MPK Beauty Salon

How to Clean a Hairbrush

No matter the shape, size, or bristle type, both experts we spoke with agree that the same (very easy) cleaning method applies. Start by removing all of the stray hairs—you can do this with either a comb or with your fingers, lightly pulling all of the hair from one end of the brush to the other, says Aguirre.

Next, you'll need warm water and some type of cleanser; Aguirre uses shampoo, while Brown likes to use antibacterial dish soap. Apply a drop or two of either one onto the bristles, add a bit of water, and get the brush nice and soapy. "You can use your hands to make sure the lather gets all over the bristles," says Aguirre.

Just make sure that you're only 'scrubbing' the bristles one way, rather than in a back-and-forth motion in order to maintain their integrity, adds Brown. Do this for about 30 seconds to a minute, then rinse. And rinse. And rinse again. "You want to make sure there's no excess shampoo or soap on the brush, so keep rinsing until the water runs clear and you don't see any suds," Aguirre advises. Give the brush a good shake to get rid of excess moisture, then lay flat to dry, bristle side down, ideally overnight.

See below for a more detailed step-by-step process.

What You Need
brush, comb (preferably one with a pointed handle), toothbrush, glass bowl large enough to fit brush, gentle shampoo, towel

Follow These Steps

Perform Daily Maintenance Remove hair from your brush every time you use it. Hold the brush in one hand while grasping a comb in the other. If the comb has a pointed handle, hold the teeth (not the handle) and run the point of the handle through the bristles a few times to dislodge and remove any hair.

Alternately, you can use the teeth of the comb to remove hair, raking them through the bristles and lifting the hair up and out. Discard the hair.

Shampoo Your Hairbrush Once a month or so, shampoo your hairbrush to remove dirt, oil, and any built-up hair products. Holding the handle, swirl the head of the brush around in a bowl of warm water.

Next, put a few drops of gentle shampoo on the bristles of a toothbrush and use the toothbrush to scrub the bristles and base of the hairbrush. Rinse the brush by swirling it around in the bowl of clean water.

Tip: Don't soak your hairbrush in water as that could harm its cushion and any wooden parts.

Dry Hairbrush Overnight Place the clean, wet brush on a dry towel with the bristles facing down to dry overnight.

https://www.realsimple.com/author/melanie-rud

Looking fir haidresses to rent a chair

Dolphin Skin Is the Latest Highlighter Technique to Take Over Instagram

Makeup artists share how to achieve the dewy look that mimics the smooth, wet skin of dolphins.

BY DEVON ABELMAN

If some sort of food or object has a shiny (or cushy) enough of a surface — glass, mochi, glazed doughnuts — chances are it's only a matter of time before someone creates a way to bring the same effect to our skin. Now, animals are fair game for inspiration with the rising popularity of dolphin skin.

Just like the smooth, plump, reflective skin of the aquatic mammal, "Dolphin skin is a new beauty term being used to describe a glistening, luminous, fresh-out-of-the-water makeup look," makeup artist Mary Phillips tells Allure. "I think it's a perfect way to describe this multidimensional aesthetic."

Contrary to what posts under the dolphin skin hashtag on Instagram may tell you, Phillips, who works with Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner, doesn't take credit for coining the term. She too learned about it through social media and fell in love with it. "My signature look has always emphasized hydrated, dewy, radiant skin, so I'm happy to see it trending," she adds.

How to Achieve Dolphin Skin

1. Base

To create super shiny, wet, seemingly slippery skin, "You want to basically layer all your illuminating and hydrating products on top of each other to create dimension," explains makeup artist Mai Quynh.

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More specifically, Phillips starts off her pre-makeup skin prep with La Mer's The Concentrate to reduce redness (we also suggest the Sioris A Calming Day Ampoule), as well as a moisturizer. “This is best applied by warming up a pea-sized amount in between the fingertips then gently pressing it onto the skin," she explains.

After moisturizing, Phillips dabs a liquid highlighter, like the L'Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion, atop cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose to get skin glowing with a hint of pearlescence. She follows that up by blending an even layer of sheer, luminous foundation all over. (We love the Make Up For Ever Reboot Foundation.) For extra coverage, you can add concealer where needed.

