Do’s and Don’ts of Flat Ironing Hair

Shannon Smyth
Flat iron do's and don'ts via @samvillahair @agirlsgottaspa I use my flat iron A LOT, which means there are sections of my hair that are really damaged. I couldn't understand why until Andrew Caruthers, Director of Education for Sam Villa, offered these tips - and tip number 3? Has anyone else been doing it wrong this whole time like me?? After reading these tips, check out the video at the bottom which demonstrates them. I literally had an a-ha moment. The Do’s and Don’ts of Flat Ironing 1. Product – Many products have too much moisture, which causes hair to actually cook, leaving hair sticky and damaged. Use a product specifically designed for use with thermal tools that has the correct amount of moisture, protects hair from heat and adds shine and smoothness. Try Redken iron shape 11 thermal holding spray.
2. Size of the Section – If sections are too large, only the outside edges of the section get heated and the inside hair is not affected. It requires multiple passes over the same section to straighten all the hair, which causes damage on the outer edges that are getting overheated. Use smaller sections that require only one pass with the iron, it will speed up the entire process. 3. Angle of Section – Horizontal sections tend to leave hair very flat and dated looking. Use diagonal sections, after the hair falls it will be smooth and polished, yet still have movement and bend. 4. Feeding the Iron – Flat irons seal hair, they don’t straighten it. Using a comb to smooth hair before it’s ironed is what creates the flat surface. Use the fine teeth of a Sam Villa Signature Series Short Cutting Comb to straighten and feed hair into a Sam Villa Signature Series Sleekr Professional Flat Iron 1" to ensure that the iron locks in a smooth polished finish.
DON’T get caught with flat dull hair; DO use the right product, section and comb for super smooth healthy hair with lots of movement. If you liked these tips, please be sure to share it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Voluminous Beach Wave Hair

Shannon Smyth17 comments
How to get beach wavy hair and volume with @mitchstonehair Little did I know when growing up on the beaches of Rhode Island, that the wavy hair that came naturally among the sand and surf, would be a hairstyle I would try so hard to achieve as an adult. While my hair does have a slight natural wave to it, it's not really the kind that magazine hair is made of. Pinterest is full of how to get beach wavy hair tutorials that include curling wands, flat irons and braiding your hair before bed... but let me be honest with you, I prefer to do some things the easy way. Who has time for all of that? Beach waves with @mitchstonehair Texturizing Spray Enter Mitch Stone Essentials Texturizing Spray. I'm already used to adding a hair treatment to my hair before styling it, so it's not something I had to go out of my way to do and it didn't add another step to my beauty routine that I didn't already have in place. I simply spritzed it at my roots and then throughout my hair. Then I would either blow dry my hair until it was damp or I would just let my hair air dry. Either way, curls and waves would begin to emerge. Sometimes, later in the day I would spray it a few more times on my dry hair to give it a little more volume. It would wet my hair at first, but quickly absorb and plump up the waves within minutes. Add volume with @mitchstonehair Texturizing Spray Mitch Stone Essentials Texturizing Spray is the concept of celebrity hairstylist, Mitch Stone. Not only does the Texturizing Spray include mineral-reach sea water, but it also contains hydrolyzed wheat protein and silk to make hair strong and shiny, and papaya extract for healthy hair. Typically salt water can be drying to your hair, but it seems that it's all balanced out with the other nourishing ingredients to prevent this. I've been using it for 2 months now in addition to Mitch Stone Essentials Lustre Shampoo and Conditioner, Lustre Drops and Session Spray and my hair hasn't been dry or brittle at all, in fact, it's the healthiest its ever looked. If you have long hair, I bet this would work amazing for you. And shorter hair? It will give you some volume. Try it and let me know what you think! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. 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! *Disclosure: press samples

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How to Hide Unwanted Facial Hair #GoConfidently

