Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Per Cosmopolitan Magazine, there are some really big no-nos when it comes to beauty. Before you feel condemned, I will bare my soul and let you know that I’ve been guilty of some of these sins.

There, I feel so much better, having confessed. And now, we shall discuss the 8 big big beauty sins.

• Nibbling on your cuticles. Torn cuticles can lead to hangnails and infections. Keep the skin around our nails moisturized. If well hydrated, you will have fewer snags and be less tempted to pick. If you have issues putting your fingers in your mouth, try a bitter-tasting nail polish.
• Changing your hair color too frequently. Occasionally is okay but dyeing your hair too often weakens it and can lead to an identity crisis. Sure, some of the celebs can get away with it, but often times they are doing it for movie roles or to get attention on the red carpet. And…they have the bucks to repair or hide the damage. Try instead, playing with lipstick and shadow colors. If you have to change hair color- here are some tips.

Bleaching your hair is the most damaging and drying. Only do this once every six weeks. If you want to be lighter; bleach once per month, going one level blonder each time until you reach the desired hue.

Go darker for less damage. This is not as stressful to the hair since you are not stripping away the natural pigment.

Prior to coloring use a deep conditioner. This will help keep your hair strong.

• Going to bed without washing your face. Here I shine as this is something I have never done! When you to to bed with mascara and eye-makeup on you can wake up with unattractive dark circles from makeup residue and perhaps even an infection. Even if you didn’t wear makeup during the day you still need to wash your face as your skin accumulates oil and dirt which can lead to blemishes. For a lazy fix, keep a pack of pre-moistened face wipes next to your bed. That way, no matter how tired you are you can wipe your makeup away in seconds.
• Fake-baking in a tanning bed. Let me be first to say I used to do this every summer. However, I was “delivered” several years ago after learning that UVA rays are called aging rays for a reason-they penetrate your connective tissue, causing premature sagging and the proliferation of wrinkle causing free radicals. And they have been linked to skin cancer and can suppress your immune system. Enough already!

Today we can use moisturizers with color in them as well as the self tanners. If you really need to be dark, keep adding to the color daily until you reach your desired level of bronze.

• Subjecting your hair to heat constantly. Blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons will dry out your hair leaving it dull, frizzy and weak. If you must blow dry, use a medium heat and keep the nozzle a few inches away from your hair. When flat ironing, quickly slide the iron down a section of hair in one smooth motion. Any pauses along the way will create dents and require more ironing. When washing your hair, use a moisturizing shampoo to restore and keep your hair supple.
• Over-bleaching your teeth. There is something to be said for looking natural and bright white teeth do not look natural. The rule of thumb is that your teeth should not be brighter than the whites of your eyes. Constantly applying hydrogen peroxide can leave them ultra-sensitive and prone to chipping.

If you go to a professional, you can expect your teeth to whiten up about 8 to 9 shades. If you are doing the in-home whitening, you will see about a 4 shade improvement. Always follow the directions on the box and consult a dentist with questions.

• Using makeup testers. While your chances of contracting herpes or pinkeye from the bacteria and germs from the testers at makeup counters are slim, it could happen. And, it’s not okay to share lipstick or eye shadow with tons of strangers.

Make sure the makeup counter you visit practices safe sampling. At Fantasia we use disposable applicators, sponges, cotton swabs, tissues, mascara wands and our makeup brushes are cleaned and disinfected. A reputable counter should have well-trained sales associates. Wash your hands when done shopping.

• And finally, and I know you never do this- popping pimples is bad. When you do this you can extend it’s staying power since the dirt from your fingers can force bacteria into the pores and cause infection. Instead of popping, apply benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid a couple times per day. To reduce redness, put some redness reducing eye-drops on a cotton swab, place on the pimple, them follow up with concealer.

If you have been quilty of any of these beauty sins, repent and change your ways. And remember, none of us are perfect!

Have you ever noticed that some people always look great no matter what? I’m convinced we all have our ups and downs (literally as I’m talking weight) but some people never seem to show it.

There are “tricks” on how to put things together so as to “minimize” yourself which is what we will focus on today.

