Many people like to wash their hair everyday because they have oily hair. This works short term, but for many of us who have our hair colored, this can result in the dramatically shortened lifespan of our color’s quality, as well as dry out the hair from over cleansing.

The trouble then seems to be how to have less oily hair without losing our color. Believe it or not, the answer is to wash your hair LESS. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wash your hair ever, and by no means take this to mean you shouldn’t take showers (please take showers!). Slowly weaning yourself off of washing your hair everyday with signal to the sebaceous gland in the follicles to produce less sebum.

This will protect your color from fading and your hair from being over cleansed. Also check out the Kevin.Murphy Fresh.Hair aerosol dry shampoo which will help lift out excess oils and products to give you that great just showered feeling in between washings.

For more great tips, just visit your Emerson Salon style experts with your questions!

Post By Franz

So I was asked the other day: “I just bleached my hair a few days ago. When is it ok to bleach it again so it won’t fall out?”

The best course of action when trying to achieve a color through multiple bleachings or colorings, is to create a plan of attack with your stylist so that you can keep the health of your hair in mind.

Hope this answers your question!

Post by Franz

I always hear of quick fix ways to ‘’Grow thicker, Healthier hair” by taking a variety of different supplements. Clients always ask what they should be doing to help promote hair growth and after searching out different ways to do this I realized that nutrition is the key. If you were born with fine, thin hair you will never have thick coarse hair, no matter what you eat, but you can drastically improve the condition and overall health of your hair by simply eating these 10 foods! A well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make all the difference.

• Salmon- Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. It’s essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health, and a healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp! Vegetarian or Vegan? Try one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.
• Dark Leafy Greens- For some reason a lot of people seem to cringe at the idea of eating these but Popeye was doing something right! Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.
• Beans- Beans, Beans the Magical Fruit the more you eat the more you….Toot! But hey, there great for your hair too! Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but iron, zinc, and biotin

• Nuts- Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium, which is important for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds.
• Poultry- The only have feathers but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair your looking for! Poultry provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.Vegetarian or Vegan? Tofu, Oatmeal, raisins, and whole wheat bread also provide iorn that has higher levels of bioavailability!
• Eggs- However they’re served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients. Vegan? Edamame and almonds also work!

• Bananas- They contain an amino acid named tryptophan, an essential amino acid. This means the body needs it but can’t make it—we gotta eat it! It also contains natural oils that soften the hair when applied directly. Potassium adds softening properties to the hair shaft.
• Raspberries, Strawberries and Oranges- Berries contain Vitamin A and Vitamin E. This helps circulation of blood to the scalp. Oranges contain vitamin C, a necessary nutrient for your body to keeps the fibers that create each hair together. Plus, beta carotene is needed for cells to grow.
• Carrots- Everyone knows carrots are good for your vision but they are also an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp.
• Low Fat Dairy Products- Skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources. Vegan? Seaweed, Nuts and tofu along with many other Vegan staple foods are even better sources of calcium then dairy!

Post by Ellen.

As part of this weekends fantabulous Capitol Hill Summer Sale, Emerson has a super fabulous event planned that is going to be loads of fun and is going to let you walk away with some valuable hair tips and techniques. At 2pm on Sunday (the 29th) stop by the salon where Ellen, one of our lovely stylists, will be giving a hands-on demo on how to do a loose and casual, yet completely awesome, summer updo. She’ll show you the easiest way to make this must-have style work for your hair, and demonstrate how you can do it yourself at home to have salon-beautiful hair every day!

This is going to be a great event, so bring your friends and stop by to meet the Emerson team and get some styling tips straight from the experts!

Post by Amelia

Kelly asks:

“I have lots of hair questions but one that is really a concern at the moment is how to keep my hair from drying out in the summer heat. I feel like my scalp and hair is completely dry to the bone! I have switched shampoos and drink lots of water but nothing seems to help. Any advice?”

Really good question Kelly- everyone battles with this one! Here’s what our stylists have to say.

Lancer says:

“Ah the sun! The elements do take a toll on the hair. I recommend making an appointment for a deep conditioning treatment. My favorite is Kevin Murphy’s Born Again Treatment, which contains Rose Hip and Rose Absolute ($6K a kilo). Rose Absolute catalyzes the other botanicals in the treatment as it vibrates at a higher speed than the rest! These botanicals are heat and light sensitive; once exposed to the wind and sun, they become energized and moisturize, repair, and regenerate the hair and scalp. Antioxidants stop damage in its tracks as well as the further onslaught of damage by bringing a balance to the hair and scalp!”

