GlamourJunkie

5 Skin Care Tips For Cold Weather

2010-10-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Cold weather is coming and we must protect our skin. Cold air, wind, and indoor heat are three reasons your skin can dry out in the winter. These conditions suck the moisture out of your skin which can leave it dull and dry. Here are 5 tips to help your skin stay hydrated and healthy.

1. Exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells that sit on the surface. New skin is able to absorb moisture better. You may already exfoliate your face, but don't forget your body. Try using a body brush or loofah.

2. Apply moisturizer twice a day. At night wear socks on your feet and hands for extra hydration.

3. Don't forget your lips! Try to keep from licking them. Each time you lick your lips you are removing moisture which makes them chapped.

4. When showering turn down the heat. Take warm showers instead of HOT.

5. Don't forget the sunscreen. The sun's damaging UV rays are actually stronger in the winter.

Polly Is Here To Help

2010-09-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

A tried and true shoe lover believes in all shoes: stiletto, platform, flats, sandals, boots and even trainers. A tried and true shoe lover's motto is "fashion before comfort." But even tried and true shoe lovers have shoes that rub their toes and heels the wrong way. We may not admit it but it's true!

Alas, shoe rubbing has come to an end with Polly Foot Primer. Polly is made up of aloe vera and grape seed oil. The clear, non scented cream decreases the friction between you and your favorite shoes to prevent blisters. Just rub Polly on your feet everywhere your shoe rubs. Like Polly says, "turn a two hour pair of shoes into a 6 hour pair of shoes."

We love it!

New Limited Edition Tins By SteamCream

2010-08-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Once again SteamCream has done it. Not only do they have a really fantastic product, but they also have very cool collectible, limited edition tins. Once they're gone, they are gone!

SteamCream is the latest concept in skincare. Their high quality, natural ingredients are bound by a steam infused process creating a loosely bound compound which allows each ingredient to break down and penetrate areas of the skin that other creams find hard to reach. A few of their fab ingredients include a blend of moisturizing and sooting oatmeal infusion, orange flower water and healing lavender oil. This is a vegan cream for the face, body and hands.

I have yet to try it on my face but it is one of the best creams for my ultra dry hands that I have found. It absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling behind. The scent of the lotion is divine!

The 2 latest SteamCream designs are the Jane and Rita. So fun! Currently on sale for $14.40. Hurry! Sale ends August 31st. GlamourJunkie.com

SoleMates For Life

2010-08-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

SoleMates high heelers are one of those products every woman can and needs to use. It's one of those products that make you think, "Why didn't I think of that!"

SoleMates are our newest addition to GJ.com. They are discreet plastic covers you slide around the heel of your kitten, stiletto or platform shoe. They work by increasing the surface area of your heel which reduces the pressure in this area and makes walking in grass a lot easier. They also help prevent your heels from slipping in cracks on the sidewalks. These heel covers keep your heels clean and extend the life of your shoes.

SoleMates' mission is to protect high heels in grass and to prevent other high heel hazards. They also seem to make wearing heels a bit more comfy. They are definitely a new glamourjunkie fave! And at 10 bucks a pop, you can afford to have a pair in black and clear.

Mini Touch-Ups; Good For The Hair Good For The Budget

2010-07-07T22:44:00.001-07:00

By now we are all sick and tired of the word "budget" and it's definitely not a word you want to use when hair coloring is involved. There are some tricks of the trade you can use to preserve and stretch out your color in between visits to your haircolorist.

All red tones such as copper, mahogany and auburn are fast faders. Their color molecules are larger so they slide out of the hair shaft faster than other colors. To prevent fading, always cover hair when in the sun with a hat. Use a protective leave in conditioner with a UV protectant such as Davines Melu Shield. Don't shampoo your hair more than 3 times per week and at least one of those times you should use a tinted shampoo and conditioner to match the tone of your hair.

Brown tones such as chocolate, black and caramel fade as well so the same care should be applied. Blonde shades don't fade as much, they tend to bleach out and lighten to brassy unwanted tones. To get rid of brassy tones, a purple tinted shampoo and conditioner should be used to counteract yellow tones.

So now you've got your fading under control let's do something to slow down those roots! Average hair growth is 1/2" per month. I usually tell clients to come in for highlight touch-ups from 8-12 weeks depending on how light they are compared to their natural color. The more often you go in for color the more built up your hair color becomes. Therefore, you have to go in sooner. You are better off in the long run making yourself wait it out.

