Tools and Texture

To keep your hair looking its best and prevent damage, you need to use the right tools for your type of hair. Using the wrong brush or comb can lead to split ends and tangles. Hair becomes tangled when it is not brushed or combed correctly and the loose hairs become wound up and cause knots. To prevent this, you need to know what type of hair you have and what type of comb and brush is best to use on it.

Fine Hair: Fine hair can be straight, wavy or curly. It is the type of hair that is the most prone to tangles. Always use a wide tooth comb on wet or dry hair. A natural bristle brush is best on dry fine hair because it will help to distribute the natural oils from your scalp and keep your hair lubricated and shiny.

Thick Hair: Like fine hair, thick hair can come in all types of wave patterns. If your hair is very wavy or curly, use a wide tooth pick first and start from the ends of your hair in small sections and work your way up to your scalp. After you have most of the tangles out of your hair, you can switch to a wide tooth comb or a brush with nubbed bristles to protect your hair and scalp. Straight thick hair will respond well to a natural bristle brush. Once again, start at the ends and work your way up to the scalp working in small sections.

Ethnic Hair: If your hair is natural and not relaxed, a pick will be the best choice for ethnic hair. Be careful and use a gentle touch since ethnic hair is prone to breakage. Once you have any tangles out, use a natural bristle brush to smooth your hair and distribute the scalp’s natural oils.

Tips For All Hair Types

• Brush or comb it gently before you shampoo. This will help to get rid of the loose hair and prevent any further tangles after you are done.

• Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair so be careful and only use combs on wet hair. Brushes can cause breakage and damage.
• Avoid combs with teeth that are very close together. These types of combs are great for teasing and cutting hair, but they are very hard on your hair and can cause damage.
• Use natural bristle brushes, ones made with boar hair are the preferred choice of professionals.
• Never tug or pull to get a tangle out. If your hair becomes severely tangled, you can apply some conditioner and leave it in for a few minutes and then work from the ends to your scalp in very small sections with a wide tooth comb or pick to get the matted hair released.
• Keep your hair trimmed to reduce split ends. See your stylist at least once a month to keep your look fresh.

Anastasia has professional products that she can recommend for your hair type. Visit her today and make sure your hair stays in the best shape possible.

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

Essential Summer Hair Care

Long hair has been in style for quite a while now and with it comes special hair care needs. How can you keep your ends from drying out and developing split ends without causing the roots to become oily because of intense conditioning? One way is to use Pureology’s EssentialRepair line of products (Anastasia carries this excellent line).

Split End Repair

Fun in the sun can dry out your hair and leave it tired looking and dull. Boost your hair’s shine, repair and prevent split ends with Pureology’s EssentialRepair Split End Correcting Treatment. The Soymilk and Biotin formula repairs and nourishes your hair while the AnitFade Complex protects your color. Its Ylang ylang, Jasmine and Rosewood scent is refreshing and light, perfect for summer. Natural botanicals of Olive Oil and Chamomile reach deep into you hair for maximum moisture. This leave in conditioner is effective for all types of hair and can help you to look good all summer long. Pair it with Pureology’s Essential Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to keep your hair shiny and manageable.

Color Treated Hair

Color treated hair needs special treatment and Pureology has answered this need with the EssentialRepair Color Max protecting spray. Mist this on after you shampoo and you can protect your hair from the sun’s damaging rays while adding needed moisture. You can even mix a cocktail of Color Max and EssentialRepair Instant Repair leave in conditioner for maximum moisture retention before you blow dry and heat style your hair.

Intense Treatment

If your hair is extremely damaged, you can renew and repair it with Pureology’s EssentialRepair Restorative Hair Mask. This wonder product combines Pureology’s AntiFade Complex and the organic botanicals of Olive Oil and Chamomile along with Soymilk and Biotin provide your hair with the most concentrated form of conditioning possible. To use, apply after you shampoo and condition your hair and leave on for 2 minutes and then rinse. Your hair will be repaired and full of life.

