Be Good to Your Brows

If the eyes are the window to your soul, then your eyebrows are surely the decorative curtains.

Hey now! Don't you roll those windows at me!

If you're like the majority of women who've overplucked or are just overwhelmed or confused by how to even tackle your brows, here are some helpful how-to's from Umbreen Sheikh, founder of Wink Brow Bar in Manhattan.

- Start off with a guideline.  I recommend going to a brow specialist in your area or your favorite cosmetics counter to mark up your official brow lines.  They will help to measure the shape of your natural brow which will then act as your dotted line to maintaining the shape.  

- Once the shape is complete, follow the guidelines to fill in brows and extend the natural lines.  Be mindful to those "stray" hairs that fall within the dotted lines because yes, it may look like a "stray", but if its within the natural lines, it belongs there. Put the Tweezer down! 

- Create a shadow behind the hairs by using a brow powder to create the appearance of thick and bold brows.  Brow Powders are easiest for beginners because you can build up the color, versus drawing it on.  Try out the Wink Brows to Go Quad that includes a contour shade, an overall fill in shade, a highlighter and a brow wax.  Leave the brow pencil to the professional because harsh filling in can age you dramatically. 

- Finally, finish off with a brow wax.  Consider this "hairspray" for your brows to keep them in place all day long.  This brow wax helps hold down hairs and push them closer to the skin, resulting in the appearance of thicker, more full, brows.

I myself have found powders provide a more natural look than pencils. One last tip I also might add? Make sure you use a clean spooly or old toothbrush to brush out and set the powder before you use the wax. It results in a full yet still natural looking brows that will surely give Cara Delevingne a run for her money!

A Big NYFW Yeehaw!

New York Fashion Week F/W 2014 is in full swing and we're excited to bring you exclusive backstage beauty reports! First up, the cool, colorful Tibi.

This season, Aveda Global Creative Director Antoinette Beenders created a "country girl meets urbanite" hair look. "The collection story tells the intersection of the pastoral and the urban," said Tibi designer Amy Smilovic. "We wanted the hair to express a clean, natural feel, but still convey soul and a refined grittiness."

The resulting style was fresh, fun and totally wearable in the real world too. Ride off into your own urban sunset by following these simple steps:

1) Spray Pure Abundance Style Prep liberally into the hair all over to boost volume and create texture.

2) Take an inch wide section at the top of the head at the hairline and create a tight braid down the center. Stop braiding at the crown and use an elastic that matches your hair color so that it blends in with the rest of your tresses.

3) Take a small section of hair above the left ear and braid down to the end. Repeat on the right side and connect both braids underneath the remaining hair at the nape of the neck to hold hair away from the face. 

4) Create 3 large, loose braids with the remainder of hair at the back and quickly clamp a flat iron down them. Gently unravel, tousle and run Dry Remedy Moisturizing Oil through hair for soft, gentle waves, with a little shine.

5) Finish off the look with a misting of Control Force Hair Spray for strong, but barely-there hold.

Your tools!

Pictures, quotes and info above all courtesy Aveda. All Aveda products used in this look can be found at aveda.com or an Aveda salon near you.

Holiday Hair and Skin Help

The holiday season is full of cheer – but unfortunately it can often bring unwanted stress! AVEENO® experts, Celebrity Hairstylist, Patrick Melville and dermatologist, Dr. Debra Jaliman, share tips, tricks and advice to get you through the holiday season in stride.

Patrick Melville’s quick how-to for achieving polished party hair (low chignon):

1. Blow-dry hair with Mason Pearson Brush or round brush, when hair is dry, spray hair with the AVEENO® Dry Shampoo at the root to create texture

2. Take a small tail comb and tease very gently at the root throughout the head, flip hair upside down and break up hair with your finger

3. Grab hair at the nape and secure with hair tie, this should create a little texture and softness around your face

4. With the tailcomb, gently tease the ponytail to create more texture, spin ponytail around to create a chignon at nape of neck and secure with a straight pin or bobby pin

5. Break up with fingers on the bottom, use a lightweight hairspray to secure in place, finish with a sparkly headband or clip

Dr. Debra Jaliman’s go-to skincare secrets for skin glowing throughout the holidays:

