I’ve been getting a lot of questions on the radio and on my blog about how to deal with thinning hair and hair loss. Remember: Heredity has a lot to do with hair growth and loss, but there are many things that we can do to help our bodies act the way we want them to. First of all, it is important that you use a natural boar bristle or mixed bristle brush (Janeke) which will help to stimulate cell activity on the scalp and helps to bring your natural oils from the root to the tip. Scalp massage and even acupuncture can also be great ways to stimulate the scalp and hair growth. You should take hair and skin supporting supplements like Folic Acid and Biotin on a daily basis (high potency). Be patient with the supplements. You won’t see results immediately as they will need to build up in your system before they reach effective levels.Talk to your dermatologist to find out if there are any medical recommendations for you. Finally, make sure that you are eating many fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins like fish and tofu. While supplements are great, nothing compares with getting real nutrients directly from the source.

Immunity. The change in seasons brings not only the holidays and colder weather, but also new viruses and bacteria which will attempt to test our immune systems. Some people are simply blessed with a strong constitution and rarely get sick; others are less fortunate. The good news is that we can all strengthen our resistance in a variety of ways. First and foremost, eating a healthy balanced diet and getting regular exercise is extremely important! We must know what we are putting in our bodies because everything we eat affects us down to a cellular level. Consistently eating sugar, drinking alcohol and smoking can have very detrimental effects on our health and on our natural ability to fight infection. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and drink lots of fresh juice and water while limiting your intake of meat, processed foods and bad carbohydrates.

Secondly, there are a number of immune system enhancing supplements which can greatly improve your natural defenses. At the salon, most of us take Lysine on a daily basis. It is an essential amino acid which cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be acquired through food (proteins naturally contain lysine). It helps the body to produce antibodies, enzymes and hormones and is even used to treat cold sores because of its strong ability to boost immunity. There are also great vitamins which have been shown to enhance immunity in the human body: Vitamins B, C, D and Zinc as well as a combination of the following herbs: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Usenea and Ginko.

Finally, never underestimate the importance of frequent hand washing or sanitation and the wiping down of shared surfaces. I rarely get sick, even though I work on people all day long because I make it a practice to never touch my face. Always to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth and wash your hands before eating. Just remember, the more good things we put in our bodies, the stronger they will be and the less we have to worry about getting sick during cold and flu season.

On this week’s Beauty Talk we discussed a number of great products which I would like to highlight again here. GHD ceramic flatirons are amazing and they have a thirty minute automatic shut-off timer which is great if you tend to leave your hot tools on accidentally. We also talked about Does-It-All by Bumble and Bumble, an excellent working hairspray which leaves hair malleable and allows it to be easily brushed out. Brushing your hair with strong hold hairsprays can lead to breakage and damage, so it is very important to know what you are putting in your hair. We also got a number of great testimonials from people who have been taking Biotin supplements to support hair growth. One person even noticed that her eye lashes became fuller. All in all, it was a great show and we had many wonderful people call in with interesting questions and comments. Thanks for another fun show, I’m already looking forward to next week.

Many of us carry our favorite beauty essentials and cosmetics with us wherever we go in a make-up bag. You never know when you are going to need a touch-up or when you might need to transform your look from casual to glamorous or the other way around. However, there is an annoying downside to carrying these products around with us: our make-up bags can quickly become messy because of spilled powder or eye shadow, lipsticks and liners losing their caps, etc. While our make-up bags at home are easier to keep clean, our to-go bags are especially prone to being messy because they have to travel with us and get jostled around; we also tend to be in more of a hurry when applying make-up away from home which can lead to accidental spills.

T. LeClerc Mascara

Here’s a great insider beauty solution: put a clean cotton ball or two in your cosmetics bag. The cotton ball acts as a magnet for loose powders and keeps much of them off of your products and away from the inside of your make-up bag. You’ll need to replace the cotton ball once a week or so. I also recommend keeping a couple of portable moist wipes in your bag. If your liners or lipsticks become uncapped they can wreak havoc on your bag and on the other items in it. A moist wipe can quickly and easily solve this problem.

