It’s time for a Beauty Buzz pop quiz, says Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon. Without further ado, let’s jump right in—this week our quiz is all about hair. We hope that you’ll visit our Facebook page to tell us how you did!

Here we go (scroll down for the answers):

Quiz Questions:

True or false – Women over the age of 40 should not wear their hair long.

True or false – Gray hair should be covered at all times.

True or false – Turning the heat down on your flatiron is good for your hair.

True or false – Most people should shampoo their hair every day.

True or false – Redheads should steer clear of wearing red lipstick (OK, this one’s a bit more in the foray of makeup than hair, but read on below for why Paul Conzo thinks you should be paying extra special attention to lip color for summer 2012!)

Quiz Answers:

True or false – Women over the age of 40 should not wear their hair long. False!

Whoever said gals over 40 shouldn’t have long hair is probably the same curmudgeon  who said you can’t wear white after Labor Day! Paul Conzo is not a fan of “absolutes” like these. After all, who likes being told what they can’t or shouldn’t do?!

Here’s what we think: Keeping longer locks as your aging won’t necessarily make you look older, provided you amp up your volume, since hair tends to thin as we age. Try Paul Mitchell’s Volumizing Spray and Moroccanoil’s extra volume shampoo for the oomph your hair craves.

Also, consider a chic, deep side part to give your face a fresh and bright look that will leave naysayers rethinking their stingy attitudes toward longer hair after 40.

True or false – Gray hair should be covered at all times. False!

Or, should we say not necessarily. (For those of you who are adamant about disguising each and every gray strand—keep coloring if that makes you happy!) But, for those of you who are looking to sport nature’s brushstrokes, consider playing up your gray with the latest hair craze, chalking.

The truth is that donning streaks of silver-white hair may be a cool way to keep up with this trend. Consider chalking your gray with some vibrant streaks of color or play up your gray by adding shimmery white chalk to your locks for a cutting-edge look that turns heads!

True or false – Turning the heat down on your flatiron is good for your hair. False!

Turning down the temperature on your flatiron can actually do more harm than good, believe it or not! That’s because when ironing hair at a lower heat, you need to drag the iron repeatedly over the same section of hair, which can weaken your hair’s outer protective layer.

As a best practice—listen up fellow Beauty Buzzers—parse out your hair into two-inch sections and move the iron slowly over each section. Increase the pressure from the roots to the ends and do it once at a high setting—around 410 degrees. And, be careful not to burn yourself when using your flatiron as dropping it on your skin could cause injury.

True or false – Most people should shampoo their hair every day. False!

Maintaining a conservative shampooing schedule, perhaps once every other day, may actually improve the appearance and health of your hair. That’s because frothy lathers can strip hair of essential oils. The drier the scalp, the more oil it will produce. That can cause greasy roots and dry, brittle ends—which no Beauty Buzzer wants!

Paul Conzo recommends applying your usual shampoo to the scalp only or using an oil-based shampoo to stay on top of this “shampoo catch-22”!

True or false – Redheads should steer clear of wearing red lipstick. False!

As we mentioned before, this one’s a bit more about makeup than hair, but with bright, vibrant colors making their presence known in hair and lip color for summer 2012, we thought we should throw this one into the mix!

Redheads—and any woman for that matter—should have confidence when wearing red lipstick. It’s true that a not-so-right red lip can clash with a redhead’s hair color, but once a redhead finds a red lipstick that works with her complexion, what could have been a fashion red light gets the green light to go!

Right now, it’s not so much about red as it is tangerine lip color, which is gracing the runways and the lips of many A-list celebrities. The key for picking a fabulous tangerine lip color for summer is to make sure the lip color is richer in intensity than your hair color. Always keep your eye makeup and blush neutral when donning a rich tangerine or red so you don’t overpower your look.

On the liner front, go neutral: Don’t attempt to match the liner to the lip color because it could create a harsh, distracting line that takes away from your gorgeous lip color and complementary, luscious locks! 

