Hair Surgery! Ask us a question!

This week's Hair Surgery blog is about colour.

We have a great question from Olivia who is concerned about her hair taking on a yellowy tinge after she has had it 'bleached'.

Q: Hey, Every time I get my hair bleached its great for about a week but then it starts going really yellowy and looks awful! What can I do?

A: Hi there Olivia, thanks for getting in touch. My name is Ben, Stylist at The Vinery and I will be answering your query today.

It is possible that the Stylist is not lifting your natural colour light enough for the toner that has been chosen. The other possibility is that your hair is porous and the toner isn't holding well. Intensive Conditioning Treatments such as Sebastian Penetraitt or Sebastian Hydre used regularly (weekly) on your hair as part of your cleansing routine will help to restore your hair's condition which will help the toner to last longer but it is important to understand that toners do fade with time. I would recommend using a silver shampoo and/or conditioner (with a violet base) once the toner has faded to counteract any yellow tones to tide you over until your next Colour appointment.

Hope this helps! 

Ben x 

Hair Surgery! Ask us a question!

This is our first Q & A “Hair Surgery” blog where people can ask our Creative Designer Gavin Blagbrough for advice on their hair emergencies!

Our first question for the Hair Surgery is from Daisy who is struggling with frizz control 😖

Q:

Hi there, I am having so many problems with styling my hair due to the humidity during the summer, its really frizzy………help!

A:

Hi Daisy, first of all you need to prep your hair with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner, either a moisture-based product such as the SP Luxe Oil Keratin Protect Shampoo for thicker unruly hair or a shine-based one for finer such as Sebastian Trilliant Shampoo. Then use smoothing or straightening balm on towel dried hair through the lengths and ends, you can also apply an oil product during this process, I prefer to use SP Luxe Oil (as it combines Jojoba, Argan and Almond oil to reconstruct the hair fibre) then blow-dry your hair on a medium heat and speed, drying the hair down the hair shaft, smoothing and flattening the cuticle ideally using a heat retaining large round brush or large paddle brush – going over any troublesome areas with a straightening iron such as the Cloud9 Touch whilst slowly/gently curving the ends. Finish by gently blasting the hair with a cool drier and then finish with a light spritz of hairspray such as Reshaper Sebastian and a final brush through to release the hair’s natural movement.

Gavin x

Product Review..By our Clients for our Clients!

This month, Charles Coombs has kindly reviewed and rated the “Alterna Bamboo Men Thickening Gel Lotion” and here is what he had to say about it:

“Gentlemen, is this the answer to your premature balding or a help with covering up that grey?….NO!!!

This product does neither nor does it claim to. In fact this product helps you make the best of what you have. Apply a small amount to towel-dried hair then use your hairdryer to dry and style, step back and admire the results.

I was impressed that there were noticeable results on the first use, my hair felt thicker, was easier to style and held all day. Following continued use my hair felt much thicker (as if by magic I had more), I was using less product to hold it as the product has a holding power too. The only drawback (negative) is that it does need the heat from the hairdryer to activate the thickening properties, so if you like to roll out of bed in to the shower, quick towel off and run out the door then this product isn’t for you. You will have to adapt your morning routine to allow 5 minutes under the dryer.

I must say this is one of the best products I have used and now forms part of my daily routine. The other plus is that it is an ideal holiday product as it has SPF 15 protection. 

I would rate this product overall 4.5 out of 5!

Thanks, Charles”

So a huge thank you to Charles for his feedback on the Alterna Bamboo Men Thickening Gel Lotion – as a Salon it is important for us to hear how clients feel about the products they are using, good or bad, and we are very grateful to Charles for such an insightful and honest review!

Holiday Hair…

The holiday / festival season has begun in earnest and we have some crucial hints and tips for those wanting to stay ahead of the hair fashion game as well as looking after your hair in the sun.

On Trend:

As always, braids are top of the heap with last year’s milkmaid look taking on a whole new freshness for 2014. Accessorising your braids are a must with discreet feathers, beads, ribbons and flowers – think boho rather than bridal!

Tousled waves, created with a large heated barrel curler, can give you that instant ‘just from the beach’ look without having to cover yourself in salt and sand! Use the Cloud9 Waving Wand to achieve this look combined with Alterna Beach Bamboo Summer Ocean Waves texturising spray.

Top Knots are so last year! Instead go for grown-up bunches with a twist, add in extra bands to give them definition or twist in some beads for a playful edge..

Keep it Safe:

Heat Protection is a must – whether in the sun or not. We cannot stress enough the importance of using a good protection product for your hair to protect it from weather elements as well as hairdryers, irons and wands; heres our pick of some of the best…

Sebastian Trilliant - This product is shaken to activate the complex that protects the hair from heat damage. Sebastian Trilliant Thermal Protection Spray retails at £19.60.

Neal & Wolf Guard - Silk Proteins help to lock in moisture, protecting hair from 220 degree heat. Guard Heat Protection Spray is  available for £11.95.

Alterna Anti-Breakage Thermal Protectant Spray - Protects from up to 220 degree heat and reduces damage by 87% by  locking in essential proteins and nutrients whilst also forming a protective barrier to prevent future damage. Alterna Anti-Breakage Thermal Protectant Spray retails at £23.00.

Wella Thermal Image - Shields the hair from heat damage caused by styling irons and dryers. Wella Thermal Image Protection Spray is available at £11.00.

Cloud 9 Magical Quick Dry Potion - Halves the drying time of hair – another shake to activate product that conditions   and protects the hair as well as helping to eliminate any troublesome frizz! This product retails at £17.95.

