Hair tip of the day: Boho hair = Braids!

The sun is popping, we are deep into Spring and the Boho look always screams SUMMER! The best way to get that carefree beachy look is with braids. Braids are pretty and easy to do! They have that youthful look that says "I'm footloose and fancy free!", while at the same time saying "I'm hot!".





These braids are the 3 most common and all that you'll need to create numerous looks. They are (Starting from the top picture) The Simple Braid, The French Braid and the Fishtail Braid. Have you stylist put one in your hair during your next visit! Braids are stylish and keep the hair off of your face!:)

Hair tip of the day: The best flowers to wear in your hair!

Yay for Weddings in the Spring! Flowers are in bloom and Bride's love to adorn there hair with them. Not all flowers can be worn successfully in the hair though. Some flowers wilt too quickly and just don't have the umfph needed to last in the hair. Here are the top 8 flowers that can withstand a day of festivities:

Wax Flower
Stephanotis
Cymbidium orchid
Baby's Breath
Freesia
Daisy
Spray Rose
Asiatic lily


If real flowers cause you to sneeze like mad or if the flowers you want can't withstand a day in an updo, then go to a hobby store or on-line and check out the beautiful artificial flowers. The ones that they make today are so realistic that it will be hard for anyone to tell the difference between real and fake!


Happy Wedding Day and Happy Spring!:)

Hair tip of the day: Evening up Sideburns!

Men, if in between cuts your sideburns need a little shortening, there is a trick to making sure that they are even. Don't ever go by your ears because everyone's ears are crooked. True story! We are not symmetrical beings. Choose one sideburn to shorten and then while looking in the mirror place your index finger directly at the bottom of where that sideburn ends. Now place your other index finger on the other sideburn straight across where a direct line would join the two. This is where you will cut the other sideburn. They will be even! :)

Hair tip of the day: Pigtails!

Pigtails aren't just for little girls! Worn down low they can be very chic on longer hair. On shorter hair they can be fun ratted to add more volume. It's a great alternative to the ponytail and for people who need hair around their face, the only option! So in any weather for a change of pace, sport a classic look with pigtails!:)

Hair tip of the day: Protect your hair from swimming!

I don't swim because my ears get clogged, I burn and because I do everything I can to have my color not fade. But not everyone is that adament about keeping their hair color so pristine. When you do swim and have tint or hi-lites just do a few things to make it harder for the chlorine to penetrate. Even if you wear a swim cap it's best to hop in a shower and wet your hair (or dunk it in a sink) first. This ensures that the "good" water fills the hair cuticle so that the clorinated water can't. Then after swimming rinse well. Redken carries a swimmers line of hair care that is fantastic. http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/color-extend-sun
It leaves your hair soft and keeps it from fading (and turning green if you are a blonde). Now you can swim and have fabulous hair to boot! P.S. Don't forget to do a weekly Deep Conditioning!:)

Hair tip of the day: Protect your hair from the sun!

With the sunny weather comes sun damage on the hair. Whether you are hiking, cruising the outdoor mall or watching your kids soccer game, the sun is beaming down on your head and lightening your hair. It really wreaks havoc on brunettes and redheads, as they have a tendency to fade anyway. So protect your locks with a product that has sunscreen in it. Moroccan Oil is a fabulous product that adds shine & manageability to the hair while at the same time helps the hair to dry faster (when blow drying) and has a sunscreen in it. There are other lines that have sunscreen sprays as well, so ask your Stylist what they recommend. A hat is also a great way to protect your color. A little bit of preparation before hitting the rays can help you to get the most out of your color!:)

Hair tip of the day: Get ready for a Formal Event!

