Adult Acne? Reflections of You Fairfax Salon and Spa Expert Skincare

Adult Acne, it happens!

Posted on September 30, 2013 by ImageInternational

Clear Cell Cleanser

Adult acne afflicts a significant portion of men and women between the ages of twenty and sixty. However, there are many things you can do to treat and further prevent breakouts. Using the right products, like the Clear Cell line from Image Skincare, coupled with understanding how to best care for your troubled skin can get your adult acne under control in no time.
Sebum, an oily substance secreted by our sebaceous glands is on one of the causes of adult acne. The sebum produced clogs pores, which attract bacteria and in turn pores become irritated and swollen. Additionally, many cases of adult acne are caused by hormonal imbalances. Overproduction of androgens, or male hormones, can make adult acne appear. But imbalances of the female hormones (estrogen) can also cause eruptions. Lastly, some medications and cosmetic ingredients can contribute to adult acne.
There are a few things to ensure a clearer complexion. First, make sure you wash your face properly. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many of us don’t know how to do this simple task the way it should be. Cleanse your face twice daily, morning and night. Do not scrub, or use a washcloth, hands are best. A washcloth can irritate your already compromised skin, plus it can be a conductor of bacteria, aggravating the acne. Wash for 1 to 2 minutes, with warm, not hot (which can be drying) water. Keep your face clean during the day by not touching it with your hands.
Next, use a product, like the Clear Cell line, that are specifically formulated to treat, prevent, and nourish acneic skins. The line is designed to fight acne, reduce inflammation, eliminate excess oil, and purify. It includes:
• Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser
• Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying tonic
• Clear Cell Salicylic Pads
• Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion
• Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque
• Clear Cell Medicated Acne Facial Scrub
Adult acne can be treated successfully. Incorporate Clear Cell products into your skin care regimen for clearer, healthier skin.

Skincare and Facials How Often ? Reflections of You Fairfax Salon and Spa

REFLECTIONS OF YOU Fairfax

Awaken With a Fall Facial

September 18th, 2013 • Posted by REFLECTIONS OF YOU Fairfax

As the lazy days of summer wane away and the crisp, cooler air of fall prevails, skin may look a bit drab from all the abuse of summer. Too much sun, loss of moisture and even clogged pores from sunscreen can leave your face screaming for a good exfoliation and rehydration.
The best way to remember to schedule a fall facial is to imagine the dry, falling leaves that drift to the ground in the autumn. Remember how they crunch when you jump in them or walk through them? Is your skin as dry as those dead, lifeless leaves? The changing colors of the leaves are your sign that it is time to remove dry dead skin, de-stress and get skin ready for the busy, but joyous holiday season.
Facials offer many benefits that will brighten your skin, help you feel invigorated and give your skin that youthful glow again. We start your treatment with a good cleaning followed by an exfoliating scrub to slough off dry, dead skin. It is gentle but offers enough abrasiveness to get rid of dry patches and dull color. It is estimated that skin rejuvenates every 28 days, so as you move from one season to the next, it is especially important to remove old skin and reveal new, fresh skin.
The exfoliation treatment is typically followed by a gentle massage. The massage will help restore circulation to your face and can even help reduce puffiness. Plus, it just feels glorious and eases away the stresses of back-to-school and end-of summer busyness. Most facials also include a massage of the neck area and possibly even arms and shoulders.
One of the more important parts of the facial is the application of products meant to nourish your skin and add important nutrients and moisture. Our skincare specialist will choose the best products for you based on your skins’ problem areas and will create a balance that restores health to your skin. The restoration portion of the facial may include a mask, toner, lotions and oils. It may be a one-step application or involve several stages of applying various products. Since facials are often customized to the client, each person’s facial experience is likely to be just a bit different.
A professional facial will go a step further than simply removing the drab buildup of damaged summer skin. Our skincare specialist will nourish and moisturize the fresh skin under all that old skin in preparation for the coming winter, when furnaces come on and air is naturally dryer and equally as hard on skin as it is during the summer months. By adding back the perfect balance of nutrients for your skin type, they will take you from end of summer drab to fall fresh fab . It will be the best hour or so that you spend this fall on your beauty routine.

Reflections of You Fairfax is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum. Her team is comprised of professional designers that offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change. We have a saying that "Everyone is beautiful - we just make it obvious". We are committed to providing a superior guest experience by using the best products, and designers who deliver on that promise. Call Today 703.591.5306

Master Aesthetician  Gretchen Alessi has 15 years experience in the professional beauty business. She has a devotion for health and fitness which has helped her develop a true passion for skin care. She has trained in the latest surgical and non-surgical anti-aging techniques in order to teach people about their skin.

