Do you dream of luscious thick locks only to wake up to a head of fine hair? Me too. There's hope, however, for us fine-haired gals. 

Whether you have five or 25 minutes for styling, you can create a gorgeous look that complements even the finest of locks.

It All Starts With the Cut

"Styles for fine hair should always have weight," says Gad Cohen, once called the "Master of Fine Hair" by Allure Magazine. It's important to stack the hair using imperceptible layers around the face. "I never use razors or thinning shears — the more actual layers, the finer the hair will look."

"The goal is to have both blunt edges and soft angles. I aspire to give my client 'fake layers' — pieces of hair that frame the face, but also make the hair look soft. Concave-nape haircuts with beveled edges give more volume around the face, where it's needed the most," says Cohen.

Cohen says he never recommends that those with fine hair try to make it look bigger — it's better to keep it close to the head, somewhat stacked, and polished. Teased or rolled hair makes it look transparent, and takes away from any real volume.

Thom Priano of the salon, Garren New York agrees. He also suggests cutting deep bangs to help mask thinning hair on the top of the head. Or try a zig-zag part and a "messy" style.

Styling — the Long Way
"My number one rule of thumb to keep those roots from getting too limp is to never apply conditioner above the ear. The natural oils from your scalp will distribute into your hair anyway," says Megan McGinn, stylist and educator at award-winning salon Detour in Encinitas, Calif.

Apply a volumizing/thickening product at your root to give your hair some help in achieving some body, McGinn says. This time, stay away from the ends. "Avoid the ends as most volumizing products have a good amount of alcohol in them, and could dry out those delicate ends. When blow drying, lift your hair up with your fingers, concentrating the blow dryer in an upward motion. Use medium heat only, as you want to protect fragile hair," says McGinn. 

Forget the days of flipping your head upside down—you'll cause more frizz. When your hair is about 75 percent dry, use a round brush to achieve more lift and hold from your style. Clean sectioning is key. After you're finished, use a medium hold hairspray to hold your 'do. 

Key tip: No touching. The oils on your hands will weigh down your hair as well as cause frizz, says McGinn.

The Quick Way

Love the idea of goddess hair, but don't have time for a morning shampoo and style? Try this: Wash your hair at night, run a texture cream through the ends and divide your hair into two large braids, says McGinn. In the morning, take the braids down, run a light cream through the ends. Beachy, tousled locks with no effort required!

You  Can Also Fake it 

For those who want both volume and length, consider hair extensions. They are a great way to add real volume and shape — long fine hair can appear stringy. 

Women with fine hair need to pay attention not only to the haircut, but also to color and condition. The hair should not be over-processed — you're trying to build body, not damage it. No perms; they will ruin the hair. 

Good color can help, though. "Darker shades play up the contrast between hair and scalp, while lighter shades that are closer to your skin tone can actually help camouflage thinning hair," Priano says. 

Key tip: Priano recommends highlights. "Coloring your mane also expands the hair shaft ,which makes hair appear thicker," says Priano.

http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/Best-Styles-for-Fine-Hair 

Do you have areas of redness on your face? Fair skin that has a tendency to flush or blush? Friends may accuse you of being shy or easily embarrassed, but there's also a chance you have a skin condition called rosacea.

What Causes Rosacea?

"Rosacea is characterized by erythema (redness) and telangiectasias," says Dr. Glenn Kolansky. He says we can recognize rosacea by its four subtypes: Flushing, redness and telangiectasias, papules and pustule. Although the cause is unknown, it is believed to be a dysregulation of the natural immune response resulting in inflammation, Kolansky says.

Dr. Susan Stuart, of San Diego's UCSD Medical Center, says the redness of rosacea is due to the fact that people with this skin disorder have "a very fragile and delicate stratum corneum," which is the outermost layer of the skin. 

How to Deal with Rosacea

Ideally, you want to preserve this layer of skin and cause the least amount of disruption as possible.

To that end, dermatologists often recommend the daily use of a good emollient or moisturizer to lubricate and protect this outermost skin layer, and suggest choosing makeup and skin care products carefully as people with rosacea have sensitive skin, Dr. Stuart says. Try to use makeup with light foundations and broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 against both UVA and UVB rays, which contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, and not to use waterproof cosmetics or those with heavy foundations.  

You also want to avoid any skin care products that contain astringents, toners, alcohol, exfoliating agents, witch hazel, fragrances, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, clove oil, and salicylic acid. Dr. Stuart suggests we protect ourselves when using a new makeup or skin care product apply it sparingly to the face as a "test spot" to see if your skin reacts unfavorably to it prior to regular use. 

