Let's Talk Hair: No Heat Beach Waves.

After Elliott was born, I wound up with some wave in my hair.  I decided to play with it and see if I could cut down on the time it took to get ready in the mornings (since that time is a little more rushed these days), and much to my surprise it looked pretty good and took half the time it was taking me to blow dry and flat iron.  I've had a lot of people asking me how I'm styling it now, so I thought I'd share what I've found to be the key to scoring beach waves without using heat.

Step 1: I don't comb it out when I get out of the shower.  I just towel dry it, and run my fingers through it to loosen any tangles.  

Step 2: I work Redken's Tousle Whip through the mid-shaft and ends of the hair, and let it dry while I get Elliott and myself ready.

Step 3: Right before I walk out the door I blow dry the roots, just so they don't look flat, and I spray Wella's Ocean Spritz through the ends, scrunching as I go.

Step 4: If my bangs are refusing to cooperate (looking frizzy), I will curl about and inch wide section with my flat iron, otherwise I just finish with a light hold hairspray (such as Redken's Quick Dry).

If you have even a slight wave, give this routine a try.  I've been so pleased to find I can "get up and go" and still have hair that people stop and ask me about.

Let's Talk Hair: Braids.

So, Elliott has kind of taken over my blog these days.... how about a post about hair for a change?

This spring, we have been seeing lots of braids in the salon.  I've gotta admit, braids aren't my strong suit, so I've been brushing up on braiding via YouTube home videos. Braids are a perfect solution for humid summer weather, and Arkansas might be the most humid place on the planet in mid July.  Here are a few of my favorites you might like to try:

1. The fishtail braid:

This braid will work best with longer hair and needs a bit of texture to hold.  If you have straight hair give it some curl with a curling iron and dirty it up with product.  I like this one to the side.  Pull your hair to one side and secure it at the base of your neck.  Then seperate the hair into two sections.  Hold one section, then take a small section from the outside of the other section and bring it to the one in your hand. Repeat, adding hair from one section to the other until you run out.  Secure the bottom, and then carefully cut out the top elastic band for a looser look.  You can also loosen it up by gently pulling the braid apart.

2. French braided bangs:

You can sport this look even if your hair is short.  Start with a deep side part, and work from the part to the opposite temple.  French braid about an inch wide section along your hairline and stop at the temple. Secure the braid with bobby pins and then style the rest of your hair like normal.

3. Braided halo:

This one is not so easy to do on yourself, so maybe have a friend do it for you, or practice on your friends until you get good enough to do it on yourself.  (I'll be having one of the girls at the salon do mine for me.)  If you can french braid, you can do a braided halo.  Part the hair in the middle, and start french braiding on one side, working your way around the head, ending on the opposite side.  Finish by braiding until you've used all the hair.  Wrap the part that's not attached to the head around the front of your head, and tuck it in to where you started, securing with a bobby pin.  You can tug on the braid a little to loosen it up.  If you are a fan of going a couple of days with out shampooing this look can hold though a night's sleep no problem.  It would also be a perfect poolside look.

Hope this gives you some fresh ideas for summer hair.  Practice makes perfect, so use them frequently.

Let's Talk Hair: Vol.4

I am a firm believer in using professional hair care products.  I'm well aware that many people think professional lines are just a way for us hairdressers to make an additional profit.  However, my stance when it comes to hair products is that (as with most things) you get what you pay for when you skimp on the price.  If you are having trouble styling your hair at home, it may not be you.  Try using the hair products your stylist used when styling your hair.  I'd be willing to bet you'll notice a big difference in the quality of your hairstyle. 

That being said, I am often asked what hair care products are my favorites.  I have lots of favorites depending on the hair type, but of course my personal favorites are the ones I use on my own hair each day.  So, I thought I would share what products I use on my hair on a daily basis, then you can comment and let me know what products you are loving.

S-Factor Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner (far left).

Redken Guts- Apply to wet hair on the scalp for lift (the one with the number 10 on it).

Redken Align- Apply to wet hair throughout for smoothing frizz (next to guts, #12).

Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide- Apply a dime size amount to dry hair to protect from the flat iron's harsh heat (brown bottle).

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play- Shake a little of this powder on the root of your hair and rub to create instant body (small red bottle).

Bed Head Manipulator- Work a small amount of this sticky substance through your ends for added texture and body (small blue tub).

Bed Head Spoil Me- Spray on second day hair to restyle or defrizz (tall lime green can).

Bed Head Masterpiece- Shine spay and hairspray in one (tall teal can).

Rockaholic Dirty Little Secret-  Dry shampoo used to absorb oil at the root of your hair, providing an extra day (or two) of wear (black can with lime green top).

Redken Spray Starch-  Thermal setting spray, good for holding curls.  Spray all over the hair before curling (pink bottle, #15).

I don't use them all every day, but they all serve a purpose.  My hair wouldn't know what to do without hair product, that's why I never skimp when it comes to using professional brand names in hair care.  You can't put a price on feeling good, right? 

