Curly Hair Problems 101

                                   

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

It goes to say that we always want the hair we don’t have. Well, I have very multi-textural, puffy, frizzy, and unmanageable curly hair, and yet, I still love curly hair… Just not MY curly hair. I never ware my hair in its natural state, as it is far too out of control to be seen in public. I stopped trying products that promised to calm my tresses with no avail, and decided to just leave my strands alone and stop trying to tame the wild beast that is my hair. Resulting: falling victim to the damaging effects of daily flat ironing. Ladies with flawless bouncy ringlets, those with ‘a day at the beach’ looking waves, just to name a few types of curls that have always made me slightly envious. Fortunately, there is help for us not so lucky folk: DevaCurl is our savior! DevaCurl knows ALL about curls. They use a 3 step program that involves wash, condition and gel/styling product, that keeps your curls in shape and moisturized all day long. With the use of these products and their easy 3 step program, you will be on your way to show off your natural bounce!

(All Products below are sold at Dsparada!)
Cleanse & Condition (Step 1 & 2)
DevaCurl No-Poo
The original non-lathering shampoo alternative. Sulfate free and highly moisturizing cleanser, it stimulates hydrates and cleans the scalp and hair to reveal the healthiest, bounciest natural curls.
DevaCurl Low-Poo
A mild lathering moisturizing cleanser that gently cleans and hydrates to restore shiny, healthy curls and provide long-lasting color.
DevaCurl One Condition
This ultra creamy daily conditioner provides maximum hydration and is perfect for all curl types. You can even leave a small amount on the hair without rinsing. It will act as a leave in conditioner for all day hydration and frizz free without weighing your curls down. The only conditioner you’ll need!
Defining & Styling (Step 3)
DevaCurl Light Defining Gel
This light hold moisturizing and defining gel dissolves instantly when applied to wet hair. As it dries, light defining gel forms a moisture-protective cast to enhance curls.
DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel
An ultra hold moisturizing and defining gel dissolves instantly when applied to wet hair. As it dries, Ultra Defining Gel forms a moisture-protective cast to enhance curls. This is essentially the same as DevaCurl Light Defining Gel, but with a slightly stronger formula for those who need that extra hold.
*Suggested use for the gels: Tilt head forward. Scrunch wet curls in an upward motion. Apply gel between palms and glide through hair. Scrunch upward toward the scalp to define curls. Once dry, scrunch curls again to release cast and to reveal beautiful curls!*
DevaCurl Styling Cream
This botanically infused cream conditions, enhances and defines curls. Provides natural hold, humidity resistance and leaves curls moisturized and frizz free. Scrunch throughout damp hair, targeting cleanser curls for ultimate conditioning. You can also use on dry hair for individual curl definition!
DevaCurl Set it Free Moisture Lock Spray
Eliminate frizz, add shine and enhance curls with this 24-48 hour moisture lock spray. You can mist this lightweight spray on wet or dry hair, anytime you desire for maximum frizz prevention.
Want to try DevaCurl before buying the full sizes? We suggest:
DevaCurl Trail + Travel Kit
Our airport-friendly travel kit features the DevaCurl essentials packaged in convenient 3oz bottles. The speciality kit includes: DevaCurl No-Poo Cleanser, DevaCurl One Condition, DevaCurl Light Defining Gel, and DevaCurl Set it Free Moisture Lock Spray.

Kevin.Murphy also has a styling cream product to help with curly hair called Easy.Rider. It de-frizzes and activates curl with added vitamins and minerals that treat your hair as you style. In addition, it thickens fine hair but softens thick hair, strengthens and helps prevent breakage. Apply to damp or dry hair and style as normal.

Tips & Tricks for Curly Hair
Throw in the towel – A terry cloth towel and your hair should never meet! The fabric is harsh and creates friction on curls that ruffle the cuticle of the hair, causing excessive and un-wanting frizz. The material also soaks up too much moisture and conditioner from the hair, something your curls need to stay frizz free and healthy! Try using a micro fiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt, instead, and only blot it dry instead of rubbing back and forth. While we are on the note of switching materials, change your cotton pillow case to a satin case. Satin doesn’t pull at curls, nor suck the moisture out of them, so your next-day hair is bound to be an awesome second day style!
Feed Your Curls – Despite its larger than life presence, curly hair tends to be more fragile than other hair types and it’s definitely drier. Healthy fats like omega-3 help make hair shiny and prevent a dry scalp. To hydrate from within, eat foods that contain these fats like avocados, ground flax seeds and/or oil, coconut oil, fish, egg yolks and spinach.
Combing – Avoid using brushes and narrow-toothed combs, opt for a wide toothed comb which causes less frizz and breakage. It’s best to avoid completely combing through your hair. Try to set your part, then comb through as little hair as possible at the crown to have the hair lay as you want it.
No touchy! – Avoid touching your hair as much as possible! This can separate your curls and lead to unwanted frizz.

