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Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Washing minus the suds
Dry shampoos can save time and add oomph!
Ann-Marie Colacino, Special to QMI Agency
While daily bathing may be de rigueur -- thank goodness! -- there's a dirty little secret women are increasingly adopting to cut down time spent on their 'do.
This growing market is dry shampoo, which allows users to forgo everyday lathering and still look fabulous and even feel fresh. What's more, some products even promise to add body and volume to limp locks.
We hold the fat on our lattes, find our faux glow in a bottle, so why not get a shampoo without the rinse? Women's ever-busy lifestyles require it, says writer Kelsey Malenchak, the creator of Toronto-based fashion and beauty blog The-dressingroom.ca.
"So many of us have jam-packed schedules that it becomes nearly impossible to always look done-up," points out Malenchak, who uses a dry product five times a week. "When you think of all the time we spend washing and styling our hair, using dry shampoos can give hours back."
Blow-dry bars becoming more and more popular is another reason women turn to no-rinse treatments, says Alain Larivee, John Frieda's Canadian creative consultant and owner of Cajh hair salon in Montreal.
Women want to extend these "investments" as much as possible, he explains, referring to the good old days when women first used mass marketed dry shampoos to hold onto to their salon-derived '60s beehives and bouffants as long as possible.
"It's really great for that trade show weekend "¦ and you got your hair done at the salon the day before leaving," says Larivee. "[Dry shampoos can] give you that extra mileage."
So how does it work? Available in wet, powder or aerosol form, dry shampoo essentially absorbs the excess oils and dirt on the scalp.
Most of these products contain rice starch, which has a translucent quality to it, and some use neutralizing odours and astringent ingredients. Customers can also find all or mostly natural products too.
Malenchak says she prefers dry sprays because they are easier to use then powders; however, she find the powder (if used properly) boost longevity.
"The trick [with dry sprays] is to shake the bottle after every spray. The formula separates from the gas quickly in the bottle and causes a block so it's important to shake constantly."
When it comes to powders, she offers this tip from her blog: "Try squeezing the bottle on an angle to get a puff of the powder rather than sprinkling it directly on the hair."
Deciding on what works best depends on a person's lifestyle and needs, says Charles Booth, founder of LaCoupe. "A major reason for their new popularity is that people have discovered that they give fabulous body to fine hair. And you can achieve all sorts of unique looks that are tousled and fun."
To get great results, Booth recommends using dry shampoo in moderation. He warns that if overused some of the aerosol powder sprays can make hair look dull. He suggests starting with a little, aiming near the roots and brushing it through.
Larivee agrees that brushing is key. "There's a reason they're called classic habits, it's because they are a good thing to do."
A dry history
When it comes to dry shampoo, what's old is new again. The lack of suds dates back centuries. According to the Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History by Victoria Sherrow (Greenwood Press, 2006), during the slavery era in colonial United States Africans brought their own hair care methods with them to North America. To cleanse and groom strands they used what could be found in their new surroundings, including kitchens. Due to the lack of running water in homes, a form of dry shampooing was created using powder, starch or cornmeal.
http://www.torontosun.com/life/fashion/2011/04/12/17965121.htmlThis growing market is dry shampoo, which allows users to forgo everyday lathering and still look fabulous and even feel fresh. What's more, some products even promise to add body and volume to limp locks.
We hold the fat on our lattes, find our faux glow in a bottle, so why not get a shampoo without the rinse? Women's ever-busy lifestyles require it, says writer Kelsey Malenchak, the creator of Toronto-based fashion and beauty blog The-dressingroom.ca.
"So many of us have jam-packed schedules that it becomes nearly impossible to always look done-up," points out Malenchak, who uses a dry product five times a week. "When you think of all the time we spend washing and styling our hair, using dry shampoos can give hours back."
Blow-dry bars becoming more and more popular is another reason women turn to no-rinse treatments, says Alain Larivee, John Frieda's Canadian creative consultant and owner of Cajh hair salon in Montreal.
Women want to extend these "investments" as much as possible, he explains, referring to the good old days when women first used mass marketed dry shampoos to hold onto to their salon-derived '60s beehives and bouffants as long as possible.
"It's really great for that trade show weekend "¦ and you got your hair done at the salon the day before leaving," says Larivee. "[Dry shampoos can] give you that extra mileage."
So how does it work? Available in wet, powder or aerosol form, dry shampoo essentially absorbs the excess oils and dirt on the scalp.
Most of these products contain rice starch, which has a translucent quality to it, and some use neutralizing odours and astringent ingredients. Customers can also find all or mostly natural products too.
Malenchak says she prefers dry sprays because they are easier to use then powders; however, she find the powder (if used properly) boost longevity.
"The trick [with dry sprays] is to shake the bottle after every spray. The formula separates from the gas quickly in the bottle and causes a block so it's important to shake constantly."
When it comes to powders, she offers this tip from her blog: "Try squeezing the bottle on an angle to get a puff of the powder rather than sprinkling it directly on the hair."
