Bald is Beautiful!

One of my favorite holidays is St Patrick’s Day.  The reason why may surprise you though. I have had the honor over the last 5 years to participate in an amazing event called St. Baldricks. This organization raises money specifically for Childhood Cancer Research. Reno hosts one of the biggest events on record with the organization thanks to the tireless efforts of  board members, volunteers and staff of Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation. Last night the event brought in over $200K! It is very humbling and inspiring to be surround by so many people young and old, male and female that “Brave the Shave” on that evening. Each “shavee" has a story to tell about a friend or a family member that has passed or is still in the fight with Cancer and why they are shaving. I love being able to be a part of it by shaving the heads of these warriors. 

Team Kylee’s Wish was the hardest for me last night. Kylee was diagnosed at 6 years old and lost her fight with cancer when she was 8. This year her big sister Kehli-Anne decided to shave her head in remembrance. My friend Chandra is shaving Kehli-Anne and I am shaving her best friend Ashley here. The girls were crying, shaking and excited all at once. It was so moving to be a part of such a personal journey, as these girls braved the shave. They are my new heros and proof that bald is beautiful!  It is just remarkable to me how brave these women are. Both are attending their senior prom next week! I would never have been brave enough to do this in high school! Heck, I am not brave enough to do it now as a 48 year old woman! 

Brave women and men will be going to school and work on Monday morning wearing their badge of honor shining brightly atop their heads with an opportunity to raise awareness about childhood cancer. Meaningful discussions with hundreds if not thousands of people that had no idea how prevalent this epidemic is among our children will be educated. When I went searching for statistics on this subject I have to say I was more than a little surprised by many of them. Here are just a few of the ones I found:

• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children younger than 15yrs (after accidents)
• About 1,310 children are expected to die from cancer in 2013
• 36 children a day are diagnosed with some form of cancer. 
• The incidence of invasive pediatric cancers is up 29% in the past 20 years. 
• Because of increased research and treatment advances more than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Overall this is a huge increase since the mid 70’s when the 5-year survival rate was less than 60%.

The St. Baldrick’s organization gives 82% of all the money raised to childhood cancer research. 16% goes to fundraising and an honorable 2% goes to management. That is a financial to be proud of! Anyone can organize an event and the events can be held anytime of year. In fact I have it from a good source, that they would like to spread the love throughout the year a little more. So if you are helping to organize an event or want to sponsor a fundraiser consider them! All you have to do is find a few crazy hairdressers that are clipper happy and set up shop! Before a fun run maybe, along with a sheep shearing contest, hmmmm what else could we pair this event with. Do you have an idea for a fundraiser or an organization that you are passionate about that you would like to share with us? Please leave a link in the comments below so we can check it out an learn about amazing things happening in your area. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog! See you next week! 

Michon :)

Sources:

 JGstats, children in cancer, national cancer institute

Daylight Savings & Beauty Sleep

The only part of this "Spring Forward" thing I like is that we are one step closer to summer and longer days! Yeah! :D
But the lack of sleep that most of us will be suffering this week, trying to catch up with that hour loss can take a toll on your looks. The fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty may not be too far off from the truth when it comes to some of the secrets of beauty. In a recent study done in Sweden, photographs of volunteers after eight hours of sleep and then again after being kept awake for 31 hours where shown to participants that rated them on how they looked. The sleep deprived participants were scored as less healthy looking and less attractive. Upon further research, I also found studies linked to weight gain and sleep depravation. So with all of us trying to get our internal clocks back into step, let’s talk about what you can do to get a more restful nights sleep.

1. Create a ritual. Best practice says we should create a routine to sooth ourselves into an comfort zone right before bed. Whether that includes and warm bath, a good book and nice shower some sleepy time tea or whatever it takes to help you wind-down, try to get in the habit of doing the same wind-down routine every night. 
2. Avoid these things. We all know these things but I can’t complete an article like this without including them. So here is the short list. Avoid, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, spicy foods and exercise right before bed.
3. Stick to a schedule. Going to sleep at different times every night can confuse your brain and make it difficult to go to sleep when you want to. Try and hit the hay at the same time every night. Your body likes having a schedule and sticking to it. You will sleep more peacefully if you can manage this habit.
4. Include exercise. Exercise in any form will help you feel physically more tired allowing you to sleep more restfully. Now that it is staying light a good hour after dinner, consider taking a walk and burn off a few of those extra calories. It will help you crash when your head finally hits the pillow! 
5. Ditch the stress. The last thing you want to do before bed is read or look at the news, have a conflictive, discuss or think about the crap from work. Try to keep your mind clear of anything stressful before bed. Keep it light and uplifting. Keep your thoughts/prayers before bed on the side of gratitude. In other words count your blessings before you sleep. :)
6. Eliminate distractions from sleep. Electrical interference in your bedroom can disrupt your sleep. Charge your phones in a room other than your bedroom.  Also, animals can be very disruptive to a peaceful nights sleep. If there is any way you can possibly arrange it, allowing your animals to sleep in a kennel or in another room and it could help to get those extra Zzzz’s you are needing. 

