Let's Talk About Your Split Ends

We all have them if we don’t get regular hair cuts. A misconception is that a “cut” entails taking inches off, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Read on for why split ends happen and what to do about it…

Split ends occur when the protective outer layer of the hair cuticle wears away because of external stressors such as heat from irons and blow dryers and chemicals applied when highlighting or artificially coloring the hair. Once the internal structure of the hair is exposed, it becomes weakened, dehydrated and damaged, causing split ends. It only takes 4 to 8 weeks for this to start after your last haircut.

If the hair is not cut within that 8-week period, the picture you are looking at shows what happens at the bottom of each strand of hair. And if not attended to, will continue right up the hair strand until it begins to break off. That’s why many think their hair just doesn’t grow very fast. It’s growing and the ends are breaking, all at the same time.

A time line you can follow is this: 1) Fine Hair will split in 4-6 weeks after a cut. This is easily damaged hair that has virtually no body and lays close to the head, no matter how you style it. 2) Medium textured hair will split in 5-7 weeks. This is a stronger texture of hair that styles easily and has little to no static except in certain situations. 3) Coarse textured hair will split in 6-8 weeks. This is “run off a ducks back” hair. It is resistant to styling because of the very strong cuticle that protects the inside structure. Yet, the ends (the longer they are around) is susceptible to splitting. It’s just the nature of hair. One other thing you should consider is that hair is in its most fragile state when wet! Never brush wet hair with a boars bristle brush. If you must brush, use a Wet Brush made for this and brush with the direction of the hair. Never horizontal…

Have you ever seen someone with long hair but the ends look thin and straggly, and parts of the hair is broken off? When someone tells me they are “letting their hair grow out” and don’t want a cut, I always school them on the reasons hair needs attention even during the growing out cycle. I tell them that hair grows on average 1/2 inch per month, so if they come in at 7-8 weeks and I take 1/4 inch off, they are still gaining 3/4 of an inch. I can give them at least 5 inches of new growth in one year, of full healthy hair, without it looking like a rat chewed on it!

I’ll never compromise a time line and will always be respectful of my clients desires. I’m here to guide you as you transition from short to long hair. I will say that it is very important to use products made to suit your hair type and EVERYONE needs a condition. Some not only need a deep conditioner, but a leave-in spray as well, made for those with chemically compromised hair. Others, (those with fine hair), only need a light, almost liquid condition. A detangler. And that’s it.

Let’s keep it beautiful ladies!

The Nature of Brass and How to Care For It

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HOW TO CLEAN BRASS ITEMS:

Brass is an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to gold plating. When kept polished, it almost perfectly mimics the look of real gold, and unlike plating, it won’t wear away. Brass does, however, tend to tarnish, and needs care to stay bright and shiny. There are many different natural and effective ways to take care of your brass jewelry that can eliminate any harsh effects of chemical cleaners. Often the tools needed for these remedies can be found right in your own home.

Regardless of the natural cleaning remedy you choose, always clean in the direction of the metal’s natural grain. Brass is also prone to retaining water spots, so dry immediately and thoroughly after cleaning.

WARM WATER & SOAP

This is one of the easiest methods for naturally cleaning brass jewelry. Starting off with warm water and a small amount of liquid dish soap, use your fingers or a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the surface of your item with soapy water. Once you have finished scrubbing off the grime, rinse the item thoroughly until the water runs smoothly over the surface. Be sure to dry the metal afterward.

If this approach doesn’t seem to make a difference, though, there are other natural techniques that could prove more effective.

KETCHUP & WORCESTERSHIRE (my favorite way to clean brass)

Ketchup isn’t only good for hamburgers, you know. In fact, both ketchup and Worcestershire sauce would do quite a number on the grime covering your jewelry. Use your fingers or a soft toothbrush to gently rub the sauce across the item. Once it is completely covered, let your jewelry sit for a minute. Rinse off all residue of the sauce, if the piece doesn’t look as clean as you would like it to, go ahead and try the process a second time. Once it has reached your desired cleanliness level, rinse and dry well.

LEMON JUICE

There are two different techniques involving lemons, this one focuses on the juice of the lemon. First, pour one cup of water into a container. Squeeze half a lemon and pour the lemon juice into the water. Then add and stir in a teaspoon of salt until dissolved. Place your jewelry in the mixture and keep an eye on it until it has reached cleanliness. Wash off the item and dry completely.

SALTED LEMON

This is similar to the lemon juice technique, but rather than draining the juice you will be utilizing the lemon itself. Sprinkle some salt on the open side of a lemon half (not the skin) and rub it over the brass. You may also use a soft toothbrush to further rub the lemon juice into the jewelry item. Once this has completed, wash and dry the brass thoroughly.

VINEGAR, SALT, AND FLOUR

Combine 1 teaspoon of salt into ½ cup of vinegar. Then add flour until the mixture becomes a paste-like substance. Rub into the brass and leave for around 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes are up, rinse the brass with warm water and dry thoroughly.

