How Dry I Am... and You will be soon !

   Although Winter isn't officially here and we have been blessed with some unusually warm weather lately,Saturday marked the official start of meteorological winter. I guess that makes it close enough for our purpose today. "DRY HAIR AND SKIN", ah yes folks, 'tis the season. Already a couple of months have passed since we put our Summer wardrobe to rest for the season, to be replaced by heavier clothes, sweaters and winter coats and Summer seems like a pleasant dream that we once had. Soon the cold winds of Winter shall begin to howl, chilling us to our bones and sucking the moisture out of our poor, bundled up bodies until we look and feel like mummies ready for our burial rites. Add to this that everytime you get in your car you'll be cranking up the heat for a more pleasant journey to... well, where ever you happen ton be going, and when you get home, you'll want to turn up the furnace enough to roast small game birds.
   Bleak? Forgive me, I get a little dramatic sometimes. It doesn't have to be that bad, with a little forethought and preparation your skin can stay soft, subtle and smooth all season long and your hair can look fantastic. Let's start with your hair, since that is our area of expertise. When making the appointment for your next visit to the salon, make sure to schedule time for a moisturizing treatment. There are a lot of great products out there that will make a huge difference in the way your hair looks, feels and responds so make sure you're taking advantage of them. Your hair will thank you. Also,  listen to your stylist when they reccomend  products for you to use at home. They know your hair and they know their products and wich ones are best suited for your needs. Salon products are more expensive but they are better for your hair and worth the investment.
   Make sure you are drinking enough water. It's easy enough to do when you're sweating it out at the gym or outdoors during warmer weather but Winter's cold air will dry you out as quickly as the Summer sun will and you won't be aware of it as easily. Consider a humidifier at home. Adding some moisture to the air during the Winter will not only make your hair and skin look better, it will make you feel better as well.
   Ask your stylist about covering up your Summer hi-lights for the season or at least softening them with a color glaze. The only time coloring damages your hair is when it is being lightened. When you go darker with the color, you are adding substance to the hair making it look shinier and healthier. Besides, your skin tones change from season to season. Your beautiful, sun kissed hi-lights might make you look washed out at this time of year so it may be time to retire them until late Spring or early Summer.
   Apply a good moisturizer to your skin before your make-up application. It will hydrate your skin and make your make-up go on more smoothly for a more polished, finished look. There are some very good night time products that will hydrate and protect your skin while you sleep, so consider these the next time you're shopping at the cosmetic counter. Don't forget about your hands! Moisturize morning, night and after each time you wash your hands.
   I know, this is all common knowledge that we are all aware of but sometimes we need a little reminder to keep us on the right road to success. I hope that todays message has been helpfull to you and as always, we appreciate your questions and comments.

Add some shine to your style!

   Everyone wants shiny, healthy looking hair. KENRA'S Silkening Gloss is the perfect choice. It's ulta-lightweight formulation tames frizz and smoothes dry ends. Made with silk proteins to add strenght and softness and its Silicone Blend provides your hair with thermal protection, smoothes the cuticle and helps to fight against the effects of humidity while adding shine.Come in and try some today for silky, lusterous hair.

Products for curly hair

   Last week we did a blog about curly hair. Due to the response, we've put together a grouping of products that will help you control your curly locks. Since curly hair has a higher protein content, you need to replenish it's moisture. I recommend KENRA'S Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner These humectant rich products are formulated with extra emolients to rehydrate dry, coarse, curly hair giving it greater elasticity,manageabilty and shine.

   After cleansing and moisturizing you'll need something to tame your unruly tresses. Curl Defining Creme is  perfect for refining and seperating curls while taming frizz and flyaways. KENRA'S Curl Glaze Mousse glazes each individual curl for shine,control and definition while leaving your hair soft to the touch.Both of these products are humidity resistant to keep your style looking fabulous all day long. Another product that is great for curly hair is KENRA'S Curl Spray.Use on damp hair for increased elasticity, definition and shine or spray lightly on dry hair to refresh tired curls.Lock in your finished style with KENRA'S Volume Spray #25. This humidity resistant finishing spray is a six time winner of The Stylist Choice Award for best hairspray.

   As I said in the blog last week, controlling curly hair is all about the product. Come in and let our staff of highly trained professionals help you choose the products that are right for your hair.

The end of the week, already?

   Time sure seems to fly when you're having fun, and I don't think there is anyone that has more fun than we do in our Salon. It is amazing how quickly things change when you work in an industry that changes almost as quickly as technology does. Always something new to ponder, to explore. New fashions, new styles, new products, tools, thechnology, it's difficult to keep up with things sometimes. It never seems to be a chore. I guess I'm fortunate to be working in a profession that I truly love, serving people in a way that makes a difference in their lives. It doesn't hurt that I've been blessed with the most fabulous guests that a stylist could ask for and a sensationally talented staff that cares for our guests as much as I do. I guess, all things considered, life is good.
   With that said, I'd like to thank you for visiting our little sector of cyberspace. Your questions and comments are always appreciated. If you are in the area, please take the time to visit our salon so that you can experience the difference that we can make for you. I hope that everyone has a safe and happy weekend.

Cocktail for thick, coarse hair

You've heard it before, " I'd kill to have hair like yours." If they only knew what you have to go thru in the morning to make your hair behave. Hair that seems to grow out of control when you blow dry, fighting uncooperative curls that have a mind of there own and a constant halo of fine frizz that just won't go away.
Here is a hair cocktail that will save you time and assist you in the battle against the frizz.
4-8 pumps of Kenra's Smoothing Creme
1-2 pumps of Kenra's Silkening Gloss
Mix in the palms of your hands and apply to towel dried hair. Style as usual.
Problem solved.

Hair and pregnancy

   This is a question that comes up frequently in the salon. During pregnancy you are likely to experience many changes in your hair because of the hormonal changes taking place in your body. Since these changes effect everyone differently there is no way of predicting what you might experience so, I will attempt to adress the changes I have seen in my 26 years of doing hair.
   Some of you may notice your hair becomes dry, brittle and more prone to breakage. Although there is nothing you can do to stop this, try to remember that this is a temporary condition and your hair will return to its normal state, usually within three to six months after your delivery. The use of good moisturizing shampoos and condititioners such as REDKEN'S Extreme line of haircare products will help to alleviate some of these symptoms. Products such as Extreme Cat, Deep fuel and Anti-Snap will increase your hairs strength, minimizing breakage during this time.
   Many of you will notice that your hair and nails will grow like crazy and become healthy, thick and shiny. Much of this has to do with your raging hormonal levels but some of it has to do with the added nutrients that your prenatal vitamins are providing. Relax and enjoy these amazing benefits while you can as unfortunatly it is a temporary condition. After your delivery and nursing period, your hair will return to its normal state wich means that you will probably experience some hair loss. Don't panick, this is normal,too.
   Since we are known for our coloring services, it is only fitting that we address the the question of haircoloring and pregnancy. While there is no conclusive evidence  that coloring your hair during pregnancy will cause you or your baby any harm, we recommend that you check with your healthcare provider for the answer. Most Doctors will agree that it is alright to have the service performed after the first trimester but there are some that don't think that it is safe will advise you not to have coloring services performed until after your nursing period has ended. Always check with your healthcare provider and follow their advice, they know what is best for you.

