5 ways to get a TERRIBLE set of extensions

5 ways to get a TERRIBLE set of extensions

Hair extensions are big business.  They're a great way of adding length and thickness and give a beautiful, glamorous look.  At least that's the theory.  I make a good living here in Newbury from rescuing a horrible set of extensions.  Sometimes it's a stylist being sloppy, sometimes a client.  Here are 5 ways you can stop yours being the next set I fix!

1.  Colour match
I've seen it so many times.  The shade ring comes out, the client gets a slightly glazed look and starts stroking beautiful rich chestnuts or shiny ash blondes.  Two rules here: match the colour at the ends, not the root and most importantly: match the colour it IS, not what you wish it WAS!

2.  Length
It's tempting when you're paying hundreds of pounds for extensions to pay the extra few pounds for the longest hair possible (usually 20" or 22").  Remember though: the longer you go the harder the extensions will be to blend, they will need more aftercare and maintenance and they may place more strain on your hair and scalp.  I recommend a maximum length of 14" - 18" for beginners.

3.  Aftercare
You know that long list of instructions?  And the piece of paper you signed to say you'd follow them?  It's not just your hairdresser covering themselves, it really is the tried and tested way of keeping your extensions looking their very best for as long as possible.  Ignore aftercare and your extensions will look like a bad wig very quickly.

4.  Maintenance
Your stylist will make it clear as part of the initial consultation how often they expect to see you for maintenance.  Don't scrimp: good maintenance gives your stylist the chance to correct any problems and extends the lifespan of your new extensions.

5.  When they're done, they're done!
Your stylist will give you a lifespan for a set of extensions (usually 2-6 months depending on application method and hair quality).  Good maintenance and aftercare will help but by the end of this lifespan they extensions may have started to shed, you'll have dropped bonds and they may start to look tired.  If you haven't followed your maintenance schedule they'll also be stringy, tangled and too far from the scalp.  Take 'em out but please don't try to remove them yourself.

Phil xxx

phil@bravohair.com
Bravo Hairdressing, Newbury, Berkshire

5 tips for going blonde this summer

Every year we get a mini-flood of customers who want lighter hair for the summer. This year is no exception: in fact the hotter weather has made our customers more sociable and even more eager to lighten!  Here are 5 tips for those thinking of going blonde this year.

1. Plan ahead

How much commitment do you want? Is this a "just for the summer" lightening or a long term affair? Look at ultra-trendy ombré and balayage techniques if upkeep might be an issue. 

2. Condition, condition, condition

Beach blondes rock, knackered or salt-frazzled locks do not. Condition before you lighten to get hair in its best shape possible, the condition after every wash to maintain moisture and shine levels.

3. Change you routine

Lightened hair needs extra care - you may need to change your shampoo, conditioner or both. 

4. Use protection

Protect lightened hair from UV with a good leave-in conditioner or styling product and protect from heat damage during styling. Frizzy blonde is ALWAYS awful!

5. Choose your tone

Very dark hair will look better with caramel and toffee blondes. Lighter hair can take ash, light beige and white blondes. Check against your skin tone too - very tanned against very ash blonde can look trashy.

Enjoy the sunshine and yes, blondes really DO have more fun!

Phil xxx

Rinsing your hair in cold water WON'T make it shiny!

First, a bit of science.

The outer layer of the hair is called the cuticle - rows of little tiles that open and close. Things that make them open include heat and alkaline products (perm lotion, hair colour, bleach etc.)  Things that close the cuticle are cold and acid products (vinegar, lemon juice, pH balanced conditioners etc.)

So why won't cold water make your hair shiny? Well, it's true that the cuticle will close with cold water - but then what? Unless you're an otter, your hair is going to need drying at some stage. Either you're going to rough up the cuticle with a towel, or your going to apply heat in the form of a hairdryer, or both!

So how do you get hair to shine?

1. Products. There are a ton of shine products for all hair types.

2. Condition. Parched hair is prone to frizz, flyaways and will never look glossy.

3. Colour. Artificial colours, especially semi- or demi-permanents bring bags of shine. That said, you'll struggle more with shine on lighter shades and blonde due to the way colour pigment lies in the hair.

4. No colour! Ask your stylist about a clear glossing service. It's literally a clear shiny coating for the hair.

Be kind to your hair, and enjoy warm water!

Phil xxx

phil@bravohair.com

Bravo Hairdressing, Newbury, Berkshire

(01635) 552323

Here comes the sun . . . and there goes my colour!

Why does hair colour fade in the sun??

Annoying isn't it? Beautiful subtle tones all reduced to a washed out mess with shades of orangey gold.

Synthetic dyes are made of clever things called polymers. By the time they're in the hair the polymer molecule is relatively long and stable. Then comes nasty UV! Think of the polymer as a type of plastic, then picture what happens to plastics when they are left in the sun: they fade, go brittle and eventually break. This fading and breaking of the molecule is exactly what is happening to your hair colour. Add the fact that the cuticle of the hair opens in the heat resulting in loss of moisture: your lovely shimmering tones don't stand a chance!

What can you do?

• Work on maintaining the condition of the hair EVERY wash
• Wear a hat?!
• Use a UV protection hair product whenever there's a chance of exposure to the sun. Check the labels - there's UV protection in a wide range of specialist products AND a lot of general styling products too
• PERSONAL OPINION - Reds tend to fade quicker in the sun, so maybe avoid them for the summer months and bring them back into your style for the autumn
• Factor a little fade into the equation - made reds or coppers slightly richer or more vibrant, browns a little deeper and don't be afriad of a little gold in your blonde.

Enjoy your summer!

Phil x

Inspired by Sassoon's courtesy of Wella

I enjoyed some fab demos from Edward (UK Colour Director) and Danielle (Creative Director) from the Sassoon's team today.

I'd never seen Danielle's work before, but she's a great cutter and gives a really inciteful demo too.

I've been lucky enough to watch Edward' work a few times now - he really is one of the best colourists in the biz.

I was attending the Wella Master Colour Congress which is a regular refresh/inspire session attended by all Wella Master Colour Experts. The Master Colour Expert is Wella's highest colour qualification, and I've been a proud holder for over five years now. It's great that Wella try so hard to keep updating you: it keeps you motivated to try new ideas and gives real insight into how the brand and products are developing. After all, how are we to be the best salon in Berkshire if I just churn out the same-old all day every day? It's also great to catch up with other colour technicians from around the country - it's lovely to spend time with people who share a passion.

Phil x