Tips for the Winter!

-Adri Rohlandt-

Summer is always great, but all the outdoor activities and sun are not good news for your hair. Moisture loss and discolouration are the major challenges to content with when the temperature rises. This can be caused by damage from UV rays, humidity and the chlorine and salt absorbed from swimming.

Hair will always lighten when exposed to direct sunlight. After your summer holiday, boost your hair with an intensive moisture or protein treatment.

Dry hair indoors and cold wind outdoors can strip your hair of its moisture. Use a deep conditioner once a week and don't shampoo hair more than 3 times a week as it will remove natural oils, drying out your hair so it appears flatter.

In the wind and cold, don't style your hair too much. Wear you hair straight or pull it back into a loose ponytail at the nape of the neck.

Use hot styling tools such as ionic or ceramic. This will seal the outer layer of the hair, fighting frizz and making your style less vulnerable in mist and rain.

Whatever your hair texture, humidity brings out curls and waves and when the elements of nature get hold of your hair, it reveals its true nature. Don't hide it! .If your hair is straight, slick it back or style your soft waves - too sexy! If you have to, a lightweight hairspray is flexible and frizz free, adds shine and helps to keep your hair in style. After washing and conditioning your hair, rub in anti-frizz styling cream to lock out any humidity-induced moisture.

A great haircut becomes an amazing haircut with the right products and tools. All creative hair dressers have their own individual way of creating cool-looking hair. Have some fun experimenting. Schwarzkopf Osis provides all the styling and finishing products to create contradictive styles for anyone!

Do you have Blonde ambition?

-Yolande Bredenkamp-

BLONDME from Schwarzkopf is a new seamless range of salon and home care products that understands the needs of blonde hair. Stylists of Doyer & Doyer hair design has successfully completed the new BLONDME training that will take all the guesswork out of diagnosing blondes. To identify your perfect blond we use our unique consultation disk to reflect your eye colour and natural hair. The consultation tool will prescribe a cool, neutral or warm blonde.

By using the new BLONDME range stylists are able to create 40 different blonde tones and up to 60 shades to choose from.

Access to so many different Shades of blonde means more women can comfortably stake their claim on hair colour that feels like a better reflection of their inner selves.

BLONDME consists of an anti–yellow agent, which bans brasssy pigments from your hair. The range is enriched with Prism Shine Technology with liquid Rock Crystal for a polished blonde glossy finish. The micro nourishing ingredients feed the hair to restore quality while purifying detox agents to work removing environmental pollutants. BLONDME adds protective coating agents to its blonde Balsem Developer with moisturising properties to protect the hair.

Now you can hand over responsibility to BLONDME and just have fun with being blonde.

Maintaining Tip Top Shimmering Hair

BLONDME care and Styling range provides 8 blonde specific products, each containing a selected combination of ingredients to strengthen, repair and protect. Deep penetrating proteins strengthen and repair the hair?s inner structure while maintaining natural moisture. Apricot oils and rock crystals provide luxurious smooth and shiny hair.

Tips

· SEASONAL SHADES drift from one tone direction to another. Being fair and pale, your skin easily burns and goes pink in the sun. Always stick to cool blonde or creamy white blondes. Darker skin with olive or yellow tones should keep to warmer gold honeys and caramels.

· Every–day cheap cleansers and conditioners can be harsh, causing your colour to fade and change.

Hair Myths – Fact or Fiction?

-Esmarie Plescia-

In an ever changing society obsessed with beauty and celebrities who grace the covers of magazines and television commercials, beautiful hair is and has always been one of their key weapons. Think about it, when the very popular "Friends" first featured Jennifer Aniston and her famous haircut everyone wanted to have a similar haircut. Another famous name that springs to mind is Victoria Beckham who recently went blond. No doubt you will soon be seeing a number people copying Victoria Beckam‘s hairstyle. Doesn't it strike you as odd that no matter how many times they change their hair colour or cut their hair it always looks like they have just walked out of a salon after 10 hours of intense hair treatment! How do these celebrities keep their hair so healthy? We take a look at some of the myths surrounding our hair as well as some top tips to keep your hair looking "celebrity-like".

Will cutting my hair make it grow faster or thicker?

Fiction. Cutting your hair will, well, make it shorter. On average hair grows about a centimetre a month, however having regular trims will ensure healthier hair which means you can cut off less of your hair everytime you go to your hairdresser. There are products available that contain caffeine which have been formulated to stimulate the scalp and hair follicles which can increase hair growth. A simple yet effective way you can keep your hair and skin in good condition is to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise. There are hairstyles, cutting techniques and hair products available which your hairdresser can use to help your hair look thicker and healthier which in the end will make your hair more manageable.

Hormones, stress and a poor diet can cause you to loose your hair and turn them grey.

