Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Perfectly Pai-sHau

August 17, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

It seems every where you look, all your favorite hair care brands have an oil, or an oil enriched serum, all with the promise restoring our beautiful shiny hair. Some deliver for a moment or two, most leave a lot to be desired. Well, ladies and gents, boys and girls, there is a new kid in town you gotta meet.

Pai-sHau – a hair care system that delivers on all of it’s promises. Pai-sHau is restorative and reparative – leaving your hair with an extreme shine and healthier look from your first use and is created for all hair types. Yours truly was given the line to try, and after using these gems, I had to let you all know about this FAB! line. There are two features that make Pai-sHau different from all other lines out there. One – is it’s Signature Exotic Tea Complex. With a blend of concentrated steeped teas from around the world that provide powerful rejuvenating benefits that strengthen, nourish and protect the hair. Two – Biphasic Infusion – Pai-sHau’s answer to an oil. Pai-sHau’s Biphasic Infusion is a potent rejuvenating concentrate – it’s advanced binary technology drives the Signature Exotic Tea Complex deep inside the hair cuticle to nourish the the hair’s structure by attracting moisture and locking it in. Antioxidants and amino acids surround the hair with a sheer veil of shielding properties known to provide thermal and environmental protection. (U.V. ect…)

Pai-sHau is a little line that packs a lot of punch! It consists of 5 products;

Replenishing Hair Cleanser (shampoo) – concentrated with the highest grade ingredients making this undiluted formula “water seeking” = a gentler way to clean your hair. Lather then rinse.

Replenishing Cream Conditioner (conditioner) – designed to rehydrate dry and lifeless hair. Adds moisture without weighing down your hair. For best results, leave in for 1 minute then rinse.

Supreme Revitalizing Mask (conditioning treatment) – a potent yet weightless conditioning treatment. Infuses the hair with moisture with an added bonus of adding an anti-static barrier! For best results, leave in for 5 minutes, then rinse.

Biphasic Infusion(oil) – I cannot stress enough how FAB! this product is. I have fine hair and am weary of oils – they can make my hair greasy and lifeless in the blink of an eye. Pai-sHau’s Biphasic Infusion made my hair soft and shiny, it did not weigh down my hair nor was I left with a greasy residue – in my hair or on my hands. For best results – ALWAYS shake the bottle until well blended and apply to clean, towel dried hair. *Can be applied to dry hair after styling to smooth ends and control flyaways.

Style Souffle (styling cream) – a weightless styling agent that nourishes, repairs and styles your tresses. Formulated for all hair textures, infused with antioxidants to retain moisture during the styling process while offering control and manageability. For best results – apply to dry hair. Emulsify a small amount in your hands and apply scalp to ends, adding extra product for extra control if desired.

As you all know, I have fine hair and I can honestly say that not one product weighed down my hair, nor did the Biphasic Infusion (oil) leave a greasy residue. As I said before – it is FAB! The scent is unforgettably delightful, every product delivers on it’s promise and your hair looks, feels and smells beautiful -what more could a girl want?

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator – Joico Kpak Color Therapy Dry Oil Spray

August 10, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

…and here we are once more. It’s Monday. I know, Monday’s in the summer seem to be more of a chore than the rest of the year. Your coffee doesn’t seem to have the same pick me up. Facebook status updates of your friends “living the cottage life” remind you that the only cottage you have on your agenda is your cottage cheese and toast breakfast…and it’s just not the same. The Humidex is always on the rise taking your frizz & flyaways along for the ride. Your hair doesn’t seem to want to cooperate. As always, yours truly is here to help ease the manic and mania of Monday. Today, I have a gem of a product that is for all hair types. Yep! Fine to thick, straight to curly – you are gonna love this product….drum roll please….

Meet Joico Kpak Color Therapy Dry Oil Spray!

This weightless finishing spray protects your color, creates silky tresses without leaving a greasy feel or wet look and fights those pesky flyaways. It is color safe,even for the most delicate of Blondes = no brassy residue or tones. It is a lovely shine spray that leaves your hair with a natural silky sheen and with it’s weightless formula it is perfect for those of us with fine hair.

The secret to this FAB! spray you ask? Natural oils (Sunflower, Jojoba & African Mankett) replenish lost lipids and Joico’s Bio Advanced Peptide Complex and QuadraBond technology seal the hair’s outer layer and works as a protective shield against color fade and moisture loss.

For best results, apply to dry hair, once your style has been achieved. Joico Kpak Color Therapy Dry Oil spray is a great finishing spray to keep your straight sleek strands frizz free with a lovely shine.

