Friday 13 September 2013

Onycholysis: When nails detach from the nail bed


Testimonial:  How TIPS Nail Conditioner helped
 
Before Photo:  sent to us by Monica showing her detached nails
 

After Photo:  The re-attached nails after using TIPS Nail Conditioner for several weeks.
 
 
Dear ASK Cosmetics:

I began using your product (T.I.P.S. Nail Conditioner) about 7 weeks ago, and
I am amazed at the results. Approximately 6 years ago, my fingernails began to
detach from my nail beds. I had suffered from Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and
whether or not this was a contributing factor, I don't know. But, up until this point
my nails were strong, grew rapidly and were very healthy.

When they began to detach, I sought medical attention. My own physician had
no explanation for my nail problem and referred me to a dermatologist. This
specialist also had no explanation and told me I suffered from Onycholysis.
Basically, he told me my hands were in water too much. I began wearing
gloves for virtually every task I had to do. After months of following his
instructions, my nails did not improve at all. (This dermatologist was one
of three that I consulted). To make a long story short, I have spent a
fortune on prescriptions, Tea Tree Oil, products from a Natural Health Food
Store, etc. etc.

I happened to mention my problem to a friend who indicated that she had
suffered from the same problem. She had fallen, hit her head, and her nails
detached from her nail beds. Her physician indicated to her, that nails
could detach from the nail bed due to Trauma. She suggested I try T.I.P.S.,
as she had had great success with your product.

I am so grateful for her suggestion! As my nails grow, they are reattaching
to my nail beds. Once I started noticing a difference (after approximately
2 weeks of use), I took a picture of 3 of my nails. Now, 7 weeks later,
I've taken another picture. You can see for yourselves in the photos I am
sending, the difference.

I will definitely be promoting your product to friends, colleagues, and
family members. Thank you!

Best regards,

Monica from Oshawa


Thursday 12 September 2013

Cuticle Care: The Do's and Don'ts for healthy, intact Cuticles


Best Practices for Cuticle Care
 
 
 
You should never cut, trim, massage or push back your cuticles.  Your cuticle is a natural seal between the hard nails and the soft skin.  When you degrade that seal, your body will work to restore it, using the energy from that area for fixing and replacing your cuticle instead of for nail growth.  Your cuticle also produces the final, most protective layer of your nails.  When your cuticle is irritated or damaged in any manner, it is unable to perform that function properly, leaving your nail unprotected.  When your cuticles are left alone, and treated daily with TIPS Nail Conditioner, they will naturally begin to recede within a few weeks.
 
 
Apply The Incredible Protection System (T.I.P.S.) by ASK Cosmetics Inc. daily to your cuticles, the entire top surface of your nails, the underside of your nails and the skin around your nails.  TIPS is not a polish and will not dry on your nails. 
  • TIPS is not a coating, quick-fix or a cover-up for nail damage; it is a treatment solution. 
  • It penetrates your nail and is absorbed almost immediately, therefore no waiting time after application.
  • TIPS cannot be washed off your nails because it isn't "ON" your nail, it is "IN" your nail. 
  • Any remaining solution may be removed with a tissue or simply rub it into your hands like you would a hand lotion. 
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Wednesday 28 August 2013

TIPS Nail Conditioner - nominated as Best Nail Care Brand on QVC


Karen is very honoured to have her flagship product - TIPS Nail Conditioner - nominated for the award as "Best Nail Care Brand" in the 5th Annual QVC Customer Choice Beauty Awards, featuring 36 categories encompassing the most highly sought-after brands.

  If you have used TIPS and think it is a great product, would you please take a minute to vote. All you have to do is go to QVC 2013 Customer Choice Beauty Awards, scroll down to Q.35 - Best Nail Care Brand and check next to TIPS Nail Conditioner. Anyone from anywhere around the world can place their votes. Thanks a million for your support!
Enjoy the rest of your day, Lisa M.

Friday 16 August 2013

Healthy Air Fresheners - Make your own non-toxic versions!


This may seem a little off topic for this blog site, yet ASK Cosmetics is all about healthy living and using safe, non-toxic products not only in cosmetics but also throughout your daily life.
  Since I know many of our followers are interested in healthy DIY options, I thought this might be helpful for some.

Some of the ingredients you'll need!
 
