Dandruff a.k.a Dry Scalp.

Since the cold, dry months are ahead of us, lets talk about one of the most common issues we see in the salon during the season changes. The embarrassing case of the dry scalp. The scalp changes for many reasons. It can become dry from stress or illness, the weather and humidity levels, the water you use in the shower, and the products that you use on your scalp and hair. If you have symptoms of dry scalp, such as flaky, dry scalp, redness, or itchiness- It is important to treat it because it can get worse. It has nothing to do with your HAIR and everything to do with the condition of your scalp.

Top 2 ways to combat DRY SCALP. 

1. Dry Scalp Regime:

Use a regime that is formulated for dry scalp. We recommend Oribe Serene Scalp. It is a 5 Step process, and depending on the level of dry scalp you experience, your stylist will prescribe the right regime for you. It starts with

Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Cleanser- This gently cleanses the hair while soothing the scalp itchiness and irritation, eliminates dandruff falkes, relieves dryness, reduces redness, maintains a healthy balance of scalp and hair, refereshes the scalp, ALSO safe for color-treated hair. Formulated without parabens, sulfates or sodiu chloride. Dermatologist Tested.

Serene Scalp Balancing Conditioner- Hydrates scalp and hair, maintains healthy moisture balance, detangles hair while strengthening and resoring elasticity, & leaves the hair silky soft.

Serene Scalp Leave-ON treatment- Instant relief soothes and calms the scap, removes loose dandruff flakes, maintains healthy moisture balance of scalp and hair, create an optimal environment for healthy hair, fast-absorbing & fragrance-free.

Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub-A unique blend of physical and chemical exfoliants gently removes dead skin, oil, dirt, and product buildp on the scalp, Cleanses and detoxifies pores to purify the scalp, soothes, balances and energizes scalp, hydrates, nourishes and softens hair.

Serene Scalp Thickening Treatment Spray- Promotes fuller, thicker, healthier looking hair, adds volume, body density, strengthens to help reduce hair fall caused by breakage, energizes, hydrates, refreshes and balances scalp, provides antioxidant protection against free radical damange and the elements, & fragrance-free.
 

2. Brush & Cleanse Your Scalp Often. 

Such a BASIC thing right? Brushing your hair and scalp is simple, but makes a huge difference. It exfoliates the dry skin on your scalp and helps CELL turnover. The skin and cells are constantly building on top of each other. Brushing the scalp loosens up the dry flakes and ushers it off the scalp. The shampoo then washes it away helping create a healthy, clean environment for new skin cells. Shampooing your scalp often also reduces the oils on the scalp.

What is the best hairbrush?

It can be overwhelming looking for the best hair brush for your hair. There are tons to choose from and often times clients are not sure what is the best for their hair. Clients wonder if it really even matters... It does!  It also depends on what your #hairgoals are. If you're looking for smooth, round brushed hair or just a basic brush for your hair and scalp.

The best round brush on the market: 

This round brush is known as the "GENTLE GIANT". Made with nanothermic ceramic technology to eliminate frizz and smooth the hair, while giving the hair BODY and HOLD.

It comes in a variety of sizes. Ask your stylists for the recommended size for your haircut and hair style.

 

 

The best flat brush:
 

 

The Wet Brush
 

The wet brush is known as the most GENTLE flat brush on the market. It is known for giving your hair over 45% LESS hair breakage, 56% LESS effort, & 100% Happier hair :)

The wet brush is the most popular brush on the market and once you use it you will know for yourself.

We love this quote from WETBRUSH.COM "This brush just glides through my wet mop hair like a hot knife through butter. Barely a strand of hair clinging to the bristles which is the true test of breakage."


 

 

Tired of using the old bar soap and your face looking drab? Here is the most basic, but BEST, way to start taking care of your skin. Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated and we would love to recommend what type of products suit your skin the best. Determine what skin type you have: Acne, Skin Aging, Dryness, Oiliness, or Sensitized.
 
 
1.Cleanse.  Soap-free Dermalogica Cleansers lift impurities, address skin issues and prep skin for treatment.  
2.Exfoliate. Exfoliation can be done either physically (small granules that scrub the first layer of the skin) or chemically. Exfoliation removes the old dead skin cells on the outer most layer to reveal fresh and brighter skin.

 
3.Tone. Dermalogica Toners shield against assault, increase product penetration and even out skin porosity.
 
4.Serum. Innovative serums and oils to hydrate, repair, and protect your skin.      
 
5.Moisturize. Moisturizers will hydrate and help balance out oily or dry skin based on the moisturizer you get.

