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!