Tag Archives: hair

Hair Tie to Die For

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Ponytails are possibly the easiest hair fix ever and excuse for many women to keep shoulder length hair. Pulling hair up and out of the way regardless of an overdue hair appointment or workout is a small luxury to some women. I love the feeling of getting the hair off my neck after a long day.

I spotted this trend a few years ago on Oprah. Emi-Jay ponytail holders probably got their biggest boost on Oprah’s list. Now, all the celebs are wearing them and making them even more popular. They are just a band of elastic fabric tied in a knot! I thought they were cool though.

A couple years went by and I never bought them. What jogged my memory was my fall Sephora catalog, when I saw they were selling their own version of ribbon hair ties. I didn’t pass my chance up this time. I bought some! I’ve done some investigating since and found that there are quite a few brands making these.

Since I don’t wash my hair every day, I’m usually pulling it up after day three or so. My normal hair ties tend to be something from Goody or Scunci, but I usually end up with a headache by the end of the day and major hair dents. These elastic hair ties advertise that they won’t leave dents, stretch out or cause headaches. So, I wore one all day and no headache and no dent! It even looks fashionable on my wrist.

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Bad Hair Habits

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Most women fidget with their hair subconsciously. It is way of flirting, a nervous twitch, and a habit I even have. Pushing strands out of your face, twirling sections around your fingers, or picking at split ends are all common ways to cause serious damage to your tresses. 

IS TWIRLING YOUR HAIR BAD FOR IT?

The longer the hair is, the easier it is to fiddling with it. Touching your hair makes it dirtier and oilier. It can also create a duller appearance. Constantly playing with your strands also creates wear and tear on the hair, causing fragile ends to break. In some cases, this habit can lead to pulling as well. If you’ve ever known someone to have a habit of pulling out hairs one by one, it can be quite disturbing and stressful to watch. It eventually causes a thin or bald patch that can cover quite a large area.

CAN CONSTANTLY WEARING A PONYTAIL DAMAGE THE HAIR?

Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail can cause physical trauma to your hair follicles and result in hair loss around the hairline. This is because repeated pulling of the hair follicles creates scaring, and eventually these damaged follicles will stop producing. If your scalp feels sore or if you have a headache, take your hair down immediately. Even with looser styles, be sure to use soft cloth elastics. Never use an elastic with metal! It will cut into hair and create breakage at the point of contact. My favorite new hair ties are made of elastic. One of the pricey originals were by Emi-Jay and there has now since been many copy-cat brands more reasonably priced.

WHAT ABOUT PLUCKING WHITE HAIRS OR SPLIT ENDS?

I am going to clear up the old wives tale: “If you pluck one gray hair, 10 more will grow in its place.” It is NOT true! One time is okay here and there. However, continued plucking of these hairs is very damaging to the follicle area. What you are doing is releasing the hair prematurely by yanking it out, which is harmful to the skin tissue where follicles exist. Although tricky, it is much better to carefully go in and cut out the one strand (or try COLOR people)! This is the same with split ends. Ripping them out or pulling on them causes more breakage. The only solution is a trim!

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Masks: Moisturizing your Mane

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Cold weather and hair trends play a big role in causing frizzy, brittle strands to cry out and be tamed by moisture! The easy solution is to hide the problem under a hat, but upon removal your hair will be suffering from a serious case of hat head. Ugh! Deep-conditioning masks can make your hair smooth, manageable, and shiny. Lucky for us, sometimes all it takes is a five minute session with a hair mask to take our hair from limp to luxurious giving us no real excuse to be walking around with head full of frizz. Below are some of the best masks for your mane.

DAILY MASKS

Some hair masks such as It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask are mild enough to be used like regular conditioner. Thick treatments like the Fekkai Shea Butter Mask work well as a leave-in conditioner for fine and/or thin hair. Massage a pea sized amount into ends before blow-drying.

 

QUENCH THE THIRST

Hair needs moisture just like your body needs water and your skin needs lotion to stay hydrated. The main point of a hair mask is to give your mop a much needed boost of moisture. There are many different kinds of masks. Some are creamy and lotion-like, while others are oil-based. Cream masks such as Organix Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask can add body and nutrients to flat hair while products such as Moroccan Oil Dry-No-More Scalp Treatment, formulated with argan oil will yield high-shine results. No matter which you choose, you can rest assured you’ll be giving your strands a conditioning drink.

