It’s no secret that a few hours spent at the hair salon can have dramatic effects on your mood. While a fab new ‘do will leave you soaring in a matter of minutes, a style that doesn’t quite make the cut is cause for an even swifter crash landing. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent those mood-plummeting salon days and even more ways to keep you flying high long past your stylist’s talented hands.
Whether you’re blessed with full, natural waves, pin-straight tresses or Shirley Temple’s curls, ensuring that your trip to the hair salon delivers the results you crave is as easy as a few simple steps. We’ve teamed up with some of San Diego’s premier hair stylists to bring you the how-to’s and the what-not’s of the hair salon world. Armed with the key to fabulous hair, unlocking your gorgeous locks is only a phone call away.
Keep It Realistic
Your hair is as unique as you are, and while your hair stylist can definitely work some magic, he is no Harry Potter. Your genes are your genes, and even the most talented of hair specialists can’t change that. According to Ashlee Dorsey, stylist at Diesel Salon in Kensington, it’s important to consider this when preparing for your hair appointment. “For any service, have realistic expectations for yourself,” says Dorsey. “If you have fine hair, don’t choose a photo with really thick curly hair.” This might seem obvious, but hair professionals claim that impractical hair expectations are among the most common factors in post-appointment disappointment.
Hair stylist Jet Rhys of Jet Rhys Hair also suggests taking caution with the photos you choose to bring along. “Always look for a photo of someone with a similar hair texture and face shape to your own,” says Rhys. Establishing realistic goals and being able to exhibit specific examples will provide your stylist with a clear idea of the result you’re looking for without forcing him to break the bad news of ‘it aint’ possible, hon.’
Additionally, in order to deliver the best results, your stylist needs to be acquainted with your hair at its most natural state. Dorsey finds it helpful when clients come in for a consultation with hair styled as they would normally style it. This provides her with a better idea of the day-to-day texture of their hair. Rhys admits that the ability to clearly see what your hair texture represents when you style it at home is a good starting point for the direction of your services. And when it comes to your hair, we’re sure the only direction you’re looking to go is the gorgeous one.
Color Me Beautiful
You’ve been aware of the remarkable effects a dash of color can have on pretty much anything since first-grade art class. Now, you utilize these properties every time you apply makeup or choose a bright yellow handbag to vamp up an outfit. Your hair is definitely no exception to the color rule. Whether you’re looking for a dramatic change or simply hoping to add some vibrancy to your coif, a color treatment is one of the most expedient hair services available, and has the potential to deliver terrific results. However, coloring inside the lines takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to your hair, so if you decide to go the hair dye route, there are some important steps to keep in mind.
While at-home boxes might save you some cash, it’s usually best to make an appointment with a professional colorist rather than risk emerging from the tub with hair fit for Ronald McDonald — a mistake that is sure to cancel out any cash you managed to save with the box. Before making the appointment, work out exactly what you’re looking for in terms of the ultimate result of the color service and look for photos that illustrate that look. Additionally, Dorsey recommends skipping the shampoo before heading in for a color treatment to avoid irritating your scalp.
Once your color treatment is complete and the fabulous new you emerges, keep your color vibrant by following a few simple steps. To avoid color fading, Rhys advises keeping the hair-washing to a minimum. However, if a daily shower is unavoidable (after all, you do have a beach bod to maintain) Rhys suggests using a color-safe shampoo or simply rinsing with a touch of conditioner to prolong the color. And just like you use UV protection to protect your skin, you should do the same for your colored hair. Invest in a styling product that contains UV filters, which will act as a sunscreen for your hair. Rhys suggests Davines NouNou Shampoo to protect against sun damage. For devoted beach bums, he suggests applying Davines Well Being De Stress Yogurt Buffer Gel before a day in the sun in order to protect your brilliant color from harmful UV rays, salt and chlorine damage.
Another member of the Diesel Salon team, Gianina Contin, agrees that choosing UV protecting products is important to the life and vibrancy to any color. She says that UV filters (try L’Oreal Delicate Color Sulfate Free Shampoo) allow vitamins and nutrients to soak into the center of your hair strands, nourishing and protecting your hair form the inside out.
Keeping Up Appearances
As awesome as it would be to bring your hair stylist home with you, that’s usually not an option. While a select few might respond well to bribes (it’s worth a shot, right?), there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be on your own once you depart the comfort of your hair stylist’s skilled hands and creative insight. Fortunately, a good stylist will never leave you with a hot new ‘do and no idea how it got there. “At Diesel Salon, we believe in educating our clients on their style and at-home products that fit their needs,” says salon owner Candice Buckett. Pay close attention to the techniques your stylist carries out while working with your hair, and take note of any specific products she might use. You might want to consider purchasing the same products before you leave the salon. “Products are truly key,” says Buckett.
Of course, no matter what products you use, there is no way to entirely prevent the need for a salon touch-up. According to Rhys, even the healthiest hair needs to be trimmed regularly in order to prevent split-ends and promote radiant shine. Haircuts generally lose shape within eight weeks. Be sure to schedule your next appointment well in advance to keep locks looking brilliant. Buckett agrees that six to eight weeks should make the cut for longer layers, but recommends touch-ups every three to five weeks for short cuts, which usually require more texturizing and detailing.
No one denies that multiple trips to the salon can leave a huge dent in your bank account. If you’re looking to save some cash, Contin suggests using Bumble and Bumble Color Support Shampoo and Conditioner, which can give you up to two weeks extra time before needing a color touch-up. Rhys suggests alternating tint and root touch-ups with highlight appointments to keep your color vibrant while not emptying your wallet. Highlighted blondies in particular should schedule a cash-friendly Vitamin C treatment in between their regular highlighting services to keep color bright.
Most importantly, don’t be shy to ask any questions you might have. Your stylist wants you to love your look three showers later just as much as you do. “Ask questions!” says Rhys. Let your stylist know how much time and effort you can usually afford to put in each day to style your hair. A good stylist will show you easy techniques and will suggest products for your hair that will allow you to keep up a salon-quality look without spending hours in front of the mirror. Of course, with gorgeous new hair to look at, we understand if you can’t help it.
To learn more about product recommendations and hair services by Jet Rhys and the qualified team of salon professionals at Diesel Salon, discover their San Diego locations for a free consultation and to meet the stylists themselves!