Furthermore, she has spent years training with educators of top product manufacturers, and has done extensive research about skin care ingredients while focusing on all natural ingredients and their beauty benefits. Gretchen loves educating guests about skin care and how to delay the aging process by offering solutions to your problems. Ms. Alessi can teach You how to get the results You Desire!

Gretchen offers a wide range of skin care treatments including chemical peels, IPL, and microdermabrasion.

How the Right Skin Care Can Protect Your Skin. Reflections Of You Salon And Spa Fairfax Va.

How the Right Skin Care Can Protect Your Skin

Posted on December 5, 2012 by ImageInternational

As anyone who has ever cut into an apple knows, the apple quickly turns brown when exposed to air. This is a great example of oxidation, a normal process where the cells die and are replaced with newer cells. Unfortunately, there are a small percentage of cells that change into damaged free radical cells. This can set off a chain reaction that encourages more cells to become damaged by binding with the mutated cell. Learn more about how the right skin care with antioxidants can help protect your skin.
Target Skin Cells
Antioxidants are nutrients and enzymes that have been proven to counteract and prevent damage. One of the main challenges in battling free radical damage in skin is getting antioxidants to the best location. Image Skincare’s Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser is an easy way to add antioxidants into your daily routine while targeting skin cells. It contains Vitamins A, C and E that work in combination with Green tea to soothe and repair cells.
Avoid Free Radical Damage
Using skin care with antioxidants can also help you to prevent and reduce the effects of free radical damage. Vitamin C contains an enzyme that ensures the chain reaction stops, while Vitamin E works during the process to stop damage in the process. The Vital C Hydrating A C & E Serum uses a unique combination that prevents and treats current cell damage and restores cell turnover. Natural anti aging products also work to repair aging cells while preventing damage from sunlight.
Get the Best Antioxidants
Even if you consume the ideal nutrients in your diet, it can be difficult to maintain the ideal combination of antioxidants. That is why Ideal Skincare’s Vital C line uses a blend of nutrients in their natural anti aging products. The Vital C Hydrating Anti Aging Serum uses Vitamin E, Grape seed extract, Green tea and Super Oxide Dismutase to ensure that you receive the right nutrients for your skin.

Look Younger by Updating Your Skin Care Routine. Reflections of You Fairfax VA. Salon And Spa

 

Posted on October 24, 2012 by ImageInternational

Ageless Total Retinol A Creme one of Image Skincare’s many natural anti aging products.

Ever have a day where you wake up, look in the mirror and realize that your face is looking more tired and less bright? It might be time for an update in your skin care routine. Learn how to update your skin care routine to look years younger.
Skin Care Basics
Taking great care of your skin with natural anti aging products is one of the most effective ways to shave years off your looks. A great first step to revamping your routine is to start with a great exfoliator. The Ageless Total Resurfacing Masque can be used to reduce age spots and create a more even skin tone.
Using a daily cleanser, serum and moisturizer can help to protect and repair damage due to aging and the elements. Image Skincare’s Ageless Total Facial Cleanser and Ageless Total Anti Aging Serum are two simple steps to cleanse, fight wrinkles and renew collagen for brighter, younger looking skin.
Refresh Your Eyes
The eyes are considered the windows to the soul. Unfortunately, that’s also where the first signs of aging can occur with fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. A quick trick to brighten your eyes is to use anti aging skin products that are specifically developed for your eyes.
Ageless Total Eye Lift Creme tightens around the eyes while brightening dark spots. Natural anti aging products also protect cells from damage and repair with antioxidants that work at the cellular level. As eyes age, lashes become sparser and less full. Ageless Lashes Clear uses a blend of natural botanicals to make lashes fuller and younger looking.
Treat Problem Areas
Your skin care routine should be customized to solve challenges that your skin faces along with reducing the signs of aging. Image Skincare’s anti aging skin products solve problem areas such as rosacea with the Ageless Total Skin Lightening Serum. For acne-prone skin, the Ageless Total Retinol A Creme hydrates and repairs aging skin while reducing acne.


Reflections of You is a high performance salon and spa in Fairfax and Fair Lakes VA.
Our salon team specializes in hair color and advanced highlight techniques.   Trained by the manufacturer - Surface & Schwarzkopf - and providing the latest in color technology and application for a truly personalized experience.
Our spa emphasizes real results for all skin types through our master certified aesthetician at our Fairfax City location.
ROY Salon/Spa is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum.   Her team is comprised of professional designers who offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change.

