Archive for the ‘Hair’ Category

I have worked in the hair and beauty industry for over 17 years. I have heard countless hair horror stories from women who have had bad experiences both in the salon and at home as well. I want to share with you a few things every woman should BEWARE of when it comes to obtaining and maintaining healthy hair.

IN THE SALON:

1. KNOW THY STYLIST
If you are experimenting with a new stylist be sure you find out as much about them as possible before your first visit. It’s important to know how much experience your stylist has with hair…especial your “type” of hair. These days most true professional salons and stylists as well have a website with client testimonials and a portfolio of some sort as well. Be sure to check out the site thoroughly and read the online reviews before deciding to make a reservation for services. You DO NOT want to be the volunteer guinea pig to a stylist who is still trying to figure this hair thing out.

2. TRICK OR TREAT…(don’t fall for the trick)
There are actually stylists in the industry who make a killing off over charging clients for services they actually don’t need. They want or need to make an extra $25 for gas so they tell the client…”your hair looks brittle, it’s time for a deep conditioner.” Don’t get me wrong, I am an advocate of healthy hair. I know hair treatments are required from time to time. Just be sure you actually need the hair TREATments that are being offered to you and not just TRICKed into building an uneccessary ticket. You may ask…”how will I know if I need the service or not?” You are with your hair 24 hours a day. If your hair was not brittle and shedding when you walked in the door of the salon that day for services… what happened from the door to the shampoo bowl that has suddenly caused this condition?! Oh, I know…A GREEDY Stylist!

3. A STYLIST IS AS A STYLIST DOES
I have heard the jokes about the mechanics who work on everybody else’s car but thier car is always messed up. I have heard similar comparisons to hairstylists in that they are so busy taking care of everybody elses hair theirs looks a mess. There is a BIG difference, however, in a stylist who has not had a chance to freshen up her hairstyle and a stylist who’s hair is just flat out unhealthy and in a mangled mess. At minumum your stylists hair should be healthy. It should NOT look as if some small rodent has been nibbling on the ends. If your expect your hair to be bouncy, healthy and full of life, your stylist’s hair should have the same bounce, health, & life. You can’t possibly think they care about the hair of your hair if they don;t care about the hair on their very own head. Think about it…

I once had a client come into the salon and told me her last stylist showed her a patch of hair that had fallen out in her head when the client expressed concern over a troubled spot she was having. The stylist almost made it seem as if it was ok to have the same breakage spot she did…scarey!

4. PRODUCTS MATTER
You should be very concerned if your stylist uses cheap hair products in a professional salon. A professional stylists product bar should not consist of all items brought from the public beauty supply store. Ask your stylist what type of products they are using on your hair. You as the paying client has the right to know. If your stylist has products in unmarked bottles that should raise an eyebrow. What are they hiding? hmmmmm…

AT HOME:
1. CHEMICALS ARE A BIG DEAL
This is the most important thing anyone who does at home haircare should know. If you choose to apply chemicals such as relaxers or colors to your hair from home be sure to follow the instructions on the product labels. If the label says processing time is 20 minutes on the relaxer don’t leave it on for 40 minutes so your hair gets “super straight”…you may end up straight BALD! Same with the colors. If you desire a bolder look than you get after following the process as it is written on the package go ahead and rinse the color and proceed with the instructions. Consult a professional who can help you achieve the color you want in a healthy fashion. It would be a shame to be honey blonde with patches missing all because you were determined to go all the way blonde. Rinsing is SO important. Make sure ALL of the chemical has been adequately removed from your hair. The smallest traces of relaxer and color can cause major hairloss when they are not properly removed. I have seen it happen time and time again. The middle/top of the head and the edges are the trouble areas for people who attempt to do chemicals at home. They think because the water runs across it the product is gone. That’s not always the case. The best way to know you have removed all of the chemicals is to have someone else double check for you.

2. WATCH THOSE TANGLES
Ok…so you shampoo your hair in the kitchen sink. Your head is in a downward position as you shampoo and condition. When you raise your head to comb the conditioner through you are almost certain to experience some level of tangles. There are 2 options for working thorugh those hair tangles in a healthy manner. 1. Comb through the conditioner with your head in the same downward position as it was in the sink. 2. Detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb. Start at the ends of your hair and make your way towards the roots. This will decrease the chances of hairloss due to the tanlges. (especially with longer hair)

3. TOO MUCH HEAT?
Keep thermal styling such as flat ironing, curling, and blow drying to a maximum of 3 times a week. Too much heat can cause the hair to become brittle, dry, and very damaged. If you have any form of permanent color you may want to reduse that number to 2 thermal applications per week. Do not have your styling tool set on extremely high temperatures. The most coarse hair does not require heat above 400 degrees in order to achieve a good healthy flow. If you feel as if you must use the highest temperature settings here is a tip: USe smaller sections so that the heat can penetrate the hair more accurately.

