Rehab for the dry,damaged and lifeless..hair that is

With all the colouring, blowdrying, straightening, curling, teasing, sun exposure that goes on amongst us. Dry damaged hair is inevitable these days. Heck even daily activities such as combing hair, sleeping  and harsh weather conditions are just some of the culprits to dry damaged hair...so whats a girl to do..hide from the elements and not sleep?? Nahhh little drastic don't you think??

I have been colouring my hair like most of us since I was a teenager. Before attending hair school I was so brutal with my hair, I would colour it literally every other weekend just for something to do, I get bored fast and always craved a change, which usually resulted in my friend mackenzie "box dying"(drug store colours) my hair on saturday night sleep overs.
I've gone from blonde to black and back again...once had green hair..not by choice lol. Long story short my hair has suffered over the years and it wasn't until attending hair school where I learned how to properly care for my hair. Heres my recommended products and at home remedies to help take on dry damaged hair. These are some products and home recipes I have stumbled across over the years, working in the business at Salon's and with clients who have enjoyed these products as well...enjoy :)

AG Fast Food leave in hair conditioner: 

I stumbled across this leave in conditioner when I was in high school a.k.a the peak of my hair neglect. I hated my hair so much it would literally take me half an hour to brush out the tangles..until I found this stuff :) It contains silk and keratin proteins which builds strength and elasticity to the hair. Aloe extracts also offer therapeutic, moisturizing and healing properties. I recommend this for anyone with thick, coarse, thirsty or curly hair(which naturally tends to be more dry) I have fine hair which can be weighed down by conditioners but I just use this in my ends where the damage is and I love it!!! If you have fine hair like myself I recommend using a quarter size amount just in your midshaft and ends where moisture is needed, applying this product to close to the scalp may weigh your fine hair down, if so just use less product and concentrate more when needed.

Bumble and Bumble DEEP :

This is one of my favourite products. It's is more so a treatment then a conditioner. It contains a protein feast of wheat proteins, pro vitamin B5, soy protein and sunflower oil. So whats with all the protein you ask?? well our hair is composed of 88% protein and therefore needs protein to stay healthy and shiny. Use this treatment once a week for 20 mins as directed. Be sure to only leave it in for a maximum of 20 mins with heat and thats it!!! Yes our hair needs protein but like most things too much of a good thing can be harmful. This product is so packed with protein that if you left it on for a longer amount of time your hair would 'O.D' on protein so to speak. When the hair follicle becomes to packed with protein it will swell and eventually break. If you don't have time to do the whole 20 mins just use this as a conditioner once a week and leave in for 2 minutes or so in the shower.

I use to work in a salon that only used Bumble and Bumble and I can see why. Their products are amazing.  The line was developed in New York City and are made with high quality ingredients to accommodate whatever hair type or style you rock. They are so unique in everything they do and are no strangers to the business. Their products were developed for the need of signature editorial photo shoots and runway shows. Their passion is seen in their work and their high performance products which are all about versatility, layering and providing a unique texture and effect you desire and love.

AG Deep conditioning treatment:

1 Part AG Stimulating Balm

1 Part AG Deep condition

1/2 Part AG Liquid Varnish

Alright people I'm about to let you in on a huge secret!! Have you ever gone to a salon to receive a deep conditioning treatment? you know; where they apply a deep conditioning treatment, enriched with the smell and tingle of peppermint to your hair and scalp, give you a good massage working with the treatment to stimulate circulation to the scalp, which promotes hair growth. Then bag you up, stick you under the dryer, Wash you out, blow-dry, style the whole shebang!! Sounds expensive..and depending on the salon, will charge up to 50-60$$

If the Salon you received this treatment at carries AG hair products this is the deep conditioning treatment you would have received and for the price of that one visit you could have the supplies to treat your hair with this treatment every week. All are great products not only combined but on their own as well.

note: Also try making your own version by mixing one part of your favourite conditioner, a couple drops of peppermint oil and a touch of your favourite defrizz serum.

However just because theres a wide variety of products available on the market to repair your damaged hair; doesn't mean you can't fix something up from your own kitchen. A lot of daily household items you keep in your kitchen can also be used to conquer dry damaged hair. 




