Product Review: LiLash

Normally I only post about things pertaining strictly to hair, however, I have gotten quite a few requests to post reviews about other products in the beauty world. So, starting with this post I've decided to take my blog in a slightly different direction and incorporate more from the beauty industry as a whole.

One product I have received review requests for is the eyelash growth serum I have been testing out called LiLash. LiLash is a concentrated eyelash stimulator that not only helps you grow longer, thicker lashes, but also strengthens and conditions your lashes as well. Applied as you would a liquid liner, you only need to apply once a day to the lid only (do not apply to the lower lashes). You don't want to get it on the lashes themselves, as this can cause irritation. Once you've reached your desired results, you only need to apply the serum 2-3 times a week to maintain them.

I have been using this product for a little over 3 months now and have been extremely pleased with the results. I have always had good lashes naturally, but was given this as a sample from my rep and decided to give it a try and see if I could notice a difference. Within the first 2 weeks I noticed my lashes felt stronger and softer. I was surprised to notice a difference so quickly.

By about 8 weeks I felt like I was really noticing a difference in the length and thickness of my lashes. I also noticed that I wasn't losing as many lashes at a time as I had before. I didn't feel like I needed to curl my lashes as much either, as they looked long enough with out it. My clients (who didn't know I was using it) started noticing my lashes as well and commenting on them. Now I have gotten to where I only apply about 3 times a week to maintain my lashes. I usually apply it in the morning as part of my make-up routine. Because the serum is so concentrated, you only need to use a little bit and it is absorbed in just a couple of minutes.

In the way of side effects, I haven't really had any problems. You really do only need to apply it once a day; applying it more will cause irritation. Sometimes I feel like my lids are slightly more sensitive to rubbing, so I try to be a little more gentle when removing my eye make-up. Other than that, I haven't had any other negative side effects. All in all, I have been really impressed with this product. It is definitely something I will continue using on myself and recommend to my clients. If you have been looking into trying something to enhance your lashes, I would get LiLash.

Loving Ombre!

I have been LOVING the variations of ombre I've been seeing lately. Using reds instead of browns, pulling the blonde up higher or keeping it more towards the ends. Even using louder colors such as bright pinks and purples. I like the ombre technique (darker at the roots moving to lighter at the ends) because of the soft, natural, grown out look it creates. Additionally, it is nice when it comes to maintenance for the client because they only need to get their roots colored after the initial color service for their next 2 or 3 color services until the blonde needs to be brought back up. I also think this could potentially help in maintaining the integrity of the hair because it is not constantly being bleached, but allowed to rest and rejuvinate (if you are using a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for repairing color treated hair) through your next few color services as you are only touching the new-growth with color. Definitely a color technique to try if you are bored with your current style and looking for something new.

Product Cocktails To Try: Motion.Lotion + Hair.Resort

One product cocktail that I have been liking for wavy or curly hair recently is Kevin.Murphy Motion.Lotion and Hair.Resort. I like this duo because you get the frizz control and curl enhancement of the Motion.Lotion with the added beach texture of Hair.Resort. This mixture gives you those beachy locks you want, without having to visit the beach.

Put a small amount of each (I like to start with a pea to dime size, depending on the length of the hair) into the palm of your hand and mix them together with your finger. Sometimes I like to add a little more Hair.Resort than Motion.Lotion because the Motion.Lotion can be a little heavy. After mixing the two together with your finger, rub your palms together to disperse the product evenly on both hands before scrunching the product into towel dried hair. Depending on the length and density of your hair, additional product may be required.

After scrunching in the product, you may choose to either diffuse the hair or let it air dry. When the hair is mostly dry, I like to comb through it with my fingers or a Kevin.Murphy Texture.Comb to break up the curls and create a softer look. You can polish off the look by scrunching a small amount of Easy.Rider into the ends of the hair. Scrunch in a little extra Hair.Resort for added texture.

Loving Braids

      Braids have been super popular lately, and I am loving it! They
      are a great way to pull back or put up your hair in a simple,

      classic, and creative way. I also like how they can add interest to

      a seemingly boring style. You can make them as simple or

      complex as you want, it just depends on how creative you want

      to be. Braids are great for summer as well when you want to put

      your hair up, but don't want to always be wearing a ponytail.

