Everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s doing it. Everyone’s buying it. But do any of us know exactly what we’re doing?
We’re talking straightening this month. The irons themselves we have discussed previously, so this month we’re looking into the massive market of straightening oils and serums.
There is so much choice on out there that it’s hard to pick out one product that will be suitable. A lot of people can be easily put off a product; if they try one brand and it doesn’t work, or is not suitable for their hair type, they are more likely not to bother at all rather than spend the money trying out another one.
As hairdressers you should be learning on the job, and taking note of what products work on which hair types so that you can advise clients with similar hair types to use similar products. This is not a perfect science as they say, but it will go some way to helping you to help your clients through the very scary hyper-market of straightening lotions and potions.
Hot products seem to be some of the following:
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is also causing a bit of a storm on the market as being one which is suitable for lots of different hair types. However, you can’t buy this in the shops and is only available for sale through his approved salons in America and Canada. So if you know someone who’s off to the States, or you’re lucky enough to be jetting off yourself, then grab yourself a bottle (or two) of this supposed wonder stuff.
Not products seem to be:
GHD have revolutionised the use of straightening irons in salons and homes over the past few years, and the quality, it seems, cannot be rivalled by any other iron makers. However, there has not been too hot a response about their styling range. Many consumers have said that their Iron Oil leaves hair too greasy, while other users have put this down to over-use of the product.
However, ghd have refined their straightening product range whilst reacting to stylist needs, and will soon be launching their new ghd thermodynamics™ hair beauty range. They have incorporated a clever science into a four-step regime for beautiful hair, on any hair type.
The entire range contains ingredients which protect the hair with heat reflective technology, which retains moisture and even protects against colour fade and UV damage. This is important because it’s not often you can get heat and colour protection in one product.
The packaging is classy; what else would you expect from the market leaders in this product type? Let’s hope that this range is easier for consumers to use. We’ll find out what people think and let you know, but at the moment it stands to be a sensible buy for anyone who is into heat styling of any kind.
In a nutshell, it is a fairly revolutionary way for people with troublesome curly hair to have straight hair.
It is an entirely different process from hair relaxing. Relaxers are designed primarily for African hair, and Japanese Hair Straightening is designed primarily for Caucasian hair. The two hair types are very different in their texture, finesse, and ability to retain moisture.
It works for everybody
To varying degrees. The tighter your natural curl, the less dramatic the result. However, in almost all cases the result is such that hair is far more manageable and controllable, even African and Asian hair. But relaxers would be still more recommendable for ethnic hair over the Japanese Hair Straightening.
The down side
Is cost, time, and previously chemically treated hair. The cost seems to range from $500.00 to $1,500 US Dollars (approximately £280 to £850), depending on the salon's geographic region. Small wonder too. It takes two hair stylists a minimum of four hours to complete the process and another hour or so in a follow-up session three days later. The chemicals themselves are a bit pricey for the salon too.
You should also use the specifically designed after care products recommended for the service. They price about the same as other salon shampoos and conditioners.
Previously relaxed
If your hair already has a relaxer in it, you will not be able to use this process. The two services are very incompatible and can have very negative results including breakage and fall out.
Take your test
If you already have a perm or highlights in your hair, a test strand will need to be taken to see if your hair can handle the chemicals. Of course, test strands should always be taken before every single chemical service.
In most cases you can colour or highlight afterwards, so long as you pass the test strand, and that will vary from client to client.
How long does it lasts depends on your hair type, the tightness of your natural curl, and hair length, the out growth will need to be treated in six to nine months. In other words, twice a year.
Everybody knows somebody with that uncontrollable hair. Tell them about this process and you make a friend for life!