Bananacado (Banana+Avocado) Deep Conditioning Treatment:





1 ripe banana
1 ripe avocado
1 tablespoon olive oil
optional: few drops of essential oils such as lavender,rose,jasmine act..

1.) Mash all ingredients together in a blender or with a potato masher.
2.) Shampoo hair, comb out and bowl dry. Apply mask to the hair, including scalp if desired, feel free to just use on the ends. wrap hair in a shower cap, old plastic grocery bag, or saran wrap and let sit for about 15-20 minutes (longer if you'd like) For more intense moisture lightly blow-dry around the plastic cap applying even low heat, this opens up the cuticles of the hair allowing the oils to better penetrate the hair shaft.
3.) Rinse mask out in the shower. To prevent clogging up your drain, I advise to cover the drain with heavy duty paper towel, old wash cloth, coffee filter, to catch the banana and avocado chunks. After thoroughly rinsing hair, turn the water to cold just for a second just to allow the cuticles of the hair to seal and lock in the moisture.
4.) Blow dry and style as desired.

** Avocado is rich with oils containing vitamins A,D and E.
** Bananas are rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins that helps in softening the hair and protects the hairs natural elasticity.

Sunflower Oil Treatment: 


Sunflower Oil
Comb
Warmed wet towel

1.) wet hair in shower. Apply a quarter-size amount of sunflower oil to your scalp. Massage into scalp and comb the oil through to the ends of your hair.
2.) Wrap hair in a turban with the hot, wet towel for up to an hour. Rinse and shampoo thoroughly.
3.) Blowdry and style as desired.

** Sunflower Oil is a wonderful natural moisturizer with smoothing, emollient properties
(emollients are lubricating agents that have a softening effect and prevent water loss) and is considered noncomedogenic (won't clog pores) it also contains an omega-6 fatty acid which are essential to healthy hair.

COCO LOCO once a week deep conditioner:



1 teaspoon lavender oil
1 teaspoon coconut milk

1.) Combine and mix the two ingredients. Apply and massage the mixure into your dry hair before your beauty sleep, rinse the next morning to reveal soft, healthy looking and feeling hair.

** Coconut milk contains a high level of Omega 3,6 and 9 fats; along with high amounts of amino acids and vitamin E, the perfect 'food' for hair.




Some Causes of Damaged hair:



Heat styling: Heat breaks down and cracks hairs cuticle and withdraws moisture leaving hair dry and brittle. To prevent damage caused by heat styling invest in a good quality thermal spray to apply before using styling tools. However new technology such as ionic technology found in latest flat irons and blowdryers work with heat to help restore, so when your in the market for a new flat iron or blowdryer, look for a model with this technology.
EVA NYC styling tools






Harmful chemicals: Such as bleaches, perms, relaxers swell the cuticles in the hair in order for them to work, this also wears down protein bonds in the hair which is the key ingredient that keeps our hair strong and healthy. When colouring hair regardless there will be damage however keeping hair strong and "fed" using a weekly hair mask or deep conditioning treatment after procedure will help repair and restore hair in its weak state.


Harsh Weather Conditions: Environmental conditions effect hair all year round and cause hair to become dry, brittle and prone to breakage. During the summer the suns UV rays break down the protein in our hair. During the winter months there is less moisture in the air, cold winds tangle and causes the cuticle in the hair to become rough.


Friction: The constant rubbing of hair against a surface causes breakage. Even the friction against your pillow while you sleep or using the inappropriate comb for brushing can result in damaged hair due to friction. To prevent breakage use comb as opposed to a brush especially when hair is wet.






How do you tame your mane??

MAC survival guide

Going into a MAC Cosmetics store to me is like a kid in a candy store. I just love exploring all the different products and colours. My imagination races at light speed as it ponders all the possibilities these beautiful pigments and pastel lip colours can create.
Makeup to me isn't just about looking good or feeling good. I mean thats a big part of what Cosmetics are all about, but Makeup to me is like art and when I step foot in a MAC store I'm a artist shopping for my next inspiration, my next out of this world look.

