Perfect Gifts For Everyone On Your List From Believe

Chanukah is almost over and Christmas is coming right up! If you've seen the full-to-bursting parking lots at the Mall or waited way too long to speak to Customer Service when your internet shopping went awry, you know that time is flying. 

If you can't face another crowd, are out of ideas, and wish you could wave a magic wand and have all your shopping behind you, we at Believe (doing double duty as fairy godmothers) can grant that wish. (Consider it our little gift to you.) 

Here are our picks for Perfect Gifts For Everyone On Your List: 

Your Mom: You know it is time for a makeover for Mom. She's looking a little tired and her old hair color just doesn't suit her anymore. But should you tell her? No! Better yet, buy a Believe Gift Card and send her in for a consultation and makeover with our master colorist and stylist, Lisa. She will talk things over with her, make suggestions and your Mom will leave the chair looking (and feeling) like a new woman. (If you give her the gift of a new Sedu 3600i Blowdryer (on sale now for only $140) she can keep her new style up more easily at home, too.

Teenager Girl: With teenage girls, it is often all about the hair. Buy her a Flatiron for $144 (a 20% discount) and we'll throw in a Flatiron Comb for half-price. (We will also teach her how to use it properly, so she won't fry her hair.) Help her say goodbye to the curls she has hated since she was in third grade and hello to sleek, shiny hair.

Teenage Boy: Long hair is making a comeback, but that in-between stage (when it's growing out) is a mess. Buy him a Cut and Style to keep it in shape (and sexy) while it is getting longer. Do you really think Justin Beiber got that famous from his singing talent? Nah...it was his hair!

Grandmother: Is she sick of those stray grays or fading hair color? Send her in for a custom color by Chromastics. Permanent and Demi-Permanent colors are based on pure tones.  Countless colors can be achieved and due to a soy and hydrolyzed wheat protein base, the product actually helps repair her hair, no matter how long (or how badly) she's been coloring it.

Husband:  Let's face it...sometimes life is a pain in the neck. Your husband works hard, putting up with subways, traffic and the jerks at his office just to help earn the daily bread, Say thanks in a way that matters. Buy a Neck Ease Wrap (20% off) and let the soothing aromas of lavender and herbs, combined with the warm softness of the wrap itself, help unkink those sore muscles and welcome him home in a way he'll remember.

Mother-In-Law: Tell her (with a straight face) that a woman as beautiful as she is deserves to be decorated. Then stop by Believe to check out our selection of jewelry--now all on sale. Buy one and get another 20% off, (Maybe the second one should go in your stocking for being such a dutiful daughter-in-law?) Can't bring yourself to say it? Then gift her with one of the unique fragrances from our CB I Hate Perfume collection (at least you'll like the way she smells.)

Co-Workers: They are always tough to shop for, we know. How to get them something nice, but not too personal and, if your office engages in blind gift exchanges, what's a good one-size- fits-all gift to get? We recommend body butters like Aestalance--great for everybody's static-y hair (or bald scalp) and other dry bits.

Stocking Stuffers: The ZUM family of products make great stocking stuffers--give ZUM Organic Goat Milk Soap (in your choice of fabulous fragrances) now on sale. Buy two get another soap 50% off and Zum Chapsticks (Buy two, get another 50% off). All Zum products are welcome treats during these cold, drying months.

YOU: Let's not forget the most important person here. Instead of all those broken resolutions, make a real change to usher in 2013. Consult with Lisa, Believe's owner, for the perfect new style and color and really do it up for that New Year's party. YOU are a star and we'll make you look and feel like one by working a little magic at Believe. Hurry in! Our December sale ends the 23rd and our holiday appointments are filling up fast! Here's to shining brightly in the new year.

Head's Up For Swimsuit Season

The warmer weather means swimsuit season is right around the corner so it is time to break out the salads, but will dieting hurt your hair? Our hair needs nutrients to grow—just like a toddler. If we want to maintain that quarter-to-half inch growth per month (meaning we can trim the old dead ends on a regular basis), we better take a look at what dieting and weight loss can do to our hair.