Increasing moisture in your skin will reduce redness in skin, says Anna Logan, a holistic skincare specialist at the Touch of Faith Aesthetics Skin Care and Waxing Spa. Rosacea results from an overly acidic body and skin, which can be caused by a number of factors including physical activity, stress, environment, and, perhaps most importantly, diet. 

Logan also caution against some types of food and drinks, such as meat, cheese, alcohol, and stimulants, like coffee and cigarettes — these form acids when processed by the body. Other foods, primarily fruits and vegetables, are alkaline-forming, which helps to neutralize acids. By following a healthy diet rich in alkaline-forming foods, you can balance your body and reduce your rosacea symptoms while improving your overall health.

How to Treat Rosacea

First, if you suffer from rosacea, see a board certified dermatologist as there are many advanced treatments available to reduce the redness and outbreaks from it.

However, treating rosacea need not involve an endless round of laser treatments, oral or topical antibiotics or the worst of all, the use of steroid, says Logan. It can be as simple as modifying your lifestyle to include positive healthy skin care habits. 
Logan said that a diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and a lot of water is recommended. "Flare ups resulting from the intake of the acid foods and drinks and related stress that the patients has from the 'hyperness' of the acid consumption. Most patients know many of their 'triggers' that cause the flushing and redness such as alcohol, coffee, exercise, stress, etc. that are all acidic in nature," says Logan. 

The problem is how to overcome this obstacle as these foods and drinks may be a big part of your entire life. The intake of foods and drinks need to be more alkaline to 'offset' or neutralize or buffer the acids to return the body to a more alkaline condition, Logan says.

How to Naturally Treat Rosacea

Essential oils are pure, therapeutic grade essential oils can be applied directly to the skin or they may be blended with sweet almond or jojoba carrier oils. The best essential oils to use for rosacea treatment include lavender, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood and cedar wood, says Logan.

Dr. Tanweer Syed, a dermatologist at the University of California in San Francisco, reports that a cream containing a green-tea extract called polyphenone shows a 70 percent improvement in rosacea compared with an inactive 
cream.

Inadequate riboflavin, caused by insufficient dietary intake or poor absorption in the digestive tract, may be associated with rosacea cautions Logan. Natural food sources of vitamin B2 include nuts, green leafy vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains and probiotic yogurt.

Millions of us — including me — suffer from rosacea. It's common, and while inconvenient at times, easy to manage and deal with — especially now that you know the tools to make the effort as smooth as possible.

http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/Tips-from-the-Experts-on-Dealing-with-Rosacea 

lf you suffer from those little red, rough bumps that cover the back of your upper arms, you're not alone — far from it.

Almost 50 percent of all adults and 80 percent of adolescents experience that skin scourge known as keratosis pilaris — a genetic skin condition sometimes referred to as chicken skin (for reasons you can probably gather). Those bumps are annoying, but they're completely harmless and painless. You might not be able to get rid of them completely, but here are several easy ways to diminish and manage them and leave you feeling totally tank-top — and tankini! — ready.

How Do You Get Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is caused by your body's excessive production of keratin, which is a natural protein found in your skin. The keratin builds up and clogs the hair follicles in your pores, creating those troublesome — though remember, completely innocuous — red bumps. It's more common in the cold months when the air is dryer. Keratosis pilaris is more common in women than men, which is totally annoying because women have far more sleeveless options than guys do. (Well, at least chic sleeveless options.) There's no cure, but many people find the condition diminishes as they get older. One good thing to look forward to about aging!

How Can You Treat It?

One of the best ways to manage keratosis pilaris is to manage the tactile roughness, or the affected "chicken skin" areas with hydrating moisturizer to soften the keratin plug and exfoliation to flatten it. You can exfoliate to make your skin softer, but don't be too heavy-handed or abrasive — excessive scrubbing can turn faintly red bumps into very red, very angry bumps. Use a gentle body scrub and make sure water is warm but not too hot. Use a simple body wash that says "non-comedogenic" — which means it won't clog your pores.

One of the other easiest and most effective way to treat your bumps is to moisturize and keep your skin well-hydrated.  Use an over-the-counter and prescription cream, which will help soften the keratin plug. Again, look for skin-soothing lotions that are non-comedogenic and contain colloidal oatmeal, which help keep skin calm and reduce irritation.

If you can commit to moisturizing the affected area at least twice a day — especially in the colder months when your skin is even dryer — you can reduce the redness of the irritated areas easily and inexpensively on your own. While the bumps may not disappear completely, they should grow more faint and less noticeable, and the moisturizing and hydrating routine should make your skin softer and less rough.