• Let’s start with accessories. Don’t wear broad belts that draw attention to your mid-riff if it’s a tad “broad”.
• Avoid fancy and obnoxious jewelory or accessories. Make sure the jewelry is simple, small and elegant. Too much clutter only adds to the bulk.
• If you wear less jewelry, use good makeup to highlight your eyes. Remember, eye shadow is jewels for the eyes.

When it comes to clothes and colors the golden rule is this. Dress in one color from shoulder to shoe. This streamlines the body and makes you look slimmer- instantly.

If you feel a bit more adventurous, don’t limit yourself to only one color but choose tones that are closely matched.

• Wear the darker color below the waist and the lighter one on top.
• Golden rule number two. Stick to dark colors.
• If you are on the heavier side and short besides, avoid contrasts and opt for a single color instead. Instead of a white blouse and black skirt, make them both black.

Now about the clothes and the cut of them.

• Avoid horizontal designs, bold and big designs and circles, completely. Stripes along the length of the outfit or “V” shaped stripes will help in cutting off inches from vision.
• Choose V or scoop necklines to camouflage chubby necks. Be sure to continue your foundation to the neck area so that there is no color change at the jaw line.
• A loosely-fitting vest can hide a thick waist if a jacket is not needed.
• Wear small prints.
• Use straight cuts and no horizontal stripes.
• A-lined outfits are best. Avoid frills, gathers and layers as much as possible.
• Avoid “tuck-ins” go for blouse styles that can hang loose (particularly if you have a “belly”.)
• Wide neck-lines, particular V-necks are great for heavy bust-lines and those with thick necks.
• If you must add trimmings to the garment, add them along the neckline. Scooped necklines and frills are a strict no-no.
• Clinging fabrics are bad news for heavy people as well as tight fitting clothes. These only help in accentuating the bulge. Wear fabric that hangs loose, with cuts that are not too tight. Crisp fabrics are best suited for over-weight people since the fabric manages to keep its shape.
• If you are fond of sleevelss garments, go for straight cuts at the shoulder which makes the shoulders look naturally rounded. Forget the darts and gathers.

The bottom line? Even though we may be carrying a few extra pounds, we don’t need to “flaunt” it.  A few simple tricks and it will be our little secret!

What is one of the first characteristics you are likely to notice about someone? Their hair. Hair has caused controversy, hair has caused fights and hair has inspired artists and creative souls worldwide.

Hair is a personal matter, a point of bonding for many. I’ll bet you spent at least five minutes messing with your hair already today. Some of us spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars per year on our hair.

What is interesting about all of this is, that considering what hair really is, all of this would seem odd. Hair is essentially a dead item on your head. Sounds kind of gross huh? But, in the final analysis, that is what hair truly is. That said, let’s talk about what is going on with hair in America today.

Just like everything else these days, hair is “going green”. You may have noticed that it’s organic everything for hair. But, buyer beware as are there are big discrepancies in organic claims. Not only do you have to read your food labels these days but all of your product labels as well. There are some great lines of products out there. For example, at Fantasia, we love Pureology by Redken. The ingredients are botanical and it’s wonderful for maintaining hair color.

The look for hair is both short and long. Hair is softer today, wider instead of fuller. Simple long ponytails are in for proms and weddings as well as soft wavy hair. Swoopy bangs are in again and brushed-out curls for a relaxed look. It’s kind of like back to the 70’s for simplicity. Would you believe hot rollers are back? (Darn, I threw mine away months ago.)

Tone on tone coloring is popular. If the customers don’t want a trendy cut, perhaps they want trendy color instead. For the young, faded -out punky colors are in.

Wigs are big and Fantasia has the largest inventory of any salon in the area. Extensions are also popular, inspired by Hollywood. Celebrities are not hiding the fact that they are wearing extensions. Fantasia uses Great Lengths Extensions which are what many of your favorite celebrities are wearing.

Natural is in. Instead of “blowing out” your curly or wavy hair, embrace it. Most stylist want to work with the air as it is naturally. Most good stylists can make any haircut work with the customer’s natural hair. That’s where they really can get into the “artistry” and creativity.

It’s all good. We don’t have to spend so much time on our hair these days so that leaves time for other things!

Have you ever wondered who to thank for your thinning hair or hair loss? Well, if you are male, you can thank your forefathers. Our genes carry the outline of our lives and these dictate the kind of physical and mental attributes we might have as we grow.

