Study Reveals that 29 is the “Golden Age” of Good Hair

Release of ‘Gatsby’ Inspires Beauty Trends

The Great Gatsby film by Baz Lurman (known for Moulon Rouge, Strictly Ballroom) all in a flapper, so to speak, at the Box Offices, coming in second only to Iron Man 3 and posting profits of about $51 million. A film so colorful and so anticipated, it is no wonder it is inspiring beauty and makeup trends like these:

HAIR: That iconic 20′s look is coming back and we have already seen the “lob” and shorter on Hollywood stars for the summertime. For sure a great summer style for Arizona! Pin curls, embellished bobby pins or barrettes and jeweled head pieces are part of the style. Even long styles are getting that infamous 20′s wave.

MAKEUP: Max Factor launched his first lip color in 1928 and the rest is history. Deep red lips, along with plum colors and brownish reds remain very hot right now, even for swim season. Skin is supposed to be luminous and creamy but for eyes think super-smoky like the speakeasy itself! In the early 1920’s, King Tut’s tomb was discovered, and everyone went crazy for everything Egyptian, including Cleopatra-like kohl-eyes. Use a smudgy black pencil and then in terms of lashes, think big. Either go false or curl and apply at least two coats of intense black mascara. Bigger bolder brows are also part of the Gatsby style.

NAILS: Takes on the famous French manicure were tops in the 20s — painting the tips different colors many cool variations fit right into this look! Ask our nail techs for their recommendations!

Mother’s Day Winners Announced!

We were so touched by EVERY entry we received for our Mother’s Day contest. Each daughter or son who wrote in spoke so beautifully of what their moms give up or do for them daily. It was a terribly hard choice for us to make and solidified our resolve to remind everyone how hard moms work to take care of their families and others close to them. How much they give of themselves at work on a daily basis. Each and every mom really deserves to take time for themselves and take care of themselves — mind and body. Our owner and management were so touched in fact, they added an additional prize on to the contest for an extremely deserving runner up. Thank you again for all of the submissions and for the chance to work with you to do something nice for those special to you. Our best to moms everywhere!

 

It solidified our resolve to remind everyone how hard moms work to take care of their families and others close to them.

Here is an excerpt from Grand Prize Winner Alexis Quintana’s entry. She will treat her to a Luxe Mini Spa Day and $50 Otaku Gift Card:

There are a million reasons why my mom is the best. She had me at a young age. She gave up a lot of her life to raise me. Till this day she does anything to make me happy. Looking at her you’d think nothing was wrong. Unfortunately, she is currently suffering from a tumor in her head. Luckily it is not cancerous. It’s taken a toll on her …

My dad is in the Navy and eight months ago he was ordered back to San Diego. My mom didn’t want to make me start at a whole new school my senior year. She decided to stay here with me until I graduate. We couldn’t afford to pay rent on two homes so we had to downgrade to an apartment, but my mom did not mind one bit, as she knew how much it meant to me to graduate with my friends. It’s hard and she made a very big sacrifice in her marriage being long distance for almost a year.

The past six months I have been trying to enlist in the Navy. Unfortunately, after two times of failing the ASVAB and wanting to give up, she wouldn’t let me. Even though we were tight on money she was willing to spend nearly $2,000 on tutoring sessions for me so I could pass the test. After a month of studying I took the test for the third time and passed! My mom has never been so proud and as of this past Monday I officially belong to the United States Navy and I ship out August 6th!

She’s been crying all week telling everyone she is not ready for her baby girl to grow up. She has always pushed me to do better. My mother is strict but she’s the best. I was always taken care of because of her. I value my self worth because of her. I’m strong, respected, and beautiful because of this woman.

Here is Runner Up Heather Ladd’s Entry. She will treat her mom to a Luxe Mini Spa Day:

I would love for my Mom to win this special treat.  I have been blessed with having my Mom in my life.  She has always been there for me and anyone else who needs her.  My Mom works full time, always has, to help support our family but still always has time to give.

She has spent the last several years acting as a caregiver to her Mom, my Grammie, until recently my Grammie passed away.  My Mom would work a full day, go home to get food for my Dad set up (he is retired on disability, is diabetic and has had two open heart surgeries), then would go to my Grammie’s aid until late into the evening. She would head home, do what work around the house she could before collapsing to sleep and getting up the next day to do all again.

Her weekends are spent running errands for the two households and also helping my Uncle (her brother) who is in a wheelchair with his errands.  She would skimp on herself and in fact, the first pedicure she ever had was when I took her when she was on “vacation” to visit me this last year. First time she had ever had paint on her toes! She loved it and has yet to treat herself again.

