YOU DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR EVERYDAY??

One of the questions I get asked most, as a hairdresser, is how often i wash my hair/how often my clients should be washing their hair.

This is one of those questions that could have a thousand different answers. In my opinion, it all depends on what you are doing to your hair.. i.e. highlights/vivid colors. There is a dry shampoo out there for EVERYONE & if you aren't using one, you should be. I have favorites that are high end and a bit more pricey, and low end products that you could grab at your local drugstore. (we'll get to those at the end of this post)

Dry shampoos have come a LONG way. There are now dry shampoos specifically for brunettes, redheads and even special formulas for curly girls! I think back in the day, there was a stigma attached to not shampooing your hair everyday, but now we know that it is actually beneficial for your hair to take a break from the daily shampoo. 

I cannot stress enough to my gals with vivid colors/blondes with toners, that you shouldn't be shampooing more than 4 times a week! Shampooing can lead to your color fading out quicker than it COULD if you supplemented with a dry shampoo. SIDE NOTE- WHEN YOU do SHAMPOO, YOU SHOULD BE USING A PROFESSIONAL SHAMPOO! (that's a topic we will be talking about in an upcoming blog) 

If you are shampooing everyday and want to transition into using a dry shampoo, there a couple things you should keep in mind:

1. You have to train your hair to go longer without being shampooed. If you are used to shampooing everyday and are ready to transition into using dry shampoo, I would suggest washing your hair on a Friday and letting it go until Monday morning, then shampoo and let it go for a couple of days and then repeat this process. This process of letting your hair get super oily and then cleansing, will teach your hair that it can actually go longer periods in between shampoos and your scalp will eventually learn to produce less oil, thus, you'll be able to go 2-4 days in between shampoos.
2. Dry shampoo WILL build up in your hair. I suggest using a clarifying shampoo at-least twice a month to remove all product buildup. Clarifying shampoo is kind of like a reset button for your hair.
3. And finally, DON'T GIVE UP IF YOU'RE HAIR DOESN'T COOPERATE THE FIRST TIME YOU GO ON A SHAMPOO FAST-- THIS TAKES TIME.

I am not going to go into GREAT detail about how to use your dry shampoo because I feel like it's pretty self-explanatory. You basically just part in 1in. increments all over and spray the dry shampoo along those partings, let the spray dry and massage your scalp like you would if you were in the shower shampooing your hair & then brush.

 Below, I am going to introduce you to a few of my favorite dry shampoos so you can get out there and get dirty..eh.. clean? :)

 HOLY GRAIL. This dry shampoo is AMAZING. I can't even put into words how much I love this product so just go order you some to see for yourself. You can find it here.

If you are looking for a dry shampoo that makes your hair SMELL fresh as well as LOOK fresh, look no further. The awesome thing about this specific dry shampoo is that it comes in light AND dark tones!! You can find it here.

My salon uses Unite Eurotherapy, and if you haven't ever tried this line, use this link to find a salon near you that carries this dry shampoo. I will say, the only con about this specific product is that it doesn't last quite as long as the other products in this post, but it is a really great product.

This dry shampoo has little to no white cast. It absorbs oil VERY well and the smell is pretty subtle. You can find a salon near you here.

This is probably my second favorite product on this list. It's just an all around good dry shampoo. It lasts for quite awhile and also doesn't leave a terrible cast. You can get this at your local Ulta, or online here.

Last, but certainly not least, is Psssst. This is another drugstore product that doesn't get a whole lot of love, but it is a really great dry shampoo. It's probably the most basic that I have included in this post, but it definitely gets the job done. Order some here.

I hope to hear from you guys about your dry shampoo adventures.

-BMM.

BIG HAIR ESSENTIALS.

If you were to ask anybody who knows me how I wear my hair, I can probably tell you one word that will be used unanimously by every single person--- BIG.

As a bigger girl, I realized in my first semester of college (for teaching) that when my hair was bigger, it made me feel more confident. "The Poof" was one of my go to hairstyles. Not only do I feel like big hair makes me more confident, it also allows me to go a couple days in between shampoos, thus, making my color last A LOT longer! A lot of my clients will sit in my chair and say "I try teasing and it just looks goofy, so I brush it all out" or "I use the products you told me to use but they just aren't working out for me." I have been telling my clients (for over 2 years... sorry, guys) that I am going to write a blog on how to tease your hair AND MAKE IT LAST. Better late than never, right? It's all about product and tools, really. You can't expect big volume if you refuse to use products... ESPECIALLY hairspray. If you follow my product recommendations and tips & tricks, you should have NO problem giving yourself sky high volume!

