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hair care

Building a Hair Care Routine (A Beginners Guide)

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Hair Care Routine (1)

The perfect hair care routine doesn’t exi…yes, yes, it does. Healthy looking, beautiful hair does not happen by accident. It takes a lot of TLC and the right combination of products. You can have a counter full of great products, but if they are not right for your hair type, they won’t do much for you. So how do you know what will actually work? Here are a few tips that will help you start a new hair care routine or enhance your current one.

1. Know Your Hair Type.

Whenever anyone thinks of hair type, most people jump to the average answer like, straight, wavy, curly, or kinky. But… texture is not the only thing that determines hair type. You also need to consider your hair’s strength and porosity, the ability to absorb and hold onto moisture. No two heads of hair are the same, so it’s important to choose a routine designed for your specific hair type and goals.

2. Identify Your Desired Look

Decide what is your preferred hairstyle and identify any existing concerns you want to tackle. Know that It’s totally normal for a person to have more than one concern. If it helps, write them down and share them with your stylist who can recommend the ideal combination of products tailored to your hair care needs. Consider things like, is your hair chemically treated? Is your scalp dry, oily, or normal? Are you dealing with color fading? Etc… This will help you determine which shampoo, conditioner, and hair masks you may need. Then identify what’s your preferred method of styling which will help you determine which styling products you will need.

3. The basics of creating a hair care routine

Although there are different types of hair, there are still a few basic steps that are applicable for everyone such as cleansing, conditioning, detangling, styling, and proper treatment. It’s the HOW you do each one of these steps and the products you use that change, based on your hair type.

  • Cleanse to reset and remove excess hair oils, products, dirt, and dead skin from our scalp.
  • Use conditioner to keep your hair hydrated, smooth, and lock in moisture.
  • Detangle GENTLY to avoid breakage, you need to brush your hair using a good quality detangling brush to ease out the tangles.
  • Use a hair mask weekly to target your specific hair concerns.
  • Always use products to style your hair. Never let your hair go naked! Products not only help you style your hair, but they also protect your hair from the elements.

Always keep in mind that the quality of your hair may change over time, so you have to update your routine from time to time. Observe your hair to know what are the processes and products that you may need to change and the things that you need to keep doing, always consult with your stylist before making those changes.

If you have additional questions, feel free to come to our salon! We are happy to go over your hair care needs and we have a variety of products that we love and trust that we can recommend to make your healthy hair dreams a reality.

How to Keep Your Blonde Bright!

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Bright Blonde
This one is for all of our blonde ladies! When you leave the salon with fresh blonde hair, your blonde is radiant . Your hair is full of life, bright and vibrant, and your blonde has never been so perfect.

We want to share a few thing you can do at home to make sure your blonde stays as bright as possible until it’s time to see your hairdresser again:

1. Wash Your Hair Less:

 
When you have color treated hair, dry shampoo is your best friend. Washing your hair very often is what essentially causes your hair color to fade over time. PRO TIP: Use a little bit of dry shampoo before going to bed so it can absorb the oils overnight. You’re welcome, you’ll now wake up to beautiful, sexy hair every morning.

2. Use a Blonde Formula:

 
We carry a few different brands here at the salon, it all depends on what your hair needs. Color-safe shampoo and conditioner are a must! They really help stop brassiness in its tracks and will keep your blonde hair light and bright longer. One of our favorites is the “Bust Your Brass” line from Amika, you can find it HERE.

3. A Cool Rinse:

This is not just for blondes, truly anyone can benefit from this trick. When you wash your hair, end the wash with a cool rinse. The cool water helps close your hair cuticles and will promote shine! Brrrr be brrrave and just do it, you won’t regret it.

4. In between your next color visit, pop in the salon and treat yourself to a demineralizing treatment.

This has two benefits, for starters, the yellow cast can be removed without bleach and your hair is already going to be prepared for your next lightening service.