If you just can't wait or you have an important event, ask your colorist about mini touch-ups. Many of my clients like to come in for minis in which we hit all the hot spots. Hot spot areas include through the part, around the face, the crown and on the neckline. This allows you to wear your hair down and styled and allows for a ponytail. I also do minis for my clients that do a single process or tint. Minis are great on the budget and help you get by a few more weeks.

Quickie Temporary Hem

2010-07-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

Last week I had a rare opportunity to go up to Los Angeles to do a little shopping and of course I wanted to look cute. I reached in my closet and pulled out one of my favorite pair of jeans and a favorite pair of sandals. Just as I was about to walk out the door, I checked my look in the mirror. Hmmm. My jeans felt too long for my sandals. Suddenly I remembered I had Hemming My Way. HMW is a temporary snap hem that allows you to hem your jeans, pants or skirt in minutes. I am 5' 3" so I always have to have my pants shortened to wear them with flats. Sometimes I buy two pair of jeans; one to hem and one to keep long for heels.

HMW is 4 strips of snaps with adhesive on one side. Turn your jeans inside out, apply the snaps and, voila! You're done. It's totally easy and only took about 10 minutes. HMW is machine washable,removable and reusable.

DIY Hair Color - A Do Or A Don't

2010-06-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

I have been coloring hair for 20 years. No haircuts, no blowdries, just hair color. I have done every color on my clients from platinum blonde to pink to natural, beautiful highlights. I love them all. My favorite color to do is "fix me" color. I get a twinkle in my eye whenever one of these walks through the door.

Clients tell me all the time that at some point in their lives they did their own hair color. Usually the outcome was not good. I have only done my own color twice and I'm a professional! Even for me, it's hard to do color on my own head.

The first time I tried to put highlights through the top of my head was a mini disaster. My foils were loose so the color bled out onto my scalp and turned brassy yellow, not pretty. Did I mention it was New Year's Eve? The second attempt was about 6 years later. This time I was only doing one color on my entire head so I thought - no big deal. Did I mention I was using bleach? My hair was short and I couldn't tell that I was overlapping the color . A few days later I realized I hadn't done such a great job. My hair had broken as short as a 5:00 shadow! So, when someone asks me about Do It Yourself hair color I say don't do it.

Having said that, I know there are reasons some choose to color their own hair. Here are a few suggestions on how to DIY while avoiding mini disasters.

1. Assess the condition of your hair. Damaged hair leaves no room for error.

2. Determine your natural hair color. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. (you are probably not still blonde like you were as a kid, just saying) Go to a beauty supply store and pick up hair swatches. Separate your hair and hold the swatch next to it to determine a good match.

3. Determine your desired end result. This should only be 1-2 levels (max) lighter than your natural color. Any more and you could be dealing with a mini disaster.

4. When applying hair color as a touch-up, only apply to roots. Never pull color through your ends. This should be left to a professional. Dark colors that are pulled through can leave hair looking flat and shoe-polishey. Blonde colors can cause major breakage.

5. Highlighting kits are o.k. but still only lighten a couple shades lighter. Start with just a few through the top. If results are good, you can always add more.

6. Whenever possible have a friend apply color for you to ensure even applications.

7. Never DIY when mad, sad, in a hurry or on the night before a big event.

For those of you who are not into DIY but need a break on the old budget sometimes, there are some options. I have clients who like to come in for mini touch-ups to help them stretch out their color. Check with your hair colorist to see what type of mini services they offer. A few highlights around the face and through the part can help you get by an extra 4-6 weeks. A mini tint, applying color in those same areas can get you by an extra 2-3 weeks. For in-between grey touch-ups try ColorMark.

Remember, for any major hair color change, please see a professional. You don't want the hair color of your dreams to turn into "fix me" color. Once your hair is colored you need to use specific shampoos and conditioners for color treated hair. Colored hair is sensitized and can be dry. Davines has a fantastic line of hair care products for all types of colored hair.

Go With Your Own Glow or Mystic?

2010-06-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

So now we all know how harmful and aging the sun's rays are. We know that using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 is the least we should use. We know the sun is most harmful between 10 am and 4 pm. We also know that no sunscreen is totally waterproof.

