Keeping Your Hair Healthy & Stylish In The Summer.

During the summer, your skin is not the only thing that has to be protected from damage. Your hair can easily be damaged from swimming, the sun, and from excess styling. Keeping your hair healthy is not always a top priority but it needs to be. Here are some ways to keep your hair looking, and feeling great in the summer.

Protecting From UV Exposure.
 Many people do not protect there hair when they go in the sun. The suns rays over a period of time can be just as damaging as bleaching your hair. The most common way to protect your hair is to wear a hat. If a hat is not your style, make sure to apply sunscreen to your part and hairline. Before you go in the sun, use a deep conditioning treatment, preferably one that has vitamins a, c, or e in it. They are essential to keep your hair strong and healthy. Do not use hair spray, it sits on your hair and offers no protection. Instead find and use products that soak into your hair. Do not wash your hair everyday, but when you do, if you have spent a lot of time outside use a deep conditioning hair mask to re-hydrate your hair. 

Protecting From Pools, Lakes, & Oceans.
Chlorine, and salt can damage your hair, and even remove or change the color of the hair. About 1 hour before going into the pool, you can add coconut oil into your hair. The coconut oil helps to moisturize your hair and prevent salt water and chlorine damage. Before you go into a pool or body of water, get your hair wet with tap water. The water will help keep your hair from absorbing the water. Apply a serum to your hair (especially the ends) to help protect your hair from friction.  If you can, completely avoid getting your hair wet. After swimming, rinse your hair. Wash your hair first with a clarifying shampoo, then do your usual shampoo and conditioning routine, followed by a hair mask. This will help keep your hair from drying out, and start to repair any damage. To style your hair, apply product and let your hair air dry or blow-dry loosely with a diffuser. Avoiding excess heat on your hair, to prevent damage.

Protecting Your Hair From Extreme Heat
In the summer, protecting your hair from heat can be easy, but you can't avoid things like sun and humidity. If you are going to style your hair, be sure to use proper heat protectants. After you shower and go to dry your hair, apply styling products to protect your hair from the heat, and remove any excess frizz. Do the same if you are going to straighten or curl your hair. The best thing you can do is let your hair dry naturally. Styling your hair in the summer, when the air is moist, makes it take longer to style the hair, which can result in further drying time and more damage. If you plan on styling your hair with hot tools or being outside in the sun, you should apply a deep conditioning treatment on your hair at least once a week. Allow the treatment to sit on for 15 minutes. And rinse. This will help repair any damage that has been done for that week, and to help protect from excess damage.

How To Treat Damaged Hair.
If you have already damaged hair, avoid adding heat or anything that can add more damage to it. Go into a good salon near you and get your hair cut, and a deep conditioning treatment. The haircut will help keep you from getting split ends. The stylist will let you know what treatment will be best for your hair, and how often you should get a treatment. You should get a hair treatment every time you get your hair colored, or every time you get a haircut. Some people need it more frequently then that. After that you should keep up with getting a haircut every 4 weeks. And doing at home treatments 2-3 times a week. 


Summer Hair Styles.
The style's that are in for the summer are braids, natural hair, ponytails, messy buns and waves. To have a natural look, apply product into damp hair and let your hair dry. For braids, you can do any form of braid and have it in style. If you are going for a relaxed look, wear a messy bun or a ponytail. The biggest trend is the waves. It is a great look for day or night. You can get this look by adding mousse and diffuse your hair. It looks great on the beach. 


Use these tips to help save your hair from damage and use the summer trends to style your hair. It will keep your hair healthy, looking great and feeling great. 

~aphrodite

The Benefits of Having a Facial and More!

Having beautiful skin and keeping it beautiful is something every women dreams of. Getting beautiful skin is not easier but it can be done by getting facials on a monthly basis. Just getting a facial is not enough, you have to take care of your skin on a daily basis and this doesn't mean washing your face with soap and water. Here are some great benefits from getting facials, different types of facials, how to take care of your skin in-between facials, and some of the things your skin need everyday.

Why People Get Facials.
People get facials for the relaxation feeling or for the improvement of the skins overall look. A facial is a great way to be pampered and relax. A facial is used to remove dead skin cell build up that clogs pores, and give skin a more youthful glow.

The Facial Process.
There are many different types of facials in the world. Each facial helps solve a specific skin problem. All facials consist of a cleansing process, exfoliation process, a masking process, and the finishing process. Other facials can include peels, paraffin, foot massages, and extractions. Each are done differently by different aestheticians. The cleansing process is the first process and it is done twice. The 1st cleanse is to remove excess make-up, dirt and oil from your face, neck, and chest. The 2nd cleanse is usually done with steam. It is done with steam because stem opens your pores allowing the cleanser to get deep inside, and bring the dirt out.

