Humidity Blocker

We all love summer, but not the humid weather that often comes with it. Humidity can cause major problems for hair: fine hair goes limp, curly hair goes frizzy, and straightened hair reverts to curly.

Joico Humidity Blocker is designed to neutralize the impact of humid weather on your hair. It “imparts an invisible protective barrier around each hair strand, providing ultimate humidity protection by locking out style-robbing moisture all day.” Humidity Blocker prevents styles from collapsing, stops frizz, and ensures straightened hair stays straight.

Not only is it a great defence against hot, moist summer weather, Humidity Blocker also includes UVA/UVB filters and antioxidants that provide total hair protection by shielding against ozonic and free radical damage.

Humidity Blocker is a great value. A little goes a long way, and one can should last you the entire summer.

To help maintain your hairstyle on the hottest, muggiest days, we recommend Joico Humidity Blocker, available now at Great Lengths Hair Gallery.

Strawberries for Beauty and Nutrition

Ontario strawberries will soon be available! These delicious berries are the centrepiece of summer desserts—who doesn’t love strawberries and cream or strawberry shortcake?

Beyond their sweetness, strawberries are also recognized as a nutritional powerhouse. Strawberries are higher in vitamin C than oranges. They are also a great source of fibre, folate, and potassium.

What you may not know is that strawberries can also improve the health of your skin. Like all berries, strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which help fight the free radicals that can lead to skin cell damage and premature aging. Berries also help the body produce collagen, which makes skin supple.

Strawberries are easy to add to your diet. Blend with some other berries, milk and yogurt to create a smoothie. Toss a few into a spinach salad—the two go well together. If you like avocado (another fruit that is great for your skin), try it with strawberries in this delicious recipe from Food & Drink magazine. And you can always toss a few berries on top of vanilla ice cream for a refreshing dessert on a hot day.

Get the Best Eye Protection from Your Sunglasses

It looks like sunny days are finally here after a very rainy spring. If you are looking for a new pair of sunglasses, here are some tips for finding a pair that protects your eyes from UV rays and minimizes aging of the delicate skin around the eyes. Selecting the right sunglasses is especially important for people with blue and green eyes, since they are the most sensitive to the sun.

UV radiation can lead to a host of eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. Any sunglasses you buy should block at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75-90% of visible light to ensure maximum protection. Labels can be misleading, so read them carefully or consult an optician.

There is a wide range of lens colours on the market. Many people assume that the darker the lens, the better it is, but that is not always the case. An article in the July issue of Chatelaine recommends brown lenses because they block blue light and distort colours less. Green and grey lenses can also minimize colour distortion.

Polarized lenses block glare and reflection, but are not necessary for protecting your eyes against UV radiation. If you do a lot of water sports or long road trips, polarized lenses may be the best option.

Fortunately, there are lots of stylish options that offer full protection for your eyes. Happy shopping and enjoy the bright sunny days of summer!

--Adapted from http://vision.about.com/od/eyeglasses/a/Sunglasses.htm

Gorgeous Hair and Skin—From the Inside Out

As the saying goes, you are what you eat. For beautiful hair and healthy, glowing skin, head to the grocery store and get yourself some of these wonder foods:

• Blueberries. This delicious fruit has so many health benefits, it’s not surprising to see it on this list. The antioxidants protect your skin from premature aging.

• Low-fat yogurt. We know that calcium is great for your bones, but it is also important for hair growth.

• Nuts. The health benefits of nuts are well known. Brazil nuts contain selenium, which contributes to scalp health. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pecans also contain zinc. Zinc deficiency can lead to the shedding of hair. Try a simple snack that combines three powerhouse foods: toss blueberries and nuts with yogurt. You only need a handful of nuts each day to make a difference.

• Wild salmon. Wild salmon is great for skin. It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that help moisturize skin, and also contains selenium, which protects your skin from sun exposure. The selenium and omega-3s also promote scalp health.

• Oysters. Zinc contributes to healthy hair and aids in skin cell renewal and repair. Oysters are loaded with this important mineral.

• Dark green vegetables. Nutritionists will tell you to eat at least one dark green vegetable every day. They are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which help your body produce sebum. Secreted by the hair follicles, sebum conditions hair naturally.

• Poultry and eggs. Both are excellent sources of protein. Protein deficiency can lead to brittle, weak hair and, in extreme cases, can cause the loss of hair colour.

• Legumes. Beans are another source of zinc and protein, but they also contain biotin. Although uncommon, biotin deficiencies can lead to brittle hair.

• Kiwi. The vitamin C and antioxidants in kiwi keep skin firm and help prevent wrinkles.

• Dark chocolate. Another great source of antioxidants, dark chocolate is easy to add to your diet! Dark chocolate helps skin stay hydrated and protects it from sun damage. Make sure the chocolate you eat is at least 60% cacao.

• Sweet potatoes and carrots. These deep orange vegetables are loaded with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that fights aging. The vitamin A they contain also promotes a healthy scalp.

Adapted from The Top 10 Superfoods for Gorgeous Skin and Hair and Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair