Believe Creates Multidimensional Hair

Life needs a little shaking up now and again and our hair is no different. But instead of a new color or a drastic cut for summer, why not try one of the hottest hair trends to sweep Hollywood? Actually you have your choice of two: Ombre and Balayage.

Remember the highlights you got as a child playing in the summer sunshine? That is pretty much the look these techniques replicate.

Ombre, French for “shading,” is when the hair strand is gradually lightened, starting with dark roots growing lighter near the ends. This lightening can be dramatic or very subtle. Drew Barrymore was an early pioneer of this look.

Balayage means “to paint” in French. A master colorist, like Believe's own Lisa, paints color vertically on the hair strand, using the tip of a brush, and only on the front of the hair—giving those sun-kissed highlights.

Both these techniques can be combined, of course, and Hollywood beauties from Jennifer Beal and Sarah Jessica Parker to Lauren Conrad and Giselle have all been spotted experimenting with the trend.

Before you decide which is right for you, ask yourself some questions:

• Do you like the look of your roots growing out?
• How many shades lighter are you willing to go?
• Do you wear your hair curly or straight?
  

If you are okay with “roots” and wear your hair curly, Ombre may be for you. (Straight hair would have too definite a line of demarcation showing. Waves or curls look better). Talk to your Believe stylist about how dramatic you want the lightening to be so there are no surprises (and you may want to get your ends cut before lightening them, to avoid drying them out). Afterwards, get a deep conditioning treatment at Believe, too, to keep your new look healthy and glossy.

If you wear your hair straight or are searching for a more subtle look, Balayage is probably for you. Depending on how light you and your Believe stylist want to go, you may not even need to use bleach on your hair (for the more natural look of Balayage, you really want to only go two or three shades lighter than your natural color anyway.) Since the hair is painted vertically in Balayage, you will avoid that really clear line of demarcation where the color changes, meaning less trips to the salon (we'll miss you). You can go out and play in the actual sun (wear a hat!) and look like you hair has been sun-kissed without those damaging UV rays.

Both techniques take a little more time in one of our comfy Believe chairs (you can't rush artistry) so make your appointment when you have a little time to sit and chat (we'll provide the herb tea) and get ready to show the world there's more to you than one dimension. Then go out and enjoy all the fun you can pack into one summer.

What IS the Brazilian Keratin treatment you keep hearing about?

As the song goes..."Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Impanema goes walking and when she passes, each man she passes goes ah-h-h-h..".

Ok, we can't promise you will be taller or tanner or younger, but we can pretty much guarantee the lovelier part and you can certainly expect more ah-h-h's when you come to Believe for a La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment.

If you spent your whole life:

Avoiding rainy or humid days and fog of any kind (that leaves your trip to London out),

Put yourself in your best friend's hands when she was holding a hot iron near your scalp,

Made your head a toxic waste dump by using every chemical straightening treatment under the sun,

and still think you look like a poodle, don't worry.

Believe can fix the problem. Say goodbye to Jimi Hendrix Head and hello to gorgeous, sleek, and shiny hair. No more damage, no more drama, with the La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment. Let me explain what the treatment is and what it can do for you.

La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment is a revolutionary hair smoothing method that softens, moisturizes, and dramatically straightens your hair. It does not require any strong chemicals. It uses a solution containing keratin & collagen that works with your hair's cuticle and gently take its place inside your hair.

Keratin's strong protective qualities improve the hair both inside and out. It is virtually a “liquid form of hair” that gently blends with the hair on your head, bringing with it what it was lacking and what was lost over the years.

Is the hair dull dry and damaged? Is it curly, wavy, frizzy, has too much volume or is unmanageable? Application of the La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment puts an end to all that. The smaller keratin molecules penetrate the hair cortex, improving and repairing the quality of the hair from the inside. The added strength, elasticity, and moisture result in the smooth, soft, shiny effect. The larger molecules coat the hair cuticle and protect your hair from environmental insults like UV rays, smog, and smoke. It even prevents further damage to the hair shaft.

Because this isn't a permanent treatment, as the keratin-based solution diminishes over time, your hair will eventually return to its natural form, but will stay soft, shiny and healthy looking. The more you receive the treatment, the healthier and more manageable the hair becomes. This is one of the great bonuses of getting a La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment. Your hair keeps getting better!

The treatment takes between 1.5 to a few hours to do depending on what treatment you choose (come sip some tea or espresso and chat with us here at Believe while we work on making you even more beautiful than you already are) and generally lasts around four months. You can also book a manicure or a Revitalizing Hand or Neck Treatment while processing. (Here's another positive surprise about the treatment: Not only does it work with damaged hair—the more damaged the better! The treatment lasts even longer on damaged hair—up to six months.)

Have questions? Yes, we can do the treatment to previously-straightened, relaxed, and color-treated hair. Yes we can color your hair on the same day you get the Keratin treatment. Yes, we can do teens' hair (it's perfectly safe for anyone over the age of 12).

So no more excuses. Wave goodbye to the frizz and spend 2011 loving your sleek, shiny mane. Give us a call at Believe to schedule your Keratin treatment soon.