We all want long thick eyelashes, but unfortunately, some of us aren't blessed to look like we could be in a mascara commercial (FYI: the women in the commercials are probably wearing fake lashes). So what's a girl to do? You could stick to the time-tested regimen of eyelash curler + loads of mascara, but if you're not getting the results you desire, check out these options Michael's is offering women in the Dayton area.

NovaLash® Eyelash Extensions
For celebrity-approved lashes, check out NovaLash eyelash extensions. You've probably read about NovaLash in popular magazines (O, the Oprah magazine, Lucky, OK! Magazine, In Touch Weekly, Modern Salon and more) but did you know you can get NovaLash extensions here at Michael's Salon?

The physician and cosmetic chemist formulated lash extension system developed for your health and safety... the educated choice.

NovaLash is one of the safest options for women looking to boost their lashes. There's no need to worry about adhesives tearing your lashes out or damaging them. At Michael's, a licensed esthetician will apply NovaLash lashes on your natural lashes. You won't have an adhesive line to cover up, because they attach to your lashes, not your eyelid. You won't have to worry about a line of lashes separating at the end of your wedding day or night out! NovaLash starts at $202 and will last for the growth cycle of the individual eyelashes - approximately 1-2 months. Touch-ups are recommended as your lashes have a natural life cycle.


To keep your extensions healthy and looking great, here are some tips:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes and lashes - this causes you to lose lashes!
• If you wear mascara, DO NOT USE WATERPROOF MASCARA. Waterproof formulas will dissolve the adhesive on your NovaLash lashes
• Avoid eye makeup cleansers containing glycol or carbonates - they can loosen the bond of your NovaLash extensions
• When using eye creams, try to avoid your lashes and eyelids. And again, don't use creams containing glycol or carbonates.

Revitalash® Eyelash Conditioner
If you're not crazy about the thought of extensions, we also offer Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner. Again, you've probably seen Revitalash in the press (In Style, Elle, O, the Oprah magazine, and many more). Revitalash is a unique eyelash conditioner that will help you achieve the natural beauty of longer, thicker, fuller looking eyelashes.


A very small amount of Revitalash is applied once a day. No matter how brittle, short, fragile, thin or sparse your eyelashes are, Revitalash can help you achieve your very own long, beautiful, healthy looking lashes. You can purchase Revitalash at Michael's for $135.


Jane Iredale False Lashes
Jane Iredale just released their new Professional Faux Lashes. These lashes are great because instead of strips that you have to cut to fit your eyelid, they are individual pieces you can apply where you want your lashes to be fuller. You can apply just to the outer lids, or across your entire lash line.


If you have a special event and want longer lashes just for one night, schedule a makeover with one of Michael's talented makeup artists. They will apply all of your makeup, and can add as many Jane Iredale faux lashes as you desire, for a minimal add-on.

Take care of your lashes
Whether you try false lashes or not, always always ALWAYS wash off your makeup at night. Sleeping in your makeup is not only bad for your skin, but also bad for your lashes. Wearing mascara overnight can cause your eyelashes to become fragile and break or fall out prematurely.

Have you tried eyelash extensions or conditioners? What was your experience?

Are you noticing that your hair isn't as shiny and healthy as it was ten years ago? It's true, with age comes hair that is drier, breaks easily and lacks body and shine.
The recent issue (May 2010) of More magazine tackled this problem in an article titled "Ch-Ch-Changes!" More offered up a six week plan to bring back the silky texture we all love. Here are some highlights from the article, with tips from Michael's included (direct quotes from More in italics). Update (5/26/10) More's article on tips for aging hair is now available on their website. Disclosure: All product recommendations in this blog are by Michael's professionals:

Trim, then tame
Visit your stylist to get rid of damaged ends, then explore conditioning treatments. "Nearly every stylist we spoke to said for the most dramatic results, you can't beat an in-salon keratin treatment."

We've blogged about keratin treatments several times, but the treatment infuses keratin into your hair follicles to promote healing, block humidity, and prevent environmental toxins from entering the hair. It leaves hair smooth, frizz-free and manageable.

Give your do some downtime
After a keratin treatment, you should not wash your hair for 72 hours to allow the treatment to soak in. When you do wash your hair, use a sodium-free shampoo like Keratin Care. Salt will strip your hair of chemical treatments, which means your keratin, or color process for that matter, won't last as long.

Also, skip a day or two from shampoo. Your hair produces natural oils which help keep it moisturized. If you must, rinse your hair in luke warm water, and use a small amount of conditioner just on the ends.
**Personal note: Jodi talked me into shampooing every other day, and I'm finally able to keep red color in my hair, after many attempts that faded quickly. And as an added bonus, my shampoo and conditioner last twice as long!

