Hairbrush 101

Navigating which hair brush you need can be confusing, but the right tools can make all the difference. So which brush is right for you?

PADDLE BRUSH

Got tons of tangles? This is a good pick for you. A paddle brush is great for detangling really thick, wet hair. We advise to start with the ends of the hair and work your way up to the roots.

CERAMIC ROUND BRUSH

If you want big curls but would prefer to skip the iron, we recommend using a ceramic round brush with synthetic bristles: While the synthetic bristles lightly detangle and wrap the hair around the brush, the heated ceramic barrel actually molds the hair into a shiny, bouncy curl. No curling irons and way less fuss.

WOODEN ROUND BRUSH

These brushes offer tension and control over your hair, making them a favorite of stylists. Pros tend to favor wooden round brushes with natural boar bristles because they rely on technique and control more than they do on the heated barrel. Bonus: They’re healthier for your hair because the bristles don’t snag and the barrel doesn’t overheat.

VENT BRUSH

This brush allows air from the blow dryer to pass right through it, which speeds up your blow dry time. The downside: You can lose a lot of control over your hairstyle. The vent brush is great for a fast but imperfect hairstyle, so if you’re in a hurry and can do without the best possible blowout, reach for this pick.

TEASING BRUSH

Teased hair is one of the biggest hair trends of the year, so get this tool if you’re ready to add lots of volume. But big hair isn’t all this handy teasing brush can do — if you have thin locks that you wish could look thicker, try our handy root teasing trick for instantly fuller locks.

DENMAN BRUSH

Short-haired ladies, rejoice: This brush is perfect for you. The Denman brush makes your fresh bob haircut sleek and straight with just a subtle bend on the bottom.

ROUND BRUSH

You generally only use round brushes on hair that has been layered. A small round brush creates a wavier style with more lift at the roots, while a large round brush simply delivers smooth bounce and soft definition.

DETANGLING BRUSH

If your locks are dry and you need to detangle, we recommend using a detangling brush to get those knots out.

WIDE TOOTH COMB

Curly-haired girls, listen up: You need this tool if you want hydrated, healthy locks. A large wide tooth comb is great for detangling hair in the shower. And if you have curly hair, you should use it while conditioning your hair so that every last strand gets the right amount of moisture and nourishment.

TALL COMB

Love to add drama to your hairstyle? This skinny tool creates the best statement hair part. With a tall comb, you can create a severe center, dramatic deep side, or even zig zag part, or clean sections for braids. For the most perfect line, we recommend firmly pressing the point of the tail comb onto your head as you create the part.

HEAT RESISTANT V-COMB

If you want perfectly straight hair, this is the tool to try. A heat resistant v-comb is great for flat ironing because it can guide and control a section of hair without melting from the iron.

Hair Dyeing Options

Looking for a change and do not know what to do? Look no further! We are about to break down some dyeing techniques and how to achieve each look the best way you can. There are various techniques and methods you can use when dyeing your hair. Also, many different colors are available at your disposal. The options are endless.

The great thing about deciding to change your hair is that you can find a dyeing technique that you are comfortable with or venture outside of your comfort zone and try something new!

In this post, you will find different ways you can dye your hair. The great thing about each technique is that if you do not want to go for a natural look and you want to kick it up a little, adding a few different colors can do that. It’s time to finally add some spice to your look!

 

BALAYAGE

Balayage is a coloring technique developed by the French in the 1970s. It is a freehand technique where the color is added by hand instead of the regular foiling or cap highlighting techniques. It can work for even the shortest hairstyles such as a pixie cut. However, it shows up best in longer hair.

In Balayage, there are dark pieces left on the bottom to create dimension and a more natural look. With highlights stemming from close to the roots towards the ends of the hair. This technique looks like natural sun-kissed highlights throughout the hair.

Balayage is an excellent option because you can achieve a softer effect or add colors that make your hair pop. This style is great if you want to switch up your hair but make it look natural. The natural highlights can make all the difference.

 

How to get the look:

Part your hair

There are different ways you can choose to part your hair. The recommended way is to do a hot cross bun method which is parting your hair into four equal sections which make it easier to dye your hair piece by piece. This step is crucial because you want to take your time when preparing to dye your hair so that it comes out nicely.

