Beauty Blog

Whether you were born with blonde hair or you've decided to lighten up your look at the salon, blonde locks require a pretty specific maintenance routine. From keeping the color from turning brassy, making sure your ends don't get dried out and protecting your hair from UV rays, there are some very important things to take into consideration when you're a blonde or planning to go blonde. Even blonde highlights need extra care. Use a UV protective spray. Especially in the summer but also year round, make sure you're guarding your hair against harmful UV rays that can change the color and dry out strands. . Get purple shampoo. Strange as it may sound, purple shampoo keeps your hair color from turning brassy, which can happen with other shampoos that aren't specifically formulated for blonde hair. . Deep condition often. If you've bleached your hair to be a blonde, you've already stripped it of some color and moisture. To avoid looking like you've got straw for hair, use a deep conditioning treatment, and use it often. . Find a dry shampoo that works for you, and make sure it's for blonde hair (not brunette). Refreshing your hair without shampooing will help keep the color vibrant for longer. . Before going into a pool, use bottled water to get your hair wet. If your hair is already soaking wet when you go into a pool, it won't soak up the chlorine in the water, which is what can turn blonde hair green. . Use hair oil for fine hair (which is also great for light hair). Just from the mid-lengths to the ends, a serum for light hair will help to keep your strands moisturized. . Make sure your water supply doesn't have any copper, which can turn your hair green. Combat this with an acidic hair rinse (like an aspirin dissolved in water). . Instead of a towel, use a t-shirt to dry your hair after the shower. Friction with a towel can cause frizz and unnecessary dryness, but the soft cotton of a t-shirt will keep natural moisture in your hair.

Normal hair sheds about 100,000 hairs in four years or about 500 a week. When shedding rate is faster than replacement rate it results in thinner hair. Faster shedding during spring and autumn is normal for up to six weeks. For anyone to notice hair loss, you would have to lose about 15% of your hair. Never stop taking your medication because of hair loss or avoid taking it because you are concerned about hair loss. Discuss the problem with your doctor. There are, however, some steps you can take to help your body resist hair loss when using medication. MEDICATIONS Aspirin can lower hemoglobin levels which results in a mild anemia. Iron is essential for hair growth and a deficiency may cause thinning or shedding hair. Your doctor may suggest iron supplements. You should include more iron rich foods, such as spinach or lean red meat, in your diet. . Thyroid drugs can result in hair loss or hair being brittle, dry and dull. When you have a hyperactive thyroid, the reproduction of hair follicle cells speeds up and hair falls out faster than they can be replaced. If you have hypothyroid, hair does not grow back as quickly leaving thinning patches. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication. You need to be sure to discuss the problem with the doctor when you first notice the problem. You can also use shampoos, conditioners and other hair products that work to add volume and luster to your hair. . Hormone Replacement Therapy drugs and Contraceptive Drugs are androgenic, meaning they contain male hormones. This can lessen hair growth. Natural microscopic shrinking of hair follicles occurs naturally as we age. This results in smaller hair. You and your doctor can decide if a drug that is anti-androgen would be an effective right choice for you. . Cholesterol inhibitors may be the thinning hair culprit in about 1% of cases. It's the same for anti-depressants. If taken regularly for over three months, anti-inflammatory painkillers can also cause hair thinning in about 3% of cases. Again, discuss it with you doctor. Do not stop the medication. . Psoriasis Drugs may slow down the product of new skin cells but may have the side effect of changing the hair color or making it curly. The reasons are unclear, but it is thought the drugs interfere with the structure of the hair's root. Hair returns to its normal state when treatment ended. . Acne medications containing retinoid, which is derived from vitamin A, may cause hair loss. Vitamin A protects hair follicles, but too much may temporarily shut down the follicle. They affect the cells that produce keratin so can cause changes in density, appearance and color. In all cases these changes were temporary and hair returned to normal within a few months once treatment ended. . Antibiotics reduce hemoglobin and can lower vitamin B levels that make hair fall out faster. You can take a vitamin B supplement while you are on the antibiotics. Remember, the illness you're being treated for may also be the culprit so discuss it with your doctor. VITAMINS Vitamin A is essential for healthy hair. However, taking more than 10,000 IU's a day can make your hair fall out as it increases cell reproduction in hair follicles. This means they reach the end of their growth phase faster. You should lower your dosage. . Vitamin C can be over-used. Many people take large doses of vitamin C, especially when fighting a cold. Although the body may flush out excess Vitamin C, there are side effects. Vitamin C affects skin cell reproduction and increases the levels of pityrosporon ovale yeasts which cause flaky, inflamed scalps. You need to reduce your dosage. . Vitamin E used to excess can lower the absorption of iron in the body. Brittle, thinning hair results when your body does not have enough iron. Taking both vitamin E and iron counteract. If you are taking both, take one in the morning and the other in the evening. HAIR CARE Using a shampoo, conditioner and styling products designed for fine or thinning hair will help keep your hair at its possible best while taking a medication that is causing hair problems.