Follow these simple tips and trust us when we say you will be rocking your bright blonde hair much longer! If you need any help choosing the right blonde hair products, give us a call or visit our salon. We are happy to help you choose the right brand and ideal cleansing and styling products for your hair. Do you know any other tricks you want to share with our blonde ladies? Let us know on our Instagram! 

Tips to Grow Out Your Hair Fast!

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Grow out Your hair

We’ve all done it. You decided to chop off your hair for a stylish short look for a change, then you want long hair again, then you feel like going short again, and the cycle goes on. You love change and that’s totally okay! Because we see this so often, we put together a quick list of tips to help you grow out your hair fast, and most importantly, healthy! 

1. Don’t skip trims:

If you ever heard that getting trims will make your hair grow faster, we are here to tell you, that is simply not true. However, getting trims regularly will make your hair grow stronger and stronger after each trim. Split ends and weak ends can make the bottom of your hair appear very thin, but if you get trims regularly, then your hair will grow healthy and strong. We recommend getting a trim every 8 weeks. And the best thing to do is get a wellness care cut that is done with hot scissors to seal the ends and prevent splitting. 

2. Take your vitamins: 

Hair vitamins really do work. Biotin, B12, and zinc are essential for growing out healthy and strong hair. Taking vitamins daily guarantees you give your body what it needs every day no matter how busy you get. Even though you can get vitamins and nutrients from your diet, when we are busy, it’s harder to keep track and make sure we are getting the number of nutrients we need every day. One of our favorites that we carry is the Collagen with Biotin and vitamin C.

3. Use hair masks 

Lots of people take the time to do a face mask once a week and take care of their skin daily. Why not do the same for your hair? Hair masks not only moisturize your hair but also help strengthen it so it can grow long and healthy. We recommend you use a hair mask once a week or at least every 3 shampoos. Not all hair masks are created equal, so we suggest you visit our masks and treatments page where you can find all our favorite masks for different needs, hair textures, and more. 

Follow these tips and you will see that your hair will not only grow fast, but it will also grow healthy and stronger. If you have any questions, you can always schedule a consultation at our salon where we can put together a prescribed hair care treatment for your hair goals. 

3 Things You Need to Know About Curtain Bangs

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Curtain Bangs copy

(2021’s Latest Hair Trend)

So you’ve seen all the cute Instagram photos of girls showing off their new curtain bangs, rocking that middle part, and parting ways with their side part hair. You love it, you want it, but everyone knows that bangs are a commitment! We are here to tell you everything you need to know about curtain bangs, their level of maintenance, which face shapes work best for it, and how to style them.

1. Curtain bangs enhance your best features:

This trend was originally made famous in the ’60s and ’70s by big actresses like Brigette Bardot and Farrah Fawcett. They are designed to enhance your best features and with a few modifications, curtain bangs can suit any face shape! For example, if you have a broader face, longer sweeping bangs can help create more of a diamond shape. Shorter bangs that pinch in at the temples can contour and create more defined cheekbones. Round faces are a little bit trickier because bangs emphasize roundness, but it does not mean it can’t be done.

2. Curtain bangs are pretty low maintenance:

This is probably one of the best features of curtain bangs. Because of their already effortless look, curtain bangs can be pretty low maintenance. You can let them get a little bit longer in between trims and they will still look fabulous. However, if you want them to be absolutely perfect, then we recommend you get them trimmed every 5-6 weeks.

3. The easiest way to style curtain bangs:

Like any other type of bang, curtain bangs require some effort, definitely not as much as others, but you still need to style them so they can look their best.

If you are using a hairdryer:

Part your hair down the middle and take about a 1-inch section close to your temples and use a 1-inch round brush. Blow-dry your bangs to the side to create that sweeping effect. If you blow-dry your bangs toward the front or straight, they’ll turn out puffy, and that’s not what you want.

