Spring - the season of new and renewed Part 1

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Part 1: Refreshing your body, inside and out.

As the winter frosts slowly begin to melt away and the hours of sunshine gradually increase, we can finally start preparing for summer and celebrate the wonder that is Spring! We’re not there just yet, but we’re so close and it’s exciting to see the green leaves and blossom starting to emerge!

In light of the new season, let’s consider giving ourselves a little spring-clean! There’s nothing better to do in the season of new and renewed beginnings than REFRESH and REVIVE with a good clean, a bit of clear out and a few touch ups or modifications. Whether it be a room, your house, your garden, your wardrobe, your body or your hair – it’s time to recharge and rejuvenate!

Over the next 2 weeks, we’re giving you a few tips to help you spruce yourself up for spring and the coming season of sunshine!

This week: Refreshing your body, inside and out. Next week: Revamping and pampering your look.

What’s going in?
The most effective way to keep your body healthy, your skin youthfully supple, and your hair silky strong is with a well-balanced diet of fresh, colourful, whole foods packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants! A few essential foods to help keep your body, skin and hair looking and feeling fabulously fresh are:

• NUTS- packed with necessary nutrients such as zinc, protein and omega-3 fatty acids


• BERRIES- nature’s candy filled with powerful antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E


• LEGUMES- power-foods injected with biotin, zinc and iron


• FISH- a must for essential fatty acids (omega 3’s, 6 and 9) as well as protein, iron and B vitamins.


• Also, don’t forget to hydrate your body - and thus your skin – by drinking eight to twelve glasses of water a day.

Get Fit
Regular exercise is key to staying happy, healthy and full of energy. Not only does exercise help control your weight, it also helps prevent high blood pressure, improves your mood and can lead to a better night’s sleep. There is no negative to exercise! Keeping fit and limber is as easy as going for regular 30 minutes walks with a friend, enjoying a bike ride or stretching out in a Pilates class. Get moving!

Skincare regime refresh
Replenish and restore your skin by refreshing your skincare regime:

• CLEANSING and TONING are vital steps, which unclog pores and prevent blemishes, by ensuring the removal of make-up, dirt and excess oil (make sure to use a hydrating cleanser in accordance with your skin type).


• Regular EXFOLIATION will revitalize cell renewal, boost circulation, prevent oil build-up and give your complexion a smooth, renewed appearance (no need to scrub too hard though).


• REHYDRATE your skin daily with a quality facial and body moisturiser to help keep your skin soft and supple. –apply immediately after showering for the best results.


• Take the opportunity to clear out your make-up bag too - old mascara, foundation and make-up sponges can accumulate harmful bacteria.

Start your spring-clean this week, and look out for next week's 'Revamping and pampering your look.'

2013 Cut and Colour Trends - Part 1

It’s that time of year when we look ahead at the favoured cut and colour trends of 2013! Although it’s not essential to be “on trend” to look spectacular, it is nice to be in the know as to what’s hot and what’s not.

This week we’re looking at a few of the top styles trending this year, and next week we’ll give you the goss on the favourite hair hues of 2013.








Frilled by fringes
Bangs are like adding a nice trimming to a basic coat - a simple, subtle way to change up your look and draw attention to your shining eyes. A heavy, blunt fringe will add a bit of edginess to your style similar to Jessica Biel’s current cut, or opt for a long, soft and eye-grazing fringe for a “Brigitte Bardot” peek-a-boo look. While a fringe can look great with any length hair, they are particularly complementary to fairly straight or slightly wavy hair that is shoulder length or longer.

 








Bobbing for compliments
A bold trend for 2013 is the bob. Whether chin skimming or shoulder brushing, bobs are the pick over the shorter crops of 2012. The short choice for 2013 is a versatile and modern take on a classic wash ‘n’ wear cut with either a blunt cut for edgy chic or a textured style with subtle graduation and layering for a youthful softness.

 








Lengthy layers
Drawing inspiration from ancient goddesses and 70s glam rock, flowing chest-length locks are the longer option for 2013. Opt for soft wavy volume with texture and layering – especially around the frame of your face or a straight, blunt cut for a sleek and structured look.

 

As with clothing, you need to take in to consideration not only what’s in fashion, but also what will complement your face shape and features when considering prospective hairstyles. For a few tips on the best cuts for your face shape, read this article and as always: We are more than happy to give you our professional opinion on what styles will enhance your natural fabulousness!

 

All images courtesy of Zimbio.com

A new look for a new year!

Happy 2013 to you all! We hope your first week of the new year has been a great start to brilliant things to come!

With a new year come new goals, new dreams and an opportunity for a fresh start. A new hairstyle – be it cut or colour – is a great place to start don’t you think?! Last year we wrote an article on how a new hairstyle really can change your outlook. Have a read and start pondering the possibilities!

	When contemplating a new hairstyle the first thing to think about is your face shape and which features you wish to accentuate or soften. Read our article ‘Hairstyles to complement your face shape’ for some tips on the best cuts for you.
	Updating your hair colour is another great way to revamp your look without having to give your hair the chop. Take advantage of our January special and get a half-head of foils for HALF PRICE! Not sure what hues to choose? Our article ‘The best hair colours for your skin tone’ is just the thing you need to read! (a little rhyming in there just for fun!)
	Have you considered making a radical style change? It can be super liberating, albeit a tad daunting. Get inspired by these extreme chops and changes.

Update your look with a fringe!

If you’re keen on updating your hairstyle, but don’t want to undergo any drastic changes - a fringe is the perfect option. The fringe is currently a big hit on the catwalk and red carpet with stars like Zooey Deschanel, Taylor Swift and Florence Welch championing the diverse look.

Adding bangs is like giving yourself a mini makeover. You can completely change your look, but it’s a low risk option because you can grow them out pretty quickly! Fringes are great for shoulder length hair and work best with hair that is naturally straight or slightly wavy.

Here are a few ways to wear bangs – why don’t you consider making the cut!

Full block Heavy eye or eyebrow skimming fringes like Jessica Biel's are great for drawing attention to your eyes. They’re reasonably low maintenance and can be cheeky, cute, sophisticated and elegant all at the same time! Block fringes are great for long and heart shaped faces, and best worn thick and long (just above the eyes).

Short & sharp This blunt fringe hits well above the eyebrows and is the ultimate statement maker. Inspired by the art-deco jazz age of the 1920s, short blunt bangs are fierce, sharp and sassy. This is a daring look that works perfectly for an oval face-shape like Rooney Mara’s (below), but stay clear of this look if you have a square face-shape.

Side-swept Oh, the romantic and softening look of a side swept fringe! This style frames the face nicely and provides a relaxed and effortless elegance (just like Rose Byrne, below). While side-swept bangs work for all face shapes, this is the best fringe option for round faces, as it will give the illusion of length.

Light & wispy A light choppy fringe like Alexa Chung’s is an easy, carefree option. Taking cue from Brigitte Bardot, wispy textured bangs is a versatile style that looks great straight forward and messy, centre-parted or swept to the side. This is a fitting choice for square faces as it can soften the angles.