Dry Shampoo...is it necessary? Or just a gimmick.

A friend of mine, Gigi, had the oily hair problem. She also had the OMG my hair is thinning problem. I gave her a 4 week challenge 6 months before her wedding day:  She was using a Pantene type product so I had her buy a  professional brand for her hair type. She used ISO daily shampoo and conditioner, which is a light product made for normal hair, nothing fancy about it. I also challenged her to stop washing her hair so much. (everyday, sometimes twice a day) After just a few weeks, she noticed a dramatic change in her hair. No more oily scalp! After a month she noticed her hair growing back and getting fuller!! If you like this story read on...

I'm not sure who came up with the "dry shampoo" idea, but they took a wrong turn when they put the word "shampoo" attached to it. Shampoo cleanses your hair by opening the cuticle and stripping the oils and dirt, this stuff does not. The main idea of dry shampoo is to soak up the natural oils on your scalp to make the roots of your hair appear...dry. It's not cleaning anything. I gotta tell ya when I'm giving someone a consultation or shampooing their hair, this stuff grosses me out. At first glance it looks like really bad dandruff, at second glance it looks almost paste-like (it soaks up oil) and finally I have to ask the person what in the heck is going on on their head. Listen girls if your hair gets oily quick, try throwing away the Pantene and Garnier Fructis for some professional brands like ISO, Biolage, or even good ole Paul Mitchell. Second stop washing your hair twice a day or even every day. Much like using drying pimple pads on your face...if you wash your hair so much all you are doing is stripping your natural oils and then your body freaks out and produces more at a faster pace. Following? Try cutting back on washing too much and try using a professional brand that doesn't have ingredients like Pantene does, which are waxes. Ever notice how great your hair feels when you use Pantene? That's because you're just coating your hair with wax. Do this everyday for some time and your going to have some greasy, waxy locks to deal with.

Do you remember the post I wrote about hair and humidity back in September? I mentioned in that post that you should be picking out the appropriate shampoo and conditioner for your particular hair type. If you have normal hair, use shampoo for normal hair, NOT for damaged or stressed hair and so on and so on. (Breck!) Treat your hair like you would your skin. If you have a dry face you're not buying moisturizer for oily skin, right?

Try the 4 week challenge and let me know how it goes.(PLEASE COMMENT!) Be realistic when picking out your professional products...do you really need something moisturizing? Is your hair really dry? Do you really need a volume shampoo, or just a good haircut? Keep the drama out of your decision making and just buy what you need.

Hot Tip: There is zero reason why you have to have a full palms worth of shampoo and conditioner in your hand when washing. Especially with a really good product. Try cutting back to a quarter size. The product will last a whole lot longer and so will the money in your wallet.

 Gigi on her wedding day...with a "hairy friend :)"

There's Smoke In The Cabin!!

Because of those sexy eyes! Create a sultry smokey eye for all of your holiday parties...

• First you want to apply your face lotion, eye cream, concealer, foundation, etc...Then take a makeup sponge, dip it into a translucent loose powder and press it underneath your eyes to create a barrier which will protect your skin from any falling eye shadow colors...aka avoiding the proverbial football player face.
• If you have an eyeshadow primer apply it. Something like what >>Urban Decay<< makes is great. It eliminates "creasing" in eyeshadow colors (from skins natural oil) throughout the day/night.
• Apply a base shadow to your entire eye, something skin toned is always a good start.
• Highlight your brow and tear ducts with a vanilla shadow...I like a shimmer.

• Apply eyeliner as close to the lashline as possible. The line should start thin on the inner corners and gradually get thicker towards the outer corners. Don't use liquid, it doesn't blend. Smudge the liner with a brush in the same manner as you apply...as you get to the outer corners the line should be thick and blended upward. Apply a thin line underneath eyes exactly the same way...gradually get a bit thicker toward the outer corners and blend any lines out with a brush.
• Build and blend is important for this look. Start with a lighter crease/lid color and keep building with darker shadows to get the color you want. 
• In general terms the inner corners of your eyes should remain light. Though this is not a rule, it's usually easier to create for first timers. In other words, all of the color should be on the outer corners of your eyes, this creates and up and outward look or "almond shaped" eyes. Try drawing a "triangle" on the outer corner of your eye and then fill it in. The point facing out towards your temple. See photo above right.
• Sweep the shadow under your eyes, connect corners continuing the "triangle" and blend so there are no harsh lines.
• To finish I usually go back with the vanilla shimmer and highlight the brow and tear ducts again. AND don't forget to take a soft powder brush and sweep away the translucent powder from under your eyes.
• Add and extra coat of mascara.
• Once you've gotten the basics down, start playing around with color. Smokey doesn't have to be black, brown and grey. Try colors that compliment your eye color, skin tone or that hot dress you're wearing tonight!

Hot Tip: Kim Kardashian does a tutorial video with one of her makeup artists Mario...here's the link to >>Part 1 << I believe there are 4 all together. If you find tutorials irritating, I don't blame you so do I, but this one is with an actual professional. It's not exactly how I do a smokey eye but there are some great tips on application, and they tell you the actual brands, colors and tools used.

