What’s behind the proliferation of “Green” claims?
These days there is an abundance of haircare products claiming to be “natural”, “organic” or “green” in every drugstore, salon and beauty-supply store. The market for these products has witnessed a huge boom in the past few years, but what do these labels really mean? (more...)

Which of my hair traits are due to my DNA?
Common hair issues, such as baldness, hair loss, and hard-to-manage textures are often blamed on genetics: “I’m losing my hair because my mother lost hers…” is a classic. So which issues can be attributed to genetic factors? (more...)

The best of both worlds: sure Beauty-id business is brisk, but we always make time to take in the sights and sounds of Paris.

My Beauty-id On-the-Go Pack and I fly to Paris for business (and pleasure!) several times a year, and clients often ask me where to go in the city of light to get the best food, drinks, shopping, or just to plain people-watch and relax.

Although Beauty-id takes up the better part of my waking hours, I always find time to linger in my favorite Parisian tearooms. After all, what better way to take a break from the bustle of the city, if not over a cup of tea and a patisserie?

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Here’s a rundown of your basic haircare appliances. These items take their toll on your hair, so use sparingly and on the lowest heat setting possible. Prices range from the reasonable $25 for a basic hair dryer to more sophisticated items in the triple digits.

Blow dryers are an indispensable part of many women’s haircare routine. If you’re watching your pennies (most of us are these days!) opt for a well-known brand. You can also try an ionic hair dryer, which are generally pricier. They work by blasting the hair with negative ions, which, when they come into contact with wet hair’s positive ions, lock in moisture. Some claim ionic hair dryers make their hair shinier.
If you have a tendency for dry hair, choose a blow dryer with variable heat settings.

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A glossary of scalp ailments and nature’s way to treat them

Here’s a list of the most common scalp conditions that inevitably have a knock-on effect on your hair.
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What is it and does it really work?
Dry shampoo has been around for thousands of years. In Asian cultures, women would apply clay as a cleanser to their hair and then comb it out, and in the courts of France hundreds of years ago, women would “powder” their hair to clean it. (Or alternatively they would simply wear a wig to avoid washing altogether!)
While dry shampoos were traditionally used when there was really no other option—on camping trips or during travels in remote places where water was not readily available—today sales are climbing. Some clients claim the time-savings benefits (after all, you are skipping the wet, shampoo, rinse cycle) while others say that dry shampoos have a volumizing effect on their hair and that by not washing every day, a salon blowout can last a good bit longer. (more...)

Beautiful hair doesn’t mean spending a fortune!

In today’s economy many of us have re-evaluated how we spend our money, and how much we really have to spend on non-essential items. For some, this can mean cutting out frivolous expenses, which range from frequent trips to the department store to going for a weekly massage to the spa. But even if you’re becoming increasinlgy budget-conscious, you can still sport a great head of hair.
Here’s how:
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The advantages of single-dose haircare

It’s no secret that we are more mobile today than every before. Airplane travel has become routine commuting for some, while leisure travel numbers grow year on year.
But travel can be a challenge when it comes to maintaining your haircare routine, and can increase the frequency of those dreaded bad hair days—issues ranging from jet lag to hard water can really take its toll. This is why it’s best not to skimp when you’re on the road; take your favorite hair care products along for the ride. (more...)

After-sun recipes for your hair
Tis the season when your hair is regularly exposed to sun, sea and pool, which means it’s also time to give it a bit more tender loving care. If you don’t want to run to the store every time your hair needs a fix, here are some recipes for dry and sun-drenched hair that you can whip up in your very own kitchen. (more...)

The Water Effect
When you think of getting your hair wet, showering and swimming come to mind. But our hair also absorbs water when we exercise (through sweat), when we visit the sauna, hammam or spa (thanks to the steam) and, of course, when we get caught in a rainstorm and forget our umbrella! So what effect does this have on its wellbeing?
For one thing the hair shaft is permeable, which means it absorbs moisture and when it does it “swells”. In this moisture-laden state, our hair becomes more sensitive.
Add to this the fact that seawater and sweat contain their fair share of salt, which has a tendency to dry out the hair shaft. Chlorine, meanwhile, contains a mixture of chemicals and can be even harsher on your hair, not to mention the changes in color it can provoke on blonde hair. Excessive sweating takes the potential damage one step further, as in the long term it can lead to hair loss, but this is less frequent. (more...)