ZERO IN ON DAMAGE

There is a difference in dry hair and damaged hair. Damage is over processed, overly color/heat treated, split ends, breakage, and nodules. Applying your mask from roots to tips is the go-to method, but you can also use it to zero in on especially damaged areas. If you tend to heat style the ends of your hair, try painting a mask onto the tips once a week to reduce split ends. Alternately, if you just touched up your roots, massaging a mask into your scalp might cut down on breakage and itching.

KEEP YOUR CURLS

Fight the frizz and keep your natural texture. Wavy, curly, and ethnic hair is especially prone to dryness in the winter, causing shrinkage and tangling. Go for a heavier mask and products with a buttery or balmy base to penetrate deep. Try a curly haired favorite Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask to put a stop to breakage. Work through gently with your fingertips. Make sure to rinse well to prevent buildup!

BRIGHTEN UP

Color treated hair loves moisture, and there are a wide variety of masks on the market specially formulated to beef up your dye job. Try one of my faves Phytocitrus Restructuring Mask by Phyto to keep your vibrant dye from feeling dull.

HOMEMADE MASK

If your hair is thirsty but your pockets are empty, don’t let it starve! Feed it from your kitchen. Many cupboard staples work wonders on dry and brittle hair. Olive oil is one of my favorite at-home beauty products for almost anything. Smash a ripe avocado with two tablespoons of olive oil and massaging into your hair for 15 minutes after you shower. An easy DIY hair recipe right from your pantry!

BEAUTY IS TIME

Certain masks can take up to 30 minutes to work while others need only three. Different ingredients need various time intervals to be absorbed by hair, but that doesn’t mean that a five minute treatment can’t be worn for an hour or even overnight. Try relaxing with a hair mask by wrapping treated hair in a warm towel to open the follicles. If you get caught up in a phone call or a movie, fear not your hair knows when it’s time to stop drinking.

*Brit Tips: Combing with a wide toothed comb helps distribute product evenly. Rinsing with cold water helps lock in moisture, adds shine and cuts down on tangles! Also, try letting it air dry.

 

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Hair Care In The Heat

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With Summer here also comes certain hair hazards like chlorine, UV rays, salt water and humidity. All which can lead to fried scalps and frizzy, dried out hair. It’s time to stock up on shampoos, conditioners, and styling products with UV and heat protection, Ladies! The sun, arid environments, and chlorine can dry out ends incredibly fast, so I tell my clients to use an at-home reconstructive mask once a week if they are partaking in any outdoor activities. A good trick is to wrap hair with a hot towel after applying the mask to help the ingredients absorb faster and rinse out your hair when the towel is cool to the touch.

Start treating your hair right and using the best products that’ll protect your strands from these warm weather aggressors! So what’s a girl to do when there’s so many products to choose from? Lucky for you, I have bravely tested out sprays, smoothers, oils, masques, etc. to determine the best Summer care products for your hair.

Here are some summer hair care tips to keep in mind as temperatures rise and Mojitos (my fave) start flowing:

  • Prevent color fading by spraying hair with a UV protective product with SPF in it.
  • Make sure to wet your hair before swimming. This will make sure your hair won’t absorb as much salt water or chlorine.
  • After swimming in chlorine, make sure to always shampoo hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove impurities. Always follow with a mask or deep conditioner.
  • After spending time poolside or at the beach, use a hair mask to repair any damage.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil:  Make sure to keep this one in your pool or beach bag! This spray is a lightweight, water-resistant UV defense. This spray forms an invisible screen or shield to help protect hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours. Use a few spritzes of this eco-friendly, lightweight, water-resistant spray at the pool or beach to keep your hair color looking fresh and radiant all summer long! This Aveda hair veil minimizes fading, damage and dryness.