How’d you do? Log onto Facebook to tell us how you did—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions about the right hair-care products to use—or about any  hair-, makeup- or skincare-related issues, drop by Paul Conzo’s or call us at 508.754.5418  to speak with our experienced staff on what may work best for you.

And, thanks for participating in Beauty Buzz’s All-About-Hair Myth-Busting Pop Quiz!

Mothers Day is coming up this weekend, and that means you’ve just got a couple of more days to get your mom or that other woman in your life a very special gift in appreciation for her love, support and all she does.

Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon has got plenty of ideas that are sure to delight mom. Check out Paul Conzo’s Mother’s Day deals:

Mom’s Luxury Package—a shea butter pedicure and manicure available now at the special price of $84. We must admit, our shea butter pedicure is one of the most luxurious out there. We’ll take care of mom’s tired feet and legs with the most relaxing shea butter massage to ease her tension and soreness. She will relax even more, if you can believe it, once we slip her tooties in heated foot mitts, which help penetrate the shea butter. Our all-natural shea butter heals, protects and softens the skin, so mom’s feet will look as wonderful as she feels!

Pampering Perfection Package—a Yonka Classique facial and shea butter pedicure for just $174. Find out why Paul Conzo has been voted best day spa in Worcester by indulging your mom in our premier facial! This deep cleansing and restoring facial, featuring superb Yonka products, is customized to meet her skin-care needs, and she’ll relax as our esthetician performs a surface cleaning and micro peel before applying a triple clay masque and an eye contour treatment. We use essential oils and ampules, which are free of preservatives or chemicals and contain botanical extracts, vitamins and enzymes to address every skin type and deficiency. Ampoules can have remarkable effects on skin conditions, such as irritations, hyper-pigmentation and aging, so once mom’s skin is treated (and she’s experienced a fabulous face, neck and décolleté massage) she will be in a complete state of relaxation with a healthy glow to accentuate her true beauty!

Mom’s Relaxation Package—a one-hour relaxing massage and shea butter pedicure for only $140. Just think how appreciative mom will be when she relaxes on one of our heated massage tables as warm oils are applied and one of Paul Conzo’s award-winning massage therapists lulls her into a state of bliss as her everyday stress melts away. Plus, massage can improve immunity and decrease pain, too, so what are you waiting for—buy your mom this special package today!

Plus, we’ve taken care of the tipping—rolling a 15 percent gratuity into the prices for all of Paul Conzo’s special Mother’s Day deals!

And, buy any one of these exclusive Mother’s Day specials and you’ll be entered into our drawing for a free $50 gift card! Don’t forget, too, that you can purchase a Paul Conzo gift card online at any time.

So, what are you waiting for? Get cracking now, because with Mother’s Day coming up on May 13, these deals won’t be around for long!

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

What’s that old saying … April showers bring May flowers. Well, we think Mother Nature got her wires crossed this year—April was gloriously sunny and May is shaping up to be rather rainy. But, the rain’s late arrival is most welcome given the drought-like conditions across Central Massachusetts, and the wetness is sure to help May’s flowers continue to blossom beautifully!

May’s flowers aren’t the only things in bloom. Right now Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon has many rosy beauty deals we want to tell you about.

Here we go:

• Get $5 off any facial or waxing service when you buy a hair service—this one expires May 13, 2012, so stop by now or call us at 508.754.5418 to book your appointment today!

• Buy two full-size Yonka products and get the third lowest price item for half price—applicable on products purchased here at Paul Conzo.

• Don’t forget there’s still time to enter Paul Conzo’s Facebook contest to win a free 60-minute massage for Mother’s Day. Click here for details on entering.

And speaking of Mother’s Day, there are just 10 days until Mom’s special day. Buy a Paul Conzo gift card today by stopping by to pick one up or ordering one online for mom!

Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon didn’t do a fancy survey, but Plum District, a website offering savvy moms discount deals on things like fitness classes, fragrances and romantic and family getaways, did. The website discovered that moms across the country want to strike a balance on Mother’s Day—which is coming up quickly on May 13—of time for herself and time with her family.

