With the dryness of the desert we live in here in Utah, I’ve been doing a co wash more and more often and been recommending it for my clients during these cold months where going from the cold outside to the heat inside and back again can do a real number on our hair. For the uninitiated, co washing is a conditioner wash. It is a unique technique, though, and if you don’t know how to do it correctly, you may not be getting the benefits.
Category Archives: Haircare
Color your world!
I see the spring holding a lot of subtle, sweet dimensional color with pastels that are barely there. or dimensional color with some bright blondes. To encourage cool, silvery colors, use blues and purples. For warmth and reds, use pinks and plums.
To keep your hair looking and feeling soft and strong, use a deep conditioner every week or two and see your stylist for an in salon protein treatment. My favorite is TiGi Bedhead Color Goddess Miracle Treatment Mask. For strength, I use TiGi Copyright Care SOS Recovery Treatment in the salon with it to add intense healing and moisture.
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Watch “Introducing BED HEAD by TIGI Curls & Wave range | #yourcurlsyourway | 2017” on YouTube
It’s more fun curls from Bedhead. I can’t wait to try it!
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Are You Using the Best Brush?
Even at most grocery stores, there is a huge selection of hair brushes and when you add in department stores and salons, the number is truly staggering. So how do you know if you are using the right one for the look you want? Let me be your light in the dark. ;> Here is a sampling of brushes and how you would use them, as well as my opinion on them.
Flat brush: This is a good detangler on dry hair, particularly thick hair because it gets all the way through. It also doesn’t break apart the natural pattern of your hair as much as other options. You can use it for a blowout after using a comb and a cream or other product of your choice to detangle, however, there are better options. Paul Mitchel makes a narrow version of this that is the exception, it works great for a blowout and I just got a new haircut, so this might be my new go to.
Flat brush with plastic and boarhair bristles: This is also a good detangler. The wooden one is turned over to see the pretty scroll work on theh back, but is close to identical to the other. This gives almost no pressure on the scalp with brushing long hair, so it’s ideal for the ones with a tender head. It’s my five year old niece’s favorite brush. It really gives grip on the hair and smooths it, so it’s my favorite for making hair very straight in a blowout.
Small(ish) round brush: This is probably my most used brush. It gives some pretty strong curve, good grip on the hair, although the bristles are not boarhair, they are soft enough to not be scratchy. This is great for blowouts.
Large roundbrush: Generally for a large roundbrush, I use the larger version of the brush pictured above. I decided to post this one instead because even though it is a great brush, it has some drawbacks. Of course it gives a larger curl than the one above, it mostly works for volume with only a little curve. However, it’s plastic bristles have nubs at the ends that fall off and when they do, they become very scratchy. Also, because of the nubs, the grip is awesome, but it’s really easy to get caught in the hair. It works well, it’s just far from my favorite.
Large boar hair roundbrush: This is also not my favorite brush because usually the payoff is not worth the effort and time. Let me explain. This is awesome for thick curly hair that you want to be very shiny and smooth (I can get this with another brush, if it was my own hair, I -might- feel differently because it’s harder to work on your own hair). On the other brushes, I can takes a section of hair the width of the brush. However, on this one it works much better if you take sections that are the length of the bristles, so you’re taking a lot more sections, and it can tangle more easily. I do love this brush sometimes, but I don’t use it as often.
Let me know what you think! What’s your favorite brush?
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Blow Me! The Perfect Blowout
We all long for that perfect salon blowout that we see in commercials. Here are some tips to get you there.
First, you need the right tools. A good blowdryer seems obvious, and is key. There are several things that make a good blowdryer; it should have a nozzle to concentrate the air, it should have a diffuser though we’ll talk about that another week, you should be able to change the speeds and it should have a cool button. You want a good brush. For curve and bounce you want a round brush. However, we have all had roundbrush nightmares, so you feel free to use a flat brush. My new favorite brush has thick plastic bristles to detangle and then shorter boar hair bristles for shine. Don’t forget product. It will protect your hair from heat and make blowing it out
You’ve probably heard a lot about negative ions and tourmaline as well. When your hair gets damaged, either through wear and tear or chemical processing, it gets a positive charge. You may notice that it gets staticky much easier and that’s why. Tourmaline produces negative ions which cancels the charge in the hair. It also makes your hair dry faster without drying it out.
Now that you’ve got all your tools, you’ll get in there with your most important ones, your hands. Start blowdrying at the roots at the top of your head, using your hand that isn’t on the blowdryer to slide your fingers into your hair and hold it the direction you want to while you blowdry it frequently using the cool button. If you want the most body, start on the side where you part your hair, if you are trying to make it lay flat pull it in the same direction that it lays. Direct the air toward the ends of your hair so you’re not roughing it up. Dry the center of your head, from front hairline to your nape on one side first, then move down the side of your head. Repeat on the other side of your mohawk and work down the side of your head.