First thing's first [I'm the realest... hahaha. I had to] These are the essentials for creating beautiful, long lasting volume:

- Teasing BRUSH.

- Hairspray.

- Dry Shampoo. (this is optional and only generally used on "second day" hair.)

- Volumizing Powder.
-Some sort of root lifter or volumizer.

 ~The best way to begin your journey for big hair is to apply a root lifter or volumizer to TOWEL-DRIED HAIR. After you apply the product, blow dry (WITH A CONCENTRATOR) in multiple different directions. Blow drying with your head upside down will also allow for more volume.

~Once your hair is 100% dry, part your hair.

~If you are starting with "dirty" hair, you will use your dry shampoo in lieu of volumizer.

~Use your teasing brush to make multiple little sections on each side of your part/crown area. Along the parting of each of these sections, sprinkle a tiny bit of your volumizing powder. Once all of the sections have been powdered, rub your scalp to spread the powder out evenly.

~Starting at the front of your head, back to your crown (the section directly behind your part), pick up 1/4 inch sections, spray lightly with hairspray and, using your teasing brush, back-comb in a "c" shape. Your hair should be able to stand up on its own before moving on to your next section. Repeat this until you have teased all of the hair above your ears. Now grab the sections to the right and left of your part and repeat the previous teasing instructions.

~Once all of your hair is teased, working from the BOTTOM up, LIGHTLY brush over the top of each section to smooth everything out. You never want to feel the brush on your scalp, as this will just eliminate all of your teasing. This step is finished off with parting your hair and making sure that no tease is visible.

~Finish your look off with a liberal mist of hairspray. It is totally up to you to determine how strong your hairspray is. I personally prefer a heavy hold, but you do you, boo.

 ~EXTRA TIP- IF YOU WANT TO CURL YOUR HAIR WITH THIS TECHNIQUE, CURL FIRST FOR SOFTER CURLS, CURL AFTER FOR TIGHTER CURLS.

You may need to go back through and re-tease certain sections just to get the hair so lay the way that you want it to.

I hope this was helpful, feel free ask questions!!

-BMM

IT'S BEEN AWHILE!!

Hi there, guys! I realize it has been about 42 years since I have written a new blog post & I am so sorry for that!! I know you all missed me 😋! I have challenged myself to make this blog a priority. I want this to be a place where you guys come for tips, tricks and just good, solid information. My intentions are to create a new blog one-two times a week. I look forward to hearing feedback from all of you!

-BMM.

GOLD IN A BOTTLE.. SORT OF.

Do you ever just feel like your hair needs a drink? Maybe your highlights have dried your hair out, or perhaps you've got a pool in your backyard and the chlorine is wreaking havoc on your hair. Whatever the scenario, I have a solution... Unite's "7Seconds Condition." This is BY FAR our salon's top-selling product! There's a very good reason why this is our bestselling retail product---- IT WORKS. I know you have bought a plethora of hair care products, only to be disappointed in not only the quality, but also the claims they make to "do this" or "do that."

 

7Seconds Condition is a jack of all trades. As you can see below, there are multiple benefits to this product, so you really get more bang for your buck. When I tell you that this product is WEIGHTLESS, I mean it! You cannot over due it with the amount you apply. The really cool thing about this particular product is that you can use it either wet OR dry. I mainly use it wet for detangling, being a thermal protectant and to lock in the beautiful color my client has just received. But, you can also use it on second day hair to give your ends a little bit of moisture to bring them back to life. I also like to tell my clients about its AMAZING pool protection! Not only are there UV protectants in the 7Seconds Condition, but you can also spray your hair before you get in the pool to protect your color from chlorine damage. How awesome is that??? You get protection from damage AND it's conditioning while you're having fun in the sun!

 

 

This "liquid gold" can be used on ANY hair type, by people of ANY age! Check the link below to find a salon near you that sells Unite products & go give it a try... who knows.. you might fall in love!

https://unitehair.com/salon-locator/

 

 

-BM

IT'S GETTIN' HOT IN HERR... SO PROTECT YOUR STYLE.

