Sexy Summer Skin Inside Out and Outside In

Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa's Blog

Sexy Summer Skin Inside Out and Outside In

• Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa •

For many people, summer is the time to get out in the sun and do their favorite activities. For some, this means lounging by the pool with a margarita in hand, while others love rock climbing, mountain biking or shooting some hoops. Whatever your favorite summer activity is, make sure to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated will not only give you more energy, but it will keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful. There are several steps to stay hydrated and healthy, not only from the inside out, but also from the outside in.
Many people spend their day downing coffees, sodas, and energy drinks, and as a result they're not drinking enough water. When a person gets dehydrated, skin becomes dehydrated and dry too. So, if you want that sexy summer skin, start drinking more water. If old-fashioned water's too plain for you, try adding a slice of cucumber or a lemon wedge. To increase your intake, consume foods that are made mostly of water, like cabbage, celery, cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, and grapes. These fruits and vegetables are not only good for hydration purposes, but they are a good source of nutrition too.
Aside from consuming more water, it's also important to find a hydrating skin care regimen to have and maintain healthy, radiant skin. Contrary to popular belief, exfoliators will help keep your skin hydrated, by removing dead skin cells from the surface, allowing moisturizers to be absorbed more effectively. It's just a matter of choosing a good exfoliator, like Aveda's Soothing Body Polish. This polish gently buffs away dead surface cells and skin-dulling debris with a blend of finely-ground walnut shells, kelp, aloe, lavender and herbal extracts. This product smells great and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth for days.
When drying off, leave skin slightly damp to help seal in more hydration with a moisturizer. Look for a lotion that works to replenish and retain moisture. A great one to try is Aveda's Replenishing Body Moisturizer, because it binds moisture to your skin, using a blend of vitamins, as well as natural humectants and oils that work to keep skin hydrated. This moisturizer will transform skin from feeling super rough, dry, itchy, and tight, to feeling soft, silky and supple. You will be amazed at how hydrated your body feels and how long that feelings lasts.
In addition to moisturizing your body, is particularly important to pay attention to your hands. Working with or over-washing hands can result in hands feeling stiff and tight. There's nothing better for dry, chapped hands than Aveda's Hand Relief^TM. This incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes hands, leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Enriched with vitamins A and E, this hand cream diminishes signs of aging. This cream not only rehydrates and increases skin's elasticity, but it also provides the best relief for dry, irritated hands with moisturizing plant emollients, humectants, and anti-oxidants. Your hands will feel so amazingly soft that everyone will want to hold your hand!
Just as your hands need some extra loving, so do your feet. Don't let dry, cracked heels keep you inside this summer. Treat and protect feet with Aveda's Foot Relief^TM. This soothing cream invigorates sore, tired feet with a blend of active herbs, exfoliating fruit acids and plant-derived oils like jojoba, castor, lavender and rosemary. After using this foot cream, stressed feet will instantly feel refreshed and rehydrated -- so go ahead and show off those happy feet!
Keeping hydrated is a process that happen both inside out and outside in. Following these steps will not only save you from summer dry skin, but it will keep you and your skin healthy, hydrated, and looking beautiful.

Organize Your Styling Tools and Beauty Products

Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa's Blog

Organize Your Styling Tools and Beauty Products

• Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa •

If you're like many of the other people on this planet, then you probably have some sort of beauty product addiction, buying new products as soon as they hit the shelf. Maybe you're a sucker for words like "invigorating," "smoothing" or "anti-aging" and can't help but buy every product that advertises it. Whatever it is, you're not alone. We all have under sink storage bins exploding with lotions, potions, hair ties, brushes, styling products and tools. Now is the time to take control and organize your beauty products. Here's a quick guide to help you get started.

1. Go through all of your beauty products and styling tools—lotions, sunscreen, hair and skin care products and separate them into three piles:
   
   
   • Products and styling tools you never use or are expired.
   • Products and styling tools you use daily.
   • Products and styling tools you use on special occasions.
2. Start with the pile of products and styling tools that you never use or are expired. There's no point in keeping styling tools that you don't intend to use, because it's just a waste of perfect space. You're bound to come across some things you haven't seen in years and you may be thinking, "I'll use this one day," but the truth is you probably won't, so just toss it or if it's still in good condition, give it to a friend. Also, make sure to throw out anything that has expired, because its potency had diminished and is no longer useful. Professional products usually have an expiration date on them, but if not, take a look at this list for some guidance:
   
