Halloween Hazards to Avoid for Healthy Skin and Hair

Courtesy of flickr user Vancouver Film School

It’s almost Halloween, and if you’re going for the look Blake Lively wore in “Savages,” you may want to proceed with caution before the actual horror ends up being on your skin the morning after. Face paint and hair dye are two of Halloween’s most popular costume enhancers, but if you don’t use them properly, they can irritate your skin and hair.

By design, Halloween makeup is typically thicker and heavier than regular makeup. It is designed to adhere to the skin and stay on for long periods of time. Costume makeup contains ingredients that are harsher to the skin than regular makeup, which can cause breakouts, rashes and other forms of irritation. Temporary hair dye and extra heat used to style your hair for the special occasion may also cause long-term damage to your locks. With the proper preparation and after care, you can prevent your skin and hair from suffering the consequences of your holiday spirit.

Below are a few TRICKS for helping your skin and hair survive All Hallows Eve:

Skin Care

• Skip heavy oil-based face paint in favor of a water-based foundation to prevent your pores from clogging.
• Wash your face thoroughly before and after applying makeup to rid your skin of the bacteria that may build up on your skin throughout the night.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your face before applying makeup to act as a protective barrier.
• Never sleep in your Halloween makeup.
• Test the makeup you plan on using on your wrist or the inside of your elbow to ensure it is safe for your skin type.
• Gently remove the makeup with a warm, wet towel. Do not scrub your skin because your face is a very sensitive area. 

Hair Care

• Stay away from harsh, temporary color that may compromise your natural hair color.
• Avoid using extra heat for styling to prevent heat damage and breakage.
• Wear a wig or extensions instead of treating your hair with a chemical-based color.
• Wash and condition your hair directly after you use any Halloween hair products.

Halloween is a holiday worth dressing up for. Whether you are rocking a full face of makeup with your costume or dressing your child up like Elsa from Frozen, be sure to follow these tricks for surviving Halloween hazards. If you have additional questions, please leave them in the comment box below.

Happy Halloween!

Young, Fabulous Hair

Photo courtesy of flickr user Symic.

When trying to prevent aging, we often focus our attention on our skin, specifically the face. But why stop there? If your hair is changing as you age, the way you care for it should change, too. You can renew your hair by making even the smallest changes. Whether it is the products you are using or a change in your everyday styling routine, there is a way to keep your hair looking sleek, luscious and healthy.

Like the famous philosopher Sir Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is power.” In order to prevent your hair from becoming dull, you should first understand how it ages.

Let’s get down to the science of the matter.

The average human being has around 100,000 strands of hair, although it can vary for each person. Each piece of hair is made up of protein, called keratin, which is surrounded by an outer layer of overlapping sheets forming the cuticle. The fastest-growing cells in the body grow within the only living part of a strand of hair, the hair follicle in the skin. Changes in biochemical or hormonal, microscopic or environmental factors can cause hair to age.

Five Tips for Younger Looking Hair

1. Watch your diet.

We are what we eat! There are certain foods that are full of good fats that can help you maintain a healthy scalp and head of hair. Partaking in a nutritious diet of salmon, walnuts, oysters or sweet potatoes will be the start of a new look. Below are other foods that are great for long locks.

Lean meats
Ensuring that you’re eating enough lean protein can help prevent hair loss. Lean protein can be found in foods like:

• Ground sirloin
• Eggs
• Edamame
• Pork chops
• Chicken tenderloins

Dark green vegetables

Foods containing vitamins A and C and the mineral iron, such as spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard, can help prevent hair loss.

Low-fat dairy

Yogurt, cottage cheese and other low-fat dairy foods contain calcium, which encourages hair growth.

2. Take your vitamins.

Not every shampoo is the same, which is why we strongly suggest using shampoos, conditioners and hair masks containing vitamins A, B, C and E. Along with vitamins, nutrients such as calcium and magnesium in shampoo can help repair hair damage. Make sure to pay attention to the ingredients label to guarantee that the formula does not contain sulfates. These cleansers have been known to strip hair of its natural oils.

3. Be easy on wet hair.

No matter the color, length or texture of your hair, it’s most sensitive when it’s wet. I don’t think this next statement will be a problem for the “tenderheaded” people of the group, but be CAREFUL when brushing your hair right after a shower. Rather than a brush, consider using a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair while still in the shower.

4. Put down the blowdryer.

Let me clarify this tip. I am not saying that you should never blow dry, straighten, curl or otherwise use heat on your hair again, but the temperature of the hot tool of choice could probably be dropped a bit. Try to prevent stubborn flyaways, frizziness and dryness by using an ionic (also known as negative ion) blow-dryer with 2,000 watts or more, or use a straightener with pure ceramic plates.

5. Release some pressure.

Have you ever gotten a headache from a ponytail holder that’s too tight? There is a reason for that. Loosen up your ponytail by using no-crease ponytail holders, stray away from tight braids and avoid products that make the hair stiff, such as extra hold hair sprays.

Need more tips on healthier and younger-looking hair? Leave a comment below and we will try to help you out!