Austin Curly Hair Specialist Shares 3 Killer Tips

[last_updated] By Shagaustin

If you have curly hair, it’s likely you deal with the same issues as other curly haired ladies. The hair can tend to be hard to manage, look dry, and lack luster and as a result, a lot of people don’t embrace their natural curly texture. However, with the right arsenal of products and a little know how you can wear your hair naturally and help improve its texture. With this guide you’ll know exactly what products are right for you, and how to use them.

Curling Shampoo Recommended By Austin Hairstylist

Using a curl enhancing, sulfate free shampoo is an absolute MUST! Normal shampoos rough up the cuticle of the hair and for those with curly hair, that’s what you want to stay away from. Friction on the cuticle of the hair causes frizz and makes curly hair look unhealthy and dry. By using a cleansing conditioner in place of a shampoo, you are likely to get smoother curls with fewer frizzes and more shine. We love the DevaCurl No-Poo Cleansing Conditioner to cleanse the hair and keep it hydrated. When using this product it’s important to consult a certified DevaCurl expert to get the most out of your product. Our Austin DevaCurl expert Havalah loves showing her clients how to apply and rinse the product to make beautifully defined curls. She recommends using plenty of shampoo and vigorously scrub she scalp since the product is free of surfactants. Then, you must rinse very well while still scrubbing the scalp to make sure the product is out.

Curly Hair Needs A Special Towel To Dry Off

The next step is another key factor in frizz free hair. Skip the towel and use a special microfiber towel or a soft tee shirt to squeeze excess water out of the hair while keeping the hair smooth. A typical towel will snag the hair and make it harder to create supple, smooth curls when you style it. The DevaCurl product line carries a microfiber towel designed to dry the hair without snagging. Whether you use the DevaCurl towel or a soft cotton tee shirt the technique is still the same: gather the hair into the towel or shirt and with a wavy motion, squeeze upward. Do that with all sections of the hair until it’s somewhat dry and then let it finish drying naturally. It’s important to leave it alone during this time and not touch it with your fingers!

Curl Enhancing Gel

A gel or lotion is the perfect styling product that every curly haired girl should have on hand. These products help define each curl and create a supple and smooth tendril. Without the use of a curl-enhancing product, the hair can dry and end up looking lack-luster and dull. To use a gel or lotion, squeeze a dime to nickel size of product in your palm and rub hands together. Gently rake the product throughout the hair, starting mostly at the bottom and ends and working your way to towards the roots. Make sure to keep product away from the scalp to keep hair looking clean and not oily. Use the same squeezing motion done with the towel to enhance the curls with the styling product. Once you’ve worked the product into your hair, you can let it dry naturally (which we recommend) or use a diffuser attachment on your blow drier to finish. The products we love to use on curly haired clients are the Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion and the DevaCurl Arc Angel Gel. The lotion creates a less controlled and softer look while the gel is more defining and has a much stronger hold.

The most important tip that any curly haired beauty needs to keep in mind is FRICTION CAUSES FRIZZES. The less that you “rough up” your hair with the use of harsh shampoos, towels, and care the better your curls look.

Contact Your Austin Curly Hair Specialist For Expert Help

at Shag Hair Salon

Top 5 Hair Mistakes To Avoid

[last_updated] By Shagaustin

Do You Make These 5 Hair Mistakes ?

(So do we sometimes!)

So we are all guilty of not making the best decisions about our haircare. Even as an Austin hairstylist, we don’t always practice what we preach. Even the smallest haircare habits, done consistently can reverse damaged hair. These are the most important hair care habits to avoid the most common hair mistakes.

1. Avoiding brushing your hair:

…Especially before washing. We know you woke up late, or just don’t know how to muster the energy up to open your bathroom drawer where your brush currently inhabits, but just brushing your hair before washing can avoid the damage of breakage when you try to wash your hair while its wet. Also when you brush your hair, you distribute the natural oils from the scalp that condition your hair. This means put down that dry shampoo you are reaching for, and try to make brushing a habit. Creating the habit of brushing will play into the prevention of over washing your hair as well, since you will be better distributing the natural oils.

2. Forgetting to Apply a Heat Protectant…

Before you use a heat tool on your hair. As stylists, we are very guilty of forgetting ourselves from time to time. We do though make it a point to protect our clients hair though. We don’t want you repeating a scene from the youtube video of the girl breaking her hair off with a wand. Even though it was hysterical, and we laughed until we cried, we want you to be educated. Always, always use a heat protectant before any heat is applied to your hair. Its always effective to apply it wet, rather than dry. Remember also, hairspray is not a heat protectant. That sizzling that occurs, when your hot tool meets your hair sprayed hair, isn’t some hot connection, you are literally cooking your hair!

