Summer is here!

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

UPDOS + BRAIDS



Keeping up with all the hottest hair trends can be stressful. Braids are the absolute talk of the town this season! Whether it's a fishtail, a waterfall or even a french braid, they're all in style. This little touch of flare can be added to almost any style to give it that extra spice. As many know braiding is just a simple 3 strand of hair weaving technique, simple to achieve and easy to maintain. Braided styles can also lead to other hairstyles as well. When trying to achieve the wavy beachy look, braids are definitely the way to go. Just simply braid your hair into individual braids or 2 French braids, add some hold spray, and let it sit for a day then take them out.

Updos are great for proms and weddings! Braids can even be mixed in with the updo. Updos can be anything from a bun, fancy ponytail, half updo, up with curls, or half up and half down with twists.

DYEING TO KNOW: Color+Fashion=Hair

Fashion is always evolving. Every year we see hot new trends that dazzle even in the plainest of plain Janes. And have you ever noticed that colors in fashion and colors in general go hand and hand? This spring, we are seeing more color than ever, from floral prints to block coloring to ombre.


Color blocking, as you may well know, is a return from the 1960s. And today, it has become a huge trend not only in fashion but also in hair. We see this in hair through hair paneling, or what we call color blocking. This occurs where you have natural base color such as a warm golden brown and you accentuate that by adding a block--- usually around the face or underneath on the sides--- of a fashion shade such as a vibrant purple, beautiful blue, or even fire engine red.

Or you could stay with natural tones and out a vibrant blonde block with a chestnut brown base. These various options available and it all depends on individuals, what their lifestyles are, and how funky they want their looks to be.

Ombre is another favorite trend for the spring. We are seeing this in fashion, from skinny jeans to hair. The idea is simple: Start with a darker color and gradually fade into a lighter color like blonde, or vice versa. In hair, it's a great look and it means less maintenance for the client. The best way to achieve this look is to choose your base first and then go from there.


                                                                         Don Stacy

Spruce up for the Holidays!

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Admit it, you spend tons of time shopping for pretty pieces to update your winter wardrobe but pay scant (if any) attention to your poor, suffering strands. And after summer’s onslaught of all the feel-good-yet-very-bad-for-your-hair elements like sun, salt water, and chlorine not to mention skipping trips to the salon, your locks are going to need some serious rehab…like right now! That’s why I put together this list of things you can do to make your mane look healthy, shiny, and effortlessly beautiful into the holiday season.

The Big Fix

Post-summer, is your color dried, fried and faded? No surprise there! To bring it back to life, start with gentle shampooing to remove product buildup, I recommend (ColorProof Detox). Next moisturize to strengthen strands and reduce split ends. Then to add amazing shine I recommend my favorite service clear of color gloss the next time you visit the salon. It’s a great fix for dull hair of any hue and will make it smoother and easier to manage in one simple step.

 Lighten Up

While a lot of women darken their hair color in the winter months, I like to take the opposite approach, I think it’s a great time to go lighter because winter is dark and dreary and we need to stand out! Or try something sublt if you love dimensional color but want something soft and natural-looking because let’s face it nothing says “dated” like blonde-on-blonde highlights. Consider baby lights. Baby lights mimic how your hair looked as a child when you were out in the sun and the effect is achieved by painting highlight in extremely small sections.

Add Bangs

Update your do by having some fun fringe snipped in. See which ones will work for you based on your face shape and hair texture

Fringe Style…                                   

Blunt________________________Square face, high forehead

Angled_______________________Round face Square hairline

Micoro________________________Oval face balance features

OR give’em the boot!

You love’em throughout the summer, but now you’re ready to break up with your bangs, to do this gracefully ask your stylist to point cut your fringe to add some texture and remove weight. This will add air to the edges as bangs grow out and make the process graceful instead of painful.

Try the Razored Layers

Fall in love with your bob all over again by having your stylist add some razored layers, it will let you achieve loose, lived-in texture. Plus the razor allows hair to look piecy with minimal layers “ask for weight removal” instead of short layers.

Party Time

Its never too soon to plan ahead for all the seasonal soirees to come! Here are some ideas and practice makes perfect!

