The best way to get great looking hair is to adopt some simple healthy hair habits. Start with a haircut that compliments your face shape and hair type. Get it trimmed every 4-6 weeks to prevent split ends-there’s no product out there capable of repairing them, no matter what the packaging says.

   Take a look at how you clean your hair. You can add a few drops of rosemary oil to stimulate hair growth. No matter what shampoo and conditioner you use you can maximize shine by cooling off the water during the final rinse. Cooler water makes hair shinier by closing the outside layer.

   When you step out of the shower gently squeeze and pat your hair dry. Crushing wet hair with a towel causes abrasion. A definite don’t.

  Use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair. If you have time, let hair dry naturally. Using a blow-dryer on low heat causes the least amount of damage.

  Daily maintenance is equally  important. Long, thick hair requires a brush with well spaced bristles that are gentle on tangles. Shorter hair can withstand more daily tension.

Spring is here and it’s time to uncover those pretty feet. Oops, your feet need help you say? Although it’s been a easy winter weather wise,  your feet have been covered up for months now and it’s time to unveil those toes for sandal season. Pedicures are a great way to treat yourself to something special and have a way of making us feel pampered. Soaking your feet in a warm tub of water with a gentle soaking solution will soften callouses and make your tired feet feel great. Add a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil to your soak for a minty scent. It is important to use a cuticle softener for cuticles that need to be removed. Be Natural available @ Reflections West Salon has a Callous Eliminator and a Cuticle Eliminator that works within 3 minutes to remove completely callouses and cuticles, without any cutting. You may desire to use a pumice stone or a foot file to help eliminate the callouses. Using a nail brush will also help remove any dry skin built up over the past months. You’ll be amazed at how much dry skin remains in the water after doing this!

When clipping and filing your nails be careful to avoid removing the corners of your nails. Cut straight across the nail and file sides to middle. Avoiding sawing back and forth. Push back any remaining cuticle, rinse and pat dry.

Foot massage is a wonderful treat. That’s what makes going to a salon or spa a special indulgence. At Reflections West Salon you have the choice of an express pedicure or a spa pedicure. Massage and masque differentiates the two. Most people opt for the  Spa for the ahhhhhh factor!

When applying polish, nails must be clean and dry. Make sure to remove all signs of massage lotion or oil. One base coat of polish then two coats of color and a top coat for shine and protection. Take the time to let the polish dry. Perhaps enjoy a manicure while your toes are drying. Nails will take approximately 15 minutes to dry. It’s always great when clients bring open toed sandals or shoes with them at their appointment to avoid any polish challenges.

There you have it, toes to be proud of.  So, take off those socks and have fabulous feet for the world to see. If you’d like to enjoy a pedicure spa or express, give us a call @ 603-924-6627 and set up a time. Pedicures can take up to 1.5 hrs. or less. Go ahead, call. You deserve it.

Finally a dry shampoo that comes in three formulas to remove excess oils on 2nd day hair, that will create texture and volume.  Eufora’s Touch Up Dry Shampoo will enhance the gray roots if you have dark blonde/light red hair (light formula) or Dark brown/black hair (dark formula) or  Clear (clear formula, no color) for creating volume and texture.This product does not contain powder like they used too. Call Reflections West Salon and come in for a FREE demonstration of this new product. We look forward to seeing you soon! 924-6627.

We over process our hair, starting with shampoo. Most shampoo’s have a tendency to eliminate everything on your hair, dirt, oil and even hair color! To give you a quick easy way to look for a gentle cleansing shampoo, start with knowing the PH of your shampoo. Hair and skin have a PH of 4.5 to 5.5. This is the PH to look for in a shampoo. If your shampoo does not say what the PH is, testing is always an option. If your shampoo is higher, which most are, it will remove the dirt, oil and will effect the longevity of your hair color or highlights.

If keeping your hair color fresh and bright is important to you, we can test your shampoo and let you know what the PH is. If you’re looking for a gentle cleansing and color safe shampoo and styling products we have those available. Soma is a hair care product line that consistently maintains a 4.5 – 5.5 PH for maintaining your hair.

For the month of February we are offering 10% off two products or more in the SOMA line. Come in for FREE information and education.

It’s 2012 and it a great time to consult with your stylist about creating something new with your current hairstyle. This could mean cutting more than a 1/2 inch of at your next visit. Be daring, cut 1-2 inches off. Reinventing your hairstyle can make you feel alive. As a seasoned stylist, I’ve seen people go from frumpy to fabulous in a matter of an hour, totally changing their look with a different cut. Color still remains a fun way to reinvent your style. With the fashion color available now, go ahead have some fun. Remember hair grows. You can always go back to your current style if you’re uneasy about change. It’s the one thing we can change and know we can go back if you desire. Enjoy the process, feel the excitement. Ask your stylist what they would do if they could do anything with your particular looks and facial shape. See what they have to say. Tweak their suggestion to fit your lifestyle. Have fun. That’s what it’s all about.

Celebrity makeup artists say that the most common mistake women make when choosing eye shadows, is attempting to match their eye color too much.   Having blue eyes, so you wear blue make up, isn’t the trend anymore.  Today, it is all about contrast.  The eye shadow is meant to frame the eye, not to overpower it.

A tone blue eye will stand out much more with a bronze shadow.  With brown eyes, you can add a dark blue shadow to outline the eye.

Following, is a step by step guide to help apply the best eye shadows for your eye color.