Want Vegan! Beauty Care Choices has it! If you are considering this option, or even if you have switched to vegan, the chart below will help you understand ingredients and give you alternatives to look for in your beauty products. There are many great hair and skin care vegan products that perform and you will love, including Pureology, Surface, Pravana Nevo, and Hempz. TIP: Want Softer, Smoother skin? Every cell in your body needs water to stay healthy, and your skin cells are no different. A diet rich in plant-based foods will more than supply your daily need for water, ensuring all of your cells are happy and healthy. As your cells become engorged with water, they help to tone your skin and keep it looking smooth and wrinkle-free. In addition, the various elements and minerals contained in various fruits and vegetables, like vitamin B in kale or vitamin C in oranges will help to keep your skin smooth and radiant. Alternative Ingredients Chart Ingredient What it is Vegan Alternatives Amino Acids The building block of protein in all animals and plants. Oil Oil, Wheat Germ Oil. Coconut Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Almond Oil, Safflower Oil. Arachidonic Acid A liquid unsaturated fatty acid that is found in liver, brain, glands, and fat of animals and humans. Generally isolated from animal liver. Used in creams to soothe eczema and rashes. synthetics, aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula ointment. Carotene (Provitamin A) Beta Carotine A pigment found in many animal tissues and in all plants.  Used as a coloring in cosmetics and in the manufacture of vitamin A. This is generally derived from plant products. Cetyl Alcohol Wax originally found in spermaceti from sperm whales or dolphins but now most often derived from petroleum vegetable cetyl alcohol (e.g., coconut), synthetic spermaceti Collagen Fibrous protein in vertebrates. Usually derived from animal tissue. Can't affect the skin's own collagen. An allergen. Alternatives: soy protein, almond oil, amla oil Cysteine, L-Form. An amino acid from hair that can come from animals. Used in hair-care products and creams. plant sources. Fatty Acids Can be one or any mixture of liquid and solid acids such as caprylic, lauric, myristic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic. Used in bubble baths, lipsticks, soap, detergents, cosmetics, food. vegetable-derived acids, soy lecithin, safflower oil, bitter almond oil, sunflower oil, etc. Fish Scales Used in shimmery makeup mica, rayon, synthetic pearl. Glycerin. Glycerol. A byproduct of soap manufacture (normally uses animal fat). In cosmetics, foods, mouthwashes, chewing gum, toothpastes, soaps, ointments, medicines, lubricants, transmission and brake fluid, and plastics. Derivatives: Glycerides, Glyceryls, Glycreth-26, Polyglycerol vegetable glycerin (a byproduct of vegetable oil soap), derivatives of seaweed, petroleum. Hyaluronic Acid. When animal-derived, a protein found in umbilical cords and the fluids around the joints. Used in cosmetics synthetic hyaluronic acid, plant oils. Keratin. Protein from the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair of various animals. In hair rinses, shampoos, permanent wave