Bad Weather Hair Tips

Today is a dreary, rainy day in Charleston, SC. The streets may be flooding, but that doesn't mean it has to be a bad hair day. 

When the weather is bad, it's best to go with what your hair naturally does. I normally wear my hair straight and smooth, but I actually have a bit of natural wave. Thanks to ColorProof TruCurl system, my waves can be enhanced and frizz-free! Here's the how to: 

1) Start with a good foundation. A dime size of ClearItUp shampoo removes product build up and preps the hair to take the TruCurl System better. Follow with a dime size of TruCurl Shampoo, rinse. Finish with a dime size of TruCurl Condition. TruCurl uses seaweed and sugar cane to give weightless moisture and curl memory. The smell reminds me of tropical skittles. Yum! 

ClearItUp + TruCurl Shampoo + TruCurl Condition

Freshly Cleansed and Conditioned Hair

2) Mix TruCurl Curl Perfecting Creme and CurlyLocks ColorProtect Mouse to make one product. Apply to hair and scrunch to activate curl. 

How to Custom Fusion

3) If you're like me, one side of you hair doesn't curl or wave as much as the other side. A quick fix is to scrunch the straighter side, and clip with a butterfly clip as your hair dries. This trains your hair to bend as it dries forming a wave. 

Working on that Wave! 

4) Top off your style with HumidityRx. This acts as an shield for your hair. Use it right before you leave your house, and take it with you with your umbrella! Use this spray throughout the day to protect your hair from the weather. 

TruCurl Curl Perfecting Creme + CurlyLocks Color Protect Curl Mousse + HumidityRx Anti-Frizz WeatherProof Spray

5) Once you have the product distributed evenly through your locks, DON'T MESS WITH IT! Let the air dry your hair. If you touch your hair as it's drying, you will create frizz. No one wants that. 

Final Look! Natural Beach Waves, Rainy-Day Ready! 

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Basic Hair Care Habits For More Great Hair Days

Shampooing Tips 

I know, you're saying.. "...really? Of course I know how to shampoo my hair." Well, you might not. There are a few common mistakes that can add up to tangles and split ends. When your hair is wet, it is in a weaker state than when it is dry. Extra care needs to be taken while you cleanse! 

*Start with wet hair, it is a good idea to rinse as much as possible with just water.

* If you are using a premium shampoo like ColorProof Evolved Color Care, put a dime size in your palm. Rub your hands together to get the lather started. This ensures that you don't waste valuable product and better enables you to cleanse your whole scalp without reaching for more. 

*With the lather-activated shampoo in your hands, apply it to scalp and give yourself a good scalp massage. You deserve it. 

*When shampooing, focus on the scalp. One thing you want to avoid is balling up your hair from the ends and scrubbing your scalp from there. This creates tangles and snags, which can in turn break your hair. 

*After you have sufficiently cleansed your locks, rinse thoroughly. Rinse, rinse, rinse!   

Conditioning Tips 

*First, choosing the right conditioner for your hair's current state is very important. Your hair stylist can help you find the right one for your needs. 

*A common mistake with conditioner is over use. Like shampoo, put a small amount in your palm and rub hands together. 

*Start applying your conditioner to the ends of your hair and work your way up to the scalp. 

*Follow instructions on the back of the bottle to know how long to let the conditioner set. Then, rinse! 

Aerosol Spray Tips 

I just recently learned about this one. Hairsprays, shine sprays, texture sprays, dry shampoo sprays... this is for anything that uses a propellant to get the product out of the can.  
*Use only short, controlled bursts of spray to use the product. This recharges the can, mixing the appropriate ratio of propellant and product in each spray. It's important to maintain the proper ratio, if you don't... you end up with product left in the can and no way to get it out! That is a bad hair day. 


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How To: Curl Set

I love a good curl set! I got to play with our wonderful salon coordinators hair one afternoon, so I decided to make its a how-to. 

The most important part of curling your hair is the products used. ColorProof is my favorite product line and I use it every single day. 

• First, I shampooed the hair with ColorProof's ClearItUp Detox Shampoo. Then, conditioned with DeepQuench Moisture Masque. 
• Before blowdrying, I applied equal parts CrazySmooth Extreme Shine Treatment Oil and PlushLocks Leave-in Smooth. 
• I proceeded to curl the hair, prepping the hair with AllAround Hairspray, then set the individual curls with small metal clips. Allow to fully cool. 
• After letting the curls down, I combed through them with my fingers and finished with HardCore Hairspray. 