Why does red hair color fade so fast?

   This is a question that comes up frequently in the Salon. I hope that this explanation will shed some light on the subject. All artificial color fades over time, reds fade more quickly than the rest of the color palette particularly if you are having it applied in the U.S.
   The main reason that reds fade so quickly is that many years ago the FDA determined that the red dye stock molecule we used in our industry caused cancer in laboratory rats when you gave it to them in ridiculously excessive amounts. My thoughts on the subject were that rats already have a rough life, why would they want to make them live in a cage and deliberatly cause them to get cancer?

   Back to the subject, the dye stock that they replaced had a smaller molecular size than the one that they replaced it with, wich allowed it to penetrate deeper into the cuticle layer of the hair shaft giving it a better chance of staying in the hair for a longer period of time. The one that we are currently allowed to use, with it's larger molecular size, sits in the outer layer of the cuticle where it washes out of the hair more quickly.

   Another thing to consider is that the very bold, intense colors that are popular with some of our younger guests are only designed to stay in the hair for eight to ten shapooings. So, if you are looking for a more permanent color they are not a good option for you to choose.

   Here are some tips to help you keep your color longer. Sun and heat are an artificial redheads worst enemy. Keeping your hair covered during the sun and fun of summer is not always practical but it will slow down the rate at wich your color fades. Chlorinated water sources such as pools and hot tubs are hard on color treated hair, particularly hot tubs where the problem is compounded by heat. Rinse your hair thoroughly after chlorine exposure or cleanse with a clarifying shampoo and condition, condition,condition. Check your water temperature when showering or bathing. To some, a scalding hot showers feels good in the morning but it will make your hair color fade faster. The same goes for heat styling your hair. Blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons generate a lot of heat. Everytime you heat up the hair the, cuticle layer opens up resulting in a loss of pigment. Try to keep thermal styling to a minimum and you will keep your color longer.
    Talk to your stylist about  having a clear glaze applied after your color treatment. This will protect the hair and slow down fadage.Your best defense is to keep your hair in it's optimum condition by using  professional haircare products. There are many great products on the market that are designed specifically for color treated hair. Listen to your stylist when they recommend products for you to use at home. They know wich products will best fit the individual needs of your hair and wich ones will compliment the coloring products that they use. We use and recommend products by Kenra and Redken. My personal favorite is Kenra's Platinum. Their sulphate-free shampoos combined with their botanically enriched conditioners will keep your color fadage to a minimum. Redken's Color Protect is also a good choice.
   The bottom line is, you will never be able to keep your hair color from fading but it is my hope that by taking this advice it will slow the process down so that you can enjoy your color for a longer period of time.

Salon Only Products

   I was finishing up a color application yesterday when I overheard a conversation that Tom was having with one of his guests. I thought it would make an interesting subject for the blog."Is it alright to buy professional hair care products outside of the salon?"

   This is one of the battles that we  hairstylists fight on a regular basis. It is true that you can occasionally find "Salon Only Products" being sold in the personal care aisles of many grocery stores, pharmacies and big box outlets all across the nation. The professional  companies try their best to prevent the sale of their products from occurring outside of the salon but with so many outlets all over the place it is difficult for them to police the problem of product diversion.

   The problem started years ago when the small, independent distributors were forced out of business by the larger companies that dominate our industry today. The manufacturers wouldn't take the products back so in order to get rid of them they sold them to "jobbers" at pennies on the dollar  to recover some of their losses. These people sold the products for a good profit to companies that were happy to put them on their shelves.That is why you find them among the shampoos, conditioners and such, in places that they shouldn't be but, "Buyer Beware"!!!

   Many of the products are old, well past their expiration date. There are companies that manufacture counterfeit products and sell them to an unsuspecting public who gobble them up, thinking that they are getting a deal. Incidently, when we have found these products on the shelves,  they are generally marked up 20 to 25% higher than what we sell them for in the salon. Add to this the fact that these stores aren't staffed by hair care professionals that can tell you wich products are best suited for your hair and suddenly the great deal that you thought you were getting isn't such a bargain,afterall.

  So the next time you run out of shampoo,conditioner or styling products, stop by your local salon where  highly trained  professionals can help you select what is best for your hair.

It's Saturday !!!

   It's the end of the week, our scissors have been polished, clippers oiled , the towels done, folded and put away, the last of the hair has been swept from the floor and our stations put right in anticipation of the busy week ahead. I'm the last one here as usual, the staff has hurried off to enjoy the freedom of the weekend.The soft rays of the afternoon sun bath the salon, now quiet, in its golden light and I look around one last time before locking the door and smile, remembering the week just passed. All of the fun that we had with our guests, some very familiar to us, some new to our salon. The silly jokes, a glass of wine, sharing our hopes and dreams, our triumphs and tragedies with one another while time rolls along its lonely course, relentlessly. I'm happy, thankful to be in an industry that I love, that I believe in.  How fortunate I am to be in a profession that allows me to feel that I can make a difference everyday without ever feeling that I had to work.I can't wait for the new week to arrive so that I can do it all again.
   Thank you for visiting our little sector of cyberspace. We hope that you return here often and  more importantly, if you live within distance that you will visit our salon so that we can share our visions and our talents with you.Please visit our FB page for the latest in sales, fun and frivolity. Your comments and questions are always welcome and by allowing us to share our knowledge with you, we hope to all grow together.

Fall is here, well almost!

   I know it doesn't officially arrive for a little while but for all intents and purposes, it is here. It's time to retire your summer wardrobe and start thinking about a change of style for the new season. This past week I've already been changing a lot of my guests to their fall palette. As a colorist I find that peoples skin tones change with the season so it is my responsibilty to change their haircolor to keep them looking good all year long. Sometimes the changes are subtle, such as weaving fine ribbons of red throughout their summer blonde in order to warm up their skintones for the season. For our guests with a darker base color I like to minimize their high-lights by doing a color wash in whatever shades will best compliment their complexion or we eliminate them all together giving them a richer, shinier, healthier look for the colder months that are on the way. This also gives them something to look forward to in the late springtime when it's time to add their high-lights back in for the summer.
   So if you're not a guest of our salon, talk to your stylist on your next visit and see what they recommend for you. Afterall, who knows your hair and its needs better than they do?

