Wednesday 19 June 2013

TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!

I was having a discussion with a few friends the other night about what they get done in the hairdressers. It really made me think that a lot of people wear their hair exactly the same every day, which is fine (I do) but if you're going to the hairdressers wouldn't you want to have something different done? My thoughts are if you're paying anything from £40-£95 (in our salons anyway) to get your hair cut and blowdryed/styled you would want to get it done differently so your friends/family know you've been to a salon. Thoughts on this?

My advice for today ladies (and gents) is when you go to the hairdressers just get it styled differently, you might love it and if you're paying for it too you may as well!

I shall post some pictures of hair transformations in the salon, these people definitely look FABULOUS.

Lloyd xoxo




Monday 11 February 2013

BLEACH!!!

BLEACH!!! 

As always my curiosity gets the best of me, I seem to find myself watching (or rather, cringing) at bleaching "tutorials" on youtube. It also cringes me that these videos have so many views and the people are giving the complete wrong information. I am going to write about common bleach myths and the actual truth behind them!


Bleach Myth #1 - Use of peroxide and development

One of the most common misconceptions of using bleach is the level of peroxide you should use. The first rule of bleach is to never use 40 vol for global (scalp) applications - ONLY for partial (off the scalp) applications. All bleach should be developed for 50 minutes - any less will make the application come out patchy and underdeveloped. What you have to remember with bleach is that it is a slow process and you have to be patient. When using bleach it usually lifts around 7-8 levels (depending on which bleach being used) so you should only really be using a 20 vol peroxide for scalp applications and 30 vol if it absolutely necessary. I'd say 85% of global applications in the salon I work in are using a 20vol peroxide. The level of peroxide does not determine how much the hair lifts, 30 vol should only be used on hair that has a lot of natural warmth and the client has previously had problems lifting their hair to a pale yellow undertone which is needed for a "white" or "platinum" look.

Bleach Myth #2 - Heat/no heat?

NEVER ever use heat with bleach! Bleach is like an explosion. When you apply bleach an explosion happens (that's why you see it go from brown-blonde very quickly) and then it continues to lift the hair. If you apply heat to bleach all it is going to do is harm the hair even more. You wouldn't re-start an explosion by trying to re-light it, it would be pointless. Same as applying heat to bleach. If your colourist tries to put you under heat - demand to have your colour washed off and leave, no doubt the salon is DODGY.            



Bleach Myth #3 - Harm to your hair.

There have been quite a few times when I have been consulting with a client and they have said to me 'oh but i don't want you to use bleach in my hair' when there is no other possible way to put highlights in their hair. The first thing i would assure them is that we do not use bleach we use pre-lightener (clever, eh?) However it always confuses me what people's fears are from the word "bleach."
Bleach isn't damaging to your hair if it used in the right ways and if you use the right products for it. Bleach in highlights will only be used with small levels of peroxide and this minor amount will not harm your hair. Salon bleach these days contain lots of conditioning products that support the hair structure and do not damage the cuticle as much as "old style" bleach. 


Best Products For Bleached + Damaged Hair

All these products in the following list are all the products that I have recommended to clients really distressed about the condition of their hair. They are all "high end" products however these will do your hair more good in the long run as the silicone in drugstore shampoos damage your hair more. (FYI I will be doing a blog post on this very soon so stay posted) 
Shampoos and Conditioners
Kerastase - Bain De Force - £15-18
                  Ciment Anti-Usure - £18-20
Redken - Extreme Shampoo - £11-12
               Extreme Conditioner - £13-14
Treatments and Masques

Redken Extreme Strength Builder for Distressed Hair (masque) - £14-16
Kerastase Forceintense (treatment) - £26-29

Leave In Treatments
Kerastase Ciment Thermique - £15-16
Redken Anti Snap Leave in Treatment - £12-14
L'Oreal professional Potionizer Leave in Treatment - £11-12

Once again thank you very much for reading!
Any questions please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lloydcourt@hotmail.co.uk
Lloyd xoxo


                                                                                

Sunday 10 February 2013

2013 Hair Colour Trends!

2013 Hair Colour Trend #1 - Auburn Ombré



We all remember the ombré trend of 2011 and 2012 with a brown base colour and golden blondes moving through the ends. This season's ombré is all about the auburn coppery tones. Spice up your colour by asking your stylist for an auburn base to your ombré!

 2012 Hair Colour Trend #2 - Sandy, Ashy almost Smokey tones


Say GOODBYE to golden warm brows - this season is all about the ashy shades. These natural fashion shades of brown really compliment these model's warm skin tones. Try a blunt cut bob or long layered haircut for this colour to really be on point this season!

2013 Hair Colour Trend #3 - Pastel Hair Colours






Hard to get right, but if you can get it right, you will be bang on trend. Colour your whole hair pastel like the first two photos or add flashes of pastel tones like the last picture for an edgy look with definition. Cool purples and blues are on point this season!

2013 Hair Colour Trend #4 - White/Platinum Hair


A hair color you’ll see a lot of in 2013 is white/platinum hair! Once again, like the pastel trend it it hard to achieve and your hair will suffer for it! However you will look bang on trend and it will certainly spice up your style! A short style really suits this daring, bold colour!


Thank you for reading this blog post.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at lloydcourt@hotmail.co.uk

Lloyd xo