 

Viviscal Professional

“The thought of losing my hair was devastating. Viviscal is the solution to having thicker, fuller looking hair.”

Patty

Viviscal User

Click below to see her story on YOUTUBE:
 

1. Maximista By Oribe- Bigger is better. This thermal-protective body-builder helps you expand to your absolute fullest with enduring lift and hold.
2. Thick by Oribe- Plump up the volume with this high-density finishing spray that inflates hair for extra thickness and lushness. Oribe’s secret for hair that is big, beautiful, beyond luxurious.

How To Grow Healthy Hair

1. Limit the color. Bleach opens the cuticle of your hair, which makes the compromised, dry, and vulnerable to breakage. The more you limit hair color, the healthier your hair will be and the longer it will grow.

2. Limit the tools. Curling irons, blow dryers, and flat irons are the second biggest cause of damage to hair. If you want your hair to be healthy, leave these tools to rest. The heat weakens the hair shaft and cause breakage. 

3. Take care of your health. This is imperative to grow healthy hair. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day, eat enough fruits & vegetables, and PROTEIN. Very often when we have clients with dietary deficiencies, we notice thin, brittle hair. Stay healthy and it will show in your hair.

Voted Best Brazilian Wax in Chicago:
Salon Envy Waxing

All about waxing your SWEET spot.

Brazillian Wax (most popular):
A Brazillian Wax removes ALL of the hair down there. We are talking every single bit. Bare. Fresh and so smooth. A Brazilian Wax appointment usually is done with your panties off, so the aesthetcian can remove all hair front to back. This is is our most popular BODY WAX we offer at Salon Envy Chicago because our two aestheticians are known for doing them FAST & EFFICIENT. A full Brazilian Wax is booked as a 30 minute appointment, but we would say majority of the time these appointments finish alot quicker.

French Bikini Wax:
A French Bikini Wax is similar to a Brazilian Wax, but the is usually left around your bum area. A French Bikini Wax also usually has a "landing strip" left. This landing strip can be as thin as you would like, but typically is about 3 fingers width.

A Basic Bikini Wax:
A Basic Bikini Wax is where the hair that you would see if you had underwear on is removed. So, bascially if you were to wear a bathing suit there would be no visible hair around the inner thigh region. You can keep your panties on for this appoitment and it is super fast. The appointment time is 15 minutes or less.

What is the BEST Anti-Aging Secret? That is not so secret..

Protect Your Skin At ALL Times!

Rain or Shine, Winter or Summer, Spring or FALL... Protect your skin! We only get one face, one set of SKIN on our face, so protecting your skin like you would your precious little newborn baby is imperative. These are our TOP 4 products by Dermalogica for protecting your skin against that evil, wrinkle-causing, trecherous sunshine. For those of you who are ahead of the skin game and already wear hats, you still need sunscreen. Hats will help the overhead sunshine UV rays, but when reflections bounce back up, damage will occur. Protect your SKIN at all times.


1. Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF 30 and Dynamic Skin Recovery. Both are products from our AGE Smart, Anti-Aging line, and can be used together. 

  benefits

• A make-up primer, sunscreen and treatment for skin aging in one.
• Stimulates collagen production to increase skin firmness.
• Has a silky feel and provides a smooth surface for a "soft focus" effect.
•  
•  benefits

2. Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF 20

 benefits

• Convenience of a moisturizer, sun protection and skin-evening sheer color wash in one.
• Helps balance skin tone and soften fine lines.
• Provides Broad Spectrum defense against UV damage.

3. Total Eye Care 15 SPF

benefits

• Chemical-free SPF helps prevent further UV damage.
• Helps reduce puffiness and fine lines.
• Optical light diffusers help minimize dark circles.

4. Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster

benefits

• Boost the UV defense of prescribed Dermalogica Moisturizers by mixing equal parts together. May also be used alone for maximum SPF50 coverage.
• Sophisticated, non-chalky formula forms an invisible shield against skin damaging environmental assault.
• Antioxidants help improve skin smoothness and softness while providing added defense against skin-aging free radicals.

We are here to answer all of those important questions you have about HAIR EXTENSIONS! Here at Salon Envy we offer Great Lengths Cold Fusion Hair Extensions, Tony Odishio & EuroSoCap Hair Extensions. 
Hair Extensions are more popular now than they ever have been. Almost every celebrity you see in the magazines that has BEAUTIFUL hair, I hate to break it to you, is wearing hair extensions.

We put together the most common questions we get during our extension consultations and our answers. 