Here are some details about the survey to get you thinking about what to get that special woman in your life:

1) One third of the mothers polled said they secretly want the day to themselves. Paul Conzo sure can help with that! We offer a wide array of beauty services that are sure to indulge, relax and rejuvenate mom. From pampering facials and manicures and pedicures to decadent massages and body treatments and à la carte hair styling and coloring options, Paul Conzo has got something to show every mom your appreciation, gratitude and love for all she does.

2) Two-thirds of the moms said they’d rather not pick out their own gift. Don’t make mom tell you want she wants—we all know wanting rest and relaxation are a good bet for her special day.  Here at Paul Conzo, we offer many fabulous spa packages that will surely delight your mom, like our Day of Rejuvenation spa package, which includes a steam shower, an optimizer facial, a relaxing one-hour body massage, an anti-aging manicure, a moisturizing pedicure, lunch and a shampoo/blow-dry, and our Timeless Pleasure spa package, which includes a steam shower, a Yonka Classique facial, a relaxing one-hour body massage, lunch, a basic manicure, a moisturizing pedicure and a shampoo/blow-dry.

3) More than 50 percent of the moms Plum District surveyed said they’d use an hour to themselves for a massage. Here’s where we refer you to #2 above for some fabulous gift ideas in the massage department—can’t you feel your Mother’s Day gift for your incredible mom coming together seamlessly?!

Stop by Paul Conzo’s today to purchase a gift card, available in various denominations that mom can use on services she picks, or select from a wide selection of spa packages that will leave mom saying—Ahhh…And, our experienced concierge will be glad to help you select the gift card that’s right for your mom. We also make it super easy for you to buy Paul Conzo gift cards online.

Don’t forget, too, that you should go to Facebook and “like” Paul Conzo for your chance to win a 60-minute massage for Mother’s Day! Entering the competition is simple—all you need to do is:

•          Head to Paul Conzo’s Facebook page right now;

•          become our fan and write a comment telling us why your mom is the best in the world; and

•          don’t forget to ask your friends to “like” your comment because the comment with the most “likes” will win this relaxing and rejuvenating prize!

So, hop to it everyone. Mother’s Day is just two-and-a-half weeks away. Now’s the time to visit Paul Conzo to pick up a special gift that’s precisely what mom wants!

Ombre—it’s a French word that means “shaded.” For summer 2012, Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon wants you to consider rocking the hot Ombre hair trend that’s been all over the red carpets of Hollywood.

Think Julie Roberts and Jessica Biel, Paul Conzo’s Nikki Lesage-Davis says. “Every time you think this trend is over it pops back up on yet another celebrity,” she adds. We understand why—giving your locks a shaded boost with graduated, luscious tones gives hair stellar depth.

For a visual, consider lighter ends with darker roots. “Think a deep brown at the roots that gradually fades into rich caramel tone. Or … a fiery red that eases it way into a smoldering copper color,” Lesage-Davis, a Paul Mitchell and Redken Color-certified veteran Paul Conzo stylist, says. Sounds gorgeous, doesn’t it fellow Beauty Buzzers?!

Need some more inspiration? Look around. Chances are fabulous divas like you are sporting Ombre color at the mall, the gym and at work right now.

And, if you’re on the fence about going for a drastic change, consider the Combre trend that’s popping up everywhere these days. Combre (copper ombre) is great for those who want a more natural look because it’s a subtle change that’s fabulous on blondes and brunettes alike. Combre consists of a deep copper base that fades from the roots to the ends. Think Blake Lively and other trendsetters who have been sporting apricot and butterscotch hues lately.

Give Ombre a try! Come on in to Paul Conzo and try out this fun and trendy new color for summer 2012!

April showers bring May flowers, and here at Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon we’re putting that sentiment to good use! Yup, it’s raining beauty deals right now, and we’ve got many new—and fabulous—specials to tell you about.