Let’s try our best to keep the world a more beautiful place by getting our restful regime in place. 

Do you have a trick or tip that always helps you to get to sleep and stay to sleep? We would love to hear all about it. Please leave a note in the space below so we can all learn from your tip. Know a friend that needs to hear this message. Please feel free to share or forward this information to them. 

Thank you for stopping by my blog, 

Hope you have a fantastic week and make the most of your week. 

Take Care, 

Michon :)

Sources:

web-md, help-guide, Mayo clinic, Huffington Post Article, beauty sleep, green guide, science daily

The Red Carpet Facial

Remember watching the Oscars a few weeks ago and thinking how beautiful all of the movie stars looked? With their glowing flawless skin and perfect makeup?  They prep for these events like nothing else. And one the most sought after procedures is the microcurrent facial.  What is a microcurrent facial and how is it different? 

1.   It improves circulation.
2.  Boosts the natural production of collagen and elastin.
3.  Increases the production of amino acids and ATP, accelerating cell repair and renewal.
4. Improves muscle tone, providing lifted facial contours giving a youthful look. 
5.  Detoxifies and improves texture and clarity.
6.  Diminishes lines, wrinkles, and revitalizes skin with increased hydration. 

This technology is probably one of the best leading technologies in the industry of skincare for the 20th century. The current is a low level, completely painless, electrical current that mimics the body’s own electrical current. Unlike the galvanic facials of old with uncomfortable pulses, this current is barely noticeable.  Microcurrent increases the oxygen, blood supply, and the ATP to the skin, which is accomplished by use of metal probes or silver threaded gloves (my preferred method) for a facial massage, so to speak. There are several studies on the technology of microcurrent. This one speaks to the increase of the ATP and the oxygen to the skin and cells. This one gives examples of cutting edge technology involving healing of wounds because of the oxygen that microcurrent delivers to the site of a wound. This is also what it delivers to healthy skin, thus producing well fed skin cells, and smoother, finer, and better looking skin!
So now you know one of their many beauty secrets! And you can say you heard it here! Thanks for stopping by my blog. If you have any questions about microcurrent or any type of facial for that matter, please leave a question or comment in the space below! Have a great week! 
Michon :)



Sources: Jowl Lift, Red carpet, Wound initiative, Cheng report, Clareblend Inc

Limping along with that hair?

If you are one of those people who has been cursed with fine, limp hair, I have some help for you.

Limp, fine hair is one of the hardest problems to address in my world behind the chair. Genetics, medical conditions, medications, styling, and stress, can all factor in to what may be causing this to occur. If you have suffered with this condition most of your life, you are pretty safe to rule out the last four and realize that it is time to make lemonade out of those lemons. Here are my best tips to help you turn your limp locks into voluminous waves.

 Let it get dirty. Sounds contrary huh? Shampooing everyday is hard on the hair. Try instead to use a dry shampoo for one or preferably two days. There are a number on the market that are wonderful. Here is a link to a short list of the ones I have tested. 

1. Avoid “volume” shampoos. I know, crazy huh?  Actually, most "volume" shampoos work so well because they strip the oil. Years ago when I was educating with a manufacturer, we did strip tests on hair with various shampoos, and the OTC “volume” shampoos actually “permed” the hair we wrapped around rods - permanently!  
2. Use a light conditioner. One of the most important things about the conditioner you are using is that it stays far, far away from your scalp. Your scalp does not need the conditioning, just the ends, and very lightly at that. 
3. Don’t comb while wet. Your baby fine hair is so fragile when it is wet! Use a wide tooth pick or comb and GENTLY get through the ends. Avoid vigorous towel drying. Instead, gently squeeze the excess moisture from your ends with a towel wrapped around the hair. 
4. Style with TLC. Wash your hair the night before and allow to air-dry. The next day, mist your hair slightly to create the style you want with your blow-dryer on low. Instead of blow-drying it right out of the gate. Use a curling iron or flat iron on this type of hair for a rare occasion only. Consider investing in some good old fashion hot curlers, they are coming back into style again.
5.  Professional Color. Not only can a stylist see the back of your head and exactly how close to get to the previously colored hair without overlapping, we also use products that are much safer and gentler on your hair. Over-the-counter hair dyes contain harsh chemicals and metals that can further damage already fragile hair. 
6. Create an illusion. Use hair powder to disguise not only the roots and dry them out between shampoos, but to help create the illusion of more hair. Here is a short list from last week’s tip of the best powder shampoos that double as scalp coverage and create a fuller look for you. 
7. Consider getting a texture wave. Unlike the perms of the 80’s, these texture creating waves are done on much larger rods and use gentler chemicals. This option should only be considered if you have strong enough hair that has not been weakened by a high lift color.  Consult your professional for recommendations on this.

