We know the basic salon etiquette—be on time, leave a 20 percent tip, don’t take phone calls, etc.—but what do stylists really wish we did during our visit? We asked a handful from different salons to share their biggest pet peeves so we can all be the best client—with the best hair.

By Chelsea Traber Burns

1  Come Clean
 “I can’t tell you how many clients come in with hair that hasn’t been washed in a week because they’ve been waiting on me to do it,” says Katelyn Bode, a colorist at Diva Salon in Oklahoma City. “If you don't come in with perfectly fresh, clean hair, it’s okay, but having a ton of product build-up on your strands can cause your color to go on unevenly.” Raisa Cabrera, a master colorist at Mizu salon in New York City, points out that you shouldn’t scrub your scalp before a color service because “it can make your skin more sensitive to the dye.” A good rule of thumb: “If you’re grossed out by how dirty your hair is, chances are, I am too,” says Bode. Gently shampoo the night before your appointment to make nice with your stylist and get the most out of your color.

2  Be Patient
“When undergoing a major color change, have realistic expectations of what can be achieved in a single appointment,” says Sheenon Olson, a celebrity hairstylist and creative director of ATMA salon in Miami. “Don’t expect to go from black to platinum blonde in one day,” he says. “Do it gradually to maintain the integrity of your hair—I always recommend asking the stylist what is realistic to achieve in one day,” he says. If you realize the process is going to take longer than the time you allotted, reschedule your appointment when you have the time.

3  Be Honest
“It’s critical that you tell us what your hair’s history is, whether it was a gloss, toner, Brazilian blow out, box color, etc., it can make a difference on how we go about treating it,” says Miguel Angarita, a master colorist at Mizu salon in New York City. He also recommends chatting with your stylist about budget and upkeep to ensure you’re not getting yourself in too deep. Certain colors and cuts require more trips to the salon so if your goal is to be low-maintenance, ask your stylist for something that will still look great as it grows out.

4  Keep an Open Mind
“It’s always good to come to your appointment with an idea, but be open to expert advice as well,” says Carlina Ortega, senior colorist at Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. “What you have in mind may not be the best choice for your skin tone, face shape, eye color, or other features, so be flexible and talk with your stylist to ensure you get the best cut or color specifically for you.”

5  Bring Visuals
“Pictures are the easiest way to communicate to your stylist what you like and don’t like,” says Cristina B, a stylist at Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. She recommends bringing in several examples from different angles and in different lighting to get your point across. Be sure to get very specific on details as well—getting a trim and getting rid of dead ends can be two very different lengths.

6  Choose Your Appointment Time Wisely
“Be wary of that last appointment on a Saturday,” warns Francesca D’Ascanio, master colorist at Mizu salon in New York City. “If you are a new client, want a major change, or need a lot of work done to your hair, consider booking appointments earlier in the day or in the middle of the week,” she says. “They’re easier to get and your stylist will have more time and energy to devote to you.” Not sure what you need or how long it will take? Call your stylist ahead of time or go in for a consultation beforehand so you can explain what you’re thinking and they can be sure to block out the right amount of time.

7  Take Better Care of Your Color
“Using good quality color-safe products really does matter,” says Bode. “I feel like clients sometimes think I’m just trying to make more money by having them buy the products I sell, but they’re going to make your color last longer and, in turn, allow you to go longer between appointments,” she says. Products that aren’t specially formulated for color-treated hair, can strip the color out of your strands, leaving it dull and dingy way sooner than you hoped. “You’re a walking billboard for my work so I want it looking the best it can,” adds Bode.

This article first appeared on RealSimple.com

What is Control GX Shampoo?

Control GX Shampoo by Just For Men claims to use breakthrough technology that can gradually reduce gray hair with each shampoo for subtle, natural looking results.

The manufacturer tells us that you'll use Control GX just like any other daily shampoo. After a few washes, you'll notice a subtle reduction in the number of gray hairs. From there, you have complete control over how gradually your gray disappears at the start by using every day, or every other day.

When you’ve achieved the look you want—often within two to four weeks—you’ll continue using Control GX three to four times per week for maintenance. Results can last up to eight weeks.

In addition to gradually reducing your gray, Control GX Shampoo also promises to gently and thoroughly clean and revitalize hair, while increasing volume for a thicker, fuller look.

Just For Men’s lineup has been a staple among hair and beard coloring products for decades, but does this necessarily mean that their Control GX Shampoo is worth the money? Even then, is it really “shampoo with a brain”?

