said before I am using these products!

      

Must Have for Your Shower!

Olay

Ultra Moisture In-Shower Lotion

So here is my new must have in the shower! Since my surgery I had been taking showers in my parents nice walk in stand up shower.  So of course I used all my moms fabulous body wash and products.  I came upon this fabulous lotion and used it everyday.  On the fourth day I could of probably taken a shower in my own shower but didn't want to leave this product behind!    I'm not a big fan of lotions of any type.  I know, I know, I'm going to regret it when I'm older.  I have heard it all before, but still just cant get putting lotion on to stay stuck in my daily routine.  I hate that sticky feeling all day long.  So when I started using this in shower lotion I thought, I had used something like this before and couldn't tell a difference.  With Olay's In Shower Body Lotion you can tell a difference right away!  You shower as normal with your body wash and then rinse.  Then Spread the lotion on wet skin as if you were putting your lotion on after the shower.  You can start with a quarter size amount on each area of the body and adjust as needed for the legs.  Next you rinse off and pat dry with a towel.  It's amazing, you can actually feel the moisture on your skin once your out of the shower, but it's not sticky.  I will for sure be using this product everyday now!  It has a wonderful clean smell.  My favorite is the Olay Ultra Moisture In Shower Body Lotion with Shea Butter.  You can purchase it at any store that sells Olay products!