3. Skipping regular hair cuts:

On average, the hair on a person’t head grows 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch every four weeks. this leaves the possibility of steady growth over a period of time. If you are skipping regular trimmings, which we do notice, you are causing cumulative damage. We won’t be able to comfortably take a 1/4 inch trim, because your split ends begin to fray the hair strand, slowly climbing towards your scalp. This leads to that dreaded “we need to take off at least an inch, maybe two.” talk to your stylist, and get on a regular schedule for trimmings. We all have that mermaid hair goal, but consistence is key.

4. Coloring your hair at home:

Nothing could be worse than our clients sitting down in the chair, with an at home dye job beaming back at us. Most clients are not even vaguely aware of the problems that come along with box color. When we apply color, one client could require a 10 volume developer, maybe 20 volume, these two developers can give an immense range of results from client to client. this doesn’t even consider if the color is permanent, semi, or demi. We custom build your color, for you, so you get exactly what you want. Most box colors use an even higher volume developer, to ensure that some kind of result occurs. This could lead to irreversible damage. Its also damage on a whole new level. Please leave the coloring to the professionals, if you truly care about the integrity of your hair. Remember to be honest with us so we can take this into consideration when formulating a color strategy.

5. Lastly, give that pony a rest:

Some of us ladies have grown very fond of the easy rut of throwing our hair into the same ponytail everyday. What they don’t realize is that this repeat offense is causing the hair to become weak. Every time you place your pony tail, typically in the same place, the hair becomes weak and begins to break. This doesn’t even consider that some women pull their ponytails so tight, it looks like they are surprised to see everyone. Be weary of the ever faithful pony. If the ponytail is a must, at least consider the type of hair tie used in your lovely locks. Never under any circumstances use a hair tie with a medal clasp, this are the worst of the worst. Your hair is an ever growing appendage of you. It will only look as good as the care you place in it. This care will be evident to everyone, So be aware of the gruesome factors your hair endures. The more you educate your self the more you can prevent.

Best Hairdryer For The Money

[last_updated] By Shagaustin

I always have a flutter of excitement in my belly when I go to get my hair done. I carefully pick the outfit that is going to look right with my new ‘do. I double check my haircare products in anticipation of buying something new. I eagerly await that yummy smell of my stylist’s preferred haircare line that hits me as I take my first step through the door. I can’t wait to close my eyes and listen to the low hum of gossip, laughter, and hair dryers as she shampoos my hair. The best part for me though, aside from walking out the door knowing I look way more glam than when I walked in, is the uninterrupted time I get to pick the brain of the bubbly beauty expert standing behind me for tips on how to recreate the look she is giving me at home.

Best Hairdryer at The Best price

“Look at this!” she tells me the last time I was there, “you need to run, not walk, to Costco and get the best hairdryer out there at the best price I have ever seen. And it’s purple!” She is holding a purple T3 Featherweight hairdryer. Being a beauty junkie I am familiar with the T3. It is a high end dryer known to create smooth shiny hair fast with ionic technology. She then told me that the last time she bought a T3 it had lasted 10 years, was one of the lightest dryers she had used, and that because it dries hair so fast it saves her about 10 minutes per client during the course of her workday. Time that equals money I would imagine.

The Best Hairdryer – An Investment??

I had owned a T3 about 7 years ago and did love it. I also had experience dealing with their warranty department and could not have been happier, however, the T3 is an investment. The T3 is an ionic hairdryer that uses tourmaline. Basic How-It-Works Lesson: hairdryers used to use copper then nichrome coils to create heat. It was then discovered that ceramic, rather than metal, heats more evenly and does not burn the hair. Ionic technology came in to play because the negative charged ions cause the water molecules to break up faster and evaporate on the outside of the hair shaft more quickly sealing the cuticle and leaving hair shinier. Tourmaline is a mineral that produces negatively charged ions when heated. Tourmaline dryers are either coated with the mineral or the actual parts are made out of it. Tourmaline is costly, therefore a tourmaline hair dryer will be pricier.

