That Makes Scents!!

By Pat Barry

The average human nose recognizes 10,000 scents. While some of them do nothing to help you stay healthy, many familiar fragrances have surprising benefits. Read on to discover five nose-pleasers that will help you look and feel better than ever.

To slim down!Sniff: Grapefruit

Researchers at Osaka University in Japan found that exposing rats to the scent of grapefruit oil for 15 minute intervals, three times a week helped reduce not only their appetite, but their weight.
Try: Grapefruit-scented oil diffusers
To calm your appetite!Sniff: Green apple, banana or peppermint

Battle temptation with a whiff of your favorite fruit or peppermint. In a study at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, overweight people smelled banana, green apple and peppermint when they felt a craving and lost more weight than the non-sniffers.
Try: Eating fresh fruit when you get a craving
To ramp up your workout!Sniff: Peppermint

Studies have shown that peppermint fragrance improves your workout, increases alertness, reduces perceived fatigue, and enhances your mood. Take a whiff of the minty aroma when you need a quick pick-me-up.
Try: Growing a peppermint plant and using the leaves when you need it!

To sleep soundly:Sniff: Lavender

A beautiful bouquet of flowers can add a touch of warmth to any bedroom, but the scent of petite purple petals may also help you sleep better. Men and women who smelled lavender oil experienced deeper sleep and higher levels of vigor in the morning according to Wesleyan University researchers.
Try: Keeping a bouquet in your bedroom. Or try Onesta’s Lavender Hand and Body Lotion on your hands and neck before bed.
To Boost your mood!Sniff: Eucalyptus

The smell of eucalyptus oil has a stimulating effect, and may reduce exhaustion and mental sluggishness, says Nicole Vitale, senior director of The Spa at Equinox in New York City. And because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, you can also massage your skin with eucalyptus oil to relieve muscle aches.
Try: Aromatherapy massage with eucalyptus oil

Holistic Remedies for Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

By Pat Barry

Holistic or natural remedies for hypertension or high blood pressure can be attractive to many of our clients who want results without medications. First of all, the person needs to be assessed by a qualified professional.

The most important dietary recommendation for lowering blood pressure is to add more plant foods to the diet. A primarily vegetarian diet contains much less saturated fat and refined carbohydrates. It also includes one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure by including more essential fatty acids.

Fish oil, flaxseed oil and salba are all rich in the omega-3 fatty acids that research shows lowers blood pressure. Another dietary change you can make is to eat two apples a day. This helps lower blood pressure due to the pectin in that fruit.

Eating raw garlic or taking garlic supplements will effectively address hypertension as well.

But the most excellent and effective results may be to include taking supplemental red yeast rice in tablet form and eating a kiwi a day.

Speak slowly, breathe deeply and get a pet! All of these are ways to bring balance back to your body.

KERATIN SMOOTHING TREATMENTS

By Kelly Archer

This week’s article was submitted by the newest addition to our team, Kelley Archer, who has recently moved from Florida. She has 20+ years experience being a stylist and is certified in the Coppolla Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy. We are asked many times over, “How does the Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy work and is it safe on your hair?”

Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy was launched in 2007 and is now the leading smoothing system in the world. The company was founded by stylist and salon owner, Peter Coppola. All of the Keratin products are formulated to contain natural Keratin protein which rebuilds, restores and rejuvenates all hair types.
Keratin eliminates up to 95% of frizz and curl and adds amazing shine and silkiness to the hair. It can be used on colored and chemically processed hair. When doing a Keratin Treatment, you are restoring and restructuring the hair by infusing a special blend of Keratin deep into the cuticle. The Keratin is bonded into the cuticle by heat of a flat iron to relax the hair’s sub cuticle layer. The treatment can be done directly after color or highlights. It will actually seal in the color and extend the life of the color.

Unlike some other smoothing systems, Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment does not contain formaldehyde and contains Alde Hyde, which is not cacogenic, or cancer-causing. Over time, our hair looses its keratin because of blow-drying, flat ironing, etc and this process infuses keratin back into the hair.
This process, depending on the length of your hair, can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. The effect of smoother, less frizz hair can last between 3-5 months.