It’s A 10 Miracle Hair Mask:  I love this whole product line, but this deep mask leaves my hair stronger and super soft! It was developed to respond to color treated, heat styled, and otherwise processed hair. This mask is flexible enough to be used as a daily conditioner and also intensive enough to be used as a periodic deep-conditioning treatment. It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask delivers unparalleled results for dry, damaged, or over-processed hair. This is a product I keep in my shower at all times.

Davines Nourishing Hair Building Pak:  This product is a little harder to find, but totally worth it! No matter how you’ve spent the day with fun-filled sun activites, you can counteract the damage of the sun, chlorine, and saltwater with an ultra rich hair mask. Davines After Sun Moisturizing Pak contains all-natural ingredients like almond butter and argan oil. It leaves locks soft and shiny. My hair feels silky smooth after using this hair mask and deeply conditioned. This is definitely a product to try out!

TiGi Some Like It Hot Heat & Humidity Resistance Serum:  Mmm… This serum smells so yummy! It’s not sticky like most serums. It is lightweight, smoothes and adds shine to even the most bleached out, colored or over processed hair. This delicious Bed Head serum also fights the effects of humidity, controls frizz and helps protect your hair color from fading. You can use it in wet or dry hair. A little goes a long way, so please make sure to use it sparingly! (great for extensions as well)

Fekkai Summer Hair Zero-Humidity Frizz Control:  This product is will tame your hair and leave a tropical scent! Living in the south it is very hot and humid outside and most people’s hair tends to be unmanageable. This frizz control spray takes care of poofy – “out of control” hair! It only take a few sprays and can be applied in wet or dry hair for different looks. Great for spraying in wet and letting your hair air dry for an easy do.

Redken UV Rescue Protective Oil:  My clients love this product because it not only protects from the sun’s harmful rays, but it conditions the hair with each use. If applied before the pool or spa, it also helps the hair from absorbing chemicals that would otherwise oxidize their hair color into that horrible green shade that chlorine can sometimes leave in light colored hair. The oil adds shine and almost totally eliminates frizz if also used alone as a serum.

 

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Bagel Bun: No food was harmed in this Up-do!

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The Even “Easier” Bagel Bun

I might be talking about bagels, but I’m not talking about breakfast! You may have heard of a sock bun or donut bun. This is very similar, but there is no smelly sock needed to get the volume or shape. The Bagel Bun is super easy and fun to do! The best part is that you don’t have to have really long hair to do it. It just has to be shoulder length or longer!

How To:

  1. Put your hair in a high ponytail and secure tightly
  2. Backcomb the pony at the roots
  3. Take inch size sections and pin up and under
  4. Continue all the way around
  5. Tuck under any loose ends with the end of a comb and bobby pin strands
  6. Spray hair with a finishing spray like Redken 18 Quick Dry

I rock this Bagel Bun style at least twice a month. You can vary the height of how high you put the ponytail to determine where you want the bun. That makes it fun to dress it up or down depending on your mood or the occasion!

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Lacking Volume? Get Some Guts!

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Do you want bombshell hair, but don’t know how to get it? Volume is key! With Redken Guts 10 volume spray foam you can get the look you want that lasts all day long. It’s easy to use and a must have product for anyone that says “I have tired everything and NOTHING works for volume.” Well, Honey… this will work for you! My favorite part is that it doesn’t feel heavy in your hair, but it still gets the job done.

Redken Guts 10

  • Boosts hair with flexible fullness and bold, gutsy plump style
  • Lifts up the roots or provides ALL OVER volume
  • Creates structure to your style
  • Provides a lasting, natural and flexible feel without falling throughout the day
  • Directional and spray for precise application

APPLICATION: Shake well. You just towel dry your hair. Focus spraying it on your scalp area section by section wherever you need volume (mostly in the crown area). Give yourself that scalp massage you’ve deserved and rub it in with your fingers. Then blow drying with a round brush or upside down usually gets you the max volume!

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Beauty Blunder: “Work” Wonders

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Do you ever get caught at work in a beauty blunder and think “Uh-Oh! What now?” Well, you don’t have to go run home or close up shop. I have some tips to help make those times of distress a creative experience and put your mind at ease! All you need are a few office supplies that should be easy to find at your time in need.

