Hair care…is it worth it?

Part 3 : Styling Aids

It is now June. It seems to me that around this time of year almost every other consultation we do seems to begin with the same statement, “My hair doesn’t look as good as it usually does”. There could be two reasons for this:  either every hairstylist’s becomes completely talentless during the summer months or we are still very talented but find it difficult to compete with the excessive humidity levels that are a part of living in the south. My guess would be that it is the latter of these two statements since we seem to be quite competent during the other nine months of the year. Now I am proud to live in the south despite the soupy air and the triple digit temperatures so I choose to take comfort in the fact that EVERYONES hair suffers in June, July and August and they probably are not noticing my own personal frizzie-ness! I am not meaning to make light of the situation. There is nothing more frustrating than taking the time to blow dry, smooth, flat iron and curl only to have your hard work completely disassembled by the time you get to where you are going. Now is the time to reevaluate the products that you are using to style and to hold your hair in place. Styling aids are more important this time of year than any other time.

Since hair types vary and the products available are numerous, it would be impossible for me to recommend what everyone who reads this post should use. Your stylist should be making those recommendations to you throughout the seasons. What you use may need to change periodically to accommodate the conditions of your hair, as well as the weather. I can, however, tell you about some of the top selling items that we carry here at OH SALON.

Gels and mousses will help hold the hair into place when coupled with a good holding spray. I love Defining Gel for thick hair and Uplifting Foam for fine hair. Both made by Aquage and sold ONLY in professional salons. Finishing Spray, also by Aquage, remains our best selling holding spray. Nothing will smooth your hair better in this heat and humidity than Flowing Form by Wella. It also has silicones, sweet almond oil, and jojoba extracts which will help to prevent hair from kinking back up after it has been styled. Curl Defining Crème with keep natural curls luxurious while Ocean Spritz will create that slightly mussed “beachy” look that is so trendy right now.

Items to avoid this time of year would be heavy waxes and pomades that tend to weight hair down in the heat. The only exception to this rule is male clients that tend to have shorter heavily texturized cuts and ladies with stylish pixies.  I also find that “extreme” hold hairsprays tend to break down in this humidity and can leave the hair flattened and dull.

Next week we will discuss home colors, perms and highlighting and the risk involved. Stay tuned

 

Part 2: Cleansing and Conditioning

Shampoos and conditioners are an important part of your hair care routine but, did you know that many top selling products could be causing you more harm than good?  Shampoos are considered to be quality products based upon the ingredients that they are made up of and the percentage of alkalinity that results from the ingredients. This is what is commonly referred to as the shampoos “PH” balance. Shampoos with a higher PH level can actually strip hair color and cause highlighted and permed hair to become dry and brittle. Almost every problem that we see in the salon concerning quickly fading hair color can be traced back to the shampoo that the customer is using at home.
I think that most consumers would also be amazed at the amount of wax and alcohol that most of these products contain. I would even go so far as to say that you are mainly paying for a simple wax or paraffin with just a drop of detergent added. If you are in doubt about this, please watch the video link as Christine performs a test on several of the leading brands and then does the same test on the shampoos that we sell here at OH SALON. I think you will be amazed at what you see.

We are often asked if it is important to shampoo and condition every day and I really think this is case by case and dependent on whether or not you need to. If your hair is very oily naturally then you probably will need to shampoo every day. If your hair is naturally dry then it is perfectly fine to skip a day or maybe even two. Seasons of high pollen counts, sweaty gym workouts, and humid days spent at the lake or by the pool are all reasons to shampoo your hair.

Do I need to condition?  I would have to say that in my opinion you should be using something after shampooing. Conditioning agents help seal the cuticle layer of the hair and leave you with glossier and healthier looking locks. With the use of curling wands and flat irons that reach 450 degrees, it is vitally important for the health of your hair to be protecting it in some way.  There are many types available, and like all other hair care products your stylist should be making recommendations to you so that you will get exactly what you need for your specific hair type. We even carry lightweight leave in treatments that will not weigh your hair down. Yes, everyone can benefit from the use of some type of conditioners and they should be a normal part of your routine.

Next week we will explore styling aids…what you need and how to use them properly. Thank you for all your comments on this blog series. Information is key and we at OH SALON are pleased that we can provide it for you and that you are enjoying our postings.

HAIRCARE…is it worth it?

