Hair tip of the day: Miscommunication!

Try as I might, sometimes there are miscommunications about what someone wants and what I think they want. I've been doing hair for 18years and I try to improve my skills in all areas as the years pass. When I work with my clients we are building trust. If you have had a long relationship with your Stylist and have been pleased with the results that they have produced over the years, you have built up that trust. If you make a major change and aren't pleased with the results, don't panic. As a stylist I will do everything in my power to make it right. It's hair and it can be altered. Just because someone is a Color Specialist or a Haircut Specialist doesn't mean they are going to get what you invision and what they think you invision correctly every time. But a good Stylist will do their best to correct it!:)

Hair tip of the day: Q&A!

Question:
Is the Brazilian Blowout harmful to the hair? I hear that it has formaldehyde.

Answer:
The Brazilian Blowout is in no way harmful to the hair. It will actually help the condition of your hair. It can be done over and over, as often as one wants and will continue to add shine and managiblility. Brazilian Blowout does not have any formaldehyde in it's formula. The formula that was developed in Brazil did have it originally but does not now. It is formaldehyde and aldehyde free. So you can enjoy your BB safely!:)

Hair tip of the day: A REPOSTING ABOUT BRAZILIAN BLOWOUTS!

Lately there has been a lot of interest in Brazilian Blowouts, so I thought that today I would repost my blog about the treatment! Many of my clients are booking this procedure or have already had it done. After this treatment I receive emails of thanks and amazement. I am just as impressed with this service. I have never seen my clients hair look or feel better!

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: Conditioning!

Deep Conditioning shouldn't be the only time that you take the time to make sure that you are getting the most out of your Conditioner. When the hair is to full of water the Conditioner can't get into the hair shaft. All it takes is a moment to make the product work more effectively. When you shower place a towel near by. After Shampooing, squeeze the excess water out of your hair, then grab the towel and blot even more water out of the hair. This will ensure that the Conditioner can penetrate the hair. If there is too much water in the hair the Conditioner will just slide right off and go down the drain. What a waste! If you do this one extra step you'll begin to feel the difference!:)

Hair tip of the day: Shampooing!

Hair tip of the day: Shampooing!
I know that being able to shampoo sounds like common sense but there are ways to shampoo that will be much more effective then what you may be doing now. With just a few steps you can change up your technique in order to get a cleaner scalp and ultimately cleaner hair. You can also save money by learning how to use less shampoo. Here are the steps to take in order to give yourself a fantastic shampoo:
1) Wet the hair completely. Don't just dunk your head under the shower head, get your hands into it. Every strand of hair needs to be well saturated.
2) Pour a dime sized amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand. Now rub hands together to work up a lather. This will ensure that you get the shampoo throughout the hair and not just in one spot.
3)Put sudsy hands right into the scalp first. Massage the scalp thoroughly before shampooing the ends of the hair. It's important to really scrub the scalp. You will remove dead skin and oil. This will keep follicles free from gunk that can cause skin irritation, pimples and cradle cap. If you feel that you aren't getting enough of a sudsing, just add more water. Don't add more shampoo because it's just a waste of product. Once the entire scalp is scrubbed then the ends can have the shampoo squished into them. It doesn't take much work to shampoo the ends. The shampoo's job is to grab dirt and grime, so that it can be rinsed away. It's important not to rub the ends of the hair together. They will get tangled and because hair is most delicate when wet, the hair can be broken if treated too roughly.
4) Rinse hair completely, again by using your hands. It's easy to just want to dunk your head under and be done with it but you want to be sure to rinse all the shampoo away.
I hope that these steps will give you a happier scalp, healthier hair and help you to spend less money on shampoo. It's a terrible thing to let money go down the drain! Happy Shampooing!:)

Hair tip of the day: Q&A!