Air fresheners are some of the most toxic chemicals you can have in your home.

 
So, why not make your own healthier versions?  Here are three easy, inexpensive and safer ways to freshen the air you breathe in every day:
 
1.  Slice open an apple and sprinkle some cinnamon on it.  Then cook it!  This works well and the added bonus is....you can eat it afterwards.
 
2.  Here's a recipe for some homemade, natural air freshening spray:  You'll need 3 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, 30 drops of pure essential oils.  Mix these 3 ingredients up in a spray bottle and voila!  Spritz away and feel relieved that you're not contaminating the air.
 
3.  The world's best air freshener:  simply open the windows and allow the fresh air to whisk away any unwanted odor.
 
Do you have any other safe and healthy DIY air freshener ideas?  If so, leave a comment and tell others about it.
 
Have a great day!  Til next time, Lisa M.
 
 

Thursday 8 August 2013

Are your heels cracked and dry? Relieve your feet with this DIY remedy!


Are your heels dry and cracked?  Could they use a little TLC?  

Today I have a DIY remedy that will soothe and soften your cracked heels.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IHHJtY_9ZC7UY9n4Kj8ltRlQcgiNyXYCRKFZWk6OvXwrrDBD2KVQtYdKM_5EsAAaoa5_T-DWDxvB8KEm_YQDxeMsxRz8MSvGdliCwZG5DhUFSpcd__0cel8h_Ym5AnMW25sGf5g-H6Q/s320/CIMG5909.JPG

Here's what you do with the ingredients shown above:

Grind a handful of rice until you get a fine but coarse flour.  Add a few spoons of raw honey to the mixture along with enough apple cider vinegar to obtain a thick paste.  If the cracks are very deep, add a spoon of olive oil.  Soak feet for 20 minutes and gently massage with this paste.  You'll be amazed at the difference!

To help you understand how cracked and fissured heels develop, read this article:  


If you have any other recommendable DIY treatments for cracked heels, please leave a comment below.  We'd love to hear from you.

Have an amazing day!  Lisa M. for ASK Cosmetics Inc.

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” 
― Kahlil GibranThe Prophet



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Tuesday 6 August 2013

Skin Care 101: What your skin really needs to look radiant!


 
 
In the world of cosmetics often times terms are used and consumers think they know what is meant by them, but in many cases the true understanding of the term or particular ingredient is not 100 % clear.  Today I will discuss three common terms regarding skin care.

Do you know the difference between hydration and moisturization?

  • If your skin is oily, it requires more hydration - bringing water into your skin cells. 
  • The drier your skin is, the more moisturization it needs - adding oil to your skin. 
Healthy skin has a balanced combination of both hydration and moisturization.
 
What are ceramides and how to they benefit the skin?

  • First off this essential ingredient helps to reconstruct skin cells.  The cells of the top layer of the skin are held in place by fatty ceramides, a substance which kind of acts like glue to keep the cells in order.  In addition, ceramides hold onto water molecules, thus helping to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Why is hyaluronic acid so important in skin care products?
 
The polymer hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, is an important natural component of skin produced by fibroblast skin cells.  Although our skin starts losing HA as early as age 18, wrinkles and skin damage due to loss of hyaluronic acid usually begin to show up in one's late 30's or early 40's.  Therefore, preserving and regaining HA is a goal of many skin care scientists.

Hyaluronic Acid has definitely become one of the most sought-after ingredients in skin care products because:
  • it holds in moisture;
  • it provides cushioning;
  • it aids in tissue repair;
  • it holds together the skin structural components:  collagen and elastin;
  • it helps create a protective barrier against micro-organisms.


So, there you have it in a nutshell. 
 
 What do your skin care products contain that is particularly nourishing for your skin?
 
 
 
Let's get social!  Join ASK Cosmetics on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.
 
Be sure to follow ASK Cosmetics on its social networks and you'll be the first to know about: TSC/QVC shows and deals, updates on giveaways and webstore special offers as well as daily nail care tips on Facebook.
 
Find us on Facebook - become a fan of our page!
Tweet with us on Twitter - follow us and stay in the loop!
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Watch us on YouTube - subscribe to watch awesome nail care tips!
 
