Experts top tips on your biggest hair concerns
We recently took to Facebook to ask you about your biggest hair concerns, the things that plague you on a day to day basis and so we’ve put everything in one place to help you address them.
If you answered…
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Did you know that frizz is the number one hair concern? (We know this from our recent survey, which thank you again for taking part in!) So we’ll address this one thoroughly for you. There is no one size fits all when it comes to frizz. Frizz occurs when either your hair is aggravated by humidity, or lack thereof - leaving us with little room for manoeuvre unless the temperature and air concentration is juuuuuust right. Which by the way, it never is because we live in the UK.
Our top recommendations here are:
Investing in a boar bristle brush (these are anti-static and fully smooth the hair out)
Rather than hair spraying directly onto the hair, you’ll need to apply hair spray to your flat palms and then smooth over your hair (the heat from your hands helps activate the staying power of the spray and evenly depositing it onto the hair)
Hitting your hair with a mini cold plunge at the end of your wash (one of the reasons you get frizz is the raised cuticle layers on a microscopic scale and finishing your wash with cold water ensures you fully “close” the cuticle")
A product that will add a little weight to the hair. *Colour Wow Dream coat enters stage left* we are yet to find a product that as effectively smooths frizz down as the Dream Coat.
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The texture of curly hair compared to straight hair is completely different, as you’ll no doubt know - as opposed to straight hair it already struggles for moisture. Prep is key when it comes to your curly hair routine, for keeping curls defined and smooth it begins with when you wash it. Only use a wide tooth comb to brush through when soaking wet. Scrunch with a towel gently and use either a gel or cream serum before diffusing 3/4 of the way dry. When refreshing next day simply spritz with water, re-scrunch with hands and lightly diffuse on a medium heat, low speed setting and then fix with a cold shot for 30 seconds.
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Fine hair can really test you, especially if you have the kind of hair that says a firm “no” to an in-salon bouncy blowdry… aka it’ll be flat by the time you step outside. Our top tip on this one is on towel dried hair post-wash, use a paddle brush or a comb with narrower teeth to apply mousse using the brush (this ensures even distribution) and allow the hair to dry naturally/half naturally. When you then come to style your hair you’ll find you already have some natural volume from the mousse activating a natural kink or wave in the hair. We recommend the Kerastase Densifique mousse to achieve this.
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Chemical damage is a difficult one to come back from, once the structural integrity of the hair is compromised there is often little that can be done to revive it. However, if you’ve not yet met K18 - then this is going to blow your world right open. Without getting all “science-y” on you, K18 is the first hair repair treatment that promises it will restore your hair to 94% of it’s virgin strength and elasticity. It’s currently the only product on the market the works on a molecular level to actually repair the hair (*cough move over Olaplex, cough*) We current stock this in our Tetbury salon and would be happy to have it shipped over to your nearest Blushes salon for you.
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Blondes are not dealt the best card when it comes to achieving the glossy, reflective shine that brunettes and coppers do - but fear not, where there’s a will there’s a way. There are many factors at play that affect hairs shine, but more often than not it’s down to a build up of product, pollution (environmental or otherwise) or lack of moisture in the hair.
The first thing you’ll want to do is reach for a detox shampoo, and/or a scalp massager - because a happy scalp means happy hair. Also, just as your stylist would do in salon - doing two shampoos will ensure that your hair is squeaky clean and free of all excess build up. If you’re still struggling with lack of shine, we like to apply a little tip called fake it till you make it, the kind that comes in bottle form of a shine hairspray that will give you the gloss you need!
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You’d be surprised at the wonders a few strategically placed foils can have to address silver roots. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to visit the salon every 6-8 weeks because of your newfound regrowth, we’re here to tell you of an alternative.
Regardless of your base colour, you’ll want to ask your hairstylist for “grey-blending” foils, and ps. having foils doesn’t always mean you’re going lighter, nor does having silver regrowth dictate the need to go drastically lighter.
The process of achieving a seamless, blended look is similar to the principle of Balayage, you’re looking to enhance your natural hair without having a drastic change. In order to achieve this, micro-fine weaves will be taken to disguise some of the regrowth, alongside gently lifting the pigment of your natural colour to give you a more “sunkissed” look, while depositing a slightly warmer pigment into the hair to move away from the coolness of the silver hairs.