Part 1: SALON PRODUCTS vs BIG BOX PRODUCTS

Recently I walked down the hair care aisle in our neighborhood drugstore and I was overwhelmed with the choices that are available today. Each product is tantalizingly labeled with promising words such as “reconstructing, fortifying, moisturizing, body building, shine enhancing, luminescent, curl defining, protein enriched, smoothing, calming, transforming, mega hold, and my personal favorite…professional!  It is no wonder that so many consumers are confused about what to use, how to use it, and may even possibly be using products that are doing more harm than good.

Let us be very clear about the way that these big box chains operate. They are able to purchase mass quantities of hair care products at super discounted rates and then pass them on to you at about a 100% markup. Many of these products are not much more than water and a sudsing agent with enough of a floral fragrance added to make you believe you are indulging. There is minimal regulation on truth in advertising so they can tell you pretty much anything they want to tell you in an effort to get you to purchase their brand. They may even contain fillers such as alcohol, petroleum, waxes, paraffin, gums and occasionally a marginal amount of something good like chamomile, but don’t be too sure.

Now when you see, for instance, a Paul Mitchell, Sebastian or any other so called “salon brand” in a grocery store or another retail outlet it is usually either black market packaging filled with who knows what, or it is products that are well past the recommended usage date. Let me remind you, that many of the natural ingredients in these products can mold and spoil causing potential health concerns, and at the very least, they are simply not good for your hair. These so called “professional” brands will also cost you MORE than they would if you bought them in a reputable salon which almost always guarantees what they sell.  It just doesn’t make any sense to pay more money for a sub standard product.

Only when you purchase products in a reputable salon, can you be assured of the quality, as salon professionals are well trained on the ingredients and the benefits of the items they are using and selling to you. At OH SALON, we carry only top grade professional products that have been researched, tested and our staff has been trained by company experts on how to use and provide information on the specific brands. True professional products are concentrated with the active ingredients and regulated by STYLIST. This is how we can offer you a 100% satisfaction guarantee on what we do when you are using what we recommend to you. I cannot imagine that anyone would wash their finest silk garment in Dawn dish detergent, and if you did, you certainly wouldn’t expect it to look very good or to hold up very well. Why think any less of the products that we use for our hair?

 

Haircare... is it worth it!

For the next five weeks I am going to do a series of blogs concerning professional hair care products that I hope will shed a little light on a frequently asked question, “Does it really matter what I use at home?” I hope that you will find these posting to be helpful and that they will make it easier for you to decide what you should be using and how you should be using it. The information is far too much for one posting so I have broken it down into four categories.

1…Salon Products vs Big Box Products

2…Cleansing and Conditioning

3…Styling Aids

4…Coloring and highlighting Services

We will examine the differences in what you are buying from stores such as Wal Mart or Costco and how those things compare with what you will find in a reputable salon. We will also uncover the truth about the so called “professional labels” that you may see at Publix and many drugstores. We want to let you know the facts about how these companies can offer them to you and if they are really selling them at discount prices. We want for you to be aware of the hidden dangers of “do it yourself” color and highlighting products and how it can actually cost you much more in the long run.

Please look for this series beginning on May 30 and tell all of your friends to check it out as well.  As always you can subscribe by hitting the like button on our facebook page, or you can go directly to  WWW.OHSALON.COM and click on the link to the blog. You will not want to miss the information that we are about to give to you. You know that you can trust us to keep you informed.    

 

KIAH

 

Summer Reading

One of my greatest pleasures in life is getting lost in a good book. I have always loved to read. As a child I remember “Curious George” and “Babar”. Later I evolved into more sophisticated works like anything by John Grishom and classics such as George Orwells, “1984”, “The Grapes of Wrath”, “Dorian Grey”and “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
Recently I began to read “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. My staff quickly noticed my face buried in this book at lunch and during slow moments in the day and began to comment. One by one they became more interested in what I was reading and eventually they all purchased this book and began to read and discuss it. I didn’t take long before we decided to form our very own book club, since we were really doing it anyway. I fell in love with this idea right away and can hardly wait for our first formal meeting. I also think it is so cool that we can do this together and that they are excited about the joy of reading so much so that I am already hearing suggestions for our next book.
With the fast paced world that we live in today let me urge you to find a great book this summer and spend a few moments each day in escape. It is a practice that rewards your mind, body and spirit and will remind you of the simple pleasures of the written word. Here are a few suggestions from my own reading list. Maybe you will find one of these books to be right up your ally.
Self Awareness:  COMING TO OUR SENSES by Jon Kabat-Zinn   This book takes us into the world of meditation and how this simple practice can enhance our daily lives and help us to live fully in each moment.
Non Fiction: NIGHT by Elie Weisle  This is a true story of a holocaust survivor and the atrocities that he witness as a young boy at the hands of the Nazi regime. Rabbi Weisle shows us how joy, hope and great peace can be found even after the most horrid of experiences.
Fiction: THE POISENWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingslover take us into the heart of Africa in the 1950,s as this family of missionaries is sent to live in a new world that they don’t completely understand. Each chapter is told from a different family members experience and tells how they grow to find challenge harmony and understanding in a foreign land.


