Quick Fixes

Soft waves are oh-so-alluring! But are you afraid to attempt them, thinking they’ll be too complicated or time-consuming? Try these simple steps and get this gorgeous ‘do before you know it! Take a large barreled curling iron and wrap hair around in free-form twists. Take a quarter-sized amount of shine serum, such as Kiehls’ Silk Groom Serum, and using your fingers, run it through your hair for extra polish.

As the temperature drops, hair can dry out – especially after a summer spent in the sun and surf or if you simply just have a sensitive scalp. So remember, don’t skimp on conditioning your hair! Start using a deep conditioner with ingredients such as jojoba oil or honey, which are fantastic emollients. Or go to the kitchen and make your own DIY conditioning mask! Just blend 1 tbsp of honey with a ½ cup of milk. Massage into hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Fall is just around the corner and the changing, cooler temperatures can dry out your skin. Try this at-home invigorating facial mask to rehydrate your skin. Mix 1⁄2 of an avocado and 1⁄4 cup of honey in a blender. Apply to your skin and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, rinse with a washcloth drenched in cool water.

Note: I apologize for the lack of response to emails, etc. We will respond as soon as possible. It’s been a crazy work week!

Sunburn in the sky? Apparently it’s possible! Apply a coat of sunscreen before getting on the plane. Despite the fact that you’re not directly exposed to any sunlight, you’re also much higher in the atmosphere. This elevates your exposure to stronger, more harmful UV rays. Just remember to apply 30 minutes before getting on the plane for maximum effect!

Have blonde hair? Give it that perfect summer look by naturally enhancing your hair color with this easy DIY tip. Mix 1 cup of lemon juice and 3 cups of cooled chamomile tea. Pour over damp hair and then lay out in the sun for 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse and follow with a good conditioner. Repeat for best results.

Why does this work? Chamomile is a time old ingredient used to lighten hair (it’s used in a lot of modern-day hair coloring products) and is a natural hair colorant. Lemon and chamomile together is a common combination to enhance blonde color. Chamomile is a natural emollient and is extremely soothing for the scalp (it has natural healing properties – anti-flammatory and anti-bacterial), thus strengthening and revitalizing the outer layers of hair. And we all know that lemon acts as a mild bleach that can lighten hair!

P.S. Brunnettes, just substitute coffee or a dark colored tea (such as English Breakfast)!

We’ve all been there. Days (or nights!) where you’ve spent just a little too long in heels and your feet are paying the price. What do you do? Try an Epsom salt foot soak to soothe aches. Just add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and the juice of one lemon (for a refreshing lift and scent) to a large bowl of warm water. Soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse and dry. Why do Epsom salts work? When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, it reduces swelling, relaxes muscles and draws toxins from the body. Plus, salt is a natural exfoliant and emollient, which will soften rough heels!

This morning, you left the house and you had perfect hair. Then humidity kicked in and soon enough, you see frizz. Eep! Just grab some clear mascara and swipe over the frizz. That will keep your hair calm for the rest of the day. DO NOT use any water on your hair since it will only increase frizziness and make more of a mess.

P.S. If you have frizz-prone hair, avoid buying products with lanolin oil, which increases frizz and citric acid, which further dries out hair.

Sunburned from a long weekend on the beach? You’re probably applying tons of aloe vera to reduce the redness and heat. But have you tried this refreshing twist to cool down your skin? Freeze aloe in an ice cube tray. Then, apply for a soothing, cooling comfort after excessive sun exposure. Ahh…now skin feels even cooler!

Too many manicures leave you with discolored nails? Try this at-home remedy to fix that icky yellow hue and restore your nails to their former brightness.

Mix 1 tbsp of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 2 tsp of baking soda together to form a paste. Use a cotton swab and apply to your finger nails. Let it set for approximately three minutes and then rinse off with warm water. After you’re finished, apply a rich hand lotion to maintain moisture.

Another option? Pop a tablet of Alka-Seltzer into a small bowl of warm water. Soak hands for 5-10 minutes. It should help reduce the discoloring.

If you have any beauty-related questions or requests, please feel free to comment or email me!

There are days when you wake up and feel like hell. Immediately, you know that when you look in the mirror, undereye circles will be there. Here’s a quick tip to help cure that tired look and brighten up your eyes:

To lighten dark circles, try the traditional remedy: tea bags. Moisten two chamomile (caffeinated) tea bags and place in the freezer for at least fifteen minutes. Then, place them on your eyes for 15-20 minutes to help reduce puffiness and darkness around your eyes. Why does it work? Chamomile has lightening properties as well as a high percentage of azulene, an extremely soothing essential oil. Plus, the moisture content will hydrate while the caffeine wakes up your skin.

Have beauty questions or requests? Just leave a comment or feel free to email me! They’ll show up within the next few weeks.

P.S. Sorry about yesterday’s post being so late…in fact, I’ve been working really hard to make some time to write! (Note the time?) Also, if I haven’t been answering your emails, I promise that I will get to them by the end of next week. Please be patient. It’s a very busy month for me…and next month looks just about the same!