Fall Hair & Nail Trends

September is officially here. That means back to school, summer is over and fall is about to begin. As the school year begins, and the leaves begin to change, why not change up your look just a bit. It is time to amp up your hair and nail game this season with these great trends for fall! 

Nails

1. Red. 
Red is a classic fall/winter color and for some people an all year around nail color. Add a twist on red this year with a fun design, textured polish or even a different shade then you would normally wear. 

2. Gray. 
Gray nail polish is no longer just for the more edgier girls. Gray is actually a great color for fall, and can be done as light or dark as you desire. Try to keep it simple without any added touches.

3. Jewel Tones.

From the summer trend or bright pastels, we move into the more darker colors of jewel tones. We have already mentioned reds, but now how about a sapphire or amethyst color on your nails. For an added touch, add a glitter coat over top, for that extra jewel like sparkle.

4. Metallics.

Metallic colored nail polish can be done in a variety of colors, and really can make an added statement to any outfit. Try out a silver, gold, or even purple metallic polish to find one that fits you.

5. Nudes.

And back for another season is nude nail polish! From a wide arrange of pinks to browns by many different brands, you should have no trouble finding the perfect shade for you. If you did nudes in the summer and want to stay with it, try going with a darker or lighter color then you did before, just to change it up a bit.

Hair

1. Color sombre.

A color sombre is a softer, more natural looking take on the summers ombre trend. So instead of going from dark brown to blonde, you would go from dark brown to a more medium red/brown. And from a darker blonde to a lighter blonde. 

2. Platinum.

This is an ongoing trend this year, because it can be done with short or long hair, and when it starts to grow out, it still looks good. Be careful when doing this look, because it is very damaging to the hair.

3. Long Bobs.

So you cut your hair into a bob a few months ago and its all grow out now, well it is a current trend! Go in and get it shaped up and you will be all set. This style is easy to maintain, and women love it. If you are thinking about changing up your cut this is a great one to do. 

4. Choppy Bobs.

A short choppy bob is a great cut for wavy or curly hair because it gives lots of texture, and keeps the hair fun. Be sure to specify exactly how short you want the bob, because if you go too short you may end up with a pixie cut. 

5. Sleek Ponys.

A sleek ponytail is a great look for any occasion. You can wear it around the house, to work, to a girls night out or even a dance. Whether you wear your hair curly, wavy, straight or even with a braid, you can never go wrong with this simple, classic look.

6. Texture, Texture, TEXTURE!

Lots of texture is in this fall. The finished, put together everyday, look is not. Let your hair be. When your hair is wet, towel dry it and put it up in a scrunchie for some great waves. Use a curl enhancing mousse to really amp up those waves. Or if you have wavy hair, let it air dry naturally. 

Try out some of these awesome trends for this fall. Whether its for your hair or nails, you will definitely be in this year when it comes to style!

~aphrodite

Fixing Distressed Winter Hair

Everyone has a problem with there hair when winter comes around. Its flat, dry or has lots of static. If you have ever wondered how to fix your distressed winter hair, this is the post for you. Here are 5 main winter hair problems and how you can help to fix the problem.

1. Flatness. Every women loves to have big voluminous hair, and sometimes the winter weather does not allow this to happen. During the winter months, the air becomes drier, and has less moisture, all because there is less humidity. The humidity tends to just effect those who have finer hair. You can help your hair out by using a thickening shampoo in the shower. They are made to add bulk to your hair, without the extra product to weigh it down. When you blow-dry your hair, use lightweight styling products that come in a liquid form. It will make it easier for you to blow-dry your hair with volume, and the lightweight products formula won’t weigh down your hairstyle. 

2. Dryness. In the summer months, the heat makes your scalp produce more oil, which keeps your scalp hydrated and your hair shiny. During the winter months, the cold air will dry out your scalp, and using hot styling tools drys out your hair even more. When you shower, switch to a shampoo and conditioner that adds moisture to your hair. And every other week you should go in a salon just to get a scalp treatment and style. The scalp treatment allows time for the scalp to retain moisture, and give you healthier feeling and looking hair.