KIAH

Bloggers Blogs and Blogging

Oh Salon began “LAYERS…the blog” about six months ago and we have had tremendous response to our postings. In the beginning I really wanted this to be about many things which is why we called it “Layers”. I wanted it to be about hair and fashion, but also thoughts and ideas and lessons that we have learned, and maybe lessons that we are learning. I wanting postings about the wonderful time that we spend spent with our customers and maybe even a little humor. I think it has become all of those things and thanks to those of you who pause to read it, we will continue to provide an occasional moment for you to learn, laugh, or linger in the thought.
I have learned that it can sometimes be difficult to come up with fresh things to say that we feel would be worthy of your time. So, maybe it is time to add a new layer.
We would like to hear from you, our valued friends. We want for you to be able to share your thoughts and ideas with our followers. Tell us what is going on in your lives, the joys and the triumphs, and how you are growing from every experience. Maybe you want to express your thoughts on the latest styles and trends. Give us a word about OH SALON and how a member of our team has touched you in some way or at least made you feel better than you did when you came in for your appointment.
Please keep the postings to two or three paragraphs and submit them to OHSALON@Live.com with the word blog in the header. We will review your submissions and contact you before they post. What a wonderful way for us to all share our thoughts and feelings with one another. So get creative.  Make it sweet, touching , funny or thought provoking and above all, have fun with this. We can hardly wait to hear from you.

Kiah

The Quick and Easy Messy Bun

Want to know how to do this quick, easy and always stylish look? Watch the video below. Christine shows you step-by-step.

Saying Goodbye

I am not a person who has ever been good at saying goodbye. I have had too many times in my life and for many different reasons, but I do not like it.  I have lost loved ones and had to say goodbye…I have ended relationships and had to say good bye. I do not like it. I have quit jobs and moved to other places and had to say good by and I do not like it. I do not even like to say goodbye to my parents after Sunday dinner with them. No, I absolutely DO NOT like saying goodbye.

Last week a chapter ended in OH SALONS history as our much loved front desk manager, Brandon Payne left us to pursue his studies in England. While I understand that this is the opportunity of a lifetime for Brandon, and while I believe it is always important to always encourage others to seek out what their true purpose is while walking this earth, I am still somewhat saddened by his leaving us. He has been an integral part of this salons formation and operations from providing the artwork that separates the rooms to developing the system that we use to keep up with clients and pretty much the entire method of balancing the daily cash flow. Yes, he has been vital to this business and he will be greatly missed.

I wanted to make this post a thank you card for Brandon. I want to thank him for everything that he did for us…keeping me on time, going to get our lunch on busy days, cleaning the salon and particularly my station. I want to thank him for always making our guest feel welcomed and for never complaining about having to go to events that really didn’t even benefit him but because of his loyalty to the business, he went. I want to thank him for his input and for driving to my house to let my dog outside when I couldn’t. For never…NO NOT ONE TIME…calling in sick and for always being on time…for keeping the hundreds of sales people who call on us at bay and for addressing the occasional complaint or encouraging someone who came to us with a heavy heart. Thank you for watering the plants and changing the light bulbs and for running the errands and for the many many times you rinsed out our colors so that we could stay caught up. Thank you for babysitting on Saturdays and for making me coffee when you saw I was getting tired. Thank you for your opinions and your ideas on branding us into what we have become…for keeping flip flops off of my feet and for helping to set the standard that we knew our business could and would become.

