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.

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.

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.

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.

This week I welcomed Bonnie Kyle, the Director of The Spa at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, www.peninsula.com. Bonnie and I shared wonderful ideas on how to create your very own spa experience at home.

Last week while staying at the Peninsula Beverly Hills I had the opportunity to visit The Spa. I enjoyed a wonderful facial, body treatment and massage. The oxygen facial was the perfect remedy for my skin after traveling on an airplane as was the body massage. The anti-cellulite body treatment called Espresso Limon Slim and Fit by Epicuren was also fantastic. It started with dry body brushing to bring toxins to the surface of my skin. Then a mixture of espresso extract and oil of lemon was applied and I was and wrapped in a mylar blanket to keep my body heat enclosed. This allowed my skin to sweat, releasing water retention and over all creating the ultimate detoxifying experience. The service and luxury at The Spa was exceptional and calming. My skin still feels smooth, plump and healthier than ever.

To create your own spa experience at home:

Start with a hot bath, add one cup of Epsom salt (can be found at any drugstore), and 8 to 10 drops of an invigorating essential oil. Eucalyptus and Rosemary are my favorites. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes, then with a natural bristle body brush or loofah, scrub your skin with back and forth motions until it is slightly pink. Body brushing is a wonderful detoxifier and helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite, as well as remove dry and flaky skin. I like to apply a clay mask to my face while soaking for 20 minutes and sip chilled water with a wedge of lemon. When you get out of the tub, gently pat yourself with a towel without completely drying your skin. Massage a relaxing oil all over your body. You can create your own body oil by mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oil into a base of jojoba, apricot seed, or almond oil. Oil is far superior to body creams, and will leave a luminous sheen to your skin.

For a great clay mask try Yonka’s Masque 103 (for normal to oily) or 105 (for dry or sensitive). They both help to detoxify the skin, tighten pores and leave you with a purified clear complexion.

A simple hairband is a great compliment to any hair style. By wearing the hairband close to the hair line you can allow the hair to dry naturally and off the face - great for the summer when it’s too hot to blow dry. You can also wear a band further back, tease the crown, and pin the hair up into an upsweep. Hairbands can also hide roots. The band shown in the photo above can be found on my website at www.evasbeautystore.com, and is available in 5 colors.

Exfoliation for Flawless Skin

Exfoliation is an important part of any skin care routine. It helps to remove dead skin cells so that masks, serums and moisturizers can be fully absorbed into the skin. Be cautious of generic facial scrubs made from synthetic materials, as these can be too abrasive and harsh on the skin. These can actually scratch the surface of your skin! It’s also easy and economical to make your own scrub at home. Try this recipe that I found in Julie Gabriel’s book, The Green Beauty Guide.

Whisk together in a glass bowl 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 drops of rose oil and 1 drop of vanilla extract. Massage all over face and neck for 2-3 minutes and rinse with warm water and a wash cloth to remove any residue. Then tone and moisturize as usual.

All Natural Toner

This recipe is also from J. Gabriel’s book, The Green Beauty Guide. I love making my own toners from essential oils and mineral water. It’s best to store them in a glass spray bottle, rather than plastic.

Steep 3 organic tea bags in a mineral or spring water for about 10 minutes (you want it to be strong). Let the tea cool until it is luke warm, but keep it covered so that you preserve the steam. Once the tea is cool remove the tea bags from the water and add 5 drops organic tea tree oil, 2 drops geranium oil, 1 drop eucalyptus oils, 1 mg green tea extract, and 1 mg Acai extract. Store this soothing potion in the fridge for up to one month.

This week on Beauty Talk I discussed the difference between serums and moisturizers. These products have very different properties and work in different ways. Moisturizers protect your skin from environmental damange and maintain the moisture balance within the skin. They typically have some active ingredients that can be found in a serum, but only a small amount. Serums are 100% pure active ingredients that help heal hydrate and can resurface the skin. The molecular structure of these ingredients are smaller than a moisturizer and therefore can easily penetrate the top layers of the skin for a more profound result. Both are necessary in a daily skin care regimen. I suggest after cleansing and toning, using a thin layer of serum, followed by a thin layer of moisturizer and finish with a thin layer of sunscreen.

SUKI, an all natural skin care line that I carry in my salon and on my online beauty store, makes wonderful facial serums. Suki’s Pure Facial Moisture - Balancing ($32 at evasbeautystore.com) is made of 100% organic botanicals to balance the skin’s production of oil while hydrating. Suki’s Pure Facial Moisture - Nourishing ($30 at evasbeautystore.com) restores vitality and suppleness to the skin, while still allowing the skin to breath.