Click here for a review that will discuss all the essential facts so you can make a more empowered purchase.

Legit or Scam?  

This was a stand out comment for me from the article:
“most dyes that promise to gradually reduce gray hair use metallic salts, which:

“… react with the sulfur in the protein chains of the hair to create a natural looking color in the hair over a period of repeated exposure.””

Be wary of home color products that may contain metallic salts. Metallic salts fall under the category of progressive dyes, this means with every application the hair color is going to go darker and darker. Over time the hair is going to feel rough. Metallic salts are extremely reactive to other chemicals! If you try to use most hair color removers (because the hair is too dark now from the progressive darkening) major chemical reactions with the metallic salts are going to occur inside the hair shaft and that can result in horrible burning fumes or even smoking!

All I know as a Cosmetologist is that if you have used a product containing metallic salts, or even henna, there will be no way to predict the outcome, resulting color or condition of your hair if you ever decide to remove or color over your hair after using these products.

My best advice: 
If you want to blend away that grey, schedule an appointment with your hairstylist and let us take care of hair. Most of these services only take 10 to 15 minutes and can be done while you’re resting your head in the shampoo bowl.

Who knew something as simple as taking a shower could be so challenging?
Most of us have been showering regularly since we were kids. We’ve got the whole thing down. Or so we thought. After talking to a hairstylist and dermatologist, we’ve found out a few things that we’re actually doing wrong. Click through and check out if you’re making these showering mistakes.

The water’s too hot.
There’s nothing like starting the day off with a nice hot shower. But if the water temperature is too high, it can actually do more damage than good. “Hot water can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and vulnerable to cracking,” explains dermatologist Dendy Engelman. “Losing these oils compromises our skin’s barrier, thus protection from irritants.” This is most dangerous in the winter (when you’re most tempted to use extra hot water) because skin is already prone to dryness.

And apparently hot water isn’t great for hair health either. Butterfly Studio Salon’s expert stylist Jason J Dougherty explains that it’s best to use warm water to open up the hair cuticle to remove dirt and oils. Then, rinse with cold water to close it up. “It will prevent hair loss in the shower, reduce frizz, and add a lot more shine,” he says.

Your water’s unfiltered.
There are certain places that have hard water, which can have a negative effect on your hair and skin. What this means is that the unfiltered water may contain many harmful additives such as minerals, oxidizers, calcium, magnesium, silica, and iron.  “These can leave residue on the skin and hair causing build-up, dryness, and irritations,” explains Dr. Engelman. With the residue leaving a coat over the skin and hair, products are unable to fully penetrate to properly clean the area. This can create dull looking finish to both the hair and skin. Dougherty also explains that these chemicals can strip hair color, dulling out the look. So if you do happen to live in an area with hard water, install a filtering system.

You’re using the wrong cleanser.
Just because you like the smell of the body wash you’ve been using for years, doesn’t mean it’s the best option. A lot of available cleansers contain harmful chemicals, fragrances, parabens, and sulfates, which all can increase flare-ups. Dr. Engelman recommends oil-based cleansers to maintain hydrated, healthy skin. “Oil-based cleansers eliminate impurities without drying out the skin,” she explains. “Essentially the oil binds to the oils on your face and the cleanser rinses them away, without striping your skin of its good natural oils.” 

You’re shampooing too much.
Unless you have ultra-fine, thin hair, you really don’t need to wash it every day. If you’re over-shampooing, the results are similar to using harsh chemicals on your skin. “It strips the hair of its natural oils and will lead to your hair becoming quite dry and brittle over time,” explains Dougherty. So if you notice your hair seems drier than usual, cut back to shampooing every other shower. It’s all about finding the right balance. 

You’re over exfoliating.
Exfoliating can be seriously beneficial to the skin. It rids the skin of any dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. However, over-exfoliating can do a lot of damage. “It will expose the skin, weaken skin-barrier function and in some cases trigger inflammation,” explains Dr. Engelman. This can create a sort-of vulnerability to the skin and create sensitivity, infection or irritation. Ideally, you only need to be exfoliating two or three times a week. And if you are experiencing any sensitivity or inflammation, you should cut back.

You don’t moisturizer post-shower.
Dr. Engelman notes that the few minutes post-shower can be just as important as those spent in the shower. And post-shower, moisturizing is key. “Applying oil and lotion on wet skin will allow the product to lock moisture in by trapping some of the water on the skin,” she explains. “Keeping it from evaporating, the glycerin in the lotion helps to bind to water molecules, which not only gives a soft, supple feeling but strengthens the skin barrier.” This little shift in habit can make all the difference to the skin’s health and overall feel.

