Thursday, December 11, 2014

How To Become Happy With The Hair You Have

Of all the women in the world, 89% of women hate their hair. This has actually gone up. There are over 600 hair products out there, which can lead to a lot of confusion. A product may be great, but if you do not know how to use it, then it isn't a great product for you. Improper use of products can lead to a bigger styling mess then you need. Try some of these great hair styling products that are great for YOUR hair.

Fine & Straight
The problem with fine hair is that it lays flat. You need to add volume but not weight so it is hard to find products that do not weigh it down. To give the appearance of thicker hair, use a thickening shampoo. Follow with a thickening conditioner but only apply on the ends of your hair. When styling use light weight products, and do not use frizz fighting products, all it does is hold the hair down. Use products without silicone, and use about half the amount you plan on using. Add more if necessary. To calm fly aways after styling, use a light hold hair spray.








Thick & Straight
The number one rule is to completely dry your hair. If you do not dry your entire hair, then it will puff up and frizz in the sections that were still damp. Before styling your hair apply a styling oil then follow with a styling cream, but apply more in the back and less in the front so it does not weigh the front down. After your hair is 100% dry, end with a shine spray so your hair doesn't look dull. Do not use volumizers, more volume is not needed for your hair.






Kinky & Coiled
Kinky and coiled hair is one of the hardest to style. Brushing it causes frizz, and heat tools remove moisture. Your best option is to air dry your hair whenever possible. After you condition your hair, rinse out about 50% off the conditioner so your curls stay shiny and smooth. Avoid sprays because they are harder to evenly distribute threw your hair. Your hair is more prone to breakage, so be careful and use moisturizing products whenever necessary.



Wavy 
Avoid frizz fighting shampoo's and conditioners. They are loaded wih silicones and weigh your hair down. To style use sprays because they are light weight and won't ruin your waves. Avoid any gel, or straightening creams. They leave your hair heavy and crunchy. Once you hair your hair in place, let it dry and do not touch it. Touching it causes frizz. Once it is dry add a styling oil . 



  
Curly 
Curly hair has to battle frizz and lack of moisture. Start by using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. If you have finer, curly hair use a lighter weight moisture conditioner because to much moisture can weigh down your curls. Do not wash your hair every day, and on the days you do not wash it, get your hair wet to refresh your curls. All the products you use, should work great with water. Use a curl enhancer to define your curls, and a styling oil and let your hair air dry.




Try out these products out and get the best results for your hair.  Each hair type is different, so figure out which hair type is your's and how to take care of it. I hope you love your hair.

~aphrodite

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Keeping The Weight Off During The Holidays

During the Holidays your diet and exersize seem to go right out the window, and eating seems to take its place. If you are worried about gaining a bunch of weight, you shouldn't be! Most people gain 1-2 pounds during the Holidays, and only 12% of people gain 4 or more pounds. Here is how to make the most of the Holidays and not put on the most weight.


Forget The Gym
Most people simply just do not have time to go the gym over the Holidays, and you really do not have to. Instead download a step counter app, and make your goal to reach the amount of steps need in that day, Take the stairs or walk faster (which won't be hard because it is so cold out.) As long as you are moving every day, you should have no problem.

Watch Your Diet 
A good rule is to watch what you eat 70% of the time,  so that means you can have 2 cheat days a week. So if you decide to eat that dessert or have an extra serving of stuffing, DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT! You are allowed to live and enjoy it! If you are concerned about the amounts you are eating, then stick to water to avoid any extra calories. 

Avoid Snacking
Anything that you can eat without a knife and fork should be avoided. Snacking leads to hundreds of extra calories a day! Even avoid fruits and veggies if you are going to be dunking them in something. Instead, eat one biscuit or roll with dinner or with your salad. 

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep!
By not getting enough sleep, you are not allowing your body to properly recover from the previous day. If you get less then 7 hours of sleep a night, this can leave to cravings and more calories. This can lead to you gaining more than a pound a week from lack of sleep. So do your best to get 8 hours of sleep a night.

