Hair tip of the day: Burnt hair can not be repaired!

If you burn your hair with a hair dryer, curling iron or flat iron, it can not be repaired. No amount of conditioner will fix it. The only way to be rid of it, is to cut it off. So unless you want a shorter cut, please turn the heat down on your appliances. Also keep your hair dryer and flat iron moving. When blow drying don't just hit a spot continuously. Keep the brush and the dryer moving. The same with flat ironing. Keep it moving. With a curling iron, keep the heat low enough to do the job and count for 5 seconds on each strand. This will ensure an even curl. Your hair will look fabulous and won't get scorched!:)

Hair tip of the day: Know your brush!

Different brushes are meant for different things. In general a boar bristle brush is used for smoothing the hair and a synthetic bristle is used for volume. There are brushes that have a combo of both bristles for hair that needs both smoothing and volume. Round brushes come in all different sizes. A rule of thumb is to use smaller brushes for shorter hair and bigger brushes for longer hair. Go a little smaller if you want more bend and bigger if you want just a little. A paddle brush is fantastic for drying longer hair straight. A vent brush is great for adding volume. The open spaces add for more air to hit the roots. Hopefully this will take some of the guess work out of purchases brushes. Ask your stylist if you have any questions! That is what we are here for. We want you to get the right tools to support your style!:)

Hair tip of the day: Beware traveling over seas with your flat iron...

...or your curling iron and hair dryer. Unless they are dual voltage appliances you will most likely blow up your beloved styling tool. The voltage that comes out of our wall socket in America is 110. In Europe it is on average 230 (some places 220 or 240). Even if you have an adapter to fit your plug in the wall socket in Europe, it's WAY too much voltage and will fry your American styling tools. Your best bet is to buy a European model if you travel a lot and keep it in your travel bag or style your hair differently while away. Happy travles!:)

Hair tip of the day: Change up your color!

So it's been a year... maybe 3 years since you've switched up your color... it's time for a change! If you have hi-lites, try adding another shade with the existing color. Something lighter, darker, warmer, or cooler! It will add more dimension to the overall hi-lite. If you have an all over tint how about going a shade lighter or darker. Add a little red or a little warmth. It will add a little pizazz to your usual look. Chat with your stylist about ways that you can have them tweak the formula just a wee bit! This may open the door for a bigger change!:)

Hair tip of the day: Work a head band!

Head bands can be a great way to accessorize. There are so many types out there. Skinny ones, thick ones, cloth ones, plastic ones, etc. Always try them on and wear them around the store for a few min. to see if it begins pinching the sides of your head. If it's pinching it won't be much fun to wear. Head bands can be fantastic for anyone growing out bangs. Just smooth some gel over the bangs to slick back off the forehead and put your head band on. A thicker one will work fantastic for this. Try a head band with all hair styles too. Flip the hair, wear a pony tail, curl the hair... the possibilities are limitless! There are so many place to find head bands. Department stores, Drug stores, Dollar stores. They are every where if you look. Happy Head Banding!:)

Hair tip of the day: Brazilian Blowout!