Every vitamin, mineral and amino acid we take into our mouth circulates throughout our body—including our hair follicles (and skin and nails). So while the right shampoos, conditioners and styling products (like the carefully-chosen selection at Believe) is important, they are only part of the story. Here's some things you should consider to keep your hair healthy, shiny and beautiful:

You Really Are What You Eat

Fresh fruit and vegetables (well washed so heavy metals contained in pesticides don't make it to your insides) and plenty of water (2.2 liters or 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men according to the latest Mayo clinic guidelines). Take a multivitamin to avoid brittle hair and includes these foods to do your hair good:

• Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach and Swiss chard contain lots of vitamins A&C—which is what your body needs to produce sebum, the natural hair conditioner. Carrots, a great source of Vitamin A will help your scalp stay healthy.
• Legumes: Beans, particularly kidney and lentil provide plenty of protein and iron, zinc and biotin for good hair growth.
• Salmon: Truly the king of fish, salmon is a treasure trove of natural nutrients your hair will love. Salmon contains Vitamins B-12 and iron for scalp health, but it is also chock full of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, vital for shine. (If you can't stand fish, a tablespoon of ground flaxseed a day will also do the trick.)
• Poultry: Chicken, duck and turkey are great sources of protein, without which your hair gets weak, brittle (and starts to lose its color!)
• Nuts: Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid (one of the omega-3 fatty acids that helps the condition of your hair) and also has lots of zinc that, if you are lacking it, may cause hair shedding. (Other nuts to give a zinc boost are cashews, almonds and pecans.)
• Bacon: We know, we know...horror of horrors, especially when you are dieting, but in case you are tempted at the upcoming Mother's Day Brunch, bacon actually provides protein, zinc and Vitamin B for happy follicles.
• Eggs: Besides containing biotin and vitamin B-12 to help with shine, eggs are the best protein source you can find.
• Whole Grains: These don't only give your body long-term energy (to stick to that fitness plan?) but give you lots of iron, zinc and B vitamins to speed up hair growth.
• Beef/Lamb: These red meats not only give you b vitamins, zinc and protein but contains iron which you need for healthy (strong) hair and good growth.
• Oysters: They may not actually be an aphrodisiac, but they do provide zinc, leading to healthy hair.
• Diary Products: Besides providing the all-important calcium (needed for strong bones and hair), they also contain two high-quality protein sources--whey and casein.

Drastic Weight Loss Measures

If you are severely obese, you may be considering Gastric Bypass Surgery. One of the complications of that surgery is hair loss. To make up for the reduced calories, your body channels all nutrients to the organs that need them most—your hair doesn't make the cut. You body will send some strands in to resting stages and even may (temporarily) suspend production of new hair. Your hormones will be going a bit nuts after surgery, too, while the fat is being metabolized. The result may be some of your hair falls out.

To minimize the loss:

• Up your protein to 60-80 grams per day (ask your doctor).
• Consider putting off perms or color for a few months till your body adjusts.
• Avoid over-brushing and use a good brush when you do (we have a great selection at Believe).
• Indulge in scalp massages (Aestelance Oil Complex sold at Believe is great for massage) to send more blood to your scalp.
• Condition, condition, condition to make your hair as healthy as possible and minimize breakage.

Add biotin as a supplement (as you may have trouble getting enough with your diet restrictions).

Don't Neglect The Outside

You are probably cutting back on fats and oils to get into that bikini bod shape, so don't forget to add moisture to your hair from the outside as well. Use sulfate-free shampoo like Agadir, Chromastics or White Tea (all sold at Believe) to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oil, a light conditioner like Mud Mask after every shampoo, a dab of Aestelance butter to keep your scalp health and act as a leave-in conditioner and come into Believe once a month for a deep conditioning treatment. By the time you hit the beach, you'll be ready, inside and out.


Create Your Own Show-Stopping Style

Even though we are still talking about Angelina’s leg, she wasn’t the only one to strike a pose at the 2012 Oscars.

Actresses decked out in designer gowns dazzled the eye and their hairstyles helped us remember that The Academy Awards is all about star power.

Here are three trends we noticed and how to get your humdrum locks to look Hollywood glamorous:

Old World Wow

Some actresses, notably Penelope Cruz and surprisingly young Miley Cyrus showed off ‘dos that wouldn’t have been out of place in the ‘30’s or ‘40’s when Harlow’s platinum curls lit up the screen.