To enhance the shape of your short style blow dry it immediately after towel drying hair and use a texture spray or dry shampoo, I recommend (Goldwells Dry Shampoo). Don’t be afraid to experiment with waves, deep side parts and full voluminous blowouts to keep it fresh.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Working in Color:By: Don Stacy Patronelli

How to have a little fun with color and still keep your job.

One of the greatest things about hair is that you can be as experimental with is as you want. Since, all colors and styles are just temporary.  Color fades, your style grows out or you decide you want something new. It's only natural to eventually want to ditch the world of browns, blondes and reds, for something more exciting. Celebrities have been wearing all shades of the rainbow on the red carpet, and the fantasy hair color trend has stepped into regular, everyday life. Women and men alike have done everything from vibrant shades of green, to the cool smokey shades of lavender-silver. These colors may not be acceptable in some workplaces. If your day job has practical limits on how far you can go with your color, you might be feeling left out. Obviously, you want to avoid looking inappropriate or breaking any rules but if you still want to express your personality and have some fun with your hair, there are a few ways to go about it.

I have a boutique salon with a reputation for superior client services, trendsetting cuts and modern color, which speaks true to what clients want. When it comes to bold color in the workplace, there are some subtly ways to be playful and bold but still maintain an office personality. To achieve such a look here are some tips that let you have some fun with your hair, while still looking polished and professional.

Commitment free color:

If you work in an environment that strictly forbids unnatural hair color, try clipping in hair extensions or hair chalking to give your hair a risk free color boost. Clip in colored extensions are available in several hair colors and textures for a variety of looks and can be reused. If you want something ever more temporary opt for color chalking. This is one of the most in demand services. A temporary wash out of pastel is rubbed into the hair strands and colors chosen can be bold of sort, the effect washes out after an evening of fun or whenever you shampoo your hair.

Peekaboo streaks:

Another great way to have fun with bright, bold color is to have your stylist hide them in your hair. Within this technique placement is key: A few peekaboo streaks in fashion colors add a touch of drama without going over the top. If you only color a few choice strands (or even one) you can easily obscure them while at work, strategically tucking the piece's into your hairstyle so that they are hidden. You may also be able to get away with glazing your hair in a soft pastel shade, depending on your workplace. It's a little more fashion-forward but soft pastels for lighter hair color may be passable. Pastel shades can be achieved in any color family but are most popular in shades of pink, blue, and purple. If your hair is light, try color shampoos for a temporary soft wash of color- the effects are so subtle co-workers may just think that the light at your office is playing tricks on their eyes.

The Ombre option:

Most work places don't condone showing up with a full head of purple hair (like Katy Perry). However, if you work in an environment that's a little bit more progressive, when it comes to color your options become much more flexible. These effects aren't as subtle as the one's above but most can still be covered when necessary. If you love long hair, I recommend using ombre technique. This is a great trend for fashion colors, especially on long hair. As the hair framing your face doesn't change since the color is mostly on your ends it can easily be hidden in a top knot or chignon

 bun, for something less obvious, you can add a panel of color Ombre or not underneath your hair. This option works for stricter environments, the effect is easily hidden by keeping your hair down at work, especially during important presentations or client meeting. Finally, if you're feeling more adventurous and if it doesn't violate the rules, propose putting some color into your bangs. Adding color to your fringe doesn't look too dramatic but still offers some uber fun, the effect can be easily obscured in those with layered bangs and it's also somewhat temporary as you can cut the color out as soon as your next bang trim.

Save Your Strands

Save Your Strands
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Your hair doesn’t have to look like a hot mess when the scorching summer ends. Fix frizz and color fading so, your style sizzles all winter long.

Boost Limp Locks- Blame flat strands on a greater-than-usual buildup of oil and excess tanning lotions that weigh down your roots. Even sweat accumulates on your scalp, leaving hair extra greasy, adds residue from styling product and your end of summer volumizing attempt are sure to be thwarted.

