Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Finding the right salon is not easy.

How To: Find The Right Hair Salon
By Cailin


The key to avoiding a bad haircut? Going to an experienced hairstylist that makes you feel at ease. But finding a good hair salon (especially after moving to a new area) can be even trickier than finding a great apartment!
I wrote an article for Misikko.com with some tips on what qualities to look for when deciding on a new hair salon. Read on and discover the indicators of a good (or bad) salon:
Cleanliness: Salon floors get littered with freshly cut hair all the time, but if you notice clumps of hair around a chair that wasn’t recently in use, that’s a bad sign. The hairstylists’ stations should be free of clutter and the styling tools and products you see should look clean and new. If you spot any globs of hair products or stains on the counters, you should probably choose a different salon.
Pricing: While a great deal is always tempting, hair salons with cheap prices may be setting them so low because they can’t compete with other nearby salons in either skill or service. On the other hand, high prices don’t necessarily mean high quality – the salon may be inflating their rates to create the look of prestige.Choose a salon with reasonable prices that you can afford, and be sure sure to account for your stylist’s 10-15% tip (and yes, you should always tip the stylist if you’re happy with your cut).
Location: Hair salons in malls are busy places, frequently trafficked by walk-ins and passers-by in need of a quick trim. As such, they may not provide the attentive service that you and your tresses need (and deserve).Beware the salon in a run-down shopping center next to payday loan offices and convenience stores - the rent in these locations is low, and customers don’t tend to be picky.Finally, proximity to where you live may not be the best indicator of a quality stylist, but it’s a definite plus when you need to make an emergency appointment after a DIY hair color mishap!
Services: A hair salon that can offer extensions, straightening treatments and other high-end professional services is often a sign of hairstylists who are up to date on the latest trends and technology in hair care. Just make sure the salon isn’t hiking up their prices on regular cuts and coloring for the added convenience of one-stop shopping. Unrelated services like manicures, pedicures and waxing are a great bonus, as long as it’s clear that hairstyling is the salon’s primary focus. Note that manicurists and the like should also receive a $1-$3 tip.
Customer Service: The most telling sign of salon quality is how much their employees seem to care. This applies not only to your hairstylist, but the other stylists and employees as well.The first time you visit, your stylist should ask you several questions about what lengths, styles and colors you like for your hair and make suggestions on what she feels will suit you best. You should feel comfortable telling her what you want and if you’re displeased with your cut. If she reacts defensively or doesn’t seem like she’s listening, move on.


Thank You http://thebeautybunny.com/how-to-find-the-right-hair-salon/

Reflections of You Fairfax salon and spa Call today 703.591.5306

Monday, April 27, 2009

May is skin cancer awarness month

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer
types and the number of skin cancer cases has
been on the rise for the past few decades.
Currently, more than 1 million skin cancers
are diagnosed each year in the United States.
That’s more than cancers of the prostate,
breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and
pancreas combined.
The good news is that there is a lot you can do
to protect yourself and your family from skin
cancer, or to catch it early enough so that it
can be treated effectively. Most skin cancers
are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) rays. Much of this exposure comes from
the sun, but some may come from manmade
sources, such as tanning beds.
Nonmelanoma skin cancers (usually basal cell
and squamous cell cancers) are the most
common cancers of the skin. They are called
nonmelanoma because this group of cancers
includes all skin cancers except one, malignant
melanoma. Cancers that develop from
melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of
the skin, are called melanoma.

American Cancer Society


How Much Do You Know
About Sun Safety?
Sun safety is not just for vacation. Are you
sun-safe every day? Take this quiz, then check
your answers on the back of this page!
1. True or false: I can’t get skin cancer, because my
routine (work, drive to work, indoor hobbies, and
vacations) doesn’t include any outdoor activities.
2. True or false: My husband should use sunscreen at
football games, even though he only goes (and gets
a burn!) once or twice a year.
3. True or false: If I’m wearing sunscreen, I can stay in
the sun as long as I want.
4. True or false: A sunscreen labeled SPF 30 blocks
twice as much UV radiation as one labeled SPF 15.
5. True or false: It’s safe to let my children stay in the
pool all day if they slip on a T-shirt after a couple
hours and reapply sunscreen to their faces, arms,
and legs.
6. How often do you need to reapply water-resistant
sunscreen?
a. every 2 hours or sooner
b. after sweating or swimming
c. after you towel dry
d. all of the above
7. True or false: Getting a “base tan” at an indoor tanning
salon is as good way to prevent sunburn when I
go to the beach later this summer.
8. What are the two most common (and painful!) sunscreen
mistakes?
a. choosing an SPF below 15 and missing spots
b. using too little and waiting too long to reapply
9. Now put it all together. You applied sunscreen at
12:00 noon for an afternoon of reading beside the
pool. At 2:00 p.m., which one of the following actions
would best protect your skin?
a. slip on a long cotton sundress
b. move to the shade
c. reapply sunscreen

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Does your sunscreen work???

