high brow

Happy Monday Freshies! As Praise mentioned on Saturday, she and I have embarked on a post-holiday eyebrow overhaul. We've committed to lay down our tweezers, and give our brows a chance to recharge, and regrow.

The importance of a good brow cannot be overstated. As this study done at MIT states, the eyebrow may play a more important role than even eyes in facial recognition.

A well-shaped brow can emphasize your features, while a poorly shaped brow can detract from those features and take your face hostage, as evidenced by these young ladies:

According to the New York Times, brow hair grows on average for 30 days, and rests for a period of 3 months, whereas hair on your scalp has a tendency to grow for 2-6 years, while resting for a period of 100 days.  This means that if you're attempting to plump those babies up, patience is key!

Paste some photos of brow-spiration in your bathroom to keep you on the right track! My 'brow shrine' is laden with images of Jennifer Connelly, Audrey Hepburn, Liz Taylor, and of course, Baby-Brooke.

Grab a brow pencil, or cut a pair of eyelash-grazing, brow-concealing bangs, and join us in our quest for the perfect brow.

Post your favorite brow heroes or horror stories in the comments below!

xxo pascale

magic monday

Happy Monday! Pascale here, receptionist at Freshair Boutique, and your new Monday Blogger. I have all sorts of posts lined up for you guys, so stay tuned and be sure to subscribe in order to keep up with all things FRESH.

After a solid few weeks of holiday-induced bad habits, I've started to feel pretty sluggish and lazy. So sluggish and lazy, that after a long day of work, I just can't be bothered to do anything more than eat my roommate's leftover perogies and my go-to snack of smoked oysters and sour cream on Triscuits.

Whenever I feel myself getting into this funk, I know it's time to turn to my beloved Braun MP80 Juicer.

I inherited this juicer when my parents made the upgrade what I believe is the Holy Grail of juice-extracting machines, THE BREVILLE.

These days, living such fast-paced lives as we do, it can be difficult to get the necessary nutrients from our foods. Nutrients that are important for whole body, as well as hair and skin health. For those of you who aren't super-fans of those dark leafy greens (rich in iron, zinc, and essential B vitamins) adding a few leaves of kale, a handful of spinach or a few florets of brocoli to a beet/apple/carrot juice is a great way to get your servings of veggies while limiting the 'yuck factor'.

I picked up a copy of this great book, Juicing For Life, courtesy once more of my brilliant mama, who is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things health and wellness.

This book, (which I understand now has a much more chic, updated cover) has pages upon pages of information on how juicing can benefit those with disorders or ailments ranging from Varicose Veins to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Eczema.

I find that within a few days of steady juicing (and easing up on the cheese burgers) there is a noticeable improvement in my skin and hair, as well as my energy levels. Here's a few of my favorite juices, for you to try at home!

Cherry Lime Fizz

This one is less of a juice, and more of a great, sugar-free alternate to soda. I added the cherries to give it a bit of colour, but feel free to use any fruits you have lying around. Peaches, grapes, lemons, pears, and melons all taste great.

Juice the following, pour it over ice, and top off with sparkling water.

1 lime (depending on your juicer, you may want to cut off most of the peel) 1 apple 5-10 cherries, pitted

Beauty Spa Express

This is a great mid-day juice, full of B vitamins. The carrot and apple really steal the show.

one handful of spinach one handful of parsley 4-5 carrots 1/2 -1 apple, seeded.

Fresh Complexion Express

A great morning juice! Pineapples aren't exactly in season, but they are a great source of Vitamin C.

2 slices fresh pineapple (with skin) 1/2 cucumber 1/2-1 apple, seeded

Ginger Hopper

Don't be afraid to add more ginger to this one!

1/4 inch slice ginger root 4-5 carrots 1/2 apple, seeded 1 small beet

Any of these recipes can be used as a rough guideline, don't be afraid to experiment! As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, 'All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.' Try adding half a lemon and an apple to a particularly heavy vegetable juice, or a beet to lend some depth to a light, fruity juice.

