Hair Styling Tools

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.

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.

How many times when you are done shampooing your hair do you find yourself struggling with getting out the snarls that somehow mysteriously show up in your hair?  Even when you use the best conditioner, there are still some straggling snarls that just seem to be difficult to deal with.  The key to solving this problem is using the right comb.

Fortunately, there are a few combs that I have found that are great for ridding the hair of those nasty snarls and make the process of preparing for drying and/or styling your hair so much less a pain.  Mebco, a division of the Fromm International line of products has two particular detangling combs that are wonderful. 

First, if you have thick, curly, or long hair, I recommend the Mebco Tortoise Shower Detangler.  This particular comb comes with staggered size teeth/tines of   2  3/4″, 2 1/2″ and 2 1/4″ lengths, which enable the comb to literally slide through your wet hair and rid the hair of the snarls.   Because the length of the tines are longer than most combs, this is why this comb is especially good for those who have thicker hair.  

The second detangling comb is one that I would recommend for those that have more fine to medium dense hair, and also short to medium length hair.  The Mebco Ionic Volume Detangler is one of the newer combs added to their product line.  The tines on this comb are about 1 1/2″ in length.  Mebco uses what they call a double dipping process on this comb, which results in protection of your scalp and hair shaft, as well as allowing the teeth of the comb to glide gently through your hair.  One of the coolest features of this comb is the ionic technology that has gone into it.  The results of this technology provide reduced static electricity, minimizing of split ends and hair damage, increased shine and softness, and the support of healthy, moisture-rich hair.  After using this comb you will see that your hair dries faster and requires less heat.  Additionally the cuticle of the hair dries smooth and closed, which ultimately protects the hair shaft.

Nowadays coloring our hair is just as routine as is washing our hair.  This is not only true for those of us who are experiencing a natural change in color due to age, but for all ages alike due to modern trends  With this in mind, it extremely important that special care be given to the hair and that the right haircare products are used on the hair for the simple reason that dyes can dry out and cause damage because dye consists of ammonia and peroxides.

Cutting Your Hair:   If you have highlights in your hair, make sure layering the hair is minimized.  The reason for this is that with layers, the overall effect may appear too choppy.

Coloring Your Hair:  The best results can be obtained if you get your hair cut prior to getting your color.  By doing this you will avoid your stylist trimming away any newly added hue.

Haircare Products:   A mild, moisturizing shampoo that is free of sulfates and paraben should be used so that when washing the hair, the cuticle is sealed. which, results in locking in the color and extending the life of the color.  There are two shampoos I recommend:  Potions Internations Super Moist Shampoo and CHI Ionic Color Protect Shampoo.  For conditioning the hair, there are three different products that are high on my list:  Potions Inernational Super Moist Conditioner, Potions International Hydrating Conditioner, and lastly CHI Ionic Color Protector Conditioner.  And, to help with fading of your color, a leave-in UV protective spray is a must.  The favorite product for this is Potions International Super Argan Spray-In.

Whether you get your hair dyed by a professional colorist, or you do it yourself at home, your hair is always subject to dryness and damage due to the ammonia and peroxides that are found in hair dyes.   That is why it is so important that a hair conditioner or moisturizer is applied at some point either during or after the process.  Just recently, colorist , Anthony Palermo reported that by mixing a frizz fighting oil with the hair dye, can result in keeping even bleached hair silky.

Potions International, a manufacturer of  all natural haircare products, has just the right anti-frizz oil that can be mixed with your hair dye.  PI’s Super Serum hair oil is made with organic argan oil and is alcohol and paraben free.  By adding two teaspoons of the serum to the color mixture, you will find that the serum is moisturizing, and thus, resulting in your hair being conditioned while it is being processed.   And, the end result is soft and shiny hair.

Many things can impact the condition of your hair.  Some of the key factors contributing to damaged hair include stress, mental health, diet, overuse of hair styling tools, and excessive coloring of your hair.  Certainly reducing stress,  having a positive outlook, eating the right foods and supplementing with vitamins will have a tremendous affect on getting your hair back to that beautiful, shiny condition we all want to have.  However, most of us who style our hair will continue to use our hair styling tools and we will also continue to get our hair dyed, especially if those unwanted grays continue to poke their ugly heads out every four to six weeks.  For others, our natural color just doesn’t fit the bill so dying the hair is  something  we just can’t stop.