Right now:

•            get $5 off any facial waxing service when you purchase a hair service now through April 14 (that’s coming up this weekend, so book your appointment now);

•            buy two full-size Yonka products and get the third—lowest price item—at half price (through the end of April when you buy the products here at the day spa and salon)—just think how great your skin will feel when you pamper it with Yonka’s botanicals, essential oils and essential therapies, which are designed to treat, nourish and protect your skin—and;

•            like Paul Conzo on Facebook for your chance to win a 60-minute massage for Mother’s Day!

With Mother’s Day coming up on May 13, now is the time to think about what you’re going to get your mom or other special woman in your life to thank her for all she does for you. Paul Conzo wants you to join in on celebrating all moms in the Worcester area through our special competition.

Entering the competition is simple—all you need to do is:

Step One: Head to Paul Conzo’s Facebook page right now.

Step Two: Become our fan and write a comment telling us why your mom is the best in the world.

Step Three: Don’t forget to ask your friends to “like” your comment because the comment with the most “likes” will win this relaxing and rejuvenating prize!

At Paul Conzo, we are extremely grateful for all of our wonderful clients; that’s why we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service and great deals like these to shower you with our appreciation!

When some women think of the word perm, they think of those big-hair looks from the 1980s and early 1990s that were so big they decided “thy look shall never be repeated!”

Some women may have even thrown the four-letter word out of their vocabulary when they tossed out their harem pants, which interestingly continue to make their modern comeback this season (for inspiration check out fashion designer Stella McCarthy’s ultra chic look).

It’s true that in the post-1980s beauty rebirth, perms may have gotten a bad wrap, but here we are in 2012, and Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon is happy to say that perms are…drum roll please…a perfectly acceptable look for the modern woman to don!

We’re not talking about those poofy poodle perms fellow Beauty Buzzers, we agree that those are quite “ruf”—pardon the pun! Oh no, the perms of today are far different from the AquaNet-infused curls of yesteryear.

Today, it’s all about texture waving, which was a big buzz at America’s Beauty Show recently. It’s where Paul Conzo’s expert team of hair stylists use long tube-like rods made of foam to create cascading waves that plummet softly from the bottom of your ears and down to the ends of your luscious locks.

Paul Conzo’s own Joanna Crossman, a consummate professional who prides herself on staying current on the latest hair color and hair cutting techniques, says she’s learned many different techniques for long and medium-length hair. “It’s a great look for the summer and so easy for the client to maintain,” she says.

A perm can be a great way to change up your look. If you’ve got straight hair, book an appointment with Paul Conzo to find out a perm can create a soft, romantic look for your treasured tresses.

One look that’s so darling uses some bobby pins to fasten some of the curls while leaving the rest to flow naturally. Also, consider wearing permed hair in a loose ponytail, for a tousled, sexy look.

Texture waving is the perfect look for spring and summer because it can give you those care-free, beachy waves every gal wants when she’s strutting her stuff on the beach or the boardwalk—with proper SPF protection, of course!

Paul Conzo’s team of hair stylists can educate you on the best way to care for your perm, so you’ll get long-lasting life out of those softly placed curls. And, if you’re on the fence about taking a plunge into permaland, talk to your stylist. He or she can help you make a decision that’s right for you.

Generally, perms are best when the hair hasn’t been doubly processed or heavily highlighted. Also, perms aren’t generally recommended for really dry hair as the processing may make it drier. And, if you have a lot of hair breakage, a perm may not be the way to go right now—in that case, you’d probably be better off investing in regular haircuts and conditioning treatments, using fabulous hair care products by Paul Mitchell and MOROCCANOIL, which are both available here at Paul Conzo, to boost your hair’s overall health before going for a perm.

Keep in mind, too, that the texture waves of today are much gentler than the perms of  yesterday, which is due to lower pH and low ammonia levels. This means your stylist can have more control over the outcome—we sure like that.

Call Paul Conzo today to discuss your perma-fabulous options!

In last week’s Beauty Buzz, Paul Conzo Day Spa & Hair Salon told you—with some great insight from Paul Conzo hair stylist and colorist Nikki LeSage—how adding bangs can give you a fresh look for spring and summer 2012.

