Hot Nail Colors for Summer!

Having your nails done is an absolute must in the summer, especially your toes. Getting a pedicure is a must to have your feet looking and feeling great at all times. Wearing sandals and going to the beach can be hard on our feet and they need a little love every now and them. And if your getting your toes done, might as well get your hands done too. Here are some great nail color ideas for the season!

Matching Hands & Toes
If your someone who has to have there hands and toes match, there are some great options to be in the same color palette, but do a lighter version on your hands and a darker version on your toes. They will compliment each other, and will still match (even if they are different colors). 

                 Hands                                                                                     Toes

                 

Color Combos

If your some one who doesn't mind not matching there hands and toes, these are colors for you. They are different, but are fun and still go together. The key is to have one that is is shimmery and one that is more neutral or just a solid bright color.

                                       Hands                                                                           Toes

                                         

Neutral on Hands, Bright on Toes

If you are someone who isn't really into have a color on your hands, there is another option. Doing neutral colors on your hands are great. Then you can do any color on your toes, and you don't have to worry if you want to change the colors on your toes because it will always match. Here are some great toe polish colors.

 Light Gray

 Bright Blue

 Teal

 Bubble Gum Pink

 Bright Fuchsia 

To keep your polish lasting longer, while in the sun and pool, apply sunscreen onto your nails. It will keep the color from fading. Apply a top coat every other day to help keep them shiny. Also, apply hand cream or moisturizer before swimming because water can dull out the color. 

These are the hot nail colors for the summer. Hope your nails look great all summer long!

~aphrodite

Aphrodite's Favorite Summer Trends and Products

Along with hot weather, and gorgeous tans, summer has some great trends in the world of hair and make-up. It is a great time to change up your look, and play around with different products. Here are some of our favorite summer trends and favorite products that are great for summer.

Summer Trends:

Braids
Braids are the perfect hairstyle for any occasion. There are some many different types to try! You can have something casual like a fishtail, or just a hanging braid, or go for something more sophisticated like a french braid or rope braid. Any look can be played up for a wedding or summer party, or played down for a more casual beach look. You can do a side braid into a bun or ponytail which are great if you are going out. Braids will always be in style for a fun summer look.

Changing Up Your Hair
You can change up your hair in so many ways, from deciding to go for a new cut, maybe just add some bangs or layers, or even change up the color. Your hair is a great way to express your personality and style. Love your long hair but want something new? Add some layers to give it that extra something. Curious about getting bangs? Find some you like and give it a try! What to add a little something to your hair? Highlights are the ultimate go to for summer. Just a few all over to enhance your skin tone, and some dimension into your hair. And if you really want to do something fun, try a colored ombre! Purple, red, blue, or pink are all fun options. Remember to always have your hair colored and cut by a professional. They know what they are doing, and it will keep you from having accidents involving your hair. 

Pedicures
Pedicures are the MUST DO of the summer. Everyone wears open toed shoes in the summer and nobody wants to have unfinished feet and bare toe nails. Pedicures are a great form of relaxation, and will leave your feet looking and feeling great. There are some great polish trends for the summer as well. Go for a vibrant color next time you get a pedi. Orange, yellow, hot pink, and lavender are all great options. Even if your not into any of those colors, any color you chose is better than unpolished toes.

Great Summer Products:

The Wet Brush
The wet brush is probably one of the greatest new products out there. It makes brushing your hair when wet much easier and less painful. Take it with you anytime you are going to be near water, and once your done in the water just simply add product of your choosing and brush your hair. You will notice less pulling on your hair then a normal bush, and its perfect for all hair types. Use it wet or dry and the wet brush will become your favorite brush to use.

Redken Anti-Snap
Anti-snap is a great summer product because there is no washing it out. It is a leave in treatment that can be used after a shower, or you have been in the water. Just 2-3 pumps, rub together and apply all over your hair (focusing on the middle and ends.) Anti-snap is used to help strengthen and repair damaged hair, while protecting its natural shine. It is quite obvious why we love it so much. Stop in and buy one today!

Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask
This mask is a great addition to your regular hair services, especially in the summer. This hydrating mask hydrates and conditions the hair to help improve texture, elasticity, shine, and even makes it easier to manage. This is great for the summer because people are constantly outside, and in water, which causes hair to become dry and dull. Come in once a week, and get this conditioning treatment to keep your hair in great shape. 

This summer trends are great to try and play around with, while these summer products are great to use all year around. Come in and try one of these summer trends today, or pick up one of these great summer products. We wish you healthy hair, and great looking toes!

~aphrodite

2014 Summer Trends

Hair, nail, and make-up trends change as quickly as the seasons do. Summer will soon be here and you should prepare yourself with the hot trends for this year. 

Hair

This summer it is all about the grown out highlights. The grown out highlights is basically the ombre look, but more of a softer transition from dark to light, or light to lighter. To get the best look possible, be sure to have your stylist cut your hair to something that flatters the look. Get a deep conditioning treatment a few days or a week prior to the coloring. This will help protect your hair before the coloring process. Also get a treatment after the coloring process, to help repair any damage done to your hair. It is the summer, so rock your natural waves!