Penelope Cruz went with a subdued roll, very different from the usual bed-tousled look she usually sports, for where her long hair looks uncombed and sexy. The understated roll is reminiscent of a young Grace Kelly.

Here’s how to get the look:

• Start with dry hair and a small amount of voluminizing mousse, like Argan Oil Voluminizing Mouse at the roots.
• To give hair texture and curl, set Hair in steam hot rollers, rolling hair straight back from the head. Use smaller rollers in the back to give a tighter curl and then pin hair underneath to achieve the bob.
• Mist with Iden Fast-Drying Hair Spray With Bee Propolisand then back comb and tease at the root. Brush out finger waves into place and set with White Sands as a finishing spray.

Miley Cyrus achieved a grown up star look by having her long hair cut into asymmetrical lengths, and parting the hair slightly to the side. Volume mousse was used at the crown before blow-drying the top smooth, barrel rolling individual segments with steam rollers, teasing under the left side curls for volume and pinning the right side curls behind her ears to show off some fabulous dangling earrings. Finally, the curls were sprayed with a sure hold finishing spray like Aestlance Super Spray.

Bodacious Buns

Buns were another trend seen often on this year’s red carpet…with young Emma Stone and funny woman Tina Fey taking home the honors. Both began with a ponytail, though Emma Stone's twisted bun had a deep side part. For anti-frizz, her stylist would have used a product like Chromastics Serum that also brings out hair’s shine. The ponytail was then separated into five sections, with each wrapped loosely around the base of the ponytail and pinned. The bun was finished with extra hold hairspray like Iden Finish and, while duplicating the look, you may want to use a misting of Aestlance Lustre for extra shine.

Tina Fey’s beautiful bun began with voluminizing mousse like Aestlance Foam being worked through hair and drying the hair upside down for maximum volume and texture. Hair was then finger-coaxed into a loose ponytail and pinned under, then secured with extra hold hairspray. Such a deceptively simple style drew attention to Tina’s beautiful face.

Rooney Mara’s severe bun was created much the same, except hair was drawn flat against the head and tightly bound into a ponytail before a severe bun was created, the better to accompany her truly dramatic straight cut bangs.

The other hairstyle trend was Side Swept Hair, shown off by George Clooney’s Goddess, Stacy Keibler.

Her golden waves were side parted with the right side, a bit of lift applied to the crown with mousse while drying, and then her hair was drawn back on the right side (depending on your hair’s texture, you may have to secure it with a hidden pin), pulled over the left shoulder and gently curled at the end’s with an iron. Holding spray that doesn’t add stiffness is vital to this look

Taking time and care to craft a hairstyle (instead of leaving your hair loose and flowing) seems to be the rage this year. Why not create your own Oscar award-winning look for your upcoming occasion? Make an appointment at Believe and we’ll show you how.

Glaze or Gloss: Believe Helps You Shine

The exhausting holidays are behind us. You are back to your stress-filled job. Even winter—with its cold winds and overheated rooms--has finally made an appearance and your hair shows all the changes. It may be getting dry and brittle, but most of all, it is getting dull. What to do to bring out the shine? Try a gloss or a glaze.

There is a difference between the two (though some companies use the terms interchangeably on their products). A gloss sinks into your hair's cuticle and adds shine and can add color. (Glosses can also help correct a bad highlighting job). A gloss is more permanent than a glaze since it absorbs into the cuticle of the hair shaft, lasting two-four weeks.

A glaze coats the top of your hair –the shaft itself—with shine (like glazing a donut) and is semi-permanent, lasting about two weeks.

If you want to put a shine on your hair, a clear glaze will do the trick. But if you want to jazz up your color or highlights, go for a gloss.

We offer both at Believe and they are color products we “believe” in like Chromastics.

First we wash your hair with a Chromastics Clarifying Shampoo to prepare the hair and give you a heavenly scalp massage to help release your natural oils and rehydrate your hair (and refresh your soul). After the glaze is shampooed out, a moisturizing conditioner like Agadir Moisture Masque will be applied, left to sink into your hair's cuticle and then rinsed well.

Then it is time to apply the gloss or glaze, both of which are applied just like conditioner, from scalp to ends and left to work its magic for 10-20 minutes (Some products are even heat-activated) and then rinsed out.

