How to get this look from Sam Villa

Got a beauty question? Be sure to let us know and we can find an expert to help you! This hair care question is from our Facebook fans and we enlisted the help of celebrity hairstylist, Sam Villa, to answer. "Over-processed hair: What can be done for hair that is now fragile and seems to have a lot of breakage due to bleaching and coloring for so long?" Sam answers: For really fragile hair that needs extra strength, use a product that replenishes protein like Redken Extreme Hair Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner. Then apply Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Distressed Hair Treatment on a daily basis, while once a week applying Redken Extreme Builder Plus fortifying rinse-out hair mask. Extreme is a top seller because it delivers protein to the core of the hair fiber to restore strength and prevent breakage. Oils like Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine and Redken All Soft Argan-6 are also great for maintaining softness and shine. Place a couple drops in your hands and rub briskly to warm up the oil when applying for even application. Apply from mid shaft to ends on damp hair as a pre-styler, treatment and/or heat protectant. Add to mid shaft and ends after styling for extra luster, polished texture, conditioning and frizz control. Tip: Stay away from the scalp area unless the scalp is very dry and in need of treatment. Always use Redken Iron Shape 11 to protect and preserve color when using thermal tools and always use the color treated setting on heat appliances to minimize the amount of heat applied to hair. The Sam Villa Sleekr® iron protects the integrity of hair with Targeted Temperature Technology that ensures consistent temperatures for specific hair types. Temperatures are represented by LEDS so you always know your working temperature. LOW (Green) 375°F for fine hair, COLOR TREATED (Amber) 392°F and HIGH (Red) 410°F for resistant and virgin hair types. Lastly, the integrity of fine, fragile hair can be compromised when cut with a razor, ask your hairstylist to use a blending shear for high lift, as this will reduce stress on the hair. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Your brows are an essential part to framing your face. Having the right tools is a necessity.

There are plenty of products out there - from brow gels to brow tints, to brow pens and brow markers and so on. What I've noticed lately is that there have been three brow products that I always seem to reach for.

NARS Brow Perfector ($22): This brow pencil has a velvety feel as you fill in where hair is sparse and shape where necessary. It blends perfectly, not making my brows too dark (I used Brown) and filling them out without looking "sharp" in their appearance. This pencil doesn't budge once blended in.

Boom Boom Push-Up Brow Highlighting Pencil ($18): Created by Malynda Vigliotti (aka Boom Boom), brow extraordinaire, this double sided brow highlighter is a hands down, must-have. Apply the matte side of the pencil along the brow bone, use it on the inside of the lower lid and then apply the Sparkle side to the inner corner of the eye. These three little tricks will make your eyes appear wider and uplifted.

The Sonia Kashuk Essentials Brush Set for Meaningful Beauty (Free with Meaningful Beauty purchase):  The Lash Brow Groomer brush in this Meaningful Beauty collaboration set, is one I cannot put down when it comes to my brows (the Foundation Brush is pretty fabulous, too.) I use the bristle side to blend the Boom Boom highlighting pencil into my brown line, while also using the bristles to blend the Nars Brow Perfector while shaping my brows. The comb side is pretty handy when trimming your brows back into a uniform length (there are always those random stragglers that seem to want to grow longer than others!)

Do you use any of the products mentioned? What are your brow essentials?

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*Disclosure

Women learn at an early age (teens and pre-teens) that healthy skin is of the utmost importance, particularly when it comes to the upper body and face area—it’s an idea or notion that’s instilled within women probably from the time of birth. Have you ever noticed how soft a baby’s skin is? TV commercials and magazines are inundated with images of women with healthy, glowing skin, and that beautiful, aesthetically pleasing look that every woman strives to obtain. Some women that fall short of that radiant look, as seen on television, simply use a lot of makeup to achieve that every woman strives to obtain. Women who are naturally blessed with that glowing look don’t use makeup at all, however, they still look for alternate solutions in an effort to compete with other women who are blessed with perfect skin, much like the ones in the TV commercials—it makes you wonder what these people to make their skin look so good. Dermatologists will always tell you that you need to take care of your skin every day, which is everyone’s goal. Obviously it’s a good idea to take care of your skin, after all it’s the only skin you have, and whether you’re a woman or a man, you want to appear healthy and young (just like everyone else.) The sun and its ultraviolet rays can be one of your skin’s worst enemies, and we’re all exposed to it on a daily basis. Of course, your skin is also affected by other elements, such as your job, lifestyle, stress level, and many other factors. If you are the outdoorsy type, for example, you probably need to protect your skin even more than others do. For the most part, women tend to use a lot of cosmetics, makeup, and powders that need to be washed off every day. To some extent, a daily regimen will help maintain the health and youthfulness of your skin. It also prevents skin conditions, ranging from like acne to skin cancer. At the end of the day, you can keep you skin looking youthful and healthy with a daily regimen of scrubbing, cleansing, applying makeup and moisturizer, and then repeating the process all over again. You can maintain the youthful, healthy, elasticity of your skin by following a strict regimen that involves a lot of maintenance. However, in this day and age, everyone wants immediate results, especially in the areas of health and wellness. With major advancements in medicine and technology, people can actually obtain the quick results they want. More recently, scientists and cosmetic surgeons have come up with a more immediate and permanent solution. It’s called vitamin injection. As you can imagine, intravenous vitamin injections are popular among celebrities. Dr. Oz describes them as “cutting edge,” and several advocates say that vitamin injections can benefit serious conditions like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Fibromyalgia, depression, and a host of other diseases. They’re also touted as helpful for preventing illness as well. A search for vitamin injections brings up a lot of hits and dozens of advertisements as well. Since the concept is so new, it’s difficult to say whether or not injectable vitamins are a cure-all for all of these diseases, however, it may still provide you with healthier skin. One of the more popular forms of vitamin injections is referred to as VitaGlo. VitaGlo is fairly new to the market, and the reviews vary greatly, depending on who writes them. Perhaps the biggest problem that exists today is that providers of vitamin therapies claim that their product can help fight life-threatening illnesses like cancer, which is simply not true. There is no question that vitamin injections are popular. Despite all the hype and all the endorsements, there is still no credible evidence to prove that routine vitamin infusions are necessary or even offer meaningful health benefits (like healthier skin). Just keep in mind that vitamin injections (or injections of any kind) should be done through your doctor or physician. About the expert contributor: Dr. Jeffrey Klein is a dermatologic surgeon based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Dr. Klein is listed a Diplomat for the American Board of Dermatology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Green tea contains the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea. The tea polyphenol catechins provides anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects, it helps to eliminate free radicals in the body and also reduces inflammation.