This being said a MAC store can be overwhelming for those who don't particularly know what their looking for. There are an abundance of products with various finishes, formulas, pigments, satin, sheen, matte, liquid, powder, it goes on and on. My first time in a MAC store I was 13 and I could only afford two eyeshadows and boy let me tell you I must have sat there for 45 minutes trying to decide which two eyeshadows, out of there selection of about 60 different colours and finishes. The two colours I proudly walked out of the store with that day were SWISH and SATIN TAUPE. I chose these two colours because I wanted to create a look that was both sophisticated and funky just like my personality;)

first two MAC eyeshadows as you can see I love Swish

My love for MAC and my collection have long grown since then, and although there are times where I walk into a MAC store awed and somewhat overwhelmed by the varieties, I always go back to my staples. These are my MAC staples that I use on a daily basis either on myself or my clients. They are high quality versatile products that are my most definite recommendations to first time MAC shoppers.

MAC Eyeshadow in Vanilla, Carbon, Naked Lunch, Satin Taupe

This one was a bit more tricky for me to establish. I love exploring with colour and looks and therefore use and love most of MAC eyeshadows. Not only for their colour variety but for how pigmented and high quality they are.

It's morning your getting ready for school, work, ect.. you have your eyeshadow perfectly applied and blended, your rocking your look only to see around lunch time it has slipped and no longer looks visible... has this happened to you??.. me to, all the time when I was a just a little preteen beginning to play with makeup...and I thought it was me and my poor abilities to apply makeup. Little did I know it was the poor quality of my dollar store eyeshadows.

These four eyeshadow colours would be the perfect start to a MAC collection. These colours are all neutral tones and are capable of creating looks from simple day looks to full drama smokey eye looks, and will look great on all skin tones.

Vanilla: Is a beautiful velvet textured, soft peach white colour, with a tiny hint of shimmer. This is a great pigment for highlighting the brow bone, brightening and opening up the eyes by adding a touch to the inner corner of the eyes. or is a great all over base colour to start the look and can be used to blend other colours out.

Naked Lunch: I love this colour and is my most used colour for brides, where the term Nude Smokey Eye is often used :S quite the contradiction but this shade makes it! It is the softest shade of pink with a light shimmer. This colour I use mainly all over the lids for a nice natural sheen, and will look stunning on all skin tones.

Satin Taupe: As I mentioned before this was literally one of my first MAC eyeshadows and still a favourite. It is the most beautiful taupe colour with a golden silver like shimmer to it. I love using this in the crease area to bring depth and drama to the eye without looking to harsh, as black can sometimes do. This colour is also beautiful in a golden smokey eye look, swept over the eyelid using black as the crease colour. If you prefer to have a matte finish ESPRESSO is a great substitute for this colour.

Espresso

Carbon: Carbon is the perfect black colour and can be used wherever black is needed. In the crease, smudged into the upper and lower lash line. Apply over eyeliner to give your eyeliner more staying power. All around versatile high quality eyeshadow that will stand up to those early mornings or late nights.


MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

I love how creamy and blendable this concealer is, unlike some concealers I find can be to dense and a bit more tricky to blend. The coverage is also amazing. I had a job doing hair and makeup on cruise ships and while training and studying over at the prestigious academy in London England we were not allowed to show our tattoos. This was unfortunate for be because I have a tattoo on my forearm that had to be covered up daily. This is what I used and although I no longer need to cover up my beautiful tattoo, this concealer is still a staple for personal use and in my professional kit. 32$ CA

Painterly Paint Pot

Remember my story earlier of the disappearing eyeshadow. Well this product is great for slapping that problem right in the face and showing it who's boss. MAC paint pots are creamy and blend fabulously. They come in a variety of colours, however I love Painterly because its a nude colour. You will use this with every eyeshadow application and not only will your eyeshadow last all day, but this product will also cover any little veins or discolouration of the eyelids so that the true pigment of your shadow can shine through. 21$ CA

MAC Prep and Prime Transparent Powder

This is a translucent powder but to me its like photo shop in a container! It gives the silkiest finish and is perfect for setting your makeup to allow it to last all day into those wild nights. Its great for reducing shine and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines. Apply this all over the face over your makeup or after moisturizing your skin for a smooth flawless airbrush finish. 27.50$ CA

Blacktrack Fluidline

Fluidline+angled brush= Unstoppable. Wether its a timeless cat eye look your aiming for, or classic retro pin up look Fluidline and a angled brush is all you will need. I love this formula because it is so easy to work with. It's ultra smooth gel formula basically does all the work and allows you to create as thick or thin of lines you'd like. 18$ CA


MAC 217, 239 and 168 Brushes

 Mac brushes are awesome, I think most makeup artist can agree on that however can be a bit pricy. For an everyday makeup routine you don't need a pile of professional makeup brushes, but having a select few of high quality brushes will be efficient on your wallet, deliver quality results and will be durable enough to last for years! I highly recommend investing in these three particular brushes because they are versatile and deliver great results.