Both glazes and glosses help colored hair retain its vibrant color and can even be used as subtle highlights in dark hair, making your hair “shimmer” underneath lights. If you have light-brown (or mousey brown) hair, a red glaze can bring about fabulous results. The glaze will not only bring depth and highlights to your hair, but your hair will shine copper under lights or in the sunlight.

The use of color-protecting shampoos and conditioner like Semi Di Lino Color Protection at home will make the effects of the glaze last longer. These products are 20% of this week at Believe.

Glazes are FREE this week at Believe when you book an appointment to get Single Process Highlights and a Cut, so make an appointment and come in to see how adding shine to your hair can help add a little spring to your step during the dreary winter months.

How Healthy Is Your Hair?

As we head into the cold winds and heated homes of Fall and Winter, now would be a great time our hair health a checkup. If you've got lots of damage, frizz, split ends or if that perfect sunny day on the beach dried the life right out of your mane, now is the time to get it in shape---before the leaves blow and the snows fly.

But first you have to know what's happening, so get a strong light and a good mirror and check out your hair:

• Is it dry and flyaway? Stop by Believe for a deep-conditioning treatment right now (you should also schedule one a month until we get your hair in better shape. You should also use a leave-in conditioner like AEstelance's Butter.
• Is it broken all along the length? Consider treating your hair with kid gloves for a while. Shampoo less often and then only with a conditioning shampoo like Semi De Lino Color Protect. Don't blow dry your hair. Instead pat it (don't rub) dry with a towel and let it air dry whenever possible. Use a wide tooth comb on wet hair, never pull with a brush. And about the brush—use a natural bristle brush that has widely-spaced bristles and is gentle on your hair.
• Does it look fried or dry? Put away the hot rollers and flat-iron and use your hair dryer (only when necessary) on the coolest setting.
• Are you sporting split ends? Come into Believe for a trim. We will save the length while getting rid of those tired old ends (their 15 minutes in the spotlight are over...)
• Is your hair getting thin? If you see more of your scalp then you used to (or worse—find ever more hairs in your brush) you might be having a reaction to medications or suffering hormonal changes (for example, many women suffer hormonal hair loss when they are pregnant.) Make an appointment with your doctor if you think this may be the case. If you see an actual bald spot, it could be a sign of alopecia areata, a disease that causes such patches. Or maybe you started dieting (be careful and keep eating a balanced diet. Your skin, hair and nails will be the first to reflect it if you don't.) Also watch how tightly you pull your hair into a ponytail or braid. You can literally pull your own hair out over time—it's called traction hair loss.
• Does your hair look dull with no shine? To get shiny healthy hair (like those women on the commercials, flipping their manes in slow motion) is largely an inside job. We at Believe can recommend some shine-filled products like the Chromastics line or even apply a clear semi-permanent glaze. But when it comes to dull lifeless hair, you are what you eat. Try salmon, packed with high-quality protein, vitamin B-12 , iron and essential omega-3 fatty acids to support a healthy scalp. If you are a vegan, you can add twp tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily to get the same omega-3 fats from a plant-based source. Spinach, broccoli and swiss chard add vitamins A and C, need to produce the oily substance known as sebum—your body's own hair conditioner. Walnuts, cashews, pecans, and almonds provide zinc, which helps keep hair from shedding. Poultry (with its protein) makes hair strong and less faded (eggs work, too.) Last, but never least, low fat dairy, particularly that all-important yogurt, are great sources of calcium which is very important for hair growth.
• Does your hair have no bounce? Get the rest of your body bouncing. Exercise gets your blood pumping and that circulation goes right to your hair follicles, shaking them out of their summer slumbers. Take advantage of the cool weather to walk daily (or even run) and see the benefits in your hair (and skin.)

Now is the moment to make your change-of-season hair appointment at Believe (soon enough, you'll have to drive through slush...ugh!) so come in and see us and share a glass of cider while we come up with a strategy to get—and keep---your hair healthy. We are waiting for you here at Believe and can't wait to hear all about your summer.