Quyhn, on the other hand, prefers to slather on the Weleda Skin Food first before the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer for dolphin skin looks. Then, she blends a foundation with a dewy or satin finish all over.

2. Cheeks

To add warmth and dimension to skin, Phillips reaches for the Nudestix Nudies Matte in Sunkissed (a coral-toned bronzer) and buffs it onto the hollows of the cheeks and “anywhere the sun would naturally hit," she says.

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On the high points of the face, Phillips taps on the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick (a cream highlighter) with her fingertips for seamless blending. Then, she amps up the shine by sweeping the Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo onto the same areas.

For a wash of color, Quyhn also adds a liquid or cream blush — “something that isn’t a stain but has hydration," she explains — onto the apples of the cheeks. Her pick at the moment is the Tower 28 BeachPlease Tinted Lip + Cheek Balm.

3. Eyes & Lips

Face aside, you can also bring dolphin skin to lids and lips to tie the whole look together by using the same sort of glowy, water-like formulas. "Avoid matte products for eyes, lips, or cheeks," Quyhn says. “Everything should be airy, light, and glossy."

Twinkly cream and liquid shadows are your best bet for lids. Quhyn recommends seeking out ones that have flecks on the smaller side as opposed to big, chunky sparkles. Try her favorite, Glossier's Lidstar, or the Kosas 10-Second Eyeshadow.

For lips, go for a lipstick or gloss with a creamy, satin finish, like Beautycounter's Sheer Lipsticks and the Maybelline New York Lifter Gloss. A lip oil works well in this situation, too.

4. Finishing Touch

On the tail end of the dolphin skin process is translucent powder. Phillips lightly dusts it onto any areas of the face “to reduce unnecessary shine," she notes. "This helps set your make up while allowing your highlighted areas to glisten, gleam, and be seen."

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Read more about achieving other skin effects:

This MUA's Genius Highlighter Technique Lets You Fake the "Glass Skin" Look

Mochi Skin Is the Matte Version of Glass Skin

What Is Honey Skin?

Now, watch a glass skin tutorial from an Allure contributor:

Follow Devon Abelman on Twitter and Instagram.

KEYWORDSGLASS SKINMARY PHILLIPSMAI QUYNHHIGHLIGHTERLIQUID HIGHLIGHTERMAKEUP ARTIST TRICKMAKEUP ARTIST TIPSGLOWGLOWING SKINGLOWING SKIN TIPSGLOWYGLOWY SKINCREAM BLUSHLIQUID LUMINIZERDEWY SKINDEWY MAKEUPLUMINIZERINSTAGRAMINSTAGRAM TRENDINSTAGRAM MAKEUPINSTAGRAM BEAUTY

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BEAUTY PRODUCTS

10 Easy Hacks for Maintaining Natural Hair at Home, According to Hairstylists

Transitioning to natural hair? Here’s how to get your locks looking its best.

By Omenaa Boakye

May 27, 2020

Caring for your hair at home can seem like an overwhelming task, especially when you’re not sure where to begin, every process can appear time-consumin

To shed some light on a few of the good ones, to find out which natural and curly hair hacks we should be trying out at home.

RELATED: Easy Styles for Every Kind of Curly Hair

1. The scalp massage

“A scalp massage is always a good thing to do,” says Price. The gentle pressure and light motions immediately increase circulation, amplifying the amount of red blood cells, which helps to promote growth and rejuvenation. To add extra nutrients to your massage, try applying a bit of coconut or olive oil.

2. Sulfate-free shampoo wash

“Always be sure to use sulfate-free shampoo,” says Price. “Just in case you didn’t get the memo, hair does not have to squeak to be clean.” Sulfate-free shampoos help to retain the natural moisture in your hair, providing a healthy shine.

3. Cold water rinse

“Always finish shampooing your hair with a cold water rinse,” Spiller recommends. “Although it’s not the most comfortable process, using cold water to rinse your hair will help close the pores on your scalp and seal your cuticles, giving your hair a luscious shine.”