I first became acquainted with hot yoga 2-3 years ago, but did not begin a regular practice until last Spring. I have been absolutely hooked ever since. I've noticed that practicing hot yoga regularly has made me less stressed, increased my strength and flexibility, more toned, more energized and quite a few of my family members swear that I look taller. Did I also mention that my skin is usually supple and glowing after practicing? (Must be from sweating out those toxins!) I know that hot yoga might not be to everyone's liking, but I absolutely love it and am grateful for the positive impact it has had on me. If you have been considering giving hot yoga a try this year, here are a few benefits that may propel you into your nearest hot yoga studio ASAP!

• Hot yoga helps to reduce stress; it increases blood circulation which stimulates the heart to strengthen its contractions, which is exercise for the heart muscle itself. As a result, the heart pumps efficiently thereby lowering blood pressure.
• Hot yoga also improves flexibility and strength. The heat aids in detoxification, increases blood flow to speed up metabolic processes of vital organs, glands, and mobilizing toxins for elimination.
• The heat of hot yoga (105 degrees with 40% humidity) also stimulates fat receptors, activating fat stores and facilitating fat loss and releasing these fat-soluble toxins. Additional responses of the heat include the stimulation of white blood cell production, boosting the immune system, promoting relaxation, and an increase in healing injuries and disease symptoms.

Overall, the body’s response to heat strengthens, detoxifies, and heals, which in turn creates a sense of health and well-being.  I usually feel pretty euphoric after my practice; mostly because of all the amazing benefits that I experience because of my practice, but also probably because I got through my 60-90 minutes class without sprinting for the door.  I will admit that it took me a while to get used to the heat and every once in a while it still gets to me, especially if I am not hydrated enough (an easy fix.)  Hot yoga has actually motivated me to drink enough water throughout the day. Like I said, perhaps hot yoga will not be to your liking, but you won't know until you give it a try! I'd love to hear about your experience with hot yoga, leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Blackheads. Simply put - they are the bane of our existence. Our teen years are when our pores become defined, which is dependent on using the right skin care products and using them consistently. How we take care of our face during our teen years determines how large or small our pores will be (mainly just how much they'll hold tightly to dirt and debris as we age), but yet it is during these same years that we seem to lack the knowledge (and motivation) to implement a preventative beauty routine that will save us the grief from our older selves.

Since I can't turn back time, all I can do now is learn how to properly extract and remove blackheads, and try to minimize just how often those little skin pockets fill up with gunk. If you are younger and reading this, take heed now and do yourself a favor: keep your skin well-maintained.

Want to warm up this fall and winter with some healthy comfort food? Check out these delicious recipes from certified nutritionist and fitness trainer, Franci Cohen. I can't wait to make them myself! Yum!

For beautiful skin and a healthy heart try my HEALTHY stuffed eggplant recipe.

Growing up, my mom would bake up her mouth watering stuffed eggplant that my taste buds would give a standing ovation, but suffice it to say that my waistline did not. I decided to take this tasty lunch or dinner recipe and revise it to meet healthy standards, while maintaining the taste!

When you're messing with a favorite family recipe it makes one a little nervous, well it made me a little nervous anyway, but I am super excited to report that it did NOT disappoint and I will likely pass this version down to my kiddos.