Travel Beauty Tips From Believe

Memorial Day weekend is the checkered flag for the opening of travel season and I can't help it, when a vacation is coming up, soundtracks start playing in my head...from Steppenwolf's “Born To Be Wild” (Get your motor running. Head out on the highway. Looking for adventure, in whatever comes our way,) and Willie Nelson's (On the Road Again, like a band of gypsies, we go down the highway) to Springsteen's “Thunder Road” (Hey what else can we do now? Except roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair. Well the night's busting open, these two lanes will take us anywhere...)

Now that I've got those tunes stuck in your head, too (you're welcome) let me share a few Traveling Tips to make your Summer trip a little more beautiful:

(Remember, if you are traveling by plane, the only toiletries you can put in your Carry On bag must be no more than 2 ounces of liquid in any container; all containers must fit in a one-quart Ziploc bag; and TSA will confiscate any scissors, manicure sets or tweezers. Pack any overflow in your checked luggage.)

Come get your skin exfoliated with a great facial and body scrub at Believe. You will keep your summer tan much longer (with lots less uncomfortable peeling.)


• Whether you are headed to the beach or your neighbor's BBQ, sunscreen is vital. Make sure your foundation has it (at Believe, all the custom makeup by GIELLA has got you covered with an SPF of 15 and higher.) You'll want to pack more for your body. Try baby suntan lotion (which provides almost total sunblock) or carry a solid stick (like Neutrogena's Solid sunblock stick—it has no scent and can fit in your purse or beach bag. Reapply often, particularly if you are sweating or swimming.)

• If you do over-indulge and are as red as a lobster, here's an old wives trick: You will smell like an Easter Egg for a night, but douse your burnt skin in white vinegar. You will turn brown by morning.

• Something that smells much better and also fits in your purse is Aura Cacia Soothing Lavender Stick. It's lavender essential oil, in a roll-on so you don't have to worry about spills. You can roll it under your nose in restrooms, dab it on your temples to get rid of an in-flight headache, rub some on a washcloth and add to your hotel bath water or while washing out your dainties in a sink and it can even double as perfume.

• Hair conditioner, like CHROMASTICS LIGHT/ IDEN TREATMENT doubles as shaving cream—not only for your legs, but for the men in your family, too.

• Avon's Skin So Soft keeps mosquito at bay and doesn't smell like you are covered in pesticide.

• Pack a small plastic spray bottle. Fill it with mineral water when you get where you are going. It's magic for travel: Spray it on those tight places on your jeans (maybe after overeating at that family picnic?) and they loosen up immediately (and dry quickly). It will refresh and moisturize your skin at the beach, set your makeup for that perfect night out, and even can be used to help steam out wrinkles (spritz water-safe clothes lightly—no silk, unless it's washable—and let the clothes hang in a steamy bathroom while you shower.)

• You shouldn’t change your skin care routine on vacation (just add more moisture and sunscreen)--the last thing you want is for your sin to rebel and break out just when you are taking photos for the family album. Save and empty hotel toiletry bottles. Put your own cleanser--(like GIELLA'S MAKEUP REMOVER, shampoo like WHITE TEA SULFATE FREE and conditioner like WHITE TEA RESTORATIVE-- into the bottles with a small funnel and throw them bottles away before you come home. Less to carry.
• Pack a Pashmina or two. They don't have to be expensive (and might even be found at an airport store on sale!) They do double duty and can be a shawl, a blanket, a pillow, a skirt or even a bathing suit coverup.

• Always carry AESTELANCE TRAVEL SIZE SHAMPOO, a must for chlorine removal and salts after ocean or lake swimming. It's also great for washing clothes in the sink and gets chlorine out while keeping colors bright and is hard to find elsewhere. Keep one in your carry on, along with an extra pair of under in case your luggage gets lost.

• Check out this website for all things miniature: http://www.minimus.biz/ so you aren't at the mercy of your local drugstore for travel-sized items.
• Let us at Believe cut your hair before you go. We'll help you pick a style that not only looks great, but is no-fuss, no muss (maintenance-free) for your vacation.

• Lay off the hairdryer for a while (airplanes and sunshine dry out your hair as it is) and take along some AESTELANCE HAIR CREAM hair balm. (We stock it at the salon.) Slather it on at the beach (instant conditioning) and use it to keep a wild mane at bay for a night of dancing under the stars.