 
 
 

Thursday 1 August 2013

Formaldehyde-Based Strengtheners - in a nutshell!


How do nail strengtheners & treatments containing formaldehyde really work?

First off, formaldehyde is used as a preservative and a nail hardener, and is usually found in nail strengtheners and treatments.  This ingredient belongs to the group known as “The Toxic Trio”, which many high quality brands have now eliminated from their lacquers labelling theirs as “Big-3 Free”.  However, formaldehyde is sometimes listed under the name “formalin”, and in the cheaper enamels it is often left out completely from the list of ingredients.  Formaldehyde has been connected to a slew of potential side effects caused by exposure to it.
 
Nail strengtheners create more cross links within the natural nail plate either through Formaldehyde or DMU (Dimethyl Urea). The natural nail plate is more rigid than your hair simply because the natural nail plate contains more cross links. Therefore, by adding even more makes your nails more rigid. This can be excellent for thin, flimsy nails but remember that more cross links means less room for oil and moisture, and hence can dehydrate the nails. The other downside is that when overused, the nails can become too strong (more strength results in less flexibility). The stronger something is, the less it can withstand the force of impact, so consequently, you can start breaking nails more easily if using nail strengtheners with formaldehyde.


What is a cross-link exactly?

A keratin (what nails and hair are comprised of:  keratin protein) cross-link is created when a chemical link is formed between two of the long protein strands - much like rungs on a ladder; cross-links join single strands of protein together like a net. The result is greater strength and harder surfaces.

The disadvantages of formaldehyde is that this ingredient found in nail strengtheners causes excessive cross-linking and does not help the nails to maintain a good balance of hardness and toughness.  As mentioned above, when using formaldehyde (or formalin) nail strengtheners your nails will turn very hard and brittle resulting in easily breakable nails with no flexibility whatsoever.
Doug Schoon, Chief Scientific Advisor for Creative Nail Design Inc.  offers a fantastic image of cross links joining protein chains together, click here to view. 


What products should I use if I want to stay clear of formaldehyde?

We recommend only using nail care products that avoid toxic chemicals (formaldehyde, toluene, DBP), even if the dosage isn’t enough to cause immediate harm.  For many chemicals, we don’t yet know what the long-term health effects for humans will be – little doses over decades could spell trouble.
Karen Orlowski's nails seen here - she is the inventor and owner of ASK Cosmetics Inc., a Canadian company specializing in innovative, safe and highly effective nail, skin and hair care products.  For more info on her flagship product TIPS Nail Conditioner visit the website/online shop.
 
Be sure to follow us for more inspirational and educational tips on nails, skin and hair:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Monday 22 July 2013

Shake, Rattle and Roll with TIPS Nail Conditioner

What does a bottle of ketchup and TIPS have in common?
 
 
Answer:  They both require a good shake before using.  That's right, both have important ingredients that tend to settle to the bottom.
 
The reason this point is emphasized so much is that we receive countless customer service calls at head office stating the product isn't working for them.  One of our first questions is, "Are you shaking your bottle of TIPS every time before you apply it?"  9 times out of 10 the answer is, "No, I wasn't aware that you had to."
 
Guaranteed - once you begin shaking before applying you'll get the results we are always talking about.
 
Here's a photo of the "settled" ingredient at the bottom.
 

Can you see the small bit of amber brown that is on the bottom of each glass? 
 
Once you've shaken your bottle, it looks like this. 
And you're ready to rock and roll with your daily application of
 
TIPS Nail Conditioner & TIPS for Toes is designed to:
 
  • help weak nails regain their strength
  • moisturize nails and cuticles
  • replenish essential lipids that are responsible for the nails' strength
  • address most nail-related issues such as brittle, weak, cracking, splitting, peeling nails
  • make your nails strong, yet flexible
  • protect your nails from the damage water/chemicals to to the nail tissue
For more information on these products, visit ASK Cosmetics Inc. today.
 
Stay in touch for up-to-date information on specials, giveaways, challenges and more via
Facebook @ASK Cosmetics Inc., Twitter @TIPSbyASK, Pinterest @ASK Cosmetics Inc. or simply follow this blog.
 
Thanks and have an amazing day,  Lisa M.
 
