Silver balayage works on all hair types—the balayage color technique, in fact, has always been popular for curly, coily, sleek hair and beyond, because the dark-to-light effect is easy to wear and maintain. Read Gina’s advice on 30 silver balayage hairstyles that are as good as gold here!
Gina Rivera
Gina’s Tip of the Week – How to Combat Frizzy Hair
Frizzy hair can be one of the most challenging hair situations that we deal with. Here’s my Tip of the Week for combating the frizzies:
- Start with a terrific professional wetline. Hint: This is always where your hair care should start.
- Select a professional wetline based on its ingredients and its ability to provide proper nutrients, soften, and smooth the hair.
- Always go with a shampoo that is sulfate free.
- Make sure to select a wetline that is packed with items such as biotin, collagen and vitamins. I recommend Pure BioGen Complex by Gina.
- Always select hot tools that utilize infrared technology because they lock the moisture into the hair.
15 Best Leave-In Conditioner Formulas for All-Day Hydration
When it comes to building a solid hair-care routine, there’s no easier way to level up your hair game than with the best leave-in conditioner. Unlike traditional rinse-out formulas, these leave-in versions offer an extra dose of conditioning to help detangle, nix frizzy hair and flyaways, resist split ends, protect against heat damage and breakage, and address a multitude of other hair needs.
The main difference between rinse-out versus leave-in conditioners is the latter’s long-term perks, says Clint Wilson, cofounder of and stylist at Salon SCK in New York City. “A leave-in conditioner continues nourishing and protecting the hair throughout the day, while a regular conditioner stops working and actually needs to be rinsed out to prevent your hair from becoming greasy,” he explains. Plus, leave-in formulas tend to be more multitasking than their in-shower counterparts, offering a host of targeted benefits, such as defining wavy hair, protecting color-treated hair, or prepping for a blow-dry (or any kind of heat styling).
Their usage may vary too. Although leave-in conditioners are usually applied to wet or damp hair, some can be applied to dry hair, depending on your hair type. For example, says Wilson, “If you have naturally curly hair and want to refresh your hairstyle the next day without washing, using a leave-in conditioner is a great way to revitalize your style.”
For wash day, you can either use a leave-in conditioner after your usual wash-out conditioner——or if you’re short on time, skip one, says Wilson, who suggests you keep the leave-in version. However, the amount of product you use depends on your hair type; someone with fine hair should use a smaller amount, since too much product can leave the hair feeling heavy.
Speaking of: If your hair leans fine, Shelly Aguirre, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, recommends using a leave-in conditioner spray. “That way you concentrate on the ends so you don’t weigh the hair down from the scalp,” she says. She also suggests skipping it for a few days if you notice that your hair feels limp, which could be from the weight from product buildup. (If that’s the case, consider avoiding formulas that contain silicones, since these can contribute to buildup.)
Clearly, not all leave-in conditioners are created equal. Keep scrolling for 15 of our favorite leave-in conditioners, along with a slew of expert product recommendations.
To read the full article and get links to products, click HERE.
Credit to: Lauren Dana for Glamour.com
Everything You Need to Know About Rice Water for Hair
Credit to: Celia Shatzman for prose.com
What is rice water?
“Rice water is the starchy water left over after rice is cooked or left to soak,” explains Gina Rivera, Celebrity Stylist & Founder of Phenix Salon Suites. It’s made by fermenting rice and straining the remains to create a hair potion.
What nutrients does rice water contain?
Fermented rice water for hair is proven to have very beneficial properties. It contains a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin E and oryzanol. These nutrients, along with vitamin B and amino acids, help build strong and healthy hair, smooth to help control frizz, and promote hair shine. Fermented rice water is also a known source for vitamins A and C.
What are the benefits of rice water for hair?
There are plenty of perks when it comes to rice water for hair. “For one, it will increase the amount of shine instantly,” Rauchut says. “You will also notice the amount of tangles will diminish. Most of us don’t realize when we lack vitamins A, B, and C, which can really improve your hair quality. Not to mention, a lot of us are deficient in this, which is unfortunately very common. Lastly, rice water helps keep the hair’s strength intact and decreases the amount of breakage.”
