Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Did you know it’s still possible to look great and fashionable even on a limited budget.  Here are some ideas on how you can stretch your “fashion budget”.

Begin by creating a realistic budget for the month.  Realistically, how much do you want to spend on clothes for work, after-work, and upcoming formal events?  How much on shoes?  Do you even need new shoes this month? (Perhaps an absurd question for some of us.) Decide first how much you can afford, taking into consideration your monthly bills.  If you do this on the front end, you won’t have to deal with buyers remorse leaving the checkout counter.

There are online coupons if you are not one to check out the Sunday coupon section of the newspaper.  Coolsavings.com offers coupons on everything from clothes to groceries.  Simply print out the coupons you want and used them just like the “old fashioned” kind.

Sign up for shopithome.com’s “Sale Mail”.  They will email you when brands you’ve chosen have gone on sale in your size and in your are.  It’s just like having a personal shopper.  Also, take advantage of sample sales in your area.  Dailycandy.com regularly lists designer sales in selected cities.

Resist the urge to splurge on the latest trendy bag or those designer shoes you’ve been eyeing.  Trendy designs ofter “inspire” similar version on more affordable labels.  Usually you only use the item for a season anyway.

And, although you have heard this many times, it bears repeating.  Shop off-season.  Just because Capri’s are in for summer and wide-leg trousers could be making a comeback for fall - doesn’t mean you should own them.  Many styles are simply unflattering for most people. If you stick to well-fitting basics you’ll get your money’s worth.

So as you can see, it is possible to look good on a budget!

We’ve talked about the fact that various medications can cause hair loss.  Many prescription drugs can have dramatic effects regarding hair loss, particularly if nothing is done to counteract this side effect.  And sadly, in many cases, people are not told of this side effect on the front end.

Can we be specific with regard to which medications can cause hair loss?  Yes -  we can.  Here is a list of what the drugs would be taken for as well as the name of the drug.

• Acne - Accutane
• Blood - Anticoagulants - Panwarfin, Sofarin, Coumadin, Heparin
• Cholesterol Lowering - Atronids, Lopid
• Convulsion/Epilepsy - Anticonvulsants - Tridore
• Antidepressants - Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, anafranil, Janimine, Tofranil, adapin, sinequan, Surmontil, Pamelor, Ventyl, Elavin, Endep, Norpramin, Pertofane, Vivactil, Asendin, Haldol
• Diet - Amphetamines
• Fungus - Antifungals
• Glaucoma - Timoptic eye drops, Ocudose, XC
• Gout - Allopurinol
• Heart Beta blockers - Tenormin, Lopresser, Corgard, Inderal
• Hormonal Conditions - Birth control pills, Progesterone, Estrogen, Male Androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone, anabolic steriods, Prednisone and other steroids.
• Inflammation - Arthritis drugs, NSAIDS such as Naprosyn, Anaprox, Indocin, Clinoril
• Anti-inflammatory drugs such as  - Methotrexatem, Rheumatrex, Folex
• Parkinson’s Disease - Levadopa
• Thyroid disorders - Most all of the drugs prescribed for this
• Ulcers - Both prescription and OTC, Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid

I would suspect, if you take the time to google it, you may find many more culprits that I have not mentioned.  If you are taking any of these medications and are noticing that your hair is beginning to thin, now you know why.  Perhaps you could consider alternatives to the medications or talk to your doctor about an alternative medication which would not cause hair loss.

Knowledge is power, at least now you know what is contributing to the problem.

If you have read very many of my posts, you know I’m a big fan of the mineral makeup.  I have personally used it for over 5 years.  There are numerous benefits to mineral makeup.  Here are a few.  It gives your skin a great look and feel, stays on all day, is good for sensitive skin and it’s anti-inflammatory with out harmful ingredients.

Like most cosmetic products, mineral makeup has its fans and its critics.  Those of us who love it say that it’s very light, natural and long lasting.  There are some however, who say that it makes the skin dry, irritating and accelerates wrinkles adding years to one’s look.    That said, most consumers are initially drawn to try mineral makeup because of skin health claims.  Specifically that its pure formulations are safer and better for sensitive, even acne or rosacea-prone skin.

