Want to go blonder without risking breakage and compromising the integrity of your hair? In the past, when hair was chemically, thermally, or mechanically treated, i.e. with highlights or a curling iron, bonds within each hair strand were weakened and broken leaving you with irreversible breakage and thinning. But now, we have a miracle product to solve this issue.
Olaplex is a two-component product that is the newest color service upgrade at PIN Salon. Created by two PhDs in Chemistry, Olaplex does the impossible and actually reattaches the bonds broken in the hair during and after undergoing chemical services. In technical terms, Olaplex reconnects broken disulfide sulfur bonds within each strand of hair.
The addition of Olaplex to your color service, be it highlights, gloss, or base color, will leave your color-treated hair even stronger than it was before, and will help your color last longer. When the hair is compromised leading up to an appointment or when a color transformation is planned for the next appointment, PIN Salon recommends an Olaplex treatment a couple of times, the days before, when possible. Even if you just use it once, the strengthening and protecting effects of Olaplex are permanent.
Adding Olaplex to your color service is easy. Bond Multiplier No.1 is added in with your color to mix with highlights, balayage, or high lift color. And then, Bond Perfector No.2 is put on after your color is rinsed out in order to eliminate breakage with future color services. If your still not convinced, keep in mind that Olaplex is free of sulfates, silicone, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, and never tested on animals.
So go ahead – be daring with your color! Olaplex will be right behind you to insure that your hair is stronger, healthier, and more vibrant with each coloring.
This weekend, to prepare for a black-tie event, I tried out Dallas’ latest on demand beauty service, Blownaway. Blownaway was launched just this July, and is the love child of instant gratification and the Drybar/Blushington experience. Using mobile technology similar to transportation game-changer Uber, Blownaway instantly delivers blowouts, updos, professionally done makeup, and spray tans straight to your door.
Scheduling an appointment is easy. Download the Blownaway app from iTunes, and from there, you can shuffle through several blowout, makeup, and spray tan looks. A blowout and makeup can be done in the same sitting, each service taking only 45 minutes. It is suggested that the spray tan be completed separately, not only because it requires a different stylist, but because it should be finished two days before an event so the color has time to mellow out.
Things you should know before scheduling your first appointment? Blownaway asks that you book at least two hours in advance, and have your hair freshly washed before the stylist arrives if you are scheduling a blowdry. Also, for girls who are sensitive to certain product ingredients, or simply want to stick with an eco-friendly beauty product regimen, this request can be entered into the “notes” section upon mobile scheduling so your stylist can prepare accordingly.
For my Blownaway appointment, I booked two days in advance, and the same stylist was scheduled to do both my hair and makeup. Immediately after booking, I got a confirmation text with the stylist’s name, and 10 minutes before the appointment, the stylist confirmed once more. The entire booking experience was professional and painless.
Bianca, my Blownaway stylist, was incredibly prompt and upbeat. Most stylists come from a Drybar background, and become certified Blownaway stylists after background checks, an intense interview process, and comprehensive training. Bianca listened to all of my needs and suggestions regarding hair and makeup, and was both confident and easygoing.
One huge perk about Bianca’s blowout was that she knew exactly how to manage my thick, coarse hair. With her own hair as thick and long as a Disney princess’, she used the perfect technique and products on my hair to make the blowout last for over three days. Her number one tip for creating the perfect blowout at home is to rough-dry the hair 85% before going back through with a round brush. This allows you to save both time and energy.
Blownaway is quickly becoming every Dallas girl’s beauty go-to, whether it is to prep for a major business meeting, a wedding, or date night. A Blownaway tip from us to you? Great discount rates are available for party and group orders, meaning that Blownaway is an ideal and fun solution for bachelorette parties, or just a glam evening in with girlfriends. While services for one are best booked on your mobile phone, book services for a party online.
Have you ever wondered how the Victoria’s Secret Angels get so toned? Or how Natalie Portman reached tip-top dancing shape for her role in blockbuster film Black Swan? The secret to both is Mary Helen Bowers, former New York City Ballet dancer, Columbia University graduate, and founder of fitness sensation Ballet Beautiful.
Ballet Beautiful is a transformative system of exercises based on the athleticism and grace of classical ballet. This workout is not made up of traditional ballet sequences per se, but is a system of exercises that target these same “ballet” muscles to sculpt and lengthen the body. From Dallas, tap into the world of Ballet Beautiful through live class via online platform, customized workout subscriptions, and a whole range of streaming videos and DVDs.
Ballet Beautiful is the perfect workout for dancers and non-dancers alike. This workout is a great option for those who are overwhelmed by the gym, and dislike the group fitness environment. Read on to learn more about Ballet Beautiful, and get some inside tips from Mary Helen on wellness and beauty tips to practice in 2015.