      Looking to add something new to your style? It may be time to

      brush up on your braiding skills and let the creative juices flow!

Kevin.Murphy Education: Class with David Bamford!

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend my first Kevin.Murphy class on styling featuring David Bamford, stylist, salon owner, and educator with Kevin.Murphy. David Bamford owns a salon in Houston, Therapy Hair Studio, which he works in 6 days a week. Additionally, he finds time to do session work and has been featured in magazines such as Vogue and InStyle. Aside from all this, he also somehow finds time to educate.

One of the things that really inspired me about David was that he was a genuine person; he wasn't there to put on a show, he was there to teach and help us become better hairstylists. He made a point to really make sure he was teaching things that we could take back and use in the salon, not something that was runway only. I really appreciated this because the whole point of me furthering my education is so I can go back into the salon and use my newfound techniques in a way that can benefit myself and my clients.

Another thing that inspired me was his passion about hair. When he's not in the salon with clients, he is somewhere else doing something involving hair. I feel like people with his passion are some of the best educators and people I learn the most from because they want to share their knowledge so others can be successful as well.

Needless to say, I left his class feeling inspired and excited to go back to the salon and incorporate what I learned. I think continuing education is not only important in helping to stay up to date on new techniques, but to rekindle your passion. Without this, I think you start to fall into your everday routine and forget to think outside the box and try something new.

I think David is an amazing hairstylist, and hope to be able to attend another event featuring him. You can also bet I will be sure to check out his salon when I'm in Houston. I love finding new people to draw inspiration from. People like him make me fall in love with my job all over again.

Vidal Sassoon: In Memory Of

This week the hair industry lost one of it's most influencial people, Vidal Sassoon. Vidal was a huge part of shaping the way the hair industry is today, and an inspiration to so many, including myself. It is amazing how one person have such a great impact. He will continue to live on in our hearts and be a constant inspiration.

From all of us in the hair world, we will miss you, Vidal Sassoon.




A Reminder To Stylists: Keep On Top Of Your Game

Something that I have been thinking a lot about lately is how important our job is as stylists to make sure we are listening to our clients and addressing their needs, as well as giving them new ideas when it comes to cut, color, or styling. The past couple of weeks I have had some clients who really drove home how much they rely on me as a stylist to share my opinion, as well as listen to what they have to say and give appropriate feedback. As I have been thinking about this, I just felt like I needed to share this with my fellow stylists out there.

Sometimes I think we forget how much trust our clients put in us to give them a style that is going to suit them, as well as suggest new styling options if they are feeling like they are stuck doing the same style every day. A new client I had recently told me, "I look to you as a stylist to tell me what new ideas you might have for my hair. If you can't tell me, then who can?" This was why she had left her past stylist, because she felt like she always gave her the same haircut and never seemed to listen when she said she wanted to try something different. I was shocked, and at the same time hoping that I had never made a client feel as though the only way they were going to get the change they wanted was in finding a new stylist. Lesson learned: when your clients ask what ideas you have for their hair, they are serious.

Another thing clients are always noticing is your sense of style. Making sure you have a style going on with your hair is important, as well as being stylishly dressed and make-up done. Again, I recently had a new client who told me that she booked with me because she liked my style and felt that I would be able to give her a cut she would like. I had another client tell me that as soon as she saw my hair and that it was in a cute style, she felt reassured that I would give her a good cut. Because we are in the fashion industry, clients are always aware of our appearance, and judging the work they think we would do based off that. Even if you are an amazing stylist, a client may be more likely to go to someone they feel is more put together because if you don't have any style yourself, why would they want to trust you with theirs?

As stylists, it is extremely important that we are always on top of our game and being sure to be aware of our clients' needs. Additionally, it is important that we our keep ourselves up to date on current trends so we are able to suggest different looks to our clients when asked. Keeping our own style up to date is also important, as clients are more aware of this than we may think. Some of the best stylists I know have a loyal clientele because they are able to meet these demands. Don't be the stylist that someone leaves for a stylist who they feel will better meet their needs!

