Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Origin of Real Beauty




We've all heard the saying "beauty is only skin deep" but that's not true. Beauty comes from a far deeper place; inside one's heart. Today's beauty tip is about about recognizing our inner beauty. Without this awareness, the happiness of beauty services will never last very long. It is imperative to realize our self worth beyond appearances and detach from societal input about what is acceptable. We are each individualized expressions of humanity and reflect each others imperfections naturally. By going deeper, we can see the origin of a person's real beauty; a loving heart, complete acceptance and compassion.

Vanity is a form of perfectionism, which is an illusion, fabricated by man; an ideal image of beauty that is unnatural or flawless. Most of the models and celebrities we see in the media are "made-up" to fit within this "ideal". How often have you tried to look like one of these people? I have clients come in with magazine pictures all the time, asking me to replicate what they see for themselves. Even when I give them the same style or color, they never look exactly like the pictures. This is because there are dozens of variables within these "celebrity looks".  Money, diet, premier products, access to plastic surgeons and a host of treatments like Botox are just a few of the resources utilized by the rich and famous. When interviewed, these same people admit they feel just as insecure or ugly as the rest of us; proving what we envy is merely an illusion.

The truth is, nature is the only element that is truly perfect. Natural beauty is embracing our individuality, while cultivating our character. It's about aging gracefully and having fun in the process. While this may seem strange coming from a beauty professional, I believe in helping clients feel more comfortable in their own skin; providing services that pamper and accentuate their natural beauty. I enjoy playing with color, styling and changing the texture of my clients hair because it gives people options to change their look to reflect their inner spirit or celebrate life's special moments. For me, its not about turning anyone into something their not, rather I am helping people look their most beautiful selves.


If you are struggling with your image, I encourage you to print this certificate out below and hang in your bathroom or bedroom to remind you of your True Beauty! It's really "All Inside". 

Friday, December 27, 2013

Celebrating the New Year in Style!


Are you planning on 'painting the town' this New Year's Eve? Maybe your celebrating with family and friends at your home. No matter your plans, everyone wants to look and feel their best. Lets face it, Christmas wipes many of us out with all the shopping, wrapping, cooking, and other festivities. Why not give yourself a break and use those holiday gift cards for beauty services that will surely renew and refresh your body, mind and spirit. Enjoy a relaxing shoulder massage, luxurious hand or foot treatment and hot towel facial with any service. Get your hair colored and professionally styled. Need your brows trimmed? Facial waxing services are also available for your brows, lip, hairline or chin. Browse my webpage for a complete menu of beauty services available. 



Make 2014 the year of transformation by putting YOU at the top of your list. When we practice self-care rituals like enjoying regular bubble baths, getting our hair and nails done or indulging in massage
on a regular basis, we add years to our lives by reducing many stress related illnesses. Take advantage of convenient online booking and reminder call services that can help get and keep you looking and feeling great all year long. 

Life is hard enough. Allow me to help you attain greater confidence and harmony as we partner for a beautiful year filled with joy and balance.



 Lisa Miller of Lisa's Hair Design
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Glam up for the Holidays


This season's hottest trend is wearing hair jewelry to accentuate your hairstyle and wardrobe! Enjoy a wide variety of these glamorous clips or pins to go along with your outfit at the next party you attend. Take your special occasion style to the next level with a well placed accessory and watch heads turn in your direction. 


These little gems come in many shapes and sizes guaranteed to match your party attire beautifully. Few women would leave the house without their earrings, a necklace, purse and make-up; so why not accessorize your hairstyle? It's fun to Glam up for the holidays and especially when going to a social function.


Need help styling your hair for that upcoming office party or New Year's Eve? Enlist the help of a professional stylist to bring your look together. (I did this style myself for an upcoming bride last month) Bring a picture of your outfit so that the perfect hairstyle can be chosen to compliment  your dress. Get your make-up done too while you're at it and remember to add a little bling to your hair, taking care to achieve the right balance. Sparkle dust is also a favorite of mine as it can be applied to your hair and skin making for a truly spectacular evening. Be transformed into Cinderella this season and enjoy an enchanted evening where you are the Bell of the Ball!


Even though this photo features a bridal  up-do, this style can easily be modified for any special occasion or party. Notice the timeless elegance of this look and how this well placed piece of hair jewelry compliments her earrings, necklace and hairstyle together in perfect harmony to balance out the entire look. Simply elegant and totally glamorous indeed. 


Schedule your next style consult and find the perfect accessory for you. There are dozens of choices to explore at the Salon.  http://lisashairdesign.net/Appointments.html
Looking forward to hearing from you!

Lisa 

  

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Science Behind Haircolor




There is a lot of science and chemistry behind hair color. Today, we're going to learn a little more about some familiar lingo with not-so-familiar science in order to understand how this popular service actually works. As the diagram shows, there are a series of chemical reactions that occur during the coloring process. However, there is more to it than meets the eye. Hair has a chemistry of its own and choosing the right product for your desired result is a highly technical endeavor called formulation.