SkinCancer.org is promoting a campaign called Go With Your Own Glow. The campaign was developed to encourage women to love and protect their skin whatever its natural hue. "A healthy glow is your skin tone glowing. You -- looking luminous." - Sarah Brown/Vogue

With that being said, why is it when we look down at our legs shooting out from underneath our mini dress we wish our legs didn't look so pale. I am guilty of this very thought. I want the best of both worlds, perfect, healthy skin and a golden glow. I am guilty of going to the beach and loading up on sunscreen on every inch of my body, except my legs.

Finally, after all these years I decided it is time to get out of the tanning bed and try the Mystic tan. I think I might be one of the last people on earth who has not tried it. I have always been afraid the Mystic would leave me with streaks and orange knees and hands and I didn't know if I could go around all day without showering and smelling a little funky. I did a little research on local tanning spas that have Mystic and chose BareTan in Irvine because they open at 6 am. I vowed to myself that I would follow all rules and guidelines to achieve the best results which included applying lotion heavily to my hands and feet, wearing a shower cap over my hair, and doing the Mystic 2-3 times in the first week. I also wore a shower cap over my face because I am very particular about what goes on my face. I also put a shower cap over each foot for extra protection against orange foot.

The night before my first Mystic I showered, shaved my legs and exfoliated my entire body with La Compagnie de Provence Olive body scrub. I arrived at the tanning spa and followed tanning procedures with the lotion and shower caps. I have to admit I was totally startled when the spraying started then began laughing at the thought of what this must look like. I jumped out of the machine as soon as it stopped spraying and started wiping the product off to prevent drip marks. I thought, that wasn't so bad and it was very quick. I waited until the next morning to shower ( I know, gross) and looked over my new tan. Hmm, not bad.

I did this exactly as the first time, two more times. I did the Mystic 3 times in a 6 day period. Each time I thought the color looked pretty good. I never was streaky and the color was believable, not orange. One problem, I don't think the color lasts long enough. Today is 6 days since my last Mystic and I don't feel like I have much color left at all. I would do a Mystic tan again. I think it is very temporary so I would do it twice within four days of an important event. Check out these before and after pictures of my legs. The pictures don't do the Mystic justice. I think my camera flash made the tan seem lighter than it really was. Overall, a good safe alternative to tanning.

Bye Bye Brown Spots

2010-05-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

Way back when I was in high school, I remember laying out in the sun chatting with my girlfriends and dreaming of a deep dark tan. I never used baby oil with iodine like some people. My oil of choice was Hawaiian Tropic's dark tanning oil promising the dark tan of an island girl. I don't even think an SPF was listed on the bottle. Meanwhile, my dad would cut out articles from the newspaper about how dangerous the sun's rays were. At this time, about 1985, the world was just beginning to get educated on sunburns, sunscreen and melanoma.

I never did get that island tan. What I got were freckles. Lots of freckles. I thought if I kept tanning, one day all the freckles would connect and I would be tan. Freckles are cute when you are young but as you get older they change. They are called brown spots or age spots and they get bigger and blotchy. Not very glamorous! Of course now I am working to get rid of them.

One of the best ways to get rid of brown spots and wrinkles caused by the sun is by having an IPL Photo Facial. IPL means intense pulsed light. During an IPL Photo Facial, a hand-held device is used to deliver a bright blast of light at very high energy levels to the skin. The intense light is delivered to deeper parts of the skin, the dermis, leaving the surface, the epidermis, untouched. Therefore, there is no recovery time.

The IPL works best on contrasting tones so fair skinned people with brown spots usually achieve better results than olive and dark skinned people. About 4 days after an IPL, the brown spots will turn dark and flake off. The result is no more spot or a very lightened one. The darkened spots will have completely flaked off by 10-12 days after a photo facial. A nice bonus to the photo facial is that it will stimulate collagen which is a great boost to the skin helping it to look younger. The effects of a photo facial can be seen for up to 1 year if a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 is used.

For best results, 4-6 treatments are recommended 3-4 weeks apart. Treatments take about 30 minutes. The average cost is $300-$600 per area. The pain is minimal. Some compare the feeling to being snapped by a rubber band. Not near as painful as those sunburns we used to get. GlamourJunkie says "no pain, no gain."

Do You Know Your ABCDE'S Of Melanoma?

2010-04-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

Warm, sunny weather is fast approaching and soon beach chairs, swimming pools and playing in the sand will be calling our names. Please, please, please don't forget your sunscreen! Women in the US have had significant increases in the two most common non-melanoma skin cancers, basal and squamous cell carcinoma.