The Brazilian Blowout is all the craze with celebrities and women who want frizz-free, shiny and more manageable hair. It is not a waxing treatment (LOL). It is a smoothing and reconditioning treatment that adds shine, eliminates frizz, and adds nourishment to the hair. It is formaldehyde and aldehyde free. There are no harsh chemicals in this product. It is made up of a vegetable protein (keratin) and a proprietary blend of goodness. This is not a straightening system per say. Your natural wave or curl will remain to some extent. People with finer hair will get straighter results for longer but the treatment makes hair much easier to style. The greatest benefit is the manageability that it will give the hair. Your hair will have the shine, movement and anti- frizz look that airbrushed models exhibit!
The effects of the treatment last 10-12 weeks and are only guaranteed if the client uses the 4 follow up products by Acai:
#1 Acai Anti-Frizz Shampoo
#2 Acai Anti-Frizz Conditioner
#3 Acai Smoothing Serum
#4 Acai Deep Conditioning Masque.
This line of products was developed for the sole purpose of extending the life of the Brazilian Blowout. For the best results it is essential that you use these products!
The treatment takes on average 90 min. and is safe for any type of hair. Yes any! Bleached, colored, chemically straightened, etc. If you color, it is best to get your touch up and then have the Brazilian Blowout done immediately after. It will seal in your color for longer lasting results. This is phenomenal for red heads and brunettes that fade! If you can't do the Brazilian Blowout that day, do it within a few days of of your color touch-up. Just don't wash your hair until you come in for the Brazilian Blowout. If time does still not allow for you to come in that soon for your color, you must wait at least 10 days after the Brazilian Blowout to get your color touch-up.
So how much does it cost? It ranges from $350-$800. I will be charging $350 (unless someone has hair down to their butt). The products (all four) are a little less than $160. The cost is worth the time that you'll save when styling your hair and every time that you look in the mirror you will know that the Brazilian Blowout is worth the cost. This is a treatment that every head of hair can benefit from! :)

Hair tip of the day: Be honest with yourself about your budget & your time!

We all have a budget that we have to adhere to, as well as a calendar with only so many free spaces. Be honest with yourself about what time and money you can afford when thinking about a hair color and style. If you go for the super short, ash blonde hair style, can you afford to get it cut and colored every 4 weeks? If you are a busy Mom, maybe a hi-lite and a little longer cut will fit your schedule better. Then you can come in every 8 weeks. Before committing to a new look, speak with your stylist about how often you'll have to come in to maintain it and how much it will cost you. This is all part of a consultation. Know what you are getting into and you'll be happier with your choice! :)

Hair tip of the day: Products that do double duty!

There is nothing worse than being in the shower shaving your legs and oops, you've run out of shaving cream. Well fear not. Hair conditioner is fantastic for shaving legs! Just rub on like you would shaving cream and shave away. Your legs will be super soft! If you have loads of unused conditioner, this is a fabulous use for it! You turn around after shaving only to find your bottle of body wash is empty! No worries, use your shampoo. It's good for your scalp and it's good for your body. I've been using my hydrating shampoo on my body for months and my skin isn't as dry as it usually is this time of year. Lastly after leaving the shower you want to hydrate your skin but darn it, you forgot once again to buy more lotion. If you have a leave-in cream conditioner use it on your skin! It doesn't take much and it'll smell wonderful just like a lotion! So let those products do double duty. This is a great tip to keep in mind when traveling too! So relax and indulge in the products that you do have!:)

Hair tip of the day: Men, Welcome to the Salon!

Gone are the days of gender segregation between the barber and the salon, yet some men are still apprehensive to approach a salon. Half of my clientele are men and most get color enhancement of some kind. Men want to have great looking hair, just like women. The salon is not a Woman's place. A salon is where everyone gets their hair needs met. So Men feel confident walking into a salon, we are happy to see you! There are magazines for both genders and tasty bevies. Let us give you more than a haircut. Let us give you a style!:)

Hair tip of the day: Wear a hat!

Some days no matter how great the cut or color of our hair we just don't want to deal with it at all. It's cold outside and we don't want to wash it. We'd like to sleep in a little longer, instead of styling it. Have a fabulous hat to just throw on. It's also great for rides in a convertible where hair would otherwise be blowing around in the wind. Everyone DOES look great in hats. It's just a matter of finding the one that looks great on you. Go to a hat store (Santa Cruz has a fabulous one on the main drag!) and try on everything. Eventually you will find the one that makes you go "hey, I look good!". Hats scream Fashion Forward!:)

Hair tip of the day: When hair is wet is it most fragile!

