Archive for December, 2007
Knightsbridge, London, United Kingdom – British Hairdresser of the Year nominee, Errol Douglas, has been named ‘Stylist of the Year’ at the Black Beauty/Wahl Hair Awards on December 3, 2007. Douglas is known for his stunning photographic work and has won several of the world’s most coveted awards: Nominee for British Hairdresser of the Year (11 times nominated, winner in the Afro category twice) and the AIPP Grand Trophy winner; as well as awards from the Fellowship for British Hairdressing (Hairdresser of the Year), Fellowship Gold Salon (Consumer award, 2 consecutive years), Creative Head (Media Darling of the Year), and the Australian Hair Fashion Awards (British Master Award).
Douglas’ salon, “The Errol Douglas Salon” is in London’s Belgravia Village. Next year (2008) will see the salon’s 10th birthday and Douglas will be introducing new hair treatments area. The salon has set standards by offering services such as a masseur, nail technician, in-house catering, chauffer, V.I.P. entrance, and much-publicized Express-2-Impress packages. Appointments are available at www.erroldouglas.com.
December 11th, 2007
Growing out your hair in style
If you’re coming out of a season of shorter hairstyles, there’s no better time to consider growing it all the way to a shoulder sweeping length. Worn above the shoulders, fine hair looks healthier and thicker, while thick hair really show off it’s stuff.
“let all your hair grow in unison”
When growing out a layered haircut, continue to get regular end trims (just a half-inch or so), slowly allowing layers to “catch up” with the ends. With each hair salon visit, ask if your layers need better blending to work with your cut as hair grows out. If you’re growing out bangs, too, at some point they will need to be blended into the sides and directed back.
A super-short crop actually presents fewer problems. Simply let the entire top and sides grow; when they are as long as the underlayers or close-cropped sides, let all your hair grow in unison. If you reach any awkward stages, use clever styling to conceal it. Adding wave, curl and movement with hot rollers, curling irons or pin curls can blend layers or bangs and hide problems by creating new shapes.
December 10th, 2007
Try to avoid daily washing. The sebaceous glands are overstimulated, secreting more grease onto the hair. This creates a vicious circle where the more you wash is the greasier it becomes.
Another problem with regular washing is that although the roots are greasy the rest of your hair is stripped of oil and the ends become dry and brittle. Use a mild ph-balanced shampoo and wash hair without rubbing the scalp too much. Only apply conditioner to the mid and ends rather than at the roots.
Watch your diet. Oily and fatty foods can contribute to greasy skin and scalp. Best of all is to use those days when you’re at home to give your hair a rest from
daily washing. Try using a children’s shampoo as these are often mild enough for greasy hair.
December 7th, 2007
Before the bob hair cut became popular in the 1920’s, women were confined to having long hairstyles that were swept up with combs or often worn with hairnets to keep their curls. The 1920’s changed all this when the constraints of the Victorian styles were abandoned.
With the war, women were finally able to wear their hair short, thanks to the actions of Irene Castle, silent-screen actress, who started this popular haircut in 1917 to help with the war efforts. It was the promoted style to change the outlook of women that in the time of war, they did not have the time to spend on their hair and the style would help keep their hair from being tangled in factory machines. This style became the most demanded style in this time.
By the 1940’s, however, long hair was back, with emphasize on the soft, wavy looks of the shoulder length style. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the bob style became popular again. Women were back in the work force and they needed more manageable styles. Long hair did not fit the style of the working woman.
It wasn’t long before the most influential hairstylist to date, Vidal Sassoon, helped to make the bob style more popular than ever by changing the cut of the bob style haircut.
Sassoon and his creative director, Maurice Tidy spent time developing variations to the cut and before long, most women wanted their hair cut in the bob cut.
This trend continued along into the 1970’s with the Dorothy Hamill cut that everyone seemed to copy. Even today, with the hairstyles varied, this style continues to be popular.
1960s Bob Hair Style Updated for 2006
The bob hair cuts of today are simply variations of the look created in the 1920’s. Four decades ago, Maurice Tidy worked with Vidal Sassoon in London popularizing the 1960s bob hair style.
Now he has revived the bob, pairing it with a new hair wave technique invented by hair icons Jesse & Flo Briggs, called the S Wave Thermal Set™ to update the look for the new millennium.
