Beauty Blog

Cowlicks! They can be so frustrating! Unfortunately, almost everyone has one in one place or another! A cowlick is a section of hair that stands straight up or hair that grows in a spiral pattern. The most common place for cowlicks is at the crown of the head. On top of the head hair grows to the front, on the back of the head it grows towards the nape and hair grows to the left and right side of the head on the sides of the head. A cowlick's spiral pattern is likely caused because hair gets confused about whether it needs to go forward, backward, or to the side, and some hairs get caught in between creating that characteristic whorl. The hair whorl can be in the center of the head but it can also be located to the left or right side of the head. In the very center of the scalp it will be visible because the hair lies flat. The second most common place is along the front hairline. Here the whorl of hair growth is generally less pronounced, so hair seems to stand straight up. (Fun Fact: In people who are right handed, at least 90% of cowlicks have a clockwise rotation while about 10% go in a counterclockwise direction. Left-handed people generally have a counter-clockwise rotation.) Depending on how resistant your hair type is and how stubborn your cowlick choses to be, we've listed our favorite ways to conquer the cowlick! If one doesn't work for you, try another or a combination of a few "” something is bound to work, we promise! Blow Dry Away from the Cowlick Pattern: You've probably already tried to train your re-train hair while blow drying, but when it comes to cowlicks, technique is key. Drying cowlicks should be done IMMEDIATELY after you wash your hair. Letting the hair dry naturally, even just slightly, before blow drying allows the cowlick to start to "take it's form." Eliminate this by blow drying at least that section while your hair is still sopping wet. Use a firm grip brush and work this section back and forth, mostly away from the growth or "grain" and be sure to follow this up with a cool shot button. Use a Root Lifter: Root lifters are the perfect hair styling product for anyone who suffers from cowlicks. We recommend a mousse-based root lifter that sprays directly onto the root area. This can be used by itself to tame less stubborn cowlicks or in combination with blow drying for the extra stubborn growth patterns! Cure Hair with a Keratin Treatment: If you have had enough of your battle, try getting a smoothing treatment applied to just that area, or your whole head if you want to make your styling process really easy! Using a smoothing treatment will seal the hair in place for 4-6 weeks at a time, or until you have new growth. This is definitely worth it "” especially in the humid months of summer! Not to mention, if you stick to applying the treatment just to your problem area, it won't be costly at all! Tease to Prevent Separation: This is obviously a more temporary solution, but it's the perfect way to cover cowlicks on the back of the head or directly on the part. Not only will it help to blend in any unsightly parts, but it will give you a crazy boost in volume. Not a bad side effect if you ask me! When All Else Fails, Embrace it! If your cowlick is too stubborn to respond to these ideas, it might be time to switch up your style to one that works more naturally with your cowlick. If your cowlick is on your hairline or part, find a style that will move with your cowlick and start to train the rest of your hair to move that way. After all, cowlicks are the hardest hair to "retrain," so starting fresh with the rest of your hair might be a lot easier!

Have you ever tried a hair powder ? Hair powder is a potent problem solver when hair is limp or does not have enough grip for up-dos, twirls or braids. As a welcome side-effect volumizing powder also freshens up oily hair between shampoos. The ultra-light and fine powder is suitable for any hair type and length, and it may just be your hair problem solution! Volume: The main role of powder is to add fullness and bounce to thin or limp hair. Simply apply it where more volume is needed. Micro-particles fluff up hair for added volume without teasing and blow-drying. There is no faster way to turn limp, lifeless hair into a full head of impressively bouncy hair. Structure and Shape: Powder adds definition to your hairstyle. Hairstyles from bobs to up-dos look fuller and therefore also shapelier. Hold: Hairstyles hold their shapes better and longer thanks to the powers of the powder. Hair accessories, slides, and pins also stay in place longer because your get a better grip. Manageability: The hair's manageability determines how well you can create the desired hairstyles. Hair can be styled much easier using powder. Especially twirled and braided hair elements are easier to manage with the volumizing micro-particles in your hair. Freshness: Hair powder also absorbs oil and therefore counteracts the bedraggled look of oily hair. Your hair will look fresher in seconds. Matte Finish: You may also like to use volumizing powder to create a matte finish for undone looks. The powder works well for the cool out-of-bed look for men and undone bobs for women. How to apply hair powder:. Apply powder where it is needed either near the hair roots or around the hair ends. Simply sprinkle a small amount of powder on the desired portion of your hair and use your fingers to distribute the powder thoroughly. Alternatively, you may like to distribute the powder in the palms of your hands or on your fingers and work it through the targeted part of your hair. The powder does not need to be brushed out of the hair.

