Green is the flavour of health and wellbeing

This summer, why don’t you take on the challenge to improve your health, boost your energy and revitalise your body inside and out – with the addition of green juices and smoothies to your daily nutrition. Why wouldn’t you?!

Juicing and blending (smoothies) gives you the opportunity to get an ample supply of nutritious fruit and vege into your system in a super fast and easy way.

Here are some of the benefits of embracing juicing and/or blending:

·  Blending and juicing your fruit and vege provides a fast and efficient way for your body to absorb a concentrated dose of nutrients, without stressing out your digestive system. (The goods are sent straight into your bloodstream and on to where your body most needs the nourishment.)

· It provides a simple way to add a greater quantity and variety of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables (especially greens) to your diet.

· By mixing fruit and vege together you acquire a good shot of sustained energy, as the vegetables balances the fruit sugar content (albeit natural).

· A juice or smooth will satisfy your hunger for hydration (high water content) and hunger for nutritional value (fibre amongst many others!), leaving you feeling contently full!

· Green juices contain the phytonutrient chlorophyll, which boosts red blood cell production and fights toxins – aiding in the removal of toxins from your body (through the most “suitable” exit, rather than through your skin’s pores) and improving the condition your skin.

· If you’re not a fan of veggies, juicing and blending offers you your daily does of greens without forcing down that boiled broccoli and beans (the fruits in your concoction will mask the vegetable flavours).

· Blending and juicing greens helps to balance your body’s pH so that it’s not too acidic (a common cause of ill health).

Some of the best fruits and vegetables to include in your immune boosting, body brightening thirst-quenchers include: 

· Spinach

· Celery

· Parsley

· Kale

· Spirulina

· Wheatgrass

· Lemon

· Apple

· Avocado

By mixing just a few of these ingredients in a juice or smoothie, you’ll pump your body full of so many goodies including Vitamins A, C, E, K, iron, folate, calcium, zinc and omega 3 - making for a happier, healthier you inside and out!

So now we’ve left you with no good reason not to do this - here are a few recipes to get you going! Now all you need to do is dust off that juicer or blender in the back of your kitchen cupboard!

Green Smoothie (from Julia & Libby)
2 bunches of Spinach
3 leaves of Kale
1 Lemon
2 Apples
1 Kiwifruit (you can use lime instead but kiwifruit is full of fibre and vitamin C so I prefer to use that)
1 cup water (you can also use coconut water)

Classic Green Juice (from foodmatter.tv)

1 medium zucchini

2-3 large kale leaves

1 green apple

1 small handful cilantro

1 lemon, peeled

1 inch ginger root (optional)

Coriander Smoothie (from Health Yeah)

1 mango

A big handful of coriander

2 green kiwifruit

1 squirt of lime juice

Some ice.

Here is a great formula to follow when concocting your green combos

Great hair and beauty advice just for you!

Our favourite thing is being able to help you achieve gorgeous hair that you love!

Of course, your regular styling sessions at one of our salons is the starting point for this, but we also like to go beyond the physical haircut by providing you with information and inspiration on how to care for and style your hair.

We’ve got oodles of great practical hair and beauty advice on our blog, so this week we invite you to set aside a bit of time to read-up on articles relevant to you!

The power of a new hairstyle
A haircut is not merely a “must-do” affair. It can be an energizing, relaxing and pampering experience that enhances your natural beauty and transforms your perspective... read more

A few telltale signs that it’s time for a new hairstyle 
It’s easy to get comfortable with a hairstyle. That, in and of itself is not a bad thing – if the hairstyle complements your finest features, is low maintenance and makes you feel like the best you!... read more

3 simple styling tips for fine hair
Ok you fiiiine ladies! The aim of the game with your hair type is to fend off flat, limp locks and boost body and texture... read more

3 simple styling tips for thick hair
If you have thick hair, you most likely wish you had less to deal with. Au contraire you voluminous vixens!... read more

Achieve a salon-standard hair wash at home
Don’t you just love how your hair always feels incredibly silky and lavishly nourished when you leave the hairdressers?... read more

The art of hairdrying
The humble hair dryer (along with a few of its friends), transforms your hair from ‘just fine’ to FABULOUS thanks to the power of heat and air... read more

The way of the hair straightener
Transforming your hair into a myriad of styles is nice and easy these days. Gone are the days of endless hours of rolling, setting and styling your locks... read more

Healthy foods for healthy hair
Keeping your hair healthy, shiny and lush relies not only on what you put in your hair but also what you put in your gob... read more

Spring - the season of new and renewed
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... read Part 1 and Part 2

Spring in to Summer

The gloomy winter period is well behind us, and we are nearing the long sunny days of summer. Hoorah! I found the above vintage pic and thought it looked like the most idyllic setting - so it became the inspiration of this week’s article.