Next is the exfoliation process. The exfoliation process is the most important part of the facial. The exfoliation process is done by having the steam still running and adding massaging a scrub on your face, neck, and chest. The exfoliant goes into the pores to remove dead skin cell build-up, and any dry skin on your body. While the scrub is on the skin, a hot towel will gently be wrapped on your face, leaving your mouth and nose exposed, and the steam turned off. After the towel begins to cool, the excess scrub is removed.

The 3rd process is the masking. The masking is done to help tighten up skin, for deep cleansing in the pores, or to help heal and refresh your face. The facial mask normally turns to more of a solid while on your face. The amount of time it is left on is determined by the aesthetician. While the facial mask is on, a neck and shoulder massage is performed. This allows time for the mask to work. A hot towel will be placed on top of the mask, and used to remove the mask. 

After the mask has been removed a toner will be applied to your face. A toner is used to help balance your skins ph levels, and shrink down the size of your pores. After the toner is applied, the final step is to apply a light amount of moisturizer. The moisturizer will help to keep your skin hydrated, and keep it from becoming to dry. Your facial is now complete.

Different Types of Facials.
The most standard form of facials are European and mini facials. A mini facial is shorter version of a European facial except there are no extractions. They are great facials to take care of basic skin needs. If you are looking for something specific you can try an anti-aging facial, or problem skin facial. Both facials are 90 mins and target specific skin needs. The anti-aging facial is great if you want something that is going to give you a more youthful glow. It includes an eye treatment, that helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. The problem skin facial is good for people who experience lots of breakouts. It helps target the source of the breakouts, and deeply clean out your pores with multiple cleansing treatments. If you feel like your face isn't the only place that is breaking out, you can get a back facial. A back facial is a deep cleansing scrub, paired with a purifying mask that will rejuvenate your skin.

How to Take Care of Your Skin at Home.
Two easy things you can do to keep your skin looking good by drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep. By drinking plenty of water, your skin will stay hydrated and will be less likely of becoming dry. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night can keep your skin from looking tired and distressed. To get the best looking skin, establish a skin care routine for every morning and every night. Before you touch your face, be sure to wash your hands. Start by damping your face with warm water, and begin cleansing with a mild cleanser. Use your hands to work the cleanser in. Rinse your face with warm water and a gentle sponge. Once a week you should use an exfoliating scrub on your face. It will give your skin the soft, smooth appearance. Let face dry for a few minutes, then spray toner on cotton and gently dab your face. Follow up with a moisturizer for your skin type. By following this routine you will help keep your skin looking great in between spa visits. You should still go get a facial at least once a month. 

Follow these steps and continue to get your facials, to have great looking skin everyday. 

~aphrodite

Protecting Yourself From UV Exposure

Now that the warmer weather is here, and you are going to be outside enjoying it, remember that you are being exposed to UV rays. UV exposure can be harmful to your skin and your hair. UVA rays are aging rays that cause wrinkles in the skin. UVB rays are burning rays that cause sun burns and skin cancer. Preventing damage to your skin and hair is much easier than reversing the damage after it has already happened. Here are some ways to help prevent sun damage to your hair and skin.

Body
When you apply sunscreen to your body, be sure to apply it to your entire body. Even the areas that are covered by clothing can get skin cancer. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, the spray kind is the easiest to use. Avoid sun exposure after applying perfume. Some of the chemicals in perfume can remove the sunscreen, which can lead to a sunburn. Re apply sunscreen every 2-4 hours you are outside. Water and sweat can help to remove sunscreen, so it is best to always reapply after being in water or performing a physical activity.

Hair
Many people do not protect there hair when they go in the sun. The suns rays over a period of time can be just as damaging as bleaching your hair. The most common way to protect your hair is to wear a hat. If a hat is not your style, make sure to apply sunscreen to your part and hairline. Before you go in the sun, use a deep conditioning treatment, preferably one that has vitamins a, c, or e in it. They are essential to keep your hair strong and healthy. Do not use hair spray, it sits on your hair and offers no protection. Instead find and use products that soak into your hair. Do not wash your hair everyday, but when you do, if you have spent a lot of time outside use a deep conditioning hair mask to re-hydrate your hair. 

Face
When you do your daily face cleaning routine, include a moisturizer that has an SPF in it. The extra SPF will help stop damaging sun rays from aging your skin. Before applying sunscreen, apply an antioxidant serum. It will add a layer of extra protect onto your face. Apply the sunscreen on your face, but avoid your eyelids. The skin on your eyelids is so thin, that the sunscreen can actually soak right through it and cause damage to your eyes. If you are going to be wearing make-up while outside, use mineral make-up that have ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc in them. The titanium dioxide acts as a sunscreen, and the zinc helps as a healing device for sunburns and other skin irritations. On your lips, add a layer of lip balm with SPF in it. It helps prevent dryness, cracking, and sunburn.