What has worked best for you dealing with your fine hair?  I would love to hear from you! Please leave me a comment in the box below and let me know! If you have a friend that would appreciate hearing about this information please feel free to share it, tweet it, email it, Facebook,

   or however you would like to help them out! 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. 

Michon :)

Dry Shampoo Review.

I am cracking up here over the new video that  Matt Damon put out about clean water and his going on strike. Good luck with that Matt! It is awesome if you haven’t seen it here is a link. I agree with him clean water is important and conservation is key. His organization offers many ways to get involved if you are interested.
Here is a way we could help and conserving water - skip a shampoo or even two! Not only is shampooing your hair everyday not the best thing, it strips the cuticle of the natural oils and nutrients that it needs to be strong and healthy. It also dries it out beacuse the more you shampoo the more styling you have to do which is harder on your hair. Try giving your hair a rest with  a dry shampoo.
What is dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a powdery substance that is applied at the roots of your hair to absorb excess oil. It extends the length of your blowout or is very handy when water is in short supply or not assessable.
These would be my top recommendations for dry shampoo or root hiding opportunities on the market at this time.

AG has a fairly decent dry shampoo you spray in. Adds volume and softness. Absorbs oils and restores life to your style! 
Use: Shake well before using. Spray throughout hair and work in with fingers allow a few minutes and then brush or pick through. Style as normal.
Downside: is that it can feel sticky and makes it harder to brush out your hair, plus it’s an aerosol.
Cost: approx $19

Bumble and Bumble powder/dry shampoo has color!! It is awesome that it can cover grey re-growth and volumize all at once! I would highly recommend this product to anyone wanting to cover their roots between visits to the hairdresser and anyone wanting to extend the life of their style by not shampooing on any given day. 
Downside: This product will get on your pillowcase, sheets and your clothing, so prepare accordingly. There are a couple of videos out on YouTube that are helpful and will give you the warnings I mentioned above. Here is a positive one and a negative one. And the cost is a little higher than average
Cost: approx. $33 - $35

Keratin Complex is one of those amazing products that you just have to use to understand. With these three colors you are close enough to most colors that you can at least soak up the oils and have a some root color coverage to boot! Huge upside to this product is that it will make your hair “look thicker” simply because it will disguise that pink scalp! :)
Downside: Again you are using color so you will lose color on your clothes and pillowcases if you are not careful. Here is a video that will help you use this product properly. Just a heads up, the lady being interviewed is VERY animated. ;)

Cost: approx. $23 - $30

Schwarzkopf OSIS Dust it is a powder that gives a soft matt effect with natural movement to your hair. It is also touted to adding volume to fine hair. 
Downside: Doesn’t come with a brush to apply. Hand application is difficult to control. 

Cost: approx. $16

Redken Powder Refresh absorbs oil, freshens up your style and extends the life of your blowout. Comes in a neutral shade that works well for all hair colors, even those with a darker base. It has a nice refreshing mint smell that really does refresh your hair for an extra day or two, 

Downside: It does not have a brush so that again and it’s an aerosol.

Cost: approx. $10 

Baby powder absorbs oil. I have been using this since I was a teenager. When you apply it to your roots with a brush you will want to wait a few minutes for the talcum powder to do it’s magic. Then simply brush through. This product is great and inexpensive and works well for blondes and lighter shades of hair.

Downside: I would not recommend this for those of you with darker hues. It will look like you have grey roots coming in. 

Cost: approx. $3-$4

So this is my short list. You will find a huge list if you are interested in more options, here are 58 dry shampoos!  

Hope you enjoyed this review! If you have a product that you love that works as well or better than any of my suggestions here I would love to hear about them! Leave me a comment in the space below! Forward this to your teenager! Let’s all do our part to conserve our precious resources and look beautiful while doing it! 

Michon :)

Be Beautiful Valentine!

As we approach this Hallmark card occasion,  I thought I would share a couple of fun things to do, whether you are single or in a relationship, that are beautiful and easy to do! Pick and choose as many as you like from the list below to create a week long celebration without breaking the bank!