Fact. Yes, unfortunately this is true. Although hair loss and grey hair is usually hereditary, severe stress, hormonal changes and a poor diet can cause sudden hair loss and make the grey hairs appear. Fortunately, this type of hair loss is normally temporary and hair will eventually grow back. Unfortunately the same principle does not apply to grey hair. It is actually not the existing hair that turns grey but rather new hair which grows after the onset of severe stress or hormonal changes. Another interesting fact is that although we refer to hair being grey, its true colour is white. So next time you see those greys appear, book a holiday!

Can I cure my split ends without cutting my hair?

Fiction! The only permanent way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off! Yes there are products that can temporarily seal them, but this will only last for a short while because hair is porous, especially dry and damaged hair, which means it will absorb the product after a while and leave your hair split and damaged again. Get a good trim from your hairdresser - do not attempt to cut it yourself as this may make matters worse. After you have had a haircut ask your hairdresser what products you can use to stop split ends, after all prevention is better than cure!

Colouring your hair can be harmful to your baby when you are pregnant.

Fiction. There is no scientific evidence to support this theory. The only "risk" during your pregnancy is to your hair colour because our hormones has such a big influence on our hair and skin there is always the possibility that your hair can come out a different colour when you are pregnant even though the same formulae is used. It is, therefore, still advised that you consult your physician and hairdresser on this matter.

Brushing your hair when it is wet can cause it to break.

Fiction. When your hair is wet it is more elastic then when it is dry, meaning wet hair will stretch and recoil whereas this is not the case with dry hair. When you do brush your hair when it is wet make sure that you do it with a conditioner or treatment on, take the hair in sections and brush it slowly from ends to roots. It is not wrong to brush your hair when it is dry either, just don't brush it to much! Remember brushing your hair a 100 strokes to make it shiny? Well, that's just another myth!

Washing my hair every day will dry it out.

Fiction. The important thing to remember is that you have to use to correct hair products for your specific hair type other wise it will cause your hair to dry out. When you do use the correct high quality products you will achieve great results for your hair, and we suggest that you consult your hairdresser on the hair products which are most suited for you.

Top tips to make you hair look great every day:

· When you get a new haircut, we know it can be difficult to achieve the same finished look at home, but when your hairdresser blow-dries your hair pay attention to what they do and ask her/him how you could achieve the same look at home.

· Products, Products and more products. Hairdressers don't just recommend or talk about it for their health, we do it because it will make your hairs manageability (not just for us but also for yourself) better. By using the correct hair products you will achieve your desired look and when your hair is in a great condition, your colour will look fresher for longer!!

· When you rinse out your conditioner or treatment try and do it with cool water because heat opens the hair cuticles and cold closes it. Therefore, rinsing your hair with cool water will cause the cuticles to close, locking in the moisture from your conditioner and treatment which will leave your hair soft and shiny!

· Always roughdry your hair first to get rid of excess moisture in the hair as this will eliminate structural damage to the hair which causes the hair to over stretch and break. Ensure that you always use a good quality hair straightner combined with heat protector for a beautiful salon-finished look.

· And last but not least, always try and be on time for your hair appointments! By showing up 5 minutes earlier you get time for an in depth consultation with your hairdresser. These consultations with your hairdresser can be invaluable as it will allow you to discuss the condition of you hair, what you like or dislike about your hair, your lifestyle and much more.

New Looks For The Coming Cooler Seasons

-Elbie van Eeden-

Autumn/Winter '07

New looks in fashion have always merged into new looks in hair, so this is a perfect opportunity to book your next appointment with a fresh approach. Gone are the days of "keep the length, just layer it a bit", and "I'm too scared for a change"! Very strong lines are seen everywhere, as the space-age look reigns supreme. Asymmetric lines are seen in cuts, but it's much more 'user friendly' than the 80's version. Full fringes and bold block colouring in contrasting shades are very hot right now.

The bold and the beautiful?

It's rare to see such vivid colours during the winter, and fashion designers really went for it this season, serving up clothes in every colour of the rainbow, from eye-popping oranges to rich shades of plum. Hair colour will be embracing this trend, with strong copper shades, icy-white blondes and vibrant violet for brunettes seen all over the show.

This is the season to become creative with your hair! Even if it's just a few panels of colour in a different shade, you're sure to tick some of the style boxes! The trick is to make the style and colour your own, something you could feel comfortable with. Hair magazines are a good source of ideas to open your mind to other ideas before you decide to take the plunge and go to the salon.

Happy hair-hunting!

Growing Hair Faster

-Jalita Steyn-

While there is no miracle cure which will make your hair grow healthier, faster and stronger, there are a few things that you can do to help your hair:

· Be patient. It takes time for your hair to grow.

· Wash your hair only when necessary. This will ensure that your hair is conditioned and kept in check by your natural oils, which in turn will help it grow. On average, washing your hair about three times a week should be enough.

· Get rid of any damaged strands and splits.

