Posted by Linda Leonard on Thu, May 31, 2012 @ 03:26 PM
With the changing of seasons not only do we switch out our wardrobe, we change our morning routine and everything else... I wrote this blog to help answer some of the most common questions I'm asked at the salon.
Do go sulfate-free!
People tend to wash their hair more during the hot summer months, but the heavy detergents in most shampoos can dry out strands, a problem that is then exacerbated by the frying effects of a hot sun. If you can handle it, skip the "poo" all together! This is tough though, and eventually a cleanse is needed. Using a sulfate-free shampoo is a gentler option.
The Straight Line is great for course, or curly hair because it aids in frizz and flyaway reduction by smoothing and softening the hair shaft.
"ColorMinded" Products have UV protection built right in! They work by coating the hair with polymers that seal out water, and keep vibrant tones locked in. The conditioner packs the most potent bunch of colorfading technology. Try combining straight shampoo with colorminded Conditioner for a great partner relationship!
Find Ways to Combat the Color Sucking (and crunch causing) Summer Sun!
Color is truly an investment. Don't neglect the aftercare!! UV rays will likely change your color, chemicals like chlorine can also affect the tone of your hair. It is important to protect youself from the summer sun so try some of these great ideas!
Don't think head scarves are dowdy. If you have a wedding or other special occasion coming up that requires hair perfection, go Jackie O with a touch of sensible French chic to protect strands from the damaging effects of the sun. "I love hair pulled into a chignon and wrapped with a colorful scarf," says our Network educator, Nicky. The elegant combination will ensure that UV rays don't mess with the shade and finish of your hair, and you'll look stylish while keeping cool to boot. (Still don't go for it? Try ColorMinded Styling Balm, voted best beauty pick for the beach at coastalliving.com)
Don’t shampoo before swimming! Shampoo strips away your protective oils, leaving hair vulnerable to drying chemicals, salt, and sun
Do rinse your hair with tap water before entering the pool! Why? Think about how a sponge would react... If you dropped a dry sponge in a puddle, it would absorb whatever liquid it could until it was completely saturated. So cut to the chase- your hair won't absorb as much pool water this way! You could even use a conditioner (Leave IN(Rinse Out) Conditioner) to saturate your hair, the results will be extra soft and silky.
Invest in a hair masque, and turn scorching hours in the sun into an "at beach deep conditioning treatment". Wet with tap water and then coat your hair, concentrating on the ends with any Bumble and Bumble Masque. Be careful with protein rich mixtures, too long of an exposure can be bad for your hair (Max 15 Minutes). The best options for any hair type is something really moisture rich because you could leave it on all day long.
Both smell great! Beachy, fresh, and fruity with a powerful punch! Lucy, an experienced colorist at the salon says Quenching is her favorite, "it gets the job done, and is the perfect solution for dry hair." Key ingredients like wheat germ extract, creatine, panthenol, and aloe leaf juice restore the natural moisture barrier for supple softness, strength, and sublime detangling!
Do carry dry shampoo. It happens to the best of us -- you get caught in an elevator, bus or store with no air conditioning, and suddenly your hair is flat and greasy with perspiration. Gross! "If you're on the go, refresh and cleanse your style with dry shampoo," advises Nicky. Aim the can about a foot away from the scalp, and spray in 1-inch sections that go against the grain of hair growth. Allow to absorb for a couple of minutes, and then brush out any remaining powder. Bumble has amazing hair powder. Use white for all hair, or grab any color to help conceal grey roots!
Do blow dry hair plagued by pouf. "Clients say they blow-dry their hair in the morning, and the second they step out the door, they can feel the frizz creeping back in. They say they can actually feel their hair growing larger with every passing minute!" says Shelby. Oh yes, you bet we can relate to that. The cause of the pouf monster is lingering moisture hiding out in the hair. A strong blast with a good hair dryer will push frizz out and bring smoothness back. A popular favorite at the salon is Straight Blowdry. Heat activated, it helps to smooth the hairshaft and make it easier to blowdry.
*Remember to rinse with cool water after conditioning so the cuticle lies flat, creating a smooth, reflective surface.
