Tips on Keeping Your Fingernails Strong

Do you have thin, brittle nails? Do they crack, take a long time to grow and are dry around the nail area? These are signs of weak, unhealthy nails. Here are some everyday tips to keep your nails strong.

• Do not cut your cuticles. Your cuticles are protecting your nails from any fungus or bacteria. If you remove the cuticle, you are risking infection. The best thing to do is to lightly push the cuticle back using a cuticle pusher.

• Stop peeling off your nail polish. This is very damaging to the nail, especially if you are one to peel off the gel polish. Use nail polish remover (without acetone) or properly get the polish removed at the salon.

• Make time for manicures. Make time for yourself, if you not only want your nails to look good but also stay strong and healthy.

• Moisturize. Moisturize with your favorite hand cream and cuticle oil after washing your hands. This will definitely help keep away hangnails, soften cuticles and keep your hands and nails moisturized.

• Wear rubber gloves while doing the dishes. Too much water getting in your nails can cause them to become soft and weak.

• Keep your nails polished. Even if it’s just a base and top coat. Keeping a polish on your nails will protect them and keep them looking great. Make sure when applying the polish you keep the layers thin.

• Add more protein into your diet. This will give you more of a boost and you could be experiencing a deficiency, which can cause nails to be brittle.

Why You Should Be In Love With Balayage

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Hair by Jo

First, let’s talk about the word, Balayage! What is it? The word itself is French. It means to paint or to sweep. It is a natural looking way to give hair color a softer sun-kissed look to hair. Less is more when creating this natural look. The process itself is when color is applied only to the surface of the hair compared to applying color all the way to the tips in sections. No foil is needed and is done freehanded. 

Applying Balayage process takes technique! It should only be done by a trained professional. Your colorist will know and understand your skin tones to pick and choose the best color and application for you. 

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Hair by Ellen

Now the good stuff. Why you should love it!

• It’s gained major popularity, from celebrities to the runway, it’s one of the most popular coloring techniques.
• Works on all hair colors. Light hair or dark hair, Balayage is a beautiful option. Works on all hair types. 
• Low Maintenance. When hair grows out it gives it more a natural look and not that obvious regrowth when you get your entire hair colored. Just use the proper products on your hair and this will last you. 
• Gives your hair a healthy finish that looks naturally enhanced and glossy. 

Bottom line, Balayage gives your hair an overall gorgeous and timeless look that anyone can wear. It’s all about application technique. Haven Salon and Spa has qualified Balayage colorist on staff. Call today for your appointment. 

How to Prepare for a Bikini Wax

As opposed to shaving, which chops hair off at the skin line and whose effects last only a day or two, waxing removes hair from the root, which means the smooth results of a professional wax can last up to a month. However, pulling hair out by the root does involve a certain amount of pain. It’s that time of year in the Lehigh Valley and Haven is the full-service salon and spa that can perform all of your waxing needs to get your pool and beach ready.

Most women who wax regularly will tell you that this short-lived pain is definitely worth it for a freedom and low-maintenance bikini line throughout the summer. So if you’ve decided that this is the summer you’ll finally take the plunge, follow these few simple steps to prep for the big event.

Make Sure Your Hair Is Long Enough

Generally, hair should be about one-quarter- inch long to be effectively grabbed by the wax and removed; so make sure to let your hair grow for at least a week before waxing. If your hair is fine or grows slowly, you may need to wait longer. Not to worry, if the hair is too long or unruly, your waxer can easily use clippers to trim the area down.

Get the Area Ready

Use an exfoliating scrub the day before the wax to slough off any dead skin cells. On the day of the wax, don’t apply lotions, creams, oils, or astringents to the bikini area. Moisturizers can prevent the wax from adhering to the hair correctly, and astringents can tighten the pores and increase the amount of pain you experience.

Expect Some Pain and, yes Awkwardness

Discomfort is only felt at the time of service and stops immediately after. If you are concerned about pain, take two Advil before your appointment to reduce inflammation. You may think that ice would be great to numb skin and reduce waxing pain, but applying anything cold to the skin tightens pores. The goal is to have the pores nice and relaxed.

Practice Effective After-Care

You shouldn’t use abrasive scrubs or go tanning for twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the wax. Once the area is no longer tender (in a few days), gently exfoliate in the shower to avoid developing ingrown hairs. Expect to return for your next wax in about a month.