Q: Why do I have little hairs that stick up from my head, even though the rest of my hair is long?
A: It could be one if two things:
1) Hair is constantly falling out & regrowing. There will be different lengths always but in some people they are more noticeable. Grey hairs can especially be coarser & curlier & love to stick up. A quick spritz of hairspray or a little gel or pomade can lay them down.
2) The hair is being damaged by brushing when wet, too high of heat with a dryer or heated tool, poor color application or bad ponytail holders. Speak to your Stylist about how you can better care for your hair.

Thanks so much for sending that question blog reader!:)

Hair tip of the day: Curling Irons!

Curling irons come in many barrel sizes. There are teeny tiny barrels,gigantic barrels and every size in between. In general, smaller barrels are for shorter hair and bigger barrels are for longer hair. Although a 2" barrel can be excellent on shorter hair to get a flip going. It gives just enough bend to the ends without giving curl. A 1/4" barrel is fantastic for giving natural curl a little more polish. Just a few well placed curls with this tiny iron and VIOLA, a more finished looking curl. Curling irons also come with a spring style or a Marcel style. The spring style is what most people have grown up with, the Marcel style is a more professional style of iron and gives better mobility when curling the hair. It's really a matter of preference as to what style will be most comfortable for you. Whether your hair is long or short, it's nice to have a few different barrel sizes in your arsenal so that you can get as many different looks as possible. When using the curling iron to curl the whole head it's nice to alternate between smaller and larger curls. It gives a more natural and interesting look to the hair. The possibilities are endless. So grab some irons and happy curling!:)

Hair tip of the day: Ask Me!

Are there questions that you have? Things that you want to know about hair? Ask me! You can leave your questions in my message inbox and I will answer them all! Test my knowledge!:)

Hair tip of the day: I'm a Hairstylist, not a magician!

Sometimes we all have ideas of how our hair will magically transform us. I've done it. I'd break up with an old boyfriend, cut off all my hair or change the color and magically my heart should be healed. Wrong. I'd just have a new style with my same old broken heart. New haircuts and colors can give us new found confidence and a bounce in our step but it won't make us lose 10 pounds or make us find a job. It can motivate us to do those things but the hair alone won't make it happen. When let downs or big changes happen in our lives we must ask ourselves "Am I ready for another change?". Sometimes the answer will be Yes and sometimes No. Having a new hairdo can be great therapy but sometimes sticking with what we know can give us the comfort that we need.:)

Hair tip of the day: Put the scissors down!

It's early in the morning before you go to work and your bangs are in your face. You think "Just a few snips and it'll be perfect". You pick up your kitchen scissors and Oops!!! They are way too short and crooked! This is an awful way to start the day. Please call for a bang trim. I know that your life is busy and that it's hard to find the time but please make the time for a 5 min. bang trim. Bangs are at the very front of your face and they are the first thing that you and everyone else will see. Book a bang trim and save yourself the heartache of icky bangs! :)

Hair tip of the day: Give major change some time!

When making a major change as far as haircut or color, give it at least a week, maybe two to really set in. Even when we think we are ready for something different, the reality of the change can throw us for a loop. Before freaking out give yourself some adjustment time. It takes awhile for our brains to accept that we look different. Have a friend take some photos so that you can really see the full results. Then kick back and enjoy the new you!:)

Hair tip of the day: Book a wash & style after surgery!

After most surgery's it can be difficult to wash, let alone style your own hair. So once you are mobile make sure to come into the salon for some TLC! When we look good we tend to feel good as well! Make a trip to the salon part of your regimine to recovery!:)

Hair tip of the day: Braids!

If you have medium to long hair, try putting 3-5 French braids in your towel dried hair. Do it before bed & let it dry overnight. In the morning take out the braids & finger through. You'll have a fun wavy style that you can wear down or pin up. You can run some styling cream, gel or oil through the hair, to give it more texture! Instant style!:)

Hair tip of the day: Blow dryers!

