Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

I love to wear perfume and cologne.  It’s very girly and that’s probably what I like about it.  When I find something that works for me I will stick with it and wear it all the time.  Especially when people compliment me and want to know what I’m wearing - how cool is that?

Should you wear fragrances to work?  That depends on where you work. Obviously it’s going to be different if you work in a hair salon or in an office.

Keep the following things in mind:

I fyou are with the public, it’s advisable to use a perfume that is not too strong since it’s aroma can last a long time and might not be agreeable to the customers.

Are you in an open air or closed environment.  It is probably not wise to use strong perfume in a closed environment, again, that could cause offense to some people.

Did you know there are fragrances that are better for daytime and summertime as opposed to night and winter time?  During the day, it’s best to use very gentle and fresh fragrances .  Dominant or strong scents are not flattering  for summer and daytime.  Summer invites the use of citric fragrances.  Here are some great options for summer and daytime as they are very simple fragrances:

• Fresh rose water (Adolfo Dominguez)
• Aqua di gio (G. Armani)
• Extreme eau perfume (Bulgary)
• Aire (Loewe)
• Clinique happy clinique

At night we can intensify the aroma or our perfume.  Some sweet fragrance options include:

• Baby doll (Ives Saint Lauren)
• Opium (Ives Saint Lauren)
• Poison (Christian Dior)
• Coco Chanel (Chanel)
• Gloria (cachare)

If you are familiar with aromatherapy, you know it is the use of scents to relax and help our health and beauty.  Here is a list of some and what they are known to do for us:

• Amber- a well-known aphrodisiac, it gives resistance, daring and resolution
• Basil - tones and stimulates as effectively as coffee
• Tangerine - calms anxiety, alleviates stress and gives security
• Lemon - very energetic, gives rapid and precise reflexes
• Geranium y sage - relaxes and calms anxiety
• Jasmine - security in oneself, authority and daring
• Lavender - calms and regulates the nervous system
• Mint, fennel, and oregano - controls stress and hangovers
• Lily of the Valley - stimulates mental livelihood
• Daffodil and carnation - wakes up the mine and gives sharpness
• Nutmeg - aphrodesiac and a good stimulant
• Orange, mandarin& grapefruit - promote joy& develop the capacity to communicate
• Patchuli - extroversion, security and self confidence
• Apple and peach - relaxing scents that increase receptivity & facilitate concentration
• Rose - calms bad mood
• Sandalwood - security aphrodisiac and calms restlessness

So, as you can see, smells are good.  The key is to not “overdo” it to avoid offending anyone!

This is one of Procter & Gamble’s biggest product launches ever. The fashion mentor of reality TV’s “Project Runway” is among those involved in marketing the new “Total Care” products that P&G says draw on technology from its beauty products allow clothes to keep their shape, color and new look longer through repeated washings. Sounds like the baby boomer mantra, we want to keep our shape, color and look “new” longer!

The $60 million marketing campaing for the Tide detergent and Downy fabric softener products includes a tie-in with Ann Taylor Stores Corporations Loft unit and ads in such magazines as Elle, Vogue and Cosmopolitan.

It’s an example of how P&G is banking on big-brand innovations to overcone a tradedown-mined US consumer economy and the company is promoting the line as a budget helper because clothes can be worn more often and dry-cleaning bills reduced.

It’s sort of an anti-aging line for clothes, using ingredients dcerived from hair care products and skin care products. Helping to open the campaing is a Tide Web site featuring Tim Gunn of Bravo’s “Project Runway and his “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style” shows. He offers tips in online videos and will be in other ads, along with such fashion advisers as Jorge Ramon, June Ambrose and Charla Krupp.

In September, promotions including samples will be in Loft stores across the country. One domestic engineer, who handles most laundry duty for a family of six in Jacksonville, Florida says she’s intrigued after seeing online promotions for Tide Total Care. She is presently using Unilever’s All Free Clear but plans to test the new Tide’s product claims of maintiaing clothes’ appearance while reducing the need for dry cleaning. It makes sense she says because you use less time shopping, less time driving, less aggravation. So, overall, you would spend less money. P&G officials say offering new versions of major brands will help offset tendencies by consumers to look at lower-priced private label brands and other competitors.

Tide, a brand more than six decades old with annual sales of $3.3 billion, just rolled out a smaller, lipstick-sized version of Tide to Go carry-along stain removeer. In another example, Crest toothpaste is ready to launch a “weekly clean” toothpaste that’s meant to offer a dentist’s office -clean feel.