DevaCurl before and after product users:

Tease to Please!

The right way to add height and volume to your hair!
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

If you’re one of those who suffer from flat hair, giving your hair a good tease is an easy way to add that lift and volume to your do. With the correct technique and quality products, you can achieve the puff you want that will last all day.

Trying to tease too much hair at a time is the number one mistake beginners make. Start with small section of hair, teasing it at the roots, then work your way around the crown, flipping each section of hair forward when you’re done with it. Once you’ve finished one row, work your way back, again, teasing small sections at a time. Save your sides for last since they usually need just a small amount of teasing.
Start a few inches in front of where you want your volume to be. Don’t start teasing right at the crown, it will leave you with a flat crown and puffy back-of-the-head look. In order to get that sassy crown volume, you basically need to start back-combing the hair right behind your bangs.
Go big! It’s easier to brush out extra volume (is there such a thing?) than to add more once you’ve finished teasing. Voluminous hair styles are dramatic and attention-getting–don’t be afraid!
Remember, practice makes perfect. Like any skill, teasing takes time to master. Watch videos on YouTube, and try a few different combos of product and combs and in no time you’ll be pumping up the volume like a champ!


Products to help:

Kevin.Murphy Powder.Puff
This has got to be one of the best products for teasing, hands down. It’s a volumising powder that you will sprinkle onto damp or dry roots that will create massive volume and texture.  If you like that big, bed head sexy look, than you will love this stuff. It will add a great puff onto the hair prior teasing, but can also create a messy casual volume with a few shakes on the hair you want body on. The powder basically morphs into a product that holds and leaves you with a volumness matte texture.

Kevin.Murphy Body.Builder
A volumising mousse that adds body and boosts your hair with flexible fullness and hold. You can layer this product onto the hair to create smooth big shapes. Although it’s a mouse, don’t be afraid to use quite a lot of it if you desire, as it’s weightless and moisturizing, so you don’t need to worry about that “crunch” that a lot of mousse’s will do. Apply it to damp hair and dry in.

Kevin.Murphy Anti.Gravity.Spray
A weightless volume spray that adds volume and reinforces shine. It’s infused with organic lavender hydrosol to achieve body and hold to all hair types. All you need to do is apply it to damp hair before styling.

Kevin.Murphy Anti. Gravity
An oil free volumiser and texturiser. For bigger, thicker hair, apply to wet hair and dry in. Helps hold your style whether it is curled or blown out. Adds control to flyaway’s with an oil free shine.

Kevin.Murphy Session.Spray
Hold that tease in place with this strong hold finishing spray that provides a firm, weightless, lasting hold. It contains hydrolyzed wheat proteins, natural fragrance oils, and a UV shield for color protection. It provides intense hold and memory with excellent resistance against high humidity, allowing brushing ability with no flakiness!

Teasing Tool

Too often, women grab a fine-tooth teasing comb as their tool. If it's easier for you to style with a comb, that's just fine, but take note that this can be more damaging to hair if not used properly. Your best bet is a teasing brush, which has gentler, serrated boar bristles that vary in length to give you friction without breakage as you tease! 

All the Kevin.Murphy products listed are all sold at DsParada color salon. Ask your stylist to use those products on your hair if you want to try them out, as well as asking them to tease your hair for your own personal tutorial! 

Love is in the Hair!

Wedding Hair at DsParadaBy: Don Stacy Patronelli

It’s that time of year again, the season of women frantically planning and prepping for their most special day of their lives – Their Wedding Day!
Let’s be honest ladies, we have all had fantasies of a fairy tale ceremony since we were kids. We know what we want from the cake to the dress, to the venue and the guests!

One of the most important factors for the bride is how they are going to look on their day of matrimony. After all, they get to be the center of everyone’s attention for the whole day. Every women wants to look and feel like a princess, and so they should! Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime event. You’re going to be looking at pictures of yourself in the many years to come, and you should look as stunning as possible!

