JENN'S HAIR CHAIR

How to get rid of static in your hair

03/15/2011 20:33:00

In the winter there is less humidity in the air and the heating in our homes is a dry heat, so you can imagine how that dryness affects our hair! During the cold season comes the inevitable static electricity that collects in the hair and tends to build up when we brush the hair, removing a sweater, hat, scarf, etc. Sound familiar? Let's look at some tips and tricks to lessen static cling and stop flyaway hair!

The laundry room is the first place to head if you are looking for an immediate solution to static-y hair. Try rubbing a dryer sheet on your hairbrush and then brushing your hair; or better yet, rub the dryer sheet directly onto your hair to encourage the hair to lie flat against your head. Dryer sheets are formulated to discourage static electricity production in the dryer so why not use it for your hair?

*An easy trick (that won’t involve visiting the laundry room) is using hair spray. Spray a generous amount of hairspray on your hairbrush and brush your hair thoroughly while the brush is still damp. This technique also works well when sprayed onto a tissue and rubbed across the hair.

*Hair spray isn’t the only styling aid useful in this situation…hair gel can also be helpful not only to control static but to tame those pesky flyaways! Squirt a small amount of gel into your hands and rub them together and then lightly rub your hands through your hair.

*If you’re in a pinch and away from the bathroom, try using hand lotion! Rub the lotion completely into your hands and run them over you hair. Make sure to use a small amount though to prevent hair from looking oily.

*Wetting your hands or brush with clean water and patting down or brushing your hair to smooth static-filled strands is also an option but if you have already gone to the trouble of styling your hair, this may not be a sensible choice.

Although quick fixes are gratifying, a little prevention never hurts either!

Using conditioner is a good routine to get into for many reasons but putting moisture back into the hair is the main one, which also helps to reduce the static. You should use a regular conditioner for daily use or a deep conditioning treatment once a week (or more if you feel your hair needs it) for a more intense result. If you decide to use a deep conditioner, try this little trick for the best results!

*After you’ve applied the treatment to the hair and scalp (you think your scalp isn’t dry too?), dip a towel in hot water. Rinse out the water and wrap your hair in the warm towel. The heat helps open up the hair cuticle allowing more of the moisture to seep in. Leave for 30 minutes and shampoo.

Last but not least, avoid brushes made of synthetic fibres. Brushes made of wood and/or have natural fibre bristles are best because they don‘t hold a charge as easily as synthetic ones such as plastic or vinyl do.

I hope that at least one of these tips and tricks will help you in the fight against the winter hair blues and chin up…spring is around the corner!

Bangs...are they for you?

11/24/2010 11:09:00

Are you are bored with your look? Want to do something bold without changing your existing hair style? How about bangs! Creating a bang is a substantial change to your look so how do you know if it will work for you? Here are a few tips for figuring out whether to bang or not to bang!

If you have a long forehead (a lot of space between the bridge of your nose and your hair line ex Rhianna or Tyra Banks), bangs are a great option for you! It’s only common sense that if you have a large forehead, covering it with bangs will eliminate that illusion. If you have a short or narrow forehead, bangs are not a very good option for you. Having a bang in this instance will make your whole face appear shorter. If you have a narrow forehead and are still insistent on having a bang, at least keep them short (as shown top left) to elongate the face as much as possible. Here are some tips for common face shapes;

Round faces- Steer clear of a bang that is straight across as it can make the face look wider. Your best bet is a bang that is cut straight across with the sides left a little longer (Jennifer Hudson pic). This is better than a completely rounded bang which can tend to make the face look even rounder.

Long faces- If your face is long, be careful not to choose too round of a rounded bang as it can make the face appear even longer. Keeping the bangs at eyebrow level or longer is a good idea.

Oval faces- If you have this face shape, you are one lucky duck! People with oval shaped faces can do just about anything with hair style or colour and are pretty much guaranteed to look great!

HAIR COLOUR- DRUGSTORE VS PROFESSIONAL

11/08/2010 15:33:00

So, it’s that time again. It’s been six weeks and there’s no putting it off any longer. You need your colour done but the dilemma is the same; do you spend the money (and have it professionally done) or cheap out (and make a trip to the drugstore)….that is the question! Learn why having your colour done by a professional with professional products is be better for your hair and potentially your pocketbook!

Many people argue that using drugstore colour is great because of the convenience and low cost, but I am here to give you the facts on why it’s in your best interest not to use it. Buying a box of hair colour at your corner drugstore is convenient and cost effective for you but have you ever sat down and really thought about the downside?

A box of hair colour at the drugstore usually costs under ten dollars but here’s what you need to consider. When you get your colour done at the salon, you are not only paying for the product itself, but the experience and knowledge of the colourist. In my opinion, this is worth the cost alone! Do you really want to take the chance that the box that said light natural blonde you may actually turn your hair a medium ashy brown?

The problem with drugstore colours is that they don’t have eyes or a brain! Only a pro can assess your hair and take the many factors into account that help determine the right formula for you, not only to achieve your desired colour, but with minimal damage. Whether the hair is virgin or has been coloured, what the porosity level is, hair type (coarse, ethnicity, etc) and underlying pigment are just a few factors involved in the formulating process. Whether more than one colour may need to be applied another thing to consider. Often there can be up to three formulas needed when there is regrowth, multi tones and/or porosity levels to consider. A box at the drugstore will never be able to customize like that!

