Things You Should Know Before Going Red

Are you thinking about trying out a bolder look and going red this fall or winter? While vibrant reds can be beautiful, it's not for everyone. As a professional Colorist, the subject of red color is often talked about in the salon. Most of my clients are seduced by red hair pictures they see on Pinterest and insist it's what they want for themselves. Now as much as I love being able to give my clients their dream hair, i must always proceed with caution. Especially with any color involving red pigments. Here is why,

Things to consider before going Red:

1: If you are someone who shampoos daily or even every two days, red is not the color for you. Artificial Red Pigments are the quickest to fade in hair color. The more you wash, the less vibrant you will be.Once the color starts to fade, copper tones are more prominent. Consider using a dry shampoo and stretching your washes out three or four days. This will not only extend the life time of your red but it is also healthier for your hair. Make sure you purchase a quality color care product line from your stylist to ensure color protection.
2: Be prepared to come in between appointments, in other words, be ready to spend more money on your color. If you want your red to stay vibrant, a monthly color refresher is essential. Your stylist will either apply an all over color gloss or a semi permanent red tone to maintain vibrancy in between your root touch up appointments. 
3: Understand that going back from red is a process. If you are blonde or a light ash brown color prior to going red, going back to that color will take multiple sessions and patience. Understand that if you are a platinum blonde or anything close, it will be nearly impossible to get you back to that color especially without damaging your hair. Be patient!

If you are willing to make these adjustments then perhaps red is a good fit for you!

Wishing you all success with your color! 
Abigail

Things You Should Never Say To Your Stylist

1. "I can't believe you have to be licensed to do hair!" 

To a stylist who spent two years of their life in school not to mention about $20,000 if not more, this is majorly insulting. Being a hair stylist means you have to understand chemistry, anatomy, electricity, infection control, business, accounting and more. If being a successful hair stylist was so easy, everyone would do it. 

2. "I just want to cut off a little so it should be cheaper right?" 

Going to the salon isn't the same as going to a garage sale. It is not a bartering system. I'm sure there are some stylists out there who do barter their prices, but for the most part, a hair cut is a hair cut. The same steps and time are required for cutting off 8 inches and cutting off 1 inch. This is our job, and these are our prices. Please try to respect that. 

3. "I can't believe some stylists charge so much, it's ridiculous." 

Now even I understand that there are some crazy prices out there, however, your stylist isn't the person you want to be complaining to. For stylists who work for themselves and set their own prices, raising them every year is the equivalent to a promotion. Just as you aspire to one day get that promotion that will make you lots of money, so do we. I have the up most respect for those stylists charging high prices and still maintaining a large clientele. That means that they are good at what they do, and their clients know it. Their clients are willing to pay for quality. When it comes to hair services, you get what you pay for. 

4. "My color is starting to fade, can you "fix it?"" 

Unfortunately, Nothing lasts forever. Even "permanent" hair color isn't actually "permanent" at all. In hair color, all that means is that you are permanently altering the structure of the hair verses "Demi or Semi Permanent" which simply coats the hair without changing the structure. Either way, it won't last forever. It WILL fade. If you are shampooing everyday you can guarantee that it will fade fast. If you are not using a quality color care shampoo or conditioner, it will fade fast. When clients ask me to "fix" something, that implies that I did something wrong. When in all actuality, I told them not to shampoo daily, not to use head and shoulders shampoo (for example), and that they must invest in a particular color care line to get the most out of their new color. When the client however does not do these things, and does not buy the product I recommended and their color fades quicker than usual, they instantly blame me, their stylist. There are cases of course, where the stylist is to blame for color errors, but always make sure you are taking the recommendations of your stylist on proper maintenance or else you probably just wasted your money. 

5. "I called out from work today because I'm sick" or "I'm coming down with the flu so watch out" 

You should never say this to your stylist because you should never go in for an appointment when you are Contagious. If you are sick or feeling sick, stay home please. Your stylist would rather you reschedule than risk getting them sick. As stylists, we really don't have time to get sick. Getting sick means having to cancel appointments, losing money and possibly losing clients.  Always take your stylists health into consideration when you are feeling under and reschedule your appointment. 

5 Tips For Healthy Hair

1: Protein

Your hair needs protein for strength just as your muscles do! If you're someone who frequently uses hot styling tools or colors their hair often, most likely the outer protective layer of your hair (aka the cuticle) is impaired. You need to add protein back into the hair to prevent breakage. Invest in products that contain Keratin! This is the protein that your hair is lacking. Strong hair is Healthy hair! 

2: Take a Break From Styling

The daily blow drying, brushing, straightening, curling, and teasing really takes a tole on your hair. Even vigorous towel drying can wreak havoc. Give it a break when you can! Let it air dry, put it in a cute loose braid overnight and rock the waves for a couple of days. Give your hair time to absorb your natural oils and regain its strength.   

3. Stay Within Three Shades 

When going lighter or darker with your hair color, try to stay within three shades of your current color. If your goal is to go significantly lighter, break your appointments into multiple sessions keeping the three shade rule until you reach your goal. This will prevent you from getting over processed by your stylist and will be more gentle on your hair in the long run. Tell your stylist that you only want to go three shades lighter per session and they will be able to determine the exact shade based on the level system.  

4. Practice Safe Styling!

ALWAYS use a heat protectant every time you use any form of heat on your hair. If your going to blow dry your hair straight and then go back in and curl it, use a heat protectant both before the blow dry and before you curl! You are putting up to 400 degrees, if not more, on your fragile hair. You need protection! Heat protectants not only prevent damage, they also protect your color! Many leave in conditioners and hair sprays actually have a built in heat protectant. 

5. Vitamins

Before jumping straight to hair supplements, Try to make sure you are eating a well balanced diet with tons of water! Eat foods such as salmon and nuts! Their protein and omega-3 fats help create a healthier scalp. Also eat foods that contain biotin! Biotin aids in healthy hair, skin and nails! If you are more of a supplement person however, there are many woman's multivitamins that contain biotin and other vitamins that aid in heathy hair and much more. 

Healthy Hair Products

These are My top 2 healthy hair products for all textures and colors! On the left: an amazing Argan oil infused heat protectant by AG Hair Cosmetics. On the right BC Bonacure, a keratin replacing leave in conditioner that strengthens even the most damaged hair. (They both smell fantastic too) Learn more about these products at 

http://www.schwarzkopf-professional.se/skp/se/en/home.html

Are You Warm or Cool?

Blondes have always been my favorite to work on. Whether it's an all over blonde or an Ombré, I'm obsessed with the blonding process! Lately it's been all about the "cool/ashy" blondes however I'm SO excited to see warm blondes becoming the new thing! There is a difference between WARM and BRASSY. Warm tones are Rich and luxurious and actually last much longer in the hair than ashy tones do. (Don't get me wrong I still love me some ashy tones) Just don't be afraid of warmth! What's your preference? 

What is Balayage?

I am always asked by clients what exactly Balayage is! The word Balayage (ba·lay·age) Originates from the French word "Balayer" which means "to sweep." Balayage is a technique for highlighting the hair in which the color or lightener is painted on in such a way as to create a graduated, natural-looking effect. (For example, think of Victoria's Secret models and their highlights. They are not streaky or chunky. You can't always tell where they start because they are so blended and natural!) Balayage highlights are usually processed outside of a foil however foils or foil alternatives may be incorporated Into the process for many different reasons/effects. Plastic wrap is often used to help prevent the product from drying out. Balayage is an advanced technique that not all hairdressers can master. When done correctly, the results are truly beautiful.