Honesty, loyalty and great expectations coupled with hard work are a rare find these days and we are better because of the time that Brandon spent with us here.  And so,  I will not say goodbye…I am sure we will meet again and until then my dear friend, take care of yourself and we will see you very soon.

 

LOVE

All of us at OH!

Pixie Fever

Award season is in full swing and it is difficult to overlook the fashion trends that walk the red carpet. This year seems to be the return of pixie fever and stars like Rihanna, Halle Berry and Anne Hathaway make this classic look sexier than ever.
The “pixie” became popular during the 1950’s when Audrey Hepburn sported the style in her debut film, “Roman Holiday” and it has been copied by a variety of celebs over the decades including Mia Farow, supermodel Twiggy and “Laugh In’s” Goldie Hawn.
Short on the sides and back and slightly longer on the top this style is versatile and easy to maintain, often wash and wear. Add a pop of color and a little texture and you too can be red carpet ready.
So if you are looking to update your style, you may want to consider the short and sassy pixie. Take it from me…I have worn this style for years and I love my haircut.

`Victoria

State of the Art

It is hard to imagine a world without art.  From the frescos of the ancient cathedrals to the finely honed strains of the symphony, local theater and the bands that play in Five Points, art is all around us and I think that life would be a little bland without it.

Some of you may know that I am an artist, a painter, a musician, a singer and a songwriter. My world has been drenched in art since a very early age. To say that this has been a rich blessing for me is true, although I really do not remember a time that I was not performing or writing….it is simply such a integral part of who I am that I do not know any different.  My life in the salon is also about art. Designing a cut and style and then creating the lines and direction, color formulation is not really any different than mixing oils, and deciding where you want the light to reflect and minimizing with depth and dimension…yes, I would say that what we do here is absolutely art.

While no one has ever paid me thousands for one of my works, and not many people are willing to pay me to sing or write the next “big hit”, many of you do choose to buy my art every day and even greater than that, you choose to wear it.  What a joy it is for me to be able to create form and beauty in my daily life and then to have you take it home with you to enjoy. Thank you all for helping me to maintain the art that I so love.

 

`Kiah

GRATITUDE

I am not good at making or at keeping resolutions. I use to begin every New Year with a list of grandiose goals and I was always sure that THIS would be the year that I kept them. They were usually the same ideas left over from the previous year…, to lose weight and to exercise more, to be more responsible with my finances, to spend a little more time in prayer, and so on. The thought was always great in theory however it usually lasted till around mid February and I would go off the wagon big time and right back into my old habits. I suspect that I am not the only one who does this and that most of you can relate to my dilemma.

This year I have a resolution, (for lack of another word) that I intend to keep. I want to show more gratitude for the richly blessed life that I am living. This is a lesson that my higher self has been trying to teach me for many months. I know this because I have been literally bombarded with the idea of “gratitude”. It has been on billboards that I pass, in pages of a book left open, in general conversation, in church sermons, in songs on television and the radio and so I know…FOR SURE, that this is a lesson that I am suppose to learn. Now let me say to you that it is not a matter of my being ungrateful so much as it is that I just get so busy with life that I very often forget TO BE grateful.

TD Jakes told the familiar Bible story of Jesus feeding the multitudes with only one fish and one loaf of bread. I have heard this story for forty seven years and yet I never really got it until now. We think, those of us who remember this story, that the miracle was in the division but it really was not. The division was the result of the display of earnest gratitude and so in reality the gratitude itself was the miracle. The very first thing that they did was to give thanks for the one fish and for the one loaf. Only after showing gratitude for the little that they had could it be multiplied into many fish and many loaves.

Now I don’t usually like to get too preachy on this blog, but it is worth noting that many times in my life, I can directly relate my circumstances and the inability to prosper in whatever way…be it financial or health related or in my spiritual growth…I can, almost every time, trace it directly to my reluctance to show my gratitude. So I think that there may be something to this story. I am resolving to list in a “Journal of Abundance”, five things a day that I am thankful for in a conscious effort to be aware of all that I have. My friend Ashley Lidikay is doing a “jar of goodness” in which she drops notes of something that she is thankful for every day and she will read them at the end of the year. This is a really cool way to do it.

Whatever the case and in whatever method we choose, let us take the time to be grateful this year for the little things that we have. I am excited to see what all has happened by this time next year.

 

MUCH LOVE

~Kiah