Graying Gracefully

The first time people spot a few silver strands they typically go scrambling down the beauty aisles to purchase whichever hair dye promises gray coverage. But after years of dying your hair at home, or having it done every 6 weeks or so in the salon, you may be at the point where you’re thinking gray hair might not be so bad. Going natural with your gray hair can actually be very striking and it may even get you more noticed! A striking head of gray hair turns heads, and there are products and tricks that can make it remarkable.

Many of my friends are at the age of becoming tired of the routine of coloring their hair every 4 to 6 weeks and I’m getting asked for help more than I wish I had to admit. It may seem like an over-whelming endeavor, but it won’t be when your guided by an experienced hair colorist. If your on the fence and would like a push, think of these things; yes, a great hair color can be beautiful on any woman but, gray regrowth is anything but flattering. And by going natural with your gray hair, you are essentially embracing your beauty.

Here are some tips on how to make the transition:

• First and foremost, do some research to find an experienced hair colorist. The transition from dyed hair to your natural gray will be different for everyone depending on your hair color, length, and texture. Also, you will need to consider how long you are willing to spend with the process. Do you want it done more slowly over time, so it seems like a more natural transition? Or are you willing to cut your hair short to hurry the transition? The ideal solution is finding an experienced hair colorist who can gradually blend your hair into its natural gray shade.


• Although blending gray hair into dyed hair is one of the most natural ways of going gray, if your hair is blonde you can get away with letting it grow out.
• Light blondes are the luckiest of all when going natural with their gray hair, they are usually free to let the gray grow in without anyone the wiser. Blonde hair is close enough to gray that it won’t look as unnatural as it would if your hair is darker. Darker blondes can use some help blending the gray hair with highlights or even an all over lighter blonde dye and then using a temporary dye that fades out until it’s not needed anymore.


• Brunettes and redheads need a little more hand-holding when going natural. They can gradually highlight their hair to a pale blonde that can be grown out into gray. Your colorist may use bleach and foil the hair lighter over a period of time, or foil and tone the hair to a flattering shade that blends with the gray. That method works well for many women who want to go more slowly into the transition.


• You may be able to save some $ by using a temporary color or rinse in-between visits to your colorist. These colors can only darken the hair temporarily but they can stain the gray which gradually shows through as it grows out.

There are many ways to go natural with your gray hair so, here are some more ideas for going gray. Before making the big change you should have a consultation or two with a professional. Cost, maintenance, and cutting the length of your hair are all factors to consider. Going natural with your gray hair can be easier if you have your goals in mind and both you and your colorist understand what needs to be done.

This post may also be view at: http://www.alurent.com/Blog-20140713-Graying-Gracefully.html

Waking Up Gorgeous

When you wake up, your hair might be a mess, you may have dark circles under your eyes from not sleeping well or pimples that popped up overnight. Don’t you wish instead you could wake up looking flawless and not need much time to put on makeup for the day? Here are some tips to help you achieve just that. You can have a simple bedtime routine that will help you wake up looking already gorgeous and not like a zombie.
Here are some things to do before you go to bed at night:

• Wash your face! Do not skip washing your face, no matter how tired you may be. Not washing your face and leaving makeup, dirt and oil to wreak havoc on your face overnight is what is contributing to your skin woes. If you consistently skip the cleanser, buy some makeup removing wipes and put them by your bedside to make it as easy as possible to clean your skin at night.
• Choose a good night cream. Your skin regenerates while you sleep so choose products that help it do just that. Choose a night cream with retinol as an active ingredient to help your skin’s recovery process. If dry skin is an issue, choose a night cream with hyaluronic acid that draws water into your skin. Apply moisturizer all over your face and neck to keep you looking young.