Summer's coming to a close

   The kids are already back in school, there's one more holiday left to enjoy and then Autumn shall be upon us. Shorter days and long, cool evenings spent remembering the season just passed. It's time to think about getting your hair back into shape from summer's sun and fun with a deep conditioning treatment. Maybe a new color for the fall, a new cut or both. Movemet and texture are making a come back, have you considered a chemical restructuring? The possibilities are as endless as your imagination. At Vincent's Hair Design our talented team of cutting edge stylists can make your imaginings a reality. We have spent the last 24 years making ordinary people look extraordinary so come in and experience the difference that a visit to our Salon will make in your life.

   I know that todays post sounds like an informercial but I've temporarily run out of ideas to blog about, so thank you for sticking with me. Your comments and questions are always appreciated.

Cocktails Anyone?

   Hair cocktails that is. Did you know that Kenra's hair products are compatible for mixing, allowing you to create custom formulations for your hair's individual needs? Here is a formulation that I use for people that have fine hair and want fullness with shine.

   4-6 pumps of  Kenra's Thickening Glaze

   1-2 pumps of Kenra's Silkening Gloss

   Mix together in the palms of your hands and wok thoroughly thru towel dried hair. Blow dry and style as usual, you'll love the results.

How time flies!

   Sometimes I have a hard time believing that I have had my Salon for almost 25 years. Time really does seem to fly by when you're having fun and I don't know of anyone that has as much fun as I do. I'm truly blessed to be in an industry that I love, performing a task each day that I believe in. One that makes a difference in the lives of those that I serve. I'm thankful for all of the people that have allowed me to be a part of their lives, everything from their first haircut to their first dance, school pictures, family portraits, weddings,interviews...... the list goes on and on. Sometimes I have had  the honor of being the last person to give them any attention before they are laid in the grave, making sure that they look good when the meet the Maker.
   This all came to mind last week when I had a young man come in for a haircut with his girlfriend in tow to make sure that I understood how she wanted his hair to look. I know this may sound irritating to some of you to have some one tell you how you should do your job but I smiled and listened patiently to her instructions and after assuring the young gentleman that I wouldn't do anything to make him look stupid, I proceeded to cut a Faux Hawk on him. For those of you that aren't familiar, it's a trendy style that has been popular with the youth for the last couple of years.
  While I was cutting away behind my chair, it struck me that I had known him since the time that he was born. Actually his mother had started coming to me when she was pregnant with him. His father, his grandmother, several of his aunts and some of his uncles, his sister, pretty much the entire family for rhree generations are all guests of my Salon. I watched him grow up from the time he was a "Little Peckerhead Kid" to the young man who was sitting in my chair getting a new style to please his girlfriend. What a fortunate history I have lived with his family and all of the other families that have allowed me to be a part of their lives, living, laughing, crying with them thru the good times and the bad, holding their secrets and sharing their dreams. If  I'm fortunate one day he'll bring a young son or a daughter into me and I can watch another life unfold before me and share in their dreams as well.
   Twenty five years is a great accomplishment for a small business, especially with the economy in a slump as it currently is. It's astonishing, the number of businesses I have seen come and go in the time I have been here. It can be  the ultimate challenge to rise each day to walk the proverbial tightrope without a safety net to catch you when you fall.It makes you question your sanity and wether the decision you made, so many years ago, was the right one to make. I guess I'm not one to measure my reward by the size of my bank account or the material things that surround me. I measure my worth by the lives I have touched and the difference I have made. That to me is more precious than all of the treasures of the world.
   I'm starting to feel the effects of middle age settling upon me, I'm a little more tired at the end of the day, a few more aches and pains and the occasional "old man noise" when I get up from a chair or bend to tie my shoes. Many of my friends are making their plans for retirement. I can truly say that the thought has never crossed my mind. I don't know that I'll ever retire and why would I want to, I'm having fun. My wife thinks I'm crazy, I would like to add another twenty five years to the history of the Salon before I hang up my scissors . Fifty is such a noble number.

It's almost that time again.......

Mommy, Please call Vincent's

   I sent Alicia to Staples to pick up some ink cartridges and office supplies and she returned, wild eyed and frantic saying " Oh my God, it was a zoo!" Everyone, it seems, is part of the mad rush, procurring pencils, pens and notebooks for their childrens advance up the educational ladder. Yes, it's that time of year again. Soon the mid day streets will be quiet, the roving packs of children with nothing better to do will sit quietly, safely locked away from 8:00 to 3:00 in their pursuit of higher knowledge.

   Already our appointment book is filling up and the phone has been ringing off the hook, desperate mothers on the other end trying to get appointments for their sweet little darlings so they can be off to sieze the day, sporting the latest style. So don't hesitate, there are still spots available but they are going fast. And one more word to the wise; Do not attempt this at home.

Blown Away by Blow Dry Spray!

   This is one of our "Staff Picks", and one of our best selling products. Blow Dry Spray by KENRA cuts your blow drying time by up to 25% while providing intense heat protection helping to eliminate breakage caused by thermal damage. It's light weight formula detangles, smoothes and softens, helps to control frizz and resists humidity for long-lasting, healthy looking results.Treat your hair to Blow Dry Spray today!

Men's Haircoloring

   One of the fastest growing segments in our industry is Men's Haircoloring services. Whether it is a few subtle hi-lights to accent some of the trendier cuts that are popular or simply covering up the grey, guys are discovering the benefits of coloring their hair and the difference it can make in their personal and professional lives.We live in a world that is obsessed with images of youth, fitness and vitality.We are living longer while feeling younger and staying more active, well into our golden years.The right color will give you a more attractive appearance and a competitive edge in these difficult economic times where jobs are becoming harder to find.
   Our newest weapon in the battle against aging is Color Camo by Redken. It is a demi-permanent color that blends away the grey and then fades from the hair in 4 to 6 weeks eliminating any telltale signs of outgrowth. The treatment takes about ten minutes and we apply it at the shampoo bowl so that nobody is aware that you're having your hair colored. Give us ten minutes of your time and we will make you look and feel ten years younger.
   Color is our passion at Vincent's Hair Design. We offer a full compliment of color services from blending away a few greys to multi-dimensional high-lighting and everything in between. We invite you to come in and see what our team of talented artists can do for you. At Vincent's Hair Design, your look is our priority.