PRODUCT REVIEW: Kevin.Murphy Fresh.Hair Powder

I have kind of become obsessed with dry shampoos and trying different ones to see which ones work the best. The newest one I have tried and have really started loving is Kevin.Murphy's Fresh.Hair Powder. Naturally, I knew I needed to write a post about it and share it with those of you who are also users of the dry shampoos or are interested in trying them.

First, I love the smell! It's a very light scent, which I like. I also like that even though it is a white hair powder, as long as I make sure to shake it really well it doesn't come out all white in my hair. Since my hair is dark, I don't want it to look like I am using dry shampoo and if the powder comes out too concentrated it does. So, I like that this one doesn't do that.

Another thing I have noticed is that this powder really lasts; I can use it two days in a row and my hair still looks great by the end of the day. The point of a dry shampoo is to extend the days you are able to go between washes and if you use it in the morning and it looks great but by the end of the day it looks as if you never even used it, that is a problem. The fact that I can use this more than one day and extend my wash that much longer is a huge plus to me.


One thing to be aware of: they recently had a batch that had a seal defect, to where once you use it and break that seal, it slowly leaks out so after a couple times of use your powder is gone. If you happen to purchase one of these, simply return it to your stylist and they should trade you for a new one (this happened to me and they replaced it with no problem). Kevin.Murphy is working to identify the batch so they can pull the defective cans off the shelf.

If you are in the market for a dry shampoo, I would suggest you give this one a try. It is $25 which is a slight investment, but still less than Bumble and bumble's $35 hair powder which I am always comparing to. The only thing I do wish was that it came in different colors. Other than that, I really have no complaints and feel that it is a great product that I will continue to use myself and suggest to my clients for their dry shampoo needs.

Brushes: My Blowdry Favorites!

When it comes to creating a great blowdry, my brushes are one of my biggest tools. Needless to say, I am very particular when it comes to which brushes I use. So, for anyone out there wondering what they need to bring their blowdry to the next level (whether you're a stylist or not) I ask, what kind of brush are you using? 

The two main brushes I use are a flat brush and a round brush, depending on the look I am going for. A flat brush is going to give a straighter, sleeker look where a round brush is going to give a fuller look with more movement. I usually don't go in with either of these brushes until I have gotten about 80 percent of the moisture out of the hair, depending on the hair type and texture.

My flat brush. I use a flat brush that has both natural boar and nylon bristles. The combination of the two create good tension on the hair which is essential in creating a beautiful, smooth blowdry. The nylon bristles also help with detangling. This is also my go-to brush when in comes to bangs. I feel like I can get the perfect amount of bend on the hair, whether I'm doing straight across or swoop bangs. Because of it's flat base, this brush is perfect for getting a sleek, straight look with minimal volume. This is especially nice for clients with lots of hair that tends to get a good amount of body on it's own without product. I also use this brush when blowdrying bobs and want to achieve that smooth, modern bob look. 

My round brush. As with my flat brush, I use a round brush that has both natural boar and nylon bristles. I use this brush when I want to give more body and movement to the hair. Because of its round shape, this brush naturally gives more lift at the roots which is good for clients who are finer and are trying to achieve a fuller, more voluminous look. Additionally, this brush gives a great bend on the ends of the hair which is perfect for giving natural movement to the hair. After I have finished round brushing a section, I like to twist it as I am releasing it from the brush, or just with my fingers, so that as the section cools it is forming into a very loose curl almost. This is a great technique to use on long layered hair.                  

I am a strong believer in that a great blowdry goes a long way. It is a rare occasion that I will pull out my flat iron to finish someone's hair because I am able to get the style I want with my brush, dryer, and product. In my eyes, a blowdry gives a much more natural looking style than any flat or curling iron will give to the hair; those tools have their place, but not to be used to replace a good blowdry. If you feel like you need that little extra something to really boost your blowdry, consider what brush you are using and maybe it is time to invest in a new one. If you are in the market for a good brush, give one of these a try. You'll see the difference, and so will your hair!