…Wardrobe

SAFETY PINS:  These are the save all! You never know when you’re going to need one of these. In fact I always carry a safety pin in purse for a just-in-case moment. What if you need to fix a strap, lose a button, or your zipper breaks?

STAPLER:  This my favorite! If your hem is dragging or a skirts too long, look to your stapler. If you staple something that is dark and don’t want the silver prongs of the staples to show, color the staples using a Sharpie. make sure to staple from the inside. A stapler has saved my day with a pair of heels as well when the ankle strap broke!

TAPE:  Not only do I work in a salon around hair and wear black, but I now have a puppy. Sometimes I forget the lint roller and that’s where tape becomes my best friend. Roll up a piece of tape (any kind will do) and run it over your clothes to remove unwanted hair or fuzz. Scotch tape can also be used to remove makeup, such as smudged eyeliner. *BONUS* Double Sided Tape: Can be used to hem a dress/skirt/pants, fix straps, fix a necklace, and prevent peep shows!

ERASERS:  Have you ever Lost a back to your earring (especially an expensive one)? If you have, use a piece of an eraser in its place (cork can work too).

…Hair

PENS & PENCILS:  I sometimes prefer a writing utencil over a hair tie. They make great hair tools! Instead of using a rubber band (that will damage your hair), twist your hair into a bun and secure it with pencil or pen.

PAPER CLIPS:  Think outside the box, ladies. They can actually also be used to pin back hair, de-clump mascara, and even hold you stubborn zipper up that keeps sliding down.

…Nails & Makeup

WHITE OUT:  Need to manicure your nails before a meeting? Use white out to line the tips of your nails with for a quickie French manicure.

HI-LITER:  This is also good if you need a manicure, but looking for a pop of color. Just choose a pink or orange (great for Spring and Summer), apply, and ta-da!

BUSINESS CARDS:  Use them to blot your lipstick! This may sound weird, but you can also fold them and use them to pick your teeth and clean under your nails. That is of course if you don’t carry floss and an orange wood stick

TOILET SEAT COVERS:  When you’re in a bind, use a toilet seat cover to absorb excess oil. It’s made out of the same material that face blotting papers are made of to absorb excess face oil. It works! I know it’s not exactly glamorous, but it’s a great secret to know about. This trick has come in handy plenty of times when I’ve forgotten my powder.

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The Perfectly Un-done Bun

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A messy bun is the oldest trick in the lazy hair handbook. Most of us are guilty of it at one point or another, whether doing it to get your hair off your neck and out of your face, or you just want to mask a bad hair day. I am guilty of it! I am constantly pulling my hair back (on my day off) in the AM, cleaning house, and then by mid afternoon looking the mirror and thinking “This looks pretty darn good. Messy, but kinda sexy. Now, if only it will last me through the night!” I’m sure some of you ladies have done this and thought this at least once.The good news is, that messy is the new sleek and ANYONE can pull off these effortless toss-up and go looks.

While this frumpy hairdo may have started off as a casual day off afterthought, it has now made a come back on the runways. This undone up-do has volume and texture and when done right, it can also add a splash of sex appeal or soft romantic vibe to any look. This tousled ‘do goes perfect with Spring’s minimal makeup with a pop-of-color look.

How to pull this look off?

It’s classic, cool and effortless! This understated look is easy to do and looks like you spent hours creating it! To ensure this messy style seems intentional, you need to create balance between your outfit and hair. The looser and messier the hair is, the more form fitting the outfit should be. If you are wearing something more flowing, opt for a sleeker version of the messy bun. Don’t be afraid to add a headband, gem barrette, or another hair accessory.

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“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Your Sexy Hair Down!”

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Long hair is back, Ladies! Too bad pixie cuts were just in considering it takes forever to grow your mane waste length. Whether you love, hate, or haven’t tried them, hair extensions are making a trendy impression once again. So, if you did just cut it off, extensions might be a helpful fix for you. With celebrities like Beyonce and rumors of Britney Spears going waist-length just recently as a fashion statement, “Rapunzel” length hair seems to be growing in popularity. What woman doesn’t desire want long luscious locks? And if you don’t… maybe your man does;)

This style takes some influence from the 1960s and 1970s and will work well for a new 2013 sexy-chic look! The overly exaggerated length can be worn with or without layers and works well in any color. If you’re blessed with long locks then more power to you! Now, if you’re more like the majority of us that are less fortunate, then extensions are a great way to change up your look!