Dye your hair

Balayage is all about the contrast between dark and blonde, so be careful not to get any of the dye in areas you want to keep dark.

You want to pull the dye through your hair from the middle of the strand to the bottom using the comb applicator, avoiding your roots entirely. The amount of hair you cover will depend on how thick you want your highlights to be.

This difference varies from each person. You may use hair clips to section off and color smaller, more targeted strands. To achieve a more natural look, use your fingers (make sure you are wearing gloves!) to work the dye into the tips of your hair, blending the color using downward strokes. Then you wait for the amount of time stated on the box, and wash the dye out carefully section by section.

It is important to remember to be very careful when dying your hair by this method as you want it to look as natural as possible. But the hard work pays off!

 

DIP DYE

This vibrant two-tone coloring technique is a fun way to add a little umph to your hair! Dip dye is a statement hairstyle as the two different colors do not ease into each other. They do not blend which makes the process even easier to achieve.

You can have a more natural look with dip dye by dyeing your hair 4 or 5 shades lighter than the natural color, or you can go for a bolder look by going for pinks, blues, and greens.

 

How to get the look:

Bleach your tips

To achieve this look, you first want to bleach the ends, so the color shows up.

Place the tips of your hair on folded aluminum foil or a plastic bag. Brush the hair evenly with the bleach mixture before wrapping it in the aluminum foil, or spread the bleach on the tips of your hair equally before covering your tips with the plastic bag and securing it with a rubber band.

Keep in mind that if you use aluminum foil, the directions may call for using a hairdryer. However, a highlighter kit should always give you instructions on how long to leave the bleach mixture in your hair based on your hair color. Pay close attention! You do not want to cause damage.

After you have left the bleach in for the amount of time on the box, wash your hair out. It’s essential to not over-bleach your hair.

Add the second color

If you want a color that differs from the usual brown to a blonde gradient, like red or blue, switch to new gloves and apply color to your hair. Follow the instructions from the coloring kit.

This dyeing process is straightforward. It takes little effort and is a fascinating way to switch up your hair. Make sure to wear gloves and add petroleum jelly to your edges to keep your skin safe!

 

OMBRE

Ombre hair color is darker at the roots through the mid-shaft and then gradually gets lighter from the mid-shaft to the ends. It is such an exciting way to dye your hair, and you can make it look more natural by going a few shades lighter than your roots.

Ombre is a bit similar to dip dye. However, the difference is that ombre blends into your hair no matter the color.

 

How to get the look

Apply The Color

Get tools ready and apply color to the tips.

Apply the color to the tips of your hair, a section of about 3 inches high, with a brush or your hands (wearing gloves). Be sure not to leave a sharp line. This method is important to make your hair look natural and blended.

Now secure the foils by folding them around the hair, but do not fasten them too tightly. The hair strands need space for the color to develop.

Wait for the color to develop

Leave the color to form on the ends of your hair. Make sure to leave the color in for the amount of time listed on the box subtracted by 10 minutes. The reason for this is when applying the second layer for, you do not want to overdye the bottom half.

Add more dye traveling up your hair

Once you have opened up the foil and can see that the tips look like the color you want, add some color higher up the hair – about another 2.5 inches up (again not leaving any blunt lines).

Put the foils back and leave this to develop. About 10 minutes should be enough, but remember to check. You do not want to leave the color in for a long time, so it does not over-develop. If the hair gets over-developed, the ombre look will not be as effective.

Rinse

Once you are satisfied with how much the hair color has turned out, you need to rinse the dye out of your hair.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights are partial or spot hair coloring in which just parts of hair are dyed a few shades lighter than your base color. The primary purpose of adding highlights to your hair is to brighten up the overall tone of your hair and add softness and gorgeous depth to it.

Your natural hair color determines the shade of your highlights. No matter what the base color of your hair, you should never go more than a few shades lighter than it so that they look natural. Going lighter than a few shades may risk your hair looking like stripes similar to a zebra. No one wants that!

 

How to get the look

Choose the Right Shade

You want your highlights to look natural. So here is a color guide that works well for skin tone.

If your eyes are brown, blue, or hazel with blue or green flecks, you have a cool skin tone and should choose shades that are cool-toned as well – such as ashy brown, beige blonde, burgundy red, and blue-hued blacks. Cool skin tones usually look best in silver jewelry, so if you naturally gravitate to silver, this is you.

