A Giveaway

I am so exciting to be doing my very first Giveaway!  I am happy to now be a sponsor over at Earth Cookie Creations.  Jessica has a fantastic blog, and an Etsy shop full of adorable items.  I recently acquired some of her Chalkboard Wood Slice tags and I just love them on my tree!

The giveaway is for a $10 gift card, so make sure you head over to the blog so you can enter, and read a review of my shop.  There is many ways to enter, so you have multiple chances of winning, what could be sweeter than that?

A few items you could choose to win below, my top seller, a Gold Glitter Bow,  pastel colored Clip-In Hair Extensions, or some Glitter Baby Alligator Clips

A Lesson On Hair Product Branding

I have been paying extra attention to branding lately as I try to "brand" my little company and find a direction for myself.  As a hair stylist, of course I am going to pay extra attention to branding of hair products!

I like to keep a couple different brands of shampoo and conditioner around too mix it up.  Am I the only one who gets bored using the same bottle of shampoo for months!?  I always try new products, but there is a select few I constantly keep in my rotation.  One of those being Pureology's Hydrate shampoo and conditioner.  Also at the moment, I have a bottle of Bed Head's Urban Anti+Dotes Recovery Conditioner, Damage Level 2.  Sounds pretty fancy, eh?

Purology's packaging is simple and nothing outstanding too look at.  It simply states it is for "Dry, Color-Treated Hair", and has "100% Vegan Ingredients".
Bed Head's packaging on the other hand, is bright blue, and says a lot of things like "Turbo Moisture Molecules Boost Softness & Shine".  Woohoo! Right?  I want turbo moisture molecules boosting my hair!




Ok, but really, that is kind of a pet peeve of mine.  Being a cosmetologist, I want to know exactly what it is in the product that is beneficial to my hair.  I want to know the scientific reason those molecules are moisturizing my hair and not just that they are going to lead to an "All Night Moisture Party!"  Although, my hair would probably be having a blast at a party like that.

A huge plus, Bed Head smells soooo good!  So so Good!  I use a shine spray of their's not because I feel like it works, but because it just makes my hair smell so dang good!
 Looking at the back of the Bed Head label, the ingredients are full of Sulfates, Chlorides, Fragrances, and Coloring, that I don't really know what they do/aren't very good for your hair, with a few good things tucked in there, I think....
Pureology's ingredients have a couple icky sounding things too, lets be fair, but, there is also a ton of good.  Vegetable protein to repair hair, and a ton of natural oils like Soybean, and Sunflower oil to moisturize.
The Pureology conditioner has that amazing minty, menthol smell, which just might be the only thing they are commonly known for.

Who doesn't know about Bed Head's products?  They're marketing is great, they have a good price point, and they smell SO GOOD!  Their products are fun, "have a sense of humor", and they work pretty decently.  I would say they have their branding down to a t!
Pureology is less well known, and have a smaller target audience.  Plus their price point is higher, so there's that.  You pay for what you get though.  That Hydrate shampoo and conditioner makes your hair feel amazing, and leaves your scalp tingling and clean!

When it comes down to it, as an experienced Stylist I recommend Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner to almost all of my clients here in dry Utah.  I recommend it because i know it is going to make their hair feel amazing, and I know why it is going to make their hair feel so great.

Bed Head, sure you look fun, you smell good, and you work ok, but there are so many better products out there!

Just imagine if Pureology's products, used Bed Head's super-amped up Branding!

So next time you are in the market to buy shampoo and conditioner, think first why you are really buying it, and what exactly it is that you find important in a product, maybe your hair is dry and needs that moisture bad, or maybe you just want it to smell good.  It is up to you, but always remember branding, and how looks can be deceiving!

DIY Beauty, Hydrating Oil Hair Mask

I am constantly on Pinterest pinning DIY hair masks, usually made from simple ingredients found in the kitchen. Finally last night I got around to making one.  I chose the simplest recipe I could find, a hydrating, oil mask with only two ingredients, Olive Oil & Honey.

Oil treatments are so popular right now and I style my hair using Moroccan Oil every time I wash it.  Oil is great for hydrating and adding shine to hair.  Oil molecules are small enough to penetrate the hair cuticle, not just coat the hair like silicons and other popular shine treatments. They are also small enough to wash right out when you shampoo your hair, not causing any gross build-up over time. It was obvious to me olive oil was a great ingredient for this hair mask.
I had heard honey was great for hair, but I wasn't sure why.  So after a bit of reading I learned it is full of vitamins and minerals, and attracts moisture to your hair.

Here is the recipe...

After washing out the mask, I went to bed with damp hair to let it dry
over night.  When I woke up and looked in the mirror, expecting to see super shiny, super healthy looking hair, what I saw instead was greasy, oily looking hair that was not at all attractive!
So after all that effort, I ended up with a head full of dry shampoo and a ponytail. Bummer.

