Tag Archives: downtown st louis

Is Your Hair Dehydrated?

July 28, 2017

Summer is in full swing which means, so is the sun. Your hair takes a beating between pool chemicals, more frequent shampooing, and sun worshiping. If you highlight or color your hair this time of year can trash all that beautiful work your stylist spent countless hours on. Fear not, there are ways to rehydrate, protect, and heal those poor strands. Here’s a list of my favorite products and services for quenching your hair’s thirst.

O&M DETOX Shampoo

Do you ever leave the pool feeling like your hair magically transformed into hay? If so this Shampoo will change your life! Detox removes product build up, chlorine, and stubborn oils. My favorite thing about this product is the invigorating peppermint oil. Your scalp feels clean, cool, and refreshed. Unlike most clarifying shampoos, Detox leaves your hair nourished, hydrated, and soft.

G L O S S it up!

Glaze, toner, gloss, are all the same. Keeping your strands glossed every 4-6 weeks protects your hair from heat styling and the sun. It also is a great way to reduce brassiness and revive the shine and saturation of your color.

EVO FABULOSO Platinum

Don’t have time for a gloss? Revive your blonde and kick brass at home with EVO’s FABULOSO Platinum deep conditioner. The bottle says to leave on for 3 mins however, I always suggest my clients leave this brass killer on for a minimum of 10. Your highlights will be bright and hydrated.

OI oil

Unlike Argan Oils, this is a super lightweight holy-grail of shine and softness. OI is good for all hair types. Davines Oi oil contains Roucou oil which is light yet powerful. I recommend using this on your ends every night before bed. This bottle can last at least 6 months when used properly. For the average head of hair less than the size of a pea is more than enough. Oi has healing properties and can be used on wet or dry hair. You will wonder how you ever lived without this. Did I mention it smells amazing?

NOU NOU Mask

Every woman should have a deep conditioner to use at least 1-2 times per week. I prefer to deep condition after I have used my Detox clarifying shampoo. It makes the most sense to do a “deep” cleanse before a “deep” conditioning. NOU NOU mask not only hydrates the hair but it also strengthens weak over worked strands.

OLAPLEX

If you haven’t heard of Olaplex you are being deprived of something truly amazing. Olaplex was the first of its kind in the beauty industry. This take home is the 3rd step after your stylist performs steps 1 & 2 during your color service. This is not a conditioner. This is a bond multiplier which has been designed to prevent breakage during your color service. Basically, it’s an insurance policy for your hair’s health. Use #3 weekly on clean damp hair to maintain the added strength.

P.S. All of these goodies can be found at my salon Thirteenth and Washington in downtown St. Louis 🙂

What is Dimensional Haircolor?

July 12, 2016

Ever feel confused when booking a service at the salon? These days there are so many different names for the same techniques. Babylights, balayage, highlights, lowlights, color melting, all over color, and the list can go on and on.

Let’s simplify this for you. You have two choices when it comes to color. You either want dimension or you don’t. All over color is one solid color all over the head and Dimensional color means just that, adding dimension throughout the entire look. I highly recommend booking a consultation before booking a color appointment, especially if it’s your first time with the colorist. Most colorists offer complimentary consultations. This allows them time to look through your hair and see if there needs to be any corrections made before creating the color of your dreams. I feel safe saying about 80% of new clients who come in for color and show me their “balayage pinterest board”, need a corrective service before their color dream is even possible. Haircolor is complicated people! You can’t just slap something on and expect it to not only look exactly how you envisioned, but also magically styled in long flowing waves when in reality your hair is shoulder length and you can wrap a hair band around your ponytail 20 times.So please. I beg you. Book a complimentary consultation 🙂 Your colorist will help you find the most flattering placement for you and your hair type.

Now let’s talk about the different levels of dimension. It basically ranges from subtle/ low contrast to bold/ high contrast. Leave the actual technique up to your stylist to achieve the look your going for. Just because you think you want balayage doesn’t mean that’s actually what it takes to get there.

Here are a few pictures of my clients to help you understand the difference..

Low/ Subtle Dimension this was a mixture of balayage, base color, and foiling with a glaze aka toner

Low/ subtle dimension this was a balayage application on virgin hair (hair that hasn’t been colored before)

High Contrast Dimension this was highlights and lowlights in foils followed by a glaze/toner

High Contrast Dimension this color took two sessions to achieve. 1st session was an all over balayage with glaze aka toner. 2nd session was a mixture of foils and balayage application over the same pieces we did previously followed by a glaze/toner.

