Celeb Colorist Debunks Myths
by Dory Larrabee-Zayas, Beauty Director
 
I’ve been coloring my hair for the past 15 years. So many women rely on hair dye to cover grays, add dimension and brighten your base, but there are also a lot of scary notions out there that just aren’t true!

Hair color doesn’t have to be scary! Whether you want to add lowlights, highlights or dramatically change your shade, it CAN be an easy and seamless process. And summer is the perfect time to try something new!  There is a lot of misinformation out there, so we enlisted the help of Global Redken Artist Sean Godard to set the record straight. He’s breaking down the true story on hair color myths and misconceptions!

“HAIR MYTH #1: “COLORING YOUR HAIR WILL LEAVE YOUR STRANDS DRY AND BRITTLE”
Fiction! Colored hair has more shine and condition compared to uncolored strands. This is especially true if a client has had a gloss service. Generally, the only color that will make your hair feel dry and brittle is when using a lightener to strip the color.  You can also combat that with weekly mask treatments.

“HAIR MYTH #2: “CONSTANT HAIRCOLORING STRIPS AWAY SHINE”
Fiction!  Constantly coloring hair the same shade over time leaves the hair shiny and reflective. This is why a demi-permanent hair color that delivers color, shine, and condition, is our best friend.

“HAIR MYTH #3: “COLOR PROTECTING SHAMPOOS DON’T REALLY DO ANYTHING”
Fiction!  Do a swatch test using color-protective versus non-color protective shampoos and the results will be apparent. The UV filters and ceramides found in the shampoo’s formula are crucial for color protection.”

“HAIR MYTH #4: “HAIRCOLOR ADHERES BETTER TO FRESHLY WASHED HAIR”
Fact!  Let’s kill the myth that dirty hair is better. Fresh hair will color better with more even results, better gray coverage, and increased longevity. “Dirty” hair is only good if you are going to be doing a global lightening like highlights. The natural oils will help protect the scalp from being agitated from the lightener.

“HAIR MYTH #5: “IF YOU WASH YOUR HAIR WITHIN 24 HOURS OF COLORING, THE HAIRCOLOR WILL FADE DRASTICALLY”
Fiction!  Once the color reaches its maximum processing time, the chemical process stops, and yes, with continued shampooing it will eventually fade, but there will be no difference between waiting three hours or waiting 24 hours post-service.
 
This article first appeared on Hollywood Life

You may love your long hair, but there's one problem with those lengthy tresses—they shed and get all over the place, turning clean-up into a challenge and making your shower drain a battle zone. You could just adopt the motto "long hair, don't care" but that won't stop your stray strands from haunting your home, so it might be better to take some precautions and avoid those hairy home situations altogether.
When you have long hair, there are three main places where that normal, everyday shedding can become a big, hairy mess—the shower, the floors, and your laundry. So, here's how to deal with each.

The Shower

Before You Shower:Comb out your hair. If you can, try brushing or combing out your hair before you hop in the shower. It'll catch more of the stray hairs in advance, so you won't shed as much in the shower while you wash your hair.

Use a drain catcher—a good one. This one should seem obvious, but it's worth repeating: Invest in a good drain catcher. It doesn't have to be a fancy, expensive contraption, but it should work. If it doesn't actually catch the hairs, it's not doing it's job—and if it doesn't let the water drain properly, you'll probably get annoyed with it and stop using it. Make sure it's one that stays in place, too. This one from OXO gets high marks on Amazon.

If the Drain Becomes Clogged......

don't reach for the Drano or another chemical solution (seriously, landlords hate it because it can cause damage to the pipes, and you can read some horror stories about it on Yelp). Instead, try removing any visible hair first—you might have to snip a little with scissors if it's tangled, but try to just pull out any hair you see with tweezers or pliers.

If, after you've gotten rid of visible hair, your shower is still not draining, let baking soda and vinegar come to the rescue. Pour the baking soda down the drain, then pour distilled white vinegar over the baking soda--this tutorial will show you the specifics. (Note: Many of the commenters also suggest flushing out the drain with boiling water--LifeHacker suggests the same, just be aware that boiling water doesn't work for all pipes, so if you don't know what you're working with, stick with regular ol' hot water). You can do the hot water flush as monthly maintenance to prevent it from getting clogged again.

You can also try plunging the drain, but know that this might cause some gross, gunky water to come back up into the tub, so be prepared. Avoid using drain snakes or things like wire hangers to pull out clogs, because you can potentially do more damage than good. And, if all else fails, call your landlord or building super—or a plumber, if you don't have a landlord to answer to.

The Floors

Use Your Vacuum... Everywhere.