1. Say Something Sweet: Lotion your hands lightly and then write on the mirror of your bathroom. When your sweetie gets out of the shower and the room is all steamy, your declaration of love will be visible! Send a series of texts throughout the day with all of the things you love about them. Put post-it notes on the car steering wheel, in their lunchbox, in his gym bag, in her purse. At the end of the day they will come home to greet you knowing they are loved and appreciated.
2. Feed Them Something Delicious: There are a lot of ways to let your food do the talking. Here is a short list of ideas I like to do on my Pinterest Valentine Board. Don’t have time to cook? Nothing says I love you like having someone treat you to dinner and giving you the night off from cooking and cleaning. If you decide not to stay in and cook up something special, I found this list of all of the local specials including pricing. I would imagine you should call for reservations today if you haven’t gotten to that yet this week! ;)
3. Do Something Sexy: For the ladies, check out this blog post for the best possible lipstick you can wear on Valentine's Day. Don’t leave that lipstick all over his face and shirt! He will thank you for this one, I promise! For the gentlemen, spray a little cologne on when you get home and freshen up a bit after work, then go put your hand to her face and tell her she is beautiful. 
4. Touch them: Whether you are planning your Valentine's surprise for a significant other, children, or grandchildren, we all respond to touch. An impromptu scalp and shoulder massage from behind while he is at the computer. A foot rub for your little kids as they are reading before bed. Everyone appreciates a good old fashion back rub. Not into touching anyone right now? A gift certificate for a massage is a fabulous gift for anyone! 
5. Be Beautiful: Take a care package down to Tent City for a homeless person. Brand new warm socks or gloves filled with Valentine treats and maybe a little cash. Pay for the person behind you in the Starbucks drive-through. Write a letter or a thank you note to someone that has made a difference in your life. Donate to one of your favorite local charities this week. Local charities typically have much lower overhead administrative costs so more of your money goes directly to the recipients. Charitable donations drop off severely after the holidays. You all know my favorite local charity Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation. (just one suggestion). 

We pretty much covered the five senses here plus the heart with that last one. I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine’s Day! Please share this post with all of your friends that are looking for last minute Valentine's ideas and leave me a comment with your favorite ideas for making life sweeter this time of year. I would love to see what you like to do.  

Thank you for stopping by.

Michon :)

Cabin Fever

Do you get that overwhelming feeling of wanting to 'break out' this time of year? The warmer weather we have had over the last couple of days seems to make it even worse. Many of my clients start to get anxious and decide they need a change. Some come in with some pretty drastic changes in mind for their hair, but, is it the right move for you? When you look at the big picture of where you want your hair to be by summer you need to take a few things into consideration before you let someone get carried away at the mixing bowl or with the scissors.

1. Maintenance. How often do you want to be seeing your stylist in order to keep the style looking fresh? The longer your hair is, the easier it is to go a little longer between haircuts. Short hair cuts really do self destruct in 4-6 weeks. Hair grows a 1/4 inch per month. This can be the difference between a spunky, sassy style with “tude”, to a limp overgrown look that is mediocre. Give some serious thought before chopping off too much and then spending the rest of your winter months bluer than you might have been. 
2. There’s an app for that! There are several fun apps available for your smart phones that may help you decide on a new style or color. Simply take a picture of yourself with your phone and then import your picture into the app and shop around. Fun way to “see yourself” with a new look before taking the plunge and being too surprised. Here is a short list of ones I found available for your iphone or droid. Hairstyle Lite, Magic Mirror, Fun and Fashion, Smart Hairstyle and one for your computer if you are not a phone junky like some of us, InStyle Makeover.
3. Coloring. This is a great time of year for low lights. You are still out of the sun most of the time this time of year so it is easier to maintain the rich lowlights you can achieve with a low peroxide, conditioning color that will fade much less this time of year. By summer it will have naturally lifted enough so you won’t have trouble when you want to lighten it again for summer. A nice subtle change that won’t fry your hair. 
4. Deep conditioning treatment with a trim. This is a great way to breath new life into your hair. It is amazing what just a quarter to an eighth of an inch can do to make your hair feel so much better. Add to that, a deep conditioning treatment and you have a new do that is sleek, shiny, polished feeling and will last you a couple of months through the rest of this deep freeze. 
5. Take baby steps. If you are contemplating making a drastic change talk to your stylist about making the changes over several appointments. Take a picture with you and consider their recommendations. Drastic changes done too quickly can be disastrous! Just see what January Jones (the Mad Man movie star) has to say about her impulsive style change and her hair falling out in clumps! 

The way you feel about your hair is very closely connected to your mood. When your hair looks good you feel good. Beware! Remember, you will have to live with this drastic change for months to come. However, if you are of the mind set that “it is only hair” by all means have fun! What else is there to do on these long days but spend time in the salon mixing it up a bit! :)

Thanks for subscribing to my weekly tip blog. 

Please feel free to leave me a comment below and let me know what your favorite strategies for keeping the winter blues at bay this time of year. And if you have any questions or ideas you would like to hear me work on please let me know. Please share this tip with any of your friends that are contemplating big hair decisions! 

Thank you again, 

Have a great week! 

Michon :)

This post has been published in the Galena Times Newspaper/ Spring Edition 2013