Hair products are the best gift to give because everyone needs them. Who doesn't want healthy, shiney hair? I know I do!

This is your 2013 holiday gift guide from Salon Envy, were conviently located in Lincoln Park,  Chicago IL.

Once a year Kerastase comes out with a holiday set. It is the best deal they have, basically getting one product for free!

Also a great product to get someone is masquintense, for fine or thick hair. During winter months everyone experiences dryness. This mask can work for just about any hair type.

Know someone who needs volume? Root uplifting hair gel is a 2012 Allure winner! This is a unqiue gel texture for volume at at the roots. It also has UV and heat protection.



Bumble and Bumble is another great line Salon Envy carries. Tonic Lotion is such an amazing product that any hair type can use. It is a leave-in spray that hydates the hair. Another amazing thing about Bumble and Bumble's Tonic Lotion, which I just learned from a Bumble and Bumble rep with deter any re-infestations of lice with daily use due to the tea tree oil! I know I'm using daily for my daughters hair.



Need a product for a man in your life? Sumotech is a guy go-to! It has a matte finish with medium hold. It also can piece out a womens pixie cut.




Spray de mode hairspray is the best around! This is a great hairspray for anyone! It has a medium hold, with no flakes or crunch.




Salon Envy also carries accessories and Hobo International wallets. Shown below is the classic Hobo International Lauren Wallet. This is great for anyone on the go! We have them in all colors, great as a clutch as well!

Salon Envy also is having a holiday gift card special! 

Well if you color your hair, you most likely suffer from hair color fading. Its normal! Even with permanent hair color, the color still fades over a period of time.

The 5 most common reasons why hair color fades...........

1.) The sun can cause hair color to fade.

2.) Many enviromental factors and pollutants can cause hair color to fade.

3.) Your shampoo and conditioners can cause hair color to fade.

4.) The minerals from the water can cause hair color to fade.

5.) The temperature of water can cause hair color to fade.

Over the years I have learned that there are a few things that help your hair color from fading:

After your color application be sure to add on a treatment to help preserve your color and protect your hair. Salon Envy recommends by Kerastase the in-salon fusio dose treatments or Bumble and Bumbles Color Minded Treatment. Both are in-salon treatments that are inexpensive and will help prolong your hair color from fading.



 

Color care shampoo and conditioner recommended by your stylist. If you buy store bought shampoos and conditioners they have cheaper chemicals in them (which is why they are cheaper) which will strip your hair and do the exact opposite of what you want!

~Bumble & Bumple color minded shampoo and conditioner is a great line for color fading and also Kerastase Chroma Riche and Chroma Captive sulfate free shampoo and rinse out.

Wash your hair in milder temperatures and rinse in cool water to close the cuticle and seal your color in. Make sure if possible to wait at least 24- even better 48 hours after your color application to wash your hair.

Limit your hair to sun exposure by wearing a bandana, hat, or scarf. Almost everytime clients come back from a sunny vacation their hair color is faded dramatically. The sun literally bleaches hair. Even if it doesnt feel strong or if it is cloudy, believe me, the rays are bleaching that hair!

Protect your hair with a leave in product. When your hair is exposed to high heat from your blow dryer or iron tools the cuticle is damaged and the hair becomes more porous. When your hair is more porous it will likely fade because the cuticle is more open and the color slides out faster! To protect your hair color from fading try Kerastase Chroma Thermique (a wonderful thermal protector and shine enhancing moisturizer. For you sun exposed clients out there try Kerastase Huile Celeste. Huile Celeste protects your hair from the sun, sea, and chlorine.

Just when we thought Kérastase couldn't get any better... they did. We are SO excited to announce the release of Kérastase's new styling collection! There are two lines and you should be educated about them so you can find the products best suited for you. The green and purple lines each have their own purpose; the green is meant for construction - meaning that you put it on towel dried hair as a base. The purple is for styling and finishing. Did I tell you the best part? Each product from the purple line has anti-humectant (the stuff that combats humidity!) How great is that?!


The biggest thing to know about the new styling collection is that you can MIX them! Each product is meant to be cocktailed with others. Experiment and figure out what's best for you! Here are a few tips about each product for those who like to play by the rules!

The complete Kérastase regimen consists of four steps : 1) Cleanse 2) Treat 3) Prime and 4) Style



Once you have shampooed (cleansed) and then treated (with your favorite masque or conditioner), prime your hair with your favorite Kérastase priming product. We love the elixirs shown above! Then it's time for the green line to step in.



One of our favorite's from this line is the Spray å Porter Beach Texture Spray. This has a medium and flexible hold and creates beachy waves or great second day hair.

Application: Apply on towel-dried hair/dry hair from roots to ends. Air dry using fingers to scrunch or style as usual with heat tools.

The Lift Vertige Root Uplifting Gel is another great product from the green line. It provides volume and lift at the roots and adds shine to your hair without weighing it down.



Application: Distribute evenly at the roots on towel-dried hair and lift upwards with your fingers. Apply heat directly at the root and then style as usual.

One product that we are so excited for Kérastase to reveal from their purple line is the Powder Bluff - their first texturizing dry shampoo. This product creates buildable texture and body and is an instant style refresher while helping to absorb oils for lasting blow dries. It is light and flexible and can be used on all styles!

Application: Hold can 10-12 inches from hair. Spray onto dry hair using an even, all-around circular motion. Let it dry before styling.

If you're looking for a classic hairspray, look no further! Kérastase has their Laque Dentelle - flexible hold hairspray and Laque Couture - strong hold hairspray. Both have amazing frizz control and can be used to set all styles in place. The flexible hold has more of a buildable hold and the strong hold sets and locks styles. Note: these hairsprays are the same as Kérastase's current hairsprays, but just have new packaging - so if you've always loved them, don't worry, they're still here! And if you've never tried them, now is a perfect time!

Application: Hold can 10-12 inches from hair. Spray onto dry hair using an even, all-around circular motion. Re-apply throughout the day as needed.


Phew! This is a lot to catch up on! Please note that we did not highlight all of Kérastase's new products, but just SOME of our favorites! For the full product line visit their website or stop in the salon to check it out! The stylists will be more than happy to help you and find the best products for you!

Here is a little cheat sheet to find out more about all of the products!


Have you tried Kérastase's new Couture Styling Collection? What's your favorite product?