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! 

Leave-In Hair Treatment Sprays for Summer!

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

With these hot days ahead of us, we need to do what we can to protect our color, scalp, and hair health! If you are someone who is a little bit more on the thrifty side, then you will LOVE these very simple and efficient homemade summer sprays!

The basics:

• Start with a spray bottle. You can find these super cheap at drugstores and dollar stores
• Add 3 Tablesppons of SPF. We suggest a natural sun-cream with a minimum factor of at least 35.
• Add any of the following by its self or combination to create the ultimate leave-in! 

Coconut Oil – Honestly, Coconut oil should automatically be added to your little leave in concoction – no matter what else you wish to add! Its benefits include: Shields Hair Protein (Fatty acids bind to the protein in hair and protect both the roots and strands of hair from breakage), Seals in Moisture, Protects against environmental impurities and excess heat (summer!), Full of Nutrients and natural antioxidants, Antibacterial & Antifungal, Smoothes, Softens, and Strengthens.  Just add a Tablespoon to 2 depending on hair length and thickness.  We suggest an organic (because nobody likes harsh chemicals that can remove color and do a reverse effect and damage hair instead!), extra virgin and unrefined coconut oil that can be found at any natural stores like the fresh market, whole foods, trader joes.

Sea Salt – Want to make your own beach spray? Grinded sea salt will add that wavy texture we love for the ultimate surfer look. Mix ½ tablespoon to 1 tablespoon depending on length/thickness with 1 tablespoon coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon hair gel (we suggest DevaCurl Light Gel for extra curl).

Lemon Juice – Lemon juice has been used for years to softly lighten hair in the sun. But it also has added benefits, including: Reducing oils, Scalp Stimulation, prevents breakage, and makes hair shiny! Use 1 lemon (preferably organic), cut it in half and squeeze all the juice into the bottle.  

Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera is great for sunburns during the summer, but did you know it’s also great for hair? The enzymes found in Aloe have been proven to promote healthy hair growth by eradicating dead skin cells on the scalp that clog the hair follicle, and its alkalizing properties will bring the scalp and hair’s pH to a more desirable level, resulting in further hair growth promotion and retaining moisture in your hair strands. The 20 different amino acids that are found in aloe vera also penetrate each hair strand that adds both strength and luster to the hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar – This may sound like a super odd thing to apply to your hair, but the benefits you can achieve from ACV are amazing! When applied to your hair, it can: stop and prevent dandruff, relieve an itching scalp, cleanse strands from build-up and oils, and even add incredible shine! Add 3 Tablespoons to your bottle. If you are concerned with the smell, a few drops of your choice of essential oil will completely mask the ACV scent.

Lavender Essential Oil – Not only does lavender oil add a delightfully relaxing scent, but it's a regenerative oil that will condition the hair and scalp and enhance blood circulation. Add a few drops to your bottle.

Rosemary Essential Oil – Another scent booster oil that will also stimulate hair growth by stimulating and nourishing hair follicles, but is also great for creating a healthy scalp and will relieve itching due to dandruff and psoriasis. Add a few drops to your bottle.

Sesame Seed Oil – Not only does sesame strengthen the hair shaft, it is perfect for summer as it protects the scalp and strand from the effects of chlorine in pool water! 4-6 Tablespoons added to bottle depending on hair length.

Peppermint Oil – Refreshing oil that creates a healthy environment for your scalp by balancing pH level, stimulates hair follicles, cleanses excess oil, and stimulates blood circulation. Just add a few drops to your bottle.

Green Tea – Good to drink, and good for your hair! Green tea is PACKED with healthy antioxidants and has a potent concentration of polyphenols - They protect the cells from being damaged by free radicals and are also known to slow the ageing process. Green tea also helps to detoxify the hair and scalp. Brew 3 to 5 green tea tea bags in 2 cups boiling water and let it steep until cold, or as long as possible (the stronger, the better!).  Remove tea bags and pour your bottle. *No need to add water afterwards*

Jojoba Oil – Jojoba Oil in great for adding volume to thinning hair, adds elasticity, repairs damage, creates shiny strands, hydrating, and is antibacterial! Add 2 – 4 Tablespoons to the bottle depending on hair length and thickness.