   
   • Shampoo and conditioner have an unopened shelf life of 3 years. Once opened, the shelf life is about 18 months.
   • Hair spray and other products in spray form can last up to 5 years.
   • Cream cleanser, gel cleanser, cream moisturizer will last about 1 year, once opened.
3. Take the pile of products and styling tools that you use daily, like a moisturizer, hair brush or blow dryer, and put them in a place that's easily accessible, like a drawer. If you don't have adequate enough drawer space for your beauty products and styling tools, here are a few other good storage options, depending on your space and budget:
   
   
   • An over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets will allow you to store all your beauty products and styling tools you use on a daily basis, so you can see them and know exactly where they all are.
     
   • A door and wall rack system allows you to create a flexible, customized storage center.
   • A bathroom storage tower is perfect for storing your beauty products in a narrow space, while providing easy access and visibility.
   • A slim rolling cart or a utility cart allow you to take advantage of tight spaces and can be wheeled out for easy, instant access.
   • An over-the-toilet shelf unit is another solution that provides an ample amount of shelf space with easy access and visibility.
4. Finally, take all your beauty products and styling tools that you use for special occasions and place in a storage basket or an under-the-sink storage bin. You might also consider investing in a heat-resistant travel case, so don't have to wait for your styling tools to cool, before storing them away. When you're done using them, simply wrap up your hot styling tools in the heat-resistant case and toss it in your storage basket.

Use one or any combination of these suggestions to organize your beauty products in a way that's most beneficial to your space and budget. Going forward, put a sticker on the bottom of your new products and record the date that you opened them, so you'll know when it's time to toss them. When you're done using a beauty product or tool, make sure to put it back in its place in order to maintain a clean beauty space.

It's All About Pampering Mom

Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa's Blog

It's All About Pampering Mom

• Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa •

Mom's have a special place in our hearts. They're our biggest fans and they're always looking out for us. No one loves you quite the way she does. Though Mom always enjoys flowers and chocolates, add a personal touch this Mother's Day and giver her something that she needs and has always wanted. Give Mom the gift of relaxation.
Start by creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Play some soothing tunes, dim the lights and light a few candles. Shampure^TMSoy Wax Candle is ideal for soothing and calming the senses with its aroma of 25 pure flower and plant essences, including certified organic lavender, petitgrain and ylang-ylang.
Next, draw a warm bath.
Add a couple tablespoons of Aveda's Stress-Fix Soaking Salts. Soak in the tub with your eyes closed and take a deep breath. You can also try the "bumble bee breath," an ancient yoga breathing technique that prompts relaxation and the release of serotonin. Start by taking in a deep breath and then slowly exhale, while making a buzzing "Mmm" sound. Repeat the breathing exercise for two to five minutes or simply just sit and soak it all in.
After you step of out of the bath, seal in the moisture.
Hydrate your skin with Aveda'sStress-Fix^TM Body Lotion. Infused with essences of lavender, lavandin and clary sage, this lotion is clinically proven to reduce feelings of stress. Begin by rubbing the lotion into your hands, then hold them under your nose and take a deep breath. Then massage onto tense areas such as the neck, shoulders and forearms using the ayurvedic technique of moving in circular motions at the joints and back-and-forth motions in-between joints. Apply to your abdomen using clockwise circular motions. The Ayurvedic technique promotes harmony and balance, leaving the body feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Mom has done so much for you over the years. Now is the time to return the favor and give Mom a break. Make her feel extra special this Mother's Day. She had to put up with you, so she deserves it.