Well that’s it for now. I hope you find the information in the blog informative. If you would like to be updated when ne blogs are posted click on the RSS tab at the upper right hand side of this screen. In the meantime…CHEERS TO HEALTHY HAIR!

Shalita Heard
Chief Extension Officer
Iconique Hair Studio
3505 JFK Blvd. Ste. C (2nd level)
North Little Rock, AR 72116

Specializing in all phases of healthy hair from hair cuts, hair extensions, natural hair (transitioning), hair coloring, and eyelash extensions as well!

The truth behind…Beauty SuppLIES!

Before I get started let me say this…the primary duty of the Beauty Supply owner/employee is to make $$$$…not be honest with you.  Yeah, it would be great if the “honesty rule” applied in the beauty supply store.  TRUTH be told…it does NOT!  I’ve grown aggravated with the nonsense I have experienced over the years with these store owners. So here is the truth behind the Beauty SuppLIES according to Shalita.

Lie #1:  This hair is the same hair it just has a different name now.

Truth:  Now here we go…if it were the same hair as the other store sells it would have the same NAME!  Retailers are allowed to purchase territorial distribution rights over certain products and hair so that their competitors cannot.   So, one store may have to purchase a different variation of  silky or yacky hair and pass it off as the “same thing the other store sells”. MilkyWay, Outre, Freya…3 different types of hair made by 3 different companies.  *NOT THE SAME*   Indi Remi, Goddess, Hollywood…you guessed it! *NOT THE SAME*

Solution:   Only use hair that you are familiar with.  If there is “new hair” out on the market and you want to give it a try, let it be because you heard great things about it from someone who actually used it…not because the person who works in the store says it great.

Lie #2:  Yes, that will work on your hair.

Truth:  They actually have NO idea nine times out of ten whether a product will or will not work on your hair.  Think about it.  Do you actually think they have used all the products they are selling?!  Hmmm…I will give you a second to come up with your answer…   They are typically CLUELESS when it comes to the products they sell.  The only thing they are sure of is that they bought it and now they MUST sell it to somebody.  If they tell you “No, that won’t work.”  They kill the sale!  So, for every  “Yes,  girl that will work!”… there goes a CHA-CHING!! 

Solution:   Do not go into the store randomly purchasing products suggested by someone who has NO knowledge of hair care.  Instead, ask a professional for advice on what you should purchase for your particular needs.

Lie # 3:  I’m giving you a discount because you are a special customer.

Truth:  The 4 ladies who came in before you as well as the 3 who just walked in, the one behind you in line, and the 2 who are looking at the new lace front wigs…SURPRISE!!! They are all “special” customers to.  So, they will also be getting the same 5% discount. In all actuality it only equates to a partial reimbursement of your taxes.  That’s it!  Not a big deal, when you consider the products have been marked up 3 or 4 times what they paid for them.

Solution:  Hmmm…unfortunately, there is no solution to this one.  Just know that everyone is pretty much getting the same “discount”.  So, don’t be so quick to feel special.

Lie #4:  You are going to need 2 bags of hair.

Truth:  Once again…it’s all about the sale.  You know how I feel about using more than one bag of hair for an extension service.  One bag of extension hair is typically equivalent to one normal head of hair. 

Solution:  There are only 2 instances  I would or have considered using more.  One, when I am executing a full net sew-in.  I still, however, do NOT use 2 bags.  I may use a very small portion of the 2^nd bag for the closure at the top.  The other is for an extra full appearance on a textured (curly) hair extension.  This is a tricky area because I feel that ALL hair extensions should look natural.  The more hair…the more unrealistic the extension tends to look.

The next time you are asking advice from the person at the beaty supply store…do me a favor…be sure to look at thier hair.  Does it appear as if they are qualified to give YOU adequate hair care, products, or maintainence tips?! More than likely NOT!!! Exercise wisdom in the beauty supply store just as you would everywhere else…:)

Well those are my top 4 Beauty SuppLIES for now.  I am sure I will be back with more in the near future.