Blue eyes:  the best color is bronze eye shadow.  Use a matte taupe in the crease and then use a satin bone shade underneath the brow area.  Apply to the lid a shimmery bronze shadow with a damp brush.  When it dries, it will have a glazed look that will last longer than a using a cream shadow.  Use a dark brown pencil, closely line the top and bottom lash lines to deepen the effect.

Brown eyes:  start out with a dark (navy) blue eyeliner with a neutral shadow.  Start with a satin bone color on the eye lid.  For the next layer, apply a matte taupe in the crease and a shimmery champagne along the brow bone.  Use a blue pencil to line closely along the top lash line. Blend the line.  Draw a touch of color underneath the lid to continue the look.  Do not apply it on very heavy, it will draw the eyes down.

Green eyes:  start with a plum eye shadow.  Use a lavender shade for the lid. Use a middle-toned color for the crease and highlight with the palest shimmery shade.  Use a dark plum shade to bring out the outer corners.  Finish with a shimmery plum liquid on the top of the eye, very close to the lash line.

Hazel eyes: green works best. Use sheer, muted greens.  Apply a matte taupe in the  crease and a champagne shimmer on the brow bone.  Use a light shade on the lids.  Line the eyes top and bottom with a deep dark evergreen pencil, smudging with your finger.

To complete the beautiful eye look, remember to apply mascara!

For a complete makeup consultation, call us @ 603-924-6627 to set up an appointment.

Shake Rattle and Roll

Do you “shake and bake” when it comes to blow-drying? It’s a habit many of us fall into and unfortunately, it leaves less than an impressive finish. Reflections West Stylists advise against shaking your dryer when blow drying your hair; shaking it tends to increase frizz and minimize airflow and temperature, which  increases drying time.  The only exception is when you’re drying fine hair, then it’s ok to shake the dryer (without a nozzle) until hair is 80 percent dry, to rough up the cuticle and create volume. We recommend you put a nozzle on your dryer and apply a  mousse or thermal protector to keep hair from any heat damage for the rest of the styling time. Over drying (baking) hair, damages it and reduces health and shine.  Focus on, stretching and using a cooler temperature to promote smoothness and high shine.

Good question. Shampoo’s intent is to cleanse your hair of oils and dirt that collect on our scalp and hair during the day. Would it be wonderful to use a shampoo that did this and left hair shiny instead of drying it out, so you have to use a ton of conditioner to get a comb through it?

What you have to look for in a shampoo: Always look at the back of the bottle. Check several, is the first ingredient water? Products must tell the consumer what ingredients (by % of contents) predominately occupy that product. If water is the first, that’s what you are paying for mostly. Surfactants are the next, usually. Look for shampoo that is sulfate free. This is a salt surfactant that can strip hair of color and if you have hair color you know, it’s an investment and it’s important to keep it from fading as long as possible.

I suggest talking to a professional about all products you use on your hair. Maybe your hair is feeling heavy, limp, and unmanageable. Could be anything from your shampoo to your styling aids. If shiny hair is what is important, or protecting your hair from color fading, or perhaps you’ve just invested in a keratin smoothing treatment and like the results and desire to maintain this treatment for as long as possible. Start with the products you’re using and know what they have in them that makes them a gentle cleanser. Educate yourself on what works for your specific hair type. Ask your professional hairstylist what’s best. If they can’t tell you what is in a product that will be best for your hair or visa versa, find a new stylist, one that keeps up with education and  know’s their stuff.  You’ll be glad you did and so will your hair.

We offer a FREE $35 “we care consultation” to cover your hair history and your desired look. CALL 924-6627 today and take a few minutes to find out what’s right for you. We look forward to sharing our knowledge with you.

It’s been a whirlwind month of learning for the crew @ Reflections West Salon. Deb and Melissa completed a training consisting of Men’s Trend Cutting, Long Hairdressing (Up-do’s), a business class and Women’s Trends in Cutting! They are excited to share all these techniques with you. The business of beauty is a rapidly changing one and we’re keeping up with it.

It’s been a month of computer know how for Sharon, just recently returning from a seminar in Buffalo, New York and Boston, Mass. regarding what we can expect with our friend the computer. Exciting things coming.

While I was in Buffalo, Deb was busy taking an Advanced Color Class for 3 Days. Deb is advancing her career to become a board certified Colorist. We’re very excited for her.

As we continue to educate ourselves on the latest and greatest changes in the image business we just would like to say “thank you” to all of you that continue to support us through your visits to our Salon. We look forward to always being on top of what’s new and bring it to you.

The other day I was shopping in an office supply store and the clerk said to me “I was late for work this morning, because I couldn’t do anything with my hair, this humidity makes it hard to work with”

Has this happened to you?

Humidity can raise havoc on your hair because humidity is water and it weighs down hair that may already be burdened with product residue from shampoo’s, conditioners and styling aids. It is best to use a clarifying shampoo to remove this build up. It is beneficial to  ask for a clarifying treatment at your salon. Professionals will use the correct clarifier for your hair and finish with a conditioner that is water soluble and will not build up on your hair.

We use Eufora and Brocato products at Reflections West Salon. Eufora products are 75%-85% pharmaceutical  grade Aloe Vera. A soothing product line for your hair. Brocato offers a Peppermint Scrub Clarifier along with many sulfate (salt) free shampoo’s that are gentle for your hair and your hair color.

So if you hair is limp and lifeless with the humidity, check with your stylist and ask if you may need to remove some of the build up that is on your hair. Always follow any shampoo with a conditioner specifically recommended for your hair type.