Tips for Surviving a Major Hair Change

They say, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life,” but I don’t really buy into all that. A woman who cuts her hair probably got bored! I get “hair bored” all the time. With my most recent chop, it was a mix of boredom and necessity—all of my bleaching and dyeing earlier this year left my hair pretty damaged and begging for a major cut. I lost a lot of length, but it didn’t faze me much since I’ve been through this before as well as a few other random stages of pink hair, pixie cuts, and what-have-you. I haven’t always been this chill about my hair; I once spent a sleepless night before a hair cut wondering if I was making the right decision or if I’d regret it instantly. And I’ll still have a freak-out moment if I trim my fringe too short and end up with Bettie Page bangs! But hair cuts happen and sometimes major hair changes happen by choice or necessity, so here are a few tips if you’re getting ready to go under the scissors (or dye!) and are feeling nervous about the process.

1.) Wear something cute. This might seem like a bit of odd advice, but I think it’s helpful to go to your favorite hair salon wearing something cute when you’re going to come out with a very different look. (The blue floral dress I’m wearing is not by chance; it’s one of my favorite dresses that I always feel good in!) Cutting off a lot of hair can be a bit shocking, but if you’re wearing your favorite dress when you see your new look for the first time, it can soften the blow and help show you just how good that new cut can look once the shock wears off! 

2.) Give it a week. Don’t write off a new hair cut or color for at least one week. I’ve had friends who try something new—like a fringe or shorter hair—but decide within 24 hours they can’t stand it and start pinning their hair back straight away until it’s back to their old style. To me this doesn’t make any sense. They never gave themselves a chance to adjust to the new look. It might take you a few days to get over the “wow that’s different” feeling to actually “see” what you look like. So give yourself time. Don’t pin or hide your new look for at least a week, look at in the mirror often and get used to it before you decide whether it’s right or wrong.

3.) Know what you want. Of course while it takes time to adjust to a new haircut, you should also have a very fixed idea of what you want if you’re going for a major change. Create a Pinterest board with the new style you want to try and try seeing the style from different angles (front, side, back, etc.) to get a very firm idea of what you’re going for. If you’re dyeing, do you know what shade you want—even if you decide to go blue, it could be dark, pastel, more aqua or ombre! Know what you want and bring loads of pictures and examples to your hair dresser to help you communicate the new style clearly.

4.) Be willing to go in stages. I had a hair stylist in the past who said she wouldn’t cut someone’s long hair into a short pixie cut in one sitting, but insisted they cut off the hair in two or three appointments. She had too many women crying in her chair over a drastic cut to do it again! I also went from long hair to a bob before committing to the pixie. It definitely helped me adjust to short hair to go for an in-between cut for about a month before my final chop. With dyeing, it can take a few visits as well, especially if you want to go for a bright, unnatural color. So don’t get discouraged if you book an appointment and find out not everything can be done in one day. This is also important to remember in reverse—once you commit to certain styles, it will take awhile to get back to what your hair was before, so know what you are getting into.

5.) Remember it’s all temporary. If you take the plunge with a style and it ends up not being what you want, try not to worry too much because it’s all temporary. I’m not a big risk-taker in life. A lot of decisions you can make in life can have permanent or at least lasting consequences (as a kid I was terrified of things ending up on my “permanent record” and was really worried as a senior when I got a detention that it would blemish this record), but hair? Hair isn’t permanent. Bad cuts will grow out, as will dye which will also fade (usually quicker than you want it to). In a few months or a year, no one would even know you had blue hair or a shaved side cut. Source

6 Basic Mistakes You Make When You Wash Your Hair

Step 1: Shampoo. Step 2: condition… Simple right? Since washing your hair consists of two steps, you’d think we’d have the routine on lockdown, but in reality, most of us are making the same simple mistakes over and over again. While it may seem like no big deal, it could be damaging your hair; we’re talking split ends, frizz, and even hair loss – no thanks! To avoid messing up your hair game, make sure you’re not making any of these common hair-washing mistakes:

1. You’re Shampooing All Wrong…

While we live for the luxury of long showers, most of the time we run into the shower and squirt on shampoo ASAP! You should actually rinse your hair for at least 30 seconds before you start shampooing to remove any residue that’s lingering. This will help cleanse your hair of any product buildup or pollution and allow the shampoo to penetrate more deeply. Once you start shampooing, make sure you work it into a lather by massaging your scalp to encourage absorption and boost blood circulation for a healthier, flake-free scalp.

If you’d typically reach for the conditioner next, you’d be missing an essential step: the second shampoo – think of it as double cleansing for your hair! By shampooing twice, you ensure that all the product and grease build-up is properly removed. So, although you won’t need to do this every wash (otherwise you could strip your hair of its natural oils), if you’ve used a lot of products like dry shampoo and hair spray or you’ve gone an extra day without washing, we recommend double shampooing.