If you are air-drying:

If you prefer to not use any heat, then it’s even easier! Part your hair down the middle, place your bangs as you want them and use a few creaseless clips to hold each side in place until they’re dry.

I hope these tips have helped you learn more about the latest hair trend this year and If you’ve been thinking about curtain bangs and are still not sure or if you have any questions, we invite you to come in for a consultation at our salon. We take the time to speak to our clients and recommend the best styles to fit not just their faces, but also their lifestyle. Particularly when it comes to bangs, don’t just go to anyone, because the style of a great cut can be hard to imitate.

How to Keep Your Hair from Tangling

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Tangling copy

How to Keep Your Hair from Tangling

Short hair or long hair, it does not matter, nobody likes to struggle with hair tangles. Running into the occasional knot as you run your fingers through your hair is totally normal, but if your hair is excessively tangled all the time, that can be a sign of a deeper hair issue. Fortunately, adding the right products and establishing a healthy hair care routine can make all the difference! Not only will you be able to control the tangled mess we all find so frustrating, but your hair will also look healthier and stronger!

WHY IS YOUR HAIR SO TANGLED?

Your hair can be tangling for several different reasons, these are usually the most common ones…

  • You have very thick and curly hair (If that’s the case, refer to our Curly Girl Method Blog)
  • Your hair is very dry and damaged
  • You sleep with your hair down
  • Your hair is very long and fine
  • You never brush your hair throughout the day (This does not apply to my curly hair girls as you should never ever brush throughout the day. Refer to Curly Girl Method Blog) 

HOW TO MINIMIZE TANGLING…

Promoting hydration will help keep tangles to a minimum in the long run. Using the right detangling brush and product will make your detangling nightmares go away and instead turn detangling into just another “treat yourself moment” in your hair care routine. Here are a few more recommendations…

1. Condition Your Hair

You always want to apply conditioner after you shampoo your hair. This will help lock in and restore moisture leaving it smooth and less likely to tangle. We also recommend applying a hair mask at least once a week to help keep your hair hydrated. 

2. Use a Good Detangling Brush

A good detangling brush is a big game-changer. We recommend The Ultimate Tangle Teezer because it has 325 unique teeth that flex over tangles and knots with every single stroke, hair is quickly detangled confidently whilst helping to reduce breakage. Start at the bottom of the knot, and patiently work your way up until it is combed out completely.

3. Use Detangling Spray

If your hair tangles a lot, adding a detangling spray to your brushing routine is a great idea. We highly recommend The Wizard by Amika. We love it because it’s a multi-benefit priming spray that detangles, cuts blow-dry time, and protects against thermal damage. Leaves the hair smooth, soft and radiant. We use it at the salon all the time, it’s fantastic. 

4. Protect Your Hair While You Sleep

The friction of your hair against the pillow can cause your hair to tangle while you sleep. We recommend tying your hair in a loose braid or a loose bun with a scrunchie before going to bed. Switching to silk pillowcases and even a silk scrunchie can also be beneficial. You can find great washable silk scrunchie for only $18 on this website Lunya.co

5. Use the Right Styling Products and Tools

Try to use heat less often to style your hair. We know this is a hard one to overcome, but heat can really dry your hair. If you are using heat, make sure you use the right products to protect your hair from the heat. Also, make sure you are using the right styling products to restore your hair and lock in moisture.  

If you need any help choosing the right products for your hair care routine, feel free to stop by at the salon! We can take a look at your hair and discuss what your goals are and recommend the best hair care routine for you. As your hair and the weather changes, your hair needs will change too, so make sure you are always applying the products your hair needs.

Now take all these tips and go detangle your hair…it no longer has to feel like a mission. Wash your hair, play an audio book, light up a nice scented candle and start working through those knots little by little giving your hair all the love it needs! 

