Behind the chair

Up dating my portfolio a bit today! Get ready for a picture heavy post!
These are a few of my favorite looks I have accomplished lately!
Thanks for looking,

Hope you are having a happy hair day! 

Thanks again for checking in! 

Michon :)

Burning Man Hair Part 2

I love living vicariously through my brave friends that dare to attend that glorious art gallery called Burning Man every year. It is on my bucket list. I love watching as the pictures start to download on Facebook and to the internet through other media sources. If you have never heard of it or want to learn more about it here is the website. I love looking at everyone's costumes and the things they end up doing or not doing with their hair. It amazes me to see how people are allowing their hair to get completely trashed for an entire week! Some of the folks I saw are not going to get that out of their hair with anything less than a major haircut!
Alkali is primarily what the playa is made of. It opens the cuticle of the hair shaft making it dull and rough feeling. You could actually perm someone's hair with that playa dust! Then of course you would have to neutralize it with an acid rinse to get it to stay for a while.
Now that you are back from the Black Rock Desert and ready to return to reality it is time to put the "life" back into your hair that the playa dust took.

1. The best way to neutralize the alkali is with an acid of course. I suggest after a nice gentle shampooing or two that you rinse with an acid rinse of either apple cider vinegar or lemon or lime juice. Don't let them stay on for longer than a minute and rinse. This will close the cuticle of your hair shaft and begin the repair process. 
2. Follow step one with a heavy conditioner. You know something very thick and luxurious. My favorite for this job is Hydrate Hydra Whip by Pureology. The directions say to leave it on 2-5 minutes but I would suggest an hour or so to just let your hair attempt to re-coop some sense of moisture. 
3. Try not to wash it or dry it out anymore than possible. If you can go a couple of days and let the natural oils return to your hair and scalp all the better. If you have to wash daily I would again suggest the Hydrate Shampoo by Pureology.  There is a reason this shampoo is the number one seller in theses high desert dry climate states. It is gentle and moisturizing. 
4. When shampooing just work in at the scalp. That is where the dirt and oil build up. Don't get a bunch of lather going on at the lengths of your hair. The shear action of the shampoo rinsing down through your ends is enough to cleanse any dirt that may be on those dry ends. 
5. Style au-natural for the next week or so.  The less heat tools the better. If you can possibly get by without drying, curling or ironing your hair for a week it will go a long way in helping to repair the ground you have lost over the last week. 
6. And finally get a trim! Nothing big, just a new end is all you need. By putting a new end on those tresses it will keep them from splitting. And while you are there ask about a professional deep condition treatment. We have in salon treatments that can do wonders for the playa blasted pony!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

Hope you all had an amazing time on the playa. Can't wait to see all of this years photos! 

See you next time,

Michon :)

Mention that you read this article and book for a trim by Sept. 30th and you can receive a in salon ritual deep conditioning treatment for only $10 extra! That is a $25 savings! ;)
Special thanks to Natasha of Natasha's World Jewelry for letting me use her photos for my blog the last two weeks!You rawk Natasha!

Burning Man Hair Part 1

I love seeing all the amazing costumes that everyone wears to Burning Man every year! This is my beautiful friend Natasha of Natasha's World Jewelry and just one her many funky costumes from last years event! One of the things you will notice about the costume and many of the pictures you will see from the event is the many attempts to cover the cherished tresses. The alkali on the playa at the Black Rock Desert has the pH of approximately 10.5.   The pH of your hair is between 4.5 and 5. It is important to keep it protected from the pounding it will get on that desert this week. Here are my best suggestions to protect your hair from excessive damage.

1. Wear a wig. They are fun and easy to whip on. They may be a little on the hot side but it will be fun for a day to be a different color or a different length. And with your alter ego out there you will have more fun for the day anyhow! 
2. Hats are another great option. Your hair will probably still poke out from under it a little but at least the playa dust will have a detour before getting directly on your scalp. 
3. A scarf, turbon or bandana will help. They will also be cooler since you may be sweating the dust from the lake bed will be attracted more to the moist cloth than your hair. 
4. Braid your hair. Braiding will keep much of the hair protected. DO NOT make the mistake of adding conditioner or anything else to your braids. That will only attract more dirt rather than ward it off. 
5. A bun is a great way to protect the most of it. And if you cover the bun in some fun shiny fabric or something creative you will return from your trip with hair that will forgive you. 
6. Do not weave or braid fabric or yarn into your hair. If those fibers get wet, which they most likely will if it is hot they will be a magnet for the alkali dust to attach to the full strand of hair. 

Stay tuned for next week when I do a follow up on what to do after the Burn! 

Thanks for tuning in to my blog. 

See you next time! 

Michon :)

What are Lash Extensions?

I am on cloud nine!! I just got lash extensions for the first time! I have been doing lash extensions now for over a year but hadn’t found the right person to do mine. Well I finally found her. Linda McKinley does an amazing job and I would highly recommend her. She has a advanced degree from Extreme Lashes and really does an amazing job.
I know this may be overview for many of you but I still get asked all the time, "What exactly are lash extensions?"
Lash Extension is a procedure where a licensed professional adheres and individual, lush and long lash to your puny, thin lash. It is a semi-permanent procedure, meaning the lashes eventually fall off as your natural lashes do. The recommendation is that you come back in to get "a fill" every 2-3 weeks to replace the lashes that you have lost. It takes approximately 2 hours for the initial set. Fills are anywhere from an hour to hour and thirty minutes, depending on how many lashes you have lost.
Lash Extensions are glamorous! Nothing is as flirty as long lush lashes!
If you can afford the upkeep I would say do them all the time! They are beautiful and they save you a ton of time in the morning not having to use mascara or a lash curler. Pricing around the Reno area run between $250-$200 for the full set and $150-$100 for the fills.
If price is a factor there are still times I would recommend them such as: wedding, photo shoot, special event or a hot date. ;)
Here is an excellent article by Dana Oliver, about the lash extensions and she does such a good job covering the pros and cons I do not feel it necessary to duplicate her list.