Help for Fine Hair!

   This weeks featured product is KENRA'S Thickening Glaze. This is the ultimate blow-out tool for creating thicker, fuller looking hair. This lightweight formulation featuring Pro-Vitamin B5, provides a "plumping effect", increasing your hairs density while adding body and control with natural movement. Thickening Glaze also provides thermal protection from heat styling, regulates the hairs moisture content and contains UV protectants, making it a perfect companion for summertime styling.

Summer Fun and Fine, Limp Hair

   A couple of weeks ago we discussed thick, coarse, curly hair. I think it's only fair that we address some of the  problems concerning fine, limp and sometimes seemingly lifeless hair. Summertimes humidity can make it seem that all of the time you spend in the morning blow drying, straightening and curling is time wasted.
   Here's why. Fine hair generally has a higher moisture content than normal. It has a tendency to attract and retain moisture right out of the atmosphere. That's why on summer days when the humidity is high  it seems that no matter how much effort you put into styling your hair, it ends up being a limp, lifeless mess. Frustating, isn't it. There is help.
   Since healthy, manageable hair has a good balance between moisture and protein, when shopping for products look for those designed for fine, limp hair. They will help to reduce the amount of moisture in the hair, making  it more manageable and helping you to keep your finished style for a longer period of time. Your styling products should be humidity resistant to help combat the effects of atmospheric moisture. There are many great products on the market. We will review some of them tomorrow but as always we recommend that you ask your stylist wich products are best for your hair's specific needs.

Non-alcoholic hair products?

   Hmm... I know it's a curious sounding title for todays blog. Hope it got your attention. Should I avoid hair products that contain alcohol? Will they dry my hair out? It's a question that comes up frequently in the Salon. Every few years clever marketing companies come up with trends to sell more products. This is one that first appeared in the mid 80's. Since our industry tends to come full circle every twenty years or so it only seems fitting that the products and advertising will follow suit.
   I met a hair chemist at a hair seminar twenty-some years ago and had the good fortune of having lunch with him.Actually, what really happened was that all of the "Cool People" skipped out of the classroom and quickly headed to the hotel bar in hopes of rubbing elbows with some the platform stars of the day. I felt bad that he had been so blatently snubbed and ask him if I could buy him lunch.His dignity restored, he readily agreed. At the time all of the companies were touting their "new, revolutionary, alcohol free" formulations. I asked him what his opinion was about alcohol and hair care products. This is what I remember of our conversation. According to him, any products containing SD 40 alcohol are fine to use on the hair. SD 40 alcohol, as most all alcohols, has humectant properties. This means, it dries things out. The advantage of using it in styling products is that it does remove moisture from the hair, cutting down your styling time and therefore saving the hair from excess thermal damage caused by blow drying. It also has unique properties one of wich is that it leaves a light film on the hair that will attract atmospheric moisture back into the hair, replacing what it has removed.
   I know it's a little long winded but chemists aren't known for being neccesarily social, amusing or entertaining individuals. On the other hand what great information to be armed with while shopping for your hair care products. So there you have it, it is OK to use "alcoholic" products in your hair. As a matter of fact, it's late on Saturday, it's been a long, busy week and I'm looking forward to a little alcoholic product with wich to enjoy the weekend. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Summer and your hair

   The last few days have been HOT in Northwest Indiana giving us a little preview of what summer has in store for us. Many of us will be spending a considerable amount of time outdoors working on the lawn and flower beds, hangin' at the beach or the pool working on your tans or just enjoying the fresh air and warm weathe. Here are a few tips to keep your hair in its best condition this season.
   Keep it covered! I know that it's not always practical or fashion forward but it is the best defense for your hair against the suns damaging rays. If you're not comfortable with this advice, make sure that your haircare products contain UV protectants. KENRA offers UV protection in a progressive system wich means that with each one of their products that you use, you are adding another layer of UV inhibitors to help protect your hair from the suns damaging rays.
   If you're going to be soaking up the rays in the comfort and privacy of your back yard, give your hair a spa treatment while your body is bronzing. Apply a conditioner such as KENRA'S Nourishing mask to your hair, prior to your sun session and cover it with a plastic processing cap. Make sure to rinse it out when you're thru. You'll be amazed by how soft and silky your hair will feel afterwards. We recomend this once a week.
   Try to minimize your hair's exposure to chlorinated pool and hot tub water. Make sure to rinse your hair with fresh water after your pool session and follow with a good moisturizing conditioner. This is particularly important if you have color treated hair. Excess sun and chlorine exposure will make your color fade faster so protect your investment by using professional products. Nobody knows your hair better than your stylist so be sure to ask them what they recommend to keep your hair happy and healthy all summer long.
   One more quick tip for all of you gardeners. The active holding ingredient in many of the professional hairsprays is a sugar derivative so avoid using it while you're working in your flower beds, it has a tendency to attract bees, flies and other little flying pests. We at Vincent's Hair Design would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a safe, healthy and fun filled summer. As always, your questions and comments are always appreciated.

Men's Hair Care

   REDKEN for Men, high performance meets low maintenance. Finally a professional product line for men that is technologically advanced and benefit driven to give you what you need to keep you looking your best. REDKEN offers a complete range of solutions for your grooming needs that work as hard as you do. These products offer focused technology for stronger hair and a balanced scalp and are categorized by form and control level to simpify your selection. Come in this week and save 10% on your purchase of REDKEN for Men and see what a difference it will make for you.

Comb it over or cut it off?

   While fishing in the sea of my FB friends for questions to adress on the blog, I came across an interesting though delicate subject for discussion. An old schoolmate of mine proposed the question "What should I do to make my combover look better?"

   The answer is obvious to those of us that have been blessed with a full head of hair but for the folically challenged the question takes on a whole new dimension. Remember that God made a few perfect heads and then put hair on the rest of them to cover up their imperfections.

   My advice to those with sparsely populated scalps has always been to cut it as short as their comfort levels allow. Trying to disguise the fact that you are loosing your hair by covering up the afflicted areas of your noggin with carefully choreographed combing techniques only serves to draw more attention to the situation. I know it sounds crazy that by sacrificing the locks that you have left you will appear less bald but gentlemen, it is true. Besides, your scalp doesn't pay attention to the fact that your hair is thinning out and continues to secrete oil from your sebaceous glands as if you were still blessed with a full head of your crowning glory. That is why thinning hair often looks greasy, dirty and unkempt.

   So guys, take that giant leap of faith and have your locks shorn short. Be happy with what you have been given and rejoice in the glory of your hairless fate. You won't regret it.

