Hair Undone

As we've been advising our clients for a while now, the Undone Hair movement has become a thing. No longer do we want a really contrived hair style. We want to look effortlessly beautiful, and the knowledge to achieve it is becoming more widespread. 

                                  

Just as our knowledge of health has expanded and put us more in control of our wellness than ever before, hair chemicals (or lack thereof), shampoo/conditioners, and leave-in styling products and hair cutting and dressing knowledge have put us in control of how our hair air dries.

Some people need to feel in control of their hair, and undone hair will probably not be their thing. If you are hoping that your hair looks decent enough to NOT have to break out your blow dryer or curling iron, then this look might be for you! Here are some tips to nailing it: 

Embrace your hair in its natural state (or pseudo/semi-natural) 

The embracing factor might only come about after getting some hair coaching and a great cut, or perhaps you have already embraced a controlled chaos hair situation and are always in search of additional tips. Either way it happens, it is an important step. You have to be willing to adopt a new routine to have success!

Get it Cut

                             

Today, it's all about having a great cut. You should not have to create shapes with your blow dryer, your cut should be doing the work for you.

Also, keeping the ends from fraying by getting regular trims will allow you to wear your hair in more of a natural state.

When I cut hair to be undone, I focus on working with the natural movement of the hair. I edit what I don't like and accentuate what I do. (Simple, right?)

-For Finer textures I recommend a stronger outline with just a few purposeful surface layers.

-For Medium textures the wave pattern is of primary concern, to ensure the hair falls naturally in place, and is generally air dried and cut dry.

-Super rebellious curly or frizzy hair is cut with lots of hair editing tricks to balance over zealous areas into one unit, being mindful to create space without completely shattering the ends. (It takes a professional, people)

Maintaining It:

                             

You didn't get an undone haircut to put in a lot of hours at a blow dry bar!

Most of the styling is in the Prep Work..

Cleansing

Squeaky clean shampoo looks aren't in, so why would shampoo that leaves your hair squeaky clean be? Shampoo-free regimens, sulfate-free shampoo and 2-in-1 Cleansing Creams are addressing this need. As a general outline, your hair texture and individual oil production rate will determine which method might be the best shampoo alternative for you. Preserving the correct amount of your own oils is key.

Styling

Finer straighter textures are usually in need of roughing it up products, such as Salt Sprays paired with light textured pastes or creams for just the very ends whereas, Kinky Curly hair would need to preserve the most amount of natural oils and also layer on the most dressing products such as creams and oils.

To achieve the correct aesthetic, your goal should (mostly) be to air dry. Polish off your style by round brush blow drying a few strategically scattered sections on the top and sides.

Still on the fence about undone hair? Ask your stylist to help you strategize how you might work some of this effect, while controlling "priority" areas.

-Alina

A New Colour

 Just over a year ago, the environmentally responsible Italian company Davines launched an inspiring new color line that is PPD (a petroleum based product) and Ammonia free. Most natural dyes can’t even make that claim, and even henna often times contains lead.

‘A New Colour’ delivers incredible shine by infusing their color with antioxidants derived from carrots and date palms. Also strengthening and moisturizing with Castor Oil and Caranuba wax, this new color line is truly inspired by nature.

A New Colour offers a wide range of color nuances and is practically scentless, which should please even the most discerning clients.

For A New Colour consultation, contact Alina at edenzadehairdo@gmail

Redhead on Fire

Throughout history there is one hair color that screams just slightly louder than blonde, and that our friends; is the redhead. 

The red haired persona in particular has intrigued us with its representation as those who are loose and wild with their feelings, and who are inclined to shrug off society's expectations of them.

Let's explore a little history, lore and trivia to impress your friends with:

 -In earlier times, the Egyptians were rumored to have sacrificed redheads. (Cleopatra herself has been said to have been a natural redhead, who naturally enhanced the hue with henna and inspired a favorable feminine outlook among her people)

-During their migration to the United States, the predominantly red headed Irish clashed dramatically with Americans, and were subsequently categorized as people of ill character.

-Marilyn Monroe's natural hair color was light reddish brown as a matter of fact. Other mentionable female stars include tap dancing partner to Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers (who shunned her natural auburn locks, dying them brown), sex symbol and film star Raquel Welch, Molly Ringwald (who embodied the firery spirit of her natural red hair in most of her roles) and believe it or not, Elvira (aka Cassandra Peterson).

 - Surrealist painter Van Gogh definitely lived up to his persona by being quite the dramatist (especially in his later years). Italian composer Vivaldi, Colombus, Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain were all also redheads.