"Everyone is beautiful, we just make it obvious."

Back To School Skincare Reflections Of You Salon And Spa

Back to School Skincare

Posted on August 28, 2013 by ImageInternational

It’s the end of August and the stores are filled with school supplies, special deals on the latest outfits, and plenty of back-to-school specials for everyone. Teachers are getting their classrooms ready, kids are squeezing in their last play-dates and moms are getting anxious for the new school year to begin.
Whether you’re packing lunches or getting ready to hit the books, back-to-school time can keep you on a tight schedule. It can be easy to put your skincare routine on the sideline while adjusting to your busy schedule and new responsibilities.
Don’t have time for a fancy, 6-step skincare routine? Confused about all of the products out there claiming to be “the best of the best”?
No need to fear, IMAGE Skincare is here to save the day! (At least your skin, anyway). A simple skincare routine to fit your lifestyle and skin-type is exactly what you need, and we’ve got the perfect multi-tasking tips to get your skin back-to-school ready.

Find a Simple, Multi-Purpose Facial Cleanser – 60 seconds

Buy a cleanser that does more than one job, and it’s like applying a 3-step facial routine in one! Try Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser with green tea and chamomile. This organic 3-in-1 cleanser acts as a cleanser, exfoliator, and toner, leaving your skin soft, hydrated and naturally clean.

Moisturize and Protect – 60 seconds

To save another step in the morning, try using a moisturizer with the added protection of SPF. Prevention+ Daily Hydrating Moisturizer, SPF 30, is the perfect complement to your get-up-and-go skincare routine this fall. It’s always important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, no matter the season.

Cover Up, Quick! – 30 seconds

Worried about hiding those blemishes or imperfections? Aren’t we all! If you make-up routine is taking up too much of your precious morning time, try using I Conceal Flawless Foundation for a one-step coverage and healthy glow. Not only does it make your skin look fabulous, this mineral based foundation helps to heal your skin while protecting against your daily environment. An added benefit: It’s water resistant!

It’s All About the Lips – 30 seconds

The secret to a beautiful smile (other than pearly white teeth, of course) is soft, moisturized lips. Why not moisturize while getting a little anti-aging action with IMAGE’s Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex! This ultra hydrating anti-aging polypeptide lip complex adds up to 40% more moisture, volume and reducing fine lines with repeat usage.
There you have it! With a few multi-tasking skincare products, in just 3 short minutes, you can be back-to-school ready with time to spare!
What are your tips for getting ready in a flash?


Reflections of You is a high performance salon and spa in Fairfax and Fair Lakes VA.
Our salon team specializes in hair color and advanced highlight techniques.   Trained by the manufacturer - Surface & Schwarzkopf - and providing the latest in color technology and application for a truly personalized experience.
Our spa emphasizes real results for all skin types through our master certified aesthetician at our Fairfax City location.
ROY Salon/Spa is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum.   Her team is comprised of professional designers who offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change.

"Everyone is beautiful, we just make it obvious."

Miracle Skincare Moisture For All Skin Types Reflections Of You Salon And Spa

Hyaluronic Acid: Miracle Moisture For Every Type Of Skin

Posted on September 5, 2013 by ImageInternational

When it comes to skincare, there are a few things that everyone, regardless of skin condition, needs to do: cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. When it comes to hydrating your skin, nothing does that (and a few other things!) better than hyaluronic acid. This miraculous fluid is not only indicated for dehydrated, aging, or post treatment skin, it is equally great for oily/acneic skin as well. So how does hyaluronic acid do it all?Hyaluronic acid is a fluid that is already present in the human body. It’s found in skin tissue and lubricates our joints. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, effectively binds water to cells, and is responsible for the elasticity and resiliency of the skin. This makes for a super hydration conductor that naturally affects our skin at the cellular level, without oils. Additionally, it works wonders on wounds and any type of irritated or post treatment skin, helping to promote the healing process.As we age, the hyaluronic acid in our body starts to deplete, so it’s a good idea to use a serum, like Ageless Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler on our skin on a daily basis. This unique solution is the perfect addition to any skincare routine. This super concentrated hyaluronic filler is infused with apricot essential oil plus Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Skin in transformed after just one application, leaving it totally hydrated. It is immediately plumped, moisturized, and smoothed, without the use of injections.
If you lack moisture, your skin is lax, dry, and/or aging, try adding Ageless Pure Hyaluronic Filler to any Image Skincare product to boost its efficacy. Or, for an especially powerful overnight treatment apply the filler followed by Total Retinol-A Crème, you’ll be glowing in the morning. If you have oily or acneic skin, use the serum on its own, for hydration without oil. Smooth a few drops on cleansed skin and let it absorb. You’ll get immediate benefits either way.
For pure, honest hydration hyaluronic acid can’t be beat, no matter what your skin condition.