If moisturizing just isn't helping, your dermatologist may recommend various treatments, like microdermabrasion or chemical peels, or prescribe Retin-A or prescription corticosteroids.

No matter how tempting, never pick at or scratch the affected area. Scratching at keratosis pilaris may only worsen the redness. One of the few good things about keratosis pilaris is that if you leave the affected area alone, save gently washing and moisturizing, chances are you'll gradually see an improvement — and experience fewer people asking why you're wearing a blazer in July.


http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/How-to-Banish-Red-Arm-Bumps-and-Look-Great-Sleeveless 

We have clip in feathers available at the salon. Lots of colors and lengths to choose from. We can make them to custom fit you with your favorite colors. $8 each. Stop by and check them out. 

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to everybody!!! (specifically, Kevin! I Love You, Honey!)

Why compliment?

Complimenting is foolproof. Everyone loves a compliment. Even if we're shy, insecure or suspicious of motives, complimenting just works. It makes us smile and feel better than we did before. Importantly, saying something kind can have an impact far beyond the actual words, bringing us closer to realizing our inner beauty.

(And remember: A "Facebook Like" isn't a substitute for a real, honest-to-goodness compliment.)

Even better, compliments multiply. The more compliments we give, the more we can't help but give. Not only that, the positive connection helps us take the spotlight off one's own negativity. 

It's not always easy...

If you're feeling awkward or shy, it can be much harder to give a compliment. I find that it takes a good deal of confidence to notice great things about others or make the first move to share those great things.

Trust that a sincere compliment is always a welcome boost. Sure, some folks may reject your compliment. Some may even argue with you. "Oh, this old thing?" (And of course, super personal comments should be reserved for close friends.) But, for the most part, compliments are a guaranteed way to make both the giver and recipient feel better about themselves.

Here are my favorite dos and don'ts for fool-proof complimenting.

Do's

Mean it: Honestly believe what you are saying or you risk seeming insincere. One way to mean it is to compliment character traits instead of objects. These kinds of compliments are heard less often than compliments on looks or clothes. Complimenting a teacher on her ability to keep students motivated or a friend on how hard they've worked toward a goal will go much farther than, "I like your green hat."

Be specific: Which compliments meant the most to you? It's most likely the compliments that show that the giver was paying attention. Instead of an eager, "OMG, I LOVE your dress," consider, "I love the way your dress emphasizes your gorgeous collarbones." The more specific your compliment is, the more it means.

Ask a question: Paying attention, true attention, to someone is the kindest compliment. So use this opportunity to start a conversation. Back up your compliment with a question you genuinely want to know about your subject. Even a question like, "I love your necklace, where did you find it?" can open the recipient up to real connection.
    
Reveal a little: When complimenting, give a little away to the complimentee. Vulnerability invites people into your experiences. "Your writing made me see how jealousy was impacting my life" is far more potent than "Your writing is really good." Sharing how someone made your life better is a perfect place to start.

Pass it on: One of the many strange things about us humans is that when we hear bad things, we're quick to tell others, but when someone shares something nice, we keep it to ourselves. 

Next time you hear something nice about someone, don't stop. Pass it on to the person being complimented. Let's multiply those good feelings!

Don'ts

Offer back-handed compliments: Watch out for compliments that could do more damage than good, like "You'll look so great when you finally get that skin cleared up." As well, don't turn around and criticize someone behind her back after you just complimented her to her face. Mean what you say.

Be self-serving: Just don't say something to someone to get them to like you. That's a given. On the internet and in real life, inauthenticities are easily detected.

One way to avoid being seen as a brown-noser is to compliment the person to someone close to them — their assistant, or a friend. That way, the message gets through and you can save your reputation.

Second guess: Sometimes we second-guess ourselves, worry about what other people will think, doubt our own authenticity and start to panic. It's no fun to get riled up over something that is no good for us. Trust that everyone wants to hear good things about themselves and just say it.

Accepting Compliments

Once you mastered the art of giving compliments, you might just find that you're better at receiving compliments. As a recovering compliment deflector, I've found it can be tough to genuinely receive kind words. I've replied with an embarrassed "Thanks," I've tried to dismiss the compliment pointing out the flaws in my work. I've even blamed luck.Since then, I've found better choices. Having stock replies like "That was so nice. Thank you!" or "What a great memory, you remembered!" can help let a compliment in. Consider that compliment a gift. Ypu wouldn't toss a gift from a friend; you can do the same with compliments.

