March 27, 2018 by MONAT in HAIR / SPOTLIGHT

Caring for Curly Hair

Curly hair is fun when it’s wild and slightly crazy…or take the sexy route when they’re in a slinky, spiral shape.

But since curls can undoubtedly be hard to manage, here are a few tips.

Use a wide-tooth comb, not a brush, to detangle

Curly hair is the most fragile type of hair there is, with each curl being a possible breaking point. A wide-tooth comb is the gentlest way to get through your curls and also doesn’t break up your curl pattern like a brush would.

Comb your hair from the bottom up

If you start at the bottom of your hair, combing up lets you detangle each knot. The last thing you want to do is yank your way through your curly mane.

Get a regular trim to avoid split ends

For a bouncy, fresh head of curls, book an appointment with your hairstylist every six to eight weeks to trim off split ends and preventing splits from going further upward.

Use a Cream for Curls

As any curly-haired girl will tell you, a styling cream is an essential part of their hair arsenal. Styling cream for curly hair will reduce frizz while bringing out natural curves. How to use? Immediately post-shower, simply rake a dollop of styling cream like Curl Cream through all your strands and then either gently blow dry with a diffuser to get a really full head of curls or air dry to get a tamer look. Curl Cream has the innovative WAVEMAX™ in it for longer-lasting, naturally defined curls. WAVEMAX is a 100% natural, new green cosmetic active that enhances and maintains the natural-look of curls. Containing a rich combination of polysaccharides extracted from Chia Seed and Linseed that shields the hair shaft, it forms and shapes defined curls, with the additional benefits of anti-frizz, protection from humidity and heat stress.

Here’s another a tip: If your curls are very coarse, apply product to wet hair. If your hair is fine, apply product to damp hair.

Once your curls are dry, you can shake or fluff your ringlets to your heart’s content to get just the look you want.

Want more tips for curly hair? Watch MONAT’s Beauty Insider!

February 20, 2018 by MONAT in SPOTLIGHT / WELLNESS

The Health and Beauty Benefits of Water

How many times have you heard that you should drink 8 glasses of water a day? It’s common knowledge but do we really know why we need to drink that much water? Listen up!

Your body is mostly water and comprises about 60 percent of your body weight. According to the Mayo Clinic, water:

Eliminates wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
Keeps your temperature normal
Lubricates and cushions joints
Protects sensitive tissues¹

But did you also know all the wonderful things water can do for your looks? Enough H₂O does more than keep you hydrated. It helps your body flush out toxins more efficiently. The result? Fresher and more radiant-looking skin! Water helps your skin keep its natural elasticity and suppleness.

What do the experts say? According to Howard Murad, author of The Water Secret: The Cellular Breakthrough to Look and Feel 10 Years Younger, not drinking water makes your skin look more dry and wrinkled, which can be improved with proper hydration.

Dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, of the New York City-based Schweiger Dermatology Group, has said, “I’ve found that water makes a big difference in skin health. Without adequate water intake, skin appears duller, and wrinkles and pores more prominent.”²

Now it’s easier to become more motivated to try and drink 62 ounces of water a day, right?

For those of you who don’t have the patience to track your water intake (or who don’t enjoy guzzling water around the clock), you literally can “eat” your water to supplement your intake. That’s because many fruits and vegetables are almost 100 percent water!

Below are some fruits and vegetables that taste wonderful and hydrate you. Incorporate these into your daily diet and you will meet your water quota, helping your body work better and making yourself look better!

STRAWBERRIES

CUCUMBER

CELERY

CANTALOUPE

GRAPEFRUIT

SPINACH

TOMATO

WATERMELON

¹ Healthy Lifestyle: Nutrition and healthy eating. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256?pg=2
² Fetters, K. Does Drinking Water Really Give You Glowing Skin? Women’s Health Magazine. February 26, 2015. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/drinking-water-for-better-skin
³ Micco, N., M.S. 7 Refreshing Foods to Help You Stay Hydrated. Eating Well. http://www.eatingwell.com/article/17576/7-refreshing-foods-to-help-you-stay-hydrated/

February 13, 2018 by MONAT in SPOTLIGHT

It’s Valentine’s Day. Whatever Can You Do That’s Different?

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and that age old question pops up: What can I do with my boyfriend/husband/significant other that’s not same old, same old?

Here are a few ideas for Valentine’s Day that go outside the usual flowers, chocolate and lavish dinner out.

Go Dancing. Real dancing. Take a class, hit a salsa club (for quickie lessons, try this link or simply go see live music where you just have to dance!

karaoke_blog_2

Try Karaoke. As hokey as it may seem, karaoke is really a ton of fun. What better way to celebrate your chemistry than singing classic couples duets such as “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” and “I Got You Babe” together?

Hit a Comedy Club. Laughter is at the heart of intimacy, after all. Laugh the night away with a Valentine’s Day themed show at a local comedy club. A stomach aching from laughter is the best feeling when it’s shared.

Massage_2

Get a Couple’s Massage. Not only is this relaxing and totally indulgent, it will put and your boo in the mood for love! Tons of spas make hay out of this romantic holiday with couples specials so take advantage of reduced prices.

desayuno_2

Make Your Man Breakfast In Bed. You can’t go wrong with this one, especially when you blow caution to the winds and make chocolate chip pancakes!

Go Tapas Hopping. Instead of sticking to just one spot, hop around to different places, grab seats at the bar, and order different kinds of wine and tapas at each place. It’s soooo much more fun than a regular sit-down dinner.