Reflections of You is a high performance salon and spa in Fairfax and Fair Lakes VA.
Our salon team specializes in hair color and advanced highlight techniques.   Trained by the manufacturer - Surface & Schwarzkopf - and providing the latest in color technology and application for a truly personalized experience.
Our spa emphasizes real results for all skin types through our master certified aesthetician at our Fairfax City location.
ROY Salon/Spa is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum.   Her team is comprised of professional designers who offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change.

"Everyone is beautiful, we just make it obvious."

Reflections of You Salon and Spa Mens Skincare Tips

It’s a Guy Thing: Mens Skincare Tips

Posted on September 11, 2013 by ImageInternational

Typically, men don’t think much about taking care of their skin beyond grabbing a bar of soap to wash it. However, while men tend to have thicker, less sensitive skin than women, shaving can present a host of issues such as irritation, redness, and ingrown hairs. Knowing what to do (and what not to) is as simple as knowing our top 7 tips for keeping men’s skin in tip top shape:
DO:
CLEANSE – everyone, needs to. Men usually prefer a bar to gels or cleansers. That said, soap could dry out skin and compromise the protective barrier, so look for a bar that is soap free. We recommend the Ageless Total Facial Cleanser, a gentle Glycolic Acid blend begins the exfoliating process to help reduce blackheads and ingrown hairs.
EXFOLIATE – this simple step goes a long way in alleviating ingrown hairs, which clog follicles and lead to acne and irritations. Regular exfoliation should take care of this issue and leave your skin smooth and clear.
(Tip: We recommend the Ageless Total Facial Cleanser, a gentle Glycolic Acid blend begins the exfoliating process to help reduce blackheads and ingrown hairs while leaving the skin completely clean in one easy step.)
MOISTURIZE – balanced skin needs hydration, no matter if it is oily, dry, or somewhere in between. Find one that is right for you and use it! If you tend to be on the oilier side, choose a light gel or oil free product.
PROTECT – sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days.
(Tip: Protect skin from the aging effects of the sun while keeping oil at bay with Prevention +, our all-in-one broad spectrum line of moisturizers with broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection.)
DON’T:
ALCOHOL – in after shave, or any other product you choose, alcohol can ravage your skin. It’s just not good for it. Alcohol dries skin and strips it of its natural moisture and PH levels.
FRAGRANCE – ditto for any products that have added fragrance. Sure you want to smell good, but you can pick a product that uses natural fragrance (think essential oils and such) instead. Artificial fragrance is one of the number one irritants in skin care.
Be mindful of these simple tips and you’ll be sure to have the best skin, and shave, of your life.


Reflections of You is a high performance salon and spa in Fairfax and Fair Lakes VA.
Our salon team specializes in hair color and advanced highlight techniques.   Trained by the manufacturer - Surface & Schwarzkopf - and providing the latest in color technology and application for a truly personalized experience.
Our spa emphasizes real results for all skin types through our master certified aesthetician at our Fairfax City location.
ROY Salon/Spa is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum.   Her team is comprised of professional designers who offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change. 703.591.5306

"Everyone is beautiful, we just make it obvious."

Beauty Fixes For Hair, Nails & Eyebrows Reflections of You Fairfax

Unusual Beauty Fixes (That Actually Work!)

Posted on September 16, 2013 by ImageInternational

 What do baby powder, super glue, and a tooth brush all have in common? We’re glad you asked!

 They have a set of magical powers that only women have access to… Okay, not really, but they are definitely useful for some pretty wacky beauty fixes.
Ever have a friend, when giving beauty advice, start her sentence off with, “So… this may sound strange, but…” We’ve all heard some pretty crazy tips on how to zap a zit or fix oily hair… But do they really work?