Deciding on what works best depends on a person's lifestyle and needs, says Charles Booth, founder of LaCoupe. "A major reason for their new popularity is that people have discovered that they give fabulous body to fine hair. And you can achieve all sorts of unique looks that are tousled and fun."
To get great results, Booth recommends using dry shampoo in moderation. He warns that if overused some of the aerosol powder sprays can make hair look dull. He suggests starting with a little, aiming near the roots and brushing it through.
Larivee agrees that brushing is key. "There's a reason they're called classic habits, it's because they are a good thing to do."
A dry history
When it comes to dry shampoo, what's old is new again. The lack of suds dates back centuries. According to the Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History by Victoria Sherrow (Greenwood Press, 2006), during the slavery era in colonial United States Africans brought their own hair care methods with them to North America. To cleanse and groom strands they used what could be found in their new surroundings, including kitchens. Due to the lack of running water in homes, a form of dry shampooing was created using powder, starch or cornmeal.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Blonde ambition: Hair care tips for blondes
Advice on achieving and maintaining this season's hottest hair colour -- blonde.
Do blondes have more fun, and do gentlemen prefer them? While we may never know the answers to these questions, one thing we do know for sure is that blonde hair comes with its own set of rules on how to care for it.
“Blonde hair has a finer shaft in terms of diameter,” says Alain Larivée, owner of CAJH Maîtres Coiffeurs and Canadian creative consultant for John Frieda. “Hair has three layers, the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle and in naturally blonde hair there is no medulla.” This makes blonde hair finer, more fragile and more susceptible to dryness.
And when it comes to colouring blonde hair, you have to pay attention to hair health, texture and density, says Stacey Staley, owner of Blonde, a salon in Toronto. “Existing blondes can be more porous, delicate and dry, especially if they have been trying to find the right colour and stylist for them. And you cannot sacrifice health for colour,” she says.
And here’s some interesting findings: the folks at Garnier Nutrisse conducted research and found that the preferred shade of blonde differs around the world. Here in Canada, we tend to prefer a blonde that’s not too yellow or brassy or ashy, something that’s more beige blonde. Whereas in the United States, golden blonde is the most popular tone and in Europe, ash blonde is the hottest shade.
Whatever your blonde, here are some tips and tricks from the pros on achieving, caring and repairing your best blonde hair ever.
Problem: Blonde hair whether natural or coloured has a tendency to yellow.
Solution: Using a tone restoring shampoo and conditioner with neutralizing elements will help, says Alain. Also, stick to products that won’t create that undesired yellow tone, he adds.
Try: L’Oreal Paris Color Radiance Protecting Mask with UV Filter.
Problem: Your tresses are dry and fragile.
Solution: Natural blonde hair does tend to be fragile and if you’ve overworked it, it needs some TLC ASAP.
Try: Kerastase Ciment Thermique. “This is my favourite miracle repair product,” says Stacey. “It’s lightweight, protects against heat damage and does a mini treatment every time you blow dry or iron it in the hair.”
http://www.ellecanada.com/beauty/hair/blonde-ambition-hair-care-tips-for-blondes/a/43946
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tendances cheveux été 2011: les années 70!
Un vent des années 1970 souffle sur les coiffures de l'été 2011. Grâce aux conseils d'expert d'Alain Larivée, consultant en création pour John Frieda, on s'inspire des années 70 et on apprend à réaliser sept coiffures hippies ou disco en criant ciseaux.
Le long ondoyant à la Xanadu
À mi-chemin entre le disco et le bohème, les belles du défilé de Gianfranco Ferré arboraient des ondulations soignées, d'inspiration Xanadu. «Une façon simple de donner de la volupté aux chevelures pleine longueur», constate le coiffeur. Mode d'emploi: «Pour qu'elle ait l'air en santé et soit bien lustrée, on lave et revitalise d'abord sa chevelure avec un duo traitant. Une fois essorées, on enduit ses longueurs de mousse. On sèche ensuite toute la masse avec une brosse plate. Puis, section par section, on frise les cheveux au fer à boucler de large diamètre, en concentrant le mouvement sous le menton. On laisse refroidir les boucles cinq minutes, avant de les étirer avec une brosse en poils de sanglier, pour les aérer, les gonfler et les discipliner. On termine en fixant la mise en plis sous un nuage de fixatif luminescent et léger.»
À mi-chemin entre le disco et le bohème, les belles du défilé de Gianfranco Ferré arboraient des ondulations soignées, d'inspiration Xanadu. «Une façon simple de donner de la volupté aux chevelures pleine longueur», constate le coiffeur. Mode d'emploi: «Pour qu'elle ait l'air en santé et soit bien lustrée, on lave et revitalise d'abord sa chevelure avec un duo traitant. Une fois essorées, on enduit ses longueurs de mousse. On sèche ensuite toute la masse avec une brosse plate. Puis, section par section, on frise les cheveux au fer à boucler de large diamètre, en concentrant le mouvement sous le menton. On laisse refroidir les boucles cinq minutes, avant de les étirer avec une brosse en poils de sanglier, pour les aérer, les gonfler et les discipliner. On termine en fixant la mise en plis sous un nuage de fixatif luminescent et léger.»