239 is a soft, flat, dense eyeshadow brush perfect for picking up pigments and dispersing them evenly on the eyelids.  29.50$ CA

239

217 brush is perfect for applying and blending shadow in the crease area, as well as working with creamy products such as paint pots. I absolutely love this brush for working the crease area. Because the dynamics of this brush are in an oval shape it fits perfectly in the hollows of your eyes (crease) and pretty much does all the work, building and blending colour in the crease a breeze. 27$ CA

217

168 is a angled contour brush. I use this brush to apply blush, contour, highlight, buff and blending, you name it this brush can do it. The fibres are firmly bundled for precise application yet soft enough for blending.  41$ CA

168

MAC Powder Blush in Blushbaby, Pinch O'Peach and Blunt

Out of all my MAC blushes these are the two I wear most often and also use on most my clients, especially for weddings where the cheeks are just an accessory to the all over look. When your new to the blush market it can all look a bit scary, the fear of looking like a clown or that grandmas been pinching our cheeks all morning strikes a little fear, so keep it simple and choose a blush to work with your natural skin tone.

Blushbaby is a perfect beige-pink that gives the cheeks a subtle nude glow, nothing to overdone or uncomfortable to the eyes.

If your feeling up for it or if you have darker skin tones Pinch O' Peach is a beautiful warm peach colour that will add the most beautiful glow to your cheeks.

Blunt is my go to colour for contouring the cheeks and adding depth and dimension to the face. Its a beautiful matte bronzer that can be used in place of your usual bronzer.  24$ CA

MAC Cream Color Base in Shell

This is a cream colour (obviously) and is very versatile, another favourite among my clients. I love using this product to add a healthy radiant glow. Using either a brush or simply your fingers, I love applying this as a highlighter right at the top of the cheek bones, down the centre of the nose, on the brow bone ect.. This brightens up the face and reflects light to give the perfect highlighted glow. This product can be used on moisturized skin, or layered over foundation or powder. 21$ CA

MAC Lipstick in Hue

For everyday looks I'm a big fan of the soft pale nude lips and this colour is perfect for just that. Its a soft pale pink that can rock out on its own, or be the cherry on top to complete a dramatic smokey night look. 17.50$



Let me tell ya I sure wish I had a blog like this to tend to for my first MAC runs. My local MAC store is quite a drive, and the pictures in the online MAC store don't do the colours justice so I would research and make lists of all my desired products and make one MAC trip every couple months.

So wether its your first time stepping into a MAC store or if your in the mood to try something new I definitely recommend these as my staple products. You really can't go wrong in a MAC store. And if your ever overwhelmed amongst all the pretty colours, the wonderful artists working there are just as passionate and excited to take you on a journey to discover your perfect fall in love shade for whatever the occasion.

Whats in your makeup bag??

A womens purse... To men its a scary mysterious place they don't often venture, but for us ladies a purse is our home away from home, a lifeline..our bag of tricks. What we keep in our purse can be the difference between a good day and a bad day.
 So what kind of things do you keep in your purse ?? what products do you always have on hand to prepare yourself for anything?

Whether its a spontaneous get together with your secret someone, a date with the family, or simply going from a day look to night look, be prepared for any occasion by always keeping these products handy in your makeup bag.

 My makeup bag survival kit

These are the products I always have on hand with me. I may not necessarily use them all in a day but having a selection of your favourite products, allows you to create any look any time, carrying the least amount of products. I have only been carrying these products with me for the past 5 months and I have been able to create any look from casual day looks, to full on night on the town looks. Let me share with you my secret tips and tricks to getting the most out of these basic products.

note: These are just the brands and products I enjoy because they work for me, please feel free to utilize your favourite brands and products in your own unique way. However if your in the mood for trying something these are definitely worth a try.

