Fun in the Sun

I've been spending a lot of time outside in the sun. Daily I diligently to use sunscreen on every area of skin exposed. Sadly, I wasn't taking extra precaution with my hair. It can heat up quite a bit under the big luminous orb. (Not that I'm complaining.) Sometimes it feels like I could fry an egg on the top of my head. So I usually don a hat. A cute one at that. I have all sorts that go with all sorts of different looks. Unfortunately they don't cover all of my hair and unfortunately I don't always wear one. The end lengths are left out to the mean heat and harmful UV rays leaving them vulnerable. Fortunately the shampoo and conditioner I am currently using offer UV protection. But when you are out for long periods it's not enough. They need extra protection. As a result, my ends are feeling neglected. I will do some serious treatments to rectify this issue. It's a good thing I've been going easy on the heated hair appliances.

Lesson learned. If you've been spending a little more time that usual outside, use extra protection on your skin and hair. There are many hair care products out there that offer sunscreen protection as well as repair. Most major hair care lines have one. Ask your stylist to consult with you if you are feeling overwhelmed by this purchase. I think it's a great investment if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Especially if you chemically treat your hair.

Here are two that are tried, tested and true.

Address the Tress

This weekend I wanted to ride my scooter, visit my Mom, go long boarding and hit the Esprit/Lacoste sale. I didn't do anything. An evil debilitating migraine visited me instead. I did manage to think about this post. Here are some of my favourite shampoo and conditioners for dry hair. There are so many more faves but I tried to narrow it down.

High

• Lakme: K therapy dry repair shampoo and mask
  
• Phyto: Phytosesame express replenishing conditioner
• Ojon: Ultra hydrating shampoo and restorative hair treatment

Not so High

• Joico: K-pak shampoo and K-pak intense hydrator
• KMS: Silksheen shampoo and conditioner
• Terax: Ultra moisturizing daily conditioner

Look for products with lipids and humectants in them. They will help with the frizz and leave your hair more supple. Prevention is always the first plan of action. Avoid overwashing, overdrying, overflatironing, overprocessing. Over anything. If you feel compelled then protect, protect, protect.

Hot and humid

I had a fantastic weekend. Went out for dinner on Saturday night in Little Italy. Love that area. Always buzzing with people. Sunday, hung out with my daughter. We went for a nice bike ride through High Park. The weather was perfect. Sunny, breezy and not too hot. Just the way I like it. Not like today.

Typical Toronto weather. Going straight from furnace to air conditioning. My A/C has to be fixed. The compressor went on it last year and we haven't gotten it fixed yet. I called a guy to come check it out. I hope it won't cost too much. Whatever it ends up costing, I'm sure it'll be worth it. Last night all was not good with the Sharon, I was tossing and turning in the heat. I can't stand humidity. It makes me so irritable. Let alone what it does to my hair. Everyone's hair for that matter. I guess that means it's time for some anti-frizz serum. These are some of my favourites.

Lakme, Alfa Parf, Phyto

These are all high quality products that tame your hair without making it greasy or heavy.  I have to admit, when it's really hot and humid nothing is better than a classic ponytail. It's the only thing that keeps me cool in that kind of weather. Or being in nice air conditioning.

     

I can't live without this product

I've come to the conclusion that the one product I can't live without Lakme L2 instant conditioner. This bi-phase conditioner instantly detangles hair, seals in fresh colour and makes the hair easier to work with. It is a weighless product that leaves a fresh scent. I ran out of it midday and that's when I realized I can't live without this product. I use it myself everyday. It definately makes my top 10 list. I'm so happy we can now get it in Toronto.

Today one of my fav clients came in. She is a pleasure to be around. Not to mention has nice hair. We decided on giving her bangs. It's her 42nd birthday today so she wanted to do something a little different other than the usual colour and a trim. So bangs it was. Wow. It took years off. I couldn't believe the difference it made. Makes me want bangs. They are so hot this season. Hmmmm........I'm not sure they are for me. My friend G will split her pants laughing when she reads this post. We both did the "bang" thing only it turned out alot better for her than for me.

I have a new client Stephanie. She has the thickest hair I have seen in my life. I felt bald next to her. She went from long locks to a mid length inverted bob. It took me over 1 1/2 hours to get through it all. I first tied it up in a ponytail and cutting off about 10". When all was said and done we were both pleased with the results. Her mother on other hand was not. She loves her daughters' long locks, now she'll have to learn to love new short do'. She kept Stephanie's ponytail.

The Hempz bronzer seems to be giving me colour already. So far it's holding up to it's promise. It really does make the skin darker in just 1 day. I don't think it's enough for anyone to notice other than myself. The smell however is not the most pleasant. I think it's the DHA. At least I'm not orange.

Today was a good day. I didn't feel as stressed out as yesterday. BTW, I got the ballerina flats in black.