Get Your Feet Ready For Sandals

It's almost that time of year when we get to wear sandals every day. Where I live, sandal season is very short. We do wear them as long as we can though!

Since your feet will be out for all to see, here are some tips to get your feet and toes in tip-top condition:


1) Use a pumice stone in the bath. After soaking your feet for 15 minutes, use a pumice stone to remove dead skin from the callouses on your feet.
2) If you have a corn, bunion, or some other protrusion; it's always a good idea to wear moleskin on the growth. It will aid in healing. Make sure to read the instructions on how to use moleskin.
3) Avoid shoes that don't fit well.
4) Push your cuticles back regularly using an orange-wood stick at least twice a week.
5) In the winter, get a pedicure at least once every 2 months. Once summer is here, get a pedicure once a month.
6) Use a good lotion before putting on your socks for daytime wear. Also use a heavier cream or lotion at night before bed. **Tip: Once or twice a week, after using a pumice stone in the bath or shower and after you have dried off, use a good oil on your feet. Argon and olive oils are good choices. Follow the oil with a heavy lotion or vaseline. Place plastic storage bags over your feet followed with some heavy socks. To get even more benefit, place a heating pad on top of your feet. Then just relax for at least 15 minutes. This is a good practice to do when you watch a movie because you know you won't be doing anything. Once your treatment is complete, wipe of the excess lotions with a paper towel and give yourself a good foot massage.

What To Expect When Wanting Platinum Hair

The popular platinum color that people are wanting to have for their hair color, is a fun color to have. Now you’ve decided you want your hair that color. Before you book your salon appointment, here’s what to expect.

1. Be honest about your hair color. If you have put color on at home, any color, your colorist needs to know this.Don’t worry, you are not being judged. Even they colored their hair at home before they got into their profession.
2. When you schedule your appointment, make sure to tell whoever is booking the appointment what your plans are. That way plenty of time can be scheduled for your appointment. Otherwise, what will most likely happen is that you will get one process of lightener and sent home with some semi-orange hair until you can get in for your next appointment. Depending on how dark your hair is, you may even need 3-4 lightening processes. 
3. To lighten your hair, the lightener is applied and processed. Once your hair has processed for the appropriate time, it will need to be rinsed and dried. If your hair has not lifted enough, the process starts all over again until the desired level is reached. This can take many times, depending on how dark your hair is.
4. Not all hair is created equal. Once your hair has been processed, it’s time to make that platinum color, (or grey, purple, etc.). Based on the color that your hair is, your colorist will mix a formula and let that process on your hair. Once rinsed, she might see that the color needs adjusting. Wet hair is not the best way to make sure your color is good. She might not see that your color needs adjusted until she has dried your hair. At which time she would do another process.

Achieving light hair is a process, several processes actually. Don’t head to the salon with the thought that you will be an all-over platinum blonde in 2 hours. You should also expect to pay at least $200 in the low range. 

Good luck in your hair adventures!

This is so true. Sometimes life would be less complicated if we had a
hair mom to just take care of it for us.

Blemish Season & Best Tool Alert

With the weather being dryer this time of year, you are more susceptible to getting a blemish or a breakout. Since I am a cosmetologist, I continually do research on great products to suggest to my clients. I firmly believe that using natural ingredients on your face is super important. Chemicals can be harsh so keep in mind that we absorb good things and bad things through our skin into our bodies. Stay healthy inside and out!

It's important to do the following: 
1. Use a good moisturizer both day and night. I like Burt's Bees Intense Hydration day and night moisturizers in the winter.

                               

(Click on photos if you wish to purchase from Amazon)

  

2. Wash your face daily. Use a cleanser as well as a microfiber washcloth. Frownies soap-free cider wash is a great cleanser. A microfiber washcloth will remove all traces of makeup, even mascara. If you have eyelash extensions, don't use a microfiber cloth around your eyes.

(Click on photos if you wish to purchase from Amazon)

  3. Use a good astringent such as witch hazel.

                   
(Click on photos if you wish to purchase from Amazon)

4. Exfoliate 2 times per week. I exfoliate on Thursdays and Sundays. I have a reminder on my phone in case I get busy that night and forget. Always follow up with moisturizer.

             
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**Best Tool Alert**
If you do get a blemish, my favorite tool for extractions is the pimple and blackhead extractor. It gets all of the gunk out with minimal damage. Pinching and squeezing can cause blood vessels to break and you are more likely to create scarring.


           
(Click on photo if you wish to purchase from Amazon)

Winter provides a harsh environment for skin. Treat your skin good now and it will treat you great later!