So, this is where a deep conditioning of the hair on a semi-regular basis becomes quite important.  There are many haircare  products on the market that are available, however, I have found a product that I highly recommend.  Potions International has developed an incredible Cream Reconstructor (with pure carrot oil).  It is an exceptional hair, scalp, and body nourishing treatment that is rich in vitamins, marine extracts and essential oils. This synergy helps recondition the skin of the scalp, hair, and the skin of the body through oxygenation and stimulation.  This conditioner is one of the only conditioners in the market that combines the hydrating powers of the purified essential oils, Mango and Olive butter.

Power Construct is easy to use.  Apply a generous amount of this cream conditioner onto the hair and scalp.  Allow to moisturize for 15-25 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.   It is recommended that you use on a weekly basis.  This deep conditioner is available in a convenient 2 ounce travel size and 8.5 ounce size for home use.  Give it a try and I’m certain that you will be glad you did.

Using the right haircare products on a man’s hair can be equally as important as it is for a woman.  Obviously, a man’s hair is no different than a woman’s, and thus, the same problems that women experience with their hair can be equally as challenging to men.

Mens hairstyles and hair lengths ranging from the very short to shoulder length hair and longer can require even more attention than that of their counterpart simply because if the hairstyle is a neatly trimmed shorter cut, a trip to the barber or stylist may be more frequent.  In fact, it is recommended that no more than three weeks should lapse between trims.  If the hairstyle is a little longer, it’s always a good idea to check with the stylist/barber to see if they offer maintenance trims which can be considerably less than a full on haircut.  And, if men use a stylist on a regular basis it is not uncommon for the stylist to offer a free neck shave and quick trim around the ears.

Hairstyles for men are just as trendy now as women’s.  In fact, for certain styles it is not unusual for a man to keep on hand a flat iron for straightening their hair before applying gel.  And, naturally their hair styling tools are going to include a hair dryer.  However, regardless of what the style our men are sporting, the majority of the time it still boils down to whatever takes him the least amount of time to get ready (including the hair) and out the door.  In order to achieve this it is even more important that the right hair styling tools and haircare products are being used for healthy and great looking hair.

For a man’s hair health and to have the ability to complete the style, product should be used every day, regardless of the style.  To eliminate frizz, make sure a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner are being used.  Even a serum for the hair that will help eliminate the frizz and add some shine is perfectly fine as some styles just demand a shine.  The right hair brush is equally as important.  Using boar bristle brushes is an excellent choice as the boar helps to bring out the natural oils of the scalp and this too aids in keeping the scalp and hair healthy.  If you have curly hair, a wide toothed-comb works best, and, if you want to pik out some of those curls, you can use metal or plastic tines.  Lastly, when it comes to the hair dryer, make sure it’s ionic so that all of the technology that has gone into it can be enjoyed and applied to that manly head of hair.

Not  only is using the right hair styling tools on our hair of paramount importance, but the type of haircare products we use definitely plays into keeping our hair, healthy, shiny, and damage free.

The key to using the right haircare products for your particular type of hair must always be part of the equation, especially when there are so many different types of products available in the marketplace.   Whether it be shampoo, conditioner, or some kind of hair protectant that is used prior to blow-drying or when styling, there are certain products that work better for specific types of hair than others.  So let’s focus on what really works to protect those of us who have thick, curly, or wavy hair. 

1. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  Sulfates are harsh and can strip your hair and dry it out even more.  Thicker hair, curly hair, and even wavy hair can sometimes have tendancies to be on the courser and drier side anyway, so the last thing you need is for your hair to dry out even more.
2. If you are going to blow dry your hair, spray on a heat protectant that is also sulfate-free.  If your hair tends to be normal to oily, you need only spray the last two to six inches of your hair, covering the tips of the hair.  If your hair tends to be dry, spray from the root to the tip in order to provide an allover protection and nourishment.   
3. If after you have dried your hair, you go on to straightening or curling right away, you should still have enough product left in your hair for continued protection.
4. If you are straightening or curling your hair on another day without washing it, apply the spray-in heat protectant as described above.