Using natural cleaning remedies is a cost-effective and safe alternative to harsh chemical cleansers that are available. Just be sure the jewelry item is brass and non-lacquered before continuing with any of the techniques listed above.

Fall's Hair Care Guide

Autumn brings cold, dry air that can make your hair brittle, frizzy, and hard to manage. But no need to worry, I got you! Below are seven hair care tips for fall weather that will ensure your hair remains healthy and beautiful all through the season.

1. Schedule a hot oil treatment and a hair cut. Summer repair time! You’ve had fun in the sun, now it’s time to get cozy with indoor time, where humidity is at an all time low. This means it’s time for a 15-20 minute specialized mix of ProRituals Hydrate Treatment and Dream Oil to be thoroughly applied to your hair. We’ll cap the hair to protect and advance the prescription, then grab the roller ball dryer and position you under it. Once it’s done it’s job, out you come to let the hair cool down for 5-10 minutes, rinse, then proceed with a beautiful style before sending you out for the rest of your day. BUT, before you leave, you should schedule another treatment 3 months out, and just go ahead and set these up for every quarter to maintain beautiful, year-round hair.

2. Moisturize, please. Consider a leave-in conditioner, especially if you have curly hair, or hair that has been compromised by color developers. The ProRituals Spray Treat is an excellent choice for fine hair, and ProRituals Dream Cream for thick hair. These conditioners will fill in the porosity of curly hair, and seal in natural moisture to help protect against the days we are entering.

3. Schedule a hair cut! Even if you forgo the hot oil treatment, hair needs maintenance. Especially after a summer of sun and swimming, trimming your ends is a simple step that goes a long way. Dead ends, also known as split ends, are like dead weight. If you let them be, they may compromise your hair health by latching onto healthy ends, causing frizz and tangles, and damaging other hair strands.

4. Don’t forget about your scalp. ProRituals Dream Oil is liquid gold for not only excessively dry hair, but works wonders for a dry or irritated scalp. Dream Oil replaces Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) lost during color services and helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.

5. Consider “steaming” your hair if you’ve had a LOT of fun in the sun this past summer. Apply a deep conditioner and then just add a shower cap and wrap a towel on top to achieve a similar effect of a steamer. Let sit in the hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out.

6. Did you know that by braiding your hair, you are protecting your hair? Wrapping hair all together is much like a human huddle. Each strand protects the one next to it and helps to keep the warmth of the scalp (that fuels the strands), trapped inside their weaves.

7. Stay hydrated! This is a hard one for a lot of people. Yet, not only do the cells within our body NEED the hydration, so does our skin and hair. Water helps transport nutrients the hair needs, One can always determine the health of a person by simply observing the skin, hair, and nails. 55-60% of our bodies is made up of water. Once that gets depleted things tend to go south, if you know what I mean.

7 Common Questions I Get Asked, Now Answered

There are times a client wants to ask questions about their hair, but refrain, for fear of seeming doltish. However, I think my clients know they are in a safe place and can ask whatever they want. But, I get it. With access to the internet, there isn’t much we can’t find out. Yet…if I were the customer, I would want the input of my stylist, not some stranger on the wide web that can’t possibly know how my hair is going to act in any given circumstance. Hair is hair, you say? True. To a point. Because our hairs nourishment comes from within, there may be different factors that are dictating what my hair will, and will not, do.

So…because it’s been awhile since I’ve written a blog post, I thought this would be a good read. Let’s get to it, then!

1) HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A HAIRCUT? Number 1 question! This depends largely on your hairstyle. For those wanting to maintain a fixed length and style, that is at least below chin level, every 6-8 weeks is ideal. Remember, hair grows on average, 1/2 inch per month, and for short styles the hair will form to the natural outgrowth and become limp as it grows. Long hair becomes weighted as gravity pulls at it. Also, ends can become frayed from whipping in the wind, or just from natural brushing. If you are wanting to grow your hair out, 12 weeks should be fine between appointments, as long as it is maintained with proper products and care. For my guys that maintain the classic gentleman style, I always tell them every 3-4 weeks.

2) HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY HAIR? This depends totally on your hair type and needs. If your hair tends to get oily, you may need to wash it daily. Simply because excess oil on the scalp breeds bacteria and bacteria has a way of smelling rank. If your hair is on the drier side, maybe twice a week will be fine. Listen to what your hair tells you. If you have chemically altered hair, it will need more attention than if you don’t. ALWAYS use a good conditioner for your hair type. Light weight (almost clear), for thin, fine hair. Heavy weight (looks like white cream) for chemically altered hair, or thick wiry hair. Moisture and oil are two different conditions. The needs of curly hair is different than those of straight. Shampooing only twice a week is all curly hair needs…UNLESS their is excess scalp oil. Then you must remember to condition the shaft and ends thoroughly to keep it looking its best. I always recommend a finishing product that seals the cuticle of naturally curly hair. My favorite at the moment, is ProRituals Dream Cream. You will love it, and I have it! Surprise, surprise! 😉

3) IS MY HAIR THINNING? Throughout the course of any given day, we will lose upwards of 150 hairs. If we wear our hair up for a couple of days, then take it down, it may seem like we are losing way more than is normal. That’s because it loosened from the follicle while up in the ponytail and gets released when the hair comes down. So now, it’s upwards of 300 hairs. That can seem like a LOT! But it’s totally normal. There are a few factors that can affect the natural growth and shedding phases. Changes in weather and temperature, is one factor. We tend to see more shedding during late summer, early fall. Then it will stabilize and “rest” during the colder months. When Spring hits, we’ll see a rapid growth rate. Usually. There is one main factor that over-shadows it all. That being our health. If we aren’t consistent with a well balanced diet, our hair will begin to thin and the growth will be minimal. If this describes you, consider taking a fish oil supplement, along with biotin and vitamin E. Or find a really good Collagen Peptide product to use in your morning coffee that will promote healthy skin, hair and nails.

4) WHAT COLOR SHOULD I DYE MY HAIR? In the beginning, I never recommend going darker, or lighter, than 2 shades (down or up), from your natural God given color. It’s surprising how experimental we become after that first color fix. If you can’t afford a professional stylist, please don’t trust the color you see on the box, and remember the color that your natural hair is, is part of the formula for what you are hoping to attain. If you don’t understand the color wheel, chances are you won’t know which color to use. Keep in mind that ALL natural pigment “pulls” warm, if you are wanting to lighten your hair. Chances are you will end up pretty brassy if going blonde. Best shot is to make an appointment with a trusted hair stylist and let him/her guide you.

5) HOW CAN I KEEP MY BLONDE HAIR FROM GOING BRASSY? Ha! That’s a loaded question! Soooo many factors play into this answer. A short response would be to purchase a quality purple shampoo and use it only ONCE a week. If you use it more often, your hair will probably turn purple. Bleached hair absorbs color quickly. You’ll also want to use a hair mask at least once a week, just to keep the hair with plenty of porosity fillers. It just so happens you can get everything you need from me. ProRituals line of hair care is amazingly effective at what it’s made for. I have a super hair mask and color protector, that is unmatched. In my opinion…

6) WHAT IS THE BEST STYLE FOR MY FACE SHAPE? It can be hard to decide exactly the shape of any given face structure. The trick is to separate facial features into parts of the whole. Vertically, and horizontally. Vertically, from the hairline to the cheekbone, then from the tip of the nose to the chin. Horizontally, the top, the middle, the bottom. Sometimes the hairstyles you see trending online won’t work for your face shape. That’s why it’s important to figure it out before designing a cut suited for your uniqueness.

7) HOW CAN I MAKE MY BLOWOUT LAST LONGER? Lifestyle comes into play here and just how much you’re willing to alter it. The best way to maintain a blowout is to leave it alone. Avoid sweating, That means stay inside if it’s hot and humid outside. No gymnastics. Going to the gym is out of the question, as well as doing any sort of work-outs at home. Keep your fingers out of your hair! No rubbing the scalp, keeping your follicles and hair strands as oil free as possible. When it does become oily, reach for the dry shampoo, restyle the face-framing roots at the hairline, and backcomb the crown. Sleeping on the hair is yet another trial. But doable. Do a semi-loose space bun and be careful to tuck the ends so there won’t be any crimping. If you have a flat ironed hair stye, just use a silk pillowcase, or wrap the hair in a silk scarf.

Can Limp Hair Have Volume?

This is a question I’ve been asked on numerous occasions. Statements like, “My hair just won’t ‘poof’ up, no matter what I do.” And, “Give me a haircut that will make my hair lift on the top.”

The cut does matter, actually. And it’s also true that volume is unattainable in long, one length hair when it’s left to dry naturally, with no product used. One must tell the hair what to do. If we don’t use products to create volume as our hair dries, the hair knows only what nature tells it to do. Just lay there. Spring out of the scalp and fall. That’s its only job.

Short hair is no different. We HAVE to use a volumizer, and use it correctly, if it is volume we seek.

Most of us add our volumizing products straight out of the shower, and after we’ve towel dried our hair. Want to know a little trick of the trade? Allow your hair to sit until it is about 75-80% dry, THEN add the volumizer. Oh! You have LONG hair??? You will have to towel blot REALLY well (no rubbing the hair between towel fibers), then hit the hair at the scalp (only), with a low-to-medium heat for about 1 minute. Okay! Now you are ready to apply the volumizer at the roots. That’s where the lift is needed, right?

If you have questions, add them in the comment section below. I’ve got you!