BLOG
Q&A: Haircare in the Summer Sun
June 27, 2016

![]() How can I best protect my hair in the summer sun?
While the wonderful rays of Father Sun may warm your bones, it will also do a deep fry on unprotected hair. Even worse, search and destroy pool chemicals and ocean salt can vaporize all those wonderful natural oils you've spent all year balancing and building in your soft, undamaged mane. Sun and surf damage can manifest as faded hair color, fragile, brittle or dry hair and yucky split ends. Be proactive and protect your hair from UVA & UVB rays that can leave you with a head full of straw that can take months to reverse. Unless you plan on a major buzz cut at summer's end, resist the urge to "do naked hair" or dive into pools with your locks flowing freely and follow the following Safe Summer Hair Rules: 1. Start the summer season with a salon trip to remove split ends and handle hair repairs. 2. If your hair normally dries out in the summer, consider having a preventive deep conditioning treatment to ward off summer frizzies. Follow these tips so you don't have to run from the sun, just have fun! |
How-tology: Fixing Make-Up Misshaps
June 24, 2016

The road to achieving that crisp cat-eye or that perfectly bold lip is not always pretty. We're human, mistakes happen and sometimes your need a redo. We have got you covered with these four easy tips to recovering makeup mishaps in a pinch!
A splotch of mascara falls off the wand onto your newly made-up face.
Dab the end of a Q-tip into some foundation. Making sure not to drag the skin, pat the tip onto the stain with a light, twisting motion. Repeat if necessary, using the other end. Dust over the area with translucent powder.
You've sneezed before your mascara is dry! Now you look like a raccoon.
Follow the same procedure as above but this time you'll need to re-apply your eye shadow over the newly applied foundation. Be careful not to apply too much or else it will 'cake'.
Smudged lip liner/lipstick.
If the smudge is really obvious, you'll need to use a cleanser or makeup remover to erase the damage. For precision, use a Q-tip rather than a cotton ball - and above all avoid rubbing! Re-apply foundation to the area in question, dust with powder, then re-apply lipstick.
Your eye shadow has become all creased and caked.
Remove the thick lines of shadow with a Q-tip. Dust eyelid with translucent powder before re-applying your shadow. To avoid this in future, apply small dots of foundation on the entire eye area and dust with translucent powder before applying eye color. Lids tend to cake and crease when the skin is too moist or oily.
The Gloss-ary: Know Your Beauty Terms
June 22, 2016

What are free radical scavengers anyway? We thought you might like to find out. Check it out in our handy, dandy gloss-ary, you just may learn sometime new!
|
|
| Acne: an inflammatory eruption of the skin. |
| Acrylic: has moisture barrier as well as waterproofing, water repelling properties. |
| Acupressure: a therapeutic technique using pressure on specific parts of the body to relieve pain. |
| Acupuncture: a technique inserting special needles into particular parts of the body to treat disease or pain. |
|
Age spots: a darkly pigmented (colored) area on the skin that occurs with age. Caused by sun exposure. |
| Alkaline: any non-acid substance with a pH greater than 7. |
| Almond Oil: vegetable oil derived from almonds with softening properties. Used in cosmetics. |
| Allantoin: a botanical extract said to heal and soothe. Used in creams and topical preparations for the skin. |
| Aloe Vera : an emollient resin with hydrating/softening properties. |
| Alpha hydroxy: an active substance with exfoliating and emollient properties. |
| Althea: botanical root said to have emollient and soothing capabilities for skin. |
| Ammonium persulfate: used in deodorants and disinfectants; also used as a bleaching agent in some hair and skin cosmetics. |
| Antioxidant: substance that helps to protect against the effects of environmental damage. |
| Arnica: a botanical with antiseptic, astringent, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Used in homeopathy to reduce bruising and swelling. |
| Aromatherapy: any treatment using aromas or odors to enhance well-being. |
| Ascorbic Aid: vitamin C. |
| Astringent: toner helpful in controlling surface oils and in lowering the pH after cleansing. |
| Ayurveda: a method of natural healing originated in India including elements of meditation, yoga, nutrition, massage therapy and herbal treatments. |
|
Azulene: an anti-inflammatory and soothing agent, derived from German chamomile. |
Q&A: Semi Permanent and Permanent Hair Color
June 20, 2016
|
6 Ways Apple Cider Vinegar Will Change Your Beauty Routine
June 15, 2016

