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!

The best hair colours for your skin tone

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Ready for a colour revamp? Treating your locks to a professional “paint job” can truly transform your look, but it’s not quite as simple as picking out a pretty colour.

Just as wearing certain colours can flatter or fade out your complexion – so too does your hair colour. To establish what shades to embrace and which to avoid, you need to consider your skin tone.

Your skin tone – and its most complementary colours - is determined by melanin. This natural substance is responsible for your skin, hair and eye colour (based on the amount and type of melanin present).

Opting for hues that suit your skin tone will enhance your natural beauty, brightening your complexion and making your eyes pop. Colours that don’t work as well for you will tend to give your complexion a yellowy-sickly tinge or a washed out look.

So! First things first! You need to determine whether you have a cool or warm based skin tone (it’s best to opt for a colour that is the same base as your skin colour - be it cool or warm).

The tell-tail signs of a cool-based skin tone:

• Your eyes are most likely blue, grey, deep brown or greeny-blue with hints of grey


• You look healthier in pure white than you do cream or off-white


• You suit silver jewellery best


• The veins in your wrist have a blue tinge to them

The tell-tail signs of a warm-based skin tone

• Your eyes are most likely green, hazel, earthy or warm brown


• You look healthier in cream or off-white than you do white


• You suit gold jewellery best


• The veins in your wrist have a green tinge to them

The next step in choosing the most complementary shades for you is considering whether your skin tone is fair, medium to olive or dark.

Tips for the fair-skinned
If you have a warm-based skin tone, you’ll look positively glowing with strawberry blonde, honey blonde or butterscotch shades. Cool-based skin tones should opt for blue-based shades such as platinum or champagne blonde for a super stunning look. Fair-skinned maidens want to sidestep deep browns and black as they are too harsh. Likewise, avoid going too light as it can washout your complexion.

Tips for the medium-olive skinned
This skin-tone group has a wide range of colour options and benefit from golden, contrasting highlights. Warm-based skin tones are perfectly complemented by rich golden browns and earthy, copper shades. Cool-based ladies will shine with ashy, sandy blondes or warm browns such as cinnamon, walnut or auburn hues. Stay clear of red hues, as they can make your complexion look sickly.

Tips for the dark skinned
Creating contrast is the key for dark skin. Rich browns like caramel, maple and mahogany are winning hues for warm-based beauties. For the cool-toned ladies deep, dark shades such as an espresso brown or ink black are simply striking. Try to avoid shades that are more than a few tones lighter than your natural hair colour. Going too pale can lead to a brassy-looking colour that flattens your complexion.

For superb results, it’s best to select a colour that is no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural colour. If you’re not sure of your natural colour, your eyebrows are a good guide - they match your skin tone perfectly. Feel free to talk with us about the best colour options for you – we’re more than happy to help!