Beauty Blog

When it comes to styling products today we are not limited to hairspray or some gunky stuff in a jar. The array of products that can help us achieve our best style can be overwhelming. To help you find what is best for you, we've put together this styling products guide, including the type of product and the type of hairstyles best suited for these products, plus a "cocktailing guide." Types of Styling Products. Anti-Frizz products contain waxes and oils that are specifically designed to coat the hair shaft, allowing it to straighten out and lay flat rather than kink up like a loose wire. . Curl Defining Creams & Lotions. These products, developed specifically for those with naturally curly hair, reduce frizz as they help to define and detangle the curls. Most also add a shine element. Some also include a "hold" ingredient. . Gel is considered one of the most versatile styling products. It can range from light to strong in hold and can be used on a variety of different types of hair from coarse to curly. Those with dry hair will want to avoid gels that contain alcohol since it can cause undue stress on the hair shaft. Spray on gel works best for light holding hairstyles. On the other hand, hand applied gel is perfect for overall distribution, for spot styling and to achieve a medium to strong hold. . Hairspray is designed to hold a finished hairstyle in place. It comes in a wide variety of different types of holds that range from light and flexible to extreme. Most hairsprays allow the hair to move but also bounce back into place, keeping the style intact for a long period of time. Most sprays contain some form of plastic polymer in liquid form. Flexible or working spray is great for holding curls, waves or flipped ends, i.e. when you want to maintain your style but still have hair move freely. . Medium hold works best for shorter hair and softer up-do's. They are meant to finish your style so you should not mess with the hair once it is sprayed. . Maximum or firm hold are the strongest and are meant to be used when you want to hold every hair in place. . Mousse, or Foam , is the lightest form of styling product and, therefore, the most versatile. It gives light to strong hold, providing some definition, volume and thickness. Most individuals will want to steer clear of mousse that contains alcohol since it can dry out the hair and cause it stress. Give the can a good shake. Then pump a tennis ball-sized puff directly onto the brush (not your palms!) before combing it through damp (not sopping wet!) strands. Get into your roots with the mousse. It's meant to boost volume there the most. . The mousse will slowly seep through the vented slots so that it gets evenly distributed as you brush (as opposed to uneven application from your hands). . For extra lift, pull your hair at ninety degrees from the head with short, repeated strokes will you dry it. Tip: if you want even more lift, try using a crimping iron on underneath sections of hair just at the root level once hair is dry. Clip top hair in place, take a small section of the underneath hair and apply the crimping iron as close to the roots as possible. Hold for a few second and release. Finish styling your hair. . . Pastes are a lighter version of wax and are meant to give hair texture and flexibility as well as shine. The nice thing about pastes is that they can be often to reworked as the day wears on to give you multiple styling options from day to night. . Pomades tend to be thick and are usually more natural that pastes, glues, or waxes. They are great for achieving a classy slicked back chignon or an unusual sculpted style. It also often leaves behind a healthy-looking sheen that can't quite be imitated by other styling products. Be aware, though, that some of the more inexpensive pomades can be difficult to wash out of the hair and may require multiple shampoos for that purpose. Wash your hair first; pomades adhere best to clean hair. Apply pomade to towel dried but damp hair. This allows it to mix easily into your hair and looks much better when it dries. . A little pomade goes a long way, so start with a small amount. Use your fingers to remove the pomade from the jar, then rub your fingers together to get it on all of your fingertips. Run your fingers through your hair where you want the pomade. Apply it evenly from just near the root to tips or just to the tips if that is where you need it. Do not get the pomade on your scalp. This makes it look greasy and is bad for the natural oils on your scalp. . Root Lifts are relatively new styling products that are specifically designed to give support to the hair root. They can be sprayed in or applied by hand just at root level. Once dry, these lifts provide a based upon which any hairstyle can be built. . Shines and Glosses are sometimes also marked as an "anti-frizz" serum. These are generally silicone-based and are specifically designed to reduce frizz and flyaway hair. Use them cautiously, since too much of a good thing could leave you with oily tresses. . Spiking Glue is exactly what it sounds like. It glues strands of hair together to create those outrageous punk rock styles that are often popular among the young. But they dry hard and can damage the hair if used too often or for too long a time. . Texture Sprays & Creams. These products range from the Sea Salt Sprays for the "beachy" look to Finishing Sprays that give very flexible hold to tousled styles to creams that give short styles the "messy" look. Those with thin or limp hair love these products. . Wax is great for doing spot styling. It is usually applied to hair to add texture and separation. It can be used either at the roots or the ends but usually is not applied throughout the entire head of hair. The