- Avoid dead ends by getting regular trims every 6-8 weeks.
- Avoid using styling tools on high heat.
- Opt for washing your hair every other day rather than daily.
- Use deep conditioning treatments weekly.
- Try sleeping on a silk pillowcase rather than the coarser cotton case that can pull the hair.
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Tip of the Week – How to Treat a Sunburned Scalp
The summer can be a lot of fun but it also comes with the opportunity for sunburn. And, not just your skin, but your scalp can be a victim as well. Here’s my tips for treating a sunburned scalp:
- Shower in cool — or at most tepid — water.
- Skip using too many hair products as some may irritate a burnt scalp.
- Allow hair to dry naturally or blow dry on the cool setting
- Sooth the pain with cold compresses.
- Hydrate the hair with a good deep conditioning treatment.
- Stay hydrated.
Gina’s Tip of the Week – How to keep your hair healthy during the the summer months
We are half way through summer and you may be noticing your hair starting to be a bit dryer or changing color from sun exposure. Here’s some tips on how take extra care so your locks still look great in the Fall.
- Increase your deep conditioning treatments to weekly rather than bi-weekly
- Get a trim to freshen up ends
- Use a hat and avoid excessive heat when possible
- Opt for air drying when you can
- Spend 5-10 minutes a day massaging your scalp to get good blood flow (A healthy scalp equals healthy hair!)
- Invest in a good wetline (I recommend Pure BioGen Complex – it’s like a multi-vitamin for the hair!)
7 Common Shampoo Mistakes that Cause Hair Loss (and Other Scalp Issues)
Credit To: Hana Hong on realsimple.com
We all learn how to wash our hair around the same time we learn the ABCs, but unlike the alphabet, it turns out that the everyday ritual isn’t that elementary. Even the little things in your sudsing process can have big consequences for your scalp and hair (see: hair loss and dandruff), and taking into account the types of shampoos, temperature of the water, and your washing schedule (did we mention co-washing?), doing it right can be a real headache. But, like anything, there is always room for improvement, and it’s fairly easy to do that—once you know you’re making mistakes, that is. With that in mind, we asked hairstylists (aka the people professionally trained in the art of shampooing) what the most common hair-washing mistakes are so that we don’t make them.
1 You shampoo too often, or not enough.
Ah, the age-old debate of how often to wash your hair. Not washing often can leave your scalp itchy and irritated, but washing too often can leave your scalp dry and producing more oil to compensate.
Although we wish there was a universal number we could give you, experts say that the frequency of shampooing hair is reliant on a variety of things, including both hair texture and lifestyle. “If you have fine, oily hair, I would suggest washing every other day. This is also the best practice for people with dandruff,” says Paul Wintner, professional hairstylist and educator for Alterna Haircare. “For people with a normal to dry scalp, or curly/coily hair, you should stretch out your wash days to one or two times a week maximum.” Regardless of hair type, try to avoid washing every day if possible.
2 You OD on dry shampoo.
Dry shampoo is a godsend for greasy, second-day hair, but overusing it can cause buildup, leaving the strands limp and clogging the hair follicles on the scalp. “I usually suggest only using dry shampoo one to two times between washes,” says Wintner. If you want to reset your style to extend time between wash days, he recommends Alterna Meltaway No Rinse Micellar Cleanser ($29; ulta.com), a no-rinse cleanser that uses micellar technology to trap oil and sweat from the hair, allowing you to easily brush it away.
RELATED: How Much Dry Shampoo Is Too Much?
3 You’re not completely wetting your hair first.
It’s easy to get impatient in the shower (especially if you’re a chronic alarm snoozer), but truth is that every strand needs to be soaking wet in order to get a deep clean. “Not doing so will make it more difficult to spread the product through your hair and cause you to overuse shampoo,” says Wintner. Make sure your hair is completely wet in order to allow the shampoo to emulsify.