The key is having entirely bespoke placement here, your stylist will place these only where you feel you need them.
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Natural hair texture is a common concern, especially as we age hair begins to loose moisture from a potential variety of factors including possible deficiencies, medication*, hair type or environmental factors. Of course the starting point is using a professional shampoo/conditioner range that’s specifically designed for adding back in essential oils and moisture.
But that being said, it’s also advisable to stay away from sulphates, parabens and silicone in your products - the ingredient to watch out for is “Sodium Laureth Sulphate”, which is what activates the foam in your shampoo (btw they also use this in fairy liquid, which strips grease off your pans so really has no business being anywhere near your hair!) You’ll want to opt for something more natural, such as Pureology Smooth or Hydrate range.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a longer term solution - you may have heard of Keratin treatments, or Keratin blow-dries. These are not to be confused with “straightening” treatments of the Brazilian variety! A Keratin treatment is a process whereby a natural protein-based solution is applied to the full length of your hair and allowed to process, it will both restore hair’s natural protein and relax the hair at the same time.
The most notable feature of this treatment is it’s longevity - when properly maintained the effects can last for up to 6 months. It’s known for it’s key benefits of: increased softness, smoothness, easier to detangle, quicker to dry, frizz controlled, humidity-proofed and more manageable.
*Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coarse-hair#coarse-vs-thick-hair
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Addressing hair thinning and hair fall could involve a combination of lifestyle changes, proper hair care, and, in some cases, professional advice. Here are some hair-related tips:
Scalp Massage:
- Regularly massage your scalp to improve blood circulation. This can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth.
Gentle Hair Care:
- Use a mild shampoo and conditioner suitable for your hair type. Avoid excessive heat styling and tight hairstyles, as they can damage hair and contribute to hair loss.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
- Minimize the use of harsh chemicals on your hair, such as dyes and strong hair treatments. These can weaken the hair shaft and contribute to breakage.
Consult a Professional:
- If your hair loss is severe or persistent, consult a dermatologist or a healthcare professional. They can identify the underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatments.
Supplements:
- Consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements. Some vitamins and minerals, such as biotin and iron, may support hair health, but excessive intake can be harmful.
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Okay, we hear you - you’re bored. And that’s totally normal. Let’s break it down even further, is it the colour, the cut or how you’re styling it? Is it that the colours flat and needs some dimension, or you need a full 180? Is the texture of your hair the problem, is it too lifeless or it’s too difficult to manage? Would you be satisfied with a subtle “tweak” in your cut, or do you need to donate 10 inches to the Little Princess Trust?
The process is all about asking the right questions, and the rest you can leave up to us.
In these such cases, we’d love to have you in our chair so that we can really delve into how we can help you enjoy your hair again - we like to start with the fundamentals of our Hair ID consultation. Now this can be for colour, cut, styling - you name it, we can cover it - it certainly isn’t a “strictly for colour” consultation. Our main job is to find ways to get your hair to a place that you’re happy with and we take a holistic approach to this through your personality, lifestyle and how to play up your best features.
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Is that because you don’t know what suits you, and your cut or colour? Or you can’t quite get to grips with hot tools or any of this “heatless curls” vibe that the internets been mad about since 2020?
Either way, we can help.
Whether that’s popping in for a blow dry and having us teach you a few tricks, helping guide you towards the right kind of homecare for you or a customised step by step youtube-style video tutorial we can send you home with, we’re here to help.
Our commitment to you is to provide you the advice you need to maintain your look that goes beyond whilst you’re sat in our chairs.
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Much in the same way as feeling bored with your hair, oftentimes your hair can just feel a little off, making you question whether your style really suits you at all.
Perhaps the colour feels like it’s clashing with your skin tone, or the tone is draining you more than it’s making you glow, or even the overall shape of the cut just doesn’t feel *quite right* but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is.
We would approach this firstly with your facial architecture, i.e are you angular, long, oval, heart-shaped and from there we can map out the perimeter of your cut and how it contours around your face, alongside where you want to draw attention to.
Secondly, we look at whether you’re a cool, warm or neutral undertone and whether you’d be better suited to muted tones, or bright. All this we do with our colour cape which can be so illuminating, going beyond hair colour and into how you wear colours in your wardrobe too!