The result is beautiful, bouncy curls that last all night! 

Look Book Fall/Winter 2014

Blondes: Blondes are icy (think about Frozen's 'Elsa') but still with dimension. Lowlights have been a top request. This salon service adds depth and dimension, making the hair look thicker and fuller.  

Brunettes: Brunettes are rich with caramel and gold tones throughout. I love this look. It gives amazing shine and reflection. 

Red: Y'all know reds are my favorite! This year, think cinnamon or mahogany tones depending on what better flatters your skin tone. 

Color is a great way to change up your look. There are a variety of services that can be done to change it up. Dimensional color is the biggest trend this year. I love it because it wears well, in that... as your hair grows... the line of new growth versus color-treated hair is camouflaged for longer! 

Never colored your hair? Balayage is a great introductory to color. This is a special highlight technique that gives natural, sun kissed looking highlights to the hair.  

Look Book Spring + Summer 2014

Here are a few looks that I have put together for this spring and summer! First, I would like to thank my gorgeous models who offered me their time and hair! Each one of these ladies are beautiful on the inside and out. 
The following looks are a mix of styles and techniques that I have learned from recent classes and hair shows. For this season, the looks focus on being soft and natural. Texture is the main trend for the season. If the hair doesn't have natural texture, it is created by dimension in the color. 

Classic Swing Bob with Soft Highlights

Color Formula: Keune Ultimate Blonde Series 1032 with 30 Volume in a stitch pattern to keep highlights soft and natural.

Cut: I used a two-comb cutting technique that 'folds the fabric' of the hair which allows it to hang in natural fall. I learned this technique from Phillip Wilson's advanced cutting classes.

   

Products Used: Shampoo- ColorProof Detox Shampoo; Conditioner- ColorProof DeepQuench Moisture Masque; Styling- ColorProof LiftIt Foam Mousse and ColorProof PowderFix Instant Texture 

Finishing: Blow-dried with a medium sized round brush and polished with a flat-iron  

Layered Cut with All-Over Color and a Few Highlights

Color Formula: All over glossed with Keune Semi equal parts 6 and 5 with a dash of 0/33 mix color and Semi Activator. 

Highlights are Scrupples Illusionist Gold Coast with 2 scoops and 20 Volume. Only 8 foils were used, each a diagonal panel to pop through as the hair moves.

Cut: I activated her layers giving bounce and body to the hair, yet still being blended for easy at home styling.

Products Used: Shampoo- ColorProof CrazySmooth Shampoo; Conditioner- ColorProof CrazySmooth Treatment Masque; Styling- ColorProof Extreme Shine Treatment Oil and PlushLocks Leave-In Conditioner 

Finishing: Blow-dried with a large round brush for maximum volume and flat-iron curled 

Side-Swept Up-Style with Curls

Styling: No color or cut on this model! This is her natural shade, and her length is possibly over three feet. If you have long hair, and a stylist says it's too long for an up-style.. find a new stylist! After anchoring the up-style to the side, I curled the remainder of the hair and used the length of hair to my advantage by forming details to the style. 

Products Used: Volume-ColorProof PowderFix Instant Texture; Forming details- ColorProof FiberBlast Texture Paste; Shine- ColorProof WickedGood Shine Spray; Smooth-ColorProof AllAround Hairspray; Finish- ColorProof UltraMarathon Hairspray

Product Review: ColorProof's DrySpell Dry Shampoo and Humidity RX Weather-proof Spray

The first product I'm going to share with you is ColorProof's DrySpell Dry Shampoo. 

What is dry shampoo? 

*Dry shampoo is an alternative to lathering up and restyling your hair every day. Its purpose is to soak up excess oils and refresh your 'do, extending the life of your blowout. 

*There's a reason ColorProof added this to their 'Necessities Line'

Are there other uses for dry shampoo?

*Yes! I love using dry shampoo for fine, flat hair anytime to give it extra volume and lift. 

*Throw it in your gym bag and use it freshen up before going about your day. 

*If you have hot flashes or live in the Southeast during the summer months, this is a life saver for refreshing your scalp and hair on the go!

How do you use dry shampoo?