How to Wash Your Hair When You Have Hair Extensions

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Hair Extension Wash

Hair extensions are a beautiful thing.  They take your hair game to a whole new level, not only does your hair look longer, but it also looks fuller and alive. However, getting hair extensions is a commitment and you actually have to take care of your hair.  The way you brush your hair changes, how you treat your scalp, and of course, how you wash your hair.  Sounds like a lot, but once those extensions are in and you realize you are now a hair goddess, you’ll know all the effort is well worth it 😉 Here we will cover some basic FAQ’s we get at the salon all the time from clients getting hair extensions for the first time.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair with Hair Extensions?

Some people are under the impression that the less they wash their hair, the longer their extensions will last, that’s not true at all. Hair extensions are usually applied with a small bead, so any products containing oil and any excess oil build up will make the extensions slip out. So, it is recommended that you wash your hair more rather than less to avoid oil buildup, especially if you already have naturally oily hair.

Do I Need Additional Prep Before My Shower?

There is no special prep needed before your shower.  At the salon we strictly use 100% human Slavic hair and as long as you are using high quality hair extensions, you should have nothing to worry about.

What Products Should I Use?

Sulfate-free is absolutely the way to go.  These products don’t create as much lather in the shower, but don’t worry because they still get the job done and they maintain the integrity of your extensions. You’ll want to avoid oils, extracts, hydrolyzed silk, wheat protein, or silicone. All of the above will make the extensions slip out. 

Do I Scrub Hard/Gentle?

This depends on the type of hair extensions you get since they will require a different scrubbing approach. For example:

If you have Weft Hair Extensions: Clean thoroughly but gently to avoid tangling.  You want to make sure your fingers are scrubbing the scalp in between the wefts to avoid tangling your extension and pulling them out.

Keratin bonding:  You need to wash your scalp and still avoid tangling them before conditioning.  However, make sure to really scrub and get in there to remove any oil buildup as the oil can make the beads slip. Go hard or go home.

Do I Condition My Hair Even Though It’s Not Actually My Hair? 

Yes, your extensions need to be conditioned just like your own hair.  Just make sure you are conditioning from mid-length and definitely make sure you don’t apply conditioner on the attachments. 

How Do I Dry My Hair with Hair Extensions?

Because we use 100% human hair, you need to take care of it as if it was your own.  So products are important.  Blow dry section by section. Always keeping the airflow in the direction of the cuticle to eliminate frizz and make sure you use a nozzle (please tell me you have a nozzle on your blow dryer lol). Blow dry your hair, then blow dry your extensions, then your hair and so on…

We hope you find all this information helpful so you can maintain your beautiful hair extensions for as long as possible.  If you have any more questions or would like to set up a consultation for hair extensions, simply give us a call (954) 533-0389.  There is no cost associated with consultations.

The Curly Girl Method – A How-to-Guide

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The Curly Girl Method or CGM has become increasingly popular given that it is the holy grail of hair care routines for beautiful, perfect, fresh out of the salon curls! Every curly girl has had to experience frizz, uneven texture, damage, and even a loss of curl over time. While properly treated and styled curly hair looks stunning, you must know that in order to achieve that, you need to give your hair the time, love, and attention it needs and the CGM is exactly that!

Give this hair care routine a try and we promise that not only will your curls thank you forever, but your hair care routine will become easier and your curls will ALWAYS look effortlessly perfect. Isn’t that every curly girl’s dream? Well, let’s dive in step-by-step into the Curly Girl Method.

STEP 1: Clarifying Wash OR “Final Wash”

This first wash will prep your hair to start the CGM. You want to use a clarifying shampoo to thoroughly cleanse your hair before conditioning. Make sure you wash your scalp really well to remove any product build-up. Once you rinse out the shampoo, you are ready for conditioner. Make sure you only use your fingers to detangle your hair, do not use a comb or a brush since that will only stretch out your curls even more. This process is done once or twice a month.