Nails

This summer on your toes it is all about the bright, glossy reds. Not red-orange or red-blues, I am talking RED! Pick like a cherry red, with a shiny top coat. It is a classic look, but be sure to fix any chips quickly because they really stand out on red nails. And avoid any glitter. It takes away from the classic look. For your hands, it is more of a simple natural look. No need for long fake nails, natural nails are best for the summer. Use a lighter, transparent color and apply thin even coats, allowing drying time between the coats. Nobody wants ridged or streaky polish. 

Eyes

Change up your look this summer, and add a bold pop of color by using eyeliner. Pick a bold eyeliner color and apply. To make it stay longer, apply a thin line of the same color in eye shadow on top of it. This is a fun way to change up your everyday look, and keep it fun. Be sure to apply mascara on your lashes, other wise your make-up will look unfinished. 

Lips

This summer skip the boring old skin color lipsticks and reds for a bright orange. Before applying, use a heavy lip balm so the color really stays on the lips, and doesn't rub off. Pick your shade and apply. The orange will brighten any skin tone! Because you are going so bold on your lips, keep the rest simple. You’re already making a statement, no need to over do it. 

Keep these trends in mind for when ever you are going to a party, event or even hanging out on the beach. You will have people wanting your look and dying to know where you get your hair, and nails done, as well as what make-up you are using. Be yourself and have fun.

~aphrodite

How To Properly Remove Your Make-up

Removing your make-up at the end of everyday is necessary to keep your skin from getting clogged pores, acne, and dirt built up on your face. Using just soap and water is not going to cut it. Soap is too harsh for your face. It can cause dryness and irritation to your skin. The skin on your face is more sensitive then the skin on the rest of your body to products. Follow these tips and combined with the right products you will have make-up easily removed along with fresh, clean skin.

Removing Eye Make-up

Removing eye make-up is one of the easier processes. If your make-up is not water proof, then use a mild eye make-up remover on a damp cotton round. Gently press the pads on each eye for 10 seconds before wiping. Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing causes redness and irritation. Gently wipe your eyes, starting from the inside corner and gently wiping across the eye. Run cotton rounds under warm water, squeeze out excess water and repeat until all make-up has been removed. 

For heavy or water proof make-up use an oil based eye make-up remover. Hold on your eyes for 15-20 seconds and begin removing, but do not scrub. The oil will loosen up and help cut threw the make-up without damaging the skin.

After removing the make-up, add a little bit of remover and water to a q-tip. This will allow you to remove the remaining make-up residue from the lash line. Gently wipe the top lash line from the inner corner out and then repeat on the bottom lash line. You can also wipe it up your lashes like mascara. 

Lips & Face

Removing make-up from your lips and face is done just how you would wash your face everyday. Start by damping your face with water. Add a quarter to half dollar sized amount of cleanser to your hand and rub together. Make sure it lathers really well, if it doesn't just add a bit more water. Cleanse your face with your hands In circular motions starting at your forehead and working your way down. Be sure to get your nose and lips. Cleanse your face like this for 5 minutes then rinse. Repeat the cleansing process for a 2nd time. Be sure to use warm water because it allows the cleanser to get deep into the pores to remove the dirt and oils. Rinse. Towel dry your face. If there is no excess make-up then spray 2-3 sprays of a toner made for your skin type into your hands and pat onto your face. Apply a pea sized amount of moisturizer on your hands, rub together and pat onto your face. Your cleansing is now complete.

If you are not sure about which products you should use or what skin type you are, seek help from a professional. You should get monthly facials, to help remove excess dirt, and to remove the dead skin. The esthetician will direct you as to which type of facial best suits your skin. So remember to wash your face every morning and night, as well as to get monthly facials.

-aphrodite 

Bad Habits That Could Be Causing You Acne

It doesn't matter if you are young or old, male or female, acne is a problem that everyone has. It can pop up at anytime and can be caused by a number of different reasons. It can be hard to figure out what causes acne and how to prevent it. Here are some ways that you may be causing acne upon yourself and how you can stop it.

1) Using make-up with ingredients that can cause irritation. You should avoid products that contain artificial color, artificial fragrance, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, and isopropyl myristate. Artificial color is found in products like lipstick and blush, and can cause breakouts around the mouth and on the cheeks. Artificial fragrance can cause breakouts and skin irritation because your skin is sensitive to certain smells. Lanolin, petroleum, and mineral oil are all forms of oil. They can be good if you have overly dry skin, but if your skin is oily, it will cause more oil to form in your pores, which creates zits. Isopropyl myristate is a product used in toners that can make your skin feel less greasy, when in reality it is clogging your pores. If you stay clear of these ingredients, it will help you to have acne free skin.

 2) Over drying your face. If you have oily skin, you tend to dry it out to get rid of the excess oil. Well, your skin will correct itself throughout the day if it is dry, so be drying out your skin you are actually producing more oil on your face. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water, and use a mattifying moisturizer. It will soak up the excess oil on your face, with out drying it out.

