September brings in the autumn season and like the changing of the leaves, hairstyles make the transition from summer cuts to meet fall fashion. These are just some of the styles expected to garner popularity during the upcoming months.
Ombre hair: Ombre hair and nails are growing in popularity as stars show off uniquely blended hair colors at more and more red carpet events. Blend from dark to light, choose shades that complement skin tones, and understand if they can wear bolder colors in their work environment.
Sleek and low volume: Sleek, clean hair with low volume is easy to maintain and easy to style. It's perfect for those looking to simplify the morning routine, or those looking for a versatile way to manage their hair.
Creative braids and twists: The popularity of The Hunger Games and rapidly spreading creativity on Pinterest has led a resurgence in differently styled braids and hair twists. Braids can be a more time consuming process especially with the added details, but the results speak for themselves.
Precise ponytails: Ponytails are a classic way of styling and managing hair. Ponytails are sleek and maintain elegance. They can be high, low, sleek, voluminous, and can be tailored to meet any need.
Retro bouffants: Retro always finds a place in the fashion industry, and as hipster trends become less than irony and more the style to follow, retro becomes the it thing. Creating a real bouffant can be time consuming, but modern advances in hair products have made the process easier.
Blunt bangs: Bangs have made their way back into the mainstream thanks to celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and Rooney Mara's portrayal of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" character, Lisbeth Salander. Facial shape is important when determining bang style; taller foreheads benefit from longer bangs, while rounder faces benefit from sideswept bangs.
What's one of the best-kept secrets for healthy hair?
As an "Informed Beauty" you probably will not be surprised that much of this is directly correlated to a healthy and balanced diet! It is fundamental that your grocery list contains the right mix of high quality protein, veggies, iron, and other non-inflammatory nutrients can help improve the health, look, and feel of your hair.
Your hair needs a well-rounded intake both from the outside- and inside that provides all the recommended vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. But it doesn't mean that when it comes to hair, all nutrients are equal, especially when it comes to protein.
A healthy body needs sufficient amino acids, and so does your hair. A strand of hair is composed of mostly protein, therefore it needs protein to grow. Protein creates a stronger hormonal and internal energy so your body can efficiently supply strong hair and nails. There are 22 amino acids that combine to form different proteins, and 8 of these must come from the foods we eat. Our body uses these amino acids to create muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails and internal organs. Proteins help replace and form new tissue, transports oxygen and nutrients in our blood and cells, regulates the balance of water and acids, and is needed to make antibodies.
At any given time, about 90% of your hair is in the growing phase. For each individual hair, this growing phase lasts 2 to 3 years. At the end of that time, hairs enter a resting phase that lasts about 3 months before they are shed and replaced by new hair. If you don't get enough protein in your diet, a disproportionate number of hairs may go into the resting phase.
On a normal scalp, there are about 120,000-150,000 strands of hair, and about 50 to 100 strands of that are shed each day. Most people don't even notice that small amount. If a large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, hair loss can become very noticeable.
Many of our clients at Kasia Salon are busy mothers and working women. It is common to go through bouts of hair loss in ones life. We often recommend taking inventory of our guests stress levels and nutritional habits within a 3 month time period. If this is a problematic cause, it be reversed. By restoring protein to your diet, whether it comes from plants, such as beans and other legumes, or meat from animal sources, you can restore the normal hair cycle and stop the abnormal hair loss.
Protein isn't the only nutrient needed to maintain healthy hair. Iron, vitamin E, and trace minerals, such as selenium, copper, and magnesium to help keep your hair in good shape. These are all involved in the production of the various proteins that make up your hair.
Iron can make a very large impact on the health of ones hair. This is especially true for women (heavy menstral cycles) and vegetarians. Not getting enough iron, like not getting enough protein, can cause hair loss.
Where do you find the best source of iron in your diet? Meat The best sources of meat is a organic land ean meat, like fish and chicken.
Good vegetarian sources of iron include pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, and spinach. Keep in mind that iron from non-animal sources absorbs iron less efficiently from plants.
It is best to speak with your doctor about your diet and hair concerns. Your doctor can test the level of iron in your body to best determine whether or not you should consider taking an iron supplement.
Another potentially important nutrient is vitamin D. Mirmirani says that though the evidence still isn't clear, some studies suggest that vitamin D may play a role in the hair cycle. "We can get vitamin D from the sun," Mirmirani says. "But dermatologists don't recommend a lot of sun exposure."
