Austin Hair Salon Blog

Let’s Talk Hair Lingo

November 26, 2014 By Shagaustin

Have Hair Lingo Questions?

We all know how that moment feels when you sit in the chair at the salon and your stylist says, “ So, tell me about your hair, and what you had in mind for today”… It can be a little overwhelming and confusing especially when you’re not sure what is the correct lingo or terminology to use when describing your particular hair situations wants and needs.

Hair lingo can seem subjective and can vary depending on whom you ask. For instance, we all have different opinions on what we believe our hair type is and what constitutes “medium,thick, coarse,long, fine, short, thin,”. But this misunderstanding between the stylist and client about hair type is why we’ve decided to cut the hoopla and give you a dictionary if you will. Hair lingo to use so that you feel comfortable and confident you are getting exactly what you expected and requested next time you visit the salon.

Let’s start with basic hair talk. One major misunderstanding about hair types is texture and amount.

Thin or Thick hair refers to the actual amount of hairs on one person’s head, usually expressed as hairs per square inch.

Fine or Coarse hair refers to the actual texture and density of the actual pieces of hair on your head.

Curly or Wavy hair refers to the hairs natural movement and shape it grows out like in spirals or big s shaped curls or kicks and flips.

There is sometimes a little confusion on the difference between thin hair and fine hair. Thin hair, is all about how many hairs per square inch where as describing hair as fine means that each hair is small in diameter. Fine hairs are small follicles that tend to be straighter rather than curly, and are often times described as “baby hair”. A person can have few, or many hairs, and these hairs can be fine or coarse.

Thick hair is the opposite of thin hair. Thick hair is categorized as hair that is plentiful in number. This has nothing to do with what each individual strand looks like or feels like but rather how many there are all together. Thick and coarse hair descriptions tend to get lumped in as one in the same when they are actually very different. Coarse hair can be thin, meaning that there are few amounts of textured coarse hairs on one head.

Hair texture and density can be easily effected by many things such as, chemical damage, mechanical damage, environmental changes, hormones, stress, diet, exercise, and hair care maintience or what you use at home.

Thinning hair can be caused by many of the above listed but especially hormone changes, stress, and malnutrition. It is not always easy to identify. One way to promote growth and prevent future loss is to massage the scalp and stimulate blood flow. You need to increase blood flow to allow your hair to absorb more nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy.

Try massaging your scalp for five minutes a day to stimulate your scalp and feed it the blood flow it needs! There are also services and products we carry we can educate and prescribe to you to help with hair loss that will help to restore and regrow hair. The PLUMPING line from Kevin Murphy is a regimen of a daily wash, rinse, and root spray that help keep the follicle clean and healthy to regrow hair and make it instantly appear fuller. The products smell great and offer a daily dose of thickening power to revitalize limp thinning strands. Use the root spray on the scalp and base of the hair to offer volume and lift while promoting regrowth.

To Enable Your Hairdresser Share The Following:

Your thoughts about your type of hair
The products you use
Any special exercise programs that impact hair (like swimming)
How your hair responds to the current weather cycle
What you like about your hair
Where your frustrations with your hair lie

Not sure if you are using the most appropriate hair lingo? Just ask and we will help you get the great cut and style you want.

Inside the Mind of A Hair Stylist

November 26, 2014 By Shagaustin

What do hairstylists wish customers knew about them or their profession?

We want customers to know, we love being a hairstylist. Doing hair everyday is what we live for. Unfortunately like every job, there can also be a down side as well. Sometimes these negative things are just related to a bad day, but sometimes they are client involved. We also have a lot of positive we see, that no other profession could give us.

The first thing we wish clients knew about our job, is that it’s not all makeup, and hairspray. After a 12-hour day, our feet hurt too. Those fashionable flats everyone is wearing, aren’t the most comfortable thing to stand in all day, especially while we listen to how your boyfriend cheated on you again … not saying we won’t be there every step of the way to get you through it, but beauty is painful.

