khenigar@gmail.com

Why should you use oils on your skin and how?

Did you know that using the right natural oils on your skin can deeply nourish, hydrate & even heal your amazing skin? Yes, indeed, it does!

Using various oils on the body has an extremely rich history that spans across time and many different cultures, from the Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans, oils, particularly olive oil, was part of their daily hygiene and body care routines. In Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, it was also believed that various oils also helped balance the body’s energies as well.

Well, now that you know some brief history about the use of oils on the skin, and how using them can deeply nourish and hydrate the skin, let’s look at some of the various ways to incorporate oils into your body care routine

Using oils when getting a massage done either by yourself or another is not only soothing to your soul, but it can also hydrate and soothe your skin. After warming a small amount (a little can go a long way!) between the palms of your hands, apply to your skin and use firm circular motions to massage the oil into your skin, relieving muscle tension and also improving circulation in your skin.

If you apply oil to your skin right after a shower, while your skin is still damp, your skin will feel soft and hydrated, as the oil helps locks the moisture in. I find when I actually make a habit out of doing this, my skin really does look and feel like, at least 5 years younger! Don’t forget to focus on those dry areas, such as your elbows, knees and heels.

Adding oil to bath water is another awesome way to experience silky smooth skin. Simply add a few tablespoons of your favorite oil to a warm bath and swirl the water before getting in. Adding in a few drops of a relaxing essential oil such as lavender (my favorite!) or sandalwood, can also deeply enhance your experience by helping you relax.

Don’t forget about those cuticles! Massaging a drop of oil to each cuticle can soften and nourish that dry skin around your nailbed, preventing hangnails(ouch!). Also, rubbing a small amount over the nails can do wonders for them, adding some shine, and preventing dry, brittle nail problems like peeling and splitting. Or you could just get a little crazy and massage several drops of oil into your whole hands, nails, cuticles and all.

One of my favorite things to do with various oils like coconut oil, or jojoba oil, is to make a body/ hand scrub. Make a thick paste by mixing the oil with sugar or salt, ( some essential oils too!) and in the shower or sink apply the scrub in circular motions. When you rinse it off, it will remove all the rough, dry, dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and baby skin soft. There are so many DIY recipes on the internet, Pinterest, and You-tube have lots! I posted one at the end of this post that works pretty darn well.

Adding a few drops of oil into your daily lotion is another way to a oils to your skin. In the palm of your hand or in a small bowl, mix a few drops in the lotion, mixing well. apply the boosted nourishing product, your skin will thank you!

Did you know that regular application of oils can also help improve your skin elasticity? Some oils such as castor oil are known to help prevent or heal stretch marks, wrinkles drooping skin. I’m definitely using this oil daily!

If you are ever in the need of sunburn relief, try gently applying coconut or aloe infused oils to soothe and hydrate. This should help reduce any inflammation and peeling, reapply as needed.

There really are so many other wonderful ways to use oils, and each type has a unique combination of fatty acids and essential nutrients that strengthen and repair the outermost layer of the skin that I could just go on and on and on. I do have another post on various ways to use oils on the face, and more posts to come soon! As always, let me know if you have any questions!

Is using oils on your face really worth it?

Uncategorized

There are so many ways we can use oils, and sooo many oils to choose form, so where the heck does one start? First, it helps to know a few oils that work best for your skin type, then, how to use and apply them.

Are you curious about why you should use oils as part of your skincare routine and how, you would go about doing so? If so, I can help you out!

If your skin tends to be acne-prone, and or oily, it might not seem right, adding more oil to your skin? Actually, it is really helpful and balancing to use non-comedogenic (oils that don’t clog up the pores), lightweight oils such as grapeseed oil, squalane, or jojoba.

If you have sensitive skin, you may want to try calming oils like rosehip oil (my personal favorite), blue tansy oil, or chamomile, all which help to sooth irritable skin, reducing redness.