Great technology, right? Shinier, healthier hair, less time drying. But…..the cost. If you check on Amazon there is a T3 Featherweight (though sadly it is not purple) similar to the one Costco is selling for about $130, Costco’s is $89, the one I had years ago was $200. How does a person on a budget pull the trigger on that one? As a girl on a budget I chose not to, but as I am sitting in the chair thinking back (while my perfectly sunkissed highlights are processing) I realize that over the same amount of time I had owned my $200 hairdryer I have now purchased about 5 $65-$80 hair dryers. Not a wise choice in the long run, especially now that Costco has this one for $89. Costco is notorious for running out of these great deals quickly but know that it is a still great value at Amazon pricing.

Before heading over to Costco I needed a few more reassuring words from my stylist. “Can you really tell the difference between clients that use a T3 and those that use a traditional dryer purchased at a local drugstore?” read my text. Her reply “Yes! I can majorly tell the difference! It pushes all the water molecules out of your hair so it doesn’t allow your hair to revert back to curly or frizzy with humidity. Hair is smoother and holds the memory of your style better and for longer.” Magic words to a girl with coarse hair living in a humid state. There is a purple hair dryer in my future.

Knowing not everyone is not going to feel comfortable at this price point, at least do yourself and your hair a favor when purchasing your next dryer. At least get an ionic dryer and bump it up to tourmaline if you can.

Thank you my sweet hair guru (Hayley Groll) for sharing your find! I cannot wait to see you in 5 weeks so I can again pick your brain.

Cheap Shampoo: The Shocking Truth

[last_updated] By Shagaustin

Should I Use Cheap Shampoo?

At some point in our lives, we’ve all wanted to be the girl on the Herbal Essence commercial. But let’s face it Austin, using products of that caliber aren’t going to give you those shiny healthy locks your trying to achieve. The truth is, cheap shampoos and conditioners are loaded with filler ingredients made to mimic and feel like their more expensive competitors. Not only that, but there are some hidden ingredients in these products that are linked to various health issues. As an Austin hair salon, we are asked this question occasionally, but many of you don’t ask so we want to share our knowledge on the subject. Let us explain…

Silicones in Your Cheap Shampoo

Drug store grade products that are specifically for smoothing or hydrating typically contain a silicone base in the ingredients. This form of pliable plastic coats the hair making it appear smoother and shinier. The truth is, they aren’t particularly damaging, but they don’t treat dry or damaged hair in the long run. They also require heavy sulfates to remove the buildup caused by silicones…more on sulfates later. Instead of coating the hair shaft with silicone-based products, trade it in for an oil-based product that will penetrate the hair to repair and reconstruct. We recommend the HYDRATE.ME WASH & RINSE from Kevin Murphy. These products are infused with Kakadu oil from the Australian Kakadu plant that repairs damaged hair and offers immediate smoothness.

Sulfates & Shampoo

Sulfates have had their share of the spotlight with recent studies that the overly used molecule can be linked to various types of cancers. The truth is, sulfates are still being studied and aside from the possible cancer causing side effects, the immediate effects are obvious and noteworthy. Sulfates strip the hair of natural and vital oils and nutrients it needs to remain healthy. These oils protect the hair and scalp from daily wear and tear as well as chemical services. Using a shampoo full of sulfates removes that protective barrier and leaves hair feeling dull and lifeless. There are plenty of sulfate free options that will still keep your hair clean without stripping it of the necessities. We love using Kevin Murphy products because all of their washes & rinses are sulfate free.

Water To Dilute Your Shampoo

This may not sound like a bad thing, especially because we use water to help lather our shampoos and rinse them out. Don’t be fooled. Product lines can use water to dilute the active ingredients and make the batch of product go further, meaning more money for the company. Although water is the number one ingredient in almost ALL products, cheaper products use less of the active ingredients and more water to keep the prices low and profitability high. Look for products that have active ingredients and read consumers reviews before investing in a new shampoo or conditioner.

Alcohol and Perfumes Damage Your Hair

Let’s be honest, some of the cheapest hair products have some of the strongest scents and to a lot of consumers, that’s a big deal. We all want our hair to smell like a bouquet of roses slathered in honey and jasmine. The way that these companies achieve these scents is where the problem comes into play. They use heavy doses of alcohol and artificial perfumes to give your drug store products a high-end scent. Using these alcohol based products can cause dryness and dullness and can break down the essential natural oils found on our hair and scalp. Using products with naturally derived scents is always a better alternative. Kevin Murphy shampoo uses essential oils to add a light scent to their products and these essential oils actually repair the hair on a cellular level! Unlike artificial scents, these oils have reparative properties and work double time to make your hair feel and smell amazing.

Beware Cheap Shampoos Austin!

Let’s Talk Hair Lingo

[last_updated] 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.