Posts

Boise Hair Salon

Wedding Hair

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Planning a wedding is no easy feat. In fact, it can be quite stressful! Every little girl dreams of her big day, and once it all starts coming together, you want it to go as smoothly as possible. Call a time out. Relax & take a deep breath. The stylists at the Undone, Boise hair salon have you covered!  With a customizable, hair salon wedding package, we can help you feel beautiful on your big day while reducing overall stress levels. Our team of talented, Boise hair salon stylists offer a variety of up-do wedding styles as well as haircolor treatments or hair extensions depending on the look you’re searching for.

Since planning a wedding is a huge undertaking, planning in advance is key. Below are some tips & tricks to help you get find your perfect wedding hairstyle:

Find your perfect wedding look

Since planning a wedding takes time, don’t stress about whether you want an up-do wedding style or long flowing locks complemented by hair extensions. Start saving pictures that inspire you, and keep an eye out for what you like and don’t like about particular hairstyles. Keep in mind you can always ask your Boise Hair Salon stylist for a particular part of one hairstyle to incorporate with another that you might also like.

Longer Locks

If you want long flowing locks on your wedding day you really only have two choices: either let it grow, or apply hair extensions. Depending on the amount of time you have until your wedding day, hair can grow up to 3 inches during a 6 month waiting period. Not long enough? Hair extensions are a great way of adding the length, texture and volume you want while  transforming the thinnest, shortest locks into beautiful, flowing tresses.

Consider a “trial run”

While a trial run is by no means necessary, it can however be fun to see what you and your hairdresser can come up with. A trial run can be a great opportunity to benefit from the experience and creativity of your Boise hair salon stylist. Don’t be afraid  to ask what they would think would look best on you! Chances are, your stylist pays a lot closer attention to wedding hairstyles than you do.

The day of the wedding

Clean, dry hair is preferred by most Boise hair salon stylists. Depending on the look you have scheduled with them, they may want to wash and blow dry it anyway. Keep in mind that clean, dry hair provides your stylist with a fresh canvas to get started on. In addition, if your wedding party is having their hair done at the same time, let them know that by having clean, dry hair saves a TON of preparation time for you and your stylists.

 

Salon in Boise

The Key to Lasting Haircolor

/0 Comments/in /by

There’s nothing quite like a new splash of color to completely change the way you look and feel. Not only does changing your haircolor provide you with a daring new look, it can also hit you in the wallet if you don’t maintain it like you should. Below are some tips from our experts to help boost the life of your new haircolor:

1.      Use the right kind of dye

To prevent haircolor from bleeding you need to use the right type of hair dye. Talk to your stylist. While all dyes eventually bleed & fade the severity depends on what type of dye is used. Not only will your stylist help you choose the right combination of colors for your new look, they can help explain the difference between permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary dyes, and how long they last.

2.      Use the proper cleansing & conditioning products for your haircolor

Stay away from clarifying shampoos! Everyone wants clean hair but depending on what type of shampoo & conditioner you use, you might be washing your haircolor down the drain. Keep in mind that the more you wash the faster your color will fade. Consider washing your hair every other day, and protect your haircolor investment by using color-protecting shampoo’s and conditioner’s. Color-protecting products work by sealing the hair cuticle so your strands hold onto the dye inside rather than stripping it.

3.      Protect your haircolor from the natural elements.

Pay attention to the weather. While the sun may be good for obtaining vitamin D and boosting your mood, it is particularly harsh on your new haircolor.  Avoid heat and humidity. Cover or protect your tresses with an SPF spray to avoid over exposure which accelerates the natural fading process.

4.      Water Temperature

While hot water is good for opening & cleaning your pores, it has a similar effect on your strands. Wet hair has more stretch than dry hair, and the “stretchiness” of hair increases with the water temperature which can allow your haircolor to wash out. Keep it cool. Not only does rinsing your tresses in cold water help maintain your color it also helps to seal the cuticles leaving your hair shiny, and beautiful.

5.      Go With the Glaze

Choosing a color-protecting glaze not only enhances the vibrancy of your hair but shine as well.  You can apply the glaze when you shower, and be delighted at the way it really brings out the new color of your hair. Alternatively, you can ask your stylist to apply the glaze if your haircolor is professionally done.

Boise Hair Salon

Haircolor to Dye for: The Box vs. the Chair

/0 Comments/in /by

Thinking about changing up or enhancing your current haircolor? When it comes to 2014 hair trends there are a variety of colors to choose from but it’s important to choose a color that not only suits your appearance but personality as well. Seeking inspiration? Below are some celebrity inspired, haircolor ideas to help you get started!

1.)    If you’re blonde or thinking about going blonde, platinum is all the rage these days. From cool-toned tips & dark roots to pale blond with hints of honey, women with lighter skin tones are often best suited for these hues, but should be wary of shades that are too white or ashy.

2.)    Rich coppery colors like rose gold to vibrant orange-red are popular for those who want to obtain the gorgeous “ginger” effect. These hues not only make your eyes pop but can be enhanced with blue undertones, boosting the color’s vibrancy so the base can take center stage.