Here is what mine looked like when Linda was done with me! I loved them!
Everyone should try them at least once!
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
I hope this post was helpful and please send me an email and let me know what you are interested in hearing more about.
Thanks,
Michon :)

Beautiful Bikini Bare!

Tis the season to bare more than you dare. Especially if you are not prepared in advance for that pool party or the last minute run up to Tahoe to get much needed lake time in! The season here is so pitifully short. Let's not waste time covering up or worrying about not being groomed properly for that itty bitty swim suit. Hair removal used to be a pretty basic order, but now days we have options. Lots of them.

• Shaving is always going to the be standby for most of us. It is easy and accesible at all times. The downside to shaving is razor bumps and ingrown hair that can be painful. Here are my favorite tips for getting the best results. 1- Exfoliate to get rid of dead skin and bacteria. 2- Use a new razor with a moisture strip on either side of it. 3- Shave in the direction of the growth. 4- Dab a little Neosporin to moisturize and protect. These tips should help to cut down razor rash.  
• Waxing is a great, although painful way to accomplish our goal. Waxing is done with use of a sticky or hard wax that is heated up and then applied to the skin and then strips of cloth are applied to the wax. the wax is then removed with quick motion in the direction of the growth of the hair. Downside of this procedure in my opinion is that you have to let the hair grow 1/8 to 1/4 long so that the wax has something to grip. 
• Sugaring is very much the same thing as waxing except that it works better for those of us with sensitive skin. The sugar is just barely warm which keeps the safety factor up since there is no chance of being burned by wax that is too hot. Clean up is easy in that it comes off with water. The procedure is considered less painful by many since the sugar doesn't stick to the skin the way wax does. 
• Depilatories are seen by many as a viable option but I have to disagree. Most creams have a very unpleasant aroma.  The chemicals that you are allowing to penetrate your body at a very sensitive area are concerning. The course hair down there is not easy to dissolve and some could remain leaving you with uneven results. And there is the chance that some of the chemical could migrate to an even more sensitive area and really send you howling. Enough said on this one! 
• Laser hair removal is the Mercedes Benz of  hair removal. It is pricey but it is also permanent. The laser works best on people with light skin and dark hair. But everyone should go for a free consultation at least and look into it. When you compare it to the price of waxing and pain of ingrown hairs it is at least worth looking into. Don't go cheap! Lasers can leave scars if not being preformed by a skilled technician. So my recommendation would be no Groupons! :)

This covers most of the hair removal techniques out there. If you are interested in eyebrows or facial hair removal all the above apply and there is one other option available to you. That is called threading. I do not do threading but it looks like a fascinating technique. I can't imagine how it could possibly be any less painful that waxing but it is fun to watch! 

Hope you are all enjoying your beach time! Live it up while you can! Only 22 weeks till Christmas! 

Haha, thought you would like that! ;)

See you next week. 

Michon :) 

Gardening Hands Helps

Tis the season to be gardening! The gardening season here in Reno is short, so I know you are all madly digging in right now! Digging in the dirt and keeping up with the weeding can be very hard on your hands. Dirt and mud are a vacuum for moisture, and the deadheading can leave your nails stained and nasty looking. However, I know that you die hard gardeners are not about to let those little inconveniences slow you down.  Here are a couple of tips to help keep your hands from telling the world what a Green Thumb you are.

1. Put a heavy moisturizer on under your gloves. Use one that is more of an ointment than just a hand lotion. Even petroleum jelly is better than nothing. My favorite moisturizer is the Mango Mend that I spoke about in this post. By providing your hands with this protective barrier, you will greatly decrease the drying effect that dirt will have on your skin and cuticles. 
2. Keep your tools with you. Use a little bucket like you would if you were going to the beach and fill it with the necessary tools to do the job. A small shovel, a pair of utility scissor and a pick or a screwdriver is usually enough to keep you from doing something that may end up with a broken nail. Your nails are especially fragile when they are already moist.
3. Be careful when digging. This goes along with number 2 but it bears repeating. Don't get tempted to just start digging away with your hands instead of using your handy little shovel. It only takes one puncture from running into something unexpectedly to end up with an infection that could take weeks to recover from. 
4. Paint your nails. This sounds ridiculous but if you think about it, a couple of extra layers of lacquer over your nails is going to strengthen them. Less chipping and splitting is always the better solution when you are talking about the health of your nail bed.  Go ahead, it is a good excuse to primp. 
5. I saved the best for last. I have found a miracle cure for dull, yellowing, dirty nails. It is called Bar Keepers Friend. It is a scouring scrub that is designed for cleaning your stainless steel but it also happens to be an amazing nail whitener! I use it at my manicure station at the salon to get my clients nails as white as possible! Simply make a paste and dig your nails into it and allow the paste to stay under your nail for at least 5 minutes. 

That is all I have for this week. Please leave me a comment if you have a trick that works for you while you are gardening to keep those hands in decent shape. I would love to hear them! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

See you next week 

Michon :)

Summer Beauty Must Haves!

Hot enough for you Reno?! Wow! In light of all this heat, I thought it would be a good time to share some of the hottest new beauty items on the market this year. With 4th of July weekend coming right up, you should stock up on these items to make your weekend as carefree and beautiful as possible. First up...

