Anastasia – Otaku Celebrity

Anastasia will be on America’s Greatest Otaku – a TV series about anime fandom premiering on Hulu with broadcast dates from November 2010-January 2011. We’ll get you the specific episode information some time after August 23rd. Meanwhile, Anastasia’s unique talents include a penchant for creating anime hair styles. Blending her attention to detail with Asian-style cuts and a larger than life, Gaga-like flair and creativity, Anastasia routinely does anime hair for con-goers and fans, for line parties and shows, or just because someone likes the bold, exciting style.

Produced by TOKYPOP, America’s Greatest Otaku Director and Executive Producer is Stu Levy. The show will debut with 8 half-hour episodes. Anastasia was filmed by the film crew of AGO on July 23rd as part of TOKYOPOP’s TOUR 2010.

What Sulfates in Shampoo Can Do to Your Hair

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known as SLS or sulfate is found in many beauty products, but more so in shampoos. Most commercial shampoos have sulfate because it’s supposed to remove the oil and dirt from your hair. This sounds like a good ingredient to have, right? However, so much talk is circulating about the ill effects of this cleaning agent.

We know that sulfate can clean. In fact, it is used in a lot of other home care and personal care products like toothpaste, soap, baby products, facial cleansers, bubble bath, shower gel, and a lot more. It’s what creates the foam and suds that we all enjoy so much when we shower or bathe.

Unfortunately, because of sulfate, you also can be at risk for problems with hair growth, loss of protein in your hair which could lead to hair loss, skin irritation, itchy scalp, and eye irritation. All these because of the acid nature of the chemical. Also, it is amplified by the fact that we are not always able to rinse out the shampoo properly from our hair. Thus, a small amount of residue is left, and this can build up gradually, especially if you shampoo daily.

The misconception with sulfates is that the more bubbles you produce the cleaner your hair will get. However, the foam that you get from shampoo has little or no bearing on how clean your hair becomes.

You can have clean hair without these irritants if you switch to a sulfate-free shampoo (Anastasia offers Pureology products). It will prevent all these side effects that you have learned to deal with, and are now feeling the effects of. According to the study done by the American College of Toxicology, the safe level of sulfate exposure should not be more than 1%. This means that you should only use shampoos with sulfate in small amounts and preferably with huge gaps in between. Continuous use is not recommended at all. Plus, if you do use this type of shampoo, rinse very well.

From the other side of the coin, you cannot blame sulfate in your shampoo for all your hair problems. You may have a family history of baldness or sensitive skin. If so, then you should really be using natural shampoo products (again, Anastasia offers Pureology’s natural shampoo, conditioner, and hair products). Try shifting to one and see if there is any improvement on your skin and hair. Most likely, you will enjoy clean hair without the side effects of a shampoo containing SLS.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

What High Ammonia Hair Color Can Do to Your Hair

We all want to maintain somewhat youthful looks and occasionally enjoy a new hair color just to perk us up. It’s all in the name of beauty and she is a powerful force to be reckoned with. This is why hair color has become so mainstream.

Unless you are careful though about where and how you color your hair, you could end up damaging your hair permanently. Most box hair color products on the shelves contain ammonia. Ammonia is a known alkaline chemical that is used to open up the hair shaft so that the color or dye sticks for a couple of weeks to one month. The amount of ammonia in the hair color is a big factor in determining what the effects will be. For example, as a rule, the more blonde you want your hair color to be, the more ammonia content can be found in the product.

You will know the hair color product has ammonia because it has a distinct smell that stays on your hair for about 12 to 24 hours after you color your hair. If you keep using the hair color with ammonia, you expose yourself to high level of this chemical. What happens? You can expect any or all of the following effects:

• Damaged hair
• Dry hair and dry scalp
• Irritation, redness, rashes
• Hair loss
• Dandruff or itchy scalp
• Nausea

The problem is not just these effects but the long term side effects, some of which are still unknown or unverified to this day. The issue is not what the long side effects will be, rather when will they start showing up.

You do not have to use hair color with ammonia just to get the hair color you want. A talented and conscientious colorist will choose higher quality products than you get at low dollar salons or supermarkets. Low ammonia hair color is the best. You’ll notice that it doesn’t even have the smell, when it’s being applied, will likely have built in conditioners, and will last longer against fade.

Beauty does not have to achieved at such high costs to your health. Consult your colorist. Ask about the color being used. Smell the air, and you’ll know right away about the ammonia content.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

Posh Bobs – Made Popular by Victoria Beckham

Variations on the classic bob hairstyle abound, especially among well-know actresses like Uma Thurman. Katie Holmes has also been seen sporting the modern day bob with bangs, while Charlize Theron looks great in her blond layered bob.

But it is Victoria Beckham, also known as “Posh Spice”, who has given the bob a newer modern look. Voted as having the best hairstyle in 2007, the Posh bob is shorter in the back while being longer in the front with an angle to it. Her asymmetrical cut has caught the attention of the world. The Posh bob is all tousled and messy but still smooth and sleek.

