Katie, our Esthetician and Lash Artist at our Redmond location, shares with us her valuable insight that goes beyond the usual eat healthy, stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

Find out from a pro how to truly improve your skin for good!

What You Should Add to Your Diet

Antioxidants- Free radicals cause breakdown of the cells and are everywhere, including the air! Over time they cause wrinkles and age spots, but eating lots of fresh berries and greens combat these future issues. Most quality products will already contain antioxidants.

Omegas- Omega-3 essential fatty acids, commonly found in fish, can reduce the risk of heart disease and keep your skin at its best. For a healthy and glowing complexion, try a daily fish oil supplement.

What You Should Add to Your Routine

Exfoliation- Regular removal of dead skin cells stimulates your body to produce newer, healthier skin. It also allows skincare products to penetrate deeper and work better. You may consider a light chemical peel or microdermabrasion once a month with an Esthetician for a deeper exfoliation that can improve acne scarring, age spots, and wrinkles!

Makeup Primer- Add a primer a couple minutes after you put on moisturizer. This will help to smooth over fine lines and allow your makeup to hold to your skin for much longer. I love the face primer by Glo Minerals.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes- The brushes you use for your daily application of makeup retain lots of dirt, oil, and bacteria. Try shampooing them with an antibacterial soap or brush shampoo every couple weeks to avoid spreading unwanted leftovers back onto your skin.

What You Need to Eliminate

Don’t Pick Breakouts- Picking at your breakouts transfers the bacteria from under your nails directly onto your skin. Also, pressing too hard can cause your pore to burst which spreads the acne infection deeper into your face. Estheticians are trained to gently remove blackheads using specific tools and techniques during your facial.

Hormones and Medication- Overly dry skin and breakouts are often a result of hormones or medications including birth control. If you notice your skin getting increasingly worse, you may want your doctor to check for hormone imbalances or prescribe a lower dose of birth control.

Don’t Stress- Studies show that stress can over stimulate your skin and cause breakouts. Taking time out for yourself is vital to relieve stress and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. Get a massage, facial, or do a little cardio. Something as simple as going for a walk and getting a good night of sleep can do wonders for your skin!

Moving Forward

Investing In Your Skin- If you want to see real change with your skin, you need something stronger than drugstore products. Those products are typically made with cheap ingredients and irritating fillers which don’t have a high enough concentration of the good stuff. Investing in a medical grade skincare line, like IS Clinical, will ensure that you are getting a quality product with the highest concentration of active ingredients.

Don’t Let the Price Scare You- Switching over to quality skin care products is an investment. However, because they are more concentrated, you’re getting much more for your money. Quality products will last twice as long and you’ll see results much faster. Are you willing to spend around $25 a month to protect and improve your skin? Thinking of it this way helps with any initial sticker shock.

For more info on the IS Clinical line and skincare tips, feel free to consult with one of our amazing Estheticians at any of our three Sorella locations.

By: Katie, Esthetician/Lash Artist at our Redmond Sorella location.

The fast acting, long term “results oriented” formula decreases the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and is excellent for acne. It does not dry the skin, but instead leaves the skin moist and smooth. Results appear after only a few days of use either by itself or as a part of any skin care regime.

Check out the full feature and find out why Erin, an Esthetician at our Issaquah location, says this is one of her absolute favorite products!

There is no telling when the storm will let up, but until then I hope you’re making the most of it by building snowmen, playing board games, and enjoying time with family and friends.

I have to admit that part of my activities for the day include rockin’ some crazy hat hair. Anyone else with me?

Stay safe and warm, everyone! We appreciate your patience and understanding and will continue to keep you posted on when our salons will be opening. Your appointments will not go ignored!

(Lash Extensions available at our Issaquah and Kirkland Sorella locations)

“The best tip I could give any mom is that you can get away with a messier hair style if you have a full face of makeup on. Spend the little amount time you have on your makeup and you will look and feel put together no matter how you choose to style your hair.” -Jenica

1. Ponytail with Attitude

Put your hair in a medium to high ponytail. Use one hand to hold the ponytail in place and using your index finger and thumb from your other hand, pull the hair upwards slightly to create some extra volume. Use both hands to tighten the ponytail and spray with your favorite hair spray.