3) Pressure. By constantly touching your face, or having something constantly exposed to your face, you are allowing the bacteria on the object to be forced onto your skin and into its pores. This will cause breakouts to form. Clean things you touch often, such as your hands, sheets, and pillow cases. It will help to minimize bacteria growth and keep it from going onto your skin.

4) Stress Pressure. If  you are constantly stressed out, this causes your hormone levels to rise, especially the ones that cause acne. Find ways to relax yourself and minimize the stress in your life. Your skin, body, and mind will all thank you.

5) Laundry. You always wash your clothes after wearing them once or sometimes twice, the same thing applies for your sheets, pillows, and towels. Your pillow especially holds tons of bacteria and dead skin cells, that you are lying on every night. Wash your pillow cases 1-2 times a week. After you shower, be sure to use a new towel every time, if you don’t, you are just putting all the dead skin cells, and germs back onto your body from your previous shower. Also you should wash your sheets once a week as well.

6) Hair Products. Women and men alike both use hair products, and if your hair is long enough to touch your face, it transfers those products onto your face and pillows. Be sure to wash your hair every night before you go to bed. Avoid hair products that contain oil, and silicone’s. They will weigh your hair down and clog your pores as well.

Keep on a daily skin care regimen. You should cleanse your face twice every morning then apply toner and moisturizer. Then at night repeat and add on a night cream. You should also receive monthly facials for a deep cleanse and exfoliation. They can also guide you to help you use the right products for your skin. 

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

How To Create The Perfect Date Night Look.

Everyone is always nervous about what to wear, how to do there make-up, and how to wear there hair for a first date or important date. There is no need to stress about it. Here are some easy tips on how to wear your hair, your make-up, what perfume scents are best, and what you should always keep on you (in case of an emergency!)

Make-up

You want to look pretty, attractive, but not overly done. Think about where you are going for the date. Most likely some place with dimer lighting, so do not over do the skin make-up. Skip bronzer and use a light foundation, bb cream or tinted moisturizer. Be sure that it matches your skin tone, you don't want to have your neck one color and face another color. Apply a light amount, enough to cover your whole face without layering it on. Next is blush. Use a cream blush for the best application and longer lasting results.Powder blush easily comes off when you wipe your face with a napkin. If you have darker skin, go for something with a red tone in it. For lighter skin, go for a light rose colored blush. It adds a pop of color to the cheeks without making your whole face look pink or red.

For your eyes keep it more simple. Do a more relaxed smokey eye. For lighter skin, use a brown liner to first define your upper lashes. For darker skin, use black or dark grey. Lightly smudge the liner before applying a grey eye shadow. Finish your eyes with your favorite mascara that really makes your lashes look fuller and longer.

For your lips, keep it natural and simple. First line your lips and fill them in with a lip liner that is the same shade or slightly darker then your natural lip color. The lip liner will act as a base to allow the lipstick to last longer and not run. *(Always use a lip liner before applying lipstick It defines the shape of your lips and keeps it from running or smearing as easily.) Follow with a glossy lipstick or gloss of the same shade. The shine will make your lips look fuller and irresistible.

Hair

The three things for great date night hair is that you want it to shine, look great and be soft. A messy look is a good look to go for. It makes you seem playful but well put together. Try a messy bun. It is quick and easy and can make your look more fun. Another great idea is do a lose braid into a ponytail, bun or just in front. You can do a rope braid, or french braid. Braids are cute and can make a look playful  but sophisticated. There is also nothing wrong with having a great blow-out. It is a very classy look.

Perfume

Wearing the right perfume can set off good vibes for another date, while wearing the wrong perfume can be a complete turnoff. Do not wear anything to strong. Strong perfumes can turn guys away quickly, and they may be sensitive to certain smells. Also do not spray too much. You do not want it to cover your whole body. Add a spray behind each ear, on your wrist, (rub together) and behind your knees. It is just enough so whenever you move, he can get a bit of your scent. The spray behind each knee, allows the scent to travel up as it evaporates, keeping your perfume lasting longer. Stay away from citrus and  fruity scents. Stick to a classic scent that makes you feel sexy and confident. Wait 30 minutes before your date arrives to apply your perfume. It allows the perfume to really soak into your body. Also after you spray, wait a few minutes before getting dressed. If you spray it on your clothes, they may stain.


You should always keep a few emergency items in your purse besides the usual pain killers, tampons/pads, and your make-up for easy touch ups. You should keep a mini bottle of your perfume just in case you need an extra spritz. Blotting sheets to absorb any excess oil on your skin, it works better then powder. A mirror, or a phone case that has a built in mirror for easy touch ups. Also create a little emergency kit to take with you anywhere. Have it include deodorant, deodorant wipes, a stain remover, hair spray, nail files, gum or mints, and the rest of the stuff we have listed. It will keep you prepared for all situations.


These are some tips and things you can do to help your date go great, even if there are a few small problems along the way. We hope that you have a great first date and many more to come!


~aphrodite