On a recent visit to my hair stylist she said the words that I’d been thinking for a few months now.  ”You’re hair isn’t the same…”  Used to having big healthy hair that holds a style -whether straight or curly as long as a lot of heat is involved – I had been noticing that my hair lacked the umph that it used to.  Never one to push a problem to the side I decided to attack this lack-luster hair issue head on.  I did an on-the-spot interview with Vivian, my hairstylist from Ritual 2 and she gave me a few tips to get my hair back into tip top shape!

Vivian Says: The way you style your hair when you go to workout can be causing more damage than you know!

The constant strain you put on your hair while doing a high impact workout can pull and break hair unnecessarily.  When you’re going for a run try a low braid.  If you can’t get away from the ponytail or bun make sure to switch up the height.  One workout high, then next at the nape of your neck.  You don’t always want to be pulling your hair in the same direction.

Vivian Says: Shampoo twice!

One shampoo isn’t sufficient to get out all of the gunk.  With all of the products we put in our hair plus the sweat as a result of the warmer weather, a lot of unwanted build up can collect and the first shampoo only begins to clean it away.  Ever notice that when you go for a cut or a blow out they wash your hair twice?  They aren’t just doing it to workout their muscles, they’re cleaning your hair properly.  (I’ve tried this and you’ll be surprised how big your suds get on the second wash)

Vivian Says: Never tie your hair up when it’s wet!

When your hair is wet it’s sensitive.  The tension it has tied tightly back it can cause it to break.  Let your hair dry naturally down or dry it with a blow dryer.

Vivian Says: HANDS OFF!

We have no idea how dirty our hands are, yet we (me) constantly rummage them through our hair constantly.  Bad move.  Get your greasy mitts off!

Vivian Says: Greens are good for your hair too!

Dark green veggies are a great source of nutrients for your hair.  They help promote shine and strength PLUS they help stave off those other awful things like cancer and heart disease. BONUS! Try broccoli, seaweed and spinach.

Vivian Says: Water is a must!

Staying properly hydrated keeps everything working properly including your hair. Drink up!

Vivian Says: When you hit the beach spray your hair with a leave in conditioner

To keep your hair tame and soft by the pool or at the beach spray it with some leave in conditioner.  For an added bonus if your running around without head protection, mix a little of the leave-in with your sunscreen and rub it in along your part in your hair.

happy healthy hair!

To book a hair consult with Vivian click HERE

xoxo,

coco

I just received this yummy mineral tinted moisturizer from fresh. Lately I’ve been mixing my foundation with an SPF (manually, lol) to make my own version, but this is so much easier!  It not only has an SPF 20, but it’s packed with vitamin E and C.  Something you can feel good about putting on your skin in the muggy summer months.

xoxo,

coco

We were featured today on one of our fave sites beautyeditor.ca!  Check out some of our beauty must haves and our biggest beauty disasters – me with blonde hair, say it ain’t so?!?!?!?!

Click HERE to see the full article.

Lots of love goes out to the beauty and the brains behind Beauty Editor, Michelle!  We are so amped to be featured.

xoxo,

coco

I had the pleasure of checking out Ostara Spa last week.  Newly opened in the King West area, Ostara is a true representation of an ‘urban oasis’.

Behind the massive -yet incredibly beautiful – solid dark wood door sits this stunning spa that just makes you want to surrender your blackberry and hand over your body to be beautified.

Products:

With a natural leaning focus Ostara carries such products as Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup, Scared Nature skin products and Butter 3-free nail polish.

The Services:

Ostara is currently renovating it’s second floor and plans on being a full medi-spa with  micro-dermabrasion and an IPL hair removal and skin rejuvenation system.  But for right now their services include:

Manicure

Pedicure

Facial

Hair Removal (Sugaring)

Tinting

Massage

Makeup Application and Lessons

Tanning

When I visited I had the Ostara Classic Facial with an intensive moisture eye treatment and it was TDF!  They use Dr Renau products and the mask that’s included in the facial literally made my blackheads jump out of my face!  My skin was so soft and I had a natural glow for days.  I also tried their signature mani-pedi.  My esthetician Leda was so thorough and even brought me brownies, fruit and yummy strawberry water.  She told me that they’re intention is to make the client feel relaxed and pampered, and relaxed and pampered I was!

Ostara means the celebration of Spring and to the owner Melissa the spa marks a fresh start just like the season.  With 20 years experience in the beauty and service industry she intends on providing a beautiful space where women and men can come to get refreshed and rejuvenated.

Owner Melissa

Love seeing women doing their thing!  Congratulations to Melissa for putting together a top notch facility for all of the gorge gals and guys in the King West who like to be groomed, buffed and polished!

Until the end of June Ostara is offering 50% off your first visit.  To book an appointment call 416-777-9696

782 King St West

www.ostaraspa.ca

xoxo,

coco

So my favorite brand of mascara has always been ‘Great Lash’ by Maybelline.  It’s affordable, easy to use and awesome.  But, if you read this blog, you also know that I am slightly obsessed with fake lashes.  I always wear them when I hit the town and although I feel naked without them, they can be such a pain to put on.  Enter ‘The Falsies’ by Mabelline New York.  I recently got sent a sample of the newest mascara from Maybelline and I have to admit, it totally rocks!

I did a little research and discovered what makes it so fan-ta-bulous…  The specially formulated Kera-Fibers formula helps to balance out the lengthening and volumizing agents to help deliver immediate results -AKA fuller, longer, more fab lashes.  In addition, the convex ‘spoon shape’ of the brush matched with it’s flexible stem allows you full range of motion to distribute the product evenly onto all of your lashes, even the little tiny baby ones on the corners that I can never get without covering my whole face with mascara. lol!  8x’s more lashes? Yup!  I concur!

Maybelline’s ‘The Falsies’ comes out this month at a drugstore near you for around $8.99.

xoxo,

coco

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The ‘messy braid’ (or fish-tale) seems to be the perfect addition to my official summer hairstyle go to – the ‘messy bun’.  Because I am absolutely clueless when it comes to doing my hair, I have no advice on how to properly achieve this effect…

ENTER LOWE.

I will tie the little one down to get her to do a tutorial about this hair if I have to!

Look at how Leona Lewis rocked it recently:

brilliant! (and I love her tattoo!!)

V-log to come!

xoxo,

coco