*Shake well, section hair and mist 3-5 inches from your scalp and focus on the root area. Gently massage with your fingers to distribute the product, and style as desired! Super easy! 

What makes DrySpell better or different from any other dry shampoo on the market?

*Like all the products in this line, DrySpell is geared to protect color-treated hair. 

*Most dry shampoos that are available have talc or baby powder in them. DrySpell uses microfine powders of cornstarch, rice, clay, and unique resins. This cleanses the hair without making your hair look dull like a talc-based dry shampoo would. This dry shampoo is invisible with a mess-free mist for light, even application.

*Features the signature aromatherapy essence of white sage and casaba melon which promotes a sense of well-being and helps eliminate odors. 

Next, we have another amazing new product that is perfect for warmer weather! Humidity Rx Anti-Frizz WeatherProof Spray.   

It's like an umbrella for your hair! Don't you hate it when you spend so much time on your hair and then you walk outside and... poof! Your hair frizzes up or goes flat. This is the answer for you! 

How does it work? 

*It repels moisture and locks out humidity. The weightless polymers shield the hair from the moisture in the air. 

How do you use it?

*This is the last product you put on your hair, even after hairspray. Before you walk out the door, hold the can about 6 inches away from your hair and spray over your hair. A quick circle motion around my head is all I do before I head out. 

Any other benefits?

*Like weather-proofing your hair wasn't enough, Humidity Rx also has the same benefits of all ColorProof products like, the Advanced ColorLast System that offers UVA/UVB protection, prevents damage from free radicals, and prolongs color life! 

Home Hair Care: Winter Weather Tips + Bonus Product Review

Does your hair dry out in the winter? Going inside to heated cars, homes, and stores can really dry out your natural oils causing flakey, dry scalp and lifeless, dull, dry hair, and also static. Not fun. 

Winter Hair Tips

* Try skipping shampoo and conditioner an extra day. With the dry winter air, you natural oils are being stripped so you can go an extra day without suds-ing up. Invest in dry shampoo. It will become your best friend. 

* When blow-drying your hair, turn your blow-dryer setting to the medium heat. Heaters all around you suck the moisture out of your hair and scalp all day. You don't want to start your day dried out from maximum heat on your blow-drier!

* Drink more water! A hydrated body doesn't dry out!

* For extreme dry scalp, try oil scalp treatments. Moroccanoil has a great one for dry scalp. Using your finger tips, apply the oil directly to your scalp and massage it in for about 10-15 minutes. You will look prettyyy greasy after, so follow it up with shampoo and conditioner. 

Product Review: ColorProof SuperRich Shampoo and Condition

You all know how much I love ColorProof Evolved Color Care. The entire line protects color-treated hair in many different ways. The SuperRich system is perfect for dry winter hair. The shampoo has a 'gingered amber' fragrance (smells like Christmas) and has a luxurious billowy lather. The shampoo doesn't use any harsh sulfates or salts. You only need a small amount of this highly concentrated shampoo. (dime to nickel size usage works for most hair types.) The condition has a 'mojito mint' fragrance. It deeply hydrates color-treated hair. This is my husbands favorite! He loves that cooling, calming condition provides relief for his dry scalp. I even use this condition for my fine, thin hair! A pea to dime size usage works for most hair types. If you have finer, thinner hair like myself, use a pea size to avoid weighing your hair down. Use more for courser, thicker hair.

***** Value (five stars) approximately $0.37 per use
***** Effectiveness (five stars) does exactly as it promises



****   Fragrance (four stars) some of my clients aren't a fan of the mojito mint in the condition. You either love it or hate it.
****   Final Recommendation (four stars) recommended for most hair type, perfect for hair in need of moisture

Product Review: ColorProof PureRelease Instant Detangle

This is another great product for dry hair. I love this year round, but in the winter especially because it reduces static! This product speeds blow-drying time, protects your hair from heat, reduces static, adds moisture to the hair, and oh yeah... detangles hair preventing harmful breakage. The fragrance is coconut lemongrass... love! It's like a mini vacation in the morning. Just a few pumps on wet hair, comb through, then style as usual!

***** Value (five stars) approximately $0.22 per use
***** Effectiveness (five stars) does exactly what it promises
***** Multi-use (five stars)
***** Scent (five stars) all my clients say, 'Oh, what are you using? That smells great!'
***** Final Recommendation (five stars) great for all hair types, I use it personally every day and on every one of my clients