Model in a Bottle. This product was brought to my attention by a client of mine who bought a bottle on vacation. Caroline is a Reno blogger as well, and takes her job of informing the public about food allergies and asthma on her blog here very seriously. So when she started texting me after her lipstick amazingly lasted through her entire day of events, which included eating and drinking of course, I thought I should take note. Online reviews for the product are great.  Nothing is hotter than lips that are well defined, beautiful and lasting.

The BIO BB and SPF line by Lira Clinical. This product is a must have for all women on the go this summer. The Beauty Balm tint is a comprehensive system that incorporates new advances in anti-aging, camouflage, and sun protection all in one! Three products in one gets you out of the bathroom and out on the beach that much faster. It doesn't get any better than that!

ST TROPEZ sunless tanning system. If you are allergic to the sun like me, and you don't want to have to pass out sunglasses to everyone on the beach before you make your appearance, you will love this product. It gives a sensational tan with no orangy afterglow. You must be meticulous when applying to keep it from streaking, but with a little practice the results are impressive. The reveiws for this product are off the hook from most of my customers and from what I have found online. Available at Sephora at the Summit Mall.

CND Vinylux weekly polish. This nail polish is a fantastic, durable, long lasting polish. It does not require a uv light to cure and it's durablity actually increases with natural light exposure. There is no base coat, so drying time is cut down, and it comes in super cool fun summer shades. The "vinyl" in the color actually makes the polish more flexible. The result, less chipping. Available at fine salons everywhere. Check it out!

Mango Mend Treatment Balm.  This extreme moisturizing and conditioning hand ointment is exactly what you need when you have been out digging in the garden or playing in the sand or surf. I like to apply a thin coat to my hands right before bed to allow the beneficial oils, vitamins and extracts to soak in for a full 7 to 8 hours. And it smells yummy to boot! Available at Image Artistic and other fine salons.

One last must have for summer is the Artown App! Not much makes Reno a more beautiful place to live than Artown. Now there is an app for your phone so that you won't miss a minute of the great events that are happening all over town this month! It even has a calendar on it to invite friends, share on Facebook or Twitter, and it is free! 

That is it for this edition of product reviews. Hope you are able to beat the heat the next couple of weeks and enjoy some cool stuff! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

If you come across any cool new products that you would like to share I would love to hear about them! Leave a comment below. 

See you next week. 

Michon :)

Rosacea Triggers

Today I got the lovely news that I have Rosacea. This skin disorder typically begins after age 30 and the tell-tell signs are redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. Eventually the redness becomes ruddier and more persistent. In other words you look like a hot mess, and not like the picture! I had a feeling this would be my diagnosis but I was in denial and wanted to stay there. I had been using very aggressive products with a bunch of retinals and AHAs to combat this 'condition' I felt I had, only to find out that I was using the exact opposite of what would be helpful. So today I have been studying up on what causes rosacea and what triggers it. According to the National Rosacea Society, there are 16 million of us being diagnosed. With summer in full swing, (heat and sun being big triggers) I thought I would share what I have learned from my doctor and from the wonderful world wide web!

1. Hot Temperatures. This can be anything from a hot bath, sauna,  exercise, or too much sun. The one thing the dermatologist stressed to me is that I NEED to be wearing my sun screen even if I am not going outside. People with rosacea are very sun sensitive. 
2. Skin Care products that cause stinging or redness. Stay away from drying cleansers, retinols, alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acids, and the like. Be kind to your skin and use hydrating cleansers and anti-inflamatory cosmetics and moisturizers. 
3. Vitamin D. A new study is being considered now. One study group found that patients with rosacea had an average vitamin D level 25 percent higher than the healthy individuals in the group. Something to consider. I am faithful with my daily D3, but now that it is summer and I am getting more D naturally I think I will back off of it for a bit and see if that helps.
4. Beverages. Alcohol, especially red wine, (excuse me while I sob into my pillow for a bit), beer, bourbon, gin, vodka, or champagne. Hot drinks including, hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Ok, my tea is usually luke warm by the time I drink it so I am safe there, but my wine, oh, this could be problematic. Have to work on that one. ;)
5. Foods. Wow! The list of foods that I found really shocked me. Here is the complete list. (Note that not all foods effect all people with rosacea the same way. The recommendation is to keep a food diary and make note when you get flair ups).  Wouldn't you know it, chocolate is on the list along with spicy foods!! OMGosh! Life is not fair! 

Okay, my pity party is over now. I just thought I would share this little tidbit that I learned today. I will be on the look out for more information on the subject. Gratefully, I have found a new skincare line that will be aiding me in my skin's recovery. Lira Clinical, as I mentioned in last week's post ,actually has an anti-inflamitory line which is specifically what my dermatologist suggested.

Let me know if you have had anything that has worked particularly well for you or any of your family members that may have had to deal with this disorder. I would love to hear it. Please share this with a friend or to Facebook or any place your like to share.

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Have a great week!

Sincerely, 

Michon :)

State of the art skincare!

What else would I rather do than go to a class on skin care on my day off? Not much. Well, maybe... a day at the beach could win out now and again. But honestly I had a fantastic day Monday at the Grand Sierra Resort learning about all the newest, most innovative, natural and cutting edge products on the market as of December 2012! Yes! Brand new and nothing else in skin care like it anywhere! I would like to highlight just a few of the magnificent ingredients that will now, be the only things I will be putting on my face.