If your eyes are brown, blue, or hazel with brown flecks, your skin is likely warm-toned, and you look best in gold jewelry. Choose hair colors that are similarly golden-toned, like golden brown, wheat-toned blonde, auburn red, and black with reddish tones.

Apply the Color

You want to apply the dye first to the hair that’s visible when it’s combed into your usual style and then move onto the bottom layers.

Brush the dye as close to the roots as possible, and then drag the color down the length of your hair. Continue the process until the entire first layer is saturated. Then, use a clip or hair tie to separate the first inch of the top section and continue the process on the next layer.

Rinse

Once your hair has sat for the right amount of time, make sure you are rinsing your hair off at the right time.

 

HALF & HALF HAIR DYE

We have seen celebrities such as Nicki Minaj slay this look with the half blonde half blue hair. Half and half hair color is becoming popular. It is a remarkable hairstyle and a bold new look. You can mix and match any two colors you would like.

 

How to get the look

Section off hair

To get the half and half look you want to separate your hair evenly down the middle and tie off the two sections.

Apply the Color

Dye the first half: You then want to take the first section and dye your hair the color of choice. Cover the part with the dye and leave it in for the amount of time listed on the box.

Dye the second half: You then want to take the second portion of your hair and repeat the same process using the second color of your choice. Once you have left it in for the proper amount of time, you then want to rinse it out.

Short Haircut Mistakes To Avoid

Thinking about a new short ‘do? We recommend taking several key factors into consideration before chopping off your locks. When you catch the bug for a new look, it’s really tempting to immediately decide on this season’s “it” ‘do, and make an appointment with your stylist right away. However, it’s best to resist the urge for instant gratification, because while locks can be chopped in an instant, it can take months—and sometime years—to grow them back. And as much as you might love your favorite celebrity’s Instagram selfies of her chin-length textured style, it’s important to remember that same cut might not flatter your face the way it does hers. Don’t worry! You can achieve something equally sassy—and specifically catered to you. We talked to a few professionals to give us the tips needed for avoiding any short cut mistakes.

  1. Don’t Take Off Too Much, Too Soon.

Because hair takes a lot longer to grow out than it does to cut, it’s important to take a drastic hair change in baby steps. Going from one extreme to another—say waist-long hair to a pixie—can have you regretting your decision and will leave you with few options to get back a look you’re comfortable with. It’s really important not to do something shocking. Your reaction to a new cut can be two-fold—at first people are generally excited and happy with the cut. Then they go have coffee with friends and get feedback that’s not exactly what they hoped to hear. That’s when the shock sets in. But it’s too late to go back. That’s why we recommend going shorter a little bit at a time. For example, go from shoulders to chin at one appointment, then chin to pixie the next time.

  1. Always Consider Your Hair Type.

Your hair’s texture will be a big determining factor in how your cut turns out. Every cut isn’t right for every hair type, and it’s hard to know off hand what will be best for yours, so we recommend listening to your stylist. Stylists have been trained on this stuff, and have years of experience working with different types of hair. They know the outcome. Always listen to your stylist.

  1. Learn How To Style Your New ‘Do.

You need training and education on how to style your hair, so make sure your stylist gives that to you. No matter how you cut hair or what style suits you the finish (or styling) is 50% of achieving the look you want.

  1. Know What You’re Getting Into.

While it may sound counterintuitive, short hairstyles often require more maintenance than longer hair. You have to get your haircut a lot more often when it’s shorter or it loses its shape and looks messy. You normally go every 6-8 weeks, and you just can’t wait that long with a short haircut. That’s a common mistake that a lot of women make.

  1. Get The Right Cut For Your Face Shape.

Just like in fashion where you have to dress for your shape, you have to cut your hair to flatter your facial features. So often people go into the salon & know exactly what they want, and it’s usually based on a celebrity cut they’ve seen. However, keep in mind that the cut isn’t going to look exactly the same on you because you have a different face. Spend the extra time on the consultation, you will be happy you did.