While we would all love to have our full arsenal of beauty products with us at all times, that is just not practical. Here are a couple of essential beauty items that every woman should have in her make-up bag: mascara, eye liner, concealer, lip balm with SPF, cream blush, pressed powder, eye make-up remover and an eye cream.

T. LeClerc Pressed Powder

A great portable eye make-up remover is Bare Minerals On-The-Spot Make-up Remover which comes in individually filled swabs containing a gentle make-up remover (keep them separated from your other products in a small plastic bag). Yon-Ka’s Phyto-Contour is an excellent eye cream which helps to refresh the eyes and reduces fatigue and puffiness. A wonderfully versatile product like Bobby Brown’s Lip and Cheek Stain can be used on your cheeks, but it can also be used to add a touch of color to your lips. T. LeClerc’s Pressed Powder and Mascara are also perfect for your on-the-go make-up bag.

I had the pleasure of sharing Monday’s Beauty Talk with my sister, Vinnetta Scrivo. Our focus was on Halloween hair and make-up ideas. Halloween does not have to be about scary make-up and blood. It can be a great opportunity to explore your more glamourous side by emulating the hair and make-up of your favorite beauty icons like Marilyn Monroe or Sophia Loren. This is a time to take risks and to try new things.

False eyelashes are great beauty enhancers and can add that extra wow-factor to your look. Many fine department stores have “lash bars” and if you purchase lashes there, they will apply them for you. Sephora carries special Halloween make-up kits which are just wonderful for the occasion. They include all the items you will need to create specific looks (Witch/Vampire, Doll/Fairy and Cleopatra/Peacock), as well instructions on how to apply the make-up. Vinnetta also gave us some great fall/winter beauty tips. Taking a hair, skin and nail vitamin is a great way to help protect your skin from the harsh, cold weather that will soon be upon us. Taking a flax seed oil supplement (Omega 3) also helps to lubricate your body from the inside out.

Tune in next week (Monday between 4-5 PM ET on Sirius Satellite Radio) for another great Beauty Talk.

Halloween is just around the corner and if you are like many others, you may just now be starting to come up with costume ideas. The great thing about Halloween is that it does not necessarily have to be about fake blood and scary white make-up; it can be a great opportunity to explore your more glamorous side.

Classic make-up with bright red lipsticks, black eyeliner and thick false lashes can be a great way to achieve this. Take a look at your favorite old films and use beauty icons of times passed as inspirations for hair and make-up. Accessories can also help to build your look. We have amazing, one of a kind, handmade hair jewelry and headbands (made with the finest materials, including: suede, feathers, metal, and beads) at Eva Scrivo Salon which are designed by our very own stylist Gwynne Mims and my sister, Vinnetta Scrivo. It is incredible how adding one of these gorgeous, unique pieces to your ensemble can truly transform you. And, these headbands are not just for Halloween; they can dress up a casual outfit, or be the perfect finishing touch for a night out on the town.

Ostrich Headband by Vinnetta Scrivo

Vintage shops and thrift stores are great places to find costumes! Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn has a treasure trove of beautiful vintage dresses and many other costume possibilities. A great advantage to finding your costume at a resale shop is that you will not only spend less money, but you will also end up with a truly unique look.

If you do decide to go for a bloody or scary look, I must advise you strongly to avoid the theatrical make-up sold at most drugstores for this occasion. Many of these products contain petroleum which can not only clog your pores, but can also be dangerous to your health in general. Sephora sells great Halloween make-up. My sister, Vinnetta, will be joining me for next week’s Beauty Talk on Sirius, Monday between 4-5 PM ET and we will be discussing Halloween make-up and hair much more extensively. Please feel free to submit questions for the show here, or call in during the show: 866-675-6675.

The focus of this week’s Beauty Talk was skin and we had the pleasure of having Dr. Francesca Fusco from Wexler Dermatology in New York on the program. She shared great tips on a wide variety of topics, including: soothing Rosacea with cold milk compresses and putting ice cubes in your mouth to help calm the heat that can cause redness; skin treatments which can (glycolic peels) and cannot (laser) be done during pregnancy (always check with your obstetrician first!); preventative skincare for younger skin.