Summer Hi-Lights

   In just a few short weeks Summer will officially be here so, why don't you get a headstart on the upcoming season and treat yourself  to a little bit of sun and fun with a trip to the Salon. Nothing speaks more of summer than hi-lights in your hair. Color is our passion at Vincent's Hair Design, from subtle sun kissed hints to bold definition we pride ourselves on creating a look that is personally suited to your lifestyle, features and skintones. We can do what it takes the sun weeks to do in a matter of minutes with less damage, leaving you with shinier, healthier and more vibrant looking hair.

   So, shake off those winter blues and come in and see us today. Let us add  a little color to your life.

Curly Hair, Cursed With A Blessing?

   Imagine all of the women that wish they were blessed with long, full,thick,wavy /curly locks. It's a beautiful dream unless of course you were born with a thick, curly mane, then it is more like living in a nightmare. Especially on damp, rainy days or the middle of summer when you can feel the humidity dripping off of your skin. Welcome to Frizz City. Although we can't permenantly change what God gave you, here are some tips and product suggestions that will help to make life a little easier.
  Curly hair generally feels dry and brittle because it has a higher protein content. Healthy, manageable hair has a good balance of protein and moisture, therefore when you are shopping for shampoo and conditioners look for moisturizing formulations that will help to balance your higher protein content. One of my favorite combinations is KENRA'S Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. Used together these products will rehydrate dry, brittle,coarse hair restoring shine and manageability. As always, ask your haircare professional wich products are best for you.
   On particularly humid or rainy days, don't fight your hairs natural tendencies, you won't win anyway. Instead, use products that will enhance your curl and control the frizzies. KENRA'S  Curl Spray and Curl Defining Creme are perfect for activating and moisturizing dry, tired curls, taming frizz and flyaways and helping to resist humidity, leaving you with defined curls and waves that are soft and touchable. For finishing your style look for sprays that are humidity resistant such as REDKEN'S  Forceful 23 that will fight the effects of humidity on your finished style.
   I 'm sorry if my blog today sounds like an informercial about haircare products but if you have dry, coarse, curly hair you know that looking good is all about the products. Recently we have noticed in the fashion world that hairstyles are showing movement and fullness once again. It was just a matter of time. Hair has been straight and limp for too long. Curls, waves, texture and volume are slowly making a comeback. The day will come when you can sit back and smile smugly while your not so lucky friends with fine, limp, straight hair are spending their time in the salon, paying for what you already have.It's a crazy wold. That's the hair business.

Is your hair in shape for summer?

   The gym was packed last night after work, filled with people sweating it out on the machines, no doubt trying to get themselves ready for summer. I know that's what I was doing there and as I settled into a heart pounding rythm on the stationary bike a question came to mind. How many of these people are taking the time to get their hair in shape for the upcoming season?
   All of us in the Midwest know that winter takes its toll on our hair and skin. The cold, bitter winds suck the moisture right out of us. We spend a great deal of time indoors with the furnace running or in our vehicles with the heater on. Extra time blow drying so that your head doesn't freeze, flat irons, curling irons even tanning beds all contribute to drying you out even further. By the beginning of April your hair is screaming for relief.
   Moisture or protein? Healthy hair has a good balance of moisture and protein.Too much protein can make the hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage. Too much moisture, on the other hand can make your hair limp and hard to control.If your hair is chemically treated or is naturally fine and limp without a lot of body, you may be lacking protein.  Thick, coarse and/or overly curly hair generally requires moisture to put it in a healthier state. If you're not sure, ask your haircare professional as they probably know your hairs requirments better than you do and can advise you as to wich products are right for your hair.
   At Vincent's Hair Design we carry a complete line of products by KENRA and REDKEN designed to adress any problems you may be experiencing with your hair. Come in and see us today and start getting your hair in shape for summer's sun and fun.

Don't forget Mom!

   Give your Mom the gift of style this Mother's Day. Save 20% off of your purchase of a Gift Certificate now thru Saturday, May 5th. It's the perfect way to tell her how much you appreciate all she does, all year long.

How's the Brows?

   You've got the latest cut, the richest color and your hilights are fresh and ready for that new Spring/Summer wardrobe but their is something missing. This is the question that could be keeping you from  stylistic perfection. So the next time you're in the Salon, don't forget to ask yourself and your stylist before leaving, "How's the brows?" 

Hair and pregnancy

   This is a question that comes up frequently in the salon. During pregnancy your hormones will be raging, you'll be on an emotional rollercoaster ride between heaven and hell, you may crave strange things to eat and drink at strange times and may find yourself ranting and raving like a crazy person.(This is not a good time to make a drastic style change, trust me it's not a good idea). You will most likely experience many changes in your hair because of the hormonal changes taking place in your body. Since these changes effect everyone differently there is no way of predicting what you might experience so, I will attempt to address some of the things I have seen in my 26 years of doing hair.

   Some of you may notice your hair becomes dry, brittle and more prone to breakage. Although there is nothing you can do to stop this, try to remember that this is a temporary condition and your hair will return to its normal state, usually within three to six months after your delivery. The use of good moisturizing shampoos and conditioners such as REDKEN'S Extreme line of haircare products will help to alleviate some of these symptoms. Products such as Extreme Cat, Extreme Strength Builder and Anti-Snap will increase your hairs strength, minimizing breakage during this time.

   Many of you will notice that your hair and nails will grow like crazy and become healthy, thick and shiny. Much of this has to do with your raging hormonal levels but some of it has do with the added nutrients that your prenatal vitamins are providing. Relax and enjoy these amazing benefits while you can as unfortunately it is a temporary condition.

   Since we are known for our coloring services, it is only fitting that we address the question of haircoloring and pregnancy. While there is no conclusive evidence that coloring your hair during pregnancy will cause you or your baby any harm, we recommend that you check with your healthcare provider for the answer. Most Doctors will agree that it is alright to have the service preformed after the first trimester but there are some that don't think that it is safe and will advise you not to have your hair colored until after your nursing period has ended. Always check with your healthcare provider and follow their advice, they know what is best for you and your baby.

   Sometime after delivering your new bundle of joy, you might experience some hair loss. The amount that is lost varies from person to person and is nothing to be concerned with. It is due to a combination of your hormones returning to their pre-pregnancy levels and the fact that you are no longer taking pre-natal vitamins.Try not to stress over this as inevitably your hair will return to it's normal state and added stress can make the situation worse.
   I hope that todays advice will be helpfull to you.Please feel free to share this post with friends and family. We would also love to hear your stories of what you and your hair went thru during your pregnancy. This information could be helpfull, especially to those experiencing their first pregnancy. As always, your questions and comments are greatly appreciated.