Do you feel like you have a better understanding now? Leave your questions in the comments below! I would be more than happy to answer any questions for you 🙂 If you are in the St. Louis area and want to book with me visit my website http://www.KristenLinares.com

Hot water is killing your haircolor!

March 28, 2016

Have you ever thought, “Hot water can’t be THAT bad for my hair.” Think again. As a Beauty Expert I decided to do a little science experiment that was featured on Great Day St. Louis this morning. Check out these results…

STEP ONE: All six wefts of hair were colored using Davines A New Colour with a level 6 golden copper.
STEP TWO: These wefts represent fresh haircolor however the left strand was rinsed using professional grade Davines NOU NOU shampoo and the right strand was Suave from Walgreens.

STEP THREE: These two strands were shampooed 5 times using extremely hot water. Left strand shampooed with NOU NOU and right strand Suave. This is the misunderstanding most people have. Most people think just using professional grade shampoo will maintain their color regardless of any other factors. The truth is professional grade shampoo will maintain the color and keep the hair healthy as long as you’re not abusing your hair with scolding hot water and hot tools. If your hair is trashed to begin with, professional products will help it feel a bit better but in all honesty the best thing for severely damaged hair that doesn’t hold color is a haircut. Bye Bye crap hair. Your hairstylist is dead serious about that “no magic wand” thing.
So does that mean you should go the cheap route since you’re not willing to sacrifice your lava shower? Hell no. All the more reason to use a high quality formula! Cheap brands will leave waxy residue and truly dry your hair out with prolonged use. The good stuff is in fact that, good. Professional shampoos not only contain gentle cleansers but also nourishing factors to make your hair healthy and bouncy. It’s like going in for a serious surgery and expecting over the counter drugs to help with the healing process. Haircolor is surgery on your hair and you will want “the good stuff”.

STEP FOUR: Now this is eye opening! These strands have been shampooed 5 times with NOU NOU (left) and Suave (right). Look at how little these faded in comparison to the hot water! The reason cool water is so much better is because cool water allows the hair’s cuticle to stay calm and in an almost closed state. Hot water and tools swell the cuticle allowing the dye molecules to slip out easily.

STEP FIVE: Watch my morning segment by clicking the link below to see how 400 degrees from your beloved flat iron strips the color right out of hair! It’s crazy! Keep your hot tools at 350 or below ladies and ALWAYS use protection. Heat protection that is 😉
http://www.kmov.com/clip/12319104/hair-confidential-fight-the-fade

HOW TO: EFFORTLESS GLOSSY CURLS

January 26, 2015

Whether you’re running out the door to run some errands or meeting a friend for a lunch date, this effortless style will become your best friend. First you’ll need a few styling products, a blow dryer, and a round brush. You’ll want to start with fresh, clean hair because you’ll be using a brush and blow dryer to give you body and wave. Start by generously applying Davines Oi all in one milk throughout the hair from mid shaft to ends.

This product doesn’t only detangle and add shine, but controls frizz, gives body without weighing down the hair (which makes it okay to use more towards your scalp as well) all while protecting your precious locks from any heated styling tools. Continue by getting the hair about 80% dry using your blow dryer and either your fingers, a paddle brush, or whatever you’d like, really. Once you feel it’s almost dry and maybe looking a little frizzy, don’t worry, you’ll be getting out your round brush now. Also feel free to add some more of that Oi all in one milk and using it on each section. Starting at the bottom near the neck area, start round brushing the hair to give a silky smooth effect. After each section is completely smoothed out and dry, twist the hair in the direction you round brushed and leave it to cool! Continue on with that technique until all you have left is your front pieces. Now you’ll either bring your round brush towards, or away from the face depending on how you want your face framed.

Add some Davines medium hold hairspray to add a sheer hold, and an amazing light fragrance to the hair and you’re ready to go!

Now for more of a polished look, you’ll just be adding one extra product and a few extra minutes into your schedule. You’ll also need a 1 1/4 curling iron.

