INTRODUCING FARM HOUSE FRESH!

Farm House Fresh is a Texas based skincare brand that is certified organic, or use up to 100% naturally derived ingredients, proudly grown on U.S. farms, including their own! 

Here at CrownBB, we believe skincare should be intentionally useful and practical, with the added bonus of visible results, purpose and meaning. Farm House Fresh is just that! Certified Organic products that produce visible results, proudly made in the USA. But get this: your purchases benefit Save Something Furry and other rescues, and FHF is a Certified Woman-Owned Business that holds two patents and dozens of trademarks. We’ve never found a line of products that not only delivered on what they promise but make an positive impact outside the marketplace.

Farm House Fresh pursues 3 passions:

GROW FRESH.

Whether grown on their farm or other local U.S. farms, ingredients are harvested, washed, and extracted within hours to ensure vitamins are at their peak. And they ensure zero waste - feeding the chickens the pulpy leftover rinds!

SPA DELICIOUSLY.

Their Farm-to-Table Treatments are as delicious as they are authentically crafted with organic fruits, vegetables & herbs, and small batch liquors from across the U.S.

RESCUE.

The FHF Ranch is also a sanctuary for animal rescues. Following their creed -- Life is Short. Save Something Furry.® -- they use your purchases to help care for forgotten, neglected, and abused farm animals at our FHF Ranch and Sanctuary. They also fund, transport and actively support other rescues.

FHF offers a multitude of products from facial masks to heel cream! Check out a few of our favorites:

Vitamin Berry Facial Tonic 

This rose-water tonic instantly provides a perfected complexion with a natural photo-filter effect that blues the look of pores every time you mist over or under your makeup.

Splendid Dirt

Oregon organic pumpkin purée and nutrient kids make pores appear smaller, while flushing skin with color and vibrancy.

Facial Buffing Masks

A pourable powder, when mixed with water that becomes a gentle exfoliator and/or mask. Try the Mango-Poppy Seed to refine, clear blemishes, and tighten skin.

Crow Catcher Eye Perfecting Serum

Female panelists used this product for 2 months and 91% of study participants reported disappearing crows, lines, and wrinkles. After 7 days 100% of them wanted to add it to their daily routine! 

Next time you’re at Crown, be sure to indulge your senses with the array of testers available and schedule your free Skin Care Consultation! We look forward to exploring FHF’s deliciously grown skin care with you.

Hair Extensions are Back: Truths & Myths

post written by Kelly Stuckey, Crown Beauty Bar and Crown Uptown Owner & Stylist

What do you think of when you hear “hair extensions?” Damaging? Expensive? Long hair? High maintenance? They look fake? Something only for the rich and famous?  I would love to shed some light on some of these myths and misconceptions on one of the top requested services in the beauty industry. It’s probably going to surprise you.

Hair extensions are damaging: True and False

In the wrong hands, hair extensions can be damaging. It requires proper application and education to the client on how to care for them. A stylist who has undergone training should know how to select the right kind of your hair type and goals, and how to apply and remove them without damaging your hair.

I personally believe properly applied extensions are no more damaging than bleach and highlights. In fact, many clients get them to add highlights to their hair instead of bleach.

Hair extensions are only for long hair: False

In our salon, we do extensions as often for thickening and to enhance hair color as we do them for length. Many women love the added texture and fullness they get with extensions!  Their hair will hold curl longer and actually make getting ready easier and more enjoyable. Even with shorter hair, Savvy can’t live without her Hotheads extensions for the fullness and style they put into her hair!

Hair extensions are high maintenance: True and False

You have to be committed to taking proper care of them, and investing in quality products to ensure they stay healthy. Yes, they take longer to blowdry and there is more hair to style. However, they hold curl really well and your style lasts longer!  Also, the added hair absorbs more oils from your scalp and will extend the days between washes. For me personally, I spend less time daily on my hair when I am wearing extensions. Now, the days I wash are more time consuming, but it’s worth it.

Hair extensions are expensive: True

The great news is there are several options out there for every budget and lifestyle. We have many people come in for a consultation expecting to pay more, and we have some who leave with sticker shock. Always go for real “remy” human hair. Remy means the hair strands are all assembled with the cuticle going in a downward direction like your own hair.  The best ethnicity is Indian hair because it’s a more natural texture that works well with all hair types. Quality hair is costly and this will reflect in the price. Also, the training and certification for the stylist is a large financial investment they have to recoup, not to mention the time it takes to properly apply and blend the hair. Bottom line, don’t ever get extensions on a deal. This is a perfect example of you get what you pay for.