 An essential attribute to your look is your hair. It should be done in a matter to capture your personality, go with the theme of your wedding, and compliment your dress.
The stylists at Raleigh’s DsParada Color Salon have developed a following as the area’s premier salon for bridal parties. We are always up to date on the very latest wedding trends and styles, so you can rest assured that you can achieve that glamorous look you desire.

All brides schedule a consultation with a stylist prior setting an official appointment. It is suggested to bring in a picture of your dress, as well as inspirational photos of what styles you like. The stylist will listen to your every need and gather all the information necessary, to the slightest detail, and will than plan accordingly to set up your ‘trial’ do.
Wedding services we currently offer are:
            In Salon service for the Bride
            Consultation
               Practice Up Do ( up to 3 trials)
            Wedding Picture Up Do
               Total Bridge Package - All items above for $235.00
            Out of Salon Wedding  - Consult

Another significant aspect to complete your look is make up. At DsParada, we can save you time from searching by bringing in a talented and trusted makeup artist for you; or if you choose, you may bring in your own.
We know the day of your wedding is the most special of a lifetime, and we strive to make your day as memorable and stress free as possible. Upon you and your bridal party arriving, we will serve champagne and hors d’oeuvres, just for that little something extra special!

With so much to plan for your day, you can be rest assured in the talented hands of DsParada!

Be Inspired


UpDo's

Down Do's

Braids 

Accessories 

Primp Tips

How to make your curls hold:
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Every girl wants her hair to look as good at the end of the night as it does when you step out of the salon. And as a girl with stick-straight strands let me tell you… there’s nothing more frustrating than spending 45 minutes curling your tresses only to have your perfect waves fall flat before you’ve made it out the door. Today I’m sharing a few secrets for flawless, lasting curls. Without further ado, here are a few useful tips I’ve come across and would like to share…

Start with day-old hair. Your hair’s natural oils give your hair texture and make your strands more moldable. So if you plan on curling your hair, don’t wash it for a day or two. If your scalp feels too oily sans shampoo, spray a little dry shampoo along the roots and leave the rest dirty.

Skip the deep conditioner. Deep conditioning treatments have a tendency to weigh hair down and make it harder to style. So if you know you’ll be curling your hair, stick to a lightweight conditioner and save the more intense hydrating treatments for another day.

Pick the right products. Many people make the mistake of piling on products after curling and using nothing before. But stiff, crunchy curls are not the goal here. So before you take a curling iron to your locks, start with a light weight styling lotion to give your hair some texture. It’s also a good idea to use a heat-protecting product so you don’t fry your strands. Once you are done curling your whole head of hair, finish by misting your curls with a light hairspray (I recommend Goldwell’s Big Finish or Kevin.Murphys Session Spray). Use just enough hairspray to make your strands stay without feeling stiff!

Use the right tools. Having the right tools makes all the difference. To begin, make sure you’ve selected an iron with the right size barrel. For hair that doesn’t hold a curl well, I recommend a ¾-inch barrel. The curls will be tight without looking ringlet-y, and will loosen as the day goes on. If your hair holds a curl fairly well, choose a 1-inch iron for instant beachy waves. Also, if your hair always falls flat, consider investing in a professional grade curling iron. For a long time I was trying to curl my hair with a drugstore brand, and it was only when I switched to a higher-end iron that I realized my hair could hold a curl. I recommend it! If you’re willing to invest, you will get the most bang for your buck.

Try the post-iron pin. When in doubt, I always turn to this curling method- Once you release your hair from the iron, simply pin the curl to your head until it sets. Once your entire head is pinned, mist it with hairspray. Then, carefully unpin your curls and comb through them with your fingers.

Braid before bed. This time saving trick is the one I use often. If you know you’re going to curl your hair the next day, sleep with it in a braid or two (depending on how thick your hair is). The next morning you will wake up with instant textured waves—the perfect canvas to take a curling iron to.

I hope that all of these tips help!