Dietary sources of vitamin D include fortified foods such as milk, orange juice, and cereals. But, Mirmirani says, according to some studies, many Americans aren't getting enough vitamin D. "And the actual recommended dosage is controversial," she says. As with iron, she recommends talking with your doctor about your vitamin D needs and whether or not you should take a supplement.
It is true that any hormonal, nutritional, or vitamin deficiency will cause hair loss. All the vitamins are important, although a B-complex, C, and E are very beneficial. Getting the essentials is key and does not mean you need to buy special supplements for your hair.
Less stress, inflammation, and a balanced diet low in GMO grains is a promising return on your health and hair. Although it will not hurt, "beware of biotin" claims, as there hasn't been any good evidence that taking zinc or biotin supplements actually offers any benefits for hair.
It is important to remember that just like our work-life, exercise, mind, relationships, and food....."balance" is key. A healthy diet, well-being, and the highest grade supplements is best for you, and your hair.
Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon. Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services. Visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com and become an "Informed Beauty."
One of the most overlooked beauty products, in terms of its affect on your body, is deodorant. Often times, the general public is mislead or simply not informed of the health affects that can come with wearing "mainstream" deodorants. Pure-odorant, a chemical-free and certified organic line of women's deodora comes straight from nature with a pure blend of organic hemp oil, aloe vera and mineral salts that soften skin and eliminate odor-causing bacteria for up to 24 hours.
Deodorants have become a part of everyday life for almost all of us. Antiperspirant deodorant is extremely common among women ... and unfortunately, so is breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Most commercial brands of antiperspirants and deodorants contain either aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium. These compounds are very soluble and are readily absorbed by the body. Once in the body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free radical aluminum, which passes freely across cell membranes and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by the liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone marrow.
New evidence to be published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology indicates that parabens, chemicals found in underarm cosmetics and other products, can be detected in human breast tumors. Previous suggestions have been made that certain components of underarm cosmetics may contribute to the rising incidence of breast cancer. Even women that wear no makeup, lip gloss or hair products invariably use deodorant products - body odor is seen as one of the seven deadly sins, whether you’re at the office or out with friends! This 'essential' part of our beauty routines may have serious health consequences for us down the track.
While aluminium is the main deodorant/antiperspirant ingredient that has been studied for negative health effects, almost all of the common ingredients in supermarket deodorants are harmful to us.
Here are the effects of some of the common underarm 'hygiene' ingredients:
* Aluminium chlorhydrate, aluminium zirconium tetrachlorhydrex gly, and other aluminium salts: We talked about the links between aluminium salts and breast cancer, as well as Alzheimer's disease. There may be further links to disease that haven't yet been identified.
* Parabens (all types): These are derived from toluene, which can both cause reproductive harm and mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, driving the growth of cancerous cells.
* Triclosan: This ingredient is a common antibacterial which cause contact dermatitis in many people, and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.
* Talc: Even the humble talcum powder has been regarded with suspicion by cancer researchers. It may contain asbestiform fibers (yes, these are related to asbestos) - the level of asbestiform fibers in talc is unregulated.
* Propylene glycol: According to the NIOSH this is a neurotoxin. The EPA admits that it hasn’t been fully investigated for cancer-causing potential, despite being in almost every personal care product on the market.
* Silica: This skin irritant is often contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is known to cause cancer
* Steareth-n: (Where n is any number) reacts with ethylene oxide in the manufacturing process. Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen.
* effective using hemp oil and mineral salts that eliminate odor-causing bacteria
* soothing and healing aloe vera to softens the skin
* no aluminum chlorhydrate; no alcohol
* No tingly irritation and no staining
* We’re sure, it leaves no white residue
* hypoallergenic
* no harmful propellants, pit and ozone friendly
* no animal testing, just on hunks
* no pore clogging, breathe!
Intrinsic aging is determined by heredity, your genetic programming that controls the hormones responsible for aging. The skin will certainly behave differently under the influences of these hormones, but how do they affect skin during the teen years?
A prepubescent skin (age 9-12) is the skin we all would like to have – smooth, invisible pores and simply flawless. For the most part prior to the teenage years, hormones are not influencing the skin but come age 13 and beyond, this is a different story.