Shannon Smyth1 comment
How to Hide Unwanted Facial Hair via @agirlsgottaspa #GoConfidently No matter your age, unwanted facial hair can become a true confidence problem. From genetics to mature skin, it can be difficult to feel beautiful when dark excess hair lingers around. Bleaching the hair is an option and if you haven't tried it before and are curious, read on. How to Lighten Facial Hair via @agirlsgottaspa #GoConfidently First, bleaching noticeable hair is actually pretty simple. There's not too much involved and it can be accomplished in about 10 minutes and last for up to 4 weeks - so it is definitely something you can squeeze into your beauty routine without having to put aside a large amount of time or use a plethora of products for that matter. Jolen, an at-home beauty staple for millions of women for the last 50 years, has an easy peasy Creme Bleach that not only lightens facial hair such as on your upper lip, cheeks, chin and even your brows, but it will also lighten arm and body hair, as well. Jolen Creme Bleach comes in an original formula as well as a sensitive formula with Aloe Vera, which is ideal for use on sensitive, more delicate skin. 5 Steps to Lighten Unwanted Facial Hair via @agirlsgottaspa #GoConfidently #howto How to Lighten Excess Facial Hair: 1. Wash the area to be bleached with soap and cold water, then pat dry. 2. Measure one quarter teaspoon (with the spatula provided) of the Accelerator powder and place it into the cup (also provided.) 3. Rinse off the spatula and re-use it to measure one half teaspoon Creme Bleach into the cup and blend with the powder. 4. Looking in a magnifying mirror, such as the Conair Illuminated LED Mirror, apply the mixture with the spatula to the area to be bleached, covering all of the hair completely. 5. Wait 10 minutes, then remove the paste with the spatula and wash the area with cold water. That's it! The bleach is gentle to skin and leaves it soft and smooth and the whole process is practically effortless. Since bleaching can last up to 4 weeks, this is a process you only have to do once a month. It's less painful than waxing (doesn't hurt at all) and less messy/irritating than depilatory creams. How to Lighten Dark Facial Hair via @agirlsgottaspa #GoConfidently Where's your trouble spot for noticeable hair -- lip, cheeks, arms, elsewhere? Jolen Creme Bleach formulas can be found in stores nationwide, including CVS, Harmon, Rite Aid, ULTA, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as online. They are also cruelty free. LIKE Jolen's Facebook page for glam, giveaways and beauty tricks from celebrity makeup artists! Now through November 14, 2014, enter the Jolen 50th Giveaway for a chance to win $50 gift cards to Jolen retailers, as well as Jolen Creme Bleach product. More than 50 winners! #GoConfidently Stay connected to Jolen for offers, giveaways and the latest in beauty tricks from celebrity makeup artists at https://www.facebook.com/jolen. 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! This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received both Jolen Creme Bleach formulas and a Conair 3X/1X Illuminated LED Mirror for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.

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Aging Hair: Q & A with Marina Azizova of Zotos Professional

Shannon Smyth

Q & A with Marina Azizova, Director of Research and Development of Zotos Professional regarding some of the ways our hair ages. Something you'll want to read! #haircareMarina Azizova, Director of Research and Development at Zotos Professional

If there is anything that I learned while in Darien, Connecticut recently visiting Zotos Professionals' headquarters, it's that the signs of aging are not just visible via your skin.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Marina Azizova, Director of Research and Development at Zotos Professional to talk about what happens to hair as we age and how their new AGEbeautiful home hair color and hair care collection helps to combat these signs of aging. Marina has been with Zotos for 15 years working with aerosol, hair color and as part of the hair care lead development of technology.

I asked Marina what the most exciting part of being a chemist at Zotos has been and she told me it was the technology of anti-aging hair care because it covers such a wide range of people. The biggest misconception, and it is often perpetuated by the beauty industry, is that anti-aging when it comes to hair, simply means combating gray hair. This isn't true.