Victoria Beckham sported long hair for quite a time. But her Posh bob is being copied the world over because of its sophistication and hint of sultriness. This is not that different from the attention received by Farrah Fawcett in the 70s or Jennifer Aniston in the 90s.

The style, however, compliments nearly every head. The look gives fine hair a lift and for thick hair, the weight is removed. The posh bob frames the face while falling gently over some of the facial features, like the eyes.

Your stylist should be proficient with razor cuts, because the razor is one of the best ways to texturize the hair and achieve this specific style and look. To ensure your posh bob stays stylish after shampooing and conditioning, massage with an anti-frizz balm and mousse. Blow dry the hair, brushing the hair towards the face, not forgetting to brush stray strands as well. A wax may be used to spike up some strands. Finally, to keep the style in place, finish off with a spray.

The Posh bob has helped bring the glory back to short hair. Short hair can be sexy and sophisticated with a posh bob.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

Toni Braxton’s Hairstyle

Toni Braxton, 41 year old singer- songwriter, was born in Maryland, USA, to a father who was a clergyman. Her initial exposure to music was in the village church choir. She was raised under a strict religious household and eventually graduated from Bowie State University, earning a teaching degree.

But the world was to see a different Toni Braxton. Her musical talents garnered her numerous accolades and awards. The American R & B singer-songwriter has won 6 Grammy Awards. Her songs have hit the top of the Billboard charts numerously. Hits like “You’re makin’ me high, Un-break my heart, The heat, and More than a Woman” have zoomed to the top.

More recently, Toni was seen in the popular, television hit show, “Dancing with the Stars”. Unfortunately, she was voted out on week 5. She also has credentials as an actress, having played Belle in the Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast” and as Aida in “Aida”. She has also graced the big screen in “Kingdom Come”, a feature film that hit the screens in 2001.

Toni Braxton’s resume reads as singer, songwriter and actress. But she is also getting recognized for her fashion style. Her changing hairstyles alone, has caught the attention of the fashion world. This probably came from her mother, who taught cosmetology. Toni Braxton has changed hairstyles from long, shiny hair to an ultra chic razor-cut do.

Her continuous changing hairstyles have added another dimension to this multi-awarded diva. She has been seen sporting a new look….sans the long locks. With a short and sophisticated do, Toni exudes a glamour that is classic yet carefree. Another look is a short and sassy style, which is tapered in the back of the head with layers of hair framing her face. Her long tresses of her early years stand out in the memories of her fans and many still associate her with this look.

Toni Braxton is a modern day icon. With so many accomplishments and awards to her belt, one can only see bright things ahead for this amazing woman. She is a force to reckon with in the music world. With her unique style and charm, we see her gracing the pages of fashion magazines for many years to come. Her lovely smile, stunning figure and ever-changing hair style continue to wow her fans and the general public. So here’s to Toni Braxton…..singer, songwriter, actress and fashion trendsetter.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

How To Maintain Dreadlocks

Dreadlocks are a great look to have but only if you can take care of them properly, otherwise they could end up looking like a bird’s nest or something your mother wouldn’t dare touch.

Within the first 3 weeks after you get your dreadlocks, expect your skin and hair to be sensitive. This means you cannot wash hair daily, and should schedule a shampoo once a week, at most twice. You can resume a more frequent washing after the first month.

When cleaning your dreads, use products that do not leave residue because this kind of build-up can be difficult to eliminate easily. It will cause your hair to smell if you leave it there because it will turn to mildew. This is because with residue build-up, your dreadlocks will dry slower. Consult your stylist (Anastasia has a variety of products to help).

If you notice your dreadlocks starting to loosen up when washing, you could cover them with a nylon or net to preserve the dreads from becoming loose. When you’re done washing, avoid too much pressure when drying your hair. In fact, you could just shake off the excess water, and allow your hair to drip dry. If you’re in a hurry or the weather does not permit, towel dry and then air dry. Never tie your hair when dreads are wet because it will damage your hair. As long as you do not have residue build-up, drying the inner dreadlocks can be done naturally.

You will need to wax your dreadlocks to keep them in good condition. However, avoid over waxing. Not all dreadlocks need waxing, so talk to your stylist about your hair type. It is possible that your stylist will advice you to wax only a portion that needs it, and not the entire area. Also, your stylist will likely have a wax product they’ll recommend just for this purpose.

Never apply wax on already waxed or wet hair. Also, spread the wax between the palm of your hand so that you have better control. If you apply it directly and randomly, you could end up with more wax on one side, and hardly any on the other areas. Be sure to use a hairdryer after you apply the wax. Eventually, you will need to wax less often as your hair starts to settle into its new style.

Call now to book an appointment. Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of town appointments welcome.

Choose the Right Straigthening for your Hair

There are two basic kinds of straightening:

• CURL RELAXER: only relaxes curls – does not produce stick straight hair, inexpensive, can last 1-3 months based entirely on individual hair and proper care (3 months would be exceptional)
• PERMANENT STRAIGHTENING (thermal reconditioning): produces long-lasting, stick-straight hair, can last 6months with proper care

Curl relaxer isn’t really meant to get  your hair “straight”. You’ll have wavy hair. It’s just mean to do what it says – relax curls. How long it lasts can depend on quality of product, and is affected most by your individual hair. Usually, you can discuss it over the phone, make an appointment, and go right in to have it done.