There is no need to have a blow dryer that is as expensive as the one that I use professionally for home use. The reason my work blow dryer is so decked out and pricey is that I use it all day, everyday and it has to have a heating element that can handle that kind of use. That being said, there are benefits to an ionic hair dryer. Ionic dryers will dry the hair quicker which means it's gentler on your hair. The other guide line for buying a blow dryer is to watch the wattage. My belief is that 1600 is best but below 1800 is fine. When the wattage gets into 1875, that is just WAY too much heat! Too high of heat=damage to the hair. If your hair dryer is old and begins to have a smell when you are blow drying, please replace it pronto! The tools that we use on our hair need to be in good working order to do the best job. Is it time for a new dryer?:)

Hair tip of the day: Referrals!

Nothing says thank you like a referral from a client! When I receive a referral from a client I send a thank you card & I give them $5 off their next service with me. If they send me 3 people, they get $15 off their next service! As a stylist I'm always accepting new clients. And not to worry, I'll always find room for my regulars!:)

Hair tip of the day: Styling products make all the difference!

My clients are always saying to me that my hair must take a lot of work as far as styling goes. But it doesn't. I blow dry it with a volumizer, spray some hairspray and I'm done. BUT... and this is a big but... If I don't use the products I seriously look like a drowned rat. My hair is bone straight and fine. I have a lot of it but it's super fine and limp. Just because you have to throw a little product in doesn't mean that it's going to be a lot of work. What is does mean, is a whole world of difference in how your hair will look. Ask your stylist what products will work best for you and you will always have that "Just-Stepped-Out-Of-The-Salon-look"!:)

Hair tip of the day: Take a break from shampooing!

Back in Medieval times Royalty bathed at birth and at death and that was it! Throughout the early to mid 1900's a weekly shampooing was the norm. Then the 80's came, shampoos got better (not such heavy detergents in them), and people were shampooing daily, if not more. There seemed to be a craze of cleanliness. Not just shampooing either... deodorants, soaps, etc. The cleaner the better! Have no dirt ever! In the last decade people are going back to shampooing less. It is okay to not shampoo everyday or even every 4 days or every week! If you have dry hair and skin, chances are that you can go quite awhile before shampooing. Hair will be more manageable, and you'll save time. Just a quick hop in the shower, a rearranging of your bedhead and you're done! Shampoo formulas are better than ever. I read an article once that said if you exercise and sweat, it dries. I thought that was a really good point! Chances are it's not stinky on your head. There aren't any armpits up on your scalp. Try giving the over zealous shampooing a break. If you shampoo more than once a day, try cutting down to once a day. If you shampoo everyday, shampoo every other day. Why over do it? Why waste time and product? So stop using the excuse that you have to wash your hair and wait a day!:)

Hair tip of the day: How long are you spending on your style?

Today is Daylight Savings Time. We lose a whole hour but gain more daylight. Maybe it's time to lose some hair in order to gain more time! Years ago, before I started doing hair, a friend said to me "If it takes me more than 5 min. to do my hair, I have the wrong haircut." That has become the basis of my theory on hair. Why fight what our hair wants to do naturally? The best thing we can do is work with what we have. If we truly don't like what we've been given, then what chemical treatments will help to make it easier to have what we want? I stick to the 5 min. rule or myself. It takes me less than that to blow dry my hair with my fingers and hairspray. So instead of fighting the cowlicks, curl, fine texture, etc., EMBRACE it! Get a cut that enhances what you have and gain the hour that we lose today over the months to come!:)

Hair tip of the day: Sideburns!

Sideburns are in essence the "bangs" of Men. Different lengths and widths come in and out of Vogue. They can be a way to snazz up a look. They can be made to blend with facial hair to make big chops, have a sharp angle, be big and busy or close shaven, be long or short. Sometimes it depends on how long the sideburns will grow on a Man as to how he can wear them. Sometimes Men will have gaps in between the sideburns and the beard and this has to be taken into consideration when deciding on a style. In my opinion on the longer side is always better. Cutting the sideburns off completely can be a very boyish look and a little harsh on the face shape. When determining if they are even, I place my fingers on the bottom of each one and check the level. Never go by ears. Ears are uneven and that can cause a droop on one side. I usually trim sideburns very close, that way they can grow out until the next cut and not look unkempt. If you have questions about what would most flatter your face, style and cut, ask your Stylist!:)

Hair tip of the day: Take it slow!