Rice water for hair can also help protect and repair hair. “The amino acids in rice water are thought to aid hair regeneration,” Rivera says. “This combined with the vitamins B and E that are also present may promote hair strength. However, keep in mind that there needs to be additional scientific studies to have conclusive results on the benefits of using rice water.”
What hair types is rice water best for?
“Rice water can be used on all types of hair; however, it may work best for coarse or damaged hair that needs some additional care,” Rivera says. It’s especially beneficial for those who are concerned about breakage and dryness. “I like to introduce this homeopathic tradition to my girls who get highlights every six to eight weeks,” Rauchut says. “When receiving a service that is ‘lifting’ or opening the cuticle, often there is a chance you will need an increase in amino acids, which helps keep the structure of our hair intact.”
What is the best way to use rice water for hair?
After you shampoo your hair, rinse with cool water and towel dry, suggests Holly Dear, owner House of Dear Hair Salon and House of Dear Clean Beauty collection. “Then apply rice water onto your scalp and hair and leave on for approximately 20 minutes and rinse again with cool water,” she says. “Do not leave on your hair for long and use it once a month.”
To pay homage to its original use, Rauchut believes the best way to use rice water for hair is by rinsing your hair with rice water daily. “The Yao women would dip their hair into the rice water and use a comb to distribute it evenly,” she says. “Traditionally, rice water was used as a shampoo and then they would rinse in a nearby river. For at home in the modern day, I believe dipping your hair into the rice water and then rinsing with filtered water is the closest to the original intention of this cleansing treatment.”
How can you make your own rice water for hair?
First, be sure to wash the rice properly to remove any dirt or other impurities. Rauchut recommends adding water, then rubbing the rice in between your hands so as to extract the content of the rice. When the water becomes cloudy, sieve it into another pot.
“Rice water can be made by soaking rice and then straining the rice from the water so that you only have rice left,” Rivera says. “It can also be made by boiling rice using additional water so that rice water is left over. Again, strain rice from the water once the rice is cooked and use the remaining water once cooled on the hair.”
Are there any side effects to using rice water in hair?
Keep in mind you can always have too much of a good thing. “Using too much or leaving rice water on for too long can cause dryness and damage,” cautions Dear.
It’s also important to be mindful of any allergies, particularly a gluten sensitivity. “Also, if not rinsed out properly, you may feel a little itchy or experience scalp buildup,” Rauchutsays. “Some may even feel they have a protein buildup. I suggest consulting a stylist familiar with this routine and make sure to rinse very thoroughly.”
Which Prose products contain rice water?
You’ll find fermented rice water among the possible ingredients in Prose’s custom shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner. If your formula calls for smoothing, unwanted frizz control, and detangling, then you can bet rice water is included in your personalized products.
Hair Experts Agree: These Haircut Mistakes Add Years To Your Look
Credit to: Faith Geiger for shefinds.com
A great haircut has the power to transform your look. When you choose a style that softens your features and highlights all the right parts of your face, you’ll look younger than ever—but on the other hand, the wrong cut can instantly add years to your face.
If you’re considering heading to the salon for a fresh haircut and want to avoid a mistake that will age you, don’t worry. We’re here to help! We gathered insights from hair experts such as Gina Rivera, Celebrity Hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, and expert stylist Holly Dear to point out two of the things you should avoid when seeking out a fresh, youthful hairstyle.
Rivera says the key to creating a youthful appearance with your haircut is to choose a style that softens your features. That’s why long, straight hair without any layers is one look that can instantly age you. “Long straight hair may sharpen the features rather than soften them,” Rivera explains.
Just as you may opt for skincare products that reduce wrinkles and sagging, it’s best to stick with hairstyles that distract from these signs of aging. Hair that is too long—especially if it lacks volume, waves, or face-framing layers—can have the opposite effect. “Always be mindful that there is a point where long straight hair can contribute to the features looking more prominent and drawn,” Rivera warns.
Scalp expert Philip B., founder of Philip B. Hair Care, echoes this sentiment: “When hair has no layers it can look flat and dull which can instantly age you.”
Cosmetologist Ghanima Abdula from The Right Hairstyles also notes that too much length should especially be avoided if you struggle with another sign of aging: thinning hair. She says long hair “looks even more thin, which can age you considerably.”
However, this doesn’t mean you have to jump straight to a pixie cut! Long hair is still an option that can look beautiful no matter how old you are, as long as you consider the style that will work best with your specific face shape and features.
Experts suggest opting for layered looks with lots of movement and face-framing if you want to keep your hair long. “The right amount of layers for long hair works to introduce balance to the face, movement, and volume, as well as helping to bounce or refract the light,” Philip B. explains.
You may even want to consider the ever-trendy shag haircut, which is perfect for creating volume and framing your features.
Another haircut mistake that could add years to your face is choosing a single-length, blunt bob that falls right at your jawline.
Expert hairstylist Holly Dear says that bobs have the ability to be very flattering when they’re the right length. However, a jaw-length cut may emphasize all the wrong parts of your face, such as the drooping skin around your jawline. “Bobs can be unflattering for people as they age because our skin tends to fall in these areas,” she explains.
The solution? Add a little length to your bob. Dear suggests going with a mid-length cut that rests just at the narrow part of your neck—some people refer to this flattering, youthful style as a “lob.” No matter what you call it, Dear says this cut will help “visually lift and lengthen the neck and pull visually everything up.”
Additionally, the same volume-enhancing style tip for long hair works for bobs and lobs too: when in doubt, go with layers and face-framing styles to soften your features and create a fresh, youthful look.
No matter what hairstyle you’re going for, there are ways to rock every length under the sun, even as you age. Just avoid these common pitfalls, stick with a stylist you trust, and above all, wear your hair with confidence!
A Full Guide To 2A Hair Type: Products, Styling Tips & More From The Pros
In This Article
Credit to: Dorian Smith-Garcia for mindbodygreen.com
With so many ways to care for hair, it can feel like an overwhelming prospect to find the right products, tools, and styling techniques that bring out the best in your tresses. But did you know that by accurately categorizing your hair type, you can take a lot of the guesswork out of hair care?
While people used to think that there were just a few hair types—straight, wavy, and curly—it turns out that there are more than three. And there are even subcategories! Before you give up in frustration and resign yourself to endless bad hair days, keep reading. If you have very loose, wavy hair, you need to learn about the different subtypes of this hair pattern. You might be a 2a head.
Sound confusing? Don’t worry, keep reading for the lowdown on 2a wavy hair.
What is 2a hair?
Hair typing might sound like a weird thing, but it’s one area of your life where knowing what category you fit into can be the difference between having more good hair days than bad ones. While many factors go into hair care, knowing specifically what hair type you have is one of the most influential.
And thankfully celebrity hairstylist Andre Walker decided to create a simple typing system to make things easier. In total there are four hair textures or types, which are listed from 1 to 4. While Type 1 hair simply refers to all straight hair, the remaining types 2 through 4 refer to wavy, curly, and coily hair textures. But to take it a step further, types 2 through 4 are each then divided into three subtypes.
For reference, Type 3 is for curly hair (and it’s further broken down into 3a, 3b, and 3c). Type 4 is for coily hair textures (and is further broken down to 4a, 4b, and 4c). Type 2 hair is for wavy textures and is further labeled 2a, 2b, and 2c, with 2a being the loosest of the waves and 2c almost mimicking a true very loose corkscrew curl.
What does 2a hair look like?
Type 2a hair is a very loose wave pattern. As Meerika Khanna, an Ayurvedic hair wellness expert and founder of Rthvi, notes, “2a hair type is usually flat at the top and slightly wavy at the bottom.” So, think beachy waves that might have fallen a bit. While there is body and definition, the wave isn’t as pronounced as with 2b and 2c hair types.