Your Stylist Knows Best

All of Pureology’s products are professional products available only from your stylist. Ask Anastasia, at your next appointment, which Pureology product line is right for your hair. You can be assured that by purchasing your products from Anastasia you are getting the best products tailored to your specific hair care needs.

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

A New Twist on a Childhood Classic

Almost all little girls have worn braids one time or another in their lives. Many of us remember our mothers parting our hair down the middle of our heads and pulling our hair up into pigtails and then braiding them. Remember the balls of all sorts of colors and sizes that used to whip around and make noise when we turned out heads? Or how about the French Braids that our mothers did that were so tight we looked like we’d had a facelift? Maybe you spent your childhood with a head full of cornrows. And who can forget the ponytail? This style is worn by young girls and women alike.

This season celebrities like Blake Lively and Fergie are showing up around town with a new sophisticated version of the classic braid. Their hair is pulled back into a ponytail and braided to fall down their backs. This is a new twist on an old classic. You can wear it high on your head or let it lay on the nape of your neck. A braided ponytail gives you another option besides just pulling your hair back in hot weather.

Get the Look

To achieve this look you first need to start with healthy hair. Visit your stylist and get your ends trimmed. This will get rid of any split ends and give your hair new life. Be sure to use a shampoo and conditioner that protects your hair’s color and adds moisture during the summer. Use styling products that guard your hair from the sun’s damaging rays (talk to Anastasia about these when you make your appointment). Just like your skin, the sun can cause your hair to become damaged and oxidize your color to make it look brassy and faded.

To style your hair into a braided ponytail, brush your hair back with a natural bristle brush that is gentle on your hair and scalp. Gather your hair into a ponytail and use a covered elastic to protect it from breakage. Next braid your hair in a soft loose braid or a tight one for a different look. If you have thick hair you can even braid it into several sections and then gather them together with another covered elastic at the ends. The last step is to pull a small section of hair out of the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic at your scalp. This will give you a polished and finished look.

Spritz your hair with a light finishing spray and you’re ready of a casual get together or a night on the town. Anastasia has a complete line of Pureology Professional products to maintain and repair your hair and she can recommend products tailored to your hair’s specific needs.

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

Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage

Flat irons can be unforgiving on your hair. The intense heat that these appliances create can burn your hair and strip it of moisture if you do not use care. Color treated or permed hair is especially vulnerable to the effects of high heat appliances. Coloring and perming your hair too much can make it dry and fragile. You should never use heat on your hair without first applying a protective product to it first.

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Your stylist has professional products that will protect and nourish your hair to make it look its best. She can recommend products tailored to your hair’s style, texture and conditioning needs. If you use a flat iron frequently on your hair, she might recommend Pureology’s SuperSmooth line. Pureology has developed the SuperSmooth line of products to protect your hair and condition it to look and feel smooth and silky.

The products in the SuperSmooth line contain a ThermalAnitFade Complex that protects your color from the heat of flat irons and the UV rays of the sun. The ZeroSulfate formula protects your hair and scalp from the drying effects that are caused by other sulfate based shampoos and conditioners. Organic Geranium and natural Sesame Oil makes your hair intensely shiny. Camellia Oil from the Camellia flower reduces frizz and keeps flyaways under control. Organic Shea Butter from the seed of the African Shea Tree adds moisture and softness to your hair.

Pureology’s SuperSmooth line includes shampoo and conditioner, Smoothing Elixir and Relaxing Hair Masque. The Smoothing Elixir is the perfect product to use before you flat iron your hair. The Relaxing Hair Masque tames frizz and helps to reduce volume in naturally wavy or curly hair. The products work together to give you smooth and healthy hair that is protected from the harsh heat of flat irons.

Your stylist is your best resource for information and product recommendations to keep your hair healthy and manageable. She has the knowledge and experience to help you look your best between salon visits.

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

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.

