Work it Out while at Work?

Here are a few quick workout tips that can be done at your desk!

Exercise One: Side Stretches: With your arms over your head or hands placed on hips, lean from side to side several times throughout the day to build a strong core.

Exercise Two: Arm Raises: To prevent carpel tunnel, back strains, or other ailments; you can do arm raises and stretches. This will also reduce that stubborn fat that jiggles every time you wave!

Exercise Three: Butt Squeezes: Simply squeeze and release butt muscles several times.

Exercise Four: Leg Lifts: At your desk, you can easily straighten your knees and lift your legs out in front of you. You can also march with your feet in place. This will exercise the large muscles in your legs. For easy calf exercises, you can raise your feet up on the toes and lower them.

Exercise Five: Stress Reliever: Although all of these exercises help to reduce stress, there are a few that directly target stress. Stretch your neck, and rotate head from side to side; this reduces the stress on the back. Stretching arms outward, and bending hands at wrist relieve stress on hands to prevent carpal tunnel and pain that can be caused by typing.

Are Your Lips Chapped, Dry, and Peeling?

Try this at home remedy to get soft, kissable lips!

Add a pinch of brown sugar to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix it well and dab it on your lips. Leave this on your lips, for a minute. Now, gently rub it back and forth with a wet washcloth or your finger. Rinse properly with cold water. Apply a lip balm or a moisturizing cream afterward.

WE HEART: Nexxus’ Pro-mend Split End Binding Overnight Creme

If you have damaged hair with split ends we recommend this product for you! The crème works overnight to restore hair follicles and mend split ends. It retails for $17.49.

WE HEART: Jane Carter Scalp Nourishing System

A must have product for dry, itchy scalps. Extra bonus: Its 100% Natural! Retails for $14. 

How to Care for Your Skin during Spring Weather

Now that spring is here, your skin is going to need extra attention to rejuvenate and prepare for outside sunlight!

Exfoliate: This is important for removing dead skin cells that could have accumulated and caused dry patches.

Protect From the Sun: If you haven’t already, invest in a moisturizer with SPF. This will decrease your chances of wrinkles and skin cancers. The higher the SPF number the better.

Take A Supplement: Vitamins are great for your skin. Also, eating foods rich in vitamins is great for your skin.

WE HEART: Calgon Ageless Bath Pearls

A mix of collagen, vitamin E, and pearl powder is encapsulated in the beads to provide natural glowing skin! Retails at $6.49. 

WE HEART: Physicians Formula Calming Spray

This product is great for people who struggle with conditions like Rosacea. This product encompasses ingredients such as algae, which is great for preventing irritation, redness, and inflammation. Retails at $16.97.

Suffer From Allergies? Diet Against Them!

If you are an allergy sufferer like many, you know it can be very challenging finding the right treatment! Well here are a few suggestions from the Readers Digest.

1. Choose chicken, not beef!! A study found that people who had the most trans-oleic* acid in their diets were nearly three times as likely to have hay fever as those who ate the least.

2. Eat an orange every morning. They’re rich in vitamin C, a natural antihistamine. Some studies link low vitamin C levels with allergies.

3. Avoid monosodium benzoate. A Study found this preservative triggered sneezing and itchy nose in adults without allergies. It’s often found in juices, pickles, olives, and salad dressings.

4. Sip green. Japanese scientist identified a compound (ECGC) in the brew that blocks a key cell receptor involved in producing an allergic response. 

*A form of mono-unsaturated fat found in red meat and dairy product.

Four at Home Remedies to Remove Acne Scars

1.  Lemons: Juice extracted from lemons is rich in citric acid, AHA or alpha hydroxyl acids, which contributes to effective protection against acne. It enables your skin to regenerate, and makes it look healthy and more elastic. Lemon juice also helps remove dead skin cells to reveal smoother skin, speeding up the process of new skin cells appearance.

Process: First, cleanse the scar with water. Dab one teaspoon of lemon juice into a cotton ball and smooth it over the acne marks. Leave for ten minutes, then rinse. 

2.  Honey: An essential natural cure all, oozing with medicinal and healing properties, honey is one of the purest and most natural forms of remedy promoting general health and well-being. Honey is the best blood supplement by raising corpuscle content. The darker the honey the more minerals it contains.

Process: Whisk one tablespoon of honey with egg white. Apply it on your face and leave it for 20 minutes and wash it off with cold water. This natural home remedy for acne scar removal also prevents blackheads

3.  Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, C and K, and help fade away your acne scars. Using tomato pulp with a touch of honey or lime as a face pack will help fight excessive oiliness. Tomatoes are also great blackhead removers.

Process: Whisk a tablespoon of tomato juice and two to four drops of limejuice or honey. Dip a wad of cotton to this mixture and apply it gently on your acne scar. After 15 minutes wash off your face.

4.  Ice: You can easily ban those dark spots left by acne-related problems by drinking plenty of water…or directly applying ice to those scars. Ice helps in flushing out the toxins from deep inside your skin.

Process: Rub one or two cubes of ice directly on the area affected by acne scars. This activity should be repeated around three of four times each day.  This helps in soothing the skin that has been affected by the scars, leaving your skin as smooth as before. 

If you have any other methods, or any other home remedies that have worked for you, I Heart Hair would love to hear them! :)

How to for College Students!

During these transition months from winter to spring, it can be hard to maintain your style and comfort while walking to each class with this unpredictable weather. Here are a few trends to keep you fashionable and prepared for any forecast while walking across your campus! These eye-catching pieces will make you the envy of all your peers! See below a few cost efficient campus fashion trends:

Oversized Sweaters and Cardigans!

Match them with a pair of your favorite leggings or jeans! For discounts or great prices for your college budget check out: Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Old Navy, American Apparel, or your local thrift stores (which are the new rave!)

