FAQ: How To Remove Soft Black Hair Color

Question:

Hi I recently dyed my hair with a box dye - the color was called "soft black" and it was the worst mistake I have ever done! It doesn't compliment me at all and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to fade the color or to make it lighter? Before dying it black my hair was a warm coppery brown color that seemed orange in the sun. If my black color fades or is stripped will that color surface? I really don't want to bleach my hair, do you have any recommendations? your help is much appreciated!

Answer:

If the "soft black" color you used was permanent it will not fade much. If you used a semi-permanent color it will fade somewhat, and if you used temporary it should be washed away soon.
The only way to remove the permanent or semi-permanent color is to use either color remover or a bleach, provided you cannot find any color remover. You should be able to find it at any beauty supply store.
If you chose the route of removing the color (with either product mentioned above) I would advise you to do it as soon as possible because both products will remove color from your natural hair also. What will happen is that the hair in the root area will get lighter, while your colored hair will be darker - pigment from the bottle is harder to remove. The longer you leave either product on your hair the lighter your hair will get. You will have to make decision when you take the color off your hair. The color remover (or the bleach) should be applied all over the hair as fast as possible so the color gets removed evenly. The lightest it could get is to a yellow blond color. The speed chemical remover will depend if you color your hair on regular basis (it is unclear from your message if you colored your hair coppery brown) and how you apply your color. If you never colored your hair before then the color remover will remove color faster.
If you never used any bleach or hair color remover product it would be best to have it done in a salon that specializes in coloring. The colorist will probably apply the color remover at the sink.
Good luck.


Credit: Above image is published on the internet by to me unknown owner, but is the best illustration of the Soft Black Color mentioned above.

Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advise you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ - My Colorist Cannot Make My Hair Ashy Brown

Question:

I have dark brown hair & want a light brown ashy colour i have been going to my hairdressers telling them this but every time after colouring my hair with a full head colour i still come away with reddish results all the time. I am always disappointed i have since been back at the same place despite the results, its a place that I like going to & it's also very convenient for me. I have booked yet another appointment & i have explained again about how i am still washing my hair with the silver shampoo as they keep suggesting with me still getting the reddish results & when i booked another appointment they told me that they will use a toner this time. Do you think that will this work or have you any suggestions? Thanks

Answer:

Hi,
well your colorist should explain to you that what you want cannot be done without bleaching your hair and depositing the brown color. But that may not turn out perfectly as well.

This is what is happening if they use ash brown color over your naturally dark hair:
The chemicals in the bottle work on natural pigments in your hair, bringing them to certain "level". Then the pigment in the bottle gets deposited into your hair - which "mingles" with the chemically altered pigments that were few minutes natural. Ant that's it. There is nothing else a colorist can do for you, because there is not such powerful ash brown that could do what you want it to do. No scientist developed such color in the bottle and no scientist will ever be able to do it in one step coloring process (= permanent haircolor in one bottle).

Your options:

Single/double process coloring - either color (depending on a color of the hair) or bleach hair to yellow stage, and then apply the ash-y pigment to your tresses. But no colorist knows an exact pigmentation in these bottles, so they do not know how exactly it will turn out if mixed with your hair color bleached to the yellow stage on the first try. The best way it would be do a test - snip a small amount of hair, bleach it and then apply the color from bottle. The bleached hair color level would have to be the perfect "shade base" for the ashy brown that is in the bottle.
If it would come to somewhat desirable shade (you are looking for) then the hardest trick would be with each touch up. Your colorist would have to bleach hair to almost same yellow "level" as previously done - your colorist has to have a good eye for the bleached shades.

Also consider:

1. bleaching and then coloring is time consuming
2. it is actually two processes (done in one session) - so therefore more expensive
3. after "first initial color correction", the bleach would be applied only to regrowth area - so if your hair is not strong these heavy duty chemicals won't be gentle to your hair

Highlighting idea - Probably another solution would be to highlight hair in fine strands to a very light stage and then apply a toner. This light hair mixed with your natural hair color can create an effect of ashy & lighter brown color. However, you have been coloring your hair, so on your color treated hair (you no longer have a natural hair color) it could come out a little different than on natural hair you will grow each month. You really need to employ a colorist who does a really fine highlights and understands pigmentation in the hair.

I hope this helps in making a decision what your next step will be.


Credit: Above image is published on the internet by to me unknown owner, but is the best illustration of the Highlighting idea mentioned above.

Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advise you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

HOW TO Foil High-Light Fine Hair - Video Tutorial

Have you heard "I need 48 hours in my day, so I can finish all I want to achieve"? Well, I need more hours than that. I think even 200 hours will not be enough for me. This video project I was planning to finish for at least half a year and I just could not get to it. But today it is live. Yeey.

So...... if you would like to learn HOW TO HIGH-LIGHT HAIR WITH FOILS do not hesitate to click HERE to se my educational video. Share it with your friends and any starting colorist. Share it with the world. 

Thank you and  may your hair be gorgeous at all times.

FAQ: How Often Can I Color My Entire Hair

Question:
I wrote this as a comment under my previous question but I'm not sure if I should send it to you separately. Thank You So Much!!! Using the Splat along with the Age Beautiful permanent dye gave a perfect and most beautiful result!!! I wanted to ask you how often can I dye my hair (whole hair) with permanent hair dye and 20 Volume developer? Thank You SO much for your expert advice, I truly appreciate it.

Answer:
Note: To uninformed readers - my "follower" asked previously one question about a hair color HERE. 

I did not received your comment/question, so it is good that you  wrote to me separately. I think I have to think of a friendlier way to contact me.

I am thrilled that your color turned out fabulous. If it comes to coloring your entire hair again, I do not think it is a great idea to use full strength all over your hair. Sometimes you can notice a lady with medium brown hair from root area to about mid way and then the hair starts getting darker and the ends are black. Although the lady never used the black color on her hair. The darkness comes from re-application of the full strength dye over and over and over again.
Yes, hair needs to be refreshed, but in a different way. When you will be coloring your hair next time, color ONLY your roots (a brand new regrowth), process it according to manufacturer's suggestion (about 25-30 minutes). While you are processing your hair, take your "blue pigment" and mix it with your leftover dye 50:50 (which means how much of your left over, that much of a pigment), and after processing time pour this mixture on your hair and process for additional 5-10 minutes. By diluting it you will actually make it less "potent", yet it should freshen up the hair. Let me know in a few months how your hair is turning out.

Also see my note below (about consulting with your hairdresser first).


Credit: The image above comes from - http://zilahinolvina.blogspot.com/2012/05/pastel-hair-dye-diy.html


Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advise you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ: Blue Black Hair Coloring

Question:
Hi, I am using a permanent blue black hair dye by a company that I have never used before (Age Beautiful Hair Color.) On the company's website it says that the color will be more vibrant if a higher volume developer is used (30 or 40 volume.) Can you please tell me what the difference would be between using a 20 volume vs a 30 volume developer? Since the 30 volume has more lift would the blue tones show more? Would the 20 volume make the color a darker black?
Thank You So Much!!! Your advice has helped me so much through this hair journey:)

Answer:
I believe that the color would be slightly "lighter" (or brighter), not necessary bluer. What happens with the developer is that it makes the natural pigment get a little lighter (= it brings out a red pigment in dark hair) and then the artificial color gets deposited.
If I would want my hair to be more blue, I would buy blue pigment and add a little into my mixture. I would probably start with a teaspoon. What needs to be also considered is - the more of the pigment we add the weaker the developer will get, thus making it closer to 20 Volume strength.


Check out these companies:

Manic Panic
Splat
Vidal Sassoon (Pro Series Hair Color)
Clairol's Jazzing (although I think they have more of a purple shade)

Perhaps you could add a little of their pigment into your mixture, but first check with companies if it is OK to mix two different companies together, since you are not looking for pure blue hair color.

Also check if Zotos, maker of  Age Beautiful Hair Color, sells color additives.

Good luck.



Credit:
Image from http://www.learnvest.com/

Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ: Hair Vs. Features

Question:
I have a question about coloring my hair. I wanted to go black but I started thinking it was too dark for some of my features. I wanted to do an ashy red but it wouldn't work with my eyes. I'm stuck, I'm Czechoslovakian and Greek. My eyes have a flap and are very dark brown, I have high cheekbones and almost an olive complexion. I don't know what to do with my features. Please help.

Answer:
For some people, a black color may be too dark, unless the person is fairly young, has a milky skin, has great features, and dresses in such a way that the black hair color is a fashion statement. I have never heard about "ashy red" color. There are all different reds, but the ash color usually has green base. The red color has red base, with different shades - orange-y, purple, red, and so on....

The olive skin color looks great with reds, browns, blonds. Your eyes would look great with red, brown and blond shades of hair color as well. If you are very stylish, you probably could get away with soft black.