*That Girl in the Red Coat Styling Tip;

Tried, tested and true – while using your flat iron, be sure to use a flat iron spray to protect your hair, like Joico’s IronClad flat iron spray for instance. Once you have your tresses as sleek as desired, apply Joico’s Kpak Color Therapy Dry Oil spray to lock out frizz and flyaways.

Beauty, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Miss. Understanding

August 4, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

My Birthday was this past weekend. Yours Truly is 43. My Birthday was as close to perfect as I had wished. I woke to a Happy Birthday smooch & smile from my beloved before he was off to work. I strolled into my kitchen for my morning brew to find a lovely hand written letter from my girl. I drove over to my parents home and had some morning coffee on the back deck, the sun shining on my shoulders and laughter filled the air. The forecast all week was for rain, yet not a drop fell. During my lovely lunch with my girl I received word from my beloved that he was coming home early. All day loving messages appeared via Facebook and text. We ordered my favorite pizza and caught up on our favorite show with our new found time – stolen time as I like to call it. I sipped my vodka & lemonade, with my feet up. It was a great day.

The next day, I woke up in a funk that I could not shake. I found myself on the verge of tears more than once. I found myself being nit picky over the smallest of things and my mind was not on my side – bringing up moments from the past that are best laid to rest and forgotten. At first I blamed the good ‘ol hormones (may have had the stupid cut out – hysterectomy – but still have the ol’ ovaries). Then, as anyone battling anything, I went through the list of people, places and events that were the true cause of my anguish. Once my mental temper tantrum was over I had a realization. Well, that and calling my hubby to see what wine he wanted with dinner and upon hearing his voice choked up and started to cry. My realization you ask? I have not been taking care of me. I was making time for everyone else. I was worrying about everyone else’s happiness and contentment. I was being the understanding ear for everyone’s issues and problems…and I had reached my fill. My funk and my angst was on me, and me alone. (…anyone who knows me knows how much I love that…). As I sat pouting on my front porch I realized why I had been so happy on my Birthday. On my Birthday I had made myself a priority, done what I wanted, spent my time with the people of my choosing and enjoying the gift of time. I had a funk the next day because I wanted more and deserved more. In short, I was kicking my own ass. Kicking my own ass for knowing better, but not doing better.

The reason for this glimpse into my personal life, you ask? To save you a mental temper tantrum (they’re exhausting and bad for the face) and to save your friends and loved ones wincing wondering when your head may begin to spin around. To remind you and myself that we are just as important as those we make a priority in our lives. A reminder to take a minute and take a breath. A reminder that cleaning and washing can wait until tomorrow. A reminder that no amount of dusting and polishing your living room can clean a tarnished spirit. A reminder that understanding the plights of others is a good thing, as long as you don’t begin to misunderstand yourself in the process. A reminder that although the truth may not always be pretty, there is nothing uglier than a lie and not being true to yourself is the biggest lie of all.

Take a moment for yourself when you can. Do what makes you happy. Celebrate yourself, everyday. Plain and simple.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Monday Motivator – Joico Texture Boost

July 27, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

So it’s Monday…and what a Monday it has been. Between waking up 7 times through the night for no apparent reason, spilling my coffee…twice and then arriving at the shop to be a witness to our computer monitor’s demise…all before 9:30 a.m., it’s safe to say, yours truly was not impressed and certain phrases were being thought….and uttered. The only saving grace of my Manic Monday was my hair. Thanks to Joico and their FAB! Texture Boost, at least I was having a good hair day.

Joico Texture Boost

This gem from Joico is a Dry Wax Spray. Yep, you read that correctly, a Dry Wax Spray. Joico Texture Boost delivers the pliability and texture of a wax without the sticky residue – in your hair and on your hands. With it’s ultra fine finishing mist (that smells wonderful), you can achieve movable texture with a flexible clean touchable hold. Joico Texture Boost is a styling agent that can be used on all hair types, from fine to thick, straight to curly. *It’s an awesome styling tool for achieving that tousled, beachy wave for curls. As you all know, yours truly has fine hair. This product did not weigh down my hair at all. I also live in South Western Ontario and the Humidex is at an all time high this week, and in my experience all waxes made my ‘do become a sticky matted mess or my textured tresses gave up the battle against the humidity and I looked like I hadn’t styled my hair at all…until Joico’s Texture Boost. For best results, use on dry hair.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Product 101 – Conditioning Treatments…to heat or not to heat.