Color Ideas for the Financially Minded

There is just something about the feeling you get when you have freshly colored hair that makes you feel like you are running the town. It is also a great way to update your style in a short period of time. The problem? Coloring your hair can be a bit of an investment. For some, this may not be an issue but for those of you who are thinking of turning to the color on the shelf of your local store, let's talk about some different options you can discuss with your stylist that will help keep some money in your pocket AND great looking hair on your head.

Dimension without maintenance. Adding dimension to your hair is great for breaking up a solid color and giving a different look to your current color. Many dimensional placements are creative, and can be placed in the hair in a way that won't leave you feeling like you signed up for going to the salon more than you are wanting. Your stylist can section off a section of hair around your part and leave this as your natural or to just be touched up at the roots (if you have an existing color other than your natural). Dimensional pieces (whether light or dark) can then be added and will essentially be under the section of hair taken around your part; this section will lay over the dimension to where you will still see the dimension but won't see the regrowth. This is great because again, though the intial first service may be a little more, you will be able to go longer between color services because you won't feel like you have roots that need to be touched up.



Melting. The word melting has been going around the hair world for the past couple of years. For those of you who may not be familiar with the term, melting is a technique that gives that grown out highlight look, with the roots being darker than the ends and looking as if you haven't had your hair highlighted in at least 6 months. There are a couple advantages of this technique. One advantage is that you can (depending on the existing color of your hair) ask your stylist to choose a root color that is close in level to your natural color so as it grows out there is not a definite line. This will help you feel like you don't need to go to the salon every 8 weeks to cover your roots. Another advantage is that even though the initial first service may be a little pricier, your next two services (at least) will be less because you will only need to have your roots touched up.

The grey factor. Having grey you want covered can be hard because grey can feel very high maintenence. Well, it is! So, one way to make your life a little easier and make you feel like you can last a little longer between salon visits is to stay lighter rather than go darker. Going darker is going to make your grey regrowth stand out more. However, if you stay lighter with some nice highlights and lowlights, your grey is going to be more camouflaged as it grows back in; there won't be a stark contrast of the light grey versus the dark color. This will help you feel like your grey is less noticable and that you can go further between colorings. Additionally, you can opt to just get your roots touched up with your chosen base color every other time which will also help you save because a touch up is less than foiling.

If you love how your stylist colors your hair but are needing to see them less due to personal finances, talk with your stylist about what could work with your hair and style that can keep you in their chair but less frequently. As professional stylists, we are always happy to talk with our clients about new ideas that will work to suit their changing needs. Great looking color can always be affordable, it's just about finding the right look.

Preparing Your Hair For Summer Loving!

Summer is around the corner, and with it comes beautiful highlights and fun in the sun. So, now is the time to start preparing your hair and making sure it is in the best condition possible to be ready for its summer demands. Here are a couple of tips to get your hair on the road to recovery.

Invest in a good deep conditioning treatment. I think sometimes we forget what a difference a deep conditioning treatment once a week can make. They go in and help rejuvenate the hair shaft from the inside out. A couple I would recommend would be Kevin.Murphy's Born.Again Treatment and Masque or Bumble and bumble's Mending and Quenching Masques. Start your shower routine by washing your hair and then applying the deep conditioner. Let it sit on your hair for about 10 mins as you go through the rest of your routine. You will be sure to notice the difference, and so will your hair.

Try to cut down on flat iron use. Flat irons are very hard on the hair; two hot plates are directly touching the hair. Try getting your hair as straight as possible during the blow dry. With the right brush and product, you can get the hair very sleek and smooth. If you must go back and iron, make sure you have your flat iron set on the proper temperature for your hair type. I think people often have their flat iron set much higher than what is necessary to straighten their hair. For fine hair, you should have it set at about 180 degrees. Coarser hair should have it set somewhere around the mid 200's. Anything higher than 300 is really for ethnic hair or extremely resistant curly hair. Start your flat iron on a lower temperature and slowly raise it until you find the appropriate temperature for you hair, keeping these guidelines in mind. Having it set too hot will damage the hair and cause it to become weak and start having breakage.

Before bringing on the highlights and sun-filled activities, make sure you prepare your hair. Though these tips are great for any time of the year, they are especially important when getting your hair ready for everything summer brings for it. Start now, your hair will thank you later!

