Frizzy hair? 5 ways to improve your air-drying routine to prevent frizz

There are many benefits to air drying your hair – minimizing exposure to heating tools, for one. For those with curly or wavy hair, air drying is also a way to ensure your waves and curls turn out beautifully. Here are 5 ways to make sure that you’re getting the most out of air drying:  

1. Use a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel instead of a regular bath towel.

Avoid aggressively drying your hair with a towel – this rubs up against hair cuticles, which results in frizz and tangled hair. Instead, dab – and not rub – your hair with an old or unwanted T-shirt for a smooth and absorbent approach, then gently squeeze out the moisture so that your hair is no longer dripping wet.

2. Using the right products.

​Putting some gel – yes, gel – into your hair while it’s still soaking wet can actually help to seal hair cuticles as it dries. After your hair dries, your hair will feel a little ‘crunchy’, but don’t fear! You can easily scrunch this out by gently cupping your hair in your hands and doing a scrunching motion. This will help set the hair, add volume, and reduce frizz and unruliness.

3. Avoid touching your hair while it’s still wet.

Running your fingers through your hair or brushing your hair excessively as it dries will cause the hair to frizz. But if you must, just use product before touching your hair. Using a blow-dry serum on your hair as it dries will help cut down frizziness.

4. Styling your hair while it’s still damp.

For those who want to enhance your natural waves or curls, you can twirl your hair into a tight bun when damp, which will elongate and smooth your natural curl pattern. When your hair is fully dry, release your bun and finger-comb through lightly. Putting your hair in two loose braids as it dries, which using a product with a lotion-like consistency so it doesn’t weigh your hair down, will help to give you loose waves. When your hair dries or is almost dry, take your hair out of the braids, shake your hair around. Be careful not to keep your hair in the braids for a long period of time unless you are going for a very crimped look.

5. Avoid showering before bed if you want to air dry your hair.

our hair is still vulnerable when it’s damp – so when you sleep, your hair can become tangled and knotty which leads to messy hair as it rubs against your pillow. To minimize tangles, use a silk or satin pillow case.
Most people think that air drying hair is all about just leaving it alone, but as you can see, there is a little more to it! Following these simple tips will make a difference in the shine and health of your hair. For more ideas on how to achieve your best hair day, make an appointment with us today.
September 16, 2019

3 Chemicals to Avoid when shopping for hair products

Ever wondered what’s in your hair products? Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what’s good for you, and what’s not, especially when a lot of marketing is involved. This can be confusing when you want to find out what’s really in your shampoo bottle, and whether you should be using it on your hair. Here is a list of common ingredients, and what they do:

Chemicals you may want to avoid:

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, such as: 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, methylene glycol, oxomethane, and quaternium-15: Certain shampoos may contain preservatives that release formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat – high levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers! Similarly, hair smoothing treatments may contain methylene glycol or other ingredients that release formaldehyde gas when heated .

 Formaldehyde in hair smoothing products has also been associated with a number of reactions, such as rash, eye problems, headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. Ask your stylist if he or she knows whether a product contains ingredients that release formaldehyde or other ingredients you may want to avoid—or, even better, look it up ahead of time. At Hairloom, we do not use products that contain formaldehyde.

Fragrance

Any product with a scent will most likely have “Fragrance” on its label, which can include a mixture of ingredients that makes your conditioner smell like ocean breeze or vanilla or any number of things. However, businesses are not required to declare what goes into these fragrances as they are considered proprietary – which is why if you have an allergic reaction to a product, fragrances are probably responsible. Look out for products labeled “fragrance-free” if you’re sensitive.

Parabens

Parabens such as methylparaben and propylparaben is commonly used as a preservative for various hair and beauty products by preventing bacteria and mold growth. Some studies suggest they may contribute to breast cancer development, though they were tests done on animal studies or in vitro studies on cell cultures in the lab. For now, it’s not entirely clear how parabens affect breast cancer risk in humans.
Chemicals that are generally safe:
  1. Cetyl, oleyl, and stearyl alcohols: These fatty alcohols give shampoo and conditioner their thick, creamy consistency. They also have softening properties, making your hair feel smooth and supple. Generally low in toxicity, these compounds are pretty common and hard to avoid.

