Another No Heat Wave Technique...

More quarantine experimentation with easy hair styling tricks. This time I used these noodle curlers two different ways. Both ways worked equally well for the most part, with the first lasting a bit longer than the second. The first time I tried it I put them in before bed and slept on them. The styling worked well but the bags under my eyes from a horrible nights sleep.. not so good.

I really liked the way my hair came out though so I tried another way. I showered as usual and blow dried my hair and then put the noodles in. Now this way requires sitting under one of these for 20 minutes at high heat while you scroll through your phone:

I know not everybody has one of these just sitting around their house like I do, so this might not be the most practical. Also, after the 20 minutes of your hair heating up you need it to cool completely in order to set the curl. I just did my makeup and picked up around the house and then removed the noodles. I love the way it turned out but now that I know about the bathrobe tie method, that is my preferred method. It's the post before this one, you can scroll down and read all about it.

Here's how the noodles turned out:

You can see in the bottom left square that the curls had loosened up quite a bit. They do come out of the noodles quite tight and curly and I prefer them loosened anyway but I thought I should mention it. The bathrobe method stayed consistent pretty much the entire day. I'm not sure if that's from sleeping on them overnight or what but in general, I do think the bathrobe method is superior. The only thing I prefer the noodles for is that I like to wash my hair in the morning everyday but I'm willing to sacrifice and just wash it every other day for the sake of awesome curls!

Happy Styling!!

No Heat Easy Waves

I saw this tip on TikTok and thought I would give it a try during quarantine. Needless to say it is an amazing hair hack and I am sure I will be using it weekly for a very long time to come. You take a bathrobe belt and wrap your hair around it, almost like braids, on either side of your head. Secure with Rubberbands. Important to use it on dry hair, not wet, otherwise it would be very unlikely to be dry in the morning. After I made the 'braids' with the belt, I gave it a once over with a light mist of water from a spray bottle. I will probably try using a little bit of Olaplex No. 3 next time prior to wrapping it on the belt. 

One of the best things about this is that it is super comfortable to sleep in!

I have an Instagram account and I posted the original TikTok tutorial on that account right before the post with these same photos if you are interested. 

Check it out on Instagram: @studiothreeseattle

Layers in Fine or Thin Hair

This is an example of what can happen with layers in fine or thin hair. It's my opinion that a blunt line is better for this hair type. Layers are possible but an experienced hair stylist will consider the hair density carefully and only cut what I call 'surface layers' to avoid this kind of thin wispy see-through look.

Quick Easy Hair Style, VIDEO

One thing I think is certain, these video posts can only get better!!

and just because.. here's the "outtake" lol

As you can tell, this was a spur of the moment demonstration. My long time client and good sport Lauren was the videographer and the whole thing came about because I had been wanting to do some video posts here and she asked me how to use that bun maker thing... so on the spot I said "here, I 'll show you - will you film it for me?" and she was game so there we are.

Hopefully I will get more sophisticated at this over time. 

Fingers crossed!!

xo

5/23/15: I got a video editing program for my surface and signed up for a tutorial class at the microsoft store to learn how to use it. Better video's should be coming soon!!

Singing That Same Old Song...

So everybody knows I really love long hair. But let's face it, your hair needs to be long AND look good, right? Long hair that is scraggly and wimpy on the ends is not doing anybody any favors.

Even if you don't want a haircut at the time of your color appointment (to me this means, done wet, sectioned out and then styled afterward) I will always at least try and talk you into "dusting the ends" (to me, this means I've dried your hair out smooth and then I "whisper trim" the perimeter to make it all look sharp and even and sometimes if you have layers I do the barely-taking off-and-cleaning-up-just-the-ends and everything is just nice and happy.)

Please, know that when I say you should get a haircut at the change of every season I am not saying we need to take 5 inches off or anything major. It's just a maintenance thing for the health and well being of your hair. It will look better! (not to mention longer and healther, without the thin wispy ends.)

Ok. I'm getting off the soapbox.

Book your appointments today either thru the website or using the links on this blog that say "schedule now"

See, no one is going to notice the little bit that's gone but they will notice the bottom looks thicker and healthier. Plus her hair will grow longer and stronger without the splits traveling up and breaking.

Trust me on this one. Get regular trims!

Easy Hair

Another pinterest board you should follow... http://pinterest.com/lolainc/easy-hair/

For more little gems like this:

Beachy Waves without the effort!
Check back often for updates...

Party Time!! .. a quick little updo...

So my friend needed a quick little updo for a cocktail party she was going to. She wanted something easy but not something she could have done on her own. I had admired the day before the bun she was wearing and decided to just do something fun and fancy with that shape. I put her hair into a high pony and used pommade to make a nest of coiled twists that I secured with bobby pins. The whole thing took maybe half an hour. The result was a fun little updo and it went over really well!