Each curl has its own internal structure, which controls the shape and flow of your hair. Ouidad identified the four different curl types: Loose, Classic, Tight, and Kinky - and developed a signature line of products that complement each type. Because every curl needs the regimen that treats it right. Ouidad knows your curl inside and out, ensuring that your hair - with its unique curl pattern and distinctive style - stays hydrated, healthy, and happy. Their formulas use the most sophisticated ingredients. They combine decades of experience with the latest in scientific breakthroughs. They use only the deepest moisturizers and most nourishing botanicals to strengthen every strand. Over time, you'll see that your curly hair doesn't just look better - it will also be softer, stronger, and healthier. Quidad doesn't just add moisture and repair, their product formulas let you select the right product for your type of curls. They make low-lather products, cleansing conditioners, and styling products to give your curls the bounce and hold they need to look fabulous all day long. Quidad doesn't forget the kids either. Each of their "Kurly Kids" products is tough on tangles, but extremely gentle on their delicate curls.

Sebastian Hair Care was started in 1972 by LA Stylists Geri Cusenza and John Sebastian. They wanted to a generation from flower power to fearless hair fashion . Sebastian's innovative products simplify and put self-expression in your hands. With each passing decade, they have introduced a new lineup of product icons that test the limits of hair creation. Cellophanes was the first hair color that came with choice. Shaper was the world's first any-which-way spray. Potion 9 created the canvas for limitless style, and Eruptek injected hair with expansive clouds of texture. Their newest line, Seb Man, is hair care, styling, and grooming products for men " who refused to be categorized . In addition to shampoos and conditioners that strengthen hair and build a foundation. Sebastian electrifies and defines with its creative styling products. Their motto: Form it, Flaunt it or Let it Flow! Whether you want to look Done yet Undone, Grungy but Gorgeous or Perfectly Imperfect, their 30-second effortless routine is made for you! First, wash your hair with Reset Shampoo, then use Preset Conditioner. Finally, apply ShaperID hairspray for your perfect millennial effortless look. Dark Oil products contain a special blend of oils that smooth and add body to your hair. Your hair will be shinier and have a very silky feel. If it is curly hair, then Twisted are your products. Dedicated solely to curly hair, red seaweed extract infuses curls with elasticity, while Panthenol and Glycerin add moisture, definition, and bounce. When it comes to daily care, Sebastian delivers too, with formulas to moisturize (Drench), repair & restore (Penetraitt), add volume (Volupt) plus a daily care formula for fine hair (Light) and to create texture (Effortless). You'll find just what your hair needs and your style wants with Sebastian.

Regular hair oil treatment may bring numerous benefits. The effect of strong and nourished hair is visible after the very first application of the oil. Your hair becomes softer, smoother and nice to the touch. Replenishing vitamins and fatty acids will regenerate your strands. Hair oils deliver resilience and shine. However, every good quality hair conditioner can provide such effects but hair oils offer even more valuable properties. A well-chosen hair oil: eliminates dandruff, baldness and greyness, prevents brittleness and excessive hair loss and closes raised cuticles in high porosity hair. The best oils for damaged (high porosity) hair must contain lots of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are non-penetrating oils which have large particles. They cover weak hair with a protective coat and seal highly raised cuticles. Products with oils for high porosity hair will work best as an enhancing and rebuilding treatment. CAN ANY OIL BE APPLIED ON HAIR? Sadly, it cannot. Only natural, cold-pressed and unrefined oils are suitable for hair oiling. The oil should also match the condition of your hair and your hair porosity (condition of your hair cuticles). Essential oils and oils used in cooking are unsuitable for hair oiling. HOW LONG SHOULD I KEEP OIL ON MY HAIR? The general rule says: the longer, the better. In this way, it has more time to penetrate inside your hair and repair it. At first, you can leave it in for an hour and observe the strands after each treatment. If your hair isn't very damaged, the oil may "lie" on your hair less time. SHOULD THE OIL BE APPLIED TO HAIR ONLY OR TO THE SCALP AS WELL? It depends on method that we use for hair oiling. If we plan to wash hair after oiling "“ it is strongly recommended to apply the oil to scalp as well. The oil will penetrate inside the skin and bulbs where it will repair and enhance the hair from the roots. During daily hair care, you may apply it only to hair ends or from the mid-length "“ no need to rinse it. This method immediately conditions your hair, increases its shine and protects the strands throughout the day. WHAT AMOUNT OF OIL DO I HAVE TO APPLY TO HAIR? It all depends on the length of your hair. Keep in mind that the oil cannot drip off your head. The optimal dose for oiling hair and scalp is 5 ml "“ one teaspoon. If you want to apply the oil to hair only (in your every-day hair care), excluding the scalp, you can spread 2-3 drops on dry strands. WHEN WILL I SEE FIRST EFFECTS? It all depends on the condition of your hair. The more damaged your hair is, the more time you need to repair it. Bear in mind that oils work mainly inside the hair. Be sure that the oil started working even if you cannot see spectacular effects right away. Remember that regularity and a bit of patience is crucial in hair oiling. WHICH SHAMPOO IS THE BEST TO WASH THE OIL DOWN? Oils are natural products. Strong detergents and comedogenic substances abounding in parabens may disturb the action of oils and the effects of hair oiling. That is why, a delicate shampoo (free from SLS) is the best choice.