The great thing about mineral makeup is that it’s devoid of harsh chemicals and preservatives that stress the skin, clog pores and aggravate acne or skin conditions.  Personally, I moisturize, then wait about 10 minutes before applying the makeup.  I have not had an issue with dry, irritated skin or an acceleration of wrinkles.

The base for mineral makeup, titanium and zinc oxide, are both naturally occurring. There are no dubious ingredients that are typically found in most makeup.  These oxides provide a natural sun protection of SPF 15 and , because zinc has anti-inflammatory properties, it is great for conditions such as acne.  Another redeeming quality, mineral makeup is healing to skin if worn after cosmetic surgery or abrasive facial treatments such as microdermabrasion.

Although mineral makeup was discovered 30 years ago, it’s influence is still changing the cosmetics, fashion and film worlds.  Fantasia sells Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup.  Jane Iredale was a film makeup artist and observed what traditional makeup did to the skin.  This is what drove her to come up with something different which would cover but not be harmful and harsh to the skin but yet give a flawless look and a natural long lasting finish.

Mineral makeup contains ultramarine pigments, mica, titanium dioxide, zinc and iron oxides.  Several mixtures of these dyed stones can be formed into eye shadow or even body powders. As we’ve discussed, mineral makeup provides many kinds of benefits.  A very serious benefit is its all day coverage, you can relax knowing you always look your best.

The ingredients in mineral makeup are pure and healthy and it feels wonderful while helping you look naturally beautiful.  Now that you know all of this, what are you waiting for?  Come into Fantasia and have a make over with Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup.  I think you will be glad you did.

Hair loss symptoms are an important indication to determine which kind of hair loss a person is suffering from and whether the hair loss problem is temporary or permanent.  The cause of hair loss is also an important factor behind the symptoms of hair loss.

One of the most common hair loss symptoms visible in women is the loss of the thickness of their hair.  They are usually found complaining that their hairs are no longer as thick as they once were.  There can be various reasons behind their thinning of hair which include hereditary reasons, age related factors, poor diet, stress, side effects of medications and so on. The first step towards solving your problem of thinning hair is to identify the reason behind it.  Consulting a hair expert will go a long way toward solving your problem.

Other common hair loss symptoms that people notice are the loss of a lot of hair while combing or washing hair.  Or, lots of hairs may be seen on clothes.  There is a certain amount of normal hair loss but if clumps of hair start falling out it is a cause for concern and a person needs to contact a professional as soon as possible.  Both cases of thinning hair or hair loss while combing are usually signs of temporary loss which can be treated if one acts in a timely fashion.

Permanent hair loss symptoms include problems like androgenetic alopecia and scarring  alopecia.  In the case of androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, the initial symptoms of hair loss are the loss of hair at the temples and the top of the head..  This kind of hair loss is generally caused due to genetic reasons and could result in partial baldness or even complete baldness.  Androgenetic alopeica in females is also caused by the same reasons but unlike in men, women rarely face the problem of complete baldness.  Usually for women, its the thinning of the hair at the crown, front and sides of the hairline.  They rarely lose hair at the front hairline.

Another hair loss problem which can cause permanent hair loss is called Cicatricial alopecia.  Symptoms are usually patchy hair loss along with itching,  and scars on some parts of the hair.  In the case of permanent hair loss, there is not much a person can do.  doctors usually advise various types of hair transplants as the only way to solve this problem.  If you are looking for a non-invasive solution to the problem, contact us at Fantasia Salon, we can help you identify a solution that will work for you.

What do you think is the most versatile part of your makeup arsenal?  If you said eyeliner, you would be correct.  With eyeliner you can be dressed casually or for full-on glamour.

There are several forms of eyeliner, go with what you find the simplest to use.  Here are several different looks you can create with eyeliner.

Weekend daytime casual:  Line only your outer eyelid.  Dot the liner on your tip lid, getting as close to your eyelashes as possible.  Use a cotton swab, small makeup brush, the sponge tip or your clean fingertip to blend the dots together so the makeup looks natural and undetectable.

You can line form the inner corner of the eye to where the upper lashes stop, or just the outer half of the eyelid.  If your eyes are wide-set, lining the entire upper lid will make the appear to be closer together.  If your eyes are close-set, line only the outer half of two thirds of the eyelid.  This gives the illusion of wider-set eyes.  This is a good look with no eye shadow and eyelashes merely curled, with no mascara.