Courtesy of Ballet Beautiful
Twyla Shelmire: For people who haven’t done Ballet Beautiful before, how should they get started? Is there a certain DVD you would suggest?
Mary Helen Bowers: We have an amazing subscription, called Custom Workout. You purchase the subscription and get instant access to everything. You go in, you plug in how much time you have, what your fitness goals are, and then you’re off to the races. The subscription gives you full access to our online library so you have access to over 50 videos. We built them into really customized workouts for people, so you can update and change as you go based on your needs and how much time you have and things like that. So that’s a great way to use the workouts. As for DVDs, the classic DVD bundle on our website, the 60-minute, and the Body Blast are great places to start if you’re a DVD user. We have a new one coming out this January, so that will be fun, too.
Coming to the Ballet Beautiful online store the week of January 20th
TS: If you have a certain DVD and love it, would you suggest mixing it up? How often should you be using Ballet Beautiful to see results?
MHB: I would say once a week is not enough, you really need to Ballet Beautiful workouts three hours a week to see a change. And when you do that, the workout is really targeted, and I created it to deliver results because that is what fitness is all about. It’s not just about feeling better and feeling stronger, but I really want people to see a change in their body and the way their muscles are shaped, and a change you can measure visually. We recommend a minimum of three hours of Ballet Beautiful a week – if you want to mix in other workouts you can, but it’s going to change you result. This workout is geared to your ballet muscles, it’s lengthening everything, it’s adding a lot of lean muscle tone. So if you go in and are spinning or doing a workout where you’re lifting heavy weights and doing lots of squats, exercises where you’re building lots of muscle, in the side for example and the arms, bulky muscles that make you look more dense and short, that’s going to make it harder to see what Ballet Beautiful can really do.
TS: What are some key words for how your body is going to change when you start targeting those ballet muscles?
MHB: For most people, everything is going to tighten, lift, and elongate as well. Generally it’s your best butt and legs ever. It improves posture for most people too.
TS: For people who have become lazy over the holidays, what tips do you have for easing back into a healthy routine – whether that’s fitness, eating, or just motivation?
MHB: For getting back in, I think it’s important not to get too obsessive over how far you have to go, just jump in and take it one workout at a time, one week at a time, and then it doesn’t feel as overwhelming. Focus more on each workout, having fun and feeling good, and not “Oh my gosh, I have so much to do.” I think it’s about getting to a place where you’re exercising regularly and it’s part of your life, you’re eating better and not on a rollercoaster that a lot of us are on or have been on at one point.
TS: I read on your website that during your time Columbia University you took a break from dancing for a while. Do you have any tips specifically for dancers about how to get back into fitness or working out even if it might not involve dancing?
MHB: I think when you have been dancing a lot, your body has just been so used to movement, and being active and keeping those muscles in use. It can be physically quite a shock when you stop moving, but for me it was really about finding a way to reconnect with my body and with those muscles that I knew and was so familiar with from dancing, and trying to find a way to do it on my own terms, on my own time and from the privacy of home. I think I’m stronger now than when I was dancing with New York City Ballet, I’m definitely leaner and I have a much more relaxed relationship and healthier one with my body too.
TS: Do you have any foods or snacks that you like to eat throughout the day or after a workout that are both healthy and keep you energized?
MHB: I think it’s important to eat foods that make you feel good. I just had a piece of cheap Christmas chocolate we have here in the studio and it made me feel really sick! Sometimes if you want something, just make sure it’s really high quality – dark chocolate for example. And with cheese, I try not to eat cheap, processed cheese, but save it up for a really lovely cheese from France or a sharp, sharp cheddar and things like that so you’re satisfying your craving in a way that helps you maximize.
TS: Your hair always looks so good in your videos – what are your favorite products, and do you have any tips for keeping your hair healthy?
MHB: With ballet, I feel like it’s really tough on the hair because you’re always pulling it back super tight, so I try not to use rubber bands, I only use them when I’m filming and I need my hair to be secure. So I try to baby my hair quite a bit, and limit the use of pulling it back super tight with rubber bands and things that pull on it and damage it. And in terms of care, I take my vitamins and try to use my shampoos and conditioners. I love the Seaberry line from Fresh, it’s a nice moisturizing, nourishing line. And I think what we eat has a big outward impact on us as well.
TS: Do you have any skincare products that you love and depend on?
MHB: I’m really obsessed with the facials at Ling lately, and they have a very nice skincare line, it’s not inexpensive, but I feel that it’s totally affordable, they have a very hydrating toner that I use after I wash my face, and a really nice face mask that I sleep in a lot. I also love the Honey Face Mask from Fresh, that’s a great one. I use that all the time, whenever I take a bath at night.