Do hair extensions cause damage?
Hair Extensions are a cosmetic procedure and need to be applied and maintained properly to ensure that your application will not cause damage to your hair. It is very important to listen to your extension application professional and follow instructions properly. Every client has a different need, different application, & concerns that will be addressed to make sure that there will be no damage with their hair extension application. 

(Information From Great Lengths USA Website) 




























How long do hair extensions last? 

Hair Extensions can last up to 6 months if maintained properly with an average hair growth. This can vary depending on the clients lifestyle, speed of hair growth (if a clients hair grows very fast than less time is expected), and also how well the hair extensions are maintained. We have clients that wear hair extensions for 3-6 months. After 6 months, the average head of hair grows about 3 inches. When the hair extensions grow past 3 inches from the scalp they become hard to brush, maintain, and also hide while wearing certain hair styles.



How are the hair extensions applied? 

There are many ways to add hair extensions. Hair extensions can be clipped, glued, sewn-in, clamped with micro-links, fused with keratin bonds, attached with ultrasonic vibration (cold fusion), and taped in. Here at Salon Envy we offer customized clip-in hair extensions, thermal fusion, & ultrasonic vibration cold fusion hair extension techniques.

Great Lengths patented protein polymer bond ensures a quick and simple application with an ultrasound system. Bonds are made from synthetic keratin mimicking the molecular structure of natural keratin found in human hair and maintaining a pH value of 5.5 to be compatible with your hair, scalp, and skin.



How do I take care of hair extensions? 

Hair extensions become just like your natural hair and are very easy to maintain. That being said, there still is maintence that comes with any longer hair! With your set of Great Lengths Hair Extensions you will recieve a special brush and all of the information as to how to wash, condition, and blow-dry your hair extensions. The hair can be blow-dried, curled, flat ironed, and basically treated like your own!


Matt at Salon Envy -Euro So Cap Hair Extensions Application


Rachel at Salon Envy- Great Lengths Cold Fusion Hair Extension Application

Why is my scalp flaking? All about dandruff.




Okay, its embarrassing, annoying, and HARD to disguise in brunettes; dandruff. Where does dandruff come from? 


Dandruff actually means small pieces of dead skin in a person's hair. Thats exactly what it is, dry scalp/ pieces of your dead skin that flake off. 

3 helpful tips to combat dandruff

1. Brush Your Hair. BRUSH your hair & BRUSH your scalp! So many clients forget to BRUSH! Brush your scalp with a soft bristle brush to exfoliate your scalp and remove excess buildup of dead skin. 

2. Shampoo. Clarify or 2-3 shampoos. Scrub-a-dub, dub. Make sure that you are cleansing your scalp WELL. Get your scalp very clean and exfoliated. Just like your face and body needs exfoliation, so does our scalp. Clarifying shampoos help even more by removing BUILD-up caused by hairspray & hair products. For the more chonric dandruff problem try a shampoo that has a medication in it. Dandruff is a small form of fungus. Its very common and sometimes needs medication to combat and fight it off! Our favorite is Kerastase Bain Exfoliant Shampoo.

3. See A Doctor. If your dandruff does not improve by a good exfoliation or a medicated shampoo, than go see a dermatologist. They will give you medication to put on either at night or before you shampoo that is stronger than any shampoo can do. There are natural remedies too, such as tea tree oil, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar rinses.

The winter months are here and if you are wondering what to do with your blonde hair color, let our stylists help you with their TOP three tips! 

1. Go MORE Natural with a LOW-LIGHT.

During the winter months, the sun isn't as close to the earth and we don't spend as much time in the sun. Naturally our hair color gets darker because we are not out allowing that hot sunshine to bleach it out. Let this reflect in your hair color by adding a more natural blonde low-light or color that is similar to your natural color.  

2. Add a heavier highlight color around the face.

Adding a little big more of a thicker highlight around your face only will brighten you up without washing you out.  Skip the very bright blonde everywhere until the weather breaks. Leave the color on top a little darker by highlighting LESS and as mentioned in #1 adding those low-lights.

3. Tone it DOWN.

Ask your stylist about what color you could tone down with that would flatter your skin and eye color. Everyone has a different eye color and skin tone so leave this up to the professional to formulate the best color to tone your blondes down. This will add a shiney gloss while taking the "white" out of your blonde through these winter months..