Some beneficial oils for aging skin are sea buckthorn, rosehip or apricot kernel oil. These oils can be anti-aging, helping with loss of elasticity of skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Do you have dry skin? Thicker, richer oils like avocado oil, argan or marula can deeply hydrate and nourish the skin.

When is the best time to use facial oils?

Most of the time, because facial oils are occlusive, meaning, they help lock in moisture, so applying oil as the last step in your day or nighttime face care routine most often works the best. They also seal in any active ingredients from previously used serums and creams.

Using facial oils during nighttime skincare routine; after moisturizer, or alone is an ideal time because skin repairs itself at night, and the right oils can deeply nourish and help regenerate your skin.

The best way to apply? After cleansing toning, and applying your favorite serums and moisturizer, then, place a few drops of facial oil on your palms or tips of fingers (this is what I prefer to do) and gently press the oil into your skin. Pressing vs rubbing will help your skin absorb the oil better, preventing it from just sitting on the surface.

Different skin types may need different amounts of oil. For example, dry skin will absorb more than oily skin. Some oils are lighter than other oils. Start with a small amount, 4-5 drops, and add more if needed.

If you are on the creative side, you may enjoy making a customized skincare solution by mixing a few drops of oil into your moisturizer, or foundation, enhancing its hydrating properties. Or mixing a some of the different oils together to make your own personalized oil potion.

Applying a light layer of facial oil before putting on your foundation, creates a smooth, dewy base, adding a youthful glow. If you have oily skin, avoid areas like the T-zone and focus on drier areas like the cheeks, evening out the way foundation applies to your skin

After applying your makeup, lightly tapping on a small amount of oil on the high points of your face can add a subtle heathy glow, doubling as a natural highlighter.

Various facial oils also make excellent spot treatments for problem areas, such as dry patches, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, areas prone to redness. Don’t be afraid to do this randomly during the day.

white and black glass bottle beside white heart shaped ornament

If you like doing masks and facial treatments, slather on your favorite oils and get out the facial rollers and/or gua sha tools. Using the tools to massage the oils in with upwards strokes not only enhances the absorption of the oils, but it can also improve circulation, helping reduce puffiness and relax facial muscles.

Using various oils on your face can be so beneficial! Not only do they help your skin lock in moisture, but each type of oil also has an amazing combination of essential nutrients and fatty acids that soak into the skin, repairing the lipid barrier (the outermost layer of our skin), strengthening and repairing.

Let me know if you have any questions and if I can help, I can let you know. I hope to do some more posts in the near future about various oils, I really think they are so beneficial to our skin and health in so many ways.

4 big reasons to get your hair dyed at the salon instead of doing it at home

Uncategorized

a hairstylist color expert painting hair with bleach color

Have you ever wondered why you should consider going to a professional hairstylist/colorist to get your hair color done? Years of training, experience, higher quality, less damaging hair products and convenience, that’s why!

Wandering the isles of the cosmetic department at the store the other day, I found myself picking up a box of hair color and thought to myself, how convenient it would be to just buy it right now and touch up my roots. I stopped myself, for many reasons, mostly because I have done this before (I was curious!) and I know how harsh the chemicals can be compared to professional color, and how it can dry out my hair, thus causing the color to fall out fast.

Also, I am a licensed cosmetologist who has access to high quality, professional color. So, you’d think this wouldn’t even be an option in my mind, but I like the idea of convenience, and living in the fantasy that my hair might turn out just like the picture on the box. Mostly, what I am trying to say is that I understand the reason why doing your hair color at home seems so easy!

Not to mention that it seems to be a whole lot less expensive, to do your own hair at home, right? Well, let me tell you, in my years of being a hair colorist, I have seen and fixed many home dye jobs (one lady came in with her hair dyed a lovely hue of green, caused from her trying to dye her blond hair brown) …I have many tales to tell if you have a few hours?

woman in black shirt lying on white textile

Anyways, it often leads to spending a whole lot more money when you end up having to get it professionally corrected.