4 You massage too hard.
We all love a vigorous head scrub at the salon, but don’t do it every day at home. Wintner says massaging too hard can cause breakage (read: hair loss) and even scratches on the scalp that lead to scarring. “The best practice is to use the pads of your fingertips and not your fingernails to scrub your scalp. Using circular motions with slight pressure will be enough to cleanse the scalp and hair,” he says.
5 You’re shampooing the ends.
Focus on the roots, not the ends. Intentionally emulsifying the ends can cause unwanted tangling and knots. Lather and massage the roots to mid lengths, then let the water naturally drive the soap down when you rinse.
6 You’re not shampooing long enough.
Fast and furious is a great tagline, but not a great motto for washing your hair. If you’re in and out of the shower in five minutes, you’re probably not doing it right. “It’s important to take enough time to scrub and massage the scalp well,” says professional hairstylist Gina Rivera. “This is important because massaging generates blood flow, which contributes to a healthy scalp. A healthy scalp makes for healthy hair.” (Not thoroughly cleansing clogged hair follicles can also lead to hair loss if not careful.) Wintner says a good practice is to shampoo with circular motions all over your scalp for two to three minutes.
7 You use the same shampoo year-round.
While it’s a beauty myth that your hair gets used to the same shampoo over time, you still want to switch things up occasionally. Your hair needs can shift with the changing seasons, styling habits, and coloring. For example, a smoothing shampoo might come in handy in the humid summer months, while a volumizing shampoo is probably better for the drier winter season. Wintner recommends switching off between a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing shampoo to reduce buildup, and of course, a color-treated shampoo if your hair is dyed.
Now that we know what not to do, see below for a stylist-approved, step-by-step tutorial for how to wash and condition your hair.
How to Wash Hair
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1 Soak hair with warm water before shampooing.
Water is the first step of loosening up oil, dirt, and product buildup on your hair. Water is also vital for getting a rich lather, notes Lorean Cairns, co-founder and creative director of Fox & Jane. “Most shampoos are similar to a concentrate, so water helps dilute it so you’re able to easily spread it across the scalp.” Use warm water at this step to open up the cuticle.
2 Start shampooing at the roots.
Wintner suggests using a dime to quarter-sized amount, depending on hair length and density, and only adding more if needed. Since oil is produced at the scalp, you want to make sure you suds up there first. Start at the hairline and massage back towards your ends.
3 Scrub your scalp—not your hair.
A vigorous scrub is great for scalp health but can be too much for strands. You don’t want to rough up the cuticle, so try to gently “massage” the shampoo into your stands, not “scrunch” it.
4 Rinse and repeat if necessary.
If it’s been a while since you last washed your hair, the first shampoo application might not be as effective. Do it twice if you started with very greasy or product-laden hair. A good indicator of it’s still dirty after the first shampoo is if it doesn’t produce a robust lather.
5 Rinse shampoo thoroughly.
Your conditioner won’t be able to do its job if you have leftover shampoo lying around. Rinse thoroughly for at least three minutes—focusing on the back of the head and nape of the neck—to make sure all residue is gone. Cairns also advises wringing out hair thoroughly before applying conditioner so as to not dilute it.
6 Apply conditioner on bottom half of hair.
No matter your hair type or texture, keeping conditioner strictly on your ends is the best practice. After applying conditioner to your ends, use your fingers like a comb to rake the product through the length of hair. This will help evenly distribute product and remove tangles.
7 Rinse conditioner with cold water.
We all prefer warm water, but experts recommend dialing down the temperature for a final rinse. If you can stand it, rinsing out conditioner with cool water helps seal in nutrients and smooth the cuticle for shiny, smooth hair. It might not be the most comfortable, but your post-shower sheen will thank you.
A Profound Take on the Beauty Industry
Read Gina’s story as she was recently featured in Insights for Success Magazine!
My family has been in the beauty industry since 1929. I grew up sweeping hair off of the floors of my parent’s salon. I always loved the artistry of the business as well as the process involved with making people feel and look better. Move forward 40 years and I am the founder of one of the most successful suite concepts in the industry, Phenix Salon Suites.