Thanks for your question Kelly, and make sure to stop by and make an appointment or pick up your own bottle of Born Again to beat the heat!

Stay tuned for more Ask a Stylist posts coming up! Send your questions to ameliahanron@gmail.com

Kat asks:

“About a year ago, in what was either a moment of creative genius or temporary insanity, I took a pair of scissors to my long curly hair and lopped it all off (al la Jean Seberg). The result was remarkably successful, and I’ve been loving the look for a while, but I’m definitely ready to start growing my hair back out. This is easier said than done- I have thick, dark, curly hair that is generally at its best very long, or so short that the curl doesn’t exist. My childhood photos are full of painful, mushroom-shaped examples of what I’m afraid is in store for me now. Any tips on how to survive the era of ill-mannered grow-out hair before me?”

Wow Kat, good for you!! Here’s what our stylists thought:

Lancer says:

“Congratulations on your DIY cut! I suggest making an appointment for a consultation so that your stylist can see your hair in person and determine what service you need for now. If it hasn’t been cut in a very long time, a deep conditioning treatment can do wonders in reviving your hair’s moisture balance as well as helping your grown out ends look better.

I have worked with many clients who are growing their hair out. Sometimes they need their layers reshaped so that the hair doesn’t stick out from the head in a triangular shape. Other times their hair just needs trimmed or texturized in the meantime.

Good luck with your decision and patience is key to growing out curly hair!”

Ellen says:

“Growing out your hair from such an extreme is hard for anyone, but to make matters worse you are dealing with thick curly hair! My suggestion would be to use Morrocon Oil Intense Curl Cream to hydrate and control the curl. To manage the ugly grow out process come in and get it routinely cut. Since you have thick hair it needs to be textured to lay better and to make your life easier while growing it out. Routine trimming will help it have a shape other then the dreaded mushroom top!”

Rusty says:

“I would consider your spontaneity to be a stroke of genius. Unfortunately, strokes of genius can have their setbacks. Growing your hair will be challenging. And yes, you’re going to have those stages where you’d rather pull it out than grow it out, but be very patient. This is an issue that time will definitely cure. You should see your favorite stylist or come into Emerson Salon, sit down with your stylist and have a serious conversation about what to expect so you can prepare yourself for the changes to come. Consultations are always complimentary!

Good luck with your hair. By the way, I bet the short hair was really cute and fun!”

Good luck Kat! Feel free to stop by and make an appointment for a consultation to see what the Emerson team can do for you. Stay tuned for more Ask A Stylist posts coming up!

John asks:

“I want to know, when a hair turns grey, does it do so gradually or suddenly? I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a partially grey hair. And does it become more brittle? Is there anything I can do to help give it that body that I had in my younger days?”

Interesting question John! Here’s what our stylists have to say:

Lancer says:

“The rate of graying hair is determined by genetics and stress. Sometimes the first grays that appear are visible because they sprout on top or on the sides of the head. At other times, a few sprout up in the back.

The hair loses its melanin from the inside out; the root may be gray and the ends your natural color, till those strands grow out completely. Gray hair usually is coarser, which lacks moisture. This can make the hair seem brittle and it needs special care.

A consultation with a professional stylist will assist you in obtaining the best professional shampoo and conditioner for your hair type; whether it is dull from aging, coarse and some mixture of gray and non-gray, or fine and some mixture of gray and non-gray.

As for giving your hair body, there absolutely are things that you can do. Again, it depends on your hair type. We carry Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging hair products at Emerson Salon. As we age, our hair loses its luster and sometimes also thins out. The Caviar products are designed with the latest technology to assist these specific hair needs.”

Ellen says:

“Grey hair is a loss of pigment, some people start graying around the temples or in spots and those hairs are going to be dry and wiry! To help with body and shine I suggest getting a clear gloss on your hair.  It is just to control the frizz and keep your grey hairs softer and more manageable while adding shine.”

Rusty says:

“Great question. As we age, or for genetic reasons, your natural hair falls out and is replace with a gray one. You don’t notice them until they get a little length on them, that’s why it seems like they suddenly appear. Gray hair is always a different texture from your other hair, and yes it’s usually more coarse. Conditioning treatments can help the feel of the hair. Hair color can also affect the texture of gray hair, making it more manageable.