Styling Tips: Styling Curly Hair

I love curly hair! Probably since my hair is naturally straight, I always wanted naturally curly hair. Anytime I meet someone with beautiful, natural curl and they feel like their curl is more of a burden because they don't feel they are able to style it properly so they opt to straighten it, it makes me sad. Any opportunity I get to educate people on how to properly style their curly hair I take. So for all of you curly hair people out there who feel like they struggle getting good curl and style out of your hair, this post is for you.

I feel the two tools that are key in achieving your optimal amount of curl and control of your curl is the proper product and a diffuser. It is amazing what a little a product and a diffuser can do to enhance your curly style, as well as make you feel like you are in control of your curls rather than feeling like they are in control of you. So, let's talk product!

In my experience, most people who are scared of their hair tell me how when they were growing up their hair was so frizzy and out of control. My response: now there is product for that! It is amazing the product they have out there for curly hair. One of my favorites is Bumble and bumble's Defining Creme. This product is great for getting the most curl out of your hair. It has enzymes in it that makes your hair want to curl more, similar to what they put in mascaras that make your lashes curl. Another great product is Kevin Murphy's Motion.Lotion, which is similar to Bumble's curl creme. These products also help to eliminate frizz.

Apply your curl creme (talk to your stylist about which one they think may be right for you, or research the two I mentioned above) to damp hair. If you are in a hurry, scrunch it in a little and you can be on your way. Or, if you have a little time pull out your diffuser. Diffusers are great for getting a little more curl out of your hair. The curls wrap themselves around the prongs on the diffuser and dry into place. Place the diffuser into your curls and let it sit for a minute. I like to set my dryer's heat setting to cool so you don't burn your scalp while you are letting the diffuser sit in your hair. Remove the diffuser from that section of hair and place it in another.

Continue this, moving around your head. For more body, you can flip your head over when you are diffusing the top. This will dry your hair away from where it usually lives and give you more lift and body on top. For more defined curls, you can take sections of hair and twist them around your finger into more defined pieces prior to diffusing. Try not to touch your hair too much while you are drying it. Touching curly hair too much while it is drying will add more frizz.

After you have gotten your hair to your desired dryness, apply a finishing product. One of my favorites is a little  of Bumble and bumble's Styling Wax. Take a small amount, rub it into your hands, and scrunch it into the ends of your hair. Another great one is Bumble's Brilliantine. This will just help add some polish and shine to your curls.

Embrace your curls! Take some time to play around and practice styling them. If you need to, set up a wash and blowdry appointment with your stylist and ask them to walk you through the different steps of styling. I believe with the right tools and knowledge of how to properly use those tools, every curly haired person can love the hair they wear.

 

 

LOVE KEVIN.MURPHY

Curious to know more about Australian product line Kevin.Murphy I blogged a product review about? Check out their blog:   
LOVE KEVIN MURPHY - Official Blog of Kevin Murphy International

or Facebook page:
Love Kevin Murphy

Although I am still an avid Bumble and bumble lover, I feel that Kevin.Murphy is a comparable line. I am really excited to be learning and working with this product line. So far I have really liked all the products I have tried; the more I use them the more I like them. Stay tuned for more product reviews on this line as I continue to get my hands on and use the different Kevin.Murphy products.

Dimensionalizing Dark Hair

Feeling bored with your dark hair? Want to do something different, but don't want to lighten it? Adding darker dimensional pieces is a great way to change up your look without adding maintenance. Whether you are naturally dark, or artificial, this technique can be exactly what you need to make you feel like you have a whole new style.

When talking to your stylist about adding dimension, you can decide whether you want to add one or two different colors, as well as what levels and tones you want those colors to be. For example, I would recommend adding a color that is at least two levels darker than your current hair color. In order to ensure you can tell that you colored your hair, it is essential there is enough of a level difference between your existing color and the color you are adding. You can also add a color that is between your current color and darkest dimensional color but has different total qualities, such as something that has more of a red or gold tone to it.

