Coloring Asian Hair

Why is it so hard to color Asian hair?

• Have you noticed most of the hair color products in the US market just doesn't work well on Asian hair? Well, its because Asians have the thickest all of hair types. The thick hair tends to absorb dyes quickly and very dark hair is resistant to bleaching. It gets tricky. The timing is very important. Usually, lightening the hair turns out brassy and dying it black never looks natural. Its always hard to get it back to your natural black color.
• I always recommend going to an experienced colorist.

Say yes to Facial Hair Threading!

Facial Hair Threading

What is threading?

• Threading is an ancient hair removal technique that uses a cotton thread. Its origin is ambiguous, with some claiming that it came from the Middle East, India, or China. Anyways, the 100% cotton thread is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin entwining the hairs in the thread, lifting the hair from the follicle. As the facial hair is removed, only a slight pinch is felt.

Why thread instead of waxing or tweezing?

• First of all, it is a traditional way without involving pain like tweezers. It is highly recommended for people with sensitive skin and people who are using products like Accutane and Retin-A .
• Gentle on the skin, no damage is done.
• It's not as expensive as other methods.
• Works on all skin types.
• Can be used on other areas of the body and not just the face.

Safe, simple, fast, and inexpensive. I would always prefer to get threaded over waxing or plucking. But I recommend going to a professional to get it done. There are some "do it yourself at home" kits but the professionals have the skills...

Winter's Here...Winter Hair Care

Winter is here... whether we like it or not. It can be hard on your hair. The cold wind can dry out your hair and damage it beyond repair.

So what is my advice?

• Shampoo less and Condition more. If possible, shampoo your hair every other day and condition it every time. It is very important to deep condition at least once a week. Shea butter is always a great way of deep conditioning. (check out my shea butter blog)
• Use less hair appliances such as hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons... We all know that the heat does damage to our hair.
• Increase circulation to your head by massaging your head to help promote blood flow to your scalp. It also helps to spread your natural hair oil.

Good Hair = Shea Butter

Shea Butter

What is it?

• Shea butter (or karite) is a natural fat extracted from the fruit of the shea tree by crushing and boiling. It is edible and is used for cooking. It is also used in many health and beauty products.

What does it do?

• Its known to be one of the best ingredients for moisturizing. This thick and uber rich emollient is good for extremely dry, frizzy, coarse or damaged hair. It's also good for silky soft skin. And it's known to be used for scars, stretchmarks, chapped lips, and much more.

How can I use it in my hair?

• Melt the Shea Butter and apply to hair as a hot oil treatment after shampooing.
• Comb thru and rinse for silky soft tresses.

Good Hair = Holy Guacamole!

Here is a deliciously simple recipe for the overproccessed hair... that is dry and brittle. Its loaded with viatmin E, which does wonders for your hair.

Holy Guacamole!

How do you do it?

• Mash 1/2 avocado with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 egg
• Spread it throughout your hair and don't forget the ends too!
• For best results, cover with a shower cap. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with cool water. Then shampoo and condition as usual.

I love anything avocado... its great to eat and put in your hair... Avocados are really good at conditioning your hair. Must try!

Beautiful Skin = Egg on Your Face

Believe it or not, but you can use an EGG as a facial mask! It can actually be split up into two different masks. Egg white has been used throughout history to give a tight feeling to the skin and make the pores look smaller. And the egg yok is known to clear your complexion and help with dryness.

The Egg White Mask

How does it work?

• Take one egg and break it, seperating the egg white from the yolk. To make it easier to apply, take a fork and beat the egg white until it is foamy.
• Evenly apply the egg white over your face with your fingers while avoiding the eye area. Leave the mask on for 15-30 minutes or until it is dry. You should feel your skin tightening.
• As the mask tightens, it is refining your pores, whitening your skin and giving you a mini facelift with firmer skin. Egg whites have been known to help whiten the skin naturally.
• After you wash off your face, you may apply toner to further the effect of tightening the pores. Or you could just use good moisturizer.

How do I like it?

• I like to use it once in awhile. If used too often, your skin will get use to the egg white and have less effect. I do notice a change in my complexion and it does feel like a mini face lift. My mom was the first to introduce me to this mask. She has always had that youthful and light skin look. Even now when my older sister and I are in our late twenties, people often would mistaken her as one of our sisters. (Photo below: of my mom and dad taken in 2007)
• To my surprise, this technique has been used in many Asian countries for a whiter and younger looking skin. Egg white is scientifically known as albumen or ovalbumin. It is a homemade facial mask that's been around for many many years.

The Egg Yolk Mask

What is it?

• It is a facial mask used to help clear complexion and skin dryness.

How does it work?

• Take the yolk alone and apply it over your face. Leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Rinse it off and make sure to use toner and moisturizer!
• The reason why the egg yolks are so good and rich for your skin is because they are loaded with Vitamin A! Try the egg yolk mask once a week for a month, and you will see improvements in your skin. But like the egg white mask, don't overuse it because the effects will die out once your skin begins to tolerates it.

There are so many home made masks that you could use for beautiful skin. Stay tuned for more!

Beautiful Skin = The Aspirin Mask

I remember when I first heard of using aspirin as a facial mask. I never ever thought of using aspirin. But to my amazement, it works! This is my formula for healthy beautiful skin. This can clear up acne and other skin problems. But please do not use this if you're allergic to aspirin!

The Aspirin Mask

What is it?

• The aspirin mask is a homemade mask available to everyone and it is totally inexpensive and highly efficient, made of salicylic acid or tablets of aspirin. It is known to help tremendously with cleaning pores from deep inside. It is great at keeping our skin blemish-free. It is also good with existing blemishes as well, by helping them heal faster and keeping pores clean afterwards.

How is it prepared?

• Crush 3-5 tablets of plain aspirin (non coated) with a few drops of water. Mix the powder with the water until it becomes of a creamy consistence, apply on clean dry skin. Keep it on until completely dry. Should take 5-10 minutes but no longer than 10 minutes because it will dry the skin. Rinse with plenty of water using a circular hand motion. Take advantage of the grainy texture, it can exfoliate your skin. It will take the dead skin off and leave your skin smooth! Be careful around the eye area it can be extremely drying for the sensitive skin around there.
• There are more than one way you could make this mask. Instead of using just water, you could mix the aspirin powder with your moisturizer, honey, or aloe vera. Mixing it with anything else but water keeps it on better.

How do I like it?

• It works for me! I've never had acne or blemish problems but it helps to keep my skin smooth and soft. I had totally forgotten about this mask until recently. I've just moved to North Carolina from Wisconsin. You'll be surprise with all the changes I had to face. The water dries my hair and skin! And the humidity doesn't help either. After a week of being here, I noticed tiny bumps all over my lower facial area. After awhile it looked like acne but I've never had that problem before. I started using the aspirin mask and it disappeared!
• I used it once a day for 3 days until it fully cleared. Now, I like to use it at least once a week. Always always use moisturizer after washing your face!
• I like to use Walgreens or Target aspirins because they are cheaper and dissolves faster.

This is a great and inexpensive way to beautiful skin. Do not overdo this, try it out once every other day. Do not do this everyday. You may dry out your skin, you know your skin best, if you can use it everyday, then go for it. Make sure you test and try things out.