The beauty business is a fast paced and rapidly moving industry. There is always something new coming down the pipeline and if you are not in front of it, you’re behind it. When I started Phenix Salon Suites I was looking to serve Lifestyle Professionals in their pursuit to become sole beauty proprietors. I realized that most beauty and wellness professionals partially entered the business because they wanted to work for themselves. I also understood that undertaking opening a multi-chair or multi-station salon required financial resources that many people simply didn’t have.
This was an insight that I was lucky enough to understand because I had worked behind the chair for many years and I had spent my life growing up in the industry. I believe this is still a trend that we are seeing. I recall when the suite concept was the elephant in the room. Meaning, we were beginning to have an impact on the traditional salon model but we had not yet emerged as a player in the industry.
Today, in the United States, the suite concept has taken off like wild-fire with multiple salon suite concepts spanning across the country. I am certain this is a trend that we will continue to see. With the emergence of the Corona-19 pandemic, the need for social distancing and additional hygiene practices has become very important. The suite concept is a perfect solution to this dilemma for the beauty and lifestyle professional.
As a suite owner, a professional services one client at a time in their suite. Items such as common waiting areas, shared wash bowls and equipment that is used by multiple parties are eliminated. In addition, the professional may customize their space to their liking with their own décor. They may set their own hours, establish their own prices, and use products of their choice. Each location offers on-site laundry and restroom facilities and, at the Phenix locations, a receptionist is available to greet and direct clients when they enter the store. And, all of this is affordable at the fraction of the cost of building out a full scale salon.
We are also witnessing trends with investors that are seeking out a franchise investment. The salon suite concept is a much more hands off model compared to many other franchise opportunities such as fast food. Once a location is built out and suites are leased, a franchisee is actually encouraged to step back and allow the professionals to operate their own businesses. Unlike many models, the requirement of being on location daily is far reduced.
Along with this benefit, the model doesn’t require the franchisee to purchase an abundance of products that they are continuously required to use in order to operate. The individual salon professionals purchase their own products and equipment for daily use which far reduces the investment required o maintain the suite model on an ongoing basis. As the suite concept continues to be investigated by interested parties, it’s certain that it will be a popular option for many.
I also believe we can anticipate seeing the suite concept experience international expansion in the next 12-24 months. Phenix Salon Suites has just extended our footprint to include the United Kingdom (UK), with our first store currently under construction in Manchester and several others in the planning stages. As of now we understand that there will be a period of educating professionals on the concept, however, I believe with certainty that the suite concept will be equally embraced in the UK. We also have a variety of other international markets underway which we expect to be very successful.
As we progress, technology has also become more and more significant in the industry. The cell phone has brought beauty into a world where salon and lifestyle professionals can now manage their businesses from the ease of their phone. And, it’s clearly notable that hardback appointment books of the past are headed for the shelf. Professionals are seeking interactive solutions which allow them to communicate easily with their clients. They are seeking simple touch booking and scheduling features that allow consumers to schedule their own appointments. They want to be able to order products with a push of a button and email receipts out without being burdened with paper.
To meet this need, last year my company developed a business app for the beauty and lifestyle professional called Gina’s Platform. The platform is 100% free to any beauty or lifestyle professional in the industry and it has a comprehensive booking and scheduling system as well as a POS (point of sale) system with some of the lowest rates in the industry. In addition, it has options for following trending beauty news, accessing online education and purchasing product as well as extensive client communication features. The app even has financial reporting features for end of the year tax time.
As mentioned previously, the beauty industry is a well-oiled, fast moving, machine. It’s always important to be looking ahead and leading the pack if possible.
How Insurance Can Protect You: Why All Cosmetologists Need Liability Insurance
What is Liability Insurance?
And better yet—why the do you (a cosmetologist, esthetician, stylist, or beauty pro) need it in the first place?