Placement is also something you may want to talk with your stylist about. See what ideas they have about how you may want to place the colors in the hair to best compliment your current style. You can also find pictures before your appointment as examples of elements you like and would hope to be able to achieve as an end result. Remember, though, that pictures are just referrences and visuals to help you and your stylist be on the same page as to the direction you are wanting to go with your hair. Don't come with the expectation that you will be leaving looking exactly like a particular picture. Coming with this expectation may be setting yourself up for disappointment since there are many factors that could come in to play such as hair type, texture, current color, etc. which may need to be addressed when deciding on your final style. 

Don't think that dark hair has to be one boring color. Dark hair can be fun and eye-catching, too. Next time you are feeling you need a little change but don't want to cut, think color!

REVIEW: Kevin Murphy Angel.Wash and Rinse

I recently changed salons, and have started using the Kevin.Murphy product line. I had heard of the line before, but didn't know much about it. I knew if I was going to start using it on clients I was going to have to learn about it, and fast. So, I got on the Kevin.Murphy website and did some serious product studying and tutorial watching.

Now that I have been using the product for a few weeks, I feel I can give a good review about one pair of products that is becoming one of my favorites for those of you out there with fine locks: Angel.Wash and Angel.Rinse. This shampoo and conditioner is specifically for the fine haired, whether you color it or prefer to keep it natural. They are also good for those of you who have fragile or damaged hair due to chemical processes (yes, you blondes out there, this is for you!).

The Angel.Wash is a gentle, volumizing cleanser. It is safe for use on colored hair, and actually helps with color retention. Milk protiens in this wash help calm frizzy hair that has suffered from long term exposer to chemical processes. The Angel.Rinse is a light-weight, volumizing conditioner. It adds moisture to your dry, tired ends, as well as helps repair your fragile hair.

One client in particular I had this week who I could tell benefited from this has long, fine hair that has been dark, to light, and now is dark again. As a result, her hair is fragile and tangles easily. After using this, her hair was much easier to brush through. Additionally, I could feel that her dry, damaged ends were noticeably softer and not quite as angry.

Any of you fine haired ladies out there who are wanting body, but also something that will keep your hair feeling soft and moisturized, this is for you! As a stylist, I have used different volumizing shampoos and conditioners and this is definitely one of my favorites. And again, for any of you who love to color and can tell your hair is starting to show the results, this is great for you as well to help mend and repair the bonds to help get your hair back to a healthier state. The next time you are in need of your washing products, give these a try!

People Who Inspire Me: Ramon Ayala

There are many people who inspire me, but probably the most surprising would be Ramon Ayala, aka Daddy Yankee. So, how could a reggaeton singer possibly inspire someone in the hair industry? Well, it has nothing to do with his hair, although I will say he does have a great style.  

Let's rewind a little to my college days, before I even went to hair school. I enrolled in a semester of Spanish, which I didn't really see coming because I had never had the desire to learn Spanish. But, I needed it for my degree and I told myself it would be a good thing to know in the long run. Oddly enough, something changed and I really became excited about learning Spanish.

After I moved home to go to hairschool, one of my friends introduced me to an artist from the world of reggaeton. Instantly I became hooked, and I asked him about more artists.  He told me I might like a guy named Daddy Yankee. I YouTubed him and at first wasn't that impressed, but on a second listen I fell in love with his music. The beat was addicting and even though I barely knew what he was saying, the music really spoke to me. The more I listened, the more I picked up on. One thing in particular was a phrase he sang at the end of a number of his songs, "El cielo es el limite" - "The sky is the limit". As I have begun to grow my career, this phrase has stuck with me.

Daddy Yankee built himself up from the bottom and now has a music career, owns his own record label, has his own non-profit organization to give back to his community, and is continuing to build and add to his empire. But it wasn't easy for him. He started at the bottom and has worked to the top. The sky is the limit for him; anything he wants to achieve he finds a way of doing so. He is an example to his fans of achieving your dreams. He is an example to me of not giving up, seeing what I want to achieve and finding a way of making it happen.

Everytime I feel stuck, frustrated, or that where I want to go with my career (or my life) seems impossible, I think to myself "El cielo es el limite". I have adopted Daddy Yankee's motto, if you will, as my own. I have realized that I can accomplish what I want to if I go for it and find a way of making it happen. Thank you Ramon Ayala, Daddy Yankee, for inspiring me to push myself to make it to the top of wherever I am wanting to be.