1. Body Waxing is LESS irritating to the skin than shaving.
2. Body Waxing lasts MUCH longer than shaving.
      
3. The MORE you WAX, the LESS hair and the FINER your hair will be!

Bantu Knots are a great way to style your hair curly, with or without natural curls. Section your hair in to several small sections while its wet and twist until the entire section is twisted up. Then secure with a rubberband or bobby pin. Dry completely. Take out, shake, & STYLE!





//www.lovemaegan.com/2011/09/no-heat-sjp-big-curls-w-twisted-buns-also-known-as-bantu-knots.html

4 Tips On Communcating With Your Hair Extrodinare!

 

 

Miscommunication problems happen between stylists and clients often..... What is it about the salon? The moment you walk in its as if you cannot speak or understand the words that are coming out of your hairdressers mouth. Blunt what? Point-cut who? Dust my ends where?

I'm not sure why hairdressers speak to their guests like they've all graduated miss beauty academy and went through the salon system. Hello! We are civilians. We barely know how to get the frizz out of our own hair thats been on our head for 30+ years, let alone know how we want it cut. Thats your job lady (or gent)!!!!! But the problem happens when what you said you wanted turns into what you did NOT get.

We are going to make this super simple for you and break down the 4 most important steps to follow when communicating to your hair expert.

1.) Be HONEST! Don't lie to your stylist and act like you have those brushes, products, and TIME for that matter to style your hair. If you are a "wash and go" type of guest, then say that! If you get your hair cut once a decade, don't forget to mention that! If you do not understand our ambiguous jargon, than ask! Sometimes even we don't even know what we are talking about :)....

2.) Bring Pictures. If you know what you want or would like your hairdressers opinion on something, bring a picture. Pictures work wonders because "honey" or "ruby" to you may not mean "honey" or "ruby" to us. Make sure its realistic. If you look like madonna, don't come in with beyonce's picture in hand.


3.) Know what you DO NOT want. Okay, so maybe you don't know what you want. Thats okay. Forget the pictures! If you know some "don't wants", that can help us tremendously. I may not know about that time your hairdresser chopped your bangs and you hated them for a year straight. Let us know what you do not want and that way we will know what NOT to give you as options.

4.) Be Realistic. Like I said in number 3, do not expect us to grow your hair 10 inches and add thickness  (that is, unless your getting hair extensions). We are hair technicians not magicians! Communicating in your consultation is where we can talk about exactly what would fit you and get you closest to your dream hair as possible!
 

Check out her link here! //www.groupon.com/articles/a-play-by-play-of-my-first-brazilian-wax-fv

A Play-By-Play of My First Brazilian Wax

Let's face it, hair color fades. I don't care if its the most permanent hair color on the market, we all experience it. Here are a few TIPS to prevent your hair color from fading.

1. KNOW YOUR COLOR/COLORIST. Know who is doing your color and what color you get. Are you getting permanent hair color re-freshed your ends with a high developer over and over? Do you use a semi-permanent that fades automatically within a month of shampooing? Make sure your colorist is KNOWLEDGEABLE and knows how to prevent fading. This way they won't be the one causing your hair color to fade.

2. USE THE RECOMMENDED SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER. Your colorist should ALWAYS reccommend shampoo and conditioner. Listen to them and take their advice. Not only will this help your color LAST, but also will keep your color VIBRANT!

3. LIMIT HOT WATER ON YOUR HAIR. Hot water will open the cuticle of your hair, which will make hair color fade out faster. Be sure to use a cooler temperature on your hair when shampooing and conditioning.

4. LIMIT SUNSHINE ON THOSE LOCKS. The sun will definitely fade your color. Even if the weather is cloudy and you think the sun isnt shining out there, it is. Be sure to wear a UV protection product in your hair and/or a hat.

5. PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM THE CHLORINE. Swimmers beware: pool chemicals fade hair color tremendously. Be sure to load the conditioner on your hair before you swim and shampoo immediately after.

Acne. The sweet gift left by our over-active sebateous glands. The best part is- its on the part of our body that every single person we come into contact with sees, our face. There are many causes and many treatments.

Here at Salon Envy we offer an amazing treatment regime to follow and clear your skin from this wretched issue.

Causes: Diet, Lack of Water, Stress & Hormones, Bacteria from hands/makeup brushes/ sheets/pillows, Internal Factors, Soaps/Cleansers, Moisurizers, Hair Products, Etc.

Salon Treatments Recommended:
1) Facial. We recommend to come in for a facial because it will help us determine the best possible products and regime for your skin.  We may recommend doing extractions that will rid your skin of the dark, clogged sebum in your pours. This will give your skin a fresh start.
2) Acid Treatments. We may recommend an acid treatment to dry up your current acne. They will also exfoliate and leave your skin feeling cleaner, smoother, and resurfaced after one treatment.
3) Routine. Its all about consistency when it comes to skin. Rule out all of the possible problems by combating them all... Here are the most common causes and solutions...

