Listen up, Cali girls and guys: We're in a drought. From hell. And while bathing less is one solution, there are other ways to do your part (without stinking) in the style and beauty departments. Here are some tips from a few SF experts.
Get a waterless mani / pedi.
While soaking my tootsies in a bowl of warm, watery suds at Hayes Valley's Lux SF, on the same day that Gov. Brown called for a 25-percent cut in personal water use, the salon's proprietor, Tracy Brown, could not wait to tell me about his latest obsession: the Keratin Rejuvenation Waterless Manicure & Pedicure. Launching at Lux this Friday, the waterless mani/pedi ($70/combo) uses keratin-fortified Bio-Pure gloves and socks to moisturize skin, soften cuticles, and strenghten nails sans H2O, parabens, sulfates, and other toxic stuff. So how much water does it really save? Well, say you get a bimonthly mani/pedi at Lux, which uses about 8 ounces of water for each manicure, and up to three gallons of water per pedicure. That adds up to over 73 gallons of water per person per year. Presto, chango! And as Brown says, "Regardless of this treatment being waterless, it is an amazing treatment"—you'll be rewarded with a yummy Bliss exfoliation scrub for your drought-fighting efforts. // Keratin Rejuvenation Waterless Mani & Pedi at Lux SF (Hayes Valley), luxsf.net.
Save your face.
Standing with our faces held up toward the steaming showerhead is a pleasure we must leave behind. But alas, all that water isn't so good for your skin anyhow: "Water is extremely dehydrating," says aesthetician Lori Anderson, who, at her eponymous skincare studio, recommends trying an oil-based cleanser that can either be removed with a tissue or just a quick splash of water. I personally love local brand Tatcha's camellia cleansing oil, and can attest to its water-saving properties—slick it onto dry skin and remove in just 10 seconds. Anderson also suggests filling up on fruits and veggies—"They are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and powerful antioxidants that will make your skin glow" without constant cleansing and scrubbing. When washing your snacks, save the water for use on your outdoor plants. // Lori Anderson Skincare (Japantown), loriandersonskincare.com; Tatcha One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48), tatcha.com.
Dry your hair.
Not unlike washing your face, shampooing your hair daily has its disadvantages: over-production of oils for one, which, you guessed it, makes you need to wash your hair more. Vicious cycle, much? Cinta Salon's Sara Watson, a longtime stylist to 7x7 editors, is a big proponent of dry shampoo—Bumble and Bumble's Pret-a-Powder, which is equal parts dry shampoo and style extender, is Watson's fave. "It's perfect for that messy bob," she tells me. And she's right: it's an awesome styling product, and great for those with no weird skin issues. But I must confess, the B&B product gives my own super-sensitive scalp a rash, so I'm still seeking my perfect dry shampoo. // Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder ($27) at Cinta Salon (Union Square), cinta.com, and online at Sephora.com.
Got any recommendations for a good dry shampoo? Or, any other stylish tips for saving water? Tell us on Facebook!
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