We want to make sure you’ve got a spring in your step as you enter the glorious season of sunshine, so we’ve put together a few tips to brighten up your insides and outsides and make sure you’re alive and kicking, happy, healthy and ready for summer.

Hair
Brighten up your complexion with the right hair colour and cut. 

Add a big dose of radiance to your appearance, by choosing a hairstyle that compliments your face shape and highlights your best features. When it comes to colour opt for a hair hue that flatters and illuminates your complexion. For tips on fitting cuts read our article on face shapes, and for complementary hair colours, check out our skin tone article.


Skin
Brighten up your skin with a good scrub and condition.

Exfoliating two to three times a week (less if you have dry or sensitive skin) will do wonders for your skin. By removing dead skin cells you will uncover the glowing new cells beneath, as well as revitalize cell renewal, boost circulation and give your complexion a smooth, fresh appearance. Following exfoliation, replenish and rehydrate your skin with a quality moisturiser to keep your skin soft and supple. As the summer sun intensifies, make sure you invest in a moisturiser with SPF protection to shield your skin from UV damage.


Fitness
Brighten up your body with a health dose of movement.

The winter months can be less than motivating when it comes to regularly exercising, but with the magnificent golden ball of heat and light now high in the sky it’s time to get outside and get moving! Not only is regular exercise important for weight control and general health, it’s also a key component for improving your mood, your energy levels and your sleep patterns. Choose to stay fit and limber by simply scheduling regular walks or bike rides through your local park. Why not try a Pilates or yoga class too…There’s even the option of a boot camp if you’re brave enough!

Nutrition
Brighten up your insides and outsides with fresh, whole foods.

You are what you eat! What goes in your mouth determines the state of your vital organs as well as your skin and hair. To cultivate and maintain a healthy, happy body inside and out choose to eat a well-balanced diet full of fresh, colourful whole foods (with the addition of occasional sweet treats of course!). Pack your daily feasting full of nutrient-rich foods like nuts (zinc, protein, omega-3 fatty acids), legumes (biotin, zinc, iron), leafy greens (vitamins A and C), berries (Vitamins A, C and E), eggs (protein) and seafood (essential fatty acids, protein, iron, B vitamins), to ensure your body receives the essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it needs to stay in mint condition.

Happy summer days to you and yours!

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.'

Tips for managing dry or oily hair

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Many of us are subject to dry, damaged or oily, greasy hair - these are not conditions to be tolerated! We have put together a few tips for managing dry and oily hair types, so that you can ensure your locks stay healthy, supple and glowing.

Go forth and claim stronger, silkier, more fabulous looking hair!

Dry Hair

Dry hair is due to a lack of your hair’s natural oils that maintain a healthy moisture, shine and texture. If you find that you hair is dull, coarse and prone to split ends, you more than likely fit into this category (curly hair is more susceptible).

Dry hair can be caused by a number of factors, both internal and external. Hormonal conditions such as an underactive thyroid or parathyroid can lead to dry hair, as can external factors such as excessive shampooing, heat styling or air conditioning.

Tips to managing dry hair:

• Get a haircut! Have your dry, split ends removed to make room for fresh, healthier locks.


• Shampooing washes away the oils that dry hair thirsts for, so try to shampoo less frequently (once or twice a week may be enough) and opt for quality shampoo designed for dry hair that will help restore moisture.


• Condition your hair after every shampoo with a quality conditioner. Try not to over rinse and consider a professional deep conditioning treatment every six to eight weeks.


• Brushing your hair well can help distribute your scalps moisturising oils down the length of your hair. Brush your hair with a soft-bristled hairbrush or wide toothcomb to avoid hair breakage.


• Heat sucks the moisture from your hair, so give hair dryers and heated stylers the cold shoulder. Try to air-dry your hair (with rollers for added volume) or consider a new “wash and wear” haircut that will air-dry in style.

Oily hair

Oily hair is due to overactive sebaceous glands on the scalp, resulting in the overproduction of your skins natural oil. The natural oils of your hair give a natural, healthy shine to your hair that keeps it conditioned, supple and strong, but too much results in greasy weighed-down locks (fine, straight hair is more prone to oily hair).

