Tips from Mariah - Brighten up your pale winter skin!

Hey....Sweet Cheeks!

Brighten up your pale winter skin with rosy cheeks.  Clean face, subtle eyes and pink cheeks are the latest makeup trends on the spring runways. For a more natural look, lighten up on the bronzer, apply a dusting just under the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead and chin.  Apply a generous amount of pink tone blush to the contours of your cheeks.  If you step outside in the cold and then look at yourself in the mirror you will see where your skin naturally flushes, apply the blush in this area for a natural rosy complexion that adds just the right amount of color to brighten any skintone.

Tips from your Kasia Makeup Artist Mariah

• Dust La Bella Donna's Bronze Mineral lights on cheekbones, nose, forehead and chin to warm up your skin
• Use a pink/rose colored blush like mauve applying just under your cheekbones and on the apples of your cheeks.  Step back from the mirror 5 feet, if your cheeks do not appear flushed, apply a little more blush to the apples.
• Finish the look with black mascara and your favorite lipgloss

More bang for your buck

• The Blackberry eyeshadow quad from La Bella Donna can be used on eyes and cheeks to stretch the dollar.  Use the pink/lavender color on your cheeks, the blue gray color on your eyelids and the purple color as an eyeliner
• Use the Luminere color on eyes, lips and cheeks for a 2 minute makeup look. Finish off with black mascara.
• Want a cream finish to your blush?  Use any of your Mineral Light Lipsticks as a cheek stain

Kasia Featured in MPLS Picks and MPLS Monthly Magazine! What's steamin' Hot?

What LOVE we've graciously received coming into February at Kasia!

Kasia Organic Salon featured in February's MN Monthly Magazine as a "TOP 10" feature for 2011 "Beautiful Health"   "just have TO-DO's."

&

TODAY

in Minneapolis Picks!

Pick up a copy and read about our Infrared Sauna Service!

Download our Top Benefits Sauna HERE!

Feeling "BLAH?" What is HOT about the Sauna!

The modern lifestyle exposes us to  many synthetic and chemicals that  build up toxins in our bodies.  I think we agree we could use some help encouraging our bodies to detoxify.

Detoxify your body with the healing nature of heat. Offering you a truly unique experience, Kasia Organic Salon and Sunlighten Far Infraed Sauna help to expel toxins from your body all while doing from the privacy of our personal sauna room.

The sweating benefits from the Far Infrared Sauna are incredible. It allows your body to use its natural sweating process to remove heavy metal, bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses from your body. It improves your flexibility, cleanses your pours, improves circulation and relives pain.

Help your weight-loss accelerate . A 30 minutes session can burn up to 600 calories during this rejuvenating process.

STRESS FREE!  After the session you will feel a profound sense of relaxation, making this an excellent way to manage stress as well.

Burns calories, helps control weight, enhancement your skin tone, relief of stress and fatigue, and more!

Purchase a Package of 10 ( 30 minute) sessions and SAVE $110!

99% of Pregnant Women in US Test Positive for Multiple Chemicals

99% of Pregnant Women in US Test Positive for Multiple Chemicals Including Banned Ones

ScienceDaily (Jan. 16, 2011) — The bodies of virtually all U.S. pregnant women carry multiple chemicals, including some banned since the 1970s and others used in common products such as non-stick cookware, processed foods and personal care products, according to a new study from UCSF. The study marks the first time that the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed has been counted.

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Analyzing data for 163 chemicals, researchers detected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), phenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perchlorate in 99 to 100 percent of pregnant women. Among the chemicals found in the study group were PBDEs, compounds used as flame retardants now banned in many states including California, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane ( DDT), an organochlorine pesticide banned in the United States in 1972.

Bisphenol A (BPA), which makes plastic hard and clear, and is found in epoxy resins that are used to line the inside of metal food and beverage cans, was identified in 96 percent of the women surveyed. Prenatal exposure to BPA has been linked to adverse health outcomes, affecting brain development and increasing susceptibility to cancer later in life, according to the researchers.