If any of you fellow Beauty Buzzers are unsure about doing some actually snipping to create a fabulous fringe to frame your face, fret not. Clip-in bangs are the answer to your prayers!

Clip-in bangs, made from human or synthetic hair, come in a variety of lengths and colors so you can find the fringe that’s just right for your coloring and the shape of your face. They’re a snap to attach, and they can be worn as short or as long as you like. Most are heat-friendly, too, so you can style them using a blow dryer just as you would with your own hair.

Nowadays, just open up any trendy magazine, like InStyle, and you’ll see that bangs are spot on trend for spring 2012. Paul Conzo Day Spa & Hair Salon especially loves the pictures InStyle posted recently on its website of Cameron Diaz, Taylor Swift and Viola Davis—all looking chic in their bangs—from the heavy side-swept bang Diaz is sporting these days to Swift’s airy fringe and Davis’ chic pixie cut with long layers that add a glamorous flair above her eyes.

There’s a reason why A-list celebrities are donning fringe in varied styles—bangs are instant face-framers! They help accentuate your best features, and they give you an overall sexy flair.

With so many styles to choose from, you may be asking how to tell which style of bang is right for you. When choosing a style of bang, experienced stylists, like Paul Conzo’s team, will consider the shape of your face to select a style of bang that’s enhances your bone structure without creating the illusion of adding any extra width or heaviness to your face.

Here are some tips to get you thinking about the bangs that may be right for you:

Oval-shaped face—For the most part, there’s no limit on what your face can handle. Consider wispy, blunt cut, angled or fringe-like bangs. The only requirement: Choose a style that fits your personality and makes you feel even more fabulous than you already are. Think Jennifer Aniston for inspiration.

Rectangular-shaped face—Angled or wispy bangs may be the answer for you whereas you may want to stay away from bangs that are blunt cut because they may accentuate the angular shape of your face, which means a more severe look. For some ideas, check out photos of Gwenyth Paltrow.

Round-shaped or square-shaped face—Light, wispy bangs over part of your forehead are probably best, as well as really short wispy fringe. Think Isabella Rossilini (round-shaped) Michelle Pfieffer (square-shaped) for some ideas.

Heart-shaped face and diamond-shaped face—Off-center, wispy fringe bangs work best. What you don’t want generally is blunt cut bangs, which can add width to your face. For ideas, check out Jennifer Love Hewitt (heart-shaped) and Elizabeth Hurley (diamond-shaped).

And, remember fellow Beauty Buzzers, the beauty of clip-in bangs is you can change your look whenever you like. Why not try out different styles of fringe today? Make your appointment with Paul Conzo Day Spa & Hair Salon today to find out how to get the right ultra-chic fringe for you that’s got major style bang for your buck!

Paul Conzo Day Spa and Hair Salon’s very own Nikki LeSage was in on the buzz at the 2012 America’s Beauty Show in Chicago earlier this month. And the buzz is…Keratin!

“Everyone wants a safe and easy way to smooth frizzy hair,” Nikki says. “People have struggled for years with frizzy hair and now finally they have a way to combat the frizz.”

Nikki, who decided to specialize in Keratin treatments a few years ago, says this “smoothing service” has got staying power. It can last up to four months, Nikki explains, depending on one’s hair texture/condition and their daily maintenance routine.

Another big trend right now is dry cutting. “It enables the stylist to cut the hair in the state that the person actually wears their hair, and it enables the client to duplicate the look that the stylist gives them,” Nikki explains. Plus, if you’re looking to take off weight and bulk without sacrificing length, dry cutting may be the answers to your prayers—Hallelujah!

Nikki is no stranger to being on the cutting edge—pun intended!—of the hottest beauty trends. While extensions are all the rage right now, Nikki started training in this area eight years ago. She says if you’re looking for a cool way to change your look for spring and summer 2012, try clip-in bangs. “These bangs give you the versatility to change your look on a daily basis. These are easy to put in and can be worn as long as you like. Bling string, which is like tinsel for the hair, fashion colors and extensions for volume and length are also available,” Nikki says.