·         After a night out, it's easy to go to sleep without wanting to stop and wash your face. Dr. Jaliman suggests the AVEENO® Ultra -Calming Makeup Removing Wipes to make it easy to clean your face post-party. Keep them by your bedside for quick, mild yet effective cleansing
· This time of year can be so stressful with holiday shopping and family commitments, what better way to relieve the stress then with a bath? Dr. Jaliman recommends the AVEENO® Stress Relief Foaming Bath, which is made with lavender for a calming effect and oatmeal for moisturizing and soothing the skin.
· To erase holiday stress that can leave skin dull, Dr. Jaliman recommends the AVEENO® Positively Radiant® Skin Brightening Scrub to combat clogged pores and overall facial dullness. This scrub will improve the skin's texture and brightness without irritation on even the most delicate skin

Recipes for Your Face

Erika Katz, beauty expert and author of Bonding ver Beauty, has created some fun & easy DIY recipes that will turn your holiday extras into an at-home spa day for you and your loved ones!

Pumpkin Facial Mask

This recipe is full of exfoliating enzymes that will brighten your skin, giving you a healthy, refreshed glow. Pumpkin is also rich in vitamin A, which can help heal skin and repair damaged tissue. The antioxidant properties of the vitamin A will also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

❑2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin

❑1/2 tsp honey

❑1/4 tsp heavy

whipping cream

To Make: Mix all ingredients together and apply to face. Leave on for 10

minutes then rinse thoroughly. You’ll love the results!

Clementine Hand Scrub

Skin often gets dry and brittle from the cold winter so I make a gentle orange hand scrub. Oranges are rich in vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy acids and help to remove the dead skin. The honey and olive oil help moisturize the skin. The baking soda acts as a gentle exfoliant.

❑1 tbs clementine juice

❑1 tbs honey

❑1 tbs sugar

❑1 tbs olive oil

To make: Mix together all ingredients.

and then gently wash your hands with the

scrub. You won’t believe the difference!

Cranberry Mask

Cranberry juice helps detoxify the skin and is particularly useful for those who are acne-prone or suffer from psoriasis or have oily skin. In addition cranberries help reduce skin inflammation, redness, and itchy, irritated skin.

❑1 cup fresh cranberries

❑1 cup seedless red grapes

❑2 teaspoons grapefruit juice

❑1 envelope unflavored gelatin

To Make: Mix ingredients until it becomes a paste. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes to let the mixture thicken. Remove from the fridge and let sit for about 10 minutes.

Banana Cream Pie Mask

With all that leftover pie, why not use it to soften your skin? Fight against dry skin and cold winter air with this cool facial mask.

❑1 mashed banana

❑flour

❑3 tbs. heavy cream

❑1.5 tbs. dark honey

❑1.5 tbs. white flour

To make: Mix all the ingredients and put

into a pretty jar. Apply to face and love the results!

 

 

Travel-proof Your Skin

BoomBoom Wants Less Pain for You

November, 2012 (New York City) – Believe it or not, some women don’t tend to their brows, their MOST VALUABLE asset, due to pain. Boom Boom, owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar, doesn’t want anyone to be left out of the fun, so she has these tips for pain-free plucking and waxing:
BEFORE
· Low Temperature Wax – It’s kept at a lower temperature, so it’s very gentle and never burns.
· Hair Length - Remove hair when it’s about ¼ of an inch long, so wax can stick and grab hair for removal. If it’s too short, the wax won't stick enough, and if it’s too long, hair breaks off before the root making the process more painful.
· Exfoliate and Moisturize - Softer hair follicles surrounded by clean skin release hair the best, so exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, so the wax sticks better, and then apply a moisturizer to soften the follicle.
· Ibuprofen – Take an anti-inflammatory a half hour before waxing to prevent swelling and dull pain.
· Tanning Beds - Avoid 24 hours prior.
Menstruation - Avoid doing the week prior when nerves are more sensitive.
· Meds and Chems - Stop using AHA’s 4-5 days prior and if using any meds like Retin-A, Retinol, Accutane, Proactive and antibiotics, stick to plucking, no waxing!
· Alcohol - If all else fails, have a drink, it will dull the pain too!  
AFTER
· Sanitize - Hair follicles are yanked out at the root leaving an open area susceptible to bacteria and infection, so apply an ointment like Bacitracin to seal, sooth and reduce bumps.
· Celebrate – Done...even strangers will be crushing on those brows!!
Malynda Vigliotti (aka Boom Boom) is the flashiest waxer in NYC. She’s obsessed with brows, does over 500 a month (over 17,000 in 2011) at Boom Boom Brow Bar in NYC, and sees no reason why everyone shouldn’t have thick, gorgeous eyebrows. After all, they are the most important feature on the face. There's no such thing as natural beauty, but a perfectly done brow is like an instant eyelift – no Botox necessary! Boom Boom makes waxing fun and affordable for everyone! The New York Times even loves her http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/nyregion/23joint.html. 

