Tip of the Week - Mist-ify Those Cracked Lips

Try a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep to help combat constant cracked lips.

Constant cracked lips can be a sign of dehydration. Chapped, dry lips can be caused a variety of things from sun, cosmetics and bitter winds. Try a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep. Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day. No, those 3 coffees a day don’t count!! In fact, they count against you since caffeine is dehydrating.

Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina
The Urban Beauty Bar

True & Falsies #10 - Make It Grow Faster!!

"I can't remember where I heard this, but I always heard that getting frequent trims makes your hair grow faster. Is that true?"

********** FALSE **********

I know some of us are looking for the solution to making your hair grow faster. You might have better luck finding some magical fairy dust and sprinkling it on your head!! The truth is hair grows at the same rate regardless of whether or not it’s being cut. Of course each individual is slightly different depending on certain factors such as hormone levels, diet, and usage of styling aids, among others.

Your regular trim certainly makes your hair look better, but that’s because it’s eliminating your split ends. This is what makes hair look thinner and shorter at the ends. “Removing split ends will keep your hair looking healthier, but don't forget your scalp!! Follicle stimulation can also aid in hair growth by receiving head massage, scalp treatments, etc...” says Kelly Rushlow, licensed hair stylist at Kelly’s Esthetics.

Suggestion for the day? Visit your stylist every 8 weeks or so for maintenance. If you would like to keep the length but keep it healthy – make sure your stylist takes off the minimum necessary just to eliminate those crazy split ends.

Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina

The Urban Beauty Bar

Tip of the Week - Get Mega of the Omegas!

Eat some salmon, a walnut, even some cauliflower perhaps? Increase your intake of OMEGAS!

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids and are similar to the skin’s natural oils and help the skin produce more. The skin does have its own natural oils, but at times can suffer from a lack of oil. Many things can be a factor, such as too much sun/wind, smoking, excessive use of  caffeine or alcohol to name a few. With increased Omega intake, you’ll find an improvement in your nails, skin and your hair. A pretty good reason to get healthier and to look and feel better!!


Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina
The Urban Beauty Bar

True & Falsies #9 - Exfoliatio​n City

I feel as if companies just say that I need a facial and body exfoliator as a marketing tool to make you buy more than one product for the same use. I can just use my body exfoliator on my face, correct?

********** FALSE **********

Ummmm......try again? I realise it gets a bit costly once you factor in the variety of products you need for your skin, but different skin needs different products. The fact is, the skin on your face isn’t the same as the skin on the rest of your body.


The skin on your face contains a higher number of oil glands and is also more delicate and much thinner. Facial products and body care products are created differently to address and specific needs. Also, you may want to keep in mind that while you may have oily skin on your face, you may have dry skin on the rest of your body. Just some helpful tips for you!

Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina

The Urban Beauty Bar

Beauty and Wellness - Hand In Hand

I spent a wonderful night with my good friend Cee at the Grand Opening of West Toronto Wellness Centre last night. It was great fun having a few laughs and sharing a drink with some fantastic people! There was a really positive vibe in the centre as everyone buzzed around checking out products and the gorgeous space itself.

I know, I know....I’m all about beauty so why promote a wellness centre? Clearly you haven’t been reading my blogs! Healthy living plays a big role in having great skin, hair and nails. It starts from within your body and shows through on the outside. So when Cee invited me to the grand opening....how could I resist?

It’s always nice to meet people who share my love for beauty but also for wellness. Karryn Arato is one of those fine people! She is the proud co-owner of West Toronto Wellness Centre, along with Dona-Marie McCowan, which is conveniently located across the street from Keele subway station.

The West Toronto Wellness Centre provides a variety of services including; colon hydrotherapy, ear candling, hot stone massage, homeopathy, lymphatic drainage, medical intuition, nutritional support, spirit coaching and thermography.

I won’t drone on forever, but I will leave you with her info for you to follow up on and a fab photo of Karryn (left) and myself (right).

Karryn Arato, West Toronto Wellness Centre.

1719 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON. M6P 1B2
416.497.9968   http://www.wtwellness.ca

Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina

The Urban Beauty Bar

Tip of the Week - Get a good, moisturizing hand cream for the winter months.

Get a good, moisturising hand cream for the winter months.

The cold air leaves our hands feeling dry and chapped. You know you need some hand cream if your skin is so dry it’s snagging a thread or two on your favourite sweater! In the winter months, especially for those on the East coast, using body lotion isn’t going to cut it. Your hands need their own special treat, especially in the dead of winter.

Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina
The Urban Beauty Bar

True & Falsies #8 - Balance Is Key

I have combination-oily skin and I prefer using a foam cleanser or soap. My beauty product addict friend says it’s not necessary to use soap. She suggests I can use a cream or oil based cleanser. Can you settle our dispute? Please tell me I'm right in thinking I should avoid oil based products!

********** FALSE ***********

Your friend is actually right....which unfortunately for you means you are wrong. Oil and or cream cleansers can be used to cleanse the face it really depends on the types of oil ingredients in those cleansers. Our body is constantly replenishing itself.


What exactly does that mean? Well, we have what are called sebaceous glands (microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals). By constantly removing dirt, oil and make up with soap or foam; you may be aggravating the skin and forcing it to create more oil.


Using oils or products that include oils like sesame, jojoba and soy; can all serve as balancing mechanisms for the skin. What you don’t want are cleansers and or oils that contain petroleum or mineral oil.


What to do? Call or email your skin care therapist pronto. He/she can recommend products with the proper essential oil formula for your skin. What you’ll end up with is balanced, happy skin!

Cheers to beauty-ful days!
Nina

The Urban Beauty Bar