What Skincare I'm Packing for Vacation...

My favorite must have skin care product for this summer is Dermalogica’s Skin Care Essentials Kit. It’s travel size and includes a day cleanser, skin prep scrub, toner, and lotion, not to mention the extra samples of Dermalogica’s products. Summer is a disastrous time for my oily skin so I use the Oily kit, however the skin care line also has a kit for Dry, Acne Prone, or Sensitized skin. Plus, at only $30.00 a kit, it not only fits in my carry-on but also on my budget!

The Hela People Project: Colorist Huda Al-Yacoube

We talked to our colorist Huda about her take on hair, the next big thing, and why Kate Gosselin's hair is a mess.



How did you get into the field of coloring?

I first got into hair coloring by accident. I was a makeup artist for years and was going to school, so I needed a job that was flexible with my hours. I found a job as a receptionist at a salon in Virginia. I became friends with the hairdresser and one of the top stylist was looking for a new apprentice so she said I should try to assist her for 2 weeks to see if I liked it and if she saw potentioal in me. i fell in love with coloring hair and making clients look and feel beautiful and she belived i could be good at hairdressing so i was her assistant for 3 years : )

What hair cuts do you find the most challenging to add color to?

The most challenging are clients who have very damaged hair and want drastic changes within one visit. But as for cuts that are difficult with color, it would be highlight foils with very short hair. In that case it is better to baliage with lightener. But I do prefer pixie short cuts to be a single color.

What do you like most about your job as a colorist?

I love making my clients feel beautiful when they leave the salon. Sometimes I can give them a major change and everything pops on the face. Their eyes, brows and skin can look better. I also enjoy listening to guests life stories. It makes my job even more enjoyable.

What is your favorite color combination to work with?

I love doing solid red hair, shiny and rich. My pet peve is light, blonde highlights with a red hair base. I also love any hair that has demention with highlights, nothing drastic, but ribbons of blonde with lightest brown, or caramel highlights with a chocolate warm base.

If you could pick any person in the world and give them a hair makeover, who would it be and what would you do?

Kate Gosselin! Because her hair is a mess. The color is off, the cut is off. It's just very outdated. The front is disconnected from the back in a strage way. I would also love to make Angelina Jolie dark brown. I don't like her with highlights.



What sources of inspiration do you draw from when you work?

Everyday people watching. Fashion magazines. Music. Seasons. Traveling.

What hair advice would you like to give the average female Washingtonian?

Don't think that DC is that conservative. Express yourself and don't be afraid of rich shiny beautiful color and cuts.

What hair cut/color/style do you think will be the next big thing?

The bohemian look has been in for the last few years and I think will be around for a while. It's a very natural uncoiffed look and the colors in the hair look sunkissed and natural.

The Hela People Project: Andrea Rodgers (aka Miss A)

On Wednesday we hosted an event here at Hela Spa and Ted Gibson in Georgetown that Miss A organized together with the organization 'Innosence at Risk'.

We took the took the opportunity to talk to Miss A herself (>>check out her blog here!)



Miss A, what have you been up to lately?

Well, last night I hosted "Girls Night Out at Hela Spa" with DC Girls in the Know's Chris Jacobs. I got Botox and Juvederm Ultra Plus. I can already see the great results I got from the Juvederm filler injections that Melanie Erb performed, and the Botox is starting to take some effect. I'm very happy and excited about this. Several other women got procedures last night, and booked appointments. After learning more, the women who attended felt much more comfortable with the treatment options that are available to women now.

You are a Washingtonian constantly on the run and involved in new exciting projects. Tell us a little bit about what you are up to in the near future.

Well, I do a lot of charity work. I founded The Courage Cup in 2006, which is an IRS designated 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation which was established to help at-risk urban youth. We support programs in the mid-Atlantic region which give disadvantaged children individualized attention and a positive alternative activity to keep them in school and off the streets. We support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and Work to Ride, which is a after school program centered around equestrian sports. They are the very first all African-American Polo Team. On June 18th, The Courage Cup's Leadership Committee is hosting "Summer Swing Under the Stars" on the roof and in the Penthouses of AKA White House, which is a couple doors down from the Metropolitan Club at H & 17th Streets. We will have DC Swing!, an 18-piece Swing band, heavy hors d'ouevres, cocktails, and a great Silent Auction, including some great items from Hela Spa and Alchime Forever. For details on this event, you can go to http://www.couragecup.org/events.php

I'm also on the Board of Innocents at Risk, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation of young girls, boys, and women. We are hosting a screening of the movie, "Taken" at the Letelier Theater, above Cafe Milano on June 29th. We will have a reception with wine and heavy hors d'ouevres in the courtyard before the movie, and then have Q&A with ICE agents, and others fighting Human Trafficking after the show. For more details, visit http://www.innocentsatrisk.org

As a public figure who is constantly out and about, what is your secret to looking so radiant?

Besides the new Botox, and Juvederm procedures, I try to take really good care of my skin, and watch what I eat. I have been wearing sunscreen with a very high SPF every single day since I turned 29. I wear it daily despite the season or weather conditions. It's not just the sun we get by the pool or beach that can age us -- it's the compiled effect of daily exposure to the sun. I just wish I was better about putting it on my hands every time I drive.


As a consumer of beauty treatments, what would be your ideal spa treatment?

The thing I love about Hela Spa, which sets you apart from other spas I've gone to is that Hela is all about the results. Your facials aren't just a relaxing treat -- they actually improve the skin. I don't think I could choose just one ideal treatment, as it's really about the overall individualized plan that Hela creates after doing a VISIA analysis. All the various treatments work together to create healthier, more radiant, younger looking skin.


Lastly, after a week full of social events, what do you do to recuperate and find tranquility?

Honey, I wish I had time to recuperate. Being a blogger means blogging daily, if not twice a day. Like many people in Washington, I'm a Type A, overachieving, perfectionistic workaholic. I am constantly working on PR events for my clients, writing press releases, pitching the media, or planning a fundraiser for one of the charities I support. There is always something to be done! I drink lots of Diet Pepsi and many pots of coffee to keep me going. I should drink more water for my skin!