The Flakey Truth

A friend asked me a question today about having a flakey scalp.  How to get rid of it with a drug store remedy.  I am a professional hairstylist and I dont usually recommend drug store products but I do tell the truth.  I have had this problem; all of a sudden I notice I have white flakes in my hair.  What did I use to fix this problem?  Head and Shoulders.  I was using it for about two weeks when I noticed that I did not have anymore white flakes.  I continued to use it for about four weeks after that to insure that my dry scalp did not return.  Please remember that having flakes in your hair(dry scalp) and dandruff are two different things.  I found a  great article that will help you to identify which you may have, to check it out please go to http://voices.yahoo.com/dandruff-vs-dry-scalp-recognize-heal-both-1778597.html 
Head and shoulders can't cure everything but I recommend it for seasonal dry scalp.  Its worth a shot.

Roots need a lift?

Have long heavy hair? Roots boosters still not doing the trick?  Try Unite's Expanda Dust.  You can tap in this translucent powder and do a little squeeze for a dusting.  I love this product.  It works really well for those who have long and/or heavy hair that just can't get a lift.  Since the powder is translucent it will work for any hair color even dark hair without leaving a grey looking residue.  Unlike other volumizers you will apply this product dry after you have styled you hair and volume can be increased throughout the day with a little boost from your fingers.  Use your finger tips and lightly rub the area where you have applied Expanda Dust, this will help you revive and lift up tired roots. This product does have a light hold which works out great for keeping long lasting volume, but will not leave hair feeling hard and inflexable. This product has helped my long heavy hair reach new heights.

Check it out at 

    http://www.uniteeurotherapy.com/product-knowledge/finish/expanda-dust

washing everday

Same old thing everyday wash, blow dry, style, and at the end of the day greasy roots.  Washing everyday can dry out your hair and depending on what kind of shampoo you are using it can strip your color.  So what are you suppose to do with greasy roots?  Try 7 SECONDS DRY by UNITE.  A great way to save time and look as if your hair is fresh. Some dry shampoo's leave dark hair looking gray or as if it has some sort of film on it.  Not this one I have tried it and blends right in; its good for every hair color. With this product you won't have to use water or do any sort of drying, and it gives you volume.  It's a time saving miracle in a bottle.  For a tutorial on how to use this product follow the Unite link below and enjoy.

http://www.uniteeurotherapy.com/product-knowledge/cleanse/7seconds

Wedding hair

  So you big day is near and you are going back and forth on hair designs.  Should you do half up and half down, all up, all down, or to the side?  It's exhausting... Just remember you will be wearing you dress all night, you are in heels, so the last thing you need is a hair style that is stiff and heavy to carry around.  Natural is in take Kate Middleton for examplea,  she wears her  hair down most of the time so on her wedding day she wore it down some curls.  You can also spice up your look with nice pins or a facinator.   If you where it up a lot do something simple and lose.  The most important thing is to be comfortable and not comform to what other people think a bride should look like.  Good Luck on the big day =)

trying to grow out your hair?

For everyone trying to grow out your hair here are a couple things you can do to help the process.
As crazy as it may sound get your ends trimmed every 8-9 weeks.  If you let the ends go for to long they will split and that can cause breakage pretty high up on the hair.  Whats the point in having long flowing locks if they look dry and crunchy?  Next, deep condition once a week.  Keeping your hair moisturized will allow you to grow out long healthy hair, as well as repairing any damage that has been done from hot tools, coloring, and the elements.  Last but not least DO NOT over process your hair. Make sure you are not stretching the limits of your hair to far.  To make sure you aren't doing to much coloring and lightening seek the help of a professional.  These easy steps will help you grow your hair out to your hearts desire.

Need some shine for dull hair?

Need some shine and reflection for dull hair?  Try Shina mist from Unite.  Unlike serums which can weigh you down and can be easily over used, Shina Mist is a spray.  This works well with any hair type and heat can applied after using it.  Its simple to use just hold 6 inches from the hair and spray.  After spraying I like to use the can and lightly run it along the hair, and then I'm done.  I must admit the downside is that it is easy to get carried away with this mist so be sure to spray just a little at a time. Usually getting carried away results in a huge cloud of mist that will cause you to cough.  The plus side; no oily hands, greasy or flat hair,  just "weightless shine."(UNITE.COM)

Looking for a new stylist?