Although drugstore hair colour’s convenience and prices are tempting, stick to your guns! Paying a little extra is worth it for your hair’s sake and will save you money on corrective colour in the long run. As far as convenience goes, you can book your next appointment before you leave the salon…it doesn’t get much easier than that so go on and splurge…your hair deserves it!

PROFESSIONAL VS DRUGSTORE BRANDS

11/03/2010 11:01:00

You’ve seen the commercials for shampoos that make your hair extra shiny for a fraction of the cost of professional products, right? You want your hair to look just like the model’s so you go right out and buy it, right? Well, I’m here to tell you…to STOP!!!!

As a professional hair stylist, it’s important for me and my clients to have nice, shiny and healthy hair so I can relate to your urges to go and buy a product that promises to deliver shiny, silky, frizz-free hair. But there are reasons why that product, full of promises, is only a fraction of the cost…you get what you pay for!

Most shampoos, conditioners and styling aids you find in the drug store have a lot of the same ingredients as the professional products found in a salon, but at different ratios. Anytime you read the ingredients on a product of any kind, they are listed from most to least. Drugstore hair product brands have a high percentage of wax in them therefore making the hair appear to be beautifully shiny and healthy, all the while remaining unchanged underneath all of the wax. The intense shine you get from the knock-off brands only masks the condition of the hair underneath. Even the professional brands that you see sold in the drugstores are not what they seem. These products have been altered (watered down) and so you’re not really getting a professional product for a drugstore price. A word to the wise is not to purchase a professional brand that you see sold in drugstores because they are no longer salon/professional quality and the companies make them are therefore cheating themselves and the customer.

As a hair stylist, it only makes sense to use in the salon what your clients can only buy from you. Salon shampoos and conditioners use more proteins, vitamins and moisturizers than the drugstore brands, which accoun for a deeper penetration into the hair shaft and that‘s what the user wants. The same rules apply when it comes to styling aids such as hair spray, gel, mousse, etc. These drug store products can contain a high amount of alcohol which can be very drying to the hair especially when they’re used on a regular basis. Professional brand styling aids have a much lesser amount of alcohol or none at all.

We all know the economy’s not doing the best but if you’re using drug store hair care products, likely, your hair‘s not doing the best either. Sometimes it takes putting things into perspective to realize our priorities. Your hair is an integral part of your appearance and plays a major role in your overall look and feel so spend a few extra dollars and have peace of mind that you’re doing the right thing…your hair deserves it!

Voluminous Hair How-To

10/28/2010 17:33:00

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need any fancy gadgets or expensive gimmicks to get volume in your hair. All you need is a comb or brush! Here’s how you do it!

Apply a styling aid (mousse, gel, serum, etc) to your wet hair and blowdry/straighten as normal. When you are finished, grab your comb or brush. If you’re going to use a brush, a bristle brush works best and they‘re very inexpensive. You can purchase one at your local drug store. A vent brush won’t do the job and a round brush will only get entangled in your hair.

Where ever you hair is parted, take a section about half an inch below the part and about two inches wide on each side of your part. Hold the section up by the ends and drag the comb/brush down to the root on the under side repeatedly until you start to form a base of ‘nesting‘. This is called teasing and has been a girl‘s best friend for ages!

After your base is a half to an inch thick, lay the section back down. I know what you’re thinking…now my hair looks like a rat’s nest! Not to worry! Take your comb/brush and lightly stroke the top being careful not to penetrate to the underneath.

Finish with a bit of spray or pomade to tame fly always and, voila!

If you are still feeling the need for bigger hair, you can add a section in the crown area or simply continue to make as many sections as you wish!

Brides, Bet You Never Thought Of This!

10/26/2010 13:38:00

The tiara is bought but now you’re thinking it doesn't seem to reflect your unique sense of style. Well, here’s an idea for you!

Place your tiara on the back of your head instead of facing front. Place it just below your crown and make sure it’s sitting comfortably and pin in. This technique works best with a half up-half down style where the intricate work is on top and the the rest of the hair will hang below the tiara. It could also be done with a full up do where it would be amid all of the curls/detailed work.

These days almost anything goes so don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with something different and unique to you!

Brides...Here's An Idea For You!

10/26/2010 12:08:00

Brides…did you know?

So you’ve got the dress, shoes, jewellery…but you just can’t decide what you want for your tiara.! Well of course you can’t! With so many shapes, sizes and costs out there, choosing one more thing can be overwhelming! Here’s an idea that is innovative, creative and often, can add an extra sentimental touch to your big day.

Do you have a necklace that was given to you by someone important or that you’ve worn to an important occasion in the past? Why not wear it as your tiara?

This idea is becoming more popular by the minute and all you have to do is simply take the necklace of your choice and place it on your head, either in a head band or tiara fashion, depending on the style of the necklace. Keep in mind that the some part of the necklace will have to be bobby pinned in for security, so if it’s very expensive you may not want to use this particular one.

This trend is very cost effective and can add a special touch to the most important day of your life!

Happy experimenting!