Liquid Foundation/ Loosed or Pressed Powder/Concealer

 We all know these are the basis to a flawless foundation and can be used separately to achieve sheer coverage or in combination for maximum coverage. For simple day looks, try just using concealer where needed, and powder. I love using mineral powders because they are light on the skin and give a perfect sheer coverage for days where your just hanging out.

For a night on the town use a sheer liquid foundation followed by your favourite concealer and powder for maximum last all night foundation.

I always carry my favourite's **Clinique Perfectly real makeup, Glo minerals loose powder and Mac studio sculpt concealer.

Bronzer/Blush/Highlighting trio

These three products are more versatile then you think. Not only can a Bronzer be used to contour your features and give a sun kissed glow where needed. I have also used Bronzer has a eyebrow colour, and it makes the perfect eyeshadow colour for more dramatic looks. 

Carry your favourite Blush colour and lightly dust on the apples of the cheeks to add a soft glow. For night looks sweep the blush along the cheek bone up towards the temple for more drama. Depending on the colour you choose and the look your going for Blush can also substitute for a eyeshadow colour.

 The highlighting trio I always carry around with me is MAC Mineralize skin finish in Smooth Merge. I use the lighter colour to highlight the cheeks and brow bone however I have also used this for many different eye looks. its amazing how many different looks can be created with the same three colours. get creative with your products.

**MAC powder blush in BLUNT, Mineralize Skin finish Smooth Merge, Powder blush in spaced out.

Mascara/Eyeliner/Liquid liner

These products are key in any makeup look but can be used in different ways to achieve different looks. For a more dramatic way to open the eyes try applying mascara more so on the outer eye lashes having them flare outwards towards the outer corner of your eye.

I definitely recommend having two different eye pencils on hand, one in black and one in brown. Believe it or not I use brown more often then the ever famous black eyeliner. Brown is great because its more "soft" looking then black and is perfect for day looks. I also love using brown eyeliner as a brow pencil to fill in and define eyebrows. 

To turn a day look into a night look using black eyeliner along the inner waterline is simple and efficient. I have also used black eyeliner as eyeshadow base for creating smokey eyes. Simply apply black eyeliner along your lids and smudge into shape using a blending brush or your pinky, apply your bronzer colour to soften the edges. 

Liquid liner is great to have on hand to create the infamous cat eye liner which goes well with any look day or night. 

**My favourites are Benefit Bad gal Lash mascara, Bonnebell eye definer, Almay Liquid Eyeliner

Lip Pencil/Lip Color/Lip Moisturizer

Changing your lip colour is always a great way to go from a day look to night look.

 I love carrying around a light pink lip colour and a darker pink pencil. That way they can become more versatile. Using just the Lip colour on its own is great for soft day looks, for a more saturated look I like to line and fill my lips completely with my desired Lip Pencil and simply apply the Lip Moisturizer or Lip Color.

**My favourites MAC Viva Glam Gaga, MAC Lip Conditioner, GOSH Pink Peony velvet touch waterproof lipliner.

                                       Perfume/Antiperspirant/Hand Sanitizer

**Favorites Juicy Couture, Lady Speed Stick, La Senza Perfect Passion  






So wether its a spontaneous getaway, a overnight sleepover, or just a regular day at the office your beauty survival kit should be able to handle it all... In case of emergencies..Powder...Gloss..Glamorous










What products get you through the unexpected??

Body Shop must haves!

I have been a huge fan of the body shop since I was a pre teen. I was always asking for body shop products for christmas, birthdays and everything in between. Every mothers day my mother would faithfully recieve a body shop bathroom set, which would mysteriously get picked at as it sat untouched on display in our bathroom..mmhmm I wonder who that could have been ;)That love for thier products hasnt slowed down since. Over the years I have tried many products and have found my perfect combination for skin and body care. Every body shop visit, armed with my body shop card in hand, I stock up on these must haves.

Try stopping in at the Body Shop when they have there
          Buy 3 Get 2 FREE
          Buy 2 Get 1 Free
          Buy 1 Get 1 50%
I love going to the body shop during this sale time, it's a great time to stock up on all your favourites.