• Mastiha is an ancient arabic gum that is antibacterial, anti-fungal and contains antioxidants. It is not hard to imagine why having such an amazing product in your skin care line would be beneficial. 
• Collodial Gold and Silver are minerals that are highly beneficial to the skin. They stabilize the collagen, stimulates the glands, are anti-bacteral, kill viruses and speed up healing. 
• Copper is a mineral that strengthens the blood circulation, improves elasticity and is also anti-microbibial. 
• Teprenone is an anti-aging ingredient that it designed to keep your telomeres from shortening. Telomeres are the end of the strands of DNA for your skin. (imagine that little plastic end of your shoelace that protects them from fraying). Those are what telomeres are to your skin. 
• Plant Stem cells are primary cells from which life is born. Stem cells have the capacity of self-renewal and producing identical cells.
• Progeline and Cyclopeptide-5 are the newest peptides on the market. These peptides communicate directly with the cell and slow the aging down by reducing the toxic protein Progerin. 

If you are a person that enjoys using quality products on your skin and you enjoy products you can't get at Walmart you need to look into this line. The price point is very comparable to anything you will get at the high end stores but the ingredients are far superior and clinically prescriptive. So at the end of the day I have to say that I feel incredibly lucky. Lira Clinical has some amazing products that I am taking back to the studio with confidence that I am doing the absolute best thing I can with the technology available at the this time for my clients skin. 

If you have any questions or would like to hear more about this amazing new skin care line please just drop me a line and I will hook you up with free samples. 

The product will sell itself to you! It is amazing!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Sincerely,
Michon :)

Remembering Dad is Beautiful Thing

We all know the saying, "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy."
Daddy's are special. And fathers are, without a doubt, the hardest working members of the family. At least that is how it is at my house. Not only does mine work 40+hours a week, but on the weekends he is also our gardener, mechanic, plumber, electrician, handyman and the escort, for whichever female is most in need of male attention... (with 3 daughters and my mother living with us, my poor husband is drowning in estrogen). So we tend to spoil Daddy a bit around here. Dads are not only hard working but also equally hard to buy for. So I came up with a few ideas for you, from cheap as can be, to a little more expensive but not over the top. Starting with the more expensive possibilities...

• Soaring NV~ We did this a few years back and totally surprised him! We bought him a glider ride over Tahoe. A glider, or sailplane, is a type of aircraft that does not have an engine. Usually an airplane tows the glider aloft, to pull it into the air. At the desired altitude, the glider pilot releases the towline, and begins to glide. Hence the name "Soaring NV"! He had an amazing ride and was ready to do it again immediately!  Gift certificates are available online and they are a super nice local company, located in Minden. This is a gift sure to keep him on cloud 9 for a while! 
• V& T Railroad or the Nevada State Railroad Museum are both great options that many folks in the area forget about. We loved our trip to Virginia City last year on the V&T line. Plan on having lunch up in VC and plan on bringing an umbrella and extra water. It gets hot. But climbing the hill from Carson to Virginia City feels so nostalgic in that steam locomotive that your "historian dads" are going to feel like they have gone back in time. This is a super fun trip for the whole family if your man is into trains and times of old. 
• Truckee River rafting is a great way for you to pull your dad away from the chores of the weekend and the heat of the day. Have him floating down the river to cool off, with the cares of the world behind him! Make sure you wear cloths and shoes that can get wet when going on this trip. Double, Ziplock all your phones/cameras in baggies if you must have them with you and trust mom to guard them, (she will likely, and mysteriously be the least wet person in the raft). This weekend will be crowded so jump online today if you want to book this! 
• Dash for Dads if your dad's idea of a fun day includes a healthy run, this is the event for you! This is a 5K Walk/Run for Adults and Kids to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer.  This run/walk encourages healthy living for all ages with a special focus on the special men in our lives.  Dash for Dads will be held at the Sparks Marina. Registration is from 7am - 8:30 am. Race starts at 9. Check the link in the title for more details. 
• Massage is the ultimate in relaxation! If your man is one that works hard and plays hard this is a very reasonably priced option for you! Peggy at Image Artistic only charges $40 an hour and she is amazing! Nothing tells you, you are loved, like being massaged from head to toe. Gift certificates are available at the salon Tuesday through Friday. Drop in and get him some relaxation time he can't refuse! 
• Pinterest page for Father's Day!  Okay, I have to admit! Of all the things listed above there are a TON of things on this page that I plan on incorporating into my man's day! From simple to more complex, you need to check out this page! Fun stuff resides!! 
• Do some chores for him. This is my least favorite option but sadly IT IS the one we are all doing this year for him. We have 3 acres of weeds that need tending to and he is only one man, and we of course are super girls so we are going to band together to help make his life a little easier. It is  the cheapest one, but honestly it is also the one that he will value the most. He knows we hate it, so it must mean that we really love him.

Those are my best tips for last minute Father's Day gifts here in the Reno area! I hope you enjoyed them and found them helpful in some way. I would love to hear what you are doing to treat your Daddy-O to some goodness this weekend. Leave me a comment below. Share this post with your friends that are at a loss! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! 

See you next week, 

Michon :)

Summer Hair

I think with the 96 degrees being predicted this coming weekend it is safe to say summer is here at last! Yeah! I love to get out and walk and run a bit in the warmer weather. I did my first 5K in years last weekend, the Run or Dye 5K. Maybe you saw all the crazy looking, dyed people running around town last Saturday? (“Color stations” are placed on the route and volunteers were there throwing dyed cornstarch at us).

 Anyhow while running it I was watching these women with that ever so popular “white” platinum blonde hair and thinking “OMG! This is not going to end well!” Well, sure enough, I had stained armpits still and some red looking stain left on my hair after my first shower. My hair is not platinum so by the second shower the red is gone from my hair. (Not the pits though! I may be wearing long sleeves to work all week). Anyhow this whole thing got me thinking about all the fun things we do in the summer and the havoc it can wreak on your expensive hair color. Here are my best tips on protecting your tresses while enjoying your summer.