So you are on the hunt for the perfect stylist but don't where to begin to find the one that fits you.  First I would look around you; is there anyone you see and say wow their hair looks incredible?  If you do see someone don't be afraid to ask who does their hair.  If you are searching online you want to search in the area you are in and look for stylist that specializes in your hair type.  Also keep in mind the price point you want to be around before committing to an appointment.  A good way to find out if a stylist will work for you is to go in and get a blow out.   Yes this does cost you some money, but can save you  from regret.  This will give you the chance to see how the stylist operates, if they have confidence in what they are doing and if your personalities match.  Some things you want to observe are if they ask you questions before you start such as: how do you like to wear your hair, what are some problem areas for you,  when was the last cut, what kind of daily matience do you do, things of that nature.  Other things you want to look for are if their tools and work area are clean, and you can ask if they have pictures of their work.  Keep these thing in mind while searching for your new stylist, GOOD LUCK!

To much heat?

Summer is almost here and the weather is warming up.  So after you get out of the shower the last thing you want to is blast more heat with a blow dryer. So now you are down to washing, air drying, and your hair is looking a little flat and limp. What are you suppose to do with your hair?   A couple style options are a nice low side braid, or side bun(easily achieved with a spin pin from goody, can find at target.)  For ways you can wear your hair down without breaking out any hot tools,  shower in the evening, towel dry and then loosely braid.  Wake up in the morning take the braid out and say" hello" to your wavy hair.  A little back combing in the crown and you are out the door. Another option is to simply pin back the front of the hair to the side with a bobby pin that has a little embellishment.  The biggest trick is to practice with your hair and don't over think it.  

Cornflower Pins designed by: http://www.etsy.com/people/BINAGEYER?ref=ls_profile

Where my Deva's At?

Ok CURLY GIRLS this one is all for you.  I had the pleasure of attending a three day Curl architecture course in New York at Devachan Salon.  Their techniques were awesome , their products blew me away.  I have tried many curly hair products that gave my clients good results for only a couple hours before their hair grew puffy and frizzy.  With the combination of three products and easy to do techniques you can have your curls day after day without them getting out of control.  All there products are free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones.  The three products you should start with are No-poo(shampoo), One condition, and Angel(styler).  There are techniques to using these products so I suggest going on the Deva website and findng a salon that has a certified Deva stylist to show you how to properly use the products. www.devaconcepts.com (there site may be down temporarily due to updates)

Help Someone by Donating Your Hair

Donating hair is a great way to help someone and to feel lighter this summer.  There are rules and guidelines(it is important that you read them), below I have provided two different companies that you can donate to.  Please be assured your hair is not sold it is made into hair pieces that can help adults and children that do not have hair.  So if you are thinking of cutting off a good amount of hair please look at these websites and see if donating would be something you are interested in.


 Locks of love

234 Southern Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 33405 561-833-7332 561-833-7962 (fax) http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html 10 inches measured tip to tip is the minimum length needed for a hairpiece. Pantene Pantene Beautiful Lengths Attn: 192-123 20770 Westwood Dr Strongsville, OH 44149 http://www.pantene.com/en-us/beautiful-lengths-cause/pages/default.aspx Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long

Need a Boost?

You wake up, do your usual routine and by the time you walk out the door your hair has fallen flat.  So you try your root booster and notice where you sprayed it is hard and that other than that the rest of your hair is limp. Try Boosta from Unite.  You spray it in wet and you can concentrate on the roots but its great to spray all over.  It helps lift all over so you can achieve a look that doesn't leave your ends limp while your roots are at attention.  Another great thing is that it doesn't get rock hard and you wont flake.  I use this on myself about 3 times a week, depending on the hairstyle, and on most all of my clients.  So if you need a morning boost this is the product for you.  You can learn more about it at www.uniteeurotherapy.com/product-knowledge/style/boosta-spray

Where does your hair come from?