How to Shampoo and Condition Naturally Curly Hair

New York, NY– “Fifty percent of North American women have natural wave or curl to their hair. For these women, texture is not a trend that comes and goes, it’s a lifestyle - and they’re looking for guidance on how to embrace it,” says Sam Villa, top Redken stylist.
Naturally curly hair is fragile, prone to frizz, lacks shine, is dry and unpredictable, so shampooing and conditioning wavy, curly, springy, spiral and kinky hair takes skill and finesse, and should only be done 2-3 times a week. Villa suggests the following:
· Saturate hair with water - curly hair tends to repel water, so wet from underneath all the way down to the scalp. Run fingers through hair to determine if there is resistance, if there is, apply conditioner first before shampooing. Redken Curvaceous Curl Drive nourishing mask for dry intense curls can be applied with hands from ends to scalp by raking fingers through to evenly distribute and detangle. This step is normally needed if you are working with kinky curly and very tight curls.
· Apply shampoo from ends to scalp raking fingers through hair. Curvaceous Cream Shampoo is sulfate-free so it does not lather very much which is beneficial when cleansing curly hair. Foaming a traditional shampoo by agitating hair in circular or back and forth motions creates friction and tangles. To cleanse the scalp of oils and product buildup, use a gentle massaging motion with fingertips to manipulate shampoo down to the scalp. From the scalp, go back to the nape area, from underneath, run fingers through the hair, then to the sides and back up to the crown area to rake through the entire head to loosen tangles. Rinse shampoo.

· Apply a conditioner like Redken Curvaceous Conditioner - springy/curly or kinky/curly needs moisture put back into the hair. To apply, begin at the ends and work towards the scalp, raking fingers through hair. Manipulate the conditioner back down the hair shaft all the way through the hair from scalp to ends. Curvaceous Conditioner is a very concentrated product - a little goes a long way. Depending on hair type (tends to frizz) and weather (especially in high humidity) some conditioner can be left in the hair. When working on fine textured hair or hair that does not have a tendency to frizz, rinse the conditioner out. Once condition is rinsed out, fingers should glide through hair effortlessly!

· Wring excess water from hair and squeeze sections with a t-shirt to rid hair of excess water. Using a t-shirt is much more gentle than the coarse fabric of a towel which roughs up the cuticle and causes frizz.

Skyy Hadley Helps Your Hands

Here are some tips and treatments from Skyy Hadley (owner ofAs “U” Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ) for keeping your skin, and especially your hands, healthy! 

Gloves and mittens can sometimes tear at our nails. If your nail splits, cracks or tears on the edge, drop a small amount of nail glue on the nail where it is damaged and then lay a tiny piece of facial tissue over the nail glue. Let the nail glue dry and gently buff to smooth. The benefit of using tissue rather than fabric is that when the tissue dries over the glue, it will become clear. If you use a fabric, like silk, you will see the individual stitches in fabric.

If you can’t make it into the salon to be pampered, you can make your own moisturizing treatment for your hands and feet that will counteract the drying effects of the cooler temperatures:

1) Take one cup of regular oatmeal and ½ cup of regular milk and heat up over the stove.

2) Stir until cooked, add sugar to thicken the mixture, and then let cool a bit.

3) When the mix is thickened, apply to hands and feet. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. The oatmeal soothes dry, itchy skin, and the milk acts as an exfoliant to help get rid of dry and dead skin cells.

4) Finish off with pure shea butter as a moisturizer or a product that contains shea butter.

If you don’t have the time for an at-home creation, pick up a pre-made treatment, like Atopalm’s Moisturizing Hand Treatment ($18 at www.atopalm.com). This hydrating formula is designed to soften the hands while reducing visible signs of aging. Moisturizers and antioxidants work to diminish dryness and dullness, while other ingredients tackle telltale signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. With regular use, the hands will become softer, smoother, brighter, and more comfortable.