When my Dad got sick, she would sleep at the hospital each night just so she could be close to him even though he had no idea she was there. She would then go from the hospital to work to my Grammie’s side and back again. She would never complain.

In the midst of all that she does, she will find little bits of time and will call me and leave messages on my phone just to tell me little special messages.  She will tell me that I am talented and can do anything, she will tell me she loves me, she will tell me how proud of me and the woman and mom I have become. I have no idea how she does it all!

My Mom is so beautiful and I wish she knew just how much that was true.  She is too busy to stop and take care of herself and that breaks my heart.  She is so loving and so caring and I wish I could do more for her.

After my Grammie’s funeral I mentioned to my Mom that her and Dad should move down here to Arizona to be with us. I wanted to have them closer to us and the grandkids. They could spend more time with us and I could be here to help them out when they needed.  My Mom responded of course with that she could help me out with our two daughters and save us money on childcare. Again, she is thinking of how she can serve and help someone else! They are moving here this week and I am so blessed to have them here.

My Mom has never moved from home, she and my Dad live 30 minutes from where she grew up and they have lived in the same home since the day they were married. She sold that home, and packed up everything to move to a state she knows nothing about, with no job, to be here with us, for us, AMAZING!

I have set up an appointment with Stephanie for my Mom to get her hair done and styled with professional color treatment (no cheap box color for her anymore!) I want to treat my Mom so that she can feel as loved, important and beautiful as she really is. I want her to know how much she means to me and to all of us in the family. She is our rock and the most amazing part is that she has no idea how special she really is. I love her so much and winning this for her would be a way that I could show her that she is worthy of the winners treatment and a day of beauty at a glamorous salon and spa.

She would be blown away and I would love to be able to watch her bloom with these services that she could never do for herself.  Thank you for the opportunity to share about my Mom and I hope you select her.

The Next [Bb] Wave Arrives … in July

If you’ve ever spent time at the beach and came home with perfectly tousled locks, you’ll understand the fascination with Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray. So it is no wonder that we are anxiously awaiting the July release of two new products in the Surf line …  Foam Wash Shampoo and Creme Rinse Conditioner. Both promise buoyant body and sea breezy texture … can’t you just feel the gentle breeze blowing on your face, through your hair and over your bare shoulders? Hear the waves crashing? See the seagulls soaring overhead?

Um, OK back to reality … both shampoo and conditioner contain a blend of sea minerals and botanicals to give hair that freshly washed feeling, with a touch of beach. Ideal for girls who like the textured, tousled style of sea hair, but with softening properties too.

Surf Foam Wash Shampoo cleanses the hair of impurities and adds a touch of grit with the Sea Fennel and Kelp ingredients while Surf Creme Rinse Conditioner softens with the added minerals. Leave hair to dry naturally for the full beachy wave style — that’s right cut down on time under that hot dryer!

Stop Haircolor Fade for 22 More Washes!

Our very own  Avery Woodhouse is a fan of Goldwell’s Color Lock Serums retention treatments! Why you ask? This $20 enhancement to the color service is proven to prolong your color for up to 22 additional washes! Depending on your hair type, Luxe can customize the treatment: Normal or fine color treated hair gets treated with Weightless Care Color Lock with color protective Pomegranate Essence; the Thick or Unruly formula uses Nourishing Care with Raspberry Seed Oil and Blonde or Highlighted Hair is treated with Regenerating Care’s repairing Mirabelle Lipid Oil. All three instantly lock in color when applied right after the color service and help prevent fading. So, to summarize, this means that for $20 more, you get unsurpassed color retention, hair color becomes more brilliant, and hair texture more manageable! Ask your stylist for more details.

Target’s Kate Young Chooses Eminence

The newest Target store fresh brand, fashion and beauty authority Kate Young, talked to Style.com about a few of her favorite things. Young, who dresses Kate Mara, Michelle Williams, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman for the red carpet, lends her talents to publications like Vogue and designers like Jason Wu. That’s why we’re thrilled that in addition to being able to buy her style at Target, you can buy her favorite beauty product at Luxe: Eminence’s Sun Defense Mineral Wands. Easy to use and apply, this natural powder sunblock comes in a variety of shades and is water resistant, so it’s easy to see why a busy girl like Kate would love it. Ranging in colors from Translucent to Cinnamon, this easy to use, apply and carry anywhere product has Micronized Zinc Oxide (sunscreen) fruit extracts and Vitamins A and E. The natural minerals are what provides the water-resistant SPF 30 sun protection to women and men alike. Hypoallergenic, non-clogging and excellent to use post-treatment, especially to camo red or blotchy skin on your way back to work. Darker shades can be used as a bronzer. Unlike many of its well  know Department Store counterparts, we are delighted to tell you that it actually works and does not clog! Lauren Conrad also favorites it!