At GlamourJunkie we are firm believers in treating your skin like gold. We believe in seeing a dermatologist once a year to have all moles and freckles checked. We also believe in doing self exams throughout the year. Do you know what to look for? Would you recognize something suspicious? Look for the ABCDE's of melanoma. If you see one or more, head straight to your dermatologist. A = ASYMETRY: if you draw a line through this mole, the two sides will not match.

B = BORDER: the borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. the edges may be scalloped or notched.

C = COLOR: having a variety of colors is another warning signal. a number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. a melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.

D = DIAMETER: melanomas are usually larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on a pencil (1/4 inch or 6mm) but they may be smaller when first detected.

E = EVOLVING: any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptoms such as bleeding, itching or crusting- points to danger.

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent the sun's rays from damaging the skin. It takes 20 minutes for your skin to start turning red without sunscreen. Using a sunscreen with SPF 15 theoretically prevents burning 15 times longer- about 5 hours. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.

You don't have to wear a beach sunscreen during a normal day. If you wear cosmetics, try using a moisturizer or foundation that has an SPF included. My favorite sunscreen to wear under makeup is Derma Defense SPF 30 by Esente'. It is super light and dries fast. We often forget to apply sunscreen to our ears, necks, hands and chest. These areas of our bodies get sun everyday because they are always exposed. Have you noticed the left side of your face has more freckles than the right? That is from driving. The sun's rays can penetrate through glass windows. I recently had a biopsy of a pre-cancer freckle on my left ear, probably from driving. Scroll down below to watch the video. Don't forget: the sun's rays are the strongest between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. Looking for a newtrend, broad rimmed hats are very Glamorous!

Watch How Easy A Skin Cancer Biopsy Can Be

2010-04-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Last year for Christmas my husband gave me a beautiful pair of earrings. While I was looking in the mirror putting them on I noticed a brown spot in the crease of my left ear. I had not noticed it before and wondered how long it had been there. At about this same time I was gathering comments from the GlamourJunkie fan page for the Beauty Resolution list for 2010. It became very clear to me that the #1 resolution had to be: Go to your dermatologist and have your moles, freckles and sunspots checked.

I had a body check a couple of years ago for the first time ever and I dreaded it. I was sure I had something "bad" on me somewhere considering my skin is very fair, I was a sunbather and a tanning bed user. On that 1st visit my dermatologist found a small brown spot on my stomach that needed to be removed. The removal process took about 10 minutes, did not hurt at all and for the life of me I can't find that scar anywhere. So when I saw the spot on my ear I knew what I had to do. Like the spot on my stomach, the spot on my ear was removed and both were pre-cancerous. I am definitely glad they are gone!

I know the unknown can be scary especially when you're talking skin cancer or any type of cancer. But do yourself a very glamorous favor and have your skin checked out. Melanoma can be completely treated if you catch it early. Watch my video to see just how easy, fast and painless a skin biopsy can be.

Mmmmm...Aaaahhhh..., Essential Oils

2010-04-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms of plants. They can be inhaled or applied to the skin and sometimes taken orally. Each oil contains its own mix of active ingredients and this mix determines what the oil is used for. Oils are used to promote physical healing, to enhance relaxation and can provide psychological benefits. Inhalation of the oils can also provide therapeutic benefits as the oil molecules enter the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Aromatherapy is the use of essentail oils for healing. The aroma of the natural essential oil stimulates the brain and triggers a reaction. If you have ever smelled Lavender oil, you may have suddenly felt very relaxed and calm.

Essential oils are used in skin care, hair care and body products to promote physical and psychological benefits. Some popular and useful essential oils include:

Rose Oil: excellent in skin care for dry, ageing skin. It is rich in antioxidants and it purifys the skin. Rose oil is found in This Works Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil and Enjoy Really Rich Lotion.

Lavender Oil: its aroma is calming and relaxing. It is used for headaches and minor burns. Lavender oil can be found in This Works Deep Calm bath oil and shower gel.

Neroli Oil: the aroma is instantly uplifting. It is great in skin care for encouraging new cell growth. Neroli oil is found in This Works Fresh Skin.

Pomegranate Oil: this oil contains 60% punicic acid which is a powerful anti inflammatory agent and it can strengthen the skin to fight fine lines and wrinkles. This oil has antioxidant, moisturising and nourishing properties. Pomegranate oil can be found in This Works Perfect Cleavage.