Ta Da:

And then here is a photo from the event, personally I think it looks terrific! She doesn't look like she's headed to the prom, but definately a cut above a do-it-yourself hairstyle. Sometimes another pair of hands is all you need to kick it up to the next level.



How to Fit Deep Conditioning into Your Life..

As a hairdresser, one of the things I hear myself telling people over and over is that deep conditioning is an essential for healthy hair, especially as it starts to grow longer. If you have hair that is 7 inches long or longer you technically have "long hair."

At 7 inches your hair is at a length where the natural oils, essential for the health of your hair, are not able to reach the ends of your hair. You may experience dry ends and splitting as a result. I tell people "put a tiny drop of olive oil in the ends of your pony tail" but maybe 5% of the people whom I've suggested that to actually do it, most don't. I don't even do that myself anymore so I can't really wag my finger at anyone. I know how hard it is to take care of long hair, I struggle with it daily! I have found something that seems to be working for me and I thought I would share it. For me, it's the ultimate solution to the long hair/dryness situation. Deep conditioning, hair masks.. who is able to consistently deep condition on a weekly basis?  Come on, disrupting your shower to wait a half hour for your hair to condition is ridiculous! I just never found a way to make it work.. until the idea came to me..

Drum roll please...
Wait for it,

wait for it..

PUT THE CONDIDIONER IN YOUR HAIR BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR TO THE GYM!

Personally, for me it's the best solution. I feel like I am 'accomplishing' more than just using the eliptical, bike or treadmill and watching old episodes of "Ugly Betty." Plus it's keeping me working out every day (and conditioning my HAIR for god's sakes!) so it really works for me!

I kind of debated even writing this post thinking it might sound kind of stupid but I figured it might inspire someone. Feel free to share your own experiences of how to fit taking care of your hair into your life.. it might help someone else - go ahead.. go for it!!

This photo is my hair - sorry for the poor quality. I have all kinds of color in my hair but it's still in pretty good shape thanks to my regular deep conditioning!

Hair Food

I came across this inforamtion on Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz's website (RealAge.com) and thought I would share it:

"The Healthy Hair Diet:

Eat more salmon. Omega-3 rich foods like salmon and sardines help seal in shine. Distilled fish oils or DHA supplements will work, too.

Be a bran lover. Bran is rich in vitamin B, which may slow hair loss and promote hair growth. Other B-rich victuals include beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, soybeans, nuts, and eggs.

Say yes to avocados. Avocados and avocado oil may prevent some funky stuff that kills hair follicles -- dihydrotestosterone (DHT) -- from getting where it needs to go.

Say no to animal fat -- and red meat -- if you’re losing hair. They can lead to more DHT production and hair-follicle damage.

Stock up on green tea. Brew a strong pot, cool it, then give your head a rinse to help kill off dandruff-causing fungus. Incidentally, if you drink green tea, the caffeine in it may help slow balding, too."

Summer Hair Prescription...

Sorry for the lapse in posting. This is going to be short and sweet.
This is my answer to dry, flat summer hair:
1) Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner

2) and because all that moisture will make your hair feel great but seem a little flatter than usual ad in Matrix Big Trix Mousse. The packaging is cheesy but I'm not a snob.

3) Joico Protect & Shine Serum

3a) if you have long hair add Joico Split End Mender into the mix. Put it on before the Repair Serum.

None of these products are very sexy, but I have been on this regime for a month and my hair feels great. If you have specific hair questions on how to beat the summer hair headaches, please email or comment on this blog. Send photos if possible and I'll make a reccomendation on what to do.

Hope everyone is having a great summer.. Me and my Hair are!

Catch Up!

The last time Cynara had her hair colored or cut was 8 months ago when I brought it from medium/dark brown to dark blonde. She had about 4 inches of grow-out (though admitedly it blended pretty well). So, We had our work cut out for us, but I think it turned out beautifully! What do you think?

Because she wants to keep growing her hair out I suggested she start using a weekly deep conditioner. Keune makes a good one (care Line, Hair Mask) but if you want to purchase it, call the salon since it's not in stock very often -we can special order it for you. Here's a link Keune Hair Mask.

A drugstore alternative would be Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Hair Mask Read about it here.

When you are growing your hair long, deep conditioning is a must. Additionally, a drop of olive oil to the ends of your hair will keep your ends from splitting (a TINY amount, so little no one will notice you are putting it in! Just a drop in your palms, rub them together so your hands are shiny and then run your hands through the end of your pony tail). The pH of the olive oil causes your hair shaft to close down tighter and makes it compact. Also, jojoba oil can be used, but olive oil works fine and most everyone has it at home - extra virgin. The pH of jojoba oil is closest to the oil your scalp produces, but olive oil is next in line and as I said, typically everyone has it on hand. Hope that's helpful!