Tea Tree Foaming cleanser: 
This product has appeared on my blog many times and here it still stands at the top of the list. I have used many face cleansers from really expensive high end products to drug store bargains, and Iam always going back to this great quality budget friendly favorite. Tea tree, as ive explained many times before, has great antibacterial and antifungal properties to kill bacteria and help clear blemishes. This foaming cleanser feels great while cleansing your skin and your face feels amazingly fresh afterwards. I discovered this skin saver when I was 13 and 9 years later this is my number one must have from the body shop. This product is great for combination and oily skin types. I wouldnt recommend if you have severly dry skin but becuase its a foam it gives a nice gentle clean and may be worth a try.



Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream:
Again, this product has been mentioned on my blog before simply because I LOVE IT! I can still remember how I stumbled across this wonderful moisturizer. My dad had got me the gift set for my 14th birthday. Like most Body Shop products I enjoyed them, but this moisturizer I fell in love with. It wasn't to greasy, it didn't feel heavy on my face, my skin could breath and felt refreshed. All the things I look for in a moisturizer was contained in this magic little container. They have since then redesigned the packaging and changed the formula but it still remains all I look for in a moisturizer, and is still my number 1 budget friendly choice of moisturizer. As stated under the cap, this moisturizer contains Bladderwack Seaweed. Did you know seaweed contains phytonutrients which boosts blood flow making the skin glowing, soft and smooth while repairing damaged skin...yea me to ;) but it does and it definitely shows in this moisturizer. This formula is great for combination and oily skin types because it gives you moisture where you need it and has a matte finish for the oily areas, controlling excess oil and shine. It has a very light refreshing scent which feels cool and calming while applying. Honestly the best part of my skin routine is moisturizing with this cream, your skin feels so light and soft afterwards...amen for seaweed and their phytonutrients.


note: For severely dry skin I wouldn't recommend this moisturizer because it might not be moisturizing enough for your skin, this formula is designed to balance skin.

Coconut Body Butter:
Wow I'm beginning to feel like a broken record here.. Yes I have also mentioned this product on my blog before because, like I promised it is one of my must haves! I religiously use this every day right out of the shower, after being out in the sun to long, in the winter when my skin gets dry, I've even used this as tanning oil. They have many different formulas and scents another favourite being Satsuma, but the Coconut is my all time favourite. Coco Butter, which is the base of all their body butters, Contains many different antioxidants that help battle against free radicals that destroy skin cells and cause premature aging. This product is perfect for keeping skin hydrated and ideal for preventing stretch marks and treating scars.


Strawberry Body Polish:

My shower always contains a bottle of this delicious body polish. It's not a scrub or exfoliator it does both and then some....It cleanses and exfoliates while moisturizing, its magic! This formula contains crushed walnut shells and kiwi seeds which act as a natural, gentle exfoliator. The scent of strawberries is not only delightful but strawberries contain lots of vitamins and antioxidants that nourish and protect skin from those darn free radicals everyones talking about. The moisturizing properties in this body polish come from Honey, sunflower oil and sweet almond oil. A little goes a long way with this product and therefore lasts a fairly long time. Who needs a day at the spa with a product like this.


Tea Tree wipes:

Now I'm sure I don't need to go into my big speech on how much I love tea tree oil and how it naturally kills bacteria and is great for blemishes and so on. But now they come handy in these wipes. I love keeping these wipes in my overnight bag, makeup bag, gym bag, pretty much anywhere on the go. These are great for cleansing and taking off makeup at the end of the night, after the gym, camping, at sleep overs, and leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Lip Butter:

Oh yeah!!!! pretty much everything I love about the body butter for your lips. its sensational! awesome for protection from the sun, protection from the cold winters while moisturizing your lips.


Body Shop Face Brush:

I love the Body Shop face Brush. Like all of their brushes they are so unbelievably soft and are completely harmless to animals yayyy!!!! The tapered cut to the synthetic hairs are perfect for precise application of mineral powders, translucent powders, bronzers ect.. Applying makeup with this brush is a treat all on its own. The softness of the brush is great for all skin types especially delicate sensitive skin. Blending with this brush is effortless and the softness is quite enjoyable. I get compliments on my clients all the time when I use this brush, I even had a client doze off she was so comfortable, wether that was the brush or my magic touch for applying translucent powder..we'll never know ;)




Don't get me wrong there a many other products that I LOVE from the Body Shop but these are my essentials

What are your favourite Body Shop product??