But, as with Type 3 and 4 heads, Type 2 beauties still have to worry about dryness. Even though their wave pattern isn’t as intense, they’ll still struggle with dry ends as natural oils produced by the scalp will still have difficulty traveling down the hair shaft to reach the ends.
However, picking the right moisturizing products is critical as Type 2 hair tends to be finer. This means that opting for heavier moisturizing ingredients like pure shea butter or coconut oil (which are ideal for many Type 3s and 4s) could weigh your hair down.
Hair care tips for 2a hair.
Knowing your hair type can help point you in the direction when you’re shopping for hair care products or trying to determine styling tips that will bring out the best in your tresses. But we can’t deny that there’s a bit of trial and error when it comes to developing a stellar hair care routine that creates consistent desirable results every time.
Even if your favorite social media star is the same hair type as you, factors like body chemistry, porosity, and even your commitment level to certain routines will affect what processes you choose to adopt and which ones you despise.
1. High heat is not your friend.
In general, pretty much anyone with hair on their head will do well to avoid using too much heat. But with 2a hair, your wave pattern isn’t pronounced. So, if you rely on a blow dryer to dry your tresses, don’t be surprised if your waves go from barely there to nonexistent. If straight hair is your goal, then proceed as usual—but for those looking to amp up the texture, you’ll want a new styling route. Khanna reminds 2a heads to “stick to air drying if you want to wear a wavy look. Type 2a becomes mainly straight when you use heat to dry it. Using a curling iron on air-dried hair gives the best results for this hair type.”
2. Skip daily hair washing.
Because this hair type is flat at the root, people may be tempted to wash daily to give the hair some lift. However, this habit can lead to unwanted texture side effects. Once your hair has a more visible texture, daily hair washing usually isn’t a good idea. Tiffany Scott, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Tiffany Scott Extensions, notes that you shouldn’t wash too frequently as you need to retain oils and moisture. This will help to “reduce frizz [while] moisture will keep the curls bouncy and lustrous.”
3. Check your porosity.
Porosity affects everyone no matter whether you have naturally pin-straight hair or are rocking a fro. However, when your hair has more texture (think wavy, curly, and coily hair), porosity can exacerbate your hair’s tendency to be dryer than those with straight hair. As a result, maintaining a moisture balance is critical. Knowing where your hair stands on the porosity chart can help you pick the right products to help boost moisture, which can translate to better hair days.
Porosity is defined by three categories: high, medium, and low. High-porosity hair has hair shafts with completely open cuticles. This means moisture can easily slip out. Medium-porosity hair is also referred to as normal because the cuticles are regularly aligned and can maintain the proper moisture balance. Meanwhile, low-porosity hair struggles with moisture like high-porosity hair but for different reasons. In this case, the cuticles are so tightly aligned that water or moisture struggles to penetrate the hair shaft. If you’re not sure which category describes your hair, you can do a quick porosity check using this test, along with a strand of hair and a cup of water.
4. Avoid heavy products.
While 2a heads do have some texture, this hair type tends to be finer. Kelly Harrison, a hairdresser and U.S. brand manager for BIOTOP Professional, reminds wavies that “using too much product or product that is too heavy can cause unwanted weight, leaving your locks looking dirty and flat instead of bouncy and fun.”
5. Detangle before styling.
It’s always a good idea to detangle before styling your hair. But when you’ve got texture, waiting until after you’ve styled can leave you with nightmarish snarls. Kenny Duncan, the North American artistic team lead for Andis Company, recommends that 2a hair types use “a rake comb then a wet brush before actually blow drying your hair.” This “will help prevent breakage to your hair during the process.” And of course, don’t forget to invest in a good heat protectant to prevent burning your hair when you use any kind of hot tool.
