How You Are Accidentally Damaging Your Hair

For most people, their hair is everything to them. You cannot fathom the thought of something happening to it. Did you know there are every day things you could be doing to hurt your hair? Well there are! Here are some things you are doing to damage your hair and how you can fix it.


1. Sleeping With Wet Hair.
Your hair is the most fragile when wet. When you go to sleep with wet hair, the tossing and turning through out the night can cause breakage. To prevent this you can shower earlier in the evening about two hours or more before you go to bed so your hair can air dry mostly. Another option is investing in a satin pillow case. Satin pillow cases are smoother so they minimize friction. 

2. Blow-drying Your Hair When Its Soaking Wet. 
When you blow-dry your hair when its completely wet without towel drying it or putting any products into it you are allowing the heat to constantly be on your hair. This in return will cause the hair to be dryer, more frizzy and you will get more split ends. When you 1st get out of the shower, ring your hair out so you get rid of as much excess water as possible, then brush your hair through. You can put it in a towel for a few minutes to ring out more water before applying your products. You should apply a serum for frizz and that has a heat protector in it. It is also good to apply a leave in treatment at this time. Then rough dry your hair about 75-80% of the way before round brushing. It will keep your arms from tiring out easily.

3. Over Flat Ironing.
When you flat iron your hair make sure it is 100% dry. Then apply a heat protecting serum of spray to your hair other wise you are going to damage your hair. Then straighten, never more than 7-10 times per a section, especially if you have it on high heat, you do not want to burn your hair off.

4. Brushing From The Top To The Bottom.
Knots start at the bottom of your hair, so when you brush your hair from top to bottom, you are just ripping at the knots or you could be making them bigger. If your hair gets knotty easily, then try spraying a leave-in conditioner on your hair to help the brush get through easier. Start at the bottom and work your way up the hair shaft. Once you have all the knots out, you will be able to brush your hair from scalp to ends.

5. Wearing Hair Up All The Time.
Wearing your hair up can put a lot of strain on the hair strands. It causes tension in the hair which can lead to breakage, especially in the crown and around the hair line. If you have noticed some thinning in that area, it could be from wearing your hair up and so tight. Try wearing your hair down more or if you do put it up, add a little oil to loosen the strands up and do not wear your hair so tight.

6. Over Doing The Dry Shampoo.
I am sure some of you are HUGE fans of dry shampoo just like I am. I live with it in my hair. The only problem with it is that you can't constantly use it every day. It will clog up the hair follicles on your head and dull your hair color. So if your about to go on day 3 of using dry shampoo, it is probably time to wash it with shampoo and conditioner. Your hair and scalp will thank you.

7. Using The Wrong Conditioner. 
Don't get me wrong, your hair needs conditioner especially if you over color your hair. But your hair may be getting too much protein. Putting protein in your hair is great, but over time too much can damage your hair. Try to avoid using the ones that say strengthening and switch to the moisturizing ones. 




When using shampoo, conditioner, and hair products please avoid buying them from a drug store or grocery store. These products are not always what they say they are. It is best to use what your hair stylist recommends for you and purchase it from them. When you use the right stuff, you will actually not have to use as much as you would if you use the wrong stuff. Pay the extra money. Believe me, its well worth it, and your hair will thank you.


~aphrodite


MSN Article: 8 Ways You Are Accidentally Damaging Your Hair
from PureWow

Losing Weight & Keeping It Off

Losing weight is about a mindset and a plan. You have to want it to happen and be logical about the outcome. This is a complete lifestyle change, and not just a diet. Diet's are temporary solutions, and changing your lifestyle is a long term solution. This lifestyle change does not just happen over night. Here are some tips to help you get started on the weight loss journey and get you to help keep the weight off long term.

1. Avoid Cleanses. Cleanses reduce your muscle mass, and slow down your metabolism which will cause you to regain the weight after the cleanse. 

2. Don't Over Cut Calories. Cutting calories is a good thing but not when you cut too much. If you cut calories too low you will slow down your metabolism which will effect your body's ability to gain muscle and burn fat. Your body will essentially go into starvation mode and try to store any calories you intake. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about getting the right amount of calories daily for your age and height. 

 

3. Cook At Home. Cooking at home allows you to be in complete charge about what you are putting in your body. You can read labels, measure out portions, and know exactly what you are eating. Eating at restaurants, will just give you lots of foods that are processed, prepackaged, and high in sodium. Eating at home will also help you save money in the long run. 

4. Drink Tea. Tea is a great for your body, as long as its not full of sugar. Try drinking green, black or white tea. These are full of antioxidants and help to increase fat burning.