STEP 2: Co-Wash

Once you have completed your Clarifying wash, you are ready for the Co-Wash. This is how you will wash your hair from this point forward until it’s time for a “Reset Wash” with clarifying shampoo again. Co-washing is basically washing your hair with a clarifying conditioner instead of shampoo. Simply massage the conditioner throughout your scalp just like you would shampoo using your fingertips.

STEP 3: Conditioning (If needed)

After Co-Wash, if you feel that your hair needs additional moisture, you can condition your hair with a thicker and richer conditioner than the one you used for Co-Wash. Yup, that means you need two different conditioners. Use this step to moisturize your hair and detangle your hair using your fingers. Rinse out the conditioner and you are ready to move on to the styling step!

Step 4: Styling Your Curly Hair

Begin your hairstyling in the shower! Applying your curling products with soaking wet hair will yield the best results. It sounds crazy, but we promise it makes all the difference. At the salon, we use a variety of products prescribed for your specific curly needs. If you have more questions about curly girl recommended products, we have a whole blog about that too, simply Click Here.

Step 5: Drying

Once you have applied your hair styling products use a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt and squeeze the excess water out of your hair and wrap your hair.  Then, you can air dry or use a diffuser to dry your hair. Do not play with your curls! We get it, they look so pretty it’s hard not to want to touch them but leave them alone.

Refreshing Your Hair

You may be wondering how to keep your curls looking beautiful for more than one day.  It’s pretty simple, use a refreshing product to avoid rewetting your curl. It’s all about refresh, not rewet and we have a variety of next day curl refreshing products available at the salon.

Continue Co-Washing your hair until you feel it is time for a “Reset Wash” and simply repeat Step 1. For wavy hair, you will probably need to cleanse about twice a month, while for coily hair it will be strictly when you really must (maybe once a month).

Like any new routine, give your hair time to adapt! It might be a little weird at first since the thought of ditching shampoo can be a little scary.  Trust the process and we promise the results are life-changing!

Let us know if you gave this a try!  Tag us on social media @salonnirvana954. We would love to follow your curly girl journey J Remember we are always available for a complimentary consultation.

Must Do’s and Absolute Don’ts for Beautiful Wavy/Curly Hair

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Gorgeous, healthy, wavy/curly hair does not happen by accident. In fact, wavy/curly hair has very different moisture needs, and great wavy/curly hair takes work! It all starts with understanding some of the basics like what products serve your hair and which ones don’t.  Making a few changes in your hair care routine and the products you are using can go a very long way.  So here is a quick list of products and ingredients that contribute to making and keeping your hair healthy as well as some that you should absolutely avoid. We also touch upon certain styling rules to follow to make sure you are treating your hair with the utmost love and respect 😉

Must Do’s for Wavy/Curly Hair:

Moisture plays a very important role in keeping your hair looking its best. Try to use products that contain humectants. Look for moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and amino acids. At our salon, we have a variety of curly hair approved products that we love and trust.  During a free consultation, we analyze your type of curl and what your hair is lacking, and we prescribe the perfect product combination for your curly hair.

Find a cleansing conditioner to wash your hair. Washing your hair when you have wavy/curly hair is a very different process because you don’t want to wash out natural oils that are essential for the moisture of your hair. If you want to learn more about The Curly Girl Method for washing your hair, we have a step-by-step guide HERE.

Absolute Don’ts for Wavy/Curly Hair:

Say goodbye to your combs and brushes! Stay away from anything that messes with your natural curl pattern.  You want to detangle your hair in the shower with conditioner and use your fingers only. Once your hair is dry, don’t run your fingers through your hair to move it around because you will disrupt your curl pattern.  Instead, grab the section of your hair you want to move and scrunch it up.

Stay away from products that contain alcohol or artificial fragrance because they can dry out your hair and you definitely want to stay clear of sulfates and silicones. Choosing the right products to take care of your hair makes a big difference.  Curly/wavy hair needs moisture, so you want to stay away from products that strip the natural oils out of your hair or dry out your hair.