Organic Recipes from Julie Gabriel

Julie Gabriel’s book, The Green Beauty Guide, has some wonderful organic homemade beauty recipes that I believe can be easy and quick alternatives to some store bought products.

Hair Mask for Brunettes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon vinegar, ideally apple cider vinegar
Warm water, enough to make a nicely goopy paste (usually 2-3 tablespoons)
Method:
Whisk all ingredients into a smooth paste. Shampoo your hair, squeeze out the water, and apply the mask evenly. Keep it on for 2-3 min while you exfoliate, shave, or massage your skin.
Try avoiding to let the mask drip into the hair line, as it may stain your skin resulting in a Mickey Mouse face (those who dye hair at home know the risk; remove the residue by dabbing the stains with rubbing alcohol or vodka).
Rinse off and style your hair as usual.
You can multiply the amount of cocoa and vinegar according to your hair length.
Active ingredients: theobromine in cocoa, lactic acid in yogurt, acetic acid in vinegar

Check out Julie Gabriel’s book for more great recipes!

This week on “Beauty Talk” we discussed how eating natural whole foods have a positive have an effect on skin and hair. Foods high in antioxidants make your skin glow, your hair sine and your fingernails to grow stronger. Good skin is a reflection of a good diet, be sure you are getting all of the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids that your body needs to be as healthy as possible.

How Vitamins and Minerals Effect Your Skin

Vitamin C helps to keep the skin tissue healthy. Some foods that contain this super vitamin are red peppers, strawberries, grapefruit, and collard greens.

Zinc can help minimize adult acne. Foods that are rich in Zinc include beef, oysters, lentils, and kidney beans.

I personally like to follow a rotation diet. It entails eating a variety of different healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. every day of the week, so that I’mt getting all of the essential nutrients my body needs. It’s not enough to just eat your favorite foods everyday, but it’s healthier to have a wide variety in your diet. To make sure you are getting all of the essentials for healthy beautiful skin, you can also take a multi-vitamin daily.

Healing Powers of Flaxseed Oil

The more I learn about flaxseed oil the more I am impressed by it’s power to heal and hydrate. Not only does this emolient oil hydrate the skin and hair, but it is a wonderful aid for digestion. The oil itself can be taken by capsule or by ingesting actual cold pressed flaxseed. You can add the latter to a smoothie, to your favorite salad dressing, or for the brave - taking two tablespoons with a juice chaser in the morning. You can also find pulverized flaxsee in a health food store and sprinkle it on salad, hot cereal or soup.

Product Pick of the Week

Alfaparf Illuminating Cristalli Liquidi ($32.00 or $15.00 at www.evasbeautystore.com) is an ultra-luxurious beauty fluid that instantly adds light, shine and softness to every hair type. Just distribute a few drops onto wet or dry hair. It’s anti-oxidant rich with vitamin E and linseed extract.

Natural and organic products that you find in your kitchen can often times make wonderfully nourishing skin and hair treatments. On Tuesdays show I shared some of my favorite natural beauty remedies…

Chamomile Tea for Under Eye Puffiness

Brew the tea in hot water, then cool the tea bags in the fridge. Lay on your back with tea bags resting over the eyes for 5-10 minutes. Chamomile will naturally and gently sooth and decongest the eye area reducing puffiness.

Vegetable Oil as Make Up Remover
Oil instantly removes make up in one swipe. It’s also gentle and Non-irritating.

Sugar as an Exfoliant
Sugar is more gentle than exfoliants found in most face washes and scrubs. The grains of sugar dissolve as you massage into skin. Mixing a teaspoon of sugar into your favorite cleansing milk will naturally remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin glowing.

Jajoba Oil and Neem Oil as a Hair Treatment

Combine equal parts coconut oil, jojoba oil, and neem oil, and apply to dry hair before going out into the sun or swimming. Since oil and water don’t mix, I feel it acts as an excellent repellent from salt and chlorine. You can also add a dime-size amount (depending on the length of your hair) of your favorite sun block and spread that through your hair on top of the oil. Even if you’re not swimming, but will just be outside much of the day, you will still benefit from the treatment properties of this oil mixture. Just add a few drops and put your hair up or back into a ponytail. Keep in mind that the oil must be shampooed and conditioned out of the hair.

My Product Pick of the Week

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluid Extreme Corps 50+ Sunblock ($50.00 at www.evasbeautystore.com)

My absolute favorite sunscreen for the body is a broad spectrum UVA/UVB ultra protection sunscreen milk. Formulated for the body, it’s light weight and water resistant. Contains Mexoryl SX and XL filters.