• Running/walking is one of the most popular sports this time of year. The thing to think about when doing any sports is the constant tension you are putting on your hair when it is in a ponytail all the time. Make sure you are using cloth bands and not rubber, and be sure to not to wrap them too tight. When hair gets wet it swells and can cause breakage if you are putting rubber bands or wrapping the cloth ones too tight. Try an occasional braid to give that same hair a chance to recover now and again. 
• Sun and surf are very damaging to your hair. If you are highlighted, be sure to use a leave-in filler in your hair to protect it from further damage, my favorite on is Pureology’s here. If you are sporting red or any rich brown colors you want to be sure that your leave in protection has sunscreen in it. These products will save your hair from getting over-processed or washed out with all the UV rays it will be soaking up. This one is brand new on the market and amazing!
• Swimming in chlorinated pools is death to your hair if you don’t take special measures so protect it! First thing you need to do is get your hair saturated before jumping in the pool. Even better, if after wetting you add a conditioner for increased barrier and then a cap. If a cap is not practical at least wet it well, cover with conditioner and braid it to protect it. Also do not over use swimmer’s shampoo. This type of shampoo is very high on the pH and is designed to “strip” your hair of chlorine, which in turn, of course will strip your hair of color as well. So use weekly at the most.
• Camping is a great summer activity that our family loves. Remember going with your family as a kid and your mom always had a bandana on her head? Bandana’s are great for protecting your hair from the camp fire smell saturating it too much and also from the those pesky no-see-ums that show up at night and bite at your scalp. Spray bug spray on the bandana instead of directly on your hair to protect your hair and scalp from the direct assault of deet. Bandanas are very retro and back in style baby! ;)

I know there are many more sports that I am missing here but the issues with cycling, hiking, golfing and boating will all be a repeat of what I have said above. You get the gist right? 

Oh, and Color Me Rad is coming up in September so if you missed the fun Run or Dye 5K you might want to jump in on this one. I would suggest platinum girls wear a baseball cap and I did actually see one woman run by me with her hair in a plastic processing cap under her baseball cap to protect every last inch of her beautiful blonde! Here is the short list of marathons/running opportunities around the Reno/Tahoe area this summer. Whatever you do for enjoyment this time of year make the most of it! It is a short 3/4 months before we may see snow again! 

If you have suggestions for how you protect your hair during your summer play leave us a comment below. And please be sure to forward this or email it to any of your friends that you think would enjoy this article. Have a great week! 

Michon :)

Raw Beauty

One of my favorite things about this time of year are the Farmer’s Markets that crop up all over! With the plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables abounding it is the perfect time to clean up my diet and start eating healthier. Eating raw is getting more and more popular. I am seeing green smoothies on Pinterest daily now! Besides whittling away at your waistline, eating raw also has some big benefits for your skin that you may not have known about.

• Orange and Yellow fruits are high in beta-carotene an ingredient in Vitamin A which is good for your skin and your eyes. They are also rich in Vitamin C, zeaxanthin, lycopene and other antioxidants that fight the aging process in our skin. 
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables are rich sources of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium as well as vitamins A, C, E, K and many of the B vitamins. The high fiber content helps the body eliminate toxins and carcinogens. Elimination is by in far one of the most important things for clear skin. 
• Red fruits and vegetables are rich in in lycopene which is a carotene that protects from ovarian and prostate cancer as well as heart disease. Lycopene has also been shown to reduce sun-related skin damage. 
• Purple fruits and vegetables are know for their flavanois which is a class of anti-oxidants. These have a postitive effect on the skin structure and protect against UV rays. Flavanois are also known to improve elasticity by increasing collagen production. 
• Kale if you haven’t heard, is the new wonder veggie. Yes, I know it is green but I am giving it it’s own category as it is being hailed the “new super food”.  This super food helps to detoxify enzymes in the liver that play an important part in neutralizing carcinogenic substances. Another key element in kale is isothiocyanates. These have been linked to inhibit carcinogenesis that cause cancer cells to actually shrink. Kale also ranks highest among all vegetables in its concentration of carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Want to read more? Here is a fascinating page I found on all the bennies of kale. 

I know without a doubt when I am being good and I fill my plate with 75% fruits and veggies and leave only 25% or less for the meat and carbs... I lose weight. But now upon further examination, the fact that they all benefit your skin so much is just an added bonus!

Here is a link to the best farmer’s markets here in Reno. I am not sure why they are not including the one at the Summit Mall,  I beleive that one is on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm weekly. I for one, am excited to start eating fresh and enjoying the abundance of my own garden as well as the farmers market. It is nice to see so many joining the gardening movement.  I have a ton to learn but it is a fun process, especially since my kids do most of the work.
haha ;)
And yes we are planting kale!
Please feel free to share any markets that may not be on the list. Or share your favorite, fresh recipe. I will be sharing more recipes this summer as well. So stay tuned!
Thanks for stopping by,
Michon :)

Spa Toscana Review

I am sharing a review with you this week. A review of one of the best spa’s in Reno! Remember a couple of posts back when I talked about what I was going to get my mother for Mother’s Day?
Well, a spa day was the gift that won out. So today we went with a couple of other girlfriends from the salon and played hooky all day! I have to tell you it is without a doubt the most opulent spa I have ever been in! Here is a short list of the best parts of the experience.

• The price! So my pedicure was a hefty $65 with a 10% tip that they added on automatically for me. (nice of them, I thought) So the bill at first glance is a pedicure for $71 and some change. That is a little on the high side I thought, BUT you also get a day pass to the entire spa for that price! So if we do a little math... the day pass by itself would run you $36 if you are a local and you have a player’s card from them. So if we subtract that from the pedicure it comes to only $35.50! No way you can beat that price if you plan on spending the rest of the day relaxing anyway.  

