Hair Health
Use: Massage hair and scalp. Wait 1-2 Minutes. Rinse. For deeper nourishment, add one pump of Versatile Caring Oil
Sometimes, hair can be so severely damaged and porous….that the lifting of the cuticle could lead to potential breakage. This is one of the rare examples where I advocate Versatile Caring oil. Versatile Caring oil is the ultimate sealant. After it attaches to the hair shaft, no moisture from the cuticle will be able to escape the thick build up. The only way to remove the gluey plastic-like coating is with harsh sulphates.
Now…I know all of this sounds strictly against curly girl mantra……so if these synthetic choices don’t appeal to you, then it may be worth trying raw Moroccan Oil as an alternative.
If you are spending the day dipping in and out of the pool, make sure to reapply coatings of your Versatile Caring oil and Moroccan conditioners/serums intermittently. Constantly making sure that the protective barrier is intact whenever your curls grace the water.
Cleanse
As soon as you leave the pool/sea, it is imperative that you wash your hair immediately. You don’t want any of the salt or chemicals lingering on your hair! As we all know…..silicones and/or mineral oil are harmful to the health of our curls in the long run.
You need to use a clarifying shampoo specifically designed for swimming. My shampoo of choice was Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo
Restore
Checklist
§ argan oil-infused formula
§ Swim Shampoo
§ Deep Conditioner
§ Leave In Conditioner
§ Oil Sealant
Now that you’re all up to speed with curl prep…..it’s time to get yourself in the water!
Have fun, get fit and relax…….it’s summer!
Hair products, hard water and mineral deposits, chlorine and environmental impurities can all leave buildup over time—which can cause hair to appear dull, greasy and limp. Moroccanoil® Clarifying Shampoo is a deep-cleansing, revitalizing formula which removes everyday buildup, restoring hair to a weightless, healthy balance. Rich in argan and avocado oils, keratin, lavender, chamomile and jojoba extracts that nourish and moisturize. Color-safe. Sulfate-free, phosphate-free and paraben-free. Can be used prior to a color, perm or chemical treatment for the most even results
Clarifying shampoos are also formulated to neutralize the PH of the hair after being in alkaline pool/sea water and bring the hair and scalp back down to its optimum acidic level.
This is great for preventing prevent protein loss, which is crucial after exposing the hair to alkaline substances.
If you have used heavier silicones (found in serums) or products containing mineral oil to coat your curls in the water, it may be advisable to use a more clarifying shampoo that contains Sodium *Laureth* Sulfate instead. As gentler cleansers like Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo will be strong enough to remove this kind of buildup.
Follow with an intense deep conditioner. For those with coloured/damaged hair, I recommend something A leave-in styling cream that creates a soft, natural feel. Moroccanoil® Hydrating Styling Cream conditions, hydrates and fights frizz. Its nourishing, argan oil-infused formula adds shine and definition with a soft hold. Perfect for blow-drying, taming flyaways and refreshing day-old styleswhich infuses both moisture and protein back into the shaft.
Follow up with a nourishing leave in conditioner and oil sealant to really restore curls back to full health!
Now I know what you’re thinking…..this sounds like a lot of maintenance!
Well……it is!
I wouldn’t recommend fully submerging your hair in the water too often as frequent use of silicones will take their toll in the long term. If you
are a regular swimmer, try to put your curls in cute up dos for the majority of the occasions that you enter the water. By doing this you’ll also be helping to keep the pool clean and the drainage systems hair free!
Protect
Always before getting in the pool or sea, take a shower and make sure your hair is drenched in fresh tap water. The thinking behind this is that hair that is already saturated with water and therefore can’t absorb anymore…..just like a sponge!
The most important second step is to then seal your entire head of curls to create a barrier between your hair and the water. It also helps to keep all that fresh water moisture you’ve just added securely within the shaft.Now…..normal oil just won’t cut it here. Even the heaviest olive oil is likely to wash away after a short amount of time. Your most likely ally will be a more heavy duty sealant with a reputation for causing build up……it’s that very build up you want to protect your curls with while swimming!
For me that is Versatile Caring Oil….it is the most easily accessible and is the easiest to remove with washing.
I would personally select Precious Oil Softening Condition:
Precious Oils, Sunflower Seed Oil for Softness Coconut oil for moisture, a daily detangling concentrated conditioner that improves manageability, restores softness and boosts shine.
Summer is Finally here!
Whether you’re going on an exotic sunny holiday or taking up aqua fitness, it’s that time of year that we have to take extra special care of our curls when it comes to salty sea water and chlorine pool water.
Of course the best way is to just tie curls up and not let them get wet at all…..however, that is not always possible…..or fun!
So let’s start with the basics…sea water has a PH of 7.5-8.4, chlorine roughly has a PH of 7.4. This makes both types of water alkaline. As we all know, human hair is acidic, with its PH lying between 4.5 and 5.5. Always go for products that are PH optimised between 4-7.
Alkaline PH’s are able to lift the hair cuticle (as with both the relaxing and bleaching process). This therefore leeches both moisture and protein out of the shaft and into the water you’re swimming in. It also has the same effect on color…..ever notice your bright red significantly fade after getting out of the pool water?
First of all, you need the right products in your arsenal! You also need a willingness to embrace the naughty’s to optimally preserve the health of your curls
What brush is best for your hair?
Discuss this with your stylist at Artisan Salon, if you have thick hair and are good with the paddle brush or is your hair so fragile and weak would it be better off to gingerly take the tangles out of your hair with a pick or a vent brush? Ask your stylist about the effects each of these brushes.
4Questions
1. No Volume
Lack of volume can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common reason is using the wrong shampoo/conditioner for your hair type.
The second biggest reason is using conditioner all throughout your hair instead of just the midlengths and ends.
It’s an easy problem to fix and makes a huge difference – consult with your Artisan stylist to see about what products will work best for your hair.
2. Damage Control
An easy way to prevent damage is to be gentle when detangling wet hair.
Use a large-toothed comb or a brush designed to detangle wet hair, use a wide toothed comb.
Wet hair can be very fragile, so you need to be gentle when brushing or combing.
3. Dulling Hair
Product buildup can cause dull hair overtime, especially when it is constantly used. Make sure you are using a clarifying shampoo once a week to rid their hair of buildup. This is an easy way to bring life back into their color and hair. Pure Volume by Pureology is Artisans recommended shampoo.
4. Constant Split Ends
Even if you love to keep your hair really long, make sure you are trimming the ends, every 6 to 10 weeks. This helps to keep the hair in healthy, as dry, damaged ends split, and travel further up the hair shaft if you don't trim them