If it’s too much to handle… Don’t fight it! If you don't want to fight your strands all summer long and instead want to work with the beautiful texture nature gave you, the secret is to wash at night. Shampoo and condition before bed, and allow locks to air-dry overnight, so that you don't have to get sweaty while brandishing a blowdryer in the morning. Upon waking, use Surf Spray and scrunch hair to accentuate waves and bring out texture. Spritz Shine spray for a polished look, and you're good to go. If you want a gently styled look, you can run a flat iron or curling barrel on just the ends for smoothness.
*Total Beauty readers rated Surf Spray an average of 9.1 out of 10! Why: One reviewer says, "Bumble and bumble definitely lives up to the hype. If you're looking for that messy, tousled look -- surf spray is the way to go and worth the investment." Another reader starts by saying, "miracle product." Then goes on to say, "it gave my hair texture, separated layers and held the messy look pretty much all day without hair spray. Best of all it didn't leave a residue in my hair or feel heavy and gross as styling products can." Another reader says it has the "perfect fresh-from-the-beach smell, and gives the perfect beach-y, salty, dried-out texture" and that her "natural wave is brought out minus frizz." See more here
Posted by Linda Leonard on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 @ 02:00 PM
This past Sunday, March 18, four members of our team were invited to B&b's Color Minded Launch at the Liberty Hotel in Boston, Mass!
Andrea Arterbery, who will be here for our styling class (Thursday, 3/29), along side Zoe Weipert & Alejandro Jimenez transformed dull locks into luscious masterpieces- utilizing the new Color Minded Products available in stores this April!
We are terribly excited to share with you the effectiveness of these products! The Color Minded product line includes a sulfate free shampoo & conditioner, as well as a styling balm and UV polish (the FIRST UV protectanct Bb has given the consumer!!)
In addition to the shampoo, conditioner, & styling aids, there is a ProTreatment for in house color services. Applied at the sink, this treatment gurantees permanent color from fading for up to 40 shampoos!
!!! HELLO RED HEADS!!! 
Performing this service is time effective and as you can see above gives amazing results! Ask your stylist if it would be a good option for you next time your in.
Hair color has it's quirks...prone to tempermental fading and shade shifting. Your honey blondes, fire engine reds, deep eggplant purples, and every other shade under the sun are worth preserving, and now we can!
The solution is made by putting an invisible fence around the hair shaft, locking water out and keeping color in. The entire line posseses two polymer technology which makes this happen. (the ProTreatment, of course, is the most potent, conditioner following).
I love the bright, summery, citrus scent of these products! The shampoo is mild & gentle, maintaining a lather even though it lacks sulfates. The Color Minded Conditioner is superhydrating, and at the same time lightweight for even the finest hair. Designed to seal, shine, and keep all tones true both systems help minimize fading and prolong color vibrancy.
Both stylers contain UV filters & protection against humidity.
Most importantly, they maintain a lipid barrier on the hair shaft.
The Protective Polish works best in dry hair, adding shine and defnintion whereas the Styling Balm can be used on wet locks and has a touch of hold. Think of it as a perfect medley between Grooming and Styling Creme.
The Top 10 Hair Color Updates to try Now!
1. Red!! Why? See above, thats why! Best bets, says celebrity colorist Rita Hazan, "Copper, ginger, all different variations of red brown with warm tones.
2. Sandy blondes and fawn browns - give you a very natural, seventies look
3. Wheat blonde. "It's beautiful on blondes with pale skin." says Zoe Wiepert
4. Pastels!!!! Do just the ends in baby pink, mint green or baby blue
5. Ombre is so hot right now! Use a combination of high and lowlights with different tones of blonde on the tips with darker roots. It grows out beautifully and has zero maintenance.
6. Super natural tone on tone. (A way to give oomph to virgin hair)
7. Sun and sand. Picture Beyonce. Miko Branch from Miss Jessie's Salon in NYC confirms, "Golden and ash blonde highlights work on a lot of textures."
8. Slightly Lighter. Go two shades up from your current shade to soften your features.
9. Splash color! Bright, bold hues like blue, red, and yellow can literally be painted on with the technique shown two pictures above.
10. A clear gloss. "Think of it as your color, just more sparkling," said Zoe at the Launch.