Rosemary Hair Treatment

While out of town for the Holiday I was siting poolside reading up on herbal remedies and one thing caught my eye... Rosemary!

For the last few years I have been trying to grow out and rehabilitate my hair and I have shared all my finding with you from Shampoo's, products, coffee rinses and clip in extensions.  I have tried it all, and have had a blast while doing it.  It's been so cold these last few months I thought, "well I'm stuck in the house after work for some long cold nights, I might as well try some new things out."

Rosemary Hair Rinse

Three Stocks of Rosemary
3 cups of Water
2 Tablespoons Honey

Rosemary and water in a pot, boil for 15-20 minutes. Strain Rosemary broth in a glass container over honey.  Mix well.

Next time you wash/condition hair pour cooled mixture over scalp, don't rinse out.  This is a leave in rinse, if you don't like the smell you can add Lavender (to rinse mixture) when you are boiling Rosemary.

What I have noticed:  My first rinse experience was 1.5.2014 and I found that my hair had great texture color and shine.  It has been really cold in Utah the last couple months and my hair was feeling dry and brittle.  This treatment, I had thought would only improve the growth, which is something I will not see the results of for months down the road.  Having instant benefit's to the rinse was a welcome surprise.

I did some research for those of you who need a second source.  See below

Benefits of Rosemary for Hair

Stimulates Hair Growth - One of the traditional uses of rosemary  is to promote hair growth, though there is not much scientific evidence to prove this. However, a recent study on lab mouse showed that topical administration of rosemary leaf extract (RO-ext, 2mg/day/mouse) improved hair re-growth in mice that experienced hair re-growth interruption induced by testosterone treatment, suggesting an anti-androgenic activity mechanism of rosemary extract. The study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research concluded that rosemary extract is a promising crude drug for hair growth.


Read more: Health Benefits of Rosemary Herb | Rosemary Herb - Health Benefits | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/health-benefits-of-rosemary-herb.htm#ixzz2pdsT0ULZ

Spa Nights are the Best Nights

Winter time is setting in and I feel like I need a little beauty pick me up.

Every so often it is nice just to go somewhere and be pampered, especially after a long day in the office. 

Just this week I felt like I was in a little beauty slump.  I called my best friend and told her I needed to start OPERATION RECONDITION.

She just laughed, said okay and is going to help me plan a stratagy to look and feel cute in these cold dark winter monthes.

With a little help from The 7 Club Spa:  I am going to spend the winter working on me.

Which Includes:

Facials

Microdermabrasion

Light Chemical Peels

Mani's

Pedi's

Spray Tanning

Massages

&  a little relaxing in the Steam Room

 

When I think about it this way, winter almost sounds fun!

Hair Masque with a Kick!

My favorite days are the ones I get to try out little beauty secrets!!!

Secret of the Day... 

"COFFEE HAIR MASQUE"

Last month I featured a body scrub with coffee, which made my skin super soft and is supposed to increase blood flow and reduce cellulite. 

I did a little more research on coffee grounds and in addition to using them as a body scrub, you can use coffee as a hair masque/rinse too. 

Hair Masque Mixture, Picture by Ashlee B.

Note:  This is masque/rinse is for brunettes since the coffee will stain blond hair.

Benefits of a Coffee Masque on hair:

1.  Promotes hair growth and reduces shedding, caffeine blocks DHT
2.  Adds luster and rich color to brunette hair.

Hair Rinse Mixture:

1 Cup Coffee Grounds
Hot Water
3 Tablespoons
Conditioner
1 Avocado
1 Banana

Shower Cap
Towel
20 Minutes - Overnight


What I Noticed:
1.  My hair does feel super soft, I'm not sure if it was the coffee, or the banana/avocado or the combo of all three.
2.  The Coffee Granules were like sand in my hair, LOL it took FOREVER to wash them out.
3.  It is supposed to tint your hair a little darker but I didn't notice any change.
4.  My hair smells like coffee, which will wear off in a day or so. 

Special Thanks to 7 Club Spa, Salt Lake City and their trained professionals who helped.

Quick Color Fix

Easy Fix for Color Drama! 

For those of you who have gone into a hair apt only to come out with hair that was "WARMER" aka Red or Brassier than you would have liked it.  This conditioner from Aveda is amazing and perfect for you!

What makes it so amazing??? When it comes to red, brassy or overly warmth colors, this conditioner has BLUE toner in it.  Blue is on the other side of the color wheel from red/orange.  Which means it balances out the brassy tones you see in your hair. 

I prefer this blue conditioner to purple shampoos.  If you think about it, purple has red in it (Blue + Red = Purple) which means that purple isn't going to get rid of red, what it will do is make your blonds brighter and amp up your existing color).  If you are trying to tone down red, blue is your ticked.