Here are some tips for beautiful skin while you sleep:

• Use a humidifier, especially in dry climates or months. It gives your skin moisture that might be lacking in the air. It will hydrate any dry, itchy skin. Just make sure you replace the water each day to fend off bacteria and mold, which could make you sick.
• Try to sleep on your back. If you sleep on your stomach or your side, it can lead to fluid build-up around your eyes and give you puffiness. To avoid puffy eyes, pile pillows and sleep on your back because it will help drain any fluids around your eyes.
• Invest in a satin or silk pillowcase. Your skin will thank you. These pillowcases can lessen pressure on your skin, which can eventually cause wrinkles. It also helps keep your hair smooth and lessen hair breakage, so it isn’t just good for your skin.

This post may also be view at: http://www.alurent.com/Blog-20140706-Waking-Up-Gorgeous.html

Protect Yourself from Too Much Sun This Summer

With the arrival of warmer weather, many people are spending more and more time in the sun. However, basking in the sun, especially without protecting your skin can lead to wrinkles, premature aging and, worst of all, skin cancer. Fortunately there are many options to help protect and keep your skin looking great. But, doctors and aestheticians say that while people are more aware of the sun’s harmful effects, a lot of people still do not apply sunscreen correctly or don’t apply it at all. 

It is really important that people of all ages apply sunscreen daily and apply it correctly. At minimum, this means applying a generous amount of sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplying every few hours. 

What You Need To Know About Sun Block & Protecting Yourself from the Sun

What does UV mean?
Before you select an effective sunscreen, you should know Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that affects the skin are classified as UVA and UVB.

What is UVA?
UVA is the longest of the UV. It can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and plays a major role in skin aging and wrinkling. Recent studies show it causes the development of skin cancer. UVA penetrates glass and clouds.

What is UVB?
UVB is responsible for burning, tanning, accelerating the skin aging and also plays a key role in the development of skin cancer. UVB varies by season, location and time of day. The most intense amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10:00am and 4:00PM.

What is SPF?
Sun Protection factor (SPF) measures the protection provided by a sunscreen against UVB. It is defined as the ratio of how long it takes for skin to redden with sunscreen compared to without sunscreen. Although the SPF ratings found on sunscreen packages apply mainly to UVB rays, many sunscreen manufacturers include ingredients that protect the skin from some UVA rays as well. Higher SPF numbers are preferable, but don’t let an inflated number lull you into a false sense of security, especially because an SPF measures protection only from UVB – not the more dangerous UVA rays.

What is Broad Spectrum?
When choosing the right sunscreen select a product that provides “broad-spectrum” protection for both UVA and UVB. If you are going to the beach or pool make sure it is water-resistant and doesn’t wash off in the water. You want to have an SPF of 15 or higher.

What ingredients should my sunscreen contain?
When choosing a sunscreen select one that contains ingredients known to filter UVA. These include Mexoryl SX, avobenzone, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

What sunblock is best for my kids?
For children under 6 years of age, choose sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher.

What is the difference between a chemical and physical sublock?
There are two categories of sun sunscreens:
Chemical or Physical.

• The chemical sunscreens protect the skin by absorbing UV radiation. The physical block light by reflecting UV away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens contain avobenzone or a benzophenone and PABA. In rare cases these chemicals can cause skin irritation and should be avoided if you have skin allergies.
• The physical sunscreens that use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do not typically cause allergic reactions. Though new technology, they are process making them more transparent without losing their ability to screen UV.

How do I apply sunscreen?
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out into the sun to give it time to absorb into the skin. Apply it generously and regularly- about 1 ounce every 2 hours-and more often if you are swimming or perspiring. A small tube containing between 3 to 5 ounces of sunscreen might be only enough for one person during a day at the beach.

What order should I apply sun protection?
If you are using a topical medication or skin treatments such a vitamin C, that should be applied first to a clean, just washed face, followed by a moisturizer if needed, sunscreen, makeup, powder and blush. To recap, always apply sunscreen after moisturizer and before your makeup.

Be Skin Savvy.
Consult your skin care specialist at your local plastic surgeon’s office on the latest in sun protection and anti-aging.

This post may also be seen at http://www.alurent.com/healthy-living-blog-may-09-2014.html