Votre-Vu helps you get ready for Bond

Watch this mini-movie for great makeup tips and a hot faux Bond.
Love a man in a tuxedo!

Maintaining Your Hair Color on a Budget

There is no denying that fall is finally in full swing! For many of us, the change in weather and temperature isn’t the only thing that changes. From cuts to extensions to coloring, the hottest hair trends can change as often as the seasons do and it’s no secret that looking good doesn’t always come cheap...or can it?

Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, author of How to Look Expensive, gives us some great tips on getting that perfect hair color on a budget and how to keep your new fall do in tip-top shape all season long!

HOW TO GET EXPENSIVE-LOOKING HAIR COLOR FOR CHEAP

BE A HAIR SPY. Investigate women’s hair on the bus, in yoga class, or at the office. See a color you like? Ask who did it. Or walk into a chic salon you came across and check out the hair color on the employees. Ask who did it. It’s usually another employee. This can be a great way to discover up-and-coming colorists whose prices have yet to skyrocket. Chances are, they have apprenticed with the star colorist in their salon and will give you a great color at half the cost!

ASK YOUR STYLIST TO DO A FINER HIGHLIGHT AT THE ROOT, GETTING THICKER AND CHUNKIER DOWN THE LENGTH.This process will avoid a severe root line and making it okay to grow out a little without having to spend the extra cash on the constant up-keep.

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR COLOR INVESTMENT

Once you’ve got your color where you want it, how do you keep it this way? Try these tips:

WAIT 48 HOURS AFTER FRESH COLOR BEFORE WASHING IT. Although there are no studies to prove this works, it’s something that many colorists have suggested, so it definitely can’t hurt. Give your color some time to settle into your roots and hair.

KEEP IT DIRTY. Not REALLY dirty, of course, but avoid washing it every day. The less often you wash, the less your color will fade. Use dry shampoo to sop up greasy roots between shampoos. A great low cost option would be the newAmika Perk-Up Dry Shampoo. It’s available at professional salons and folica.com for only $21 andleaves your hair looking clean, shiny, and beautiful!

USE HIGH TECH ANTI-COLOR FADERS. It’s not a marketing hype. Products designed to maintain the color in color-treated hair can help prevent fading, keep color true, and put back needed hydration.

INVEST IN A WATER FILTER FOR YOUR SHOWERHEAD. This filter will remove water minerals like chlorine from the water, which can fade or distort your color (turning it green or brassy). You can pick one up for only $20!

Philip B.'s 4 Bad Hair Habits

Hollywood's preeminent hair treatment expert, Philip B. gives us his four most unthinkable BAD HAIR HABITS and his advice on how to break them. I know I am guilty of two (1 & 4--feast or famine)...:

1. Brushing wet hair - Your hair is weaker and more elastic when wet, so brushing it can lead to breakage and split ends. Make sure to follow this styling commandment: Comb hair when it's wet and brush when it's dry.

2. Overdrying - If you have color- or chemically-treated hair and flatiron it often, beware! Heat styling tools and chemical treatments burn precious moisture out of your hair. Unless you replace that moisture with frequent botanical oil treatments (2-4 times per week), eventually it will start breaking off. To keep hair healthy, turn down the heat as much as you can and treat your hair to frequent oil treatments. I love my Rejuvenating Oil for this, but plain olive oil can work in a pinch.

3. Not protecting bleached hair - While it was tempting to dive in the pool during the hot summer, I’m sure it left your bleached strands looking a lot like greenish straw. Bleach is drying and makes your hair more porous, and chlorinated water also strips moisture from your hair – plus, it contains metals that can seep into your hair and leave a greenish tint. Now that summer is officially over, treat your hair by soaking it in a vinegar-and-water bath to help eliminate some of the remaining chlorine molecules. After that, an oil treatment is key to restoring moisture and shine.