Oils are another category curly hair girls should stay away from.  While a lot of people use oils to make their hair shiny and think they are adding moisture to their hair, oils actually do the complete opposite. Oils repel water don’t allow your hair to absorb moisture.

If you have any questions regarding products, and how to take proper care of your hair you can always give us a call and set up a one on one with our curly hair specialist.  At our salon, you will find a large variety of products we love and trust and we are happy to help you find the right products for your hair.

 

Have Fabulous Hair Even While Traveling

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Women who travel a lot get it. Traveling can take a toll on your hair, especially if you have curls, colored hair, or hair extensions. The goal of this blog is to share some tips I’ve learned throughout my years of traveling. If you have any other tips you’d like to share, let us know on Instagram! 

4 fabulous hair care tips for your next vacation! 

Airplanes have a way of draining you and worst of all, making you look exhausted and messy. It’s important to feel great when you’re traveling, and this includes making sure you always look fabulous – even after flying!  

There are a few simple things you can do to make sure you won’t have to worry about your hair. All it takes is a little prep before taking off and a few seconds throughout the day.

Check the weather before flying. Really you do need to check it!

Avoid frizzy, dry, or unmanageable hair by packing the right products. You know your hair best. You know how your hair reacts to dry, humid, hot, or cold weather. But what you may not know is where to find the products to manage your hair’s different personalities. Pack them beforehand by knowing what the weather will be like. At home, you may already have the needed products, so all you have to do is toss them in a travel-sized container or come and see us for your travel-sized products!  

Ponytails and Buns are your best friend on the plane. 

These hairstyles help keep your hair manageable and free from static. They also keep your hair from having that always unwanted flyaway, which always seems to find its way out.  

Use a hydrating product. Great for the plane and dry or cold weather. 

Going somewhere chilly? Cold air tends to be dry, and that is not ideal for keeping moisture. The air in airplanes is also dry, so you need to give your hair some help so it can stay hydrated. Just like you moisturize your skin and lips, you also need to make sure your hair is moisturized. The right shampoo and conditioner helps, but don’t overlook the benefits of a hydrating product. Hydrating products like serums, sprays, or leave-in conditioners are also great for keeping your hair looking fabulous and keeping it manageable.

Hydrate. Then Hydrate some more.

Most of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day. Traveling takes a toll on our body, hair, skin, and nails, so it becomes even more important to stay hydrated. Reach for that glass or bottle of water to make sure you drink enough and stay hydrated. Your skin, hair, and nails will thank you. Staying hydrated keeps you looking your best and helps prevent premature aging. 

I hope you enjoyed these tips and remember to share any of your tips with us! We’d love to hear what they are! If you need any suggestions for a hydrating product, let us know!  

Extend the life of your sew-in hair extensions

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What girl doesn’t want gorgeous hair in minutes? Now, what if a few minutes today could give you gorgeous hair for two months or more? That’s precisely what sew-in hair extensions do! A little time today goes a long way towards saving you a ton of time later on. Plus you’ll look and feel like a million bucks.

Quality hair extensions (like the ones we use at Salon Nirvana 954) are made from real human hair, which means they’ll look, feel, move and be styled as if they were your own hair. Just like your real hair, you need to keep your hair extensions properly maintained, so they last longer and look great the entire time you’re wearing them.

The number one tip we always tell people regarding hair extension maintenance is always use the right products. Just like overusing chemicals can dry out your real hair, the same is true for hair extensions. The difference is since hair extensions are not being supplied nutrients from your scalp, you need to do what you can to keep them looking healthy for as long as possible, and that begins with the products you use.

Here are four products we recommend for maintaining your hair extensions.

Product 1
From our organic line moisturizing conditioner
Product 2
From our organic line moisturizing shampoo
Product 3
From our organic line moisturizing de-tangler
Product 4
Dry conditioner

If you have any questions regarding these products or if you’re using something else and want to know what we think about it, let us know!