 

5. Eat Healthy Fats & Proteins. This was something I did not know. You are supposed to eat half your body weight in grams of protein a day. So that's 50 grams for every 100 pounds, and I can guarantee that most people do not reach that in a day. Eating this will help keep your metabolism up and helps you to maintain healthy muscle. Also try to eat lots of non starchy veggies as snacks like celery, broccoli and carrots.

6. Avoid Over Eating. People eat for all sorts of reasons and not always because your hungry. People turn to food as a comfort if they are stressed, depressed, happy, tired or even bored. Stop and ask yourself if you are actually hungry before you go to eat. If you are not, try to channel that feeling by doing something else. You can go to the gym or for a walk, or even pick up a hobby to keep your brain occupied so you do not reach for food.

7.  When Eating Out Plan Ahead. Look at the menu for the place you are going, and chose healthier options (unless this is your cheat day/meal then enjoy a little something.) Chose something baked or grilled vs fried. Avoid red meats, sauces, pastas and ask for dressings on the side. Asking for dressing on the side allows you to be in control of how much you are putting on, and so you are not just eating empty calories.

8. Eat Fruits & Starchy Veggies For Carbs. When eating carbs, always go for the healthier carb vs eating white bread and pasta. Veggies and fruit have lower calories, and are better for you because they don't have all the fillers. Pair it with a protein so you avoid blood sugar spikes, because blood sugar spikes increase fat storage and nobody wants that.

 

9. Reduce Salt. I am not saying to completely cut out salt because your body does need it but switch to low sodium options. Most people take in more than 2,500mg of sodium a day! Avoid prepackaged foods because that is where most of the sodium comes from. Having to much sodium increases water retention.

10. Handle Cravings. To handle your cravings, you do not have to completely cut out things you want. You can reduce the amount you have so it one or two fun size chocolate bars instead of a regular sized bar. You can also try to find a healthier alternative that tastes just as good and hits the spot.

 

11. Avoid Alcohol (As Much As Possible). Not only is it loaded with carbs and sugar, it is also a depressant. It can alter your mood and slow down your motivation. It is also an appetite inducer to some people, so you end up eating empty calories. If you must drink, drop down the amount. Go from a day to one every other day or to just the weekends. You will notice a difference in yourself and your kidney's will thank you.

12. Walk. Walking is a easy exercise that allows you to relax and clear your head. If you are not very active, start by going on a 10 minute walk 2-3 times a week the slowly increase the time and/or the number of days a week you go.

13. Avoid Skipping Meals. I know this from experience, do not skip meals. Skipping breakfast especially slows down your metabolism for the entire day and makes you eat more at night. By having 3 basic meals a day in slightly smaller portions and a few healthy snacks throughout the day, you will notice a difference in your energy levels and you will eat less in each sitting.

14. Resistance Training. Doing resistance training helps build muscle and burn fat. Squats, planks, and push-ups are all exercises that can be done. 

 

15. Portion Control. Allow yourself to have foods you would normally eat, but cut 1/4 of the serving. Less calories and you still are allowing yourself to eat something you want.

16. Journal. Keep a journal or food diary of everything you eat for that day and the exercise you do. You can do this by writing it down, using one of those fitness watches to monitor movement or download an app to your phone. The apps work great especially paired with one of the fitness watches so you can constantly track your every move.

17. Drink Water. To help maintain a healthy weight, drink half your body weight in ounces of water a day. It helps to keep you hydrated and aid in digestion which in return will help your metabolism increase which helps you lose weight.

 

18. Buy A Scale & Use It. Weighing yourself is a great motivator and helps you see the results even though you might not see them on your body yet. To get the most accurate readings ever day, step in the scale at the same time every day. Remember your weight can go up a few pounds do to extra sodium the day before or from your period so don't be alarmed if this happens as long as it goes down in a day or two. 

 

19. Reduce Stress, Increase Sleep. Stress takes a toll on peoples bodies in different ways, some times it is weight gain. Stress can be caused by a lack of sleep, so try to eliminate out all distractions and get 7-8 hours of sleep at night. This will reduce the ghrelin in your system which in return will also stop suppressing the leptin in hormone which causes you to not feel hungry. 

Exercising is important in weight loss but the saying you are what you eat is really true. Healthy lifestyles are primarily 80% food and 20% exercise. So getting your eating under control will help boost your energy, which will make you more active and in return you will start exercising more. Its all a cycle that you have to get on and motivate yourself while doing it. Sometimes its hard to get healthy by yourself, so get your spouse, a parent, a sibling or a friend to do it with you so you can motivate each other. Set goals that are attainable, and celebrate when you get them. Good Luck!