Evening Primrose Oil: excellent in skin care because it contains linoleic acid which moisturises, softens and soothes skin. Evening Primrose Oil can be found in This Works Super Moisture.

My favorite thing to do with lavender oil is to put a couple of drops on my pillow before I go to bed at night and take a deep breath in. Before I know it I am sound asleep. Adding a few drops of essential oils to a hot bath is very relaxing too, or putting a drop under your nose while in the shower. Have fun experimenting with essential oils.

F.Y.I. Essential oils don't become rancid but they do oxidize and lose their beneficial therapeutic properties over time. You should buy pure essential oils in dark glass bottles to keep out deteriorating sunlight.

5 Beauty Habits To Break

2010-03-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

There are some great beauty habits and some not so great beauty habits. Some of the not so great beauty habits that we do, we probably aren't totally aware that we are doing them. Here are some beauty habits to break and their solutions:

1. Washing your hair daily--Each time you wash your hair, you remove the natural oils from your scalp so they are not able to work their way down the hair shaft. These oils are nature's conditioner. Get into the habit of washing your hair 2-3 times per week max! Less hair washing preserves hair color and keeps the scalp and hair from drying out.

2. Cutting your cuticles, push them instead--Cuticles protect the body from bacteria, yeast and fungus. Cutting them breaks the seal between the skin and nail allowing bacteria to settle.Always keep your cuticles hydrated with a good handcream or cuticle oil.

3. Pulling wet hair back in a ponytail--As wet hair dries it expands. If there is something tight around the hair applying pressure, it can cause breakage. Pull wet hair back in a loose braid or tie back in a low ponytail using a ribbon or headband. Long hair needs extra TLC like thermal protectants and split end menders.

4. VPL's: visible panty lines--Nowadays there is just no reason for them especially when wearing leggings or fitted workout pants. Try an underwear alternative or super discreet Commando thongs.

5. 60 seconds hair conditioning--Your hair conditioner can't do much in 60 seconds, the average time women leave conditioner on their hair while in the shower. The first thing you should do when you step into the shower is wash your hair and apply conditioner. While you are soaping up, shaving, exfoliating, etc., your conditioner will be doing it's job. Five to ten minutes is ideal conditioning time.

Eat Your Way To Glamour

2010-02-17T15:29:00.001-08:00

Have you heard the saying "you are what you eat"? Well, it's true! Everything you put in your mouth comes through in your skin, hair and nails.

Here's how it works: the nutrients in the food you eat are made available to every cell in the body through the process of digestion and absorption. As you chew, saliva lubricates food so it can pass down the esophagus to the stomach. Once the stomach has done it's work, it moves to the intestines. This is where nutrients from carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals are absorbed. These nutrients are then transported by a network of vessels, the Lymphatic System, to the heart. The Circulatory System, consisting of the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins, reaches every organ and tissue in the body supplying cells with nutrients obtained from food.

These nutrients can either help you or hurt you depending on what you eat. There are foods that can cause high cholesterol , obesity and heartburn and there are foods that can prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease. There are foods that can stimulate cell renewal, relieve inflammation and fight free radicals. As you can see, food is very powerful.

The following foods are often called "super foods" because of their amazing benefits for the body:

Wheatgrass is rich in the antioxidants selenium, Vitamins A and E and beta-carotene.

Blueberries are at the top of the list of antioxidant-rich foods. Phytochemicals in blueberries strengthen blood vessels and are useful in treating varicose veins.

Cantaloupe helps lower blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Kiwi is a powerhouse of nutrients for its size including crazy amounts of Vitamin C.

Strawberries dissolve tartar deposits on teeth and protect against skin disorders.

Broccoli has the ability to prevent cancer by protecting cells from free-radical damage; contains Vitamins C and E which are antioxidants.

Cauliflower contains compounds that stimulate detoxification to neutralize carcinogens, preventing them from attacking healthy cells.

Carrots contain beta-carotene which boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of many cancers.

Sweet Potato has the ability to reduce the risk of osteoporosis; key nutrients include calcium, magnesium, Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene.

Quinoa provides all of the essential amino acids including lysine, not usually found in vegetables. Perfect for vegetarians.

Almonds are high in calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, folic acid and protien. Almond oil is good for the skin.

Water maintains, heals, rejuvenates and rehabilitates the body. Water can also slow down the aging process.