4. Conditioning treatment

Conditioning after you shampoo helps to reduce breakage and is essential for healthy hair. Conditioners smooth and detangle by replacing moisture and vital proteins into the hair shaft. For dry and damaged hair, Spiller recommends a honey and coconut oil mask: “The coconut oil binds to the hair, helping to reduce keratin loss and. And since honey is a humectant, it helps to impart moisture retention.” To make this mask, mix one tablespoon of coconut oil with one tablespoon of honey. Transfer the mixture into a pot and heat on the stove until the honey and the coconut oil melt into each other. Allow the mask to cool, then apply to your hair and cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes. Finish the treatment by rinsing your hair with warm water.

5. Bagging method

The bagging method is a popular moisturizing technique that can be used to help hydrate your hair and boost moisture. “Simply apply moisturizer or a leave-in conditioner to your hair, seal it with a natural oil, like olive oil, and cover your head with a plastic bag or shower cap for two to three hours,” says Spiller. “Covering your head with the plastic bag straight after moisturizing helps to trap in heat, which re-activates the moisturizer, promoting growth and restoring dehydrated, split ends.”

6. Tube sock drip guard

Trying to do a treatment at home can get pretty messy, especially if the product keeps dripping down your neck and onto your shoulders. To avoid this discomfort, grab the longest tube sock you own and tie it around the edge of your conditioning cap or plastic bag. “The tube sock will act as a drip guard, absorbing any water or product that leaks out,” says Spiller. “Make sure the tube sock is halfway on the plastic bag and halfway on your skin to catch any liquid.”

7. Detangling solution

Is your hair tangled after taking it out of braids or wearing it up for too long? If so, Price recommends making your own detangling milk. “Mix one-part conditioner with two-parts water and transfer the solution into a spray bottle.” Apply to dry hair before you shampoo and start detangling with your fingers. Separate any knots starting at the bottom of your hair strands and working your way to the top (tip to the root). Always use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush when detangling.

8. Two strand twist trim

“The first step to achieving the perfect home trim is investing in a good pair of cutting shears,” says Spiller. “Household scissors are not suitable for trimming your hair and will only create more spilt ends. Use professional hair cutting shears only.” Trimming your own hair can be intimidating, but according to Spiller, the two-strand method is one of the easiest ways to spot split ends. “Start the two-strand method by separating your hair into 1-inch sections, brush each section smooth and twist the hair tightly. After setting your hair into approximately 20 twists, cut the ends of the twists that are thinning or have a diagonal slant.”

9. Black tea rinse

Wondering how you can cut down on shedding and breakage? Spiller recommends a black tea rinse.“The caffeine helps to stimulate new growth and block Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for causing hair loss and shedding.” Brew a strong cup of caffeinated black tea using three to four tea bags and two cups of boiling water. Allow the tea to cool and transfer to an applicator bottle before applying to your scalp. Cover your hair with a plastic cap, and let the tea sit for up to 45 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Follow up with a deep conditioner. “I recommend using this treatment every three to six weeks, until you see improvement, as caffeine can dry out the hair.”

10. Aloe vera juice and water spritz

Aloe vera helps to seal your hair cuticle, which leads to increased shine and retained moisture. It also contains natural polysaccharides which help to strengthen and thicken hair. “Spraying aloe vera juice on your scalp can help balance the pH level of your hair and fight dandruff,” says Spiller. Fill a spray bottle with two-thirds of water and one-third of aloe vera juice, and use the solution to spritz your hair every morning and night. After lightly spritzing with the solution, follow up with your favorite oil-based hair product to seal in the moisture.

By Omenaa Boakye

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Admittedly, even we don't clean our makeup brushes as often as we should. But what about hairbrushes? Once, maybe twice a year? You too? Great. But guess what? According to Francesca Fusco, a dermatologist in New York City, you should be throughly cleaning your hairbrush at least once a month, and you should be spray-cleaning your hairbrush once a week.

"The less you shampoo, the more you use dry shampoo, the more you have dandruff, the more styling products you use, then the more frequently you should clean your brush," says Fusco. "Residue, dead skin cells, and oil colonize the brush and can be a nidus for bacteria and yeast, which in general is not good and can smell unpleasant."