From ages 13-19, hormones can really start to do funny things to a teenager’s skin. The fluctuations alone can aggravate the skin and contribute toward blemishes and breakouts. Estrogen is a natural anti-inflammatory and may keep things calm, but around the time of one’s period, the drop in estrogen very often will cause the skin to flare up. Testosterone and other androgens increase oil production and the tendency towards clogging. Those with sticky sebum or weak follicular walls will experience more severe breakouts, including stubborn cystic acne.
This is because the oil gland is located in a hair follicle with a narrow opening. As a result, sticky sebum makes skin prone to more clogged pores. Additionally, a weak follicular wall causes bacteria to leak out into the surrounding areas. This is why squeezing at your blemishes once they first appear is a very bad idea.) Your immune system perceives this as an infection and fights it by causing inflammation. -Renee Reloux
Cleanse and nourish your skin instead of stripping it! reFresh Face Cleanser gently cleanses without drying, maintains moisture levels and removes makeup without irritating sensitive skin.
Refresh:
Cleanse:
Soothe:
You've heard it before...... “You are what you eat”?
What goes into our bodies can make a difference on how we feel and how we look. A healthy diet, along with exercise and sleep, fuels a healthy body, plain and simple.
Based on the principles of beauty, wellness and education, the Kasia team is dedicated to providing clients with the opportunity to renew and nurture their natural sense of beauty through holistic experiences, mindful services and pure products.
Get Beautiful Health and improve your skin by focusing on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Next time you go shopping make sure foods with these eleven key nutrients are included in your grocery cart:
1. CATECHINS May reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sun-exposed skin. Foods include: dark chocolate, green tea, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, raw apples & pears…
2. FLAVONOLS May reduce roughness in the skin and protect against sun damage. Foods include: dark chocolate, blueberries, black & kidney beans, soybeans, eggplants & tomatoes
3. LYCOPENE This phytochemical helps eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays. Foods include: tomatoes, watermelon, pink & red grapefruits, asparagus & red cabbage
4. NIACIN (Vitamin B3) An anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. Foods include: barley, bulgur, peas, tuna, salmon, anchovies, peanuts & chicken
5. OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS Believed to stifle your body’s response to irritation and attract water to skin cells to plump up the skin and reduce wrinkles. Foods include: salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, tofu, shrimp, halibut & soybeans
6. RIBOFLAVIN (Vitamin B2) Involved in tissue maintenance and repair and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea. Foods include: mackerel, trout, almonds, sesame seeds, cheese, dry roasted edamame & bran
7. SELENIUM Helps preserve elastin, a protein that keeps your skin smooth and tight. Foods include: Brazil nuts, canned tuna, turkey, low-fat cottage cheese & oysters
8. VITAMIN A Maintains and repairs skin cells, a deficiency may result in a dry flaky complexion. Fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin and reduces the development of skin cancer cells. Foods include: sweet potato, mango, spinach, cantaloupe, carrots & eggs
9. VITAMIN C Essential to collagen production and the more collagen you have, the less creased your skin looks. May help repair and maintain DNA, basically bolstering cells’ ability to renew. Foods Include: dark leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, strawberries & oranges
10. VITAMIN E Protects skin cells from UV Light and other environmental factors that generate cell damaging free radicals. Its rich oils help protect against skin damage and premature aging. Foods include: olive oil, 100% whole wheat, kale, almonds, papaya & kiwi
11. ZINC Contains anti-inflammatory properties and affects sebum production a deficiency that may contribute to acne. Foods include: oysters, walnuts, chickpeas, cashews, nonfat and low-fat plain yogurt & milk
Don't forget to add your sunscreen (like Kasia Sunscreen), adopting a daily skin care moisturizing regime, and start looking at what’s on your plate. I assure you, some TLC care and nutrients will help your skin look and age better!
Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon. Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services. Visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com and become an "Informed Beauty."
Resources: http://www.reneerouleau.com/default.aspx Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN
photos: denman, ibiza, cricket, warrentricomi, spornette, mason pearson, denman post designed by kristin ess
#1 The Denman Paddle Brush. You can detangle with it, blow dry with it, massage your head with it, and tease hair with it. It doesn’t pull or scratch because of its perfectly rounded nylon pin-bristles, it doesn’t cause static, and is padded with an air cushion. On a daily basis, I use it to blow my hair out quickly before I curl it with a curling iron.
#2 Ibiza Round Brushes. These are my favorite round brushes for home use. They’re gentle enough to give in to a tangle, but strong enough to get tension for smoothing out waves. This brush is packed with the perfect amount of bristles. Your hair practically jumps around the brush and blows itself out.