Keratin Treatments

Goodbye fly a ways and bad hair days!
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Keratin Treatments have been a worldwide hype in the salon industry, not to mention for women and men alike who suffer from downright unmanageable hair! So what's the big deal with them? Who's a good candidate for this service? Well, let's understand the what's and the how's of a typical keratin treatment:

Keratin is a family of fibrous structural proteins that is the key structural component of hair. In fact, healthy hair contains approximately 90% of keratin. Most Keratin treatments use nanomolecular keratin which penetrates and fills damaged parts of the hair. This revolutionary process gives you amazing and instant results that eliminate frizz, reduces curl, adds silkiness and shine, dramatically reduces styling time, and can even help heal damaged hair.

The formulas keep improving, and more and more treatments are coming into the market. With so many options around these days, how do you know which treatment to choose? Luckily at DsParada, we stick to our high standards and carry only the finest – and our talented stylists can use their expertise to decide which option will work the best for your hair type and lifestyle, so you can achieve the most optimal results!  Here is a breakdown of what we offer:

The Brand: Keratin Complex by Coppola

Keratin Complex has changed the beauty industry – starting with their signature smoothing therapy and continuing with a complete range of products and styling tools. Since their launch in 2007, Keratin Complex has led the way with innovative technology and amazing results. At DsParada, we are always looking to bring the best quality products and services to our clients, especially when it comes to using safe ingredients. So we are proud to offer Keratin Complex,  as it was the first OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliant Keratin treatment brand. What does this mean? A lot of smoothing treatments on the market release harmful gases, such as Formaldehyde.  OSHA is responsible for issuing workplace health and safety regulations and performed independent air safety tests on Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy. Results showed that exposure levels were 87% lower than the OSHA limit. Their treatments and products are specially formulated to contain natural keratin protein; which rebuilds, restores, and rejuvenates all types of hair. No wonder Keratin Complex is now the leading smoothing system in the world, and we are happy to provide it!


The Treatment:  Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy
Lasts: 3-5 months Cost: Starts at $300.00
This revolutionary smoothing system infuses Keratin deep into the hair cuticle, eliminating up to ninety-five percent of frizz and curl and leaving the hair smooth, shiny and luxurious. Client testimonials refer to the treatment as “life changing”. It rejuvenates and revitalizes the hair, giving it a softer, silkier feel that everyone can rave about. Additional benefits include healing promotion, humidity blocking, and prevention of environmental toxins from entering the hair.

The Brand: Pravana

Pravana is dedicated to a caring and responsible approach to beauty. Pravana products are free of parabens, sulfites, cocamide DEA, formaldehyde, phthalates, and many other hard to pronounce ingredients that are used in cosmetic products but known to be harmful to users or the environment. This hybrid approach, which combines time proven botanical extracts and natural proteins with modern elements such as nano-amino acids and micro-polymers,provides hair care that is truly super-natural.

The Treatment: Perfection Keratin Treatment
Lasts: 8-12 weeks Cost: Starts at $200.00
The perfection Keratin Treatment transforms coarse, frizzy hair to smooth and superbly shiny results. It utilizes a proprietary nano-amino acid complex that virtually alters the internal textural memory of the hair fiber to transform it to a smoother, frizz-free state. As there slogan goes, “why stop at great, when you can have perfection?”

The Brand: Simply Smooth

Simply Smooth products are from the bountiful land of New Zealand. They use a unique blend of keratin from human hair – which is naturally more compatible with our own hairs structure – together with botanical keratin found in the stems of seaweed and plants that gently work with the hair to allow your strands to move naturally, giving you the flexibility to wear your hair smooth, wavy or curly. Above all else, it makes your hair so much easier to control and style without the annoying frizz and puff that humidity can cause.

The Treatment: Color Lock
Lasts: 2-4 weeks Cost:$50.00
This formaldehyde free treatment is a unique blend of 50% human hair keratin and 50%collagen, used together with apple pulp extract and vanillin, it will dramatically reduce color fade whilst restoring the health and vitality of your hair with pure keratin. Treatment benefits include: Sealed in hair color and color fade reduction, humidity barrier, moisture locking technology that intensifies shine, curl texture reduction of 25% to 50%, magnifies color dimension and reflection, repairs hair integrity and elasticity, heals split ends and repels environmental build up. Another benefit of this product is that you are able to wash your hair after 24hours.

The Treatment: X-tend Magic Potion (at home treatment)
Suitable for all hair types and Sodium Chloride Free. X-tend Keratin reparative magic potion is a botanically blended keratin infused potion that will: Help protect hair from thermal abuse, lock in hair color, control frizzing, add incredible shine and volume, hydrate, smooth, detangle, repairs elasticity, provide thermal protection, helps extend keratin treatments, and leaves hair silky and free of split ends. Apply to damp hair, comb, and watch the magic happen!