Am I losing my hair?

   This is a question we get all the time. Since the average human being loses between 80 and 300 hairs a day, probably not. The reason that we don't notice this is that hair is a regenerative substance. Although we are constantly losing hair, they are constantly being replaced by new ones growing from the scalp, therefore there is generally no need for concern.
    Things such as a drastic change in diet, medications, stress levels ,heredity and medical conditions can have an adverse effect on your hairs well being. Thyroid problems, diabetes and circulatory issues can cause you to lose hair, as can the medications used to treat these conditions. If you are losing your hair and you haven't had a drastic change in your diet or stress levels, we recommend that you  make an appointment with your physician to rule out any of these factors.
   To keep your hair in its ultimate condition you should be using a professional shampoo and conditioning regimen recommended by your stylist, they know your hair best. A good balanced diet and moderate excercise will help, also. Your hair grows from the inside out so, if you feed your body properly and keep it in good condition, your hair will follow suit.

Two years with Kenra!!!

   This month marks our second year anniversary with Kenra hair care prouducts. Kenra is one of the best hair care lines that I have worked with in my 27 years behind the chair. Kenra is formulated using the finest ingredients available by people that care enough about your hair to listen to stylists concerning what your hair needs. Kenra is made in Indiana so every purchase you make helps our local state's economy. Mention our blog or FB page and save 10% on your next Kenra purchase. Come in and treat your hair today!

When in Rome.... A Look at Ancient Roman Beauty Practices

   Over the last couple of weeks I've given you a glimpse of what the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks did to keep themselves looking snappy, now it's on to Rome. Life was good in Ancient Rome, particularly if you were part of the ruling or upper class, were a good citizen, followed the rules and didn't do anything to upset the Emporer. There was plenty of food, the wine flowed freely, there was the theatre, the Colloseum, music, gambling, brothels... I guess it was a lot like Las Vegas minus the neon lights, a good time was had by all.

With all of this fun and frivolity going on all of the time, it was essential that everyone looked their best.

   Like any culture, they had a definite idea of what they perceived as being the epitomy of beauty. Men wore their hair short and were clean shaven. The look for women was a pale complexion and fair hair. Like the Greeks they had crude methods of trying to lighten their hair,most of them not being very effective,  the wealthy ladies of the day wore wigs made of human hair.Blonde hair came from the northern lands and most of the black hair came from India. Body hair was frowned upon and was plucked, shaved or pumiced away. There is evidence that some of them had discovered the benefits of waxing away their downy covering. If men were overly hairy, they "minimized" their beastly appearance by using the same methods, just not to the same extent. They didn't want to appear effeminate, just more civilized.

   Although simple methods of softening their skin such as olive oil and honey were commonly used, the Romans had many other treatments at their disposal that were as bizarre as the practices of the Egyptians. A beauty treatment was used prior to applying their make-up. One popular mask recipe called for the sweat from sheep's wool to be applied before bedtime, giving off a horrible stench that wasn't very popular with the menfolk.Other popular ingredients of the day were juices of all sorts,seeds, honey, plants, vinegars, eggs, barley, all things that wouldn't seem out of place in a modern day holistic beauty spa. They also used powdered horn, onions, bile, animal urine, feces and fat, placenta, sulfer, cinnabar and white lead, these last two ingredients being poisonus.

   After the beauty treatment it was time to put on the foundation.The native Roman women weren't naturally fair complected  so to compensate for this, they had a wide array of concoctions with wich to achieve their pale, rich palor. White lead was known to be poisonous in those times but it was effective and their quest for the the perfect, milky-white complexion wich was of such great importance to their social standings that they didn't care. They also used tin oxide, beeswax, starch, rose leaves, almond oil,eggs and a long list of other ingredients. They disliked blemishes of any kind including freckles, sun/age spots and wrinkles and went to great lengths to treat or cover up these irritating flaws. Once the complexion was smooth and milky white, it was time to add some color.

   Red ochre was the rouge of choice for the discerning woman of wealth and taste.A nice rosy glow was as important then as it is today. It was a sign of good health and considered attractive. Vermillion, red chalk, rose petals and crocodile dung were also used to blush the cheeks of these ancient debutantes.Cinnabar and red lead were in common use during these times. If you were on a budget, mulberry juice did a fine job as did wine dregs.

   The eyes are the windows of the soul and the Romans liked them large and with long lashes. It was believed in their time that the eyelashes fell out due to excessive sex, so it was important for women to keep their lashes long as proof of their purity. Kohl was used to line the eyes, a practice that came from the east. Colored eye shadows were in common use, like the Egyptians, blue and green seemed to be the preferred colors of the day.In the earlier days of the empire,they darkened their eyebrows and liked them to almost meet in the center, a slight improvement over the Greek unibrow.Sometime during the first century BCE, they started tweezing, a practice that is still popular today.

   There is no evidence that they colored their lips. Perhaps the wine flowed freely enough that they were permanently stained, sort of like a primitive kool-aide smile, or it could be they preferred a more natural look. Who knows? The wealthier members of society did like to keep their nails well groomed for hygenic purposes as well as for the purpose of a complete and finished look. This task was performed by their local barber.

   They did like to smell good, to them it was a sign of good health. Perfume was as big of a business as it is now. Costly, tho it was, it's use was generally confined to the rich. They also added perfume to many of their cosmetics and beauty treatments, the smell of many of these concoctions being terrible at best. Scents were created by the maceration process using flowers, herbs and oils.The best fragrances were imported from the East. Gladiator sweat was highly prized by the upper class women as an aphrodisiac and commanded a very high price.Different scents were considered appropriate for different occasions and were quite gender specific.They were also rubbed upon the body to help with various ailments. Deodorants made from alum were in common use at the time and were scented with rose, iris and other flower and/or herbal fragrances.

   I hope you've enjoyed my little glimpse into the past. I know some of their practices seem gross and bizarre by our modern standards but they were trying to achieve the same result as we do in our modern times, without the convienience of the pre-packaged products that we use and take for granted.You've got to give them credit for their ingenuity. If nothing else, maybe it will give you a new appreciation for the cosmetic and beauty industry that we enjoy today.

  

  

Ancient Greek Beauty Secrets Revealed

   Last week I shared with you some of the beauty secrets of the Ancient Egyptians. This week it is on to Greece, the cradle of Western Civilization. At first glance it would seem that they didn't pay much attention to their appearance. Their dress was more simple and rustic than the Egyptians and their hair styles and cosmetic use were minimalistic. It was as if they were too busy politicking, philosophising and building the foundations of western civilization to pay much attention to the way they looked. But how wrong we are in our assumptions, they were as vain as any civilization, before or since.