Drink Plenty Of Water
Water is one of the most important parts of daily life. It keeps your metabolism up and running. You should drink half of your body weight in ounces of water a day. Drinking that much water will keep you hydrated so if you do have a few adult beverages, then you will bounce back quicker.

Try out these tips during the Holiday's to help avoid packing on the extra pounds. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

~aphrodite














Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Picking The Right Shade For Your Skin

Choosing the right foundation and concealer may seem like a simple task right? You just go the store pick one that looks about the same color as your skin and buy it. Just that easy, right? Not quite. There are a few different things you should look for in choosing the right shade for our skin. Here are some tips to help you pick the right shade for your skin.



1. Know What You Want.

There are many different shades, brands, and types of foundations. Before you start choosing, find a brand that works for your skin. Some can be oil based, and can cause skin to breakout. Also decide if you like powder, cream/mousse or liquid foundation. Powder tends to be better for a bronzer or a blush. Liquid and cream/mousse blend into your skin to leave a flawless look. Do you like a matte or shiny finish? Matte finish is usually better for younger ages because they have more oil production in there skin, as you age your skin does not produce the natural oils that it used to which tends to dull your skin out. 





2. Compare Each Product. 
Find three shades that are close to your skin tone, and compare them side by side. You can compare different brands with there similar shades and find out which one brand goes on the smoothest. Then switch to 3 shades that fits you like against your skin and apply them next to each other. At this point you will notice the flaws of the other colors. Do this a few times to be sure that the color you picked is perfect for you.



3. Test on the jaw.
Testing colors along your jawline, allows you to find a color that blends into your face and neck. Because your neck maybe lighter or darker than your face, it is important that foundation blends nicely so there are no harsh lines and it doesn't look like your face and neck are different colors. If the color of your neck and face have a noticeable difference in shade, select one that matches your face, and blend it down into your neck. Make sure you blend it really well.



Good
BAD

3. Test in natural light.

Natural lighting is when you will best see how the foundations you have chosen look on you. The lighting in stores can distort the way it looks. So if you are in a store and cannot find natural lighting, buy 2 or 3 and take them home to test them out and return the ones that do not work. Most places will take the returns as long as you have a receipt.

4. Oxidation.
Some products will change colors when the skins oils mix with them. Apply a color on the inside of your arm and watch the color for an hour or so. If it begins to changes colors, then it is not the right shade for you. Instead go a shade lighter so if it darkens slightly it still blends in.


I hope these tips help you find the perfect shade of foundation for your skin. Be sure to test out a few different options, because there can always be something that looks even better than what you currently love. 

~aphrodite


Friday, October 17, 2014

Rules For Women To Follow & Break Part 2

In continuation of the last post, we left off after learning what rules women in the 30's and 40's should follow or break. Now for our lovely ladies in there 50's or 60's, here are some rules that should be followed and that should be broken. Enjoy.

50's
During your 50's, most women go thru menopause, which makes women stop producing estrogen. Estrogen helps keep the skin hydrated and glowing. Without estrogen the skin becomes dry, sensitive, and can even being to sag. Now we cannot fix all the places that begin to sag with out surgery but we can fix some areas. 

You may have noticed that your hair is not quite as thick as it once was. This is because your hair follicles have began to shrink, and it is not producing as much hair as it once was. Some people may continue to have more hair than others. To give the appearance of fuller hair your can use a bigger round brush at the crown of your head. This will allow you to get more volume on top. Now you need to slow down the thinning process and maybe even create more hair growth. You can do this by using shampoo and conditioner designed for thinning hair. There are a few different brands out there so it us up to you which one you should choose, but look for one that has minoxidil in it. It is the only drug approved to stimulate aging follicles and to help the regrowth process of the hair. 

You may have realized that you skin is much more sensitive and and redder then it used to be. Estrogen helps to reduce inflammation, and now you are becoming sensitive to your normal products.  Try using a redness relief treatment to help reduce the irritation, and redness of your skin.