BONUS TIP: When you put your hair in a ponytail, use your fingers to comb through the hair and pull it back. This will be much quicker and look more casual.

2. Messy Bun

Put your hair in a high ponytail. For a messier look, tease the under layer of the pony tail gently starting at the roots and working your way up (this is not mandatory). Use bobby pins to secure hair section by section around the ponytail. Pin hair wherever you desire and make it as messy as you want. Spray with your favorite hair spray.

BONUS TIP: If you are about to become a new mom, hold back on cutting short bangs. When the child is young you are frequently looking down and they get in the way. If you already have bangs, no worries! Simply twist and pull them back off your face. Secure with a bobby pin or two.

3. Simple Side Braid

Gather hair to one side and braid it. After you secure it with a hair tie, use your fingers the pull the braid outward and loosen it a bit. Spray with your favorite hair spray.

BONUS TIP: Fabric hair ties are the way to go! They’re very comfortable, don’t pull your hair and act as an accessory both in your hair or on your wrist. Always be prepared and carry a hair tie at all times! (Hair ties available at all 3 Sorella locations)

Contributing Stylist: Jenica

1. Make sure your manicurist buffs your nails before application! This is very important in removing all the oils and making it last.

2. Make sure your manicurist leaves the last coat under the UV lamp for a full 5 minutes.

3. Keep a file in your purse at all times. Any time  you see lifting, peeling or white at the tip of your nails, file it immediately. You can also tell you need to do this if your nails start snagging on things.

4. Keep super glue GEL handy at all times. If the corners are peeling or lifting, immediately glue it down.

5. Paint on a layer of clear top coat after a week to make it look shiny and new.

By: Jacquelynn Reasy Woodward

Sorella is having a beginning of the year blow out sale on all our tools! If you’re in need of a new blowdryer, flat iron or curling iron, now’s the time to buy. Stop by one of our three locations and receive 40% off while supplies last. Don’t miss out on your chance to save!

The best part about this style is that it’s so versatile regardless of hair length, color, thickness or texture. If you’re already comfortable french braiding your own hair you’ll pick this up quickly. If not, you may have to try it a few times before it looks the way you want. You can change the look depending on how big you choose to make your sections. Have fun and make it your own!

Step 1- Gather hair on one side and start a french braid. If you start the braid close to your hair line, create a regular french braid for the first 1-2 sections of hair you add to the braid. This will make sure that the cascading hair doesn’t fall in your face.

Step 2- Every time you grab a section of hair from the top of your head to add to the braid, let it fall and replace it with a new section of hair. Make sure your new section is below the braid but IN FRONT of the section you let fall (as shown above). You will not re-incorporate the dropped piece into your braid whatsoever! The new section of hair you grab will take its place and create the waterfall effect (as shown below)

Step 3- Continue your braid until you reach the other side of your head

Step 4- Secure with bobby pins and spray with hair spray to hold your braid in place

The final product!

From the side

Contributing Stylist: Melissa

Hair Model: Chelsea

After trying out the Pravana Perfection SmoothOut on one of our loyal Sorella guests, we definitely DO NOT  want to offer it. Our trusted sylists and our guest alike were very disappointed with the results.

Pravana promises to transform coarse, frizzy hair to smooth and manageable hair. Although this treatment straightened the hair as promised, the downsides greatly outweighed the benefits! Find out why we are not a fan.

1. The Pravana product left behind an undesirable sticky residue after the hair was straightened. It took at least two washings before the residue was gone.

2. The smell was very unpleasant. Three weeks after the product was used, her hair still smelled. She informed us that it continued to smell every time her hair was wet and wouldn’t go away until after her hair was completely dried and styled.