In our final segment, I discussed ways in which to handle unwieldy curly hair in young children. The key is not to shampoo too often. Comb a leave-in conditioner through hair at night and rinse in the morning. For more great tips, listen to Beauty Talk on Sirius next Monday from 4-5 PM ET.

I get many questions from people about corrective care for skin, but I have not discussed preventative care for younger skin as much as I would like. Therefore, today I will be focusing on how to thwart the unwelcome effects of aging on the skin for women and men in their 20s and 30s.

We all know that wearing sunscreen is a must, but it’s not that simple. Many people do not apply sunscreen in the colder months. It is very important that you protect yourself every day of the year, because even when it is gray and cloudy, UV-rays find their way down to us. I also recommend using a lip balm which contains SPF because your lips will also show the signs of aging later in life if left unprotected.

If you are still dealing with break-outs and sunscreens aggravate them, you should try using a mineral make-up like La Bella Donna. Mineral make-ups contain a natural SPF and can actually help to improve the condition of your skin. It’s a great way to kill two birds with one stone: beautiful coverage and protected skin. The Yon-Ka line has a variety of products designed for different skin types which contain SPF: Yon-Ka Skin Care

Loose Mineral Foundation by La Bella Donna

As the skin ages, collagen production slows and skin begins to lose elasticity. But, the good news is that you can help to prevent the loss of collagen before it starts by using a dermatologist prescribed Retin-A cream (a gentler version is Renova). These products not only help to maintain collagen levels, but they can also work to build more of it! Retin-A will also help to clear skin for those who may still be suffering from acne into their 20s and 30s.

Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided as they eat up our precious beauty cells the most! Of course, it can be difficult to abstain from them at all times, particularly from alcohol. If you are drinking, it is important to drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume. This will help maintain proper hydration which is not only good for your skin and body, but can also reduce or eliminate hangovers as these are primarily caused by dehydration. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is also extremely important! We hear this every day and it has almost become a cliché, but it truly is one of the best ways you can maintain a healthy and youthful appearance inside and out.

Clients often tell me that their skin starts off moist in the morning, and by early afternoon feels dry again. I suggest using a hydrating toner in a spray bottle throughout the day. Just keep it in your desk and spray as needed. Toners add moisture to the skin and lower the ph level, which also helps to keep breakouts at bay. Remember that your skin needs water, rather than oil that is present in many moisturizers. Sometimes I will even dab a little bit of water around my mouth and my eyes. This works wonders for smoothing makeup and refreshing the skin.Product Suggestions

Yon-Ka Lotion is one of my favorite toners

Women often tell me that their hair becomes tangled and knotted overnight. Since many have grown their hair long, even something as passive as sleeping can cause this. The solution is not in a “miracle product” but in how you take care of your hair on a regular basis. One tip is to brush your hair daily with a boar bristle brush when the hair is dry, to help carry the natural oils from scalp to the ends. One’s natural oil is the perfect way to keep the hair lubricated, making it less likely to tangle. Another is to run conditioner through the hair with a wide tooth comb while in the shower. Comb downward in short strokes, starting from the ends of the hair and working your way up toward the scalp (as opposed to combing from scalp to ends in one long stroke). Many women break their hair while combing or brushing it when wet, since wet hair stretches and often snaps when pulled. You can also try switching from a cotton to a satin pillowcase, as the latter is more gentle on the hair, especially hair that is colored or highlighted.

Product Suggestions

Janeke boar bristle brush. The closest in quality to Mason Pearson that I have found, and less than half the price.

Kerastase SÉRUM NUIT - Overnight Softening Treatment for Thick Hair.

Kerastase VOILE NUIT - Overnight Revitalizing Treatment for Fine Hair.

For a more budget conscious approach use a few drops of Camilla Oil on the ends of your hair overnight, and wash out in the morning.

Stephen is all smiles.

Mira and I washing the color out of extensions.

And then it was off to the show…

Thakoon, Eugene and I were inspired by the “Seven Samurai.” The hair was styled up and off of the face to convey implicit functionality; it was molded, yet feminine to simultaneously express warrior strength and a unique, youthful sensuality.

Extentions being put in backstage.

Backstage, discussing Wella color.

Backstage.

With Thakoon.