Leave any juice suggestions, or questions you have below, and be sure to stay tuned this week for more posts from the Freshair team!

xxo

pascale

the fresh perspective...

Are you HM?

High maintenance.  What?!  It seems like being 'high maintenance' is a phrase used for people who are über picky, opinionated about things, and a bit demanding.  Is that so?  I wouldn't say that I am very picky, opinionated, or demanding, but I have been called high maintenance.

What's the deal? Because I know what wine I like to drink and I get my nails manicured weekly?  Because I like my eyebrows to look a particular way and I never wear animal print?  Because I have been known to say 'no' to certain activities and 'yes' to others?  Because I know what my tongue likes to taste and what lip shade looks best?  This is not bad, this is good.  I know myself and I know what I like.  I do not push my opinions on others and always try to be edifying where I can.

Being HM has received a bad reputation because some folks don't know how to be polite.  Some people make things that should be so easy, so hard.  They are cocky about where they've been and who they know.  They let you know how much they spent on their last facial or what boutique grocer knows them by name.  That's not being high maintenance, that's just being rude.  The way that people act can say a lot about who they actually are.  'HIgh maintenance' has a negative connotation that should be changed.

A few weeks ago some of us were having this conversation in the shop.  Why is someone high maintenance because they only want blonde?  PLATINUM blonde: without any brassiness.  Why is someone high maintenance because they bring their own polish to a manicure service?

Well, there should be a different term for the type of rude gals that annoy us all.  I'll gladly be called high maintenance if it means that I know what Praise likes.  That's the fresh perspective...

Renée's Aesthetic

PERMANENT POLISH     ...the long-lasting manicure Hey lovelies!

Going on my 6th year as an esthetician in the beauty industry, I've definitely had the experience figuring out the best products and services for my clients.  I've been a huge advocate for Gel Polish/Shellac since it has originally been launched.  A lot of my clients simply want to enhance what they have, so this is the perfect product.  We, as industry professionals, and clients as well have to understand that nothing is permanent.  This product (whether it be OPI, CND, LCN etc.) is fantastic, but may not be for everyone.

There are a ton of factors to take into consideration when it comes to our nails.  For example: stress, damaged nail beds, proper application, wear and tear, climate, oily nail beds, and at home maintenance to name a few...  These can ALL play a role in the game of "well-being" for our nails.  So here are a few pros, cons, tips and tricks from myself, to hopefully help all of you out there have a more thorough understanding of the "go-to manicure-permanent polish."  It is always better to be educated about any product or service you're about to receive.

Pros

• Can last up to 3 weeks (new application recommended after 2 weeks)
• Great color selection!
• Stays shiny and color true the entire time
• Does not damage your nails (as long as you DO NOT pick them off yourself)
• Looks natural (goes over top your natural nail, no nail enhancements)
• No drying time, dry as soon as the service is done!
• No damage (if properly maintained throughout and after)

Cons

• Time spent (removal 20 minutes, application 30-45 minutes every 2-3 weeks)
• Cost, $10-$20 more than a regular manicure (dependent on removal or not)
• Can possibly peel, chip or lift if not careful
• Doesn't last the anticipated 2-3 weeks (see above comment)
• Possible nail damage (if you do not get them soaked off professionally)
• Drying (if not properly maintained throughout and after application)

Tips

• Permanent polish/shellac is best suited for clients who want to maintain a natural looking nail using a product that lasts longer than regular nail polish.
• Most permanent polish products are not well suited to clients who have extremely damaged nail beds, splitting, peeling, or brittle nails.
• WEAR GLOVES, at all times.  If you are doing dishes, cleaning the house, gardening etc, gloves are a crucial item that can help ANY manicure last longer.
• DON'T pick.  I know it's hard, but trust me, picking will only encourage chipping/lifting.
• Have an honest, open relationship with your esthetician.  This way, the two of you can figure out the best course of action for your future nail goals :)
• Apply cuticle oil everyday, even with the gel polish on, around your cuticle and directly under your free edge.  This will help prevent drying.
• Get them professionally done/removed, always.  There's a reason why we went to school to learn about these services and products.  We truly care about the end result and the well-being of your body.
• The harder you are on your hands, the more chance of it not lasting. (But heck, 2 weeks without a chip is way better than any time I've had regular polish on...)

