Styling Your Hair.

After reading my last post, I'm sure you are all now using a salon shampoo and conditioner, and using it correctly ;-) If you're still unsure of what to get, I can recommend Pureology and Joico. I use them in my salon and swear by them. They contain more natural and organic ingredients and are much more concentrated, making them last longer.

So, your hair is clean, and BLOTTED dry, and you are sat at your dressing table thinking "ok Jo, what now?!"....
I'm going to tell you...
Firstly, styling your hair needs to begin with using the right styling product for you and your style. For example, I have spoken to many people before who have complained of having dry frizzy hair, then have told me that they either use mousse, or nothing.......erm, there you go then...
Everyone, every hair, every style needs a product before styling. It will fight humidity, maintain the style, and protect it from heat and elements. But its getting the right one.
It's really worth investing in a salon product. You will probably only purchase it every 4 - 6 months, and you will be safe in the knowledge you are using the best one for what you want to achieve. Don't be afraid to use more than one product either. you can layer products, just don't use too much.

If your hair is fine and limp, and you want body, go for a volumising foam. Avoid mousses as they can feel a little sticky and it becomes harder to pass your brush through your hair. Thickening lotions are good too as well as sprays but for big bouncy hair, foam is best. Apply the size of a golf ball for medium hair, half again for longer hair. Put it in both your hands and scrunch in, then rub the remainder in to the roots, paying attention to the roots on top. Stick your head upside down and dry it till its very nearly dry. You can then turn the hat on your dryer down, section your hair off and use a big round brush for the rest, or if you are not very good at this, invest in a hot air brush, which will do the same, without the need to dislocate your arms!
Velcro rollers are also amazing for volume. Whack them in dry, warm hair and leave them for as long as you like, but at least 15 mins. If you want to use the irons too, don't straighten the root!

Thick, coarse hair that you want sleek and smooth? Well you really need to be using a creamy product to moisturise. Argan oils are great too as they not only quench thirsty hair, they cut down the drying time but about 40%. They will leave your hair soft and smooth. If you're using irons too, you need to use a thermal protector as well. Apply about the size of a 10p in the same way you would conditioner. You can add more if you feel you need to, but don't overdo it. Don't apply to the roots. Spray on a thermal protector. 8-10 pumps is fine. Dry your hair by pointing your dryer downwards. This points the airflow down, and smooths the cuticle to help it stay shiny. Use a paddle brush to dry as this will help to straighten it too.  Have the heat up high to begin with, then turn it down when the hair is just damp. If you are using the Straightening Irons, only do so when your hair is 100% dry. Section your hair to straighten. Try attacking it full on, and you will end up going over the same bits again and again, and will end up with pretty damaged hair. Take 4 sections straight across. 1 -below the ear, 2- above the ear, 3- temples and 4 - top section.
Serums are great on wet hair as well as dry hair for extra shine.

Natural curls? Believe it or not, even if your hair has just a slight wave to it, you can get a pretty good curl in it if you dry it the right way. This is where mousses and gels work great. Apply a golf ball size of mousse through damp hair. Twizze sections of hair, about half an inch square, around your fingers to promote a natural wave or curl. Do this all the way through in sections, then dig out your diffuser you probably got with your dryer but never used and pop it on your your dryer. Tip your head upside down and gently cup it in the diffuser, but make sure you don't hold it in one place for too long. When its almost dry, and all the blood has gone to your head, flick your head up and do the same to the back, tilting your head backwards. Try not to handle your hair much as this will cause it to frizz up. Do this until your hair is 100% dry. Any moisture left in your hair will make the style drop and cause it to frizz. Serums are great to smooth through damp hair before applying mousse too, for extra shiny curls.

I know I have only covered a few hair types here, but I think it's the majority, so I hope it is of some use.

Stay tuned for more blogs coming up......there's loads left to tell you!

Happy Hairstyling :-)

So whats the big deal with "products"....?

So, this is my first blog in The Hair Care Bible, and I have chosen to talk about products.
Why? Because first and foremost, beautiful hair starts with how you clean it!
I've always been a high retailer in all the salons I have worked in. Not because I'm intent on making commission, and not just because I'm ridiculously competitive and have to be better than everyone else.... I'ts because I work hard to make my clients hair beautiful and I want to ensure it stays beautiful until the next time I see them. After all, that hair has my name on it!

I dont "sell" I "prescribe"

"Arn't all shampoos the same?"
NO! Many high street shampoos and conditioners contain sulphates and parabens that break down and destroy the keratin in the hair. Keratin is what your hair is made up of, and to break it down would compromise not only the condition of the hair, but also fade the colour.

"Pantene, Herbal Essences, Elvive, (insert name of iffy supermarket shampoo marketed by overpaid celebrities whom I GAURANTEE do not use the product) make my hair all shiny"
Thats because they coat your hair in layers of non water soluble silicon that make it seem shiny, but it's effectivly been laminated! Head itch after a while? That will be the silicon building up on your scalp. Hair feel lank after a few uses? Thats because it's so heavy. Colour not taking properly.....Try tanning through factor 50, it's the same thing! Getting dandruff, and probably then using Head and Shoulders (equally iffy stuff as it does the same as the rest!)? That will be the layers of silicon flaking off then.
So with all these "ailments" who gets the blame? Who's blamed if the colour isn't taking properly? Your stylist!
So whilst I may be passionate about products, It's simply because I want my clients hair at its best ALL the time.

If you're using a good salon shampoo and conditioner, you only need a small amount as it is so concentrated. A bottle should last you a good 80 shampoos.

How to clean your hair.
To clean your hair effectively, really wet your hair. Put about a 20p size of shampoo in your palms and rub together. Sweep it over your hair and rub it in. It may not lather to begin with, it's just absorbing the impurities. Carry on then rinse, and repeat if you feel you want a bit of bubble! It will bubble the second time, as it's already clean.
To condition effectvely, squeeze the excess moisture from your hair and apply the same anount of conditioner through the mid lengths and ends. Leave for a minute and rinse well. Rinse really well. Then rinse it some more.

Never rub your hair dry, this will rough up the cuticle and promote the dreaded frizz! Just blot with the towell. Never brush your hair when it's wet, it's weaker at this time and more easily broken. Only use a wide tooth comb.

Then proceed to style....ah but that's another story.......