Findings will be published in Environmental Health Perspectives on Jan. 14.

The study was not designed to identify direct connections to adverse health outcomes.

"It was surprising and concerning to find so many chemicals in pregnant women without fully knowing the implications for pregnancy," said lead author Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, director of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment.

"Several of these chemicals in pregnant women were at the same concentrations that have been associated with negative effects in children from other studies. In addition, exposure to multiple chemicals that can increase the risk of the same adverse health outcome can have a greater impact than exposure to just one chemical," said Woodruff, an associate professor in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

Exposure to chemicals during fetal development has been shown to increase the risk of adverse health consequences, including preterm birth and birth defects, childhood morbidity, and adult disease and mortality according to the research team. In addition, chemicals can cross the placenta and enter the fetus, and in other studies, a number of chemicals measured in maternal urine and serum have been found in amniotic fluid, cord blood and meconium, they state.

The researchers analyzed data for 268 pregnant women from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004, a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population.

"Our findings indicate several courses of action. First, additional research is needed to identify dominant sources of exposure to chemicals and how they influence our health, especially in reproduction," said Woodruff. "Second, while individuals can take actions in their everyday lives to protect themselves from toxins, significant, long-lasting change only will result from a systemic approach that includes proactive government policies."

Co-authors of the study are Ami R. Zota and Jackie M. Schwartz of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, UCSF Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

Waxing versus Shaving

Who is a good candidate for waxing?

If you are the type of person that hates spending the time shaving your legs, underarms and bikini area every other day and are prone to skin irritations like razor bumps and ingrown hairs than waxing is for you. To properly shave you need to soak your skin to soften and loosen the hair follicle, exfoliate the dead/dry skin cells away, use a moisturizing shaving lotion and shave.  This can take up to an hour to do your whole body.  Who has that kind of time time every other day??? In order to prevent bacteria from getting into the hair follicle you have to use a new razor every time you shave.  This can get very expensive fast if you are purchasing a quality razor that will give you the cleanest shave.

Waxing is the superior option to shaving because it will save you time, money and will nourish your skin's health by lessening the chance for ingrown hairs and exfoliates dead skin cells.  Waxing is a form of epilation that removes hair at the root of the hair follicle allowing the hair to grow back more slowly and less coarse. Most clients experience hair removal for 4 to 6 weeks.  Shaving is a form of depilation that removes the hair at or near the surface causing the hair to be blunt and start its growth cycle 1-2 days after shaving.

When is a good time to get waxed?

Winter is the best time to start on a waxing routine so that your legs, bikini and underarms are ready for the warm weather. Because our hair grows in 3 different cycles, we can train the hair to grow all at the same time by continually waxing every 4 to 6 weeks.  By the time Spring/Summer rolls around your legs, bikini and underarms will have less ingrown hairs, the hair will be less coarse and easier to remove and the hair will grow back slower allowing for hair free worry when wearing shorts, bikinis and tank tops.

Maintenence

Just like maintaining your hair color and style waxing takes regular visits every 4 to 6 weeks.  The savings that you will gain from not having to buy razors and shaving lotions and the time that you save will pay for itself after one waxing session.  In order to optimize waxing results between visits it is important to start exfoliation after 48 hours of being waxed to prevent the skin from growing over the hair follicle "ingrown hairs", nourish your skin daily with Jojoba oil and your favorite essential oil mix and most importantly not shave in between visits.  If shaving is done between waxing visits it starts the hair growth cycle from the beginning requiring more waxing sessions to get back on schedule.  If you have heard people say that waxing gets less painful each time you get waxed, this is true only if shaving is not performed in between waxing otherwise waxing will feel like the first time, everytime.

**Make your appointment today with Mariah and start training your hair to grow at the same time to get your legs, bikini and underarms ready for Spring Break!!  612 824 7611

Feather Hair Extensions are the HOT new trend at Kasia!

