Pretty soon spring will turn into golden summer here in Seattle. We have earned our extended days of sun with the amount of rain and cold we’ve received lately!! So now it is time to think about how to revamp hair color and style your hair for warmer temperatures.

To start, one great approach is adding highlights and refreshing faded color to get geared up for summer. If you want softness and an overall lighter color we think a super blended foiling technique on the upper portion of the hair creates a great effect that is both striking and natural. The lighter pieces can be finely woven strategically into the hair and placed diagonally to avoid the look of “little lines” of hair color. We recommend consulting an Emerson Salon stylist to find out how we can best add dimension to your hair color.

If a bolder and brigher effect is desired we recommend a bleach balayage that lifts a minimum of 2 -3 levels. This painting technique diffuses the color saturation at the root and saturates towards the mid-ends. Then the hair can be toned to a soft beige blond, medium brown color, etc depending on preference and individual coloring. Faded darker hair color can be enriched with a gold based color that will increase shine and reflectivity. We recommend the Beige Blonde series from Italy Hairfashion because it adds depth without overly darkening the hair. An added bonus to using this color line is the use of plant ingredients with built in UV protection (bisabolo, helianthus annus and more.)

Eventually, trips to the lake and beach areas will be a high priority in the summer. Whether you are doing outdoor sports or just soaking in some rays, protecting your hair from the harmful UV rays of the sun will be key to retaining your hair’s moisture and manageability. The drier the hair the frizzier it can become in addition to fading color. To protect your hair during these activities, try using Moroccan Oil before going in the sun. Consider it sunblock for your hair! Its chock full of UV inhibitors and antioxidants and also makes the hair very soft and shiny.

In the warmer temperatures, no one wants to be blow drying when they are already hot and sweaty. A great alternative is using Kevin Murphy’s Hair Resort on damp hair and let it air dry. It creates a beachy wave texture even on the most stubborn straight hair! Its great to come home from the beach, take a shower and throw it in your hair and go about your day. Plus, loose waves are all the rage and mean less work for you.

We look forward to summer and helping our clients freshen their look for the season. Empower yourself and protect your hairstyle while enjoying Seattle’s rays of light!

post by D’Arcy

Want to start heat styling your hair but don’t know where to start? These days it is difficult to know what hair appliance is best for you, your hair, lifestyle and budget. As hairstylists, we realize that investing in a professional level hair dryer may not fit your budget as they can run from $120-$500.

Here, we will outline the best tips on how to find that perfect hair dryer whether in the drugstore, beauty supply, or online. This way you can compare and contrast components and price and make an informed decision!

A lot of people prioritize their needs according to the following components:

Weight: This is important for two reasons. First, the heavier it is the more difficult it is to use and hold. It could cause your arm or shoulder to cramp up depending on how long it is used in one sitting.2) If you intend to travel you might want one that folds up in addition to being lighter in weight.

Wattage: Blowdryers range in wattage from 600w to 1875-1900 watts. What is the difference? Lower wattage dryers are good for finer hair as they take longer to dry the hair but also help to maintain hair health and sheen. Higher wattage dryers are good for dense, thick, wavy or curly hair. Higher wattage can also cut down on drying time but if used on the highest setting regularly can cause heat damage. (Heat damage is when the high heat burns through the hair cuticle in inconsistent spots making it more prone to moisture loss and breakage.) Also, be aware of the wattage as some older outlets will short out a fuse if it is not capable of carrying the load.

Technology: There is some debate among the haircare industry on certain types of newer hairdryer technology. Some have more scientific credo than others. Ceramic, Tourmaline, Ionic and Far Infrared technologies are some of the most commonly discussed. All have specific benefits to them, but some aren’t 100% proven: Generally, these sciences cut down on drying time with less damage than traditional appliances.

• Ceramic: These dryers use ceramic plates or coils instead of metal and are intended to be self regulating to prevent inconsistent heat and therefore, damage.
• Ionic: Use negatively charged ions to break down the water molecule in order to hydrate from the inside out. This encourages hair health and shine.
• Tourmaline: Use a gemstone to increase the number of negative ions more than regular ionic dryers.
• Far (FIR) Infrared: Use waves of energy invisible to the eye to deeply penetrate and slowly warm from the inside out. There are many studies on the health benefits on the body as well with FIR. This can include stimulated blood flow to the capillaries, elimination of bacteria, viruses, etc, and others.
• Low EMF: this stands for lower electro-magnetic fields. These energies in large doses over time can cause,”headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue and loss of libido. To date, scientific evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic fields,” says the World Health Organization. (http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html) But if this sounds alarming, there are now hair dryer available in the low-emf category.

Attachments: Does the dryer include diffuser or concentration nozzle attachments? If so, you are getting more bang for your buck. If not, there are universal attachments you can purchase but are not guaranteed to fit your appliance. (A diffuser disperses the dryer flow to slowly dry wavy-curlier textures without frizz. Concentrators direct air flow to a more specific point and with a more specific direction. Example: You use the concentrator to point the air flow down the hair shaft to make the cuticle lay down for straightening.)

Pricing: Use this knowledge combined with your budget. Some dryers are great that are $25-40. Some are designed for lots of wear and tear for those who often drop or bang the appliance over its life. If you are concerned about its continued functionality, you can always get a warranty your appliance with the manufacturer in case of any problems.

Other heat tools: You can also apply this knowledge to buying a curling iron or flat iron as some of the same technologies are used in their heating elements.