  1. Cut Your Hair For The Right Reasons, Not The Wrong Ones.

There are all kinds of reasons one can decide on a short cut, but make sure yours are good ones. For instance, just because you’ve hit a certain age doesn’t mean you have to cut your hair a certain way. Age shouldn’t dictate your hair, as long as it’s healthy, it’s beautiful. You should also not let external factors influence making a dramatic hair change. It’s really common for someone who’s going through something tough like a divorce to want to get a dramatic change but remember, doing something drastic might be a source of more stress in an already stressful time.

How To Find The Best Salon In Your Area

What are the trademarks of the very best hair salons? A pleasant atmosphere, well-trained staff, and stylists who have great hairstyles themselves.

Finding the best hair salon can sometimes be quite a challenge. You can’t trust just anyone with your hair. Your main goal in choosing one should be getting access to competent hairdressers who keep up with all the latest trends. You want to have a positive experience that inspires trust, from the minute you arrive at the salon to the few moments your stylist spends teaching you to reproduce your new hairstyle at home.

Here are five things to keep in mind when looking for a salon that is not only trendy but will stand the test of time.

 

REFERENCES

Friends and work colleagues are a great source of information about the best hair salon addresses in town. Look around at the office or when out with friends and when you see a style you like, ask where it was done.

You could also do the rounds of the different hair salons close to you or check out the salons in the trendiest neighborhoods. Remember that the hairdos the stylists themselves are wearing are a good indication of their colleagues’ talents! If you are still not 100% sure you on a spot you can check with sites like Angies List or Google and see what others are saying about them.

 

THE ATMNOSPHERE

Several different criteria can be considered when looking for the best hair salon, starting with the atmosphere. A visit to the hairdresser’s is an opportunity to take care of yourself. And because it’s not always easy to take a break from your busy schedule, your salon hiatus has to be enjoyable.

Look for a salon where you feel at ease as soon as you arrive. A warm welcome, a short waiting time, and comfortable surroundings can make all the difference.

 

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Consider the different services available. Some salons specialize in coloring, others in blow-outs and styling. The best hair salon for you is the one where the stylists can meet all your expectations, depending on your hair type and your personal style.

Pay particular attention to what services are on offer when you want to really transform your hairstyle. For a successful makeover, it’s vital to entrust your head to a professional who’s done that kind of work before.

Some salons offer other complementary services on site. You might want to choose a spot where you can also get your makeup done, or a manicure, massage or body hair removal. Even if the availability of these services isn’t a guarantee of overall excellence, it can be very practical to find all of them under the same roof.

 

THE EXTRAS

Nothing beats the little extras. The best hair salons offer comfy chairs and coffee or a glass of wine, along with recent magazines and hairstyle books. Those plusses turn your outing into a real treat that you can look forward to during a hectic week.

 

A PACKED SCHEDULE

For better or for worse, the best hair salons are often very busy. So once you find your ideal spot, you’ll probably have to call well in advance to get an appointment. But at least you know that it will be well worth the trouble!

2018 Fall Hair Trends

In need of a new look but unwilling to chop bangs? Take matters into your own hands with these five hair trends that we think are going to be big for fall 2018. There’s something here for every length, texture, and skill level so start plotting your fall look now.

 

The Short Bob

The long bob has reigned supreme for far too long. We predict that things are going to come up shorter when fall rolls around. Celebrities have started to chop their locks chin length and are looking better than ever. Ask your stylist for a no-fuss, straight-across cut that will work with your natural texture. Be blunt, go blunt.

 

The Top Knot

There’s something classic about pairing a fall coat with a sleek top knot. Gone are the days of the messy buns – now it’s all about the snatched look. How exactly do you achieve the perfect snatched top knot? Use tons of hair oil and pull your hair into a very high ponytail. Once it’s secured, twist and twist and twist until it’s tight. Then sculpt it into the top knot shape of your dreams. Secure with elastics and voilà: a perfect top knot.

 

The Sleek Low Braid

There is nothing we love more than a flawless shiny low ponytail or braid. This fall, we predict that they are going to be everywhere. The key to getting this look is to brush or comb your hair into a low ponytail when it’s still wet. Working with a wet ponytail eliminates bumps and creates a super-smooth finish. Once it’s in a low ponytail, apply a hair oil for maximum shine. You can braid it or leave as it to live your best (sleek low ponytail slash braid) life.