3. Flakiness. Do you feel like since the weather has become much colder, your scalp is much more flaky then normal. This is because your going from a warm house, to a cold climate on a daily basis. It causes your skin to flake faster than normal, especially on your scalp. Try using a shampoo with natural based products. Lather your hair and leave the shampoo on for about 2-3 mins then rinse. Follow with a natural based conditioner. Wash your hair every other day, and on the off day, use a dry shampoo before you brush your hair. It will soak up the oil that the skin flakes attach to.

4. Static Hair. While you keep warm when your outside using winter apparel, when you go inside to take it off, your hair becomes a static mess. This is because dry hair strands, attract to positively charges, and when you remove your hat, it causes them to repel, which gives you the static in your hair. The natural oils in your hair help prevent static, so try to not wash your hair as much. Wash it 3-4 times a week, and you can always use a light amount of hair spray or water to smooth down the stragglers.

5. Split Ends. Split ends are the result of damaging your hair over and over again. It can be from the weather conditions, over use of hot styling tools, and from not getting your hair trimmed enough. The best way to fix split ends is by getting a hair trim every 4-6 weeks. A trim is only less then an inch of hair being removed. There are products that help get rid of split ends, but all they do is camouflage them for a few days. The only way to get rid of them is by cutting them off. So visit a salon every 4-6 weeks to get rd of your split ends. 

Do these things to help minimize the winter distress on your hair. Thank you for all of your support.

~aphrodite

Get the Best Highlights Possible

Getting highlights is a great way to add more tones to your hair, and give your hair a lighter look without being to drastic. Highlights can be done thick or thin, very noticeable or more natural looking, or in the ombre look. Getting the best highlights by a stylist can be determined by your haircut, color and the look you want to achieve. Here are some great ways to makes sure you are going to get the best look possible.

The Highlight

Highlights come in a variety of shades. You can highlight your hair by making it any color lighter then your existing color. You can make them dramatic by going very light against your dark color, or more natural by only going a few shades lighter then your existing color. When you are going to get your hair highlighted it is important to remember what look you want and what type of haircut you have. When you have shorter hair, highlights look more noticeable then when you have longer hair. If you have bangs, keep the highlights thinner. It will make your bangs look thicker. If you have a blunt haircut (where the hair is all one length and symmetrical) your highlights need to be symmetrical as well. It is easily noticed if they are not.

Why you shouldn't do them at home.
Just because the commercials say it is easy to do and you just paint the highlights on it really is not that simple. You need to know the proper color and developer to use to get the color you are looking for. Just because the box says your highlights will be blonde, it doesn't necessarily mean it will work that way. And you can not see your whole head, so you can't see where all the highlights are being placed. Instead of doing it yourself, and it not turning out exactly how you were expecting, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

Getting Your Highlights
Do not shampoo your hair on the day of, the natural oils of your hair help it from becoming as damaged. The colorist will help you decide what shade you should go with, but don't try to use colorist terminology. It is best to compare what your looking for to a food or have a picture so the colorist knows exactly what you are looking to achieve. It also makes it easier for them to tell you what there going to do and how you are going to achieve this look so that way you know what is going on. After the highlighting process is done, you should always get a deep conditioning treatment to help repair the damage that was done to your hair. Also, for the best looking color ask the colorist for a gloss treatment. It is usually about $20 extra (depending on the salon) and really adds a great shine to your and makes your new hair look even better.

At Home Care
Now that you have a new hair color, it is time for a new routine. Do not shampoo your hair everyday. It can cause the color to fade quicker, and it removes the natural oils in your hair that help keep your hair healthy. Also use a color protecting shampoo. It helps reduce fading and keeps the color bright. Use a heat protecting spray. Anytime you are going to blow-dry, straighten, or curl your hair this is a must. It protects the hair from the high heats, and keeps it looking shiny. Do a deep conditioning treatment once a week to help repair any damaged ends. You just put it on your hair for 5-10 minutes once a week and rinse.


Getting highlights is just like getting your hair colored or cut. You need to get it done every 4-6 weeks to keep the look the best it possibly can be. Change up your look, by getting your hair highlighted today.

~aphrodite

Summer Hair Trends

Every year trends change. Whether they are for hair, make-up, nails, or clothes, you always need to be in on what's hot and what's not. The summer time is when people let lose and have fun, but it is also when you can make a great statement when you go out. This summers hair trends have been done before, but there are ways that they have been refreshed to make them new again. Here are some of the latest hair trends for this summer.