Breakdown:

The aftercare from receiving a keratin treatment is quick and painless. Do not wash your hair for at least 3 days (72 hours) after the service, and avoid putting your hair up, tucking behind your ears, head bands, bobby pins, and overall any moisture / wetness to your new hair. To preserve and extend your treatment, use sulfate free shampoo and conditioner following your 3 day no-wetness interval. Our stylists can help you pick out a Shampoo and Conditioner that would be perfect for your hair type and will work with your treatment, also.

All the treatments we provide can be used on previously colored and or bleached hair, and you can still continue your hair coloring routine at DsParada without worrying about further damage to your hair.

In summary, these treatments are a great investment to put into yourself- whether your hair is frizzy, curly, wavy, damaged, course - or all of the above, a keratin treatment can truly help you and your hair styling needs.

With the warm and humid months quickly approaching, why not schedule your consult appointment today with one of our reputable stylists for a future of manageable, beautiful, summer ready hair!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Beauty Secrets

4 Secrets for growing long, healthy hair :
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Okay Ladies, we've all been there... You head to the salon confidently ready to try out a chic new hairstyle, only to realize afterward that the bob or bangs you were so excited about, isn't exactly what you want after all. Maybe your trying to recover from a bad cut (which you’ll never receive here) or simply just hoping for those envious waist-length waves. Never the less, waiting for your hair to grow can be a rather tedious process! The average person’s hair grows about a quarter of an inch per month.  And while there isn't one 'miracle' cure for faster hair growth, here are 4 steps worth trying to help speed up the process in achieving longer locks...

Prenatal vitamins.
Most prenatal vitamins contain biotin (along with iron and folic acid), which is said to promote healthy hair growth. Biotin will not only help your hair grow longer faster, but your skin and nails will reap the benefits too. 
- All over the counter- try taking one a day! 

Stick to healthy hair diet.
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. Diet may seem unrelated to your hair, but it makes a huge difference. Since hair is made of protein, make sure you're getting plenty of protein in your diet. These foods will help promote healthy keratin production, which are the building blocks of hair.
Whole grains, along with foods rich in calcium and the amino acid cysteine also promote hair growth.

Indulge in a scalp massage.
Giving yourself an at-home scalp massage increases blood flow to the scalp, this helps nutrients get to your follicles more quickly. So when you’re shampooing or rinsing your hair, try massaging your head with your fingertips to stimulate hair growth. Exercise also increases blood circulation which carries nutrients and oxygen to the scalp and its hair follicles.

Wash your hair less.
The natural oils in our scalp are good for hair, and washing these oils out every day causes damage. Even if your hair is oily, go as long as you can stand without washing- try resorting to dry shampoo instead! It truly is a miracle in a can!

An interesting Fact: 
Stress not only influences hair loss, but during stressful times hair production may also stop. Try to reduce stress by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, diet, and getting plenty of sleep!! 

We want you to get involved! Try some or all of these tricks and let us know how they work for you. Measure and record your current length and keep track of your growth process. See if you can surpass the monthly hair growth average!

Tips & Tricks

How to fight Static & Frizz :
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

When the winter rolls around, the heats on, the sweaters come out, and sure enough, the frizz and flyaway’s go haywire. We know static can pretty much ruin a good hair day. Static happens when the dry winter air gives your hair a positive electric charge, causing hair strands to stand on end. Luckily, we have a few tips on how deal with this pesky little problem!

Oil Up.

Rubbing a bit of your favorite hair oil will help to weigh down your hair and counteract the electricity. In desperate times, lotion also works in the same way. Just rub a bit on your hands and work through, just don’t use too much- you don’t want your hair to look greasy!


Go Every Other Day.

Just as hair oil will help weigh down your strands, going a day in between washes will allow the natural oils from your scalp to battle the static.

Use a Dryer Sheet.

Believe it or not; dryer sheets can actually reduce static buildup in hair and clothes. An added plus is they are easy to carry with you in your purse.

Brush It Out.

Use a natural fiber brush with a wood handle. Natural fibers like boar bristles help distribute natural oils from your scalp to coat and protect hair.

Add In Moisture.

Using leave in conditioners and hair masks to add moisture back into the hair is highly recommended to help calm and tame strands.