Back 2 school!

The leaves are falling, it’s getting colder and it’s about time to go back to school! It’s also time for new school supplies, new clothes and a new do. A new, improved and more edgy bob is in for fall 2009. You can perk up your existing bob by getting some shorter and more edgy bangs. You can also cut a more jagged and layered body.

Colours for fall? We seem to be going darker, but a multi-toned dark. Try a dark chocolate brown underneath. A darker colour underneath gives the illusion of more volume. For you blondes who want to stay blonde, some very thin lowlights all over the body are very popular for this school year. And a hairstyle that hasn’t lost it’s popularity is the side braid. A french braid that goes down one side, starting up at the forehead and usually ending just behind the ear. It’s a convenient yet very cute boho-chic look if you want your bangs out of the way!

For you ladies with long hair, big bouncy curls will never go wrong. Now, girls with medium length - don’t fret! Straight hair and a side swept bang is just what you need, and if you don't want to wait for that stubborn hair to grow, extensions are a girls best friend! If you don’t want to make a drastic change, like going darker or shorter even making little changes like a darker tone underneath or a side bang will go a long way.

Don’t forget to protect your locks from the cold wind that comes around in the fall! You can keep your hair moisturized with sprays, shampoos or conditioners. Oh, don’t forget your scarves, hats, toques and berets! 

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

The bride, the groom, the dress, the cake – the list can go on and on. A girls wedding day is supposed to be the greatest day of her life. So of course she has got to look stunning! From shoes to guarder to dress to make-up to hair! So many women have no idea what to do with their hair. We all know it must look flawless, because everything has to be perfect for this perfect day.

Typically though, women go with pulled back in curls, with heavy hairspray, bobby pins and sparkles.  But sometimes less is more!

Women with long hair should try leaving it down or having it half up in curls. If comfort and practicality is what you’re looking for, a nice side bun full of curls and volume is very trendy and simple to do.  Even leaving your hair down and having it perfectly straight is seen more often. The straight hair gives a sophisticated yet sexy look. For women with shorter hair, wearing it wavey and pinned back is very sleek yet convenient.

There are two main concerns women tend to have with wedding hair, 1) the curls will fall out, and 2) bangs. These two concerns drive women to putting their hair sleeked back into a curly bun at the top of their heads – the typical wedding hair. Ladies, do not be afraid of droopy curls or wavey bangs. There are tonnes of pomades, gels, hairsprays that really do the trick with holding hair. And if the hair at the back of your neck is bothering you while you’re dancing, an easy side bun will not only be your best friend, but you’ll look great.

To do the “side-bun”, you’ll need a hair tie and a comb. First what you’ll want to do is pick a side you want the bun to rest on. Then sweep all your hair to that side and tie it into a tight ponytail up just behind your ear.  Grab a few strands of hair and tuck them into the band. Then take the last piece and wrap it around the hair tie so the band doesn’t show and pin it in place with a bobby pin. With that simple way to keep your hair back, you should be dancing all night long!

And ladies, don’t forget something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue!

Alright ladies! Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Alright ladies! Don't forget your sunscreen!

It’s the middle of summer, the sun is shining, and the heat is blistering! Flow-y skirts, gladiator sandals and one-piece bathing suits are in! Enjoy a freshly squeezed iced lemonade and get your pedicures on!

Trying to keep your body refreshed and safe from UV-A and UV-B rays during a hot day can be tough, but forgetting about your hair is worse.

We tend to take care of our skin, but what about our hair?
The heat can dry out and make your hair brittle, and the sun can turn your beautiful blonde hair into a not so pretty brassy mess. It’s important to take care of your hair. Hats are a good way to stay trendy and keep the sun from drying out your hair. But let’s be realistic, we’re not always going to be wearing a hat, so another way to lock the moisture and color in your hair is a UV-A and UV-B protection spray.
There are many leave in conditioners, hair sprays and gels that have an SPF in them, these usually come with an SPF 12.  Also, shampoos and conditioners with an SPF can help protect the hair from sun damage.

A great do-it-yourself-way is to dilute a tablespoon of SPF 25 or 30 sunblock lotion in a spray bottle of water and spray into damp hair before styling. We’ve got to stay away from alcohol, lemon juice, peroxide or any hair lightening products – especially from the sun, this causes dry brittle hair and does nothing to protect our locks!

So ladies, when going out to enjoy the sun, be aware that, just like our skin, our hair needs to be protected too!

How To Give Yourself a Pedicure

I know it seems like I’m obsessed with the approach of summer weather, but I live in a place where there is snow on the ground eight months out of the year.  Humor me.

My latest beauty project is getting my toes ready for sandals.  I work a lot of hours, so it’s not always convenient to get myself to a salon for a pedicure.  But it’s so easy to give yourself a pedicure at home, so why not?

• First, remove any old nail polish from your toes.  Then, soak your tootsies in a bowl/bucket full of warm water.  Add some soothing bath salts and relax for 10-15 minutes.  If you’re lucky enough to own a foot spa, now’s the time to break it out! Ahh.
  

• Dab cuticle cream on your cuticles.  While that is soaking in, clip your toenails, if necessary, then file down any rough or pointy edges.  
  
• Push back your cuticles using an orangewood stick or other cuticle-pushing device.
  
• Use a pumice stone to exfoliate and smooth out rough skin on heels and balls of your feet.  If a pumice stone feels too rough for you, try a loofah.
  
• Rub a rich cream into your feet.   Many lotions especially made for your feet have a minty, refreshing feel to them.  Sit back again for a few minutes to let the cream soak in.  Isn’t this fun?
  
• Swipe nail polish remover across your toenails again.  Residual oils from the creams you used could keep your polish from adhering properly, so in order to ensure that your pedicure lasts as long as possible, you want to remove those oils from the nailbed.
  
• Apply base coat and let it dry.  Apply two coats of polish, allowing a minute between coats.   Remove any stray polish with a Q-Tip dipped into polish remover.  Finish it all off with a coat of top coat.
  
• Be sure to allow adequate drying time before sticking your feet into shoes!
   

  Now your toes look great and it's time to show off those cute new sandals!  Happy feet!