Hello there bath and beauty lovers! We are taking you to the kitchen this week to tell you about a bath and body staple that’s been hiding in your pantry. Sure you can use apple cider vinegar in sauces and salad dressings, but there is way more to this vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is made through a double fermentation process that reduces down to some pretty powerfully preserved nutrients. Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium, malic acid, calcium, acetic acid, and a whole slew of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C and E to be precise) that are great for the body. Check out the tips below to see how you can use apple cider vinegar:
1. Detoxify your Skin
The nutrient rich formula of apple cider vinegar draws out toxins on the skin surface. Use a cotton swab to dab the vinegar on your face and rinse thoroughly.
2. Reduce Age Spots
Apple cider vinegar contains hydroxyl acids that are great for removing dead skin cells. Reduce again spot by apply vinegar to the skin twice a week and let it sit on the skin surface for 30 minutes before rinses for a proper treatment.
3. Get Rid of Acne
Another benefit of apple cider vinegar is it is antibacterial, so it’s great at taking down difficult acne. Simply apply a mixture of one parts vinegar to two parts water to combat breakouts.
4. Give Hair a Healthy Shine
Boost your hair’s natural shine by mixing equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. Use this mixture once or twice a week to perk up your hair!
5. Fight and Correct Wrinkles
When diluted significantly with water, apple cider vinegar is great for fighting fine lines and wrinkles. Dab onto problem areas and let the vinegar sit for a few minutes then rinse off. Use over a 6 week period to see best results.
6. Soothe Sunburn
Nothing’s worse than a nasty sunburn. When you try to soak out your burn, add a cup of apple cider vinegar to the water for some added relief.
photo credit: Apples' second life via photopin (license) added text.
The Six Basic Make-Up Brushes You Need
June 13, 2016
The trick to getting the right look with make-up often depends upon the tools you use. There is a huge amount of brushes, sponges, and applicators available and that can be a bit overwhelming. Getting your basics that you will use every day can be hard when faced with too many options. We took the liberty to narrow down the tools you really need for some seriously flawless make-up into 6 categories.

This brush is a true multitasker. The smooth, compact bristles allow for even application of powder and liquid based foundation. Size determine precision, so a smaller version is great for concealing while medium to large brushes are better for your general coverage. If you often use liquid or cream foundation this brush is kind of optional, there’s no better tools than your hands.
Cover with: Antonym Foundation Brush($22)
Conceal with: Antonym Concealer Brush($14), Tigi Concealer Brush($15)


This brush is great for applying blush or finishing powders to your face. Look for a loose bristle structure with a soft, rounded shape. The shape and lightness allows for even application of product that can be easily layered (a must for a natural flush of blush!). Use a smaller brush for blushes and loose powders, and the larger Kabuki model for all over coverage.
Cover with: Antonym Kabuki Brush($24), Antonym Powder Brush($30), TIGI Powder Brush($26)


Contouring is based on the principle of creating angles with high contrast colors for some striking dimension. Obviously an angled brush is great for this job. A good contour brush is what you use to precisely add your deeper tones or highlights in bold color streaks that hold.
Contour with: Antonym Contour Brush($21)


A shadow brush should be rounded, ideal for building color with a precise, small bristle. For more precision opt for a smaller brush that is tapered for line work. Get a brush with longer bristles to really apply lush amounts of color. Remember to check the bristle density, as a more compact bristle structure will hold and apply more product.
Shade with: Antonym Small Eye Shader Brush($14), Antonym Medium Long Eye Shader Brush($16), Antonym Large Eye Shader Brush


This tool is your finishing touch to your look. A blending brush there to buff out and soften color, blending make-up into your complexion for a natural look. The brush should be light, with fluffy bristle to gently blend shadows, highlight, or whatever else you have going for a smooth finish.
Blend with: Antonym Blending Brush($15), Tigi Blending Brush($15)