 Now you can rest easy knowing some actually do the trick! We’ve put together a list of unusual beauty tips (that actually work!) …

 Greasy Hair?
Try sprinkling baby powder on a big makeup brush and dust it over your roots. The powder absorbs excess oil in your hair, and the brush will make sure you don’t leave any traces of powder behind.
Unruly Eyebrows?
Straighten those eyebrows out with a toothbrush! Simply swipe across your brows with a little hairspray, and voila, perfectly groomed brows.
Break a Nail?
Instead of ripping the broken part off, try applying a small amount of super glue over the split and let it dry. Then swipe on your favorite colored nail polish. Your nail will look as good as new!
Next time you’re in a pinch and need a quick beauty fix, remember, you can often find something to do the trick in your kitchen or medicine cabinet!
What crazy beauty fixes do you swear by?

Reflections of You is a high performance salon and spa in Fairfax and Fair Lakes VA.
Our salon team specializes in hair color and advanced highlight techniques.   Trained by the manufacturer - Surface & Schwarzkopf - and providing the latest in color technology and application for a truly personalized experience.
Our spa emphasizes real results for all skin types through our master certified aesthetician at our Fairfax City location.
ROY Salon/Spa is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum.   Her team is comprised of professional designers who offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change. 703.591.5306

"Everyone is beautiful, we just make it obvious."

Hair removal body waxing Reflections of You Fairfax salon and spa

REFLECTIONS OF YOU Fairfax

The Evolvement of Hair Removal

 Posted by REFLECTIONS OF YOU Fairfax

While you may not feel like you have much in common with early man, cave paintings show that our ancient ancestors used seashells that looked a lot like modern tweezers to pluck unwanted hair from their bodies.

When he wasn't filing down his teeth, Neanderthal Man was likely pulling hair from his body. Even then, the less hair one had, the easier life was. Little hair meant less hiding places for critters like lice to hide out. A less-hairy body also meant a cooler body, and quite likely, a less stinky body.

The next time you're shaving your legs or underarms, consider this fun fact: Men, woman and children of ancient Egypt shaved their heads bald, preferring to wear specially designed wigs. They also plucked, used early versions of depilatory creams and rubbed unwanted hair off with a pumice stone to get rid of unwanted hair. Egyptian priests considered hair shameful, while the average Egyptian citizen associated an un-plucked body with the low-class. After all, in their minds only animals were meant to be hairy. Anyone who had an ounce of class addressed the issue by removing hair.

In the 5th century BC, the Greeks considered a young, athletic, hairless man to be the epitome of attractiveness while hairy bodies were associated with barbarians, satyrs, and the cult of Dionysus. Flint blades date back to 30,000 BC. An added benefit of shaving with flint was that early man could use it to cut designs into his skin. Once he added dye to those cuts he had an instant tattoo. We may think of depilatories as a modern convenience, but women were making their own depilatory creams using a combination of arsenic, quicklime and starch as early as 4,000-3,000 BC. By 50 BC Roman men were imitating Julius Ceasar by plucking their facial hairs out one at a time. The ritual was repeated each and every day.

We don't know for sure when threading became a mode of hair removal, but we do know that it is such a common method in the Middle East and India that young girls learn to do it with ease. The process we know as waxing was born in ancient Egypt. Called "sugaring," a mixture of sugar, lemon juice and water were heated, forming a syrup that was rolled into a ball, pushed against the skin, and stripped away, removing unwanted hair.

No matter which method of hair removal you choose, you can be grateful that you're not an ancient Greek woman. It was not uncommon for certain Greek women to remove hair from their legs by singeing it with fire.


Reflections of You is a high performance salon and spa in Fairfax and Fair Lakes VA.
Our salon team specializes in hair color and advanced highlight techniques.   Trained by the manufacturer - Surface & Schwarzkopf - and providing the latest in color technology and application for a truly personalized experience.
Our spa emphasizes real results for all skin types through our master certified aesthetician at our Fairfax City location.
ROY Salon/Spa is inspired by master stylist Heather Plum.   Her team is comprised of professional designers who offer solutions to problems and suggestions for change.

"Everyone is beautiful, we just make it obvious."

Lawsuit Launched as Testing Finds Cancer-Causing Chemical in Nearly 100 Hair Care and Personal Care Products.

Lawsuit Launched as Testing Finds Cancer-Causing Chemical in Nearly 100 Hair Care and Personal Care Products.
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/beauty/cancer-causing-chemical-found-98-shampoos-and-soaps

It's time you start paying attention to the ingredients and quality of what you put on your body everyday!! Take a look at the list even so called organic lines use the harmful chemical. The compound, a chemically modified form of coconut oil—cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA)

This link will direct you to a website with all 100 listed. Cancer Causing Chemicals



At Reflections of You we use and Support Professional line Surface a certified vegan hair care and body care line. Sold only at Professional salons! Just like mom and dad use to tell you "You get what you paid for"