Cher

Bridget Bardot

There are a number of different types of hair extensions: from cold fusion/micro beads, heat fusion with individual glued strands, temporary glued in wefts, sewing, braiding, or clip-in hair extensions. They are different from each other, and all of them have their own pros and cons. Some more than others, but people choose a method of hair extensions depending on their lifestyle, needs, hair condition and budget. No matter which method you choose if you want to have natural-looking hair extensions, and to have worry-free head of hair extensions, your perfect choice is human hair vs. synthetic hair extensions. If you want your extensions to look and feel the most natural, then I would suggest you try heat fusion hair extensions. Heat fusion hair extensions are popular, because they can last up to six months and are the most undetectable which is most fulfilling to your needs.

What are heat fusion extensions?

Heat fusion hair extensions are attached to your hair in a process called “fusion bonding.” What happens is a heated adhesive/glue “bonds” the weft with the roots of your natural hair which attaches them together. Below are some examples of heat fusion extensions I have done personally. ***If you are interested in extensions or have any questions or inquiries let me know:)

Heat fusions: the bonding process


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Your hair HATES you, but do you know why? (1.of.2)

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Washing your hair every day is baaad! That is why your HATES you!

Americans love to shampoo there hair almost every single day, whereas most Italians and Spaniards only wash usually once a week. African American women, for instance, only need to wash their hair once every one to two weeks. In my salon, I have some Indian women that follow hair traditions passed down from generations that also have little shampooing involved. So, what is the obsession with shampooing EVERY day?

Women used to go to the salon, get their hair done and set into a style that would last for a week. Those women wouldn’t touch it again until their next appointment a week later or longer if on a budget. That is when they would have it shampooed and set again. Not only do some of you shampoo once a day, but some of you (OMGosh.. this makes me sick just saying it) shampoo MORE than once a day… TWICE… and maybe even…I don’t even want to believe that there are people out there that have shampooed more than twice, so I won’t even say it.

Is your hair dry? Color fading? Well, those are just a couple reasons that can be caused from washing your hair too frequently. We will get you a few others in part 2. More than likely if you shampoo less, your hair will be healthier!

Reasons why over cleansing can cause the following:

  • Dry hair: Your scalp produces natural oils called sebum. This is what keeps your hair healthy, shiny, and protected. By washing away these oils every day, your losing some key hair nourishment. When you don’t wash your hair, you’re allowing these oils time to penetrate and become absorbed by all the hair (root to ends) making it as soft and shiny.
  • Color fading: Even color safe and sulfate free shampoos won’t prevent your hair from fading 100% if your washing your every day. Especially if the water is hot! Without those natural oils you have to over compensate with more products to protect. 
  • A dent in your pocket book: OK! This isn’t a legit cause, but shampoos and conditioners are expensive! If you have long hair, thick hair or just expensive taste like I do, then you know what I mean! Plus it’s good for the environment, because your saving water! That counts, right?:)

Almost everyone I know that is not in the hair business isn’t shampooing and conditioning correctly. It is very simple.

How to shampoo your hair:

  1. ONLY shampoo the scalp and let it run through ends while rinsing
  2. ONLY condition mid-strands down to the ends. If you have any fragile spots around the face or higher up you can focus some conditioner on those spots as well. DO NOT condition your scalp unless otherwise specified (refer to part 2)

They are other alternatives to washing your hair every day. Practice styling it different! If you know it’s going to be flatter by day 2 or 3, then back comb it, or just pull it back. Use more product. There are powders, root lifters and dry shampoos that can help you go a little longer now. For oily haired girls, dry shampoos are a great option. On your off days they soak up the grease, give the hair some texture and some even give volume or lift.

I do suggest shampooing less often, although so say skipping shampoos can sometimes in rare cases stunt your hair growth. This is not common. This is said only because shampooing causes scalp stimulation, which can promote hair growth.

*Less is more when it comes to shampooing in my opinion! Take the challenge!

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