Professional Products at Walmart Prices..... What's the Catch?

You are walking down the shampoo aisle of your local Walmart, Target, etc. and you see professional products for sale, such as Bumble and Bumble, Matrix, Tigi, and more. You think, "Perfect, I can get professional quality shampoo and conditioner for less than what I would pay for it at my salon." What you really should be thinking is, "Salon quality product at Walmart? What's the catch?"

Everytime I see these products in stores like this, it makes me so angry. I always want to make a little sign that says "Don't buy these products!" Why? Because I don't think they should be allowed to sell these products to people under the pretense that they are the same as what you would buy at the salon. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!

When you buy these products from your salon, they are quality guaranteed by the company. Additionally, they are picked specifically for you by your stylist to meet your unique hair needs. This is not the case when they are sold in stores. The quality of the product is not guaranteed by the company. In truth, most of these products are expired; they have been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long. Some have actually been watered down, so the performance of the product has been compromised. Others may be counterfeit. However, they are still being sold at close to salon prices in many cases. Some of these products have also been discontinued, again going back to the fact that have been sitting on a shelf somewhere for a long period of time.

If you are truly wanting the benefits of professional products, do not buy them from anywhere but a salon or directly from the company website. This is the only way to ensure you are getting the real product and that it's quality and performance are guaranteed. Also, support your stylist by purchasing product from them. They know your hair, so trust they know which products would be best for you.

Got Gloss?

Today's color class at the salon was on glossing, which we brought in models for. As we were going through class, it got me thinking about the benefits of glossing and why more clients would enjoy getting this service. So, let's talk gloss!

A gloss is used to refresh color that has faded, which is great for keeping your color looking fresh between color services. Additionally, it adds shine and conditions your hair to help it look and feel healthier, sealing the outside layer of the hair to give life back to your tired ends. A gloss can also just be clear, so no color is being deposited but you are still getting the same conditioning benefits.

Another great thing about a gloss is that it is only about an hour service, including the blowdry. Done at the shampoo bowl, a gloss only sits on the hair for 20 minutes; you could think of it as an express color service. This is great because you don't always have 2 to 2 and a half hours to spend at the salon, but you feel like you need something to boost your look.

Want shiny, soft, healthier looking hair? Need to bring your faded color back to life? Ask your stylist about getting a gloss and see why this service is for you!

Blowdry Tips: Blowdrying Bangs

Bangs are a great way to change your look without doing anything too dramatic. However, sometimes they can be a little tricky to style on your own. One question I get alot from clients with bangs is, "How do you get my bangs to look so good? I can never get them to look the same as when you do them". Here are a few tricks when it comes to blowdrying your bangs.

• Make sure you blowdry your bangs first. Bangs always dry the fastest, so to ensure you get the best finish on them be sure to dry them before they dry how they naturally live and become difficult to style.
• Start by blowdrying with a vent brush, using low heat to ensure you don't dry your bangs before you have them how you want them. Brush your bangs to one side, then to the other (if you have straight bangs, brush them straight down as well between brushing to each side). By blowdrying your bangs across in each direction, it helps to neutralize cowlicks around your hairline. If you have a really prominent cowlick, use a comb with tight teeth rather than a vent brush to get more tension on the hair and help to better smooth it out.
• After you have removed most of the moisture, set dryer to a higher heat and change your brush to one that has nature boar bristles. A brush with natural bristles puts more tension on the hair to help get it nice and smooth. If you need to, part your bangs into two or three sections to make them easier to work with, smoothing one section at a time.
• With sweeping bangs, blowdry them on the opposite side of where you part. Blowdrying a sweeping bang on the opposite side and then brushing it across to where you usually wear it gives a nicer, more natural sweep. Straight bangs can be dried forward.
• You can use a flat brush to make your bangs lay straighter, sleeker, and closer to your forehead; use a round brush to add a little lift and put more of a bend on the ends. It all depends on the look you are trying to achieve.
• After you have finished drying your bangs, you can move to the sides and then the back. 

Be the boss of your bangs! With these tricks in your bag, you will be sure to get great looking bangs everytime.

