Hair that shines!

Q. My hair just never looks shiny. I see some girls with great shine in their hair. How do I get that? I have blonde highlighted hair.
A. Super glossy hair is something anyone can achieve with the right help. Here are 5 ideas from Harris Publications, Inc. trade magazine for hair stylists. Keep your hair in good condition. Split ends and over processed color can zap you hair of its natural shine and leave it really dull. Use a high quality conditioner on your hair every shampoo and use a deep conditioner or hair masque at least once a week. If you’ve already done some damage to your hair and it’s looking frayed or over done visit a salon and get a professional conditioning treatment or a semi-permanent hair gloss treatment. The gloss color treatment won’t use any damaging peroxide and will actually help mend the split ends and will add shine. Second, try some at home styling products like shine drops or silicone sprays. The rule to remember with these great tools is a little goes a long, long way. Too much will leave your hair looking oily, but the right amount will add killer shine. The third rule to remember is also about product use. Go easy on the gel or hairspray. Too much will gum up your hair and leave it looking dull. Fourthly, avoid the heat. Blow dryers and flat irons can stress out over dry hair. Since you told me you do have color in your hair I strongly suggest you use a thermal protector product in your hair every time you blow dry and flat iron. These products are really effective at limiting the damage done by heat. Lastly, talk to your stylist about color. Be sure you are getting the color highlights that will add shine and reflect light. You may want to consider getting a clear gloss or a semi-permanent color. Both of these will seal you hair’s cuticle and add shine. For the readers who currently don’t have color in their hair but want shine I suggest some professional color. A boost of highlight adds brightness and shine to any style. Dark hair absorbs light but if you add a few panels of a lighter shade you’ll get reflection of light which adds shine. Love your dark color and don’t want any light color added? Dark hair really benefits from the clear gloss treatments. It can leave it looking like glass. Try these steps and you are sure to find the shine you are looking for.

Great hair for guys

Q. Last week you answered a question about fall styles for a student. My son is a college student and he wanted me to write in and ask you what’s hot this year for men’s hair?
A. That’s a fun question because I get asked far less about men and men’s styles. According to Fashion Trend’s Website young college age men are opting for fringe (or bangs) this season. All the runway shows have young men in a more masculine version of the ladies long front fringe (or long front bang). This look features a shorter back and side cut with front fringe. The length of these bangs varies so it’s an easy style to customize to a specific face shape. Most of the time the bangs are side swept. The other key item in men’s hair for the fall is texture. Cutting in texture and even embracing some wave are all popular. Using hair styling product properly will give these trendy men’s styles the right mix of texture and ease. Be sure to have your son ask his stylist to give him a quick lesson in how to use product (like gel, paste or spray) to best manage his hair texture and style. Another really popular look this year for men of all ages, young and not so young is the slick back. This year’s Ralph Lauren catalog shows nearly all its male models in this classic look. Its fun and upkeep and styling are very easy which makes it a good choice for a busy student, a top executive or just a man with an eye for style. Guys with straight hair will want their slick back style with more length on top while men with wavy or curly hair will want a shorter more textured version. This style can have a definite part line or can be nearly part-less with a slick back from the forehead and sides. Men are getting color more and more as well. Color helps bring out the look of layers and texture and adds some kick to any hair cut. All-over blonde for men is very popular this season but is usually best with a polished style like the slick back while color layering and tips are best for the fringe or textured styles. No matter what style your son chooses it’s great to see men take an interest in hair and fashion. In the past, the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s men paid great attention to clothing, hair, fashion, even their hats. Its fun to see men involved in there appearance again. One only needs to check out the pop music stars or TV shows to see men are wearing hair again. The just buzz it off look is a thing of the past, unless you take it all the way off to bald and that is still hot.

Fall Hair

Q. My daughter and I always fight about her hair and the styles that she wants to wear when to school. What do you suggest for back to school hair styles?

A. I will assume since you are arguing with your daughter in the mornings about her hair that she is not a college student. Beyond that assumption I have no idea from your question how old your daughter is. Hair style is an age appropriate issue. I can only give you some broad advice and suggestions on this topic. Elementary students have energetic days. They also usually require some help getting ready in the mornings. Keeping her hair from restricting her ability to work at a desk with her head looking down, being able to actively play and looking fun are all considerations for young girls. Right now ponytails and pigtails are all the rage, even for older girls. These are great choices for younger girls as well. Make her hair fun with hair accessories. Barrettes, headbands and shorter bangs are all popular options as well. If your daughter has curly hair or hair that is difficult to brush in the mornings keep a spray bottle ready with a mixture of water and a small amount of hair conditioner. Spray the hair until it’s damp and combing or brushing will go smoothly. If you need to blow dry the style it will be easier and quicker if you shampoo the night before and simply use the spray to dampen it the next morning. Junior High girls are a different story. These tween girls want to look like the older girls but still need some help in the mornings and still have very active school days. Teach her how to do a pony tail with some height on top. It’s easy you just tease the top and crown then smooth the hair into a pony. Right now it’s popular to wear a thin headband and a ponytail. If you daughter is looking for a fun new hairstyle have her try layers and some bangs (or fringe as we call it in the biz). Girls in this age group are often very active and busy with after school activities as well. You’ll want to be sure whatever she wears can last through the long school day and post school activities. High School girls tend to know what’s in style and they all want to look like most of their friends. They fall into one of two categories. The girls who want to sleep as long as possible and get up and get ready fast, these gals may also be athletes who need quick easy hair or the girls who want to play and fuss and can be a bathroom hog. I suggest to make morning easier with a teenager you assume they will need a lot of time and space to get ready. A simple purchase of a vanity mirror and a place to do their hair in their room could save you a lot of morning stress. If your daughter is taking up a lot of time attempting new styles invest in a salon visit and let a stylist give her instruction on quick and easy ways to get “the look” she’s after. All hair styles at any age have three major considerations. The time it takes to style, the money it takes for upkeep, and the personality of the wearer. In the end, like so many things preparation ahead of time and the proper tools and supplies all make the job easier. Good Luck, have a great school year.