However, the most important way to keep your hair healthy, especially during the holidays is to make sure that you have regular cuts!

Have a Happy Summer!

The Vinery x

Great Length Hair is coming to The Vinery!

The Vinery Hair Salon is delighted to announce that from July 2014 we will be offering Great Lengths Hair Extensions!

Great Lengths are world-leaders in Hair Extensions and can not only be added for length but for volume and thickness too as well as colour enhancement.

Great Lengths offer 50 different shades as well as free-flowing bespoke colour including a fantastic range of pastels. All the hair is 100% human hair and is ethically sourced from India. As Great Lengths explain, all hair is “voluntarily sacrificed and donated to temples by complete shaving of the head during Hindu rituals through a process known as tonsuring. Great Lengths are fully committed to ensuring that all hair is ethically and willingly sourced and that a fair price is paid. Payment for the hair is then used to support the local community by developing temples and medical services and supporting charitable causes.”

To find out further information or to make your Great Lengths appointment at The Vinery then please contact the salon on 01484 536899!

The Importance of Colour Patch Testing

Here at The Vinery Hair Salon we are vigilant about patch testing clients before they undergo any kind of colour procedure. Our policy is to test new clients to the salon regardless of whether they have had colour elsewhere before and also to re-test existing clients if they have not visited the salon for several months in between colour appointments.

It is rare for allergic reactions to occur with hair colour however, just like many products that are used frequently including food, makeup and lotions, materials etc. or simply down to a change in health, reactions can develop over time.

We are sometimes asked why this is necessary by our clientele but as well as having their best interests at heart we also need to ensure that, as a responsible Salon, we stick to the recommended industry guidelines.

We require patch tests to be done at least 24-48 hours before the colour appointment and we also patch test for Eyebrow/Lash Tint as well as for HD Brows. This may seem over-cautious to some however the following story should help to reinforce why we put so much importance on patch testing!

We bumped into a friend recently who told us a horrifying tale. Several years ago she had visited a local salon for a colour appointment and had not been allergy (patch) tested first. Following the colour application she suffered what can only be described as a horrific reaction. Charlotte has kindly given us permission to share her story and also the pictures that reiterate just how shocking and violent these reactions can be.

You can read about Charlotte's experience in full via the following link:

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/hair-dye-left-paddock-girl-5007157

We now stock Wella Innosense at The Vinery and this fantastic colour product has a reduced risk of allergen due to the ME+ molecule that has been in development for over 20 years -  if you would like to try Innosense as an option then please do ask about it when booking your appointment on 01484 536899. (An additional supplement of £5 is surchargable for Wella Innosense and Illumina)

So the moral of the tale is…Always have a patch test first!

Exploding the Nail Myths!!

Think you know everything you need to know about your nails? Think Again! We are about to separate fact from fiction when it comes to your hands…

1. White Spots on Your Nail Bed is an Indication of Calcium Deficiency…..FICTION!! This is actually due to pressure or trauma to the nail plate – which is completely normal and completely harmless!

2. My Nails Need to Breathe……FICTION! Nails do not have lungs, therefore they do not need to breathe! They aren’t a living tissue although obviously they do grow. Nail Polish can actually help to strengthen and protect your nail!

3. Won’t Nail Enhancements Ruin My Nails?…….FICTION! The products and techniques used by fully trained Nail Technicians will not damage your nail plate. You are more likely to do more damage by nibbling on your nails or by picking existing Enhancements off which then thins the nails by stripping away layers – it is always advisable to have them removed properly by a professional or keep your Enhancements regularly maintained by your trusted Nail Technician.

4. Gelatin / Seaweed Supplements will make my Nails healthier……FICTION! Nails are made of Keratin which is a protein and no amount of supplements be it Gelatin, Seaweed or Hemp will strengthen them up. The best thing you can do for your nails is regularly use Cuticle Oil.

5. UV Lamps Used for Nail Enhancement/Gel Polish can cause Cancer…….FICTION! The risks are extremely low as the exposure time is extremely short and at a very low level. Did you know that your Nail actually contains its very own natural version of SPF equivalent to Factor 40 which helps to protect your hands and nails from the low-level UV rays.

6. Acrylic Enhancements are not as good as Gel….…FICTION! Apart from the application techniques there is very little difference. Gels are a little bit more flexible in terms of wearability but it depends on client preference. The removal process is one of the only differences as Acrylic will dissolve over time in Acetone Polish Remover whereas Gel does need to be buffed away by your Nail Technician. 

7. I Have Browny Green Patches under my Nail Enhancements, My Nails are going Mouldy!!…….FICTION!! Your nails are not going mouldy…the appearance of discolouration is caused by bacteria developing in air pockets from moisture trapped between your nail and your Nail Enhancement.

8. I Can Cut My Cuticles with Scissors Right?……..FICTION! Take note, cutting our own Cuticles can cause untold damage! If you must do them yourself then use a pair of Cuticle Nippers on loose cuticles only – However it is best to leave this task to the professionals!

TOP TIPS: To maintain healthy nails and hands we advise you to treat your hands with oils and lotions regularly to prevent the skin and nail bed from drying out. Wear rubber gloves when washing up or cleaning to protect the hands from harsh chemicals and from the water which could dehydrate your skin and nails! Use Cuticle Oil regularly as it contains a carrier oil that will direct the nutrients to the areas where they are needed.

Here at The Vinery we offer Manicures, Shellac and Acrylic Enhancements as well as a simple File & Polish by our experienced Beauty Therapist Rachel Brooker.

For further advice just get in touch with The Vinery Hair Salon on 01484 536899 or by emailing us at: info@thevineryhairsalon.co.uk