2. Diethanolamine (DEA): Thickening agent in shampoos and conditioners, helps to form a foamy lather.

3. Mineral oil: Mineral oil, also listed as paraffin oil or white mineral oil, forms a protective coating over hair that locks in moisture.

​4. Petrolatum: Like mineral oil, petrolatum—also listed as white petrolatum and petroleum jelly—is a petroleum distillate, but has a more viscous consistency. Widely used as a topical ointment, it forms a protective coating that traps moisture, and adds body and shine.

5. Pthalates: Diethyl phthalate (DEP), the only phthalate still widely used in beauty products, acts as a solvent for fragrances. According to the FDA website, “based on available safety information, DEP does not pose known risks for human health as it is currently used in cosmetics and fragrances.” But if you still prefer to steer clear of products containing DEP, shop for those whose list of ingredients doesn’t include fragrances.

6. Propylene glycol: Propylene glycol is an alcohol that helps hair absorb and trap moisture, and can function as a solvent for other ingredients.

7. Silk protein: A protein spun by the silkworm, silk acts as a conditioning agent and adds bulk to products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded that eight silk proteins—fibroin, hydrolyzed fibroin, sericin, hydrolyzed sericin, silk, hydrolyzed silk, silk extract and silk powder—are safe as used in beauty products.

And chemicals you may want to reconsider:

Sulfates: Often in the form of sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate, sulfates give shampoo its sudsy-ness, and cut through grease and dirt. But they can also strip away natural oils in the process, which can lead to frizzy, dried-out strands, and an irritated scalp. Many shampoos now are created to be sulfate-free as a result of this.

Silicones: Silicones—whose names often end in –methicone or –oxane—form a waterproof coating over hair that keeps it from soaking up humidity, making them common in straightening and smoothing products. The coating also seals moisture inside the hair, and makes it shiny and easier to comb. But some silicones, like dimethicone, can also cause heavy buildup that leaves strands limp and dull. A class of silicones known as cyclosiloxanes is gaining growing attention from the research community, who has begun investigating concerns about whether they can cause cancer or disrupt the endocrine system.

​It can be confusing when shopping for hair products! However putting in a little more effort to read the label when you’re out shopping can help you make better and safer decisions. When in doubt, speak to your stylist about what you’re looking out for; our stylists are always here to help!

Information adapted from https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/nekq4x/chemicals-hair-products-glossary

September 8, 2019

All you need to know about ash hair colours

Ash brown and ash grey hair are some of our most regularly requested hair colours. But what exactly is ash?

Ash actually refers to the pigment, or the character of a certain color, rather than how light or dark the shad is. Ash hair colors are cool-toned, with a predominantly blue pigment and hints of green that create the overall colour. This creates an overall smoky and silvery appearance. All ash hair colours are crisp, with a sleek, cool appearance – they are not vibrant or bright.

Why ash hair tones are so popular

Ash hair colours can transform your look! For those who want to get rid of or soften the warmer tones in their existing hair colours – such as brassy, yellow or orange tones – which will bring back shine to the overall look as well.

It’s also a popular choice for those who want a more muted, subtle effect than attention-grabbing pastel colours. 

Who can wear ash colours?

Those with cooler skin tones look especially good with ash hair. Check your skin tones by looking at the veins in your wrist under natural light – are they blue or purple (as opposed to green or greenish blue)? Does your skin have a pink, red or blue tinge?

What are some popular ashy colours?

Two really flattering ash tones are ash brown and ash grey, that work for Asian skin tones. It looks especially beautiful using the balayage technique, which allows different shades of ash brown/grey to be blended seamlessly into the hair.

Just by looking at the colour chart, you can compare the (many!) different shades of brown. Comparing the cool toned browns to the warmer browns will show you just how varied the colour brown can be.

Wondering if you are suited for ashy tones? Call us today for a free consultation!

September 3, 2019
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