Thursday, February 24, 2011

Springy Hair

So, I said I'd spot a hair victim at the humane society fundraiser, but I was too busy to look! No need for disappointment because I found a violator that afternoon at a funeral. It was a windy graveside and I couldn't hear the preacher, so my eyes started to wander. About 6" in front of my face, I see a stringy split mess! Poor girl! I promise I don't go around and look for bad hair. I'll leave that to TLC.

Take a look at the ends of your hair. Do they have a lot of split ends? How far up are the split ends? If you only have a few, you're fine. If you have a lot at the bottom, you need a trim (see last blog ;)). If you have split ends all over your head, your hair needs some extra attention. I'm a Pureology girl so I would recommend their split end mender, but I'm sure there are other brands that would work too.

With spring on it's way, it's time to get that hair back in shape! In addition to fixing the ends, let's strengthen the rest by moisturizing those dry winter strands. If your hair tends to break off, try using a shampoo and conditioner with good quality protein in it. You could also use a special protein treatment. There's a ton of those to choose from.

Hairstyle predictions for the spring are low maintenance, tousled styles. Texture and shine will be all over Hollywood hair! Texture is bend, wave and curl. Already talked about that one, but I'll discuss it again soon. Shine comes from healthy hair. Other things that'll help that hair glisten are rinsing in cool water after moisturizing or having your stylist apply a clear gloss. This holds true for short cuts too. Just remember to keep it low maintenance and sparkly!

One last thing I want to leave you with...this "poor girl" would have been rockin' with a few extensions. That would have solved her stringy problem. I know this is still not a southern thaaang, but let's keep an open mind about it. They're fun and can solve an array of problems for some clients. And since I can't think of a witty comment to end this thing, BYE!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

FYI For Your Weekend!

Need a little miscellaneous info to ponder on this weekend? No? Me either, but this mess keeps my mind running non-stop! 2 sick kids at home and me and the hubby feel like poop, but I still seem to manage a little hair obsession. It's some real scattered thoughts ranging from eyelashes to hair extensions. I'll try to keep it organized for those OCD readers!
-when admiring all those celebrity dos as you're preparing for your next visit to the salon,
you do realize that's not their real hair, right? I mean, some is, but most of it is
extensions. Kim K's cut is not gonna look the same without the extra hair! Most celebrity
hair relies heavily on this wildly popular beauty secret. The Disney channel must have mad
stock in it! Those girls have got to have headaches from all that fake hair! This leads me
to obsession #2

-are extensions becoming more acceptable in the south? We tend to take a little longer to
accept newer trends (at least a year lag on skinny jeans). I tend to embrace new ideas in
the hair world with excitement upon my first meeting, but I've not been so warm to this one.
Its not that I don't wanna mess with it. It's just that I haven't had clients show interest
in it. Well, I started to do a little research on it today. My finding is that I don't see
any one favored technique. There's equal pros and cons on all of them. I think I'm gonna
attempt the clip technique first. Wish my client luck!

-next thing to obsess over, those bonds that create curl in your straight hair. I forgot all
the names, so no huge chance on loosing you to boredom. Basics are hair creates a stronger
bond from wet to dry than from dry to heated. Translation...that's why old lady roller sets
last longer than your curling iron styles. (FYI, I love old ladies.) The trick is to make
that curling iron bond a little stronger. Think about how hot roller curls lasts longer than
curling iron curls. It's all in the cooling down. So, next time you curl that straight hair
with a curling iron, wrap that curl around your finger and clip it to your scalp with a metal
clip and let cool for 15 mins. It'll create longer lasting and more natural looking curl (or
wave).

-last topic is eyelashes. Just this...they can be tinted so you don't look dead without mascara. Tip for the natural blondes out there.

Was that too random for you? I'll try to focus for next time. I'm waiting tables tomorrow for a fundraising event at Bizzell's in Hartsville. I'll find one woman with really bad hair and discuss her problems. It'll be like that Wal-Mart hidden camera site with all those ridiculous people. We love to crack on them but, secretly, we're scared we'll end up on there!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The "Good Cut"