I would recommend going to a wig store and try wigs of different colors on. Now, usually "fake" wigs will not really be exact, but you can see which color looks interesting next to your complexion and then you can have a colorist help you chose closest color to the wig that looked great on you and apply the color. Remember, many dark and red artificial colors (= "hair color from the bottle") are hard to remove from the hair, so choose carefully just in case if you do not like your hair color and  look.

Regarding your features - those you were born with and I cannot do anything with that. I bet your features are great, and if you choose a hair color (and hair cut) that will go with your skin color, they will go with your features, also :-)

Good luck.

Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ - Question About Highlights

Question:
I usually have my hair tinted 2 to 3 shades lighter than my natural color then highlighted for a more natural blonde shade. I went to a new colorist who put the tint on my roots and then highlighted right over the tint. I had never had this done before. Usually they wash the tint, dry my hair, then highlight with foils. My hair looks fine but I am concerned about the condition of my hair. What do you think?

Answer:
I think that your colorist "cut the corners" (as they say in America). He/She wanted to save the time, and did two procedures at the same time. He/She probably didn't really highlighted the root area, just the area that was not re-touched with color. For the best color outcome it should have been colored first, washed/rinsed and then highlighted. However the condition of your hair is most likely just fine. The only problem I would see with this technique is that he/she didn't get as close to your scalp with highlights as he/she should for longer lasting highlights.

Credit: I found the above image on http://www.pinterest.com/pin/215469163393619142/


Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ - Clairol Color And Developer

Question:
I have a new question which requires your expertise. I use Clairol Nice And Easy in blue black which I love. The problem is, the box does not specify what volume the developer is and when I called they would not tell me. Can I use the boxed drugstore hair color with my own 20 volume developer? (It\'s clairol professional). Thank You so much!!!:)

Answer:
The drugstore's product (Nice and Easy) should come with its own developer. If this product is a permanent color then you should use 20 volume developer. You should always mix color and developer from the same company. So if you have at home Clairol's 20 volume developer, I would think that you are very safe mixing these colors together.
Do not mix for example Clairol's color and Wella's developer. I've done that once (I run out of Wella developer and used Clairol's and the color was just very runny, and was dripping down the client's forehead entire time. I had practically an assistant stand next to a client to wipe her all the time. Her color processed same, but it was a horrible messy experience. From this "unfortunate event" I learned, that companies like to sell as many of their products as possible, so they "tweek" their colors and developers in such way that they are compatible with their own kind only.

Credit: The above image is the property of www.ulta.com


Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ: Pre-softening Gray Hair

Question:
I was wondering, when presoftening the hair before dying the resistant grey roots, should I use shampoo when rinsing out the 20 vol peroxide used to pre soften? Thank you.

Answer:
I never shampooed the hair. Just rinsed it, dried it (cool setting) and then applied the color.


Note: Click HERE for the "coloring resistant gray hair" post pertaining this question.

FAQ: Excessive Dandruff On My Cornrows

Question:
Can you help me to prevent dry scalp for my African american hair? Whenever I get my hair cornrowed I take it out in about two weeks. I notice that my scalp is really dry. What should I improve on my diet to make sure this doesn't happen any more? Also how often should I grease my scalp whilst it's in cornrows?

Answer:
I think it doesn't matter what kind of hair you have. It's all about shedding skin. In other words, your skin starts shedding, and if you do not wash your hair everyday or every other day, then after a couple of weeks you can see a build up of your dead skin in the form of dandruff. That means you need to give your skin a good scrub to get rid of all that "dead skin build up".  I think that you do not need to change your diet, because most likely there is nothing wrong with your health or scalp. Greasing your scalp will not help to get rid of your natural skin shedding either. It will only camouflage it.
Perhaps, you could give yourself 3-4 shampoos after you take your cornrows out, and then condition your hair. Scrubbing your scalp with cornrows in, will get your hair frizzy. So, if I would be you - I would give myself a good scrub in-between my cornrow sessions. And I would make sure my cornrows are not too tight. Otherwise the hairline could shift too much back.

Note: the image above is from this website

FAQ: My Hair Ends Are Dark After Coloring

Question:
My hair color has an ash tone and is pretty healthy. I have been coloring my hair in the past with a lighter shade hair color, but my hair ends are dark after I color my hair and I am not able to make my hair lighter no matter how I try. My hair length is medium. What hair color brand should I purchase that would lighten my ends?

