Have the heat and humidity officially made your unruly hair impossible?  Are you looking for a few extra minutes in your morning now that school is back? A smoothing or straightening treatment might be just what you need!  Brazilian Blowout and keratin treatments are hair smoothing treatments that are used to straighten hair without causing any damage to the hair follicles.  The treatments bond protein to the outer layer of your hair, helping protect, soften, smooth and relax the hair. 

Both treatments can remove frizz, add shine and decrease your blow dry time.  In fact, trying to distinguish between the two treatments can be tricky.  A consultation with your stylist is the best way to determine what is best for your hair, however we will break down the two treatments for you below.

Both treatments offer a variety of benefits, most importantly that both will make hair appear straighter; though neither treatment is permanent.

Both treatments help fight humidity, create shine and improve manageability.  They will cut down on the need to wash hair and cut down on the time needed for everyday styling.  For best results, you will want to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, which can help make the treatments last longer as well. 

While both treatments achieve similar results, they do have some differences, particularly in the procedure used to apply the treatment and how the hair will leave the salon. 

 Brazilian Blowout – This treatment uses a protein from a blend of amino acids to straighten and smooth the hair.  Before applying the product, the hair is shampooed and carefully dried until only a small amount of moisture remains.  After the product is applied, the hair is blow dried and flat-ironed.  The hair is then shampooed to rinse out the product and is dried one last time.  Upon leaving the salon, the hair is completely finished and the client is free to do anything they desire. 

Keratin Treatment – Similar to the Brazilian blowout, keratin treatments begin with shampooing and drying the hair completely.  The product is applied and left on for 20-30 minutes.  The hair is then blow dried and flat-ironed.  However, for the keratin treatment, clients leave the salon with product in their hair that can be washed out after three days.  Clients are asked to refrain from sweating, tying hair back or tucking hair behind their ears.   

If you are interested in learning more about the treatments, or exploring which one might work best for your hair, chat with your stylist at your next appointment. 

Every bride deserves to look flawless on her wedding day and the makeup you chose can help enhance your natural beauty.  Our fabulous make-up artist, Allison, uses airbrush make-up to help our mira brides look amazing on their big day.

Airbrush make-up being applied

So what is it?  Airbrush is a light-weight makeup that is applied through an air gun, producing a thin, even layer of makeup and a very matte finish.

The airbrush gun produces a fine mist which covers the skin and gives the appearance of a flawless complexion.  When applying the make-up, your make-up artist will mix foundation colors to create a perfect blend that matches your skin tone.  The final product is very lightweight and natural looking. 

So what makes it so much better?  Airbrush make-up lasts significantly longer than traditional make-up (around 9-12 hours) and will stay flawless all day.  Brides need make-up that can go the distance through sweat, tears, and dancing and airbrush make-up can do exactly that.  It won’t rub off and its water resistant, so it will stay no matter your wedding day brings. 

Another benefit of airbrushing is that is works for everyone.  Even brides with sensitive skin or allergies can benefit from the formulas used and the air compressor is one of the most hygenic ways to apply foundation.

What else?  The better you treat your skin leading up to your wedding, the better your make-up will look.  Having regular facials a few months leading up to your wedding can help your skin’s texture and give you the best base possible for make-up. 

Also, make sure to schedule a make-up trial around two months before your wedding.  At that point, you will have a good sense of how you want to look on the big day.  The make-up trial will allow you to make sure you and your make-up artist are on the same page and that your wedding day make-up will be exactly what you want.

The first haircut for your child can be a huge milestone for mom and dad – but it can be a little intimidating for your little one.  We have some tips to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. 

First, keep in mind, every child is different – your child could need a haircut early in life, or could be well into his or her toddler years before their hair needs trimmed at all.  If your child’s hair is starting to get into their eyes or is bothersome on their neck, it’s probably time to consider giving them a little trim.

Prepare for the big day…

As with all new experiences, preparation is key for successful cut.  To prepare your child consider the following ideas:

• Play “hair salon” at home – play pretend with your child and brush their hair and spritz them with water.  This gives you the chance to explain that the hair stylist will do that too and show them that it doesn’t hurt.
• Choose your words – the word “cut” can remind children of getting a boo boo; saying “trim” or “style” can make the difference in your child feeling comfortable going into the new experience.
• Time your trim – try to schedule the hair cut for  time when you know your child tends to be more cooperative.  Work around their nap and eating schedule to try to ensure your child will be more open to the cut
• Bring the right supplies – bring some special treats, or something fun to distract your child if necessary.  If they have a special lovey, blanket, or toy, make sure that makes the trip as well.  Finally, you may want to consider bringing an extra t-shirt just in case your child doesn’t want to wear the cape while getting their cut done.

The day of…

• First – remember to relax! If you are nervous or emotional, your child will definitely pick up on that.
• Have your child’s hair clean and brushed .
• If your child is having a hard time, remember you can always have them sit on your lap to make them more comfortable
• Finally, bring a fun accessory to put in your child’s hair after the cut to really play up how awesome they look with their new hairdo!

Remember, the more fun you can make a tip to the salon, the better!  Hopefully these tips help make your child’s first (and second, and third) haircut a successful experience for everyone!