The second thing we would love clients to know, is that we run on a very tight schedule. Running just a few minutes behind, can throw your whole day off track. It can be frustrating trying to get back on schedule. That is if we manage to get back on schedule. Sound selfish? It’s not. If every appointment is 5 -10 minutes late, we have to explain to our last valued customer of the day that they won’t make it home in time for the family dinner etc. We don’t want to rush what we consider our artwork. It is what we consider our Monet; it takes time to make a masterpiece. What we are also saying is if you are fifteen minutes late, and you are holding a venti chocolate café mocha latte, you better have one for us, with a double shot of espresso in it.

The biggest factor that every stylist stresses, and wishes you knew or understood to some extent is that, our knowledge of how color works is typically more than what you may know or believe. We understand that you are trying to tell us in some way shape or form, that you box colored your hair, or cut your own bangs, without telling us directly. The problem with this is, we need you too. We won’t get upset or scold you like mom, but we don’t want you angry when we were misinformed, and something doesn’t turn out right.

Also please understand that we tell you no, it’s because we love you. We can’t take you from black to blonde in one day, because we are afraid for the integrity of your hair. When we tell you it will take 2-3 sessions, its because we want your hair to stay as healthy as possible, not because we are being lazy, or don’t want to do it.

Now we don’t want you thinking that everything we want you to know is negative, or all the pet peeves we hate. We also want you to know some positive things too, like we want our clients to be happy. That is the basis of our whole career. If the client isn’t satisfied then we didn’t succeed. This is why we ask you, what seems like a billion questions when it comes to hair care, maintenance, and styling. We need your input to achieve, what you envisioned in your head.

The Hair Industry is an ever-growing spectrum of style. One week everyone is coloring their hair red, and the next everyone wants that one famous celebrities haircut. For most hairstylists though, there are a few reasons why this profession will always keep them. We like being around people! We may be having one strange day, but we wouldn’t want to not hear the crazy adventure, that you had that weekend. We love being social, and being alone to long may just kill us. We love the social aspect of communication, and the salon environment. For a hairstylist, making someone feel good about him or her self is a reward. Having our clients so excited to go show off their new color or cut is just as exciting for us. Getting a thank you hug is usually a day maker for a hairstylist. Even seeing that we were tagged in a post on facebook or instagram later on is exciting. We feel like we made someone’s day. We love reviews too!

Some clients don’t realize or know how are schedules work. We usually for the most part, make our own hours, based around the hours of the salon, who doesn’t want to make their own schedule? As a hairstylist we have the ability to make our own schedule as needed. We would like everyone to remember we have families too though. We are willing sometimes to work strange hours, so don’t be afraid to ask either.

As hairstylist, we stink at math. Somewhere along the way, in our journey to achieve our skills, most of us who had math skills lost them along the way. When we pull a calculator out to add simple numbers, just let us. We may know the answer, but we are human too. We second-guess ourselves. All in all we love what we do. We couldn’t pick a profession that better suited us. That’s why we do what we do.

Austin Hair: Winter Survival Guide

November 22, 2014 By Shagaustin

Shag Salon’s WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE to keep skin and hair smooth all winter long.

Fall is here and with the changing in the seasons comes changes in your hair and skin needs. In central Texas the fall season is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather, but with that comes dry skin and hair that needs come extra TLC. As humidity in the air drops, our skin and hair need more hydration to remain soft and youthful looking so we have created the perfect Winter Survival Guide for your skin and hair! Use these tips to keep skin dewy and hair luscious through the winter season because, let’s face it, the last thing you want while getting cozy next to the fire is crispy hair and skin that couldn’t be drier.

Skin is our largest living organ in the body so keeping it hydrated and happy is very important for our health and beauty. Our bodies need water to operate day to day but when the winter months approach and humidity in the air dissipates, skin becomes more dehydrated and needs that extra drink of water.