Model.

Interview.

Interview.

The scene backstage at Thakoon.

Model.

Model.

Model.

The environment in which your beauty regimen takes place can be just as important as the task itself. Even if you use the right tools and proper techniques, without the right environment getting ready can feel like a real chore. Standing in a small steamy bathroom under florescent lighting, with a towel wrapped around you, and a blow dryer in hand, is no way to start your day. You might say that there’s simply not enough space in your bathroom to do this right, but remember that you don’t have to be confined to your water closet. For many years I lived in a small apartment in New York’s East Village. I kept a “bag of tricks” hidden behind my couch. It consisted of a blow dryer, hair clips, a wide-tooth comb, and some styling spray. I would pull up a chair to a mirror in my living room, and sit comfortably in an air- conditioned room while performing the laborious task of blow-drying. Not only was sitting down in a nice room less fatiguing, it allowed me to spend the extra ten minutes to do the job right, rather than running out of the bathroom feeling like I was having a hot flash. And remember that before you finish blow-drying, take large sections of hair and go over them one more time with the dryer on the cool setting to help contract the cuticle and give the hair more shine.

Product Recommendations

Turbo Power Twin Turbo 3200 Ceramic Ionic Dryer

Styling Spray by Bumble and bumble

Flat and round brushes, and hair clips

New York’s Fashion Week is here! Fashion draws from history and designs of the past, to inspire designers’ vision for the future. Beauty is much like fashion in that sense. Have you ever noticed that every model/actress, even your own mother, looked fabulous in the 60s? Some of their secrets included adding height to the crown of the head and attaching false eyelashes. Most women look good with a little extra height. Wish you were 5 foot 8 instead of 5 foot 6? I do. Cheat by back brushing (back combing with a brush) and gently teasing rectangular sections across the top of your head. Spray with a very light aerosol hairspray and gently use a brush to smooth the hair for a soft, natural lift. Side swept bangs look particularly flattering with height in the crown. If individual lashes are too difficult to maneuver try cutting a strip eyelash into 3 or 4 pieces, applying to the corners of the eye after a light coat of mascara. Sexy lady-like looks of the sixties will be a big hit this fall.Product Recommendations

The Krembs Teasing Brush is great for creating lift in the crown.

Shu Uemura false eye lashes are some of the best I’ve ever used. Available at our salon (but not online): 212-677-7315 x 4.

Ardell is a good drug store alternative for false lashes.

This coming holiday weekend is a great time to catch up on your beauty treatments:

Try using a clarifying shampoo to remove the product buildup of summer leave-in conditioners and anti- humidity agents. It will remove the residue that inhibits styling products from doing their job.

For those of you who never seem to find time to apply a mask to your face or hair, set up a few products at the side of your bath tub or shower. This easy access should help to keep you from putting off important cleansing rituals. Shampoo your hair first, squeeze out excess water, and apply a rich hair treatment. It is important to remove excess water from your hair, ideally by towel drying, before applying the mask. If the hair is too wet the mask may slip off and be diluted, which substantially reduces its effectiveness. While the hair mask is on, apply a clay mask to your face to purify the skin. The steam from the hot water will keep the mask moist and easier to rinse off.

Products

I love the Sunday Shampoo by Bumble and bumble for ridding the hair of product build-up (not to be used more than once per week).

For the hair masque I recommend the Alfaparf Real Cream or the Kerastase Age Recharge Masque.

Another great conditioning treatment is the Alfaparf Essential Serum (come with 6 vials).

For the skin I recommend Yonka Masque 103 or 105.

Those of us with curly hair have been taught to scrunch the hair while drying. But be careful not to scrunch too hard, or you will crush the curls and create frizz, which makes you look like you had a “bad perm.” Instead, apply leave-in conditioner to towel dried hair, comb thoroughly for even distribution, and with a diffuser gently apply heat while softly lifting and cradling the natural curls with your hands. Continue to do so until the hair is dry. Finally, loosen the curls by gently shaking your hair at the root with your hands.

Products
Leave-in Conditioner by Bumble & bumble.
Sublimateur Jour by Kerastase. This is a new product that’s great for dry hair. Apply with or without heat.