 

Thursday 18 July 2013

Tribute to Talia Joy #mintmanisfortaliajoy

 

The beauty world has suffered a great loss. On July 16th, at 11:22am, beauty guru and youtuber Talia Joy Castellano, just 13-years-old, has passed away.
Talia took the world by storm with her beautiful make-up tutorials and zanny personality. Always upbeat and positive, she drew in a massive following on her Youtube channel, TaliaJoy18. But Talia had been battling neuroblastoma and leukemia for 5...
years. Always the optimist, she proudly rocked her bald-head, claiming "Make-up is my wig".
Talia's biggest dream was to have her own make-up line. She was made an honorary spokesperson by Cover Girl, and was working on a teen fashion line, called none other than "That Bald Chick". Unfortunately, Talia did not get to see this dream become a reality.

 In honor of Talia, I'm calling out to all polish makers to help keep her dream alive. I'm asking you to create a polish in Talia's name, and donate some of the proceeds to help fund pediatric cancer treatment and research (St. Judes, CURE Childhood Cancer, and American Childhood Cancer Organization are some really great and reputable organizations) In this time of sorrow, let's make something good happen!
We will always remember Talia - her strength, courage and beauty will never be forgotten.
*For inspiration, go to TaliaJoy18 on Youtube.
 
Written and posted on Facebook by Llarowe on July 17th, 2013.
Since 2 nail bloggers @Let Them Have Polish and @Nail Polish Wars did a shout-out to nail polish wearers everywhere to sport a mint manicure on Friday July 19th to pay tribute to this incredible young woman, who was taken from us far too early, I decided to join in.
 
Photos only as this should be about Talia Joy today.
Polish shade used for this #mintmanisfortaliajoy was "Venus" by GOSH - 2 coats.
 


 

R.I.P. Sweet Talia! 
Every time I wear mint I'll be thinking of you!
 
 


 

 
 
 

Tuesday 16 July 2013

3 Reasons why the Skin Conditioning Milk by ASK Cosmetics is fragrance-free & Perfume Pointers by New Beauty



Why would any cosmetic company formulate and sell a skin lotion having little or no fragance?
 
 
Seen here is the 4 oz. (120 mL) bottle size of ASK Cosmetics' Skin Conditioning Milk.  There is also a travel size having 2 oz. (60 mL)  available as well. 
 
It's true that "scent sells" nowadays.  We all have our personal perferences and what we ultimately choose to wear on our bodies indicates our personality.  With all the different, complex scents out there it is no wonder that our noses are subjected to many pleasant and some not so pleasant scents.  But the real problem lies with the people who display allergic reactions to certain fragrances.  This number is growing year after year.  Check more about fragrance sensitivies and allergies here.
 
 
This brings us to Reason #1:  The Skin Conditioning Milk by ASK Cosmetics is formulated to have little or no fragrance in order not to irritate people's noses causing potential allergic reactions. 
 
It is a well-know fact that allergies of all sorts are on the rise and have been for a long time now.  We receive countless calls inquiring about certain ingredients, which may provoke a reaction if the customer applied it to their skin.
 
 
Seen here is the travel size (2 oz./60 mL) bottle which is very convenient to keep in your car, purse or carry-on bag.  My husband has one in his truck and applies it when he needs it.
 
 
Reason # 2:  ASK Cosmetics would like their Skin Conditioning Milk to be gender-friendly.  All the cosmetic products:  nail, skin as well as hair care items have little to no fragance thereby making them acceptable for use by the male population too.  Many men including my husband use and enjoy the benefits of the Skin Milk as it quickly penetrates, doesn't leave a waxy feeling on the skin and doesn't make them smell "fruity or flowery". 
 
 
Just to show you have strong a fragrance might come across to others I will share a personal story that happened to me a few weeks ago.  My daily morning routine involves showering and shampooing my hair every single day.  Being a person who loves fragrance I often choose a body wash with a particular scent that I like.  Often times in summer it is something with tropical scents or a beachy fragrance.  If I am only working from home, I refrain from any extra fragrance.  Side note - my favourite has been Acqua di Joia by Armani for some time now. 
 
Well, on that day I had only used my usual body wash.  In the afternoon, I had to mail some letters so I made my way to the post office.  The lady working there kept sniffing and asked me what perfume I was wearing and I replied "none today".  She said she could smell coconut very clearly.  And I didn't suspect it was from me at all.  When I returned home, I went to the bathroom and looked at my body wash.  Sure enough, my wash had a coconut fragrance to it.
 
