Glam on the go makeup workshop

Join us for our Day To Night Workshop this Saturday, December 20, from 6:30-8:30pm. 

During this workshop, we will provide you with the tools (and cosmetics) necessary to paint the town red in a moment's notice. We'll introduce you to our new makeup line from glo minerals and teach you a few 10-minute looks for a lady on the go. And yes, there will be wine!

Room is limited, so call the salon today to sign up. We require a $25 deposit that will be used towards workshop products.

Ritual Nature: Works by Ellie Rusinova and Brandan Styles

Join us on the evening of Friday, Dec. 12th to view works by artists Ellie Rusinova and Brandan Styles. Combining elements of humor, mythology, characters, and magic, these artists together whet the appetites of those with a passion for both the beautiful and bizarre. 

For our friends with shopping on their to-do list, look no further! Not only will the artists be selling prints and ornaments, but you can also browse locally-designed clothing and accessories inside Denver’s own mobile boutique, the Tour de Fashion!

Taste buds will be satisfied via fresh pressed juices and cocktails from JuiceMon, and locally-sourced snacks from Threshold Culinary. Meanwhile, dancing shoes and booties will be moving thanks to the talents of DJ Steofan and DJ Bendewish. 

Steofan [Make Mistakes|CMKY]https://soundcloud.com/steven-dermody

Bendewish [Tropical, LA | Migrate, Denver] https://soundcloud.com/bendewish

https://www.facebook.com/JuiceMonDelivery
https://www.facebook.com/madtatters
https://www.facebook.com/thresholdculinary
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tour-de-Fashion-CO

About Mad Tatters: Drawing inspiration from the odd and grotesque, as well as old fashioned Russian, and old English aesthetics, this Denver-based Duo has created an amalgamation of multimedia paintings, sculptures, collages, and clothing. For more on these artists, visitwww.madtatters.com.

Lunar love: Moon shampoo and conditioner from R&Co.

We recently welcomed the Rogue and Co. line of products in to the salon and we’re slowing learning which items we can’t live without. The packaging alone is so stunning, it’s hard to not want to buy each item and line them up in your bathroom. My favorite label, which belongs to Moon shine shampoo and conditioner, depicts a full moon on the shampoo, and a beautiful 20s-style woman sitting on a crescent moon on the conditioner bottle. 

Being someone who prefers her hair to be silky, sleek, and not weighed down with a ton of products, I was happy to see that Moon shine shampoo and conditioner is perfect for my hair type. In fact, the company considers it to be the only styling product I would need to attain shiny, happy hair. After all, “Shiny, clean hair is a hairstyle, and Moon is the first step to achieving it,” R&Co. says. 

The first time I used this in the shower, I was overwhelmed with the scent – and in a good way. The fragrance in this product, which they call “Love Bite,” is fruity, woodsy, and seductive. It is ripe with orange, rhubarb, cardamom, fig, guava, blonde woods, and amber. If they made it in a lotion, I would slather it on every inch of my body until they put me in an asylum and strapped me into a straightjacket. The smell alone is enough to win me over, and the supplementary benefits seal the deal. 

Not only is this product line free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oil and petroleum, but they are vegetarian, gluten-free, color safe and provide UV protection from the sun’s rays. Plus, they don’t test on animals, a trend that is both heart breaking and unnecessary. 

Additionally, this shampoo and conditioner contain valuable extracts and essential oils. It has rhubarb to moisturize and condition; rice extract to smooth the hair and increase shine; plum to protect from stress and discoloration; and antioxidant-rich moringa seed extract from India, which defends from oxidation and free radicals. Meanwhile, a concentrated blend of polymers magnifies luster and shine, and cysteine provides thermal protection. 

As you can tell, this product has it all: from advantageous extracts, to an alluring fragrance, and much more. To learn more about this product line, come in to the salon for a service and try a few out. And keep an eye out for future blogs that will describe our other amazingly addictive products.

No Makeup Mondays: Because even makeup artists need a day off

I like to celebrate what I call Ragamuffin Mondays, a day when I dress comfy, and give my hair and makeup a break. It’s a nice way to take a day off from layering on tons of makeup and hair products. I find that the perfect day to do this is on Monday, and for a few reasons: 1. the salon is closed on Monday; 2. it’s hard to muster up the energy to go all out after the weekend; and 3. because it’s good to do something nice for yourself on a day that is typically considered draining. 

Just because you decide not to wear makeup, doesn’t mean you should completely neglect your face. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to treat it with respect. On days that I give my face a break and let it breathe, I, at the very least do three things: 1. wash my face and apply a moisturizer with SPF; 2. apply Burt’s Bees Pomegranate lip balm liberally; 3. mist Rosewater around my face. (Not only do I keep this in my purse for its aromatherapy properties, but it also works great to hydrate before makeup, or set afterwards.) 

For those who want to primp, preen, or pamper their skin, I would recommend the following regimen: 

   • Step One: Wash your face.

   • Step Two: Apply a primer or serum to tone, treat, and moisturize.

   • Step Three: Buy and apply a fresh face mask from LUSH Cosmetics in Cherry Creek Mall.

These masks are about $7, contain no preservatives (and therefore only last two weeks in the fridge), and are useful for a variety of skin issues. Plus, if you return 5 pots to LUSH so they can be recycled, you get a free mask! My personal favorites are Brazened Honey (A detoxifying, brightening, and moisturizing blend of clay, almonds, honey, and Indian herbs); Catastrophe Cosmetic (A blueberry-based mask with rose that calms and softens the skin, while reducing redness); and Oatifix (a simply moisturizing mask that smells like you could pop it in the oven and bake muffins). I may or may not have tasted that mask in the past. 