As you age, you may begin to lose color in your hair and eyebrows. If the color on your eyebrows has begun to fade, try using an eyebrow pencil to fill it in. Not a fan of having to fill them in everyday? Then go a spa or salon and get them tinted. It is an easy 10 minute process and it will give you brow color for 3 to 4 weeks. 

Rule to Break: Skipping Shimmer. To create a natural glow, you should use sheer, reflective colors. Just do not go overboard on the glitter part. Keep it light, simple, and natural looking. Use a shimmer lip gloss, with an eyeshadow or blush that have the words luminescent, radiant, or glowing in the name. They are light-diffusing particles that give a more flattering look. They also sink into the skin rather than sitting on top of it.

60's

Just because you are a little older doesn't mean you have to have short hair.  Keeping your hair around shoulder length can actually knock up to 10 years off of your look. Because the texture of your hair has changed, be sure to not let it get too long. It can loose and body, and if its thinner the ends will look straggly.

You may notice that no matter how much moisturizer you use, your skin still is dry and sore. Try using one that contains ceramics, phospholipids or jojoba and borage oil. Use it twice a day once in the morning once before bed to keep your skin moisturized at all times. 

This is the time when your lashes are thinner and your eyes seem smaller. To make your eyes appear more open and your lashes fuller, use a thin line of eyeliner to make your eyes pop. Stay away from black, and go for a lighter color. Black can have the opposite effect and make eyes look smaller. Also avoid the lower lashes. It can emphasize dark circles and puffiness.

Rule to Break: Exfoliate. Although exfoliation is necessary to get rid of the dead skin cells, avoid exfoliating too much. Since your skin is as elastic as it once was, too much exfoliation can cause redness, irritation, burning and bruising. So instead go to the spa once a week for a lint enzyme or glycolic peel. It will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.


I hope this helps you get a better understanding of what you should use on your skin, and why you are reacting differently to products you once loved. Try a few of these tips out and see what works best for you. You can always see a doctor for recommendations.

~aphrodite

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Rules Every Women In There 30's & 40's Should Follow & Break

When your body hits its 30's, it begins to change again. Skin and hair can become more oily or dry than it was before. Having children will also change the hormones in your body. There are certain hair and skin care rules that you should follow to get the best looking skin and hair possible. But there are allows rules you should bend or break. Here are some skin tips to help you in your 30's, and 40's.

30's

Everyone says that your 30's are supposed to be your prime. When you feel the most comfortable in your skin, hair and body. For your hair, be sure that every time you wash it, you use a conditioner. Your scalp no longer produces the amount of oil it did when you were in your teens. You need to be careful because your hair is more fragile from coloring, styling and general wear and tear, it also produces less oil. The scalps natural oil its what helps to give it strength and elasticity. Conditioner can help replace the oil production. Condition your hair after each shampoo, and once a week use a mask. 

Your skin is the largest the largest organ in your body, and the only one you can see. What you do to your skin in your teens and twenties will effect the aging process of your skin. Start a intense skin care regimen. Start by washing your face and then exfoliating. The exfoliate will remove the dead skin cells from your face. Apply sunscreen every day to protect from anti-aging and burning rays. Since your skin absorbs the best when you are resting, apply a night time cream to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Also be sure to add a vitamin c serum into your morning and night time route to help restore your skins natural glow. 

When your under lots of stress, your body reacts in different ways from brittle nails to hair falling out to rashes on your skin and dark circles under your eyes. This is when a good concealer is needed. Invest in two different ones. For under your eyes, go for something with peach or yellow tones to reduce the appearance of dark circles. For the redness, something with green tones to neutralize the red. To cover the rest of your face, contour with a lightweight tinted lotion for a flawless, natural look.

I am sure you have been told by a dermatologist, your esthetician or even your own mother to not pick at your skin because it will lead to scarring. Well you still should not pick at acne, but you can touch your face. Use your hands when washing your face, or applying products. When your pores do not get enough oxygen, your skin will look dull. Once a week after you shower, because the steam allows he pores to open, put on a mask that is clay based to pull out any extra bacteria and clogged pores. Any bad acne, should be extracted by a trained professional.