• Outside entrance. I loved that I could enter from the outside parking area without ever going through a smoke filled casino to get to the spa! The parking is right outside the main entrance to the salon/spa making it easy access with nothing polluting your lungs or hair before you arrive! Good planning Peppermill! If you have an appointment anytime that day you can check into the spa as early as you wish before your appointment! They open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. 

• The Caldarium. This lovely facility hosts an indoor pool (for those of us allergic to the sun), waterfalls, cool/hot tubs and showers that are an experience in and of themselves! Children under the age of 12 are not allowed. There is an outdoor terrace for sunbathing for those looking to catch some rays in the peace and quite of the spa. The beds in the Secret Garden are awesome and completely adjustable. They are filled with the rhythms of the soothing spa iPod/music that is attached to each bed, with earphones. Honestly I could have slept there all day! 

• Refreshments. At first glance this doesn’t look like much but honestly if you didn’t want to order up something special from the very nice menu of spa cuisine you could make it through your day easily with the goodies they have available on this little snack area. Fruits, nuts, dried berries, juices, coffee, teas, and fruit infused waters are everywhere on every level. We even found the cookie room on the 3rd floor! Yes cookies and tea! Who needs lunch, really? 

• The Finishing Touch. As you can see my mother is looking very sad that our day is over but my review is not. The end of the day the experience just gets better. The showers are stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, lotion, disposable razors and of course towels and washcloths. Then you go into the salon area and you have blowdryers, flat irons, curling irons, hairspray, deodorant, mouthwash, mints, disposable brushes with mirrors attached, hair gel and lighted makeup mirrors.  It was really so sad to leave... :(

So this is my first of many spa reviews. I will be checking out other spas here in Reno and offering up my recommendations. I highly recommend this spa to anyone! Go try it out! 

If you have been to a spa here in Reno that you thought was over the top I would love to hear about it. 

Please leave a comment below and let me know what your recommendations are. 

I really think I could be a spa reviewer full time. 

Do you think there is such a job? 

Pedicures and a Give-away!

Most of us think of a pedicure as a simple process of applying fresh polish to those tacky toes. But there is actually a purpose to this process that is often understated. The health and protection of your feet and skin need to be kept in mind as you prepare your tootsies for this season. Whether you are a do it yourself at home pedi or a salon maven, these are the tips to keep in mind for a season of toe baring bliss!

1. Use a pumice stone.Walking around in our flip flops all summer does a number on your feet. It dries your feet out causing that lovely sandpaper feeling on your heels after only a couple of weeks. For some it will eventually lead to cracked and bleeding heels. The best way to combat this occurrence is to use a pumice stone on your heels. Sand them gently every day in your shower to keep the build up from occurring.  
2. Protect your heels. If you can sleep at least half the night with a pair of aloe socks on, your heels will love you for it! Cover your feet and especially your heels with a thick coat of body butter and put your socks on before bed. 
3. Clean up the cuticle. Push back the cuticles with a fresh orange-wood stick or a metal cuticle pusher only after they have been soaking or when you get out of the shower first thing. The skin will be soft and easy to push back. Be very careful in doing this that you don’t end up breaking the skin. This will prevent your cuticle from getting overgrown and peeling away.
4. Trim the nails. Toenails are very susceptible to becoming ingrown if you do not tend to them. By keeping the nails at a shorter length but not too short you will decrease your chance of creating an environment for painful, ingrown nails.  
5. Be salon savvy. Play it safe when you go to a salon for a pedicure. Watch to see how thorough the pedicure spa is being cleaned. I prefer it when the salon runs bleach or some other EPA sterilizer through a short cycle with the jets on between clients. But many will not take the time to do this. Ask or watch to be sure.
6. Save the shave. If you are not sure about sterilization of the foot spa, don’t shave your legs right before a pedicure. Bacteria can live in the pipes. Your skin is a strong barrier that keeps bacteria out. Shaving creates microscopic cuts on your legs. Shave after the pedi or do it at least 2-3 days before. 
7. Massage. Need I say more? The one thing you can’t really get at home if you are the DIY type, is the relaxing massage that you can get at the salon. The massage helps to move the fluids around, preventing cankles or fluid build up in the legs. And we all know that massage is a wonderful stress reducer. 

Enjoy your season of sandals and sand! Hope you get time to head to Tahoe and enjoy the lake with pretty new toes sometime soon. I know I plan to! Have a great week. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free pedicure! 

Mothers are Special

Moms everywhere deserve to have a beautiful day this Sunday! I made a long list of things I wish I could give to my mother, whom I love and adore. I want her feel extra special on this day. The list was long and some of the things were pretty expensive so I paired it down a bit.  The cruise to Alaska and the trip to Ireland are just not in the cards this year. I thought I would share the short list of some less expensive and very much last minute ideas you could do for your mother. Things that will let her know your heart is really in it even if your wallet is not.