TS: What is your post-workout skincare routine?
MHB: I don’t touch my skin throughout the day – I try not to touch it, or put my hands on it. I try to leave it alone and let it be balanced, but I also don’t wear a lot of makeup because I want my skin to breathe during the day. I only wear concealer under my eyes and a little cream blush, and maybe a highlighter under my brows.
TS: Do you have any DIY beauty recipes you rely on?
MHB: Mostly facemasks, hair masks, especially when you have long hair just are so much more involved. I love hot baths with Epson salts as a soak, and then you can wear a facemask then – so that’s a really good way to multitask. I don’t do a lot of professional beauty treatments because I don’t have the time, so I’m a big fan of DIY to take care of your skin and stuff like that.
TS: Having been a professional ballerina, were there any makeup tricks that you learned backstage that you still use today for everyday wear?
MHB: I’m not wearing false lashes on a daily basis, or ever really, but you become very comfortable with wearing heavier makeup, with liquid liner and things like that. So those are skills you can always pull out when you need a more dramatic look.
TS: Congratulations on the launch of Ballet Baby! Are there any upcoming Ballet Beautiful developments we should keep our eyes peeled for?
MHB: We are releasing a new cardio DVD so that’s very exciting, and that’s coming out in late January!
Source: Ballet Beautiful Instagram, photo by Sonja Georgevich.
When it comes to beauty products as holiday presents, sometimes giving (and getting) a single products feels insignificant. This year, impress your beauty queen friend or family member with one of these kick-ass bundles. Instead of rushing around town trying to throw together a few little things to comprise a well-rounded gift, give the gift of beauty – and not in the intangible, Sleeping Beauty kind of way.
kai
Several years ago, I was introduced to kai fragrance by my good friend, California Carter. To this day, the scent still reminds me of clean air, beachy calmness, and eternal sunshine. Even if you’re a fragrance snob like me, kai does not disappoint. The scent is a fresh melee of exotic white flowers, which is not only found in the roll-on fragrance, but also throughout the product line. A kai bundle is perfect for those who are still struggling to find their signature scent, because it is hard not to like this delicate, floral aroma. All kai products are paraben, sulfate, phthalate, phosphate, and cruelty free.
Dr. Hauschka began in Germany in 1935 as an avant-garde company that developed natural medicines. Today, Dr. Hauschka has a line of both natural skincare and makeup. The bundle here is suggested for mature skin (40+), but I’ve found that it also works well on dry, winter-beaten skin that doesn’t respond well to thick creams. The products here go on thinly, absorb quickly, and don’t clog pores. If your mom is looking to switch up her skincare routine, or even if holiday party season is getting the best of you – these three power products will make someone happy come Christmas morning.
Weleda is the brainchild of philosopher Rudolf Steiner, proponent of anthroposophy. This skin care product line was developed to support the human body as it healed itself. Healing is the key word – as a matter of fact, the company was named after Weleda, Celtic goddess of wisdom and healing. The following three products have become a part of my daily skin care routine. A thin layer of the body oil on damp, freshly washed skin packs a major punch, and the skin food resides in my purse, where I can quickly use to cure my dry hands or wind-whipped face.
These products were recommended to me by the hair gurus at PIN Salon – and now I can’t see myself living without them. My hair is dry, thick, and color-treated, with a frizzy section at the back, and I use all three of these products together. I start the process with the Luxury.Wash shampoo, and follow up with the Born.Again.Masque which stays on for 10 minutes. The masque deeply penetrates hair, and works to repair damage and rebuild strength. After thoroughly rinsing the masque out, I apply the Young.Again Oil from the mid-length through the ends. The weightless oil visibly tames fly-aways, smoothes split-ends and adds some overall shine. I spoke with a hairstylist that has thin, short hair, and she uses this light oil everyday too for styling purposes. Once my hair is completely dry, I apply the Smooth.Again Cream to the frizzy spot in the back. This product not only makes hair silky, and smooth – again – but offers heat protection as well. Paraben free, cruelty free.
Conveniently, the three S.W. Basics products that I most highly recommend already come in a packaged set this holiday season (and with a $10 discount). For those who have had it with harsh chemicals, irritating exfoliants, and frustratingly clueless dermatologists, this is the brand for you. I turned to S.W. Basics when no one and nothing was making a difference in my skin. S.W. Basics products are made from scratch using simple and high-quality ingredients. The bundle below includes a non-foaming liquid cleanser, ACV toner (my favorite!), and an unscented, all-natural cream. This combo is perfect for either normal or acne-prone skin. If you have dry skin, just try the cleanser and cream.
melancholicmagpie 