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Tip Of The Week

TIP OF THE WEEK – Everyday Hair Maintenance

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As we age, the way we maintain and take care of our hair often needs to be modified for the best results. Here’s a few things that I recommend for aging beauties when it comes to hair care:

  • Stop with the daily wash to avoid drying out the hair. Natural oils tend to lessen with age so you want to maintain some of them.
  • Keep your hair well-moisturized. Hair tends to lose some of it’s natural shine due to a decline in the natural oils generated by the scalp. Moisturizing can help with shine and movement.
  • Don’t assume you have to go short. Nowadays, any length for any age is the rule.
  • Embrace your natural texture meaning go curly if you have curls. Contrary, wear your hair straight if it’s naturally straight. This will help you to avoid over styling which lends itself to drying the hair out.
  • Embrace your grays. Never before has gray been so fashionable. Don’t be afraid to capitalize on this trend.
  • Enjoy your age. Remember, every age offers new opportunities.

Tip of the Week: How Dietary Habits Impact Your Hair

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Strong and healthy hair is a direct result of the nutrients and minerals you consume to fuel your body.

-A diet lacking in nutrients can lead to hair loss, dullness, and more.

-A well-balanced diet loaded with protein, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids, can contribute to longer, thicker, and stronger hair.

-Make sure you’re consuming foods rich in biotin, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

-Eggs contain a great amount of protein and biotin, two nutrients that help promote hair growth.

-Berries provide antioxidants that offer beneficial vitamins and minerals to help protect your hair follicles against damage from free radicals.

-The body uses vitamin C from to produce collagen, a protein that helps strengthen hair.

-Always consult with a physician before making any dietary changes.

Tip of the Week – How To Select A Mask For Your Hair

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Need to know what to look for when selecting a hair mask? Here is my Tip of the Week for selecting a hair mask.

 -Seek out a mask that has ingredients which can lend to repair and hydration such as keratin, biotin, collagen, essential fatty acids, vitamins, emollients, and humectants.

-Avoid masks with silicones which can clog your pores and drying your hair from the inside out.

-Avoid Isopropyl alcohol which can strip the hair of its natural oils and can cause damage to the hair.  Hint: As a rule of thumb, you should avoid any hair product which has alcohol or an alcohol derivative in the first four ingredients listed on their label.

-Always use a professional product line to ensure quality non-damaging ingredients are used.

-Select a mask based on your hair need, ie; for color treated hair, for broken or damaged hair, etc.

-Always consult with your Salon Professional when you have identified a mask to try or ask for their recommendation.

Tip of the Week – Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Hair and Scalp

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Are you wondering what the buzz is about apple cider vinegar and if it’s good for your hair? Here’s what I recommend: ⁠

  • Apple cider vinegar can be used as clarifier to remove residue from products and the environment that build up on the hair and scalp. ⁠
  • Combine one part apple cider vinegar and five parts water. Use as a rinse after shampooing. Check with your stylist before using as those with a sensitive scalp may need to dilute more. (Hint: Apply the mixture with a spray bottle or pour it directly onto your hair. Allow it to sit for around three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Then, condition as normal.) ⁠
  • Apple cider vinegar helps exfoliate scalp skin, which can help with dandruff and reduce dry itchy scalp. ⁠
  • Those with skin disorders, skin abrasions or hypersensitive scalp should avoid apple cider vinegar as it may promote further skin irritation. ⁠
  • Always consult with your stylist before starting a new clarification regimen. ⁠
Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

    Irresistible Valentines Day Makeup Looks That Will Make You Swoon

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    Valentine’s day in quarantine. Now that’s a first! How do you celebrate a holiday built around physical closeness when you have to social distance?! Well, you can start by busting out those brushes and picking a palette. (Those zoom filters are great, but they only go so far.) 

    For many of us, doing our makeup is an act of self-care, nay, self-love. It’s one thing we can control in an otherwise crazy-making mix of unknowns. What you do on the actual day is less about having an exciting date planned and more about feeling excited in your own skin. 

    So, after you’ve picked out your little black dress (or sweat suit set) to layer on over your lingerie (or favorite t-shirt), it’s time to show yourself some love. Follow any one of these Valentine’s Day makeup ideas to tap your inner cupid

    Before You Start Your Valentine’s Day Makeup

    Doing your makeup for Valentine’s Day starts like any other application. You need a clean, fresh face and a basic idea of the steps you should apply your products. 