Super Straight Hair.
Having super straight hair can take a lot of work for some hair types, and can cause damage. You should first make sure your hair is in good shape. Start by using daily treatments to build up your hair strength. Once your hair is in good shape, you can straighten it. First use a heat protecting spray. This will help to keep your hair from receiving extra damage. After you have applied the spray, straighten your hair from roots to ends, using small one inch sections. Keep your flat iron under 400 degrees. After you have fully straightened your hair, lightly apply an oil over it. The oil will help to restore some moisture into the hair, and give your hair an added shine.
To change up the straight look, you can move around your part and try something a bit more dramatic, or you can pull part of it back and pin it.
   

Great Blow-outs
Great blow-drys are achieved by using good shampoo and conditioner as well as the right products for your hair type. To achieve a great blow-out, a stylist will apply products of there choosing to freshly washed hair. Different products work for different hair types, and it is best to use products that your hair dresser recommended for you. Then they will ruff dry the hair at the roots. After the ruff drying, they will section your hair into smaller sections, and use a round brush that best suits your hair to round brush your hair. The end style could be straight, flipped out, flipped under or have a wave to it but all styles will be smoothed down, frizz free, and long lasting.
Change up your blow-dry from what you normally get. If it is always straight, add some curl to the ends, and if tend to keep your hair flatter, have your stylist add a volume booster and give you lots of volume and movement in your hair. You can also change up your part, to create volume on top and a different look.
 

Low Buns & Ponytails
Putting you hair in a high ponytail or a messy bun is the easiest way to style your hair while always on the go. While they may look cute for some occasions, they are not cute for all. Try to change it up a bit. Pulling your hair back in a sleek ponytail is good for any job interview, or even for an everyday look. If you always put your hair in a ponytail, try a sleek bun. All you have to do is wrap the hair around the ponytail and secure with a hair tie. It is really simple and easy. You can change up the bun, if you are going out to a nice dinner or to a special occasion like a wedding by creating your own bun. Put your hair in a ponytail and secure. Lightly tease small sections of the ponytail, but make sure all of the teasing is underneath. Take the hair and form a bun by tucking it underneath the ponytail and securing it with bobby pins. Make sure the hair is smoothed. Add a light coat of hairspray to help smooth fly away's. You can also add braids to your hair to make it more of a relaxed feel.
 

Fringe or Bangs
Having bangs is great to hide imperfections people may see in themselves. If you like more of a softer look, try a side swept bang. You can make it really soft by keeping it choppy or more dramatic by having a deep angle. If you have strong features and want something more daring, then a shorter straight across bang would be a good look to enhance your features. If your not sure you want short bangs, go for the side swept grown out bang. They are longer so you can wear them down or pull them back depending on what you want.
  

Hair Accessories
Hair accessories are an easy way to add a little something extra to any look. If your wearing your hair down or in a simple bun or ponytail, dress it with a head scarf to add a pop of color. If you want to add a little bling, use a rine-stoned headband. To glam up an everyday look, add a big bow for a headband. It is a cute way to combine together your hair and outfit. If you are going to have your hair in an updo, set it off by adding a rine-stoned clip or even some flowers to really make your hair stand out from all the others.

Braids
You can never go wrong with a braid. They can add class to any look, and go from casual to classy in a matter of minutes. For a low-key look, go for a side hanging braid. If your want to add a little something to an up-do, braid a section before doing the up-do. If you want a look that is good for any occasion, add a rope braid or french braid in your bangs, and curl or straighten your hair. It is a look that can be casual or for a special occasion and it works great for short hair. 

  

Short Hairstyles & Cuts
Short haircuts are making a comeback. From the pixie cuts to a bob you can have a short hairstyle but still feminine. If you want something edgy and easy to style, go for a pixie cut. You have a bang in the front, but the rest of your hair is short. If you want something a bit more girly try a bob. A bob can be any length from just above your shoulders to right below your ears. They are easy to style, and it still looks good at the in-between stages. To make the cut a little more edger, get an angled bob. In the angled bob, the hair is shorter in the back and longer in the front. You have to keep up on the look and get it cut every 6 weeks. The short cuts all look really cute paired with bags.
  