Flat irons that get up to 300 to 450 degrees are best for thicker, wavier hair types and finer hair textures can use more moderate temperatures less than 300 degrees. We recommend a 1 1/2″- 2″ barrel size iron for the more versatility (it can create spiral curls, volume bumps, soft waves, etc.) Flat irons should have at least a 3-4″ length to cover the most surface and have the ability to curve or bevel the hair without too much work,. It is also possible with some technique and practice to create curl or wave with a flat iron by itself.

Another fun tool is a “wave runner” that has a triple barrel to create a consistent S shape to the hair sections. This gives the most controlled wave in less time.

Need some more help? Here are some specific recommendations:

• http://www.sallybeauty.com/Hair-Dryer/SBS-264880,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair09-03-03
• http://www.sallybeauty.com/flat-iron/JILBRE37,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair09-06

Once your appliances are bought, come here for more heat styling tips! We’ve got lots of time conserving ideas and fun tips to create your own looks at home. Have fun and play!

post by D’Arcy

BellaSugar posted some great tips from hair stylist John Frieda on getting the most out of your hair dryer (link)

Here were my favorite:

• Moisture Levels: “Getting all the moisture out is very, very important,” says Frieda. “There is an exact moment when hair passes from wet to dry,” he explains. If you don’t dry your hair enough, you leave behind too much moisture, which can cause eventual frizz. However, if you overdry, it will also frizz. On top of all that, frizzy hair tends to hold onto moisture.
• When Diffusing Curly Locks: For a tighter curl pattern, scrunch and squeeze the hair closer to the scalp when diffusing. Add heat and release. Repeat with the scrunching and heating process until the hair is fully dry. For looser curl, let the hair hang instead of bunching it into the diffuser.
• Tilt a Girl: “Drying [the hair] equally is very important,” says Frieda. Tilting the hair to the sides while blow-drying allows the hair to dry more evenly.

Remember that intense heat can also damage your hair so make sure to check out Kevin Murphy’s heat protection line.

We now carry the Kevin Murphy Heat Protection line, great for protecting your hair from your styling tools (hair dryer, flat iron) as well as the sun.

Full On Protection: Get full-on with your protection with this ultimate heat protecting texture spray. It contains aloe vera and wheat amino acids for strength and volume, and Kevin Murphy X-HP complex™ for heat protection, providing unrivalled defence against the intense heat generated by styling tools while delivering impressive style hold.

Damage Manager: Instant Heat Shield

Heated.Defence: Heat Protecting Volumising Spray.
Hydrolyzed Silk – High molecular weight protein that adds shine and hair surface protection. A conditioning ingredient that provides ease of combining and smoothness to feel of hair. Provides control to the hair from application to completion of styling.

Here is a Kevin Murphy Podcast on how to do a Volume Blowdry using Anti Gravity and Staying Alive

In this day and age, having the right skills while in your bathroom doing your own hair can make the difference in your confidence when going on a first date, or attending a family gathering or office party.

1) After washing your hair remember that you should NOT rough up the hair’s cuticles with a towel by rubbing the hair to dry. This can cause undo damage. Scrunch the hair upwards with a towel to release excess moisture. Then comb the hair out to release tangles with a light leave-in
(like Kevin Murphy’s Staying.Alive). Never use a brush to detangle hair when wet as it causes excess breakage.

2)Blow dry the hair 70% dry with a warm dryer and your fingers.

3) Apply a smoothing product (Kevin Murphy’s Anti-Gravity or Motion.Lotion) from midshaft to ends.

4) Use a boar bristle round brush that is appropriate for you length hair. Blow dry with medium to high heat section by section from nape to top with medium to high tension to create the most consistent shape. Remember to rotate the brush while using tension.

5) When blow drying long bangs or fringe always blow dry in the opposite direction of where you want the hair to lay. The sides above the ears always overdirect towards the front. This provides the smoothest result with the most body.

6) Finish setting the style by using a cool shot on your dryer and use a workable hold hairspray like Kevin Murphy’s Session spray. This will help your style to stay as well as repel environmental moisture that could ruin your blowout.

Now you have empowered yourself to create luscious blown out hair where once there was frizz and curl.

Need Volume?
Many of my clients want to get up in the morning, shampoo their hair, put a styling product in their hair, leave their dwellings, let their hair dry and look fuller. Sorry but this is just not realistic.

We stylists don’t just play around with hair products like we played with glue and paint when we were kids. What we do involves art, technique, and science.

Health
Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition, is key.

Styling
Styling products will temporarily give you volume by coating, or filling, your hair strands, giving it structure. Layers and texture allow your hairs to work together better with products, as well as giving your hair more stiffness and more lift. Don’t blow your hair out smooth! Your hair needs all the help it can get. Simply apply a small dab of a volumizing product recommended to you by your stylist into your hand. Emulsify it with both hands, rub it onto your scalp first, for lift at the scalp, then finger comb it through your ends for added strength to your strands. Blow dry your hair messy, from the roots out, making sure your roots are dry. This should take no longer than 5 minutes. Finish with a cool dryer setting to lock in your style. Use a hair spray that is formulated for your hair to set your style.

Hair Don’t’s
Don’t restrain your strands with a rubber band or ponytail holder; it loses what little elasticity it has when your hair can’t bounce back and forth. Please keep your hands out of your hair! Heat and oils will flatten your hair down!

If you are a limp-hair sufferer, click on this URL NOW…RIGHT NOW!

http://www.pgbeautyscience.com/factors-influencing-hair-volume.html

If you need assistance, book a styling session appointment with us today!

Lancer

Kevin Murphy talks about how to do a volume blowdry.

You can find Kevin Murphy products in our salon.