After all your roots are dry over your whole head, use your brush in sections, again directing the air down your hairshaft toward the ends, to brush through and dry your hair. Dry your mohawk section first in slow, long strokes. Use clips to make it easier. Dry the sides the same way, directing up for the most volume, straight down for none. Because you got the roots first, it will go fast and easy.
As you get more comfortable, it will go faster.
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The Skin You’re In
Lately I have had a lot of questions about skincare and with summer now very solidly upon us, I wanted to touch on it.
There are only really a few basic things that are supremely important to cover with your skin. Probably the most important is Moisture, then Protection, Cleanliness, and Exfoliation.
You don’t need the most expensive products or something that has the latest sea kelp pearl technology, you just need products that will take care of your skin and will not irritate it. The more fragrances and dyes that are added, the more opportunity for irritation there is.
Moisture: Even if you feel like you have oily skin, you should be using a moisturizer. Apply it over your entire face and throat. If you do have oily skin, use one that is oil free. If your skin is dry, use something a little heavier. If you have combination skin, meet in the middle. I have found a lot of success with Cetaphil lotions and there are different options depending on your skin type.
Protection: No matter how dark your skin tone or how well you tan or how quickly and smoothly your skin goes from burned to tan, you NEED to wear sunscreen. Apply over your entire face, neck and décolletage, as well as anywhere else that will be in regular sunlight. Sunscreen can reflect oddly under makeup, though, or change it’s texture so you need to find one that goes well under yours if you wear it. If you have fair skin, use a high SPF that shields from the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays. If your skin is darker, a moisturizer with SPF may be enough. My skin is very fair and I wear makeup regularly, so I don’t want to reapply and smear it. I love Neutrogena which I use with a moisturizer as well.
Cleanse: If you don’t wear makeup, you can usually get away with simply rinsing your face thoroughly with cool water. If you have a lot of sweat or dirt, a cleanser is probably a better idea. If or when you wear makeup, you must clean your face. Again, Cetaphil is my go-to.
Exfoliation: This is important to slough away dead skin cells and reveal the new ones underneath. This should only be done one to two times a week, no more. Also, you don’t want to damage that skin. The key word here is Gentle. In the past, I have used both the rough apricot type scrubs and currently I am using an every day exfoliating cleanser. Whichever way you go, remember to be VERY gentle when using it on your face. Use the pressure you think is very gentle, then cut that in half. The rougher the scrub, the more likely you are to break tiny capillaries especially on your nose. A warning, though. At home is not the place for microdermabrasion. This is an extremely aggressive technique and should only be used with an esthetician.
There are certainly more steps you can take, but there are the basics. Cleanse and moisturize every day, if you use toner, use after you wash your face and before moisturizer. Use sunscreen every day. Exfoliate GENTLY one or two times a week.
How to get good hair every day
There are a few different parts to getting your hair to do what you want and having a good hair day every day. The first is Structure. You must have something in the hair, not just to protect against heat and the environment, but to give your style, whatever it is, support to stay beautiful all day. The second thing to think about is Form. If you like sleek, straight hair, roughing your hair or drying it curly is not going to help you. You will not get volume from letting your hair airdry flat against your head and beautiful curls do not magically appear just by tousling. Keep your result in mind as you style your hair. Finally, remember your Finish and what you want out of it.
Structure is what will hold your style and the texture you want. There is no way you can hold what you want to do with your hair without that support. Using product makes getting what you want out of your hair possible. Also, you will find that using the appropriate product will make a huge difference. For volume, blowdry your hair. My favorite products are Paul Mitchel Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydrowhip mousse and Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray. Use a mouse to get a soft, voluminous finish with a brush. Thickening spray is better for more stubborn hair and also for more hold. You can use it to dry style curls or blowdry and even set your hair.
Form is what you are doing to get the shape that you want out of your hair. Think about what you want your final look to be and then what you need to do to get there. Here are a few key tips… To get more volume or to straighten your hair, give good tension. Pull your hair the opposite way it lays for more volume. Always use a nozzle and point it down your hairshaft, toward the ends, for a cleaner, more sleek finish. Blowdry the ends of your hair with a brush so they look flawless. For curly hair, try twisting it and then diffusing it with high heat, low speed. I love Bumble and bumble Straight and Paul Mitchel Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Oil for smooth hair.
When Finishing your hair, ask yourself a few questions. Do you want your hair shiny? Do you have to fight humidity? Are you looking for tousled? Moldable? Sleek? All of these come into play. How firmly do you want your hair to hold? Then ask your stylist what the right product for you is.
Skyler works at High Life Salon in Salt Lake City. For appointments, call 801-671-6964.
Skyler Stratton Studio 