Start by focusing on the top section (about one inch from the part) going piece by piece wrapping the hair around the barrel without clamping down on the strand. Before curling each piece you’ll want to spray the medium hold hairspray by Davines. If you go in one direction with the first piece, go the opposite way with the next. That will ultimately create a more effortless look. You’ll want to brush out each curl once it’s cooled for only about 3 seconds (literally). Once finished with the top section you’re finished!!

I love that it doesn’t require curling the whole head. Lastly, and sparingly, add Davines Oi Absolute Beautifying Potion to give a luminous finish. Throw on a nude lip, some mascara, and comb through the brows with a clear brow gel and your look is complete!

Until next time xxxxo -Amber Perry

HOW TO: Glow for the Holidays

December 23, 2014

If you are anything like me, you have worked your face off the past few weeks. Literally! High stress work environments during the holidays bring on such wonderful things like breakouts, dryness, and dullness. Gross. So now is your time to shine my friends! Here are a few things you can do to get your glow back…

STEP ONE: SLOUGH IT OFF!

With the dryness winter brings it’s as if your whole body develops are hard shell. You must break through all the nasty dead stuff to expose the beauty underneath.

FOR THE BODY: Make your own sugar scrub! Its super easy and you can find all the ingredients in your kitchen. Add some of your favorite essential oils if you want to make it a little special. Check out this awesome recipe I found on “Love Grows Wild”

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

This Homemade Mint Sugar Scrub is the perfect DIY gift idea! Inexpensive and easy to make!

Author: Liz Fourez

Ingredients

½ cup coconut oil
1½ – 2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon peppermint extract
1 drop green food coloring

Instructions

Place coconut oil in a bowl and microwave on HIGH 15-25 seconds until softened.
Start by adding 1½ cups sugar to the oil, along with the peppermint extract and green food coloring. Mix until ingredients are well combined and food coloring is evenly distributed. If mixture is too wet, add another ½ cup sugar until scrub is to desired consistency.
Spoon scrub into air-tight containers (such as a mason jar) and decorate with twine or ribbon.

FOR THE FACE: Which is a little more sensitive. I have discovered the holy grail of exfoliates! Blissoma’s “Glow” exfoliating powder is pure genius. Instead of scrubbing away dead skin cells, which can cause more damage than good, Glow contains natural enzymes that dissolves the dead skin! Also, you can mix this into your favorite cleanser or use alone with a little bit of water. Like I said, GENIUS!! For more in depth information on this product click the photo. Blissoma.com has so much valuable free information!FOR THE HAIR: You must remove build up of oils and product before you can feed your hair moisture. My absolute favorite clarifying shampoo is Davines SOLU shampoo. Solu refreshing solution shampoo has an innovative formula that effectively removes hairspray residues and other styling products, respecting the physiology of the hair and scalp. Thanks to its natural active ingredients, deep cleanses and instantly moisturize.STEP TWO: GET GLOSSY!

Now that you have removed all that unnecessary gunk we can create the ultimate vibrancy and shine!

FOR THE BODY: As soon as I get out of the shower, before patting dry, I immediately spray myself with Davines’ DeStress lotion. It’s crazy how soft my skin feels after using this! It has the same effect as Rain-X has to your car windshield! The water beads right off exposing super soft-glossy skin! Its velvety texture ensures fast easy absorption. The formula is enriched with UV filter that protects hair & skin from damage caused by sun exposure. Hair looks soft and silky, and the skin nourished.FOR THE FACE: I can not go a single day without my Blissoma Restore oil! This is literally the only moisturizer that hydrates my skin properly and keeps my lips chap free in the winter. I recommend applying to clean skin in the am, adding a few drops to your foundation, and applying to clean skin again before bed.

“Young, healthy skin is protected by its own natural oils but as skin ages it produces less, leaving it vulnerable to environmental damage and stress. The right balance of antioxidant-rich seed oils offers regenerating nutrients without clogging or greasiness. Restore Oil Serum provides an elegant shield to keep skin looking firm and glowing.” -Julie LongyearFOR THE HAIR: Feed your hair moisture and it will give you incredible shine! When the hair is properly hydrated it is soft and reflective of light due to the cuticle layer laying flat as it should. The Davines OI products were designed for all hair types and textures to create softness, shines, and protect the hair from the environment and natural aging. Roucou oil, which is the most prominent ingredient in the line is responsible for prevent hair aging & having a strong anti-oxidant action.