Friday, May 29, 2009

Whats in for 09 ??

2009 summer hair trends
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
To find out what crops make the cut this season, we spoke with Shukeel Murtaza of Barney Martin. Here's what's hot in hair for summer.
1. Oh boyThanks to Agney Deyn, the androgynous look is still in full swing. Short hair with long fringes were everywhere on the international catwalks. "It works well on delicate features and long necks and is very versatile," says Shukeel. Think Katie Holmes' casual new cut: it's the fringe that frames the look. "Wear it down, pinned up in a quiff or just messed up with a little paste."
Related link: Get the crop
2. Short and sharpSince Victoria Beckham's distinct Pob made front pages last year, the bob has taken to the street by storm — and it's still a coveted catwalk look. "All kinds of bobs are still hot: short and long, textured or messy," says Shukeel. "Bobs suit any occasion and frame the face and jaw line." For a sleek look, straighten hair with a hot iron and finish with a shine spray. For more casual occasions, work a paste through the hair to add texture.
Related link: Short, sharp, structured hair
3. It's getting messyFor those addicted to their long locks, heave a sigh of relief: summer's carefree, feminine look is low maintenance. "Long hair is a little messier and more textured this season," says Shukeel. "A fringe is the key to this look — it frames the face, eyes and cheekbones." For the perfect "undone" do, apply mousse to the mid-lengths and ends, flip your hair over your head and blast with a hair dryer. Iron the fringe to keep it sleek.
Related link: Sexy, stylish waves
4. Curly questionLong, luscious curls are also hot. "They should be worn soft and messy. Just think sexy beach hair, tousled and wavy." Use large tongs to create a casual curl through the mid-lengths to the ends, then tip your head upside down and give your locks a good shake. Finish with sea-salt spray for added texture.
Related link: Gorgeous curls, minus the frizz
5. Up, up, and awayPonytails aren't just for bad hair days — they can add instant elegance. Give the classic ponytail a modern twist by backcombing the fringe off the face. "This is such a great way to open up your face. It's simple, really easy to do and yet very elegant." Once you've backcombed, smooth the quiff with a brush and pin into place.
Visit your beauty spot for the latest trends.
http://yourbeautyspot.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=695795

Monday, May 18, 2009

How often should you have a facial?

Anitra's Spas Blog
By Anitra Brown, About.com Guide to Spas since 2004

How Often Should You Get a Facial?
Friday April 6, 2007
The other day a woman came to see me with extremely dry, reddened skin. It turned out she had spent a fortune in products that weren't right for her, and was getting facials every two weeks. "Why are you getting facials every two weeks?" I asked her. "That's what my esthetician says I need," she replied. I was appalled. Here was a woman trying to do the right thing, and her esthetician was being totally unethical. She was having her come in too often, just to make some money off her. So how often should you have a facial?
Well, it depends. If you have acne or a lot of blackheads or whiteheads that need to be cleared out, then once every week or two is not too much until your skin has improved. Once you're in maintenance mode, every four to six weeks is ideal.
The most important thing for this woman, who was over-exfoliating, was get on the right products to soothe and calm her skin. She also needed to find a new esthetician who was more concerned about her well-being than just making a quick buck.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Be Sun-Smart
Learn how to enjoy the sun safely this summer. Join SpaFinder in helping raise awareness about the dangers of sun damage.
Total wellness for you and your friends and family is more than skin deep. Join us in a pledge to spread awareness about sun damage and the importance of daily sunscreen use, self-examination, and yearly full-body dermatologist checkups.
Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults and the risk is higher among women than men. The evidence points to women’s use of tanning salons and booths. In 2008, there were 116,500 new cases of melanoma and 8,420 deaths, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Get educated about sun safety and save someone’s life by being diligent and observant of skin irregularities. Remind them to apply sunscreen regularly and recommend yearly skin checkups with a dermatologist.

Thank You Spa Finder for this reminder visit spa finder @

http://www.spafinder.com/about/philanthropy/melanoma/be-sun-smart.jsp

Why are we the hottest salon in Norther Va. !!

Testimonials
When I want the best, I go to the best. The ambiance and service at Reflections Fairfax is top notch. It's more than a hairdo... it's an experience. From the massaging at the sink to the brushing of my hair. I leave loving the new reflections of me! Stacy Gurdon

I have followed Heather and her team to ROY and Heather (specifically) for a number of years. She has truly mastered the art of color that is natural and flattering to my skin tone, time of year and texture of my hair. I am rarely concerned about how it will turn out and trust her judgment about what will work for "me". I am not one who is prone to make extreme changes and she is sensitive to that, often making recommendations for subtle shifts that help me keep my hair in the most healthy condition and in a style that works for my personality and career. She is also a wonderful teacher; continuously educating her clients on new products and approaches that surface in the industry that we can use ourselves. Cathie MurenskyLeesburg, VA

Prior to finding Heather and Reflections of You Fairfax, I usually felt quite a bit of trepidation before any hair appointment. In the past, I was never certain that my needs were of importance to the person wielding the scissors behind my head. I heard rumors about stylists who were good at their jobs and actually listened to their customers, but did not believe them to be true. My visits to Reflections of You Fairfax have really opened my eyes to how pleasant the salon experience can be. I am never worried when I take a seat in Heather's chair as I am sure that all of my questions and concerns will be professionally addressed. Every member of the staff is courteous and kind, the environment is relaxing, and the products used are excellent. I would not hesitate to recommend the salon to a friend. Erika R.Fairfax, VA