    Some general makeup tips to keep in mind: 

    1. Start with a clean face. Wash your face and use a gentle toner afterwards. Apply a cotton pad with Miceller water to remove any stubborn, leftover eye or face makeup. 
    2. Always moisturize. You should be moisturizing anytime you wash your face, even if you have oily skin. Otherwise you could disrupt your skin’s natural PH. If you are worried about looking too greasy, opt for a light primer-moisturizer combo. 
    3. Apply primer. If your moisturizer doesn’t have a built-in primer, use one now. 
    4. Conceal and color-correct. You may use light colors like orange or green color correcting makeup to mask pimples and dark under eye circles. Treat with a regular concealer slightly lighter than your skin after. Don’t forget your lids, too!
    5. Finish with foundation. Use a clean makeup sponge or blender to apply all-over foundation. Don’t be afraid to mix multiple shades to match your skin tone! 
    6. Shape and fill your brows. Go dramatic or subdued depending on the rest of your Valentine’s makeup look. 
    7. Do your eye shadow. Add your base color to your lid then work your way out, darkening the crease and highlighting the brow. 
    8. Line your lids. Waiting until after you do your mascara can create clumps. 
    9. Put on mascara. Doing this after the rest of your eye makeup is complete allows the mascara to build on any powder that’s fallen in the process, making your lashes appear thicker. 
    10.  Line and fill your lips. No Valentine’s Day makeup look is complete without a little lip.  Even if you’re going glossy, you can define your lips and make them feel fuller by lining them first. 
    11.  Set it! You worked hard on that look! Use a finishing spray applied in an X and T motion to set it all in place. 

    Valentine Makeup Looks You’ll Love

    Step away from the chocolate box. It’s time for the fun part – selecting your makeup for Valentine’s Day! You can base your look around what you’ve got planned, a cocktail with your gal pals, stay-at-home dinner with your S.O., Zoom date with your Nana (hey – Grandparents need love too!), or do your makeup just for you. Using your face as a blank canvas to get creative for creativity’s sake is a great use of your time! 

    Try out one of these Valentine’s Day YouTube makeup tutorials to get your artistic juices flowing: 

    Valentine’s Date Night

    Got a Valentine’s Date? When in doubt, go glam. 

    Simple Valentine’s Day Makeup

    Because sometimes the best makeup looks like no makeup at all … 

    Purple Passion Valentine’s Makeup

    RiRi knows that pink and red aren’t the only Valentine’s colors du jour. Follow her lead. 

    Vintage Valentine

    Perfect for achieving that classic, easy Valentine’s Day makeup look, even if you don’t FaceTime with your grandmother.  

    Tips For Keeping Makeup Off Your Mask

    Masks are another part of our new normal that can feel very anti-Valentine’s. Still, they don’t have to ruin your look if you make the right preparations. (No one wants to contend with facemask makeup.) 

    Remember the last step in our makeup application? Setting spray is your best friend if you’re trying to navigate makeup with a facemask, so use it liberally where your mask will come into contact with your skin. You could also try a kiss-proof lipstick or lip-stain to keep your pout in place. If you’re going glossy, go clear or apply after it’s safe to remove the mask. 

    Not comfortable removing your mask or think makeup and facemasks simply don’t mix? Play up your peepers and let your Valentine’s eye makeup take center stage! 

    There are as many unique ways to ring in Valentine’s Day as there are types of love in the world. And it all starts with the attention and care you show yourself. Can your V-day makeup make up for missing your galentines or depriving you from a hot night on the town with your sweetie?  Maybe not, but it’s definitely a place to start.

    Gina Rivera

    Gina Rivera

    Beauty Icon and Expert

    Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

      Tip of the Week – How to maintain a bright outlook while at work.

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      With 2021 now underway, it’s important that we embark on the new year with a good attitude.  For many of us, a lot of our time is spent in the workplace meaning our happiness while at work is important. Here’s some of my tips for maintaining a bright outlook while at work:

      1. First and foremost, make sure you are in a career that you enjoy.
      2. Take time for yourself outside of work to ensure you maintain balance.
      3. Remain passionate about your profession by investing your energy into professional development. (Hint: There is a lot of complimentary education available online!)
      4. To avoid burnout, don’t over schedule yourself and take short breaks throughout the day.
      5. Avoid associating with negative people and destructive gossip.
      Gina Rivera

      Gina Rivera

      Beauty Icon and Expert

      Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.