 PS. If you go into a stylist, remember it is all about the customer satisfaction, so you should be satisfied.  If you have a stylist that can't figure out how to do your hair the way you want it, go find someone who can.  If you are going to pay the money you might as well get what you want.

 

 

 

 

Hair Update

2012 My Year of Hair Repair

 It is now March 2013 almost a year since the first big "CHOP" and I am happy to say I am beginning to see a little progress, it isn't drastic (I didn't wake up one day and think wow I have long hair again but... I don't look in the mirror and want to cry anymore).

This is what I have learned in 2012:

1st:  Don't think it is going to happen fast (Like I said it's been a year)

2nd: Vitamins are aids not "Magic Hair Growing Pills"

3rd:  Just because you don't see results doesn't mean results are never going to come... (Results will come you just have to be patient, btw I know, I know, I know its frusterating).

I've also changed up my hair products in 2013 and I am happier than ever with how my hair feels.

Shampoo/Conditioner:  Nioxin System 3 Cleanser and Scalp treatment

This is for fine hair that has been chemically enhanced hair, it's gentle and supposed to fortify your hair.

Leave in Conditioner: Paul Mitchell, Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair $20.95

It's supposed to Smooth, strengthen and replenish depleted hair.

After I wash/condition my hair and jump out of the shower, I squirt this three times into the palm of my hand and then rub my hands together. I work this through my hair, making sure the ends get just as much as the base.  I love the way it smells!

Hair Serum: Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil $26.00

This is supposed to smooth and seal parched hair with natural oils.

After I work the leave in conditioner through my hair, I take one squirt of this styling oil and work it through my hair starting at the ends of my hair and work up.  I like that this oil is super light and how it makes my hair feel super soft.

Styling Foam: Aveda Phomollient $17.00

This is supposed to create weightless volume and gives medium hold. 

 

After I work the styling oil through my hair, I take two squirts of this foam, rub it in my hands and then work it through my still wet hair.

Hair Repair (2 of 2) Things you wish you knew earlier...

Shampoo/Conditioners

Damaged Hair:  Aveda, Damage Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner, helps repair damage with quinoa protein and is supposed to strengthen/repair hair from the inside out.

For Volume:  Pureology, Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner.

Clarifying Shampoo:  Kevin Murphy, Maxi Wash, A detoxifying shampoo.  My close friends highly recommends this and I am going to buy it soon... as soon as my budget recovers from all the Aveda stuff I just bought. 

Note:  I know I have recommended a lot of expensive products.  Products make a big difference in the health of your hair, most likely you will not need to use as much of the expensive stuff either.  If you still don't want to make the investment I am going to give you this tip for looking for a good shampoo...

Tip:  Look at the ingredients on your Shampoo/Conditioner/Products if one of the first ingredients is alcohol when you might not want to buy it.  Ingredients are listed by what the highest content.

Things you wish you knew earlier

1.  Wash your hair twice-  Yes, I have heard this from several hair dressers.  You don't need to use a lot of shampoo either.  The first time your shampoo shouldn't lather much (don't add more shampoo), just wash and rinse.  The second time your shampoo should lather easily.

2.  Don’t wash your hair every day-  Once you read this, you're gonna think I'm crazy or you're going to try and justify your over washing.  I know you are thinking "if I don't wash my hair everyday it gets totally greasy."  Well the reason your hair is totally greasy is because you are washing it so often your body thinks it needs to produce more oil.  Start washing every other day or every three days.  Trust me once your body regulates it will be fine.  Note:  just because you're not washing your hair everyday, doesn't mean you shouldn't bath everyday.  You can still get your hair wet or you can use a shower cap.

3.  Massage Scalp-  My hair dresser was telling me that people should massage their scalps when they wash their hair.  Think about it, your hair dresser massages your scalp at the salon, if you thought it was just a perk, like me, then we were both wrong.

4.  Don’t Brush Wet Hair- When your hair is wet, it is at its most fragile state and running  a brush over it will cause it to brake easier.  Instead use a comb and be gentle!

5.  Brush/Comb from the Bottom Up-  Start at the bottom and work your way up.  I know you knew this one already... just start doing it okay. :)

6.  When Drying Hair-  You don't need to use the brush the first part of when you dry your hair.  You can either let it air dry or you can use a blow dryer either way use your fingers and start with a paddle brush/round brush or comb when it is 50-60% dry.

7.  Blast Cold Air on Hair, When You are Done with the Blow Dryer-  When you use the cold setting it closes the hair shaft so your hair will most likely keep its style after that point.  If you do this make sure your hair is all the way dry, I don't want you getting bothered with me for your half doing your hair.

Vitamins for your Hair

Biotin-  This is the new "IT" hair growing pill.  I all of my friends in the beauty industry have talked about it, so I am currently trying them out.