Angled brushes give you precise, clean lines that are must for a polished look. This brush is especially great for applying eyeliner, but also works great with eye shadows and creams. The bristles should be dense, flat, and sharp for the best linework.
Line with: Antonym Small Angled Brush($13), TIGI Angle Brush($12)
Make Your Own Tumeric Facial Scrub!
June 10, 2016

The world of beauty is constantly changing thanks to a lively social media landscape of Instagram beauty queens and innovative vloggers. While some of the trends can be just that, trends (I’m looking at you spoon contour), the Beauty of a Site team is excited that treatments featuring natural ingredients has become a beauty DIY mainstay.
So what’s the superstar ingredient of the moment? Tumeric. Yes, we know this isn’t exactly a revelation to people familiar with holistic medicine, as turmeric is a traditional medicinal herb in India (and is also featured in delicious foods). Tumeric is actually a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and, oh yeah, it is also antibacterial (good-bye acne). That’s a pretty kick butt ingredient for a facial scrub in our books! However, if you have sensitive skin we recommend you avoid turmeric as it can irritate some skin types.
So add some spice to your facial routine by trying out this DIY Tumeric Facial Scrub. It’s a great scrub to try on a lazy Sunday when all you want is some rest and relaxation. We got the instructions below, so get to it for some absolutely glowing skin. Seriously, this stuff leaves your skin ridiculously smooth.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup tumeric
- 1/4 tablespoons chickpea flour (for extra buffing action)
- 3 tablespoons cold pressed coconut oil (for moisture)
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar (for exfoliation)
- 2 tablespoons sea salt (for extra exfoliation)
- 1 tablespoon vitamin e oil (to condition and protect skin)
- 10 drops lemon essential oil (for a little skin-brightening action)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
Remove all makeup and wash your face. Scoop out 1 tbsp of scrub and mix well with 1/2 tsp of water. Massage into skin in small circles and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse well with lukewarm water and pat dry with a paper towel.
If used twice a week, scrub will last you about 2 months
photo credit: Mixing sugar facial scrub ingredients via photopin (license) recolored.
photo credit: Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. via photopin (license) cropped.
How To Nail (pun intended) a French Manicure
May 26, 2016
A professional manicure is one of those luxuries—necessities(?) that we love to indulge in. But when time and money doesn’t allow for a visit to the salon, you can make your own nails look picture perfect with a French manicure.
This clean, classic look is perfect for day or night and any season. It even looks great on toes. To do a true French Manicure, two colors are used, a translucent base color, usually pink or peach and a solid, opaque white or off-white. First, the translucent base is applied to the nails, then the white is applied, but only to the tips.

OPI currently inspired by sights and sounds New Orleans with some great colors that can add some Creole flavor to your typical French manicure. You can check out the whole collection here, but we recommend Let Me Bayou a Drink, Humidi-Tea, or Crawfishin’ for a Compliment for more vibrant look. Generally you want to choose a shade close to your skin tone, either cool or warm for the most natural looking manicure. A very popular color combination is Ballet Slippers & Blanc by Essie.
If you want to try something a little different. Feel free to substitute two different, more contrasting colors (for example, red for the base and gold for the tips). Or stick to the classic colors, we recommend Zoya Naturel Nail Polish Collection with a variety of neutral shades. Or go crazy with an opal or glitter top coat for a new twist. The possibilities are endless.