2 à 7 ici
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Brassy hair: You has it. But here are 5 neat things that can help restore your formerly blondelicious locks
I don’t know if my blonderexia is spreading or what, but over the past few weeks, I’ve received a number of reader pleas for help with blonde hair gone brassy.And you know what? In the same way that the Hair Club guy is not only the president but also a client, I’m not only a brassy hair fixer-upper, but a sufferer too.
That’s right—not even 24 hours ago, the talented Alain Larivée, co-owner of CAJH Maitres Coiffeurs in Montreal and Canadian creative consultant for John Frieda, kindly informed me that I maybe kinda sorta had a wee tinge of brass developing in my colour. Yep, and I just had it done too. But see, that’s the thing about brassiness. It operates in stealth mode, creeping up on you ever-so-slowly if you’re not careful, and sometimes it takes an expert to point out that yes, Houston, we have a problem. (Although you would think that somebody could’ve informed Mischa Barton, above, before hers got to this point, right?)
Anyway, you and I don’t have to suffer the same fate. When you’re a blonde, you’ve got to be vigilant, always vigilant, to protect your colour. So from one blonderexic to another, here’s how.
BLONDEXERIC TIP #1: GO FORTH AND BUY YOURSELF SOME PURPLE SHAMPOO
When you colour your hair, you’ve got a little rainbow of colour molecules (red, yellow, blue) deposited into the hair cuticle. But because they’re the smallest, it’s the blue ones that go MIA first, leaving you with the red and the yellow. And you know what those shades produce… orange! So purple shampoos and conditioners are freakin’ GENIUS, man. Being the opposite of orange, their violet pigments shut that brassiness down, restoring your colour to its former glory.
Probably the least expensive option around is the Sheer Blonde Colour Renew line from John Frieda, which is what Alain used on my hair yesterday:
There’s a shampoo, conditioner and mousse, and although they say you need to use ‘em three times to see results, I SWEAR that when I met up with a friend last night, she told me (unprompted) that my hair looked blonder. (Meaning better, of course.)Other options: Joico Colour Endure Violet Shampoo and Conditioner; Matrix SoSilver Shampoo; AG Hair Sterling Silver Toning Shampoo and Conditioner.
BLONDEREXIC TIP #2: BUT ALTERNATE IT WITH REGULAR COLOUR-PROTECTIVE PRODZ TOO
You only need to use the purple shampoo a few times a week (you don’t want your colour to go too far the other way, after all). Alternate it with shampoos, conditioners and masques specifically for colour-treated hair but without the violet pigment. They’ll help nourish it and ensure your locks look soft, healthy, hydrated and shiny.
In addition to the Essensity lineup I mentioned here, I’ve been using Schwarzkopf’s BlondeMe Blonde Brilliance Intense Treatment. But there are tons of options out there—just look for the words “colour-treated hair” on the label. Ojon just came out with this new range, called Color Sustain:
BLONDEREXIC TIP #3: INVEST IN A SHOWER FILTER
Another thing you can do to protect your $150-a-pop blondification investment is to make another investment: in a good shower filter. Besides the fact that the chlorine and iron deposits in our water are probably not the nicest stuff to imbibe, they can also make colour fade and look dull. And the iron, specifically, can add to the reddish, brassy tones.
It’s a good idea to use a clarifying shampoo to get that shiz outta there, and then install a filter like the one I’ve been using from Jonathan Product:
This is called the Beauty Water Shower Purification System (available at jonathanproduct.com) and seeing as I’ve been obsessed with it for years, I was overjoyed when they sent me one to try. It’s a two-step filter that takes out chlorine, synthetic chemicals and heavy metals, replacing them with healthy, pH-balanced potassium ions. Both skin and hair feel softer and hair colour lasts longer—hooray! It’s $95 and should last about six months or so… but you can also check out your local Home Depot or hardware store for similar options.
BLONDEREXIC TIP #4: GO BACK TO THE SALON FOR A TONER
Although they come in all kinds of shades, in this situation your hairdresser will be using one with a violet or blue base (same principle as the shampoo) to brighten and restore your colour. Expect to pay around $40+.
BLONDEREXIC TIP #5: TRY AN AT-HOME BRASS BANISHER
You can also do the toner thing at home, thanks to a couple of products from our friends at L’Oréal Paris, who make the Colorist Secret Brass Banisher…
…or Clairol, who has Natural Instincts Brass Free:
Both are ammonia-free and can be safely used in between colourings… but just to warn you, reviews are mixed (and that’s why I chickened out of trying the L’Oréal Paris one myself). You’ll definitely want to check out Makeup Alley here and here before you take the plunge, because some peeps are saying “I LOVED IT!” and others “HOLY CRAP THIS SUCKS!” It’s hard to say whether it was a user execution thing, or if the prodz might produce iffy results on certain hair colours… so I’ll leave it with you to decide. Because I like to give you options!Are you a fellow blonderexic?
How diligent are you about taking care of your colour?
Ever tried any of these tips?