Finally, go easy on the heat. When you do rinse or shampoo, use luke warm water, not hot water. When you blow dry or flat iron, use a thermal protectant like Iron It by Michael's, Aquage Beyond Shine or Trilliant by Sebastian.

Color Care
After taking great care of your hair, you might want to amp up the color a bit. The More article recommends 'Ask your colorist if (s)he can use an oil-based bleach, which processes hair more gently than a traditional bleach." Michael's uses Wella color processes, which are oil-based, and condition your hair as they color.

More magazine is a great resource for 'women of style & substance.' They celebrate women over 40, and offer tips on fashion, beauty, love, careers and more.

What do you think of these tips? Do you have other tips to share? Let us know in the comments!

We've established that professional products are better than store brand products. Now, I would like to tell you about Michael's "Brown Label" products.

This is the only full line of all-natural, gluten free products available in the Dayton area. Not only are the products gluten free, but they are also free of parabens, preservatives and salt, ingredients that can damage your hair follicles, and that are commonly used to dilute products. Michael's line of products are highly concentrated - it takes less product for each use, so one bottle will last much longer!

What's the big deal about gluten-free?
For those who suffer from celiac disease or gluten allergies, ingesting gluten can lead to reactions that range from uncomfortable to downright dangerous. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it absorbs everything you put on it - even hair products that touch your scalp.  Although it's not very common, severe reactions of gluten allergies have included hair thinning or falling out at an alarming rate. A good rule of thumb is if you can't put gluten IN your body, you shouldn't put gluten ON your body either.

Even if you don't suffer from gluten allergies, Michael's line of products is specially formulated by cosmetic chemist Irma Jobst to protect your hair from damage caused by environmental factors - it protects against sun damage and fading - and from over-styling. Irma (right) was here this morning training our staff on product chemistry.



Are you ready to try our new line of products yet? I understand if you're a little hesitant, so ask your designer at your next appointment. She or he will be able to recommend the products that are best for your individual type of hair. And, here's a good deal to sweeten the pot a little more:

Our short answer: YES

 

Yes salon products are better, and here’s why. Look at the ingredients on your shampoo that you purchase at any retail store. I’m willing to bet that one or more of the following will be the top ingredients: water, salt (sodium chloride or ammonium chloride) or a sulfate.

 

What are these ingredients?

While water is a necessary ingredient, most store brands are highly diluted – to the point that it takes much more product to get the job done. For products that are diluted with high quantities of water, there will be lots of salt. Salt is a thickening agent, so that your product will seem to be of a good consistency. Sulfates, often listed as ammonium laurel sulfate, sodium laurel sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate, are lathering agents. They make your shampoos or foaming products get bubbly to make you think they’re working. Salon products include these as well, but in smaller amounts, and at gentler doses. Sulfates at high doses are harsh on your hair, especially your hair color.

 

Why are they bad?

If your product is diluted, it will take more of the product to achieve your desired result. Which means that one professional bottle might last longer than 3 or 4 bottles of store products. Multiply the cost of a store product by 4, is it still cheaper than a professional product? Still, why are you spending so much on salt and water?

Salt is very hard on your hair, especially if your hair has been processed. If you are willing to pay 70, 100 or 150 dollars on a process, why would you strip it with cheap products?

 

Professional Recommendations

Of course, not ALL store brand products contain harsh elements, and some professional products do. One of the most important reasons to use professional products is because you can get specific recommendations from a licensed professional. Michael’s designers train with cosmetic chemists and understand what ingredients are in the products we offer. They will recommend the products you need to get the style you are looking for. And the best part – Michael’s guarantees the products we sell. If a product you purchase doesn’t work out for you, bring it back within 30 days and we will be happy to find another product better suited for your needs.

What do you think? Do you use professional products or store brand products? Are you satisfied with your hair's texture? Does your color last as long as you think it should? Let's get a discussion going.

Last month, Michael travelled to Chicago to attend America's Beauty Show. In Chicago he found several new products, but one really stood out amidst the sea of wrinkle reducers, moisturizers and skin care products.


Instantly Ageless is a revolutionary cosmeceutical product that works instantly to reverse the signs of aging. The clinically-proven formula is safe and effective, is fragrance free, and is not tested on animals. It can be used daily to:

• diminish fine lines and wrinkles
• minimize lines around the eyes (aka "crows feet")
• reduce or eliminate frown lines between your eye brows
• smooth lines around the upper and lower lips
• shrink the appearance of pores and improve skin texture

We tested the product on employees here at Michael's and each person had dramatic results. Here is a photo of Debbie with one eye treated and the other untreated:

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to look fresh from the salon everyday.

This week is part 2 of Debbie's Jane Iredale makeup application. Last week she showed how to apply makeup for a classic day look. This week, she's showing you how you can quickly and easily dress up that look for a night out. She turns the basic eye makeup into a smokey eye and adds some shimmer to the look.