finish is still stiff and can cause hair breakage and long-term damage if used incorrectly. What styling product(s) are right for you? There are lots of different hairstyling products. The first thing you must know when looking for a styling product is what type of hair you have. Is it fine or coarse? Is it thick or thin? Does it have texture and body or tend to lie flat and lifeless? The next thing you must do is look at your hairstyle. Is it short or long? Is it curly, wavy or straight? Finally, identify the style you want to achieve. Do you want volume or texture? Do you want to increase shine? Do you want to enhance your hair's color? All of these questions must be answered in order to help you identify the perfect styling product. When it comes to fine hair , styling really begins with the shampoo and conditioner. Fine, limp hair cannot tolerate heavy products that will further weigh it down. Instead, always look for products that are weightless or light in nature. Many will be specifically labeled "for fine or limp hair", and an oil-free variety often works best. Pay attention while shampooing. Apply the cleanser to the roots of the hair and work outward to the ends. In conditioning, go the opposite direction. Apply the conditioner to the ends only. Applying it at the roots will simply weigh down the hair. Mousse is a great styling option for fine hair. It comes in various lightweight formulations that can thicken or volumize. Because it is less likely to weigh it down, hair will automatically look like it has more bounce and volume. Best of all, mousse can be applied either wet or dry with equally good results. To complete the style perfectly, finish it with a volumizing hairspray. Coarse or thick hair often feels rough or looks frizzy or wiry in nature. Look for hair products that contain moisturizing or hydrating properties as well as "anti-frizz" ingredients. Be sure to always shampoo hair thoroughly and use a rinse-out condition with long-lasting hydration properties. When it comes to styling coarse or thick hair , balms, pastes, pomades and waxes often do the best job. They work beautifully to help tame out of control hair texture as well as provide a semblance of manageability. Most of them can also be applied while the hair is dry or wet. As a bonus, many of these types of styling products help block humidity to keep the hair from frizzing more when the weather or environmental conditions are less that stellar. Use a hairspray with anti-humidity properties to keep the style looking fresh all day. Short hair can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the haircut and the type of hair involved. For medium short hair , texture is often important, which is why pomades, creams, waxes, and balms can come in handy. Use a root-lifting product to add volume and achieve a polished final look with a good finishing spray. Very short hair can be more difficult. It may take more time to style than long hair because it takes a lot of hair styling product to get it right; this is where freezing sprays and spiking glues can come in handy. They literally allow one to place the hair as desired and "glue" it into place. Curly or wavy hair offers its own unique challenges. Like coarse hair, it can frizz easily or become wiry. The key here is to use styling products that help define the positive aspects of the hair while minimizing the negative. Always begin with a shampoo and conditioner made especially for curly/wavy hair; those that contain sebum or other natural fatty acids add the extra nourishment needed for African-American hair of this texture. Often a leave-in conditioner works better than one that you wash away. If the hair is also very thick, a good detangler can ensure the hair is easier to comb. If you like your natural waves or curls , a scrunching cream, lotion or gel may prove to be the perfect styling product. For the wet look, apply the gel or lotion while the hair is wet and allow it to dry naturally without additional styling. If you want to work against Mother Nature, choose a straightening gel. Applied to hair while dry, it can help tame the most serious kinks and soften the overall look to give you a movie star finish. Styling long hair depends a great deal on the type of hair involved. For example, straight hair often requires some additional body or volume. To achieve that, begin with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. When it comes to styling products, generally a styling gel, lotion or mousse works best. Those styling products provide control without further weighing down the hair. Chemically treated, colored, or excessively dry hair can also be a challenge. Choose shampoos that claim to "deposit" or "save" colored treated hair. These will help retain the color longer and keep the color as bright as possible instead of allowing it to fade. Hair that has a lot of split ends or breakage can often be saved with a good repair treatment that both strengthens and hydrates the damaged hair. In particular, look for shampoos, conditioners and styling products that contain keratin. Even an occasional hot-oil treatment could prove beneficial to dry, brittle locks. No matter the type of hair , however, a couple of drops of silk shine serum or a glossing spray can add just the perfect finishing touch to virtually any hairstyle. These contain shine enhancers that also seal the hair cuticle to prevent static electricity and keep the hair shaft from easy breakage. This type of product is particularly beneficial for hair that has been chemically treated. The Styling Product "Cocktails" Guide: Mixology isn't just for happy hour"”knowing how to craft the perfect cocktail is equally invaluable when it comes to styling surfer-worthy beach waves or a