Drink plenty of water

This seems to be the most overlooked tip in every health and beauty magazine but is the one that is most important and makes such a visible difference. On average our bodies need about 50-90 fluid ounces of water a day, depending on your size and activity level, but a good rule to follow is MORE WATER IS ALWAYS BETTER. Use your favorite water bottle to measure your water intake and make sure your drinking enough for your body and activity level. There are also fun apps you can download that track your water intake and help you achieve optimal hydration by playing fun games on your smartphone.

Step up your daily moisturizing arsenal

As the weather takes a shift, so should your moisturizer. The winter months call for a heavier and deeper hydrating moisturizer that protects the skin from harsh cold weather and keeps it looking dewy and fresh. If you love your moisturizer and can’t imagine switching, add a hydrating serum to boost skin’s hydration. Look for a serum containing Hyaluronic acid which is made by the human body and holds 10 times it’s weight in hydration! Think of this miracle acid as a hydration sponge for your skin, delivering massive amounts of plumping hydration in each drop. Our favorite hydrating serum is Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum, http://www.dermstore.com/product_Strawberry+Rhubarb+Hyaluronic+Serum_27508.htm

This serum packs a powerful punch of hydration while gently exfoliating dry skin away to leave plump, smooth, and hydrated skin.

When it doubt, leave the heater out!

Nothing is better than being warm and cozy in bed while it’s cold out, but did you know your heater could be leaving your skin parched? The heater is great for warming us up when it’s too cold out but leaving it on all night while you sleep can dry and dehydrate skin making it look tired and dull in the morning. Instead, try to set the thermostat at a temperature that keeps your house just warm enough without it blowing all night. If you love your heater and don’t want to turn it down, be sure to wear an extra layer of moisturizer to protect skin from the dry hot air.

Sunscreen is still important!

Just because you’re not in your bikini doesn’t mean you need to skimp on the sunscreen. In winter our faces still get the daily dose of sun exposure that can accumulate to skin damage, wrinkles, and in worse cases, skin cancer. To protect that beautiful face, use a daily sunscreen as part of your skin care regimen to combat sunspots, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Our favorite go-to sunscreen is the Eminence Organics Tropical Vanilla Day Cream with SPF of 32. This protective cream is super hydrating and delivers organic protection from the elements. A bonus feature with his product is it can double as your daytime moisturizer and is so concentrated you can dilute it with water for a lighter application.

Now let’s talk about hair. As skin becomes drier with seasonal changes, so does your hair. Adding more nourishing products and implementing a few of these tricks to your daily routine will help your hair heal from summer sun damage, and remain healthy all winter long.

Skip a day between washes

You’ve probably heard of the benefits that come along with not washing your hair everyday but these benefits become even more obvious when winter is among us. Washing the hair every day strips the scalp and strand from natural oils that help protect and prevent damage. To keep hair healthy and shiny, skip a day (or two, we won’t tell!!) and use a dry shampoo and fine bristled brush to refresh hair and absorb any oil. We love the Kevin Murphy FRESH.HAIR dry shampoo for its cleansing power and amazing scent that reminds us of a vacation in the Bahamas. To use FRESH.HAIR or the dry shampoo of your choice, shake well and spray onto roots, then brush through with fingers or a bristle brush to distribute product and absorb oil, and voilà! Fresh hair in seconds.

Use a serum or oil to prevent split ends

Oils and serums are the bomb-diggity, if you will, for delivering moisture to the hair and preventing split ends. When the air is dry, hair also becomes dry. One upside to less humidity is people who tend to suffer from frizzy hair usually see fewer frizzes, but serums are still a must to maintain health and softness. Serums penetrate the hair much like they do the skin, delivering nutrients and moisture deeper than other products that work solely on the surface of the hair. Using a serum before styling and after heat tools will keep the hair soft and allow it to grow long without splitting and causing breakage. To hydrate parched locks, we recommend using the YOUNG.AGAIN immortale serum by Kevin Murphy. This oil absorbs in seconds so you don’t have to compromise volume for health. To use, dispense two pumps of YOUNG.AGAIN into palms, rub together, and work through damp, towel dried hair. Style as usual and after, use a little to polish your look and add extra sheen.