P&G’s shares were down nearly 2 percent. Perhaps as they link laundry to fashion, it will help bring those shares back up. Time will tell.

Wrinkles. How do they happen? They are commonly associated with aging. However, when proper skin care is neglected, wrinkles can appear sooner than they should.

There are products and treatments available which promise to reduce and even eliminate wrinkles. Unfortunately, some promise more than they can actually deliver. Let’s talk about common causes of wrinkles and a few treatments and steps you can take to prevent them.

Wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of collagen fibers and the thinning of the skin. As the skin becomes thinner, it’s less capable of retaining moisture. When the moisture is released, the skin becomes dry. The collagen fibers begin to deteriorate which causes the skin to lose its former elasticity. Meanwhile, the subcutaneous layer (beneath the dermis) begins to lose its ability to support the dermis and epidermis. As these events converge, the skin experience increased sagging and wrinkling.

Excessive exposure to direct sunlight can result in premature wrinkling. This happens as a result of the sun’s UV rays penetrating the epidermis and dermis. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation leads to accelerated collagen deterioration, thinning of the epidermis and the stimulation of free radicals.

At Fantasia, we carry the SkinCeuticals Skin Care line. SkinCeuticals uses alpha-hydroxy acids and various antioxidants in addition to vitamins to assist in minimizing the appearance of mild wrinkles and fine lines. There are lots of wrinkle cremes on the market which, in truth, have varying levels of efficacy. Whether or not they work is largely dependent upon the active ingredients used, the concentrations of those ingredients and how consistently the creams are applied. Most wrinkle creams have not undergone rigorous clinical testing.

There are positive steps you can take which are proven effective for slowing the development of wrinkles.

• Use a sunscreen that offers protection from UVA and UVB rays.
• Stop smoking. You may not see the effects immediately but cigarette smoke will accelerate your skins aging process. If you won’t stop for your health’s sake, stop for vanities sake!
• Moisturize your skin. How many times have you heard this? Help your skin retain water and moisture by using a moisturizer that is rich with antioxidants. This can further prevent skin damage while encouraging the production of collagen fibers. As mentioned previously, SkinCeuticals is a wonderful product line. One of the skin care professionals at Fantasia would be happy to give you some samples if you would like to try before you buy.

Other solutions include peels, microdermabrasion and facial sculpting. These treatments, when done in a series, offer visible results. These treatments are non-invasive. Of course there are invasive procedures available such as injections, laser resurfacing and surgery.

The basics of skin care are built upon a foundation of preventative measures. These measures prolong the youthful appearance of your skin while sustaining its health. Some simple basic steps can help prevent the deterioration of collagen fibers and loss of elasticity, thereby avoiding the onset of wrinkles. We may be getting older but we don’t have to look it.

You are probably aware that diabetes can cause a lot of symptoms. But, are you aware that hair loss is one of them?

Hair loss will normally begin at the onset of diabetes and gradually gets worse as the disease progresses. It is normal to shed some hair daily, but when the shedding rate exceeds the rate of re-growth, you will begin to notice thinning hair or bald patches.

Hair has a growth cycle. A normal hair growth cycle will last for 2-6 years. The growth stage of the cycle is known as the antigen stage. Each hair on your head grows at a rate of approximately one half inch per month. Ninety percent of all the hair on your head is in the growth stage at one time. The other ten percent of your hair is in what is known as the telogen or resting phase. The resting phase will last for 2-3 months and then that hair is shed.

Being a diabetic increases your chance of hair loss. Diabetics are more prone to get skin infections and other fungal infections that can affect the scalp. Stress from the disease can also cause hair loss. Certain medicines that you may be taking for diabetes or other conditions can also cause your hair to fall out.

Getting your diabetes under control should be the first step that you take. Hair loss may stop after your blood sugar is under control and your body is able to function normally. Some hair loss may require medical treatment. For example, if your hair loss is caused by a fungal infection, medication would be needed to get rid of the infection.

One of the solutions offered at Fantasia for thinning hair, is MicroPoint Links. MicroPoint Links increase the volume of your hair by 400% so it would be a great solution for hair loss caused from diabetes or other conditions. It is non-surgical and non-invasive which is really a good benefit for someone who is diabetic.