In the south, it's not the heat that kills you, it's the humidity. It isn't even June yet in Memphis and I have already made my husband set up our window ac unit. I just hate working for an hour on my hair & makeup, only to have my afro appear and my skin look oily minutes after stepping outside.

 

The biggest complaint I receive from my clients in the summer months is how to deal with frizz. It doesn't matter if you can get your curls to look like Kim Kardashian, if it's humid outside, your style isn't going to make it outside. A lot of products out there claim to give you protection from the elements but very few actually hold up their end of the bargain. The stand alone product, in my opinion, that works for EVERY CLIENT to eliminate frizz is ColorProof's Humidity Rx spray.

 

Follow the link below to find a salon near you that sells ColorProof products.
http://www.colorproof.com/salon-locator

It is like this glorious, beachy smelling mist that protects your hair from any sort of humidity. I use this spray mostly for 3 different occasions: Wedding/Prom styles, Rainy days & Showers(I'll explain this one in a second.)

 

For weddings and proms, this is the ultimate finishing touch. I like to spray this on after I am completely finished with the style and I spray it on pretty liberally, making sure to get the nape of the neck especially covered.

 

For rainy days, this is my favorite add on to a beautiful blowout or curled style if the weather isn't as dry outside as it is inside the salon. Just a few sprays goes a long way and clients appreciate the extra touch to secure their style for the day/night. (I still recommend an umbrella, because this is just to keep humidity at bay, it doesn't make your hair 100% waterproof ;P)

 

And last, but certainly not least, use this for your showers!! Ok, so, not EVERY SHOWER, but I know we ALL have those days where we either don't feel like blow drying our hair, our style from the previous day(s) still looks good, or you have a vivid color and you can't shampoo your hair as regularly as a "normal" color, but you still have to get clean. (GUILTY) If you will pray this around the perimeter of your hairline & wrap it up in a ponytail holder or towel, the Humidity Rx will actually help keep your little baby hairs from going all haywire while you scrub-a-dub in the tub.

 

This product can be used on ANY type of hair and would make a fantastic addition to your haircare routine!

 

-BM

 

 

 

 

Why Clarify?

As most of you know, I am a HUGE fan of big hair, which means I'm also a fan of hairspray...

 I get SO many questions about how I get my hairstyles to hold. The techniques are simple to learn, but the products are tricky to remove. I was always taught in hair school to not use more than 4 products when working on a client... the only problem is they never said that about myself! I use a ton of product in my hair. And even if you don't use a ton of product in your hair, if you aren't using a salon quality shampoo and conditioner, the cheaper ingredients could be causing you to have build-up that you didn't even know existed! Build-up can present itself in many forms. Sometimes, it can look like flakes of dandruff, or little white "bumps" on your hair strands, or even a waxy coating. There are as million different Pinterest remedies, but the only thing, that I can professionally suggest is a clarifying shampoo. 

A clarifying shampoo basically does the same thing to your hair that a detox does for your body. You shouldn't use them religiously, but once in awhile, they are necessary. Clarifying shampoos aren't formulated to be used for every shampoo. For instance, if you shampoo your hair 4 times a week, only one of those shampoos should be with a clarifying shampoo. The less product you use, the less product build-up you will have (duh!) so you will need to clarify less.

For my girls with brightly colored hair [raises hand] you need to pay close attention to the brand and ingredients of your clarifying shampoo. Sulfates fade out any color, but especially vivid or bright colors.

My two favorite clarifying shampoos are Unite "Weekender" and ColorProof "Clear It Up."  Both of these shampoos are gentle enough to use, even on colored hair. I especially like the formulas for both of these brands. They are extremely concentrated , so a little bit goes a LONG way. 

2015 FAVORITES.

I don't know about you, but one of my biggest guilty pleasures is watching "Favorites" videos on YouTube. There is just something wonderful about a whole year's worth of STUFF being reviewed that feeds my soul. I decided I wanted to share with you guys some of my favorite things from this past year, since I KNOW I can't be the only one who gets lost in the big world of all things beauty.

