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.

FAQ: How To Wash Hair Color Out?

Question:
I color my hair at home. After my hair is processed I step into my shower and wash it all out. But, my shower gets very messy, which I hate. Is there any other way to wash my hair without making such a mess?

Answer:
I think that if you install a detachable shower head with a hose (such as the one in the image on your left) it will be a lot less messy event. As soon as your color is processed, you can step into the shower, adjust the temperature of your running water, take the handheld shower-head from the holder, squat down in your tub (make yourself comfortable), bend your head down, rinse the color off your scalp and hair, then stand up, put the handheld shower-head back onto the holder and shampoo and conditioner your hair the way you usually do it. This way you will end up with a lot less mess in your shower. There are many similar shower-heads (with a hose) in different stores such as "Home Depot" or "Lowes" or any local hardware store. And they are easy to install.

Credit: The above image is a property of THIS website.

FAQ: Why Is An Egg Yolk Good For Hair?

Question:
Occasionally, my friend uses an egg yolk on her hair. Why would she do that?

Answer:
Any egg yolk is quite rich in oil (about 4+ grams), protein (nearly 3 grams) and several vitamins. It is one of the most natural unprocessed beauty products you can use for your hair conditioning and repair -  if you can dig it. Many people prefer man made conditioners, while your friend prefers simply an egg yolk. You can read more about an egg yolk on wikipedia's website. It is an interesting read.
Try this - whip an egg yolk a little with few drops of olive oil, apply it to your hair and leave it for several minutes. Then give yourself a light shampoo and proceed with a water/vinegar rinse. 

FAQ: Can I Make My Hair Curly In A Natural Way?

Question:
Is there any way of making my slightly wavy hair curlier without any chemicals or tools. Is there any natural mixture that will make my hair curlier?

Answer:
No, your hair cannot get any curlier, as there is not any natural mixture. If there would be such a concoction, ladiew would not get their hair permed.
However, when  some of cancer patients hair starts growing back it grows in a different pattern - it may be coarser, or finer, or straighter, or wavier.
But, you could help your curls/waves be a bit firmer if you use a gel and a diffuser on your hair. The technique of using a diffuser is described in this post.

It is very interesting that if you look at the hair's diameter then you can see that the very curly hair is actually very flat, wavy hair is oval and straight hair is round. This flatness/roundness may vary through out the "areas" on your head/scalp.

Credit: the image above is property of THIS website.

FAQ: How Can I Become A Beautician?

Question:
I would like to have a job as a hairstylist. What do I have to do?

Answer:
You cannot be a beautician (a stylist or a colorist) without a licence. To obtain a licence you have to go to a beauty school in your area. I had to do a very simple placement test (I had to show them I can draw lines) in order to get into a cosmetology school. And I had to know enough English to understand the material in school.
Each state requires certain number of classroom hours (click HERE to see a list of all fifty US states with the number of required beauty school hours; and while you're there, check out the scholarship page), some require apprenticeship before you will be allowed to take a state test, which you have to pass before you get your licence. After you get your licence, you can check with your school for job opportunities, you can try to find a beautician position through local newspapers, Craigs List etc. You can walk into hair salons and fill out an application.

When I was in this country for about 4 years, I decided to become a beautician. I asked people which beauty school is a quality school, because I wanted to learn from the best. I had no money and the school set me up with a loan. This was great, because I could start school nearly right away.
I had to start to pay the loan payments 6 months later - after I finished my school.
There is plenty of jobs for an apprentice in many salons. You learn from established hairdressers and then you move up into a stylist or colorist (or both) position.

Note: After you get finished with all your classroom hours (or after you graduate), make sure you get your transcript. Since I didn't grow up in the US, I didn't know about this arrangement. No one explained it to me. I thought that licence is all I needed. I have been renewing my New York State licence, but I live in a different state now and I cannot practice this profession where I live, because my transcript has been lost - the school has been closed since then, and my transcript was supposed to be transferred to the "Department of State, Division of Licensing Services". However no one can find it. In order for me to get licensed in a different state, which grants reciprocity, I need my school transcript or go to school all over again.

Instead of working, all I can do now is write my blog. I do not want to do hair illegally (that is without a different state licence). So, make sure that you ask many questions, before you become a cosmetologist. And get that transcript in the case you move to a different state.

Good luck.

Credit: the above image is from THIS website

FAQ: How Much Should I Tip A Hairdresser (USA)

Question:
What is the tipping rule after I pay my bill in a hair salon?

Answer:
In the USA, usually it is about 15-20% - just like in a restaurant. If you have multiple people tending to your tresses, then you have to tip each person separately. For example:

• a colorist highlights your hair and the price tag is $100 - the lowest tip would be $15, but if you are very happy with it then even $20 or more (according to difficulty of the coloring job) will show your appreciation
• if your hair gets cut and your haircut costs $60 - the lowest tip would be about $10; again if you are very happy with your cut or if you have a lot of hair (or long hair) to work with, then your tip could be $12 or more
• the shampoo person gets about up to 10% of the haircut price - so at the $60 haircut the lowest tip would be about $5. However, if the shampoo girl does more tasks besides only shampooing your hair, then her tip should be higher. If she also blow dries your hair, then you tip her 15% for the blow dry part and up to 10% for the shampoo (ie. if the haircut is $60 then hairdresser gets $10+, and if the blow dry is $30, then the person who blow dries your hair gets $5)

Of course if the prices are lower, then the tipping is lower (ie. for a $30 cut&style you tip $5+), and if prices are a lot higher, then you tip a lot higher too (ie. if your haircut is $200, then the tip is about $35+). 