It is vital that you maintain good blood sugar levels, follow a good diet and exercise. If you do the right things you may be able to stop the hair loss in it’s tracks. Again, if you need a solution for thinning hair, the Hair Replacement Specialists at Fantasia would love to help you find a solution.

According to the experts, here are the main causes of hair loss in women:

• Iron-deficiency or anemia
• Thyroid problems
• Lupus and other diseases which affect connective tissues
• Diseases from reproductive system such as ovarian tumors
• Post-menopausal stage
• Post-partum stage
• Over-stressed conditions and other extreme emotional problems
• General anesthesia (some people develop adverse reactions to this)
• Surgical procedures which damage the scalp
• Eating problems including bulimia and anorexia
• Unhealthy diet (deficiencies in zinc, essential fatty acids as well as other important vitamins and minerals.)
• Malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals by the body
• Hypervitaminosis A (rare)
• Heredity

Also, according to the experts, there are certain medications which may cause moderate to severe hair loss:

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as Prednisone
• Street drugs such as methamphethamine and cocaine
• Some drugs used to lower blood cholesterol and lipid levels
• Some drugs used for seizure treatments
• Drugs used as blood thinners or anti-coagulant such as Heparin and Warfin.
• High doses of Vitamin A
• Drugs used in chemotherapy for cancer patients
• Medications used to alter moods and treat depression such as Prozac Tri-cyclics Elavin, Lithium, etc.)
  Some drusgs used to normalize blood pressure levels , particularly the B-blockers
• Oral medications particularly those which are high in Progestins
• Some diet pills

If you or a loved on has suffered with hair loss or thinning hair due to any of the above mentioned reasons, one of the Hair Replacement Specialist at Fantasia would love to work with you to find the ideal solution for you. Call us today to schedule your free consultation!

Oh the glories of the fall wardrobe. Anyone who follows trends knows that as sure as summer ends, before the first leaves begin their colorful descent, the fall collections are here. Whether it’s in beauty, fashion or accessories, fall is full of promise.

Color, fit, shape and newness are on many women’s minds. According to one merchandise buyer - the fall runways are full of super skinny pants in leather and animal print to more New Wave attire including tight-fitting suit jackets. Anything goes with this trend as long as you have tan or brown accessories to anchor your look including bags and boots.

The coat rules and the feminine blouse is essential. That’s the word from a spokeswoman for Lord & Taylor. the topper should head the list, novelty knee-length coats, easy shapes, important sleeves, patterns, fur trends and the statement trench. The feminine blouse is key with ruffles, soft ties, bows and sleeve interest. In accessories, the big soft handbags remain and scarves are very important for the neck.

What’s up with makeup? Rich colors and metallic sheens. Lot’s of metallic shadows for fall because it adds depth and dimension to your eye makeup. There are a lot of jewel tones for fall lots of red lips and burgandy eye colors. Look for shots of gold- a bit of gilt on the face.

Ahhh yes, fall, a most wonderful time of the year!

Moving right along with item number 6 in our list of makeup no nos.

Flakey/Smudgy Mascara: Women tend to hang on to their makeup much longer than they should. Flaking is a good sign that your mascara is either not a good formula, or that it needs to be replaced. Throw it even if you have finished the tube or not.

If you find your mascara runs and smudges under your eyes during the day, try a waterproof formula or one of those “tubing” mascaras. Waterproof mascara can be difficult to remove so a good solution is to use your regular mascara then use a layer of waterproof over it. Or perhaps just use the waterproof on your bottom lashes.

Too Much Glitter: Glitter makeup probably should not be worn by anyone over the age of 14. It travels on your face and leaves strange sparkly spots where they shouldn’t be.

If you have a sparkly personality and must express it through your makeup, a more grown-up option would be to ditch shadows containing large flecks of in-your-face glitter for those with very, very finely milled luninescence or shimmer. Always apply with a restrained hand.

Over-bronzing: Too much bronzer can make your face look dirty or too orange, or too shimmery if you are using a bronzer with shine.

Bronzers with sheen are fine , just be careful where you apply or you will be guilty of our next culprit, “too much illumination”. A little bronzer in winter can add a touch of warmth without making you look too tan.

Too Much Illumination: One or two luminous products can make you look fresh and glowing. Too many can make you look very, very strange. You run the risk of your face texture not matching that of your body.

