Archive for February, 2012

I have a beauty confession to make…I’m not a huge fan of pedicures.

While I have had them and love my pretty polished toes in the end, it’s actually one of those things I don’t rush out to get. I think its the foot and calf massage I truly love and honestly there isn’t a place that I have found that really indulges me that way. In the end I’m quite content to save the dollars for another service and do my feet at home.

When I first came across the Lush Cosmetics Volcano Foot Mask I wasn’t sure if I should lather my feet with it or grab a spoon and eat it…it looks yummy!

1. Let’s get started by washing your feet to get rid of any dirt and toe-jam from between the toes.
2. Slather all over your feet, and wrap them in grocery bags, 1 per foot…look at you girl, recycling those bags.
3. Read a magazine, or sit back and close your eyes for 10-20 minutes.
4. As you are sitting back and relaxing, the clays in the mask are hard at work drawing out deep down dirt, the fresh papaya and lemon do a cleansing , tomatoes are deodorizing (pulling out the funky smell) while astringent herbals and anti-fungal essential oils are sanitizing. Even potatoes are included for their anti-bacterial and skin soothing properties.
5. Once your time has passed, unwrap and work with one foot at a time. Massage the mask in, the pumice helps scrub off the dead cells for softer and smoother feet. (oh how nice it would be if someone else did the massaging)
6. Rinse both feet thoroughly and you’ll have yourself some fresh feeling (and scented) feet.
7. Choose a fave polish,pretty up the toes, now admire!

Think my winter feet need a treat, should pick some up today!

Ciao Bellas,

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo

After almost 3 years of DIY my own hair color, my hair had gotten darker even when using the same shade every time.  While I loved it, I recognized it was time for a color-vention  ‘color correction’ to go just a couple of shades lighter than it was and add multi-tones of color back in.  Warning: This is a time involved chemical process and should be done professionally.*

My color correction was handled by the talented colorist Michelle, followed by a cut with my Fab hairdresser Fiorella, who is great at helping me to grow my hair longer. Both are very up to date with their training and skills and wonderful to spend time with. You can find them @ Rinaldo’s Salon and Spa downtown Ottawa. (see me doing my makeup thing with the Rinaldo’s team for a photo shoot)

Assuming my process would be ‘slap on the bleach-remove the color-add another one in’…boy was I mistaken. Michelle is a true pro and took her time and was very detailed and dedicated in how she went about doing her work.

•  2 different strengths of bleach were used to ‘lift’ the color, using foils to layer it all over my head (Pic #1 top left)
• Just like foil hi-lights, each foil allowed for Michelle to alternate the 2 different levels of bleach, giving a multi-tonal look.
• I wasn’t going blonde so this step didn’t take too long to process. (Pic #2 top right & Pic #3 bottom left)
• Color was now added.  Wait for processing. Rinse. Followed by a toner to ‘tone down’ any brassiness that may have occured (dang those natural reddish hi-lights I have)
• Final wash, condition then off for my cut with Fiorella
• See Pic #4 bottom right? the multi-tones are back ; )

Following my color correction, I went on vacation to Mexico and the sun has lightened it a bit more showing off some hot copper hi-lights that look great, garnering some positive compliments : )  I know I’m in great hands with them and more than happy to take the steps to get exactly what I want.

Now the great hair debate…to grow out or cut the bangs again???

Ciao Bellas,

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo