Great products!

In my line of work I need conditioners that meets the needs of a wide varity of clients. Really coarse dry or wiry hair needs special attention. Smooth Down by Redken is excellent, a little goes a long way in taming those tresses. It contains macadamia oil, candelilla wax, and cationic refiners and aides in replenishing oils. It provides long lasting smoothness and resists humidity. Next time your hair is Wilding out, Tame it with Smooth Down by Redken.

Also by Redken I love the All Soft line it is perfect for dry brittle hair. Infused with Avacado oil and the wonderful illuminationg silk-luxe complex. Hair is eveloped in softness and the body is incredible.

Mizani has a wonderful new relaxer system called Butter Blend. It contains cocoa butter, honey and shea butter for maximum conditioning and protection. There are 6 steps in the process: base, protect, relax, condition, neutralize, and condition again. Believe me you will love how your hair feels. Say goodbye to harsh relaxers and the dried out hair that goes with them. Say hello to Butter Blend, you won't regret it.

Should I wrap my hair at night?

Absolutely! It is absolutely imperative to implement this practice to keep breakage and tearing to a minimum. Hair is very fragile and constant tossing and turning on your pillow can cause damage.

Much like the issue that babies have when rubbing their little heads back and forth on their sheets or car seat. Baldness can occur. Have you ever noticed a woman with a neat silky ponytail only to see frayed edges around the hairline? Sleeping without a scarf is most likely the culprite.

I would suggest that you use a silk or satin scarf/cap instead of cotton. A cotton scarf/cap tends to be too harsh and will rob hair of vital moisture and natural oils produced naturally by your own follicle.

Also if you have a convertable or ride a motorcycle I would suggest concealing your hair in a scarf or cap as the wind is an enemy to healthy ends.

Live well.....

Regular trims are necessary!

Remember ladies, trims are paramount to healthy attractive hair!

There is nothing worse than seeing a woman with shiny, silky, lovely locks. Only to look at the entire hair shaft and see rough tangled split ends!

There is nothing attractive about dead ends, and there is nothing, no product, no miracle cure that will heal them. All one can do is remove the threat by having the ends trimmed away.

I recommend doing so every 6 to 8 weeks. The average amount of hair growth per month is a half of an inch. So in 6 or 8 weeks you should have approximately 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch of new growth every trim cycle. If you regularly trim your ends you will need to only clip close to 1/4 of an inch thus giving you approximately 3/4 to and 1/2 inch of new hair!

Doesn't sound like much? Well over a period of time it will add up. Better to do it in bi-monthly intervals rather than all at one time. This can make you feel cheated and change your look drastically.

Split ends make it impossible for hair to hold a curl. It is also impossible to look neat and well groomed with your hair sticking out like a whisk broom.

Find a stylist that has your best interest at heart, someone that listens to you. Someone that you can have complete confidence in and put your hair and trust in his/her hands.

Happy trimmings and here's to your hair!

Live well....

Permanent Haircolor vs. Semi Permanent Haircolor

Permanent Color color can be tricky. Be it a first time color, color correction or a change be it lighter or darker. It can be disastrous without the proper knowledge. Hair can become green, orange, mousy, too dark or too light.

The trick is knowing what to use and when. What cancels out what and what can add to your color to enhance what you already love.

Ladies I know that some of you are not fans of the salon and prefer to do it yourself, but color can be like opening Pandora's box. You can open it but you never know what you'll get. Or to what degree.

I have had women come to me after trying to color their own hair with a variety of issues. Some have lightened their hair to the degree of being nearly translucent. Some have had their hair melt off in spots. Some have stripes like a glowing orange rainbow. Everyone has seen the three rings of color: lighter at the roots, darker in the center of the hair shaft and drab on the ends. All are consequenses of improper color application. Believe it or not I have even seen someone come in after trying to apply black hair color only to have it turn out blotchy. How is this possible? Black should be the easiest color to apply. Not true, especially if you do it yourself. It is impossible to see the back of your head. How can you distribute the color evenly over the hair shaft if you can't see it?