In her words:

“The Pravana SmoothOut was better than nothing, but I wouldn’t do it again. I will say that if I flat ironed my hair it looked nice, but not necessarily better than any other straightening treatment I’ve had. Having my hair smell so bad for so long wasn’t worth it. I’ll definitely stick to the Brazilian Blowout or Keratin treatments in the future.” -Loyal Sorella Guest

Contributor: Jacquelynn Reasy Woodward

Beach Beauty

“I spend part of my winter in Brazil, so I’m all about beachy looks that transition from day to night. Let your hair loose while the sun is out, then pull it up into a low bun and adorn it with a flower for the evening. To fake just-out-of-the-ocean waves, spray in some Aprés Beach and let hair dry naturally, or use Soft Lacquer on wet hair and curl medium-sized sections in alternate directions. Have fun with it … there’s no right or wrong when you’re at the beach!” -Ronnie Stam, New York City

Big City Chic

When I think of the quintessential Manhattan party girl, Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s quickly comes to mind. Anyone spending New Year’s Eve in a big city should consider recreating her iconic look. Prep damp hair with Gel Sérum, then blow-dry the roots-first, stretching the hair to get lift (quick trick: do this with your head hanging down). Once hair is fully dry, spray large sections with Soft Lacquer before using a curling iron (pin curls in place) or hot rollers. Let curls cool while you do your makeup. Next, unpin hair and brush well in all directions to loosen the curls. Form a ponytail on top of the head. Spray the hair with Dry Spray and lightly back-comb, then casually fold the hair unto a sloppy bun. Attach a clip or broach to the front of the bun. If you’re in NYC, make sure your last stop of the night/morning is 57th and 5th for a bagel and coffee in front of Tiffany”s. -Tom Gallagher, New York City

Resort Wear

“I just returned from a wonderful trip to Hawaii, and I was so inspired by all the resort looks. If you’re heading somewhere tropical for the holidays, keep your hair looking youthful and relaxed with a low, loosely pulled back, textured pony tail. For added color, wrap the elastic with a vibrant scarf or light piece of fabric. Don’t forget to spray with Imperméable for light hold and humidity protection!” -Kien Hoang, San Francisco

New Year, New You

“We style a lot of clients who will be heading into Los Angeles for New Year’s Eve. The best thing about New Year’s parties is that they offer the perfect opportunity to try something different…and start 2012 with a fresh new look. For the gun-shy, try something as simple as a new part. If you normally wear your hair stick-straight, add some volume: Go crazy with some Volumista, set hair in rollers, brush out and tease until you’re making the perfect Pussycat statement. Or, for a new take on the usual updo, brush hair back into a sleek and shiny ponytail – a great complement to a little black dress and super-high heels.” -Louis Orozco, Newport Beach, CA

Fight Frizz

“With many people heading to warm-weather destinations for the holidays, this is the perfect time to address one of my favorite subjects…humidity! Here are some tips for taming hair in any climate:

1. Get your hair into perfect shape before you go away. Use a deep-conditioning mask like Masque for Beautiful Color at least once a week. It will help repair the tiny cracks in the hair shaft where water in the air can latch onto and cause frizz.
2. When styling your hair, product selection is everything. Start with a leave-in conditioner like Supershine, then choose a product to build your style, such as Gel Sérum, which will hold your hair in place. Once your blowout is complete, finish with Imperméable – this product is a must-have for keeping humidity at bay.
3. If you’re getting ready for a day by the ocean or at the pool, don’t forget to pack Foundation Mist. It has protection against UV rays and makes hair a breeze to comb through once you get out of the water.” -Steven Schmidt, Miami

Beat Winter Blues

“As a native of Minnesota, I know all about the damage the cold can wreak on your hair. The key to maintaining healthy, hydrated winter hair is choosing the right shampoo and conditioner. Just like with your skin care, you must change to a regimen that offers more moisture and protection than what you use in the summer. If you’re reaching for a deep conditioner, be very careful what you choose. If your hair is chemically damaged, a deep conditioner with protein is in order, but if your hair is normally healthy and just seasonally dry, too much protein can actually make strands more brittle. Instead, select something like Signature Moisture Masque, which offers moisture without overbuilding the internal hair structure.” -Adam Livermore, New York City

*All products mentioned are available for purchase at any one of the three Sorella locations.