To maintain this service, a stylist will professionally recommend Keratin Color Care Shampoos and Conditioners, Keratin Care Shampoo and Conditioners, Vanilla Bean Deep Conditioner, Infusion and/or Shine products that we carry at The Beauty Studio.

How to Summer-Proof Your Makeup!

Summer is almost here and so it’s time to figure out if you need to make changes to your make-up routine. If you want to wear makeup in the summer, avoid Make-up Meltdown by following some of the tips below!

Makeup Base: During the hot season we tend to sweat much more than in other seasons, which can instantly spoil our makeup. Foundation can be very difficult in heat, it might melt down or smudge. To avoid any accidents, swap the liquid foundation to a water-proof powder foundation or a mineral foundations. This will give you the coverage, but your skin will still be able to breathe. Apply foundation only to certain spots. Always have blotting paper at hand. It helps remove oil excess. Our GloMineral Blotting Papers come in a handy, purse size packs.

Eyes: Obviously, waterproof mascara!! This helps when you jump in the water but also with added sweat around the eye. Opt for formulas that won’t dry out your lashes. It is very important to let them breathe and keep them hydrated. Waterproof makeup is more stubborn so use eye makeup remover. In terms of eye shadows, you might look on the bright side with sheer, fresh colors. Pastel shades, neutrals, gold and aqua tones are very hot this season. Eye shadow primers such as those from GloMinerals, are without a doubt essential weapons in summer proofing your makeup. Cream eye shadows and mineral makeup is your best choice. Our ‘Blinc’ Mascara and eye products are water resistant do not smudge yet they come off cleanly with warm water.

Lips: Lips are heavily affected by sun so take extra care with proper conditioning and moisturizing. Use foundation on your lips as a ‘primer’ to help with smudging. Lip liners help with the bleeding that lipstick can do with excess sweat or oil on the skin. Choose tones that are close to your natural skin color. Your lips can also look fabulous if you use lip stains. They are long lasting when applied to moisturized lips. We carry lip balms by Dermalogica with an spf of 15 for that added protection.




This article is partly derived from an article on becomegorgeous.com.

KEEPING YOUR BEST LOOKING ITS BEST

By Bee Lindquist
Laundress Fabric Fresh (Starting at $16 for eight ounces).

Photo courtesy of 3.bp.blogspot.com

Do you have that favorite blouse or those pants that fit just right? You wonder how to keep them looking good and fresh for a long time. There are several tips to keep your clothing looking good and smelling fresh.

Let’s talk about dry cleaning. What did they do back in the days of yore before dry cleaning? In order to keep their Sunday best, looking the best they would sponge the outfit.



Photo courtesy of rlv.zcache.com

 What does this mean? First with a fine brush they would brush the loose dirt from the garment with the nap of the fabric. This works well with wools, cottons and other natural fibers. After removing the loose dirt and lint, they would then take a natural sponge dipped in cool water with a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar then wrung until just damp and sponge any stains and the sweat points of the garment. They would then lay the clothing flat to dry and touch up with a flat iron. You can still do this between dry cleaning or in case of sensitivities to dry cleaning.

There are however some alternative dry cleaners who do not use the harsh chemicals that have been popular for years. One of the biggest culprits is PERC or perchloroethylene. If you can’t find a good organic cleaner, and that term is used very loosely in the industry, the best thing to do is before taking them in the house hang them in a cool dry place and remove the plastic wrapping. This allows the toxic fumes from the cleaning process to be expressed before you bring them into your home and closet.

General care and maintenance on your fabrics can save you time, money and wardrobe malfunctions. Here are several tips to consider on caring for your clothes:
General Clothing Care

When you buy a new garment, dab the center of each button with clear nail polish to seal the threads.

Wrap tape around your finger with the sticky side out to remove lint from a small area quickly.

 

For a do-it-yourself lint remover, roll up a magazine and wrap wide adhesive tape around it with the sticky side out.

 

When brushing clothes to remove dust and lint, you'll get better results if you brush with the nap rather than against it.

 

Rub zipper teeth occasionally with wax to keep the zipper working smoothly. The stub of a candle works well for this procedure.

 

You can de-wrinkle clothing in a hurry by running hot water into the bathtub and hanging the garment on the shower rod. The steam will remove the wrinkles.

Never spray cologne or perfume directly onto clothing.