NOWADAYS Red, or even the ‘attitude of red’ is allowed to come to its full glory, and we have definitely seen an increase in women wanting to try this look on themselves. 

Within the different medias, we are seeing examples of our desire for a more edgy female model versus the conventional beauties of yesterday (the beginnings of this can be seen with Musicians Shirley Manson and Tori Amos). 

In our professional opinion a considerable percentage of women have been inspired to go red hoping to enhance their chances of hitting it off with rocker Jack White.

(Just kidding...)

Redheads have inspired a  range of intense feelings throughout history, and we are glad to observe this positive upsurge of attitude and esthetic!

The Beach Wave Effect

In hair trends, controlled chaos is very of-the-moment and Beach waves are a beautiful example.

The name originates from the effect salt water has on the hair after a day at the beach; tousled and chaotic yet piecy and controlled at the ends.

Locate your hair type below and follow the tips to fine tune your technique:

 

If you have STRAIGHT HAIR:

Option 1 if you have time to let it dry in a set, Option 2 is more work but a faster option

OPTION 1:

-Towel blot hair after washing and part to desired parting

- Apply Davines Strong Hold Creme Gel or Sebastian Mousse Forte focusing on mid-length to ends.

-Section off your hair into 6 sections (three sections on the left, 3 on the right) and braid them. OR, if you suck at braiding, twist into two Princess Leia buns and secure with pins

-let dry completely before unbraiding (or untwisting)

-break apart the waves by tipping head upside down and shaking with your hands from underneath (this allows the hair to expand without disheveling the top sections too much)

OPTION 2:

-While damp, prep the hair with a heat protectant, such as Davines Melu Spray and tousle dry completely.

-To create the perfect undone curl, use a curling iron, but leave out the last inch of the ends.

 *Rule of thumb: the larger the section, the looser the curl. Adjust section size accordingly.

-Finish with hairspray, and sea salt spray.

-Flip upside down and shake shake shake!

* To amp up the volume from here, spray more Sea Salt Spary and diffuse dry upside down*

FOR NATURALLY WAVY TEXTURES:

-While damp, prep the hair with Davines Oi Oil and Sea Salt Spray.

- Flip your head upside down and scrunch hair with a towel

- Re-twist any areas that need tidying at this point

- Diffuse dry or Air dry

- Define ends with Davines Medium Hold Pliable Paste

- Finish with Oribe Dry texture spray, to create more roughness and texture or Beach Wave Spray, to decrease frizz.

CURLY GIRLIES:

Like your curl? Option 2's for you. Your natural curl's no fun, choose option 1.

OPTION 1: 

-Prep damp hair with Davines Melu Spray for thermal protection

-Blow dry by twisting off the round brush to achieve loose barrel curls OR Diffuse Dry and use a curling iron, leaving out the last inch of ends to create the perfect undone curl

* Rule of thumb: the larger the section, the looser the curl

- Flip upside down and shake shake shake!

OPTION 2: While damp, apply Davines Curl Building Serum. Twist into little segments to tidy.

- diffuse or air dry

- Flip upside down and shake out any areas that need to be broken up.

- Finish with Oribe Beach Wave Spray to decrease frizz, or Scrunch with Davines Sea Salt Spray to increase texture and roughness

Argan oil

For the last few years, many hair products containing argan oil have been among the top sellers here in the U.S. In the salon we get many questions about what exactly argan oil is and why it is unique, so today we’ll do our best to answer some of those questions.

       Argan oil comes from the fruit of the argan tree. The tree is exclusive to southwestern Morocco, where it grows wild. Besides its exclusivity, the process of extracting the oil is labor intensive. Up to three kernels are contained within the fruit. These kernels are found inside of a nut in the fruit. To get the nut, the fruit must be dried and the pulp around the nut must be peeled away. At this point the nut is cracked, and the kernels are gathered. The kernels are then pressed, and the oils are left to sit for two weeks, allowing for solids to settle. Finally, the oil is placed in dark tinted bottles so sunlight cannot deteriorate its natural properties.

       Argan oil contains many vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, Tocopherols (vitamin E) and caffeic acid to name a few, which is essential in moisturizing and protecting the hair. It is often used in shampoos, conditioners and leave in products to repair the hair from heat styling and sun damage.

       Many varieties of argan oil are available on the market. The prices vary with the purity of the oil. 100% pure argan oil may still contain sediment. The value of argan oil on the global market has made the argan tree a valuable resource.