Lipids in your hair is important (moisture, flexibility and shine) and as we age, we lose it. You may have noticed your hair getting drier, more brittle and of course, going gray. The reason your hair begins to gray is it loses melanin and without it, loses UV protection. Most of the signs of aging hair begins at age 30, however, in your 20's is when keratin production in your hair begins to decrease. By 40, sebum production decreases which lends to a dry scalp and dry hair and even visibly thinning hair. Now you may notice that your hair is dry, but your scalp is the opposite - super oily. This is because if your scalp was always normal to dry, it then becomes oily in your older years, but if your scalp was always oily, it becomes significantly drier as you age. Either way, the result is still the same despite your scalp being oily or dry in your 50's because hair becomes coarser as we age, making it virtually impossible for hair to absorb sebum and remain hydrated. Unfortunately, when hair is drier, it also doesn't move the same.

As I spoke with Marina, the lightbulb literally went off for me. I'm soon-to-be 40 and I've definitely noticed these things, yet NO ONE ever talks about this. I've never once seen a hair care commercial that addresses these issues and that's one of the main reasons I'm supportive of AGEbeautiful. AGEbeautiful hair color not only addresses wiry gray and gray hair, but dullness, dryness and thinning hair. It contains Melanin, Keratin Peptide, silk protein, and Vitamin E to replenish hair with the essential components that are lost with aging.

AGEbeautiful is available exclusively at Sally Beauty and is available in permanent and demi-permanent liquid hair color. They also have a full hair care line, as well.

What are some of the signs of aging you've noticed with your hair? Leave a comment and let me know!

 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 tooShannon on G+

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Winter Hair Care Tips

Shannon Smyth

Winter Hair Care Tips from Ruth Roche #haircare

In winter, colder temperatures and indoor heating deplete moisture in the air, which can leave hair parched, so it’s important to replenish moisture to prevent breakage and promote shine. Ruth Roche, Artistic Ambassador for Pureology Serious Colour Care offers 5 tips for getting the glow back. 1. Get a good trim to remove frayed ends, they tend to be dryer and more damaged than the rest of the hair strand. 2. Use a clarifying treatment to remove styling product buildup that contributes to lack of moisture and dullness. Pureology Purify Shampoo is a great one – it’s sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair. 3. Apply an intense treatment once a week to add suppleness, elasticity, strengthen hair, prevent breakage and add shine. If hair feels brittle, it needs moisture – if it feels rough, it needs both protein and moisture, so choose a treatment accordingly. 4. Use a light shine serum prior to styling to smooth down the cuticle, protect hair from heat and mechanical damage, and add moisture and shine. Pureology Cuticle Polisher shine serum can be used sparingly on fine hair, more for medium and coarse hair, and lots and lots for curly hair. 5. Get a professional brightening demi-permanent color gloss to close the cuticle and add shine, try Redken Shades EQ. If you found these tips helpful, please be sure to Like it, Pin it and Share with friends! 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 tooShannon on G+ Photo Credit: Mike Ruiz

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Which Products Work Best on Thick Hair for Frizz?

Shannon Smyth

Products for Thick Hair. And how to get this look from Sam Villa. #haircare

How to get this look from Sam Villa

Thin hair, fine hair, medium hair, thick hair...we all have one common enemy: frizz. However, those with thick hair get a double whammy, frizz + an overly full looking coif. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Facebook fans asked, "What types of hair products work best on thick hair to make it smoother, less frizzy and not looking overly full?" Expert hairstylist trusted by celebrities, Sam Villa, responds: For thick hair in need of moisture and slimming down, products that contain cationic conditioners, ceramides and Shea Butter are essential. The go-to product line is Redken Real Control. The entire line nourishes and improves the appearance and health of the hair. Real Control Slim Supreme Hair Slimming Serum reduces excessive volume and adds sleek smoothness with all-day humidity resistance and luscious shine. Got a question you want answered by an expert? Leave a comment and let us know! 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 tooShannon on G+ *Disclosure

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Tips for Over-Processed Hair

Shannon Smyth

How to fix over-processed hair. Tips from Sam Villa. Also, find out how to duplicate this hair style. #haircare #beauty

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 tooShannon on G+

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