Shalita Heard
The Chief Extension Officer
Iconique Hair Studio
3505 John F. Kennedy Blvd. 2nd level
North Little Rock AR 72116

Yes…I love Mixed Chicks! Sorry guys, I am not talking about women, but the hair product line that was created by Kim Etheredge and Wendi Levi. LOL! What makes this product so unique is that is was actually created BY women of ethnic diversity. I find that so many women struggle with taming their natural manes. People suggest using this product and that one…mixing a lil bit of this with some of that. UGH!!! SO much money is invested into products that leave women in a state of disappointment. I have used many styling products over the years but none compare when it comes to the results I get when I use Mixed Chicks. Whether you are embracing your natural locks, are biracial, or simply have curly hair that seems unmanagable…mixed chicks is for YOU! Read on and I will share with you my whys:

* The Mixed Chicks shampoo is an excellent, gentle cleanser. No harsh products that may dry your hair out. Instead, the combination of borage seeds, avacado, silk amino acids, soy protein and panthenol soften the hair while cleansing and create a natural, weightless shine as well. You can feel the difference in your hair during the very first application. The texture begins to soften as if someone is breathing oxygen into your hair. The shampoo actually penetrates the follicle of your hair. So, we are not just talking surface treatment. This shampoo, my friend, is the real deal.

* The deep conditioner is a great source of nourishment for your hair. Those tangles you typically struggled to comb out during your conditioning process…GONE! The replinishing action detangles the hair while reconstructing damage that may have been caused by excessive dryness from alcohol based products. MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE!! I cannot say it enough! It doesn’t matter if you have natural or chemically processed hair…moisture is key. Do your locks seem a bit parched?! The deep conditioner is the perfect remedy for thirsty locks.

* The leave-in conditioner takes moisture above and beyond the norm. Not only do you receive continual moisturizing during its use; it also defines your natural curl pattern. NO more frizzy fros! Instead you have a mane full of lusturous locks that are soft, tangle free, and well defined. There is no nasty, sticky, flakey build-up. Ewwww…. So it’s safe to pull out those black shirts again because you flake no more! No longer will your curls stick to your guy’s face when he pulls away from a hug. Now tell me…how romantic is that?!

* I certainly cannot leave without giving a shout out to the hair silk. The name of the product alone speaks for itself. Yes…there is a component of silk used in its making. This lightweight, non greasy gloss does wonders for creating that radiant lasting shine we all long for. Talk about the perfect finishing product! Did I forget to mention it smells GREAT?! Well…it does! It can also be used on straight hair.

Well…there you have it. This is why I love Mixed Chicks! So to all of you beautiful women out there who have searched the world over in search of the perfect product for curly hair, your search ends here. It’s time to enjoy free flowing, bouncy, soft, silky locks that he can run his fingers through without getting cut or having to go grab a towel afterwards from all the GOOK! UGH!!!

P.S.

Here’s my little secret:

Mixed Chicks Hair products can also be used on curly or wavy textured hair extensions!! YES!!!!

I have these products availble whenever you need them.

Shampoo: $15.00
Deep Conditioner: $14.00
Leave-in Conditioner: $20.00
Hair Silk: $15.00
*Combinations and bundles are available*

Shalita Heard
The Chief Enhancement Officer
Iconique Hair

http://www.shalitaheard.com

Let me start by saying this…When a woman wears a hair weave it should look so natural people think it’s her hair…not a weave. When a woman’s natural hair is properly maintained, it should flow so soft, free, and silky that people think it’s a weave…got it? So, what are the most significant factors in achieving a natural looking hair extension?

1. It’s all about quality hair. You cannot expect to purchase a $10 bag of hair and come out looking like Beyonce, okay?! There are many varieties of hair extensions available in the marketplace today. They range from synthetic to natural and even a mixure of the two. You have silky hair, yacky hair, curly hair, wavy hair, cuticle hair, remy hair and the list goes on and on. I prefer to use remy quality hair with the cuticle. Why? Simply put, the cuticle hair lasts longer and does not tangle. Ladies, DO NOT cut corners when it comes to the quality of hair you purchase. Not only does it pay to be beautiful…it also costs.

2. The cut must be on point. The wrong hair cutting tool in the hands of the wrong hairstylist can mean DOOM to the natural flow of a hair extension. I prefer razor cutting when sculpting a weave. I may use a combination of shears for thinning and knotching to create the proper texture. You should not see weight lines throughout the head after the stylist has completed the cut. Nothing screams WEAVE!!! like choppy lines highlighting the placement of the tracks. The haircutting tool should also be sharp. You should not experience ripping, snagging, or pulling during the haircut. Those are tell tell signs of either cheap or dull cutting tools. Would you use a butter knife to cut a T-Bone steak? I think not! The idea is to cut the hair into a style…not rip it into a shreaded mess. The haircut creates th shape and flow of the hair. Whether it’s your natural hair or a hair extension, the proper haircut is a must.

