Do They or Don't They?

We have the FaceBook contest going about when the last time you changed your hairstyle was. Winner gets a complimentary scalp treatment, shampoo and blow dry. I thought it was a good reward to offer since in my line of work, I have discovered that people have funny relationships with their hair. Some people are willing to change their hair color and hair cut with every season or every year. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have had clients who were stuck in a decade like the 80's or even as far back as the 50's. So today, it's about hair.

A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) Clairol introduced the thought that it's nobody's business but yours about what your true hair color is with the tag line 'Does she or doesn't she'. Haircolor products then weren't what they are today, and it was the first product, I think, that let you color your hair at home with reliable results. L'Oreal took it one step further a decade later with 'Because I'm worth it'. Both illustrated this with different ad campaigns about what kind of person wants to keep their coloring habits a secret (the girl next door), and the kind of person who wants to feel like they deserve to color their hair whatever color they want. Two opposite ends of the spectrum.

Today, there are a lot of people out there living their lives and having an obvious silver, blue or red streak in the hair doesn't matter to them or the people around them. And there are people who are more traditional with their hair color choices while taking some risk - blonde to red, for instance, or black to blonde. Why does it matter? Believe it or not, changing your hair color impacts the colors you can wear near your face, even though your skin tone has remained the same.

That bright red hair band you used to be able to wear may not look good with the copper streaked with blonde color you have chosen to change your hair color to. Believe me, I am not against changing your hair color, in fact, I am ALL for it! But, pay attention to the colors you tend to wear the most around your face. This includes earrings, necklaces, hair bands, scarves, and tops. If your favorite color is red, then the hair color you choose should work with that red. By thinking about it beforehand, or discussing it with your stylist, you'll save yourself the time and aggravation of discovering you need to temporarily replace some of your favorite items while your hair grows out, or you wait until you want to, or have time to, change your hair color again.

If you want to win the trip to the Douglas Carroll Salon so you can talk to them , be sure to tell me about your hair on my FaceBook page. I'd love to hear about it, and believe me, I've heard a lot!

My Hair Issues and a Product I Swear By

Most of us have at least one issue with our hair, right? As we get older, just like our skin, our hair texture begins to change. It is almost like a rite of passage. Once we have given birth to our children certain things begin to move south. I don't need to spell out the particulars, but I expect you know what I mean. The texture of my hair has changed, and any good hair stylist can likely tell from your hair where you are in life. It's just the way it is. The changes to my hair can also come from all the dye chemicals, hair products, dryers, and flat irons I have used forever. I mean, I'm just saying I have been coloring my hair since I was 16. I expect many of you are cringing at this point, but if you lived through the Eighties, you probably got at least one perm, if not several, so you understand. I do cringe, every once in a while, but I am on the forever quest of trying to like my hair, so I will try anything. 

So as many of you know, I am now writing a column for Wake Living Magazine and I completed my article for the summer addition about shoes. While we were discussing the article, they mentioned a page that they were looking for items for, so I told the editor that I would assist in finding items that should be part of their Triangle Style page, too. The featured products are great items, either cutting edge products or unique items worth noting, that you should try at least once, if not outright purchase and add to your routine.

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On one of my recent trips to Douglas Carroll Hair Salon, my stylist Michelle Tabbert told me about a new styling brush that has just recently come out. It is called the Bio:Ionic and although ion based products have been around for a while (think the ion diffuser that detoxifies the air around you), this one seems to work. Don't know how, don't know why, but the science speak the companies put out sounds like it should make sense.  

The science speak goes exactly like this: Ions are atoms that have gained or lost an electron and bear a charge of energy. Positive ions have lost an electron and are considered unhealthy. They are found in dust, smoke and other toxic substances. Negative ions have gained an electron and greatly assist in a body's mood, energy level and overall health.

So basically, this product is going to re-balance the ions in your hair, by breaking down water and letting it penetrate the hair shaft. Sure. I've seen these things before, mostly on late night tv, and they all sell for $19.99, but for a limited time only and if you call right now, you can purchase two for $9.99 plus shipping and handling as their special offer to you. I was a little skeptical about what this was going to do for my hair, but I trust Michelle and was willing to give it a try. So very happy that I did...

Each kit comes with six rollers and a brush base. They give you six clips and a booklet to guide you towards whatever style you want to achieve with your hair. Pretty standard stuff for any hair care product. I should mention here that this is to be used with your hair dryer.

For my initial try, I chose the 5th Avenue Fashionista with Sexy Volume style. No surprises or laughter from the peanut gallery, please. I sectioned off my hair into six areas with the clips provided and started in the back by attaching a larger roller to the base brush. It snaps in easily and proceeded to blow dry my hair like I would normally do with my round brush. After a minute or two the roller turns from blue to white telling you it is done. I snapped off the base from the roller and let it continue to curl my hair as I went to the next section. After completing the six sections, I pull out the six rollers and then tilt my head over and shake out the curls. 

OMG, I am a believer! I have volume and bounce in my hair with no frizz or tangles. The product works! Half the time of my normal hair drying experience, which of course tends to leave me quite testy. I expect once you get over the sticker shock, you will appreciate the value of this product. It retails at $159.00. Just a little more than two for $9.99, right? If it will get me out of the bathroom ten minutes earlier I'm game, though! Check it out at Bioionic or on their FaceBook page. I'm sure they sell it on Amazon, and someone decided it wasn't for them and are selling it on eBay. Wherever you find it at the price you want, you should definitely add this to your collection of hair care tools.