Do you have tiny bumps along your hairline, the upper part of your forehead, shoulders or upper back? The culprit may be your hair care products. This is so common, dermatologist have a name for it "” acne cosmetica . This literally means acne caused by products we apply to our skin or hair. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, hair is one of the main causes of adult acne, so the connection is a lot more important than you might realize. Many hair products are oil based, which may trigger acne in those who are already prone, but ingredients such as petroleum, silicone, cocoa butter, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and lanolin can also trigger acne, especially if left on the skin. Many hairsprays are also alcohol-based and can trigger breakouts if accidentally sprayed onto nearby skin. The bumps can be so subtle that you can feel but not see them. Some people develop numerous, closely packed bumps that they can see. Why does this happen? When hair care products contain oil, the oil can find its way to your skin. Once this happens, the oil can clog your pores. Clogged pores can lead to acne. When hair care products are the culprit, you'll likely get whiteheads and tiny flesh-colored bumps called "papules." These can appear along your hairline, forehead, or the back of your neck. If one of your hair products is causing this problem, the acne will clear in about six weeks when you stop using the product(s). Sometimes, it's easy to figure out what product(s) is causing the breakouts. If you're using a hair styling product that contains a lot of oil, such as a pomade, that's likely the culprit. The cause could also be something less obvious, as oils in shampoos & conditioners. Wait! Wait! I love my hair care brand! Do I have to stop using it? The answer is no! Many of those acne-causing ingredients are actually wonderful for hair care, and help condition and smooth dry or damaged hair follicles, so the point is to try to use them in a way that doesn't cause collateral damage to your skin. If the hair product is being used in the shower, the most important thing is to make sure that no residue of the product is left on your skin. Make sure you thoroughly rinse your hairline and face, and using your body wash as the last step in your routine to make sure any residual product is getting washed off. Even better, use a body wash with ingredients like salicylic acid that are targeted at removing oil. Hair product oils can also transfer to your skin via pillows, your hands, when you sweat (so it's a good idea to pull hair back from the face when exercising. Also, try shielding your face when you spray on any hair product. If you normally shower in the morning, try showering at night...no telling where your hair goes while you sleep! If you do need to change your shampoo, look for one that is silicone and sulfate free and mostly make made from organic ingredients which usually have ingredients that contain anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.. Try anything labeled non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog pores).

Hynt Beauty is vegan and natural make-up. Owner, Meryl Marshall, shares her story and the story of Hynt Beauty with Jennifer Coy, CEO of Beauty Care Choices, and her daughter Jane. Hynt Beauty products are perfect for creating a natural, clean make-up routine. The concealer is waterless, making it bacteria free. It's so easy to apply anywhere that needs a little coverage. It is not to matte or too shiny; looks like natural skin. All Hynt products use certified organic ingredients and are use ingredients rich in antioxidants and energizing vitamin and peptides. You will love them all.