Tis the Season of Proms and Weddings. Be prepared whether you are a Man or a Woman! Make sure that once you know that date of your Event that you book your hair appointment immediately. That way you will be sure to get the appointment on the day and time that you need.
For anyone that colors, set the appointment 1 to 2 weeks before hand. You want the color to be fresh but freeing up the week of the event is essential. That way you have time to get a massage, pedicure, etc. Haircuts, especially for Men are best 2 weeks before. This way it's crisp but not too newly cut and again it frees up the time right before THE BIG DAY. Sideburns and neck hair can be cleaned up a few days before if needed.
On the day of the event if you are getting an updo or style do not wash your hair. It's best to have a little natural grit in the hair. Washed the morning before is perfect, if you get really oily, it can be washed the evening before the style. Make sure to wear a button-down shirt or dress so that it can be easily removed without disrupting the hairstyle. If you are really concerned about the style being "perfect" it is a must to do a trial up-do. This will ensure that you are happy with the style that you have chosen and you can completely relax on the day because you already know what to expect.
An important side note: Please eat breakfast! Even if it a few bites of a muffin and some juice. There is nothing worse than fainting on the day of your Prom or Wedding. Fainting can lead to concussions and bruised facial parts! Soooo not pretty!
Lastly: No matter what, on the day of the Event, just ENJOY! Let everything that is gonna happen, happen... go with the flow... whatever doesn't go according to plan makes for a fabulous story later on!:)

Hair tip of the day: Get out of your comfort zone!

Do something different with your hair at your next hair appointment. Just one itty-bitty little change. It's Spring and time for renewal! No bangs? Get a little fringe working! No layers? Add some! Put some hi-lites in your bangs, add a panel of a fun color underneath... it's hair and it should be fun! :)

Hair tip of the day: It's Earth Day!

Do something good for the earth today by starting with your daily shower. Be quick about it and don't wash your hair today. Hair styles itself so much better when it has a little natural grit in it. Don't be afraid to use your hairspray either. The bad ozone killers have long been removed from aerosol cans. Spray with confidence! Now that it took you less time to get ready this morning you can now go out into the world and help to make it better. Why not pick up at least one piece of trash that you see on the ground today? If we all do it, it'll be a much cleaner place! Now I would suggest hugging a tree but my inner hippy gets beat up by my inner punk for doing things like that! LOL!:)

Hair tip of the day: Fantasy Hair!

What is the hair that you would most like to have regardless of your hair type? An Afro, Super Short hair? Green hair? Straight hair? Whatever your dream hair is, what is it about that style that you are so drawn to? Is it the volume of the Afro or the density of it? With the short hair, is it the spikiness, the bangs? Really look at what part or parts you are most loving about it. Then communicate that with your stylist and ask her how you can incorperate some part of this look into what your hair can do. Maybe you can't go green for work but maybe you can do something that will have the same dark/light contrast on your own head of hair with a more natural shade. Sometimes there is something more that we like about a look then first meets the eye. Explore this!:)

Hair tip of the day: It's 4/20!

Just to be cheeky because it is 4/20, I'm going to give a shout out to my favorite hairspray. It's by Hempz (he he!) and it smells amazing. To me it smells like apple pie. It's a super yummy apple/cinnamon blend and it holds wonderfully. It's not too hard of a hold but it keeps my spikies where I want them! The body lotions that Hempz carries also rock! They even have one that gives a little "tan" to your body. Check out the line! http://www.hempzhaircare.com/ :)

Hair tip of the day: Finding myself through color!

Color hasn't always been a way for my to express myself. I have been every color and combination of colors imagainable. But this wasn't always true. I was the client that said "I'll have a trim". I'd threaten not to pay the stylist if they cut off more than 1/2". I shudder that I actually would say that! LOL! Then came the day that I begin to experiment. This experimentation came through error. One time when I was apprenticing my bangs were cut too short and I shaved my head... YES! I really did! I was tired of having bad hair days, I was tired of worrying so much about my freakin' hair! So I had a man that I worked with clipper it off and it was liberating! Here I was with nothing to hide behind and I actually liked it. I wore big earrings and fun make-up. I had it about 1/4" long and I colored it like mad. I bleached it, had it blue... I even painted a picture on my head using every color of dye that I could get my hands on. What I discovered is that I am still me no matter what is happening on my head. At that point I begin to try every cut and color. I wanted to feel what it was like to be these different looks. The thing that I discovered is that it doesn't feel like anything other than who I am. Hair to me is like a seasonal coat. I change with the times, my mood and I just have fun with it. Sometimes I'm more playful and sometimes I'm more conservative. But I'm always me. This belief started with my hair and moved in to other areas... I am not my weight, or my bank account. I am the essence that is Kimberly and that is ever changing but also the same to some degree. My essense is not my outside appearance. My outside appearance is just my hobby. My outside appearance may show when times are good or bad in my life to some extent but it is only the tip of the iceburg. I strive daily to not worry about if people notice I gained weight after some deaths in the family or that I lost weight after a difficult break up years before. The people that really see me, see the whole picture in and out. When I see my friends I don't see their hair unless they are coming to see me for an appointment. When I see my friends, I see the people that I love and who love me. I have a special friend who is struggling right now and she inspired this whole post. You know who you are and I love you girl. You will find you again, because she is still there, I promise!:)

Hair tip of the day: Afros!