Faccia Bella Recipes SeriesDo you want beautiful young looking skin, a healthy heart, and better overall health? The good news is that it is easier to achieve than one might think, and is well within the busy woman’s time and budget limits. Does it sound to good to be true? It’s honestly not, and is simply a matter of a few MINOR adjustments to the food you already consume, and perhaps an addition of a few new satisfying recipes.

I don’t believe in making a bunch of huge changes all at once, as that is one factor that typically assures failure. We are creatures of habit, so although one might be able to make a major change for a short time, the idea for keeping with it for the long term (which is where one will see the best benefits) is small modifications to your daily habits and routine that will amount to a big difference in the way you feel each day. Not to mention that holding out long term is where you will see the quantifiable effect on your heart healthy numbers. As an added FYI, I also don’t believe in sacrificing taste (My seven picky children and husband won’t allow for it anyway), so rest assured the recipes that come your way will be jam packed with not only nutritional royalty, but your taste buds will bow down with loyalty!

Delectable Shrimp Scampi with Ancient Grains and the Incredible Nutritional Twist (Gluten-free, Casein-free options included)

Serving size for 1 ¼ cup (dry) of Pedon Organic Farro (gluten free option: Quinoa. I personally like Eden Organics) 4 oz of Shrimp, 9 shrimp of the 31-40-count size 4 Cherry Tomatoes Halved 1 cup of Spinach 1 clove of Garlic finely sliced ½ teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of fresh Oregano finely chopped 3 Scallions chopped 2 teaspoons of reduced fat Parmesan cheese (do NOT add for a casein free option) 2 tablespoon of white wine (if you are following gluten free be sure that the wine chosen is specified as gluten free, such as Frey Organic) ½ of fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon of Chosen Foods Avocado Oil (I love olive oil, but this is a healthier option and more affordable). Cooking Instructions Farro: In a pan boil ¾ cup of water, pinch of salt, add Farro, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for about 25 minutes, removed from heat, drain (I rinsed too), and fluff with a fork. Quinoa: Generally cooks in 12 minutes, follow box directions for the kind you buy. Shrimp: Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle shrimp with salt. Cook shrimp until pink, 5 to 6 minutes; transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium; add scallions, oregano, and garlic. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, Add spinach, tomatoes, wine and lemon juice. Cover and cook until tomatoes soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in shrimp and let simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in Parmesan. To serve, scoop the juice and pour over grain choice first, then place the rest of the scampi and vegetables over it. Lastly, garnish with a pinch of finely chopped oregano and a sprinkling of the green portion of the scallions. Enjoy! Nutritional Scoop: Dish w/ Farro contains 439 calories, 30g protein, 15.5g fat (10g of monounsaturated, 2, of polyunsaturated, 1.5 unsaturated, 2g saturated, 0 transfat), 6g of fiber Dish w/Quinoa (gluten free option) contains 439 calories, 28g protein, 17g fat (10g of monounsaturated, 2g polyunsaturated, 3g unsaturated, 2g saturated, 0 transfat), 5g of fiber Casein free option subtract for parm cheese (- 13cal, -1g fat, -1g protein) Both dish options are wonderful sources of Niacin and Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese, Selenium, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and antioxidants. More Awesome: The ingredients include anti-inflammatory qualities, which have endless benefits, collagen boosting effects, which improves the look of the skin, and healthy brain and behavioral function. (***NOTE: Though Shrimp contains higher amounts of cholesterol it is still low in fat and contains high amounts of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Omega-3 helps to reduce inflammation, triglycerides, and assists in achieving a healthy blood pressure. There are studies showing that omega-3 fatty acids may help with other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and many more. (via) In terms of Omega-6 the University of Maryland Medical Center states that it can, “help stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and maintain the reproductive system.” With this said, it is safe to say that the benefit of eating Shrimp far out weighs the 1 negative.) Stay tuned for more healthy recipes! I'd love to know if you tried this recipe! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Courtney on G+.

Step 1: Apply primer over entire eyelid and up to brow line. Step 2: Apply jane.'s Ray of Light to lid. Step 3: Apply mark.'s Fab 5 green to entire crease. Step 4: Moisten brush dab in and then on Urban Decay's Zodiac over the green crease line (this adds intense sparkle & shimmer), blend upward then outward on outer corner of eyelid towards brow bone. Step 5: Clean brush, moisten again, and dab in and then on Urban Decay's Space Cowboy over the lid (again, this adds intense sparkle & shimmer.) Step 6: Highlight your brow bone with mark.'s fab 5 champagne type color and blend. Step 7: Apply black eyeliner of choice. Step 8: Apply mascara of choice. Step 9: Apply the rest of your face makeup. I used Urban Decay's Naked for my foundation coverage, jane.'s Peach Bouquet for my cheeks, and jane.'s intense color lip gloss in Million Dollar Smile for my lips. Step 10: OK ladies I hope by now you know this step...admire your hard work and say or think something fun or super positive to yourself. (IE: Boom!, Pow, Meow, Gosh the Lord did good work!) Oh and wait, let me add that we MUST pass this uplifting spirit on to our friends by telling them the same. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Courtney on G+. *Disclosure