Your bathroom is the most likely place that you keep the majority of your skin care products. It's logical. So, why shouldn't you keep your products in your hot, steamy bathroom? Unfortunately, this isn't the optimal place to keep them for a variety of reasons. Think about all that goes on in your bathroom, even the cleanest still has bacteria. The steam from your shower actually makes it worse, making your bathroom an oasis for this bacteria to multiply and grow"¦probably not what you want all over your face. Where should your skin care products be stored? The Refrigerator! Vitamin C and retinoids are heat and light sensitive, meaning they break down and oxidize faster if stored in places with lots of light or heat. This is why most vitamin C and retinoid serums are packaged into dark bottles. To ensure longer product life, these should definitely be stored in the fridge. It won't just make them last longer, but it'll keep them effective for longer, and without a weird smell. Anything that has live-active cultures should definitely go in the fridge. And, if you bought it in a store, it probably was already stored in a fridge (this is a good indication, that's where it should stay). Skin care that is probiotic or with "live cultures," have bacteria living in them"”helpful bacteria, not steamy bathroom bacteria. To keep this "good" bacteria healthy, you need to keep it in its optimal ecosystem. Hence, the fridge. Similarly, anything with 100% natural ingredients or natural or organic ingredients as the first ingredient should probably be kept in the fridge. Chances are, if you bought this product, it will still have some preservatives, but likely less and therefore a shorter shelf life. So it's better to keep this in the fridge to help it last as long as you can. Water based toners, mists, and sheet masks don't have to be stored in the fridge, but if you're keeping your other skin care in there, then why not. The cooling effect of these products can feel great on the skin. It can also help with de-puffing and soothing irritation. Not just skin care needs to go into the fridge. Nail polishes are better stored in the fridge because they are more likely to separate if they're stored out in the open. Perfumes can lose or change smell if they're left out in the open, due to molecule break down. And lipsticks will straight up melt if they're left out in the heat. Ever left a lipstick in a car on a summer day? Yup, you know what we're talking about. If you're storing products in the fridge, make sure that they're sealed properly and if possible, keep them away from food. The last thing you want is that refrigerator smell getting into your products. You also want to make sure you're protecting your products from excess moisture. If you're not going out and buying a cosmetics fridge just for your skin care (cosmetic fridges are better at regulating temperature since they're small, and have no food), consider keeping your skin care in sealed plastic bags. Which products should be stored at room temperature? Cooler doesn't always mean better in skin care. Oil-based products like serums can become cloudy when they're stored in the fridge. They can also cause the oil and water ingredients in the product to separate, rendering them useless. Also probably better to keep your clay masks out of the fridge, unless you want to start digging through them with a baby shovel. What else should you watch out for? No product should be stored in direct sunlight. And it's always better to keep them in cool dry places. Not only that, you also probably don't want extreme heat or cold for any of your products (not all fridges are created equal). You definitely don't want to be putting your products in the freezer, and likewise, they shouldn't be sitting right next to your heater in the dead of winter. This can cause active ingredients to break down. When in doubt, most products are tested by cosmetic manufacturers according to specific climate regulations by the World Health Organization and so products bought locally should last well enough at room temperature. Heat rises, so if you do insist on keeping your skin care in your bathroom, a low drawer or under your sink (if it's dry down there), is better than on the top shelf of your cabinet where more heat will get to. The Bottom Line. We're not advocating going out right now and buying a cosmetics fridge (though it's not the worst idea - most cost less than $50). But when you're paying hard earned dollars for your skin care, you want it to last as long as possible.

If your home has hard water, which 85% of American homes do, then you also find yourself thinking, my shampoo isn't working like it used to! It is doing the same work, it's just your hair has a problem. Hard water contains dissolved minerals, usually carbonates of the metal ions calcium and magnesium. Calcium sulfate and iron deposits are also not unusual. Hard metal ions found in water are positively charged. Hair is negatively charged. Positive and negative charges are attracted to one another. The result is hard water's metal ions will attach themselves to the most negatively charged areas of the hair, which happens to be the damaged areas. Hard water can damage hair by leaving a mineral buildup on the scalp and hair that can cause dryness, brittleness, and dullness. It can also make hair more difficult to manage and style and can interfere with the effectiveness of hair products. Signs of hard water damage include: Dry, damaged hair. Breakage. Dull hair. Tangled hair. Altered hair color. Tacky feeling on hair and scalp Use a Chelating or Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying Shampoos are designed to remove mineral buildup from hard water, as well as help manage other problems. Clarifying shampoos often contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be harsh on hair and cause dyes to fade. You should only use clarifying shampoos once a week or as needed. Chelating shampoos contain chelating agents that bind to minerals and impurities in your hair and scalp. When you rinse out the shampoo, the trapped toxins go down the drain. The ingredient EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) is what does the work in chelating shampoos. EDTA is a colorless solid that dissolves limescale and ions and binds to metals and minerals like chromium, iron, lead, and zinc. Removing the hard water build-up each week with a chelating shampoo or Clarifying shampoo will not only make your regular shampoo better able to do its job, but it will also improve the performance of your conditioner and hair masks. In fact, you may be happily surprised if you use that detoxifying shampoo first and then apply your intensive hair mask! .

Methylisothiazolinone is a synthetic chemical used for controlling microbial growth in water-containing solutions. Any product that contains water is particularly susceptible to being spoiled by microbial growth, causing problems such as discoloration, unpleasant odors or breakdown. Under certain conditions, microorganisms can even grow to potentially harmful levels. Preservatives are designed to help prevent these problems. Methylisothiazolinone is only one of a very limited number of broad spectrum preservatives - meaning it is effective against a variety of bacteria, yeasts and molds. Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone were very common preservatives found in many liquid personal care and leave-in products throughout the 1980's and 90's - Shampoo, conditioner, hair color, body wash, lotion, sunscreen, mascara, shaving cream, baby lotion, baby shampoo, hairspray, makeup remover, liquid soaps and detergents. However, due to concerns about potentially increasing rates of skin sensitivity to MI, many cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers have begun removing it, especially from leave-on products such as lotions and wipes. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), methylchloroisothiazolinone is a standardized chemical allergen. It has been banned in leave-on products in Europe since 2016. If you read a label these ingredients may appear as Methylisothiazolinone (MIT): 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one, Neolone 950 preservative, MI, OriStar MIT and Microcare MT. Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT): 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and MCI. All of these have one thing in common - they can cause an allergic reaction.