July 17, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 3 Comments

Today’s tale is the next chapter in my Product 101 series. My focus today is on Conditioning Treatments. Everywhere you look…facebook, twitter, pinterest and the ever impressive infomercials, everyone has the “best conditioning treatment EVER!”. This may be true. What I also know to be true is that all Salon Professional Hair Care lines offer a conditioning treatment and depending on your hair type and hair diagnosis, it very well could be the “best EVER!”. Not all conditioning treatments are created equal, just as every head of hair is not created equal. Some of us have dried, stressed strands due to chemical damage…demanding to go from brunette to blonde in one sitting. Others due to mechanical damage…forgoing a flat iron spray to protect our tresses with our daily rendezvous with our flat iron. Some of us are facing dry, lack of lustre hair due to good ol’ DNA. Whatever the reason, we all deal with dry, stressed hair, and this is when a conditioning treatment can become your new best friend.

Being me, I have compiled a little list. A “things to remember” list, if you will. Feel free to share.

– Conditioning Treatments are created to repair your hair, by saturating the cuticle & cortex with moisture, which in turn adds moisture back into your hair, adds elasticity and strength, and restores shine and lustre.

– rinsing with cool water locks in the moisture

– not all conditioning treatments are created for all hair types. Read the label.

– too much protein/keratin in the hair is just as bad as not enough. Always follow the directions of the conditioning treatment. If it is to be used only once a week, only use it once a week. *too much protein/keratin = fuzzy head (not a professional term, but it works).

– after 20 minutes, most conditioning treatments have done all they can do. You can wrap your head in a towel overnight if you so desire. I myself prefer a comfortable slumber.

– not all conditioning treatments require heat. Using heat with a conditioning treatment that does not require heat can result in greasy strands and/or lifeless tresses.

– all Salon Professional conditioning treatments are Color Safe

…and being me, here are some conditioning treatments that have been tried and tested by yours truly and our Salon/Shop clientele.

No heat is required for these gems.

Joico Kpak Revitaluxe – the newest addition to the Kpak treatment family. This gem restores the level of the hair’s porosity, adds moisture and detangles. It doubles your hair’s resistance to future breakage by up to 94%. Kpak Revitaluxe is created for all hair types – strong enough to penetrate the thickest of strands, yet light enough not to weigh down baby fine strands. For best results, apply to freshly washed hair and leave on for 3-5 minutes, then rinse. *this gem is one of the reasons this Girl in the Red Coat can be a blonde.

Joico Kpak Intense Hydrator – the name says it all. This treatment offers immediate hydration to the driest of strands and is created for all hair types. For best results, apply to freshly washed hair and leave in for a full 5 minutes, then rinse.

Goldwell Rich Repair 60sec treatment – yep! you read that correctly. 60 seconds. That’s all you need. This treatment will regenerate your hair up to 100% in 60 seconds. It restores the damaged hair structure from the inside out while providing softness and shine. Created for all hair types. *for finer strands, less is more.

If you like to heat it up – these are for you.

AG reconstruct – reconstructs extremely dry, damaged hair while rejuvenating the scalp. AG reconstruct is paraben free, gluten free and contains no salt. They are a cruelty free Canadian company. Apply to freshly washed hair, leave in for 2-5 minutes, then rinse. *to create a more intense treatment, apply heat for 20 minutes.

UANS CREMA Intensive Reconstructor – a self sealing conditioning treatment that adds moisture and restores elasticity. It can be used once a week, or as often as needed. Apply to freshly washed hair, leave in for 2-5 minutes, then rinse. *to create a more intense treatment, apply heat for 5 – 10 minutes.

DevaCurl Heaven in Hair Treatment – an intense moisture treatment for all curl types that is silicone free, paraben free and sulfate free that can be used once to twice a week. With this gem, more is best. Apply to freshly washed hair, apply a liberal amount and leave in for 15-20 minutes, then rinse. * for best results, once the treatment is applied, place hair under a plastic cap and apply heat.

In the age of Ombre, Sombre, Balayage, Brazilian BlowOuts and daily use of thermal styling tools, conditioning treatments are a must have. Not only will your hair look and feel fabulous, you are protecting your investment in yourself and you are ensuring that your hair stays in optimal shape and condition for further color, chemical and thermal adventures.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Monday Motivator – Joico Color Balance Blue

July 13, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

It’s Monday once again. Another weekend of fun in the sun has come to an end and back to the weekly grind we shuffle. This week’s Monday Motivator is aimed at the brunette beauties who have ventures into the ombre/sombre world. As all brunettes know, when dark tresses are highlighted, within a week the warm caramel highlights that brought back memories of our favorite Halloween treat begin to take on the color of a jack o’lantern. …until now.