3.)    Brunettes are turning heads this year with raven hued tones like monochrome attic brown to dark chocolate sophistication. With high shine & definition, these shades can also be enhanced with subtle highlights a shade or two lighter than the overall base color. For example: If you want dark chocolate hair, think milk chocolate highlights. If you have milk chocolate hair, think  soft honey highlights

Salon or box dye?

When it comes to haircolor, and looking your best, the stylists at our Boise hair salon suggest rethinking the do-it-yourself dye job. While box dyes come with the appeal of being cheaper, keep in mind that when it comes to haircolor, one size (box) doesn’t fit all…

If you buy a box haircolor, you get exactly that: a color out of a box. Not only are box dyes generic, they are sold to work for anyone no matter their hair type or texture. Box dyes are also very damaging to your hair because they are typically much stronger than salon haircolor because they are formulated to work on all hair types and use higher concentrations of pigment and developer. Box dye also leave your haircolor very flat compared to a professional dye job because only one color is used unlike the 2 or 3 shades your stylist will blend to create to your desired look.

In the end, talk to your stylist when it comes to making an informed, and educated decision when it comes to your desired haircolor. Not only will they factor in your natural hair’s type & texture they can adjust formulas based on its condition. A professional haircolor will leave you with much healthier & beautiful hair compared to the dull & drying appearance that comes out of a box.

Boise Hair Salon

Extending Your Hair to New Lengths

/0 Comments/in /by

Human vs. Synthetic Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are great for transforming the thinnest, shortest locks into beautiful, flowing tresses. As the first choice of our Boise salon’s, professional stylists, human hair is much more natural looking and can be colored and styled to meet the unique preferences of their client. Although they are more expensive than synthetic hair, human hair extensions last longer (up to a year), and can be washed or slept in without matting or tangling in addition to being styled with hot tools (synthetic hair will melt).

Synthetic hair extensions on the other hand (often the first choice for women as they are affordable, and require low maintenance) usually only last 1-3 months. They are created from plastic fibers with the style baked into them (curled, straight, colored, etc.) providing a less natural look and feel. In addition, synthetic hair cannot be dyed so color matching is extremely important before purchasing.

Match the haircolor and texture of your natural tresses

Your Undone hairstylist will take great care to match the color and texture of your hair extensions to that of your natural hair. When choosing a color we recommend a haircolor that matches your hair from the middle to the ends. The root is always darker, and blending your hair to the middle to bottom is extremely important. In addition blending several different colors is also a great way of providing you with a more natural look and is great at creating highlights or adding trending colors.

Your natural hair texture is also a key when choosing hair extensions. Try your best at matching the texture of your hair extensions to that of your natural hair (straight, wavy, or curly).

Placement & Styling TLC

Placement is essential when considering hair extensions. Finding the right extension method will depend on your budget, preference, and hair type. Depending on what your Undone stylist recommends and how long you want your look to last, the top three methods are:

  • Fusion (or Bonded) – Individual keratin-tipped strands are fused to your natural hair using heat.

  • Tape-in – Wefts of hair are attached to small sections of your natural hair using double-sided tape.

  • Weave (or Sew-in) -Your natural hair is braided in rows from ear to ear and wefts of hair are woven (with thread) onto the braids.

Good extensions should be entirely undetectable while blending with your natural hair. Hair extensions should be cared for just like your natural hair but gently. Be extra careful with wet hair, and avoid brushing or styling until it’s dry. Avoid tugging or yanking while brushing. Hold the hair at the root and detangle from the ends up. Never sleep in wet hair as it can mat the extensions and damage your real hair.

Boise Hair Salon

The History behind Hairdressing Part 2

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

The Dawn of the Woodstock Era

Freedom and independence helped liberate women’s rights during the 1960-70s however, sending cookie-cutter, women’s hair styles out the window. Hippies, and African Americans of this era were known for their natural locks, and Afro styles. Women’s hair styles like the angular bob and pixie were also created in order to fall into place without endless hours of primping and styling.

Defining the decade, Madonna owned the 1980’s, and every teenager wanted her frosted, scrunched hair. Mouse was also commercially launched and hair got bigger, and brighter as we all remember the crazy haircolor, curled bangs & glamour shots!

Imperfect or messy locks gained popularity during the early 1990’s while the spirit of “what-ever” eventually gave way to cleaner, bouncier, women’s hair styles like the “Rachel” made famous by Jennifer Aniston that sent women running for blowouts, and flat irons.

Today

Today however women are swapping their go-to styles for new shapes, haircolor, textures, and lengths as there are now products for every design. The variation of women’s hair styles is as wide as the freedom of using anyone of them. No more uniformed values, only subtle general trends. Even advertisements for hair products tend to emphasize on individuality and personal choice. At this time, almost everything is allowed! So don’t be afraid to try something new. Express yourself. You never know. What you & your hairdresser come up with might be the next great trendsetter!