Check buttons, hems and seams after laundering and mend any loose items. This will circumvent a possibly embarrassing and frustrating uh-oh.

Here are some simple rules according to Style Magazine for laundering your favorite pieces to keep them looking great for years.Jeans:
What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Dress Pants:

What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Jackets and Blazers: After 5 to 6 wears
What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Skirts:
What to know:
Exception to the rule:
Remember this rule the closer to the body the clothing and the lighter the color usually requires more frequent laundering. The looser or darker can go a few extra wearings.

Make sure to use good sturdy hangers like Huggable Hangers and stay away from those wire hangers that Joan Crawford loved to hate.


Keep on top of repairs and enjoy them for years.

You can be more lenient with circle and A-line styles, which hardly skim the body. But “whites and silks are prone to discoloration and should be cleaned after every wear,” says Brian Sansoni, vice president of the Soap and Detergent Association, in Washington, D.C. Chances are you’re not doing anything strenuous in skirts, so you can wear them multiple times. Just refresh nonsilk fabrics with a 10-minute spin in the dryer with a dryer sheet4 to 5 wearsPeriodically check the high-friction areas—collar, cuffs, and placket—for signs of dirt. But you can roll up the sleeves (or even pop the collar) temporarily to conceal stains on an otherwise-clean jacket. Typically layered over a blouse, a tee, or a camisole, these don’t require much upkeep. However, a jacket can retain odors (say, from last night’s fajitas), so before you stuff it in a closet, air it out near a window or spritz it with the Your nice trousers will last longer between washings if you change into your “play clothes” as soon as you leave work (as opposed to wearing them to your daughter’s soccer game). You’re probably wearing these in an (overly) air-conditioned office, so feel free to revisit them multiple times, particularly those made of stain-repelling synthetic blends. Part of a suit? Dry-clean both pieces together so one doesn’t fade faster than the other. after 4-5 wearings Take them for a spin cycle sooner if they stretch out. Or just toss them in the dryer for 10 minutes (but no more than that). Spandex-heavy jeggings (jean leggings) should be washed after every wear so the knees don’t bag. Durable denim is excellent at masking dirt—which is a good thing, since over-washing can cause jeans to fade and fray. To keep yours looking like new (or “weathered” just the way you want them): Throw them in the washer inside out and use cold water. Avoiding the dryer will help retain color, too. after 4-5 wearing

Healthy Travel Tips for Air Travel

By Pat Barry

Plan ahead for a healthier, happier trip this summer!

Carry all medications to last your entire trip in your carry-on. Hopefully not, but there always is a chance of lost luggage.

photo courtesy of http://www.thatvintagegirl.com/

Ask your doctor if the dosage or time you take your medicine should change with any time change of your destination. Eating and sleeping times change with the time change so the time you take your medicine might as well.

The air in planes is so dry and it is advisable to drink non-alcoholic, decaffeinated beverages and a lot of water to avoid becoming dehydrated!

You can avoid jet lag if you take some precautions, starting before you leave on your trip!

• Get plenty of sleep before you leave.
• Don’t drink a lot of alcoholic beverages the night before or on your trip.
• Eat well balanced meals during your trip.
• Don’t forget to schedule in your normal exercise routine! You need exercise daily, even if you are on a trip.
• Get used to the new time zone by going along with the local meals and bedtime schedules.
• Melatonin is said to help with jet lag but this is not a proven aid. Tell your doctor if you would like to use melatonin or any other herbal medicines to help with jet lag.

If you get pain in your ears on take off or landing, think ahead and you may be able to minimize it.Try taking a decongestant medicine before you get on the plane. You can also swallow often and chew gum during the flight. You may have often been sitting next to that crying baby on a flight….this may have been due to this pain in the ear and they can’t verbalize it any other way. The best way for a baby’s ears to release that ear pressure is by sucking on a bottle or a pacifier during the flight.

Get up and stretch!!Even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs especially on long trips. Try to walk every now and then during your flight. It helps to drink water and stretch your calf muscles at times during the flight as well.

Be organized about your carry-on baggage by buying travel kits of the toiletries and skin and hair products you use at home. For one thing, they take up less room than regular size bottles of these products but it also may prevent you from having to pay the fee for bringing extra bags.