"I want to trim my hair so it will grow faster".

Trimming/Cutting your hair WILL NOT make it grow faster. It WILL help your hair to be healthier.

It is a common belief if your cut your hair it will grow faster. I hear this so often. Hair grows from your scalp. It doesn't matter what length it is.

By keeping your ends trimmed you cut off the split ends as well as prevent them.

If you are trying to grow your hair long....keep the ends cut every 4-6 weeks. Just a buffing (no length just the edges). Split ends will split up and continue to split as it shortens your hair. This is why so many clients complain there hair is "just not growing".

Make sure your stylist is aware of your intent to grow it longer...that you do not want any length taken off. Just the edges.

Your hair grows from follicles within the skin. The part of the hair inside the follicle (below the skin's surface) is known as the hair root, while the portion you see protruding from the head is the hair shaft. At the base of the hair root is the hair bulb where nutrients are received and new cells are formed. Also within the hair follicle are the dermal papilla (a cone shaped protrustion at the base of the follicle which feeds blood - and therefore nutrients - to the hair bulb), the sebaceous gland (or oil gland) which lubricates and keeps the hair healthy and shiny, as well as the arrector pili, a tiny muscle anchored to the follicle. The arrector pili respond to stimulus (fear or cold) causing them to contract and make the hair stand up straight. Taking nutrients from the dermal papilla, the hair bulb generates new hair cells. As these cells move up through the hair root, they mature through a process called keratinization, fill with fibrous protein and lose their nucleus. When the cell loses its nucleus it is no longer alive. By the time the hair emerges from the skin it is merely fiber made of keratinized proteins.

So this means your hair is made of mostly protein. Eat a protein-rich diet to avoid hair thinning and/or disruption in your hair growth.

Excessive stress plays a major role in blocking your hair growth.

Also, there is a wide range of medications on the market today with hair loss as the top side effect.

The use of products designed to protect the hair from everyday use of heat (blow drying/flat irons/curling irons,etc.)will keep your ends healthy and help to stop the hair from getting split ends. Like a leave in moisturizer.

This also helps in the summer when your out in the sun for long periods of time and in the pools.

Do not brush your hair when it is wet. Gently comb through your hair instead. Brushing and pulling on wet hair causes it to break.... creating split ends.

Next Blog post....repairing split ends????

Happy Hair!!!

The DIY Up Do

MAKE SURE to use pins that are a close color to your hair. Unless, of course you have some fun colored pins that will add a fun look to your do.

*Curl your hair. (or not if you want fun spiky pieces) Twist several sections and pin for a half up half down look.

*Or make a ponytail and pin sections up...leaving the ends out to allow the curls to fall where they may.

*Take many sections twist and pin all around the back area. A loose updo looks very soft and sexy.

*The twist or "french twist" as known by many....pull your hair back as if you are making a ponytail....then twist it around close to your head. Put in pins in the fold....allow the ends to remain out for a soft look or just tuck all the ends in with pins....In the fold for a clean look add accessories.

The pins will be hidden.

Pull your hair up/combed away from your face and shoulders-this will add a touch of charm and elegance.

Back combing (teasing) a little helps to give the hold and shape. Make sure to comb the top layer for a smooth look.

SPRAY,SPRAY,SPRAY

Happy DIY! Happy Hair!!!

UP DO's Ideas and Advice

This is the season for proms, weddings, graduations and more.

Getting you hair ready for these fun events many times means an up do. Wearing your hair up really pulls your look together for these exciting events.

A few helpful tips for a successful do.

MAKE SURE TO WEAR A BUTTON DOWN TOP to the shop....hard to pull your tops over a nice new updo.

*arrive to the salon with your hair already washed and fully dried. If you have super curly hair and will need it smooth - a once over with your flat iron always helps...but ask your stylist when making an appointment. DO NOT use straightening serum as this might prevent your hair from curling when your stylist uses the curling irons.

*do not use lots of conditioner or moisturizer (the curls do not hold as well)

*when making an appointment with your stylist-be sure to tell them your are having an up do style as more time is needed....

*bring pictures(photos) to help describe what you are interested in. For brides a consultation before your big day is always recommended. Set up this appointment the same day of your formal photo shoot or your wedding shower and your hair will look great!

*Hair accessories always add a touch of charm.

IDEAS:

Of course you can shop for clips and barrettes....OR heres some interesting ideas.