Nothing will remind you that your hair gets everywhere, no matter how often you clean, more than when long hairs collect in a tumbleweed on the floor. It's time to befriend your vacuum full-time, because sweeping can only do so much—it's pushing around the hair without always picking it all up. You should still sweep first, since it'll get rid of some of the hair (and keep it from clogging up your vacuum!) but really, vacuuming everywhere will change your life. On Deadspin, cleaning expert Jolie Kerr suggested investing in not one but two vacuums—an upright and a handheld model for really tackling all that hair. Use the upright vacuum at least once a week for a deep clean, and use the handheld vacuum every one to three days to keep particularly hairy spaces in check.

Using your vacuum everywhere—and frequently—means that you'll have to take proper care of it, too. Kerr said using the hose attachment can help prevent it from getting clogged, but if it does get clogged, use nail scissors to carefully snip out the hairs.

Salvaging a Hairy Carpet:
​
If you've vacuumed your hairy rugs or carpet to no avail, you'll have to put in a little extra elbow grease. SF Gate has a super helpful tutorial for de-hairing your rugs—you just need a spray bottle, water, fabric softener, and either a stiff-bristled brush or a flexible squeegee to get the job done. Simply fill the spray bottle with water and mix in a few drops of fabric softener, spritz the carpet to dampen it, and then brush it or or scrape it with the squeegee to lift and collect the hair. Once it's out, vacuum as usual to catch any extra strays.

The Laundry

Before the Wash Cycle:

​Anyone with long hair—or who lives with someone with long hair—knows that long locks and laundry don't always play nice together. Strands of hair somehow get woven into fabric, tangled around sleeves and balled up and stuck to all your favorite clothes. It's a bit of a challenge to prevent, but Reddit user KT_ATX shared some helpful tips in this thread: Use dryer balls, and make it a point to shake out items before you put them in the wash. Also, when you can, stick to smaller loads as opposed to totally filling the washing machine. And if you can stand it, wash your socks separately—since they tend to pick up hair and dust bunnies from the floor, you can prevent that from transferring over to the rest of your clothes. User billbixbyakahulk also commented that you should make sure your lint trap is cleaned out every time you use the dryer.

When Everything's Already Hairy...

There isn't really a quick fix for what to do when there's already hair stubbornly tangled up in all your sweaters—if that happens, you'll need a lint roller, some patience and maybe some tweezers, but you'll get through it. It's also a good idea to keep a lint roller by your door or your mirror for quick hair removal if you notice some shedding after you get dressed—it'll prevent it from getting stuck in the fibers later on.

This article first appeared on Apartment Therapy

A flat iron is used for more than straightening and smoothing hair. With the proper technique, you can use your flat iron to create waves, curls and so much more!
Sam Villa & Andrew Carruthers, Education Director demonstrate how to use your iron to create today's modern looks. In the video above, you'll learn how to create flat waves, push waves and also how to use your flat iron as if it were a curling iron to create beautiful, soft curls.

Tools & Products For Success

• Flat Iron - you will want a flat iron with a rounded body, especially as you create curls in the hair
• Wide Cutting Comb - used for sectioning the hair and combing through to distribute your product
• Sectioning Clips - our new dry sectioning clips don't leave marks in the hair! Perfect for the Flat Wave technique
• Heat Protection - a thermal heat spray that protects your hair from the heat of the iron

In the video below you will learn how to create a flat wave (looks like an "S" wave or finger wave), soft curls, and push waves.                         

This article first appeared on SamVilla.com

The Truth About Your Cut, Style, and What Your Stylist Thinks About Your Hair

We all want great hair, and it starts with a haircut. You may bring in a photo, or describe what you want in your hairstyle to a "T", but are your expectations for a new look on par with what your hair can actually do? Does the celebrity style that you've been coveting match up with amount of time that you're willing to spend on your hair? Here are 11 things to consider, and points that your stylist likely won't say out loud, before you go in for your next haircut.

1.  Great Hair Takes Work. Sorry. 
On some level, if you want your hair to look good it's going to take some work. Unless you have perfect hair, with great body, beautiful thickness, and absolutely no issues whatsoever, you will need to do something with your hair to make it look like that photo you brought in. By the way, I'm pretty sure that the aforementioned perfect hair doesn't really exist.

2.  Surprise! Celebrities Have Hair Just Like You 
Celebrities are born just as human as you and me, with one exception when it comes to hair. Celebrities hire teams of stylists, use extensions, wigs, top of the line hair products and processes that cost a fortune. Unless you're willing to pay those kind of prices, it's probably not realistic to have celebrity perfect hair everyday.