~aphrodite


Articles Used:
 The 10 Rules of Weight Loss That Lasts
Shape January/February Issue 2016

MSN Health & Fitness Article (unknown name, cannot find it)

How To Have The Ultimate Brows

Your eyebrows are the basic outline of your face and are meant to enhance your features. Having bad eyebrows can really put a damper on your self confidence and the way others perceive you. Follow these steps to get the best brows possible.  And also learn somethings that you could be doing to ruin your perfect brows.


The Perfect Brow Kit
Brow Gel- makes thin eyebrows appear thicker.
Brow Pencil- to fill in your brows. powder finishes are better.
Brow Conditioner- used to help thicken the thinner areas of your brows. (avoid applying to the whole brow. it will only make thick spots longer.)
Tweezers- to tweeze those random stray hairs.


The Right Shape For You
Just like a haircut, there are certain brow shapes that look best on certain face shapes. You want the arch of your brow to start at the outer edge of the pupil. The rest depends on the face shape.

Square Face. 
Square face means strong jawline. To distract from this, have a more bold, thick brow. Fill in your brows and let them be a bit thicker to pull the focus away from your jaw.

Round Face.
To counteract the roundness of your face, have sharp, angular brows. You want your brows to have lots of structure to them.

Long Face.
Avoid extending your brows up and avoid high arches. Instead to make your face appear shorter, make your eyebrows longer. You want your brows to extend just past the corners of your eyes. If it is thin, then use a light powder to fill in this area.

Heart Face.
Avoid heavy aches, sharp points and heavy filled in brows.  You want to keep a soft arch that hugs your brow bone. This will deter from the pointed chin.

Filling In Your Brows (The Right Way)
1. Fill In Bald Spots. Use a shade 2 shades lighter then your brow color and make short, angled strokes in the direction of the hair growth. Avoid drawing outside of your natural brow shape, it will look funny. For best results, use 2 different pencil colors one slightly lighter then your hair and one slightly darker for a more natural affect. Use lighter color from the start to the arch and the darker color from the arch to the tail.


2. Bulk Them Up. As long as you do not have thin eyebrows, you can use a tinted brow gel. Sweep in the opposite direction of hair growth, and then use whats left to sweep in the direction of the hair growth. Cover both sides makes them appear fuller.


3. Apply Powder. Use a small, brush with powder over the pencil. The powder should be in between the color of your skin and the hair color for more natural results. it will also blend the pigments.

4. Sweep. Use a brush to sweep upward and remove any excess product and soften any harsh lines.


5. Never Tweeze Gray. By tweezing gray hairs, you are just changing your brow shape and creating thin spots. See a professional and have them dye it for you. They make special dye for your lashes and brows. It is great and lasts for quite some time.


6. Fake Higher Arches. Use a highlighter or cream shadow above and below our brow that is one shade lighter then your foundation to create the illusion of a higher arch. Use your finger to blend the product until it is gone.

Brow Mistakes 

1. Keep Products Off Your Brows. Any liquid product like lotion or moisturizer can soak into the hair follicle and can cause the hair to fall out as well as prevent new hair growth. If you wouldn't put in on your scalp then avoid putting it on your brows.

2. Use The Right Mirror. Use duller lighting to tweeze your brows. It will keep things in a better perspective. Avoid magnifying mirrors. They over amplify the area which will cause you to lose perspective and over pluck.



3. Do Not Over Trim. Trimming brows should be minimal to keep them even and neatly shaped. You just need to trim the long, straggly ones. Length keeps them fuller, otherwise they can become choppy and uneven.

4. Start Your Brows Right. Look at yourself in the mirror. Where do your brows start? If they are inline with your nostrils, they are too far apart. This will actually make your eyes and nose seem wider. They should start at the bridge of your nose. It can help to slim the look of your nose, and make wide eyes look closer together.



5. Avoid Too Much Brows. Avoid over using pencils and avoid using pencils that are more than 1 shade darker than your brow color. By doing this you will enhance your eyes not distract from them and avoid the over filled in look.

6. Good Brow Pencil. Use a wax pencil to hold the hair in place. An angled pencil with a light formula will give a more natural look. Again make the shade is the right one for you.



Getting the perfect brows is not an easy thing to do especially if you are trying to do it on yourself. Skip the hasle. Brow bars are becoming extremely popular. Google brow bars in your area and go get your brows done by a professional. Use these tips for up keep and to recreate the looks at home! Have a great day and even greater brows.