polished, bouncy blowout. Not sure how to combine shine sprays, volumizing mousses, moisturizing creams, and sculpting pomades to create a customized effect? Master the art of mixing and matching"”aka "cocktailing""”your hair products with this easy to use guide. To Activate Your Natural Waves use Sea Salt Spray + Styling Cream Run a lightweight styling cream through damp hair to prevent hair from frizzing as it air dries. Spritz on a sea salt spray and scrunch to bring out your natural waves. Once your hair is dry, add a few more pumps of salt spray for lovely ripples that last all day. To Boost Your Blowout's Volume use Mousse + Volumizing Spray Supersize your hair with this recipe for serious volume: Mist your damp hair with a thickening hairspray, which helps plump strands and creates a foundation for your style. Add mousse to the roots for lift and through the lengths for hold, then blow dry with a round brush. To Resuscitate Dirty Hair use Dry Shampoo + Gloss If your second day hair has a split personality, two products are better than one. Degrease your roots with a few blasts of dry shampoo then polish frizzed out ends with a glossing cream to smooth flyaways and seal hair's cuticle with shine to spare. To Defrizz and Define Curls use Leave-In Conditioner + Gel Curl patterns are like fingerprints: No two are the same. That's why curly girls are pros at creating custom product cocktails. One combo that works well for a wide range of textures? Leave-in conditioner for moisture, combined with gel to help ringlets hold their shape. The leave-in hydrates curls for softness and shine, while the gel shapes droop-proof spirals and keeps frizz at bay. To Go Sleek, Straight, and Shiny use Heat Protectant + Oil If you're heat styling your hair into submission, you need a duo that protects against damage and adds major shine. Prep damp hair with a heat protectant spray which adds luster and volume as it defends against your dryer's heat. Before you fire up your flat iron, smooth a few drops of a shine oil through your ends for strands that gleam. For Perfectly Piece-y Short Hair use Pomade + Hairspray Short-haired girls can benefit from layering products, too. Use your fingertips to apply a wax-based styler to tousle your ends. Finish off with a non-crunchy setting spray to keep your pieces in place and to protect from pouf-inducing humidity. .

Have you ever found yourself in a constant battle with frizz and dryness? Or maybe you've felt stuck waiting hours for your hair to dry after cleansing. Porous hair may be the cause of a number of your biggest concerns. From retaining excess water to issues with uneven hair color, porous hair can seem impossible to manage. No need to worry. By figuring out your hair's porosity level and finding products that can help with your hair type, it's definitely possible to strike a balance. Hair's porosity refers to how much moisture it can retain. Certain hair types like curly hair may be impacted by porosity more than others due to a lack of moisture, but porosity can impact other hair in different ways. You may be wondering what contributes to your hair's state of porosity. While your natural base level of porosity can be hereditary, chemical treatments and frequent heat styling can also be a factor. This can cause porosity because it creates gaps and tears in the hair that make it possible for the cuticle to stay open and moisture to escape through. How to Determine Your Hair's Porosity Level. To test your hair's porosity level, start by taking a dry, clean strand of your hair and place it into a cup of water. If it takes a few minutes to sink to the bottom then your hair ranks on a medium level of porosity, so you're in the clear. A strand that floats to the top is likely low in porosity, whereas hair that sinks to the bottom right away is highly porous. Highly porous hair means the cuticle is raised. This type of hair suffers from breakage and is generally weaker. Telltale signs of high porosity include hair that retains excessive amounts of water and grabs onto color quickly causing it to look uneven. Medium porosity is the sweet spot for hair because it lets moisture in and keeps water out. Low porosity is where the hair's cuticle remains flat and closed. Because of this, it can make it difficult for hair to absorb moisture as products tend to just coat the outer layer of the hair rather than sink in. The reality is that you can't always hit the reset button on your hair's porosity level. So, what is the best course of action to take in attempting to counteract the effects of porosity? For instance, since products tend to sit on top of the hair that has a low porosity level, build up can take place. To tackle this, the first step that you can take is to consider using a micellar shampoo. This type of shampoo is safe for everyday use and can help remove impurities found in the hair. When conditioning low porosity hair, apply conditioner to hair that is already wet, then work it into the hair in sections, while continuing to add water. Diluting the conditioner this way, helps it get more easily absorbed by the cuticle. For damaged hair that's highly porous, turn to a weekly hair mask that is protein based. This can help reduce split ends and breakage thanks to the protein found in the treatment. A leave-in conditioner can also help with moisture and making hair more manageable so that you don't have to wrestle with your brush when it comes to detangling. It's best to avoid humectant products with a lot of glycerin. These products attract water into the hair and weigh it down. Instead, focus on hydrating the hair with a silicone free conditioner and include a protein-based deep conditioner into your weekly or bi-weekly routine to help strengthen your strands.

