Oh, Is That The Time?
Where does the time go? Is it nearly the 31st of August at 5pm EST, already? I hardly noticed. Okay, okay, maybe my nose did grow a wee bit when I wrote that, but I am still so very excited about Beauty Marked!’s nomination for the 2007 Australian Star Beauty Blog Award that I couldn’t help myself. I just don’t want the voting to close before you have a hot minute to pop by and Vote *cough* For Yours Truly *cough* if you feel so inspired. Gosh, the time sure does fly by when your having fun! * still happy dancing*
A Stitch In Thyme…
Run out of your preferred anti-dandruff shampoo or don’t have any and wish you did? Never fear, Ms. Necessity is here! Just dash out to your thriving herb garden and pluck a handful of fresh thyme (don’t worry, mine hasn’t quite grown sufficiently for picking either *wink*) or about 4 teaspoons of dried and add to 500 mls of newly boiled water. Stir and let sit to cool. Thyme is a highly effective antiseptic or rather the essential oils it contains are and have been used to great effect throughout the ages. Once the thyme infusion has cooled, strain the thyme and compost or discard. Retain the cool infused water and use it as a final leave-in rinse. Ta da! What dandruff?
Onya, Ms. Necessity!
Don’t Forget To Comb Your…
Brush. Brush? Yep, your hair brush and do give it a regular wash as well.. If your anything like me, the brush is often the last thing to hit your head in the morning as you dash out the door to start your day and possibly waved around your hair a bit at night before bed…but only maybe. So really, while brushes are an integral part of our day, they are often used and occasionally abused without much thought. With such frequent yet brief encounters with our hair brushes, we must ensure that we comb them free of hair and give them a gentle but thorough shampooing from time to time. A dust, fluff, oil, product, skin cell and hair free brush works far more effectively and is better for our hair and scalp health than one that’s been neglected and is chockers with “stuff”. Luckily, brushes scrub up a treat when a dob of shampoo is massaged through its bristles and rinsed in warm water. After shampooing your brush, leave it to thoroughly dry with the bristled end over hanging the vanity, desk, or bench top, preferably with the overhanging end bristle-side down so any remaining wetness just falls away from the brush and the air can freely circulate around it. If there’s a great deal of product build-up in your brush, you might like to add a drop of ammonia to the warm shampooy water, as this just turbo charges the shampoo’s grime fighting powers. So how about it? Why not show a bit of love to your faithful bristled friend.
And Now We Wait…
Okay, so you’ve made the switch to a more natural based hair and skincare range and your hair and skin are looking…um…well, let’s say…not so great (read: kaka), and you’re wondering if it was worth the switch? Well, I have no doubt that switching from harsher, more chock-full of naughties products to more skin and hair considerate products was a good thing. I, also, appreciate your valid question as to when exactly will the effects of your positive move become evident? Unfortunately, it will not be obvious on the first use of your new product, but may take as long as 3 to 4 weeks before a marked improvement is clearly seen and the good stuff can take effect. Your hair and skin may even seem worse with the new no-naughties hair and skincare regime for the first little while, without the “benefit” of all the smoothers, sudsers, harsh solvents and other questionable ingredients. Grrrreat, I hear you say? I know. *understandingly sighs* It will be worth it, just as you are, I promise. But for now, we wait. Hang in there!
Being Sun Smart.
I know that you gorgeous skincare savants are très savvy when it comes to protecting your skin from the damaging effects of unprotected sun exposure, but thanks to L’Oréal Professionnel, you can now look after your cherished tresses with the same sagacious smarts as you do your skin. In September 2007, L’Oréal Professionnel is launching Série Expert Solar Sublime sun smart products for your hair. The Série Expert Solar Sublime range is comprised of 3 key hair care products that will afford your hair superior sun protection against the damaging UV rays that affect all three zones of the hair fiber from the root to the tips. Série Expert Solar Sublime contains Mexoryl S.O. (Sun Optimal), which is a patented hair care specific UV-filter system which acts as a protective shield against the sun’s harmful rays as well as moisturizing and maintaining the hair’s hydration.