On the other hand, there are outside factors that contribute to men’s hair loss which may not be included in the genetics. Just because there are those males in your family tree that have receding hairlines is not a guarantee that you will as well. A lot of it will depend on the strength of your hair genes.

Stress plays a huge part in some men with regard to losing their hair. Those who are stressed out tend to be dismissive of their health and they may lack the necessary nutrients to keep up their locks. In male and female hair loss, severe stress can be a key component.

As you well know, there are other health conditions which can contribute to permanent and temporary hair loss. There are conditions which affect our hormones. Women typically suffer more from hair loss due to menopause factors.

Of course we know about temporary hair loss from chemotherapy and other medical issues and medications. Unfortunately, most people are not told when prescribed blood pressure medication, for example, that one of the side effects is hair loss. Only after the problem arises and they go back to the list of side effects or, back to the doctor only to find that yes, hair loss is one of the side effects. And, even then, they sometimes hear, oh well, hair loss is not as bad for you as high blood pressure. Maybe so, but could there be some alternatives for dealing with the high blood pressure which would not cause hair loss? Yes, there are natural alternatives available.

Unfortunately, some hair loss is permanent. At Fantasia, we have wonderful solutions for that. If you or a loved one are seeking a solution, please call so one of our hair loss specialist can help you find the best solution for you.

Have you ever wondered if you are wearing too much makeup? Usually, the women who are putting on way too much are the last to know. Here are a few signs that you might need to make some changes:

• Your makeup rubs off on your clothes or phones –or is broken down by midday.
• You are incapable of “doing you face” in 5 minutes or less.
• You apply foundation all over your face, from hairline to chin.
• You purchase foundation more than 4 times per year.
• Your face “melts” in the rain.
• People think you are much older than you really are.

OK, now that we know the clues as to what we are doing wrong- let’s talk about some simple ways to go for a more “natural” look. Thank God for makeup, but the trick is to look like we are not wearing any.

Apply moisturizer before your foundation - ALWAYS! Wait about 10 minutes for the skin to absorb it.

Cover flaws like pigmented patches or blemishes with a foundation or concealer that is a shade lighter than your skin tone.

Use foundation diluted with water for a lighter and smoother coverage. Fantasia sells Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup and one of the qualities of the makeup is that you apply, then hydrate, and continue the process until you achieve the desired effect all the while maintaining a “natural” look.

Apply a soft shade of blush on the cheekbones going outwards and upwards.

Go for the soft look while aplying eye makeup. Avoid eyeliners and instead use eye shadow or eye pencil to line the upper leids. Draw a line close to the lashes.

Avoid harsh black eye pencils, instead go for brown or grey shades.

Mascara helps to brighten your eyes. Use a brush to separate the lashes for a natural look.

Redefine the lip line with a lop pencil and fill in with lipstick, using a lip brush.

Very dark lip colors, especially those with blue tones, have an aging effect. Very light colors are also a not a good idea. Go for burgundy, plum, coral, bronze copper or coffee shades.

Now you know how to take a more natural approach. If you’d like some more tips, come into Fantasia (or another professional cosmetics counter) and let one of our professionals do a make over and educate you on the use of Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup.

Our body needs a healthy balance of all nutrients in the diet in order to maintain a healthy life. This article focuses on various types of vitamins which contribute to hair loss problems.

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid, also known as PABA, is one of the essential vitamins for hair loss problems. It is part of the B complex family and a deficiency in PABA may lead to grey hair.

In combination with folic acid, PABA is found to be effective in restoring healthy hair. A diet rich in vitamin B can restore hair color. It also aids in improving excellence and potency of hair growth. You can get PABA from whole grain and yeast.

Inositol, also belonging to the B complex family and is typically found in brain cells, muscles, liver, kidneys and the eyes. Men loose their hair twice as fast as women, so perhaps it is that men are lacking in inositol and that is why they have the hair loss problems.

Inositol aids in hair loss problems and offers beneficial effects in different types of skin problems.

Biotin, also known as vitamin H and again, belongs to the B complex group. It is essential for hair health. Biotin functions in fat metabolism. Fat is essential for body growth including hair growth. It also helps in prevention of gray hair. Egg yolks are a great source of biotin. Milk and yeast are good sources as well.