Children’s Haircuts Need Variety and Style

Boys and girls hair styles can be as fun and as varied as their parent’s. Whether your child wants a long or short style, he or she has a wide range of styles to choose from. There are many factors that will help you to determine which type of style will work for your child.

The first thing to consider is your child’s age. If very young, you may want to consider a simple cut. You will be the one who has to take care of your young child’s hair, and you don’t want a cut that will require a lot of maintenance. Young children look best in simple, carefree styles.

Take lifestyle into consideration. Is your child active and plays sports? If so, consider a shorter style that is easy to care for like a short comb forward style for boys. Active girls may prefer a short bob or layered cut that is wash and go with a minimal amount of styling time, while some may want to have long hair that they can pull back into a ponytail to give them more options.

As your child nears teenage years they will want more sophisticated styles. There are several options available that are easy to care for yet give your pre-teen a hip sense of style. Just look at any Disney or Nickelodeon show and you will see that boys and girls alike have short and long styles that have a lot of fun and movement. Encourage your pre-teen to stay with styles that don’t require a lot of fuss and product since they will still have get to school on time, and they need enough sleep.

No matter what style your child desires, a good stylist can help you and your child make the right choice for their age and lifestyle. Mimicking popular styles should be moderated by tailoring them to your child’s hair type and thickness. Consult a stylist who enjoys working with children.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Sexy, Glamorous Curly Hair Styles For 2010

2010 is promising to be a very interesting year for hair styles. It’s like Independence Day run amuck. Based on what we have seen so far from last quarter of 2009 and coming into January this year, hair stylist predict that curls will still remain a style favorite.

The trend with curls for 2010 is not the tight, stiff curls, but soft, gentle rolls of hair cascading down a woman’s back. It’s going to a wonderful year of sexy, glamorous curly hair styles.

For spring, many stylist predict the curly messy hairdos up in a gentle bun with a bit of hair framing the face. The interesting part of this trend is that it is so easy to do it on your own. Of course, nothing beats the professional touch for nights out on the town. This is because it isn’t just a simple case of “bun-on-the-run” but a more controlled effect with some degree of controlled movement and texture.

This brings us to the management of curly hair which is very important to stay in touch with fashion today. Having curly hair always makes a statement. It draws people’s attention. This can work for or against you because curls need more time and attention. The curly hair trends for 2010 needs definition. In other words, you need to get your curly locks under control. If you allow it to run wild without definition, that’s exactly the opposite of the 2010 look.

To do this, ask your stylist to slightly layer your hair to keep the weight even. The best lengths for 2010’s fashion look for curly hair would still be the medium to long hair. You can add some straight bangs to your look to put some contrast and style. Avoid curly bangs though because it just is too reminiscent of a young baby girl look, which is not a 2010 fashion statement.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Straight Hair Styles for 2010

This 2010, many hair stylists have predicted that straight hair will remain in vogue, but with a twist. However, before even venturing into what the trend is likely to be with straight hair, first and foremost, is the health of straight hair.

No hair style will ever look good if the health of your hair is under question. The most difficult hair length and hair type to maintain could possibly be straight hair. This is because there are no curls to hide flaws.

To maintain healthy straight hair, condition regularly, trim the ends every two months even if just a quarter of an inch if you see signs of split ends. Never use too much hair styling products or pull wet hair. Avoid using a brush on wet hair, and never over blow dry your hair.

When you have healthy straight hair, it becomes easier to style your hair. You won’t have weak, bumpy hair strands, and it will fall naturally.

Some of the trendy styles for straight hair this year would be long, layered with bangs. Avoid getting too much bangs because it makes the hair look heavy, and your face becomes smaller.

You should also consider trying some light waves to create body, texture, and movement. If you are unsure about the outcome, play around with some large curlers to find out if the style will fit you. This is easily removes with a simple shampoo.
The trend for natural-looking curls is going to be all the rave this year. This is because there is a move towards simpler styles that flow free and easy. You will not see too much edgy cuts especially with long hair. Think soft and natural.