4. Neglecting to brush - A good brushing is an exfoliation treatment for your scalp. It stimulates cell turnover to make your hair stronger and healthier, drags the natural conditioning oils from your scalp to your ends to keep them shiny and moisturized and also buffs the hair cuticle to boost overall glossiness. But forget the old wives’ tale about brushing your hair 100 times each night – it's excessive and might be damaging. Instead, aim for 10-20 strokes, depending on the thickness of your hair. Tip: Use a pure boar bristle brush if you have fine, wispy hair; if your hair is normal to thick, look for a brush that contains a mix of natural boar's hair and nylon bristles. I use my own Philip B. brushes. You can also find good boar's hair brushes in fine department stores or salons.

Fight Hat Head with a Cool Tail

New York City, NY-- People think the ponytail is the summer savior, but anyone who skies or wears winter hats knows that while there are tricks to minimizing hat head, it can not always be prevented. So, embrace the winter hats and helmets, and then create a sleek ponytail to hide the damage with this step-by-step from Sam Villa, top Redken stylist.

Creating a Sleek Ponytail
· Begin by applying Redken fashion work 15 to create tact, control, and calm flyaways.
· Using a paddle brush, smooth out hair and brush a horseshoe section (from ear to ear) back and hold in place with hands at the back of the head (lower than center).
· Brush the remaining hair (from the nape to ears) up into hands, switching from one hand to another brushing both sides. Always brush to thumb to control position of ponytail, secure with a bungee or elastic.
· Wrap a small section from the ponytail around the bungee and secure with a grip.
· Backcomb tail to create natural texture.
· Finish with Redken fashion work 12 to lock in texture in the tail and to control frizz and flyaway’s in smoother area of ponytail.
· Layer smooth area with a small amount of Redken Glass for that ultra sleek finish.

Aspire for more with Sam Villa! 
Villa is the founding partner of the Sam Villa® brand, Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue and a Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007). Discover his coveted hot tips and techniques, along with Sam Villa Signature Series brushes, combs and thermal tools on www.samvilla.com ; Facebook: samvillahair; Twitter: samvilla.

Going Dark To Light

Have naturally dark hair and want to go blonde?  It’s a big step, but with professional guidance, it can be done and look great. Patrick McIvor, Matrix Artistic Director, says it takes lot of time and money.
“Dark brown to blonde is a big change, and since hair grows a half inch a month, you need to visit a stylist every 4 weeks to keep the blonde looking good.  And, because of the transition, it takes time to process,” explains McIvor.

McIvor says there are many types of blondes – platinum, light blonde, dark blonde, multi-colored, highlighted, so pick the one that fits the time and money allotted for the job. The lighter the blonde, the more time and money it will take to maintain.  For instance, platinum hair like Michelle Williams requires touchups every 2-4 weeks and for multi-colored blonde like Shakira, hair needs to be lightened in two steps - either all over or with lots of highlights and then a glaze (every 4 weeks).  For hair the color of Beyoncé, products like MATRIX Wonder.Browns can be used to lighten hair all in one step (every 4 weeks). There are many ways of approaching going blonde, ask professional for guidance.

“Many women with naturally dark hair, especially those who have only used a demi permanent color, are surprised at how the texture of their hair changes when they go blonde.  Whenever hair is lightened, it changes the protein bonds in hair, so caring for newly colored blonde hair requires more attention and products,” explains McIvor.

McIvor recommends using a color care regimen such as Matrix Biolage colorcarethérapie Delicate Care Shampoo and Conditioner that has no sulfates which helps color last longer.  In addition, he suggests using a treatment at least once a week like Delicate Care Masque to replenish moisture.  For ultra-polished blonde, use Delicate Care Organic Certified Oil – formulated with organic olive oil and Argan oil from Morocco to restore sheen for optimal shine and smoothness, and long lasting luminous color.

Patrick McIvor is Artistic Director for Matrix, a leading professional haircare and haircolor company in the United States and part of the L’Oreal USA Professional Products Division. As one of the most respected colorists in the industry, the former Color Director for Nick Arrojo and Rodney Culter in NYC, is a cultural junkie inspired by international cosmopolitan influences from fashion, global trends, technology and social networking.  McIvor is featured in the book “50 Hairstylists.”
Website: www.patrickmcivorcolorstudio.com , YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/patrickmcivor

Chat with THE Dr. Brandt

Skincare guru Dr. Brandt will be hosting his first-ever Facebook chat THIS Thursday, beginning at 8 pm.
Now is your chance to ask any and all skincare questions you’ve been wondering about, and Dr. Brandt will also share his insider advice on how to achieve your best-looking complexion!

