Scalp Massage: The Magic Touch

Some things in life should be indulged in as often as possible: Afternoon naps, molten chocolate lava cake, fragrant bubble baths, the sound of baby laughter and scalp massages.

At Believe, we know about the healing power of the human touch, which is why we not only give a short massage every time we shampoo your hair, but are happy to provide longer scalp massages with aromatherapy oils and conditioning products like Aestlance Oil Complex..

Besides feeling absolutely wonderful (try it on your partner after a hard day of work or your child after a big test and you'll see what we mean), scalp massage has plenty of other benefits.

Here are just a few of the wonderful thing a good scalp massage provides:

• Improves blood circulation (a stress-constricted scalp blocks blood flow to hair roots).
• Provides deep relaxation of not just the scalp but the whole body loosens up.
• Builds stronger hair roots which helps to encourage new growth and aid in stopping hair loss.
• Protects from environmental toxins as massage strengthens the hair's follicles.
• Adds moisture to the hair and conditioning to the scalp, enhancing hair's texture and diminishing breakage and split ends.
• Increases shine and body to hair.
• Speeds up replenishment of hair's natural oils after a dry winter or sunburnt summer.
• Moves those natural oils (sebum) to the ends of hair without potentially harmful over-brushing.
• Helps discourage dandruff, eczema and flaky, itchy scalps.
• Lifts the spirits and gets rid of depression, insomnia and stress.
• Regulates the thyroid and may help balance body temperature.
• Adds a glow to your facial complexion.
• Eliminates chronic headaches and even migraines.
• Minimizes chronic eye strain by helping your eyes relax.

Scalp massage is also credited with increasing mental clarity and making you more creative! Now confess, your shoulders felt a bit more relaxed just reading this...so don't wait. Call us at Believe and make an appointment for a scalp massage. We can't wait to run our fingers through your hair.

Achoo! Believe Looks At Allergies and Your Scalp

If you hate winter, you probably are in Seventh Heaven about now. We seem have missed the Snowmageddons of year's past and Spring, it seems, is right around the corner. But one of those harbingers of Spring has come a little early and you may be suffering already.

With the unusually warm winter, flowers may be showing up in your yard and trees are already starting to bud. Along with all this beauty comes pollen and, if you suffer from pollen allergies, you may already have felt the itchy eyes and stuff nose or...even worse, the pollen may trigger eczema of the scalp.

Eczema is a group of chronic skin disorders that affect the hands, scalp, face, back of the neck, and skin creases of the elbows and knees. It can run in families, but it may occur for no known reason or may be caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods, clothing, lotions, soaps, plants, topical medications or yes, pollen.

Signs and symptoms of eczema may include itching, small bumps that look like blisters, and thickened and scaly skin and when eczema is found on your scalp (and may be hidden by your hair), the flakes may fall and look like a bad case of dandruff.

Here's a few things you can do to cut down on the pollen and treat the eczema (without running to the doctor):

• Keep the windows of your house and car closed.
• Eat foods (or take supplements) rich in Vitamin C, a natural antihistamine.
• Take off your clothes outside of your bedroom before turning in for the night.
• Wash your hair before putting your head on the pillow (or failing that, at least wipe down your hair with a wet cloth.)
• Use shampoo and conditioner made from natural ingredients (like Aestelance that we sell at Believe.) They are less likely to trigger an attack.
• Buy some local honey and use it on oatmeal for breakfast and in tea several times a day.
• Wash your pillowcases often with natural soap (like any of the ZUM line carried at Believe.)
• Bring your laundry inside. If you hang washing on the line, make sure you hang your washing by mid-morning and bring it in before early evening, otherwise you're importing lots of pollen into your house.
• Use a natural rinse like apple cider vinegar or Epsom salts. Dilute either one in equal parts of water and wash your scalp and hair with the solution. Leave the solution on for at least 30 minutes. Then, rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly. with cool water. You can do this up to twice a day for a few days until your scalp eczema is gone.
• A little Vaseline in your nose will trap the pollen and wearing a head scarf or hat on high pollen count days can cut down on an allergic reaction before it happens. (Check http://www.zyrtec.com/for a daily count in our area.)
• When your scalp is clear, schedule a conditioning treatment at Believe to help restore moisture.
  And if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for one of those cups of tea. At Believe, we love you even if you sneezy, itchy and red-eyed.

Believe Loves CB's I Hate Perfume

Christopher Brosius is an odd fellow. We admit it. But he is a talented odd fellow. It seems Christopher was born with a natural nose--a rare gift that allows the owner to have a heightened sense of smell that is exactly on target...like a singer with a perfect pitch. He has elevated perfume to an art form. You might say that Believe Beauty Lounge is one of his art galleries, where we showcase his works of art--CB Perfumes.