Waxing is a great long-term hair-removal choice; it can work for almost anyone and on any part of the body, from lips to eyebrows to underarms to chests. Even pregnant women can get bikini waxes with no problem, or at least as long as they’re still comfortable.

Waxing is the ultimate no-pain, no-gain beauty treatment. But after that brief, fleeting moment of discomfort is a long stretch of smooth, hairless skin. So go ahead and wax on girl. Call us today to book your appointment: (484) 863-4855

5 Reasons To Schedule A Massage This Spring

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There are tons of reasons to get a massage, and the benefits are endless. With Spring approaching, it is a perfect time to get a massage. Not only can scheduling an appointment relax your muscles, but also reduce those seasonal allergies. This is the perfect time of year to plan for your massage therapy. 

1.Athletes can benefit

Planning on doing more activities for the spring? I know when spring comes around immediately I want to get in shape before the summer approaches. If you're training for a marathon, or just hitting the gym a couple more times a week, a massage can relieve those stressors on your muscles. The benefits of massages can reduce muscle tension and stiffness. It can also enhance your exercise activities by decreasing swelling and increase in motion range. 

 2.Allergy Relief

Spring comes with many great things, the weather, the sun, but the allergies that come with spring are the worst. Symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose, itchy throats, can make you go crazy. Sometimes taking your allergy medicine doesn't work, which is where massages can help by using natural remedies. Don't be miserable this allergy season, just schedule an appointment. 

3.Mother's Day

Mother's day is just around the corner, and don’t be the child to show up without a gift. A mother's massage and spa day is always a perfect gift. Not only will you and your mom get your stressors relief, but she would also love spending a day with you. Mom is busy, so I'm sure she would appreciate a day to relax. 

4. Relieve stress

Of course, stress and anxiety are the most important reason to book a massage appointment. Many studies show that massages can relieve issues like anxiety and depression. May is Mental Health Month, and it's time for you to focus on yourself. 

5.Increase Energy

The better the weather gets, the more you're going to be out. After getting a massage, you will have more energy and a better pep in your step. Massages improve circulation and boost the levels of oxygen in your blood. That means more nutrients will be delivered to your body, making you more energetic and overall a little happier.

Book your massage with Haven today! 

Cosmetic Benefits To Botox

Botox injections have been in the news for a while now for one reason or another. Most times it is when a famous celebrity makes an appearance at a public function suddenly looking much younger than their previous appearance a few weeks or even a few days earlier. At times like these, there is often much speculation about whether or not the person in question has had Botox injections.
So what exactly are Botox injections and what are the cosmetic benefits they offer?

It Makes You Look Younger Without Any Adverse Effects

What makes this procedure so popular around the world is that it makes you look younger and who does not want to look younger? What's more, you get to look younger without having to undergo any invasive surgery and without any down time either. This win-win situation is what makes Botox the go-to solution for anyone who wants to look younger.
When injected into the skin, the Clostridum Botulinum, which is the primary ingredient in the injection, freezes the muscles that it comes in contact with. This causes the fine lines and wrinkles in the face to appear plumper so that the entire skin looks younger, firmer and wrinkle-free.

Helps To Lift Drooping EyebrowsI

The eyebrows gradually lose their natural arch as we age and they start to appear dull and drooping. This in turn accelerates the formation of frown lines above and below the brows. It also starts to create permanent wrinkles and deep sagging around the brows. All of these can make us look even more aged.
Botox injections can effectively lift drooping eyebrows by plumping up the sagging skin and wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

It Reduces Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating can be a major source of embarrassment and discomfort for some people. While no medical solution has been found for this problem yet, Botox injections have been found to help by relaxing the muscles around the underarms, palms or feet. This restricts the production and secretion of sweat from the sweat glands and curbs this embarrassing problem for up to six months after a single treatment.

The absence of serious or long term side effects of this particular cosmetic treatment is what makes it particularly popular along with the fact that it is much cheaper than many of its other alternatives.
 

Top 5 Reasons to Spray Tan before your Winter Get-Away

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It’s cold and dreary, but you’ve made other plans to beat the winter blues. You’re all set to get loads of compliments on your beach glow when you return back to reality. Yet there are a lot of good reasons for acquiring your tan through a spray method before you ever set out on your journey. Not only will a spray tan help save you the time invested in trying to get a tan through sun exposure, but it will also help you focus more on just enjoying the trip and experiences, rather than on getting a darker look.