solutions almond oil, soy protein, amla oil (from the fruit of an Indian tree), human hair from salons. Rosemary and nettle give body and strand strength to hair. Lactic Acid Typically derived from plants such as beets. When animal-derived, found in blood and muscle tissue. plant milk sugars, synthetics. Lanolin. Lanolin Acids. Wool Fat. Wool Wax. A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool. Used as an emollient in many skin-care products and cosmetics .) Derivatives: Aliphatic Alcohols, Cholesterin, Isopropyl Lanolate, Laneth, Lanogene, Lanolin Alcohols, Lanosterols, Sterols, Triterpene Alcohols plant and vegetable oils. Lipoids. Lipids. Fat and fat-like substances that are found in animals and plants vegetable oils. Milk Protein Hydrolyzed milk protein. From the milk of cows. In cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, soy protein, other plant proteins Myristic Acid. Organic acid typically derived from nut oils but occasionally of animal origin. Used in shampoos, creams, cosmetics.Derivatives: Isopropyl Myristate, Myristal Ether Sulfate, Myristyls, Oleyl Myristate. nut butters, oil of lovage, coconut oil, extract from seed kernels of nutmeg Oleic Acid. Obtained from various animal and vegetable fats and oils. Usually obtained commercially from inedible tallow. (See Tallow.) In foods, soft soap, bar soap, permanent wave solutions, creams, nail polish, lipsticks, many other skin preparations. Derivatives: Oleyl Oleate, Oleyl Stearate. coconut oil. Palmitic Acid. A fatty acid most commonly derived from palm oil but may be derived from animals as well. In shampoos, shaving soaps, creams. Derivatives: Palmitate, Palmitamine, Palmitamide. vegetable sources Panthenol. Dexpanthenol. Vitamin B-Complex Factor. Provitamin B-5. Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics. In shampoos, supplements, emollientsDerivative: Panthenyl synthetics, plants Polypeptides. From animal protein. Used in cosmetics plant proteins and enzymes. Spermaceti. Cetyl Palmitate. Sperm Oil. Waxy oil originally derived from the sperm whale's head or from dolphins but now most often derived from petroleum. synthetic spermaceti, jojoba oil, and other vegetable emollients. Squalene Oil from shark livers, etc. In cosmetics, moisturizers, hair dyes, surface-active agents. vegetable emollients such as olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil Stearic Acid When animal-derived, a fat from cows, pigs, and sheep and from dogs and cats euthanized in animal shelters, etc. Derivatives: Stearamide, Stearamine, Stearates, Stearic Hydrazide, Stearone, Stearoxytrimethylsilane, Stearoyl Lactylic Acid, Stearyl Betaine, Stearyl Imidazoline. Stearic acid can be found in many vegetable fats, coconut, cocoa butter and shea butter Stearyl Alcohol. Sterols A mixture of solid alcohols. Can be prepared from sperm whale oil.Derivates: Stearamine Oxide, Stearyl Acetate, Stearyl Caprylate, Stearyl Citrate, Stearyldimethyl Amine, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Stearyl Octanoate, Stearyl Stearate plant sources, vegetable stearic acid. Urea. Carbamide Typically synthetic. When extracted from animals, it is excreted from urine and other bodily fluids. synthetics.