So, what's the most important tip for any hair type? I've told you 3 times already, so don't forget again! A GOOD CUT!
If you're just not happy with your style or just tired of the way you look, search the web for cute dos. Type in hair pics, short hair pics, celebrity hair pics. Notice the constant..."hair pics". Find about 3 or 4 and take them to your stylist. If he/she is good, she can tell you which one would look best or take bits and pieces from a few of them. A bad idea is to say I want this style but 5 inches longer. We know what that will look like, but, chances are, you don't. You take a cute short cut and make it 5" longer, the cute is gone. Sometimes it doesn't even look like the same cut! You may want to google med length hair pics.
Be prepared to really listen to what your stylist says. We didn't go to school and have years of experience to just guess if that style will look good on you. There are a bazillion factors to think about before deciding on what that client needs! What's their face shape, how much styling do they do, how long is their forehead, any facelift scars ;), what direction does the hair lay, blah, blah, blah. This goes for you men too! We know how to hide that receding hairline, and, no, comb overs are NOT an option!!
Big hidden message...find a stylist you trust and do your prep work. If you've had that style since 1999, get a new look!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Straight and Stringy!

This is for all of those curl challenged girls. Straight, stringy, flat, limp? Any of those describe your hair? All of them describe mine! What's the most important tip? You know. A good cut. A precision cut. Curly girls can chop at their own hair and only their hairdresser will know. Straight girls do it and it looks like their 3 year old cut it while you were napping! You know you've tried it! I have clients that have an addiction to cutting their own hair! The girl at Cheap Cuts at least went to school and learned how to cut. You didn't! Put the scissors down!! Better yet, throw them out!
I'm gonna give some tips on how to wear your straight hair natural. We'll get to complicated styles after you've figured out to love what God gave you! I think that'll be my new motto in life. Well, until my face starts to sag! Moving on! My biggest complaint right now is static. No "Margaret", your hair's not staticky because I changed color companies!;) True story! She thought I caused her static!! It's lack of moisture. Dry heat in your house, car, work, etc. You gotta use conditioner and may want to consider carrying a dryer sheet with you. Just rub it on your hair. A little hand lotion works in a pinch too. Avoid hairspray, alcohol based styling products and metal brushes. If you need a little lift, keep volumizing root lifters and mousse at the scalp area. Starting with damp hair, lift hair off scalp and dry root areas first. You can dry the rest with a brush or just by flipping your head upside down. If you need extra lift somewhere, lift the hair away from the scalp and blow heat to it. While still holding warm hair out, cool it down by using your cool shot button or a cool dryer setting. If that's not a feature on your dryer, simply hold it out until it cools completely.
If the ends don't look smooth enough for you, consider rubbing a little finishing creme through the ends before you burn it up with that flat iron of yours! I blame chi for all the split ends of the world!! Your hair doesn't have to be board straight to be pretty, so go on to work after this step. You can "flatten" it out for that hot date with your hubby Saturday night!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Listen Up Curly Girls!

So, did anyone take my advice and go with what God gave you today? I'd bet my morning coffee you didn't! I'll start with the worst offenders...curly girls! What in society tells us our hair has to be straight? I'm so tired of seeing every young girl that walks in the salon wearing severely straight hair with a part almost at their ears and split ends to the scalp! Tip of the day...damaged hair is not cute!
Now, I'll help you curly girls go curly. Like all good hairstyles, you've got to have a good haircut. Layers are a must for curly hair. Without them, you have a triangle on your head. Second thing...moisturize. If your curls get frizzy, you gotta moisturize. In the south, we all need to. After you shampoo, rinse and apply conditioner. Comb thru, leave on a few minutes and rinse. If you're real frizzy, leave some in. After rinsing, towel blot and LEAVE IT ALONE!! Do NOT comb again! It just causes frizz. If your curls don't form very good, apply an oil based styling cream and separate with your fingers, twirling as you go. Air drying is always best. If that's not an option, use a diffuser. Deva Curl has a great one, but you have to get that one from your stylist.(They also have shampoo and conditioner that rocks for curls!)
If you try these tips, send me a pic. If you need more advice, I'd love to post a pic with specific advice. Happy curling!

First attempt!

Oh, the things I have to share with you! I love to hear a client say "Oh, cool! I've never tried that before" after I show her a new hair trick. There are countless little things you can do to make your style better without killing yourself in the morning. The most important...a good haircut! Not just a good haircut, but one that works for you. If you have curls, it should look good that way. If it's straight, you shouldn't have to curl it everyday. Work with what God gave you for everyday. Fight it for those special occasions!

I'll have specific topics for different hair types almost everyday, but if you have a question, leave me a picture and description and I'll try to help! (that's an option on here,right?)