Green With A Lot Less Envy

Photo Via: Bri Emery/Instagram: @designlovefest

From sun damaged hair to chlorinated green ends, the Summer months bring some interesting hair challenges. Most of which can be solved with the right prep work and product so you can go on vacation (or stay-cation) with out having to worry about your locks.
 

Poolside or Under the Sea
Don't get me wrong, there is something special about fresh out of the ocean beach hair. It's one of my all-time favorite looks, but if you are going to be in the sun and salt or chlorinated water for an extended period of time a little protection can go a long way.  To avoid dry, fragile ends from becoming a summertime souvenir you need to remember two things: water and conditioner. 
 
    • Before you head out, pre-rinse your hair in the shower. 
    • Wring out the excess water. You want the hair to be wet, but not dripping. 
    • While your hair is still damp, apply conditioner through the mid-lengths and ends and comb through.
    • Here is the important part, don't rinse! Leave your hair wet with the conditioner still in.
    • Rock a loose braid or a cute top knot for the day. 
    • After your day of fun in the sun use a clarifying shampoo, like Pureology Purify, to remove any unwanted product or toxins on your hair and condition as usual.

Seeing Green?
 There is a few things you can do to remedy the unwanted pastel dip die look:
 
    • Ketchup/Tomato Paste: As much as this seems like an old wives tale, this actually works (Thanks Grandma!). Apply to the affected areas and let sit for 20 or so minutes. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo with a clarifying shampoo for good measure.
    • Baking Soda: Make a baking soda solution. Using a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda to one cup of water distribute through the hair while in the shower. Work through the hair for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. You can then follow your normal shampooing routine.
    • Malibu C Swimmers Treatment: This treatment uses crystals made from ascorbic acid, betaine and organic aloe vera leaf to remove the mineral deposits that cause the green tint while restoring the hair's shine and softness. This is a more professional alternative to the at-home treatments (and it won't leave your hair smelling like ketchup).

Think of your hair as a sponge. If it is wet and lathered in conditioner, it won't have room to soak up the salt water and chlorine that can lead to dry, fragile ends. For an extension client, I can not stress this prep work enough. It's a simple extra step to avoid the harsh removal process or a possible unwanted haircut at the end of a trip. So lather up, and enjoy a good hair day all Summer long.

 
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Hair Myths Revealed

Hair myths are very commonly mistaken for truths.  Don't worry we are all guilty of it.  As a client you come into the salon with inquires for your stylist, but doesn't it always seem like one person says one thing and the next stylist has a completely opposing point of view?  Worry no further, the search for the truth is over.  Here are a few of the most common myths revealed.

If you shampoo less often will your scalp gradually produce less oil?


The unfortunate fact is no.  No matter how often you shampoo, your hair produces the same amount of oil.  Cutting back on your shampoos will have no effect on your sebaceous glands.  Genetics and hormones will determine the amount of oil you produce.  In fact, not shampooing will cause dirt and oil to accumulate on your scalp and hair follicles, which can cause inflammation and irritation that might even stunt your hair growth. So whether or not you have an oily scalp, how often you wash your hair a just a personal decision you have to make.  For you every few days... kinda washers. Have you been introduced to the wonderful salon favorite, L'Oreal Professionnel Fresh Dust, a dry shampoo?  It's a great alternative for those days when you just don't have time to deal with washing.


Is dandruff caused from dry scalp?

This is actually one of the largest misconceptions in the hair world. Dandruff is not caused by dry scalp at all.  Dandruff is actually caused by a fungus growing on your scalp.  Hair follicles and oil glands make an oil called sebum, which may be a breading ground for yeast or fungus.  This fungus usually grows on your skin, but too much fungus or yeast is the culprit for dandruff.  Not drinking enough water or being exposed to a lot of dry air can cause the skin to dry out and flake, which can appear like dandruff but is not (this is a very common mistake).
If you suffer from dandruff a quick and easy solution can be found by using a specialty shampoo, such as, L'Oreal Professionnel Instant Clear.  Shampoos containing Ketoconazole  (fights dandruff causing fungus), Selenium Sulfide (slows the build up of dead skin cells and fights fungi) or Pyrithione zinc (antibacterial, antifungal) will do the trick.  A few natural remedies for this are buying a 5% tea tree oil shampoo or a 2% lemongrass shampoo. Both fight the fungus causing dandruff. So next time your in the salon, discuss this with your stylist and they should be able to point you in the right direction to a few of these products.


