Tip of the Month

Which Brush/Comb is Right for Your Hair???

The keys to recreating the hairstyle we give you at Zazú, are using professional products and the proper tools. Here are some tips on choosing and using the right comb or brush for your look.

• Use a wide-tooth comb and detangle hair when wet, beginning at the ends and working to the scalp.
• Short Hair: use a brush with soft bristles.
• Medium Hair/Long Hair: use a paddle brush for a straight look or a round brush to add volume.
• Teasing Hair: use a pick to add height.

Skin Care

1. The seasons are changing and so is your skin. Therefore, exfoliation should be done once a week for normal skin and twice a week for oily skin. This process removes dead skin cells and oil, which allows your skin care products to penetrate deeper into pores and work more effectively.

2. After washing your face, a toner should be used in order to balance the pH of the skin, and prepare the face for moisturizer. And, speaking of washing the face, it should be done both morning and evening to remove oils and dead skin.

3. Apply moisturizer when your skin is still wet from the toner to achieve 30% better absorption of the moisturizer.

4. The skin of the eye area is different from the rest of your face, therefore, it is important to use eye cream instead of your regular moisturizer for this area.

5. Facial exfoliation should be done once a week for normal skin, and twice a week for oily skin. Exfoliating scrubs which contain natural substances such as seeds, can cause micro-damage to the skin. This can be avoided by use of products that achieve exfoliation through chemical, rather than mechanical means, such as Repechage's Rapidex.

6. Exfoliate skin the night before applying self tanner to achieve more even application. To decrease the incidence of ingrown hairs, exfoliate the skin prior to waxing. Avoid tanning 24 hours prior to your waxing appointment, and stay out of the sun 24-48 hours afterward.

Sun Damage Tip

Now that summer has finally arrived, don't forget to protect your skin against the sun’s damaging rays. Sun damage is the leading cause of aging to the skin. In fact, much of our sun damage occurs before 18 years of age. That means that young and old alike should be taking precautions against the sun. SPF 15 at a minimum can help protect from the sun’s harmful rays. It should always be applied 20-30 minutes prior to sun exposure and worn all year round. What can be done about damage already acquired? Antioxidant skin preparations, including Vitamins A and C have been proven to help your skin to repair itself. Ask a Zazú Esthetician about our SkinCeuticals antioxidant-containing skin care products, and sun protection products for the face.

Hair Styling Tips

To duplicate the look your stylist gives you at the salon, follow these steps:

1. Purchase the same tools (i.e. brushes) and products the stylist used.
2. Towel dry hair thoroughly. Hair must not be soaking wet when you go to dry it. This is a common mistake many people make.
3. Styling begins at the roots. Apply a product that will give body and volume at the scalp. We recommend Zazú Gel, Pureology Root Lift, AG Bigwigg or Rusk Blofoam.
4. Begin by blow-drying the hair from the roots to the ends, starting with the back of the head, working to the sides, then the front and top.
5. Use a round brush to add lift and volume at the scalp, or on the ends of the hair to curl under or flip up.
6. For curly hair, you may also use a flat iron to further straighten hair.
7. When applying hair spray, lift hair and spray at scalp to increase volume and hold.
8. Don't be afraid to ask your stylist for some additional advice about achieving the look you desire.

Conditioners

1. Styling products should always be used before you apply any heat to your hair. Following this practice will help protect against static fly aways during the winter months.

2. Remember conditioners help your hair but can also wreck your style . When using a conditioner apply it only to the ends of your hair. If applied on all your hair it can way your hair down causing you not to have the fullness you may like. Truly the ends of your hair need it the most.

Make Up Tips

1. Each time you open your mascara, you can introduce bacteria into the container. For this reason, you should replace your mascara at least every 8 weeks.

2. If you’re tired of wearing your eye liner pencil the same way, experiment with blending and softening the line using a thin brush to bring the eyes out more.

3. For holiday looks, try colored eye pencils in green, wine, or gold.

4. To achieve a softer look using lip liner and lipstick, start by lining the lips with pencil. Next, fill in the corners of your mouth with the pencil as well. Finally, color the entire lip with your favorite shade of lipstick. This also helps lipstick to wear longer.

5. Professional makeup brushes are really the best tools to use to apply powder, blush, eye shadow and lip color, because they allow faster application, proper blending, and can be sanitized easily.

6. To clean and sanitize your make up brushes, clean them once a month using a make up brush cleaner.

Nail Care Tips

Did you know your nails may be craving something?

If your nails are weak, splitting, fragile etc, the problem could be traced back to an inadequate water intake.

Most people don't drink nearly enough water. Drink up!

Also, don't forget that getting manicures frequently will improve the state of your nails. The holidays are just around the corner, so book your next nail appointment at your nearest Zazú Salon and Day Spa as soon as possible.

• To keep nails looking their best, schedule a manicure once a week.
• For your feet, a pedicure every four weeks is recommended.
• To maintain your manicure or pedicure, apply clear nail polish, such as Seche Vite, every other day.
• Cuticle cream or oil should be applied every evening to soften cuticles and prevent hangnails.
• To maintain your pedicure, use a foot file three times a week to remove dry and dead skin and foot cream daily to soften roughness.
• Always keep a bottle of your favorite polish on hand in the event your polish chips.
• If you want your manicure to last longer and stay shinier, apply one coat of (clear) top coat the same day you received it.

Don't laugh, but you can store your nail polish in the fridge!! It will last longer there. If it is exposed to heat . . . polish hardens. But keep it away from food (maybe put it in a plastic container). And before you use it . . . take it out of the refrigerator and let it warm back to room temperature, otherwise it may be too thick to apply. Stored properly, polish can have a shelf life of two years.

You'll love the new OPI and Essie nail colors that are hot for the upcoming spring season.

Hair Care Tips

1. Styling products, should be applied first to the scalp area, and then worked through to the ends for maximum fullness. When blow drying hair, dry from scalp to ends, using a round brush, to add volume and lift.

2. After you shampoo your hair, begin blow drying using only your dryer and fingers to tousle hair. When hair is 80% dry, begin sectioning and using a round brush. Excessive pulling and brushing wet hair will cause more frizz and make it harder to reach the desired shape.

3. Summer Hair

• If you’re in the pool a lot, be sure to wet your hair with regular tap water before going into the pool. Hair can only hold so much water, so soak it with tap first-then rinse again when you get out of the pool.

• Use a leave-in conditioner, such as AG Fast Food or do a mini-hair mask to give your hair extra protection from the elements. Put an intense conditioner, such asAG Conditioner Deep or AG Ultramoist Treatment in your hair and cover with a bandana or scarf and let the sun keep it warm. Leave in all day if you want.
  
  
• Try to avoid over shampooing, think moisture instead! We recommend AG Xtramoist Shampoo. Or, use AG Thermal Spray Gel and slick hair back with a sexy part and tie off in back for a fast, easy up-do.