A few places where luminizing products could work: the cheekbones, the inside corners of the eye, and if the products are subtle enough, under the eye. Avoid using a luminous foundation with a shimmer powder on you cheekbones and a very shimmery eye shadow.

Just because it looks good in the magazines doesn’t always mean it will translate well in real life, approach with a restrained hand.

Neglecting Your Skin: Good makeup starts with a good canvas. This is hard to achieve if you are not taking care of your skin. Probably this one should be at the top of our list rather than the bottom. A good skin care regime is invaluable. Obviously there are enough outside elements which can affect your skin such as smoking, lack of sleep, lack of sun protection and lack of moisturizers are all contributors to bad skin. At Fantasia, we are excited about SkinCeuticals Skin Care products. If you are not familiar with this line, come in and we’ll give you some samples so you can experience it.

Don’t just use anything on your skin. Do some research, seek out a skin care professional and make certain you select a good cleanser, moisturizer and targeted treatment products suited to your skin type.

Also, remember, your face extends further than you think. Don’t neglect your neck and chest, they need moisturizer and sun protection as well.

Treat yourself to a facial and as you are experiencing the products, ask about them, why they are being used on your skin and what you can do at home to maintain your skin properly.

We can’t stop the aging process but we don’t have to look as old as we are if we just avoid some of these no nos.

I’m going to give you 10 makeup no nos in a 2 part series. It’s too wordy to compile it all into one part so, here we go with part one of two parts.

Over-plucked Eyebrows: Too thin eyebrows are unflattering. If you are guilty of this; you need to let your eyebrows grow back in–all of them. I know it will be tempting to clean up all of the new hairs growing in but don’t do it! In order to see which brow shape will best compliment your face, you need to see what you have to start with.

Try masking the new growth with cake or liquid eyeliner which allows you to control the density of the pigment and even paint on faux hairs if needed. It’s best to use a very fine, thin, long brush.

If you are blonde or brunette, use a light/dark brown color. If you have dark brown or black hair, use a black cake liner, keeping it very diluted and building as you go. Even if you can’t afford to see a brow professional regularly, go a few times to learn the best shape for your face and have mistakes corrected so you can maintain your brows yourself in the future.

Too Dark Lip Color: Dark shades such as brown, black, purple or maroon (goth) can look very aging.

Avoid lining lips with dark lip liner, especially if you are not planning to fill them in. If you are really attached to dark lips, try a different version. Shift to a dark lip gloss or a sheer version of what you are used to. Another option is to try a sheer lip pencil if you want your look to last, since glosses and sheer lipsticks tend to wear off more quickly. Re-applying more often is a minimal trade-off for a more youthful and modern look.

Not Blending Well Enough: You may not be able to see that your foundations ends in a line at your jaw, but everyone else can. Blending is the key to a flawless face. If your blush sits un-blended on your cheeks or the little eye shadow you wear is plopped on your lid, it’s going to look like you are wearing more makeup than you truly are.

Only wear foundation where you need it and only blend past your jawline if your face doesn’t match your neck. Get the right tools. A few right brushes will make the difference between makeup and blended makeup. Latex wedges (sponges) are also good for blending foundations and blushes as you can easily dilute color with a few swipes if you put too much on.

Mismatched Foundation: Even if you have found the perfect color for your skin, the foundation you buy in August will not work for you in February. Watch out for foundation that oxidizes throughout the day and changes color.

Every woman should have at least 2 different colors of foundation but 3 is actually better. That way you always have colors to mix to get the right color for your skin year-round.

Focus on finding a good formula that works well with your skin tone and doesn’t turn orange from oxidation. I’ve talked about this many times but if you haven’t tried mineral makeup you are really missing something. At Fantasia we sell (and most of us use) Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup and we love it. Sheer formulas (like the mineral makeup) are better if your face is paler than your chest. Tinted moisturizers can be terrific if you don’t need much coverage.

Makeup Overload: A full-on eye with a full-on lip with a full-on face of foundation, blush, bronzer and more is only going to make you look older.

You don’t need to focus equal attention on every feature at the same time. Pick one feature and accentuate it. For example, pair a bright lip color like fire engine red or electric pink with a fresh, natural face.

Focusing on eye-color? Go easy on the mouth with a pale, sheer lip color. It will make the strong eye look modern and more interesting. Anything thick or heavy will look aging.

Okay girls, enough to ruminate on for one day, wouldn’t you agree? I’ll be back at you tomorrow with 5 more no nos.

