Moisture

3 Tricks For Treating Dry, Curly Hair

March 6, 2012 at 2:49 pm
By Fitness Magazine

For most of my life, I wanted to be one of the girls whose hair naturally air-dries straight. Instead, mine would morph into a huge, curly pouf! Growing up, I spent countless hours in front of a mirror straightening my hair, not to mention the hundreds of dollars testing different products. Here, the regimen that helped me drop the heat styling tools and learn to love my curls:

1. Suds up with a sulfate-free shampoo. Most shampoos contain harsh detergents that can strip the hair of hydrating natural oils. We love Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo to cleanse strands while maintaining the protective lipid barrier.
2. Instead of conditioner, slather a rich treatment mask all over locks every time you shower and leave on for at least five minutes before rinsing. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask turns straw-like tendrils into springy, silky curls.
3. Work a leave-in conditioner liberally through locks to tame frizz and define curls. Choose a cream-based formula, like Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, for maximum hydration.

—By Wanda Rosa, beauty intern

Shaving Secrets

July 26, 2011 at 9:26 am
By Fitness Magazine

Last week we got a chance to chat with Gillette Venus dermatologist Ellen Gendler, M.D., clinical associate professor at New York University School of Medicine who answered our burning questions about shaving. She has seen and treated every hair removal issue under the sun during her 26 years practicing in New York City. Check out our interview:

• What type of razor is the best choice for dry skin? If you have dry, sensitive skin, choose a razor with a have pivoting head, rather than a straight head, which has harsh angles that can damage skin. I like the Gillette Venus ProSkin Moisture Rich Razor because the head moves with the contours of your body, plus it has a shave gel bar built right in. It’s easy to travel with because you don’t even need to carry shaving cream.

• Is shaving before or after a workout better for our skin? I would say that there’s really no difference, as long as you shave in the shower. Never dry shave!

• Is it bad to leave a razor in the shower near the running water in between uses? You should not leave your razor in a wet area because harmful bacteria can build up on it and rust can form, which warps the blade, risking nicks and cuts. Many razors come with cases that can be suctioned to the shower wall to help keep the razor dry when not in use. Also, if you expose razors with built-in shaving cream bars to water when you’re not using them, the shave gel will disintegrate.

• How can we prevent painful nicks and cuts from shaving? Be careful to contour the razor to your skin. Different people may need different razors, but stick with one that pivots rather than a straight edge, as previously mentioned. A pivoting head makes it easier to glide over areas like the knees and ankles without catching on the skin’s nooks and crannies.

• Does shaving make a self-tan fade faster? Shaving will definitely make your self-tan fade because you are exfoliating a layer of skin where you’ve applied the tanner. Be sure to moisturize skin before you shave and use a hydrating shaving cream to minimize the exfoliating effect.

—By Amanda Downs, beauty intern

Favorite Find Friday: Korres Lip Butter

January 7, 2011 at 9:17 am
By Fitness Magazine

On my last day as an intern at FITNESS last summer, beauty director Eleanor Langston pushed a handful of Korres Lip Butters into my hands. “You have to try these; they’re a beauty editor favorite,” she said.

She didn’t mention they were addictive! Since then, I haven’t left the house without a tub of the rich, buttery formula in tow. The product is perfect for winter lips in need of moisture. And, the tinted shades add just the right touch of shine for both every day and special occasions. You can even dab a little onto your cheeks for a natural flush of color. I love Wild Rose — the sheer, deep red is gorgeous — but there are six other great colors to choose from at just $10 each. What are your go-to winter lip products?

— Catherine Q. O’Neill, contributing blogger