Giving a compliment isn't easy. Be gracious. When someone does offer you a compliment, accept it gracefully. If merited, pay it back. Let people know that you appreciate them for appreciating you. 


http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/How-to-Give-Compliments 

It's happened to everyone: You're running late and you've got T-minus 20 minutes to go from normal to fabulous. I do this virtually everyday. So I've built a professional cheat sheet to assist with instant glamorizing, and hopefully you'll find some easy tips and techniques in here that will help with your routine.

1. Brow ready: Having well-shaped, groomed brows is supremely important for looking impeccable, as your arches frame and define your face. As far as your ideal shape, leave it to a brow specialist if you aren't sure what's right for you. 

In terms of home maintenance, upkeep should be every couple of days with tweezers, preferably after a shower when your pores are more open. (It'll be less painful to pull the hairs.) If you need to fill in your brows, I recommend using a brow pencil, because it will be easiest to control. And use a light stroke. You can use an eyebrow brush or a smudger tip to blend in what you've filled in.

2. Good hair: I've realized that if you just give your hair even five to 10 more minutes of love than usual, it can make a huge difference. I'm a big fan of working with what you've been naturally given —  just add some extra oomph. 
For straight hair, you can maneuver volume by a bit of wet styling with a dryer. Right out of the shower, after only finger combing apply a volumizing mousse. Blow-dry it first, with your head upside down. Next, add a little bit of light, moveable hairspray. Blow-dry again (head straight). Add hairspray for a third time to complete the look. This creates sexy movement and body. 

For curlier hair, I recommend adding natural oil like kendi oil (use sparingly) after you've washed your hair and then scrunching your curls with your hands. I do this with my daughter's natural corkscrews and let them air-dry. For a wetter look add a hair milk/curl cream and wrap the curls around a single finger for definition.

3. Color appeal: There's nothing more youthful and alluring than having a tan. If you're strapped for time, having a bit of color on your skin is a fantastic way to get gorgeous without putting on too much makeup. 

I would recommend getting an airbrush tan or using bronzer. 

4. Great skin: So many times we focus on the details of our makeup when we want to look fabulous, but great beauty is essentially about achieving flawless skin. Now all of us have our blemishes and bad days, of course. But there's not much that can't be helped with some clever foundation and concealer tricks. 

Tip: You can use concealer on top of pimples. Just make sure you wash your face first and add some topical acne-treatment cream to the area first before adding the concealer. 
For serious blemishes, use a cream concealer and a small pointed tip brush to literally paint over the area. With the other areas you can blend and cover with a disposable makeup wedge/sponge.

5. Eyeliner and gloss: When push comes to shove and you've really got to get out the door, I think a smoldering eye is the way to go. 

Use a dark eye pencil, like a black or charcoal gray metallic shade, and line both top and bottom at the water line. Your eyes pop within seconds. Simply add your favorite lip-gloss, and you're good to go! 


http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/10-Minutes-to-Fabulous 

Healthy skin is more than just having a great skin care regime. Your nutrition plays an essential role.

We all know fruits and vegetables are an important part of one's diet, but they're also crucial to healthy skin. Fruits and veggies contain important antioxidants that help cleanse your system of pollutants and promote specific anti-aging properties. A recent Chicago Tribune report even linked the eating of berries to staving off cancer and other chronic diseases.

Other important skin conditions, like inflammation and damaged skin, can be corrected by eating (or drinking) the proper nutrients found in green tea, mushrooms, and even mashed potatoes!

It is absolutely true that your skin is a reflection of your overall health and nutrition. Aging, acne and rosacea, for example, are all inflammatory based conditions. As a result, foods that trigger inflammation can exacerbate these issues, and foods that are anti-inflammatory can actually have an extremely beneficial effect on our skin. In general, processed foods with refined carbohydrates (bread, pastry, candy, etc.) are inflammatory triggers. Unrefined foods that are made up of complex carbohydrates are anti-inflammatory.

Foods based on refined carbohydrates break down very quickly into sugar. This, in turn, triggers a rise in insulin levels, increases oxidative cellular stress and activates free radicals. The end result can break down collagen. They may also be a causative factor in acne and rosacea.

Here are some foods that can help:

1. Cottage Cheese

For scalp health, I highly recommend cottage cheese, as it contains essential minerals, such as selenium, that are known fighters against dry skin and dandruff.

2. Green Tea

We know that green tea benefits the skin when applied topically and when ingested. In fact, Green tea powder is used in cosmetics as a preservative because of its antibacterial properties. 
Green tea is not fermented, so it retains its beneficial properties. In fact, CBS News recently reported that green tea can even help to remedy dandruff by naturally exfoliating your scalp. This works by steeping two bags of green tea in hot water, letting cool, and then massaging it until your scalp when in the shower.