Debbie added Jane Iredale's Cream to Powder Eyeliner in Black Plus and used the Eyeliner/Brow brush to soften and smudge the look. She added some shimmer with the 24 Karat Gold Dust in Silver, and added some shine to Morgan's lips with Jane Iredale's PureGloss.


For more makeup tips, check out Jane Iredale's makeup blog and YouTube page. The great people at Jane have lots of videos and ideas on how to update your makeup look. And as always, let us know what you think of today's video! Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook or Twitter accounts. Also, let us know if you have any ideas for next week!

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to look fresh from the salon everyday.

This week Debbie is showing you a basic daytime makeup look. She is using Jane Iredale products, which are all available here at Michael's. Jane Iredale has created an awesome line of products that are great for your skin. For more info, check out this previous blog post.


Next week, Debbie will show you how to dress up this makeup look for a night out. She will give Morgan the smoky-eye look that is always popular.

Do you want more makeup tips? You can get a complimentary Jane Iredale makeover with Debbie next time you come in to Michael's! It's a great way to try different shades and colors - we do recommend scheduling an appointment to ensure that she's available.

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

Ladies, you can throw away your bump-its, because Elise is about to show you how to back comb and tease your hair to get volume, without having to use an uncomfortable plastic head piece!

Elise used products by Osis to get this look: Dust It mattifying powder and Freeze Fix spray.

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

This week Ali is demonstrating something that is usually very hard to do on yourself - a long hair updo. Once the steps are broken down, she shows that this style is actually pretty easy and quick!

One thing you need to keep this look in place is great hairspray. Ali used two different hairsprays by Aquage - the Freezing Spray to smooth and hold the look while styling, and the Finishing Spray to set it in place.

Michael's Salon is proud to carry the Jane Iredale makeup line. Why is Jane Iredale so great? We'll let Jane tell you, from her website:

Known as The Skin Care Makeup, the jane iredale line is so safe and beneficial to use that it is recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists throughout the world.

Jane Iredale's Skin Care Makeup combines the most up-to-date colors with skin-care benefits that conventional makeups can only envy:

• Non-comedogenic, will not block pores.
• Virtually no allergy risk.
• All products have been sensitivity tested.
• Broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection - up to SPF 30.  UVA tested at High.
• Anti-inflammatory, helps to calm and soothe irritated skin.
• Very water resistant rating by an FDA-approved lab.
• Complete coverage for skin conditions like acne, rosacea and redness following treatments like chemical peels and laser resurfacing.
• Contains no talc or parabens.
• Composed of inert minerals that cannot support bacteria.
• No products have been tested on animals.  Vegans click here for product information.

Check out the Jane Iredale Makeup Blog for videos, tips and news from Jane!

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

This week Kinley is demonstrating a great style for the day between shampoos. Most people don't need to wash their hair everyday - by simply rinsing your hair every other day in lukewarm water you can extend the life of your color and keep your hair healthy.

Kinley used TIGI's Dirty Little Secret Dry Shampoo to give her second day hair life and shine. She secured her style with TIGI's Bedhead Masterpiece Shine Hairspray. 

OPI has developed a revolutionary new manicure that changes everything you thought you knew about nails - and you can get it done at Michael's Salon & Spa in Dayton, Ohio! No more waiting for nails to dry, no more being extra careful with your nails so as not to smudge them after your manicure. No more chipping within a few days!

• Just tried the Axxium manicure with Jenny, think I might have a new favorite spa service. I love the look and the strength it gives my nails. Come try it and see.  

Tara Myers

• i got that on Sunday with Samantha..totally loved it!!!! i would for sure get it done again!!!!!!!!!!

Laura McKinney

Michael's Salon worked with the Media Group at Michael's to develop an intensive, hour-long training video to address the problem of choppy, uneven bobs that Michael noticed everywhere on the street. The bob is currently one of the most popular haircuts, and Michael saw a need to develop this revolutionary cutting technique. Continuing education for all designers is at every level is a large part of why Michael's is the premiere salon in the Dayton region. Michael has used this video to train his staff in small groups and has noticed a vast improvement in cuts leaving the salon. "There is no excuse for not achieving the client's desired look. You have to take into consideration the texture and type of hair, thickness, etc. in order to make this or any look work." In this training video, Michael explains how using the right products allows you to overcome difficult or hard to manage hair.

For more information on this revolutionary training video please email kim@mediagrouponline.com or call 435-5478 ext. 200.

Since we started carrying MoroccanOil products earlier this year, all of the hair designers here at Michael's Salon have been going crazy over how great this product is for your hair. Designer Kat Bissonnette loves it because "it is great for all hair types. Moroccan Oil actually heals and repairs hair with every use, and adds shine to lifeless hair. I love it!!"

We love the product, and now we love the gift box set that MoroccanOil has put together for the holidays.