For hair colors, again the trend will be earth tones. These are neutral colors with natural looking highlights. In other words, nothing stark or glaring; and no obvious contrasting colors. For instance, a good combination would be golden dark brown with golden light brown highlights, or mahogany brown with medium red highlights. Just make sure that the color you select will compliment your skin tone.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

2010’s Long Hair Styles To Watch Out For

With the Golden Globes Awards barely over, millions of avid fans had a clear view of what 2010’s hair styles to look forward to. Many of the celebrities came out all guns blazing wearing what that they thought was the best outfit ever made. However, no outfit could ever look great without the right hair styles.

What was seen on the red carpet is just an inkling of what hair styles for this year are all about. What was most obvious was the free flowing hair of most of the celebrities, and this sets the trend for 2010.

The byword for this year is versatility. This means being able to look fresh, fantastic, and new. If you have long, wavy hair, there is so much you can do – you could take a cue from Penelope Cruz and create some sexy waves on a layered hair style. Or you could go the other direction and have sleek, silky, long straight hair with stylish fringes to frame your face.

What most stylists recommend is having healthy, long hair that will allow you to change your look in the wink of an eye. If you plan to have a trim, add some waves or curls, layers and heavy conditioning. This will make it possible to carry the classic, elegant look and shift to a sexy, glamorous look the following night. This is what versatility means.

The sweeping fringes will still remain popular simply because it compliments all lengths of hair, as well as hair types.

Women who opted for a bob will probably choose to lengthen their hair because the bob will grow old. One of the main focuses for 2010 will be soft hair, and the bob tends to look too harsh on anyone but young Chinese girls.

In 2010, you can still expect the long shaggy hair to be around. By shaggy, the hair appears to be messy, without really being messy. This means not having the “just got out of bed” look, but the hair that has been put in a glam updo, but in a casual, sexy way. This means tiny fringes of curly hair barely framing the face, and making the entire look appear soft with just the right amount of texture. This kind of hair style for long hair, regardless of your hair type, is easy to do on your own with elastic bands, the right hair products, a comb, and your fingers to pull down some hair to serve as fringes. Above all, make sure to keep the hair looking and feeling soft, so don’t use any harsh hair products like starchy hair spray.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

2010 Layered Hair Styles – Short, Long, Medium

If you want to start the new year with a trendy look, consider a layered hair style. The latest styles are layered, carefree, and fresh.

A layered look creates movement and texture, with just the cut alone. You can often enjoy a wash and wear look that looks refreshingly vibrant and cool.

Your choice of layered hair styles will depend on your current hair length, hair thickness, face shape, and lifestyle. Some layered looks require more attention and time to manage properly.

Curly hair is much harder to layer than straight hair, because curls are harder to control. If you have straight, thick and course hair, layering might be your best option because you gain control over the stubborn fly-aways and avoid the “too much hair effect.” Your hair should compliment your facial features – don’t try to go the other way.

Some of your choices for the layered look are a short, textured layered look with fine wisps of hair barely touching your cheeks and forehead. You can even have baby bangs that are above the eyebrows, long enough to be swept upward for formal events. The latest short layered looks are the asymmetrical and textured styles. It’s similar to a boy’s cut but with an edge. Uneven lengths on short hair are best with thicker hair.

Layered medium length hair is versatile, young-looking, and generally fits all ages. If you taper the back and get some soft bangs, you could have a great frame for your face. If you want to focus on your eyes, make sure the bangs aren’t too long. If you want to draw attention to your lips, ask your stylist for some appropriate layering to softly touch your cheeks and chin.

Longer layered hair will need more time to maintain. A great way to layer long hair is by giving it a choppy look – minimal layering with blunt ends – think Meg Ryan. If that’s not your style, maybe the soft layering with curls or waves – it’s youthful, casually sexy, and trendy.

Whichever layered look you choose, it is important to remember that your hair texture and the health of your hair will determine the end result of your layered cut. As always, consult your stylist.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

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