Shine On!

You may be forgiven if your summer hair gets a little drab, dull and worn out from the sun and salt, but now that autumn is upon us, you've got no excuse for not having hair so shiny it competes with all those holiday lights already popping up everywhere.

First a little lesson in what makes hair shiny. When the cuticle of the hair shaft lies nice and flat, it provides an even surface to reflect light. This smooth outer layer also repels the moisture that causes frizz—a real shine inhibitor.

And here's something you may not have known: Using only moisturizing shampoos and conditioners can actually interfere with the shine of your hair by building up dulling residue on the shaft.

What do to? About once a week, try an acidic finishing rinse after you wash your hair. The acids tighten up that outer layer of cuticle, letting more light bounce off that newly-smooth cuticle, making your hair even more lustrous. You can even whip up a simple acid wash right in your own kitchen. Try one of these rinses:

• Beer: After shampooing hair and washing out the suds, pour a bottle of beer into your hair and massage it in for a few minutes. Then rinse well with cold water. This beer rinse even helps give your hair body.
• Lemon Juice: After shampooing and rinsing as usual, mix the juice of a lemon with 1½ cups of water and pour through hair, before rinsing with cold water. Prepare for shine galore!
• Apples Cider Vinegar: Combine the juice of a ½ lemon (careful—it might lighten your hair a little) with 2 Tbs of the vinegar and 1 cup of water. Massage into hair and scalp and rinse with cool water to correct hair's pH and bump up the shine.

Now that you've gotten the gotten the gunk out, don't forget to put some good stuff in. Come into Believe every month for a deep conditioning treatment to beat winter stress and, once a week at home, apply a deep conditioner or heavy duty mask formulated to boost shine (while protecting the outer layer of hair). MOISTURE MASK BY AGADIR WITH MORROCAN OIL and AESTELANCE MUD MASK and IDEN TREATMENT and all are carried at Believe.

Every two months or so you may want to actually feed your hair by mashing one ripe avocado (use the rest for fresh guacamole--yum!) and mixing it with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. baking powder. Work the mixture through hair. Leave on for 15 minutes, and wash out really well. It will really help you ramp up the shine.

To get a real mirror-like finish (and help that cuticle lay even flatter) use some of the great shine-enhancing products we carry at Believe like AESTELANCE LUSTRE.

The trick to these is to avoid putting the product on the roots (don't go any closer than 1½ inches from the roots) and always apply these products to dry hair. Generally speaking, pomades and waxes are good for thin hair and oils and serums work better on thick or coarse hair—but stop by Believe and we will give you a free consultation about which shine enhancer will work best for you.

Also, when drying hair, aim your blow dryer down the hair shaft, which smooths the cuticle (otherwise air pushes the cuticle up and along comes frizz.) Once your hair is almost dry, hit the cool button to seal the hair cuticle, which will help keep your hair smooth and silky.

The holidays are right around the corner and it is the season to shine! Make sure your hair does it's “part”(get it?)

And be sure to stop by to see us at Believe before any of those big holiday parties. We'll make you a shining star!

Making Your Baby Even More Beautiful

With so many gorgeous grownup heads to cut and style, I sometimes forget to talk about Believe's smaller customers-the kids. From baby's first haircut right up that perfect prom do, we love being the salon that parents and grandparents trust with their little ones.

But to make the experience of going to the salon a positive one right off, here's a few tips for Haircuts For Kids:

• Don't let anyone else dictate how long your child's hair should be-even the well-meaning Grandma who says your son, "looks like a girl. Until last century, no babies got their hair cut till after their second birthday and many a mother loved those soft baby curls. And hey, if Kate Hudson can let her little boy Ryder's hair grow past his shoulders, why not you? (Make sure to use fabric covered rubber bands whenever you pull it back, however.)
• When your child's hair starts to flyaway or get split ends or falls in their eyes, it may be time for The Big Day--The First Haircut. You'll want to do a little prep work-find out if your stylist can and will cut kids' hair. Some will, some won't. If yours will, take the child with you to watch you get a haircut at Believe. Children get less fearful when they know what to expect. We'll be glad to recommend a stylist here at Believe who is known for being good with kids.
• Set the appointment for the time of day when the child is most awake and least crabby. Once a tear-a-thon starts, it's hard to stop, so best not to let it get going. (Make sure you aren't rushed, either. Little kids pick up our anxiety and stress.)
• It's usually better to use another word than "cut"--little kids associate that with "boo boos"-- "trimmed" or "snipped" are better choices.
• Bring some toys and books along for distraction--and a little snack is good, too. We have lollipops here at Believe but will always ask you before we offer candy to your child.
• Offer your lap for your child or grandchild to sit on if they are still fidgeting in the chair. You'll both need some brushing off, but the session will go faster with better results.
• Bring a new superhero or princess T-shirt in a big size to slip over the child instead of the cape. Get a kid-size one to offer as a reward for good behavior in the chair.
• Remember to bring an iPhone or camera to catch the big moment.
• The front desk staff at Believe will happily give you an envelope to save some of those too-soon-gone baby curls.

Don't forget to pick up some fantastic products for kids from Circle of Friends at Believe. Circle of Friends' organics products are specially formulated for infants, children and adults using only the finest, gentlest ingredients. They are all dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, clinically-tested and non-irritating. Try shampoos like Ana Banana and Susie's Root Beer Roundup, and their Conditioners and Detanglers (with yummy scents like Pineapple and Coconut) are sure to make comb-outs less traumatic on little heads.

Everybody at Believe wishes you--nd the little people in your life--a tear-free summer.