Hair extensions always look fake: False

The color matching, cutting, and blending will make or break your look. For your hair extensions to look natural, there are considerations like using a variety of colors and putting in enough hair to allow for layers and blending into your own. Don’t skimp on amount of hair. If your stylist recommends a certain amount that is above your budget, hold off and keep saving. Don’t compromise by just getting less hair. It will show. You should be able to wear your extensions straight or curled!

Hair extensions are for the rich and famous:  False

We have clients that range from college students to young professionals to busy mommas. Some clients save up to invest in this service one time for a special season and some build it into their budget and wear them year-round.

At Crown, we offer a variety of brands and types of hair extensions.

SHE by Socap individual keratin bonds AKA hot fusion and strand by strand application. Socap is a 40 year old leading brand when it comes to hair extension quality with a wide range of colors and textures. These are ideal for all hair types, but especially for finer hair types because they can be cut in half for smaller bonds to apply to your fine hair.

ExtenClip by SHE by Socap is a 9 piece 100% natural hair clip-in system. We color match your natural hair and custom order your clip-ins, then show you how to put them in and blend them to your own hair. Prices range from $300-$400 depending on length.

HotHeads tape-in extensions use medical grade adhesive tabs of hair to add fullness, length and color. No heat needed, and the hair can be re-tabbed up to 3 times for extensive wear time with proper care. Ideal for all hair types.

The Band by HotHeads is a one-size fits all hair accessory you can apply yourself any time you want to add fullness, length and color to your hair. Unlike other wefts, there are no clips or hooks making it extremely comfortable to wear and easy to put in.

What You Need to Know About Body Waxing

Bikini season is upon us!  After a crazy cold winter, who else is READY for sunshine and warmer temps?!  One service many women and men start considering as spring approaches is body waxing. However, it is a service that can give many people pause as they think about the potential pain and vulnerability that comes along with it.  We want to provide you with some information that can set your mind at ease and make you feel more comfortable to come in.  Here it is from Crown's pro aesthetician, Hannah Simpson (@hannahsimpsonmua).

post written by Hannah Simpson, Crown Beauty Bar Esthetician and Lash Tech.

Be Prepared:

• Make sure the hair is no longer than a quarter of an inch, like a long grain of rice.  Stop shaving for approx 4 weeks.. I know that seems like a long time! This is for your comfort, and to make sure we can remove all the hair with ease.  A simple trimmer with guard attachments will do the trick, available at Walgreens or on Amazon HERE.
• If you are receiving a bikini wax, wear loose fitting clothing and try not to do anything afterwards to allow for the area to recover post wax. You don’t know how your body is going to react, so running around, sweating and chaffing could wreak havoc on your newly bare (and abused) skin. Go home, take off your pants, grab an ice pack, and chill.
• If you are prone to ingrown hairs you will want to exfoliate the area to help aid in the healing process.
• Bruising, lifted skin, and ingrown hairs are possible, but there are remedies for aftercare. Ask your waxer for more information. We use the highest quality wax and do everything we can to avoid skin trauma.
• Wait, I still have stubble after my waxing appointment? Let me explain the 3 stages of hair growth: Anagen, Catagen and Telogen.
  • In the Anagen stage, the hair is beginning to grow.
  • The Catagen stage is the intermediate stage of growth.
  • The Telogen stage is the shedding stage.
  • These stages are always going on, but not on the same cycle unless you are a regular, seasoned waxing client. This means you always have hairs that are shedding, growing (and are too short for the wax to grab), and the intermediate hairs. The Catagen and Telogen hairs will definitely be removed with your 1st waxing appt. The Anagen hairs just beginning to grow will be too short and not pulled up by wax. With consistent waxing, the various stages should get on the same cycle for smooth skin.

To Ease Your Mind:

• Feel vulnerable or exposed?  Don’t worry, it’s our profession and we do not take it lightly!
• Scared of the pain? Pop some Advil 30 min prior to your service to help with inflammation and pain.
• We always apply calming solutions after every wax service.
• Most waxes contain polymers, which we feel is an unnecessary danger for your skin. This is why we offer polymer free wax for all our body waxing services!
• The more consistent you are, the less it hurts.  Even your 2nd wax will be less painful.

Recommendations:

• Start waxing early. If you have a trip or something coming up, do not wait until that week for your first body wax appointment.  Get one now to prep the area and ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction.  Getting 2-3 waxes in on a regular routine before summer starts will be best.
  • Hair will grow back thinner, finer, and sometimes not at all with every wax!!!
• We recommend waxing between 4-6 weeks to reduce and even eliminate regrowth. Stay consistent!

