Octoberness

It's October! Beautiful weather, fragrant soup, and costumes. So, in honor of all that lovleliness and in keeping with all things hair I have decided to post a couple of pictures of one of the messiest costume hair I've done.

Me as Cruella Deville.

Worth it. 

 I divided my hair in the middle and one side black (covering the other with plastic) and then the other side white. The spray came from Party City and because of the texture it leaves your hair you have hardly any need for hairspray. Perfect for Cruella. 

So much better than any wig would have been.

Happy Fall, y'all!

We All Strive For Easy Style in Texas Summers

Youth is in a grand flush, like the hot days of ending summer; and pleasant dreams thrall your spirit, like the smoky atmosphere that bathes the landscape of an August day.

Donald G. Mitchell

Natural Hair Dye

Question: I'd like to know more about alternatives to super chemical-ly hair dyes, like natural options such as henna. I'd really like to dye my hair, but I'm not sure what exactly I'd be exposing it to.

Answer:

So, it used to be that when you went to the hair salon the last thing you wanted was to leave with your hair green. But as of late "green" hair dye has become more popular (cue the ba da bum, cymbal crash). But, seriously, here is some information about traditional hair dye and natural alternatives.

The chemical in traditional hair dye that many people are concerned about is PPD because it has been suggested by researchers that it is "potentially" harmful although it has not proven to be. It has been proven, however, that some people are allergic to it which is why a patch test should be done before application. If you have been diagnosed with an allergy to any of the following then you should not use ANY permanent hair dye.

p-phenylenediamine (PPD or Para Dyes)
m-phenylenediamine
p-aminophenol
m-aminophenol

This includes any natural alternative because if it is permanent it still has to oxidize to be able to change your hair color. Therefore, it will most likely contain PPD.

 It used to be that your only alternative was henna (which only comes in red or black) but hair color has progressed and there are more options now. Most organic colors and chemical free (or almost chemical free) hair color will have a henna base but from my experience if you use Henna to dye your hair and mess it up it does not react well with traditional hair dye and can still take many washes to remove (and may leave enough traces when the color is washed out to react with normal dye). That being said, semi-permanent is your only other option to be free of PPD and peroxide and is probably the best choice.

If you are okay with PPD and would like something that lasts more than a few weeks, there is a line called Herbatint that has less peroxide, no ammonia, and no Resorcinol or parabens. Their line also includes semi-permanent dye and it IS free of peroxide and PPD. Here is their website http://www.herbatintusa.com/ I am sure you would also like to know that Herbatint has the stamp of approval from the Vegan Society.

No Limits is also a dye that is free of ammonia and PPD and it comes from Organic Color Systems. No Limits has ECOCERT and Soil Association certified organic ingredients and is also certified by PETA. It is only available to salon professionals.

There are other companies as out there as well but these seem to be the most well regarded and the most committed to natural and safe products. Natural hair dye will cost your stylist about three times as much as other hair dye and may be harder to apply so the price for the service will reflect that. That being said, you can do it at home (and Herbatint actually has a hotline!) but for the best results a salon visit is usually the safest bet.

Hope this answered your questions.

Questions

"Do you have any questions?"

Sometimes I cannot think of what to write for a blog post. What information should I convey? When people find out I am a hairstylist it never fails that they have a question about hair, usually their hair, that they want to ask me. So, I thought this particular blog I would ask you, the readers, if you have any questions pertaining to hair or style. Let me know!

Two Little Girls Explain The Worst Haircut Ever

Click the link and listen to this audio. It is hilarious!

This is the explanation of two sisters and why the one cut the other's hair. I think we have all had the experience of either a sibling cutting our hair or taking it upon ourselves.

Two Little Girls Explain The Worst Haircut Ever

Summer is Here!

Clearly, summer is here because as I perused my local Armstrong McCall for pink hair color only one out of three brands that carry it had some. Thank you, Paul Mitchell, for being well-stocked.  

This client asked for some pink tips in her long dark brown hair and I was more than excited to oblige (hairdressers love a good extreme makeover). I also put a couple subtle streaks of pink to balance out the tips. 

The great thing about doing your tips is when the dye starts to fade (as bright colors inevitably will) or you get tired of the color it can easily be cut out. Meanwhile, you have freakin' awesome hair to rock.

Like Father, Like Son

Unlike me, my husband does not enjoy getting his hair cut. He doesn't want to sit still for that long and he doesn't particularly like for his hair to be played with. Also, he likes to have longer hair than his job allows so that doesn't make getting his hair cut any more pleasant. 

My son doesn't enjoy getting his hair cut either, but this is generally the case with any young one. So, I am glad that I am a hairstylist and can just run around after him and not struggle with him at a salon. I am also grateful that he will have better hair than everyone else his age. What can I say? It's the truth. 

Anyway, in honor of Father's day which is approaching us in the near future, I have added some pictures of my son's first haircut.