To insure the best protection from the sun, check to make sure your sunscreen has not expired, that you limit your exposure time between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, and that you are constantly reapplying sunscreen while you are outside. Skin cancer is easily treated and prevented. Avoid going outside without sunscreen, and tanning beds to lower your risk of getting skin cancer. Follow these tips to healthier skin and hair.

~aphrodite

What Your Skin Needs At Any Age

At every stage in life, your skin needs something different to keep it healthy, break-out free and glowing. There are different products and things you can do to keep your skin healthy at any age. Everyone should have a skin care regimen that they use everyday. This will tell you what you need to keep your skin looking great at any age.

20's. In your 20's it is the prime time for skin care. What you do now will effect how your skin looks from here on out. The number one thing to do is to use sunscreen on a daily basis. An SPF of 20 or higher is best. Sun screen will help to reduce anti-aging and help to prevent skin cancer. Also, use a light weight moisturizer every day. It helps keep your skin from getting too dry, and helps maintain a healthy level of moisture in your skin. You also need to exfoliate your skin. For normal skin exfoliate 2-3 times a week, but if you have oily skin, try to exfoliate everyday to help cut down the oil. It is also important to wash your face twice a day. Washing your face clears your skin of dirt and bacteria which cause breakouts. The better you take care of your skin now, the better it will be in the future.

30's. In your 30's your skin becomes much drier. The drier your skin, the more you can see fine lines and wrinkles. The best thing you can do is to update your moisturizer to one that is more hydrating. The more hydration to your skin, the better it is to help decrease your fine lines. In your 30's you also tend to get dark under eye circles. Use an under eye cream to help smooth out the lines, and decrease darkness. Look for products like caffeine and ginseng because they help to reduce puffiness.

40's.  The main thing you need to concentrate on for your skin in your 40's is anti-aging. Start using anti-aging products on a daily basis. You may see that your skins natural glow is beginning to fade, this is because the skin cells are not coming off as quickly and are more flaky. Go get a mild glycolic peel on a weekly basis. It will remove the dead skin cells off of your face, and having it looking better then ever.

50's. Once you hit your 50's, your estrogen level begins to drop, which causes your skin to produce less of its natural oils. Instead of using a light moisturizer, switch to a heavier cream. Look for products that have a hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid pulls water to the skins surface, giving it a plumper and glowing appearance. Not only is dryer skin a problem, but so are fine lines and wrinkles. The most prominent place for wrinkles is a round the mouth, which is caused from smoking, drinking through a straw, and talking. Use a firming cream. It is effective but not a permanent solution.

60's. In your 60's, you will notice that your skin is much thinner and dryer, this is from the lack of your skins natural oil production. Your skin is now more sensitive to certain products. When washing your face use a mild, soap and fragrance free cleanser to prevent irritation. Your skin also begins to sag, and instead of getting injections, use a plumping sebum. It will not give you the full effect of the injections, but it will help to firm and tighten the loose skin.

As we get older, our skin begins to loose moisture and firmness. If you have a great beauty regimen and are using the right products, it will help your skin stay in great shape. You should also get facials about once a month to really get great skin results. 

~aphrodite

4 Myths About Acne

Acne can be caused by stress, hormones, oily skin, dry skin, and numerous other things. There are myths out there about what causes acne and what some solutions are that can help prevent or heal it. These are 4 know myths about acne and what you should do instead.

1. Not washing you face before bed causes acne. While you should wash your face every morning and every night, not washing your face before bed will not cause any more acne. Acne is caused by an over production of sebum on the skin, which also causes your face to be oily. If you already experience breakouts, you should wash your face before going to bed to help prevent them from getting worse.

2. All foods with sugar and dairy cause breakouts. This myth is partly true. Foods rich in dairy and gluten are known for being related with breakouts. To help reduce acne breakouts, load up on foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This doesn't mean to skip the dairy all together, just keep your servings on the lower side. Sugary foods do not cause breakouts, when ate in moderation. If you eat various amounts of sugary foods on a daily basis, it can cause your insulin levels to increase which can produce acne. Try to cut down on the sugary foods to put your body in better health.

3. Prescriptions are better then over the counter. Prescription products are stronger then over the counter products, and can be even worse. They can cause dryness, irritation, redness, and burning if not properly used or given. Try over the counter products every day for 6-8 weeks. If you do not see a decrease in acne, then consult a dermatologist so you can get the problem solved with the right products.

4. Toothpaste will help get rid of a zit. Toothpaste when put on a zit, will dry up any excess oil but also dry's out your skin. The combination of products causes peeling and irritation to your skin, and should only be used for cleaning your teeth. If you are looking for a different way to reduce a zit, crush an aspirin, put it into a cup of water and apply over night. The aspirin will reduce the swelling and redness to help it heal faster.

These are four acne myths that have been busted, and four ways to correct them. I hope you have healthier, and better looking skin.

~aphrodite