Vitamin E consists of antioxidant properties that offer scalp stimulation by enhancing blood circulation. You can get vitamin E from cold-processed vegetable oils, raw seeds and leafy green vegetables.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure or taking anti-coagulant medications, you should not take vitamin E supplements without consulting your doctor.

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. It is one of the essential vitamins for hair loss issues. It helps maintain healthy skin and hair. There are plenty of natural foods available that-are rich in vitamin C. Citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, pineapples, tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper and many others are a great source of vitamin C.

Vitamin B complex which includes niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12; all contribute significantly with various health conditions. B3 helps promote good scalp circulation and is abundant in wheat germ, chicken, fish, turkey and meat. Large intake can cause what is referred to as a niacin flush. Vitamin B5 helps prevent premature graying and hair loss. You will find B5 in egg yolks, whole grain cereals and organ meats.

When it comes to hair, you definitely are what you eat! And, supplementing your diet makes a whole lot of sense!

It can be a challenge maintaining an impeccable image when it’s upwards of 100 degrees outside.

You wake up and shower, iron your clothes so you’ll look “fresh”, style your hair and of course, apply your makeup. Then, you walk outside the door and realize it was all pointless! Your light, cool pants are sticking to you in a wrinkled mess, your hair is stuck to your melting face of makeup. So, don’t you look pretty?

Here are some tips on keeping makeup looking cool in the dog days of summer.

• Wash your face will, moisturize and follow up with a foundation primer. This sets your makeup and keeps your skin from getting shiny.
• Apply foundation but don’t go overboard. Just because you want it to last all day doesn’t mean you have to pack it on. Use a damp sponge or foundation brush for a nice, even coverage. Don’t forget to apply foundation to your eyes.
• Apply your eye shadow as normal. Use a dark brown or black pencil to fill in between your upper and lower lash line. Blend the liner with a flat brush dipped in a shadow similar to your eyeliner color. This should keep your liner from smudging throughout the day. Add a coat of mascara to finish the look.
• Give your cheeks a fresh and natural flush by mixing shades of pink and apricot. Slick on a sheer tint of gloss that coordinates with your blush.
• Dust some matte powder on your T zone and you are done.

Here’s a Summer Beauty Survival Kit:

• Makeup wipes. Great to refresh anytime and you never know when they will come in handy. Put a few in a Ziploc baggie and toss them in your purse.
• Concealer. For touch up, also works great to brighten up the T zone. Use as little product as possible and blend, blend and blend again.
• Compact powder. Shine, be gone! Apply with a brush so you get the sheerest application possible and to avoid weighing down your skin with product overload.
• Bright apricot blush and your favorite lip gloss.

You will now be prepared for whatever comes your way. After, a gal’s gotta look good, even in the dog days of summer!

Tattoos are a hot fashion statement these days. It seems that everyone either has one or is getting one. I often wonder how much thought people put into it before permanently altering their body?

Don’t get me wrong, I actually have some tattoos in the form of permanent pigmentation makeup and that is something I think is wonderful. However I think the whole tattoo things is done way to cavalierly for something that stays with you forever. I was at a convention in Vegas and in passing a tattoo parlor one of the young women said, hey, we should could come back and get a tattoo. I suspect she was serious as she told me (and later showed me) that she already had gotten two.

A prominent doctor at a laser and cosmetic center says that young people should think twice before opting for permanent body art. For most people, when they get a tattoo, they typically do it as an impulsive decision. Often times, they fairly quickly come to regret this decision. In a new study, on average, people stuck with their tattoos for 10 years before getting them removed with laser. In 1996, a similar survey found that people would wait 14 years to have a tattoo removed. Perhaps the difference was due to advancements in tattoo removal technology.

Many people seek tattoo removal because they feel having the tattoos may hurt their chances of either getting a job or advancing in their careers. This especially seems to be the case with women who seek tattoo removal from a visible area.

According to the same doctor cited above, 19 is the magic age when a lot of people are getting tattoos. Five to 10 years later, perhaps they are getting married, moving up in the world or having children and start feeling funny about the tattoo.

New technologies are making tattoos less permanent than ever. Along with more effective laser removal equipment, some of today’s tattoos are even designed to be easily removed. Last year, a company called Freedom 2 developed a permanent tattoo ink designed to be removable with a single laser treatment.