Afros has been huge in the fashion world and fashion forward party scene for the last two years. Anyone can have a fro for a day (or for a party!). Have your stylist set your hair on perm rods and then pic it out for you. A style like this is perfect for a theme party or for fashion week in NYC. If you fall in love it can be made more permenant with a real perm! Enjoy!:)

Hair tip of the day: Matter of Trust!

One of my clients turned me on to this organization. Matter of Trust makes Booms, for cleaning up oil spills out of recycled pantyhose and donated hair. So even if you don't have 15", 10", or 7" of hair to donate, you can donate any length of clippings! You can even donate pet hair! Hair is super absorbent and the Booms can be reused many times. What a great way to be green!:)

http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html

Hair tip of the day: Angel Hair Foundation!

I was searching around for other places that take hair donations and came across Angel Hair Foundation: http://www.angelhairfoundation.org/about.cfm
I didn't find a place on their web page that said they accept hair but I'm guessing that if they are contacted they can lead you in the right direction. This foundation was formed when a Mother's Daughter came down with cancer. I found the story that is written about it on the site to be very touching. The foundation is in Eugene,OR and I being an Oregonian was doubly touched by the story. It hit "home" so to speak. It's worth a try to contact them and because they are a smaller foundation I'm sure that they would love to answer any questions reguarding donations.:)

Hair tip of the day: Pantene Beautiful Lengths!

Pantene Beautiful Lengths hair donations go to making wigs for Women who are losing their hair through treatment due to cancers of all kinds.

As Pantene Beautiful Lengths wigs are created, they are distributed for free through select American Cancer Society wig banks across the country. Women facing cancer can find out about the availability of a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-877-227-1596. The Society can also help callers with a number of resources providing educational and emotional support.


* Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measure hair from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends)
* Hair should be freshly washed and completely dry, without any styling products
* Hair may be colored with vegetable dyes, rinses and semi-permanent dyes (hair cannot be bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated)
* Hair may not be more than 5 percent gray (this is something that your stylist can help you to determine)

Place the ponytail, kept intact with the elastic band, in a zipper-lock bag and seal tightly. Please ensure the ponytail is complete dry before sending.
Place the plastic bag with the ponytail in a padded or plastic envelope and send to:
Pantene Beautiful Lengths 511 Wisconsin Drive New Richmond, WI 54017-2613
If you would like written acknowledgement of your ponytail donation, please remember to include your full name and return address with your hair donation.

Questions?
Visit www.beautifullengths.com and click “Questions” at the bottom of the homepage, or call 1-800-945-7768. U.S. and Puerto Rico Residents only

Hair tip of the day: Wigs For Kids!

Wigs for kids is an organization that donates wigs to children who lose their hair. Whether they lose their hair as a result of medical treatments, health conditions or burn accidents, these children don't just suffer physically. The wigs that are made and donated help their self-esteem.

The value of each individually designed hair system is $1,500. Each prosthesis is hand-tied and is made completely from human hair. The hair is blended to match their natural color perfectly and then cut into a desired style.

The rules are a little more limiting than Locks of Love but it is a great place to donate if one has super long hair and doesn't chemically alter it. I know that children love to give to other children so it can be a perfect place for a child to donate hair.

* Make sure hair is a minimum of 12 inches
* Hair must be clean and dry
* Hair cannot be permed, color-treated, or highlighted
* Make sure each ponytail or braid is tightly secured. Hair that is loosely wrapped tends to become loose when shipped, making it unusable
* Cut hair above rubber band
* Place the hair in a plastic bag or wrap it in tissue paper.
* Mail the hair in a sealed envelope (special containers or insurance are not necessary) to: Wigs for Kids, 24231 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145.


If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Wigs for Kids via telephone at 440-333-4433 or e-mail at info@wigsforkids.org

Hair tip of the day: Locks of Love!

