OILY HAIR

It seems like a harsh cleansing shampoo would be the best way to rid your hair of greasy build-up, right? The opposite is actually the case. Strong shampoos can send your scalp into a frenzy, causing glands to overproduce sebum, the substance that contributes to oily hair and scalp. The best plan of attack is to scale down and use a gentle shampoo that will balance your hair’s oil levels by gently clearing away impurities and build-up without stripping away the natural oils that keep your scalp healthy.

One of our favorite lines at the salon for oily hair is L’Oreal’s Mythic Oil collection. While it sounds counterintuitive to put a product containing oil on oily hair, Mythic Oil products actually work wonders for restoring balance. Mythic Oil Shampoo gently cleanses and reduces oil at the roots while Mythic Oil Nourishing Conditioner helps to nourish dry ends and help them to stay soft and supple.

OILY HAIR TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Follow a shampoo plan to “cleanse at the roots, condition at the ends”, especially if you suffer from combination hair-- oily scalp and dry ends. Using shampoo at the roots and conditioning only the ends will help restore balance.
• Don’t over shampoo. Shampooing too often causes your scalp to overproduce oil. Try to transition to shampooing every other day and use dry shampoo as often as you need it between washing. This can be a little tricky at first, as your hair will need time to adjust to a new routine and it may get worse before it gets better. Over time, you’ll notice a difference.
• Dry shampoo should be your constant companion. Keep it in your purse so that it’s on hand when oil and residue begin to build up around your scalp and roots. Just a quick spray or two at the root area will absorb excess sebum and leave your hair feeling lighter and less greasy. Our favorite at the salon is L’Oreal Fresh Dust. It has an amazing scent!
• Use styling products sparingly. They can leave behind residue that can weigh your hair down and aggravate oily hair conditions.



DRY HAIR

Dry hair needs tender care and intense hydration. This is not a job for an average shampoo and conditioner. Off the shelf brands can leave your hair starved for the hydration and nutrition that it needs.

At the salon, one of our favorite dry hair care options is Absolut Repair Lipidium Shampoo & Conditioner. Both products are formulated expressly for dry, damaged hair. The shampoo gently cleanses, while the conditioner lightly nourishes for instant softness and shine.

In addition to a nourishing shampoo & conditioner, a serum can also give dry hair a boost. Serums help resurface damaged fibers, seal split ends and add shine. We’re fans of Mythic Oil Nourishing Oil because it’s packed with Vitamins A, B1, B2, D and Omega 3 oils that deliver lightweight nourishment and a lustrous finish. It also contains Grape Seed Oil, one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world to protect against environmental aggressors. Both of these oils are perfect for dry hair.


DRY HAIR TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Avoid daily washing. Dry hair needs cleansing only a few times a week. Shampooing every day strips dry hair of the natural oils that it needs to stay healthy and protected. On days when you don’t shampoo, use a dry shampoo like L’Oreal Fresh Dust to leave your hair refreshed and fragrant.
• Minimize heat styling. Heat is particularly damaging to dry hair. It saps moisture from every strand, contributes to damaged ends, and over time, it will leave hair lifeless and dull. Air dry as often as you can, and opt for heat free styling. On days when the blow dryer or curling iron is unavoidable, use a product such as Mythic Oil Sève Protectrice Oil-in-Cream Primer. It’s a wonderful heat protectant to help protect hair against heat tools and styling.
• Use warm or cool water for washing---avoid hot steamy water. Sauna-like shower conditions will leave your hair dehydrated.
• Treat your hair to a deep conditioning moisture treatment once a week to re-hydrate every strand.


NORMAL HAIR

Ah, normal hair. It’s the envy of all other hair types. It’s so easy to care for, and very rarely does it ever experience the struggles of dry or oily hair. Therein lies the rub. Because normal hair is SO easy to manage, women who have this hair type can often be lulled into complacency and ignore healthy hair habits.

To keep your hair looking amazing, don’t skimp on a cheap shampoo and conditioner. At the salon, we recommend Mythic oil Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner, as it’s a perfect option for normal hair. The paraben free formula contains a rich blend of natural oils to keep your hair nourished, provide control, add softness, and leave hair with a brilliantly shiny, weightless finish.

NORMAL HAIR TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Keep your hair maintained with regular visits to the salon to remove split ends. Left unchecked, damaged ends will travel up the hair strand.
• Pamper your hair with a deep conditioning treatment every two weeks to combat stress from styling and day to day exposure to sun and wind
• Skip heat styling as often as possible, and let your hair air dry naturally.
• Don’t over clean. If you’re washing your hair daily, skip to every other day to keep the balance of natural oils in your hair at a healthy level.

Sparkly ornaments, twinkling lights, champagne and holiday cheer….it’s the season to celebrate! Holiday events are the perfect time to amplify your style, and add a festive touch to your hair.  Check out our photo inspiration below for easy holiday hair ideas. Then keep reading to learn effortless styling tips in our videos at the end.




A simple chignon or roll-up style can be instantly transformed into party hair with the addition of a glittery comb (such as this Jennifer Behr piece) as a stunning accent.   To create a roll up style like the one above, use an ingenious flexible hair tool like "The Half Up" from Ulta.  It's a strong foam base with a slit in the middle that allows you to lock and roll your hair into a gorgeous style.  The Half Up base will be completely hidden and covered by your hair when you're done.




It doesn't get any easier than a ponytail!   For special events, use a texture product like Tecni.Art Volume Envy to give your hair extra body, and then sweep it to the side and secure into a loose ponytail.  Embellish with sparkly hair ornaments and you've got instant glam.




Add sparkle to a basic bun or top knot by adding a glittery band.  This is an easy way to get an elegant look in less than 10 minutes.


TIPS FOR HOLIDAY STYLING SUCCESS:

Most holiday hair styles work best when your hair has a little texture and grip. Here are a few ways to add texture to your hair so that it stays put once styled:

•  Create texture with dry shampoo. Use a product like L’Oreal Fresh Dust applied at the roots to give your hair body and grip.
• Work with hair that has been wash the day before, not the day of, your event. Next day hair has grip which is essential for updos and other styles where every strand needs to stay in place without slipping.
• Use a thickening primer such as L’Oreal Tecni.Art Densite or Tecni.Art Volume Envy mousse. Both of these products are salon favorites, and they work well for giving hair volume and thickness.
• Finish with a professional spray such as L’Oreal Infinium 3 for lasting hold.

FOR MORE EASY, STEP-BY-STEP HOLIDAY STYLES, VIEW THE VIDEOS BELOW:













For absolutely stunning holiday hair, make an appointment with one of the artists at our salon! Whether you’re in the mood for a blowout, an updo, or something that is one of a kind, we can create a holiday hair style you’ll love!