Colorful Curls 101

We bet you didn’t realize it, but coloring curly hair is an entirely different animal from a stylist’s point-of-view!

Coloring or Highlighting your hair is done to accentuate the texture of your cut, add dimension to your style, and cooperate with the natural fall and movement of your hair. Moreso, when we use color chemicals on curly hair, additional stress is put on the hair that can affect your curl pattern – and not in a good way! Curlistas already need to add extra moisture to their routine to address the natural dryness of curly textured hair, and coloring only increases the importance of hydration for your tresses. Our curly hair experts use specific techniques and protective treatments that enhance the finished look while protecting your curls!

What are Pintura Highlights?

This hand-painted technique optimizes your color service by allowing the stylists to color curl-by-curl, highlighting the bounciest curls. By highlighting freehand with the use of foils, your color service becomes completely customized based on what will work best with your unique texture and shape. This helps to create texture and color definition that matches your curl definition instead of “patchy” or “streaky” results.

 Because this color service is hand-painted and entirely customized, clients can expect anywhere from 3-6 hours for this service!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Scroll through the gallery below for more Curly Color Inspiration!

What Type of Treatment Should You Book?

We go to the gym, follow healthy eating plans, and schedule routine visits to maintain our physical health, but many clients don’t realize that their hair also requires routine check-ups to maintain its healthy shine and growth!

Steam Treatments are our preferred method of treatments because the gentle heat opens hair cuticles to soak in all the benefits of the treatment without risking heat damage. We offer two main types of steam treatments - protein and hydration - and typically recommend once per month visits to maintain the health and integrity of your natural tresses! How do you know which one is right for you, though?

Protein treatments focus on nourishing the hair with all of the vitamins it needs to stay shiny, while adding extra strength with protein. There is such a thing as too much protein, though! If you have too much protein in your hair, you will notice brittle strands and broken ends, as well as loosened curls. While the purpose of the treatment is to add strength, too much protein can cause stress. Protein treatments should be administered no more than four times per year unless your stylist advises otherwise, and for this reason we typically do not recommend at-home protein treatments.

Moisture treatments (or Hydration Treatments) are ideal for addressing frizz, dryness, and color-processing damage. Moisture helps to replenish thirsty hair to encourage a sleek, finished look. Moisture treatments can be performed much more frequently than protein treatments without risking over-doing it. For clients with curly hair, we recommend once-per-month moisture treatments to keep frizz at bay and encourage a consistent curl pattern. We offer several product options for keeping up with these treatments at home.

How do you know which treatment is best for your locks? If you hair is limp and stringy, protein will help add volume back into your locks. If your hair is frizzy and dry, a moisture treatment is an ideal place to start. The best solution is to come see one of our stylists and get their recommendation based on your unique hair history and goals!

Why Do We Love Steam Treatments?

When applying treatments, deep conditioners, and masks to the hair in an effort to restore health and moisture, the best method of processing is using a steamer. This allows moist heat to nourish the hair cuticle, which has a number of benefits for your locks!

Why We Love Steam Treatments:

1. The main benefit to using a steam processor is that it allows the cuticle to open and lift, which allows complete absorption of the applied treatment product, giving you the full benefits of the treatment. This is especially crucial for clients who have low porosity and struggle to retain moisture.
2. Steam treatments help to deep cleanse the scalp and fight the buildup of dirt and product that we accumulate through styling and exposure to the elements. A clean scalp encourages hair growth and steaming stimulates blood flow in the scalp which also helps growth
3. Hydrated, moisturized hair is easier to detangle and manage which means less pulling, less breakage, and allows the hair to stretch against shrinkage
4. For curly girls who dread wash day, steaming can help to refresh your curls with light moisture while avoiding having to soak your curls and restyle them.

We offer several different steam treatment options with focuses on:

Protein

Moisture/Hydration

Dry Scalp

Color Damage Repair

Growth

Deep Cleansing from Product Buildup

You can add on a steam treatment to any salon service to get the best results from your appointment!

What is a Thermal Silkening?

This natural hair styling method is aimed at smoothing and straightening the hair using heat tools and protective products. The final product is a relaxed look without the chemical process required for a relaxer. After a good cleanse and condition, your natural texture will return, unlike with a chemical straightening service.

Before and After a Thermal Silkening

The results of a Thermal Silkening will differ based on the client’s natural texture, density, maintenance care, and how often it has been straightened. Our hair learns from our styling regimens and becomes trained to lay straight if a silk service is performed regularly. For clients who are not accustomed to using heat to straighten their natural texture, the results of their Thermal Silkening will improve with each appointment and typically last longer than the first press.

A common concern we hear regarding what is most commonly known as a “silk press” is wanting to know how long the style will last after an appointment. The answer differs based on many factors, but with the proper care and maintenance, we anticipate clients will get anywhere from 1-3 weeks from their Thermal Silkening style.

To help prolong the straight look, we make a few different recommendations for our clients: 

• Getting an end trim during a Thermal Silkening service helps to smooth the hair shaft and prevent frizz
• Avoiding hot, humid weather and intensive outdoor activities will also help prevent moisture on the scalp that reverses the effects of straightening
• Avoid adding additional products to the hair when possible
• When sleeping and showering, wrap the hair and secure with a silk scarf to protect the style and prevent tangling
• Request a slight bend on the ends to help the style hold
• Allow your stylist to perform a Thermal Silkening service instead of doing your own at home. Professional tools and products used in the salon are specifically designed to maximize the style as well as the health of your hair. 

Summer Necessities

We've been dreaming of summer since the first day of cool weather last year, but now that it has arrived it seems we forgot the troubles that heat, humidity, and sweat bring to our good hair days. We've put together a list of some of our top must-have products for summer to keep your look lasting through the warmest, wettest days!

Pravana Nevo Intensive Therapy

There are so many reasons why we love this leave-in conditioning treatment by Pravana. It works well for all textures of hair and can substitute many of the products we guarantee you have on your home beauty bar. Did you know that your hair can be damaged by UV rays from the Sun just like your skin can? This product will protect you from sun damage! In addition, it also serves as a detangler, a deep conditioner, a color-safe anti-humidity eliminator, and reduces discoloration from chlorine. Blondes - this is especially important for you!

Mizani Humidity Resist Holding Spray

This holding spray is a perfect finish for natural hairstyles to reduce frizz, "poofiness", and adds a light shine to your silky styles. We can't get enough of this spray for locking down your summer styles!

Matrix Miracle Creator Take-Home Treatment

If you'll be leaving town for your summer vacation and missing some of your treatment appointments, toss these miracle-makers in your carry-on and keep up with your Healthy Hair regimen wherever you are! It only takes 60 seconds and leaves hair feeling noticeably hydrated.

DevaCurl Take-Home Treatments

Curly Girls - we know what can happen when your curls experience a little neglect in the summer. Salty beach waves are a summer stunner's goal, but the lasting effects on your curl pattern are less than desirable. We have travel-friendly treatments available for you to take on the go and keep your curls fresh wherever your summer adventures take you. The Buildup Buster is perfect if time between washes gets to be too much and your hair needs a thorough cleansing - especially after swimming in chemical-filled pools! Deep Sea Repair is perfect for clients spending lots of time in ponytails and could use an extra boost of strength. Melt Into Moisture is a go-to for any curlista, as hydration is typically needed more for clients with curls. After a day in the sun, add some extra moisture to your locks with this ultra hydrating mask.