Hair Styling Tools

With a few tips and all the right hairstyling tools, shiny, silky hair is within your grasp!

To maintain shine through a blowout, skip your nylon- or plastic-bristle brush and instead try a boar-bristle brush (we love the Spornette De Ville Boar Rounder Brush).  Boar bristle brushes store natural oils, and redistribute them evenly onto the hair shaft to keep locks looking glossy.

Frizz is NOT conducive to shine!  So, pick a gentle shampoo designed to tame your strands without stripping hair of natural oils. Try Potions International Super Moist Shampoo which is free of Sodium Chloride, Paraben, and Sulfates.  Also, give hair a last rinse with cold water which closes the cuticle and leave locks shinier.

As you age, you may notice a change in the texture of your hair.  Grays tends to be more coarse compared with the hair of your youth.  It also lacks elasticity, which makes styling difficult.  It’s best to choose a super hold hair spray that also adds shine.

Lastly, strengthen and moisturize strands weekly with a hair mask like Potions International Power Construct.  Weekly use of this product will also seal and smooth any split ends.

Super fine hair makes volume hard to maintain!  Using the right haircare products is the key!  When your hair begins to wilt, spray the roots with an oil-absorbing dry shampoo.  We also suggest a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of product buildup that will just weigh down your hair.

Before you begin blow drying, spritz  your hair with an Argan Spray-in (PI’s Super Argan Spray-in).  Set your dryer to the medium setting and begin drying your hair.  Lift your hair up and out as you go.  When your hair is about 80% dry, use a round brush (one of our favorites is the Spornette Prego Ceramic Thermal Brush) to create movement and fullness.

Try to avoid anti-frizz cream or pomade.  Instead, finish with an Argan oil (PI’s Super Serum) applied to the ends only!

These few tricks will transform those locks from flat to flirty!

With Summer officially over ( even though in some parts of the country onc could question this with the elevated temps continuing to linger) it’s time to recover from those months in the sun!  Here are five steps for healthier hair this fall.

Chill Out!  While we all love a hot shower, think again before you turn the knob. Super hot water can irritate the scalp and open the cuticle of your hair resulting in spilt ends and faded color.

Color Code  Spending long periods of time in the sun can mean fading for your colored tresses. Use a color preserving shampoo and conditioner to protect and extend the life of your color.  We recommend any of the Potion International’s shampoos or conditioners.

Get Snippy!  Getting a trim after the summer months is so important for getting healthy hair for fall. By cutting off split ends, you’ll not only improve your hair’s health but your scalp will thank you, too.

Go Ahead, Give it a Rest!  Let your hair rest for fall by skipping a wash every now and then! Using a dry shampoo will help you to avoid using hot hair styling tools which will only further dry out hair and actually cause split ends.                                                        

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!  Chlorine, the sun, and styling products can all make your hair feel extra dry by the end of the summer. Invest in a hydrating mask, like Potions International’s Power Construct to bring moisture back to your thirsty locks.

Heat has a tendency to make hair puffier.  It’s recommended to rinse your hair with cool or luke warm water, which will help smooth the cuticle and keep frizz at bay.

After your shower, and before adding any haircare products, remove excess water by gently towel drying your hair.  This allows for some natural fullness at the roots.

Many times a leave-in conditioner or styling spray won’t tame those fly-aways.  Try some mousse scrunched in for beachy waves, or opt for a smooth, polished look by adding a serum (We like Potions International Super Serum!).  Either way air dry and be on your way!

Dry hair tends to have “fuzzier” frizz…to combat the fuzz, here are a few suggestions to keep those curls calm!

Applying the right haircare products is essential in retaining your hair’s natural moisture.  So, it’s best to shampoo no more than every other day using a sulfate-free formula.  Try using Potions International Super Moist Shampoo. It is Sulfate, Paraben and Sodium Chloride free.  PI’s Super Moist Conditioner has the same qualities so use this to condition your hair as you normally would.