Locks of Love is probably the most well-known wig charity. Many believe that the wigs created by Locks of Love are given to children with cancer. I too was under this misconception! Locks of Love wigs go to kids with long-term hair loss. Children with conditions such as Alopecia who will never grow their natural hair again are given first priority. Since most children who undergo chemotherapy will be able to grow their own hair again, a very limited number of these wigs made with human hair are given to children with cancer. But for anyone who has ever known anyone with Alopecia, this is a serious condition. It is so beneficial for these Childrens self esteem to have these wigs available to them.
Here are the guidelines for donating hair to Locks of Love:
* Hair must be at least 10" long in a ponytail or a braid
* Hair must be fresh, not from an old ponytail saved from years ago
* Hair from men and women, young and old, and all colors and races are needed
* Hair must not be bleached or over-processed
* Hair must be clean, dry, put in a plastic bag, and then in a padded envelope

Below is a Donation Form for Locks of Love:

Locks of Love Hair Donation Form
Please complete, print and send this form with your hair donation; you may remain anonymous if you wish. Please print legibly so we will be able to send you an acknowledgement. Please note, to receive an acknowledgement may take up to 90 days. If you are sending a photo with your donation please write your name, address, and phone number on the CD, disk, or back of the photo in addition to this completed form.
Please measure your ponytail(s) and write the length in inches on the outside of each clear re-sealable bag.
Your Information
Your Name: _______________________________________________________ Street Address: _____________________________________________________ Apt/Suite: ________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________ State: _________ Zip: ____________ Country: __________________ Age (If Minor): ______ Daytime Phone: ____________ How did you find us? _________________________________________________
Today's Date: ____________________________________________________
If you would like to make a financial donation, please complete the following section also. I would like to donate... $25 $50 $75 $100 Other: ________
I would like to sponsor a Locks of Love child for $1,000!
We gladly accept these (check one): Visa Master Card Check Credit Card Number: ___________________________________ Exp Date: _____________ Name on Credit Card: ______________________________________
Locks of Love – 2925 10th Avenue North, Suite 102 – Lake Worth, FL 33461 Phone (888) 896-1588 – Fax (561) 963-9914 – info@locksoflove.org

Hair tip of the day: Donation Week!

Over the next week I will be posting about all the different places that you can donate your hair. Some places only except Virgin hair (not colored, permed or straightened). Some only except a certain length and some except clippings! So, if you are thinking about cutting your hair soon, stay tuned for where you can donate it!:)

Hair tip of the day: What's with all this rain???

When April Showers bring May flowers, it's time to go for a more natural look. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to perfectly coiff your hair. Wear a hat, a ponytail, a head band. Go bed head crazy! When one is sure to get wet don't use much product. Hair sprays and gels will just run and clump. Stick with softer products like pomades (that have no stickiness), leave in conditioners and creams. Tousel your locks and go dance in the rain!:)

Hair tip of the day: When was the last time that you Deep Conditioned?

The very first blog that I ever posted was about Deep Conditioning. Was that maybe that last time that you deep conditioned your hair? It's important to do once a month at the very least (although I recommend once a week), especially if you have long hair and/or color. Even if you can only leave the product in for 5 min., it's better than nothing at all. Just remember to blot the excess moisture out with a towel before putting the conditioner in. It makes all the difference. You don't want that pricey product sliding into the drain instead of sliding into your hair cuticle. It's Saturday and most of you have the day off... go Deep Condition now!!!!!!:)

Hair tip of the day: Look at your Year Book photos!

Check out your High School Year Book photos. Are you still wearing the same hair style? What about pictures of you in your early twenties? If you are looking the same decade after decade it's time for a change. Sometimes when we get a compliment from someone in our past, it really sticks with us. We think that if they liked our hair at that moment in time, that it is the best we will ever look. This isn't true. We looked good then because we were in the 10th grade and that style worked with our weight, style of dress, etc. We grow as the years past in many ways. Our faces change, our style changes, our persona changes. So with all of that change our hair should change as well. Step out of your box and embrace a cut and color that says "This is who I am today! And I am open to changing again in another few years!". Have fun with how and who you are today!:)

Hair tip of the day: Go Opposite!

Is your hair normally up? Wear it down. Is your hair worn curly? Wear it straight today. Do you spike your hair? Wear it flat. Are you a man who gels it back? Wear it with some pomade and forward. Sometimes it's nice to just shake things up. It may give you a whole new outlook on your day or at the very least you'll find a new way that you like to wear your hair! It's hair, have fun with it!:)

Hair tip of the day: Looker younger instantly!