Fun Colored Hair
The last big trend of the summer is having fun colored hair. Whether you want to try something  new that's permanent or temporary adding bright or pastel colors can give you that change you are looking for. The favorite colors for the summer are lavender, blue and mint green. If you are really daring, you can go for the all over color. If your not sure about the whole head, add some highlights or low-lights. If you just want a touch of a different color, try a peek a boo. A peek a boo is a small section of hair that is colored differently then the rest. 
  

Head to your nearest and best hair salon to try out one of these fun summer trends on yourself. You will stand out from everyone else, and make a statement. Remember to take good care of your hair. 

~aphrodite

At Home Treatments For All Hair Types.

Treatments can be great for your hair, and should be done once a week if you have damage to your hair. If you do not use the proper treatment for your hair type, it can end up having negative effects like to much oil, frizzy hair, and dry hair. Here are some treatments you can try at home for in between salon visits.

1. Basic Treatment. A basic treatment is one that works for all hair types. In the shower, apply a deep conditioner from the mid shaft of your hair to the ends. Let it sit on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse. If you have damaged hair from excessive coloring, or using to many heat products on it, let it sit in a towel after a shower for 10 extra minutes then rinse. You will have softer feeling hair. For best results do this treatment about once a week.

2. Fine Hair Treatment. If you have fine hair, using anything that is heavy and with lots of oils will weigh your hair down. Use a deep conditioning treatment, that has a volume booster. It will keep your hair soft, but when you go to style it, it will help you add the volume you desire. Do not use this too often because it will cause your hair to build up excess oil. Start out using it once a week for one month, then do every other week.

3. Medium to Thick Hair Treatment. Look for products that have natural oils in them. Oils like avocado, argan, coconut, sunflower, or almond will help to repair damaged hair. They will also help give a natural shine, and help your hair to grow stronger. Use this treatment as often as you find necessary but no more then once a week.

4. Coarse Hair Treatment. Every morning, use a quarter sized amount of an all natural oil to smooth the ends of your hair, and make easier for styling. Once a week use a deep scalp and hair mask, preferably once that nourishes the hair. It will help to smooth down and make your hair softer, so it is easier to manage and style.

5. Colored Hair Treatments. If you color your hair, it is more damaged then it would be normally. To help restrengthen your hair, use treatments that are enriched in keratin. The keratin soaks into the hair shaft, adding moisture back into the hair. For a greater effect, add the oil based treatment to your conditioner and let it sit on for 10 to 15 minutes so it can really soak in. Do this once a week and your hair will start to feel and look much healthier. 

Try these treatments to help repair the damage that is done to your hair on a daily basis. You will soon have healthier looking and feeling hair.

~aphrodite 

The Do's & Don'ts of Hair Styling

Keeping your hair healthy and strong is not always an easy task. You color, highlight, straighten, blow-dry, and curl your hair all the time, so it seems like you do more damage then good. Here are some tips to help you return your hair to its natural healthy self.

DO- Use a heat protector. Almost every line of hair products has a heat protector. They prevent frizz, fly-away's, split ends, breakage, and dullness. Use a heat protector before blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair. 

DO- Pick the right tools. Use a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush to remove tangle's from your hair. Use a blow-dry with 2,000 watts or over to get a smooth, shiny style, with shorter drying time.

DON'T- Manhandle wet hair. When hair is wet, that is when it is the most fragile. Avoid excessive tugging, teasing, tying it up, and sleeping on it when wet. After you shower, wait a few minutes before brushing it. Add a leave in conditioner or detangler to help minimize damage and make hair easier to brush through. 

DON'T- Obsessively flat iron. Flat ironing causes the most heat damage to hair. Set your iron at 400 degrees or less to avoid breakage. 

DON'T- Forget your scalp. Any time you color your hair, you should do a treatment to help minimize the damage done to your hair. Scalp treatments with natural oils like almond, and coconut, help hair grow healthier and stronger. 

DON'T- Skip the sunscreen. Most people know to put sunscreen on your skin but you can't forget about the damage the sun does to your hair. For every 100 hours of direct sunlight it is the equivalent of 30 minutes of bleach on your hair. Use a mist or products that have UV protection in it, if you are going to be spending a day in the sun.

Use these tips to properly style your hair and avoid any excess damage. 

~aphrodite