The box itself is a perfect makeup case, and inside it is stuffed with wonderful MoroccanOil products. The Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner is sulfate-phosphate paraben free and is designed to soothe and repair chemically damaged hair. The Oil Treatment has the unique quality of instant absorption into hair, creating an instant shine and long term conditioning without leaving residue. And the Restorative Hair Mask offers a therapeutic remedy that penetrates deep into the hair to help reconstruct and rebuild, undoing damage done by chemicals and other environmental elements like sun and wind.

We also have a box set for curly hair, which substitutes the Restorative Hair Mask for the Intense Curl Cream. With impressive antioxidant and intensive hydration capabilities, this breakthrough styling product is used to enhance and define curly hair. Repeated use will result in extraordinary hold, shine and protection.

This MoroccanOil gift set is available at Michael's Salon and Spa in Dayton, OH while supplies last.

Michael's Salon and Spa is proud to carry Jane Iredale products. Jane Iredale makeup, aka "The Skincare Makeup" is recommended by dermatologists and plastic surgeons throughout the world. Here's why:
-Non-comedogenic, will not block pores.
-Virtually no allergy risk.
-All products have been sensitivity tested.
-Broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection - up to SPF 30. UVA tested at High.
-Anti-inflammatory, helps to calm and soothe irritated skin.
-Very water resistant rating by an FDA-approved lab.
-Complete coverage for skin conditions like acne, rosacea and redness following treatments like chemical peels and laser resurfacing.
-Contains no talc or parabens.
-Composed of inert minerals that cannot support bacteria.
-No products have been tested on animals.

As an added bonus, Jane Iredale has a great makeup blog with tons of makeup tips and how-tos! Check it out to learn the latest scoop. And next time your in Michael's, ask how to get a FREE Jane Iredale makeover with Debbie!

With the cold weather already here and winter fast approaching, the estheticians at Michael’s Salon and Spa want to remind you that winter requires some extra TLC for your skin. The dry air combined with indoor heat can wreak havoc on your skin. Here are some products available at Michael’s to help you combat cold weather dry skin:

For your face:
• MD Skincare’s Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel is a very popular product at Michael’s. It instantly helps firm skin and eliminate dullness. The daily peel helps treat enlarged pores and gently calms redness with soothing botanicals. It’s a great way to begin your skincare routine each morning – and it’s an easy 2-step process. Follow up with a moisturizer from MD Skincare’s Hydra-Pure line.

For your body:
• If your skin is already dry, exfoliating is important to remove flaky skin. Skin, An Apothecary has a line of Sugar and Salt Scrubs that will moisturize your skin while getting rid of unsightly flakes. It comes in a variety of scents and is made from all-natural ingredients. You’ll also be supporting a local business because Skin, An Apothecary is located here in Dayton, Ohio. After exfoliating, the Soy Body Whip is a fluffy body cream that gives dry dull skin a hydrated glow. It blends Vitamin C, soy and coconut oils to restore a healthy moisture balance in your skin.

For your hands:
• Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment is great for keeping your hands soft through the winter. It is an intense, non-greasy treatment that conditions dry, rough hands while helping to reduce nail splitting and peeling. Pro-Vitamin B5, soothing algae extract, licorice extract, Vitamins C, A and E, ginkgo biloba, and grape seed all combine in this improved formula to make your hands silky smooth!

For your feet:
• Don’t forget about your feet just because you’re not wearing sandals! Try Cucumber Heel Therapy by Creative Spa to combat dry calloused heels. You might need to use a foot file first, and then generously apply the cucumber lotion. For extra relief, apply at bedtime and slip on cotton socks.

For your skin:
• Want to keep your summer glow all year long? Norvell Amber Sun’s Sunless Mousse delivers naturally dark color in a foaming, bronzing formula that is easy to use and won’t leave streaks! Afraid to do-it-yourself? Michael’s offers spray tanning by Norvell.

Just remember that the most important thing for your skin in cold weather is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! It is easier to prevent dry skin than to treat skin that is dry, cracked or calloused.

For more information on the products mentioned, come in to Michael’s Salon and Spa. We’re open Mon-Fri 8-8, Sat 9-4, and Sun 12-6.

New Products are now at Michael's Salon to keep you looking your very best. Moroccanoil - Provides hair with a natural, silky finish and brillant shine. Revivogen - An all natural, dermatologist-formulated solution to help slow thinning hair in both men and women. Laser Hair Treatments - A cosmetic device used to improve the look and feel of hair. Creates thicker, fuller healthier hair in both men and women. Naked Glow - 24 hour facelift. Set of three moisturizers: Eye lift, Calming Night Lift, and The Lift (daytime use). Revitalash - A cosmetic eyelash conditioner that will dramatically enchance natural lashes - making them look longer, thicker, fuller and healthier.