Posts Tagged "#beautiful"

You can spend a pretty penny for the perfect hair color that you have always been wanting. So, it is important to keep that new color staying fresh and up-to-date, even a month or two after the treatment. The big question is, what can you do to keep your hair color fresh in-between your hair services?

When you dye your hair, the pigments are held captive inside the hair strands. But anything that can lift the hair shaft’s cuticle, allowing pigment particles to escape, can fade that pretty color. One of the biggest color-stealing culprits? H2O. Plain water dilutes the pigment and causes it to fade faster. But before you stop washing your hair for good, try these hair saving techniques that will save your color!

Avoid Hot Showers

Hot water doesn’t only dry out your skin; it can decrease the life of your hair color. The temperature opens up your cuticle, releasing your precious color—and moisture. The key to showering with hair color is to shower and shampoo with room temperature water, towel dry, condition, then rinse with cold water. This will provide longer-lasting color, keeping your locks nice and hydrated while also eliminating split ends.

Swim Smarter

Protect your hair in the sun and chlorine. Use a hair protector with SPF when in the sun, pool, and ocean to keep your color from fading. A product with sunflower oil is great as it also has antioxidants to protect the hair.

Wait to Wash Your Hair

The new dry shampoo offerings on the market can be a hair saver to newly-colored hair because when you wash less, color lasts longer. After getting your your hair color service, it is best to not wash your hair for at least 24-48 hours. When you do have to wash, opt for a gentle sulfate-free shampoo.

Don’t Overuse the Hot Tools

Staying away from your hot tools the first week after coloring your hair will also help prevent the color from fading. Hot tools such as blow dryers and straighteners actually speed up the process of color fading. While these tools are sometimes necessary, it is best to stay away from them the first week or so after you color your hair.

Use a Thermal Protectant

This will protect your hair against heat damage from styling tools. Thermal protectants will help reduce color fade by keeping the integrity of the hair in good condition.

Deep Condition Less

While deep conditioning or at-home masks are a good idea before you color, but they can fade a rich brunette or vibrant red. The conditioner or mask is designed to get deep in the hair follicle to moisturize. However, when it’s rinsed out, it takes the color molecule with it—resulting in the color fading. To avoid this, a good daily conditioner will do the trick (just don’t leave it on for a long period of time).

Use Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner

Wash and condition your strands with products formulated to be protective. At Elements, there are several products by Moroccanoil, Sudzz, and Loma that have color protectant ingredients to help keep your color treated hair intact. Especially if you have blonde highlights or are a full color blonde, using a purple or blue shampoo weekly will help tone down the brassy/yellow tones in the hair, keeping your blonde looking like new.

When you are traveling, it may seem that your skincare list is not a top priority to you. But, if you have spent time trying to figure out the best skincare routine for you, do not neglect it when it comes to traveling!

It is important to find a way to keep your skincare routine intact when traveling, even if it means downsizing your products into travel size containers. It is important to keep your skin looking it’s best while you’re in the air, on the road, or just spending a few nights away from home.

Below are some tips and tricks to maintaining your skincare routine while on the go!

1. Keep things as similar to your usual routine as possible.

In general, trying to keep up as much of your skin-care routine as possible is ideal. If what you’re doing is working, why change if you don’t have to? And for those who are trying to manage skin conditions while traveling, keeping your routine consistent is especially key.

There can be many reasons to why a person’s skin can fluctuate while traveling. However, keeping your same skincare routine that you do at home while traveling is important.

The easiest way to keep your same routine is to buy travel sized, (under 3oz if traveling by airplane), versions of your favorite products. If the brand you like does not have travel size, pick up a few small to-go product containers and fill them up with your facial cleanser, serums, and moisturizers.

2. If you are limited to a few products, focus on the essentials.

If you need or prefer to pack lighter, stick to the essentials of your skincare routine. The skincare essentials are considered to be: Sunscreen with at least SPF 30, makeup wipes, facial cleanser, and nighttime moisturizer. Skipping out on the toners and serums for the time being is OK.