Beauty Care Choices CEO is talking to Wella Field Education Business Manager Minerva Mitoma to hear all of the amazing facts about using Wella's haircare products. Watch as Minerva demonstrates EIMI products to style you hair, to add volume and hold, to give your hair a healthy boost to build a foundation. Minerva is encouraging you to follow along with her at home as she curls her hair while providing some great tips on taking care of your hair and quick hacks to make styling easier. Jennifer will be diving in on the many different product found in the Wella lineup and hunting down which hair type will fit best with which system. From Invigo to Color Motion+ and EIMI to Oil Reflections.

Beauty Care Choices CEO Jennifer Coy is joined by Moroccanoil Guest Artist Liza Espinoza. Liza provides us with some of the amazing hairstyling tips and tricks she uses in her salon chair everyday. Become your own hair artist every morning with this haircare class. Learn about Moroccanoil hair products and how they take argan oil to the next level in hair care in each and every product sold. Beginning with the Original Treatment all the way to their newest innovations in hair care the Volumizing Mist and All In One Conditioner. Product knowledge is so important and we are providing the inside scoop on the products you already love. Looking to try something new? Watch as Lisa shows off the Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask. These masks are highly pigmented for gorgeous colored hair that will shine and sparkle after just one use.

Beauty Care Choices CEO Jennifer Coy is meeting with Enjoy Professional Haircare Presidents and Co-Founder Patrick Dockry. The passion behind Enjoy Professional Haircare is a huge drive behind this amazing brand. The products are formulated to work at the salon standard while still keeping your health and wellness in mind. The Enjoy Holistic Line is formulated to be hypoallergenic and free from anything that could possibly cause a reaction on the skin. All Enjoy products are Gluten free, paraben free, sulfate free, soy free and no artificial colors.

Amy Mallen, Jane Iredale's educator shares how Jane Iredale Cosmetics and skincare products and supplements take good care of your skin with Jennifer Coy, Beauty Care Choices CEO. Learn tips to the "five-minute face". Amy demonstrates for all of us. Jane Iredale is the "Skin Care Make-up". Included is only high performance, clean beauty. What's not in the ingredient list is gluten, parabens, soy or fragrance. It's vegan only, clean before it was cool! Tune in at these key times to learn about each product individually! 20:00 All about Jane Supplements . 26:00 Beauty Prep! All about Janes Beauty Prep line and how to use them! . 40:41 The start of your perfect 5-minute face . 41:07 Pure & Simple Makeup Kit . 44:41 GreatShape Eyebrow Kit . 47:25 PureBrow Gel . 48:59 Pure Basics Eye Shadow Kit . 52:00 All about Jane Iredales Mascaras . 56:13 Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sun Screen Stick .

What is a Facial Toner? A facial toner is a water-like product that delivers a quick boost of hydration to your skin, helps to remove dead skin cells, and get rid of impurities off the surface of your skin. Back in the day, they used to make facial toners with high concentrations of alcohol, which caused the skin to dry up, but nowadays toners are formulated with astringent properties and some are even alcohol-free to make it suitable for many different skin types. When Should You Use Facial Toner? You should always use a facial toner after cleansing. You can do it once a day after you cleanse and exfoliate the skin. Applying it after you exfoliate allows the skin to be clear from any dirt, grime, and make-up to allow the skin-benefiting ingredients to set into the skin. How Should You Apply It? You can do this one of three ways. You can gently spritz some in your hands and pat down on your face. You can spray some on a cotton pad and swipe on your face. You can even just directly spritz a mist of it on your face. How Do I Find the Right Facial Toner for my Skin Type? For those with large pores, try using a facial toner formulated with glycolic acid. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells that accumulate around the pores making the pores look bigger than what they really are. . For those with dull skin, try using a facial toner with natural exfoliants like lactic acid or papaya extracts. These ingredients work great in brightening the skin for a natural glow and shine. Avoid facial toners with any alcohol as this will dry the skin and dull it out even more. . For those with sensitive skin, try using a facial toner enriched with skin-calming botanicals. These calming botanicals relieve the skin and deeply hydrate it for an all day glow. . For those with oily skin/acne-prone, try using a salicylic acid-based toner. This ingredient helps to remove excess oil without stripping your skin of essential moisture.