I feel this mask is best for those with dry coarse hair.  If I try it again I will shampoo my whole hair and not just my roots afterwards, I didn't want to wash out all the moisture from the ends, turns out it needed to be washed out.  Overall I am not such a fan of this mask, I will stick to a professional oil based mask, like Pureology's Precious Oil Mask, for thick/coarse hair, or Moroccan Oil's Weightless Hydrating Mask, for thin/fine hair.

Choosing Your Length (A Guide To Clip In Hair Extensions; Part 2)

The main reason people choose to purchase clip in hair extensions is to add length to their hair, but how long should you go?

In part 2 of my Guide To Clip In Hair Extensions I will help you understand which length of hair extension you should purchase.  Although I am writing about clip ins, most of this information applies to all types of extensions.

(Check out Part 1 here for a general overview of clip ins.)

There are a few general guidelines you should follow to achieve natural looking extensions. Nobody wants to be 'that girl' who so obviously is wearing extensions! They should blend as much as possible with your natural hair.

The chart below is a good visual guide of how long each length of extensions generally appears.



Be aware that where you place the extensions on your head will affect how long your extensions appear.  The best way I have found to estimate how long you want your extensions is to measure from about an inch above your ear, or wherever you will be placing your extension, to where you want your length to end.


How long should you go?
If you have chin length hair and want hair down to your waist, it might not blend as well as you hope.  Choose an appropriate length to blend with you hair.

• If your hair is shoulder length or shorter, the longest length of hair you should choose for optimal blending is two hand lengths longer than your existing length. Stack your hands horizontally on top of each other starting at the longest point of your hair to get the length best for you.  (Or have someone else help!)  This should be about 8" or so, but is a quick way to measure.
• If your hair is longer than shoulder length, you have a bit more freedom in choosing how long you want to go with your extension length.  The two hand rule is still best for blending, but you can get away with a longer length if you wish.

Blend, Blend, Blend!

Having your extensions blended is sooo important in order for your hair extensions to look natural and beautiful!  If you purchase clip in hair extensions online, they will not come precut.  Take your extensions to a professional hair stylist who has experience cutting extensions and ask them to layer and cut your extensions to blend with your natural hair.

Length Depending on the Type Of Extensions

• For a Single Clip In Extension choose a length which matches your own.  You may also want to layer the extension to blend with the way the front of your hair is cut.
• The best length for a Half Head of Extensions matches the length of your natural hair.  They also should be layered to blend.  I have seen a half head add a small amount of length to long thin hair, but do not purchase them counting on this!
• When deciding length for a Full Head of Extensions, refer to the above rules.

Feel free to contact me with any further questions!  hairloveshoppe@gmail.com

Which Clip-In Extension Type is Right For You? (A Guide To Clip-In Hair Extensions Part 1)

Everyone can benefit from clip in extensions, no matter how thick or thin, long or short your hair is.  They are a great way to temporarily change up your hair style, as well as a great investment.  Human hair extensions can be wash and styled again and again, and usually colored with professional hair color.

In part one of my guide to extensions, I will explain the 3 types of clip in extensions I have in my etsy shop.

In my shop I sell 3 types of clip in extensions; single clip ins, half head extensions, and full head extensions.
Each type of extension gives a different look and serves a different purpose.

• A Single Clip In Extension is great for adding a pop of color to one side of your hair.  A single clip in is 2" wide, and as long as your existing hair.  You may use one extension on each side to add a panel of color on each side of your part. Multiple 2" wide extensions can be used throughout your hair to add color throughout.

     

• A Half Head of Clip In Extensions works well for those who want their hair to appear thicker. In some cases, those with long thin hair who wish to add an inch or two in length can get away with a using just a half head, but do not expect it!  If you were to wear a half head of ombre extensions, your hair would not appear truly ombre, you would have panels of ombre highlights in your hair.  This is a n easy option to make your hair appear thick and full and add panels of color throughout out your whole head.  My half head extensions come in two 4" pieces for the sides of your head, and one 8" piece for the back for easy application, but can be cut into as many pieces as you want totaling 16" in width.
         

• A Full Head of Clip In Extensions add length, and thickness to your hair. You may order extensions matching your existing color for a natural look, fun bright colors, or ombre for removable hair color.  This is the best way to give yourself ombre hair, or fashion colors without coloring and damaging your hair. Ordering a longer length than your hair allows the ends to be a solid color and appears more dramatic than a half head would. I sell full head extensions coming in one 8" piece, two 6" pieces, two 4" pieces, and two 2" pieces.

  

Check out Part 2, on how to choose a length, here.

             

Feel free to contact me at hairloveshoppe@gmail.com with any further questions!

Etsy Shop

I have created an etsy shop! I got my first two sales and am so excited.  Please check it out right here...

www.hairloveshoppe.etsy.com

My newest addition, which I love.

A half head of clip in ombre hair extensions.  Starting from a natural auburn red and fading to golden blonde ends.

Similar color to...