Will growing my hair longer hide my baldness?

Sorry guys, but absolutely not!  Taking your hair short on the sides and back is almost always the best way to minimize the appearance of thinning hair on top.  If you see scalp on top, take the sides short enough to reveal an equal amount of scalp.  This will provide balance.  In actuality it will distract the eye from the thinning on the top.  Growing hair long only serves to highlight the fact that the top is thinning.  Work with your stylist to find a short style that suits you!  A good rule of thumb is to avoid using a heavy styling product.  Most styling aids cause the hair to separate or clump together, only revealing the scalp even more.  Use a small amount of a very light product to give control without a lot of separation.  A good hairspray might even be the best option for many of you.


Does rinsing your hair with cold water make it shinier?

If only it were that simple... Your hair contains no living cells and therefore does not react to hot or cold water.  Use conditioners and styling products which contain silicons and oils to smooth down the cuticle.  Don't forget about that gloss next time you go in for your next color service.  That is a sure way to get healthy looking shiny hair.


Does smoking cause grey hair?

In addition to increasing your risks of contracting deadly diseases.  Smoking can also cause your hair to pre-maturely grey.  A study carried out by researchers in England in 1997 discovered smokers were 4x more likely have grey hair than non-smokers.  Smoking adds stress to the body which in turn leads to pre-mature aging and loss of production of melanocytes.  Grey hair is formed when the melanocytes in the hair follicle stop producing melanin(pigment).  To make matters vicious, smoking has also been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.    

Hopefully of all the many myths that are out there, you were able to obtain answers to a few of them here!  Answers to these myths are just a click away.  Periodically take the time to educate yourself and you will acquire knowledge. In which case, you can rattle off about random facts to forward to others, such as yourself, in the future! 


ventura, ca
805.628.3535

NYFW: Fall 2013 Hair Trends

The Fall 2013 New York Fashion Week brought many inspiring looks ranging from soft and romantic at Kate Spade, to straight and textured at Tracy Reese. My favorite looks, not only can be easily translated from high fashion to real life, but are very DIY friendly. Each look is perfect for the day to day wear, date night, or for the busy ladies on the run that need a look to take you from the office to a night out with zero stress.

Created by Guido Palau for Redken

The Edgy Chignon: Rag & Bone
This season, the side part remains a heavy favorite. In combination with the textured chignon this up-do is a perfect mix of masculine and feminine that can be dressed up or down with ease. It is a great day to night option for the girl on the go or for a night out with the girls. 


Created by Odile Gilbert for John Frieda

The Beachy Half-do: Rodarte
This is my favorite look for 2013. Inspired by the California beaches, this wavy, undone texture is perfect for day to day wear.  If a spring curling iron isn't your forte a curling wand is an easy alternative get the loose curl without any major skill required. For an everyday look skip the rosette and do an inside-out french braid to dress up the textured loose waves for a fun, flirty feel while without being too polished. 


Created by Eugene Souleiman for Wella

The Romantic Side Chignon: Tory Burch
Similar to the chignon seen at Rag & Bone, this style is her fancy sister. The waved side part puts a modern twist on the vintage finger wave style while the chignon itself is just a pinned twist at the nape of the neck. It's simple, effortless, beautiful, and will instantly become a date night favorite.


Created by Jeanine Syfu for TRESemme

The Straight and Textured Side Part: Tracy Reese
Inspired by the morning after a night out, this look is just screams cool girl chic especially for my girls with short to mid length hair. Luckily for you a long night does not have to be required with the right products at hand. The secret weapon for this look is dry shampoo. It creates volume and texture in one step with out feeling product heavy and who doesn't love extending a blow out for an extra day?


Created by Tommy Bucket for Garnier Fructis

The Voluminous Roller Set: Kate Spade
Big hair was definitely back in Kate Spade's 70's inspired presentation. The large barreled waves with the slightly disheveled texture is great for a weekend away (think poolside in Palm Springs) or in. Set the curls in the morning and have it relax to a big blow out by the end of the weekend. You can tease as  much (left) or as little (top right) as desired. High style with little maintenance.

These looks are easy to do yourself, but if you need any help making your high fashion hair dreams come true come see us at Freddie B. Salon & Spa!
 
Ventura, CA
805.628.3535