A professional hairstylist will begin with a thorough consultation and analysis of your hair and scalp before any hair services are performed. Consultations provide the client and the hairstylist with the opportunity to communicate concerns, answer questions and offer solutions for hair challenges. Clarity on what will be done before the hair service will help to build trust; which will produce peace of mind and create a great experience for the client and the stylist.

Lye Relaxers vs. No-Lye Relaxers

I will share with you the differences between lye products and no-lye products for those of you who are currently getting your hair chemically relaxed for more manageability. Hydroxide ion is the active ingredient in all hydroxide relaxers. Product companies have divided relaxers into two types: Lye and No-Lye relaxers. Sodium Hydroxide relaxers are classified as lye products. While Calcium, Potassium, Lithium, and Guanidine Hydroxide relaxers are considered to be No-Lye products.

No-Lye relaxers are usually less irritating to the scalp, but they have a tendency to be more drying on the hair due to calcium buildup and leaves the hair in need of frequent conditioning treatments. Lye relaxers can be more irritating to the scalp, but it has a less dull/drying effect on the hair which creates an appearance of more sheen.

Tip: The best time to ask the hairstylist questions about the hair service is during the consultation. When in doubt ask the hairstylist for the type and strength of the relaxer product that would be best for your hair type so that you are aware of what is being used.

Frizz Control

Frizz is an issue for a lot of people. Frizz can really be a challenge if you have naturally curly hair that usually gets frizzy anywhere where there is heat and humidity. Here are some of the following causes for frizzy hair: Using the wrong products, not using the products correctly, not using enough product, flat ironing your hair too often, poor maintenance habits, too many color processes or not using product at all. Clearly there are many good hair care products that are helpful in fighting frizz, but there is a hair service that will eliminate frizz and improve the condition of your hair. It's a great solution and it's called the Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Treatment.

The Brazilian Blowout Treatment will help your hair to be smooth, shiny and frizz-free for up to 12 weeks!
This is an excellent service for those of you who have damaged, frizzy, processed hair. The Brazilian Blowout Treatment is safe to use on individuals that have a relaxer or color-treated hair, because this service conditions the hair while it seals the cuticle. It's very important to use the Brazilian Blowout Acai Aftercare products, because this is what will effectively maintain the treatment.

The Acai Anti-Frizz Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo. That means that this shampoo is a mild shampoo that does not have the harsh detergents that fade, dry out or damage the hair. This particular shampoo and Acai Anti-Frizz Conditioner locks in moisture and locks out humidity. This shampoo and conditioner protects hair color and smooths the cuticle with protein. The Acai Restorative Sculpt and Define Polish is absolutely great for adding weightless texture and definition to the hair. I also like the Acai Shine & Shield Spray Shine. This is the exclusive Brazilian Super Nutrient Complex that strengthens the hair and provides lots of sheen! These last two products that I mentioned both have UVA/UVB protection.

Tip: The best way to control frizz is to use a treatment and products that works for you. Get the treatment done by a professional, use professional hair care products and ask your stylist how to use those products correctly when you're at home.

Tip: Modify your makeup and wardrobe whenever you get a new hair color.

Tip: Always select a haircut that goes well with the shape of your face and a hair color that compliments your skin tone.

Tip: Use quality brushes and combs to prevent scratching your scalp or damaging the hair shaft.

Tip: Avoid pulling the hair when brushing or styling, because this will overstretch or even snap your hair causing split ends.

Tip: Getting a scalp massage is great for relieving tension, increasing blood flow and nourishing the root/follicle.

Tip: A great diet will help in having a healthy scalp, skin and body.

Tip: If you are applying styling products on your hair like mousse, serums, sprays, gels, oils/wax on a daily basis; this will cause buildup on the hair shaft. It will have a dull appearance and it's going to be difficult to style. I would suggest using a clarifying shampoo of your choice that is safe to use on color-treated hair, adds shine and helps to remove the buildup.
I use Redken's Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo on my clients, because it works and I really like it. I buy mines from Salon Centric; which is not open to the public, because they're a wholesale salon distributor. However, you can buy Redken's Hair Cleansing cream over the counter at Ulta or Walgreen's.

Tip: Always brush your hair before you shampoo it, because it helps to massage the scalp, loosens dead skin cells and it can detangle any knots.

Tip: The best way to detangle knots after you've shampooed your hair is slowly brush from the ends of your hair upward toward your roots.

Tip: Once your hair is tangle-free, brush your hair from the roots down in order to distribute sebum along the hair shaft. This helps to increase your hair's natural shine. Keep in mind not to brush too much, because brushing will overstimulate sebum production and increase the chances of having oily hair.

Tip: Be sure to thoroughly rinse shampoo from your hair in order to prevent having greasy hair and a flaky scalp caused by soap flakes.

Tip: Finish your shampoo with a cool rinse, because this will close the cuticle and stimulate the scalp.

Tip: Don't push your hair up when you're shampooing your hair, because it causes tangles.

Tip: Squeeze and pat dry your hair when you're towel drying it to avoid rubbing the hair cuticles the wrong way.

Tip: Coarse Hair: This type of hair can look fuzzy after shampooing. I recommend using a serum or leave-in conditioner that will help close the cuticle. I would also do regular deep-conditioning treatments.

Tip: Don't over-condition the hair if you happen to have fine hair, because it will only weigh your hair down. I recommend that you prep your hair with a volumizing product specifically for fine hair right before you blow dry.

Tip: The hair cuticle (Outermost part of the hair shaft/overlapping keratin cells that form hair)
don't lie flat on curly hair, because of the curved nature of the shaft. This can cause the hair
to frizz or look dull. I recommend that you use shine enhancers and leave-in conditioners to
help you have frizz-free, shiny hair.

Tip: It's nice sometimes to take a break from doing your hair and so you throw on a hat for style. Try not to wear hats too often. Hats that are fitted too tightly on the head often cause hair loss and damage due to the constant pulling on the roots.

My Favorites: The violet Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo neutralizes clients' unwanted yellow and orange undertones. Tone, nourish, and strengthen gray and silver hair. This shampoo is really great for your hair! 


My Favorites: Color Extend Magnetics is a great color care collection! These products are tailored to protect and maintain your hair color weeks after you've gotten your hair done. I use this on myself and I love the smell and how soft it makes my hair feel! The shampoo is sulfate-free and it's good for all hair types.


Need Advice: Hair Care for Beards

We see it all the time, men of all ages are rocking their beards. The question is how well are they maintaining them? The most important thing is to find a talented barber or hairstylist that you are happy with.

The second thing I would suggest is to use a professional hair care line that has a shampoo that will work best for you. Use it at least four times a week. You want to keep the beard soft, trimmed, and conditioned at all time. A great choice to consider for purchase is Redken Brews Beard Oil. It's good for moisturizing the skin and the beard.

Blowout

From dry, curly, frizzy hair to a smooth blowout with a large round brush. 

Tip: Always brush your hair before you shampoo it, because it helps to massage the scalp, loosens dead skin cells and it can detangle any knots.

Tip: Once your hair is tangle-free, brush your hair from the roots down in order to distribute sebum along the hair shaft. This helps to increase your hair's natural shine. Keep in mind not to brush too much, because brushing will overstimulate sebum production and increase the chances of having oily hair.