What was so incredible for me, was the fact that she could smell this scent so clearly several hours after using it.  This goes to show how powerful the scents in your body washes, body lotions, facial lotions, shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, etc really are. 
 
This is a lead-in to Reason # 3:  Your body lotion should in no way have to compete with the fragrance you are wearing or any other scent that you may have used.  Therefore, ASK Cosmetics has chosen to keep their Skin Milk very neutral so as not to create competition for your favourite scent.
 

 
For more information on ASK Cosmetics and their line-up of innovative, enhancing products, visit ASK Cosmetics website & online shop
 
 
Recently I found an excellent, short article on
 
After reading it I came away with two really valuable tips:
Remember just because you do not smell your perfume all day long doesn't mean others don't.  You're applying the right amount if you can smell the fragrance you have on in soft, sporadic whiffs.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed writing this for you and I hope you have just as much enjoyment reading it.  Be sure to follow us for more up-to-date information and news from the world of beauty and cosmetics.  Take care and til next time, 
Lisa M.
 
What is your go-to fragrance at the moment?
 
 
 
 

Friday 12 July 2013

OPI & Rich Sapphire - a super match-up!

O.P.I's - From A to Zurich + Rich Sapphire by ASK Cosmetics Inc.
 
 
 
This little package has been waiting long enough to be put to use and testing!  It claims to create Perfect Tips & Toes - we'll see....
 
Start with a solid application of the base colour, which is one of my absolute favourites to work with - OPI's "A to Zurich".
 
Next step is to carefully stick on the strips.  Note - wait long enough so that your base shades is completely dry!  I am guilty of being so excited and anxious to try new things that I don't wait long enough.  This results in flaws and huge disappointment - believe me; I'm speaking from experience. 
 
What I would do differently the second time:  a)  I would be more careful in placing these strips on my nails.  As you can see from the two photos above, the strip on my pinky finger is not straight; b) I would not have a rounded nail shape.  I think this kind of manicure looks best on square-shaped nails.
 
Then, take the plunge by applying the second, contrasting shade to add the punch of colour to your tips.  In this case, I used "Rich Sapphire" by ASK Cosmetics Inc. of Canada.
 
Now, wait a bit longer for everything to dry nicely.  The final step is, of course, applying a good quality top coat to ensure a longer-lasting manicure and to add extra shine to your awesome job.
 
I finish off every manicure with a cuticle treatment using TIPS Nail Conditioner.  While wearing nail polish TIPS Nail Conditioner should be applied daily, but not over the polish but around the skin surrounding the nail and on the cuticles. 
 
NOTHING can penetrate through nail polish.  Therefore, any nailcare products that claim to nourish and strengthen your nails when applied as a top coat or over nail polish are misleading and simply can't do any goodness.
 
There you have it!  Have you ever tried a manicure like this before? 
 
 

 
 

 


 


 

Thursday 11 July 2013

TIPS & Karen Orlowski on QVC

Finally, after a long break and some major changes to the logo, bottle size and branding of TIPS Nail Conditioner Karen Orlowski, the creator and founder of ASK Cosmetics Inc., will be back on QVC US for the big re-launch Sat. July 13th between 7 - 8 am EST.


TIPS Nail Conditioner will address most nail-related problems such as:  brittle, weak, peeling, splitting, cracking, breaking, yellowing, thin nails.  In one very simple and fast step TIPS Nail Conditioner is applied every morning before you expose your hands to water.  One 7 ml bottle will provide you with 2 months of daily manicures.
 
What can you expect to happen when using TIPS Nail Conditioner:
 
1.  Your cuticles will be nicely moisturized and feel softer, less dry and cracked.  One of the huge bonuses that people really enjoy is that you will not experience any more hangnails;
 
2.  Your nails will take on a more vibrant colour.  The whites will look whiter and the pinks will look more intense.  Generally, they will appear naturally healthy.
 
 
3.  Your nails will be strong, yet flexible through the lipids that are being replaced with daily TIPS applications.  Therefore, if you choose to grow longer nails, it will be much easier for you.
 