Answer:
You are doing one thing wrong - a color application. You apply a hair color on your hair in a wrong manner. If you previously colored your hair, then the next consecutive color applications should be applied only to your roots. You can freshen up your hair color on the rest of the hair only if you dilute the rest of the leftover color. This is done especially for reds and darks. You could skip it for blonds, but if you want your blond to be on a "cool" (ashy) side, then squirt any blue or violet shampoo into your color mixture. Your dark ends need to be treated with bleach at this point, because you have a build up of various color pigments inside your hair from repeated application. I would probably put a little bleach on a wide tooth comb and comb it on the dark ends just to give it a little "lift" (it will turn hair lighter). You need to watch how fast the color is lifting = how long you need to leave the bleach on before you shampoo it out. You can purchase bleach at your local beauty supply store. Ask any clerk what he/she recommends.

Although the image above has been colored purposely light to dark. However, it is the best example of dark ends if someone would repeatedly color the entire hair shaft every 4-6 weeks - which after a while ends turn dark or even black in color.

Credit:
The image above is from THIS website.

Note: 

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

Prom Hair For 2013

It is a prom time again and every young lady is asking herself  "How should I do my hair?", "What is the latest style?", "Should I change my color?", or "Perhaps I should cut my hair..."

But, do not despair. I always told my clients: "When you go out, you need to wear your hair that suits you and makes you feel comfortable. If you are going dancing or to some special occasion event, do not make your hair too elaborate. Keep it on the simple side, so your hair won't collapse. If you make it more elaborate make sure you have enough bobby pins holding your style."

So, my advice to all of you ladies is, that if you are putting your hair up, put it up in such way, that it will hold through out the day/evening/night. If you decide to take your "hair-do" down at some point (during the event), make sure your hair looks good after you take all your bobby pins out, too

Below are some styles (some easy, some more elaborate) that I like a lot, and which could work for prom:

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Spray hair with a heat protectant or a thermal setting mist you like, and curl with a fat curling iron
3. Twist/twirl side hair strands and secure them with an oversize barrette or clip above in the occipital bone area, making sure your hair holds in place
4. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Apply a smoothing hair cream, make a ponytail and divide hair in several strands
3. Curl each strand with a fat curling iron
4. Make a loop with each strand and secure it with hair and/or bobby pins
5. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Apply a smoothing hair cream, make a ponytail (if your hair is a medium length, use a long hair piece that matches your hair color and attach it to your ponytail)
3. Take a small strand and wrap it around a rubber band and secure your hair under the ponytail with a couple of hairpins
4. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Spray hair with a heat protectant or a thermal setting mist you like, then curl it with a very fat curling iron (or leave it in a natural way if your hair is wavy)
3. Lift your side hair strands and secure them on top in the back with an oversize barrette or clip -  making sure your hair holds in place
4. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Spray hair with a heat protectant or a thermal setting mist you like, and curl with a very fat curling iron
3. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, blow dry it with with fingers (if straight) or brush (if curly/wavy)
2. Twist/twirl side hair strands
3. Dived the hair in the back into two parts and braid each part
4. Make a knot using these two braids and secure hair in place with bobby and hair pins
5. You can add some hair jewels or fashionable hair clips
6. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a hair cream to define curls
2. Blow dry it with a diffuser and fingers so your hair doesn't get frizzy
3. Gently place your hair toward one side and make a ponytail - if your rubber band shows, wrap a hair strand around it and secure it with one or two hair pins
4. Leave couple of stand hanging next to your face for a special effect
5. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a soft hair cream to your hair (do not use hair gel, your hair would be too flat)
2. Make loose finger waves and secure them with clips, such as these (if you do not know how to make finger waves, go to a salon)
3. Let your hair dry naturally, or if in a hurry use a hair dryer with a diffuser (an attachment)
4. When your hair is completely dry, place your fingers under your hair on the scalp and shake the hair very gently to make your hair fluffy
5. You can also use a wide tooth comb to back comb your hair a little to give your style more body
6. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a soft hair cream to your hair (do not use hair gel, your hair would be too flat)
2. Make two rows of  loose finger waves and secure them with clips, such as these (if you do not know how to make finger waves, go to a salon)
3. Let your hair dry naturally, or if in a hurry use a hair dryer with a diffuser (an attachment)
4. When your hair is completely dry, use a big curling iron to curl your ends starting half way down your hair shaft
5. Place your fingers under your hair on the scalp and shake your hair gently to make your hair fluffy
6. You can also use a wide tooth comb to back comb your hair a little to give your style more body
7. Spray lightly with a hair spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Turn your head upside down and blow dry vigorously in which ever direction - you'll give your hair more body this way
3. Then use a fat curling iron to curl some strands
4. Use also a medium sized curling iron to add some more dimension to your hair with smaller curls
5. Hair spray each strand as you are creating nice soft romantic style
6. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Turn your head upside down and blow dry vigorously in which ever direction - you'll give your hair more body this way
3. Then use a fat curling iron and curl some hair strands
4. Tease your hair a little, and create a nice soft romantic style using your fingers
5. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Blow dry your hair over a fat round brush
3. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