There's nothing quite like a great haircut. That feeling when you can't stop catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror or running your hands through your new layers is priceless. Unfortunately, a bad hairstyle can cut through all that confidence and leave you looking older than you are. The good news is that it's pretty easy to update your look without a lot of time or money. Cat Lady Long. All women can rock long hair to a point. That being said, crazy long hair will always age you. Too long always ages a woman. Once your hair has passed your ribs, it's officially making you look older. If you love the long look, go for it! Just make sure your haircut doesn't go shorter in the front and longer in the back. In general, shorter in the front, longer in the back (unless you're going for a rocker mullet) tends to look dated. Keep everything pretty square or a bit longer in the front for shorter hairstyles. You can still have long hair, just add some layers that softly frame the face. The Wrong Length. If hair is thinning, going shorter is an option. If you've had long hair your entire life, it might be time to update to a lob. Whatever you do, make sure your haircut has layers and depth. The classic hairstyle that makes a woman look older and dowdy is the cut where everything is the same length all over, a few inches long. Then set with a small curling iron all over. Not cute or modern. The Same Style for a Decade (or longer). It's important to evolve"”everything usually comes back around, but with a modern twist. The Wrong Color. Going too dark can add years to your look. Your hair color should complement your skin tone. If you have fair skin, then jet black isn't the best choice, and it's always a good idea to have more than one color to add depth and dimension. No matter your hair color, if you go up a shade or two, then it'll give the appearance of looking more youthful, but the placement of highlights is key. Have your hairstylist frame your face to brighten your complexion. Stick with softer colors, like golden blondes and gorgeous reds. The darker colors can be too severe and instantly add years to your face. In addition to making you look older, dark colors show gray or white roots much faster than a more subtle color. By blending the color with highlights or a demi-permanent color, the color with grow out much better than a solid line and achieving a more natural look. A soft, face-framing style would take years off! Too Much Volume. While a little volume can be beautiful, going overboard will only age you. Because our hair tends to thin as we age, many of us worry about it looking too flat. Talk to your stylist about a great volumizing shampoo or flattering layers. Too often, a mature client thinks she must have height. Teased up hair can make anyone look older. Volume is different and can look modern and elegant. The Wrong Shampoo. Your shampoo affects your hairstyle, and it may be making you look older. Shampoos for "normal hair types" are not the best option as you age. You have to have the right tools and products for gorgeous hair. Grey and aging hair has unique characteristics that require a mask once a week, color protecting shampoo, thermal protectant, and more effort in the fight against frizz. Keep It Healthy. Damaged hair always looks older than it is, leaving you looking older than you are. It's important to keep up your natural sheen by taking good care of your locks. If you're noticing a lot of split ends, then it's time to go to the salon for a cut. Beware of Helmet Head. As we age, our hair thins, so it's tempting to whip out the hairspray and give yourself some serious volume. The problem is that too much hairspray gives you that stiff 80s look, so not youthful. We all want to avoid it, yet this super stiff hairstyle, popularized by news anchors in the 1980s, a stiff hairstyle will always make you look years older. Try using more versatile products that still let the hair move. If you're stuck in a windstorm and your hair doesn't move, then it's time to move away from the hairspray. Avoid Slicked Back Styles. Rock your true hair texture and look without trying to pull it back into tight knots. This only makes you look older. While hair that's loosely pulled back can be very flattering, tightly pulled buns and pony tails tend to put any wrinkles or imperfections front and center. As we age, it's best to work with your hair stylist to find a haircut and style that frames your face and plays up your best features.

Want to add a little pizazz to your hair without a big commitment or expensive maintenance? Temporary or Semi-Permanent Hair Color is your solution! You can just enhance your actual color, create a little peek-a-boo fun, or go wild. Decide what type of formula you need, then-Ready, Set, Go ! Temporary Hair Color:. These products are truly temporary, and are usually sold as color rinses. They're used most often to cover or mask gray hair, or to add a subtle (or even a bold) tone to your natural color. Temporary color sits on the outside of the cuticle and adds color to the surface of the hair. Temporary hair color won't take you from a darker shade to a lighter shade, but it can add some depth and richness to lighter hair. Temporary colors rarely last beyond your next shampoo. It can be found in a variety of products: Rinses which add color to the hair and are styled dry. Color mousses which add subtle color tones. Hair mascara for dramatic effects. Spray on colors for controlled application. Color-tinted shampoos and conditioners to add depth and longevity to colored hair. Semi-Permanent Hair Color:. Semi-permanent color is designed to deposit color onto the hair only and has no lightening effect. The formula includes an activator that develops the color and helps to raise the cuticle of the hair shaft so that the color can be deposited there. Semi-permanent color doesn't penetrate into the cortex of the hair, but it will usually last from six to eight weeks (4-12 shampoos), gradually washing out with each shampoo. Semi-permanent hair color can be used to deposit color over blonde or lightened hair; to blend (but not cover) grey; to refresh faded hair color; to correct hair color that has gone off-tone (turned brassy or ashy, for example) and to blend highlights with base hair color. A clear semi-permanent can also add shine and restore the luster of dull, damaged hair. Semi-permanent color may also be found in shampoos, conditioners, and masks that can be used to maintain the tone of hair between salon visits.