Argan Oil – High in antioxidants and vitamins A and D, this oil prevents breakage and promotes smooth, moisturized hair. The antioxidants slow down the negative effects that breakage and damage can cause. Add 2-4 Tablespoons to your leave in depending on length and thickness. Be careful with this one though, due to the amber tint that argan oil has, it has been known to add that tint to hair and can cause blondes / lighter colored hair to look brassy when used regularly!

Flax Seed Oil – Flax seed oil is full of omega 3, 6 and 9 and is great for optimal hair health. Not only does this oil smooth cuticles and add shine, it is also perfect for curly hair girls as it can add definition and moisture!

Hair Gel – This can be added to your leave in treatment purely for hold.  We suggest GoldWell Jelly Boost, as it has anti-humectant properties to it – perfect for that North Carolina humidity! Add 2-5 Tablespoons depending on desired hold and the length and thickens of your hair. 

• Finish off your leave-in treatment spray with pouring distilled water into the rest of your bottle! *No need if you chose to add Green Tea*

   Be creative and have fun with this, you can't go wrong and your hair will thank you!

Why You Shouldn’t Use Drugstore Shampoos & Conditioners

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

  Everyone wants to know what the difference is between professional salon products and drugstore brands. Though some may not see the difference, it is defiantly there!  When it comes to hair products, the sad truth is that you get what you pay for.

 Cost: Are you really saving money?

The main reason people buy drugstore brands is because of the cost. Well, you may be thinking paying anything more then $10 for shampoo and conditioner is a silly waste of money - but in reality, you may not be saving as much as you think! For example, salon hair care products are extremely concentrated; therefore, you use a lot less of the product and a bottle will last you for a very long time. Drugstore products on the other hand are mainly composed of water, and you will find the need to use more of the product and will have to purchase it more often. This plays a big factor in the price as to why drugstore products are so cheap, you are basically paying for a bottle of water with a dose of chemicals, but with salon products, you are getting mainly natural and high quality ingredients with the lowest water quantity possible.
You also will probably find yourself having to wash your hair more often with drugstore products, due to your hair feeling both greasy and weighed down or dry and lifeless in-between washes. This is because drugstore products contain waxes and silicones. They add these waxes and silicones in their products to make your hair look shiny and healthy, but really it’s all for show. It instead creates unwanted build-up and prevents any nutrients from being able to enter the shaft of the hair. As a result, you will be going through these bottles of cheap shampoo so often that by the time you would be done with 1 bottle of salon product, you would be basically be paying the same!
Also, if you are someone who gets your hair colored; then here is another cost factor to consider: You just paid a lot of money on your hair color, why go home and use your products that are literally going to rinse your color out? You will end up needing to do color retouch’s more often, which is a lot more money than the products we sell! Same goes for Keratin Treatments. It is really important to use keratin safe products (which all of dsparada’s products are) after receiving the treatment, or again – you are just washing away the hundreds of dollars you just spent!

Ingredients

As stated earlier, the reason you are paying more for salon products is because you are paying for high quality ingredients. Drugstore brands are known to contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS), a cleaning agent that also makes shampoo foamy. We have accustomed ourselves to associating bubbles with clean, so sometimes when people switch to salon products they feel their hair isn’t getting clean enough, which isn’t true. One huge problem with SLS is that it has been known to damage the hair follicle, leading to weakened hair structure and diminished hair growth. Even worse, studies are starting to show that it can cause cancer, immune system damage, and damage to the skin.
Parabens are another common and bad ingredient found in drugstore products. They are chemicals that are used as preservatives for their strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. However; they have been found in low concentrations in tumors and are believed to disrupt hormone function. 
So, not only are these chemicals causing damage to your strands, it is also causing damage to your overall health – eek!