If you’re thinking about growing out your bangs for summer, your spot on with the latest trend. For summer style, short bands are “going longer and off of the face,” Nikki says. Now, we all know that summer is not always a beauty buzzer’s best friend in the hair department since humid days can make bangs and fringe behave badly. But, with longer fringe, you can sweep those bangs off your face and position them on either side to change up your look, Nikki notes. “Pull your hair into a loose knot at the nape of your neck and sweep fringe to one side for a soft romantic look. Soft, movable hair is also a fashion staple for this summer. So come in and find out how to make your hair work for you,” Nikki says—and she means it!

Nikki offers complimentary consultations to talk over your needs and options, so get cracking and book your appointment today!

We just can’t wait to see what Nikki learns about the upcoming Makeup and Bridal Show in Boston next month and at the upcoming beauty shows in New York and Las Vegas. “Beauty trends change usually on a seasonal basis, so continuing education is key in keeping up in the beauty world. Keeping my clients looking fresh and up to date is very important to me. I don’t want them to become complacent and get bored,” she says.

Who knows, maybe Nikki will also join fellow hair stylist and colorist Joanna Crossman at the upcoming beauty show in Paris next year. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us all Nikki!

Paul Conzo Day Spa & Hair Salon is all about keeping up on the latest and greatest trends in beauty. That’s why we love sending our seasoned team of hair stylists and colorists to professional development conferences and shows across the country and around the world. There’s no better way to discover what’s hot than to traverse the beauty pavement, rub elbows with fellow industry greats and take innovative and exciting classes on the most current hair cutting and hair coloring techniques.

Last week, we told you about how Paul Conzo’s own color and cutting masters, Joanna Crossman and Nikki LeSage, jetted off to America’s Beauty Show in Chicago to check out the latest in hair fashion, haircuts and hair colors. We interviewed Joanna, a 30-year beauty industry professional with a master’s degree in Redken Color and Cutting, and we wanted to share with you the buzz about her experience:

Q—Why is it important for Paul Conzo’s team to attend America’s Beauty Show?

A—“As a seasoned stylist I enjoy going to this type of show because you get to see many different, new and creative techniques so you can keep your customers up on the most current styles. My experience with the American Beauty Show, in Chicago is a ‘look & learn’ approach.”

Q—What was the beauty industry buzz at America’s Beauty Show this year?

A—“One of the most exciting things is that they are bringing perms back in, but in a different way. They are calling it ‘texture waving.’ This means that you use a long tube-like rod that is made of a foam material. The look is to create a long wave that will start from the bottom of ears in down. I learned many different techniques, for both long and medium hair. It’s a great look for the summer and so easy for the client to maintain.

Razor cuts are still and always will be a fashion trend, especially if the razor is used like a scissor, not as a thinning technique. I have specialized in razor cutting for more than 30 years, and texturing hair with a razor will give you chunky layers. You should not be able to count layers in your haircut. It has a more natural look and can give you volume, dimension and movement.

Dry cutting is the best way to cut hair—after washing and conditioning first then blow-drying the hair to its natural fall we can create a haircut for your hair. I have special scissors for this type of haircut, which I purchased at the show, they hold the hair in the scissor so you can get a great slide cut, chipping and angling around the face, without seeing scissor marks.

At the show, coloring techniques are called block coloring. This is when you foil underneath the root so you can have a look that goes from lighter to darker coloring. It adds dimension to the hair, especially for thin hair to give it a fuller look.”

Q—What’s next for you, Joanna?

A—“I really enjoyed the American Beauty Show in Chicago, my next show will be the big one, PARIS!”

Thanks for sharing Joanna—if you need a travel companion for you next trip to the City of Lights, do let us know!

Oh and for all of you fellow Beauty Buzzers, book an appointment now with Joanna or the rest of the Paul Conzo team for a fabulous texture waving perm and/or, a sensational razor cut or a dry cut. And, don’t forget about that block coloring, which was all the rage at this year’s America’s Beauty Show. It can add oodles of dimension to your hair, giving a fuller, va-va-va-voom look for spring and summer 2012!