If you are wanting a major change but are still a little unsure, take it slow. You can do it in steps. If it's a short cut and you have long hair, take it to a medium length first. You may find that any shorter would have been too short! If it's a major change in color, make small adjustments towards the goal. If you are a blonde and want to be a brunette, try some lolites to see if darker feels okay. What we visulize can be very different from the reality of wearing it. If you are ready to really plunge into it, then go for it! But if you have any doubt, take it slow!:)

Hair tip of the day: Sometimes you gotta cut it!

Hair is not a living thing. Thank goodness or haircuts would be very painful! Because it is not alive, it sometimes has just lost all hope of continuing to be shiny, happy hair. If hair is fine it is more delicate and therefore does not stand up to color changes, thermal styling and other outside influences very well. So at some point the hair of a few years ago (the ends) are done and need to be cut. It's better to have a chic, healthy looking, shorter cut then to hold on to longer hair that doesn't bounce any more. If the goal is to have longer hair, the best bet is to choose a color that you will want to stick with for awhile. Small changes in color can be made without ill affect but lightening, darkening and lightening again the ends of long hair just wears the integrity of the hair down. Thicker hair can usually handle it, but weaker, finer hair just can't. Choose a length that will show off the health of your hair now! Then you can work towards longer hair in a healthier way!:)

Hair tip of the day: Re-evaluate your hairstyle after a weight loss or gain!

It happens to us all. We lose weight, we gain weight. Stress, health problems, pregancy, etc., aide us in this flucuation. What used to work on us at one weight, may not be the best choice at another. So remember to take a real look in the mirror after the scale creeps up or down and ask yourself "Is this style still working for me?". If you don't know ask your stylist what they think! Together a decision can be made!:)

Hair tip of the day: It's just hair!

Sometimes when we focus on our hair too much it can run our lives. Try not to obsess too much on it. We all have good and bad hair days and honestly, I think it has more to do with our mind set then our hair. Usually once a month I have terrible hair and everybody hates me. I'm thinking it's Hormones! He he! Do all that you can do to make your hair life easier but then just let it go. Hair moves, grows, changes and if we watch it's every move we will drive ourselves crazy! I used to be the kind of person that would say "If you cut more then a 1/2 an inch I won't pay you!". Yes, I really said that. Then I entered Cosmetology College... Many bad haircuts and color trials later I realized that it grows and it is fixable. So if your color is good and the haircut is right but you are hating one little piece of hair in the front (today) grab the hairspray, spray the crap out of it and go volunteer and help someone with real problems!:)

Hair tip of the day: There is no excuse to look unkempt when at a black tie event!

I was shocked to see the amount of unkempt looking hair at the Oscars on the women this year. What was up with the bumps and fly-a-ways??? The 3/4 inch roots??? This is not chic. Whether styling your own hair or getting it done in the salon for a night out, make sure that the hair is well coiffed. A little hair spray and a comb can smooth a pony tail or bun. And please make sure to book a color appointment before a big event. Having crappy hair with a fabulous gown, makes the gown look not so fabulous. Have respect not only for yourself but for the peoples event that you are attending. This doesn't mean that you can't be edgy or fun. But look like you put some effort! I will give a shout out to Sandra Bullock. Her hair looked amazing and like my client and I both said... she looked like she'd had a Brazilian Blowout!!!
Now as for the Men, they really looked fantastic. They had stylish hair cuts that looked natural. Hair product was light (no shellacked helmets). They looked well put together without the just-been-cut look. Facial hair was manicured if there was any (many were clean shaven). Their hair looked clean, touchable and well groomed. Way to go Men!:)

Hair tip of the day: Gift Certificates!