But that's not all. There is enough research to suggest that when applied topically, green tea helps improve fine lines and wrinkles, texture and tone of skin.

3. Wild Salmon, Trout, Mackerel or Sardines

Love your weekly sushi date? Keep at it! Foods such as wild salmon and trout are high in omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, keep skin supple and improve circulation.
4. Yogurt

Aside from being a great snack on the go, yogurt is high in calcium and zinc. It helps create collagen, a structural protein found in skin, bones and tendons.

5. Tomatoes

Lycopene, the element in tomatoes that also protects against prostate cancer, has recently landed in the news as a favorable beauty food! Studies show that consuming more lycopene may keep your skin smooth and protect it from sunburn.

Always remember, beauty is about more than buying the right cosmetics — the skin is a mirror for what is going on inside. Take care of yourself, and nourish yourself from the inside, out. Your skin (and health) will thank you! 


http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/5-Complexion-Saving-Foods 

Sure, we would all love to color our hair the second we see a quarter inch of growth, (usually after six to eight weeks from the initial coloring), but life has a funny habit of getting in the way. Whether you're busy with the kids or under a deadline at work, finding time to color your hair can be challenging. When that happens, try these proven tricks to hide your roots.

1. Cover with Curls

One of the easiest ways to distract others from noticing your roots is a head full of curls. When your hair lays straight and flat against your head, the line between your roots and your colored hair is more visible — curl your hair and it gets a little softer. The same goes for adding volume at the roots — a little lift goes a long way.

2. Wrap it Up

Though ponytails or other tightly pulled back styles can emphasize roots, that doesn't mean you're out of luck when it comes to easy, I-woke-up-late, hairstyles. Head wraps or turban-style headbands that you slip around your head (not under your hair in the back back) can actually cover roots and you'll still look stylish.

3. Change Your Part

Often gray hair grows in clumps, says Scibelli. Play around with your part to see if switching it from one side to the other uncovers a less gray portion of your hair. It may even be as simple as moving it over an inch or two from where you usually part it or just shaking your hands through it to create a messier part.

4. Spritz on Dry Shampoo

Colored dry shampoos can cover roots temporarily. They also help extend a blowout, which has the added bonus of protecting your color from further fading. Shampoo and water are hair color's top nemesis and can cause a great deal of fade. Try temporary hair color that you brush on with a mascara-like wand; it will wash out with your next shampoo. 

5. Stay Close to Your Natural Color

Not straying too much from your natural hair color to begin with, will help make sure you're roots aren't overly noticeable as they grow out. Scibelli recommends staying within two shades — either lighter or darker — for the most flattering, believable results. Highlights, which only color portions of your hair (versus a single process, which colors your entire head the same color) also grow out less noticeably. 
http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/5-Ways-to-Hide-Your-Roots 

Whether it's running after small children, trying to get a quick workout in the gym between work deadlines or an extremely late night out, many of us deal with the dreaded second and third-day dirty hair. Last I checked, our days aren't becoming any less crazed, so it's time to get down and — considerably less — dirty. Here are a few simple remedies:
 
1. Dry Shampoo

Just shake or spray on a little bit of this oil-absorbing, powder-like shampoo into your hair, massage lightly, wait a couple of minutes and brush out. Voilá! Fresh, clean hair without a hint of the greasies. Dry shampoo can extend blowouts for days, as well as give you that perfect follicular pick-me-up after a workout. (All without leaving the ashy residue that regular baby powder can leave, especially for those of us with darker shades.) If you have bangs, dry shampoo is a must. Hot, humid summer days will no longer be your foe with the assistance of this miracle worker.
 
2. Accessories

When in doubt, deflect. Draw your acquaintance's eye away from an impending oil slick with a beautiful hat, headband or pin. However, placement is key. A lovely pin isn't going to look so lovely placed near a greasy scalp! Pull your hair into a low ponytail and place a pin or ribbon toward the base of the ponytail. Or wear a beautiful scarf covering the front of your hairline. Hats are always a chic way to camouflage dirty hair. Textured wool berets and newsboy caps are perfect for the winter, whereas straw fedoras and lightweight cloches are lovely in the warmer months.
 
3. Updos 

There's a reason hair stylists usually request day-old hair for updos. Squeaky-clean hair can sometimes be too "slippery" to hold certain shapes, so now is the perfect time to put that extra hair texture to work. My personal favorite that works for most hair types is a simple low bun. Don't spend buckets of time trying to perfect your updo, either. "Perfect" updos often end up looking matronly; don't fret if you have a couple loose strands here and there. For an everyday look, unstructured is best.
 http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/From-Dirty-to-Purty-How-to-Camouflage-Dirty-Hair