Tricks of the trade: PRODUCTS!

We have all (including me, SO many times) had this happen; You go into a hair salon, come out looking so hot. You watch your stylist, ask questions, take pictures, anything you can think of to try to remember exactly how you looked so you can try to recreate that look. You wait a day or two to wash your hair, but eventually the time comes when you step out of the shower and it's gone. Then you try, but you can never make your hair look like they did. Why? You're doing everything they were... blow-drying a certain way, flat-ironing this way and that... but why isn't it the same?

The answer is an easy one, PRODUCTS! Your hairdresser has extensive knowledge about what products they have at their disposal, and are making educated decisions based on your hair type as to what to use to build your hairstyle. We do not learn magic hair tricks in hair school that make your hair do something different than it does at home. And a good hairdresser will want you to be able to recreate the look you left the salon with every day!

A note on professional products: Sometimes the downfall in re-creating a good hairstyle is that you're using the same type of products but you bought them at your local drugstore. I was guilty of this before I went to hair school, and I learned that drugstore products are in no way comparable to a professional product. Imagine your doctor gives you a prescription for cold medicine, and you say "no, thanks, i'll just take Day Quill". In the same way over-the-counter medicines can not be the same as prescription ones, a drugstore product is not the same as a professional one. Professional products may cost more up front, but they are stronger and more concentrated than what you'll find in the store, so they ultimately are cost-effective. Even if they have the same ingredients, you get what you pay for, they are watered down versions, and many times, will coat your hair in wax or plastics to make it look shiner/healthier when actually it is permanently damaging with long term use. In the long run, it will cost you more because you'll have to use more of the off-brand to get the same result than you would of the real thing. Do not make the mistake of thinking the "comparable" brand will save you money... you will ultimately be disappointed.

There are 3 main categories a stylist will use; a foundation, a building, and a finishing product. These are all necessary to create a finished design.

Foundation: A foundation product is a product usually built for your hair type. This can be a leave in conditioner, a silicone based product, etc. Usually, these products have conditioning and/or protecting agents and depending on the result desired, make your hair skinnier or fatter. My favorite foundation product is Paul Mitchell's Quick Slip.  It has a little bit of style memory, a UV protectant (NESSESSARY for colored hair), and speeds up my drying time by like 50%!

Building: A building product is one that will allow your hair to style the way you want it to. With this product it is important to consider the final outcome of your hair style. If you want to wear your hair straight, curled, loose, controlled, up, or down- all these factor into your choice of building product. This is where your gels, foams, mouses, pomades, etc come in. My favorite building product is Paul Mitchell's Extra Body Sculpting Foam, or any other volumizing mouse. You don't have to stick to one building product, but one or two is usually enough. I add a little heat protection product as well because I don't go anywhere without at least blowdrying my hair! A baisic trick to remember is if your going for sleek style, a balm or gel with scilicone works best, and if you like volume or curl, a volumizing mouse or spray.

Finishing: A finishing product is as simple as your favorite hairspray. It is the product that holds your hair in it's shape and, if chosen wisely, can add factors like UVA/UVB protection and humidity control. In this category live some waxes, powders, pomades, and spiking glues as well. Here's the secret about finishing: it's what makes a style modern or outdated. Take the bump-it look for example... a hard, sleek finish on a bump looks like those pictures of your grandma from the sixties. As much as "retro is in", it isn't flattering. But update it with a matte finish and tada! your hair is ready for 2011! My favorite finishing product of all time is hands-down Paul Mitchell's Spray Wax. IT IS THE BEST!!! I use it on all my fashion shoots and almost every single client. Another favorite if you're one of those people who hate the feeling of product in their hair is Super Clean Light. It provides light, flexible hold without all the buildup.

Speaking of buildup, you may think that all of these products in your hair will create buildup, look heavy or bulky, or just be unpleasant to the touch. When used incorrectly (i.e. too much or the wrong products) it can. However, these are the products your hairdresser uses to create lasting styles, and when used correctly, can make your hair look perfect and polished every time. Ask your hairdresser (or call me!) about how to use products correctly and ask them what they recommend for your hair. After all, they spend all day every day doing hair and they want you to look good!

Please watch this investigative story on Diversion and why you should NEVER buy "professional products" at the grocery store. 



Professional products and technique are the key to good looking hair, and a good hairdresser has every reason to share both with you. And don't be afraid to ask them why they are making that recommendation!