Little Products You Can't Live Without: Tonic Lotion

One of my absolute favorite products is Tonic Lotion. It is one of those all around great products to have in your product drawer because of it's range of benefits. Tonic is one of Bumble and bumble's foundation products, the first step in your product regimen.  

A light leave in conditioner, Tonic is great for lubricating the hair to help with detangling, while also adding moisture back into your hair (this is especially important for those of us who live in drier climates, such as in the state of Utah). Additionally, it's Tea Tree Oil is great for keeping your scalp healthy.

Another great feature of Tonic Lotion is that it acts as a primer for your hair, similar to how you would use an eyeshadow or foundation primer to enhance the performance of your face makeup. Tonic is your hair primer, to prepare the hair for any additional products you are going to put in it, as well as to enhance the performance of those products.

Tonic can also be used to reactivate any products you have in your hair. Need to freshen up your look for a night out? Or, in a hurry in the morning and don't have time to start your look from scratch? You can mist some Tonic on your hair, dry it a little, and you're good to go! As a hairstylist, if there is one product that I recommend for my clients, Tonic Lotion is it. Little product, big benefits. 

REVIEW: Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo

For awhile now, I have been seeing commercials for Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo being advertised as being just as good as salon brand dry shampoos. Now before I begin, I should start by saying I am an avid Bumble and bumble fan, which is one reason I like working at Shep Studio because that is the product line we carry. My addiction first started at the age of 14 and slowly grew to where now it is the only brand of product I use. So, naturally, I use Bumble's colored dry shampoo. However, after seeing all these commercials for Suave's dry shampoo being advertised as salon quality I new I had to try it, even though I personally believe Suave is one of the worst brands of hair product out there.

For weeks when I went to Walmart (I won't go into my opinions about that place), they were completely out. I thought to myself, well, this stuff must work well enough if they can't keep it on the shelves. Finally, the other night when I went to look they had it in, and I purchased my own bottle to take home and see for myself just how good it was. To my surprise, it actually works pretty well for being Suave and only $2.97. I definitely love the smell: citrus - grapefruit maybe? You have to make sure to shake the can really well and definitely hold it 10, if not 12 inches away from your roots. If you spray it too close it comes out too much and all white on your hair. However, I did notice that I was able to make it through the next day without my hair looking greasy at all, and it did give some bounce back to my hair as well. The only thing I noticed that was kind of a con was with my dark brown hair, I could still see some of the tiny clay particles they use to absorb the oil in my hair. So, maybe due to the light color of this dry shampoo (I usually use brown) it is more ideal for people with lighter levels of hair where this wouldn't be as noticable.

Although I love my $35 Bumble brown dry shampoo, this is a great option for someone who just needs something inexpensive to get them to their next wash day and provide good results. Tresseme also has a dry shampoo, which I believe at Walmart is $4.94 or close to that, and is next on my list of inexpensive brand dry shampoos to buy and review. For now, if you're looking to make it a little longer to your next shampoo but can't afford the salon stuff, Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo is a good option.

Graduated Bob Class

Every Thursday at the salon we have class. The first two weeks of the month we bring in models, one week for color, the next for cut. Today our models were for graduated bobs. I love cutting bobs! And my amazing model Marissa had a great head of hair to practice on. We took her heavy, one-length bob  and turned it into a beautifully graduated shape. This was great for her because she has crazy thick hair and her current bob just wasn't cutting it. There is no better feeling than giving someone a look that makes them look and feel great.

The best part about class is the one on one help to guide and direct me into becoming a better stylist. The key to a great stylist is education, education, practice, and more education. If you want a great haircut or color, the best person to give you that is someone who is continually moving forward to better themselves. I am grateful for a boss who is pro continued education, because I definitely wouldn't have grown as much as I have without that.

New Blogger Alert!

I am exposing myself to the world of blogging. I have always kind of been interested, but never made the effort to start a blog. However, I figure now is as good a time as ever to start. Any tips or tricks will be appreciated! As my profession is in the beauty industry, hair styling more specifically, I felt like I wanted my blog to revolve mostly about that as to keep people up to date on the latest trends, as well as what I do in the salon. I am super excited to start this new adventure of blogging. Hopefully you can call bear with me as I learn the ropes!