Best Bets to Blow Dry your Hair

Best Bets to Blow-Dry

Your Hairby Kerry Andersen

There is just something about a professional blow-out that breathes new life into your hair, leaving it sleek, bouncy, and shiny. Living here in the south, you either learn to embrace your natural hair texture, rely on the pros or spend frustrated mornings fighting the frizz! But style experts say with the right tools and a bit of patience, you can replicate salon-worthy hair. Just follow these tips and tricks:

Tools of the Trade

The biggest difference between at home styling and a salon blowout is the tools. To replicate salon results, Kacie Moss, Master Stylist at Bauhaus Salon, says professional tools are a must. “A quality blow dryer is an investment but offers more power and heat settings to tackle every kind of hair texture. Look for one with a nozzle attachment to focus heat where you need it and a cool shot button to seal your cuticle.” Next, choose a round brush specific to your hair type and texture. After that, Moss says a perfect head of hair is all about product, product and more product!

Product Junkie

If you aren’t achieving dazzling blow-dry results, it might be time to update the products on your bathroom shelf. Bauhaus Senior Stylist Taylor Terro says hair products on the market now take full advantage of modern science to deliver dramatic results. “The main ingredient to look for is a heat protectant to shield your hair from damage, add shine and guard your crowning glory against environmental pollutants and dreaded humidity.” The pros at Bauhaus Salon list these products as their favorites for a sleek, beautiful and frizz-free blowout: • Oribe Imperial Blowout Transformative Styling

Hair Cream • Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray • Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray • Kerastase L’incroyable Blow-Dry Reshapable

Lotion • Kerastase Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray

WWW.BAUHAUSSALON.COM

Blow Dry Techniques

The perfect blowout starts long before the hair dryer is turned on. Bauhaus Junior Stylist Tori Smith says, “When you sit down in a salon, your stylist will take extra time to make sure your hair is clean and properly rinsed.” Replicating this step at home will lead to better hairstyles so scrub that scalp! Next, Smith offers these tips for a great blowout: • Let hair dry 70-80% of the way before styling. • Section your hair into smaller, manageable pieces and clip them back so you can focus on one area at a time. • Make sure your roots are 100% dry.

Even a small amount of dampness will lead to frizz.

Blow drying your hair is less of a chore when you have the right tools, products, and technique!

Bauhaus Salon is located at 4212 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA. For more information or to make an appointment, call 337-474-4000.

Botanicals

Nature’s Own Beauty Products by Angie Kay Dilmore

Summer brings an abundance of flowers. We find them in wellmanicured lawns, garden centers, floral shops, supermarket bouquets, fallow fields, and . . . skincare products? Many flowers and plants are desired for more than their sweet scent and aesthetic appeal. They’re used in the cosmetic industry in the form of botanicals.

Organic products are all about substituting synthetic chemicals with flower and plant extracts. In cultures around the world, flowers are used as natural remedies for a variety of ailments such as headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, and fatigue. They’re found in essential oils and used in foods. In skin care products, they’re valued for their gentle yet potent healing properties that address a host of skin concerns and beauty needs, as well as add color and fragrance. Floral extracts contain vitamins and antioxidants that help moisturize, cleanse and smooth skin, and fight early signs of aging and free radical damage.

To experience the skin care benefits of flowers, look for products formulated with floral essential oils or mix a few drops of flower oil into your favorite moisturizer.

Fruits and vegetables can also be beneficial in skincare products. Found in cleansers, moisturizers, masks, exfoliators, serums, and oils, they’re full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that protect, replenish, and repair skin – without chemical synthetics. And they smell good! (Try Dr Botanicals Grapefruit & Watermelon Refreshing Cleanser)

If you think coffee is just for drinking, here’s a wakeup call – it’s also good for your skin! Compounds in bold coffee have the power to protect, enhance and smooth skin. Applied topically, it can also improve your circulation and provide a glowing complexion. (Try Dr Botanicals Coffee Superfood Renewing Facial Exfoliator)

Thalassotherapy is the therapeutic application of seawater and sea plants to naturally rejuvenate, protect, and heal the skin. This traditional medicinal practice dates back to the Roman/Greek bathhouses. For example, seaweed is beneficial to the skin as sea plants (and seawater) offer a nearly identical composition to blood serum. The application of marine ingredients to the skin clears toxins and promotes cellular regeneration by boosting dermal self-repair mechanisms. Seaweed is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, vitamin C and essential minerals. When used in skincare products, it provides hydration, revitalization, collagen boosting, toning and even reduction of acne and wrinkles. (Try products by Ama Sea Beauty)

So, the next time you’re in the market for new beauty and skincare products, do your body a favor and ditch the chemicals. Look for products that are made by mother nature.

Top 12 floral botanicals and their benefits:

Rose – hydration and cell rejuvenation, helps minimize scars, stretch marks and wrinkles

Passion Flower – has

anti-aging properties, reduces sun damage, and decreases inflammation, redness, flakiness and eczema

Sunflower – moisturizes and cleanses skin; relieves sunburn, redness and insect bites Marigold – is anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiinflammatory and treats acne, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and fungal infections

Chamomile – has anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and antioxidant properties

Hibiscus – contains alphahydroxy acids and antioxidants for exfoliation and anti-aging Lotus – hydrates, controls oils, high in antioxidants and vitamins C, B, and A

Lavender -- antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, increases cell renewal, treats scars, wrinkles, burns and stretch marks

Calendula – soothing and anti-inflammatory, treats acne, eczema, diaper rash and insect bites Jasmine – has antioxidants that protect skin from sundamage and pollution. Hydrates, smooths skin, reduce age spots and fine lines

Elderflower – has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is often used in toners and face creams