Say Goodbye to Dry, Frizzy Hair

Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa's Blog

Say Goodbye to Dry, Frizzy Hair

• Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa •

If you noticed that your hair has become lifeless, brittle, and frizzy, you are most likely suffering from dry hair. Living in a dry or windy climate, swimming, spending time in the sun, using curling irons and blow dryers, coloring, highlighting, or otherwise chemically treating your tresses can leave you with dry locks and bad hair days. To prevent damage, Aveda has some safety measures you can take to have beautiful, healthy hair.
Begin by selecting a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Aveda has a great Dry Remedy^TM Moisturizing Ritual Kit that contains a shampoo, conditioner, and masque, and was one of 8 groundbreaking products honored with Gold-level Cradle to Cradle certification. This collection is formulated to penetrate and transform even the driest, most brittle hair to soft, supple, touchable locks. Used all together, this collection instantly improves dry hair up to 63%. Be careful not to shampoo your hair too frequently either, otherwise you'll wash away your lock's natural oils that help combat dryness. Always follow up with a conditioner, and use the hair masque once a week to lock in moisture
It's also best if you try to limit your use of hot styling tools like blow dryers and curling irons, and let your hair air-dry whenever possible. If you're one who loves to blow dry, curl or straighten your hair every day, it's so important that you shield your hair with a heat protector, like Aveda's Brilliant^TMDamage Control^TM. The foundation for any hair style, use this spray as a pre-styling tool to protect your hair from the hazards of combing, heat styling, and sun damage.
Now that you're done styling, it's time to get that salon-like finish with Aveda's Brilliant^TMSpray-On Shine. It provides another level moisturizing in a sheer mist of pure shine and vitamin E to finished hair styles. It also helps tame frizz and eliminate flyaways for all hair types.
Healthy, luscious hair is no longer just a dream. With these tips from Aveda, say goodbye to bad hair days and hear everyone say, "Hello, Beautiful!"

Limp, Flat Hair - A Distant Memory

Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa's Blog

Limp, Flat Hair - A Distant Memory

February 5th, 2013 • Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa • Permalink

When it comes to hair, bigger is usually better, but not all of us were born with thick, voluminous locks. For those of us with thin, limp hair, it can seem like every day is a bad hair day. Styling can seem tedious and like a waste of time, especially when hair falls flat not even two minutes after styling it. With a healthy lifestyle, the appropriate hair care regimen, and the right haircut, you can transform limp, lifeless locks into hair that looks fuller and feels thicker.
Leading a healthy lifestyle plays a huge role in your hair's appearance and well-being. Drinking plenty of water will prevent hair from falling flat by keeping the scalp and hair hydrated. It's also important to get your daily servings of protein-rich foods, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. A deficiency in protein or any of these vitamins can result in hair appearing thin, limp, dry, and damaged. Boost shine naturally by eating foods like eggs, beans, fish, and spinach. Improve hair growth and prevent hair from looking thin and limp by consuming fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. If you're having trouble getting the right serving amount, try a multivitamin.
In addition to leading a healthy lifestyle, it's also important to invest in a hair care regimen that's specifically designed to volumize and add fullness and body to limp locks. Pump up the volume with Aveda's Pure Abundance^TM volumizing shampoo and conditioner. This lightweight, plant-based formula makes hair look and feel more abundant without weighing it down. The conditioner is a crucial step to creating volume, so don't skip it.
Prepping your hair with the right hair products before blow drying hair is the key to getting a voluminous blowout. Instead of using gel, try Aveda's Phomollient^TMStyling Foam. Flip head upside down and work a little foam into tresses, from root to ends. With your head still down, blow dry hair. Once hair is about halfway dry, flip head up and begin drying hair using a medium-sized round brush. When drying hair with a brush, it's important to work in sections, not only winding locks around the brush, but lifting hair and adding a blast heat from underneath towards the roots. This will help you create that luxurious and voluminous hair that you see on all the celebrities.
If you want even bigger hair, it's time to bust out the hot rollers. Work in 1-inch sections and lightly spritz roots with a volume spray, like Aveda's Pure Abundance^TM Style Prep. This product is not only good before styling, but it's also great the day after, when you want to revitalize your volume. After spritzing roots, wind hair around rollers from ends to roots and secure rollers to head.
Set the style by hair spraying the hair while still in the rollers. It's best to use a hair spray like Aveda's Pure Abundance^TM Volumizing Hair Spray, because it's infused with certified organic acacia gum, which helps hair look even thicker and fuller. Allow rollers to sit for 20 minutes or until completely dry. To ensure that the hair has set, blast your rollers with some heat from the hair dryer, before carefully removing the rollers. Flip hair upside down and gently shake your head, before flipping it back up.
If your hair's still not big enough for you, it's time to tease the hair. Using a fine-tooth comb, lift hair at the roots near the crown and lightly backcomb. Mist locks with a little more hair spray, and then backcomb again. Use a natural bristle brush to gently smooth hair over the teased crown section, and lightly mist with a little more hair spray.
If you're still having trouble getting the volume you want or using the products, visit an Aveda Salon near you for a free consultation. Aveda's professional stylists will not only help you better understand how to create a voluminous look at home, but they can also discuss with you the different haircuts that naturally increase hair's body and fullness. With a healthy lifestyle, the appropriate hair care regimen, and the right haircut, limp, flat hair will seem like a distant memory.

