The Talk

I apologize it has been longer than two weeks since my last post, but life got really busy and now it is starting to slow down again. Of course, this is my first chance to sit down today (4:00 pm), and I am making this my priority.

Okay, readers, it's time to have the talk. Yes, the talk. The talk that we all avoid. The talk that makes you uncomfortable and feel oh so awkward. I am talking about box color. Dun dun DUN!

I am devoting an entire post to box color, because it's important.

I have heard many women say, "I can't afford color at a salon."
I understand everyone is on a different budget. I understand some only get their hair cut once a year. Some get highlights, color, and cut every six weeks. However, one thing that truly makes me sad, is when the woman who says they can't afford color at a salon, ends up emptying her pockets in order to get a color correction after a mishap with box color.

So let me start at the beginning.

What is box color?

Box color is not made of the same chemicals and product professional color is made of. Box color is actually textile dye. Textile dye is what is used to dye clothes. Textile dye is not made for the hair, which is why it is so cheap ($2-15 a box). Box color may also contain metallics. If you receive any chemical process (color, perm, relaxer, etc.) after using box color that contains metallics, the metallics could react with the chemicals, causing your hair to melt, potentially leaving you with a chemical haircut, bald spots, etc.

It's simple, I just mix part one and two together, and apply, right?

It's not that simple. Professional hairstylists take a lot into consideration when formulating your color. We evaluate your hair's texture, porosity, level, previous color processes, and more. We create a color formula that will give you the desired look while not compromising the integrity of your hair. It is crucial that each color process is formulated for you. You cannot and will not get that with the box color you pick up on aisle 10 at Wal-Mart.

Bleach is bleach, right?

Not quite. If you have dark brown hair, and you want that light blonde, ashy, Khloe Kardashian look, I can promise you, you will not get that with Garnier box color. Actually, I am 99.9% sure, you will not get that perfect blonde no matter how light/dark you are before that color application. If you have dark hair, your hair will turn out orange. Your hair all turning orange, would actually be easier, but chances are, you will get what is called "hot roots." Hot roots is when your roots are lighter than the rest of your hair because of the heat that radiates off your head. So your hair will be copper orange in some places, bright yellow in others, and maybe even red on your ends. Why is this? Well, each level has an underlying pigment. As you lift pigment out of the hair (that's what happens when you lighten your hair), the underlying pigment is revealed. The lower the level, the darker you are.

Please, do not misinterpret what I am saying. If you were to lighten your hair with box color, and the result is orange hair, this is not at all an invitation to apply the color again to get it lighter than orange. That would actually cause your hair to be over-processed, and if not melted off at that point, fried and damaged. Lightening, even when a professional does it, can be a process. But if you are patient and allow your professional hairstylist to do it as such, you will love the result without compromising your hair in the process.

What about the highlight or ombre yourself box?

Please, don't attempt this. Highlights, ombre, balayage, are color applications that even professionals need to master before they offer them as services to clients. If you don't believe me, please see below. This is a case where someone tried to do an ombre at home and sent me a picture of her result. 

That doesn't look like the box, does it? OOPS!

But the box says it has keratin (or something beneficial for your hair) in it?

That also wouldn't be a salon quality keratin treatment, and it won't even matter once your hair is damaged. The most beneficial thing for your hair at that point, would be haircuts. 

I feel like I have just scratched the surface, but what I am trying to say is, don't do it. You won't get the look the box advertises, your hair will be angry at you for a very long time, and most likely, so will your wallet (and your husband). Save yourself and your hairstylist the headache and start there- at the salon. 

Color service at the salon: $50-100

Color correction from box color gone wrong: $200-400

Keeping your hair on your head and healthy: PRICELESS

If you have any questions or need help breaking away from the box color life, feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to help.

XO,

Haley

Must Have Products

99% of clients say to their stylist something along the lines of, "I wish my hair would come out the way it does when you do it." Yes, we are trained on how to properly blow dry and use a round brush. Yes, a fresh cut and color helps your hair turn out perfectly. However, product is our tool to help achieve what you see when you look in the mirror. We have all purchased product at one time or another and were disappointed because it didn't do enough or possibly anything for us. I only tell clients about products and use products I truly believe in. I have never believed in an entire product line, until I was introduced to Unite two and a half years ago. I want to highlight a few of my must haves for all.

Unite 7 Seconds Condition Leave In Detangler: This is my #1, all time favorite, daily MUST HAVE. Every. Single. One. of my clients ask what this is when I use it because 1. It smells amazing. 2. It makes your hair feel silky. I use it on myself every day and use it on each of my clients. Who doesn't love silky, soft hair? I've used other detanglers and nothing comes close to this magic in a bottle. Trust me. It makes life so much easier. To use: On towel dried hair, spray all over, concentrating on your mids and ends, and brush through.

Unite U Luxury Argan Oil: This is a bit of a luxury product, but it is well worth it. If you have those dry ends that can't be tamed, even with a curling iron or flat iron, this product will be your life saver. If you were to style your hair without it, take a picture, and then style your hair with it, take a picture, and compare, that's the thing- there is no comparison. This makes your whole look more polished. To use: On towel dried hair, 1-2 pumps in your hand, emulsify, and apply to ends.

 

Unite Boosta Volumizing Spray: If you are looking for some extra volume at your root, look no further. This wonderful bottle gives you the natural "boost" without making your hair feel heavy or crunchy. Once again, a must have. This is another product that is part of my daily styling ritual. To use: On towel dried hair, spray at the root.

Unite Blow&Set Sculpting Lotion: This product, while a little thicker than the others, is a miracle worker. Wouldn't it be nice if we could style our hair and it look just as good at 9 PM as it did when you walked out of your house? It can and it will with this must have. I use it on all of my clients, and have gotten many hooked on this one. To use: Quarter size in your hand, emulsify, and apply evenly to hair starting at the root. 

Unite Lazer Straight Relaxing Fluid: For those with frizzy, hard to manage hair, this product will cut your styling time in half. While it doesn't make your hair stick straight, it helps smooth out your cuticle, and allow you to tackle your hair more efficiently. This product and a paddle brush make the perfect duo to achieve a natural straight look. To use: Quarter size in your hand, emulsify, and apply evenly to hair starting at the root.

Unite "Boing" Curling Cream: For my ladies with curly hair, you will fall in love with this product. I love it because it doesn't make your hair feel crunchy or hard. While still having the natural, effortless curls, it helps give it definition and body. To use: Quarter size in your hand, emulsify, and scrunch into hair.

Unite Texturiza Dry Finishing Spray: Now this product is my go to finishing spray. Set down your sea salt spray, and I promise you, once you try it, you will never go back. This product give you the ultimate grit that you need to achieve that lived in, effortless, textured look. I absolutely love Texturiza. To Use: Spray about 9 inches away from hair and scrunch ends until desired look is achieved.

Unite Expanda Dust Volumizing Powder: Updos and hairstyles with backcombing just aren't the same without this little guy. It is small, but does wonders. It is a dry powder, that you dust onto your root to give you the ultimate volume. With this product in your hair, your style will last until you wash it. It does work as a texturizing powder, too. It is great to give your curls some grit and volume. To Use: Lightly dust at the root, pat into hair, and backcomb. For texture and volume in your mids and ends, with the bottle facing up, squeeze so the dust goes up, allowing your ends to absorb the product lightly. Scrunch until desired look is achieved.

If you are interested in any of these products, I would be more than happy to help you get your hands on them and change your styling life forever.

XO,

Haley