How to Get Humidity Proof Hair

Now that we've discussed a few summer skin concerns, let's talk about hair!  There's almost nothing worse than getting fully prepped for your day and your glossy, smooth hair turns into a frizzy mess as soon as you walk outside.  This usually happens with the increased amount of humidity in the air.  With our helpful tips, you can fight humidity and keep looking summer chic!

1. Always use a conditioner after you shampoo.  Conditioners will help smooth and nourish your hair.  If you've ever skipped the conditioner, you may have noticed your hair got a little more "fluffy."  A smoothing or reparative conditioner, like Rusk Deepshine Keratin Care Smoothing Conditioner, is a great choice to replenish hair's nutrients, while sealing in moisture and blocking out humidity.  (And it's a steal at $15!!)
2. Use the right styling products.  If you have curly hair, mousses generally work best as they help control hair without weighing it down.  A styling cream or serum are both great if your hair is dry, especially your ends.  After styling, you can add extra protection with an all over spray, like Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Discipline Humidity Block Spray, which acts like an umbrella against frizz and humidity.  Alfaparf also recently released other fabulous products specifically for frizzy and curly hair, like a mousse and styling cream.  Be sure to check them out!
3. Don't leave the house with wet hair!  So maybe you can't avoid it sometimes if you're running late, but it's best if your hair is completely dry before you go outside.  You can still let it dry naturally if you prefer, just indoors.  Whether you're blowdrying or letting your hair dry naturally, you'll want to fight frizz either way.  A great multi-use product, like Keratin Complex Glowtion Potion, fights frizz and humidity with weightless moisture, whether you apply to damp or dry hair.
4. Have a backup plan.  For the days that you're seriously lacking time, energy or the right products, always have a second plan.  Style your hair into a ponytail or braid, and spritz with a little hairspray to tame flyaways.  If you're feeling extra creative, wrap your hair in a turban or headscarf and secure with bobby pins.

If you're constantly battling frizz, check out Beauty 101 for Frizzy Hair Causes and Treatments.

Until next time... stay tuned and stay beautiful!

The Nitty Gritty: Razor Burn and Bumps

Last week we discussed some common summer skincare issues.  This week, we'd like to get a little nitty gritty with these embarrassing issues: Razor Burn and Razor Bumps.  Let's face it, no one feels comfortable in shorts or a bikini when suffering with razor burn or bumps.

What's the difference?  While both can be painful, itchy, annoying and hard to heal, learn the difference so you can treat it correctly.  Razor burn is a mild or moderate rash that occurs after shaving.  Razor bumps, also referred to as ingrown hairs, often resemble a pimple.  When the hair grew back, it curled under the skin's surface creating a bump.  Here are a few tips for treating each issue and how to prevent them in the future.

How to treat:
Razor burn, bumps and ingrown hairs are often associated with swelling, redness and irritation.  Continuing to shave over these areas will only cause further irritation and new bumps.  To calm razor burn, you can first apply ice, then apply a soothing product with hydrocortisone.  To treat an inflamed ingrown hair, you'll want to disinfect and unclog the follicle.  Products containing salicylic or glycolic acid with help exfoliate the area while deeply cleaning the follicle.  

How to prevent:
Before shaving, prep the area with a exfoliant or scrub.  Exfoliating away dead skin cells and surface oils will promote a closer shave and will help prevent clogging the blade.  Always use a shave lubricant to aid in shaving.  Dry shaving will definitely irritate your skin!  Choose a formula that is best suited for your skin too.  Plain soaps can actually increase irritation, while shaving creams are great for dry skin.  Make sure your razor is in good shape.  A dull blade will hinder your shave and you got it - increase the chance of razor burn or bumps.  When you're shaving, you should glide the razor along your skin.  Pressing too hard can increase friction, and skin irritation.

We recommend:

• gloTherapeutics Healing Gel:  With 1% Hydrocortisone, this soothing gel with calm your razor burn and any other skin inflammations, including sunburn.  It's a go-to in our beauty and medicine cabinet.
• Tend Skin Solution:  This one is popular among men and women for its effectiveness in treating razor burn, bumps and ingrown hairs.  It works great on your legs, underarms, bikini area and face.
• Relax & Wax Get the Bump Outta Here!:  This convenient formula is applied by a roll on, and helps to treat and prevent skin issues associated with hair removal, whether it's shaving, waxing, tweezing or laser hair removal.
• Avene Dermo-K:  Another product loved by both men and women, this treatment contains the soothing power of Avene Thermal Spring Water.  It prevents and treats ingrown hairs, while protecting skin from bacterial risks.

Are you suffering from any summer-related beauty issues?  Let us know what we can do to help!

Until next time... stay tuned and stay beautiful!

Add a Little Mud to Your Beauty Routine

There's just something about a good, thick face mask that I love.  It makes me feel like I'm really treating my skin to something special.  For these hot summer months, you may see some extra oil, blemishes or sun damage showing up on your skin.  Add some mud or clay to your beauty routine and you're sure to get back to your naturally flawless face.

For acne:

With the power of Bentonite Clay and Salicylic Acid, Pur Minerals Dirty Girl Detoxifying Mudd Masque unclogs your pores and eliminates excess oil.  Use as a spot treatment on blemishes to provide extra healing power.  After rinsing, follow with Pur Minerals Miracle Mist (one of my faves!) for even better results.

For inflamed skin or sunburn:
Repair and soothe skin with Osmosis Skincare Repair Healing Mud.  Not only will it help calm post-procedure skin or a sunburn, but it also encourages collagen, promoting overall healthy skin.  You can even customize your results by using this "mud" as either a serum, mask or overnight treatment.

For uneven skin tone and texture:
If the results of this masque are as good as its ingredients, you're in for a treat!  Glytone Essentials Deep Cleansing Masque is full of beneficial ingredients like Bentonite, Kaolin, Glycolic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin C and Lactic Acid.  So, what can you expect?  Clear and minimized pores, softer, smoother skin, reduced oil, improved tone and texture for an all over brighter glow.

For an all in one treatment:
Utilizing clarifying ingredients like Salicylic Acid and Kaolin, combined with the soothing and hydrating properties of Aloe, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, Jan Marini Retinol Plus Mask is your go-to for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun damage AND acne!  Oh, did we mention it also has a high concentration of all-trans-retinol?  You better believe this mask will powerfully resurface your skin and minimize your pores.  You also don't have to worry about irritation because its unique formula will soothe and calm your skin.

Not sure how to apply your mask?  Check out Beauty 101 for an easy to follow video on How to Apply a Face Mask.

Until next time...stay tuned and stay beautiful!