 

The Perm

Before you panic, understand that perms have come a long way in the past 30 years. The modern perm is more about beachy waves, fullness, and a loose curl. The new perm formula is also far less damaging than it was in the ‘80s. Whether you need a little more volume or want to go full Carrie Bradshaw, a perm is a great option.

 

The 60’s Flip

Inspired by Marlo Thomas’ classic ‘60s hairstyle, the modern flip is sleek, smooth, and flips out just as the ends. It’s the perfect romantic look for fall. If you’ve had beachy shoulder-to-medium-length waves all summer, this look will take the hair you’re already working with and add shape and dimension.

Tips For Color Damaged Hair

Sadly, hair can be damaged relatively quickly, but bringing it back to good health can take some time. Don’t fret: Veronica, our in-house Beauty Expert, offers tips on how to restore your damaged hair as quickly as possible.

Early Detection is Key to Repairing Damaged Hair

Is your hair dry and dull? Do you have split ends and frizz? Scalp acting weird? If so, you have damaged hair, but the good news is that it’s not too late to begin the healing process. There are techniques and treatments for damaged hair, as well as gentle shampoos, conditioners and styling products to help bring your wrecked hair back to life. Start these healthy new habits now to help your damaged hair look better in the short run, while bringing it back to good health in the long run.

A Good Trim Can Revive Damaged Hair!

If your damaged hair has a straw-like texture the first thing you can do to make it look better and restore body is to get a trim. To accomplish good results, you don’t have to get a super short cut; you can leave some length and treat the remaining damaged hair. If you are bold enough to chop it all off, a short bob or cute pixie can undo all the damage in one clean sweep.

If you don’t want to go this extreme, however, a healthy trim with layers may be the direction to go to help your damaged locks look their best. This should be followed by a health care regimen for damaged hair, including use of a restorative shampoo, conditioner and styling products like our Rejuvenating Argan Oil Collection.

Nix Hot Styling Tools When Hair is Damaged

If you use heat, prepare the hair with a fortifying leave-in conditioner, and finish with a protective spray. And make sure that the hair is completely dry before using heated tools like flat irons and curling irons so it won’t cook from the inside out.

Say Good Bye to Chemicals, & Hair Color… At Least for Now

If your hair is extremely damaged, reconsider chemical processing for the now. Certain types of hair color—like harsh bleaches–can damage hair or stress hair that is already damaged.  Talk to your stylist about gentler approaches to hair color, such as ammonia-free and demi-permanent formulas.  Likewise, discuss healthier alternatives to permanent waves or straighteners—which can also be damaging to hair.

Shampoo and Conditioner Know-How For Damaged Hair

Carefully select a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner formulated for damaged hair. Sticking with shampoos and conditioners that contain natural oils and herbs will help repair your damaged hair.  And don’t shampoo more than twice a week if possible. Shampooing too frequently can strip damaged hair and create brittleness. If your hair needs a pick-me-up, use a dry shampoo in between washing’s. Look for a gentle shampoo with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5.

Hot water can damage hair, so wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water, and finish the shampoo process with a shot of cool water. Cool or cold water can help damaged hair by closing the hair cuticle and causing the hair shafts to lie flat, resulting in shinier, smoother hair.

If your hair has damage due to build-up from product, hard water deposits and minerals, a good clarifying shampoo can help. How frequently you need to remove build-up depends on how hard the water is that comes from your tap, and the products you use on your hair. Build-up is a serious issue and can cause damaged hair to be limp and lifeless and cause the ends to split and feel brittle. Typically, a clarifying shampoo and treatment should be used just once or twice a month.

When selecting a conditioner for damaged hair, look for those with active components such as macadamia nut oil, argan oil or shea butter coat each strand of hair with a fine protective layer that helps repair the cuticle. This helps damaged hair look healthier and thicker.

Styling Product Savvy Helps Restore Damaged Hair

When restoring damaged hair, keep hairstyles simple and stick to those that don’t require a lot of product to hold them in place. Applying a leave-in fortifying spray on wet hair is a good way to prepare the hair for styling or the stress of the day and protect it from environmental factors. A detangling spray can help protect damaged hair while brushing. Spritz it on before brushing wet hair to avoid further damage to tresses.

Use a light oil, pomade, mousse or gel to control frizz, and look for styling products that will reinforce damaged hair by infusing protein, amino acids and other strengthening properties. If necessary, finish with a light hairspray.