Let me introduce you to your new best friend – meet Joico Color Balance Blue

One of the newest additions to the FAB! line of Joico products, Color Balance was created with Joico’s Multi Spectrum Defense Complex, formulated to keep your color true and vibrant. With tone correcting pigments, Color Balance corrects on contact, instantly banishing those overly warm/brassy (orange) tones that turn up on dark hair that has been lightened. *Another perk – Color Balance preserves 89% of hair color nearly 8 weeks by bonding hair fibers. As always – another welcome addition to Color Balance Shampoo and Conditoner is Joico’s patented Bio Advanced Peptide Complex = root to tip repair, protection, frizz fighters and shine.

Joico Color Balance Shampoo – lather into hair, leave on for 1-3 minutes, rinse.

* may be used once to twice a week.

Joico Color Balance Conditioner – work through hair, leave in for 1 – 3 minutes, then rinse. This gem is gentle enough to use as a daily conditioner if so desired.

The Joico Color Balance family offers a shampoo/conditioner duo for blondes – Color Balance Purple, and for our red haired beauties – Color Infuse Red. From the feedback of my customers, the color-clientele of our Salon and personal use, Joico Color Balance products are a must for every vanity.

Beauty, communication, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Reflections of reality

July 9, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

Today’s tale is for all those who are struggling, be it with your finances, your boss, your significant other, your hair or lack there of. Most importantly, for those who are struggling with yourself. If there is one thing you take from today’s tale and keep it in your pocket, it is this – you are not alone and it will get better. Everyone, I mean everyone is struggling with something or someone. Everyone.

Over the past months many of those that I hold dear, clients, friends and family alike have been facing struggles. Struggles with their friends, their loved ones and with themselves. One commonality they all seem to be facing? Judgement and ridicule, and that in itself is the worst part of the struggle. Opening up about your life or asking for help is the most difficult thing to do because of the fear of not being taken seriously. The voice of self doubt can be deafening. Judging someone on what you deem to be a lack of “being able to deal” is cruel, plain and simple. This is their journey, not yours. You see the world one way, they see it another. Here’s the deal, it is their reality, it is real to them, and needs to be honored as such. It is also their story to tell, not yours. Gossip is tacky, and ugly. Nothing good ever comes from it. Ever.

We have all struggled with reflection. For those familiar with my Salon Tales, you are well aware of my past self image issues. The difficulty with dealing with your reflection is that we aren’t just dealing with our reflections in the mirror. We are dealing with the reflections in our mind….and those nasty bastards can be hard to keep quiet. We all have the shoulda, coulda, woulda scenario’s playing and replaying in our minds -and there is nothing worse than when a friend or loved ones points them out for now our reflection has become reality.

To those who are reading this who have been the victim of judgement and ridicule, it’s time to turn those experiences around. Do not feel weak that you opened up. Be proud of yourself, feel heroic even, for you had the courage to open up, to let others know about those things that people don’t talk about at parties. Showing a weakness takes strength. Try not to judge those who judge you – calm down, I’m not gonna bring in J.C. and try to save your soul – I’m saying try not to judge them because 1) why waste your energy on someone who isn’t wasting theirs on you and 2) they need your sympathy and your empathy for they are feeling the same way you do, they just aren’t able to talk about it.

Everyone, I mean everyone at some point has; hated their hair, thought they were ugly, thought they were stupid, felt fat, felt alone, felt inadequate, lost attraction in their spouse, feared their spouse was no longer attracted to them, felt like a bad parent because they needed their child to just shut up for a minute, felt they were a bad friend because they wanted to put their own needs above another’s…the list is endless.

My hope for all who read this today is that you find some peace today, be it for a minute, an hour or more. May serenity finds it’s way to your door. May the reflections of your reality begin to bring hope, light and love.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Monday Motivator – Senscience Pro-Formance

July 6, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

It’s Monday. Again. For those of you familiar with my blog, you are aware it is becoming my mission to make Monday a little more bearable. I can’t make the coffee brew faster, I can’t get your dog to open the door and walk himself, nor can I make your children give you the moment of silence you so desperately need first thing in the morning. What I can do is help you to have a good hair day on Mondays, and everyday.

For those of you, like myself, who felt lost when Joico Brilliantine or Senscience Pliable Shine were discontinued, do I have some AWESOME news for you this fine Monday morning!