About Our Wax:

There are a ton of wax options and at Crown we carry the best! Soft wax is typically a higher temperature wax used with strips to remove hair. It also has a stickier consistency making larger areas of hair easier and faster to remove. Hard wax is low temperature and hardens on its own, eliminating the need for strips. Hard wax will only adhere to hair, making sensitive areas much less painful during removal.

• Se Brazil Coco is a low-temperature creamy Brazilian-style hard wax perfect for face and full body waxing especially sensitive areas. This wax will adhere to even the shortest hair without leaving a sticky residue on the skin.
  • Ingredients: Oleorosin (gum rosin), Cera Alba, Cocoa Extracts & Natural Ingredients.
• Diva is an all-natural gel-based hard wax known as the "dryer". Diva can be mixed with Coco to speed up the drying time.
  • Ingredients: Oleoresin, Cera Alba, Honey extracts & natural ingredients
• Seven is a beautiful soft wax is a low-temperature wax great for brazilian/bikini waxing and full-body waxing.
  • Ingredients: colophonium, vegetable oil, microcrystalline wax, mica, titanium dioxide, parfum, D&C Violet #2
• During a bikini service, all three waxes are used to ensure a quick, less painful removal procedure. In most cases, a Brazilian can be done in under 20 minutes with this amazing combination of plastic free wax!
• For larger surface areas we typically use the Seven soft wax for efficiency.

NEVER WAX WHEN:

• You currently take Accutane or have stopped taking it for less than a year.
• You’re taking any prescription acne medication.
• You have Lupus or Aids, or an outbreak of Herpes.
  • Reduce chances of a Herpes outbreak by taking your medication 3 days prior.
• You’re in cancer therapy getting chemotherapy or radiation.
• You have been in direct sunlight for a long period of time.
• You have used a tanning bed within the last 24 hours.
• Areas you’re using any alpha hydroxy acids over 8%.
• Over or around body piercings.
• NEVER EVER WAX IRRITATED, INFLAMED, CUT, OR SUNBURNED SKIN.
• NEVER use a hot tub within 3 days post waxing.

Visit our website for pricing and booking information. We hope this answers some questions, relieves some fears, and prepares you for this upcoming spring/summer!

Save your face and skip the waste.

Think about your nightly face wash routine. Most of us need something with a more cleansing power to get off the day's makeup. Typically the ingredients in most makeup remover wipes are stripping our skin of it's natural oils and depending on the wipe size, we may go through a few wipes before we feel like we have a blank canvas to start with in the morning.

Not only are we robbing our skin of it's natural balance, we are piling up a pretty decent stack of wipes. With April being "Sustainable Beaut Month", we want to introduce you to the Magic Mitt. Jane Iredale has come up with an incredible new makeup remover mitt that doesn't require soap or chemicals, only warm water!

Don't believe us? Just YouTube "magic mitt" and see the countless beauty bloggers praising this gentle but incredibly powerful little mitt. Save your face, skip the waste. Available in-store!

Spring Makeup Tutorial: Bold Night Out by Jane Iredale

Having a night out with the girls or your beau? Try this bold makeup look using Jane Iredale spring makeup collection, which includes mauve eye makeup and a berry lip.

Calley's Braided Top Knot Tutorial

Calley shows you a half updo using braids and a top knot and how to style the lower half with a beachy wave look that holds it's texture. Products featured by Davines and Evo Brands. A Crown Beauty Bar production.

Katherine Heigl's Beating the Signs of Aging

Beth Wischnia wrote up a little piece on Katherine Heigl's Hydropeptide go-to. Check it out! Katherine Heigl is more than an actress + producer — she’s also a mother to two adorable girls, wife to singer Josh Kelley, a huge animal lover and, perhaps most surprisingly, lives on a mountain in Utah.

Needless to say, the woman is busy and constantly on the go, which is something we all can relate to. Katherine runs out the door looking fabulous on the daily partly because she has her 10-minute morning routine down to a science. She gave us details on which products she starts her day with, and we bet you’ll adopt part of her program after reading this.

Katherine is a big fan of HydroPeptide skincare products, which are designed to combat the signs of aging. She’s also a firm believer in the importance of sun protection products. Even when she’s rushing to drop her kids off at the bus stop (by 6:55am!), she still makes time for her morning must-haves. “I will quickly wash my face with a HydroPeptide cleanser. I need good, deep cleansers. I get really oily skin, which is weird with the dry weather [in Utah], but my skin is confused,” she said. “Then I throw on the HydroPeptide tinted sunscreen that’s self-adjusting. It smoothes everything out and gives light coverage, but it’s perfect for me. I usually use a little cream blush to get a little color, otherwise I look a bit dead inside. And then big sunglasses — that’s it.”

To see Katherine's super cute pixie and read the rest of the article by Beth, click here.