Holiday Shop Guide For The GUYS!!

I was going to update this list from 2 years age and give you new 2012 ideas but I think it's pretty genius just the way it is...

This is a blog about beauty and travel. Therefore my suggestions will stay on track with that theme. I'm not gonna be able to tell you what size Citizens jeans to get your girl, or which pair if earrings are her style, but I can give you a few fun ideas that will definitely have her loving you. Cause yea the new iPhone is pretty cool and the new gadgets that go with it are impressive (I guess) but remember you are buying for her not you :)

1. Every girl wants a day at the spa...a gift certificate is great for a "day spa" but why not step it up a notch and make it a weekend complete with a cozy room for two at a "spa resort"? Try one that has winter activities like snowshoeing. A bottle of wine and a fireplace after a long day of massage and walking in the snowy woods and she's wrapped around your pinky ;) 
2. Women love getting their hair done. Find out what salon she goes to and buy her a few haircuts and/or color appointments. She's going to spend the money on it regardless but it's a nice break for her wallet and trust me it'll be appreciated.
3. A cruise to nowhere or a Caribbean weekend...she's feeling pale and yuk by mid-February, what better way lift her spirits than the hot sun and blue water?  February is typically a slow month for travel and therefore it's cheaper! She'll have something to look forward to the next time she's shoveling the snow off of her car at 6:00am...unless of course you are the type that does that for her...hmm
4. Sephora...Go in there and pick out anything, honestly, anything >>>>>SEPHORA <<<<<click that!

OK guys already got the perfect gift but not sure what to put in her stocking?

• Sephora...again she'll like anything. Mini lip glosses, hand creams, gift sets, etc...
• Chocolates! Check out cool confections like Dylan's Candy Bar. Or get creative and make your own chocolate bars for her at Chocri.
• Feet warmers! Yup the kind you use in your ski boots. She'll appreciate them cause she's always cold. Especially on her morning commute into work. After you've removed the snow from her car and she's on her way with warm feet you will be the day's hero and hero's should be rewarded (yes girls, rewarded, it's only fair)
• Body scrubs. Something sugary sweet like The Body Shop's Sweet Lemon or Dylan's Candy Bar Coconut Bon Bon. She'll love it and so will you.
• 87% of women heat style their hair. So she's going to need hair protection...try Matrix Sleek Look Iron Smoother.
• Get her something from the Christmas collection at >>>> LUSH<<<<click

Hot Tip: Text that's blue is a link to click for you....

Out With the Old, In With The New...Part Two

There is mountains of information out there about proper skin care. If you're anything like me you'll be bored by paragraph 4. What that meant to me was seeking out simplicity for part 2 of this post. It made perfect sense to consult with a professional working esthetican. Below is an easy to read guide on shedding dead skin cells and uncovering smooth, radiant skin.

Facial exfoliation is broken down into 3 categories: mechanical, manual and chemical.

1.  Mechanical exfoliation is also known as microdermabrasion. Most types use crystals to exfoliate. Some use high frequently vibration, which seems to be the new and improved way of mechanical exfoliation. Microdermabrasion is typically known for being effective on the skins surface helping to diminish acne scars and sun damage.
2. Manual exfoliation simply means an at home scrub. These are perfect for in-between visits to your esthetican. I love The Body Shop Vitamin C microdermabrasion.
3. Chemical exfoliation aka chemical peels are more effective below the skins surface because they penetrate into the epidermis and literally slough off the top layer of skin. This method is used for fine lines and wrinkles, acne and pigmentation issues. Typically a glycolic peel is used which is an alpha hydrochloric acid derived from good ole sugar cane.

Some things to remember about all 3 methods....they all increase your cell renewal factor which is huge because as we get older that only slows down. They all unclog pores and leave our skin smooth.

If you feel you are at the point where you need a chemical procedure, know that an esthetican will perform a light peel. A dermatologist will perform a medium to heavy peel (these might require some down time)

• This info was provided to me by a professional esthetican. She is currently using Skin Bella crystal-free microdermabrasion

Beth Scholomiti

Jon Ric Hair Spa 

Charlotte, NC

www.jonriccharlotte.com

Out With The Old, In With The New...Part One

That's right everyone it's time to get down with it! I know all you sun worshipers out there had a rockin summer, so now it's time to take care of that skin until next year. Out with the old, in with the new. That is the theme of the fall season, and it shouldn't be any different with your skin. Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells that cling to your skin's outer surface. Removing these dead cells leaves your skin softer, brighter, and prepped for moisturizing.
Read on...