Sheild Smokin' Hot Hair

Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa's Blog

Shield Smokin' Hot Hair

December 3rd, 2012 • Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa •

When styling your hair, there are many styling products that you can use to achieve a certain look. Whether you're creating a glamorous updo or wearing your hair down in diva-like curls, many trendy hairstyles these days involve the use of hot tools, like blow dryers, hot rollers, curling wands and flat irons. Without the proper protection, your styling tools can extremely damage your hair.
Most people don't even realize how hot their styling tools get. Some styling tools can get as hot as 450 degrees, which is like the heat that an oven produces. You wouldn't just reach into a hot oven to pull a cookie tray out, would you? Of course not! You'd put on your oven mitts to avoid burning your hands. Well same logic applies to your hair: a good heat protectant is like oven mitts for your hair.
Without a good thermal protector, your styling tools will destroy the moisture and proteins in your hair, drying out your locks and making them extra prone to breakage. You may even notice that your tresses lack luster and feel like straw. Take control and protect your beautiful locks with a good heat protectant, like Aveda's Brilliant^TMDamage Control^TM. Not only does this product protect against thermal damage, but it also protects against UV damage and reduces breakage from combing.
Aside from using a good heat protectant, the next best thing you can do to protect your hair is to use less heat when styling hair. Try going au naturel for a couple days of the week. By using a good heat protectant and styling less with heat, you'll surely notice a difference in how healthy and soft your hair looks and feels.

The Secret to Sexy Skin

• Posted by Taylor Stevens Salon & Spa •

Summer is in full swing and with it comes revealing clothes, swimsuits, and sunshine, but it shouldn't include dry skin. Fun in the sun, long hot showers or time at the pool and beach can be really harsh on your skin, stripping it of its natural oils. Without these oils, skin is likely to crack and become itchy, tight, and dry. Sometimes, even smiling can hurt! Save yourself the pain and embarrassment of summer dry skin by treating it with Aveda.
The secret solution to rehydrating dry skin is out and it's in Aveda's Botanical Kinetics^TM - for dry skincollection. Other soaps and cleansers are composed of harsh chemicals that break down the skin's natural oils, but not Aveda's. This daily care regimen has a gentle purifying creme cleanser that uses an extra-mild formula to remove makeup, dirt and other impurities, leaving skin feeling revitalized and ready to take on the world.
For a burst of refreshment, use the Botanical Kinetics^TM skin firming/toning agent. This hydrating mist cools skin using a beautiful blend of Echinacea and rosewater to restore moisture balance. The Echinacea acts as a mild astringent, closing pores after cleansing, while the rosewater works to restore pH levels and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Seal in the moisture and the benefits of the toner by immediately following up with the Botanical Kinetics^TM hydrating lotion. Nurturing your skin comes naturally with this quick-absorbing lotion. It contains emollients derived from coconut, jojoba and other naturally-derived ingredients that replenish moisture. Enriched with a chamomile and lavender blend, this moisturizer leaves skin feeling soft, supple and comfortable -- so go ahead and smile!
Stress is another factor that can take its toll on your skin. Relax at home and recreate your own spa day. Once a week or when you can find 5-10 minutes to spare in your summer schedule, give your face some extra TLC and pamper yourself with Aveda's Intensive Hydrating Masque. With a surge of moisturizing aloe, kelp, lavender and rosewater, this oil-free masque soothes, cools, and leaves skin feeling hydrated and replenished.
To treat extra dry, stressed out skin, add a couple of drops of Aveda's Balancing Infusion^TM to any Aveda cleanser, moisturizer or masque. This highly-concentrated blend of pure flower and plant essences helps rehydrate skin and normalize the production of natural oils. Enriched with jasmine, plant ceramides, patchouli and ylang ylang oils, this infusion helps energize, moisturize and soothe dry, irritated skin.
Now don't forget about those lips. Dry, flaky lips are the worst, especially for summer lip-locking and tongue-wrestling. Nurture your lips with Aveda's Lip Saver^TM. This botanical balm delivers lasting moisture relief with nature's antioxidants and natural waxes that help seal in moisture. Apply liberally as needed for soft, smooth, kissable lips. Pucker up!
The secret to sexy summer skin is out and it's all about hydration! Soft, supple, kissable skin can be yours with Aveda.