3.  You Want Wash and Go Hair? Me too. 
The truth is, very few people on this planet have wash and go hair. Many people look like they do (like the girl you work with whose hair is perfect all day long), but they have to work at it. They experiment with the right shampoo, get regular haircuts, try out new styling techniques, and they probably use product in their hair. By the way, we all secretly hate the girl with the perfect all day hair. It's okay.

4.  You Need to Use Hair Products 
If you don't want to use product in your hair, don't expect your hair to look like you did. Have you ever noticed how many products your stylist uses during your haircut/blowout? If you're still using Panteen ProV and Aqua net, it's time to find out why professional products are superior and will actually help you achieve salon hair everyday. Bottom line: new professional products are awesome and could give you a brand new appreciation for your hair. 

5.  You're Using That Product Wrong 
Just because you're using product, doesn't mean you're using it right. If you're one of those girls that have been using the same product you used 10 years ago (it's okay, you don't have to admit it out loud), it is time for a change. Ask for advice on your hair products, and implement that advice at home. If your product isn't working out, ask to exchange your product for something that will work for you. 

6.  Change is Good. Embrace Change. 
If you ask for a new look, but style your hair the same way you always have, you will likely not be happy with your hair's result. In fact, it will probably look like it always did. A haircut is simply the foundation to a great look. Styling is key. Ask your stylist for advice on properly styling your new cut. 

7.  If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Try Again 
Practice makes perfect. Try new things with your hair and re-try them when you don't get it right the first time. Trust me, even hairstylist have a hard time blowing out their own hair, and it takes some skill to learn to curl your hair with a flat iron. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is great hair.

8.  You're Asking for the Impossible 
Have real expectations with your hair. If you're only willing to put 5 minutes of styling into a hair style that should require 30 minutes, expect your hair to look that way. Ask your stylist to help you choose a look that matches the level of effort that you're willing to put in and that matches your hair's texture.

9.  Long Hair Takes More Work 
The more hair you have, the more time it will take to style. Which is a real drag if you were "blessed" with ridiculously thick hair, but it's just a truth that you have to accept.

10.  Your Hair is Different Now, Deal With It 
A salon chair is not a time machine. Hair changes over time as we age, just like our skin and our rear ends. It sucks, but we can only realistically work with the present condition of your hair. As much as you'd love to have your hair look the way it did 15 or 20 years ago, you will be much happier if you work with what you have, at the present moment, instead of focusing on what you once had.

11.  Your Hairstylist Ain't Happy Unless You're Happy 
Your hairstylist sincerely wants you to look good and feel good about your hair. You represent her talent, experience, skill, and her good name. We honestly stress about your hair, and we want you to feel good about it. We want you to love it, to tell your friends about it, and to come back in six weeks with enthusiasm about it. If you don't love it, talk to your stylist about it. And if you do love it, tell her about that, too.

​This article first appeared on About Style

Summertime… and the grooming is easy! Now the sun has returned, there’s something very enticing about ditching the dryer and letting Mother Nature style your strands… until you catch your reflection two hours later and see you’ve morphed into a less-than-fabulous floozy of frizz.

Well, not on our watch. We’ve been on the phone with some of the best hairdressers in the UK – we’ve dubbed them the Layered Air Force on this mission – to quiz them on fighting the frizz while letting our lengths get waved by the wind. Their top tips on air-drying like a boss follow – step away from the irons (for now) and learn the essentials. Air Force DONE!

Throw in the towel

“Drying your hair with the same type of towel you used on your body can damage the hair cuticle, leading to frizz and unwanted knots,” reveals Steve Rowbottom, creative director at Yorkshire salon group Westrow. “Instead, use a soft microfibre towel and gently press it against the hair.”

Forget me knots

After removing any excess moisture from your hair, use a wide-toothed comb to brush out the tangles. “Remember to start in small sections at the bottom of your hair and work your way up, which is much more gentle on the hair,” says Westrow’s Steve Rowbottom.

Don’t go naked

To get the best results when air-drying hair, products are key and the only fighting chance you have of preventing air dried hair from becoming frizzy. “Products will also help create the right type of movement in air-dried hair,” advises Matthew Curtis, who works at New York and London Fashion Weeks and has possibly some of the most gorgeous salons in the UK.

Try a new-gen air drying product straight from the salon

“There are great new products that cater to air drying you hair,” admits Jonathan Long from Lockonego London. He points to Redken’s new No Blow Dry range, which includes three air dry creams and launches in June. We can also recommend Bumble and bumble’s Don’t Blow It (h)air styler – a new version for thicker hair is launching in June, too.

Do the twist

If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, try a technique called twist drying. This involves twisting hair with fingers and mousse, crème or a sea salt spray to manipulate the natural shape. “For a more textured finish, twist small sections tightly, and for gentler waves, twist larger sections more loosely,” says Matthew Curtis. “A favourite product of mine is label.m Soufflé, as it’s so versatile – you can use it both pre- and post air-drying.”