A few months back a friend of mine and I were staying at a very posh hotel for the night for my birthday. As we were getting ready that morning for brunch, I hear the most awful sound. Like an animal digging through gravel... no like a brush being ripped through wet hair!!!! I ran in the bathroom to where she was in front of the mirror and screamed, while my hands were on my face in horror "Noooooooo!". There she was rip, rip, ripping her brush through her delicate blonde strands. Oh the terror of it all. I now understood why she was getting breakage! All is well now. She has a big wide toothed comb that she very gently combs her wet hair with now. The moral of the story is NEVER EVER brush wet hair. Hair is most fragile when wet. It just snaps right off if tugged to roughly when wet. So please I beg of you, get a big wide toothed comb and some detangler and very gently comb your hair when wet. It will save you the heart ache of breakage and won't break my heart in the process! :)

Hair tip of the day: Don't fear calling for an adjustment!

While in the salon, the haircut looks amazing & then after wearing it a few days you notice that the fringe isn't laying quite right. Try as we might as stylists to make sure that every hair is cut correctly, sometimes we miss something. Please call! We want you to be happy! A quick snip, snip or a tip on styling will save you weeks of frustration. We won't be mad or bothered. We are truly happiest when you are happy! So if it's been a few days and something isn't right, pick up the phone!:)

Hair tip of the day: Deciding on a cut and color!

When deciding on a cut and color DO think about what is appropriate for work. When a client comes in and wants something Avante Guarde, my first question is "what do you do for work?". A bank teller with Hot Pink streaks may not get a welcoming reception from their boss. But if those streaks are hidden under a part that can be unveiled for the weekend, it totally works! There are hidden "secrets" that can be covered during work hours and shown in all there glory on the off hours! So do think about what is appropriate for work but ask your stylist for ways to have a more edgy cut or color during the non-work hours. With a flip of a part or by putting the hair up, a pop of color or a edgy hair line can be revealed! You can have your Hot Pink and show it too!:)

Hair tip of the day: Keeping static at bay!

This time of year the static runs high in the air. And that means static in the hair. The best way to keep static at bay is to use hairspray. If you don't want spray in your hair, you can spray a brush with hairspray and then brush your hair. With curly hair a leave in conditioner or spray shine will do the trick. If you want to sport a hat and not have a static laden hair when you remove it, take a dryer sheet and rub it on the inside of the hat before donning it. Thanks to my Aunt Dee for asking this question! Now go forth and have no fear of static!:)

Hair tip of the day: Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air! Continue to show yourself some love by treating yourself to a pampering session at the salon. Book an appointment for a Deep Conditioning treatment, a blow dry, or a style for a friends party. Do something unexpected for yourself!:)

Hair tip of the day: Mens haircuts are about the whole head!

Men, when getting a haircut, it should be about the whole head. Meaning that it's about all the hair. Eyebrows should be trimmed, ear hair whisked away. If you sport a beard &/or mustache, it should be fine tuned. And all neck hair should be removed. If the haircut looks great, but other areas are left unkempt, it takes away from the overall look. Make sure that your stylist makes everything about your head look its best by taking care of all these items! You deserve a great haircut!:)

Hair tip of the day: Pre-book appointments!

We all lead busy lives and time gets away from us all. That is why it's so important to pre-book appointments. I send emails to my clients letting them know when I'll be away for training or vacation. That way they aren't stuck without an appointment. If you pre-book you will get the days and times that you need and want. And you are sure to always look your best instead of being 2 months too late for a color touch-up or haircut. It just takes a little planning and you can put your mind at ease. With all that you do for everyone in your life, you owe it to yourself to have time for you as well. So pre-book, pamper yourself and always look your best! :)

Hair tip of the day: blow drying!