P.S 

One more side note, please do not be fooled by buying salon product brands anywhere other than a salon or professional beauty supplier (NO to drugstores/grocery/online stores such as amazon or ebay). There is a valid reason as to why they are being sold there at a cheaper price! If you ever read the back of a professional brand bottle, they will state that there authenticity and results are only guaranteed when bought a hair salon / professional hair supplier. Being purchased anywhere else could mean a handful of things: Product has long gone expired, product was used and returned then refilled with water, imitation product inside the brand bottle, product bottles were recalled due to incorrect or missing ingredients.  Besides, they are never that much cheaper in stores, so why still spend the money when you are risking the authenticity of the product?!

At dsparada, our staff only uses and promotes the very best salon products on the market that are free of all harsh ingredients, and that will insure healthy hair growth while extending your color beautifully in between visits.  When we try to encourage you to purchase our products, it’s not because we are trying to make money. It’s because we care for the integrity of your hair and don’t want all the hard work we put into your strands to go to waste!

To learn more about our products lines, click on the following links to read all about how amazing they are:
Kevin Murphy
ColorProof 
GOLDWELL
Deva Curl 

Say NO to Box Color!

Why Professional Color is Better!
By: Don Stacy Patronelli

Any professional hair stylist will tell you to stay far away from box color - and for good reason!
Though it may be easier and cheaper, it is highly damaging on your strands, and will leave your hair with very unpleasant results.
You may be someone who has been using box colors for years – and in your opinion- getting color that you are happy with; However, after repeatedly applying box color to your tresses, you’re making your hair more and more porous and packing in more of the highly chemically pigmented color into your strands - which will eventually cause your hair to be patchy, darker, duller, weak and damaged!  If you care about your hair, then take care of it professionally!

Pro vs Box > Results
Box color is formulated so that everyone and anyone can use it. But how is this possible? We don’t all have the same hair type, condition, or natural color. That’s because most box dyes are formulated with maximum amounts of pigment and developer so that it is able to work on most people – and this is awful!  If you are someone who is using box color, have you ever felt like your ‘root’ area is growing faster than you think your hair is? That’s because your hair is breaking off. The mixture of dehydrating metallic salts, as well as the high amounts of ammonia (or just as bad chemicals replacing ammonia), creates the perfect cocktail of hair destruction. When you see a hair professional, they examine your hair strands for porosity and damage, evaluate your natural color and/or color that is already on your hair, percentage of grey (if any), and skin and eye color.  From there, they work out an educated formula that will give you the outcome you want while complimenting your tones with no damage - because they are using the correct color pigments needed with the lowest developer necessary.

Application is an extremely important factor when it comes to applying color, as well. Not knowing correct color application can lead to blotchiness, darker tips or lighter root. It can even cause burns and abrasions to your scalp and skin!

Celebrities do not use box color!
Have you seen the commercials with Beyonce, Eva Longoria, and Gwen Stefani advertising for box color? If you’re buying into these products hoping to get the glamorous locks of the rich and famous, then be prepared for disappointment! These stars go to extremely high end salons where they will spend hours and hundreds of dollars to achieve their famous looks. They are getting paid hundreds of thousands to promote for these companies, but unfortunately, it is all a lie (welcome to Hollywood, right?). 

Cost
Most people use box color for the cheap price. Well, think of it this way:  Since you are thoroughly damaging your strands from box color, you are more than likely going to require more frequent cuts then you usually would. On top of that, having unpleasant results from box color (most common problems are hair turning orange, purple, unwanted darkness, and blotchy/patchy color), that you then want a qualified professional to fix will require a lot more time needed to fix and A LOT more money. A corrective color is a tediously long and very expensive service that the stylist has to work very hard on. So, your sense of trying to save a buck is now costing you triple to quadruple the price and time then it would have if you just paid a professional to give you perfect results to begin with!