Bringing Out the Big Guns: Use Treatment Masks to Rescue Damaged Hair

When shopping for a hydrating treatment for damaged hair, look for products that have restorative, moisturizing ingredients, such as olive oil, keratin, protein or shea butter, and avoid products that contain silicone or parabens. Twice a week, apply the treatment or mask and leave it on for a full hour, using a plastic shower cap to help the product penetrate. Additionally, once a week you can apply the treatment in the shower after shampooing. Leave it on for three to five minutes for quick hydration and then rinse it out.

Oil treatments are another option to repair dry, damaged hair. They are simple to do at home and infuse damaged hair with moisture and shine. Apply the treatment oil of choice to clean, towel-dried hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap, and apply heat by sitting in the sun, using a hot towel or using your blow dryer. After heating the oil, allow hair to cool at room temperature, and then rinse with cool water. Reparative oil treatments can be done one to three times per month on damaged hair depending upon need. Proper use of these treatments can increase elasticity to damaged hair and create sheen. But be careful–overuse might cause your hair to look greasy!

Protect Your Damaged Hair In the Pool and Under the Sun

Are you a swimmer? Then always wear a swim cap in the pool. Chlorine causes hair damage that builds up over time. If you do go swimming without a cap, wash the chlorine out right away with a gentle shampoo.

Don’t sit in the sun after swimming without a cap or hat; the sun’s rays will compound the damage to your hair done by chlorine. Or, wash your hair before you sunbathe if you’ve been in the pool and use sunscreen on your part to avoid burning and peeling on your scalp line. Although the sun’s exposure is more intense during the summer months, it shines all year round. After a long day in the sun due to an athletic event, a hike or a day at the beach, consider giving your hair a hydrating treatment to avoid additional hair damage

Tips For Surviving A Major Hair Change

They say a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life. Whether that is true or if you are just bored with your current look, making a big hair change can change you whole perspective. But haircuts and sometimes major hair changes can happen by choice or necessity, so here are a few tips if you’re getting ready to go under the scissors (or dye!) and are feeling nervous about the process.

Wear something cute.

This might seem like a bit of odd advice, but we think it’s helpful to go to your favorite hair salon wearing something cute when you’re going to come out with a very different look. Cutting off a lot of hair can be a bit shocking, but if you’re wearing your favorite dress when you see your new look for the first time, it can soften the blow and help show you just how good that new cut can look once the shock wears off! Speaking of shock…

Give it a week.

Don’t write off a new hair cut or color for at least one week. It might take you a few days to get over the “wow that’s different” feeling to actually “see” what you look like. So, give yourself time. Don’t pin or hide your new look for at least a week, look at in the mirror often and get used to it before you decide whether it’s right or wrong.

Know what you want.

Of course, while it takes time to adjust to a new haircut, you should also have a very fixed idea of what you want if you’re going for a major change. Create a Pinterest board with the new style you want to try and try seeing the style from different angles (front, side, back, etc.) to get a very firm idea of what you’re going for. If you’re dyeing, do you know what shade you want—even if you decide to go blue, it could be dark, pastel, more aqua or an Ombre! Know what you want and bring loads of pictures and examples to your hair dresser to help you communicate the new style clearly.

Be willing to go in stages.

It will definitely help you adjust to short hair to go for an in-between cut for about a month before the final chop. With dyeing, it can take a few visits as well, especially if you want to go for a bright, unnatural color. So, don’t get discouraged if you book an appointment and find out not everything can be done in one day. This is also important to remember in reverse—once you commit to certain styles, it will take a while to get back to what your hair was before, so know what you are getting into.

Remember it’s all temporary.

If you take the plunge with a style and it ends up not being what you want, try not to worry too much because it’s all temporary. A lot of decisions you can make in life can have permanent or at least lasting consequences, but hair? Hair isn’t permanent. Bad cuts will grow out, as will dye which will also fade (usually quicker than you want it to). In a few months or a year, no one would even know you had blue hair or a shaved side cut.

The History of Hair Curling

Nowadays, luscious locks that spring from your scalp are sought after. But they weren’t always and even now, they’re not always appreciated.