With a spray tan, you end up with the beautiful looking skin you want, but you avoid the pitfalls and risks that come with other tanning routes. It’s the best route to take to look great all year round.

Here are the top five reasons to get a spray tan before you head out for your next vacation:

• You will arrive looking bronzed, beautiful, and feel good on day one. You’ll go through your vacation looking the way you want to, rather than trying to save it all for when you get home. Whether meeting people, seeing old friends, or just wanting to look your best in those gleeful selfies and photos you take that will have your friends jealous back home.
• You won’t need to spend hours baking in the sun because you are already tanned. If you will be spending time outdoors on your vacation you will be able to avoid getting burned.
• It will save you a lot of time. Rather than arrive at your vacation destination and start working on your tan, you can use that time to do something else. The work is already done. This is the best way to make the most of the time you have on vacation. Use that extra time to go exploring or kayaking.
• You will feel the healthy glow while on your vacation. When we look good, we tend to feel good. You will be able to focus on enjoying your time away and know you will come back looking fabulous and refreshed.

Haven Salon and Spa 2016 Holiday Gift Guide

Finding the perfect gift can be tough. We wanted to share with you some wonderful gift ideas that will make even the pickest of family or friends gush with excitement. 

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Olivia Garden Brushes

We love these brushes and anyone with hair is going to love them too.  It's the gift that someone may not invest in for themselves. The Thermal Collection Scalp-Hugging Barrel & Bristles allow the brush to get closer to the scalp. We carry different options for specific needs. 

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Gift CardS

Haven offers gift cards in any increment for flexibility. Allow your friends or family pick their service of choice. We like to mention that we offer Waxing (including Brazilians), Massage, Spa Packages, Nails and more. You can always explore our website for all the services offered and we are sure that your loved one will find something they would LOVE! As we always like to say, give the gift of pampering!

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The Knot Dr Pro Hair Brush

The Knot Dr.TMPro is a paddle brush boasting 212 bristles. The spread of this impressive bristle count across the paddle allows for maximum coverage and creates an enjoyable detangling experience. The Pro brush has a sleek black, carbon body with brightly colored pad and bristle tips.

Recommended for both professional and home hair care environments, the Pro brush performs precision detangling and styling. With the Pro brush in hand you are ready to conduct your very own knotectomy!

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Davines Hair Care Products

What can we say about Davines? One of our favorite lines here at Haven Salon and Spa. Instead of bragging about all things Davines we thought we would let you see their story. 

We love the Minu Shampoo. Ideal for colored hair. It's formula, characterized by a rich and full-bodied foam, is designed to gently cleanse coloured hair, protecting the colour and keeping it shiny for a longer period of time. Winner of Self magazine's 2015 Self Approved Beauty Awards

Haven carries a full line of Davines Products for all hair types and needs. 

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Spray Tanning Sessions

Haven now offers St. Tropez Spray Tanning. If you know someone that doesn't want to lose their summer glow this winter, give them one of our spray tanning packages. There are different options they can pick and choose from to get the results they want. 

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NFusion Straightening Brush

What's it all about? It is a digital straightening brush that straightens hair faster and easier than a conventional flat iron. It’s the perfect combination of simplicity and effectiveness. Detangles, straightens and seals the cuticle. Silicone-tipped, anti-static bristles protect hair against excessive heat and breakage. 

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Still undecided or having problems with picking the perfect gift? Inquire with your stylist or any of our professionals here at the salon. We can assist you in picking the right gift this holiday season. 

How to correctly clean your nails

Let’s face it, our nails touch and get into things we would never want to see under a microscope, if we did, we may get a case of the vapors. Remember those wings you had the other night? Not only is keeping tidy nails aesthetically pleasing, but it’s imperative for top notch hygiene. With the winter months closing in, clean those nails to avoid those sniffles!

Here’s a great way to clean your talons!

Hydrogen Peroxide Method

• Fill a bowl with warm water mixed with a few drops of liquid hand soap and add about 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.
• Soak your nails in the solution for at least 5 minutes.
• Rinse your hands well with warm water.
• Buff your nails lightly with a nail buffer to restore shine.

It’s great to have a stiff nail brush on hand and don’t forget to moisturize.

Want to get an intensive cleaning? Contact Haven to schedule your manicure appointment today!