3. If your favorites do not come in travel size, get creative!

There are a ton of excellent skin-care products that come in travel-friendly sizes these days. But if your go-tos aren’t available in minis, there are some other things you can do.

Like I stated before, the easiest way is to pack your products in mini containers that you can purchase at the store.

You can also use contact lenses for smaller quantities of products, such as eye cream. You can also pre-soak cotton balls in makeup remover or toners and store them in a tightly sealed bag to lock in the moisture.

4. Think ahead about the dry plane ride.

Long plane rides can dehydrate your skin. Applying a thick, nighttime facial moisturizer prior to boarding is best to ensure your skin’s hydration.

You might also find it helpful and refreshing to use hydrating sheet masks, under-eye masks, or facial mists while in flight.

Of course, wherever you are traveling to matters as well. Keeping your skincare routine the same is important, however, increasing or decreasing your moisturizer depending on your location is up to you to decide. If you are traveling to somewhere colder, a thicker moisturizer is needed. If you are traveling to a hotter destination, a thin layer of moisturizer will do.

5. Pay special attention to your eyes and lips.

If you’re enduring a dry plane ride or a change in time zones, your eyes and lips may be the part of your face to feel most of the effects.

A time change or jet lag can be the biggest downfall in traveling. Which is why using the correct amount and right eye cream can be crucial while traveling.

Don’t forget the lips! Your lips can become chapped and irritated while traveling and changing to different climates. So, keep them moisturized constantly!

6. Don’t just think about skincare products.

Sun safety is always essential for preventing both skin cancer and early signs of aging, but it’s also something way too many of us tend to slack off on. And we know that sunscreen alone isn’t enough to keep us as protected as possible.

Along with sunscreen, be sure to bring sunglasses to protect your eyes, a broad brimmed hat, and sun protective clothing as well.

The fall time is a great time of year. It is a nice transition from the blazing summer heat of Vegas to nice, cool weather. For many people, with the sudden changes of heat to cooler weather, it can cause dryness and sensitivity to the skin.  Even if your skin is generally on the oilier side, it’s common to experience abrupt changes when the seasons shift — particularly from warmer months to cooler ones.

You might not know it, but sometimes, dry skin can be a bad thing for acne. If you have an abundance of dryness on your face, it can clog your pores and cause unwanted pimples, just like oil and dirt. Everyone strives for clear, glowing skin at any time of the year, but it’s essential to pay attention to your face as the weather gets colder and dry.

To prepare for the upcoming cold season and to make your skin healthy, glowing, and beautiful, take a look at the essential skincare tips for this fall season.

1. Switch To A Soap-free Cleanser

Instead of standard soap, choose a specified gel or foaming cleanser designated for people with acne-prone or dry skin, depending on your skin type. Both of these cleansers are loaded with moisturizing properties that won’t damage the skin’s surface. Regular soap can harm your skin’s outer protective layer, leading to accentuated wrinkles and pores, and can trigger acne and inflammation, making breakouts worse and harder to manage.

Find a cleanser that works best for you, and use it twice daily for the best results. If you’re concerned about constant acne breakouts, look for one that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid increases the amount of moisture in the skin and then dissolves the substance that causes the cells to stick together, making it easier to shed skin skills and acne spots.

2. Apply Natural, Topical Treatments

If you have a breakout that is difficult to maintain, even when you wash your face twice a day, consider applying natural topical treatments directly to the affected spots. The right kind of topical treatment can take a few days to start working, but they’ll help reduce inflammation and control the spread. There are many topical treatments that you can find at the drugstore, and most of them contain an ingredient called benzoyl peroxide. This chemical treatment works by killing bacteria underneath the skin that can cause acne. It’s a well-known ingredient in the skincare community and has shown positive results on many individuals who experience regular breakouts.