Now, I wanna hear what works for you.  Feedback, please!

Let's Talk Hair Vol.3

Ok, I'm ready to talk hair again.  This time I want to talk about transitioning hair colors.  This time of year women are ready to ditch the dark hair color for a lighter summer look.  Many women walk into a salon as a sultry brunette expecting to leave a blonde bombshell.  I'm here to tell you if your hair is color treated that's not gonna happen.  Transitioning from a dark brown to a platinum blonde is a process.

Allow me to explain a few beauty school basics concerning color:

1.  Hair color cannot lift (lighten) hair color.  Hair color can only lift when the hair is in a virgin state.  Therefore, (color treated) brown hair can only be made lighter with bleach. 

2.  Putting bleach from root to end on your entire head is not a wise move to lift color out of your hair.  This can be very damaging, and depending on how dark your hair is colored, can leave you with gold/orange hair.

So, what's a girl to do? Highlight!

3.  When transitioning from a dark color to a lighter look expect around 3 hair appointments (depending on your hair color some may take more, others may need  less) worth of highlights.  This will ensure the best results while keeping your hair healthy. 

I know, this may come as a disappointment when you are ready to make a drastic change, but in the mean time you can enjoy having a new look with each stage as you work up to your desired lightness.  Trust your hairdresser.  They only want to give you the best looking hair color, while maintaining your hair's health. 

**Whatever you do, don't try lifting a dark color at home, I promise it will cost you more to correct your mistake than it would have to let the pros do it the first time.

So if you want to be blonde by June, call your hairdresser and get going soon.  Happy highlighting!

Let's Talk Hair: Vol. 2

Wow, apparently everyone liked the "Let's Talk Hair" idea.  The first volume got the most views I've ever had on a post (thanks Julee for the shout out on your blog!).  So, it's a keeper!  I'm thinking Mondays will be a good day to blog about hair since that's the day we hairdressers refer to as our "Saturday".  So here's your second volume of "Let's Talk Hair":

This week I wanted to share an article I've had on my refrigerator for a few years now.  It's  from the December 2008 Reader's Digest and it's titled "Thirteen Things Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You."  Warning: if the article seems a little harsh, remember... I didn't write it.   However, I do think the article gives some helpful hints for developing a better relationship with your hairstylist.  (The article will be in "quotation marks" and my remarks will be in the [brackets].)

"I'm a beautician, not a magician.  I can give you Gisele Bundchen's haircut, but I can't give you her face."  [Be realistic about your hair and how a style will look on you, not how it looks on the model.  If it helps, put your thumb over the model's face and then determine if you still like the hair.]

"Come at least 5 minutes early.  If you're running late, please call ahead.  Show me some basic respect.  This is a business, not fun and games."  [When you run behind, you cause your hairdresser to run behind for every client following your appointment.  If you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment, you leave your hairdresser with a 1-2 hour gap where they make  no money.  Unlike most jobs, if our chair is empty, we make no hourly wage.]

"Don't ask me to 'squeeze' you in when I'm already booked.  I'd be taking away time and effort from other clients.  You wouldn't like being treated that way."  [Try pre-booking your next appointment when you leave the salon so you don't find yourself in a bind.]

"Hairdresser school does not teach about counter-transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders.  If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an opinion."  [We feel honored to be considered a confidant, but our real expertise is helping you with your hair.]

"Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school.  Guess what? You're not.  As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face.  Layers are the magic remedy."  [If your hairdresser makes a suggestion, give it a try.  You might like it.  After all, they are the professional.]

"Bodies and hair change as hormones change.  If your hair is dry, listless, or brittle, or if it's not holding color or style the way it used to, see a doctor.  If your hair isn't over processed, you could be pregnant (surprise!) or menopausal (yes, I can tell)."  [Don't automatically assume that if your hair doesn't look, or feel how you want, it's your hairdresser's fault.  I have had several clients learn from a doctor that they had a vitamin deficiency after complaining that their hair was dry and broken.  Once a doctor recommended vitamins for them, their hair began to return to normal.]

"A trim is not 'just' a trim.  It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge and time.  Would you say to your dentist, 'it's just a tooth,' or to your doctor, 'it's just a leg'?"  [Be it a half an inch or 5 inches, a haircut is a haircut.]

"That single dollar bill you stuff into the shampoo person's hands isn't doing her any favors.  A dollar bill doesn't buy anything anymore.  You should tip her at least $3- more if your hair is long." [Tips are never required, but always appreciated, as hairdressers don't make an hourly wage.]

"If you want to buy a bottle of color and do your own hair to save a buck, you can live with the consequences." [Often times coloring your own hair will cost you more in the end.  A corrective color costs more in a salon than a regular color.  Don't bother asking your hair dresser to recommend a boxed color you can do yourself.   Boxed color and professional color are two totally different things.  The only thing we know about boxed color, is to stay away from it.  It stains your hair, making it hard to remove later.  Do yourself a favor, either save your money until you can afford professional color applied by a licensed stylist, or stay all natural!]

"Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time."  That always baffles me.  The average time between  appointments is six to eight weeks.  I have hundreds of clients.   How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time?  If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me."  [Photos are the best way for us to remember a cut, they help us understand the style you are trying to describe to us.]

"Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours?  Kids don't sit still, Kid's kick.  It's and intense experience."  [All I can say to that is amen.]

"Standing all day and using scissors and a blow-dryer takes a toll- I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to.  I'm a physical wreck."  [Not to mention the ingrown toenails, aching back, and deep gashes on my hands.  Never think a hairdresser has it easy.]

"We see women at their worst.  Their hair is wet, they have foils on their hair, they have no make-up on.  There's nothing for them to hide behind.  So they tell us everything.  The truth is, I really don't care what they do sexually.  I'm only interested in their hair."  [Yeah, so in addition to being physically drained, add emotionally drained to the list.  Your hairdresser wants you to enjoy "your time," but remember not to overload them, you'll get a better haircut if your stylist is not overwhelmed by your personal life.]

Keep these 13 things in mind the next time you visit a salon, you might just walk out with the best hair you've had in years!

Let's Talk Hair.

Instead of the usual journal entries of "what we have been up to lately", I am going to try and spice my blogging up a little.  Since the title of this blog is "Love is in the Hair", I've decided to actually write about hair for a change.  I'd like to make this a weekly thing, so get excited.

This week I was thumbing through the February issue of InStyle when I came across a segment sharing the same title as this blog!  I'm sure one of their writers stumbled across my blog, and loved my clever title so much they had to steal it.  After all, I had the title first! 

Anywho, I loved the article, so I thought it would be the perfect topic for my first "Let's Talk Hair" (Don't try stealing that, InStyle! I'm on to you.) segment of this blog.

The article shares 4 ways to "explore the roots of romance":  "the big tease", "dream weaves", "classic with a twist", and "up, up and away".  These are styles our clients often come in the salon asking about, and this article shares some tips for achieving these looks at home.  Using the article as a guide I'm going to share my own tips for achieving these looks.

1.  "The Big Tease"

This look can be a day or night time look.  In the evening, pair it with smokey eyes to really turn heads.

Step 1:  Use a volumizing shampoo.  I like Bed Head's newly reformulated Superstar (now known as Epic Volume) shampoo and conditioner.

Step 2:  Use a root boost at the crown of your towel dried hair (my fave is Redken's Guts) and apply a volumizing blow dry gel, (I like Redken's Velvet Gelatin), to the ends of your hair.

Step 3:  Turn your head upside down and blow it 80% dry with your hands.

Step 4:  Flip your hair over and use a large round brush to create lift at the root.

Step 5:  Take small sections of your hair in the crown and tease it with the small tooth end of your comb, then smooth the teasing with the wide tooth end of the comb.

Step 6:  Take a 1 inch curling iron and curl 1 inch sections of your hair.  Starting at the root, turn the iron toward your face and pull the ends through last.

Step 7:  Run your fingers through the curls to loosen them and finish the look with Bed Head's Masterpiece, hairspray and shine spray 2 in 1.

2.  "Dream Weaves"

This style will be your go to look this summer.  It works perfect on second day hair, or sun dried hair.

Step 1:  Start creating loose waves with your curling iron randomly throughout your hair.

Step 2:  Take a shine serum (love, love, love S-Factor's Dream Drops) and rake it through your ends.

Step 3:  Leaving out your bangs, part your hair to one side and gather your hair on the opposite side in a low side pony tail, but don't tie it off, instead begin loosely braiding just below the chin.  When you get to the bottom secure the braid with a clear elastic. 

Step 4:  Hold the braid taut at the end and give it a few shakes to soften the look.

3.  "Classic with a Twist"

I know this looks complicated, but you can create this look with second day hair in 10 minutes, I promise.

Step 1:  Tease the crown of your hair and curl 1 inch sections just like you would for "The Big Tease". 

Step 2:  Make a soft part and pull your hair back low at the nape and secure it in a loose ponytail.  Leave out your bangs, and/or shorter layers around your face.

Step 3:  Wrap your hair around the pony tail holder as though you were making a bun.  Bobby pin a few places, but leave the bun loose. 

Step 4:  Spray with a firm hold hairspray.  Try Bed Head's Hard Head.

4.  "Up, Up and Away"

This look is the easiest of the 4, but it still makes a bold statement.

Step 1:  Blow dry your hair until it is about 80% dry.

Step 2:  Use a frizz fighting serum (Redken's Smooth Down: Heat Glide would be perfect) and rake it from roots to ends.

Step 3:  Use a boar-bristle brush to slick your hair back into a high pony on the top of your head.  Secure it with an elastic.

Step 4:  Twist your hair in a tight bun and pin tightly into place.

Step 5: Finish with a medium hold hairspray (Redken's Forceful would be a good choice).

There you have it! Our first "Let's Talk Hair" on "Love is in the Hair".  What do you think? Do you like this new segment?  Also topics for this segment are welcome, so please, comment.