Big reason #1

Professional stylists, especially ones that are color specialists, have extensive training in color theory, techniques, applications, and are knowledgeable about how chemicals can be used for hair. The salon pro can customize a color to go with your skin tone, or a specific desired hair color, despite any challenges (such as dark hair going blonde, or resilient grey roots).

Big reason #2

Hair salons and skilled, trained hairstylists have access to and use high-quality, professional grade products that, in the right hands, work better and are less damaging then most over the counter products. Store bought dyes often contain stronger chemicals with less predictable results.

Big reason #3

There are many stylists trained in special color techniques such as hair painting or balayage, ombre, color blocking, toning and other various techniques. they can apply a root color so that the coverage is even. Re-touching your own roots in the back of your head is very difficult, often resulting in uneven color, and speaking from personal experience, foiling your own hair is almost impossible, even when you think you know what you’re doing!

Big reason #4

Convenience and time. Yes, the service may take several hours at the hair salon, or you may have to wait to get booked with a skilled colorist. But let’s face it, color at home can be messy (ask my husband!) and time consuming, and there is always the risk of mistakes that may require a frantic call to your hairstylist, or a day spent repainting your bathroom (whoops!).

Some final words of advice. If you’re trying to find a new hairstylist to dye your hair, ask around and check reviews. I also recommend setting up a hair consultation, a 10–15-minute session to talk about your hair aspirations, and see if you and the hairstylist are a good fit.

Some people really like doing there hair color at home, and hey, that’s ok too! There are some hairstylists that don’t mind if you like to do a little retouch on your own on those pesky grays that pop out after a couple weeks.

There are also those creative types who like to experiment with color conditioners and such, just know that it is important to let your hairstylist know because this can affect how hair lifts, deposits. And if you just want to go crazy and see how it turns out and don’t mind any outcomes, I say go for it! Otherwise, I hope this post helps you understand why getting your hair colored at a salon color can be beneficial.

Let me know if you have any comments or questions!

Hair 101: How to know when it is time to cut or trim your hair

Uncategorized

A question that a hairstylist is often asked is… how often do I need to trim my hair? Weeks? Months? Years (No, please, no!)?

There are many answers to this question, with the most basic answer being somewhere between 4-12 weeks.

So, what is it? 4 weeks? 12 weeks? What is the perfect amount of time to for those lovely locks of hair on your head to grow between haircuts? Well, in order to figure that out I’m going to have to ask some questions.

First, what are your hair goals? Yes, that’s right, give it a think, what would you want to achieve with your hair, such as its health, length or style?

Perhaps you dream of having long flowing hair? 10-12 weeks is about right, giving the hair time to grow, but trimming off the damaged ends before they have time to travel up the hair shaft (yes, this can really happen & perhaps I can explain more of this process in an upcoming post if anyone is interested?). You may find, if you have a lot of damage to your ends from past chemical services, or environmental elements, that your hair may feel dry and get split ends faster. In this case, you may need to go in sooner or look into using a product line such as Olaplex or K18, which can help seal up split ends and keep hair strong.

Or maybe you are just trying to maintain a specific style…generally speaking, 6-8 weeks is the best time span before your hair starts to morph into some crazy unknown shape, but let’s dive in a little deeper…

For really short hair like a buzzcut, a short pixie, or a basic short (1-3″) haircut, the shape will most likely change around 2-4 weeks.

Short to medium, think short bob, or layered haircut, (3-5″) the shape generally changes around 4-6 weeks.

Medium length, (5-7″) longer bobs, shags, layers, this length usually starts to shift shape around 6-8 weeks.

Long hair (7″+), unless you have a lot of shorter layers also, longer hair doesn’t tend to change shape as much, so what is important, as previously mentioned, is to watch for dry and split ends. 8-12 weeks, depending on the health of hair.

What if you have bangs, or fringe? Bangs can be so much fun at first, but can change shape so fast, like in 2-3 weeks. You can always just schedule a bang trim (a hairstylist usually books out 10-15 minutes for this service) in between haircuts, keeping your style fresh.

