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

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

At Emerson Salon we know that one of the biggest challenges with visiting a new stylist is getting a fantastic haircut that you love and makes you look and feel amazing. Usually this challenge comes not from the lack of skill of the stylist, but rather from a breakdown in the communication between the customer and the stylist. Not only do the stylist and customer need to overcome the natural difficulties of communicating between people who often come from very different backgrounds, but the stylist is highly trained with a technical and specific vocabulary while the customer may have a hard time putting what he or she is thinking in the right words. This gap in the vocabulary between you and your stylist is why you need to be extra sure that the stylist understands what you are saying before beginning on the appointment.

1. Be Prepared – Spend some time thinking about your haircut before going to the salon. Decide if you have a specific cut that you are looking for or would like the stylist to recommend something. This decision is key and should be the first thing you tell the stylist because it will determine the direction of the pre-cut consultation. The better idea you have of what you would like your hair to look like the easier it will be for the stylist to get on the same page and provide you with the perfect cut.

   Spend some time online looking at fashion websites, mopshots.com, or our blog to get an idea of different possibilities for hair styles. Print out the pictures you like and bring them to your appointment to show the stylist. I recommend writing on the back of the picture the URL of the image (in case the stylist needs a better look at it) and what specifically you like about the hair cut.

   Some salons (like ours) will let you email in pictures in advance and store them for you until your appointment. This is a very handy way of ensuring you will be prepared for your appointment.

2. Be Specific – Once you know what you want in your hair cut, be as specific as possible in explaining it to the stylist. Try telling the stylist what you want out of your haircut in several different ways. Be sure to point out what specifically is most important to you in your haircut (i.e. the bangs, texture, the neck line, etc) so they know where to focus their time and efforts. Bringing multiple pictures is a great way to get the dialog flowing, because it gives you and the stylist an opportunity to talk about what you do like from different pictures and what you do not like.



3. Say What You Don’t Want – Almost as important as saying what you want in a haircut is being clear about what you do not like. One of the key enemies that you are fighting in your consultation is an assumption by the stylist about what you want. Saying what you don’t like will often unseat any assumptions the stylist might have made and force them to reassess the situation. You may think that no one would consider doing a razor cut on your hair, but unless you say it, that might be exactly what the stylist is thinking. Cover your bases and say what you don’t want, even if it seems ridiculous. You will be happy when you don’t get what you already know you don’t want. Other common dislikes include blending shears, straight bangs, blocked off neck lines, etc.

4. History Matters – One of the most common mistakes made by a customer going into a haircut or coloring appointment is neglecting to catch the stylist up on your hair history. This is really important in helping the stylist to understand the specific needs of your situation. Key details to mention include the length of time since your last hair cut, any color or other chemicals that have been applied to the hair, and what styling products you use. Almost any type of hair can be handled by a trained stylist, but they need to know what they are dealing with before they begin the service so be thorough in getting your stylist up to speed.



5. Work Matters – Talk to your stylist about your profession and work environment. Especially if you are asking your stylist to provide you with a recommendation for a haircut, this information is important. You want a haircut that will be stylish and make you look great, but also be appropriate for your work environment. A great haircut for a new associate at a conservative law firm may not be the same as what a stylist would recommend for a barista at a trendy coffee shop.

6. Say It Back To Me – After you feel like you’ve made yourself very clear and the stylist has all the relevant information that they need to provide you with just the right haircut. Have them repeat it back to you. This is a great way to assess what the stylist actually heard and understood. Often you will be surprised and how the stylist synthesized all the information you just unloaded on them. If it comes back perfect then you know you are ready to begin the appointment, if not then this will help you zero in on exactly where the stylist is misunderstanding you.

7. Stay in Control – One common mistake made is to allow the stylist to begin cutting your hair before they understand what you are looking for. Remember you are in control and don’t be afraid to tell the stylist to stop. If you are not confident that the stylist and you are on the same page yet, don’t let them start and keep the conversation flowing.



8. Ask for Just a Consultation – If you are planning to make a big change to your hairstyle (like cutting off ten inches or drastically changing your hair color), don’t be afraid to schedule just a consultation. Most stylists are happy to sit with you and talk about your hair and what you are hoping to accomplish. This separation of time between your consultation and the cut will give you an opportunity to learn from the stylist but give you still an opportunity to consider if this is really what you want to do. Cutting off a lot of hair can be a big decision and once its off, its hard to get it back so be sure to take the time to be sure that this is what you want to do.

9. Learn from Mistakes – Lets face it, from time to time everyone will get a bad haircut. While these tips are designed to minimize the likelihood of that happening, there will be times where the hair cut did not turn out exactly the way you wanted it. The natural reaction in this situation is to get angry, write of a negative review of your stylist, and begin searching for a new salon where they actually know what they are doing. This may make you feel better, but unfortunately it doesn’t leave you any better prepared for your next hair appointment. Instead, take this time to learn what happened and make sure it never happens again. Talk to your stylist and be specific about what you don’t like about the haircut. Often the stylist will be able to provide technical terms for what you don’t like, which you can write down and keep ready to explain to all future haircut appointments. With this information in your pocket you will now be able to ensure you never get this haircut again.

10. Take A Photo – Do you love the haircut you just got? If so, then the most important thing you can do is ask your stylist to take a picture. Even if you have seen your stylist for years and they know your hair inside and out, its a good practice to keep a picture of the haircut you want. A good stylist will take notes on the services they performed for you, but they also see hundreds of customers between your appointments and it can be hard for them to remember exactly what they did on the previous appointment. Keeping a picture of your rockstar haircut will often provide the stylist exactly what they need to make you look amazing again and again.

And there you have it 10 awesome tips from our team here at Emerson Salon. If you follow these simple rules you will go a long ways towards taking control of your hair styling trip and ensure your stylist is always able to provide you with the perfect hair cut!

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!

What is the number one reason you shouldn’t color your own hair? Allergic chemical reactions. For financial reasons, one of my clients chooses to color his own hair. I have warned him repeatedly about the dangers of doing so, not to mention how rarely over the counter colors come out like you would expect. And, as a result he has called numerous times seeking help on how to fix his latest color disaster. This time however he had to call his physician. He was sent immediately to the Emergency Room where he was diagnosed with 2nd degree chemical burns. He lost time at work. He spent hours in the ER, not to mention the pain and suffering involved with chemical burns.

Here are some pictures of the burns he received, a month ago, from using an over-the-counter box color. His scalp is still dry, scaly, red and sensitive.

The thing that you need to remember when you are using over-the-counter color is to read the directions carefully. If you have never used the color before, do a patch test. There should be instructions in the color on how to perform a patch test. If the color makes your skin burn, or tingle intensely, rinse it off and DO NOT COLOR YOUR HAIR!!! Don’t leave yourself open to scarring or potential hair loss.

At this point please seek out a professional colorist. Your colorist can help determine what color would be best suited for your specific hair and skin type.

Rusty

Manager/Designer/Colorist

Emerson Salon

Although our hair is technically dead keratin growing out of our hair follicles, there are many ways to “mess” your hair up. Here are some common missteps:

• Coloring your hair with box color from the store: Over the counter box color uses cheaper ingredients and uses the strongest formula in order to cater to many different natural haircolors and textures. This causes undue damage on your hair and the box color might not be best suited to your coloring. In addition, it is possible to miss applying in spots and to cause “hot roots” where the haircolor is lighter at the root than at the ends. A trained professional will custom formulate your new haircolor, will generally pick shades that enhance your natural beauty, and will apply the color systematically in order to give complete coverage.