• Flowers are predictable, but defiantly easy. You could step it up just a notch by buying a rose bush or a beautiful hydrangea this year and actually showing up to plant it for her! Then she would be thinking of you all year round when she looks at it! 
• Breakfast in bed. This is my favorite treat! My girls are awesome for this most years. This is a great way to make the woman that usually tends to every meal in the house feel appreciated and loved, like she deserves to be! Follow up by making sure that all the dishes get done and taken care of. It will mean more than you think. 
• Gift certificates. My mother loves to eat out! If you can’t take her out to dinner or lunch consider sending or giving her a card to a place that she loves to eat at. Don’t underestimate the beauty of this gift. The reason women love to eat out is because we are always the ones cooking, setting the table and cleaning up when it is all over. It is so nice when that part of the equation is taken out for us and we can just sit back and enjoy. 
• A picnic. This is right up there with the no dishes, no planning part, for us moms. Think about where you could take her. Plan the menu, pack the meal and haul her out the house to a surprise picnic. What a lovely way to spend mother’s day! Creating memories for a lifetime with a woman that is all about creating memories for you. 
• Salon services. Nothing says pamper and taking care of you like a salon service. Whether it is a body massage, manicure, pedicure or facial these are typically things some women hesitate to spend the extra money for themselves. Us girls all love being pampered in this way but it is hard for us to justify spending the extra money on ourselves when we could be buying shoes for our children or purchasing some other, always pressing household necessity. 
• Acknowledgement. Especially if you don’t have much money, I would put this as number one. It is just nice when my family takes the time and goes through the steps to show me that they truly appreciate how hard I try to make the rest of the family feel special on their day. So honestly any effort that looks and feels like they spent a day or two thinking about it and planning it is the best gift ever! 

So there are my suggestions for a flawless mother’s day. Incorporate any one of these suggestions and I give you my guarantee that you will be making some mother a very happy girl this Sunday! 

Thank you for stopping by my blog! 

Hope you have a fabulous week and mother’s day weekend. 

Michon :)

Fun Hair Tutorials

I thought this week would be the perfect time to direct you to some videos to spark your imagination on ways to mix up your style this spring. We love playing with these ideas around here considering I am living in a house of girls. Here are a couple of our favorite videos that we have actually tried.
No Heat Paper Bag Curls 
This is the look we ended up with...

Yes, I deserve mother of the year award for this! I must tell you it is very time consuming but should the REVOLUTION ever really begin, Lauren will be able to curl her hair just the same.

The next look we really liked, and had to try is the headband curls to beachy waves.
Ummm... if you end up with a good result from this one I would like to see it. We had some really definite crimps in the hair that didn’t look quite right. Maybe the texture of Sam’s hair not sure.
Can’t find the picture right now, but will post it as soon as I find it.


The next look I fell in love with was the Valentine Bride look. Here is the photo that was my inspiration.
And here is the video that Makayla and I made showing how to do it. Probably not yourself... but. You could take it to your stylist or to me and we could fix you up.

So this is the short list of styles you must try this summer. 

If you have any styles that you like to use that require no heat and would like to try this summer please drop me a link and show me or tell what you would like to experiment with. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

Hope you all have a fabulous week!
Michon :)

Mini Escapes

Spring break is over and the tax man has been paid, so it seems all that we have to look forward to is longer days (yeah!!), and yard work. Well, all work and no play makes for a sad Jack and a pitiful Jill. There is no time left in the schedule to get away and enjoy long weekends for awhile yet, but you need to think of a way to refresh yourself. Here are some solutions that may help you through a mundane work week, which you can do on your lunch hour. Pampering services done in less than sixty minutes. 

Think of them as little mini escapes...

• Blow out: Letting someone else do the work for you can make you feel valued and special. Especially if you have thick curly hair or you have a meeting later that you would like to look stunning for. 
• Manicure: A basic manicure will take approximately 30 minutes, leaving you time to eat and read a chapter in your novel. Going back to work with pretty patties makes anyone feel pampered.
• Massage: No undressing, no oily mess to deal with. You can get a 10, 15, or 20 minute neck and shoulder massage that will leave you feeling great for the rest of the day. 
• Mini Facial: Get a 30-minute facial. Hydration facials can be done quickly by avoiding the eye area. With a quick application of tinted BB cream and a touch of blusher, you will go back to work glowing.
• Quick Style: Come in with clean dry hair and have your stylist whip up something fun. Try a messy bun or a low swung bun with a braid twisted into it. Here is a link to my favorite quick styles to try.
• Sunless Tan: Weekends of shorts or capris coming up and those legs have not seen daylight in months? Spray tan is the ticket. Pacific Tan even has a coupon out for buy 2 sessions-get one free!  
• Waxing: Get an eyebrow, leg, lip or bikini wax on your lunch hour and save yourself the extra running around on the weekend trying to fit it all in. Now there is an invigorating way to spend your afternoon. 

I hope you find a few ways to give yourself some R&R this month. And while you are doing so, remember that Mother’s Day is on May 12th and any or all of these would make a great gift for that woman who takes care of everyone else all the time!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. 

Happy Spring!

It is looking like it may stick around this time! 

Michon :)

Surprising Acne Causers!

In honor of some of my favorite Reno clients, teenagers,  I thought this would be a timely post for you, since you’re out of school and actually have time to check the blog!  :)
A new landmark compilation of studies has been done showing that 50 years of research may in fact prove once and for all that there is a link between diet and acne. The study is showing that we should be looking at diet, in combination with hormones. And you may be surprised by a few of the culprits at the source of the problem.

1. Milk is being called out as one. One particular study showed a definite link between teenage boys and the consumption of milk.
2. Eating a diet high on the GI index (glycemic index). These foods would include processed sugars of any kind and even breads and potatoes. Here is a complete list of high GI foods to avoid. 
3. Fish Oil. Although it is suppose to be great for your health in every other way some studies are popping up showing that it actually increases the production of testosterone, which is a huge culprit in the cause of acne for teenagers in particular.
4. Eat more soy products. Soy creates more estregon in the body than whole proteins such as beef and chicken. This is recommended more for teens and not adults. (Adults should shy away from soy, due to the breast cancer connection for now).  It will give you the protein you need without the added testosterone. 
5. Not enough water. Your skin is comprised of 90% water. If your diet is not in sink with this ratio that could add to your problem. Try to keep your diet, water based, lots of fruits and veggies. Raw, preferably and if you hate them raw try to steam them lightly, to retain as much moisture and vitamins as possible. 