Pre Natal-  This is the old "IT" hair growing, nail growing pill.  I've been faithfully taking pre Natal since high school... That's when I found out (after fainting in a cross country race) I was horribly anemic, prenatal vitamins have a high amount of Iron in them.
 

Energen Healthy Hair-  One of my friends and an amazingly fun hair dresser, Caroline Bybee, recommended these to me.   I did 't notice much of a differnce but they could have helped.

Hair Repair (1 of 2) Products

My Story:  Over a year ago I went to a new stylist, she seemed nice and when she was done coloring my hair she asked if I “wanted a few layers to frame my face” (I was thinking a few long layers in the front… she was thinking, super short choppy layers all over my head).  After the cutting was finished, I faked a smile, paid, walked out of the salon and cried in my car.  I didn’t know what to do, I love having long hair…  I tried extensions to help camouflage the super short layers, (my hair is fine so the extensions would either slip out or break my hair off at the bead). 

Finally, after a year and a half of frustration… I have decided to take out the extensions and cut the rest of my hair short (5 inches gone), so I don’t have a mullet while the layers grew out.  I did this March 31st 2012, and over the next year I will post on how the progress is going.

See Picture Above:
This is my hair, see how there is thick choppy layers in the front (that is not what I had in mind when she asked if I wanted to frame my face).  So now my hair is way shorter (5 inches shorter) than I want it to be.  Lets see what a year of growing and using better products will do! 

My Hair Goals for 2012:

1.         I want to have long hair again.

2.        I want it to be healthy and I want to grow out the short choppy layers.

3.       I want to know how to keep my hair healthy and how to style it correctly.

 I like having long, dark blond hair, think Jennifer Anniston hair style.

Process: I researched and found a stylist who listends to me and does the color/cut the way I want her to. Her name is Jacqueline Ann and her specialty is in color. I sat down with her in a pre-appointment we talked about what I wanted at the moment and my what my hair goals were long term. She walked me through everything I needed to do; what products I needed to use and how we were going to get my hair healthy/long again. If you are looking for a stylist who you can trust in Utah, I highly recommend going to her, she works at Robert Cole Salon in Provo, 801-375-0112.  The first time you go to her she will give you a free scalp treatment and deep conditioning too. 

Note:  The picture below is Jacqueline Ann the master hair stylist!

Jacqueline said I could pick her picture...

usually she isn't this serious (LOL)! 

Products for Healthy Hair:

Damage Remedy (Aveda)- Is a leave-in protein treatment that repairs and strengthens damaged hair from the inside out. It helps protect hair from heat styling. Cost: $24.00

How to Use:  After you shower towel dry hair and apply a nickle sized amount into palm, evenly distribute Damage Remedy (daily hair repair) to hair.

Picture by Me, Ashlee B.

Smooth Infusion (Aveda)-Helps give you all day straightness and shine. Cost: $21.00

How to use: After you distribute Damage Remedy pump, two pumps of Smooth Infusion into palm of hand and evenly distribute into wet hair.


Picture by Me, Ashlee B.

Phomollient (Aveda)- This is weightless styling foam, which creates volume and adds shine. Cost: $16.00


How to Use:  When hair is 60% dry take two pumps of phomollient into palm, rub my hands together and then run my hands through my hair.


Picture by Me, Ashlee B.

Volumizing Tonic (Aveda)- Creates volume, builds body and adds shine.  Cost: $16.00

How to Use:  When hair is 60% dry take Volumizing tonic to the root of the area you want add volume to your hair and spray one squirt per area. 

I add it to the sides of my part and one squirt to the back of my crown, then I run my fingers through my hair real quick.

Picture by Me, Ashlee B.





Finish styling drying hair, I will give more styling tips in my next hair post.

Note:  In the next post on hair we will go over Shampoo/Conditioner and styling tips.

Hair Extentions

Sew in Weft - This is done with claps and sewing. Minimal damage to hair, hurts the first time it is sewn in to your head because they try and get it real tight. You have to get used to styling with the weft and learn how to hide the bump. Maintenance for me was every 3-4 weeks which can get expensive. I also have super silky hair which means the hair was always slipping out, sometimes as quickly as 4 days after application. 









Beads - These are small portions of hair you adhere directly to strands of your own hair.



Note:  My hair is fine textured so this was not a good thing for my hair! The beads would tear my hair out and/or would totally slip out of place in a few days. In the end my hair ended up super short from all the damage.  I have a friend who does this and loves it but I'm guessing her hair is more durable than mine is.








Clip Ins - These are great if you just want your hair to look longer or more full. You can take them out/put them in at anytime and they will not damage your hair and the maintenance is super minimal. I suggest these to any/every one. Make sure you get them by a professional stylist who matches your hair color, cuts the extensions to your preference and teaches you how to apply them correctly.
Note: This is a no brainer but just in case anyone forgets to think... TAKE OUT BEFORE YOU SWIM OR BATH.