However, if you prefer a more natural topical treatment, there are many other products that serve more of an organic, natural ingredient. Check out your nearest health food store or wellness website and look for ointments, including:

• Tea tree oil
• Witch hazel
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Turmeric

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent that can go directly on the surface of any spots you have. Instead of the standard toner used after cleansing your face — splash some witch hazel as an additional exfoliate and pore cleanser. Honey and turmeric are excellent anti-inflammatory agents used in skincare routines for centuries worldwide. The critical thing to remember is to maintain moisture while you use these methods. Never go to bed without a nourishing moisturizer lotion or oil.

3. Try A Thicker Moisturizer

As summer time ends and the heat goes away, it is time to say goodbye to that light weight moisturizer and hello to a thicker moisturizer.

Finding a thicker moisturizer may not be the easiest, but once you do find one, you’ll never look back. It is worth consulting with an aesthetician about what the best, thicker moisturizer will work best on your skin. Sometimes, a skincare routine isn’t as simple as looking for products marketed to oily, dry, or combination skin types. Your skin will dictate the type of moisturizer you need to stay hydrated without becoming too oily. While you should find the right moisturizer for you, remember to also look for one that protects your skin from the cold, dry, and transitional autumn climate.

4. A Professional Chemical Peel

One of the best and most convenient ways to get your face ready for the colder months, treat acne scars, and bring out your natural beauty is to have a professional chemical peel. Here at Elements Salon and Wellness Spa, we provide a chemical peel service that is done by the hands of our aestheticians. There are so many benefits to a chemical peel. A chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and areas of your skin’s upper and middle layers. It’s used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. But, make sure to consult with the aesthetician first to make sure this service is best for your skin type.

Following a skincare routine is an act of self-care. Dedicating a few minutes each morning and night to your beauty and skin ritual is vital because you’re demonstrating that you matter and love yourself! It’s too easy to forget the importance of being kind to yourself when life gets busy and chaotic. This fall, bring out your natural beauty and give yourself some love with these tips.

When you schedule a service that is beneficial towards your health, typically, a pedicure is not on the mind. You may think of it as a treat yourself type of service that you get here and there. But a pedicure is so much more! You only get one set of feet in your lifetime, right? Then you must give them the proper care and yes, that means a spa appointment.

If you’re very physically active, or if you work in a physically demanding job, your feet absorb a lot of stress. They are probably your most strained, overworked body parts. All of that stress takes a toll on your overall health. During your pedicure service, your technician will massage your feet. Those massages reduce soreness, improve circulation, and release tension in your foot muscles. Your feet will thank you for the extra attention.

Exfoliation is not just for your face! Your pedicure technician will exfoliate your feet as part of your service. You can say goodbye to dead skin and calluses. Aside from leaving you with smooth feet, your pedicure doubles as a preventative service. Things like fungal infections are much less likely if you take good care of your feet.

Pedicures Prevent Infections

If you don’t moisturize your feet daily, a pedicure is an important source of moisture. Moisturizing your feet prevents cracks from forming, which can lead to infections. To get much needed hydration for your feet, continuing moisturizing your feet in-between appointments with foot lotion is important.

Pedicures Stops Calluses Right Away

The extra moisture also helps to remove and prevent calluses. A callus is the body’s way of protecting itself. Areas of friction will protect itself from forming calluses, but with repeated friction like walking or working out, inattention to those areas of the skin can break down and lead to sores or ulcerations.

Encourages A Healthier Lifestyle

When getting a pedicure, a mini foot massage is included. Foot massages improve blood circulation, which leads to healthier feet!

Pedicures=Healthier Joints!

When soaking your feet in warm water during a pedicure can help with joint health. With a foot massage, you are putting all of your joints through a full range of motion to help decrease stiffness. Soaking feet in warm water can also help relieve stress on joints and temporarily subside side pain.

Overall

Pedicures are obviously great for your feet, but did you know they help your mind too? When you get a pedicure, you release tension and feel relaxed. This kind of de-stressing releases a brain chemical called endorphins. Endorphins make you feel calm and happy, They also lower blood pressure, improve circulation and even relieve pain. So you shouldn’t feel bad about splurging. You’re actually doing your body a favor and giving your mind a rest.