On Thursday, April 13th, he’ll be revealing his tips and tricks to his fans on Facebook.

Stop by to ask Dr.Brandt about your most pressing skincare dilemmas!

Prom Tips & Contest from Mally Beauty

Mally Roncal of Mally Beauty is offering her top prom tips:

Tip 1: Brighten your eyes by using a white shimmery powder in the corners of each eye. Skip eyeliner and use an eyelash curler with tons of black mascara.

Tip 2: Want a romantic look?! Try rosy, dewy cheeks and peachy lip gloss.

Tip 3: Be bold. Choose a fiery red lip and pair it with sharp black eyeliner…So FIERCE!

Tip 4: You don’t need to use just black and grey shades to create a smokey eye. Instead, try a gorgeous plum or green color …with a bit of sparkle.

CONTEST: Tweet a picture of your prom dress to @MallyBeauty to be automatically entered for a chance to win a makeup consultation from Mally, Live on USTREAM.

Be sure to tune in for exclusive tips for any special occasion:

Day: Tuesday, April 10th
Time: 8pm EST
Location: USTREAM: http://www.facebook.com/mallybeauty/app_196506863720166

Viewers will have the chance to also win exclusive prizes and deals as well as ask Mally their burning makeup questions!

Spring Cleaning... for your hair

From Suzanne Quinn, Glow Communications:

Spring is synonymous with life – plants start to grow, leaves pop, animals give birth…so if hair looks like old man winter, it’s not a pretty sight!
Patrick McIvor, Matrix Artistic Director, offers spring cleaning tips to awaken hair after the long, dark, dry winter months.

• Get sun kissed highlights – nothing makes a girl feel better than a little color.
• Apply a clear glaze to make hair shine – salons provide it as a service and DIY brands offer clear glazes as well.  It magnifies color and helps reduce frizz too!
• Hydrate with a moisturizing treatment - whether it’s a professional back bar treatment like Matrix Total Results Total Treat Deep Cream Mask or an at home deep conditioner, hair will be revitalized.
• Try a new look – get a trim for fresh ends, play with layers, or frame the face with new fringe  (soft and side swept or chunky and straight across).
• Style for spring – it’s getting warmer, try a funky braid, low side ponytail or a messy bun. 

“After the long winter months, it’s amazing how we can find joy in the simple things in life…like a good hair day!” says McIvor.

Get the most from your haircolor

Clairol Pro enlists premier colorist Nico of NYC’s Mizu Salon (whose color bar is frequented by A-list celebs) to teach you how to get the most out of your hair color!

Q: What’s the best way for clients to communicate their hair color vision?
Nico: I find it most helpful when clients bring photos or celebrity references with them to the salon.  As an experienced colorist, it's my job to keep on top of celebrities’ ever-changing hair colors, and this includes starlets from both the past and present.  I love when clients email me a photo prior to their appointment so that I can do some research ahead of time.  Once I see a picture, it opens up the dialogue about whether or not it's the right direction for that client…

Q: What’s your go-to hair color product?
Nico: I’ve long been a fan of Clairol Professional and they recently integrated major product innovations into their line-up that keep me coming back for more! They’ve incorporated their new SOY4PLEX technology into their demi-permanent and permanent color lines, which really works to add even greater deep conditioning, reflective shine and long-lasting results.

Clairol Pro’s new liquid Gray Busters line (which also includes SOY4PLEX technology) is my favorite tool for covering pesky grays with multi-dimensional color.  It bestows ultra long-lasting gray coverage, is easy to use and adds warm undertones to create the most natural effect.  It’s everything I need in just one product!

Q:  Do you have any special application tricks or techniques?
Nico: Not only has hair color technology changed over the past couple of years, but the way we color hair at Mizu has changed too. We’re constantly using new strategies to obtain the most natural results.  Lately we’ve been incorporating gentle demi-permanent shades and subtle highlights to strategic areas both during and after the single process application.  It’s all about strategy, strategy, strategy, and we strive to constantly evolve our strategies to stay at the forefront of the industry!