The French Manicure works best for nails between 1/4 to 3/4 inches long. When deciding on a nail shape, it's always best to go with one which will enhance the shape of your fingers. For example, you can make the fingers of petite hands look longer and more graceful by having almond shaped nails.
A French Manicure can be performed in one of two ways - either freehand or by using a stencil as a guide. If you are using a stencil, the hardest part is lining up the nail guides evenly and then making sure they stay on straight while you're painting the tips white.
If you are doing things freehand, make sure you have a sure, steady eye when painting the tips of your nails. Otherwise, your tips will be of varying sizes when they are done, and your nails won't look so very très chic at all! Remember practice makes perfect! Don't get frustrated if it isn't perfect. No one will scrutinize your nails. A polish corrector pen, makes clean up a lot easier!
Volumizing Tips for Thin Hair
May 25, 2016
Fine, thin and thinning hair can be difficult to style. To help boost the natural volume, fullness and beauty of your hair, try these tips:
1. Gently shampoo your hair, and give yourself a light scalp massage each time you shampoo for about 30 seconds.
- Massaging will help promote scalp circulation and improve the overall health of your hair.
- Apply a light conditioner to the ends of your hair after showering. Too much conditioner can weigh down hair and make it look greasy.
- Pay attention to the ingredients: botanical or natural styling aides may be better for the overall health and life of your hair.
- When styling your hair for body, Add a small amount of product (about the size of a small egg) into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, gently squeeze and scrunch the product into the hair.
- Especially developed to build body and thickness where hair needs it most-the roots. Choose a weightless, humidity-resistant formula.



1. When blow drying, towel dry your hair a little first, and don't use highest heat setting. Try a Hot Air Brush Iron to create tons of volume while drying your hair.
We Love: Helen of Troy Professional Brush Iron
2. Use a natural, round brush for more volume.
We Love: Spornette Use 955L for long hair, 855 medium-long, 856 short hair
3. If you wear a ponytail, try not to pull it back too tight; and avoid using rubber bands, which tend to break the hair.
We Love: Blax Hair Elastics
4. Back comb your hair for volume: comb up and back from the front of your head towards the crown to lift the hair and create the illusion of fullness.




There are a host of products on the market that aim to help your fine, thin or thinning hair look fuller and thicker. When buying styling aides look for:
1. Shampoos with "dimethicone" and "dimethicone copolyol", which are silicone derivatives that can build hair volume.
We Love: Clinicure Trial Rx Kit for Thinning Hair
2. Styling products with herbs such as jasmine, angelica, willow or mint balm.
We Love: Tigi Catwalk Root Boost
3. Volumizers which plump up the hair cuticle for fuller-looking hair. Look for products with keratin or collagen.
4. Hairspray formulated to protect your hair from becoming dry and brittle yet producing volume and texture. We recommend a humidity-resistant formula.