Repair It-  Cleanse with a clarifying shampoo too remove residue (ColorProof Clear It) if you’re active and/or use a lot of styling product, wash it weekly; otherwise, once or twice a month is sufficient. When it comes time to style, reach for dry shampoo (Kevin Murphy Dry Shampoo) it contains tiny particles of starch and minerals that attach to hair creating fullness while also absorbing oil.

This is one product you do want to concentrate at the root. So hold can 2 to 3 inches away from your head, separate hair into 3 inch sections, spritz the underside of each, and then massage in with fingertips.
The prevention and cure are one and the same. Split ends are like a virus- once you have them; they’re going to keep spreading the sole solution is to cut them off. In the meantime, you can use products marked as menders as a temporary fix they bind the broken ends together (typically using polymers) but, alas, only until your next shampoo.

Help hide color changes with highlights. A color-depositing gloss is the ideal remedy for restoring richness has one done at the salon. Whether it’s used weekly or monthly, a glaze will help keep your hue true all winter long.

At the end of Summer the sun is the main cause of straw-like mane. People don’t realize that UV rays are bad for your skin and hair. They lift and open the cuticle, the protective outer layer of hair allowing the moisture inside to steep out. Salt water and chlorine are also to blame. Both are very drying, especially when hair is already damaged.

This easy overnight treatment will deliver softer locks by morning! Pre-bedtime apply an almond size dollop of deep conditioner or mask to clean damp hair. Try (Kevin Murphy Born Again Treatment) massage from mid shaft, down smoothing any leftover product on the roots, then pin up hair and cover with shower cap. Rinse in the morning and style as usual. This will help the hair get back to its pre-summer state.

Stop End of Summer Split Ends- Though even normal wear and tear can cause the hair shaft to literally reach the breaking point, the problem is more prevalent during the end of summer. When hair is usually dryer and more damaged other mitigating factors. Besides being more likely to forgo their regular haircuts women are also frequently wearing their hair up and constantly putting it in a ponytail or top knot. Especially with elastics that pull and tug increases the likelihood of breakage.

Stop The Fading- Whether you color your hair or not the sun can wreak havoc on your hue. Bleaching it several shades lighter over the summer. If you color your hair you may also notice other changes, for instance, brunettes turn brassy and blondes look dingy. When hair is damaged, color molecules from the dye start to slip out, altering the tone. Another culprit? Chlorine, which leaves a greenish cast that especially noticeable on blondes.

Your Hair and Your Skin

Your Hair and Your Skin 
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Most people don’t think that their skin type has anything to do with their hair. This is actually NOT TRUE! Often times if your skin tends to be dry or dehydrated this directly effects your hair too. The same goes for oily skin and oily hair. This can be due to genetics, lifestyle, hormones, and even stress!  So, if you’re finding that your hair is getting overly oily or your ends are crunchy and brittle, take a look at your skin too. This could be a good indication that your body is need of a little TLC. Take a day to pamper yourself and treat your body from head to toe!

 

The Kevin.Murphy line offers a wide range of products that not only treat the hair, but even the scalp as well. Your hair can only be as good as the scalp it comes from and Kevin.Murphy gets that! It’s skin care for your hair. Products are made from renewable and sustainable resources whenever possible. Kevin.Murphy uses essential oils, plant extracts, and natural antioxidants from kakadu plum, orchid, lotus flower, and desert lime just to name a few. And as a plus, all products are sulphate and paraben free!

All about Ombre!

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

I'm sure you have seen the word "ombre" before and are curious. Well, the word "ombre" comes from the French meaning of shaded or shading. The colors normally start from the darker roots and gradually get light until the ends. There is also a reverse ombre which means it starts out lighter at the roots and gradually gets darker at the ends. It is usually made for a low maintenance style.

There are a few things you want to consider before getting the ombre. First of all, you want to make sure this hairstyle is something you want because, it can be drastic and all of  the attention is on you. You also want to make sure that you find the correct colors to compliment your skin tone. I.E.; fair skin tone: ash tones, subdued blondes, golden caramel tones are your friend. And, most important is that you have previous color, the ombre effect will not come out correctly unless you go to your hair stylists for some color correction to remove the previous color! 

There are many options that you can do with an ombre so, be creative and have fun!