Hair and Make-up Q&A

Color fades quickly.

Hair color fading too quickly is a huge hair challenge for many women.  Especially brilliant brunettes and fiery red heads.  To ensure that great hair color stays vibrant until your next salon visit you must invest in some professional hair care products.  Your stylist should suggest the ones that are right for your hair type and safe on color.  Consider products like the insurance policy on your hair color…

Dandruff or dry hair and scalp.

If you suffer from dandruff you must use a medicated shampoo and conditioner that is meant to treat dandruff.  You may not have to use it every day, but definitely incorporate it into your styling regime several times a week.  It would be good to alternate a dandruff shampoo with one that replenishes hair with moisture.  Also remember to massage the scalp with your fingertips for several minutes when shampooing and conditioning.  This will release dry skin, dirt, or anything directly on the scalp.

Unmanageable, unruly, fizzy hair.

On humid days you know your hair is going to get frizzy choose to style it up or in a ponytail. Use products such as smoothing serums, pomades, etc when blow-drying. Take extra time to blow dry the hair straight because it will really seal the cuticle and keep the hair shaft smoother longer. Use a nozzle on your blow dryer, which will direct the heat more specifically to the section of hair.

Oily hair and scalp

It may be a bummer, but you must wash the hair everyday to control the over excessive oil glands in the scalp. If you can’t and you are desperate, you can sprinkle a little bit of baby powder on the roots to absorb the moisture. And you may hate the oiliness of your hair but take advantage of it because these are essential oils from the body that are actually good for the hair.

Lifeless, fine, and flat hair

Choose products that promote volume and thickness. A mousse, thickening gels or a root lifter sprayed at the root before blow-drying the hair is key. Blow drying the hair upside down and waiting till it has cooled down to flip up will make lifeless hair look full of volume.  Choose parting the hair to the side rather than in the middle because this makes the illusion of fuller hair. Multi-highlighted hair will create dimension and make the hair look fuller. Round brushing the hair promote volume and thickness. And one of my favorite tricks is using Velcro rollers around the crown to add volume.

What do you do when you get a bad hair cut/color?

I had a bad haircut/color… what do I do???
This is an unfortunate situation.  You could let it grow out and just be patient. You could cut it shorter to remove some of the unwanted color.  A bad color will be considered a corrective color in a salon and may be costly, but it may be worth it.  A bad cut may just need to be grown out.  You may have to take it a little shorter than you wish to fix the haircut.  Or you could always change the color or texture to take away from the bad haircut.  Bottom line is before you go into the salon make sure you do a complete consultation and great communication.

Time management.

If you are not the kind of person that has a lot of extra time in the morning communication is key! You need to let your stylist know this before you began a new haircut or color. There are specific styles out there that don’t require much to maintain and still look like you took all day.

Damaged hair.

For the most part, damaged hair happens through bleaching the hair and over processing the hair. However, those of you that are blonde know it is an addiction that will never be tamed! In this case products are very important. The hair needs food and water, which is stripped out of the hair during the chemical process. The hair and food that hair need are proteins and moisture which many shampoo and conditioners out on the market have. Also take about 30 minutes several days a week to apply a deep conditioning hair mask. If the hair is that damaged it is worth the extra loving care so slap it on during your favorite TV show.

Can’t recreate the style after she leaves the salon.

This is a common problem heard from women. My best advice is once you find a stylist you are happy and comfortable with simply ask them to go through the step by step process of styling your hair. If they are worth keeping, they will not mind at all!

Products and regular appointments can get expensive... What to do? Maybe at home remedies...  avocado, beer, mayonnaise?

There are many at home remedies to cure hair problems! For example adding lemon juice to the hair before going out in the sun can lighten up hair. You can also smash up avocados, whip up eggs, or soak the hair in beer to replenish moisture and add shine to the hair.

I've had so many bad experiences at salons, how do I go about finding a good stylist?

Talk to people. This is the best way to find someone who’s really great!  So, next time you are at the store and you see a hairstyle you love, don’t be shy and ask!

Unfamiliar with what hair type they have and how to deal with it.

There are different ways to identify hair type. For example there is straight, wavy, curly, or frizzy. There is fine, medium, and coarse hair.  There is dry, oily or normal hair. In general normal or medium hair doesn’t have too many challenges. For coarse hair you may have to deal with dryness or heaviness. Fine hair may need more moisture or volume to make you happy. No matter what don’t worry!  There is always a solution to any kind of problem!

Unfamiliar with hair products or how to use hot tools that could improve their hair challenges.

In order to become familiar with a certain product you must first identify what would be best for your hair type. For example, there are products that promote body for thin or fine hair. Products that have a smoothing effect for curly or frizzy hair. Moisture products for dry hair, etc, etc.  Then determine how you like to wear your hair on a daily basis. This will help with the choice of styling products and hot tools. Do you need hairspray or shine serums? Do you need a flat iron or a diffuser? Once these questions are answered you should be a step closer to being a hair guru. If you still have questions on how to style hair call around to different salons and see if a stylist will offer lessons.

How do I choose a haircut and color that is right for me?

A good hair cut should compliment your face shape. There are 7 face shapes that we acknowledge and a haircut should help accentuate the good parts and conceal other parts. Becoming aware of what looks good on you is great so you are prepared when a stylist asks what you are looking for.  Hair color should compliment your skin tone. You don’t want it to wash you out or be too overwhelming. All colors have warm and cool tones, including your skin color. Identify what that is and go with the same palette.

I've run out of ideas and don't want to be boring, what can I do that is quick and creative?

Accessories are my best tips for this problem! A cool scarf, cute headband, or elegant clip will really transform your look!

How do I make sure that when I am getting a hairstyle for a formal event it comes out exactly as I hope?

My best advice is to find a picture of what you want your hair to look like for your specific event. Then bring it in to your stylist the day of the appointment and have her go over expectations. For example your hair maybe way to thin to create that exact look you want but you can get it close. If you are really paranoid schedule an appointment for a trail run a couple weeks before your big event.

Tips to keep hair healthy in the summer/winter?

During the summer, the hot sun can really do a number on the hair.  Whenever possible protect it by throwing on a hat. There are also products out on the market that contain sunscreen. Your hair needs it too so use it as religiously as you do on your face and body. And in the winter often times the hair and skin loose moisture and can become very dry and brittle. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Schedule weekly deep conditioning treatments with your stylist or do it yourself at home.  Start to work in products with moisture into your beauty routine. Start to use a couple times a week or replace your other stuff all together.

Tips on how to deal with humidity or dryness.

Sometimes, the weather really dictates what you will be able to accomplish with your hair that day. If it is 50% humidity or you’re in the middle of the desert you may just have to accept that you will not be able to achieve big sexy hair that day. Keep a reasonable expectation.  There are cute alternatives however… opt for a cute up do or put it up with a stylish clip. You can still make yourself look really pretty this way. If the weather is really killing your good hair day play up your makeup or put on a special outfit.

Whenever I curl my hair it immediately drops and looses all curl.

The key to this problem is you must let the hair cool before you drop it!  Heat changes the hydrogen bonds in the hair, which convert it from straight to curly. However, if it is still warm it means the bonds haven’t fully reformed and you will lose that curl pattern. After curling the hair stand with the hot tool clip it up with a hairpin, finish curling the entire head, and then release the pin curls. This may take a little bit more time but the end result would definitely be worth it.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, please email me at questions@hollywoodhairguy.com