Mini Touch-Ups; Good For The Hair Good For The Budget

By now we are all sick and tired of the word "budget" and it's definitely not a word you want to use when hair coloring is involved. There are some tricks of the trade you can use to preserve and stretch out your color in between visits to your haircolorist. 

All red tones such as copper, mahogany and auburn are fast faders. Their color molecules are larger so they slide out of the hair shaft faster than other colors. To prevent fading, always cover hair when in the sun with a hat. Use a protective leave in conditioner with a UV protectant such as Davines Melu Shield. Don't shampoo your hair more than 3 times per week and at least one of those times you should use a tinted shampoo and conditioner to match the tone of your hair. 

Brown tones such as chocolate, black and caramel fade as well so the same care should be applied. Blonde shades don't fade as much, they tend to bleach out and lighten to brassy unwanted tones. To get rid of brassy tones, a purple tinted shampoo and conditioner should be used to counteract yellow tones. 

So now you've got your fading under control let's do something to slow down those roots! Average hair growth is 1/2" per month. I usually tell clients to come in for highlight touch-ups from 8-12 weeks depending on how light they are compared to their natural color. The more often you go in for color the more built up your hair color becomes. Therefore, you have to go in sooner. You are better off in the long run making yourself wait it out. 

If you just can't wait or you have an important event, ask your colorist about mini touch-ups. Many of my clients like to come in for minis in which we hit all the hot spots. Hot spot areas include through the part, around the face, the crown and on the neckline. This allows you to wear your hair down and styled and allows for a ponytail. I also do minis for my clients that do a single process or tint. Minis are great on the budget and help you get by a few more weeks.

Quickie Temporary Hem

 Last week I had a rare opportunity to go up to Los Angeles to do a little shopping and of course I wanted to look cute. I reached in my closet and pulled out one of my favorite pair of jeans and a favorite pair of sandals. Just as I was about to walk out the door, I checked my look in the mirror. Hmmm. My jeans felt too long for my sandals. Suddenly I remembered I had Hemming My Way. HMW is a temporary snap hem that allows you to hem your jeans, pants or skirt in minutes. I am 5' 3" so I always have to have my pants shortened to wear them with flats. Sometimes I buy two pair of jeans; one to hem and one to keep long for heels.

HMW is 4 strips of snaps with adhesive on one side. Turn your jeans inside out, apply the snaps and, voila!  You're done. It's totally easy and only took about 10 minutes. HMW is machine washable,removable and reusable.