Thinking of coloring your hair? Before you consult your stylist, learn the terms below, so you'll understand their terms as you decide on your new look! Base Color: Color applied at the root area or all-over before a dimensional/creative color technique is done. . Contrast: Contrast is a value applied to highlights. High-contrast highlights are much lighter than the surround hair and provide a dramatic look. Lower contrast highlights result in a more natural look. . Cool: Cool is a tonal value that can apply to blonde, brunette and red shades. A color is said to have "cool tones" if it tends toward blue, violet or green. Cool colors include platinum blondes, ash browns and plum reds. . Coverage: Coverage is a measure of a hair color's ability to cover gray. Some hair color formulations are too transparent to effectively cover grey hair. . Dimension: Dimension is a function of the range of tones in your hair. A head of hair that is all one color is said to be "flat" or lacking dimension. Your stylist creates dimension to your hair with highlights or low lights. . Double Process: A double process color refers to anytime two color services are done in one visit. Generally this is done by doing the first color service, washing and drying the hair, then doing the second color. This can include lightening the hair than applying a toner, or doing a permanent color followed by a glaze. . Express Highlights: Express highlights are done by apply a small amount of foils or painted-on pieces, usually focused on framing the face. . Glaze: Glazes involve using a semi-permanent color to enhance, enrich, change, match, tone down or intensify natural or color-treated hair while harmonizing contrast. . Hair Painting: Hair Painting, also known as balayage, is the process of free-handing or sweeping hair color, lightener or toner downwards in soft strokes directly on the surface of the desired section. This method is used to create dimension with a natural, softer look. . Highlights: Highlighting hair means isolating select strands in the hair and treating them with a hair color or lightener to make them lighter than the base/natural color. Highlights can add dimension by contrasting with the rest of the hair and are created with foils, a cap or special combs or brushes used for painting on the color. . Lift: Lift is the chemical process of lightening the color of the hair. Different hair color formulations have different lifting abilities. . Low Lights: Low lights are created by using color with foils, camps, or painted on to darken specific pieces of hair to create dimension. Generally, low lights will be 2-3 levels darker than the base color and slightly warmer. . Re-balancing: Re-balancing is the process of bringing the hair back into balance and can be created with a combination of highlights and low lights and/or glazes. . Trend Pastel: Trend Pastel refers to the softened, lightened hues of colors such as red, purple, green, orange, yellow or blue. Pastel tones of color are meant as colorants and toning shades, and are best achieved when applied to very pale blonde hair. Your stylist may first have to remove the color from your hair. . Tone: Tone, in hair coloring, is the term used to describe a specific color - "golden" blonde, "coppery" red, "ash" brown. Colors are divided into warm tones and cool tones. . Warm: Warm is a tonal value that can apply to blonde, brunette and red shades. A color is said to have "warm" tones if it tends toward yellow, orange or red. Warm colors include golden blondes, auburn brunettes, and coppery.

Whether you were born with blonde hair or you've decided to lighten up your look at the salon, blonde locks require a pretty specific maintenance routine. From keeping the color from turning brassy, making sure your ends don't get dried out and protecting your hair from UV rays, there are some very important things to take into consideration when you're a blonde or planning to go blonde. Even blonde highlights need extra care. We've put together the best help for blonde hair tips. Always use a UV protective spray; especially in the summer but also year round. Make sure you're guarding your hair against harmful UV rays that can change the color and dry out strands. Use purple shampoo weekly. Strange as it may sound, purple shampoo keeps your hair color from turning brassy, which can happen with other shampoos that aren't specifically formulated for blonde hair. Deep condition often. If you've bleached your hair to be a blonde, you've already stripped it of some color and moisture. To avoid looking like you've got straw for hair, use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week. Find a dry shampoo that works for you, and make sure it's for blonde hair (not brunette). Refreshing your hair without shampooing will help keep the color vibrant for longer. Before going into a pool, use bottled water to get your hair wet. If your hair is already soaking wet when you go into a pool, it won't soak up the chlorine in the water, which is what can turn blonde hair green. Use hair oil for fine hair (which is also great for light hair). Just from the mid-lengths to the ends, a serum for light hair will help to keep your strands moisturized. Make sure there's not copper in your water supply, which can turn hair green. Combat this with an acidic hair rinse (like an aspirin dissolved in water). Instead of a towel, use a t-shirt to dry your hair after the shower. Friction with a towel can cause frizz and unnecessary dryness, but the soft cotton of a t-shirt will keep natural moisture in your hair.