Let’s take a step back in time for a moment, to the 1500s. Just eight years earlier, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue and Henry VII was ruling over England and Wales with his wife Elizabeth of York, bringing peace to the two warring houses for nearly 15 years. Things were peaceful in Europe and people’s global curiosity was growing.

About hair however, people were less than curious. If you were wealthy, the curls might add some glamour to your extravagant styles and to hang over your rich crowns and clips. If you were a commoner, let alone a schoolgirl, your curls were pulled into a tight bun atop your head. It was believed that hair curled due to sins or evil within one. People were wary of those with curls, who knew what they were up to.

Skip to the 1600s, hair styles grew ever more extravagant and artificial. It could definitely be referred to as the Century of Wigs, with locks heavily powdered grey and clipped in circular pillars that surprisingly never sent them soaring in flight. Curly hair was still, more or less, not perceived in a positive or stylish light, but was passed and allowed as the Renaissance deepened into the Middle Ages.

As we wander through the 1700s, we follow the traditions set by our predecessor with wigs and powder now lasting two centuries through wars and revolutions. Our perception of hair stayed basically the same, to serve as a societal mark for class and prestige. For two centuries our locks of all shapes and colors were ignored as battles flared and governments rose.

In the 1800s, hairstyles could be described in one word, “up”. Braided and clipped up, loosely clipped up to one side, a ponytail with clips, clips here and there and bands everywhere. Hair was sashaying with the pioneers as they rocked back-and-forth traversing West in their hunt for gold. No one had time to spend on his or her hair, constructing houses and monitoring the harvest didn’t leave enough time in the day, let alone while caring for a family. So, hair was over-looked and decidedly bland for everyone, the one tone of up hid any curious colors or shapes to be spotted or appreciated.

In the curve of the century time passed in decades, varying eras of styles and fashions. I’m sure plenty of you have seen videos of make-up styles, hair styles, wedding styles, this style, that style, of 100 years in a couple of minutes. If you have seen them, you’ll be thinking you saw curly hair there. And I agree with you, you saw curls, that’s correct, but you did not see curly hair. The bouncy locks you saw in those videos were not natural curls, the model’s hair was probably straightened and then curled to create those uniform loops or light wiggles.

It might surprise you to know, that up until very recently, society knew very little about curly hair. In 1984, a young woman who had created a name for herself in the hair industry opened her first salon in the heart of Manhattan. Ouidad, the name of the salon and of the woman. She began creating products specifically formulated to treat curly hair and have it growing strong and healthy. She had to create techniques on methods to properly cut the curls as to not damage the style or hang of them. She basically had to create the foundation for curls in society.

Even now, Ouidad is still creating and learning more and more about curly hair, what it needs and what works for it. She’s already deciphered four different types of curls and created countless products to treat all different types of problems. Ouidad’s flagship salon is still open and highly functioning in New York City on 57th Street, another one in Santa Monica, California, and Fort Lauderdale Florida. Sadly, that’s not enough salons to help every curly haired girl and boy in the world, let alone the United States. And to speak frankly, not many can afford the services or products that Ouidad has to offer. Luckily, society is taking a strong learning curve to curly hair.

In January of 2015, Dove launched a “Love Your Curls” campaign to teach young girls to love their hair. Hair has curled for centuries and it has taken us until the 21st century to teach people to appreciate them. So many girls have already been lost to the heat of a straightening iron, to the comments of classmates, to the lack of information circulated to parents. Curls are incredible and beautiful and we should appreciate them.

The History of the Hair Dryer

There was a time when washing your hair was seen as a perfectly acceptable excuse to decline an invitation out. It wasn’t so much the washing that was taking up your time, but the drying.

Naturally, the French, with their impeccable sense of style, were the first to come up with a solution. Blow dryers were invented in the late 19th century. The first model was created by Alexander F. “Beau” Godefroy in his salon in France in 1890. His invention was a large, seated version that consisted of a bonnet that attached to the chimney pipe of a gas stove. Godefoy invented it for use in his hair salon in France, and it was not portable or handheld. It could only be used by having the person sit underneath it.

Around 1915, hair dryers began to go on the market in handheld form. This was due to innovations by National Stamping and Electricworks under the white cross brand, and later U.S. Racine Universal Motor Company and the Hamilton Beach Co., which allowed the dryer to be small enough to be held by hand.