But, cautions the doctor, even though the technology for the removal of conventional tattoos is improving, it is far from a sure bet. It’s important for people to know that certain tattoo inks respond to lasers better than others. In all cases, tattoo removal requires multiple treatments, it is not a one shot deal. And sometimes you can’t remove the tattoo completely.

It is very easy to get a tattoo. But, it’s much harder, longer and more expensive to get rid of a tattoo.

On many occasions, I have blogged about proper nutrition and hair care aiding in the prevention of hair loss. Some of this I’ve talked about before but I think it bears repeating. Others is new information that I like to pass along.

Some of what we know about the hair is that it grows in cycles. Some follicles rest while others are shedding and growing. As you age, re-growth eventually becomes so fine that you can’t see it. The unfortunate statistic is that over 25 percent of women over 50 will lose more than half of their hair.

Hair loss can be passed down from either parent’s side. In all likely hood, if you father is bald, you could end up with hair loss issues as well. For the female, the thinning usually occurs throughout the crown area.

Pregnancy, illness, divorce or any other major stressors can cause you to shed all of you “resting” hair. Usually this will happen from 2-6 mounts after the event, although, in these situations, the hair loss is usually temporary and will most likely grow back naturally.

Other contributing factors for hair loss which we’ve also discussed, include protein deficiencies caused by extreme dieting which can also make the hair dry and baby-fine, while tight hairstyles such as ponytails, can put so much tension on the hair follicles that they are ripped out. Once gone, there is nothing left to product new hair.

It is important to keep your hair hydrated and to style it gently. Repetitive stress such as brushing and blow drying can cause damage and break the hair. While clean hair is a good thing, too much shampooing can strip it of nutrients needed for healthy growth. Hot air strips the hair strands of moisture so minimize your use of a hair dryer. The chamois towels we sell at Fantasia are fabulous because they pull most of the moisture out of your hair so it requires very little blow drying.

Last, but not least, here are some foods that can help prevent hair loss:

• Chickpeas have zinc and vitamin B-6 which are needed for healthy hair. Zinc helps build hair protein and works well with vitamin A. A lack of either of these causes dandruff which can contribute to hair loss.
• Almonds are a great source of protein, iron and vitamin E. They reportedly lower cholesterol which is a good thing because, you don’t want to have to take cholesterol lowering drugs as they may actually cause hair loss.
• Whole wheat is a good source of sillica and iron. Silica is important as it helps with the absorption of many other vitamins and minerals.
• Oats are a great source of easily absorbable iron in addition to potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.
• Oranges are a good source of vitamin C which, again, helps make iron more absorbable in the human body. Vitamin C plays a big role in the development of collagen, which is necessary hair growth; helps keep your skin tight and is the “glue” that holds things together in the body.

Sometimes the whole diet thing seems so complicated. The things mentioned above are very simple to implement into your diet. And, as I’ve said many times before, supplementing your diet is necessary as most of us are just not getting everything we need on a daily basis. Many of us at Fantasia are on Isagenix products as we feel they are superior to anything else out there! Call us if you are interested in joining us!

Just when you thought they could not possibly come up with another reality TV show…guess what? There’s a new one in the hopper called Hair Loss Confidential.

This show will catch people facing hair loss unaware. Those guys who insist that the comb-over is working for them. Or how about those people who think the hairpiece they bought back in 1985 still looks just like there own hair? And then there are those individuals who think a baseball cap can be worn with a tux or a formal gown.

Additionally, Hair Loss Confidential is looking for men, women and children suffering form hair loss due to heredity, alopecia or chemotherapy, where their hair loss crisis has affected their lifestyle and livelihood.

The intent of Hair Loss Confidential is to show these folks there is another way.

Hair restoration, as we discuss regularly here, has moved into a new era with more solutions than ever to correct the problem. After walking into a room with cameras where they will be confronted by family, friends, and co-workers and the Hair Loss Confidential crew, the unsuspecting person will be whisked away to a hair restoration facility in their town where they will undergo a miraculous transformation.

According to the producer of the show, “People can feel good nominating the men and women in their life to be the subject of Hair Loss Confidential knowing their loved ones won’t ever be ridiculed but instead helped with their hair loss problems, then and there and forever”.

Hair Loss Confidential has been overwhelmed by the positive response to the nomination process. I’m sure those of us at Fantasia will probably be watching this new show!