One of the most used hair care products, conditioners , add shine, body, moisture and nourishment to the hair as well as help to detangle it. So what's the difference between a conditioner you apply and then rinse out vs. a conditioner you apply and leave-in? Leave-in conditioners are very lightweight and free of oils so the hair is not weighed down. They're best used to keep hair soft, shiny and manageable. This makes a leave-in conditioner perfect for those with thin or fine hair as they add body. They are also great for those with very coarse or brittle hair because the moisture stays in the hair, smoothing the hair cuticle as it detangles, giving more control and making it easier to style. When choosing a leave-in conditioner, it is very important to check the ingredients. As the name implies, the product is going to stay on your hair and scalp all day. You want to be sure the product does not contain ingredients you don't want to linger on your skin. Rinse out conditioners are generally used after shampooing, although using them before you shampoo can treat your hair without adding the heavier weight. Rinse-out conditioners contain fatty acids and oils which make them thick. They are meant to stay on the hair for 3 - 5 minutes and then be thoroughly rinsed out. Conditioners can be acidic which can irritate the skin so if you skin is sensitive you should look for a low-acid product. These types of conditioners can address multiple hair problems; they are not just to detangle. When selecting this type of conditioner, choose the product that addresses your hair needs. Conditioners vary widely in their ingredients: Acidity regulators that maintain hair's pH and help smooth and strengthen hair. Antistatic agents like cationic polymers that bind to hair surface to reduce static. They have a positive charge so they deposit easily to hair which is negatively charged. Glossers, light reflecting chemicals like silicones that add shine. Lubricants such as fatty alcohols, emollients like panthenol, dimethicone to detangle hair.\ and make it softer. Preservatives to prevent bacteria and yeast growth in the product. Moisturizers that have a high proportion of humectants, mostly provided by natural oils. Hydrolyzed proteins to penetrate the hair to add strength. Sequestrants to help the product work better with hard water. Sunscreens likebenzphenone-4 and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate to protect hair and help prevent color loss. Surfactants such as keratin. Thermal protectors, heat absorbing polymers that shield the hair from excessive heat from styling tools. What's best?

We all know that amazing feeling walking out of the salon. Our color is perfect, exactly like that picture we found in the magazine. Fast forward to one week later and... well it's just not the same. Where did the shine go and how did the brassy orange and yellow tones appear? And why? Follow along as we answer these questions and explore one of the easiest ways to prolong your salon perfect color. The drier and more damaged your hair condition is the more likely it is going to end up brassy. Often these unwanted tones come from many uncontrollable environmental factors. The world seems out to ruin our cool toned tresses. Everything from natural sun bleaching to the oxygen and pollution in the air to our own sweat and body chemistry is discoloring our hair as it is absorbing these coppery tones. Your hair can also be affected by your home's plumbing pipes, if they are old copper pipes, or from smoking or certain medications but many times it is the natural environment that does the most damage to your beautiful salon locks. The biggest toning bully is the sun. The sun causes our hair's composition to change and naturally lighten which fades the toner your hairdresser applied, and the brassy tones become visible. Another thing you can't control is your hair oxidizing. Your colored hair chemically reacts with oxygen in a similar way iron and other metals react; yes, your hair can rust. The oxidation from your hair has a similar color as rust which is where the yellow and orange colors appear in your hair. Minerals are microscopic, but if you could, you would see the natural brassy tones that are harbored and magnified when trapped in your hair. Minerals are added to our hair from many different sources. The water in your shower, the sweat from our heads, and even the products we use all contain many different minerals that can slowly alter the color of your hair. Phew, well now that we all know brassy tones are everywhere and it's an inevitable part of having cool toned hair, let's cover how to fix it. The answer to your brass problems are toning shampoos! Purple shampoos have been popular for many years and almost every popular hair care brand has one. The other amazing toning product that is just starting to gain popularity is blue/green shampoos. If you have ever seen a color wheel before then it may already make a little sense as to why your hair would need blue/green to purple shampoos. If you haven't, we can break it down for you. The color wheel is a simple chart that visually shows the relationships between colors. It takes our visible color spectrum and places it in a wheel shape. The very center of the wheel is neutral or white. Colors opposite each other are complimentary. It's these complimentary colors that counteract each other in your hair. If your hair is looking a little yellow than the complimentary color is purple. If your hair is looking more orange or red, it will react better with the blue/green shampoos. WARNING: An important part of toning to remember is it does not stop at neutral. If you use your toning shampoo too often your hair will pull too much of the purple or