Even in the 1920s, the new dryers were often heavy, weighing in at approximately 2 pounds (0.9 kg), and were difficult to use. They also had many instances of overheating and electrocution. Hair dryers were only capable of using 100 watts, which increased the amount of time needed to dry hair (the average dryer today can use up to 2000 watts of heat).

Since the 1920s, development of the hair dryer has mainly focused on improving the wattage and superficial exterior and material changes. In fact, the mechanism of the dryer has not had any significant changes since its inception. One of the more important changes for the hair dryer is to be made of plastic, so that it is more lightweight. This really caught on in the 1960s with the introduction of better electrical motors and the improvement of plastics. Another important change happened in 1954 when GEC changed the design of the dryer to move the motor inside the casing.

The bonnet dryer was introduced to consumers in 1951. This type worked by having the dryer, usually in a small portable box, connected to a tube that went into a bonnet with holes in it that could be placed on top of a person’s head. This worked by giving an even amount of heat to the whole head at once.

The 1950s also saw the introduction of the rigid-hood hair dryer which is the type most frequently seen in salons. It had a hard-plastic helmet that wraps around the person’s head. This dryer works similarly to the bonnet dryer of the 1950s but at a much higher wattage.

In the 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission set up guidelines that hair dryers had to meet to be considered safe to manufacture. Since 1991 the CPSC has mandated that all dryers must use a ground fault circuit interrupter so that it cannot electrocute a person if it gets wet. By 2000, deaths by blow dryers had dropped to fewer than four people a year, a stark difference to the hundreds of cases of electrocution accidents during the mid-20th century. Faster, more efficient and certainly less lethal, there’s now no excuse to refuse an invitation as you tend to your crowning glory.

Summer Hair Survival Guide

Whether you’re suffering in swamp-like humidity or heat as dry as the Sahara, we’ve got the answers to your summer hair dilemma.

Survival Tip No. 1: Lock in that style

Dry heat can cause curls to deflate and straight hair to, well, stay straight. You might as well work with it. Before you head to Palm Springs or Phoenix, give yourself a blowout using plenty of smoothing serum to lock in moisture. Another bonus to a blowout ahead of time: no need to style your hair when you’re there. Just freshen it up with dry shampoo at your roots and rub shine serum on your ends.

Survival Tip No. 2: Make Shine Serum Your New Best Friend

Even healthy hair can start to feel dry when there’s zero humidity in the air, so keep your shine serum handy to reapply to your ends. And if your scalp starts freaking out and producing more oil to counter the dry air, a spritz of dry shampoo to help.  If you want your style to last in this weather, try sleeping in a high ponytail. It’ll give your hair volume when you take it down the next morning and you can smooth any kinks with a flat iron.

Survival Tip No. 3: Give Your Hair a Break

If your hair is looking dry and scraggly, it’s time to bring in reinforcements. One of your best summer allies is a leave-in conditioner. It instantly repairs damage and detangles, protecting from breakage. This is especially important if you’re in a hot zone that’s also windy.

Try applying plenty of leave-in, then putting your hair in a French Twist or ballerina bun like Uma Thurman’s. And, if your hair is already feeling the heat, definitely stay away from the styling tools. Less is more. The less heat and stress your hair is under, the better.

Survival Tip No. 4: Toss A Detangle Brush In Your Beach Bag

Hair is more fragile when it is wet, use a wide tooted detangle brush to work out any kinks from the ocean.

Survival Tip No. 5: Invest in a UV Spray

Sunlight is the enemy of chemically treated hair (especially blonde hair). UV rays can strip color and weaken the texture of the hair, leaving it frazzled.

Survival Tip No. 6: Embrace Your Curls

Curls are having a moment, so if you’ve got them, don’t fight ’em. Curly hair is so versatile, plus there is no need to blow-dry, so you’re saving time. Also, avoid touching your hair throughout the day, which can cause frizz, and keep curls well moisturized for maximum bounce.

Survival Tip No. 7: Try A Cleansing Conditioner

Everything we love about summer – surf, sand, chlorine – also strips your hair of protein. Cleansing conditioners cleanse and condition in one step, helping to balance and refresh hair without stripping or depleting natural oils and nutrients, and they’re a space saver if you’re travelling.