Sure having color done in the salon can be expensive but it can be more expensive if a stylist has to correct whatever is wrong. After you have achieved the color that you want remember to continue with your stylist, keep up with your treatments in order to keep your hair strong, healthy and with that natural shine, oil moisturizing treatments are a must.

Always use shampoo and conditioner designed to preserve your color. Face the world with beautiful strong hair, not the dull, lifeless boring hair that do it yourself types display.

PS: Don't forget to keep up with your trims, nothing is worse that silky beautiful hair with bushy dead ends. Believe me everyone notices.

Semi-Permanent Color

Most everyone loves hair color. It can be an extension of our personalities, enhance our beauty or just warm our skin. Hair color and also fill holes in the hair shaft making hair appear fuller and in better condition.

One thing about semi-permanent color is it only last for up to 12 shampoos. Sometimes the color can be prolonged if using color enhancing shampoos. I suggest that you always use shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair, they provide the properties needed to give your color longevity.

Color can be vibrant, subtle, or rich. If you love the color that you already have most color companies also offer clear semi-perm color. It can be used to water down (so to speak) a color that is too intense or just add shine to your own natural color as well as condition.

Semi-perm color is great for chemically treated hair as well as natural hair. I don't usually suggest that anyone do they're own color, but semi-perm color is safe and easy to use. If doing your own color, I suggest that if you have product buildup that you use a clarifying shampoo to clean the hair shaft of mineral, calcium or product buildup. Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes after working it through your hair. Rinse, towel dry well and apply color, using heat will help the color penetrate the hair shaft. Natural as well as chemically treated hair especially if long may have porous ends. To even out color use a porosity controlling spray to even out porosity or use a creme conditioner that will even out porosity before applying color.

If in doubt contact a color professional, he/she will know what to do to give you the results that you want

Live well...

To weave or not to weave? That is the question!

Hair weaving has been around for decades, but never before in it's history has it been so popular or natural looking. Women are now weaving rather than buying and wearing wigs.

Weaving is not just used for length but many women are having their hair weaved for style alone. Women with naturally long hair are opting for shorter weaves rather than cutting their own hair. Or weaving in a certain color rather than committing to that color by dying their own natural hair. If you have naturally curly hair and want silky straight hair (or vice versa) it's yours for the taking.

Some women despise looking the same month after month and Bobs are a hit now, and knowing that tomorrow you can sport a funky bob like Rhianna or go for a more classic sleek bob like that of Mary J. Blige is very appealing to some of us. Be asymmetrical today and disconnected tomorrow, blond, brunette or redhead. Long flowing locks, extreme curls, the choice is yours, have a ball it's all do-able!

There are various techniques available to the consumer. Different types of weaves are braided foundations (perfect for full weaves) with or without net, bonding, fusion, lacing or clip on. Also there are lace front systems for more styling versatility. This system can be parted, combed back or worn with full bangs, side swept bangs etc. The hair can be pulled back into a neat ponytail or even twisted back and look very natural. This technique is very popular with celebrities and can be very pricey but totally worth it if you can afford it. Especially for those that prefer a natural fall and and look. System shapes and sizes vary, some are for the front or back hairline, some cover certain parts of the head and can be customized for a particular client. Therefore fitting the needs of any and everyone imaginable.

Lacefronts can be a God send for women and men with Alopecia Areata or hair loss due to Chemotherapy. They are less cumbersome than wigs and offer movement and better shape than wigs.

Remember do your homework, ask around try not to go for stylists that charge a ridiculously cheap rate. Chances are you'll regret it in the end. A professional will know how to cut and style the hair thus giving you a more natural look.

Also be sure that your stylist takes the time to make sure that you are comfortable and that there is no pulling or tearing of your natural hair. Make sure that braids are not too tight which can cause your own hair to be uprooted, which in some cases can be permanent. Wear a weave because you want to, not because you need too. I have seen this happen again and again, if you feel pain do not be afraid to speak up. A good stylist will understand and want you to be comfortable.

Live well....