blue. So ideally it is best to use these shampoos weekly or every few days. The reason it's helpful to have a basic understanding of the color wheel is so you can pick the best toning shampoo for your hair. Not all toning shampoos are made equally. For example, ColorProof Signature Blonde Shampoo is a pale light purple with almost lilac undertones. This shampoo is best suited for someone trying to battle pale or lighter yellow tones. On the contrary Surface Pure Blonde Violet Shampoo is a deep purple with blue undertones. This shampoo would be much more effective on deeper yellows that even have hints of orange to them. On the brunettes best choices are the green and blue shampoos. You could pick a shampoo like Pravana's The Perfect Brunette. It has a lighter blue color to it with strong under tones of green. The Perfect Brunette is best for battling stronger orange brassiness that could even look red in some lights. If your brass tones appear to be more of a traditional orange a deeper blue toning shampoo like Matrix Total Results Brass Off will be the best choice for your hair. PRO TIP: Use your pro! Cosmetologists have studied the color wheel a lot. They know what your color is likely to attract and can help you pick a perfect toning shampoo for it. We have licensed cosmetologist answering our phones (866) 409-7227 to help you choose the perfect tone to achieve your hair goals. The environment would like us all to have warm and brassy hair. If that is not your style, then toning shampoos will be your best friend! Don't let your salon perfect color be temporary! It's time to put your best blonde or brunette forward!

You've made a decision to change up your hair color style and have made an appointment with your hairdresser to implement the change ...but you're not sure what that change should be or what technique for applying the color you want to try. You're in luck! We've gathered the hair color terms for you to use as a handy guide so you can have an informed discussion with your stylist. BALAYAGE. Also called hair painting, this technique is where color is applied freehand to the surface of hair. The color is "hand swept" by the colorist from mid-shaft to ends, which differs from traditional highlights that are applied from the base of the hair. How it looks: Think more natural-looking highlights that are a bit easier to maintain. PINTURA. Similar to balayage, but for curly-haired ladies. This technique also paints color directly to the strands in specific patterns (depending on the desired effect). How it looks: Since stylists can choose exactly where to place color, the final result adds dimension and light-reflecting qualities specific to each client. OMBRÉ. This look is generally low-maintenance and uses the balayage technique to paint color onto the bottom half of the hair length. (Balayage is the technique; ombré is the look.) How it looks: Hair is colored darker at the roots (or left alone if naturally dark) and fades to a lighter hue at the ends (or vice versa). Only your imagination determines which two colors to use! TORTOISESHELL. Also known in the beauty world as "ecaille," colors ranging from gold to chocolate are added and blended through the hair to create a gradual shift from dark to light. How it looks: The tortoiseshell appearance is a bit softer and more natural-looking than an ombré, and begins with a darker root that subtly fades to a warm blonde. HAND-PRESSED COLOR. Created by NYC-based colorist Chiala Marvici, this technique uses a plate of plexiglass (like an artist's palette) to transfer multiple layers of color onto the hair. How it looks: Multi-dimensional color that appears to change as the hair moves. PARTIAL HIGHLIGHTS. These highlights are placed around the face, though some stylists place the highlights on the top layers of the hair. Make sure to clarify which area the partial highlights will be applied to. How it looks: The addition of face-framing, color can add volume and body to your hair, though it may appear dramatic if lower layers are much darker than highlights. FULL HIGHLIGHTS. Like it sounds, the color is applied to every section of the head, from the nape of the neck to the hairline. How it looks: The highlight color usually appears in greater contrast to the original hair color and it can look quite dramatic if a very light hue is chosen for dark hair. Conversely, they can also appear the most natural--if similar colors are blended together. LOW LIGHTS. A technique that darkens strands of the hair (rather than lightening them). How it looks: This can add depth to the hair, which gives the illusion of more volume, and is often paired with highlights in order to add even more dimension. FOILING. The most common method for applying highlights/low lights, hair color is painted on strips of foil that are folded and allowed to "process" for a set time. How it looks: The color will typically appear on the entire strand of hair from root to tip. BASE COLOR. A color that the stylist applies all over the head, from root to tip. This step usually precedes other colors or highlights. How it looks: One-dimensional color that looks uniform throughout--until you add other hues on top. GLAZE/GLOSS. This liquid formula is applied all over and adds shine and semi-permanent color that typically lasts for up to two weeks. Some glazes are clear, which you can think of as a top coat for color. Glosses and glazes can also provide intense conditioning and often help repair damage to hair. How it looks: Think super-shiny color that fades quickly. FILLER. A chemical that helps hair absorb color by filling gaps in the cuticle of the hair. How it looks: Hair color is more evenly distributed throughout and remains more vibrant for a longer period of time.