40's
After following the same beauty trend for years, have you begun to notice your hair doesn't have as much oomph, your skin isn't as bright, and your make-up tricks don't work as well as they once did? No need to worry! It is time for a little upgrade. 

After you hit 40, you hair texture can change from hormones to become, wavier, straighter, or courser. Some women even experience hair loss from pregnancy or hormones as well. It is time to go with it and change up our styling routine a bit. For curly hair, play up the texture by using light weight mousse to enhance the curl. For straight hair, use a root lifter to add volume in the crown area. For course hair, use more moisturizing products like daily moisture shampoo and conditioner, or a moisturizing treatment. If you are one of the women who are suffering from thinning hair, switch to a shampoo and conditioner that is created for thinning hair to help keep it from thinning more. 

Your 40's are the time of menopause. Your skin changes and all the damage from the years prior begin to show up. To help reduce the appearance of these, and to help prevent more from appearing, switch to anti aging products packed with vitamin a and c. They will help keep skin clear, looking fresher, smoother, and fuller. If you have sensitive skin, consult with your dermatologist or esthetician to find products that are fit for your skin.

Make-up can actually make you look younger or older than you actually are. Wearing lots of make-up  can age you rather quickly.  Use light sheer colors that won't sink into fine lines and make you look tired, but will rather give you a glow. Sheer colors are more forgiving than dark, heavy colors, so update your make-up to sheer colors.

You should wash your hair as little as possible. You should not wash your hair everyday but only washing it once a week can stimulate hair growth, especially during this time when hair growth is the most important. Oil and dirt will build up on your scalp will put your scalp at risk and prevent future hair growth. Going 3 days between each shampoo should be your max.


I hope these rules will help you to having healthier looking hair and skin. Next week will be a continuation of this post for women in there 50's and 60's.

~aphrodite

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

20 Beauty Items Every Women Needs

There are some things in life you just can't live without. In most cases this includes your tv, phone, car, internet and so on. But if you are a women there should be many items you can't be without. Here are some beauty items that you should always have.

1. Shampoo.
We are not talking about just any shampoo, we mean a good shampoo that covers all of your hairs needs. Each person has different hair texture, color and hair concerns. For colored hair, we recommend the Redken Color Extend Shampoo. It leaves hair shiny, color vibrant, and keeps color lasting longer. If you have damaged hair, Bed Head Urban Antidotes is amazing! They have 3 stages for each level of damage. They help to repair, restore and revive your hair. For thinning hair, use Nioxin. It is designed to help stop hair thinning, and make hair look fuller. They have 6 different systems that vary to help the level of thinning you have, and even hair a line for chemically treated hair. For every day use, we recommend Bed Hair Daily Shampoo. It works for all hair types, and can even be used on color treated hair. Do not wash your hair everyday! It can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing it to become dull and dry. You can also switch up your shampoo and use 2 different shampoos and conditioners. Use one duo one day and alternate with another duo.




2. Conditioner.
To get the best results with your shampooing, use the conditioner that goes along with the shampoo that you use. If you don't, you may not get the results you desired. The Redken Color Extend Conditioner prevents color fading, makes color more vibrant and strengthens your hair. Bed Head Urban Antidotes Conditioner makes hair stronger, softer, more vibrant, and helps protect it from heat and chemicals. Nioxin Conditioner are light weight, and smoothing to help give extra volume to thin hair. Bed Head Daily Conditioner adds moisture to the hair, helps to detangle the hair, and prevents color fading.



3. Lipstick.
Everyone women needs a great go to lipstick that matches any occasion. You can never go wrong with a natural lip color or a nice red. The natural color is great for everyday use,  for spring and summer time, while red is good for fall, winter, and any formal event. Be sure to find to line your lips 1st to prevent your lip color from running.
                         

4. Eyelash Curler.
An eyelash curler is great to make your lashes look longer, and your eyes appear brighter. You can use it with mascara or without just to give your lashes a finished look. Keep one handy, because you never know when you will need one. 


