beauty addict

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Psst…the best beauty secrets we’ve overheard this month.

Want to perk up dry winter strands? Try Jet Rhys’s recipe for a shine- and moisture-enhancing conditioner: “Put 1/4 cup mint and 1/4 cup rosemary into glass jar, and pour 1 cup apple-cider vinegar over the herbs. Seal the jar, leave it in the refrigerator for two weeks, strain it into a spray bottle, and then apply a few squirts post-shampoo.”

Booze may not cure a broken heart, but it can ease your hair woes. “Reach for the vodka to remove product buildup, and rinse your hair in a mixture of 1 part beer to 3 parts water to add shine and body,” Rhys suggests. Or for an alcohol-free option, pour Sprite into a spray bottle, and spritz it onto damp hair to create a sexy texture.

According to Rhys, standard condiments can solve hair quandaries. “Ketchup neutralizes green tints from chlorine exposure, while sea-salt scrubs are great for revitalizing the scalp.”

Bananas aren’t only a healthful snack; they’re full of vitamins and amino acids that soften strands and promote hair’s elasticity. To reap the benefits, Rhys recommends a homemade banana-mango hair mask “Mix 1 banana, 1/2 mango, 1 egg yolk, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a blender. Massage it through your hair, cover with a shower cap for 15 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water and shampoo.”

If you're in a pinch, you can enhance your natural hair color with certain types of tea, Rhys says. “Chamomile tea with lemon will bring out highlights in blondes, while brunettes should steep darker teas, like Earl Gray, with a few sprigs of rosemary. Just rinse your hair in the brew, leave it on for 20 minutes, rinse, and condition. Repeat the process daily until you achieve the desired effect.”

If you’re looking a little pale post-summer, try a change in hair color, says Jet Rhys of San Diego’s Jet Rhys Salon. To neutralize sallow tones, she recommends choosing a warm tone between honey and chestnut.

“To get this fall’s voluminous hair, spray damp strands with a leave-in conditioner, and while blow-drying, brush your hair in the opposite direction than it naturally lies,” Rhys advises. “The result? Sultry, gorgeous tresses!”

Although you needn’t tell your hairdresser about your psychotic boss or latest breakup, New York City salon owner Riccardo Maggiore urges clients tell their stylists if they’re on medication prior to getting chemical treatments. “If it’s something short-term, like antibiotics, it’s best to wait until the medication is out of your system; if it’s longer-term, it could affect the treatment’s outcome, so discuss it in advance.”

For a modern take on a ’70s glam-rock look, Rhys recommends straightening hair using Bumble and Bumble Prep. “Then just leave your strands as is,” she says. “Or twist and pin them up in the back, but keep it a little messy—it should look D.I.Y.”

According to Rhys, a deep-conditioning treatment needn’t cost a fortune. “You can make your own hair mask at home by blending a tablespoon of honey or jojoba oil with a half cup of milk,” she explains. “Just massage it in, leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.”

Contrary to what you might hear, you don’t need a $75 bottle of imported cleanser to keep your skin clean. According to Dr. Jim Baral, director of the American Dermatology Clinic in New York City, you just need to wash your face twice a day with a noncomedogenic cleanser, such as Cetaphil, which “moisturizes and doesn’t dry the skin out.”

Although you might love the tingly sensation of your favorite toner, if you have problem skin, consider skipping it. According to Dr. David E. Bank, medical director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery in New York City, these products’ benefits are negligible, and “they usually end up irritating or overly drying the skin.”

“As the weather warms up, some moisturizers can be too thick and block the pores,” says Dr. Bank. But this doesn’t mean you should swear off moisturizers completely. “People can combat this by changing to lighter, preferably oil-free, formulas.”

“To get soft, romantic-looking waves, take a large-barrel curling iron, and wrap hair around it in free-form twists,” says Jet Rhys of San Diego’s Jet Rhys Salon. For extra shine and polish, finish with Bumble and Bumble Bb Shine.

Got tangles? According to Rhys, you there’s a quick fix right at your local drugstore: “Buy a bottle of Infusium 23 Leave-in Treatment, put it into a spray bottle, mist onto your hair, and voilà—your hair is instantly detangled and conditioned!”

Thinking about getting a bikini wax for your first summer trip to the beach? Exfoliate before and after waxing. “Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells, allows hair to break through, and can prevent ingrown hairs, which are caused by dead skin cells,” says Joyce Carboni, founder and director of Skinsational Spa.

Remember to stay out of sun before and after your wax. “Because skin is thinner and more sensitive after waxing, you’re more likely to get burned,” Carboni explains.

When it comes to eye-makeup removal, "Ditch the washcloth,” says skin-care therapist Stacy Cox. “Instead, opt for cotton pads and cotton swabs, which are less abrasive and won’t rub and pull at your skin.”

“Razor cuts can look beautiful on certain types of hair, but if you have fine or damaged strands, it's probably not the best option,” says hairstylist George Horton, of Salon Blue in San Clemente, California. “Unless you use a ton of product, your hair will look like it's been hacked.”

“When filing your nails, use long, flowing motions,” says Ji Baek, owner of New York City’s Rescue Beauty Lounge. “Using short back-and-forth strokes can weaken and damage nails."

To make eyes look instantly awake, “curl your lashes, apply lots of mascara, and add a bit of gold or iridescent shadow to the inside corners of the eyes,” says Bobbe Joy of the Bobbe Joy Makeup Studio in Beverly Hills.

“Trends are great for inspiration, but the goal shouldn’t be to copy them identically,” says hairstylist Nathaniel Hawkins. “Instead of staging a major overhaul each season, stick to subtler changes.”

“A red lipstick in your makeup bag is just as much of a staple as the little black dress in your closet—everyone should have one,” says makeup artist Troy Surratt.

“The amount of winter static you’ll have depends on your hair’s type and its condition, but ionic shampoos can help, along with deep-conditioning under a cap once a month,” says hairstylist Roanni Castro of the Julien Farel Salon in New York City.

“Most of my clients’ hair-color requests are based on their fantasy hue, but it’s best not to make a drastic change all at once,” says Erika Szabo of the Louis Licari Salon in New York City. “Instead, stage the drama slowly, working bit by bit toward your dream color.”

To get a cool pompadour look, Kim Lépine of the Lépine New York salon recommends backcombing the roots of hair that hasn’t been washed for a day or two. Then “secure the pompadour discreetly with pins,” she says. “Without them, it will just fall.”

“Every six to eight weeks, you must get a trim,” says hairstylist Roanni Castro of the Julien Farel Salon in New York City. “When people go two months or more without a cut, split ends have usually damaged the hair.”

Light-reflecting shadows can be flattering and fabulous, but makeup artist Troy Surratt warns against shimmer overdose: “If you’re going to do a heavy shimmer eye, pare down the rest of your makeup.”

“Warmth always looks right in winter, and you don’t even have to dye your hair to get the look,” says hairstylist Nathaniel Hawkins. “Instead, use a tinted shampoo and conditioner or a color wash. Your base level will stay the same, but it will be enhanced with warm, rich tones.”

Photo credit: Kevin Russ

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