Think of food as a gift for your body; you want to give your body the best gift ever! Treat your body well by feeding it lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds and 2 quarts of water per day. Your skin, hair, nails and organs will thank you by keeping you looking and feeling Glamorous.

Top 5 Gifts For Valentine's Day

2010-01-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite days of the year, even when I wasn't married or had a boyfriend. I like the idea of one special day set aside to recognize all of the people we love in our lives. Not to mention my love of all things heart shaped. My husband and I aren't big Valentine Day gift givers. We like to do something together that we don't normally do like me cooking him dinner, taking those cliched walks on the beach at sunset, etc. I do enjoy giving small gifts of glamour to my girlfriends, my Mom and Sisters In-Law. Here are the top 5 gifts for Valentine's Day at http://www.glamourjunkie.com/ Good things come in smaller packages with smaller price tags. Happy Valentine's Day! XOXO

To Be Or Not Be -- Sulfate-Free -- That Is The Question

2010-01-27T14:09:00.000-08:00

The buzz words in the hairdressing industry for 2009 were Brazilian Blowout and Sulfate-Free Shampoo. More and more manufacturers of hair care products are focusing on sulfates. Hair care companies are creating sulfate-free shampoos and informing the public that sulfates are bad for their hair. They claim that sulfates cause color fadage, reverse the effects of Brazilian Blowouts and other keratin straightners and degrade the bonds on hair extensions. Then, these same companies instruct clients to use THEIR products to reduce these effects.

By making claims and offering a solution, the companies are creating their own "niche" in the beauty industry. Recently, L'oreal began advertising sulfate-free shampoo to consumers to buy at drugstores. No surprise since L'oreal bought Pureology who was the beauty industry leader for sulfate-free shampoo.

Who's to say sulfates make hair color fade? What type of sulfate are they talking about? There are many different types (and qualities) of sulfates. What is a sulfate anyway?
A sulfate is a cleanser which attracts oil and debris from the scalp and hair and rinses away with water. One sulfate found in high end shampoos like Davines, is Sodium Laureth Sulfate. This sulfate is a primary cleanser and only takes a small amount to be effective. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is also a viscosity builder, a thickening agent for shampoos. Without it, your shampoo would be very watery.

Sulfate-free shampoos use secondary cleansers, not sulfates, and they have to use a higher percentage of these cleansers to clean the sclap. Often times, these secondary cleansers don't remove all of the debris on the hair and scalp, which creates product build up, dull hair and often scalp irritation. Primary and Secondary sulfates are often combined, but the small amount of the sulfate is needed to be effective. The percentage of sulfate and the combination of ALL ingredients in the shampoo is very important. The combination of water, proteins, lipids, emollients, nutrients, vitamins, anti-oxidants, amino acids and a low PH make up a good quality shampoo.

As a hair colorist of 20 years, I am always a bit leary of a company telling me I MUST use THEIR product or my client's hair won't "turn out right." Basically sulfate-free shampoos may not have sulfates but they have something "secondary" which isn't as good in quality and in return has a worse effect on the hair. Remember the popularity of all those FAT FREE cookies and chips from the late 90's? They didn't have "fat" in them but they definitely weren't making us all skinny minnies.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment -- Should You Do It?

2010-01-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Is your hair frizzy? Do you spend too much time blow drying your hair and still have frizzy ends? If you answered yes, you may benefit from a Brazilian Keratin Treatment. (BKT)

The BKT is a technique that is intended to get rid of frizzy hair without chemically altering the natural structure of the hair leaving it smooth and shiny. These treatments are semi-permanent so they last about 12 weeks. That's right, weeks. Commitment free because during these 12 weeks your hair slowly returns to its normal state.

The BKT is not meant to completely straighten your hair. It does relax the hair and make it easier for you to blow dry by cutting your blow dry time in half. Sounds good right? Well, there is something I should mention: these treatments contain formaldehyde. The definition in the dictionary states -- a colorless poisonous gas.
This is how the treatment goes:
1. a creamy solution containing keratin and said gas is applied to the hair
2. solution is blow dried into the hair
3. hair is flat ironed at 450* (that's HOT! check out our Beauty Resolution #2)
4. rinse hair, style to finish
It's an easy process and takes about 90 minutes. The average cost is around $350.

Many clients report uncontrollable watering eyes, burning eyes, scratchy throats and coughing during the treatments. The critical point of the process is during the ironing. That is when the formaldehyde is released into the wild! Most companies warn you and suggest wearing masks.