6. Trims help your hair thrive.
Type 2a hair is naturally fine. This means that it can easily look a little wild. Samantha Bucolo Denis of Allyoos reminds us that if you have this hair type, you should be trimming it every 10 to 12 weeks. “A great way to help natural texture and shape thrive for 2a hair types is to keep ends healthy and trimmed. If this hair type gets too long, it will look stringy and straggly. A good length for this hair type is shoulder or a little longer. This will help waves stay shapely with nice bounce and movement,” she says.
7. Choose hot tools wisely.
You know that you shouldn’t rely on a hot styling tool every day. But it’s unrealistic to assume that you’ll never use one. Gina Rivera, celebrity stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, recommends picking a “hot tool that utilizes infrared technology because it acts to lock the moisture into the hair, styling it from the inside out.” But don’t forget to embrace your natural curl pattern. She also recommends that you visit a professional stylist who’s experienced with your hair type. This ensures that they’ll bring out the best in your hair as well as give you smart tips so that your hair looks great between salon visits.
8. Swap the shampoo for a cleanser.
Textured hair can often get away without having to be washed daily. Bucolo Denis recommends that 2a’s “should alternate shampoo days with a gentle hair rinse. We can still get clean but without suds or stripping. The less shape and natural oils we strip away, the better our hair dries and the more we help balance our scalp in the long run.” Looking for a good option? We love an apple cider vinegar hair rinse for wavy hair folks, as it can increase shine and manage oil.
Products for 2A hair.
Type 2a hair can be a versatile texture. While you have a slight wave, you can easily switch it up between straight or truly curly hair using heat-free techniques or hot tools. But if you’re looking to revamp your hair care collection, these items might do the trick. Just keep in mind that hair is personal. So, everything from how efficiently a product works to whether you like the smell or texture will affect whether something becomes a holy grail or an unwanted bottle of nearly full product in your sink cabinet.
BIOTOP Professional 911 Quinoa Shampoo ($37); amazon.com
Maintaining moisture balance and restoring your hair’s pH are important for nailing a good hair day. This shampoo is packed with proteins that work to replenish essential nutrients like amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins that will leave your hair more manageable, shiny, and vibrant.
Allyoos Juice Drench ($30); amazon.com; verishop.com
Incorporating a hair mask once a week is a great way to nurture your strands and bring out the best in them. Here’s an easy-to-use mask that’s 99.4% plant- and water-based. Mango seed butter, organic watermelon seed oil, spinach, spirulina extract, and more combine to create a thirst-quenching mask that not only hydrates your hair but can even work as a leave-in mask.
Wet Brush Original Detangler ($13); amazon.com
In reality, everyone should detangle before washing or styling their hair. But when you have texture, it’s even more important to detangle before washing to prevent even worse knots from forming. This option is great for this task as it quickly works through stubborn knots. For best results, use on damp hair. And for particularly difficult tangles, use a mix of conditioner and water to help work through your hair faster.
Rthvi Hibiscus Oil ($20); rthvi.com
Even though everyone needs to moisturize their hair, 2a hair has to walk the fine balance between giving their tresses what they need without weighing them down. Consider trying out some Ayurvedic oils from Rthvi. Their hibiscus, amla, and bhringraj oils are great for a once-a-week oiling session. Focus on the scalp and hair, and leave it either for four to six hours or overnight before washing it out.
Styles for 2a hair.
Many people consider 2a hair to be the best of both worlds. The finer texture and gentle wave pattern can make it easier to style and manage. Meanwhile, you can still easily shift between straight, wavy, and curly hair depending on your styling goals.
Just remember that you shouldn’t rely regularly on heat tools as they can cause damage with prolonged use. This can manifest as excessively dry hair that’s prone to breakage and split ends. And once your hair is damaged, no matter what the hair product commercials promise, the only way to truly fix it is to cut it.
The takeaway.
It’s astounding that there are so many hair types in the world. While 2a is the lightest of the textures, it’s still a versatile hair pattern that has unique requirements for a hair care routine that brings out the best in these tresses. While there’s no substitute for a salon visit to an experienced stylist who knows how to care for your hair, knowing how to keep your hair looking its best between visits is also important. To level up, check out our tips on keeping strands shiny and frizz-free.