Most people own a blow dryer but don't really know how to use it. I suggest a blow dryer that is 1600• and ionic. Be sure to use the nozzle. This will direct the air flow. There are some tips to blow drying hair that will help the process to go faster & make it last longer. The first thing is that after washing your hair, blot out as much of the moisture as possible. Buying a micro fiber hair wrap can be quite helpful. It's a special hair towel that really sucks the excess water from porous hair. Next put in a styling product. Whether it's a volumizer or a smoothing serum, it will protect the hair from blow drying & finish off your style. Now with a paddle brush or with your fingers, blow dry hair until it feels dry. If you want to unbend cowlicks or make hair smoother, use a wrapping motion with hands or brush. Just simply use the head to wrap hair around the shape of it. Wrap hair one way and then the other on the front, back & sides. When the hair feels dry use your brush (round, paddle,vent, etc.) to smooth or add volume. A hair dryer and brush is just like a flat iron or a curling iron. It starts to work when the hair is dry. Don't wear yourself out trying to get the style in before this point. Now the hair will be for sure dry & the style will last much longer than if even a minute amount of moisture is left in the hair. If the hair still has some fluffy's, set the temperature of the dryer to cool & this will lay them down. Finish off with hair spray & a shine spray & viola! Enjoy that blow dry!:)

Hair tip of the day: Buy a top-notch flatiron!

There are many different flatirons on the market and all are not created equal. There are many qualities that make a flatiron great. Here's what to look for:
1) The plates should be made to come together flatly, with no gap. There should be no gaps around the plates. The gaps could be so tiny that you don't see them, so test the iron first. If you feel your hair being pulled out or see hair in the flatiron, the plates are not set in well.
2) Ceremanic plates are best. They are smoother than metal & therefore gentler on the hair.
3) The temperature should be at least 400• and should have a heat adjuster (finer hair can use a lower temp). The heat should remain consistent. If you are swiping each strand of hair three times, it's not hot enough.

A great flatiron will cost $200-$300 but will last 10+ years. It's worth the investment!:)

Hair tip of the day: Beware of the Trim!

Some people balk at the price of a good haircut. When asked what my prices are, sometimes the reply is "But it's just a trim!". There really is no such thing as a trim. A haircut is a haircut, no matter the amount taken off. It should be shaped, blown dry and then checked. Places that cut the hair into a basic shape and don't dry and check it, will most likely not grow out very well. You can tell if a cut has truly been shaped correctly if after 3 weeks it still looks good. So you can pay 1/2 the price of a great haircut and get something that in 3 weeks won't hold up or you can spend a little more and have it last you until it gets too long for the style. You are worth it!:)

Hair tip of the day: Don't fear the razor!

Razor cuts when done properly can be fantastic for all types of hair. If you've had a "bad" razor cut, don't blame the razor. Chances are the stylist didn't have proper training with the tool. Most people love the effect of the razor. It can give longer hair that "Victoria's Secret" hair. Where it's flowy on the ends, not blunt. For thick hair it can soften the texture and make it lay better. For fine hair it can add more texture, creating the appearence of volume. Curls can benefit from the razor as well. It will create a more seperated curl. So give the razor a try with someone who has had proper training and you may be pleasantly surprized by the effect that it have on your hair!:)

Hair tip of the day: Enhancing grey hair!

Just because you choose to wear your hair it's natural grey or white pigment, doesn't mean that it can't benefit from a little enhancement. Grey hair doesn't compliment every one's skin tone. But with a few adjustments it can. There are many options. A few well placed lo-lites can add the right amount of color to a pale complexion and give deminsion and pizazz. Someone else may benefit from a few golden hi-lites in the crown to support a layered haircut. Another option is a gloss in a soft beige or ash tone, depending on the person. Some grey hair needs no enhancement but we are not all so lucky. So don't just settle for what nature has given you. Your hair stylist can better the situation with just a few adjustments! :)

Hair tip of the day: Protect your hair!

Always stow away an umbrella in your car or tote. Then when you get your hair done and an unexpected burst of rain cones, your prepared! Those plastic hair bonnets that older women wear can be quite handy as well. It's not a fashion statement but it gets the job done & can easily fit in your wallet! With a little foresight you can protect that beautiful style for your night out!:)

Hair tip of the day: Bring pics with you to the stylist!