1. Unite Eurotherapy.

This is a salon exclusive line of hair care products that we carry in my salon. These products are truly LIFE CHANGING! From the shampoos to the volume spray, there is not one flop in the whole bunch. If you're looking for an amazing styling product, they've got it. If you're looking for a great shampoo, they've got it. You just cannot go wrong with any of their products! I'll be doing in depth reviews on individual products in the future, so be on the look out ;)

2. Kat Von D "Shade & Light" Palette.

If you love matte neutrals, look no further! I feel like this palette kind of gets the shaft in light of the "Naked" craze. I personally own 2 Urban Decay Naked palettes and I can honestly say that I prefer this palette. There are 3 shadows at the top of the palette that are triple the size of the rest, so i haven't even hit pan yet and I have had it for close to 8 months. The only thing i will say that is negative about these eye shadows is that they tend to be dusty, so make sure you tap your brush and use a good primer.

3. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara- Carbon Black.

This is my HOLY-GRAIL mascara! No matter how many mascaras I try out, this is always the mascara I go back to. Its the blackest mascara that you can find at the drugstore. It doesn't flake or burn my eyes. I think I could probably write a few pages on the pro's of this product, but, really, you should just run to your nearest Walgreen's or Walmart and go get you one!

4. Bath & Body Works Candles!!!

I don't really think I need to go in depth about these too much, but OH-EM-GEE. If you haven't caught on to the candle craze, what are you waiting for?!? B&BW is consistently coming out with new scents. Between the new scents and the coupons, I totally understand why they have such a big following. My top 3 favorite scents are: Black tie, Leaves & Marshmallow Fireside. 

5. Sonia Kashuk Makeup Brushes.

I got a limited edition set of her brushes a few months ago and have fallen in love! The quality is amazing for the price. My particular set is a mixture of both eye and face brushes and they all get used! Usually I don't stray from my Real Techniques and Sephora brushes, but, in this case, I'm VERY glad I did.

6. R&CO Death Valley Dry Shampoo.

I went to a hair show in September and got a goody bag filled with travel size products to test out. This was one of the products from R&CO, a salon exclusive line that is fairly new. I didn't honestly have high hopes for this product. I thought it would be mediocre, at best, solely base on its "hipster" packaging. BOY WAS I WRONG! This is hands-down, my favorite NEW [to me] hair product of 2015. Its lightly scented, so its not offensive, but it's also not super chalky so it doesn't really leave a cast of white on my oh, so dark hair. Death Valley gets a 10 out of 10 in my book!

7. Elizabeth & James Nirvana [Black] Perfume.

Do you ever go into Sephora and kind of roll your eyes at the 100 point perks? I know I usually do, but sometime last year they had this roller-ball as a perk and it peaked my interest. If I had to describe this scent to you [which is a lot harder than one would think] I would say it's feminine, but musky at the same time and sweet, yet also woodsy. My all-time favorite perfume is Angel, so if you're a fan of that, you'd probably love this.

8. Candy Cane Chapstick.

I know this product seems goofy, but it's been a staple in my purse for years. A couple years ago, I was in Walmart with my mom, shopping for stocking stuffers, when I saw this in the checkout. I didn't think much of it, considering it was, after all, "just chap-stick." So, she grabbed a few to throw in our stockings. Once I used it the first time, I had to go find more. That year, I bought about 10 tubes. I know, ridiculous, but they only put it on shelves during the holiday season and i did not want to run out. Every year I stock up and if you ever try it, you will understand why.

9. Hot Tools Extended Barrel Curling Iron.

Obviously, I am a hairstylist, so tools are a big part of my world. One of my good friends has a Beachwaver [its basically a curling iron that has a rotating barrel] and I love it, so when I saw that Hot Tools (my favorite curling irons) came out with an extended barrel, kind of like the beachwaver, only manual, I was stoked! It is awesome for long hair, but I even use it on myself [medium length bob] to get perfect beach waves.

10. Forever 21 Earring sets.

Ok, I know this isn't really "beauty" related, but I have been LOVING these this past year! Whether it's studs or hoops, Forever 21 has what you're looking for, I promise. I like the fact that I can complete a look and not have to spend an arm and a leg. I'm a big fan of "disposable" jewelry, because I like to try to stay on trend and it can get expensive if you go to boutiques for your jewelry. I highly recommend F21 for jewelry even if you don't shop there for clothes.

I'd love to hear about some of YOUR favorite things!

-Brittany