The best way to look younger is to take the cut that you have and add layers to it. It will soften the whole look instantly! By softening the lines of the haircut around your face, you will erase years from your face. Blunt haircuts are best worn by those 25 and younger, otherwise opt for layers!:)

Hair tip of the day: Bridal Hair!

As the Bride all eyes are on you. This is your day to shine! That being said, this isn't your day to look like a completely different person. The Groom should recognize you as you come down the aisle! How does your Hubby-to-be enjoy your hair? Does he think it's sexy up or does it remind him of his old Aunt Bess? It is your day but do keep in mind what your man likes (it will come in handy on the wedding night... he he). You want him to have this picture of his beautiful wife in his head for years to come. Let your hair be "you" but with a little more pizzaz! Try different veils and accessories before settleing on the one that says PERFECTION. Have fun with all the girlieness that is the wedding and at the same time let it scream YOU! :)

Hair tip of the day: Convertible Hair!

As the weather gets nicer it's time for the tops to come down on people's convertibles and for the sunroofs to be opened wide. Don't get caught with a tangled mess of hair. In your glove box it's a good idea to keep a ponytail holder,(if your hair is long enough)a scarf, mini hairspray and a brush. And it's a good idea to have the same in your purse. That way you are always prepared for the wind blowing on you, even in a friends car! If you have shorter hair, a shot of hair spray will keep your style in place. Hairspray is great for a ponytail too, especially on the tail part. Enjoy the sun and the ride in style!:)

Hair tip of the day: Have a style that looks great even if you do nothing to it!

Be honest with yourself. If you are not a blow drying, curling iron wielding, hair spray junkie, get a cut that for sure doesn't need that stuff to look it's best. Even if you flat iron your wavy hair most of the time, make sure the the cut still works when you let it go wavy. When consulting with your Stylist, be honest about exactly what you will and won't do. That way you will look as fantastic outside of the salon as you do in the chair, before you leave the salon. Let your Stylist explain to you what cuts will work with the hair that you have as well as what you will have to do to make a cut work that isn't exactly tailored to your hair type. That way you can make an informed decision and can decide "do I want more sleep or to do my hair in the morning?". The choice is yours! :)

Hair tip of the day: Eyebrows!

It is my opinion that there are only 3 cases in which eyebrow color should be altered. Eyebrows frame your face and don't need to be the exact color of your hair. They blend in with most hair colors. Here are my 3 exceptions:

1) Your eyebrows are too light. Like I said they are the frame to your eyes, so let them be seen. This doesn't mean they need to be black, just a little darker to be existent.

2)You have pale blonde (all over) hair and your eyebrows are black. They should be softened a shade or two. Just to cut the contrast between the two colors. Even if you have pale hi-lites and still have your dark hair strands as well, the dark eyebrows work!

3)Grey or Unpigmented hair in your eyebrows is always a good reason to have them tinted! If the grey is covered in your hair and not your eyebrows it's a bizarre mixture. So bye-bye grey in the brows!:)

Hair tip of the day: Hollywood Hair!

You know that tousled, soft wavy hair style that the Victoria Secret models wear? That is Hollywood hair! It's the "I didn't try to look as sexy and fabulous as I do" hair. Anyone with medium to long hair can pull off this look. With your hair dry (even if your hair is curly, you can do this without straightening it first),take a 1" curling iron and take big sections of hair (2" sections) and do ringlets. After you are done, use your hands to finger through the curls and you're done. No need to spray. If you have a lot of fly-a-ways, use a dab of pomade. You want your Hollywood hair to be as touchable as it looks!:)

Hair tip of the day: Is your Stylist training regularly?

It's important that any professional, whatever their job, to train consistently. That is especially true as a Stylist. New colors and techniques are coming out all the time. Not only does training keep my skills current, it keeps me excited and motivated about what I'm doing! I stay current so that my clients can stay current. I train a minimum of twice a year. My clients look forward to hearing about what I'll be learning. When something new comes out, like the Brazilian Blowout, I want to have the knowledge and know how to educate my clients. I want to have every tool in my aresanal and the knowledge to use them. Speak with your Stylist about what training they have done recently and what they have lined up in the future. Know that your Stylist is well informed and trained and you are sure to get the best looking hair possible!:)