Permanent straightening is more serious. Get a free consultation to start. Your stylist absolutely needs to know if you’ve ever used boxed color, permed your hair, etc. and how long it has been, to make the best recommendation. Let the stylist see and touch your hair in person. You can often get the straightening done the same day – just be aware, permanent straightening is a 5-6hour process, and it’s costly. So bring enough cash, and plan to stay a while. Scheduling for early enough in the day (e.g. at least 2pm) is a good idea.

Be very selective: The choice of straightening products by stylists varies widely. Some cheaper products produce hair damage, and some products emit harmful fumes (e.g. formaldehyde). The stylist can burn your hair if products are improperly used (e.g. without proper protective conditioners in the process). Cheaper products also can last only a fraction of the time, causing your investment to evaporate. It is not advisable to choose this process casually from an inexperienced stylist, especially if they’re price-cutting (they’ll have to cut corners on the process to make up for it). Pay a little more, and keep your hair – it is worth doing this right.

Anastasia utilizes the highest quality straightening products with great care and experience. If you’re near Oklahoma City and would like to schedule an appointment, call and book one now.

Hair Extensions: Getting the Best Value

Ever watch someone buy a 160z bottle of something that costs a dime less than a 64oz bottle of the same thing? Best price is almost never best value. It’s that way with your hair style, too. Take hair extensions – the least expensive process lasts weeks, not months, and the price difference is almost the same as the next highest level of service. Sewn extensions, for example, cost around $50 more but last 8-16 times longer. Go with locking extensions, and you pay more, but you can just about double how long it lasts, and you can actually re-use the extensions as your hair grows. Your stylist unlocks them and moves them up. In other words, far greater value, even though the price is more.

Know your types of extensions:

• TRACK EXTENSIONS: (glue): least expensive, last the least amount of time (e.g. 1-2weeks) – lowest value – available locally
• SEWN EXTENSIONS: only slightly more expensive, can last approximately 2months with proper care – available locally
• LOCK-IN EXTENSIONS: moderate expense, but can last approximately 3-4months with proper care (most bang for the buck) – adjustable, re-usable (highest value in the long run), must be ordered
• FUSION EXTENSIONS: expensive, can last 5-6months with proper care, must be ordered

Watch out for fruits: If you’re interested in getting hair extensions, be careful about comparing apples to oranges. Don’t jump at the lowest cost only to have your money evaporate after a short time.

Do not skip the free consultation: An experienced stylist who starts with a free consultation is the norm. Just walking in off the street and getting extensions is bad news – get the free consultation. It’ll also give you a chance to meet your stylist in person, which is everything. No matter how they sound on the phone, you’ll be able to tell what you’re getting when you evaluate how they handle things in person.

Keep Your Hair

It’s easy to ignore the possibility of thinning or lost hair until it’s already gone. But hair health is part of overall health, and you can do some basic things to take care of your hair and reduce the potential for hair loss. This applies to both women and men, younger and more mature.

You lose about 80-100 hairs per day, but if you’re losing several times that, it may be time to see your doctor, consider improvements in your diet, reduction of stress, and possibly products that help with the appearance of thinning hair, like Nioxin (available in our salon).

Protecting your hair from excessive hair loss requires some common sense hair health techniques:

• Don’t band it with rubber bands, or tie it too tightly into pony tails. The tension on your hairline increases hair loss.
• Use a wide-toothed comb, not a fine one or brush, especially when hair is wet.
• Switch shampoos every 8-10 months.
• Avoid shampooing daily. That can strip your hair of oils and proteins, and increase hair loss during washing, drying, and styling.
• Use an essence or essential oil on your hair (again, available in our salon). This will increase circulation to hair roots and replentish hair.
• If you’re losing hair, you probably shouldn’t be straightening, perming, coloring, or blow drying. But if you are going to do those, then do it less often, and choose processes that last longer (we use color with less fade, straightening and extensions that last much longer than normal, etc).
• Drink lots of water. Eat healthy. Get enough sleep and routine, adequate exercise. Again, hair health is part of overall health and there are direct connections.
• Stop stressing. Stress will leave you looking like a scalped lawn. Yoga can help, or other destressing measures.

Hair Clippings for Oil Mats

Anastasia, of Style By Anastasia in Oklahoma City, OK is one of registered hair stylists all over the US that have committed to save hair clippings to make oil absorbent mats for oil spills, like the one currently threatening the Gulf of Mexico. When you come in for a hair cut, you’re also contributing your clippings to stop environmental pollution, and save wildlife and coastland. Bring a friend or family member with you for a cut. We can really use the hair.

We’ve got an official account number set up to turn in our clippings, because we think it’s senseless to waste something that can be put to such an obvious good use. Besides the wildlife, entire fishing and tourism industries depend on the threatened water lands and it would just be another devastating blow to people already hit by a tough economy and recent disasters.

FYI: Old nylon stockings are welcome, too, because these are used to make the hair mats. See the above video.

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