#3 Cricket Metal Round Brush. This brush acts as a curling iron when it heats up. Most people use this when they want a little bend on their ends without using a curling iron. It has a hollow core which allows air to flow through. In other words, your hair is being dried from the inside as well as the outside, and that speeds up drying time. This brush is not my particular favorite because they often scratch the scalp and if you don’t move fast enough, there can be too much heat between your blow dryer and the metal of the brush.
#4 WarrenTricomi Metal Core Brush. This is like #2 and #3 mixed together. Since this brush has both boar bristles and nylon bristles you have more control over the hair than you do with a regular metal core brush. The boar hair bristles also help prevent excessive contact between the hair and the metal. This is a rather versatile round brush. It can be used to create smooth straight hair or hair with lots of body.
#5 Spornette- “porcupine” G36. This is my all time favorite brush for bangs. I have it with me ALWAYS. It’s under $10 and it’s the boss of your bangs when they act like they can’t hear you.
#6 The Mason Pearson. This is what’s considered by many to be the “Holy Grail” of brushes. While I love a Mason, I lose things a lot and I can’t quite justify spending $150 every time they escape my kung fu grip.
#7 The Mason Pearson’s cheaper, slightly less sophisticated cousin…The Denman Large Boar Bristle Brush. I use this a lot for updos and smoothing down fly aways. It’s also a great brush for soft teasing!
Resource: http://thebeautydepartment.com/2011/04/brush-up/
Research suggests that the sun is what causes wrinkles and 80% of all of the signs of aging and the other 20% of the signs of aging are caused by toxins and environmental damage.
Free of artificial preservatives, parabens, or other harfmul ingredients, Kasia onCure Eye Cream takes the efficient, but safe approach to treating under-eye wrinkles and the other signs of aging.
The eye area is one of the first regions of the face to show the signs of ageing. The skin around the eyes is deprived of oil glands and is very delicate and that’s why the skin doesn’t have a protection against the environments influences and UV rays.
Other underlying cause of bags and dark circles is poorly circulating fluids due to weakening capillaries. You can improve the strength of those capillaries, with the right nutrients internally, as well as applied directly in order to quickly get rid of wrinkles, bags and circles.
To get rid of eye wrinkles, you also need to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Kasia onCure delivers amino acid protein peptides that have been proven scientifically to help you do just that.
* Reduces dark circles, shadows and fine lines.
* Prevents puffiness and reduces eye bags.
* Reinforces firmness and tone.
Prunus Armeniaca (apricot) Kernel Oil
Commonly referred to as Apricot Kernel Oil, this oil is pressed from the kernels of the Apricot fruit. It is rich in essential fatty acids, which are vital components of the human organism. As a result, this nourishing oil helps to replenish and rebuild the skin.
Borago Officinalis (borage) Seed Oil
Used to prevent aging and wrinkles by fighting dehydration and the loss of skin elasticity. Borage also stimulates skin cell regeneration and rejuvenation, and is rich in minerals and linoleic acid.
Butyrospermum Parkii (shea) Butter
Kasia chooses shea butter for it’s unique fatty acid profile, which gives the ability to moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin.
Chrysin
Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavone, extracted from the blue passion flower. It promotes the elimination of blood originating pigments from under the eyes. Chrysin eliminates the by-products of hemoglobin degradation, which aids in reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3
Kasia trusts this protein will bring direct action to noticeably reduce under eye puffiness in four weeks. This product is clinically proven to help correct poor drainage by increasing the lymphatic exchange and achieving proper circulation of the extra cellular fluids. This powerful peptide counteracts skin slackening, perking up and increasing the firmness of the fragile skin area around the eye.
It also decreases irritation that could lead to puffiness.
The skin around the eyes is very delicate and sensitive, and that’s why you should use special eye creams or gels that are specifically made for the delicate eye area. Most of them contain ingredients that relax the muscles, vitamins, retinol and collagen.
* Always apply sunscreen, especially during the summer months
* Avoid using creamy eye shadows- they may seep into your fine lines and accentuate them even more
* Get plenty of sleep
* Drink lots of water, at least 1.5 liter
* Wear hats and black sunglasses especially during the summer
* Avoid smoking – it makes you squint and deprive your skin from “air”
* Take vitamins and eat lots of vegetables and fruits