Hope this helps!

-né

Renée's Aesthetic

I admit, it is a blast to get caught up in all the glory of the holidays.  We want to purchase new outfits, get our hair done, try new makeup techniques etc.  Although, I truly believe sometimes simple is best.  Don't get me wrong, get out there experiment (I FULLY encourage it) but perhaps when time is a little more forgiving.  We, as women are beautiful  to begin with.  So why don't we bring it back down to earth, and let that inner beauty shine.  A few simple touches on the outside is all it takes ladies (classic black liner, a pop of color on the lid, bright/bold lips, or some gold shimmer).  Don't be scared to showcase your natural self.  No one else out there can do it except for you.  Here's a handful of inspirational/breath-taking photos of some stunning women.

So why don't you join me this holiday season, for some LAID BACK BEAUTY.

-né

the fresh perspective...

Going gracefully PART 1 -The conversation- So the day has finally arrived.  You are going to let your grey come in and just 'see' if you like it or not.  You're just a bit curious to see what you'll look like.  Also, you're tired of coloring every month.  Whether you do it yourself, or pay someone to do it, you're done.  So how do you do it?  Well people, let's get to it...

I believe, and most of you know, it starts with a conversation with your stylist.  Then it will be an appointment to start the color process of going lighter, then it's the cuts, and then it's your homework.  After those four steps you should be on a path to no coloring bliss or at least fully grey.  Now this all depends if your locks are short or long.  This depends if your hair is thick or thin.  This also depends on the state of your hair.  Are you curly or not so much?  All of these factors will come into play while your going through the steps.

It will be a conversation to tell your stylist what you want and then they can tell you if it's possible and if so, how to get there.  The conversation is very important because this will determine what happens next.  You need to realize that whatever plan your guy/girl sets out for you will only go as far as you allow it.  If you break down and throw some color on your hair during the process you will make it harder on your stylist and most importantly yourself.

Why do you want to be grey? Start there.  I feel like most of us want to do it because we are tired of coloring.  So fine.  You stop coloring your hair and you are now grey.  Your problem won't be solved overnight if you aren't prepared to start DOING your hair.  If you let the grey come in then I believe that a good time to start looking for a really good cut would be now.  Grey hair that is cut and styled nicely is quite stunning.

This conversation should cover all areas.  Your hair might be more coarse so you'll need to change your products.  Depending on the type of cut and style, you might eliminate hot tools all together.  Maybe you can GROW your hair now that you're not coloring?  Don't ask for other people's opinions on what you should do.  You and your stylist should decide.  Trust me, if you let your grey come in and you just neglect the cutting and styling part you will appear to be lazy and unmotivated.  Your friends and family will urge you to color your hair again.  If you're going to commit to letting the grey come in then you need to really buckle down, focus, and put the work in.

While your deciding, look around you and take note of the folks with greys that you see.  The ones you like will be the ones who have found the cut and style for them.  Maybe that sleek bob or that short shag.  It's all going to depend on what you think you might like.  After you and your stylist get it all out then you can figure out what method would be best.  This depends on where your majority of grey is.  Temples? Part line?

In the next Going gracefully we'll chat about the coloring process.  I urge you to get friendly with your stylist and if he/she tries to talk you out of it, let them know how serious you are in going grey.  If they still aren't being supportive then it's time to find a new stylist.  Yeah, I said it.  That's the fresh perspective...

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