Perfect for Work:  This involves little time and effort on your part.  Apply a neutral eye shadow, then line just the very outer corners of your upper and lower lashes, using the dot-on-then-connect method.  Blend together the liner at the corners of your eye, in an angled V shape.  Smudge the eyeliner so a hard line is not visible.

Curl your lashes and apply one coat of brown mascara.  Brown is softer than black and looks professional without looking too ‘done’ for daytime.  This is a particularly effective look for close-set eyes.   Your subtle professional look will be the envy of your co-workers.

Daytime to Evening Eyes:  Line both the upper outer lid and lower outer lid.  You can use a thick or thin line, depending on what you prefer.  Classically, a thicker, softer line is preferred on a larger lid, whereas a thinner, more pronounced line is better for a small lid when lining upper eyelids.

For the lower lid, use the dot method, placing them as close to the lash line as possible.  If you choose to line from the inner lashes all the way to the outer lashes, this is definitely a “made-up” look.  be sure to smudge for a look that emulates thick lower lashes as opposed to a heavily-lined lower lid.

Putting on your shadow all over the lid after the liner will create a wash of color that helps liner blend and highlights your eyes without looking harsh.  Curl eyelashes and apply one coat of black mascara.  Now you are ready for dinner!

Evening Out:  A more intense look, involves lining upper and lower outer lids and lining the inner rim of your lower lid. If you choose to do this, make sure you have clean hands and that the eyeliner you are using is free of any debris that could fall into your eyes.

Apply a light-colored shimmery shadow in the half of your eye, then use a darker shade from the midpoint to the edge and up to the crease.  Next, using a light hand, liner your upper outer lid, using the dot method or using short, quick strokes of tiny lines connected together.  Do the same on the bottom outer lid.  Smudge the line on top and bottom lids.  If you want more intensity, use a second layer of eyeliner or add powder eye shadow in the same color over the eyeliner.

When you use a creamy eyeliner, such as with a pencil, powdered eyeshadow clings to it to give added staying power to your eyeliner.

When lining the inner rim of your eye, use the fingers of the opposite hand to gently pull down your lower lid.  Gently line the inner rim iwth the color of your cohice.  You can line the entire rim, just the outer half or just a small section in the very middle of the lower inner  rim.

There is debate among professional makeup artists about the effect of lining the inner rims of your eyelids.  Some say it makes the eyes appear smaller, while others insist that is a beauty myth with no basis in fact.  Try lining one eye inner rim and not the other, and see what you think.  Always use eye pencils when lining the inner rims of the eyes, not shadows or liquid.  Now your are ready to hit the town!

All these techniques with one product, who would have thought?

An abundance of hair is universally considered alluring in women.  A healthy appearance is advantageous when it comes to finding a partner.  A healthy head of hair is part of a healthy appearance.

Our ancestors sought to procreate with the most healthy possible mate, with a head full of lustrous hair  - or bright eyes and a bushy tail, would have been a fair indication of reproductive viability.  Females with abundant hair tended to be selected as mates and give birth to offspring who went on to develop a similarly healthy appearance.  So,  until the present day hair is still rated by men as a prime factor in sexual attraction.

This is probably why balding in women can have such a catastrophic effect on their self-esteem.  Baldness is more of a social stigma for women than it it for men.  This is why it is rare for a woman to simply accept hair loss and appear in public with her head exposed.  She is far more likely than a man to look for a solution.

These days there are a wealth of products and techniques for the purpose of achieving the desired effect of a healthy head of hair.  For those who lead active lifestyles and are in need of hair replacement, there are wigs that you can sleep and swim in.  Cyberhair is the “invention” that allows this to happen.  Fantasia Salon carries a full inventory of Cyberhair wigs.

If thinning hair is the issue, there are Micro Links which are tied into your own hair and increase the volume by 400%.  Unless you tell them, no one need know they are there.  Again, this allows you to lead an active lifestyle.

Depending on tastes and budget, the solutions are almost limitless.  There are products to disguise the fact that a woman is losing her hair, treatments which inhibit further thinning such as Hair Loss Support, or, nutrients for the hair and scalp.

For the most effective prevention, expert opinion and analysis should be sought at the earliest possible sign of the symptoms of hair loss.  Whatever the ultimate choice of the solution, in today’s modern world a woman’s self-esteem does not need to suffer because of hair loss.