• Shiny face? Traveling is a dirty, sweaty proposition, it's true! Organic baby wipes(with great scents like lavender) help clean you up at rest stops during a hot car trip or a stressful flight. You can use them on your face, under your arms, around bra lines and they keep your hands from drying up when you use all that hand sanitizer on the road. Baby powder makes your entire body more comfortable, too—and you will smell great (even when you shouldn't.) And, believe it or not, those toilet sheet covers in airplane and turnpike restrooms are the same material as oil-blotting tissues and work like a charm.

• Fabric softener sheets have more uses than their original design, too. Pack them in your suitcase to keep clothes smelling fresh, eliminate static cling by rubbing them on your clothes and avoid your shoes smelling bad after a run or hot day of shopping—stuff fabric sheets in them at night and the next day you will be as fresh as a daisy.
• Pack some Vitamin E geltabs in your Carry On and break some open for use on a long flight—under your eyes and also slathered on your hands. Cover them with clean socks before you take a nap and your will wake up rested and moisturized.
• Carry a travel candle with you to make hotel rooms smell more like home and give you a better night's sleep (always the best beauty tip). Choose CLEAN LINEN or one of the other fabulous scents we have at Believe.

• And when all else fails--Never underestimate the power of a (crushable) hat and a great pair of sunglasses.
• Safe travels and have fun this summer.

Extend Your Beauty at Believe

Have you been admiring those long flowing waves so popular in Hollywood right now? But you know that the growing out phase to get long hair will drive you crazy? Hair extensions may be the answer. Believe will weave their magic and voila—instant long and lovely hair that can last up to three months before you even need maintenance.

Hair extensions are lengths of either real or synthetic hair that are affixed close to the scalp. They match your own hair in color and texture and move naturally—making it hard for anyone to tell you have extensions. They add volume and can even add highlights or lowlights to add a little drama to your hair. Natural or human hair extensions are the type you want because they can be colored, set, curled or treated (synthetic hair may melt under a blow dryer.) Be sure to have an experienced stylist, like us at Believe, put in your extensions (stylists with no experience can damage and even break off your hair.) At Believe, we carefully test the strength of your hair and USE the right method of attachment to protect your own precious mane.

Here's a few methods of applying hair extensions:

Braids, Cornrows, Twists, Locks – Extensions are visible here—as in the braid—but they blend into the overall hairstyle.

Weaves – Little braids hold the extensions against the scalp (like tiny cornrows) except the braids are hidden. If the extensions are poorly applied, tension and uneven weight (like wet hair from swimming) can not only loosen the weave, but break your natural hair.

Bonding – Latex plugs hold the extensions and are glued to your own hair for short-term use. Though this method is less expensive (because it is faster), oil and heat have to be used to dissolve the bonding agent when you want the extensions out—which is messy, time consuming and can pull your own hair out if not carefully done.

Metal Tubing – Much like the latex plug, this method uses a metal tube clamped over the real hair. Be careful of the weight here if your hair is fine.

Heat-Shrink Tubing - This doesn't harm natural hair, but may not last as long as other methods. Washing can loosen the tubes.

Adhesive-Based Fusion – This is the best method and the one used at Believe. Professional grade adhesives that can withstand both heat and chemical treatments are used and our professionals can remove the extensions using an adhesive remover that reduces the bonding agent to powder (instead of using messy oil and heat).

Here's some dos and don't for your new extensions:

• Do grow your hair to 3-5 inches so the extensions won't look unnatural.
• Do use recommended aftercare products like Chromastics, Aestelance or the So.Cap. wet line for your hair extensions.
• Don't shampoo
 your hair for two days. The bonds needs time to set completely.

• Do brush your hair gently to remove tangles before washing.
• Don't scrub your scalp or shampoo your hair upside down.
• Don't shampoo your hair more than twice a day.
• Don't neglect your real hair—be gentle and keep your own hair healthy.
• Don't keep them in too long. After a few months, your extensions will be worn out from the washing, drying and styling and your real hair growth will make the extensions look like Britney Spears' on a bad day. Replace the before they draw the wrong kind of attention to your head.

 Long, strong, beautiful hair can be yours—whenever you'd like. Make an appointment with us at Believe and start the transformation.