Although the home hair color industry is booming, most people wind up in the salon with a corrective color situation eventually. This costs you time, big money and sometimes hair due to breakage from irreparable damage. Those boxes at the grocery store only provide some of the necessary information need to make an educated decision for optimal results. No one can adequately choose the proper color level from a picture. It is vitally important to know what level your natural haircolor is to begin with and then choose accordingly. Another mystery is the level of developer (peroxide) that is packaged with it, which determine if there will be adequate lift or deposit for optimal results. At the salon, professional stylists have all the tools and products available to formulate appropriately; most importantly the knowledge and experience to avoid unnecessary mistakes.


Deciding which color to choose is typically the only decision most people think about when desiring a color change, but there is far more to consider. It is imperative to take the current condition of your hair as well as your hair's history into account. Determining your hair's porosity and structural integrity is vital to choosing the right hair color product (temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent or permanent) as well as actual color. Too dark of a color on porous, dry, hair will have a staining effect on the hair; even if  you choose a temporary or semi-permanent color. Often times, pre-treating the hair is necessary to equalize porosity so color can penetrate the cuticle evenly. Which one of these images do you think will lend better results?

Severely Damaged Hair; Breakage
Healthy Hair; Closed Cuticle



Of course we all want our hair to be healthy and enjoy the benefits of changing our color. Understanding the science of haircolor as well as the structure of our hair, will ensure smooth styling and beautiful color results.



Coloring with Temporary, Semi or Demi permanent haircolor simply coats the hair cuticle, which is why it can only deposit color and then gently fades away. The lack of ammonia and peroxide in the developer ensure that the cuticle remains closed, therefore the cortex is never altered or lightened. This is why color can never lift color and why colors without ammonia will never last. 

Highlighting, on-scalp bleaching, or color removal (also known as stripping), is an activity that should never be done alone. These chemical services require professional expertise due to the dangerous nature of these products. Each product contains harsh ingredients that can irritate skin, cause burns, break the hair, and even blind you if your not careful. Safe application requires precision, care, and experience with chemical formulation. Choosing the right product, mixing it with the appropriate developer, and utilizing the proper application, is paramount to achieving the desired color results. It takes all three components to successfully highlight or remove color. Depending on how many levels of lift you are desiring, heat may be need to activate the lightener or help open the cuticle/cortex far enough to release the unwanted pigmentation. Constant supervision of this process to ensure appropriate timing and prompt removal are a top priority for your health and safety as well as desired results. At the salon, stylists can stop this process anytime and have other products that can be added to buffer the chemicals used in order to preserve the integrity of your hair.  Rinsing color and bleach in a salon shampoo bowl is the only safe way to remove product from your hair without getting it on other sensitive body parts, such as your eyes, nose or mouth. This is not something the average person can do alone.

So as you can see, there is a lot of science and chemistry behind haircolor. Many safety precautions exist to protect the user and patron as well as ensure predictable results. While this is an in-depth article, designed to educate and illuminate readers on the subject, it is by no means comprehensive. Color theory is extremely detailed and is as much experience as education. This is why hairstylists are licensed professionals.

If you have any color questions, feel free to list them in the comments section below. In most cases, seeing the problem is essential to diagnosing and solving color mishaps, so please include a picture wherever possible or schedule a complimentary color consultation with me directly if you live in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. http://www.lisashairdesign.net/Appointments.html

I look forward to hearing from you!

Lisa

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The Many Faces of Hair Color


Haircoloring options are plentiful these days with a wide variety of products and many exciting techniques designed to fit every lifestyle, age, and budget. The four categories of hair color from which all products ensue are: temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent. Below, I will debunk the many faces of these colors along with their uses and designated purposes.  


The mildest form of haircolor available is Temporary and can be found in pigmented shampoos,
weekly rinses, or colored styling products such as mousse, sprays and gels. Our grandmothers have been using weekly rinses for years to blend grey hair, however, there are new products in vibrant colors now available making temporary color a popular choice with kids, teens, and adults alike who experimenting with hair color for the first time. Temporary color generally washes out the next shampoo but can last a few more depending on your choice of color and the amount of color applied.

Modern Temporary Color Sprays, Gels & Mousse's
The  Original Color Rinses    
  
Ombre' Temporary & Semi-Permanent Color Applications
Temporary Color Chalk
     
Semi-Permanent haircolor works on the surface of the hair shaft to deposit color, yet lasts longer than temporary hair color; usually between eight and ten shampoo's. This type of color is a direct dye pigment and not mixed with a peroxide developer, therefore, there is no risk of damage to the hair. Redken Shades EQ
Conditioning Color Gloss is a perfect example of a semi-permanent haircolor and is used in glazing as well as toning after highlighting services. The applications of a semi-permanent hair color are endless and the benefits exceed traditional coloring by adding shine, conditioning the cuticle, and blending away grey. It is truly a fantastic choice for woman and men who want to look younger naturally. As hair grows out, this color gently fades away ensuring no line of demarcation.