If you or a loved one are in need of a solution for thinning hair or hair loss, one of the Hair Replacement Specialist at Fantasia would love to help you.  Call today for your free consultation.

Do you sometimes think the only way you will be able to continue looking great is to go “under the knife”.

There is really no specific method to measure beauty.  Some people may prefer the looks of an era and hate it after a decade or so.  Beauty simply deserves appreciation.  The appreciation should not only come from others, it should first come from the person who holds such beauty.

Like it or not, it’s still a person’s physical appearance that gets a second look.  No matter how many people say “beauty is only skin deep”, it still pays to make the best out of one’s physical assets.  Here are some technical know-how’s on how one can attain and maintain ageless beauty, both inside and out.

Personal Hygiene:  There’s no better expression of one’s good beauty values than a clean and clear complexion, well-maintained teeth and a nice, fresh scent.  Those can only be achieved through regular hygienic practices.  You don’t have to buy the most expensive beauty products to look your best.  You just need to be consistent with your beauty regimen.

Grooming Your Eyebrows:  Arches that are neatly shaped can make a huge difference in how you look.  A professional can help you get them into the shape which best suits your face.  Then, you can do the maintenance on your own.

Get Your Nails Done:  No woman can ever be excused from having clean nails.  They don’t necessarily always have to be done at the salon but at the very least you need a clear or neutral polish.

Get Healthy:  If you aren’t on the health band wagon yet, it’s time to get on it.  A sickly person does not radiate beauty.  No illness symptom has ever made anyone look good.  If you practice nasty, unhealthy habits such as smoking, stop!  Do it for you.  Get enough exercise to make yourself glow.  Take supplements and eat good food to support your skin’s renewal, thus maintain age-defying beauty.

Don’t Overuse Products:  Overuse of cosmetic products such as foundations, cakes or powders can actually make your skin worse.  You know I’m a fan of mineral makeup.  One of the things I like about it is that it’s pretty much impossible to overdo it.  Fantasia sells Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup.  Schedule a makeover with us, you will be impressed.

Protect Your Skin:  Use sun block if you want to preserve your skin.  Together with a light lip balm and some translucent powder, all you need is a smile to finish your “natural” look.

Stay Cool:  Cultivate a calm and sunny disposition and it will inhibit the effects of stress to your face.  Stay away from situations that can stress you.  You don’t want wrinkles from worry do you?

Follow these tips and you will remain beautiful and be well-equipped to maintain your best features.

For those who think the weight loss obsession thing is just with the females, think again.  It’s not uncommon these days to have weight loss surgeons chatting on sports shows.  Terry Simpson is a Lap-Band surgeon and does a radio ad to be aired for mostly-male audiences.  In one recent commercial on an Arizona radio station, he finished the commerical by stressing that losing weight through diet and exercise is harder than “kicking heroin”.

That will get your attention, harder to beat than heroin addiction?  Really? No wonder I’ve had so much trouble over the years!

Misleading or not, the Lap-Band advertisement illustrates a dramatic cultural trend.  Male cosmetic surgery and weight-loss services are booming and men are being targeted more aggressively than ever.

The Lap-band is not the only shrewdly marketed elective medical procedure aimed at appearance-sensitive men.  There has been great success offering laser -based hair regrowth systems of follicle-challenged clients.  One enterprising entrepreneur appeals to their collective sense of indignation by implying - a thick head of hair is no longer a genetic crap shoot — it’s an inalienable male right.

Plastic surgeons now advertise male-oriented procedures such as body-hair removal proudly in magazines and newspapers.  There was a hefty 44 percent increase in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures among men between 2000 and 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Men’s liposuction went up 10 percent between 2004 and 2005.  There has been a doubling of men getting the Lap-Band in the last few years.  According to the above mentioned Lap-Band surgeon, men used to account for 10-20 per cent of his business.  Today it’s 20-40 percent.

As women have closed the wage gap with men over the last three decades, men have closed the appearance-anxiety gap.  More attention is being paid to the body shape and physical appearance of males than ever before in this country.  And, the ideal of physical male beauty is more defined than ever before.

In days gone by, if a man carried his weight well, it was OK.  Now you have more men seeking out a permanent solution for weight loss as a matter of health and competitive advantage.