5. Leave In Treatment.
A leave in treatment is a must for everyday use. Redken Anti-Snap is a frizz reducing, heat protecting treatment that also helps reduce split ends. It can be used after you wash your hair, then style as desired. Moroccan Oil treatment is designed for all hair types and can be used wet or dry. It instantly absorbs into the hair to give an added shine and conditions the hair. 


6.  Perfume.
Every women needs that signature scent that they always wear. It can be anything from a fun Victoria's Secret Body Spray to a classic like Ralph Lauren. Whatever scent you choose, be sure to only spray 3 sprays max. You want to keep the scent light so it doesn't become too strong or over powering. 



7. Moisturizer. 
A great moisturizer is a HUGE must have! You want one that works for your skin type, whether it is dry, oily, or combination. You also do not want it leaving your face greasy. It should absorb completely into your skin within seconds of applying it. Try to find one that has an added SPF in it, that way it will protect you from those harmful sun rays. Try Dermalogica Active Moist. It is an oil free, light weight moisturizer, that helps improve the skins texture. 


8. Body Scrub.
There are many different types of scrubs and loofahs out there. It is hard to find a good loofah that exfoliates your skin. I recommend the loofah's sold at Aphrodite Spa & Salon. They have nice texture to them, that really makes your skin feel soft and smooth. Use it before you shave, and it prevents any ingrown hairs. If you are looking for just a body scrub, try Hempz Sandalwood & Apple Herbal Body Scrub. It is all natural scrub that leaves the skin soft, smooth, and clean. 



9. Make-up Removing Wipes.
Make-up removing wipes are great on the go way to remove your make-up. If you are one to forget, leave them next to your bed, so that way you no longer have to get out of bed to remove your make-up. Try Mac make-up removing wipes for a quick fix. They quickly cleanse your face and moisturizes it with vitamin e, leaving skin smooth and refreshed.



10. Face Oil/Vitamin C.
Over tanning, too much sun, and dry weather can cause your skin to become dry, dull, and lack its natural glow. After washing your face each day, you should apply a face oil enriched in vitamin c. The vitamin c helps restore the skins natural glow while balancing out the skins ph. It promotes younger, smoother looking skin.



11. Travel Size Palettes
Anytime you travel, you have to make sure you have all of your make-up. To make it easier, pack a travel sized palette that has all the eyeshadow colors you would need. I recommend the Smashbox Full Exposure Palette. It has 14 eyeshadow colors, and even comes with a double ended application brush. It is perfect size, and can fit right into your purse. 

12. Blowdryer.
It is important to have a great blowdryer. A bad blowdryer can cause hair to be frizzy, and dry. The key to a good blow-dry is to have one that can be adjusted to different speeds and heat levels. You should be able to dry your hair in a decent amount of time, without it being a frizzy mess. Blowdryer preference is up to you but hot tools, and chi make really nice ones.



13. Wet Brush.
A wet brush is one of the best brushes you can buy. It is great for wet or dry hair, goes threw the hair with ease. Its soft, flexible bristles allow for even distribution of products, and can be used in blow drying the hair. The wet brush is great for kids too, because it doesn't pull there hair when brushing it. 



14. Multiple Use Styler.
Any styler that has multiple uses is a great thing. Most of them are leave in products that can be used to style hair or just let it dry naturally. For a great styler, I recommend Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny. It is a serum that helps to reduce drying time, smoothes hair, reduces frizz, and adds shine. It pretty much does everything in a bottle. 


15. Toner.
A toner is used to balance your skin after cleansing, exfoliating or using a mask. Some toners do more than others do. Dermalogica's Multi-Active Toner hydrates and refreshes your skin. It allows for moisturizer to absorb better into the skin, and smoothes out your skin. They also have a Antioxidant Hydramist that helps prevent fine lines, dryness and aging. 


16. Eye Treatment/Cream.
As you get older, women tend to develop fine lines, dark circles, and sagging around their eyes. To help prevent and reduce the appearance of these things, it is best use an eye cream. Clinage Eye C Renewal Cream is packed with vitamin c, and green tea. The vitamin c helps reduce dark circles, improves crows feet, and rebuilds the elastin under your eyes, all while hydrating them. The green tea is added to help reduce and calm any puffiness under the eyes.