Does your sunscreen work? An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don't adequately protect skin from the sun's damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.
More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, but FDA still hasn't finalized sunscreen standards first announced 30 years ago. Meanwhile, companies are free to claim but not provide broad spectrum protection. Until FDA requires that all sunscreens be safe and effective, Environmental Working Group's comprehensive sunscreen guide—including a list of 173 products that offer very good sun protection—fills in the gaps.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php?key=35942596&message=Successfully+updated+Supporter+information

Monday, April 20, 2009

Can big bucks buy you great skin?

Interesting article at ewg.com Watch what you are paying for or being sold some over the counter cosmetics are useless cream. Check and see how they are rated at ewg.com Compare the so called active ingredients on cosmetic cream and see how far down the list that ingredient may be. Like mom always said if sugar is in the first 4 ingredients find another cereal. High quality skincare products use those ingredients in the top 3. We use IS Clinical well known in skincare products.http://www.ewg.org/node/17365

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Finding the right stylist. Is your stylist old school?

How much experience should you look for?
New hair stylists
New hair stylists often have lots of enthusiasm, ideas and state of the art technical hair styling skills. They are usually very knowledgeable about the latest in hair technologies. The downside is that they simply have not encountered enough outcomes to develop the intuition necessary to know what will work best in a variety of situations. There are good as well as the not so good hair stylists in this category, just choose wisely.
This is one situation where the salon can make the difference. Salons that have training and mentoring programs for new stylists also tend to have better stylists, particularly among recent graduates. The additional training in cutting, styling, coloring and other techniques results in a more knowledgeable professional who is prepared to deal with a broader range of possible problems. If the salon has mandatory requirements for attendance at training classes, this is a good sign.
Maturing hair stylists
Generally, a hair stylist who has been in the business over three years, but under thirty years is your best bet. Think of it this way. If they are still in the business after some years, it's a reasonable conclusion that they have established a following of clients. They have enough clients who give them a vote of confidence to keep them in the hair salon business. They have developed a style of their own.
Good older stylists stay up on the current trends and they still have the enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to try new hair styles. They are the suggestors, and the ones who are not only committed to the business, but also to your best image. Again, as you already know, there are the good and the bad in each category. There are some older stylists who are stuck in a rut and just working for the money. You'll want to avoid them.
Been around forever
There are many hair stylists who begin to burn out, get tired of trying new things, and who will settle into ruts. They lose excitement, and every client, even new ones, becomes a chore. They will keep doing the same old things over and over again. They may have a following of somewhat loyal customers, but most of them will have been wearing the same style for years. Other customers will drift away from these stylists.
You need to use your own best judgment here. The number of years working in the industry isn't the only indication of burn out. Burnout can occur quickly in a hair stylist. I've known hair stylists who were burnt out after only three years in the business. Yet, don't assume that a hair stylist who has been around a while is burnt out. I've known hair stylists who have been cutting hair 30 years and more, and who are as fresh as the day they came out of hair styling school.

Thank You to http://www.hairstyle-blog.com/

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Dry dust like styling product from Schwarzkopf check it out!!

Schwarzkopf OSiS Dust It - Mattifying Powder lets you creative styles with powder consistency while providing a lightweight texture and separation. Gives a soft matt effect with natural movements to your hair. Provides light natural style control. This silica powder and film formers provides for a dry light hold.
Similiar to the popular Bumble & Bumble powder, Schwarzkopf Dust It Powder has been receiving amazing reviews from magazines and salon professionals around the world. This powder will give that "second day" look and feel instantly. Feel the difference and get natural looking hair with a cool, matt finish from OSiS Dust It. Will add great volume; works especially great on fine hair!
Directions:Sprinkle small amount of powder into your palms and rub together. Rake through dry hair and lift into style for a matt finish and natural touch.