-use beads threaded on hair pins(one side of pin is bent to hold bead) then inserted into hair style. Pearls are especially nice for Brides.

-earrings can also be used...just place and held in with bobbie pins.

-buttons are so pretty as you can find many designs and colors to match with your outfit.

-silk flowers and babies breath are lovely for younger girls.

- hair pieces can be added to short hair for the look of an updo. Consult with your stylist.

Here are a few links for style ideas.

http://www.google.com/images?q=updo+hair+styles+long+hair&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=DzoOTNPbNcH-8AaHg72bCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CC8QsAQwAA

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=updo+hair+styles+for+weddings&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=azoOTM2pNoP78Aajm5D2CA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CEgQsAQwAw

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=updo+hair+styles+for+prom&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=ojoOTLW4CIP-8AbC8rXICA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CC8QsAQwAA

Happy Up Do! Happy Hair!!!

Fun and Funky Hair Colors

I want fun colored tips or streaks in my hair......

This is something that is done a lot during "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"

Pink streaks are put in the hair to acknowledge everyone's fight for breast cancer. A great thing I might add.

Okay....how do they do it and what happens after it grows out???? is asked.... How do I keep it up?

But then there's the .... I just want to have fun and funky colors added to my hair not for any reason but because I want them....at any time.

Here's the deal.....and the how to's as well as the upkeep...Upsides and Downsides to fun and funky colors....

Your hair sections chosen will need to be bleached up to a very light color of blonde in order for the "fun" color to hold or show true color. Just the section or sections that are to be funky colored. Some very blondes might be able to achieve this without bleaching....but usually not....

Then a fun color is added to the blonde section and VOILA!!!!! you have a Fun and Funky color streak in your hair...whether on the tips or just a streak or two in your mane.

FUN and a GREAT time but it will FADE....you will need to make sure you have the product(tube of fun color) at home to maintain the color you have chosen. It does fade.....and everyone is different...some faster than others. It is difficult for your stylist if they are the ones doing this for you to determine how long the color might last. I recommend you have the color to add and boost as it fades at home. The blonde streak will not go away but the fun color WILL FADE.... keep it conditioned as it will last longer. And well the pool this summer will just make it fade quicker due to the chlorine.

At Home how to's.....

Okay guys just advice....will not be held responsible for any mistakes......

Your on your own.....

A frost and tip kit from the local store...or if you can get from a beauty supply bleach with 40 volume peroxide.....

Bleach area you want.....

do usual rinse shampoo...etc....

then add the fun color you have chosen...follow instructions

Hot Topics....http://search.hottopic.com/clothing/Hair%20Dye

use the instructions......

NOW I might add.....how fun to have a choice.... there are extensions to add without the commitment .......

http://search.hottopic.com/clothing/Hair%20Extensions

This to me seems like a better idea....you can change your color with your mood.

So.....you are done with the fun colors.....ask your stylist to color the strands that have been bleached....and voila....back to the norm....

Happy Hair!!!!

Ever wondered what Dimethicone is in your anti frizz product?

As always look to where it is listed to understand how active the ingredient is... if it is last on the list you will know there is very little in the product.

Dimethicone: found in most anti-frizz products. This is a favorite of mine. Especially this time of year with most people bothered by the humidity.

A touch to fine/straight hair (if used sparingly) will not weight down hair but will create a barrier so the humidity will not cause your hair to droop. A drop( I mean just a drop or less otherwise you will be sorry) added to your mousse or gel (if not already in the product) will add shine and keep the humid weather from dragging down your do.

A touch to curly and or thick hair will be your best friend this season. It creates a barrier from the moist humid weather. If you are using a flat iron it helps to lock in the straight look you have created. If using a curling iron or hot rollers it will give you shine and a smooth curl.

Great if you have some damage to your ends ...as it will smooth the ends and help your style to hold....Damage means you have a lack of moisture in your hair...so of course your hair will respond to the humidity. First use your moisturizer after a shampoo and follow with a product containing dimethicone.

Typically it is an oil form or light cream. Always use sparingly with a drop or two in your hand. Work it into your palms and apply to the ends and work up. NEVER add to the root area(scalp)....this will flatten your do and you will feel like you need to shampoo again.

As long as you are using a product with Dimethicone and NO lanolin it should not build up on your hair.

Use a clarifying shampoo as you feel needed to prevent build up of any haircare products...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-dimethicone.htm

Let me know if you have any questions...

Happy Hair!

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