Goldwell Green is Earth Day Smart

Happy Earth Day to all of our clients and friends! If you have a chance, try our Goldwell Dual Senses Green Products which are 98% naturally derived! Perfect for those who value natural and sustainable products—without wanting to compromise on performance. Buy the Shampoo and Conditioner and get 15% off this month!

Prom Style: Tips and Tricks

Calling all Prom goers! Will you go classic black or white? Trendy lace? Purple reign or Royal blue? Or another color of the moment, Emerald? Once you’ve picked the dress, what to do with hair and makeup? Styling, as it is called, is as important as the dress you choose and how it fits you. It is about communicating your vision of yourself the way you want others to see you. It is very personal, unique and special. In addition to picking a flattering dress, here are some time honored tips we’ve collected:

1. Do you. You can never go wrong by staying true to yourself. So if you are like Bella Swan and heels aren’t your thing, go with those Chuck Taylors if they call to you. A big trend now that goes along with the Boho or Hippie Chic style beside the hi-lo hem (or shark bite) are flower crowns for hair — the Nordstrom Brass Plum Blog has some great tips on how to make your own. Bring it with you to your hair appointment and we will make sure it looks amazing and stays on! Also, chalk colored highlights are hot to compliment your dress color as well. Again, another trend that we can help you execute flawlessly!

2. Start with clean hair. There’s a dirty rumor (pun intended!) that day old hair is best for updos and styles. It just ins’t so says Mel B. Torres, stylist. “We can grit (dirty) up the hair with product!” she explains. “If the hair is oily, the curl or style won’t hold well or for very long. Plus everyone wants fresh clean hair for there special day!”

3. Get waxing done at least a few days before prom – especially if you plan to tan. Schedule waxing at 3-5 days out, says Todatiyah Morris, esthetician. Schedule tanning in the early evening and come wearing dark comfy clothing to tan (we recommend Level Three for the best and most even glow) and then hit the sheets for bed. Try not to shower the same day for darkest possible results. NOTE: Once tan is dry, it will not stain clothing or sheets.

Photo/janae limongelli

4. Nails can wait if … If you plan on getting gel or acrylic enhancements, you can schedule getting nails a few days out, but for natural polish, don’t go more than 24 hours before an event to keep chances of chipping to a minimum, advises nail technician Tammy Rosenberg. Nail Technician Melissa Paolo is offering a great deal on a full set of acrylic nails for just $40 (save $20) throughout the month of April when you book with her exclusively! Please mention this blog and get the details from our Front Desk at time of booking.

Enter our Mother’s Day Contest with Otaku and Win!

Tell Luxe Salon & Spa and Otaku Asian Fusion why your Mom is the GREATEST and WIN our Mother’s Day Contest! We want to know what makes your Mom special or how she’s gone out of the way for your family. Why does she deserve this special prize? The winner will treat Mom to a Luxe Mini Spa Day, which includes: Mini Mani & Pedi, 30 Min. Facial, 30 Min. Massage, a Shampoo/ Conditioner with scalp massage and a Blow Dry/Style. Luxe’s professionals will make sure Mom will leave physically rejuvenated, mentally refreshed and looking her best! Then she’ll be ready to use her $50 Gift Card to Otaku for an amazing array of fresh dishes! So enter NOW by:

*Emailing us at info@luxesalonspaaz.com and putting “Contest Entry” in the subject line

*Facebook App on our page or QR Code (above)

* Drop off your entry in Salon

So grab a pen, a phone or a keyboard … the deadline is May 4th! And if you are a Mom reading this, get your kids on the task! Good Luck!!!

Fine print:

Something Blue and Something Melon: Hot New Wedding Colors!

The arbiter of great taste, Martha Stewart, declares new chic colors for weddings: Cornflower blue and melon! “[They] can warm up a room or cool it down; be bright and modern, or vintage and romantic,” says the MSW blog. “The best news about this pretty pairing: It looks good in flowers, on favors, and everything in between.” You can read and see more about this hot pairing of colors for your own event HERE. In describing this beautiful set-up: “Here, bistro-style tables covered with custom-embroidered linen create the feel of a French cafe … Kumquat bunches tagged with guests’ names serve as place cards.” Now imagine bridal nails or toes in those colors! Something borrowed, something blue!