It's true...we often want what we can't have. Those of us with fine, thin hair wish it was thick. Those with thick hair, wish it were thinner. Curly hair wants it straight...straight hair wishes for those gorgeous curls. So, while we have to accept what we have, each type presents challenges to get the beautiful hair we all want. Here, we provide some useful tips for those with thick, coarse hair. Wash. Coarse, thick hair is often drier because it has the least amount of oil glands and the largest diameter. The good news: it means you can go the longest between shampoos. Wash once or twice a week, and make sure you lather twice if it's been a whole week between shampoos. Use something labeled as moisturizing; ones that contain oils like jojoba, coconut, or argan, which sink in and restore moisture Cut. Get a cut every 12 to 16 weeks, and at every other appointment, ask your stylist to remove bulk from your hair. Doing it at every appointment could make your hair look and feel too thin. Also, try to keep it on the longer side. Styles that are shorter than shoulder length require more maintenance in a daily styling routine, as this texture looks best smooth and shaped. Color. Coarse hair tends to be naturally dark, so regrowth can be very noticeable. Color as often as you need to"”every two to four weeks if you have severe grays, or every six to eight weeks for highlights. If you're using a semi- or demi- permanent formula, pull the color all the way through to your ends every time to get a boost of shine. Keep in mind that coarse hair can be very dry, so incorporate a hydrating mask into your regular routine to prolong your color's vibrancy. Style. Heavier styling creams are your best bet. Start with a dime-size amount and add more as needed. This will help add moisture and shine and also define the texture. This type takes forever to dry and style. Fake a blow-out by showering at night and twisting damp hair into a high bun. In the morning, undo it, and wind a half-inch iron through a few front and side sections. Set with hair spray.

Is your skin naturally on the dry side or is it dehydrated? Determining which is important in providing your skin with the product(s) needed. At first glance, "˜dry' and "˜dehydrated' seem like two words to describe the same thing. But when it comes to skincare, they are completely different concerns with different underlying causes. DRY SKIN. "Dry" is a skin type related to oil production. If your skin is genetically predisposed to produce less than adequate oils, then you are likely going to have chronically dry skin. As we age, our natural hydrating oils (sebum) levels drop. Characteristic signs of dry skin: Feels rough. Appears dry. Can be flaky. If this is your problem it can worsen when you use a powdery make-up or harsh skin cleansing products that strip away the little oils you have. Excess exfoliation can also contribute to your dry skin problems. Because dry skin doesn't produce enough moisturizing oils, it's important to find highly-emollient products to fortify your skin's oil reserves and plump up the volume on your natural moisture barrier. Look for heavier creams with an oil base like Jojoba, Coconut or Sesame or even Shea Butter for rich hydration. Humectants like lipids, ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid are also great to bolster the protective shield on skin and seal in the moisture. DEHYDRATED SKIN. Dehydrated" is a skin condition related to the water content of skin cells. It is associated with a crepiness or small lines that form when skin is manipulated. Common causes are mostly lifestyle based, including smoking, certain medications, a diet high in salt or caffeine as well as seasonal changes and environmental factors such as heating and cooling systems. It is also a good indication you are not drinking enough water each day. Characteristic signs of dehydrated skin: Looks dull. Feels tight. Feels rough. Is sensitive. Shows fine lines. Shows accelerated signs of ageing, like sagging skin and deep wrinkles. What can you do? There are some options that can make a difference and help you reduce those small lines and wrinkles. Top 5 lifestyle recommendations for dehydrated skin: Use sun protection. Avoid alcohol. Avoid smoking. Eat a balanced diet. Drink a lot of water. An oil infusion can be very effective. First wash your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser and exfoliator. Next smooth on the skin oil. We can recommend Amir 100% Pure Rosehip Oil or Amir 100% Pure Argan Oil. Leaving the oil on the face, apply steam for 10 minutes. (If you have a facial steamer, great!. If not, boil water, remove from the stove and put inside a "tent" you make with a towel. Be very careful not to burn yourself.). Skin is the largest organ in our bodies, so it is very important to use top-quality ingredient to keep your skin hydrated. Apply moisturizers or serums that contain fragmented hyaluronic acid, which is especially good for keeping water in the skin. For dehydrated skin, the focus is less on oils and more on restoring hydration, preferably with water-based lotions. Humectants are also good for dehydrated skin because they attract moisture from the atmosphere without breakout-causing oil. Look for non-comedogenic lotions with Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid or Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). AHAs are great because they not only lock in moisture, but they also slough away skin-dulling debris that can clog pores. Other ingredients you want to look for in your skin care lotion: Niacinamide, a potent form of vitamin B-3 that is a multifunctional approach to both dryness and dehydration by boosting ceramides and fatty acids. Acetyl hexapeptide-37 is a powerful skin tool. It's a protein found naturally in the skin and it regulates the way hydration moves between the basal layers of the skin. A final thought. All of the above help, but only when used consistently. There is no miracle or instant cure for dry or dehydrated skin, but you can keep it looking its best by being consistent in your skin care regimen.