Note: For this style you need a great haircut (not everyone can have this cut)

Credit: the image is from this website

How to style the "hair-do" in the image above:

1. After you shampoo your hair, apply a mouse to your hair
2. Blow dry your hair over a fat round brush
3. When happy with results, give your entire style last light spray

FAQ: Blue Toner Over Dark Hair

Question:
My hair is dark. What will happen if I will not bleach my hair but just color it blue?

Answer:
If your hair is dark (ie. black or dark brown) and you would use toner, your hair color base would not change. It would stay the same. However, you would see a faint blue hue. Example - if your hair is black and you tone it, your hair will turn blue black. See the image to your left - this would be the closest image to show you how you could look like, if you have black hair. Perhaps, you could end up with even slightly less blue.

The dark brown hair color that has natural reddish undertones would turn darker. I am not sure how much blue you would be able to see. It would really depend on the "base" color. Read about the ash toner (green or blue based) on the hair here - you may see the image of toned down hair, however it was not toned down with pure blue toner. Unfortunately I could not find a better image that would show you how the hair would really look like.

Credit: The beautiful image belongs to Isobel De Lisle.

FAQ: Help! My Hair Turned Green!

Question:
My natural hair is very dark and I always wanted to color my hair ashy blond or light brown. So I bleached it and colored it with light ash brown. But it has a green color to it. What should I do to fix it?

Answer:
You used a green based hair color. So now you have to balance it. I think that you should apply strawberry blond hair color to "tone" down the green. It will be more brown, so choose your blond on the lighter side. Also make sure that you do not color your regrowth, it would turn very red. First, you will need to do your roots (and ONLY roots) the same way as you did your hair before. Then, color your entire hair with a strawberry blond color. To color your root area, you will need most likely just one box of tint. However, for your entire length of hair you will need two plus boxes, depending on the length and the amount of your hair.

Credit:
The image above is from THIS website.

 Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advice you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

FAQ: Which Styling Mousse Is Best For Permed Hair?

Question: 
I had my hair permed for the first time and for styling I used my favorite mousse for hair. However, I am not happy it feels on my hair. Would you tell me which mousse is better for permed hair?

Answer:
A styling mousse (also called a styling foam) is best for straight hair, in my humble opinion. Mousse contains quite a bit of alcohol, which makes hair feel more "crunchy" than soft. For styling permed hair, I would choose a gel that is designed to make curly/wavy hair soft and pliable. If you apply it to your tresses and blow dry them with diffuser while "scrunching" the hair carefully, you will make your ringlets strong and bouncy.

I personally like gels that do not have a strong hold, because strong hold gels make hair "hard" after hair dries. The best gels for bouncy hair are gels with moisturizing ingredients because they smooth and define curls. Below are some gels with moisturizing emollients that are ideal for curly/coarse hair to provide soft curl control without a crisp feel and that leave hair natural feeling:

• Ouidad Curl Quencher
• Fructis Style Curl Sculpting Cream Gel (my favorite)
• Aquage Curl Defining Creme
• or try Moroccan Argan Oil

But there are many more gels similar to the above mentioned products. Explore other companies. Look for words like: moisturizing, emollient, supple, curl defining, and conditioning, while looking for a perfect product for your hair.

FAQ: Too Much Iron In Our Water

Question:
I live in a house with well water which has a lot of iron content. It makes my hair lifeless. What can I do to make my hair healthy again?