Hair texture is something also to consider. If you have curly or textured hair, you may be able to go longer in between trims because curl patterns often hide imperfections, and helps to keep the shape a bit longer, but it is important to watch for split ends and know that regular trims can keep curls bouncier and more refined.

If your hair tends to be finer and on the limp side, know that while it has its advantages also, like the ability to look sleek in strait edge bobs, it also can change shape and get damaged from hair tools faster than thicker hair. Shorter time between haircuts may be necessary.

Did you know that seasons can also affect the way your hair grows? Hair often grows faster in the summertime due to an increase of heat and circulation increase. In colder months, hair often becomes drier and brittle due to extreme cold or dry environment. If you are into outdoor sports like swimming in the summer or winter skiing, the ends of your hair can be tortured by the sun, chlorine and wind. Certain healing hair products such as a chlorine remover shampoo or reparative conditioner can help. Trimming your hair sooner than later can help too.

Some people love, love, love the feel of freshly cut hair, while others like how their hair feels and lays best a couple weeks after a haircut (it’s good to remember this when booking a haircut around a special event). Some people just like to stretch it out as long as possible, savoring the change of having a new look when a lot of length is cut off. some people don’t like much change at all (best to go in sooner than later), It’s good to know your comfort zone, and this more than anything else will let you know how long you can go in between haircuts.

also, if you want to learn more about split ends, check out this video!

Looking for your next best hairstyle? Ask yourself these 5 questions

Uncategorized

Are you searching for a new hairstyle? That perfect style that expresses who you are, yet, also is easy for you to maintain?

As a hairstylist, I’ve had many a person who has sat in my chair with this request. These are the questions I’ve asked to help guide us there.

What kind of hairstyle would you choose in this moment of your life if you had no “rules”, if you didn’t care, or it didn’t matter what anyone else thought about you and your hair. For example, several times through the years I’ve had women tell me that, as they age, at a certain point. they should cut their hair shorter, or maybe someone told us once we should never have..(a certain style). Times change and rules are made to be broken!
What is your personal style at the moment? Loving those 90s retro styles? Or maybe a romantic flowy 70s vibe is more your thing. Professional by day, easygoing on the weekend type? It’s fun to think about.
What is my lifestyle like? Too busy to have time to care? Or maybe you are laid back with tons of time to spare.. Sporty and always working out? Or maybe you are changing things up and are ready for something new and exciting!
What is my natural hair texture, and how does it lay? Your natural hair texture and how it lays can really weigh in the final decision of what hairstyles work best for you. For example, if your top hair lays forward, but you want it to be in a pompadour (blown back) style, and you don’t like to use products or a blow dryer, then it might not be the best style for you… but if this is what you really want, then it might be worth compromising with yourself to see if you can get used to the maintenance…which brings us to the fifth question…
How much maintenance do I want to do? Seriously, it’s important to be real here. Its good to consider how much time you have to devote to your hairstyle and learning how to do it..and really, it might not be that bad. However, if you just can’t see making that comitment, it is important to have a hairstyle that doesnt require much effort, and that is ok!
There is so many fun hairstyle options out there. Our lives and how we want to express ourselves are continuously changing. What worked in times past may not be the best option for you now. I think these questions can really help you and your hairstylist in choosing the best hairdo for you at this time in your life! Let me know if you have any questions in the email below and I will get back to you asap.

5 ways to calm the F**k down

Uncategorized

Yes, that’s right. In moments of utter craziness, don’t forget to breathe..

Oh dear. It happened again, I lost my cool in the turbulance of life.
I dream of riding the turbulence of life like a wave, open and calm. Instead, I often find that when those waves hit, I am struggling to keep my head above water, gasping and shaking with anxiety, forgetting to breathe..

So, I decided it’s time to start learning and put into practice some life saving techniques. Mostly, learning how to calm myself down. Find the best things that work for me. I know we all could use some help with what to do when a crisis hits or just to keep ourselves calm on a daily basis so I thought I’d share the top 5 things I found that I feel can and does work for me, maybe they can work for you too.