While hair is wet, apply a combination of gel and a very small portion of  Potions International Super Serum.

Use your fingers to twist your curls in order to help them dry in a more controlled way.  Next, attach a diffuser to your hair dryer to keep the curls in tact while drying, or simply let your hair air-dry, careful not to disturb the curl.  When you have completely dried your hair, lightly dab some more PI Super Serum to your hair using your fingertips or the palms of your hands.

With this tip of the day your curls will go from frizz to fab in no time at all!

The classic braid is a fashion staple this fall…It’s simple, feminine and perfect for work OR play!  Getting the look is oh-so-easy in just three steps!

-Part your hair where it naturally falls.  To add a little extra volume, take a section of hair from the crown and back comb once or twice (Try using the Spornette Little Wonder Teasing Brush!).  If you’re hair is fine or super straight, you may want to use some haircare products such as a texturizing spray to keep the hair from slipping from the braid.

-Pull your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and divide it into three even sections.  Braid the sections softly to avoid losing the volume you added at the crown.  And, as an alternative, rather than the braid hanging down the middle of your back, gather the hair for your ponytail and pull it to one side of your head or the other so that you can have a side braid as shown in the pictures.

-Use a clear elastic band to fasten the end and mist with a light hair spray.  For a softer look, pull a few strands free from the braid to frame your face.

Just like that you have a versatile style ready to go wherever you do!

We’ve all been there…a casual Saturday, hair in a ponytail, and then you get it…a call from your crush for a last minute date!  Have no fear…if you  have 10 minutes, you can have a head full of luscious curls, perfect for a night out!

-Begin with dry hair.  Part it low on one side.

-Next divide your hair into about five sections.  Spray each section with hair spray, then start wrapping each section around your curling iron (either a clipless or spring grip curling iron will work). Be sure to fan hair out along the barrel, to evenly distribute heat, and allow curl to set faster.  Roll the curling iron up to your cheekbones.

-After you’ve completed curling all five sections, gently brush through your hair to relax the curls.  Finish with drop of hair serum (I prefer Potions International Super Serum) applied to the ends.

-If you’re feeling fancy, tuck the hair behind your ear on one side and hold in place with a pretty clip or barrette.

 A little lipgloss and some killer heels, and you’re on your way!

What better way to frame your face and draw attention to those gorgeous eyes, than mixing up the way you style your bangs?  Dig into your arsenal of hair styling tools and your ready to go.  Here’s your how-to guide for three fun and fabulous looks!

-Wispy and Whimsical - Start by pointing your hair dryer straight down over you bangs.  Begin moving the dryer back and forth from side to side as you comb through to be sure you aren’t flattening your bangs against your forehead.  When your hair is just about dry, use your fingers to gently tug down and tame any fly aways.  Finish with applying a drop of lightweight pomade or serum to the ends.

-Side-swept and Sultry- Using your 2.5-inch round brush, carefully wrap your bangs around it and pull them gently away from the side you normally wear them (i.e. if yours typically go to the right, start by drying them to the left.)  Move your dryer back and forth from above for about 10 seconds as you smooth them.  Next begin bring pieces over in half inch sections, pinning them in place as they cool.  This helps to maintain shape.

-Straight across Shag- Comb out your wet bangs with a fine-tooth comb.  With your hairdryer fitted with a nozzle, begin drying your bangs.  Be sure to  focus the heat from above.  Next using a paddle brush, pull your bangs to the right for a few seconds, then to the left .  Repeat until your bangs are completely dry.  To keep flyaways at bay, always finish by holding the paddle brush underneath with your hairdryer set to cool.

Give these super cute styles a try, see which fringe best frames your face!

I don’t know about  you, but I do not like having to spend my time trying to figure out what shampoo to try next when I notice that my hair is starting to lack volume or perhaps is starting to appear dry at the ends.  Therefore, I have found that when you find a brand that you really like, make sure it carries a variety of types of shampoos so that you can at least stay with a brand that you are familiar with and obviously must be of the quality that suits your needs. 

Most of the professional or salon quality brands of shampoos and conditioners do carry several types of shampoo as well as conditioner to choose from.  If you are in a position where you are going to try a different type shampoo, then I recommend using the companion conditioner as well.  So, if you have been using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and you want to switch to something that is going to hydrate your hair, then buy both the hydrating shampoo and the hydrating conditioner.  I have found that the ingredients are similar in both with the obvious difference in ingredients that are found in shampoo versus conditioner.  There is something in the chemistry of keeping with the same product line that produces far better results than if you were to mix up the brands.

If you are not happy with your current haircare products, then I would recommend trying my favorite, Potions International (PI).  All of their products are made here in the United States with natural ingredients.  Most of their products are sulfate free, paraben free, and in some cases, sodium chloride (salt) free.  In comparison to many of the salon and professional lines found in your salons and in some beauty supply stores, they are reasonably priced.  If you are looking to improve the health of your hair as well as its appearance, this is definitely a brand well worth trying.

When it comes to choosing a flat iron for African-American or other ethnic hair types, consideration always needs to be made with respect to the texture of the hair as well as the thickness and degree of curl the hair has.  If the degree of curl is such that it is a loose curl or loose coil, you may be able to get by with just using large rollers rather than having to use a hair straightener.  If your hair is thick and has a tighter curl or coil to it, the following information will be extremely helpful in selecting the best, but more importantly, the right type of flat iron for your hair.  And, it is important to note that there is more to achieving straight hair than just plugging in the flat iron and using it.  Applying the right haircare products is essential to keeping your hair moisturized and protected from any drying out that could occur during the straightening process.

1. Shampoo and deep condition your hair.  The added moisture from the conditioning will help protect your hair from drying out as you straighten it.
2. Use a leave-in conditioner and then spray a good heat protectant on your hair.
3. Using a wide tooth comb, comb through the hair, starting at the last couple of inches of your hair and working upward so as to not to break off or pull out hair unnecessarily.  You will also be evenly distributing the haircare products you have already applied.
4. Make sure your hair is towel dried extremely well and then section your hair for ease in drying.
5. Use a medium setting on your dryer and use a large barrel styling brush to stretch out your hair as you are drying.

For the above haircare products, I recommend Potions International, they have a wonderful ”Super Moist” Shampoo, a deep conditioner called “Power Construct”, a leave-in conditioner by the name of ”Rinse-Free Hair Moisturizer”, and for the spray-in heat protectant, “Super Argan Spray-In” is awesome.

So, what type of flat iron is going to work best on black hair?  As with any type of coarse, thick, or curly hair, we have already established that this type of hair has tendancies toward being dryer than most.  At a minimum, the use of a ceramic plate with the lowest temperature possible is strongly recommended.  Experimenting with the temperature control to see what works best for your particular type hair is the name of the game, with whatever flat iron you choose to use.  Tourmaline and titanium flat irons will add natural shine to your hair so this too is an excellent choice for a flat iron.  One problem that many African Americans have with the straightening process is the ability to get the straightener close enough to the roots of the hair without burning the scalp or skin.  I have found one that is perfect for this.  The Le Angelique CareTin Titanium straightener is aerodynamically modeled with a curved end that allows you to get extremely close to the scalp to not only straighten, but curl the hair.  The modern mirror titanium plates generate nano negative ions, which work to seal in the hair’s moisture, leaving your hair silky and frizz free. 

Whatever hair straightener you select, it is advisable that after you have completed the straightening process, apply a small amount of serum to your fingertips and dab gently on the hair with more focus on the ends.  This serum will add shine, refresh any dry ends and seal the cuticle.  This product is Potion International’s Super Serum, which is the companion hair product to the previously mentioned Super-Argan Spray-In.