In summary, hair color should be respected. For something that is changing the entire molecular structure of your hair, it is more than just the goop you can apply in your bathroom to give you that bombshell red you've been wanting.
dsparada always stays up to date on hair technology and color techniques, and we are always able to give our clients the hair color they desire while keeping the integrity of their hair.   

How to Wash Your Hair Properly

You may be surprised to know that you could be doing it wrong!

By: Don Stacy Patronelli

So you would think that washing your hair is simple enough, right? Well, you may be surprised to know that there is actually a correct technique to washing your hair that you may not be doing. Washing your tresses correctly can make a huge difference in your hairs health, bounce and shine. While was washing your hair incorrectly can cause damage!

Start with a Rinse
Just like you wet your skin before “suds-ing” up, so you should your strands. Make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before adding your shampoo. Keep in mind that hot water will open the cuticle, and is good for removing dirt or product trapped in the hair. It will loosen the oil through the scalp and will also prep the hair for optimal absorption when you are ready to condition.

Long Hair Needs to Condition First
Sounds silly, but a pre-condition will protect fragile ends from drying out and further damage.  Not only will it boost hair health, it will fill any holes in the cuticle with moisture, making it smoother and boosting shine. A really good pre-condition treatment for long hair or any length hair that is dry and damaged is using 100% organic coconut oil. Apply all over to dry hair, concentrating on ends, and wrap hair up in a t-shirt or shower cap. Let it sit for a minimum of 30 minutes, or as long as you desire. Unlike most oils, coconut oil penetrates all the way to the center of the hair follicle. Benefits include: Restores and Shields Hair Protein, Moisturizes and Seals in Moisture, Improves Blood Circulation, Provides Nutrients, and Contains Antibacterial and Anti-fungal Properties.

Lather Up - But only on the Scalp!
Most people don’t realize this, but you only need to shampoo the scalp, particularly at the nape. Lather up from roots to ends. The hair closest to the scalp is the youngest and will inevitably be the oiliest, while the end of the hair is oldest and usually driest, most fragile part of the hair. Keep in mind there is no need to use a lot of shampoo, a high quality concentrated shampoo only requires a dime, whereas most others require a quarter size. If you have super thick, long hair, double it.

Be Gentle
Friction can permanently damage your hair’s cuticle, leading to unwanted breakage and frizz. Think about washing your hair like you would hand wash your delicates – very carefully. As stated earlier, start your lather at the roots. Increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair growth by using vertical strokes with medium pressure. Do not use circular motions, as this can tangle your hair. Next, smooth the lather over the ends in a straight stroking motion. Do not scrub the fragile ends or use a back and forth motion like you’re washing a rag on a washboard!

No Need to Rinse & Repeat!                              
Despite what the instructions on the back of your shampoo bottle may say, there’s no need to wash your hair twice. A double shampoo can potentially strip the hair of necessary oils. If you have extremely oily hair where you feel it needs two shampoos, try switching your shampoo to a more purifying one. We suggest ColorProof ClearItUp Detox Shampoo. It will gently cleanse and deodorize hair while removing dulling build-up, without stripping hair color. Gently enough for daily use!

Time to Condition…
After you've rinsed out your shampoo, “squeeze some of the water out of the hair before you put in the conditioner. Then clip your hair up and finish showering, leaving the conditioner rinse out for the final step of your shower. The longer the conditioner stays on your hair, the better it absorbs. There is no need to apply conditioner at the roots of your hair; as the natural oil from your scalp is more concentrated there.  If you have naturally oily, or fine/flat hair, opt for a light-weight and/or volumizing conditioner to avoid weighing hair down.

A Cold Spritz to Finish the Job!
Just like hot water opens up the cuticle, cold water will shut the cuticle tight, sealing the shingle-like outer layer. This will cause the strands to reflect the most light and give off the most shine, and help seal in all the nutrients and moisture you just put in!