After applying the mask, you let it dry about 10 minutes, and then rinse, using circular motions to exfoliate the skin. Afterwards, if you used an exfoliating or drying mask, you should apply a moisturizer. And that’s it! You can treat yo’self in just 15 minutes and go out with naturally radiant skin that gets attention without the assistance of cosmetics.

Give your scalp the royal treatment

Davines Nourishing Hair Royal Jelly Superactive is a soothing and calming treatment that is ideal for sensitive scalps. The moisturizing and soothing properties of royal jelly calm the scalp and encourage hair growth. We recommend this as a seasonal treatment. 

What exactly is royal jelly? 

Eaten by the queen bee, royal jelly is “a highly nutritious secretion of the pharyngeal glands of the honeybee that is fed to the very young larvae in a colony and to all queen larvae.” (Merriam-Webster) 

According to Drugs.com, it typically contains:
   • 60% to 70% water
   • 12% to 15% proteins
   • 10% to 16% sugar
   • 3% to 6% fats
   • 2% to 3% vitamins, salts, and amino acids

This serum is antibiotic and antitumor. It also lowers blood pressure, regulates the immune system, reduces cholesterol, and can alleviate symptoms of PMS. Considering its many benefits, it’s no surprise that humans have utilized royal jelly since 1817. 

Royal jelly also aids in the following:
   • Asthma
   • Hay fever
   • Liver disease
   • Pancreatitis
   • Stomach ulcers
   • Kidney disease
   • Bone fractures
   • Skin disorders

With all these uses, who can say no to such a luxurious remedy for dry skin? Come in today to give your hair a treatment fit for a queen! 

*Please note: This service is not recommended for those allergic to pollen or bees.

Change your look; change a life

I can’t even imagine the amount of courage and strength it takes to undergo cancer. As if the related chronic health concerns aren’t enough of a battle, one also has to struggle with a change in their appearance at a time where self-confidence is a complete must. Luckily, there are many groups dedicated to providing wigs to individuals who have lost hair as a result of chemotherapy, radiation, alopecia, or trichotillomania. 

We all want to help those in need, and one great way is to donate between 8 and 12 inches of hair to one of these non-profit organizations. What do you get out of it? Not only a fresh new hairstyle, but you will walk out of the salon feeling great about yourself – both inside and out. By donating your hair, you will provide self-esteem and even hope to someone who is fighting a hard battle. 

If you are interested in making a change in your look while changing a life for the better, come in for a cut, and we will help you donate your locks to one of the organizations below. 

Pantene Beautiful Lengths 
Since its inception, Pantene Beautiful Lengths has donated 24,000 wigs to its partner, the American Cancer Society. This organization provides free wigs for men, women, and teens going through cancer. 

Requirements
   • 8 inches long
   • No dyes, bleaches, or chemicals
   • No more than 5% grey

These requirements exist because it takes 8-15 ponytails make a wig, and the hair must all be in the same condition, and processed for the same amount to time. This ensures that the hair in each wig is of a consistent color and strength. 

Wigs for Kids 
Established in 1981, Wigs for Kids is a cooperative effort among Certified Cosmetic Therapists throughout North America. This group aids in self-image and self-esteem for children experiencing significant hair loss. 

Annually, they help 125-150 children with hair replacements, a system which typically runs $1800. Those interested in helping their cause, can either donate hair, or pay to sponsor a child in need. 

Requirements
   • 12 inches in length
   • No color treated, permed or highlighted hair
   • No grey hair

Thinking about donating? Follow these healthy hair tips from Pantene:
   • Use a conditioner after every wash to help keep hair moisturized and protected against damage.
   • Use a spray, leave-in conditioner for extra protection when using heated hair appliances.
   • Look for new technology in your drying and styling tools to help minimize damage.
   • Avoid excessive teasing of hair, as it can uplift cuticles, making them fragile and susceptible to breakage.
   • Use deep-conditioning treatments once a week, or as often as needed, to help minimize split ends and keep hair in top condition.

Autumn aesthetics: not only leaves change colors in fall

Autumn is slowly approaching in Denver, and I couldn’t be happier. The air has been more brisk, trees are being speckled with yellow leaves, and the hours of daylight are slowly waning before we “fall back” on November 2. 

What fall means to me personally, is red wine; classical music; pumpkin spice scented candles; snuggling up with my dog and a good book; and working on various art projects. 

What this means to me as a makeup artist, is eye shadows in smoldering browns, coopers, crushed gold; dark burgundy shades sitting atop brown eyes; plums, deep reds, and neutral colors on lips; and turning in coral and pink hues of blush for tones in dusty rose, and warm nutty browns. 

I’m always a fan of matching the colors on one’s face to the colors surrounding them. It’s nice to channel the season we are all experiencing, and represent its colors. Not only is it visually appealing, but it’s a nice way to connect with, and complement, your surroundings. 

Autumn also encourages us to swap our perfume scent for the season; switch up the fabrics and colors in our wardrobe; and change our hair to incorporate shades of brown, red, copper, and blonde. Lots of our female clients have been going back to dark, and adding low lights in rich, warm tones. It’s fun to get back to deeper shades – a change that always makes the eyes pop! Combine this change in hair color, along with different eye shadow tones, and boom: instant autumn makeover! 

So, dig through your makeup bags and look for fall colors to wear throughout the next couple months. Look at the colors around you to find inspiration for your next hair appointment, and call us to help get you started. Not only can we change your hair color, but you can book a color consult for makeup to play around, and get advice on which fall colors are the best for your specific skin tone.