Oily hair can be hereditary, but other factors that can contribute to oily locks are stress, birth-control or menstrual medications and incompatible hair products.

Tips to managing oily hair:

• Wash your hair frequently with a quality shampoo designed for oily hair, that will remove excess oil without drying your hair out. Make sure you massage your scalp well to breakdown grease and product build-up, and rinse well.


• Reduce the frequency of your conditioning treatments (once or twice a week should be enough). Conditioners are important for locking in moisture and particularly nourishing the drier ends of your hair, but as your roots are already well moisturised by your skin’s natural oils, focus on the lower half of your hair rather than your scalp.


• Styling products can weigh down oily hair and cause a build-up of greasy residue. Stay clear of heavy styling products such as waxes and gels and stick to hairsprays and lighter styling pastes. Also, try to lighten up on the amount you use, the more product the more oil build-up.


• Cut back on your hair brushing. Brushing and “finger combing” your hair carries oils from your scalp down the length of your hair. Over-brushing also stimulates your scalps oil glands, which in turn will increase oil production.

Feel free to come in and chat with us about the best solutions for your hair!

Healthy foods for healthy hair

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Keeping your hair healthy, shiny and lush relies not only on what you put in your hair but also what you put in your gob. Your diet has a significant effect on the health of your hair, and your locks require important nutrients including protein, essential fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins A, C and all the B’s to stay in tip top shape!

Perming, colouring and using heated stylers can strip your strands of the nutrients that keep them strong and moisture-rich. A wholesome diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish and dairy can majorly improve the state of your tresses, preventing dull, brittle locks and the deceleration of hair growth.

Here are 6 foods that will help nourish your hair from the inside out…

Nuts
Packed full of necessary nutrients such as zinc, protein and omega-3 fatty acids, nuts deserve to be a staple nutriment in your hair-care diet. A healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, and nuts provide two key elements for achieving this. Selenium is a great one for promoting a healthy scalp, as is vitamin E, which assists with blood circulation. Whether walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews or almonds – by snacking on nuts or sprinkling them over your salads and vegetables, you’ll start to notice softer, smoother locks with less split ends and frizz.

Legumes
Beans and lentils are an essential part of your nutritional hair-care regime. As well as generous offerings of protein, which is vital for hair growth, these power-foods are also a great way to inject iron, biotin and zinc into your hair. This combo of nutrients will ensure your tresses remain hydrated, shiny and supple.

Leafy Greens
Dark green, leafy veggies are chock-a-block full of vitamins A and C for a healthy scalp and resilient locks. Your body uses these antioxidants to help produce your body’s natural hair and scalp conditioner - sebum (an oily substance emitted by your hair follicles) - and maintain strong healthy hair by allowing your body to effectively absorb iron - avoiding weak and brittle tresses. Filling up on veg such as spinach and broccoli will help maintain strong, moisture-rich locks that will grow faster and break less frequently.

Eggs
Protein is an absolutely essential element for maintaining healthy hair, and eggs are a winning choice for attaining an ample supply. Boiled, poached or scrambled, eggs are considered to be a nutritionally complete food and they contain all the essential amino acids, which can only be obtained through your diet - the human body does not produce them. Your hair is primarily made up of protein, so it’s important to keep your levels up. With benefits such as thriving hair growth and stronger, brighter locks, having “an egg a day” really is a bright idea!

Salmon
The star nutrients in salmon are the essential fatty acids. As well as promoting a healthy, conditioned scalp, essential fatty acids also aid hydration and optimum hair growth. Additionally, salmon is rich in omega 6 and 9, protein, vitamin B12 and iron.  A salmon steak or a helping of salmon sushi on a regular basis is sure to provide the rich nourishment required for vibrant and bountiful locks. If salmon (or fish in general) is not your cup of tea, a few tablespoons of flaxseed oil a day is a great source of plant-based essential fatty acids.

Oysters
Oysters are a bit of an indulgent nosh, and are of course recognised predominantly for their “love potion” qualities. Yet these tasty little morsels are also packed full of goodness for healthy hair. Their central hair-care element is zinc – a mighty antioxidant that can prevent the thinning of hair and help boost your immune system, which in turn encourages hair growth. If you can’t quite stomach oysters, you can acquire zinc (as well as protein, B vitamins and iron) from beef and lamb.