Product Spotlight: Morroccanoil

If you are searching for a product that will strengthen and protect your hair, Moroccanoil is one of the best.

Moroccanoil is made with argan oil. This rare and valuable oil is harvested from the nuts inside the fruit of the argan tree, which grows only in southern Morocco.  Obtaining the oil is difficult work. The argan fruit contains a nut with a very hard shell and processing is done by hand. It can take twenty hours of work to produce one litre of oil.

The oil that emerges after all of that hard work is rich in many vitamins and natural elements that strengthen the hair, including: Vitamin F (Omega 6), Vitamin A to improve elasticity, Vitamin E to protect against free-radicals, and Phenols to shield against environmental stressors. Moroccanoil is also a very effective UV protector and a great option for hydrating hair during our cold and dry winter season.

The Moroccanoil product line has expanded from the original oil treatment to styling creams, hair masks, scalp treatments and hair sprays. All products in the line make your hair look its best, while fortifying it and making it easier to manage.

The challenges of obtaining argan oil increase its price but also make it a target for counterfeiting. The makers of Moroccanoil recommend that you buy the product only at professional salons, like Great Lengths Hair Gallery.

For more information on Moroccanoil products, ask a member of our team or visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.moroccanoil.com/" http://www.moroccanoil.com/. 

References:

 HYPERLINK "http://www.al-bab.com/maroc/env/argan.htm" Al-Bab

An Apple a Day...

With apple season in full swing in southern Ontario, we thought we'd look at that old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."  What exactly are the health benefits of apples?

Here's a quick list:

• Apples are high in antioxidants which can help prevent and repair cell damage from free radicals and, in the process, help prevent diseases like Parkinson's and conditions like cataracts.  (Wikipedia explains the science behind antioxidants.)
• One of the antioxidants in red apples-quercetin-can help boost your immune system.
• Apples also contain loads of pectin, a soluble fibre that helps keep your digestive system in good working order.  As with any high-fibre food, apples can lower cholesterol levels, prevent diabetes and help with weight control by making you feel full faster so you eat less.
• Apples can also help detoxify your liver.

Many of the health benefits of apples are in the skin, so if you can eat them raw with the skin, you'll be doing yourself a favour.  That's not to say that apple products lack benefits.  Studies have shown that drinking apple juice or cider may help ward off Alzheimer's and that apple cider vinegar, taken internally or used topically, can improve the tone and appearance of skin.

Whether you go to a local farm and pick your own or shop at your local grocery store, be sure to get that apple a day.  Or try some hot mulled apple cider on a cool fall day to get the nutritional benefits of apples and a soothing, flavourful treat.

References:

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/15-health-benefits-of-eating-apples

http://www.applecidervinegarweightloss.com/benefits2.html

http://www.okanaganvacationguide.com/facts-about-apples.html

Following Fall’s Makeup Trends – Part 2

Continuing from our last post, here are some tips on wearing fall’s trendy lipsticks.


Lips

Although deep plum and claret tones are being seen on lips this season, red is really the story for lipstick this fall.

As with purple eyeshadow, the key to wearing red lipstick is choosing the right shade. A recent article in Canadian Living noted that to determine your best red, you need to know your skin tone. Check the inside of your wrist: orange undertones mean a warm tone; peach, yellow or olive undertones mean neutral; and blue and pink undertones mean cool.

From there, you can match the lipstick with the tone. Warm reds with a yellow undertone tend to suit warm skin tones, while cooler reds with a blue undertone tend to suit cooler skin tones. Try a few shades on your wrist to see which is most flattering.

The next choice is between gloss and matte finishes. The occasion may dictate which is more appropriate—shiny, red lips are not generally a good choice for the office, but may be perfect for a night out on the town.

If you are wearing a bold red shade on your lips, keep the rest of your face neutral. Your lips will stand out and make a statement all on their own—no need to overwhelm with lots of colour on your eyes and cheeks.

And try this little trick to prevent red lipstick from bleeding: apply concealer around your lips with a brush, then apply your lipstick.

Following Fall’s Makeup Trends – Part 1

In our last post, we mentioned that purple and red are hot colours on the cosmetics counter this fall. While beautiful and of the moment, purple and red are bold colours and, for some people, a little intimidating. Here are a few tips for using purple. Our next post will talk about selecting the right shade of red for your lips.

Eyes
Purple eyeshadow comes in many shades, from soft mauve to dark plum to bright amethyst and fuschia. The first thing you need to do is choose the right one for you.

True purples are best for people with green, brown or hazel eyes. For those with blue eyes and fair complexions, it is usually best to stay at the lighter end of the purple spectrum or even veer into rose tones.

If you are new to purple, you may want to begin with a basic lavender or mauve shade until you get used to the colour. Lavender and mauve are soft colours that tend to flatter most skin tones. Apply a neutral base and then apply the lavender or mauve from your lash line to your crease.

If you want to try a bold purple, use it sparingly at first, around the lash line or a little in the crease to darken it. If you are going for a dramatic look for evening, you can apply a little more, focusing on the crease or lid, if you really want to make your eyes pop. Just make sure you apply a bit at a time until you achieve the look you were aiming for.

Another good tip for wearing purple comes from stylelist.com: to avoid overkill, combine purples with other neutrals—like gold, taupe and brown. And keep lips and cheeks in soft tones to avoid appearing overdone.

Markham Fair 2010

We enjoyed another great year at the Markham Fair, as did the 66,000 visitors who attended!  Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello.