Twenties and Thirties

Many women in their twenties and thirties find themselves struggling with skin care’s two biggest evils: fine lines and acne. Unfortunately, the intense moisturization that can help prevent wrinkles often wreaks havoc on acne. The right daily routine, coupled with a few more intensive treatments here and there, can help you fight both—all while setting your skin up for a lifetime of glowing results.

Daily Routine

Wear sunscreen every day, even if you’re not going outside and even in the winter. To combat acne, try a mild salicylic acid solution, and make sure you take off your makeup every day. Be sure to moisturize every day with an oil-free face moisturizer. Need something a bit more dramatic? Ask your dermatologist about Tretinoin cream, which can combat both wrinkles and acne. For an intensive daily clean, consider using a sonic skin care brush like the one made by Clarisonic. You’ll get exfoliation and makeup removal with one simple tool, and many young women find that their skin responds beautifully to the change.

Extra Skin Pampering

There’s no substitute for a good facial, which will help keep your skin glowing and free of acne and wrinkles. If you find your skin is prone to irritation try an oatmeal-based mask or facial. And to keep your skin in tip-top shape, use a deep exfoliating treatment at least once a month.

Forties

During your forties, hormonal changes coupled with sun exposure and the wear and tear of everyday life start to leave your skin sapped for moisture. You may find that your skin is less resilient than it once did, and fine lines and wrinkles may slowly be overtaking your face.

Daily Routine

Use a moisturizer which contains hyaluronic acid. This important substance locks in moisture without adding oil, leaving your skin glowing—not looking like a grease slick. To ward off fine lines and wrinkles while combating the ones you have, select a wrinkle cream containing retinol. Retinol works wonders, but it also makes you more sensitive to sun exposure, so continue to apply sunscreen every day.

Extra Skin Pampering

If you want to turn the clock back a few years and emerge with glowing skin, try a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. A home kit will get you decent results, but for the most dramatic effect, you’ll need to get a professional treatment.

Fifties

The fifties are the time when the skin really starts to show its age. Not only can you expect more wrinkles; your skin will also be dry, especially if you’ve already gone through menopause.

Daily Routine

Keep your skin moisturized with a thick cream containing hyaluronic acid, and continue regular retinol treatments. Then up the ante by using an intensive night cream, in addition to your day cream. Notice dark spots? Skin brightening treatments really do work.

Extra Skin Pampering

A chemical peel removes the top layer of skin, leaving glowing flesh in its wake. For a more dramatic solution, though, now is the time to consider wrinkle fillers such as Botox.

Sixties and Beyond

In your sixties, your skin tells the story of how you’ve lived and how well you’ve cared for yourself. While dryness is a problem for almost all women, it still is possible to have beautiful skin well into your senior years.

Daily Routine

Rather than a traditional moisturizer, try a skin oil instead, and pair this daily treatment with a hefty dose of sunscreen. Continue to fight wrinkles with retinol, and stay out of the sun. The sun’s rays can quickly sap aging skin of its moisture.

Extra Skin Pampering

A deep moisturizing spa treatment rich in oatmeal and super-emollients can work wonders. But don’t forget about the way you live! Eating superfoods like pomegranate and avocado, drinking plenty of water, and getting at least eight hours of shuteye each night can mean the difference between dull skin and a glowing face.

The post Anti-Aging Tips for Moms of Every Age appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

Beach Waves

Beach waves are the style of the moment everywhere from fashion runways to local coffee shops. This romantic, alluring look is super-easy to pull off. Simply grab a one-inch curling iron and wrap one- to two-inch sections of hair around it, leaving the ends loose. Finger-comb, spray, and then go. For an even easier take on this gorgeous look, try wrapping your hair in two to three tight buns an hour or two before you leave. Blow with a drier for two minutes, unwind, finger comb, and then enjoy your glorious waves!

Loose Twist

For a modern take on the classic French twist, try this: Pull your hair into a sleek ponytail at the nape of your neck. Then flip your hair up and begin twisting till you reach the top of your head. Fold the loose part of your hair down into the twist and pin in place. Pull a few pieces loose for a romantic, undone look. For even more glamour, try curling the loose pieces or adding some hair jewelry to the twist.

Sleek Ponytail

If you have straight hair but don’t have time for a blowout or session with the curling iron, try pulling your hair into a ponytail just above the nape of your neck. Run shine serum through the ends, comb thoroughly, and them embellish with pearl hair pins or a floral hair band.

Half-Up

Add a little glamour to your hair by pulling half of it up and away from your face. Not only does this give you a chance to showcase a gorgeous barrette or hair pin; this look is also extremely versatile. Try braiding the pulled-up portion for boho chic. Or channel 1940s-style glam by pinning the half-up portion to the top of your head, then twisting each side for dance hall-inspired sophistication.

Glamorous Topknot

A topknot offers a gorgeous twist on the classic chignon. To master the look, pull your hair into a tight ponytail at the top of your head, using gel to secure any flyaways in place. Then begin twisting your hair at the top, twisting all the way to the ends. Wrap the twisted portion of your hair into a topknot, then pin in place. This look works great for a sophisticated evening out, but if you want to add a little romance or boho chic to the look, try pulling a few strands loose or throwing some tiny flowers in your hair.

The post Five Easy and Hot Hairstyles for Date Night appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

Use Sunscreen: Use plenty of sunscreen while you’re soaking up rays. Look for ones that are labelled “broad spectrum” – effective against both UVB (skin-burning) and UVA (skin-aging) rays – and are SPF rated 30 or above. Also look for water-resistant varieties. Apply regularly. Finally, the FDA is recommending that you not use spray sunscreens on children, at least until the administration can determine whether it’s harmful.

Exfoliate: A good facial can remove dead skin cells and keep your face looking healthy. Consider Phagans Microdermabrasion Facial ($30) as an easy way to rejuvenate dry skin and open up pores. Then find a good over-the-counter salt or sugar scrub for your body. Finally, a good pedicure ($18 at Phagans) will keep those feet looking fine for sandal weather.

Moisturize: You need to drink more water during the summer and so does your skin. Mousturizers will soften and tone your skin. Choose water-based ones over oil-based and ask your Phagans Aesthetician for recommendations for your skin type.

Eat Right: Yep, a good diet can be another great way to keep your skin and your body healthy during the summer. Cooked tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene, an antioxidant that fights the effects of UV rays. Berries, grapes, and beets contain antioxidants, too.  If you’re interested in food for skin care, check out these 30 skin-healthy foods.

During the month of July, save $5 on facials at Phagans School of Hair Design. Call our Clackamas at 833-840-9039 to schedule your appointment today.

The post Summer Skin Tips for Sun-Starved Northwesterners appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

What to do about your hairy stems? There are lots of options if you choose not to go au natural. Shaving, depilatories, and laser treatments will all remove hair effectively, but waxing offers the longest-lasting, most affordable treatment around. Here are a few reasons why we think waxing is the way to go:

Safe: Think about the last time you shaved your legs. Chances are you were hunched over in a cramped shower with water pounding your back and shampoo or conditioner running into your eyes. This common scenario is not the safest place to be wielding a sharp object. Naturally in this position, chances are high of cutting your skin when the razor slips. Over time, these nicks and cuts can leave unsightly scars. Chances of damaging the skin in this way when waxing are next to none.

Natural: Unlike depilatory creams that use harsh chemicals to eat away the hair from your body, waxing uses natural elements to remove the hair at the root.

Affordable: Whether you do them at home or have them done professionally in a salon, waxing sessions are an affordable way to remove hair for weeks at a time. Compared to laser hair removal sessions at thousands of dollars per leg for hair removal, monthly waxing, even in a high-end salon, is a bargain.

Efficient: Plain and simple, waxing your legs can save you time. While the procedure can take an hour or more to complete, you won’t have to repeat for weeks, saving your precious time each morning in the shower that you would have spent shaving. Legs stay smooth for up to three weeks after waxing.

Waxing isn’t for everyone, though. If you have certain skin conditions, extremely sensitive skin, or take acne medication, waxing your legs is not recommended. And if you can’t hold off on shaving long enough to let your hair grow out to a minimum of ¼ inch, the wax won’t be able to secure the hair and remove it from the follicle.

Bottom line is that you can get better, longer-lasting results with waxing than shaving and that should be enough to help you dare to go bare this summer.

During the month of June, save $5 on a full leg was at Phagans salon. Call our Clackamas at 833-840-9039 to schedule your appointment today. 

The post Dare to go Bare: Benefits of Waxing appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

Treat your mother to the gift of beauty this mother’s day. Buy a gift certificate for $50 and receive $75 worth of services at Phagans School of Hair Design.

Subtle Makeup Changes

Massive makeovers will probably last no more than a few hours with busy moms. So don’t focus on giving mom an entirely new look. Instead, a few updates are all that’s in order. Ensure mom has a high-quality foundation that matches her skin, and get her a good blush for glowing skin year-round. This season, green and blue eye makeup in every conceivable shade are big, so encourage mom to decorate her gorgeous peepers with blue eyeliner, periwinkle eye shadow, and a rich navy blue in the crease.

Glowing Skin With a Facial

Mom doesn’t have to cover herself in foundation to leave her skin looking lovely. Instead, try treating your mom to a salon facial for perfect skin that requires no makeup. If a day at the salon is too time-consuming or too expensive, try a home facial. A microdermabrasion kit, such as Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel, takes only a few minutes but will leave mom with the glow she had long before kids came into her life.

Nails to Die For

What woman doesn’t want gorgeous nails? Of course, changing diapers, washing dishes, and banging away on the keyboard can destroy even the loveliest of manicures. For a longer lasting look, it’s time to upgrade to gel polish, which can last two weeks or longer. Some women find that gel polish dries out their nails, and for these women there’s a second option. SNS is a powder polish that your local salon can apply, and this lacquer delivers calcium and vitamin E directly to the nails – no nail damage necessary.

A New Coiffure

The days of the shapeless, lifeless mommy cut are long gone. Instead, try treating mom to a salon cut with a deep conditioning treatment that will leave her locks gorgeous and shiny. An updated color – featuring highlights, low lights, or even a subtle ombre look – can breathe life into the dullest of locks, and doesn’t require any special maintenance other than a color-friendly shampoo.

No matter your mom’s style, take some time this Mother’s Day to pamper her and remind her she’s beautiful. Even the busiest of moms needs a break, and a little pampering never hurt anyone.

The post Mother’s Day Mommy Makeover Tips appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

At Phagans, we love to see our students experiment with fun make-up looks. Here are some of our favorite makeup tips and tricks to help inspire you this Valentine’s Day.

1. Pink Eyeshadow

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a little bit of pink. Reds, pinks, and purples have become some of the un-official colors of romance, love, and valentine chocolate boxes! Add some of these colors to your makeup pallet for something a little more memorable.

We love the look of a complete pink eye look. From a bold neon liner, to a smokey hot-pink shade that creates a halo around each eye, a splash of pink can’t be beat.

2. Red Lips

A bold red lip is iconic, glamorous, and timeless. Make your lips the focal point of the evening by shading them in a daring red hue. Be sure the lipstick you choose is a long-lasting stain that can live through a few sips of wine without smudging or coming off too-quickly.

We love a vampire-inspired burgundy, but you can also stick with a classic crimson for a holiday look no one can mistake.

3. Head-To-Toe Matching

Color blocking and coordination isn’t just for men’s belts and shoes. Get a complete look by matching your eyeshadow and lip shades to your blouse, dress, hair, or skin. A one-toned look can be elegant, formal, and super sexy when done right.

A nude look can be a sultry choice. Use some of your foundation as a base for your lips and blend it with a nude shade. Check out our blog on how to find the right foundation for your face.

You can also use a very light pink to barely highlight the apples of your cheeks as well as your inner lips. Use color blocking to match your chosen dress color to your eyeshadow or lips as well. A hot pink, red, or orange can be a refreshing pop of color.

4. More Mascara

Nothing is as feminine as long, thick eyelashes. Bring out your best feature this Valentine’s and add a bit more mascara to your look. Don’t be afraid of having it get a bit clumpy! A jagged, striking shape to your lashes will add to the drama!

If you’re afraid you don’t have the natural gifts of your own, check out Phagan’s eyelash extension services. We can help you achieve a Valentine’s Day look with beautiful lashes you’re truly excited about.

5. Cat Eyes

It’s a look that has been around since the times of the ancient Egyptians, and for good reason! A beautiful winged eyeliner elongates the eye’s shape and makes them the focal point of any look. Nothing says femininity, grace, or romance quite like this timeless makeup technique.

Start by lining the top lid in a dark brown or black and follow upwards from the outer corner to create a pointed edge. Trace your wing down and line your lower lid line halfway across for a more bolded look.

6. Dewy Highlights

Shimmery, glowing skin. Who doesn’t wish they had it? Give your face some natural highlights by applying shimmer to the tops of your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, under the brow bones and in the corner of your eyes. Don’t forget the moisturizer! Refreshed and hydrated skin is going to give you that instant glow.

Add some drama with a bit of dewy shine. Simply spritz some setting spray and add white or lighter foundation shades to those highlight areas of the face.

7. Hints of Glitter

Glitter can be a fun accent to any look, but when applying it in your makeup, be sure to use it wisely. A glittery eyeliner or shimmery eyeshadow is everything you need to draw attention to the right places.

Draw the eyes up to your brow bone, eye line, or lips with a bit of shimmer and glitter. You can even try the glue and dip approach to get a completely covered look.

Find Your Valentine’s Day Style

Choose one or a few of these looks and show us what you achieve this Valentine’s Day! If you want a little extra help, check out Phagans makeup services in our student salon. We offer girl’s night packages so you can come with a friend! Or you can book a solo appointment with one of your favorite student artists.

{All services performed by students shall take place under the supervision and direction of a registered teacher.}

If you love the look we helped inspire, show it off and tag us on Instagram @phagansschoolofhairdesign. We can’t wait to see your take on Valentine’s glamour.

The post 7 Ways to Sweeten Your Makeup Look for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

But what about the boys? For decades it has been far tougher for a boy to express his personality though clothes or hairstyle. Just check out this modern hairstyling poster from the early 60s – not much choice between styles.

Luckily, boys these days aren’t relegated to the bowl cut or the Gomer Pyle. Read on for some of the hottest styles for boys heading back to school in 2013.

Spiky – A spiky cut works great for boys with straight, thick hair. This style is a short buzz, but unlike it’s forefathers in the 50s and 60s, spikes today are blended from the side to the top to create a smooth look rather than a flattop.

Textured and tight – This short, no fuss style is textured all over for a carefree look. It works well for kids with cow licks and odd hair growth patterns since it camouflages these sometimes difficult to manage patches. Kids (or moms) can choose product or no product with each day’s whim.

Conservative – A medium length, conservative cut is cute on the boy whose personality matches. With a side part, longer angled bangs, and tapered neck and ears, this cut suits your tiny Tom Brokaw.

Shaggy – Scooby Doo’s sidekick had a swoopy shag long before the Biebs sported it on stage. With long hair on younger boys making a comeback, a shag is an easy way to show off longer locks. Whether you go shorter with long, thick bangs, or shagged fringe all over, these styles require a little more styling to maintain the look.

Whatever style your kiddo wants to show off in the halls this fall, you’ll get a great deal on haircuts during the month of August at Phagans. School aged boys and girls can get a back-to-school ‘do for only $3 at either Phagans location. Call today to schedule your appointment and beat the end of summer rush.

The post Boy’s Cuts for School: Throw Away the Bowl appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

1940s hairstyles for women were the epitome of femininity. Their round, soft edges contributed to the curvy, soft image of women at that time. To achieve the look, women used bobby pins to create curls and waves and also to pin up hair for additional height. Long hair and bangs were curled under to complete the smooth look.

Hats were all the rage during the forties, and women’s hairdos were constructed to accommodate the latest trends in haberdashery. Many styles were asymmetrical so hats could sit at a jaunty angle and frame a woman’s face.

Heart shaped faces were popular – think Vivian Leigh or Mae West. Even if you weren’t born with that face shape, you could craft your 40s hairstyle to mimic a heart. Curls dipped in the center of the forehead and swept up high over the temples forming a heart shape.

Whether you want to recreate the styles of yesterday or set the trends of tomorrow, the stylists at Phagans can help you get a look you love.

The post Phagans 65th Anniversary: Hairstyles of the 1940s appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.