Hair tip of the day: Try a new style on the weekend!

The weekend is a perfect time to experiment with new looks! You have more time to play and you don't have to feel self conscious around your co-workers. Do you always wear your hair up at work? Wear it down and curl it, or use that flat iron that is gathering dust. Try a french braid, slick your bangs back with gel, put in two pony-tails. Go wild! It's the weekend. You may find a look at you'll want to wear to work or your friends big birthday bash next month. There are plenty of videos on-line that can help you with technique. Google video of how to french braid for example. After you get that hair looking fab, call a friend or grab your honey for a night out! Remember to take photos to remind yourself how fabulous you looked!:)

Hair tip of the day: switch your part!

Clients tell me all the time "my hair only parts this way". It's true that hair does have a natural parting but it doesn't have to be parted there. By going against the natural parting the hair can have more body or a "non-part" (meaning no defined part). To break the natural part, blowdry the crown of hair by brushing hair side to side, back and forth & then make the part that you want when dry. Use a little spray if you are worried about it staying. Really, go try it now! I think you'll be surprised by the results!:)

Hair tip of the day: Don't set limitations on yourself!

I hear clients setting limits on what they can and can't do with their hair all the time. They say things like "I can't have bags", "I can never be a red-head" & "next year we have to go short because I'll be to old for long hair". Okay, these are ideas that were put in our heads by well meaning parents, hairstylists, friends & magazines. Anyone can have bangs. Yes, really! It just depends on amount, length, etc. The point is that they be personalized for the face shape & hair texture. Also, anyone can be a red-head. There are cool reds & warm reds. Reds can be dark or light. Once again it's about customizing the shade to the individual. And lastly, if one has beautiful long hair it will be beautiful at any age. Long hair can be sexy at any age if cut correctly. Turning 60 is not a good reason to go short. Some people aren't short hair people and they won't be even if a magical birthday arrives. This idea is as out-dated as not wearing white after Labor Day! Winter whites are fabulous & so is well cared for long hair on an older woman! So please, stop limiting youself based on someone elses principles & sport the look that you want! Make a change!:)

Hair tip of the day: growing out hair

Most peoples idea of growing out their hair is to let it go for a year. Yep that's the idea but it doesn't turn out well. It ends up looking unkempt the entire year and you end up with what I call "nature's haircut". Nature's haircut is when your hair gets so damaged and skinny that it breaks off. Kinda holds one back from obtaining full growth potential. Hair grows on average 1/2 an inch a month. I recommend getting the hair shaped every 2 months. By trimming 1/4 inch every 2 months, you still end up with 3/4 of an inch of growth. Trust me, it's less then nature's haircut takes off and it'll look fantastic as it grows out! And P.S., remember to deep condition weekly! Happy growing!:)

Hair tip of the day: Thinning Hair

Thinning hair is an issue for men and women. Usually it is hereditary but sometimes it may be caused by stress, an iron deficiency or an allergy. It's best to see a Dermatologist to rule out things like Alopecia & stress. Once medical conditions are ruled out, there are some other methods to explore. Rogaine and systems like Nioxin can be very helpful if followed consistently. If all else fails there are some "tricks" that can be helpful in best enhancing the hair that one does have.
#1 Shorter is better for men & women who have thinning hair. It will give more body & bounce. Longer hair will be flatter & therefore look thinner.
#2 Darker colors make the eye see more hair visually. So instead of copper red, try auburn or instead of hilites, try lolites!
#3 Utilize hair products! Thickening sprays can do wonders!

If the thinning is so bad that there is no hair in the crown area, for women, I recommend selecting a wig made of human hair. Human hair can be washed & styled just like your own hair. Synthetic types will melt if hot irons are used and just don't wear as well. Once the wig is purchased bring it to your stylist to be shaped. Wigs are made heavy around the face, so that they can be custom cut to fit the individual wearer. For men I suggest going super short. It looks well groomed & sexy! A good cut will balance out thick spots to add a nice uniform shape to the head.

If you are thinning there are options and you are not alone!:)

Hair tip of the day: Start fresh in the New Year!

We all have loads of hair products piled up in a cabinet or under the bathroom sink (myself included!). Conditioners that were too heavy, gels that were too light, hairsprays that we didn't like the smell of, etc. Start out the New Year by finally letting go of all of these items that you aren't using. But instead of throwing them away, plan a swapping party. Send out an evite to all your friends who are sure to have the same collection of unwanted products and do an exchange. Your friend with the super curly hair will love the heavy conditioner, and the friend with the really fine hair will be perfect for the too light gel! And just think of the things you may find for yourself that you will use! Just think, you won't be wasting product and neither will your friends! Someones trash truly is anothers treasure! Don't forget to have munchies and tasty bevies on hand too! A product swap party is the perfect excuse for catching up with friends! Happy swapping!:)

Hair tip of the day: How to deal with Gray hair popping up!

Are you beginning to see more gray hairs popping up around your hair line? Too many to pull out? I always joke with my clients who aren't ready to color their hair, that when they start going bald (due to tweezeing unwanted grays) that I'll be here to discuss their hair color options with them. Just because a few gray hairs are popping up doesn't mean you have to automatically go for an all over tint. Lo-lites & hi-lites are extremely effective in blending gray pieces. Another option is to just color the gray spots. Some people only get gray in the front section of their hair and if the natural color is the desired shade, there is no reason to tint every piece of hair on the head. If all over color is desired due to gray hair being spread throughout the hair, there are great semi and demi permanent options as well. These add shine and condition to hair that may be a little coarser due to thicker gray hairs. Don't be afraid that because a few gray hairs are beginning to creep up that you have no options because there are so many. If you go to a stylist that doesn't have options, go to another. Hair color is as unique as each of our laughs are. Have fun with it and let it truly show who you are!:)

Hair tip of the day:

Deep conditioning your hair once a week is extremely important for the health of ones hair. Especially if the hair is medium to long in length. The proteins in the deep conditioner will strengthen, condition and add shine to the hair. It's easy to do and perfect for a rainy day weekend morning. First speak with your stylist about which product they recommend. I'm a HUGE fan of the Moroccan Oil products. It may be a pricey item but you'll only use a small amount once a week. The product will last you for months to come! Now onto the process of your weekly treatment...
Items needed:
plastic grocery bag or shower cap
clips (the kind stylists use to section your hair for cutting)
Shampoo
Deep Conditioner
towel
A big toothed comb
#1 Shampoo hair
#2 Blot excess water out with towel (squeeze, DO NOT rub!)
#3 Take a quarter sized amount of deep conditioner (or less, depending on the length of the hair), and rub between hands. Then apply to hair ends and then throughout head.
#4 Comb product through hair then clip hair up (if long enough to do so).
#5 Put bag or shower cap on head (if using bag, you can clip the bag to secure)
#6 Leave on for 30 to 60 min. (even 5 min. is better than nothing!)
#7 Rinse, comb, and style:)
The results of treatment will be noticeable immediately. Especially during these cold days of winter when the outdoor cold and indoor heat drain hair of natural moisture, the deep treatment will put the shine and bounce back into hair. Whether your hair is fine or thick, curly or straight there is a product out there to chase away the fly a ways and keep hair as happy as it deserves to be! :)