 

We are going to LETTER them, since all are important and there is no specific order.

A) Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of 8oz of water daily.

B) Eat your FRUITS & VEGGIES. Make sure you are consuming those vitamins within your diet and also if possible, supplement with vitamins to give a bonus to your diet.

C)Exercise Regularly. I know this sounds like a broken record for some of you. Exercise *even as little as a 30 minute walk a day* will not only stimulate positive hormones in your brain, but it will help decrease stress & clear up skin. WIN-WIN!

D) Cleanse 2x a day with Dermalogica Medibac Acne Clearning Cleanser. When cleansing, Pat dry with a clean washcloth and moisturize with Dermalogica Mediabac Acne Mattifier. At night time, spot treat with Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel.

E) New Makeup Applicators Daily. We can't stress this enough. Makeup containers contain MILLIONS of bacteria in them! Use a fresh new sponge or cotton daily. Otherwise your acne will be pasted on daily and you will never clear up! Make sure your makeup kit looks like it is BRAND NEW. It should be spot less.

F) Clean sheets & pillow cases at least once a week. Use a natural detergent free of fragrance and other chemicals that will just irritate your skin and cause more acne.

G) Use Oil-Free hair products and keep your hair off of your face. Bangs are NOT good for a client that has acne. The oil from our scalp travels down our hair shaft causing oil on our skin. NOT good.

Cleansers, Moisturizers, Clearing gels, Daily makeup applicators, Oil-Free hair products, (Keep Hair OFF Face), Clean your pillow cases & sheets weekly,
 

 

What is the best skin care peel to change your skin?
BioActive Peel by Dermalogica

Our esthetician Dana says, "It leaves your skin resurfaced, smoothed, brighter, & tighter". She herself had the BioActive Peel done and says it left her skin "noticeably softer & smoother, subsided her break-outsa
 

Dermalogicas BioActive Peel Multi-Step Approach

 

1.) prep.
 

• -Preps skin by sloughing off epidermal cells
• -Removes lipids that block peel penetration

 

2.) peel.
 

• -Digests keratin protein
• -Accelerates cellular resurfacing and renewal
• -Stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within the dermis
• -Increases natural ceramides

 

3.) neutralizes.
 

• -Calms and soothes inflamed skin
• -Restores natural pH of skin

 

1. It all starts in your shower. Wash your hair with something that is going to give you moisture and also smoothness. WE LOVE KERASTASE ELIXIR ULTIME SHAMPOO AND MASK... It was made to give your hair moisture, smoothness, shiny, and a silky feel. Another favorite here at Salon Envy Chicago is LET IT SHINE by BUMBLE & BUMBLE. This shampoo and conditioner gives you moisture and shine, shine, shine!

2. Second, if you have frizz than it is best to start with a smoothing product in your wet hair before you blow dry. Don't forget your thermal protector/thermique before you blow dry as well. If you do not have frizz the best way to get silky shiny hair is to let your hair air dry before you style. Whether it is goign to bed with your hair wet or just air drying throughout the early morning after your shower... Do what you can get away with depending on how thick and long it takes your hair to air dry. Our most favorite thermiques are Nectar Thermique by Kerastase and also Ciment Thermique by Kerastase. Nectar thermique is for dry hair and Ciment Thermique is for broken, damaged hair.

 

3. FLAT IRON. I am a hairdresser here to tell you a flat iron is OKAY. Make sure you have a higher technology, NEW, ceramic flat iron. No, a flat iron is not okay. Treat your hair with respect and get a good one! Beauty supply stores are known for having higher quality irons. Also, the number one rule with a flat iron is to have a product on before you run the flat iron! Kerastase Fiber Architect will help brittle, very damaged lengths by protecting the hair before you flat iron. Take thin sections and make sure to comb each section of hair before your flat iron. One slower pass through your section is better for your hair then a few passes.

Facials are an amazing way to feel relaxed and to take good care of your skin. They will leave your face feeling healthier, more radiant, and beautiful!

 

Have you ever thought of getting a facial but were not sure what steps were included? Facials are VERY important! Over 60% of people do not use the correct products for their skin type and do not take care of their face properly. Your esthetician will not only recommend which type of facial is best for your skin but will give you a professional recommondation on how to take care of your skin! They will also show you the way to the best products we carry by Dermalogica.