For all my extention lovers, this from Great Lengths USA says it all.
DID YOU KNOW? If ethical and traceable hair sourcing is important to you, you'll be glad to know that Great Lengths is the only extension company that guarantees it. • Every strand has been donated willingly and with full consent of the donor • The donor has been treated with respect and care • A fair and reasonable price is agreed for the hair and the money used to procure the hair is used solely for charitable endeavors, not for personal or individual profit • A company representative procures the hair to cut out unreliable middlemen and ensure full and direct knowledge of the origin of the hair • Exclusive in-house production process is used from procurement of the hair to wholesale selling the extension to ensure full traceability

By: Great Lengths USA

Straight Up or With a Twist?

With warm weather becoming more regular it's time to pull the hair away from from our faces.  Try a casual pony tail with just a little volume at the crown.  You can achieve this by doing a little back combing at the crown.  When back combing make sure you are only combing down so when you are ready to comb it out you can just go upwards with no tangles,then just pull up into a casual pony tail.  For little extra flare curl the ends with a big barrel iron.  If you want something different then a pony tail but still casual, try a loose bun.  If you have straight hair loosely curl it first (makes it way easier) back comb for a little volume twist and pin.  To cut down on bobby pins try using Goody brand spin pin.  You can get it at any Target, it holds the hair in place, and it's easy to use on any hair type.  It comes with simple instructions with visual images to show you how to correctly use the spin pin.  So try a couple new looks, a new styling tool, and head out into the sun.

A Royal Affair

The newly titled Princess Catherine has one of the most requested hair cuts in the United States.  Her long length and long layers are accompanied by long swooping fringe.  This cut can work on any face shape with a variation on length. If you have a longer slim face this cut will still work for you just shorten the length up just a bit.  Other than that,  Princess Catherine's cut can work for anyone.  So if you are feeling like your hair is just "blah" try some long layers and long swooping fringe.

Butter London Nail Polish

I know that I mainly talk about hair but I wanted to introduce one of my favorite brands of nail polish "Butter London." I love the colors they have that range from the black to white, and everything in between.  It is a high fashion coloured  line and they also have lotions, and nail treatments. They dry fast and shiny and most importantly they are 3 free. 3 free means they are free of formaldehyde(which is a human carcinogen), Toluene, DBP or Parabens. I havent found this polish at many places a few select salons(you can search locations on their website) and some Ulta's, you can order them online and they will not disappoint. With names like tea with the queen, the full monty, tramp stamp, and scoundrel, what's not to love?

* visit them at:    http://www.butterlondon.com/

Want More Hair?

Rene Furterer  RF80 treatment is an amazing product.  Their company believes that "Beautiful hair grows from a healthy scalp like a plant in fertile soil."(rene furterer)   I have seen first hand how RF80 works and it does work. It helps hair growth and improve the strength of already exsisting hair. Perfect for the person with thinng due to medication, stress, or even pregnancy.   This product has essential oils, plant extracts, and other nutrients to battle hair loss.  You only have to use it once a week for three months, and it is sulfate, silicone, paraben, and sodium chloride free.  To learn more about it and other products go to  http://www.en.renefurterer.com/

Beach Waves

Beach waves are a natural look that is very trendy this year.  But if you are having problems achieving them try this.  Instead of using your curly iron traditionally just wrap your hair around it. Make sure your forearm is resting on the top of your head and the iron pointing down.  With the other hand wrap the section around your iron. The section of hair you take will start twist which is perfect for creating and nice natural beach wave.  For all of my very straight hair girls who's hair cant hold a curl, try and enzo milano iron.  It's red heat helps keep curls long lasting.  I know this because my hair is stick straight and when I enzo they last for two days. Finish with a nice light serum Like Marrakesh oil to tame the fly aways, add some shine, while having a weightless look.

Healthy Hair

With all the heat tools, days at the beach, and lack of conditioning this summer our hair is bound to take a beating.  So give your hair a head start and start deep conditioning once a week. Deep conditioning treatments are a great and easy way to keep your hair healthy which will help your color last longer, hair look shiny, and keep your hair manageable.  I suggest using UNITE Smoothing Repair.  It is color safe, sodium chloride free, sulfate free, paraben free, certified vegan, gluten free, and 100% weightless.  It will repair the hair and reduce breakage up to 80%.  As with all products follow the directions, over processing is not always a good thing.