One such product that I have found that contains many natural ingredients, to include the ever popular Argon Oil is Potions International’s Super Argan Spray-in.  This miracle worker not only provides heat protection, but it  is an exceptional hair and scalp type treatment that : a) is safe on color/chemically straightened hair, b) controls frizz, c) creates shine, d) seals the tips of your hair, e) has UV protection, and f) actually repairs damaged hair.  The Super Argan Spray-In is new to the Potions International line and is a spin-off of the ever popular Super Moist Serum that does everything that the Spray-In does for your hair.

Modern technology can be a wonderful thing.  In fact, Le Angelique has just introduced to their line of hair dryers, a most cutting edge dryer that has some of the most remarkable features and functions I have yet to see.  Just imagine a hair dryer that not only dries your hair quickly, but actually conditions the scalp while drying the hair.

Well, the Le Angelique Titan UV 2000 Watt Hair Dryer has been introduced as the newest member of their family of hair styling tools.  This dryer has features one can only dream of having in the world of hair drying excellence!  Not only is this 2000 watt dryer lightweight, it is by far one of the most powerful hair dryers I have experienced using.  It has been manufactured with UV Technology.  In other words, a UV Blue light shoots out from the nozzle of the dryer once you turn it on.  What does this blue ray of light do for your hair?  For starters, the heat that is generated is actually repairing the hair cuticles while at the same time it is nourishing your scalp.  So, if you have a dry and itchy scalp, this dryer will perform miracles.  Secondly, the UV Technology will provide protection from your hair overheating during the drying process.  And,  as and extra added bonus, the dryer has been equipped with perfumed inserts.  Just imagine a faint, yet subtle fragrance blowing out of your dryer while you are styling.

This amazing dryer has 3 heat and speed settings, more than enough to provide you with a variety of drying options.  2000 watts of power being generated from a long life AC motor is an enormous amount of power and you will find that you have dried even the thickest of hair in no time.  However, if you want to speed up any setting on your dryer, the dryer is also equipped with a Turbo Heat Button.  A great option to be able add that instant  hair drying punch of heat while styling. Not just one, but two concentrators are included with the dryer.  One has a wider space than the other to allow for more airflow when drying specific sections of your hair.  Of course, the dryer has a removable filter for easy cleaning.  And, for those who prefer hanging their dryer up when they are done using it, a hanger loop has been added to the dryer so that you are not using the cord of the dryer to hang it, which, over time will add pressure and strain to the cord with potential damage to the dryer.  Finally, as with all Le Angelique hair styling tools, this dryer comes with a 100% Lifetime Warranty!

What more can I say?      If you are looking for the ultimate in advanced technology in hair drying, then this dryer will fulfill all your expectations and more.

With all of the different shampoos in the marketplace, how does one know really what type to select for use on their hair?  Many of the haircare products on the shelves and online are divided into categories by hair type, i.e. normal, dry, oily, etc.  Then you see labels on the bottles that indicate other additives or special attention is drawn to the fact that some shampoos are sulfate free.  So, why is sulfate free  shampoo so important for your hair?

For those of you who don’t know what sulfate free means, you need to know that shampoos that are sulfate free do not contain SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate.  SLS is a cleansing product that is used in a whole host of products including shampoo and even floor cleaners.  These cleansing products tend to only clean the surface on which they are applied and if used on your hair, the chemical can irritate your scalp and strip essential oils causing the hair to be dry.   So if this ingredient is so harmful to your hair why use it?   For the simple reason it is a cheap ingredient and of all things it creates bubbles and aids in the production of foam.  Do bubbles and foam really clean your hair?   Well, the SLS ingredient will remove oil from the hair but is this good for the hair?  No.   Why?  Sulfate has been also known to damage the hair follicle.  This can lead to the structure of your hair weakening and even a thinning out of the hair.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to lose any more hair!

Over time, and with consumer awareness being so prevalent these days, the manufacturers of shampoo are finally starting to jump on the bandwagon and are starting to remove SLS from many of the shampoos. There are still many many shampoos still that contain this ingredient so if the health of your hair is important to you, I strongly suggest that you check the labels before purchasing and even when the sulfate free shampoos seem to cost more, think about what is important in the long run.  Do you want to be spending an inordinate amount of money trying to repair your damaged hair, or by spending the few extra dollars for the right product do you want to maintain a healthy, shiny, looking head of hair?