Matt Fugate, a stylist at Sally Hershberger salon in New York City, agrees with Fusco's recommendation. "Cleaning your hairbrush every week keeps it from building up a ton of hair and old product and will make the brush actually do its job, which is to grip the hair and smooth out the cuticle," says Fugate. "The best way to clean it is to simply use a fine-tooth comb and rake it through the brush. It should easily catch all the hair and pull it free. Then, run it under the sink and use your hands to massage the bristles to break up product that may be stuck in it. Then use your blow-dryer and dry it up." If you're feeling lazy, Fusco says cleaning your brush weekly with a spray cleaner, like Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner, will do the trick.

And if you think buying a new brush is easier than cleaning your old one, look into this new hairbrush researchers at Ohio State University created as a way to tweak everyday objects and make them easier to clean so people won't throw them away and fill up landfills. According to researchers Scott Shim and Morris Koo, a usual hairbrush only lasts about six months to a year before the person gets fed up with its dirtiness and tosses it in the trash. To combat that, he and his colleague created the Maze brush. The brush contains two rows that pull apart for easy hair removal.

While a specialized brush can help you still have to wash the bristles in water and soap as Fusco and Fugate recommend. Moral of the story? We all have one more chore to add to our cleaning rituals

Allure.com

Read on for seven tips from Zeichner and Hirsch for how to keep your skin flake-free — without harming it.

1. Bottom Line: More than Three Times a Week is Too Much Exfoliation
How often should you exfoliate your face? Well, the absolute maximum you should be exfoliating is three times a week. "Over-exfoliate and you're likely to create tiny cracks in the skin barrier that lead to more loss of hydration and inflammation"

2. Be Gentle with Your Skin
"For some reason, people think exfoliating means 'torture my skin like it has secret government information.'" In particular, Hirsch shakes her finger at skin-care overachievers: "The person who is exfoliating too much is also putting on actives [such as Retin-A and salicylic and glycolic acid], is doing facials, is doing microdermabrasion. Each of those things on their own is good, but when you add every form of treatment together, it leads to injury."

3. Sugar is the Gentlest Exfoliator
If you're only dry in a few spots — say, around your mouth and chin, or on your eyelids — a scrub with sugar crystals is your best bet. "They're mild and gently dissolve dead skin cells without irritation, which makes them great for the thin areas around the mouth and eyes," says Zeichner. We like Fresh Sugar Face Polish, which also contains strawberry seeds for super gentle buffing.

4. Use Salicylic Acid as an Alternative to Everyday Exfoliation
While you can't exfoliate every day, you can use a salicylic acid–based cleanser. Salicylic acid is excellent at removing pore-clogging oil and it doesn't traumatize the skin like a physical exfoliant," says Zeichner.

5. Listen to Your Skin
Hirsch insists that for the most part skin knows how to exfoliate itself and that using just one exfoliator should be enough. Instead of having a set routine for how often you use your product, leave it up to your face. In other words, don't exfoliate simply because it's 7 a.m. — exfoliate because you feel like you need to. "You have to listen to your skin," says Hirsch. "Something that's right at one moment can shift in real time. Just listen and adapt."

6. Use a Cleansing Brush If Your Skin is Flaking
Zeichner suggests a sonic cleansing brush or an at-home microdermabrasion device, like the PMD Personal Microderm, which uses a tiny spinning disc of aluminum oxide crystals to slough away dead skin.

7. Acids are Best
An exfoliant or peel with alpha hydroxy acids can remove dead skin cells and help stimulate collagen production to soften fine lines. Look for one with glycolic, lactic, citric, malic or tartaric acid on the ingredient list, like Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. Still, even in the winter, alpha hydroxy acids can leave your skin sensitive to sunlight, so definitely wear sunscreen on the slopes and even your morning commute. If you're using retinol or prescription tretinoin, skip acid-based exfoliants altogether. It's way too much for your skin.

8 great hacks with vaseline

1. Use it as a highlighter (pat along the chick bones)
2. Make your eye shadow brighter
3. Remove your make up
4. Moisturize under your eyes
5. Keep manicure clean
6. Extend the life of your perfume (a dab on your wrist and neck - prevents the scent to evaporate)
7. Bulk up your eyebrows
8. Calm down your ance

Allure.com

Hair growth help

1. Massage scalp
2. Oil your hair from the root to the end
3. Drink more water
4. Use cool water to rinse your hair

Hair tip

Hair that is deep conditioned regularly is more manageble, softer, and will break less. Do deep conditioning once n week.