Most over-the-counter conditioning systems are unable to penetrate to the cortex of the hair and don’t give a lasting texture change to gray hair. Many salon-quality systems use nano-tech to penetrate the hair shaft to the cortex, thus enabling a longer lasting texture change.

You should always have a conversation with your hair professional about what types of hair care products are right for you. I suggest you call and make an appointment with your favorite stylist. Consultations at Emerson are free, and it would be my pleasure to sit down with you and discuss your hair care needs.”

Thanks for your question John! Stop by Emerson to pick up some great anti-aging products, or make an appointment with a stylist to figure out what treatments will be perfect for your hair.

Keep an eye out for more Ask a Stylist blog posts coming up soon!

Arianna asked our stylists:

“I have really curly hair and I am thinking about getting it permanently straightened for awhile. What are the risks of doing this? Will it wreck my hair? What else should I know before going ahead with it?”

Good question Arianna! Here’s what our stylists have to say.

Lancer says,

“Permanent hair straightening will change your hair texture completely. The only way to remove it is to have the straightened lengths of your hair cut off. A better option for you would be the Keratin Smoothing treatment. This treatment can be varied to give a less-than-permanent smoothness to your hair. If you choose this route, you will still have to flat iron your hair to get it completely straight.

Hair that has been chemically altered needs special care. You must use professional hair care products that your stylist recommends for your at-home maintenance. Otherwise, your service that you paid for cannot be guaranteed, and straightened hair (whether done with a straightening, smoothing, and.or flat ironing treatment) is very different hair and needs extra care.

Potential risks include breakage if the treatment isn’t done correctly. Seek out a salon that does these treatments on a regular basis and ask about a stylist’s certification and credentials first. Also, if your hair is currently colored, permed, highlighted, or bleached, it may have too poor of porosity to accept another chemical treatment, though professional straightening treatments are available for those hair types.

Finally, the treatment is a bit costly and time-intensive. Do your research, have a thorough consultation with your stylist before proceeding, and then you can decide if it is right for you!”

Thanks for your question Arianna! Hope this helped!

Stay tuned for more Ask a Stylist posts as the Emerson team answers all your burning hair questions!

Tim asks:

“My hair is chemically colored black, so in order to give it a natural looking shine I use olive oil based products – which works great. The problem is getting them out at the end of the day. What’s best for removing oil based products?”

Thanks Tim! Great question. Here’s what our stylists have to say:

John says:

“Kevin Murphy-Maxi Wash works great to exfoliate the hair and scalp without stripping the color.”

Emily says:

“Agreed. Maxi Wash is a great exfoliant and will release the oils without drying the hair.”

Thanks for your question Tim! If you’re interested in this product, stop by Emerson to talk to a stylist and pick some up for yourself; we’re always fully stocked!

Stay tuned for more Ask a Stylist blog posts, and remember to keep sending in your questions to ameliahanron@gmail.com to have them answered by the Emerson team!

Life happens and we don’t always have time to fuss with our hair as much as we’d like. To most of us, looking good and feeling good is important and all of us have some kind of issue with our hair. Whether it is limp, dull, frizzy, or just a little lack luster from time to time, I have some simple solutions for the girl/guy on the go.

Problem – You’ve woken up late and your hair is looking a little flat, but you don’t have time to start styling it from scratch. Solution – Membrane Gas by Fudge. This will give texture and volume to the limpest of hair. Use it as a hairspray for hold or for texture by manipulating the hair with your fingers while applying. The awesome thing about this product is that it actually has “memory,” meaning you can brush it out and rework the hair to your desired shape simply by applying a little more. Big hair, great texture and flexible hold. What more could you ask for?

Problem – You’ve recently had a chemical service on your hair and it is just looking a little dry and dull. Washing it too much doesn’t do much but dry it out more, over-conditioning leaves it oily and leaving it alone drives you crazy. Solution – Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray. Apply to dry, dull hair to bring out the shine and shimmer. It is infused with argan oil and UV filters to protect from further damage do to the elements. This light weight shine is easy to use and long lasting.

Problem – Curly hair that is frizzy due to weather or just natural texture. Solution – Alterna’s Shaping Balm. When applying this to dry hair it acts as an anti-humectant. It will smooth out any frizz and leave pliable, shiny curls. Plus, Alterna products are all paraben and gluten free.

Whatever your specific hair issues, there is almost certainly a solution out there. For more helpful tips, come on in and see one of our stylists here at Emerson!

Post by Amanda