This post contains affiliate links. I may be compensated if you click them.

Yours truly has a birthday this Friday, so aging is naturally on my mind. I love these five anti-aging hair tricks from Madison Reed that will help roll back the clock.

1. Bangs

It’s amazing how bangs can softly cover and ease those worry creases in your forehead and somehow harken to a childlike look. They can be layered, side -wept, choppy or straight. A beautiful bang is better than Botox, since going vertical is like an instant facelift! 

2. Updos

A romantic updo can work against the wrinkles that come with age like crow’s feet and laugh lines. It also brings the focus up to the eyes where all of the sparkle and magic happens. 

3. Adorn

Decorate your hair for the upcoming celebrations and holidays. A hair ornament or two make you look fresh, and festive. There is something about adding jewels that brings out our inner princess. I love sparkly barrettes and headbands.

4. Cover those roots

Ran out of time for a full hair coloring before the next holiday party? Don’t let that be your excuse for letting your roots run wild. Look your brightest and shiniest with a quick blending of the perfect color on your hairline. Madison Reed’s Root Touch Up comes in a full spectrum of colors to conceal roots and grays on the go.

5. Vibrant Color

Why settle for the same old, drab color? Even if you are not covering grays, roll back the years by adding tones in your hair that compliment your skin tone and eyes. This makes a profound difference in the way that you look. Think of how you look in a color that does not compliment your skin tone versus a color that lights you up! 

For cool complexions on brunettes, consider mahogany, deep reds and chocolates. For cool blondes, try smoky tones. For warm complexions on brunettes, add cinnamon and gold tones and for warm blondes, try wheat and honey tones. 

Want to see Madison Reed hair color in action? Check my review with before & after pics.

Remember: Aging may be inevitable, but looking old doesn’t have to be!

The wonderful folks at Michael Todd True Organics sent me a Soniclear to review.

The Soniclear is a revolutionary brush that cleans your skin deeply, removing the dirt and impurities that accumulate on our skin during the day. In addition to the facial brush, Soniclear has a body brush, making it possible for your entire body to be as clean and fresh as your face. Both brushes are antimicrobial, which is very important since less bacteria on the brushes equals cleaner, softer, smoother skin.

Having seen similar facial brushes and hearing many success stories, I was really quite intrigued to give the Soniclear a try. I received it on a Monday, charged it for the recommended 24 hours, and used it Tuesday night. It comes with a kit that includes:

• 1 Soniclear Device
• 1 Antimicrobial Face Brush for All Skin Types with Cover
• 1 Antimicrobial Body Brush for All Skin Types with Cover
• 1 Charging Stand
• 1 Charging Cord

According to the Michael Todd True Organics website, “Soniclear removes makeup 6X better and cleanses 2X better than washing with hands alone.” After trying it myself, I certainly agree! Usually, I wash my face twice in a row, but the Soniclear cleaned so well I didn’t have to. My skin felt squeaky clean, but not stripped in any way.

There are multiple settings that can be customized to your desired level of cleansing:

As you can see from this chart—which is included with every kit—it’s very easy to understand and operate. After a minute, the device automatically shuts down, removing any guesswork.

I continued to use Soniclear for the rest of the week, experimenting with different speeds. I like 4th Speed, which is for sensitive skin, the best. The brush does all the work and you barely have to press. After 7 consecutive nights, I noticed a remarkable difference in texture. My skin is normally smooth, but this made it feel baby-soft.

Having seen such good results on my face, I then tried it on my body. The results were awesome! It really helps on dry spots like knees, elbows, and feet. It’s waterproof and being able to take it into the shower is so convenient!

Anyone looking for glowing skin from head-to-toe should try Soniclear from Michael Todd True Organics! While it normally retails for $150.00, there is a 40% off coupon code good for Black Friday & Cyber Monday that will reduce the price to only $90.00! Simply enter BLACKFRIDAY2014 at checkout to experience the wonderful results for yourself.

I haven’t bought many of the Black Friday deals, but $1.00 designer nail polish is simply too good to pass up, especially when the normal price is $14.00! (If you like dark red, look for shade “Anisa,” which is my favorite.)

Julep is offering this deal until 11/30, but certain colors may sell out.  Purchase of another item is required, so look for something small. Use coupon code ONE at checkout.

This post contains affiliate links. I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking them.

Did you know that you could be allergic to hair color? It may sound crazy, but some people get sick every single time they try to color. The culprit? Resorcinol and other chemicals like PPD and ammonia.

Resorcinol is an inexpensive coloring agent that’s found in 3 out of 4 hair color products. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction from a coloring session, resorcinol was most likely the problem. Easily absorbed into the skin, corrosive, and often referred to as the paraben of haircare, resorcinol has been deemed by the World Health Organization as an endocrine disruptor. It can cause hormone imbalances, mess with your body’s functions, and cause fertility complications. Pregnant women should steer clear. If that isn’t alarming enough, resorcinol is not regulated and cosmetic companies can use it at will. You’ll often find it in anti-acne skincare and whitening creams, too.

There’s more damning evidence on Environmental Working Group’s website, where resorcinol ranks high as an overall hazardous ingredient. The consumer watchdog site, which maintains a database of ingredients based on their safety, pegs it as a carcinogen and a chemical that can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs.

Resorcinol allergies are a hot topic right now. While I’ve never experienced this personally, I am concerned about the effects of chemicals on my body, which is why I switched to Madison Reed. (See my review of Madison Reed Hair Color with before and after pics.)  This is the only product I’ve found that actually covers gray as well as traditional dye!

Here are some other non-toxic options, I’ve heard good things about from friends: 

*  Henna

*  Light Mountain

*  Color Me Naturally

*  Naturcolor

*  Herbatint

While not everyone is chemical-sensitive, I don’t think it can hurt to be cautious and limit exposure. Health & Beauty can co-exist; we just have to find the right products!

Have you ever tried allergen-free hair care? Share your experience (good or bad).