This Monday’s featured product is Senscience ProFormance Polish

Senscience ProFormance is one of the newest collections from Senscience. Although the products are created for our lovely gents, our lovely ladies can use them as well. I am a firm believer that there is always a reason to add a little shine. This gem from Senscience delivers just that. It is a pliable (easy to work with) pomade that is created for all hair types. * a lovely pomade to use on curls – soft and defined. It offers a natural shine and washes out easily – leaving no residue behind. * no flaking – perfect for our dark haired beauties and no brassy tone residue – perfect for our blonde bombshells.

For best results, Senscience ProFormance Polish should be applied to dry hair. A little goes a long way, so begin with a dime size amount, emulsify in your hands, then apply to your hair. When using Senscience ProFormance polish, you can easily achieve any style.

For the Gents;

– a slicked back dapper

– a rebel tousled style – think Marlon Brando in A street car named desire …or James Dean in Rebel without a cause …either will do.

– great for beards – adds that little bit of sheen and controls those pesky little hairs with a mind of their own.

For the Ladies;

– a great finishing product for curls – adds a little shine and brings back a little spring to your curls without leaving a sticky or hard look and feel.

– a perfect product to apply to those pesky flyaways along your part or to control the kick back of your cowlick * that’s why I like it.

– cocktail with your favorite shine serum – a great finishing product to add some shine and control to your ends – instead of your ends looking like a shag rug circa 1970, your ends with be smooth as a baby’s bottom.

A lovely pomade that adds natural shine and it smells wonderful, what more can your hair ask for on a Monday?

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Monday Motivator – Quantum Humidity Guard

June 29, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

Hello Beauties! Yes, it is Monday once again…have no fear! I have a gem of a product that will make every hair type – long or short, sleek or curly, frizz free! Monday and everyday!…yes! it’s true. …and with wedding season and BBQ season upon us, we can use all the help we can get.

Meet Humidity Guard by Quantum

This gem of a product has become one of my “must have” products for the spring/summer months. As we all know, humidity isn’t always the bff of our new ‘do, until now. Humidity Guard by Quantum is your guard against humidity. Offering humidity resistance for up to 24 hours, Humidity Guard will provide all day control, lock your style in place – even when humidity is at 100%. It helps to eliminate those little hairs along your part that are trying to flyaway with the seagulls.

* An added BONUS to this FAB! product – it offers thermal protection. Humidity Guard is safe to use with thermal styling tools (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).

** Another BONUS – for my blonde Beauties – natural or bottled like yours truly – Humidity Guard will not leave a brassy film/effect on our lovely tresses.

The scent is fresh yet not overpowering, so it is becoming a favorite for the Gents too. It is color safe so no need to worry about losing the vibrancy of your new found shade of blue, red or blonde. Humidity Guard is a fast drying spray so you never have to wait for the spray to dry before applying heat and no worries of crunchy, sticky hair.

For best results, apply Humidity Guard to dry hair. It can be used with your flat iron/curling iron or, once you have achieved the style desired for your day, after setting your look with your favorite hairspray, mist Humidity Guard by Quantum all over your hair. I promise you, your style will hold up all day and all night.

***Another BONUS! This gem retails for $13.25.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator – Schwarzkopf BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm

June 22, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

Hello Beauties! Yes, it’s Monday once again…no need to pout. I have a gem of a product to ensure a great hair day for you today and everyday this week. Meet Schwarzkopf’s BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm.

BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm is created for normal to dry hair, straight, wavy or curly. It balances the moisture content of your hair and ensures an even and supple hair surface, just as a BB cream works as a base for your makeup. With it’s weightless formula it can be used daily. This gem works as a moisturizer, styling balm and offers heat protection. I have baby fine hair (just lots of it) so many products can easily weigh down my hair, this is not one of those products. Schwarzkopf’s BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm left my hair soft and added some body. I used it on it’s own and with mousse, and was pleased with both results. On it’s own, I had soft body. The Beauty Balm is a great primer for any styling products so when used along with my mousse, I achieved great volume and control for my styles.

For best results, BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm is meant to be used on clean damp hair. Comb through your hair or spread through with your hands – which ever you prefer. * A little goes a long way – for medium length hair, use about the size of a quarter. Emulsify in your hands, put through your hair, then blow dry. If using with another styling product, always apply BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm first.

The smell is clean and fresh and doesn’t overpower the scents of any other products you may be using. It helps to detangle and aids in drying time. With it’s heat protection it helped my bleached blonde locks look a little less fuzzy after blow drying. I have to say, this gem has been a welcome addition to my hair care routine, it will be for you as well.