Stay (at home) Spa!

      Ladies, ladies, ladies (and gents)! Summer is over!! Yes the sun may peak out every now and then and we may feel the warmth of the sun rays from time to time, but the morning I got up to 45 degree weather I knew that summer said "bye bye baby bye bye!". Well, along with the 85 degree weather we are starting to trade our sandals, bathing suits and sun dresses for sweaters, socks and boots. Of course fashion must go on, just a change of the seasons... we still intend to look fabulous on the outside, no matter what the temperature is... right?
      Well what about the inside? Or shall I say "what lies beneath..." now that the summer is gone the need for pedicures may not be as frequent or (to some) necessary as it was during the months of April- August. After all the trips to the beach, vacations, parties, and weddings, now it's time to store away cash for the holidays. Who has time to invest in facials, mani's and pedi's with the holidays coming up?
      I have the solution! Instead of going to a day spa for your pampering, have you considered a "stay" spa? Now we know there's nothing like going to a beautiful spa, walking in to sweet aromas of incense, candles lit with the faint sound of waterfalls and calming music in the background with dimly lit lights... then laying on a table where you are rubbed down in some warm smooth concoction... no there's nothing like it. However, if your POCKETS are saying "WAKE UP, you can't afford it right now"- have no fear. You don't have to go the whole fall and winter without a pedicure, and then wait until next spring and someone has to go to work on your feet like Myra from Martin (oh the horror!). Nor do you have to watch your face dry up like a prune due to lack of moisture- the moisture you would have received if you just took some money and squeezed in that facial.
     Stay Spas are very rewarding. You are in the comfort of your own home, pampering yourself for little to no cost. If you look in your refrigerator or pantry, you will find home made natural ingredients that are great for the body- not just for eating, but for other things as well. A mixture of cocoa powder, honey, oatmeal and cream can create a heavenly chocolate facial-which is a great help for dry skin. You can also take olive oil, along with your favorite essential oil (for aroma) and sugar and create a delectable sugar scrub for you hands and feet. Take butter and almond oil, slather your feet then wrap them in saran wrap, and top with booties for extra moisture for the feet. I guarantee you will smell soooo good but DO NOT eat the ingredients. Also, it's important to do a skin test first before applying any household ingredients to your skin, especially your face.
     So I challenge us all to create a stay spa to pamper ourselves. We don't have to wait until the spring hits to chisel away all the dead, rough skin we accumulate during the winter- we can be just as soft and supple all year around, from the comfort of our own home! For more information on stay spa parties,  contact me, feel free to comment, and let me know how your stay spa experience goes!

The Hair Chronicles- Oh So Silky (Therma)Smooth!

So who decides to wear their hair straight during one of the hottest weeks of the summer? (raising hand with excitement) Me! Normally during the fall season, I start itching for a change. The Fall season isn't here yet, but I wanted a change. So, I decided to straighten my hair (yes, in August).

I can say that my straight style lasted a FULL 7 DAYS! I have had NO issues with frizzing due to the temperature and humidity. This is astounding ladies, especially since every day I've had my hair straight the temp has been in the low to mid 90's. I truly believe it is because of the products I used. Therefore, in this blog I will give you the tips I used to achieve my straight look, along with the products I used.

Before I do that, let me first state that I am not an advocate of using the flat iron all the time on natural hair (or any type of hair for that matter). I've seen people hair that has been flat ironed (or pressed) so much their hair literally looks relaxed and at worst, looks like an over processed relaxer. Even to the point where when their hair is wet, it looks stringy. On the flip side I've actually serviced natural clients who get their hair regularly flat ironed but when they wet their hair it curls back into it's natural state with no problem. So flat ironing your hair is one of the versatile ways to style your beautiful, natural tresses. However, just like with anything else, too much of something can be bad for you. So I suggest if you desire to flat iron your hair, do it in moderation with protection. With that being said, let's go into the steps and the products I used.

Mizani Thermasmooth- this product has been tested and tried on different textures and has proven to be a great product. Mizani products are made for ALL HAIR TYPES. I've watched this product used on wavy hair, and I have used it on extremely curly hair. The great thing about this product is it can be used on relaxed, color treated, transition and natural hair. So for my relaxed sisters, when you're in need of a touch up before your 6-8 week appointment and want your hair silky straight, Mizani Thermasmooth is the product for you. 

First, I used the Thermasmooth Shampoo. This conditioning shampoo has coconut oil which moisturizes and nourishes the hair. Next, I moved on to the Thermasmooth Conditioner. This is an extremely thick, creamy conditioner that softens the hair and smooths the cuticle for maximum manageability prior to thermal styling. The instructions stated to leave on the hair for 3-5 minutes, but I left the conditioner in for about 10 minutes (without a plastic cap). The next step is the Thermasmooth Smooth Guard. This is a lightweight, leave-in thermal protecting serum, and helps against heat styling damage. Apply a small amount to each section before blow drying or roller setting. Be careful not to add too much- a little goes a long way. You want your hair to have bounce and movement and not be weighed down with product. After I blew my hair out, I used the Thermasmooth Shine Extend. This spray polishes the hair while straightening, and guards against humidity. Hold bottle 8"-10" away from your hair, and spray each section before using your flat iron. Key: the smaller the section partings, the better your results. Parting in 1/4" sections will give you maximum effect. After your done, spray a little bit of the Shine Extend over your hair, since it serves as a finishing spray as well. Style as usual (wrap, pin curls, etc.). Check with your stylist about the Mizani Thermasmooth products, or contact me for more information.

Oh! Want to wear your natural hair pulled back, in an upsweep or to the side? If so, do not use gel. Gel contains water, so one dab will have your hair crawling slowly and painfully back to it's natural state. The best thing to use to smooth out edges and get rid of flyaways is pomade. There are many pomade products out in the market, but I found two to be great. Aveda Brilliant Anti Humectant Pomade ($19.00 aveda.com). This is a great product and serves two purposes: to smooth hair and to guard against humidity. You can also try Tigi Bed Head Pomade ($17.57 target.com). This pomade comes in a stick form for cleaner application.

I look forward to hearing your feedback! Let me know how your journey turns out! If you found this to be helpful, please take the toll and subscribe to my blog for updates on everything beauty! (not just hair). So until we meet again- take care of your hair!