2. You’re Using Too Much Conditioner…

One of the most common shower mistakes people make is applying conditioner to their scalp. Conditioner is deeply nourishing, and so by applying a layer to your roots, your hair is much more likely to get greasy, sooner. Your scalp is already naturally conditioned with sebum (the oil your body produces), however, as the ends are further from the scalp, they need a little extra TLC, which is why you should concentrate the conditioner here. Then, make sure you let your conditioner soak into your locks for at least two minutes. Finish with a cold water rinse to close the cuticle and help your hair retain moisture. Plus, this will leave it looking shinier and feeling smoother.

Top tip: If your hair is prone to brittle split ends, add a couple of drops of oil into your conditioner bottle. This helps create a deep conditioning effect without having to splurge on another hair product.

3. You’re Using Super-Hot Temperatures…

There’s honestly no better feeling than standing under a steaming hot shower. While this may work wonders for your stress levels, it’s actually wreaking havoc on your hair. High temperatures dehydrate your hair as they strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving your scalp flakey and itchy. Try to resist the urge to crank up the heat and opt for warm temperatures instead. If you can’t bear the cold, finish your shower with a surge of cold water to seal the hair follicle. Although, remember to rinse your hair thoroughly.

4. You’re Not Buying The Right Hair Products

While we spend hours researching skincare products, we tend to grab any hair product from the drugstore, but this is a big mistake. Finding a shampoo and conditioner to suit your hair type means you’ll be able to give your hair what it really needs. For example, curly hair products will contain humectants and nourishing oils that could make fine, straight hair look greasy. Similarly, products for fine hair could matte curly hair… Trust us, we learned the hard way! 

5. You’re Not Blotting Your Hair Dry

Did you know a ton of celeb hairstylists blot hair dry in between shampoo and conditioner? Leaving excess water in your hair before you apply conditioner could prevent nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft. If you’re in a rush, just squeeze the water from your hair, but don’t twist – twisting your hair while it’s wet can break the hair shaft and cause split ends. Once you’ve rinsed your conditioner, avoid twisting your hair in an old towel. Instead, blot it dry and then wrap it in an old T-shirt to reduce frizz and damage.

6. You’re Brushing Your Hair In The Shower

When your hair is wet, it’s more fragile and prone to breakage, so if you brush your hair in the shower, you can damage and weaken the hair as you pull downwards. Instead, wait until you’ve blotted your hair dry, and then brush from the bottom of the hair downwards, detangling and moving towards the roots as you go – this is the gentlest method. It’s also really important to ensure you’re using the right hair brush for your hair type. Source

4 Skin Rules That’ll Make The Biggest Difference

1. Make Sunscreen a Habit

“Regardless of skin tone, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can really impact skin adversely when it comes to premature aging (it’s responsible for up to 90% of premature aging), hyperpigmentation, sunburns, and even skin cancer. One of the healthiest and aesthetically-motivated things you can do to your skin is to start wearing sunscreen very early in your life and to remain consistent,” Dr. Kikam tells us. And we have to say, you might not see the difference now, but best believe in 10 years, you’ll be grateful you followed her advice.

2. Start Retinoids in Your Mid 20s

If sunscreen is the best for preventing signs of aging, then retinoids are its equivalent for reversing any signs that do appear. Dr. Kikam says, “Retinoids are the gold standard anti-aging ingredient after sunscreen. Over 50 years of clinical data exist to back up claims. Retinoids increase collagen production, delay fine lines and wrinkles, have anti-acne properties, and support the improvement of discoloration. It’s best to start retinoids in your mid-20s when collagen decline starts.”

3. Exfoliation is a Must

“Exfoliation promotes faster skin turnover, which helps get rid of excess melanin and improves skin discoloration or uneven skin tone. It is a major remedy against dull skin, which tends to happen more as we grow older and skin renewal slows down. Exfoliation helps brighten skin and makes our skincare products work more efficiently,” Dr. Kikam explains. She also points out that because it removes the buildup of dead skin cells, it also allows skincare ingredients to be better absorbed.

4. Be Consistent

And above all else, Dr. Kikam stresses that “All the above rules are great, but unless you are consistent in your implementation of them, then you will not see the results. I can’t stress enough how important this is.” We have to agree – patience is the biggest virtue here. Take retinol, for example, it takes consistent use over months to start seeing results. Source

Frosted Tips Making A Comeback

Frosted tips are making a comeback, with celebrities and stylists reintroducing the look. While the original style from the 90s and early 2000s was characterized by spiky, bleached tips, the modern take on frosted tips is more subtle and versatile. The frosted tips trend, popular in the late 90s and early 2000s, is experiencing a resurgence, blending nostalgia with contemporary styles.  

A modern interpretation of the frosted tips today are unlike the spiky, defined look of the past, modern frosted tips are softer, with a more gradual transition between the bleached and natural hair. This style has also become a popular choice among young athletes such as soccer players or wrestlers when headed off to a big tournament or match.  Source

Happy 4th of July!

 

Happy 4th of July! We hope you have a safe holiday weekend!

Jon Edwards Salon & Spa 

536 East Main Street, Vacaville, CA, United States, California

(707) 449-4988

jonedwardssalonandspa@gmail.com