Answer:
If you have too much iron in your water, you need to be aware of several things. If you drink it for a long time it can cause gene mutations (google "iron overload" to read more about this issue). Regarding your hair, the iron in your water will create a build up on the surface of your hair. That is why your hair feels lifeless. I would recommend several ways to solve your problem:

• Test for iron and iron bacteria content in your water
• Install a quality softening/filtering water system 
• Install additional filtering system on your shower head (see the image below)
• Buy "clarifying shampoo" or "purifying shampoo" and use it about once a week (do not overuse - read directions) 
• Mix your favorite shampoo with baking soda and apply to your hair, let sit, rinse, shampoo and apply your conditioner

There are many "clarifying shampoos" on the market. Check out - Redken's "Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo", if you like organic products try Avalon Organics' "Lemon Clarifying Shampoo". You can check out also Paul Mitchell's clarifying "Shampoo Three" or Joico's "K-PAK".

 

FAQ: Ombre Color Too Dark?

Question:
Today I bought a color for my ombre. However as I was picking up the color at the end I grabbed the wrong shade - for naturally blond hair instead of a color for brown hair. Will my hair turn out to be blond or should I return the color and purchase the color for naturally brown hair?

Answer:
If you purchased the color that should work on naturally blond hair instead of brown, you most likely end up with yellow/orange shade of your ombre. I would return the product and would get color for brown. Also, look for ash tones on the box to cut down the yellow undertones.

Credit: the image is a property of THIS WEB SITE

Note:

This post should be taken as a first step for a discussion with your hairdresser and/or colorist about your ideas, desires or problems with your hair. Under no circumstances, you should act upon this post ONLY. I strongly advise you to have your hair done by a skilled and reputable hairdresser/colorist in your area.

Gentlemen - You Can Style Your Daughter's Hair Too

This gentleman really knows how to solve his styling issues. And his precious daughter knows that daddy knows the best.

FAQ: How To Make Curly Hair Wavy?

Question:
My hair is very curly. I would like to make it wavy without using any chemicals. Is there any shampoo or conditioner that will make my hair more relaxed?

Answer:
I have never came across a shampoo or conditioner that would make any wavy hair straight. However, I have used a "Pure Clean Smoothing Cream" by Garnier and it helped to keep my hair a bit relaxed. I washed my hair, conditioned it, applied this cream and with a very gentle pulling my hair I diffused it. The diffuser helped to keep hair from frizzing up.
If you do not care for Garnier products, you can check other companies such as Brocato's "Curl Interrupted Curl Calming Balm" or Bumble and Bumble's "Curl Conscious Calming Creme" which are supposed to  tame, smooth, soften and loosen tight and coarse curls that frizz. Of course, you would use the above mentioned diffuser on your hair dryer and gently, without disturbing your curls pull on your hair to make it straighter.

Credit: The above image is from Seventeen Magazine.

FAQ: What To Do About Hair Loss?

Question:
I used to have very thick and voluminous hair. But it has reduced to less than its half volume and has also become very thin. Is there any home made remedy to cure my problem?

Answer:
I am sorry about your situation. There are many reasons to loose hair:

• over-processed hair - either color, perm or straightener
• hair products - try products with as many natural ingredients as possible (shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, gels etc)
• hair tools - try to use them only occasionally - find ways to style your hair with limited use of hair tools (hair dryer, irons, curlers etc.)
• poor nutrition - you need to eat well (chemical ingredients in the food could cause problems in your system - concentrate on organic and especially non GMO  foods) - preferably cook your food from scratch yourself 
• older age - when people get older, they start loosing hair naturally
• hereditary - someone in the family passed this gene onto your (this applies for both men and women)
• hormonal changes in your body - birth? menopause?
• health problem - have your doctor do a good blood test to see if any disease is a problem
• low or very high iron content can be a culprit to hair loss (iron in your body needs to be balanced)
• loss due to a medicine - did you start taking any pills lately?
• stress or emotional shock - have you experienced anything that caused you to be under pressure emotionally or physically?

What you need to do first is to think which on of the above mentioned reasons could cause your hair loss, and then you will have to change your lifestyle according to that. For example, if you are getting old there will not be much you could do (perhaps just the nutrition). If you have health problems, you need to get well first before you will see any changes (if ever - it depends on a disease). If you are under stress, you need to avoid stressful situations - control them with a yoga/exercise/meditation or change the environment altogether.

You can visit THIS page to read more about causes for hair loss (check also consecutive pages at the end of the article on that page). Read as much as possible, take notes, write down questions and when (or if) you'll visit your doctor for your blood work, ask him more questions. Good luck with solving your problem. 

In the meantime concentrate on anything positive every day.

Credit: The above image belongs to this PHOTOGRAPHER