Know Your Body Proportions In Order To Achieve Your Best Look

Most celebrities hire personal stylists to dress them---from their makeup down to their shoes, their "look" is chosen for them.  Personal stylists are professionally trained, as well as have a natural ability to look at the latest trends and recommend complimentary colors, clothing, hairstyles, makeup, etc. in order for their clients to project a certain image.  Professionally trained cosmetologists or stylists can also assist you in developing your total image by carefully analyzing and consulting with you.  It all begins with an understanding of proportion.

When we visit a salon, it is important that an initial consultation is made prior to deciding to cut, color, style or apply makeup.  Contrary to what some may think---every haircut and every hairstyle should not be worn by all.  When choosing a hairstyle, it is important to keep proportions in mind.  But what is proportion and why is it so important?

Proportion is first of all 'a part considered in relation to the whole' or 'harmony.'  In other words, your look should 'flow.'  Your stylist should always take into consideration your body shape when suggesting a new hairstyle.  Tall and lanky?  Choose a style that has volume, with the hair touching the shoulders.  Are you between 5'5" to 5'9"?  Then you are considered average and can wear almost anything.  However, if you are short and sturdy, avoid wearing styles that touch the shoulders or have a lot of overall volume because it will only make you appear shorter.

Just as it is important to consider your body shape, you must consider all of your individual features separately when choosing a new look.  So before you decide to cut or color your hair or wear the latest celebrity look, schedule a consultation with your stylist.

Help---Why Won't My Hair Behave?!

One of the questions asked most frequently by our clients is, "If all hair is made up primarily of protein, then why is everyone's hair so different?" And, "Why does a shampoo that works well on one person's hair and not work well on mine?"

The answer is very simple.  There are three contributing factors that affect the behavior of hair:

1. Heredity.  That's right---we all inherit certain genes from our parents, which determine many things about how our hair behaves, such as color, shape and diameter.
2. Environment.  Where we live plays a big part in how our hair behaves.  If we live in a rainy or humid environment, our hair will absorb moisture from the air and our hair will be either limp or frizzy.  If we live in a climate where it is windy and dry, then our hair will tend to be dry and require more moisture.  Both of these weather conditions can cause our hair to require products that remove excess moisture or add moisture.
3. Products and Appliances.  What products do you typically use on your hair?  Do you use the blow dryer daily or flat irons?  Shampoos, conditioners, hair dryers, flat irons, perms, relaxers and hair color all affect the structural makeup of the hair.

So the next time you're have a "bad hair day" consider the above factors and make the necessary adjustments. 

Aromatherapy for the Scalp

"Aromatherapy" is used to describe the combination of sense of smell and the use of plant extracts and their healing abilities.  "Aroma" refers to the natural fragrance of plants and "therapy" means "cure."  Many salons are beginning to incorporate the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy into their services, especially facial and scalp treatments.  At Lily's Beauty Oasis, we utilize the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy by including them in our scalp and facial massages.  Essential oils and scalp products encourage renewed hair growth, relieve flaking associated with dryness or dandruff, increase blood flow circulation and calm and sooth the mind and body.

At Lily's Beauty Oasis, we customize our recommended essential oils into a custom recipe for each of our clients.  For Normal Hair and Scalp, we would probably recommend using 3-5 drops of  Rosemary and Chamomile to a teaspoon of base oil, such as sweet almond oil or grape seed oil.  For Oily Dandruff, we would recommend Lemon, Rosemary, Cedarwood and Thyme, using 3 or more drops with a base oil.  Again, each formula is different and custom-blended for our clients.  Our most requested formula is for women with alopecia or hair loss.  During each shampoo, we use a basic scalp massage and it is during this time that we may also incorporate our recommended essential oils into a shampoo service.

Why not call Lily's Beauty Oasis today and take advantage of one of our therapeutic aromatherapy sessions.  We look forward to serving you. 

Why You Shouldn't Settle For Less When It Comes To Your Hair, Skin and Nails

Everyday I browse the pages of websites, such as Craigslist and am amazed at the ads I see posted, particularly in the "Beauty Services" section.  "I do hair cheap.......I need someone to do for my hair cheap......I need color done for cheap."  Over and over again, the word "cheap" jumps out at me, and I wonder, "Why would anyone risk having their most "prized possession" handled for "cheap?""  My mother always said, "If you don't think highly of yourself, then no one will."  She didn't mean for me to think of myself in a "high-minded" sort of way; however, the gist of what she was saying is true---we only get one body and we must treat our body like "gold."  When it comes to selecting a "cosmetologist," "hairdresser," "beautician," or "hair designer," it is important that we choose someone who is qualified---someone who has been professionally trained and certified to perform their chosen craft.  We should go about the process of choosing a Cosmetologist in the same manner as we would a doctor or lawyer or dentist.  Don't get me wrong---I was a "kitchen beautician" for years and it wasn't until I actually trained to become a "professional" that I realized there is more to "doing hair" than simply "doing hair."  Professionally trained cosmetologists must put in hours of studying such topics as:  Professional Development, Salon Ecology, which encompasses Microbiology, Infection Control, First Aid and Anatomy.  We also such subjects such as:  Electricity, Chemistry, Salon Business, Trichology, which is the study of hair, including Hair Theory, Common Hair and Scalp Conditions and Haircutting, which is not as easy as it may seem.  We learn proper Hairstyling, Wigs and Hair Additions, Chemical Texturizing, which includes Perming, Chemical Relaxing and Curl Reforming.  I didn't even know that the Jheri Curl and Wave Nouveau were both a form of Curl Reformation---did you?  There's the study of Hair Color and Identifying Existing Hair Color---understanding Melanin and the correct way to Change Existing Hair Color.  There's the Study of Nails, including Nail Theory, Natural Nail Care, Infection Control and Safety, Artificial Nail Care and finally, we learn The Study of Skin, including Composition of the Skin, Types of Skin, Skin Diseases and Disorders, proper Hair Removal Techniques and understanding Makeup and its application.  All in all, a professionally trained cosmetologist but endure 1500 or more hours of instruction, including lectures and hands-on experience.  Therefore, for a professionally trained individual to "sell themselves short" is baffling to me.  Would you visit a doctor, lawyer, dentist or chiropractor who advertised their services as "cheap?"  I don't think so.  Can you really put a price on your body and its worth?  Would you really allow someone to perform "color services," which involves understanding the dynamics of chemistry on your hair for "cheap?"  Cosmetologist are professionally trained and certified and most are licensed, and you should never trust your "temple" to just anybody, especially someone who values their services as "cheap."