   The Greeks prefered a more natural look as far as beauty was concerned. The human form in all of it's glorious perfection was highly regarded. You can clearly see this in their art as well as the images of the gods and goddesses that they worshipped. For the most part,their gods had a much more human appearance than the gods of previous civilizations.

   Short hair and beards were fashionable amongst the men. Women grew their hair long and wore it piled up on top of their heads, secured with pins.Female slaves were forced to wear their hair short as a mark of distinction between them and the people they served. Light hair was all the rage of the day and they tried to achieve this by applying a vinegar solution to the hair and exposing it to the warm Mediterranean sun. Lemon juice was also used. A fair complexion was in style, it showed that you were a person of liesure. They used white lead to make their complexions appear lighter.  Although toxic,this practice was followed up thru the 19th century. They, like the Egyptians, colored their lips with a mixture of red ochre mixed with oil or fat and beeswaw, wine dregs were also used to give them a sensual and alluring appearance. A primitive form of rouge was also popular, imparting a healthy, rosy glow to the cheeks. The eyes were lined with kohl and the upper lids were shaded lightly with earthy, natural pigments. They were also big fans of the uni-brow, it was held in high regard and looked upon as a sign of beauty and intelligence, so the area between the brows was shaded to give the much desired appearance.

   Beauty treatments were simple but an important part of the lives of the upper class.Olive oil was used on the skin as well as the hair to soften and improve its condition. Honey was an important part of their beauty regimens and vinagers were infused with herbs and flowers for all sorts of cosmetic purposes. They are credited with the invention of cold cream, a mixture of oil, beeswax, rose petals and water.It gets its name for the cooling effect of the water, held in suspension, evaporating on the skin.
   Perfume was Prized by the upper classes but they were more intrigued by their aphrodisiac properties than esthetics. That is one of the reasons the Egyptians didn't like them very much. They looked down upon the greeks as being rustic, crude and uncivilized. The Greeks thought of the Egyptians as being intelectually inferior and unenlightened. I guess some things never change when societies clash with one another but one thing is for sure, vanity shall always remain as an integral part of the human condition.

Ancient Egyptian Beauty Secrets Revealed!

   Every generation that comes along likes to think that their idea of fashion is the height of sophistication, beauty and elegance. Since the beginning of time our species has found clever ways to make themselves more attractive to prospective mates, to gain social status and secure the admiration of their peers. With the use of mud, pigments made from vegetation, minerals and all other sorts of organic matter, our ancestors managed to paint and decorate themselves to the heights of the primitive fashion scene.Being a part of the beauty industry, I have often wondered, who was the first of our primitive ancestors to dip his finger in the primordial mud and smear it somewhere prominent on his/her body, thus marking him/herself as being distinctively different and unique amongst their peers. I would like to share with you some of the secrets that the ancients used to make themselves more appealing to one another. I hope you find it as interesting as I do. With that said, let's take a walk into the past.

  We'll start with the Egyptians, although archeological evidence shows that they weren't the first civilization to paint themselves up for a night on the town, they were the first ones that we know of that left an extensive written record of what they did. You don't think they spent all of there time building pyramids and wrapping up dead bodies for the afterlife,do you? No, they spent a great deal of their time primping, preening and improving their appearance, much as we do in our modern times. One of the great but little thought of legacies that they passed down to us was the very beginnings of the spa, beauty and cosmetic industry.

   Any artist will tell you that the cleaner and fresher a canvas is, the easier it is to paint. The Egyptians liked to start each day with a clean, fresh canvas. To them, cleanliness was next to Godliness, both being very important aspects of their culture. They spent a great deal of time bathing the sweat and desert dust from their bodies. They used natron, wich was often times scented and could be worked into a lather. There is evidence that they also mixed animal and/or vegetable oils with alkiline salts to form a crude soap that was also used to clean and disinfect wounds.Their cleansing rituals were perfomed each morning upon rising and before each meal, much like we do today.
   Hair was looked upon as unclean or at least, uncomely, and a lot of money was spent on oils and creams to soften the hair on their bodies before plucking or shaving it off. All of it! Arms, legs, chest, back, head and everywhere else that hair is known to grow. This went for men as well as women. Not only was this a very fashionable practice, it helped to keep them free from lice infestations.

   Once the body was cleansed and hair free, it was time for a beauty treatment. Firm, toned skin was held in high regard as it is today. These ancient cosmetic chemists were masters at mixing up strange sounding but surprisingly effective concoctions with wich to make the skin soft, smooth and subtle. One of the more interesting and questionable treatments that they used was a mixture of crocodile dung and warm river mud wich was smeared all over the body and left to dry. I can't help but wondering about the first person that had the idea to do this.
   " Hey Kahotep, this stuff is all over the river banks, there's got to be something we could do with it, got any ideas?"
    "Yes Menmet, we could mix it up with mud from the Sacred Nile and see if beautiful, rich women will let us rub it all over their naked flesh and pay us lots of money. We will say to them, it is good for the skin."

 " Kahotep, you are a genious!"
   And thus the concept of the Beauty Spa was formed.

  Once the treatment was rinsed off, the body was rubbed with perfumed oils to help protect them from the hot desert sun and dry air.It also left you smelling good wich was important since deodorants had not been invented yet and they got pretty smelly living in a desert with no air conditioning.If you were part of the upper class, before your rub down you might first bath in water containing Dead Sea salts or in asses milk(both being documented favorites of Cleopatra) and have honey applied to your skin. Honey was highly prized as a beauty treatment. Because of its anti-bacterial properties it was also used to treat wounds of all sorts and was pobably a tasty treat on their morning flatbread. A very versatile ingredient, indeed.

   They were remembered most for the elaborate eye make-up they wore, the evidence of wich was left to us as a legacy thru heiroplyphs, funery masks and coffins. The make-up not only made them feel much prettier, it helped to protect them from the hot sun, had anti-bacterial properties and repelled flies.It was also believed that it was a good protection against the evil eye. The predominent colors of the day were black, green and blue. (Sounds a little like the 70's disco scene to me.) The eyelids were lined,  top and bottom with kohl wich was a mixture of galena(lead oxide) and charcoal. The line was drawn well out past the corner of the eye in an effort to produce a classic almond shape. Color was applied to the upper lid all the way to the brow line. The bottom lid was painted down to the bridge of the nose.This helped to protect the delicate skin around the eye from the damaging effects of the sun.The green was derived from powdered malachite mixed with various fats and the blue was made from powdered lapis- lazuli mixed in the same manner.