1. Body Scrubs: I have to say that I am not a fan of salt scrubs. They burn my skin, especially after shaving, and waxing. I tend to seek out sugar scrubs, or I just make them myself. Sugar cane produces glycolic acid, one of the natural alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliates the skin. So what better way to start off the cold season than to scrub down with sugar?! Doesn't that sound delish? You can safely use a body treatment twice a week. Below is a homemade recipe from The Vermont Soapworks...I found it on a wonderful site called Care2 under "healthy and green living"...here's the link: http://www.care2.com/

Ingredients
• 50 percent white cane sugar (note that organic sucanat, while the best choice for food, doesn’t work as well for this recipe)
• 50 percent vegetable glycerin to moisten the sugar ( you can use avocado oil as a substitute)
• Small amounts of aloe vera gel, vitamin C crystals, or anything healing that dissolves in water
• 1 or 2 drops of essential oil if desired (try combining lavender and tangerine with a drop of chamomile for a relaxing dreamy blend OR nutmeg, clove and cinnamon for a spicy fall blend)
• Enough ground hibiscus powder for pink color (if desired)

Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Scoop some of the scrub onto your hand and massage gently onto your skin for a minute (the scrub will actually tighten onto your skin like a masque). Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing.

     2. Facial Scrubs: It is so important to exfoliate the dead skin cells off of your face all year round. If you are not exfoliating you are not giving your facial serums, lotions and fancy eye creams a fighting chance. In Part Two of  "Out With The Old...." I will talk about the following...

• gentle abrasives
• microderabrasion
• chemical peels

Hot Tip: When I'm flying a lot I try to keep up with my skin more than normal. On a long flight I make up hand scrubs made with honey and sugar. Just mix the 2 ingredients together until you have a paste. Scoop a tablespoon amount into hands and scrub. Let sit for a few minutes, rinse with water, apply a good hand cream and put on some gloves. In my case we have powder-free plastic gloves on the plane. I wear the gloves for about an hour. You can easily do this at home too.

The Eyelash Diaries

For my Momma <3


So you've read my post "Stew With A Magic Wand...Or Not" followed the steps and took the 4 week challenge, and you are still having problems with your eyelashes!!?? OK OK perhaps we need a little something extra. I know some of you out there like the look of a false lash line, but maybe you've tried it and thought it looked silly, or maybe you want to try but don't know how. There are a few ways to go about this, and they are written below...enjoy!

• full strip false lashes: This is certainly a look. One that in the past you had better be willing to rock or you would've ended up looking like you forgot the rest of your costume at home. The good news is, full strip lashes are now being made to look more natural. CVS isn't my first choice in this case. You might have to get yourself to a MAC Store for the new and improved. At MAC you will spend about $14 a pair. They have the best selection, coming in at over 20 different eyelash looks to choose from. Whether your goal is long and lush, natural, or short and full, you'll find what you are looking for. While you are there have someone show you how to apply your new lashes, remove them and store them for next time. 
• individual lashes:  Individuals are enhancers not creators. I recommend individual lashes to someone who already has a pretty strong lash line. You aren't trying to create a lash line, you just want to enhance yours. Maybe fill in where a few lashes have fallen out or have broke in half. (Reminder: take your mascara off EVERY night for less breakage!) This is where you can run down to your local drug store and buy the individual lashes by Ardell. They will run you about $5 a box. 
• half strip lashes: These are great for enhancing the outer corners of your eyes for an extra kick. Very pretty, very sexy ;)
• adhesive: Duo seems to be the glue of choice by a lot of makeup artists. It has a latex base that is safe for lashes or any body decoration. MAC even sells this brand to apply their own lashes. You can by it at your local drug store, the cost is about $6.50.
• remover: There are so many removers out there. I usually tell people to "steam lashes off in the shower" the glue will loosen and then you can easily and gently pull them off. BUT always ask the professional who is selling you a product what the care instructions are. They will know what's best for that particular product.

Hot Tip: If $14 sounds like a lot for fake eyelashes, just know that with proper care you will have them for a long time. Whenever you are buying makeup from a professional in a store or at a counter you aren't limited to just buying, you can and should ask questions. Let them show you how to work with what they are selling you, don't just buy it. A professional can show you how to properly apply, remove and care for the product, and essentially that is what they are trained to do. Buying makeup is a service experience not just a retail experience, remember that next time you are shopping around for beauty products. 

Scrub A Dub

This post is for Tara Dom. She wanted me to write about cleaning makeup brushes. It's so easy to do this, everyone should be cleaning their brushes on a regular basis. I usually wash my brushes when I'm laying over at a hotel for the night. It gives me something to do and they have time to dry over night.
Makeup brushes not only have makeup buildup, they also have oil, dust, skin, and dirt. Yum what a cocktail of lovely things. I like to wash my brushes with warm water and antibacterial soap.

• Wet the brush with warm water
• In the palm of your hand put a little soap
• Gently swirl the brush around in the soap
• Rinse and repeat if necessary
• Reshape and lay flat on a towel, let dry over night
• Don't put wet makeup brushes in a holder or cup with bristles facing up. The left over water will run down into where the handle and the bristles meet and loosen the glue
• If you have a matted makeup brush you can comb out the knots. After the cleaning process, rub a little conditioner into the bristles and comb gently until any matted spots and knots are out. Rinse again, reshape, and lay flat on a towel

Honestly it's that simple.

Hot Tip: If you don't have many brushes and you are working with several colors, you can clean brushes in between alternating colors with a brush cleaner. Cleaners usually come in a spray bottle and are usually antibacterial. Spray some on a towel and gently swirl the brush on the towel until it's clean. Colors will look more vibrant. Try Sephora for a selection of brush cleaners.