Get Out of Town. From a bed-and-breakfast to a 5-Star, you can’t go wrong with a special night away. In fact, many places hold Valentine’s specials so scour around for the trip that looks most fun!

While there really are a ton of different things you can do, it’s important to realize that it’s not what you do but rather, how you treat your special love while you’re on this Valentine’s Day date. Romance happens anywhere as long as you pay attention to your partner, remember what they like and let them know your heart goes pitty-pat when you see them. In the end, anything can be romantic, even hot dogs and a baseball game, when you’re with the one you love. The key to long-lasting romance is not the bouquet of roses but the spark of knowing there’s always more to learn about each other.

February 1, 2018 by MONAT in HAIR / SPOTLIGHT

Have You Gotten Your New 2018 Hairstyle Yet?

The year is a month old, winter is at its worst and the doldrums have set in. Need a pick-up? Nothing can change your mood faster than a new do. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to get on trend for 2018. We’ve picked out some of the most popular styles and haircuts for this year. Whether you want to announce to the room “I’m here!” or go subtle, there’s an option for you.

Image Source: Getty Images

Curtain Bangs Are BIG BIG BIG!

Curtain bangs, called that name because they part like curtains, are on the top of the radar. Not sure? The style is up 600 percent in search on Pinterest! What’s so great is that this this versatile fringe style is an easy way to make your current look…well, look new! Parted down the center and with longer hair than regular bangs, it’s a synch to avoid the awkward bangs grow-out stage when you want to move on.

When you’re styling curtain bangs, use a small round brush and a finishing spray to keep them in place, like Refinish Control Spray.

Image Source: Getty Images

The Grown Out Pixie Has Grown Up!

This is a longer version of a classic pixie. Besides being oh so fab on its own, this style is wonderful for transitioning from super short hair into something longer. It has a lot of texture to it so whip out some BLACK Groom Styling Clay to get those piecey pieces just right!

Image Source: Getty Images

Playful Fringe Is So Much Fun!

Combining long, eye-grazing fringe with a sleek bob is totally on point for 2018. The best thing about this haircut is that it can easily be tailored to your personal style and features. To ensure the fringe has just the right volume, blow that hair forward when you step out of the shower to prevent any cowlicks in the front. When blowing your whole head dry, use a round brush and direct the hair forward, toward the face. Top it up with some dry shampoo like THE CHAMP Conditioning Dry Shampoo to give it a little oomph!

Image Source: Getty Images

The Lob Has Transformed Into the Long, Layered Lob

Everyone loves a lob, regardless of how it’s cut. But the long, layered lob has stolen our hearts this season. It falls to just below the shoulders and has varied lengths of layers to create lightness and texture. If you want, keep your bangs longer and angle them to soften the face. After using a curling iron to get very loose curls, scrunch your hair up a bit using Tousled Texturizing Mist to give the layers a softer wave.

Image Source: Getty Images

Expanded Curls Are the Rage!

This cut is for the bold of heart! It’s so popular you’ll be seeing it on the runway and in the supermarket! While the cut is key, the style calls for using the diffuser attachment on your hairdryer to bring out the natural curl and help them literally stand out! Apply a bit of REJUVENIQE^® Intensive Oil throughout your hair to enhance the curls and given your hair a bit of a luminosity.

Image Source: Getty Images

The Grown Out Shag Is Having Its Day!

While the shag came back last year, it’s now all grown up! This new, longer style has long, shaggy layers with longish bangs that have a center part. The beauty of this style is that the layers blend together so as your hair grows longer, it looks intentional, not like you overslept your salon appointment! Once you’ve curled your hair in once-inch strands, use Restyle Instant Sculpting Taffy to muss it up a little for a lived-in look.

August 28, 2017 by MONAT in SPOTLIGHT

Sorry, I Can’t Hear You Over the Volume of My Hair!

Thick, luscious, healthy-looking hair never goes out of style. Besides being one of the most evident signs of youth, many women admit that having voluminous hair makes them feel sexier and more feminine. However, as we get older, our hair ages too and some women start noticing their hair is getting thinner, scarcer or more brittle. This is generally a totally natural process but it might also be due to external causes, such as stress, unbalanced nutrition and overdoing chemical or hot styling methods.

August 28, 2017 by MONAT in SPOTLIGHT

Don’t Blow It! Use MONAT’s Blow Out Cream for the Perfect Look

Have you been making one too many beelines to the local blow-dry bar? It’s no secret that it can take a toll on your wallet, not to mention the hours of your life you’ll never get back.

But we get it, there’s nothing quite like that movie star moment when you step out of the door with a Cindy Crawford-esque coif.

August 28, 2017 by MONAT in SPOTLIGHT

Put Yourself in Control with Smoothing Deep Conditioner

It’s permanent…and better than ever!

“Smooth Operator,” that memorable hit from the ‘80s, can now become your personal theme song because Smoothing Deep Conditioner is now available as a permanent part of the MONAT product line!

July 5, 2017 by MONAT in SPOTLIGHT

The Science Behind Rejuvabeads®

There’s a million things we could do in under a minute. Repairing our hair just became one of them!

Introducing MONAT’s new wonder product, REJUVABEADS^®, verified by an independent lab to be 100% effective* in mending split-ends within one minute following application.

After just one use, REJUVABEADS^® heals damaged hair, eliminating breakage, frizz and split ends, leaving hair silky smooth, polished and protected from further damage.