I am a hair color specialist for 20 years. I do all hair color techniques and the japanese straightner which is permanent. As soon as I heard about the BKT I wanted to do it on my clients. I love staying current and up to date on new techniques. But there was something in my gut that said no. I researched the different brands and they all have some amount of formaldehyde in them. I spoke to someone at Brazilian Blowout who claims their product is formaldehyde free. When I asked him what took the place of the poisonous gas he said he was not allowed to give out that info. Hmmm. I talked to many of my hairdresser friends who do the BKT's and they say the same thing: sore throat, headache and burning eyes after each treatment. This was enough for me to decide not to do them. I have severe asthma and don't want to do anything to compromise my dear lungs.

I do have several clients that have done the BKT. Some like it, some don't. The results are very different for each client. For each client, it did get rid of their frizz.

If the BKT sounds good to you, try it. I suggest you do your research and have a consultation at a reputable salon. If you like it great! If you don't your hair should be back to normal in about 12 weeks.

Resolve To Be Glamorous in 2010

2010-01-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago one of my clients asked me what my New Year's resolution was going to be. I replied, I am going to have facials done on a regular basis every 6-8 weeks. She looked at me bewildered. She didn't think that was a "real" resolution. "Resolutions are about saving money, quitting smoking and getting organized" she said. Those are all great ideas but B-O-R-I-N-G!

We are all getting older not younger and it's time to take care of ourselves from hair to toes, the sooner the better. That year I stuck to my resolution for the first time ever! I still to this day have a facial every 8 weeks. My skin looks pretty good for a forty year old ex-tanning bed user. Some may think of these types of treatments as pampering but actually it's maintenance. Regular beauty treatments keep your body in tune and fresh. When it comes to your body don't listen to the old adage "if it isn't broken, don't fix it." Just the opposite! Regular maintenance on our bodies can prolong or even prevent dry skin, wrinkles, split ends, acne, brown spots,cracked heels etc. So go ahead, make a BEAUTY Resolution this year.

Beauty Resolution #1: Have a manicure and/or pedicure on a weekly basis. If your money budget or time budget doesn't allow for this, do it yourself at home. All you need is a good moisturizing lotion, nail file, cuticle oil and 20 mins. Same for your feet. If your heels are extra dry and cracked, apply a generous amount of lotion and wear socks to allow lotion to soak in.
Beauty Resolution #2: Have a monthly massage because they are not just a luxury. Massages decrease anxiety, enhance sleep quality, reduce fatique and give you more energy. Massage Envy is a great spa with affordable prices.
Beauty Resolution #3: Resolve to take extra good care of you hair this year. We put our hair through alot! We color it, straighten it, blow it out and we drag a brush through it when it's wet and tangled. The list can go on and on and on. During each salon visit, ask your hairdresser for a conditioning treatment suitable for your hair type. You should not be shampooing your hair everyday so on the days you do shampoo, take the extra 5-10 mins. to leave conditioner on your hair. This really makes a difference. Also, if you smoke, (quitting is another good resolution; wrinkle prevention) have hard water or you are outside alot, your hair needs to be detoxed. Davines makes a great detox kit that will leave your hair glistening.

These are just a few examples of Beauty Resolutions. Feel free to try one of ours or make up your own. Take a look in the mirror and see what part of you has been a bit neglected or pick your favorite feature to maintain. We guarantee you will enjoy this year's resolution and you will look even more Glamorous by 2011!

Welcome Home!

2009-12-27T14:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to GlamourJunkie.com's blog page. You will learn important info about all things BEAUTY. We love to talk hair, skin, nails and body. We promise to bring you all the latest info on how to take care of your body from hair to toes.
LEARN. ENJOY. SHARE. BE GLAMOROUS.

Are You A GlamourJunkie?

2009-12-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

When you think of glamour you may think of old Hollywood's Rita Hayworth or Marilyn Monroe. Or, new Hollywood's flashy red carpet scene at the Oscars. While this is definitely glamour at its finest, we think of glamour a bit differently.
At GlamourJunkie.com, we redefined Glamour. Glamour means having healthy hair, glowing skin, moist lips, well-manicured fingers and toes, self-confidence and a bright attitude -- "the total package".
A GlamourJunkie is a woman who loves to look good from hair to toes. She takes pride in having the Total Package. When you have the Total Package you are always glamorous even in your favorite sweats, t-shirt and flip flops.