If it is the salon owner who cuts your hair, and if he/she has higher prices than the rest of the stylists, then you do not have to tip the salon owner.

Credit: The above image is from THIS website.

FAQ: Can I Sue A Hairdresser?

Question:
I went to a salon and one of the hairdressers ruined my hair with a bleach. Can I sue her? What should I expect if I go in that direction?


Answer:
Yes, you can sue for a malpractice, however you should sue a salon, as they should have an insurance to pay for the outcome of the lawsuit. Hire a lawyer that will work for a commission - not for an upfront fee. You can go to a small-claims court also. The reward may not be as high as you would think, but at least it could cover getting your hair back in a shape. You should google "hair lawyers" for a start.

FAQ: My Hairdresser Ruined My Hair - What Can I Do?

Question:
I asked my hairdresser for a new style and he ruined my hair. How can I fix it now?

Answer:
Well, couple of things are good in the end

• hair grows back 
• you know not to go to that hairdresser anymore

Your next steps should be something like this:

• find several images of styles/colors that you like and you think that would suit your face and personality
• find someone who will DISCUSS a hairstyle with you before they put color and scissors to it (a thorough discussion is a key to a mutual happiness - no hairdresser wants to ruin your hair)
• ask many questions - how your hair will look at the end, where it will be a short, where it will be long,  what is difference between short and long layers and how are they executed
• ask questions about color too, if color is the problem) and so on

That way you will see if your stylist is educated. You need to go prepared (with many questions) before you put your foot into your chosen establishment.


Credit: the image above is from WOMEN FITNESS website.

FAQ: Metal Comb And Hair

Question:
Is it safe to use metal combs?

Answer:
If the surface is smooth then it is OK to use such a comb. You would damage your hair if your comb would have nicks on its surface, which could pull hair and possibly lead actually into ripping the hair.


However, the best combs are made from natural materials. Knowledgeable stylists will buy wooden ones, or the ones made from tortoise shell. The plastic combs are also widely used. But again - as long as your comb doesn't have any nicks or splinters it is OK to use it.

FAQ: Are There Any Affordable Japanese Hairdressing Scissors?

Question:

I'm a student and I would like to buy Japanese scissors. Are there any inexpensive shears?

Answer:

The best Japanese shears are made of a special steel and that is why they are expensive. If you find any in $400 range that is a great price. I've come across over one thousand dollars Japanese shears in the past.

I found one website with shears you may explore (they should pay me for promoting them LOL) - if you see a lower price than $300 those sheers may be from a good steel, but not as good as the pricey ones. If you are interested to learn about Japanese swordsmithing visit THIS WIKIPEDIA's page. Many Japanese companies use a good quality steel based on their swordsmithing in their scissor for hairdressers.

Credit:

The image above is from shearintegrity.com website. These scissors are "Fuji". The price is now about $100 more than I paid for mine. I used these scissors on many haircuts and made many of my clients very happy.

FAQ: What Is The Difference Between "Expensive" and "Inexpensive" Hair Salon

Question: A couple of months ago I go my hair cut in an expensive hair salon. All my hairdresser did was a very simple haircut - straight across at the bottom with some layers. I feel that it was too simple to pay such an extraordinary price for a job that any stylist could do. I wonder if I should use the salon again, since I would like to get a little more advanced haircut, or should I go to a cheep salon? Is there is any benefit to pay so much money? What is the difference between these two?

Answer:
Every hair salon incorporates into their price real estate payments (rent or mortgage, which the salon's expense depends on a size and a location), water and electricity, towels, tools, other hairdressing materials, furniture, salary to their employees, marketing, classes, and many other expenses.
If it it is a "chain" salon - they offer lower prices because they may have mixture of new graduates with hairdressers with some experience and fewer with a lot of experience. Chain salons are usually starting point for many new stylists. They get trained especially in basics, and if they are interested in hairdressing they may even seek more education on their own if their budget allows it.
Stylists from more expensive venues usually work in posh (-er) salons, they may take classes with top stylists from USA and oversees, because they make more money and can afford the heftily priced classes. Stylists in more expensive salons are usually experienced and some even very experienced. However, you may run occasionally into a stylist, that doesn't really care as much about hairdressing and is in it for the money, not for keeping up with new trends. These usually do not spend much money on education either.
So what you need to do is - seek stylist that is very much into hairdressing, doesn't mind spending money on continuous education (which is not mandatory in this field). If you are not shy, stop people and ask them who cut their hair in what salon. Check out the salon and see the stylist how she/he is working and see how much they charge for their services. That will help you to make a decision if that hair salon and a stylist is right for you.
I used to get lot of recommendations from my clients, because their friends loved the way I did their hair, how much I cared about my job and they knew that I used to take many classes to better myself.

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.