   Next it was on to the cheeks and lips. Red ochre, a clay rich in iron oxide, was used on their cheeks in the same way that we use rouge today to impart a healthy, rosy glow, giving a more complete and finished look. This same material was used, mixed with animal fat and beeswax to color the lips. Sometimes wine dregs were used  for the purpose of staining the lips, making them appear more luscious, alluring and smoochable to available young pharaohs or members of the royal court. And of course, no self-respecting  young princess would feel complete without having her nails stained yellow or orange with henna. What would her admiring public think?

   Since most of the population kept their heads shaved, it was time for their crowning glory to be attached.Wigs were elaborate affairs made by highly skilled craftsmen using human hair and/or a combination of sheeps wool and vegetable fibers that were carefully woven and braided into the latest styles and dyed in shades of purple, blue and black.Hmm, for some reason blondes weren't very popular at the time. After all of this preparation it was time for a night on the town. Sound familiar?

   I guess that's the point I'm trying to make. Oh sure, the packaging is a little different and the methods by wich we obtain the materials that we adorn our bodies with have changed, but we are essentially the same silly creature we have always been, alone, desperately seeking approval and acceptance from our peers in an effort to be revered, to be desired, to be loved. Perhaps my profession with it's venerable history is more noble than I give it credit for being. Maybe vanity is more than an indulgence.
   I hope you have found todays blog to be enlightening as well as entertaining.It is but a brief summary of what our forebearers did each day, hopefully it was enough to spark your imagination and rouse your curiosity. As always, I welcome any questions or comments that you may have. Next week, I will tell you a little bit about the ancient Greeks ideas of beauty.

History Lesson?

   Although our industry doesn't have the reputation of being the worlds oldest profession, I'm sure it would come in a close second. Since the very beginnings of civilization, humankind has gone to great lengths to improve upon their looks. Our ancient ancestors seemed to be just as vain as we are in these modern times although they didn't have the advantage of the modern cosmetic counter or the luxury of the spa experience as we know it today. Instead they relied on Mother Nature to supply them with the raw materials that they used to adorn themselves in the latest fashions. Finely ground minerals, pigments from vegetation of all sorts and colored soils were mixed with water, animal fats and the oils from plants and painted upon the body and face in patterns that I'm sure left them feeling as pretty as we feel today after a visit to the Estee Lauder counter at the local department store. ( It looks like we really haven't changed much over the years).
   As in our modern times, fashions change, styles change and different cultures have varying ideas of what constitutes the perfectly adorned human form, although without the advent of mass media and clever advertising firms, they changed a little more slowly. I'm sure they were as critical of one another as we are of our peers. I can just imagine hearing an echo from our ancient past. " Did you see Glump at the bonfire last night? He was wearing last centuries red ochre, what was he thinking? Was he trying to look like his great grandfather, or what? Geez, Nobody wears that anymore. And what gives with that worn out coyote skin he had on? Everyone knows that bear skin is in.Hmmph!"
   Sounds maybe just a little bit familiar doesn't it? I guess my point is that no matter how far we have advanced and how sophisticated we feel that we have become, we are still they same silly creature that we have always been. We are all, each and everyone of us, alone and desperately trying to fit in,to be looked up to, admired and accepted by our fellow creatures.. Loved. Perhaps my profession with its venerable history is more noble than I sometimes give it credit for being. Maybe vanity is more than an just an indulgance.
   Over the next few weeks I plan to uncover some of the ancient beauty secrets used by civilizations long since passed.I'm sure you will find some of their rituals humorous, many were hazardous to the health and some were just plain disgusting. It will give you a new appreciation for our modern day salons and cosmetic counters. I hope to see you back here and as always, I appreciate your questions and comments.

Dull, discolored hair.

   One of my guests was in for a visit today and had an interesting question for me. She has decided not to color her hair but noticed recently that the white hair around her temples didn't seem as white as she remembered it being. It brought to mind all of the horror stories I've had to deal with throughout my career concerning discolored hair. Here are a few things to consider if you are experiencing the same problem.
   Check your water. Wether you live in a rural area and have a private water supply or you are hooked into a municipal system, there are chemical and mineral impurities in the water. They are deposited in your hair each time you cleanse. As the hair dries the water evaporates leaving behind any impurities that attach themselves to the cuticle layer of your hair which causes a host of problems, one of them being discoloration. The lighter your hair color the more noticable it is. Clarifying shampoos can help but if you are dealing with a major build up you need professional help. At Vincent's Hair Design we offer the finest in demineralization treatments for your hair. We use an ascorbic acid solution that we mix ourselves to gently rid your hair of environmental impurities and product build up while restoring the hair's Ph balance and returning your color to its normal state of being.

   After your treatment we recommend using a clarifying shampoo at least twice a week to help keep the deposition at a minimum. We carry two exceptional products for at home use. Redken's Hair Cleansing Creme is an excellent product for removind mineral deposits and product build up from the hair. Another great product is Kenra's Clarifying Shampoo. Its special formula contains extracts of grapefruit and witch hazel with amino acid chelators eliminate dulling deposits. This Ph balanced product is gentle enough to use everyday.

   One last thing to consider. If your hair is grey and you have decided to sport a natural look, it could be the sun, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer. Grey hair is not really grey. As we age some of our hair loses its color pigment. When it mixes in wiyh the pigmented hair it makes it appear grey. When the sun lightens the pigmented hair, the white hair takes on a dull, muddy, yellowish cast. The only way to save yourself from this fate is to keep your hair covered when you are in the sun.

   I hope that today's blog has been helpfull and informative. As always, we welcome any questions that you have concerning your hair and it's health. Here's wishing you a safe, happy and blessed day from Vincent's Hair Design where everyday is a great day.

It's Monday, back to business!

   Monday, time for a product revue.How about........Blown Away 09. This is a protective blow-dry gel that infuses hair with all day style memory and frizz control. Redken's Heat Endure Technology with ceramides smoothes the way for a faster, better blow drying experience for your hair while guarding against breakage and heat styling damage. I'm not sure if this will take the place of the venerable Contuor 08, the hold factor is comparable but has a much thicker consistency. It does leave the hair with a soft touchable feel after blow drying, I've not yet tried the product for air drying,so I'm not sure how hard and crunchy your hair would feel should you try it in this manner.

   For those of you who have not tried Redken because of its "old school" reputation, I urge you to give it a try. They were one of the first companies to bring professional haircare products to the masses and have always stood behind salons and the stylists that work in them. They are a true leader in technology and although there are a lot of new companies with a lot of fabulous new products, there is something to be said for the experience of a venerable, old company with a long history of success.