MPK

What you need to know about hair:

The everage person losses 60-100 strands of hair everyday. This will vary in accordance with seasons, illness, pregnancy , diet and age.

Allure

SKINACNE
4 Steps to Getting Rid of a Cystic Pimple, Fast

BY CHLOE METZGERCHLOE_METZGER
OCTOBER 26, 2018

Woman attempting to pop cystic breakout on face while looking in the mirror

There are few things more frustrating than going to bed with clear skin and waking up with a mammoth zit on your face. And if it's a cystic blemish — the kind that's super sore and swollen and never comes to a head — it can be especially maddening, since it seems like all you can do is wait, spackle it with concealer, and tell people it's a mosquito bite. While it's true that nothing short of a dermatologist-administered cortisone shot will get rid of a deep zit, there are some at-home steps you can take to bring down the swelling and redness.

These steps are best followed at night, since benzoyl peroxide and hydrocortisone creams dry white, and you can't apply makeup over them.

1. Start with salicylic acid.
Slathering on traditional acne meds won't have the same effect on a cystic pimple, which lives below the surface of your skin. Instead, you want to gently exfoliate the skin with a salicylic cleanser, like Philosophy Clear Days Ahead, to get rid of excess oil and create a clean slate for the rest of the products, says Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. If you have dry skin, stick to your normal cleanser and use the salicylic cleanser (like Murad's Clarifying face wash) only on the blemish.

2. Then tackle the swelling.
"Ice-cold temperatures help constrict blood vessels, so wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and hold it against the bump to reduce redness and bring down the swelling a bit," says Zeichner, who recommends icing three times an hour in ten-minute intervals, i.e., ten minutes on, ten minutes off. (You want to do this after you wash your face since washing after icing would warm the skin right back up.)

3. Kill the bacteria.
"Benzoyl peroxide destroys the acne-causing bacteria that are trapped within the follicle, causing inflammation," says Zeichner. To prevent irritation, make sure you prime the skin with a light moisturizer first, then spot-treat the cyst with a super thin layer — seriously, less is more here — of the lowest percentage of benzoyl peroxide. "If any burning or stinging occurs when you apply it, you'll know it's too strong and you should wash it off immediately." Try the Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Vanishing Treatment Cream.

4. Reduce the redness.
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (like this soothing Aveeno version) contains a low dose of steroids that can help shrink pimples and soothe redness. The more you pile on and the longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be, says Zeichner. Just wait for the benzoyl peroxide to dry first. (We like this gentle spot treatment from Neutrogena.)

Why hair keep breaking
1. Lack of Moisture
Without optimal hydration, hair is much more prone to breakage, so you want to ensure you're giving your strands the love they deserve. According to Suave Professionals celebrity stylist Jenny Cho, your hair routine should start with the right shampoo and conditioner that provide ample moisture

2. Too Much Heat Styling
It's no secret that heat styling makes your hair weaker and more prone to breakage over time. And as you might imagine, it's even worse if you don't use any heat protection. If you heat style every day, try switching things up and only using hot tools once or twice a week.

3. Blow-Drying Dripping-Wet Hair
When you do blow-dry, it's best to let your hair air-dry for a bit first. "Your hair will be much better off if you start blow-drying when it isn't dripping wet," If you're using other heat-styling tools, make sure, again, to use a heat protectant.

4. Chemical Exposure
Anyone who colors their hair on the regular understands what a struggle it can be to keep it healthy and strong, as the constant over processing contributes directly to breakage

5. Forgetting to Deep Condition
If you have the time and money to hit the salon every four weeks, great. Everyone else? Just get a good deep conditioner. "The ingredients aren't that different from those in your daily conditioner, but they're much more concentrated and they leave behind a smoothing film that won't wash off for days,"

6. An Unbalanced Diet
Your hair needs protein to stay strong. Protein can repair weak spots in the hair shaft, warding off breakage. But be forewarned: Too much protein can make the hair brittle, and too much moisture makes strands too flexible. It's important to find the right balance.