Embrace the bun

Winter dryness can cause static-y hair and make you look like you put your finger in an electric socket. On those days when your hair just isn’t on your side, give your locks a break and embrace the bun! Buns are an awesome hairstyle to rock in the winter because it gives your hair a much-needed break from heat styling. Plus, scarves and sweaters tend to be wrapped around the neck so putting the hair up can add a polished and stylish vibe to your look. To embrace the bun, secure hair in a high ponytail and use hairspray or styling paste to flatten any stray hairs. Next use your YOUNG.AGAIN immortale serum on the lengths of the hair to smoothen it, and then carefully wrap it around the base of your ponytail. If pieces come loose, don’t worry, you can bobby pin then in at the end. As you wrap the hair, pin it into the ponytail with a bobby pin (wavy side down!) until you’ve secured the whole thing. Any pieces that didn’t wrap neatly can be pinned into place or left out for a more disheveled look. Use a medium to strong hair spray to freeze it into place…then rock it! The nice thing about a bun is depending on how you style it; it can work for just about every situation… date night, movie night with the girls, errands, or even a holiday party.

5 Habits That Will Save Your Hair This Summer in Austin

October 26, 2014 By Shagaustin

Summer hair, don’t care…or do you? Summer is the time for effortless (or seemingly effortless) beauty- minimal makeup, beachy waves and tousled hair. But you still want to look great and to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny while enjoying the sun and lounging by the pool, beach, lake, or tubing in the river. Adopt these 5 habits, or even 2 of 3 habits, with your hair this summer and you will head into fall looking fab.

SKIP HEAT STYLERS- it’s time to shelve the blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. Your hair will take enough of a beating out in the sun and twisted into braids and messy updos so give it a break from daily heat styling. Take advantage of texturizing lotions and sprays. LAZY GIRL TIP: Let your hair air dry and spritz it with texture spray like Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Spray for a chic, undone look. Or add a texturizing lotion and twist small sections and let air dry for easy waves.
DEEP CONDITION WEEKLY- water and sun can damage your hair more than you think, and if you have long hair they can be murder on your ends. Take preventative steps to stop crispy ends by incorporating a deep conditioning treatment into your routine and focusing on your ends. LAZY GIRL TIP- if waiting out the 3 minutes in the shower that most deep conditioners need to work properly seems like too much, run a bit of deep conditioner through your hair (skip the roots!) and twist your hair into a topknot before you go to sleep. You will be able to wake up and rinse in your morning shower and have gorgeous hair.
DRY SHAMPOO- limp locks from heat, humidity, and sweat can make you feel like a mess. Dry shampoo is one of my best friends all year round, but in the summer it is a style saver. Bend at the waist and spritz your roots, not only will the dry shampoo absorb the oil and sweat so that you no longer have greasy looking roots, but it will also add volume. LAZY GIRL TIP- stash a travel size bottle of dry shampoo in your bag and/or car so you can freshen up quickly and be ready for the next fun activity.
MOISTURIZE BEFORE GETTING WET- we all know chlorine is terrible for your hair, especially if you color, but lake and river water can also be damaging and drying. Dry hair is so absorbing so the best thing to do is have your hair soak up the good stuff by spraying it with leave in conditioner, hair oil, or my new can’t live without product MILK by Reverie, before getting wet. At the very least wet your hair with bottled water. LAZY GIRL TIP: use deep conditioner to coat your hair before getting wet, killing 2 good habits in 1 step. Like a boss.
SLEEP RIGHT- friction while you sleep can be really damaging so it’s always best to sleep on a silk pillowcase. If you have long hair tie it up in a top knot as well to prevent breakage. LAZY GIRL TIP: sleeping in a top knot will result in amazing waves in the morning!