Christopher considered becoming a scientist when he was a child. We are glad he didn't because we would have missed his innovative scents that have won awards, been featured in museums and are worn by some of the planets most interesting people (which makes his perfumes perfect for Believe customers.)

A natural nose comes in handy if one is a gourmand food taster, a world-class vintner or a legendary perfumer. Christopher Brosius is the latter. His company is named CB I Hate Perfume.

In 1992, Christopher moved back to his parent’s farm in Pennsylvania and, while there, read a life-changing book, “ A Natural History Of The Senses.” The chapter on scent so captivated him; he began making some scents using essential oils. He soon branched out into trying to replicate scents in nature that inspired him…like the smell of freshly turned earth in his garden. He made a perfume that replicated that scent. It was a smash success when it was introduced at a New York department store.

Soon he was creating scents from many things in nature and his next choice, Snow, was also wildly popular.

In 2003, 70 of Christopher’s scents were included in the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum’s Triennial exhibition. It was the first time that a major art museum recognized that scent was designed.  

Christopher relocated his studio to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, opened the CB I Hate Perfume Gallery, and began trying to capture every possible pleasant scent. 

True, some are scents that have never been seen as perfume scents (like the award-winning Snow) but each helps the wearer discover their own unique expression of self.

Asked to sum up his work in only three words, Christopher said,
"Scent is life.” He continues, “ The sense of smell is our first link to the world around us. It reminds us of what (and who) we love. Smell is perhaps the most complex sense we possess and none of the other senses can touch us so profoundly. Not even music can stir the mind & heart so powerfully.”

With his perfumes, Christopher hopes to help each of us achieve the essence of our individuality. “Scent is always individual,” he says. “Your sense of smell is one of the most unique things about you – more individual than your fingerprints, the shape of your ear, the pattern of your retina. Your sense of smell is one of the most important factors that define you as YOU. The way you respond to any scent is unlike anyone else’s – no one remembers what you do, no one feels what you feel. There is a reason you remember certain scents so fondly. Scent is the record of your own special life – it’s your experience."

No animal-derived ingredients are used in Christopher’s perfume, nor is alcohol used, as he believes it evaporates too quickly. Some of Christopher’s perfumes, using lighter ingredients like citrus and jasmine, do wear off sooner than ones with stronger ingredients like sandalwood or leather, but his perfumes are so concentrated, only a little is needed. (Also because natural ingredients are used, if properly stores, the perfumes don’t lose or change their smells even years later.)

CB I Hate Perfume scents can also be used by either men or women and Christopher encourages layering of scents to create the perfect scent for you.

Christopher sums his work as a perfumer up this way:
“Perfume is an art that shows us who we can be if we dare – an invisible portrait of who we are.”

We are proud to support Christopher in his mission to help each of us recognize how we are totally unique and are delighted to carry CB I Hate Perfume scents at Believe Beauty Lounge. Come and discover your scent at Believe

Let It Glow, Let It Glow, Let It Glow

True, it has been warmer than usual this winter (the second warmest since they started keeping weather records, we're told) but it hasn't been warm enough to hit the beach and keep up that lovely bronze color you sport in the summertime. If you're like most of us, about now you are beginning to resemble Casper The Friendly Ghost.

To add insult to injury, it has been just cold enough to demand the heat go on and, here in the Northeast, that means overheated rooms and dry (sometimes peeling) skin. Pale and flaky—not a good look for anyone.

Not to worry, here at Believe we have the perfect answer: Dr. Dennis Gross' Skincare Alpha Beta® Glow Pads—quite a mouthful, but then they pack quite a wallop. In one single step, these presoaked towelettes exfoliates that dry flaky skin, tightens your pores, gets rid of blackheads and leaves behind a golden streak-free glow (that even helps fade existing sunspots!) That's quite a list of talents for one little pad—but it works. This anti-aging self-tanner contains Active Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin), Microencapsulated DHA, and Soy Proteins that delivers color deep into skin to prevent fading through surface exfoliation.

Alpa and Beta Hydroxy Acids transform your skin from that dull winter texture to that radiant and glowing skin we all associate with summertime. This miracle product can even save money by cutting down on your need for foundation and concealer. Check out some before and after photos here: http://www/dgskinccare.com/pdf/glow_pad_information.pdf

The Alpha & Beta Glow Pad are odorless, streak-free and packaged for ease of use at home. One swipe gives you glowing, customized color. Increase the numbers of swipes to make the glow an even deeper color. (Wash your hands after using or else your palms will glow like they just got back from the Bahamas.) With AHA's and potent antioxidants, your skin gets younger-looking all the while people will be wondering when you found time to take that Caribbean vacation. Let them wonder. It will be our little secret. Come into Believe now and get an Alpha Beta Glow Pad for free to try out. We are sure you are going to love this product (and we know it is going to love your skin.)