Light as a Feather....FREE as a Bird

Feather Hair Extensions have swept the nation from Florida to California and NOW Kasia Organic Salon is bringing them  to Minneapolis!

Note: the Peacock feather is a large piece we added to experiment with larger options!

It’s sassy, bohemian, fun, and a great way to try something new with no commitment.  The feathers are completely washable, wearable, and can be styled with low heat.

They are professionally applied by the Kasia team using an extension method which causes no damage to your hair, and can last up to 3 months.

With prices starting at $15, Kasia Organic Feather applications are only expected to grow through spring 2011!   We offer a wide range of colors and adding to our collection!

Take just 5 minutes out of your day and 'feather up' at Kasia!  612 824 7611

All feathers are sourced responsibly.

Spring/Summer 2011 Hair Color Trends

Spring/Summer 2011 Trend

Kasia Organic Salon  is getting the "ich" and taking the current month(s) in preparing and educating our team in how to bring you the hot off the press hair color trends for  SPRING

Brunettes The beautiful chestnut brown as seen on Jennifer Lopez will be huge this spring and summer months.  Creating a rich base with tons of shine and natural curl.  By adding beautiful light highlights close to the face creates an amazing glow.    The gradation of color as it gets lighter towards the ends keeps brunettes looking fresh and bright.

Redheads As we move into spring, redheads will become stronger, more rich and obvious.  Emma Stone is a great shade of red that makes her features pop.  as her seasonal inspiration. Luckily our Ammonia-free Color line at Kasia, does not fade like other 'red/color lines' do.   Dare to have some extra sass and personality.

Blondes Spring and summer, are about the "ombré style."  Drew Barrymore’s look will be a large  hit in  having a root area that fades into blonde creates a natural summer ‘at-the-beach’ feel.  Save on retouches by another week(s) and exchance your savings for great shampoo, conditioner, and treatments.

Best tips for your dry, winter skin!

The cool weather winter can be rough on your skin. In the  winter your skin deals with a lot of harsh environments, strong winds, cold air, indoor heaters, rain, snow, sleet and an overall lack of a good healthy dose of sunlight. (Especially if you've been in MN this winter) Skin functions differently in the cooler months so you need to change your routines.  With the right support, the relief  to your skin’s ailments can be solved simply, if dedicated.  Your skin’s goals when it is cold out should be to moisturize, exfoliate and moisturize again.

Kasia Winter Skin Care Tips

Cleanse: Now is the time of year when you need to put away your stringent cleansers and stock up on  a more "mild" modality.

Tone: Also put away your stripping and/or astringents over to a toner for winter.  Your skin needs to be soothed, protected and balanced and not dried out.

Moisturize Your Face: Choose heavier lotion in the winter than you would in the warmer months.  A heavy duty tip is to use Kasia onCure  Eye Crème ( contains tripeptides – encapsulated into liposomes – stimulates the natural   process of the skin leading to a gentle,  brighter, smoother and more even complexion) around your lips and other dry spots on the face.  If your skin is itching it is because the dry air is causing the moisture in the top layer of your skin to evaporate quickly.  You will need to slather those areas with extra moisture until you feel relief. Never be afraid of using  jojoba oil   on your skin in the winter.

Moisturize Your Hands & Body: During the cold and flu season you should wash your hands liberally but be certain to apply a heavy hand lotion every time you wash your hands.

Exfoliate Your Face: Exfoliate twice per week to remove dead skin cells and allow your skin to absorb the extra moisture you are lathering on.  The central heating plays havoc on the sebum our skin normally produces, which makes our skin lose water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin.

Be cautious not to over exfoliate.  Kasia soPure Exfoliating Mask works WONDERS  with light jojoba beads that are not harsh to the dermis. Our NEW Walnut Scrub for the body is customizable with your own favorite essential oils!