17. Hair Mask.
A great hair mask should hydrate, revive, and softener your hair for days or even weeks. At home you should use a hair mask once to twice a month, every week if you have extremely damaged hair. The best hair mask around is the Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask. In just 7 minutes it infuses protein back into the hair shaft to repair week, damaged hair. It allows hair to become stronger, softer and smoother. 

18. Cuticle Oil/Softener.
Your nails say a lot about you. It tells people if you put time, money and effort into your appearance. It lets them know if you take pride in how you look or if you just simply do not have time. Cuticles are not something that you should let get out of hand. Every other week you should push them back and apply softener or oil to them to keep them health. A great cuticle softener is CND Cuticle Eraser. It is a cuticle treatment that exfoliates the cuticles while conditioning the nail plate and surrounding skin. A great nail oil is CND Solar Oil. Solar oil helps to condition and hydrate the cuticles to promote healthier, stronger nail growth.


19. Nail File.
A good nail file is important in keeping your nails shaped nicely so they do not catch, split and break as easily. Some people prefer softer grit files while others prefer coarser. I would recommend a double sided nail file that has a softer grit on one side and a harder grit on the other that way you have the best of both worlds. CND makes a wonderful double sided nail file. 
20. A spot treatment.
An acne spot treatment is great for any age. You never know when you are going to get an unexpected breakout, and you need to zap it fast. Anyone at any age can get acne, so this is a tip for everyone. The best spot treatment is Clinique Emergency Gel Lotion. It targets the acne and helps eliminate it. It can be used on all skin types and even works under make-up, so do not be afraid to put something over it. 

It may be time to reevaluate some of the products you are currently using and add in some that you are not using. Hope this was useful to you.

~aphrodite








Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Fall Make-up Trends

The fall season has arrived! Now that you have your hair trends and nail trends for the season, how about you try some of these awesome make-up trends. They all can be played up or down depending on if you want a daytime or nighttime look.


Metallic Lids

Metallic eyeshadow will make you look more awake and your skin brighter. Start by picking your favorite metallic shadow or one to match your mani. Apply on top of your lids, following into the corners of your eyes, and finish with a coat of your favorite mascara. For daytime, keep the rest of your look simple with just a light lip gloss, for night you can add your favorite lipstick. 


Berry Lips

Berry lips is a trend rocked by quite a few different celebrities. Use a concealer on your lips to allow the color to stick better. Line them with a lip liner, and finish with a matching lipstick. For daytime, keep the rest of your color palette in the neutrals to not over power your look. For nighttime, complete your look with a some mascara and black eyeliner.


Flushed Cheeks

A bit of a rosy cheek is a good way to cover if your not feeling well, or just to add some color to enhance your cheek bones. To make a great flushed cheek, add a pink toned blush to the tops of your cheeks, and follow with a cream skin tone colored blush underneath. Blend the two together so there are no lines for a natural look.


Bright Eyes

Bright eyeshadow is a bold trend that is not for everyone. If you are fearless and want to try it here's how. Choose a bright eyeshadow color you want to use. Apply to your lids, without any other colors or eyeliner. Keep the rest of your look completely natural and just add a shiny lip gloss. Your eyes are the only thing that needs to make a statement. 

Bold Brows

Thicker eyebrows were a thing of the 70's and 80's. In the recent years, they have been making a big comeback. Thicker shaped and darker brows are in! Start by getting your eyebrows tinted. It is an all natural dye made from vegetables, and lasts for weeks. It will darken your brows, and give them a more defined shape. Comb your brows, and use an eyebrow pencil to pencil in any thinner spots to complete the fuller look. Be sure to still get them shaped though.



Try out these fall make-up ideas at school, work, or even for a party. Pair them with the hot nail and hair trends, along with an amazing outfit and you are sure to be a hit where ever you go. 

~aphrodite