1. Try an above-the-shoulder, layered cut to add fullness and body, or a short blunt cut, depending on your face shape.
2. Color your hair a shade lighter than usual to reduce contrast, or try highlights to make hair look full.
3. Play with your part! if you always parted it on the right, try the left, or even a slant or squiggle.
4. Curl your hair to make it look fuller.
5. Hair color is a great tool to help make fine hair look thicker and fuller.
6. When your hair is colored, your hair cuticles plump up, creating a thicker look and feel.
7. Lightening your hair color can help camouflage a fair scalp. Highlights give the appearance of greater volume.
8. Perms give hair more body and increase perceived volume. They can immediately help fine and thin hair look fuller and thicker.
Make Your Own Bath Blasts!
May 24, 2016
Here's a hunka bubbling bath bliss for ya, a virtual chunk of Jacuzzi! Learn how to make this naturally-scented bath fizzy full of soothing oils and softening salts just for you to enjoy!
Steps:
Combine dry ingredients. Mix all the wet ingredients together and SLOWLY add to dry mixture. Be careful not to add the wet ingredients too quickly, otherwise the mix will start fizzing. Once this happens, the mixture is ruined. The mixture should be toward the dry end. It should look like lightly damp sand. Firmly press mixture into the mold. Allow to set for 30 seconds. Unmold. You may have to tap the mold slightly for it to pop out. Allow to dry 24 hours prior to using. Then drop one in the tub- and relax!
Bath Blast Dry Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid (do not substitute ascorbic acid)
1/2 cup corn starch
Optional: 1/3 cup epsom salts or coarse sea salt
Wet Ingredients:
2 1/2 T. sweet almond oil
3/4 T. water
at least 1/4 teaspoon and up to 1 teaspoon of desired essential oils or fragrance oils
1/4 teaspoon borax as an emulsifier vegetable or other natural colorant (optional) - liquid food coloring works well.
Molds (use candy mold, soap molds or any small. plastic container)
Bacne Be Gone!
May 23, 2016
Stubborn back acne (aka bacne) is a hereditary problem that often requires oral prescription antibiotics, says New Orleans dermatologist Mary Lupo. “Acne on the back is much more resistant to treatment than acne on the face, so you need to treat it aggressively.” And since skin on the back is tougher, it can take tougher products. Lupo recommends a prescription vitamin A cream or 10 percent benzoyl peroxide wash.
For milder cases or the occasional breakout, treat spots with over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide lotion. Peels can help unclog pores, but Lupo says these should be a supplementary treatment.
Since bacteria can exacerbate the condition, always wear clean bras and T-shirts when working out and put a clean towel down before lying on exercise machines or mats at the gym. And never go straight into the steam room after a sweaty workout—shower first to get rid of dirt and bacteria.
We Love:
Get Fresh, Santa Monica Sugar Body Scrub
Cake Beauty, It's a Slice Creamy Shower Polish
Dermelect, Thermäj Self-Heating Body Polish
Summer Haircare Q&A
May 09, 2016
While the wonderful rays of Father Sun may warm your bones, it will also do a deep fry on unprotected hair. Even worse, search and destroy pool chemicals and ocean salt can vaporize all those wonderful natural oils you've spent all year balancing and building in your soft, undamaged mane.
Sun and surf damage can manifest as faded hair color, fragile, brittle or dry hair and yucky split ends. Be proactive and protect your hair from UVA & UVB rays that can leave you with a head full of straw that can take months to reverse. Simply spritz on SPF 90 Rene Furterer Solaire Protective Summer Fluid before you venture into the sun, and you're good to go! Unless you plan on a major buzz cut at summer's end, resist the urge to "do naked hair" or dive into pools with your locks flowing freely and follow the following Safe Summer Hair Rules.
Start the summer season with a salon trip to remove split ends and handle hair repairs. If your hair normally dries out in the summer, consider a preventive deep conditioning treatment like Alto Bella Olive Oil Intensive Treatment to ward off summer frizzies.
Can I use lemon juice to lighten my hair?
Not exactly, Lemon juice by itself will not lighten the hair. Lemon juice AND the ultraviolet rays of the sun will lighten your hair. (similar to a product called "Sun-In" ) The drawback here is dryness and if your is dark to begin with, it will turn orangutan orange! This job is better done by a professional. We also would like to suggest a 'weave'. The weave (unlike the allover color) will not show such an extreme outgrowth line (dark roots). If you are already a dark blonde or very light brown you can probably use the lemon juice and sun method. Be sure to buy a really good conditioner like Rene Furterer Solaire Repairing After Sun Mask for after. Also the lemon, sun method needs about 5 hours in the sun. (not good for the skin so wear sun block!)
How can I prevent my hair from turning green when I use the pool?
Green hair makes it's appearance every summer. With more and more spas and Jacuzzi's becoming popular, it is starting to be a year round event. The green color is most noticeable in blonde hair although it can coat and damage any hair type.. Most people assume it is from the chlorine used to purify the water in pools and spas. Chlorine itself is colorless, but greenish compounds form in the pool/spa environment and are readily absorbed by porous hair strands.
To remove it from the hair you will need to use products that are made for this purpose. A chelating / clarifying shampoo like Philip B Peppermint and Avocado Clarifying Shampoo works wonders- and should be used immediately after swimming. Phytoplage After Sun Rehydrating Shampoo is also formulated to remove chlorine, sand and salt for ultimate clean hair. It can also be used as a body wash, so toss it in your beach bag for an easy all-in-one solution!
In unusually difficult cases, where the hair is extremely porous (such as bleached hair) your hairdresser may need to apply a color stripper chemical treatment. To prevent it's reoccurrence, you have to keep your hair out of the pool! If that isn't possible then you can minimize the hair's porosity by wetting the hair thoroughly before entering the pool. A good conditioner before swimming may help too.

A splotch of mascara falls off the wand onto your newly made-up face.
You've sneezed before your mascara is dry! Now you look like a raccoon.
Smudged lip liner/lipstick.
Your eye shadow has become all creased and caked.