~aphrodite

Tips To Getting A Better Nights Sleep

We all have those nights where you are tossing and turning all night long so it seems like you slept for maybe a total of 2 hours. This is fine if it happens every once in a while but when it starts to become a reacquiring thing, it might be time to reevaluate some things. Here are some tips on things you can do to help get a better nights sleep.


1. Get On A Schedule.
Now this doesn't mean you have to go to bed and wake up at exactly the same time every day but get close. Start by going to bed at the time you normally start to feel tired at. This will start you on a normal time to fall asleep at. When you wake up in the morning, if it is on your own terms (no sudden awakenings) then this is your body's way of saying you have had enough rest. If you wake up from your alarm clock and you still feel tried and groggy, you may want to set an earlier bed time. Also, if you tend to take naps, limit them to 20 minutes or less. It will make falling asleep easier rather than harder.

2. Controlling Light Exposure. 
You want to get as much light exposure during the day and the least amount at night. This helps to keep your days and nights separate. During the day, enjoy the natural sunlight as much as possible. Whether it is going for walks, opening curtains or just going for a drive to help make you feel more alert. During the night, limit your lighting. When its time for bed, eliminate any light you can, it makes your brain think its time to sleep then.

3. Exercise Regularly.
People who exercise regularly will have a higher metabolism and more energy throughout the day. Any amount of exercise will help, but it takes time for you to see results. It is better to exercise in the morning or afternoon because your body takes time to calm down after an exercise. It is best to exercise 3 hours or early before you plan on going to bed. 

4. Eating & Drinking Right.
Eating and drinking right before bed can keep you up at night. Avoid eating anything heavy for 2 hours before you plan on going to sleep. You should also try cutting down on caffeine, not drinking alcohol before bed, and avoid drinking too many liquids before bed. It will make you have to get up more in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Some good snacks to have before bed that will help you sleep are turkey, bananas, granola with milk or yogurt, and whole grain or low sugar cereal.

5.  Get Massages.
Massages not only relax your muscles and mind but they promote overall health for your body. By getting a massage once a month, you will relieve any stress and tension that you place onto your body which makes it harder to relax. It will help to relax and clear your head so there are less thoughts to keep you up at night. After a massage, your body will be more energized and clear so you will be able to accomplish more. You can visit us at Aphrodite Spa & Salon to start receiving massages.

Try out some of these tips to help get your sleep back to where it needs to be. It won't happen right away and you may need some extra help but it is more a shot.

~aphrodite

Brushes & Make-up

Applying make-up is much harder than it looks. There are so many different types of make-up brushes and not everyone knows what they are for. We will tell you what they are for and show you what they look like. Also we will pair them with the in make-up trends for this winter and into the New Year. 

1. Lip Brush. A lip brush is used to apply lipstick for a smoother look. It works great to blend the color into the liner and if you are doing an ombre lip to blend the colors together.

The in lip colors are cherry red, plum, coral-pink, sheer browns or  nude.

2.  Liner Brush. A Liner brush is used for filling in eyebrows and for easy eyeshadow application on the upper and lower lash line. 

The trend: filled in eyebrows

3. Fan Brush. A fan brush can be used to easily apply a highlighter on your nose and cheeks. It also can be used to remove excess eyeshadow from under your eyes.

3. Multi-purpose Brush. Every girl needs one of these in there make-up kit. It can be used to apply blush, foundation, or bronzer. It allows then to be applied evenly and smoothly.

4. Contour Brush. Used to define at the jawline and cheek bones with foundation, or a bronzer. It makes the jawline look thinner and makes cheek bones more defined.

 

 5. Stippling Brush. This is used to dot on or blend in liquid foundation so it gives it a smooth, airbrushed appearance.

6. Tapered Brush. This is used to blend blush across the cheeks so there are no harsh lines or color separations. You can spot a tapered brush because the tip is rounded off instead of flat. They come in a variety of sizes.

7. Eyeshadow Brush. A basic eyeshadow brush is used to apply all over eye color in a smooth motion.

8. Angled Eyeshadow Brush. This brush is used to blend shadows into the crease of the eye socket, it can also be used for applying shadow along the lash line. They are made of foam unlike other brushes.

9. Smudgier Brush. Used to smudge eyeliner or eyeshadow for a less perfect look.

10. Blending Brush. Used to blend to eyeshadow colors together or to apply a highlighting eye color at the brow bone.

The trends: bold shadow, and naturals. What ever color you go with make sure it stands out.

 

I hope you enjoyed these trends and learned what your brushes are. 

~aphrodite