Angel Montague-Sayers, from Sally Montague in Derbyshire and Cloud Nine ambassador, also recommends twisting large sections of your hair around your fingers with a styling cream that has a light hold – she suggests Tecni.ART Spiral Splendour from L’Oréal Professionnel. “This product helps to encourage any curl/wave/movement your hair may have,” she says, “and remember to twist the two front sections away from your face.” For this to work, your hair should NOT be dripping wet, and you’ll need to leave the twists to stay while they dry (Angel also recommends gently tying these up into an Invisibobble while they’re drying).

“Or do what I do, which is to blast the heaters on in your car on the way to work! When your hair is dry; simply tip your head upside down and shake out with your fingertips…”. We’ve also heard of one hairdresser winding all the windows down in her car when driving to work to get the air doing its thang!

Treat AND scrunch

If your hair has a natural texture and it’s long, choose a blow dry balm/serum or curl form serum through the hair, then mix it with some treatment, such as a conditioning hair masque. “Rub together and scrunch all over the hair,” suggests Darren Ambrose, co-founder of D&J Ambrose in Pinner. “Shake it out so the structure falls into place, then either twist random areas around your fingers to enhance the shape, or loosely plait the hair until dry and then shake out for a more boho feel.” A plait you say? Well, read on…

Plaits and buns are your friends

“For the perfect wave, apply Revlon Professional Style Masters Volume Amplifier Mousse and twist your hair loosely into a bun on top of your hair,” says Anne Veck, founder of Anne Veck Salons. “While your hair air-dries, it will create a natural wave.”

Matthew Curtis uses his fiancé as a perfect example of the power of the plait: “She’ll towel dry as much moisture out as possible then run Kérastase Bouffant Mousse through the lengths before quickly French plaiting her hair loosely down the middle of her head and all down the back,” he explains. “Once she arrives at work, she’ll shake this out and be left with a lovely soft wave. She may need to style a couple of bits with serum and hairspray, which she keeps in her bag, but the overall look is always effortless and cool.”

Get slicker than your average

You could just embrace the wet look and work it into your style – it was a huge trend at Fashion Week (just check out the Kenzo and Givenchy shows if you don’t believe us). For this, you can use a good hair oil, such as the classic Moroccanoil, and work into your damp hair for some nourishment, then use a wet look gel (such as Windle & Moodie Thickening Cream or L’Oréal Techni.ART Glue) on top to set it all in place. “Using your wide-tooth comb, pull your hair back off your face and behind your ears,” says Jennifer Linton and Jaye Macdonald, Co-Directors, Linton & Mac, Aberdeen. “The gel will set it in place and you won’t need to fret about frizz, as long as you leave it alone.” This finish is F-I-E-R-C-E with a bold lipgloss (we love Punch by High Definition) or some statement vintage earrings.

Life’s a beach

Oh beach spray, let us count the ways we love thee! The Daddy of all these summer BFFs is the iconic Bumble and bumble Salt Spray, but if your hair is bleached or dry, look out for one that’s got a little more TLC in it, such as its savvy sister Surf Infusion, which is an oil-and-salt-infused spray. For a little texture and hold, try L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.ART Beach Waves, which helps create sexy, tousled waves with a natural-looking matte finish. Simply spray on then scrunch to create perfect beach hair.

Sleep on it

If you’re after Instagram-ready un-done waves, try braiding your hair loosely or wrapping hair in a bun on the top of your head… the night before! This will also stop hair from getting knotted in the night. “In the morning, just release hair and rake your fingers through gently to blend the sections together,” says Westrow’s Steve. Et voila!

Ask your hairdresser for tips – they know!

“If you want to learn more ways to dry your own hair, ask a reputable hair salon if you can attend a training night where the assistants are educated in drying techniques,” suggests Matthew Curtis. “You’ll hear the processes explained step by step, and can take this away to use in your own styling regime.”

Indeed, at salon-of-the-moment Larry King, is running personalised air dry tutorials to coincide with the launch of Redken’s No Blow Dry range, so book in for a personalised masterclass from June.

OK, use your hairdryer – but this is just a little cheat!

“For straighter hair, blast your roots upside-down for a minute or two,” suggests Joe Hemmings at Bloggs Salons in Bristol. “Just lifting the hair off your scalp will help with root lift.”

And one final warning… fingers can be your foes!

Frizz is often caused by your fingers, pulling through hair or playing with it too much. So, remember to sit on your hands every time you want to touch your hair!

This article first appeared on LAYERED