Have you ever wondered about the areas of your skin that looks like your skin is flaking off your body?  What happens is that during the winter months there are thousands of dry skin cells ready to be sloughed off the surface and they become clumped together with oil which forms what appear to be flakes.  Don’t be flaky, exfoliate!  Exfoliate your facial skin and re-moisturize with jojoba oil!

Wear your SUNSCREEN every day!

Exfoliate Your Body: Exfoliate your body with sugar or salt scrubs followed by rich oils or butters.  Your body will soak every ounce!

Hydrotherapy: For a simple in home hydrotherapy, start out your day with a hot steamy shower and just as you are finishing switch the water to cold for about fifteen seconds.  Repeat the process for two minutes.  This hydrotherapy technique will revitalize your skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the skin.  During cold and flu season you can add 1-5 drops of Kasia Apothecary Blends of Peppy-mint, Lemonlift, and Lavendaire oil to the corner of the shower and let the steam create a wonderful aromatherapy treatment.

The key to healthy cold weather skin is to remember to moisturize, exfoliate and moisturize again!

References: Personal Care Truth

Green Tea Aids Weight Loss, Belly Fat, and more!

Here is good news for everyone as we recover from the holiday season. Not only is organic green tea an excellent anti-cancer nutrient,  but it is also beneficial for weight loss. The American Journal of College Nutrition reported in 2010 that four cups of green tea, daily for eight weeks is excellent for fat burning. Thirty-five obese subjects found that this amount significantly decreased body weight and body mass index (BMI). Green tea also improved the subjects’ cholesterol readings and reduced the oxidation of blood fats, which is a marker of aging. Last year, another study in the Journal of Nutrition found that a daily dose of 625 green tea catechins (an active ingredient) with 40 mg of caffeine enhanced weight loss and lowered blood fats (triglycerides) when combined with 25 minutes of daily exercise.

Specifically, it was fat around the belly that experienced the greatest reduction. This makes sense because high insulin is a prime contributor to belly fat, and green tea extract helps to balance insulin function and production. Insulin is produced by the pancreas to push glucose (sugar) from the blood into our cells. If cells become immune to insulin’s action, which often occurs, this results in excess insulin in the blood. In women, when insulin is elevated, it causes a further increase in male hormones. Classic symptoms of elevated insulin and male hormones include excess middle weight gain, acne, male-pattern facial hair growth (e.g. hair above the lip and on the chin), skin tags, diabetes and pre-diabetes.  (Reference: Lorna Vanderhaeghe)

Cherry Lemongrass Bloom Sencha:  Green Tea

Partner in PROMOTING Healthy Skin & Wrinkles Prevention!

The following benefits are derived from the antioxidant flavonoids and polyphenols, preventing free radicals.  Green tea finds and terminates these free radicals and helps promote healthy, smooth skin.

Health benefits attributed to Kasia Cherry Lemongrass Bloom Sencha:  Green Tea

• prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
• prevention of strokes.
• preventing cancers and reduction of tumors.
• strengthening the immune system.
• help in the treatment of diabetes.
• aid in weight loss efforts.
• repairing skin damage.
• fight tooth decay.
• Fights rheumatoid arthritis.
• lower stress.
• protects the liver and kidneys.

Small Batch * Artisan * Fair Trade  *  50 cups per 4 oz tin

Kasia is committed, in partnership, to Fair-trade and Artisan practices to bring you ingredients that are designed and hand-blended in small batches by companies that are operated and owned by families carrying on time-honored traditions, ensuring freshness and one-of-a-kind quality.  Completely natural with no artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring. Dried fruit pieces, nuts, herbal tisanes, and botanicals add amazing flavor and aroma.

Loose Leaf Tea VS Bagged Tea:

Loose leaf teas simply offer the best variety, quality, and freshness. “When you are buying a bagged tea, the tea is obscured by the bag. Many low quality teas (even ‘tea dust’) are sold in bags so that you don’t realize the quality, and are subject to going stale faster than loose leaf tea.”

Learn more about our other three other Kasia Beautiful Health Artisan  Tea's HERE!