 
For more information about TIPS Nail Conditioner, visit our website and online shop.
 
Be sure to tune in to QVC Saturday July 13th between 7 - 8 am EST for the AM Beauty segment with Leah Williams.  Karen, the inventor herself, will tell you all about this amazing product and how it took her nails from virtually non-existant to drop-dead gorgeous. 
 
Hope to see you there!  Take care,  Lisa Mueller for ASK Cosmetics.
 


Wednesday 10 July 2013

How often should you colour your hair?


 
Q: How often should women go between colorings?

Jason: As a general rule I suggest 3-4 weeks. That being said, there are exceptions to every rule. It’s not terrible to color more frequently as long as you are not going overboard. Remember, hair is a fiber – the more you manipulate it, the more fragile it becomes. I love using as much AMMONIA FREE COLOR as possible.

Q: What is the max amount of times per year someone can color their hair without it becoming overly damaged?
 
Jason: That is a tough question to answer – it really depends on the individual, her hair texture and type, how frequently she shampoos and heat styles. There are too many variables to really say.

Let me briefly tell you my "hairy" story. 

I salute women who have gone completely gray and wear it well.  Personally, I am not ready for that quite yet.  Therefore, colouring my hair has become a regular chore that I have to either enjoy having done at the salon or I have to pull up my sleeves and do it myself.  Not being totally convinced that the hair salon formulations are any better than the store bought ones, I tend to DIY it more often. 

Questions asked by "A Girl's Gotta Spa", a great beauty blog so take a minute and check it out.
Answers provided by Jason Backe, Master Colourist @ Ted Givson Salon. 

Photo taken a few days after one of my DIY colouration treatments.


Upon meeting Karen Orlowski, founder and creator of ASK Cosmetics Inc., I learned a lot about my hair and why it felt absolutely horrible after each colouration.  She explained the hair structure and the importance of the cuticles.  BTW - the condition of your cuticles, both on your finger/toe nails as well as on your hair, really determines how healthy your hair will be. 

If you cuticles, which are like shingles on your roof or scales of a fish, are caused to lift, your hair becomes vulnerable and weak, prone to breakage.  Please note:  every time we wash our hair in hot water, these cuticles lift off the hair shaft; every time we colour our hair the strong chemicals cause the cuticles to lift; every time we wash our hair with shampoos containing harsh surfactants our cuticles will be lifted........  Then the vicious cycle continues when we apply haircare products formulated using waxes and silicones.  These ingredients fill the gap between the lifted cuticle and the hair shaft making your hair heavy, breakable, in some cases unmanageable.

Photo of healthy hair cuticles (top) and damaged and lifted ones (bottom).
 
The advice I received from Karen really "saved" my hair from further damage due to frequent colourations.  In comparison to other people I do not cover up the gray hair more often than every 8 - 10 weeks.  When those little bits of silver start to become more pronounced, I quickly grab my trusty "medium brunette" and get the job done.
 
 
However, my routine has changed for the better.  Now, I apply some TIPS Nail Conditioner to my dry hair approx. 3 - 4 days before doing the colouration.  I leave it on as long as possible.  As it is very oily, some people can't stand to have it on their hair and scalp for more than a few hours.  In my case, I sometimes leave it in overnight.  I make sure that I am using the Revival Daily-Use Shampoo, which doesn't contain any harsh surfactants, so your cuticles will be protected.  I also use the ASK Cosmetics Hair Conditioner every other day.  Both of these products have changed the way my hair feels and looks.  I receive tons of compliments on how shiny and healthy my hair looks - yeah!  Who doesn't love compliments!  Then, taadaa, my colouration takes place BUT, and this is really important to note, upon heeding Karen's advice I no longer apply the deep conditioner that the colouration package provides.  This little tube is FULL of waxes and silicones that will fill the cuticles, which are standing up due to the chemicals of the colouration itself (no way to get around that). 
 
 
Once I stopped putting on this stuff, my hair felt soft, silky and didn't feel like straw any more.  Thanks so much to Karen and her advice. 
Now, colouring my hair doesn't leave me worrying whether I am doing terrible damage to my hair and scalp.


Now I would like to hear from you.....
 
How often do you colour your hair?  Do you have it done by a professional or is it a DIY job that takes place in the comfort of your bathroom?