References:

http://www.youbeauty.com/hair/galleries/the-history-of-hair#1

Boise hair salon

The History behind Hairdressing

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Part One:

Whether its hair extensions, up-do wedding styles, or haircolor, the history of hairdressing goes back to the beginning of time as a necessary way to keep hair confined while mirroring ones cultural status.

A look back in time – the origins of “hair gel” & “hair extensions”

As early as the 14th Century B.C, divas such as Queen Nefertiti, and Cleopatra among many other Egyptian royals were known for wearing grand headdresses without even so much as one strand of hair showing. However, for the rest of society during those times, men & women alike were known for using perfumed hair “gel” made from the fat of animals to style curls or slick down fly-a-ways.

While the Egyptians were also very fond of wigs, it’s no surprise this was the period when hair extensions were invented as a way of filling out thinning hair or making regular tresses more luxuriant by means of clever weaves and knots that were secured to real hair with beeswax and resin (much like today).

Highlights

Braids on the other hand were very popular with Greek and Roman women. They kept their hair long, and invented highlights by using powdered gold. The wealthier you were, the more complicated the hair style. Numerous slaves were known to braid, and curl a single master’s hair to depict their status in society.

In addition, when it came to the ancient world, who could forget Lady Godiva? Having let her hair down to ride naked through the streets of Coventry, England she forever associated flowing locks with sexy self-confidence.

A new profession is born

In the 1700’s, Marie Antoinette took hair to a completely new level (literally). Not only did she wear extravagantly high, powdered wigs but decorated them with trinkets such as model ships, feathers, and even birdcages. The time, and effort that went into these wigs gave birth to a new profession that actually paid: hairdressing! Up until that point servants or slaves were used to tame their ladies hair.

By the 1800’s women finally began shedding the powdered wigs, and letting their real hair down. Styles of this era included tight buns, and long drop curls decorated with fresh flowers or ornamental combs. This was also the era in which crimping was invented and hot irons were introduced as hair styling devices.

The Permanent

During the 1920’s flappers made the liberating statement of chopping off their locks into a bold new style called the “bob”, while the first successful permanent was introduced in the 1930’s to feminize their bobs in a sassy, sultry style.

Long hair started making its comeback by the 1940’s and women styled it themselves into elegant up-do’s like that of the Victory Roll that fashion icon’s like Bettie Page, and Rita Hayworth rocked. In the 1950’s however, women returned to their domesticated lifestyles after the war by bulking their hair into bouffant styles like that of Marilyn Monroe.

(Stay tuned next week for “part two” of the history behind hairdressing!)

The truth behind your favorite hairstyles

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

We’ve all heard or experienced hair disappointment horror stories. Perhaps you finally worked up enough courage to try something daring and new only to look in the mirror and realize short or colored hair wasn’t meant for you. New hairstyles are something you want to consult with your hairstylist before doing anything drastic or permanent.

Unreal Expectations: Would the real hairstyle please stand up?

Be realistic. When it comes to women’s hair we always want what we can’t have. Over the years it’s become harder, and harder to define what “natural” hair actually is and how hair enhancements like wigs, weaves, and extensions play a huge role in how we view, and define beauty these days. In reality, we all know the number bleaching or haircolor can have on your hair. Ever wonder how Gwen Stefani’s platinum locks always looks so healthy and silky smooth? Think about it. When you bring your stylist a picture of a hairstyle you’d like to try keep in mind that the magazine tear-out may either be photo-shopped or the celebrity you’re looking at is actually wearing a wig.

Most celebrities these days wear front-lace wigs or hair extensions. From Beyonce, to Rihanna, to Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, rarely do any of these women expose their real hair to the camera. There’s also the magic of Photoshop. Not only does this tool give celebrities the option of adding final touches providing them with flawless looks, it is also used to erase imperfections and undesirable details.

Keep it real when it comes to your next salon visit. If you bring your stylist a photo of a haircut with pin straight hair, and light wispy layers but you have thick curly hair, you may just be setting yourself up for disaster. In reality, if you want your hair to look like that of a celebrity you’re going to have to put forth some major effort in order to maintain it. Instead, embrace your hair’s natural thickness and texture before finding photos of hairstyles that may be impossible to recreate. Talk to your stylist about hairstyles that will work with the hair you actually have.

Keep an open conversation with your stylist

We all know it’s important to sit down for a chat with your stylist. If you’re thinking about trying something fresh or permanent, the consultation is the most important part of your new look. Schedule at the very least a 10-15 minute consultation when you book your next appointment. It’s important for your stylist to see what your hair looks like dry, how you style it, how healthy it is, and how much time you really put into it.

Even if you’re meeting with the same stylist you’ve used before, a consultation is important. The goal of a consultation is to make sure you and your stylist are on the same page before any drastic changes are made. Think about it. Would you not want to consult with an architect or contractor before remodeling your home? The same goes with your hair.

Lastly, trust your stylist & their judgment. Know that you are in good hands, and they want you to be happy with your hair. Chat about what you liked and didn’t like from your last visit. Were the bangs too short? Did you want more of a face-frame cut? Was the shoulder length perfect? Talk about those details with your stylist so he/she can grasp where to go next.

Ciao!