3. Don’t be color blind. If you have sandy brown hair you should NOT be purchasing #1 hair for your hair extensions…not cool. Either go ahead and dye your hair black, stick with the color of your natural hair, or get an extension that will not call for any of your hair to be exposed. Same holds true for those who have dark hair and want to go lighter. If you are using blended tones in your hair extension, make sure your natural hair color matches at least one of the blended colors. The SKUNK look is not cute ladies!

4. 2 bags 2 many. For the life of me I cannot understand why a stylist would use 2 entire bags of store bought hair on a client and think the extension will look “natural”. Here’s a very small but useful tip: One bag of store bought hair is typically equivalent to 1 natural head of hair. Now when you get into the more customized hair extension purchases: How many oz. of hair is necessary for one head of extensions? 8 oz. How many grams do you need for one head of hair extensions? 75-100 grams. In short, the CONEHEAD look of bulky weave is not what’s hot!

5. Oilsheen and grease are NOT your friend. If you desire free flowing hair extensions that blow in the wind…stay away from oily, greasy hair products!! Sticky, greasy, hair weaves are not a turn-on. If you have a dry scalp or dry hair, be sure to treat your hair with a moisturizing treatment before you get your extensions. To maintain moisture and prevent your hair from drying out while having the extensions use a MOISTURIZER…not oil. The oils weigh the hair down and reduce movement. There are also shampoos designed specifically for hair extensions that will not leave buildup on the hair that causes it to be weighed down.

6. Sleep on silk or satin. Sleeping on silk or satin pillowcases and using hair bonnets of the same quality will help extend the life of both your natural hair and hair extensions as well. They allow the hair to “slide” instead of tangle during those hours when you are getting your BEAUTY REST.

Well…I there you have it…Beweave it or not! In the meantime, if you or someone you know would like to receive customized hair extensions by way of sew-ins, fusion, micro-links, interlocking, customized lace front wigs, eye lash extensions, clip ons, etc…I am here!

Shalita Heard
Chief Enhancement Officer
Versatile Profiles

http://www.shalitaheard.com/

Still struggling with finding a local stylist who delivers QUALITY hair extensions? No need to worry. I host Enhancement Soirees thoughout the U.S. During these Soirees, women are able to receive the best quality hair extension services. I provide the hair, refreshments, nice music, gifts, and pampering by way of massages (when requested). This is perfect for girls night, sisterhood bonding, relaxation, or just an opportunity to get the natural looking hair entension you deserve. It doesn’t matter whether you live in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Baton Rouge, Nashville, Little Rock, Fayetteville, Richmond, D.C., or anywhere between those points…I would be more than glad to be of service to you!

So, I get questions all the time about what to and not to do to hair. You would be surprised the questions I get! I have decided to post a few tips on how to properly maintain healthy hair.

1. In order to maintain soft silky hair that flows easily, reduce the amount of products you use on your hair. SO many women think the more products they use the better their hair will look and feel. I have 16 years experience in the hair industry and I must say…that is so far from the truth. In the case of soft hair, LESS is definitely MORE. Use products that do not leave residue on the hair. Once the hair is coated by layers and layers of products it can no longer flow freely.

2. Reduce the amount of heat you use on your hair. Far to frequently women use flat irons, curling irons, hot rollers, etc. I recommend that tools that apply heat be used no more than 3 times per week. The more heat you use on your hair, the higher risk you run to create dryness and split ends as well.

3. Be sure to use styling tools that do not require that you repeatedly have to use in order to achieve the look you desire. A once over using the RIGHT styling tool will create silky bouncy hair.

4. Keep your ends trimmed regularly. I know…I know…you don’t want to get your hair cut because you are trying to grow it out. Here’s a news flash: If you don’t keep it trimmed regularly it will break off more than it grows! I recommend that you get your ends trimmed once every 6-8 weeks.

5. Hair color requires special attention! You cannot get a permanent hair color, high lights, chunks, etc. and expect to continue in your regular hair maintenance routine. The more chemical processes your hair endures, the more maintenance required. You have to keep the hair moisturized because the chemicals will cause your hair to become dry, brittle, and start to shed if not properly conditioned.

6. Drink more water and 100% pure juices. When you hydrate your body you are also hydrating your hair. Think about it…where does the hair grow from? YOU!! What you put in your body is what you get out. It does not exclude your hair. Be sure to maintain a healthy overall diet and you will begin to see the results in your hair.

I will be back in the near future with more hair tips and secrets! In the meantime, if you or someone you know would like to receive customized hair extensions by way of sew-ins, fusion, micro-links, interlocking, customized lace front wigs, eye lash extensions, clip ons, etc…I am here!

Shalita Heard
Chief Enhancement Officer
Iconique Hair
www.shalitaheard.com