When you have an idea of a new cut or color that you'd like to try, bring pictures. Tear them out of magazines, copy them off the Internet or bring a pic of a friend. It's so much easier to show your stylist what you want. Trying to tell her can cause communication mishaps. So be on the look out for styles & colors that you like. You can even snap photos of strangers with your phone. And don't limit color examples to humans. Sometimes an animal can have the hair color we desire. Happy picture hunting!:)

Hair tip of the day: Use proper hair ties!

Using the correct style of hair tie will save your hair from breakage. I recommend Blax bands. Walgreens carries a knock-off brand that is a lot cheaper. They have clear & black. They are seamless latex bands that slide out of the hair with ease. Scrunchies are a fashion no-no & any band with a metal connecter is a definate don't. That metal part will pull your hair out & cause breakage. Another option is a Ficarre clip. They are fabulous for thick or thin hair & add instant style. Please google it if you've never heard of them. If you've been using ties that are breaking your hair & you start using ones that don't, you will notice a difference in about 2 months when the hair begins growing back! Chuck the old ties & treat your hair the way it deserves to be treated!:)

Hair tip of the day: Inspect your hair brushes!

When was the last time that you inspected your hair brushes? Are any of the bristles bent or broken? If they are they could be causing breakage by tearing at your hair. Just like a toothbrush needs to be frequentely replaced to be effective, so do your hair brushes. The more you use them, the more often they should be replaced. It's one of the best things you can do for your hair! Now go inspect! Toss ratty brushes & replace them with shiny new ones. Your hair will love you for it!:)

Hair tip of the day: Up-do's and Party Hair!

It's always fun to do something different with our hair before a big night out. Whether it's a work function, a play or musical, a wedding, or a friends party, it's so fun to have a style. Some women really work the up-do. I have a friend that can wear her hair a million different ways and always look chic. She picks out the dress and then I design her up-do. It works on her. She wears every look with ease. Now, for myself if my hair is "done" I feel like a drag-queen. We are talking To Wong Foo With Love (ya, Patrick Swayze!!!). So for those of us that feel like when we dress up, we are wearing our Mom's too big heels, here is my advice: Let fancy hair be you but just a little more polished. If you always wear your hair down, keep it down but add a little wave or smooth it with a flat-iron. Maybe sport a pretty clip. Short hair? By using different products your stylist can create a fun look that again has just a little more "zing" than your everyday hair. Or if you are a daring sort of artsy person, wear a hair piece, a hat, or a hair accessory. The point is, that you should feel comfortable in the style that you are wearing. If you feel like you can't move or that you look like your Great Aunt Bessie, the look is way too overdone! Tone it down a bit and remember that it should be you, just a little more polished!:)

Hair tip of the day: Are your shampoo and conditioner working for you?

As the seasons change and as our bodies change we need different things. Sometimes our skin is more dry than others. Have we had surgery? Have we had a baby? Are we going through the life change? The shampoo that worked for us last year or even last season may not be working any more. If you hair was long last month, the moisture shampoo and conditioner were perfect. Now your hair is short, the volumizing shampoo and conditioner might be better. The moisture shampoo may be leaving you too flat. It's winter time and you are experiencing some flakes. The daily shampoo and conditioner that usually work so well won't help that. It's time to get the scalp therapy shampoo and conditioner designed for dry scalp. There is no need to throw out the other shampoos and conditioners. Just set them aside for when needed again. Don't be afraid to switch products for the different needs of your hair throughout your life. And don't think that you have to have the moisture conditioner just because you have the moisture shampoo. If you have and oily scalp but long hair that needs more moisture, you can get the volumizing shampoo and the moisturizing conditioner. Change your products as your skin changes and you will always have super looking hair!:)