With more geometric cuts, these styles are very popular today. Some women still wear the traditional bob cut, while others choose the more popular style, with more angled sides, shorter bangs, or having the bangs longer than the back. These styles are very demanded due to their easy care for today’s working woman. The bob style haircut is here to stay.
December 6th, 2007
Research has shown that black hair needs special care. The way that this type of hair is treated and needs to be cut is different from other types of hair and there is a growing market of special hair care products developed specifically for those with so-called black hair. An experienced international developer of hair care products called SalonWeb has now developed a range of non-damaging professional specialist hair care products called Fast Grow. The company has developed food supplements that can help to fortify black hair from inside the body. This type of product is seen as revolutionary on the market.
We all know that we can get strong and shiny hair by using the right shampoos and conditioners. Vitamins and minerals in hair care products are supposed to help repair and build healthy hair. According to Salonweb the way we eat and the products that we eat affect the condition and health of our hair greatly. The company has released a hair growth supplement onto the market. This dietary supplement has been formulated especially to provide the hair and body with body with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that we need to grow healthy looking hair.
This new product is usually referred to by the company as the fast growth hair vitamin. One customer has claimed that taking the supplement has made her hair grow 3 inches in two months and the condition of the hair has improved greatly. The product is said to make hair smooth and manageable.
December 5th, 2007
Introduction
Hair Extensions are sizzling hot. The interest in all types of add-on hair has really exploded since the introduction of the Jessica Simpson HairDo line of clip-in hair extensions one year ago.
Hair consumers who never experienced the fabulous fun of instantly transforming their hair in a matter of minutes have become addicted to how easy clip-in hair extensions are to apply and wear.
Some hair consumers are leaving their beloved clip-in extension “training wheels” behind and are transitioning into the world of semi-permanent extensions.
While clip-in extensions offer so many great advantages, they do need to be removed every night and re-applied every day.
Some hair consumers want a quicker fix and are turning to hair extensions that they can wear for weeks, if not months, at a time without removing them every night.
Why are clip-in and more permanent hair extensions so hot right now? The reason is that we are living in a time when we all want instant gratification and immediate results. Time is increasingly precious due to a variety of reasons ranging from job or school pressures to family demands.
Clip-in and semi-permanent extensions have come a long way since the beginning of their existence when only Celebrity Hairdressers used them on their famous name celebrities. Over the past five years hair extensions have advanced to the point that many hairdressers have taken the time to learn the many extension options available today.
Hair Extension Application Methods
Semi-permanent hair extensions can be applied through a variety of different methods that include, but are not limited to, some of the following more popular methods of hair installation:
1. Hot or cold fusion. Fusions extensions usually are applied with a form of keratin bond or glue and the strands are applied individually. Other fusion materials may be used instead of keratin such as various types of waxes.
2. Weaves. The natural hair is braided first and then wefts, or sections of hair are sewn into the braids.
3. Tape Installs. Sections of hair are taped to the hair utilizing toupee tape that may or may not be enhanced with extra glue for firm installs.
4. Installs utilizing a variety of attachment pieces made out of tiny beads, rings, tubes or similar. Individual strands are attached to the natural hair through the various pieces.
5. Hand Sewn/Tied. Some extensions are applied directly to the natural strands by means of special thread or hand tied.
6. Combination of Install Methods. Depending on the requirements of the extension client, more than one method may be utilized at the same time. A tape install might be done first and some individual highlight strands added around the sides or front with fusions or various attachment pieces.
Professional Versus Do-It-Yourself
If you’re a hair consumer that loves the fabulous options and instant change that clip-in extensions offer, you may be able to buy easy-to-apply and wear clip-in systems from the Jessica Simpson HairDo line of clip-in hair extensions.
These clip-in cap style extensions were specifically designed for consumers to apply in the comfort of their own home.
If you prefer the more semi-permanent extensions, your options are to work with a professional hairdresser or to do your own research and try your own hand at applying extensions yourself (DIY). Of course you can always enlist the help of family or friends with your hair installation projects.
This is where complications may occur. The advantages to visiting a professional is that they have taken the classes and they handle all the details, including purchasing the synthetic or human hair. They also will have all the required tools and supplies needed to apply the extensions.