Why the heightened male obsession with appearance?  Well, we can thank the media who recently laid the blame for America’s anabolic fixation squarely at the feet of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.  Even todays GI Joe dolls are a lot buffer than those of 40 years ago!

Media is a factor and relationships are a factor.  And  don’t discount the economic factor. Men are a largely untapped market and represent the last proven reserves for the cosmetic surgery and weight-control industries.  No wonder they’ve been targeted with somewhat alarmist ads like the one for the Lap-Band.  In defense of his ad, the surgeon says that his statement was not based on an actual weight loss/heroin study, but a simple comparison of recidivism rates.  According to the good doctor, 98 percent of obese people who lose a significant amount of weight regain it, higher than the percentage of heroin addicts who slide back into use.

He also clarifies the ad’s implied bias against dieting and exercising, suggesting that overweight people “should do that as a first line.”

After all, perhaps we don’t want to kill an ant with a cannon.

We read books but can we read people?  For those studying body language the answer is YES!  Body language is about posturing, poise, walking, sitting, gesturing, etc.  From the moment you step out of your home, you are “on.”

Eye contact and facial features can “say” a lot about you according to experts.  For example, people with deep-set eyes tend to be very serious people.  They take themselves and their responsibilities very seriously.

People with eyes that are not deep-set tend to be lively, more carefree and have a more relaxed attitude towards life.

Optimism and pessimism are clearly demonstrated by the expressions around the mouth.  A naturally optimistic individual will be instantly recognizable by the upturned corners of the mouth.  On the other hand, the pessimistic person will have the corners of the mouth turned downward.

A high-level of stubbornness is indicated by a long, pronounced jaw line.  When dealing with this person, use words like, “if it meets your approval” or “please”.  Don’t raise your voice or you will create unnecessary resistance.

By the same token, if the individual has a softer, rounded chin line, you can expect someone with a higher level of compliancy and they will be easier to deal with.

This one is really interesting for those in the “hair” industry.  A person with baby fine hair is more sensitive, physically and emotionally.  Individuals with course hair tend to be more robust and hearty.

Your face communicates your true emotions to others.  People will always believe the expressions on your face ahead of the spoken word.  The six basic emotions that show on your face are:  happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, anger and disgust.

If someone is looking at you with a “business gaze, it will be aimed directly at the eye level.  The social gaze falls between the eyes and the mouth.

I don’t know about you, but I plan to spend more time “reading people”.

 A couple weeks ago I wrote “Bald is Beautiful” about a “guy” organization touting the virtues of the bald head.  Now I’ve come across one for the gals.  Cute title for their organization, it’s “Bald Girls Do Lunch” and is based out of New York.

Bald Girls Do Lunch is a non-profit organization, bring women with alopecia together.  According to the founder, Thea Chassin, women yearn to get together and say “I have alopecia -so what!”  The key to living happily is talking openly and feeling in control.  Family and friends mean well, but it’s a relief to talk to someone like yourself who understands the challenges.

According to Chassin, when everyone at the table shares the same condition, strong bonds and self-esteem are built.  The lively discussions cover situations as wide ranging as dating, business meetings, alternatives to wigs and physical activities.  But, the overall goal of the group is promoting individual choice and comfort.  Women of all ages adorned with wigs and hats come to the events and some even debut their bald look.

Bald Girl events are gaining momentum nationwide.  In 28 cities and 14 states, women have gotten together for support by breaking down the taboos surrounding female baldness.  Meeting in public helps counter the belief that every bald woman has cancer, Chassin believes.

Although unable to grow or sustain hair on their scalps and sometimes even eye brows  and eyelashes, people with alopecia areata are actually in good health.

Alopecia areata affects men, women and children of all ages.

Approximately 5 million people in the US are affected.  Characterized by smooth, round bald patches, it can progress to complete hair loss that includes all body hair.  Some treatments work for some people, but there is no cure.  Alopecia areata is highly unpredictable and may have a genetic predisposition.  It can appear at any time of life.

When Thea Chassin, the founder of Bald Girls Do Lunch, saw that women crave fun and stimulating chats over coffee or lunch to share information, she created the uplifting, women-only format for conquering feelings of alone-ness.  For more information about the disease or the organization, visit  www.baldgirlsdolunch.org