This article first appeared on Domino.com

Should I regularly change my shampoo and conditioner?

There’s a common belief that you should frequently change your shampoo and conditioner to feel the benefits to your hair. But is this really the case?
 
There’s no proof to the myth that your hair builds up ‘resistance’ to certain products over time. However, if you were to use one shampoo and conditioner over the space of a year, there would be months when your hair would feel nourished and healthy, interchanged with times when it may feel dry and dull. So if it’s not the shampoo and conditioner themselves causing a change in your hair, what is the culprit?  
 
What is true is that like any other beauty regimen, your hair products should change based on several factors.  There are absolutely loads of factors that can affect your hair and its condition.  I’ve gathered together some of the most common ones:
 
Environmental
It’s easy to blame the seasons for the change in your hair, but it’s actually a lot more complicated.  Weather can play a huge part in determining how your hair reacts to products. For instance, in the summer you may find hair becomes dry and brittle from exposure to the sun.   Summer heat can also leave scalps oilier than normal, so you may need to reach for a less-hydrating option with a volumizing formula to help.  But equally your hair can suffer the same dryness from central heating in the winter so opt for products with super moisturizing ingredients to rehydrate strands that have been scorched by over-heated, under-humidified indoor environments.  Environmental factors also include things like pollution, sand and chlorine.  If you swim regularly, regardless of the time of year, you may find your color is prone to fading, and hair can be dry and hard to detangle.  Pollution can cause hair to become lank and greasy quicker.  By pin-pointing the specific environmental factors that affect your hair, and how these change throughout the year, you can then start to build a product regime to keep your hair in its best condition.
 
Chemical
This covers any coloring or texturizing service you may use on your hair. Hair color, especially bleach, can completely change the feel and condition of your hair. Whereas some colors can nourish hair leaving it soft and silky, other colors can cause the hair shaft to swell, leaving hair feeling thicker but drier than before. Ask your hairdresser what effect the color being used will have on your hair, then choose products accordingly that can target this.
 
Dietary Changes
Eating fat (good or bad!) can give your hair that much-desired shine and gloss. “If you’re getting essential fatty acids from red meat or an avocado, you may feel like you need less moisturizing products,” Doug Bielanski, the national director of education at Frederic Fekkai says. But for those lean-eaters who forego fat, know that locks can end up looking dry or parched. “You need a hair mask for five minutes, once or twice a week, to push humectants back in the hair.”
 
Age
“Hair naturally changes with age”
As you grow older it isn’t just your hair color that can change, but also your hair texture. Some people may find their hair becomes coarse, dull and unmanageable, whereas others may suffer from hair thinning and softening. Look for age specific products that contain ingredients designed to target these problems and help restore its intrinsic strength.
 
The key to a successful haircare regime is to always stay attuned to your hair’s condition, and be prepared to mix up your products depending on your it’s current needs. For example if your hair is colored and dry but limp, there is nothing wrong with using a color-protect shampoo followed by a nourishing shampoo and a thickening spray to build more volume at the roots. Once hair is back in better condition you could then look to start using more volume products – let your hair tell you what it needs!
 
So in answer to the question ‘should I regularly change my shampoo and conditioner?’ the answer is:
 
Change your shampoo and conditioner when your hair tells you to. Don’t just reassess the products you’re using at the end of each bottle. Consider investing in maybe 2 or 3 different shampoos and conditioners, then pick and choose which one you use based on how your hair feels.

Styling Options For Your Hair Type | Every Shine And Hold Option
by Antonio Centeno

I often wonder, what is the purpose of hair?  
Yes, apart from the evolutionary reasons…

What else does hair do outside of adding aesthetic value to a man’s appearance?
To complicate things – without any outside help – hair would suffer a limp and dreary existence.

That’s why a huge hair-care market exists, to spice things up by creating art through defined styles. But how are we expected to choose from the myriad options of hair styling products?

Pomades, waxes, gels, clays, fibers, creams…. it’s enough to make us want to adopt a monkish attitude and shave it all off.

To make it easier for you – I’m going to break down the ABC’s of hair products for you.

There are two common terms you need to understand about hair products.

• Any product labeled shine will reflect light and make your head look glossy. Anything labeled matte will make your hair absorb light and therefore – not shine.
• Pay attention to the holding power of the products because that’s the main distinction between hair products. They are categorized as low, medium, or maximum-hold.
  

Want a full guide to Men’s hair? 

Read More >>>