Buying hair and install tools can become complicated if you are a novice to the field. However, if you are interested in eventually applying your own semi-perm hair extensions, and are willing to spend the time to investigate, there are many options available.
Note: To talk more about Do-It-Yourself Hair Extensions or other hair extension information be sure to visit the HairBoutique.com HairTalk forum dedicated to hair extensions.
Disadvantages To Non Clip-in Hair Extensions
Although hair extension application methods have improved dramatically over the past few years, there are still some challenges which include cost factors, potential hair damage from the installs and long term wearing of add-on hair. You must also consider maintenance issues.
Many hair consumers become addicted to the advantages of long term hair extension applications and wear them for many months and years. Others prefer to have them applied for special events such as weddings, Proms or similar occasions.
Of course potential hair damage should be addressed. If the proper method is used by an expert hair extension professional, damage to your natural hair will most likely be extremely minimal.
If your hair is thinning, you may wish to explore the best installation methods for your type of hair to prevent long term damage or acceleration of your existing thinning.
Contrary to misinformation about hair extensions, people with thinning or extremely fine hair do have options that will not damage their current hair conditions.
If you are committed to long term hair extension wear, you will need to evaluate maintenance programs for your extension hair to be tightened as your natural hair grows and the bonds loosen. With a good plan, you can minimize maintenance expenses and even reuse your extension hair for an extended period of time.
Hair Extensions - Hot Or Not For The Future?
Hair extensions are only going to get hotter. Manufacturers of the various hair extension systems understand that hair consumers want and enjoy hair extensions.
As a result, they continue to work hard to improve the quality of the hair that is offered and the types of application systems to minimize damage and discomfort.
Are Hair Extensions Right For You?
If you are tempted to jump into the hair extension world, be sure to do some homework. It is always a great idea to start with a great clip-in system that you can try and experiment with at home. If you love the freedom and wonderful options of “instant hair” you may be a great candidate for transitioning to more permanent bonds.
Summary
Hair extensions are the “in” hair and fashion accessory of the decade. They are only going to get hotter.
As their popularity continues to increase, expect lots of new options and features. Also expect the level of hair extension expertise of hairdressers around the world to continue to increase and expand. When it comes to add-on hair, you really only have to do one thing and that’s enjoy your instant new transformation.
December 4th, 2007
With today’s advanced technology, there are perms for almost every type of hair. Hairstylists can now offer gentle-on-the-hair perms that deliver texture, volume, and natural-looking waves.
But sometimes even professional stylists get caught up with the newest fads and forget the basics, like how to do a great perm. Here are 10 tips for successful permanent waving from award-winning colorist Dee Levin.
By Dee Levin
1Evaluate the integrity of the hair
The porosity, length, texture, color(s), and general health of the hair should be considered before determining if the hair is in condition for perming. Have a comprehensive consultation to find out if you can deliver what the client expects. Don’t overpromise. It is better to have a client pleasantly surprised than sadly disappointed.
2Select the proper product
Manufacturers are on our side. They make custom-formulated perms for just about every type of hair. It’s up to our discretion and knowledge to make the proper selection.
3Read the directions carefully
And then read them again. Visualize each step. But do NOT read the directions in the presence of the client. This is highly unprofessional.
4Treat colored hair with care
Always remember that color-treated hair is delicate and must be given extra care.
5Condition chemically-treated hair
Color treated or previously permed hair should be conditioned a week before the new perm. Your choice of conditioner should be one that will help equalize the porosity of the hair. Most manufacturers suggest conditioning the hair both before and after the perm.
6Reduce the stress on hair
The use of wooden or plastic picks to separate the band from the hair causes less stress on the hair.
7Protect the hair
Plastic coated end papers can be used to protect hair that has been previously permed and/or colored.
8Wrapping the hair
Do NOT wrap the hair too tightly on the rod. To create a nice curl or wave, the hair must have room to expand and contract on the rod. Applying too much tension right from the first turn on the rod will produce a frizzy perm and possibly breakage.
9Soft perms
To produce a very soft perm with very slight body and texture, you can use small plastic rollers with plastic clips.
10Check for allergies
Should a client show any signs of redness around the face or neck, remove wet towels or cotton and gently pat irritated areas with ice water. Do not cover the irritated area until the redness subsides. Be careful using any medicated creams on a client – you never know what they may be allergic to.
December 3rd, 2007
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