GET SOME FRESH HAIR

We all want someone else’s hair. But you’re not going to go into a salon looking like you and come out looking like Jennifer Anniston. Not gonna happen. So drop that Harpers Bazaar and hand your head over to the best at Balance Hair and Body. Step into the bright, attitude-free space on South Main Street in Brewer and pause to take it all in: the stylish decor, the peace & quiet shampoo room, the filtered water with fresh lemon, the friendly faces… Then marvel at the service. Only the truly down-to-earth, earth-loving and perfectly pleasant work here.

We checked in with Balance's eco-minded owners, Mary and Tom McGary, for their top good-for-you, good-for-the-earth and good-for-your-wallet hair regime tips. Here’s what they had to say...

Wash your hair less often. If you shampoo daily, try every other day. Over washing can damage your hair, remove color, cause dry ends and a dry scalp. Skipping a day also saves you money. If your hair feels uncomfortably oily in the meantime, wear a ponytail or a thick headband―and think about what you’ll do with all that extra time in the morning!

Use sulfate free and botanical hair products. Pureology hair care products deliver gentle yet effective cleansing with the most luxurious ingredients. Sandalwood, geranium, rose, soy, chamomile, olive oil and mushroom extract all help achieve optimum results.

Make sure your dryers and irons have the most recent technologies. Qualities such as ionic, tourmaline-infused and ceramic help deliver the heat in a more effective less damaging way than older options. Balance uses GHD irons that have sensors in both plates which allows for self adjusting heat.

Foil your frizz with eco-friendly Keratin Complex Hair Therapy. Unlike its carcinogenic cousin, Keratin Complex thermally infuses much-needed keratin into the hair shaft without harsh chemicals thanks to a patented polymerization process.

Eat your way to healthier hair. If your hair is looking a little frazzled or funky, consider your eating habits. Well-to-do did some research and found that Biotin, a B vitamin found in many whole grains, rice, milk, and egg yolks is a key vitamin to make your hair stronger. A recent Women's Health article further suggested omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and walnuts) and vitamins E and A can also have an impact on the overall health of your scalp. Overall lesson: healthy diet = healthy hair.

Treat yourself. In celebration of well-to-do’s green beauty series, Balance is giving away THREE gift certificates to THREE lucky beauties in the greater Bangor area. Winners will receive their choice of a cut & style, 30 minute massage or manicure. Why do all this for you? Guess Balance thinks you’re worth it. Shouldn’t you?

Become a fan of Balance Hair and Body on Facebook (TELL US in the comments - also tell us if you're already a fan) or comment on this post and you'll be entered to win. The contest closes Wednesday at midnight so be sure to share the Balance love with all of your best tressed friends!

xx S+S

Images courtesy of harpersbazaar.com, balancehairandbody.com, goodhousekeeping.com, pureology.com, ghdhair.com, keratincomplex.com and nobelprize.org.