Hair Care

As some of you may recall, I borrowed a book from the public library called KISS: Guide to Beauty.  Well, I've renewed it twice so that I can get through it.  It's a big textbook and I've been hooked on my other novel...haha

Today, I am going to share some good tips on hair care!  We all want to have strong, healthy hair...so here are a few tips on how we can make that happen.

SHAMPOO
Shampoo is only required to sweep the dirt off your hair but some harsher shampoos also take away your protective sebum, which could result in damaged hair.  When washing hair, concentrate shampoo at the roots of your hair and allow the shampoo to flow down your hair as it is rinsed out.  It isn't necessary to lather your entire head as it creates tangles and dries out the ends.  Also, it is not necessary to wash your hair everyday as it could be damaging...instead, you could just skip the shampoo and only use condition every second day.

CONDITIONER
Not every hair type required a conditioner but most do.  Conditioner adds moisture to our hair and lubricates strands to reduce static electricity which also keeps hair from getting dry/brittle and making hair easier to brush.  For those w/ fine, thin hair, body-building conditioners are great because they are so light that they don't add a lot of moisture which would weigh down your hair.

Semi-homemade spray-on conditioner recipe:
8 oz spray bottle (available at drugstore or dollar stores)
1 tablespoon of your favourite conditioner
Water

Please a tablespoon of your favourite conditioner in the spray bottle, then fill it up with water.  Shake well before using to control frizzies, condition dry ends, or to treat dehydrated hair.  Note: For less conditioning, use less conditioner and vice versa

Homemade deep conditioner recipe:
4 teaspoons almond, sesame, or avocado oil
2 teaspoons coconut oil (available in health food stores)
3 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon cider vinegar

In a saucepan, slowly heat all ingredients except for the honey & vinegar.  Remove from heat, allow to cool, the stir in the honey & vinegar.  After shampooing, massage the mixture into the hair, comb gently through the strands and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse well with warm water.

A few more quick tips:

• Don't comb/tug roughly while hair is wet, only dry hair should be brushed
• Only use tight hair clips or ties 2-3x a week
• If you like using your blow-dryer, make sure to get a thermal formula to protect your locks
• Use a gentle shampoo; you only need the soap to remove excess dirt
• Use the conditioner appropriate for your hair type (fine, damaged, colour-treated, tangle-prone, dry, oily, etc) to get the best results
• Natural boar bristle brushes help removed dirt from hair shaft and distribute moisturizing sebum from scalp to hair ends
• Thoroughly brush dry hair (10-15 brush strokes), starting upside down from your neckline and around the rest of your hair "against the grain" to create fullness and in the long run, possibly avoid bald spots
• Treat yourself to a scalp massage w/ scalp oil once in awhile
• Find a good hairstylist (I recommend The Scissors in Burnaby on Edmonds St)

I'm trying to grow out my hair right now so I want to keep my hair healthy as possible.  I think I can definitely learn to let my hair down more rather than tying it back all the time.  One thing I swear by is using a thermal formula (I recommend Tre Semme's) as it makes my hair feel soft afterward with zero build up!  I can really tell the difference when I don't use it.

I hope you found a few tips to try out on yourself and to help keep your hair healthy!  If you have any tips of your own or suggestions for shoulder length hair styles for me, please feel free to share them :)

Blog Sale

Hey everyone!

I've just created a Blog Sale page to get rid of make up, jewelry and clothing that I don't use.  My first post has just been created and it's all make up! :)

Go take a look here.  I hope you can all find something!

Happy shopping!

Spend Less, Stay Gorgeous

I accidentally took a 1-hr nap after eating at Society, a trendy new restaurant participating in Dine Out Vancouver, and now I'm WIDE awake at 4:30am...but it's okay.  Since I woke up from the nap, I had a 2-hr workout, designed my business cards, filed my nails and checked out a couple of blogs!

So, today I'll be sharing some ideas on how to beautify your outer self while on a tight budget.  That's not to say that you can forget about your naturally beautiful inner self though ;) hehe

With the economy these days and HST taxes approaching, we'd all love to save some money without sacrificing our beauty. Here are some ideas on how to do so!

BE A BLOGGER
Just being a blogger could get you free products!  A lot of make-up companies out there send bloggers loads of products to test and review.  I'm lucky enough to receive something in the mail every once in awhile :)

ASK FOR SAMPLES
Not sure how many other beauty shops do this but Sephora supplies samples of make-up when you want to test one out.  I went there to pick up a couple of foundation samples because I was tossing between Lancome & MUFE, and they give a pretty decent size sample!  I've only tried each one once so far, but I'm pretty sure the amount could last for 4-5 uses.  I'm also glad I asked for samples 'cause the foundation I was originally going to buy really didn't work well w/ my skin type.

BE A MODEL
No skills necessary!  Last week, my friend asked me to attend her nail tech class for a manicure.  I got the real deal - filing, buffing, cuticles, massage, polish.  She gave me a full manicure free of charge and it was lots of fun!  I even gained some hair tips from her teacher..bonus! hehe  At the same beauty school, I've helped out a friend's friend who needed a model to do make-up application on.  Her exam required her to do a Day look and an Evening look, and I got to leave w/ the Evening look on!  Very fun.

TRUST TRAINEES
A lot of people are drawn away from new trainees at salons, but just like I trusted my friend to do my manicure, I trusted a lady at my lash place to apply lash extensions on me!  The application was free (reg $65) because she has to complete 200 hrs of training.  The lashes didn't last long and they weren't perfect, but it was still nice being pampered and at least I had the glam look for a few days :)  She also offered a free fill (reg $35) but I was going to Seattle and took them all out so that I wouldn't have to worry about them.

All of the above ideas are for FREE products & services but there are also plenty of ways to beautify yourself in an affordable fashion.  I always check on Craigslist in the Beauty section.  You can often find specials on nail or waxing services, cheap massages, students looking for models (make-up app, cut & dye, hair styling, etc) or even sales on products in store.  Another way is to keep an eye out for make-up tradeshows or other events where you can score some crazy deals on products!


Well, there you have it!  Those are my techniques :)  What do you do to stay glamorous, get pampered and continuously add to your make-up collection?