There are many questions about hair that arise repeatedly in the beauty industry, but none so much as this one - How often should I wash my hair? You have probably heard many answers, including, "if you wash every day you're destroying your hair". The truth is there is no right answer. A one-size-fits-all solution to this burning question has yet to be discovered. How often you wash your hair depends on many factors & your hair type is a big one. It also depends on your activities, age, and hair styling products. Texture is king when it comes to wash day decisions. So, if you find yourself washing your hair daily because your hair turns greasy quickly or your fine hair just isn't the same without a fresh wash, know that it's okay to shampoo this often. Below are some handy tips for every hair type, along with some general helpful tips. Curly/Wavy Hair. Curly or Wavy hair is more prone to become dry due to the scalp's natural oils inability to coat the coiled or waved strands as easily. This may result in you not needing to wash as often. Over washing can cause frizz & unruliness to take hold. This hair type is usually always thirsty; keeping your curly/wavy hair moisturized is a priority. Use a shampoo labeled as Hydrating Shampoo for this hair type to quench the thirst but keep those curls or waves clean & bouncy. Fine Hair. If your hair is fine then it's likely you tend to wash more frequently. In particular, if your hair is straight, it tends to become easily coated in sebum causing the hair to look and feel greasy. This type of hair needs a gentle daily shampoo that cleanses while delivering nourishment to your fine hair without the weigh down. Normal Hair. "Normal" meaning your hair tends to play nice most of the time - not be too oily or too dry. Lucky you! You can freely decide based on your hair's feel & look how often or less often to shampoo. Thick\Coarse Hair. For thick or coarse haired ladies, you're usually blessed to be able to go up to 4 days or more without washing. You have the wiggle room to only wash your hair a couple times a week. The best shampoos for you are ones that will soften, tame & provide superior manageability, as well as Frizz control. Beauty Care Factors for All Hair Types Age - Plays a big role for how often to wash as well, since children & older adults don't usually produce as much sebum as teens or adults in their 20's & 30's. Although, while you once may have struggled with an oily scalp, your scalp can become drier as you age, forcing you to change routines & products. Dandruff - Can certainly become a symptom of a dehydrated scalp environment from over washing but in other cases, it's due to different skin problems and in that case you would benefit from a dandruff specific shampoo to help cleanse & soothe. Dirt, Pollen & Sweat - Cleaning, gardening or working out can leave your hair feeling & looking oily or dirty. Dirt, dust & pollen can become trapped on hair leading to a dull buildup. We do recommend shampooing after heavy workouts or any messy tasks to keep your locks fresh & dirt free. Styling Products - Can build up on your hair & scalp creating damage & irritation. For frequent or heavy product users this may mean you need to wash more frequently to reduce the build-up problem. Keep in Mind:. Any change in routine takes about 4 weeks to balance out and see true results. If you feel your washing too much, try washing every other day. Give you and your hair a little time to adjust to the new routine. Dry Shampoos are a great way to skip a wash day but still look & feel fresh! They not only absorb the dirt and oils but add texture. Conditioner is important! Whether you go for a traditional in-shower conditioner or select a leave-in conditioner, pay special attention to the ends of your hair. Ends always need the extra attention as they are the "oldest" part of your hair. No matter what, your the only one that can determine the balance of cleanliness & moisture for your hair but it never hurts to try new products or routines in an attempt to find the best balance. Call us for a consult with our Customer Service Reps if you need any assistance!