Let’s dive right into the basics to give you a better idea of what liability insurance and how it can save your career.
Liability insurance—like other forms of insurance—is a form of risk management where the insured (that’s you!) can be protected and relieved of the financial responsibility of a potential loss as well as gain peace of mind that experts are handling any claims.
In other words, think of liability insurance as a safety net. You don’t expect anything bad to happen in your cosmetology career, and you certainly don’t plan to make mistakes—but just in case, you’ve got a seriously reliable safety net watching your back. That way, if anything does happen, the financial, legal, and professional burdens of it are going to be taken care of by pros in the insurance industry.
Let’s go a little deeper.
Liability insurance exists in many forms.
· Professional liability insurance is one of the most common types—it protects you against any claims (alleged or actual) that say you’re responsible for causing harm or damages to any of your clients.
· General liability insurance still protects you but deals with things that are more of an indirect effect—so, instead of someone bringing a claim against you for accidentally snipping their ear during a haircut, they’d bring a claim against you for slipping on your carpet in the salon.
· Product liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects you should anything bad happen as a result of something you used during your services (we’re talking shampoo, moisturizer, hot oil, etc.)
To be properly covered and adequately protected, it’s crucial that you’ve got all of those fronts on lock. The right insurance can change your cosmetology career for the better.
Learn more about why insurance is an absolute must (beyond the obvious reasons, of course).
The Top 5 Reasons You Need Insurance ASAP
Liability insurance is crucial for a lot of reasons, and we’ve got a feeling you’re going to want to be aware of all of them.
Protects You (& Your Career) From the Unlikely & Improbable
We’ve all made little, tiny mistakes in our careers, right? Look, we’re all human. No matter what you do, no matter how trained you are, and no matter how badass of a cosmetologist you are, you’re bound to make a mistake. And yes, liability insurance is a must when it comes to covering the little, inevitable stuff—but it’s also an absolute necessity for the unlikely and the improbable.
Your State Might Require It
While every state is different, it’s likely that yours requires some form of liability insurance. Not having it in some states could just be risky, but in others, it could be illegal. Do a quick double-check to see what your state requires. And while you’re at it, see what your salon or shop requires, too. Even if they have their own liability insurance, it might be on you to protect yourself—and you don’t want to figure that out the hard way.
Without Insurance, You’re Responsible
Sure, if something bad happens and someone accuses you of making a mistake, you’ve got to deal with all the professional repercussions that go hand-in-hand with that.
Without insurance, you’re likely going to be the one handling all the fees and finances—are you prepared to wave goodbye to lots of your hard-earned money? If not, we highly recommend looking into some quality liability insurance.
It Protects You on All Fronts
If you get the right kind, of course. Liability insurance isn’t just for your professional needs—AKA, when you make a mistake or allegedly make a mistake. The right type of liability insurance will actually cover other things, like product liability insurance and general liability insurance. Yep, someone can (and might) sue you if a product you used makes their hair fall out or if they trip on your spa rug and break their ankle. But with the right type of protection, you don’t have to shoulder these responsibilities (especially when it comes to finances).
Shows You’re a Serious Pro
There’s some weird stigma in the cosmetology world where people think if you have liability insurance, it’s because you’re afraid of the potential mistakes you’ll make. AKA, that translates to you not being a confident stylist, esthetician, cosmetologist, etc.
The opposite is actually true. The most professional, prepared, and caring cosmetologists are the ones investing in liability insurance. Why? Because they believe in protecting themselves, their careers, and of course, their clients. Without insurance, your entire career could vanish with a single, false accusation.
Investing in liability insurance is the step you need to take in order to gain control over all the unlikely, improbable, and frankly outlandish stuff that could happen. Elite Beauty Society is here to protect you from any accidents that may occur in your salon, salon suite, spa or wherever you practice. We are dedicated to making sure that you get insured and can grow your career with perks that Elite Beauty Society offers, such as FREE business education, lifestyle discounts, industry specific discounts, and so much more.