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Hair and Beauty

Secrets to Sexy Summer Hair By Brittany West - Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Dullness, split ends, oiliness, unmanageable frizz... they all  come for a visit during those hot summer months.  Thankfully we have all the information you need to make this summer your best hair season ever!!


USE PROTECTION


Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the harmful UV rays, especially during those summer months when they are the strongest. While the rays can give you natural highlights, they also strip your hair of it’s protective outer barrier, leaving the healthy keratin at the core exposed. Pair that with, pool chemicals, sea salt and bleaching and you have a recipe for disaster! Dull hair, split ends, frizz, breakage…you name it!

So how do you protect your hair and prevent the above beauty disasters?? You need a UVA/UVB filter to create a barrier between your hair and the harmful effects of those long summer beach days. Try “L’Oreal Paris Professional Serie Expert Solar Sublime Advanced Protection Conditioning Spray, $24,” which contains a special sunscreen that continues to work even after the product has been rinsed out.
 
BEAT THE FRIZZ


There is nothing worse than a fuzzed out mane, so here are a few tips to keep it under control this summer. Damaged cuticles allow moisture to creep into the hair’s core, turning sleek hair fuzzy. To prevent this from happening, use sun protection designed for your hair and apply a silicone-rich styling product to lock down cuticles. They’ll prevent your from lapping up the sudden increase in humidity. Try, “TRESemme’ Salon Silk No Frizz Serum, $7.95 or Alberto V05 Heat Defence Straightening Balm, $5.99.

Simply warm up a small amount in your palms and comb through damp hair, from mid-length to ends, leaving the roots witch can weigh hair down and make it look greasy. Then blow dry smooth with a round brush or for a super sleek look, run your GHD over the ends.


LIFELESS LOCKS

Dry summer heat can leave your locks limp and overloading it with product will simply worsen the problem. Instead go light with a volumising spray that uses the term “weightless” in the description such as, Sebastian Professional Whipped Crème, $38.

Backcomb small sections on the sides and crown with a paddle brush or backcomb specific comb, before smoothing it back. If it’s long pin it back for those easy summer days.

OILINESS

If your hair is on the oily side in the best of conditions like mine, sweaty summer heat won’t do it any favors. So when washing it again is not an options, treat dry shampoo as your new sidekick like that of Robin to Batman. Trust me, this product can be a life savor when you are invited to that last minute event and doubles as a volume booster. Try, Batiste Boho Dry Shampoo, $9.95

As a second option you can choose the “wet” look, by simply combing a protective gel or cream through your hair, such as Redken Color Extend shine Enrich Protective Shine Serum, $27.




IT”S NOT ALL BAD NEWS…

Although the sun inflicts many negative side effects on the health of your hair, as they say… “from every negative comes a positive,” And this stands true with the sun as well.

1. For those of you longing for long flowing locks, research has proven the increased sunlight in summer months encourages hair growth.

2. Utilize the summer rays with John Freida’s “Go Lighter” lightening shampoo. Giving you that natural summer glow.

3. Warmth allows products to fully penetrate the hair shaft. Take full advantage of the extra heat by applying a “Pantene 3-minute Miracle, before wrapping up in a fashionable headscarf. Then simply lay by the pool and let the heat do the work.

Happy tanning... Don't forget to protect your skin as well, there is nothing more beautiful than a healthy, glowing complexion!

Cosmetic Surgery and a 5 star Vacation for under $5000? By Brittany West - Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What?  That’s exactly what I was thinking when I read such a headline.  Thailand is becoming increasingly popular for “Cosmetic Vacations.” Offering breast augmentation, Rhinoplasty, Face lifts, liposuction and much more at up to 70% lower than in Canada the U.S and Australia all with a little R&R at a 5 star resort to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.

My second thought was that the surgeons must not be as well trained as those in our home countries or there must be a catch, but I was soon to find out that this is not the case. Many Thai plastic surgeons spend as much or more time in training as their American counterparts and are often American board certified.  Although there have been many successful testimonials from Thailand, there will always be risks as in any other country and it is very important to do as much research as possible.  Thailand is able to offer these great prices as the cost of living is quite low and the exchange rate from AUD, CAD and USD to THB is so great.

If you have been considering a fuller cup size, a brighter smile or a smaller tummy but wince at the price, Thailand might be something to consider.  Below are a few web links with more information.

 

www.mybodyandspirit.com

www.secretescapes.com

www.cosmeticsurgerytravel.com

Create Effortless beach waves By Brittany West - Sunday, July 19, 2009

Celebs like Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Aniston and Ashley Olsen, love a tousled messy do.  So how do you cop this sexy effortless style for yourself?

1.Start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner.

2.Work a defining mousse through damp hair before blasting your strands on medium heat (upside down for extra lift).

3.Twirl a straightener on dry 1-inch sections to create a beachy wave.  A ghd works best, however if you don’t have a straigtener you can also use a medium barreled curling iron.  Simply place the barrel at the root of the hair and wrap 1-inch sections around the iron from root to tip.

Finish up by raking your fingers through your hair to separate strands and set with a lightweight finishing spray.

Tan, Slim and increase your sex drive in minutes? By Brittany West - Sunday, July 19, 2009

Could you overcome your fear of needles if it meant, weight loss, increased sexual appetite and a golden complexion.  Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?  The idea definitely caught my attention being like most in search of a nice safe tanning option, so I did some digging. 

Scientist’s have devised a new compound that could potentially save you expensive trips to the tanning salon or scrubbing off the blotchy remains of an old spray tan.  The new drug is said to produce an immediate even tan, increased libido, promote weight loss while at the same time reducing the risk of skin cancer.  This all sounds pretty amazing to a girl who has little time to spend in the sun and cancer that runs in the family.  So what are the catches?

Well the prices are fairly reasonable, with a starter package from “Melanocorp International” costing approximately $200 USD.  However there has been very little testing on the safety and long-term side effects of this dream tan not to mention the daily shots for those of you who like I, cringe at the sight of a needle.

What I had to wonder to myself is, how do the side effects of each weigh out?  On one side of the scale you have “the sun” or sun lamps on the other side you have a synthetic hormone promoting the production of melatonin in the skin. One with known side effects including increased risk of cancer, skin damage, premature aging and the other with long-term side effects that are virtually a big question mark. 

We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.  Would you or wouldn’t you?

For more information check out: www.melanocorp.com