Série Expert Solar Sublime by L’Oréal Professionnel is a formidable ally against the unfiltered effects of the sun’s UV rays which leads to damaged hair. Série expert Solar Sublime assists in preventing the sun’s UVB rays from stripping the lipid coating from the hair’s surface which causes the shaft of the hair to become porous and eventually splits due to it’s brittleness from the breakdown of keratin which results. Sun damaged hair can often feel straw-like and the natural pigment in the hair is diminished. Sun damaged hair not only looks lackluster but tends to be difficult to style as well. It is with this understanding, that L’Oréal Professionnel has created this new advanced formula to enhance its range of sun smart products for the hair:
Série Expert Solar Sublime Shampoo An après sun protecting shampoo which contains Mexoryl S.O. UV-Protect, vitamin E derivative and glycerol.
Série Expert Solar Sublime Masque An after sun nourishing balm that contains Mexoryl S.O. UV-Protect to detangle, smooth the hair’s surface, and bring softness and shine to the hair.
Série Expert Solar Sublime Protection Spray An invisible leave-in protection spray to be used on damp hair and leaves a light protective film around the hair fiber of the sun filter Mexoryl S.O. UV-Protect and a natural looking shine.
Série Expert is only available in L’Oréal Professionnel salons. Call 1300 651 141 for your nearest stockist (within Australia) or online.
Whipped With A Thread Of Cotton.
As beautifully asked…
I am a Middle Eastern woman, who has done nothing to her brows and they have no discernible shape. I am keen to have them look nice and shaped, as you have highly recommended in the past. But, I am certainly not keen on waxing or plucking my eyebrows. Are there any other suggestions as my eyebrow hairs are very fine and do not seem to be removed very easily, but seem to just snap off and remain as stubble?
As answered with pleasure…
Have you ever considered Threading? Threading is a long established form of hair removal in India, The Middle East, and in many other Asian countries as well, in fact. This method of hair removal is an amazingly effective way to shape your brows and remove any unwanted hair. Even the finest hairs can be removed by Threading. What’s even better is that Threading comes into its own and works its best magic on fine hairs that are generally not easily removed by waxing or tweezing! Sounds perfect, hey?
So how’s it done? A light dusting of powder is applied to hair to be removed. The threader then winds two threads of cotton between her fingers across her two hands. The hairs for removal are targeted and precisely removed by twisting the thread between the fingers, capturing the hairs in question and extracting them from the root. Since the hair is removed in its entirety by the threads, the hair is not snapped off, as some fine hair can be when waxed or plucked. The hair’s regrowth pattern seems to be the same as with waxing or tweezing, when done properly.
Even though Threading has been around for donkey’s years, it may be a bit hard to find places to have it done in your local area, but absolutely worth the hunt. Perhaps try asking in your local Indian or Middle Eastern spice shop or grocery store if anyone knows of a good threader in your area. I hope this helps and please let us know how you go. Good luck!
The Bouf Stops Here.
Or…well…maybe starts here, depending on what floats your flip. Whatever hairstyle your hankering for, you most certainly won’t want to be without a quality hairspray in your holdings. Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus is the one to bouf, I mean beat. Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus Hairspray delivers true, touchable, extra-hold, humidity resistant control. No self respecting Countess of Coif worth her salt would ever consider being without a trusted can of hairspray for her tresses. Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus is just the iconic styling tool you’re after. What you’ll get when using Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus Hairspray is hair with added body, steadfast direction and immaculate lift and hold. Not to mention the quick drying Shaper Plus is simply legendary when it comes to medium and heavier textured hair, allowing it to maintain the same long-lasting loft as those with feather-weight locks without being sticky in the least. Not bad, ay?
Ooh, fancy a little bit of Hollywood goss? Well, according to Beauty Marked!’s Hollywood sources:
Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus Hairspray, along with is little sister, Shaper Hairspray, star as “Ultra Clutch” in the film release of “HAIRSPRAY!”
Embracing their Hollywood roots like never before, Sebastian Professional’s Shaper and Shaper Plus brands are preparing for their big screen debut in the New Line Cinema’s & Roadshow Film’s September 2007 remake of the cult classic, “HAIRSPRAY!” As the official hairspray of “HAIRSPRAY!”, Sebastian Professional Shaper and Shaper Plus will perform behind the scenes and front-and-centre to capture the film’s classic style.
For further information, log onto www.sebastianinspires.com/hollywood for more. What a hoot!