· Have regular trims every 6 to 7 weeks. Having regular trims will encourage healthy growth.

· Hair growth will also be enhanced by following a healthy diet that includes the right amount of vitamins, whilst exercising can also promote hair growth.

· Look after your hair by brushing it regularly with a comb or brush.

Blowdry Basics

-Hair Magazine-

Get the look.. blow-by-blow

1. Blot excess moisture from your hair with a towel, apply your product and rough-dry until hair is 70% dry. Styling before this point will just tire your arms. To get the best results, save your energy for the finishing.

2. Hold head upside down when you rough-dry to encourage root lift, concentrating on the roots.

3.Use sectioning clips to manage your blow-dry as you go. It saves you getting tangled up and allows you to concentrate on one section at a time.

4. When drying, alternate between using the brush beneath the hair and on top. Place the brush on top of the hair section and starting at the roots, bursh down when drying- it smoothes the strands on both sides for maximum sleekness.

5. To prevent frizz around the hairline, hold flat with a brush, blast with hot air then cool to lock into place.

6. For really frizzy hair, go over with straightening irons (once only) for a really polished fininsh.

7. Finish with a misting of hairspray to hold the shape. Go for humidity resistant if your hair fluffs the second you step out the door.

Do's And Don'ts Of Hair

-Shani Koegelenberg-

Knowing what not to do to your hairstyle is just as important as what you do to create the hair of your dreams. Like everything in life, there are do's and don'ts.

Listed below are the top actions you don't want to take when it comes to styling your hair.

Don't go to the salon unprepared to request the hairstyle you wish to wear
Many hair consumers mistakenly believe that their hairdresser can work miracles, can read their mind and can instantly pick out the best hairstyle for them. They have to do their homework and research their own hair options. Face shape, lifestyle and budget all play into the final style selected.

Don't select a hairstyle or haircut that is impossible to maintain at home on your own
While many Hollywood celebrities have an expert hairdresser at their fingertips to make sure their tresses look paparazzi perfect, most consumers have to deal with their hair without those constant hairdressing services.

Don't skimp on proper hair care or hair styling products
Some hair care lines sold in drugstores may work for some types of hair and some styles. However, if you have highlighted or chemically processed hair or require added volume or control, the less expensive non-salon lines might not do the trick and could make styling your hair a constant challenge.

Salon Etiquette

-Hair Magazine-

1. Be on time or five minutes early...but no more than 15 min late
If you run late it means your stylist will get a build-up of clients and that makes it uncomfortable for everyone. Sometimes you can't help being late, but let the stylist know, so she can plan around that. If you do need to cancel, do that at least 24 hours in advance- there is usually people on a cancellation list!

2.Treat your first appointment like a first date!
Be yourself and dress in your own personal style. Be prepared to disclose a little something about yourself and your character too. "A good hairdresser should tailor your look to suit your individual personality, rather than just try to recreate a trend at the moment" says award winning Mark Hill.

3. Be patient
If your stylist is running late, don't throw a fit. After all, it probably isn't their fault. Take comfort in the fact that they are not rushing a cut and are giving the best service they can. Have a quiet word with the manager if the backlog means you have to rush.

4.Research the salon
"Phone ahead of your appointment to get directions and details of available parking, so that you're not stressed on arrival", says Lisa Sheppard. Getting an idea of rates from the salon beforehand will also help avoid unexpected surprises on the day.

5. Confess All!
If you've cheated and coloured your own hair, or if you went to another hairdresser to do a chemical.. Be honest! It can have a completely different result, if the hairdresser is not 100% informed about what is going on, on the hair.

6. Be a good communicator
Lets face it, one inch to a hairdresser could seem like more than three to you! Let your hairdresser know your thoughts on your hair type, your daily dilemmas, and what you think has worked well for you in the past. Tell them about any previous disasters, or if there is something that makes you nervous.

7. Be honest
Tel your hairdresser how long you want to spend on your hair, and how often you want to come back to the salon, so they don't give you a cut or colour that needs a time commitment from you. It you are not happy with something, say so! It is easier to correct a problem at the time, and save yourself a lot of stress.

8.Be willing to accept the advice of your stylist
If you want something that your stylist thinks isn't going to work for you, listen to what she has got to say and consider the alternative suggestions. Do say you want a make-over, and then insist you don't want anything taken off the length!!

9.Be generous
If you are really happy with your style, show it. Tips are completely discretionary, but your stylist will appreciate a gesture if you like what they've done. Usually between 10-20%. Don't forget the juniors who shampoo and make your coffee.

10. Be considerate
Sit upright, no crossed legs, and don't spend the entire time on your laptop, blackberry or mobile. If you don't feel like small talk, dont worry- your hairdresser wont hold it against you. Chill out, feel pampered. Time spent at the salon is quality time for you so enjoy it!!

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