Traction alopecia is also known as “nurse’s cap” or “hot comb” alopecia. It is a hair loss condition that is usually caused by strong tensional forces exerted on the hair as a result to some ethnic, traditional or modern practices of hair styling. It is often associated with the use of hair rollers, twists, locks, braids, extensions, etc. Typically women are the ones who suffer with traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia is usually localized. Prolonged tensional forces on hair can lead to damaging of its roots and follicles and to the development of permanent hair loss. To prevent irreversible hair loss, the condition needs to be recognized in it’s early stages.

In 1907, young women from Greenland who preferred to style their hair in tight ponytails, were the first people reported to suffer with this condition. The same hair loss pattern was also described in traditional Japanese females wearing particular hairdos. Indian men who observe Sikhism, are prone to traction alopecia because they grow their hair long and pull it tightly into a bun. Todays modern fashion of some types of hair extensions and dreadlocks is mostly associated with this condition in young people.

The prolonged trauma exerted on the scalp hair causes it to gradually loosen from its roots and develop secondary inflammation and subsequent atrophy. Hair loss is usually symmetrical and affects frontal or temporal areas of the scalp. The initial stages are excessive scaling and seborrhea, then the degeneration of hair that starts growing thin, short and fine instead of thick and long. If the tension is not removed, folliculitis develops which leads to irreversible balding.

There are different degrees of traction alopecia depending on the styling practices which created it. Marginal alopecia is usually due to the use of rollers or curlers in children which provoke hair loss in the temporal area of the scalp. Another contributing factor could be strong and repeated facial muscle contractions. Another type of traction alopecia called chignon, or non-marginal alopecia, usually happens in the occipital area and is due to the styling hair into a tight bun.

Traction alopecia exists in many regions of the world. In the US, the most affected categories are African American women, who straighten their hair or style it into braids. Female atheletes, cooks and nurses, who secure their hair tightly for the sake of hygiene or comfort can find themselves dealing with this condition. Sikh men and Japanese women also suffer with traction alopecia.

If traction alopecia can be caught in the early stages, before permanent damage to the roots has developed, it is possible to turn it around. Letting hair stay loose is the best solution for the problem. However, if irreversible hair loss has occurred, one of the Hair Replacement Specialist at Fantasia would love to help you find a solution. Amy’s Presence Cyberhair Wigs are fabulous and come all kinds of styles and textures, including an ethnic line. Call today to schedule your free consultation.

Surprisingly, many people ignore the effect of hair loss when it comes to their work success. For example, consider networking to promote business opportunities. Schmoozing at events, being a social butterfly at parties or passing out business cards is associated with a person’s first impression. At an initial meeting, a bald head or a beautiful full hair style will be a lasting impression associated with a man or a woman.

In women, in particular, hair loss, baldness or thinning hair is not looked at as attractive. Several researchers found that consideration for a job promotion is adversely affected due to today’s social norm that hair is beautiful. Today “old” is taboo and hair loss for females is typically equated with old.

Personal appearance gives a clear message to measure success. Ask yourself, “is what I want to accomplish reflected in the way I look?” A youth and beauty oriented society unfortunately does not look favorably on bald or thinning hair. Have you ever noticed the drug company sales reps? Most are young looking, well dressed and well groomed. The reps reflect the companies products or services. You will rarely find a bald rep representing a major drug comnpany or a thin haired woman talking about her companies drug portfolio.

With your goals outlined, determine what you are willing to work on to gain success. Focus on areas that need updating like clothing, a weight problem or how your hair looks. Make a real effort to look updated and in style to reflect youthfulness and market trends. Reflect a connection to today’s youthful oriented society and if needed, have a minor or major cosmetic redo. Exercise to trim your body, get a hair piece to fill in your hair loss area. Today, use of plastic surgeries and hair transplants is on the rise. There are wonderful non-surgical alternatives for your hair loss issues. A hair style makeover will do wonders for your morale as well as your look.

Exercise, meditate, and relax! Each of these will contribute to less stress and less wrinkles!

A “youth” look is key in today’s business world. Your age may still show the years but making personal appearance changes helps you make your journey in the business world more competitive with those around you. As you make shifts in your personal strategy, you enter the realm of progress, not business as usual.

A sharp personal appearance results in something far more significant than just being hired or promoted. It’s all about a more youthful and vibrant “you”!