I want to commend Anita Zaatar on the wonderful person she is. My sister had a debilitating stroke and she was so kind and patient with her. She did an excellent job on her hair and made her feel so good about herself, that my sister applied makeup with her one good hand. You are very fortunate to have Anita on staff. Sherry Berks
I have recently had a 90 minute therapeutic massage at the salon. I literally felt like I was floating on a cloud and found myself staggering out the front door! It was truly a dream come true. I also had a European facial and loved it. I am not sure if you are still offering this service any longer but it was thorough, relaxing, and I felt pampered with my skin feeling like baby's skin after it was completed. After the facial I asked my husband for a gift certificate for my birthday so I look forward to continued treatments. Here is a picture of me looking relaxed after my wonderful massage and facial :-) Debbie Holmes

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Youthful skin. Reflections of You Fairfax salon and spa What keeps our skin from sagging?

Skincare-news.com team writes.
Sagging and wrinkling is a natural part of aging, largely caused by collagen and elastin loss. Find out how they work and how to boost their production, so skin looks young and firm.

What are collagen and elastin?

Collagen and elastin are proteins found in the dermis, a layer of skin just below the epidermis (the top layer of skin visible to us). Special cells called fibroblasts produce both proteins.

Working in tandem, collagen and elastin provide the foundation for skin. Collagen cushions and supports the epidermis, preventing it from collapsing on the muscles and bones, while elastin allows skin to stretch and flex smoothly.

Also, both proteins are excellent water binders, keeping skin supple and hydrated. When skin has sufficient hydration, it stays smooth and unwrinkled.

Why they deteriorate

As collagen and elastin synthesis slows down, the skin starts to sag and thin and develops fine lines and wrinkles. What’s responsible for the breakdown? Blame these three factors.


Age. Young children and babies have soft, plump, healthy skin because their collagen and elastin levels are high. Though different types of collagen are found in different parts of the body, all of them start decreasing around age 35. In fact, “by the age of 60, all types of collagen are significantly below their youthful levels,” writes Dr. G. Todorov of the Web site, Smart SkinCare. Elastin levels reach their high point in your teens or in young adulthood, and then they also start dropping.


Sun exposure. Environmental damage — most notably sun exposure — can hasten collagen and elastin loss. In fact, the sun causes 90 percent of wrinkles and sagging skin, writes Eric F. Bernstein, M.D., professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. These effects are cumulative, building up over time and may not show up for many years.

Specifically, sun damage prematurely breaks down collagen and elastin fibers, causing changes to skin tone, texture and density. And it isn’t just outdoor exposure that damages collagen and elastin: Tanning beds also cause these changes, because they use UV lights.


Smoke. Research has shown that smoking leads to premature aging. Specifically, smoking damages both collagen and elastin. For instance, research from the Nagoya City University Medical School in Japan found that smoking contributes to collagen loss when examining cells, reports BBC News. The study showed that smoking:


Increases MMP production. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are responsible for collagen breakdown. According to the study, after exposure to smoke, cells produced much more MMP than cells that weren’t exposed. In fact, other research has shown that smokers have a higher level of MMP than nonsmokers, according to YourTotalHealth.


Decreases new collagen formation. Also, in the study, cells exposed to smoke suffered “a drop in the production of fresh collagen by up to 40 percent,” according to the article.

Slowing down the breakdown

Fortunately, you can prevent some collagen and elastin loss. Here are several steps that can help.

Avoid harmful exposure. The number one way to minimize collagen and elastin damage is to reduce your sun exposure, which means avoiding both outdoor and indoor tanning. Tanning booths are just as harmful — if not more — as tanning outdoors.

Stop smoking. As mentioned above, smoking contributes to both collagen and elastin loss. It’s also been linked to crow’s feet, wrinkles around the mouth and eyes and leathery, sallow skin.


Add effective products. In addition to healthy habits, try products with these ingredients.

Vitamin C. Research suggests that vitamin C encourages collagen production and fights off free-radical damage. However, vitamin C becomes inactive very quickly when exposed to sunlight, heat and air. Buy vitamin C products that come in tightly sealed dark containers and always keep them in a cool place and away from sunlight.

Retinoids. Derivatives of vitamin A, retinoids stimulate collagen production and increase cell turnover rate (which helps reveal younger, smoother skin).

Peptides. These special proteins also promote collagen production, healthy cell function and cell-to-cell communication.

Reconsider collagen creams. Applying a cream that contains collagen doesn’t actually stimulate collagen in the skin. That’s because “collagen molecules are too large to penetrate into the dermis when applied to the surface of the skin,” explains Dr. Todorov. The collagen in skincare products only helps to moisturize the skin.

Reflections of You Fairfax salon and spa Call today 703.591.5306

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Nurse apprecitation week

Reflections of You Fairfax would like top Thank the nurses of the world for all they do. We gave out 2000 gift certificates this week for the nurses of Fair Oaks and Fairfax childrens hospitals to show how much we appreciate them. Dave and Heather P.