Gift Certificates for a haircut, color, or even a blow dry can be a great gift. Whether it's their Birthday, Anniversary, a Graduation or just because, it's a great present for Men and Women. I have many choices of Gift Certificates with pretty envelopes for all occasions. What a special treat for someone that has everything. Almost everyone needs to get a haircut at some point. And the fact that they won't have to pay for it is a major bonus! :)

Hair tip of the day: Celebrity Styles!

I know it sounds like common sense but when you see a hair style on a celebrity, friend, co-worker or stranger make sure that you are looking at the hair cut. It's easy to get engrossed in someones whole look, not just the haircut. Even if someone has your same face shape and hair type, if their overall style (fashion wise) is different, it's not going to play out the same. If you are preppy and the hairstyle is rocker, make sure that it's the haircut and not the essence of the person that you are liking the look of. It's kind of like an art gallery... you may appreciate the art, but not want it in your home!:)

Hair tip of the day: Tone up your hair!

Hair fades over time. Whether you color your hair or not, many factors lead up to the hair losing pigment. The sun, chlorine, the age of the hair, thermal styling... all lead to hair losing it's luster. Tone up the color of the hair with a tinted color gloss. It will add shine and manageability, while also adding tone back to the hair. If you are a brunette, who has never colored your hair but noticed the trip to Hawaii left the hair lighter than preferred, toning is a fantastic option! It's a semi-permanent gloss that will add new life to your natural color. It will not change the natural color of the hair. Over time the toner will gradually fade away. Anyone who does color their hair will periodically need a toner to refresh the ends. Everybody's hair, whether natural or tinted can benefit from a color gloss. Tone up that hair (no gym required)!:)

Hair tip of the day: Technology Rocks!

I know that not all stylist do it yet but utilizing the computer for appointments, sending pics of possible haircuts, etc. is so awesome! Whether you are a busy parent or a busy CEO, it is so nice to pop off an email about needing an appointment. My clients send me emails when it's convenient for them and give me times and days that will work for their appointment. If they are looking for a change and are surfing the web, they just send me the link and ask "what do you think?". If you aren't emailing and would like to for your appointments, please do! If you have pics that you'd like to show me, email them to me! If you like the phone, then kick it old school. I'm down for any form of communication! See ya soon!:)

Hair tip of the day: Don't live with itchy scalp!

If you have an itchy scalp and flakes, you don't have to just live with it! Get some product to rid yourself of these symptoms. Sometimes it's a sunburned scalp, a weather change, dandruff or psoriasis. If you are unsure as to what is happening, see your Dermatologist. If it's sunburn, Nioxin Scalp Treatment can ease the discomfort of the sting and then of the itching to follow. If you have flakes from allergies, weather change of dandruff then seek out Thermafuse Thermadan Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner. It's color safe and won the Salon Plus Editors Choice Award for best Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner. If it is psoriasis, or if you are unsure, please see your Doctor. There are medicated products that they can prescribe for you. There is no need to "live" with discomfort. Get relief now!:)

Hair tip of the day: Ask your Stylist!

If you are unsure of how to correctly use a curling iron, ask your stylist! Not sure what shampoo or conditioner to buy, ask your stylist! Any hair questions that you have, ask us! I have taken the time to show numerous clients how to use a curling iron, how to use a flat iron, etc. I want you to be able to do everything that I've done to your hair when you get home. It's not a secret! I tend to forget that the things that are common knowledge to me, aren't common knowledge to others. So just ask!:)

Hair tip of the day: Stop shopping for the best bargain!

Money is an issue for us all but when you start shopping for the best bargain, instead of the best person to do the job, you'll end up with not so great results. Whether it's a corrective color, extensions, or a haircut. If you continue to be unhappy with the end result of what you are getting, it's time to shop for the best qualified. You may end up paying a little more but you'll get great hair days for the life of that service! Is being unhappy with your hair worth a cheaper price tag? No way!!! You are worth having fantastic hair and happy days to follow the service!:)