Sadly this may or may not be the cure, or end to the dislike of your skin at the moment. But it may help a bit. I am very passionate about this subject, having such a problem as I did as a teen. And I have three daughters that are struggling with the same issues, so this subject is very near and dear to my heart.

Thanks for checking in on my blog. If you have any tips or ideas that have helped you to get closer to your ideal skin and avoid acne I would LOVE to hear them. 

Please leave your comments in the link below. 

Men and March Madness

March Madness has been all the talk this past month. There is another topic of “madness” I hear from many of the men that sit in my chair.  I bet you can guess what it is...Balding. Men are obsessed with it! Even when I try to convince some of myclients that women are really not that shallow and many of us actually find abald head sexy, they are not biting. So as a stylist, it is my job to try and bring my clients what they want. As we move into the final four, let me expound on the things out there in the market that really work for hair loss and premature balding. 

1. Propecia, Finasteride, Minoxidil and Dutasteride are prescription medicines that are showing promising results. The downside of these medications is that once you stop using them, the hair loss returns. Side effects range from chronic dry eye, possible liver problems, and increase of breast cancer to decreased libido. sources: #1, #2
2. A healthier option:  Sulfur is being reported and has been witnessed by me personally, to help regrow hair. One client astounded me in particular. I saw hair regrowth that was substantial! Sulfur is a naturally occurring chemical that we do not get enough of these days. It enables the transport of oxygen across cell membranes and is necessary for healthy cellular regeneration. NaturoDoc has an in-depth study available online here. They sell the sulfur online, no bad side effects like the prescription drugs, and best of all NaturoDoc is a local company located in Washoe Valley! (It is important to talk to your doctor before taking large amounts of this or any other supplement)
   
3. Thickening shampoo: Depending on the extent of hair loss,you can use thickening shampoos. They could be the thing for you! These shampoos have extracts and chemicals that will “plump” up the hair shaft and create a fuller look for you. 
4. Strategic haircut: Talk to your stylist about doing things to minimize your weak spots. Say you’re receding; growing the front out a little more may hide this area. Or if you are thinning on top, leaving it a little longer can make it look thicker. 
5. Coloring: This is an excellent option if your hair is lighter or turning grey. Tinting or dying the hair creates an optical illusion that will make it look like you have more hair. 
6. Disguise it: There are a number of hair fiber products on the market to look into. Toppik, Organin, Caboki, and DermMatch are just afew. They add fibers that attach to your hair and make it look like you have more hair than you actually do. Here is a link to a demo for one of them.
7. Be proud of it! Wear it like a badge of honor. Think Bruce Willis, Dwayne "The Rock” Johnson,   ’Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Vin Diesel, Yul Brenner and Michael Jordan, just to name a few. You can’t even imagine these men with hair now. And they are all very sexy and powerful men. 

My wish for you as we wrap up this installment is that your brackets all pay off and that your hair growth will increase (if that is what you wish for) which in turn will require you to come into the salon for more frequent visits! :)

Till next week.

Sincerely, 

Michon :) 

The Buzz Words of Anti-Aging

There is some amazing technology coming down the pike in the way of Anti-Aging skincare. Even if you are still in your 20’s you would be very wise to start taking good care of your skin now so that it will take care of you later! The earlier you start using good clinical grade products the better. 

I am just going to list a couple of the best key ingredients that you will hopefully find in your skincare regimen. Consult with your skin care professional for their recommendations and products that they carry. Here are some ingredients you need to look for.

1.              Serums: Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin B are great antioxidants. Serums typically reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They eliminate redness and blotchiness. Decrease discoloration, puffiness, and dark baggy spots around eyes. Restores facial tone and firmness. Plus heals dry skin. 

2.              Acids: Glycolic, retinol, and lactic acids help to remove dead skin. They are exfoliating in nature. They are amazing when it comes to brightening and lightening the skin. The exfoliating natures of these products are very beneficial. I would suggest using them once a week or less depending on your skin type. (Consult your skin care professional for frequency of exfoliating).

3.              Hyaluronic: This popular acid replenishes lost moisture into the skin. It allows your facial serum (your A, C or B) to penetrate more deeply. Look for additional ingredients that include Idebenone. This will, in turn, encourage stimulation to new skin cell growth. 

4.              Peptides: Peptides can be found in many of your high-end skin care regimes. They are the new word in skincare. Peptides have become an essential ingredient in anti-aging skin care. Peptides are able to penetrate the epidermis, send signals to the cells, telling them how to function. A couple of the most effective ones to look for are SYN-AKE, copper,  palmitoyl, and Acetyl.

5.              Stem Cells: Plant stem cells that is, are the newest generations of skin care technology. This technology offers the protection from photo-damage and oxidative stress. They also benefit the skin by firming action to restore skin’s elasticity and contour. 

6.              Sunscreen: This product cannot be overstated. The number one ingredient in your sunscreen should be at least 18% zinc oxide. You should use sunscreen everyday, year round. On cloudy days up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin. Snow, sand, and water increase the need, since they reflect the sun’s rays. 

There are so many cool, new, amazing products on the market for your skin this year, it is astounding! As I continue to delve more and more into the aesthetic world and learn everything I can about anti-aging products, I am constantly astonished by the results!!  I hope to bring my clients the top of the line and most innovative products to combat aging.  There is so much more than meets the eye to many of these products. More updates to follow...

See you next time, 

Michon :)