Demi-Permanent or deposit-only hair color, lasts longer than its semi-permanent counterpart; usually around six weeks without an ammonia or peroxide developer. As such, it's the perfect choice for over-processed hair, coating the cuticle and refreshing ends after a retouch. While there are no lifting capabilities, demi-permanent color also delivers incredible shine, manageability, and beautiful tones that can cover grey entirely.

                                                        
  
Permanent Hair Color is the only type of color that is formulated to lighten hair as well as deposit tones deep within the hair follicle. It contains ammonia and is mixed with varying strengths of peroxide developer for desired lift and or deposit. Many people mistakenly group bleach lighteners into this category due to their lifting capacities, however bleach is not a color and does not deposit anything; it merely removes previous color pigment or breaks through underlining natural pigment. Permanent haircolor offers lasting change and requires the most maintenance of all haircolor choices with regular retouches to the regrowth area every 6-8 weeks. This type of color service is the most sought after for Ombre' highlights on virgin hair as well as the very popular Balayage technique. 

 Left: Reverse Ombre' 
 
  

Want to know more about how the haircolor process really works? Stay tuned as we explore more about the wonderful world of color in future blog posts all month long! 

To receive your personal, color, consultation with Lisa, make an appointment today and receive 25% off toward your next color service. Visit my website and enjoy convenient online booking.  http://www.lisashairdesign.net/Appointments.html


Thursday, November 7, 2013

This Season's Hottest Trend!


            Many clients ask me what is the newest trend of the season; this Fall it's CoLoR! I'm not talking about "playing it safe", cover the grey, kind of color... rather bold, eye-catching, "lets make a statement" color. Long gone are the days when a single hue will do. Today's woman is looking for multi-dimensional tones and depth that capture her unique personality and style. 


 The trend this season is bold pastels! The bolder; the better. 



           While these looks aren't for the faint of heart, the modern woman is sampling them and we are seeing variations of these looks everywhere. From the fashion runways to your favorite coffee shop, heads are turning in defiance as color boundaries are blown away and replaced with innovative, creative, expression. The statement of the season is; "Conformity is OVER"!


Are you ready to be a little daring this season? There are an array of coloring options available with little commitment. Schedule a complimentary consultation today and lets talk about it.  http://www.lisashairdesign.net/Appointments.html 

Lisa Miller of Lisa's Hair Design
Glendale, Arizona

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Culprit of Dull, Lifeless, Color



Are you tired of getting your hair colored only to have it quickly fade and become dull after just a few weeks? Do your highlights seem to be getting darker or brassy? Has your brown color changed into an ash tone? The most likely culprit is calcium found hard water. Calcium can cause damage to the hair cuticle and create microscopic rocks (aka buildup) making hair look and feel dryer. Other harsh minerals such as copper (found in swimming pools), iron/metals (boxed color), and chlorine found in ordinary tap water, dull hair color by covering it up creating an invisible barrier that is impossible to shampoo away. This barrier makes color appear darker, dull, and inhibit shine; leaving hair lifeless and flat despite the quality of products used. To make matters worse, these minerals continually build up, and regular shampoo can't remove them.

And there are even more culprits to beware of. Everything you ingest/inhale or apply to your nails/skin, winds up in your hair! Medications, supplements, recreational drugs, food, pesticides, alcohol, cleaning products, acrylic nail products, lotions, environmental pollutants, and even nicotine if you're a smoker, all wind up in the hair follicle. This is why many drug testing facilities are now taking hair samples as part of pre-employment drug screenings. Much like rings on the inside of a tree trunk show how old the tree is, our hair is an historical record/reflection of our health, habits and lifestyle.

If you have ever used boxed color, chemical relaxers or perms from a grocery store, you now have metal in your hair that counteracts with many salon services giving unpredictable results. Despite what the label says on these products, they have a very high metallic content that is very damaging to the hair; that's why they all come packaged with thick conditioners that coat the hair cuticle in silicone and wax to make it appear healthy, soft and smooth. *Hint; the strong smell of these products is a dead giveaway!

The key is getting a Malibu Makeover treatment from the Salon to gently remove these minerals found in hard-water, along with medications and other environmental pollutants. This treatment is 100% Vegan, food-grade, and made entirely of natural ingredients. After one treatment, most clients notice their color has brightened up to two shades and incredible shine as well as softness returns. Styling also becomes easier as hair responds better to products used and actually dries faster with less frizz and greater control.

I have started giving these treatments prior to all color services and have noticed more predictable results, greater client satisfaction and superior shine. To ensure minerals don't build back up, I recommend home-care maintenance treatments done once per week.

Try a Malibu Makeover today and receive your passport to vibrant, healthy, hair. Schedule an appointment online at: http://www.lisashairdesign.net/Appointments.html and see the difference for yourself.