 Q: What do you recommend clients do to maintain their color once they leave the salon?
Nico: Shampoo less! When you do shampoo, be sure to purchase haircare products from a salon or beauty supply store since often times, shampoos and conditioners found at drugstores have pH levels that are too high and can cause color to dull. Use products with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 and also, stay away from color-enhancing products. I’ve seen how these can transform my $300 highlights into what looks like a shoddy at-home dye job. Eek!

Brushes: Remove Hair, Clean and Sanitize Weekly

Sam Villa wants you to clean your hair brush!
Here's his instructions for keeping your brush clean & in top shape:

-Use a brush cleaner designed with hard, wide-spaced, angled teeth on one end and longer bristles or wire on the other end. Try the Sam Villa Brush Cleaning Tool available on www.samvilla.com, or use the end of a tail comb and a toothbrush.

1.    Use the wide toothed end of the cleaning tool to rake through each row of bristles and pull up and out to remove tangled knots and hair at the base of the brush. 

2.    Use the denser longer bristled end of the cleaning tool and mild soap and water to help cleanse away styling aid residue.

3.    Dry completely.

I will have to invest in a Sam Villa Cleaning Tool-- I hate having hairy brushes!

European Blowout Explained

New York, NY: Frank Barbosa, co-owner of Frank Antonio Hair and Makeup (Newport, RI) and top theatre and film stylist (Ragtime, Mamma Mia, Lion King, Bride Wars, Sex and the City) is bringing back the European Blowout – and his clients can’t get enough!

“They’ve been doing this type of blowout in Greece and Germany for years, it’s a fast and easy way to achieve smooth bouncy volume quickly, so it’s great on set, as well as for salon clients,” explains Barbosa.

European Blowout
·       Apply a gel or lotion to towel dried hair to reduce frizz and add hold (try Rene Furterer Vegetal Styling Straightening Gel or Redken pure force 16 non-aerosol fixing spray)
·       Section hair  - the more sections, the more brushes needed. The average European Blowout uses around 12 brushes. 
·       Brush each section up and over direct it with a Sam Villa Signature Series Round or Oval Brush. Wrap each section around the brush rolling away from the face, leaving the brush in (securing like a Velcro roller set).
·       Continue around head until each section is wrapped in a brush.
·       Blow dry until dry
·       Let cool
·       Take brushes out and style as usual

NOTE: If pressed for time, stretch-dry each section ¾ of the way and leave the brush in.  Continue around the head until each section is wrapped and complete the drying process with a Sam Vila E-T.C. Light Blow Dryer or under a head dryer. Let cool, take brushes out and style as usual.

“I have two sets of Sam Villa bamboo brushes - since they’re made of bamboo, they’re perfect for European Blowouts because they are so light.  It takes confidence to leave 12 brushes in a client’s head, you want to make sure they are comfortable and a lighter brush makes a big difference,” adds Barbosa.

Sam Villa Signature Series Brushes are made of bamboo for added strength, durability and ecology. Bamboo is strong, light, sustainable, chemical free and biodegradable. Sam Villa Signature Series products are available at The Redken Gallerie.  Learn more about Sam Villa by visiting www.samvilla.com .

Browscaping

New York, NY:
“Sooner or later, a trim is in order…for almost anything that grows, even brows. Ever see those long strands that stand out or fall...not pretty,” explains Boom Boom, owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar. Here’s how it’s done:

Using a disposable mascara wand, brush brows upwards and trim excess hair slightly - not too short or it will make a hole (get to that in a minute). Then, brush brows down and do the same. Make sure to use scissors with a rounded edge to ensure safety, don’t want sharp objects near peepers!

If you get in a jam…over-tweezing and/or trimming too short can create holes, but there is a simple solution - Boom Boom Brow Boostiers brow powder to the rescue.  A brow powder is really easy to work with and great for camouflaging holes and thin spots.  It’ very natural looking when applied with an angled brush - just dab on the spot and go. Don’t over-think it, just follow the line and fill in the hole. It's that simple.

Brow Boostiers brow powder is made of mineral powders that are hypoallergenic and free of all fragrance, oil, talc, dyes and fillers. They are virtually weightless and make filling in brows easy, and truly natural looking with rich color pigment. Comes in four colors (Aretha, Tina, Bette, Dolly) each with the most perfect brush EVA, designed by Boom Boom.

From Kate: Love the Brow Boostiers! I have Bette, it makes my bald spot disappear.