Circle Scarves!

 

Circle Scarves are becoming a very popular trend as well! They come in many different styles and colors. You can find them almost anywhere!

Blazers!

Blazers are a must have staple piece for every closet! They can be paired with almost anything, your favorite jeans, leggings, dresses, or slacks! Blazers also work well as transition pieces from winter to spring! They come in many colors and can be found in almost any store. To get a bang for your buck try your local thrift store, but if you’re like me and not a fan of digging try a few of our faves: Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 & American Apparel

WE HEART: MD Formulations Facial Cleanser

There is a lack of over-the-counter cleansers with glycolic acid, which is needed during the winter season, but we found a hydrating skin facial treatment one that works just like a prescription with less cost.  Gentle, light-lathering cleanser rinses away daily residue, makeup and oil. It also gently exfoliates surface skin to reveal softer, smoother, and healthier-looking skin. Retails for just $32.00.

WE HEART: T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers Set

In a rush and need to curl you locks in a rush? We recommend T3’s Voluminous Hot Rollers Set. This set of eight hot rollers is a perfect set it and forget it while getting dressed for an evening on the town. The rollers are lined with a velvet flocking along the surface to enhance natural shine to hair during the styling process creating incredible body, volume, and movement. Retails for just $99.00.

Glue-in vs. Sew-in

Which do you prefer? Change it up all the time or make it last for awhile? It is totally up to you if you prefer a glue-in versus a sew-in; they both have advantages and disadvantages. How we put together a quick list for your reference when making the choice…

Glue-in weaves...

1. Flatter results after installation.
2. Take less time.
3. Budget friendly.
4. Hard maintenance natural hair while wearing a glue-in.
5. Don’t apply too much oil. This will loosen installation.
6. Glue may cause damage hair and scalp. Please research what products are being used during installation also make sure you are not allergic to any of the products.

Sew-in weaves...

1. Can be costly.
2. Longevity (Last longer).
3. Time consuming. Plan to take about 2 – 4 hours of your day for installation and styling.
4. Easier to maintain routine maintenance of your natural and extension hair.
5. Causes less damage or hair and scalp related issues if installed and maintained properly.

So the choice is yours but always remember to consultant with a licensed-stylist before making a choice on the best application.

WE HEART: Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray for Fine & Limp Hair

If you have fine or thin hair and looking for a product to give your hair the volume you desire. Try Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray for Fine & Limp Hair. This heat activating protein volumizing spray helps boost hair from the root by thickening the diameter of each hair for an all day lasting style. Retails for $28.00. 

Winter Hair Care

The cold winter months can be brutal on your hair. From the dry air to the threat of rain a girl can real have issues keeping a style. So to combat the winter months, we’ve put together a list that can help you keep your hair extensions and your natural hair healthy all winter long.

Winter Do’s and Don’ts:

• Start with great products. This may be the time that you switch up your routine and invest in some more luxurious products. Moisturizing shampoos & conditioners, hydrating and leave-in products help to keep your hair from drying out (roots to ends). 
• Incorporate a deep conditioning treatment. We sometimes overdo it with the heat and this is the season for shedding so you want to make sure you’re loving your hair and protecting your cuticles.
• Take a break from heat… at least no everyday heat. Your hair just can’t handle too much heat in the winter months this leads to excessive damage (breakage and dryness). 
• Trim those ends. This should go without saying. Your hair will grow healthier with regular trimmings by your stylist.

WE HEART: AVEDA’s Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment

When it is time to let your natural hair relax before your next hair extension installation try AVEDA’s Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment. This intensive treatment repairs/strengthens damaged hair leaving hair feeling healthy, silky and shiny. Starts at $29.00 for a 4.2 fl oz bottle. 

Let It Glow: 9 Ways to Glowing Winter Skin

Here are 9 ways to keep beautiful glowing skin this winter: 

1.   Switch it up:

·         During the winter months put aside oil-fighting cleansers, toners, moisturizers and treatments and start using hydration-boosting products.

2.   Keep active:

·         Continue having an active life by taking in lots of water and exercising.

3.   Watch the temperature:

·         Don’t turn up the heat in the tub or shower. Hot water will dehydrate your skin.

4.   Wash and glow:

·         Keep exfoliating year-round to keep your glow factor. Reveal brighter, younger skin cells by using a glycolic acid cleanser rather than a grainy scrub.

5.   Don’t skip the SPF:

·         Sunscreen is a year-round necessity. Ultraviolet rays will replace your natural glow with discoloration, dryness, and eventually, wrinkles.

6.   Fight the flakes:

·         By using a heavier moisturizer. Apply it morning and night to the face and neck area and spot-treat as needed to quench dry spots, soothe and restore.

7.   Oil it up:

·         Applying oil to skin helps impart the glow that everyone wants. The quickest way to fake glowing skin is to use a good facial oil. It will give you a healthy shine, not a greasy look. Oils help nourish the skin from the inside out and actually help balance and control natural oil production.

8.   Nutrients:

·         A healthy diet is the key to healthy glowing skin; eat clean and green.

9.   Humidify it:

·         Use a humidifier to place moisture in the air to combat the heat and closed windows. The air inside can become very dry in the winter. This can keep skin from drying and becoming cracked and itchy.

Weave Mustache?!?!

Ever heard that your hair extension weft has a mustache? If you haven’t, well it’s the short overlapping hair that hangs below the sewed weft.

This mustache made up of the cuticle of your hair extensions and is necessary so that your hair extensions don’t shed after it has been sewed. The mustache should not be longer than ½ inch and neatly overlapped, so that it doesn’t matt during washing and maintenance of your hair extensions also it will cut down on any itchy sensations.

Check out pictures below of a bad mustache.