Reasons to love Redken

        Redken is one of the leading product brands in the beauty industry.  Personally, Redken is my favorite product line.  While each stylist has their own favorite, here are a few reasons I think Redken is the best.

Five things to Love about Redken

1. There’s something for everyone.

Redken is a great product line because they understand that not everyone has the same kind of hair and they make a different line for every type of hair.  They not only make a shampoo and conditioner for every hair type, but along with that, they have special products to help keep your hair the way you like them.  If you’re a blonde, go for their Blonde Idol.  They have special conditioners to keep your blondes gold or cool, depending on your preference.  They even have specific lines for thinning hair and for men (because apparently men don’t like to smell like flowers… Who knew?!).

Check out their hair care products at http://www.redken.com/products/haircare.

 

2. Their styling products actually work.

As a stylist, I know there are certain ways to use each product and I try to show my clients the proper usage as much as I can.  When a product is used correctly, it will help you get the look you want (and I mean professional product, not something from Wal-Mart).  Redken products work amazing.  I have put their “06 Thickening Lotion” into a client’s really thin hair and she looked at me and said, “I never knew my hair could look so full!”  She is now a Redken fan as well.

Check out their styling products at http://www.redken.com/products/styling.

 

3. They stay up-to-date on trends.

Redken is always coming out with new products, techniques, and training videos.  I love to watch the new things they roll out with.  They also send out some of their top educators to their beauty schools and salons all over the country.  Having been educated at a Redken school (The Salon Professional Academy), I was lucky enough to have been trained by some of the best educators in the beauty industry.  Because they taught us the newest trends, I was able to enter the salon with more knowledge and confidence than my competition.

See what’s new with Redken at http://www.redken.com/whats-hot.

 

4. Two words: “Shot.  Phix.”

Redken’s Chemitry Treatment is a deep conditioning treatment that you can only get done in a salon that offers it.  I am living proof that these work.  I used to bleach my hair on a regular basis (Not recommended.  Do as I say, not as I do).  I would get these treatments done on a weekly basis and it kept my hair from feeling like straw.  While it’s not a miracle by any means, it does help balance your hair’s natural pH and help get it into a better condition.

To find a location near to you, check out http://www.redken.com/salon_finder.

 

5. They care about their customers.

Redken is passionate about giving their customers the best treatment and help they possibly can.  They will do this in their salons, but also online.  When visiting the Redken website, you are able to “choose a professional” to give you advice.  You answer a couple questions about your hair and what you want to get out of your hair, and they give you tips on what products to use.  While this isn’t a cure-all for your hair, it can definitely point you in the right direction.

Check out your hair profile at http://www.redken.com/your-hair-profile/.

 

Do’s and Do Not’s of the Salon.

Hair salons can be a tricky place to go into if you don’t know what exactly you’re getting into.  To make the experience nice for you and your stylist, here’s a few do’s and do not’s for the salon.

Do’s

1)      Tip us!

I mean, I’m trying not to be needy, but we provide a service – Just like servers and tattoo artists.  This means you tip us all.  15-20% is average.  More is welcomed.

 

2)      Bring pictures.

We understand that you can’t always figure out how to say what you want.  So bring pictures and show us things you’re looking for.  Here’s the kicker – We can make adjustments to the picture, too and tailor it to your wants and needs.

 

3)      Talk to us.

We stand there all day.  We don’t enjoy standing in silence all the time.  Friendly chit chat is appreciated.

 

4)      Respect us.

We went to school.  We know what we’re doing.  Just because we’re in the service industry does not mean that we’re lesser than you.  Treat us like people and we’ll be okay.

 

5)      Listen to our advice.

Once again, we went to school for this. We know what we’re talking about when we tell you what we think will work and what definitely won’t work.  Our goal is to make you look your best.  When we tell you that high lights will not work on you because you have black box color on your hair, it’s for your benefit.  Most likely your hair will not lighten and will become super damaged and turn into what we call “Cotton Candy Hair” (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like).

 

Do Not’s

1)      Don’t bring a child with you if you’re getting a chemical service done.

The odds are that your child is going to be super bored while you’re stuck sitting in our chair for 2-3 hours.  This leads to said child running around the salon, screaming, crying, and getting in our way.  Not only does this annoy every stylist and client in the salon, but it’s a safety hazard.  It’s easy for the child to trip on our cords and for us to trip over a child.

 

2)      Don’t be overly sarcastic with your stylist.

We have heard the jokes a thousand times.  When we ask how we can help you, don’t answer “Pizza.”  When we ask how we can cut your hair, don’t say “Shorter.”  It’s not funny anymore, and we’re really trying hard not to tell you how unoriginal you really are.  Salons offer more than just one service.  We’re just trying to help.

 

3)      Don’t ask for a miracle.

I hate to break it to you, but we can’t all look like Jen Aniston. Just because we cut your hair the same way, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to look like her hair.  Unless you have her hair and her stylist, odds are it will look different.

 

4)      Don’t walk in five minutes before closing and expect happy faces.

We have lives outside of work.  A haircut takes 30-45 minutes.  Think about how you would feel if someone kept you past the time you were supposed to get off before you walk into the salon.

 

5)      Don’t treat us like we’re uneducated.

I have had people look me in the eye and say, “But you’re so smart.  Why are you doing hair?”  Hair stylists aren’t the stereotypical gum-snapping, gossip-loving, air-headed women anymore.  In my salon alone, there are two women working on Bachelor degrees, two looking to go back to school and one that has her degree already.  That’s five out of seven women looking at higher education.  Sometimes, a stylist is there because she simply enjoys what she does.  I love my job.  Not everyone can say that.

 

 

6 Simple Hair Tips

Every woman wants nice, healthy hair. However, there are a lot of mistakes that women do that aren’t good for their hair. Here are a few simple tips to help you (and your stylist) happier with your hair.

1) Don’t use box color!
We have a saying in the cosmetology business. “Life is like a box of hair color. You never know what you’re gonna get.” If you want a color, talk to someone who is licensed to do it. There’s a reason we go to school for this. It’s a lot more than just learning to cut hair. We have to learn colors and reactions and chemistry to pass our color class. Not to mention professional color is a lot healthier for your hair. No matter what box you use, your hair will feel dry. With ours, we have special conditioners to combat the chemical damage. I have seen Ronald McDonald Orange and pond scrum green hair too many times in my life. Let me help you help yourself.

2) No wet to dry straightener.
What happens to something cold and wet when you add three hundred degree heat to it? Well, if you answered, “Nothing good,” you would be correct. Basically you’re putting your hair into shock. It’s not used to that kind of torture. Completely dry your hair with a blow dryer before straightening. I know, I know. For you poor girls with waist length, thick hair it’s a nightmare. You’ll thank me when your hair isn’t breaking off.

3) Trim to grow.
Your hair needs to be trimmed even if you’re trying to grow it out. When the ends start to split, they don’t just stop (and ripping them out won’t help anything). They slowly keep splitting all the way up your hair shaft. The more they split, the more they break. The more they break, the shorter they get. Thus, it makes it seem like your hair isn’t growing. It’s a vicious cycle. You don’t need much. Just a little will do. I always suggest half an inch every 8 to 10 weeks. That’s just enough to keep your ends healthy and hair growing.

4) Proper products.
Is your hair curly? Use a curl cream or mousse. Frizzy? Serum. Also, if your hair is flat, a cut on its own won’t give you volume. You need some mousse and/or volumizer in there! Here’s the catch. Don’t buy the products from Wal-Mart. Or CVS or anywhere that isn’t a salon or beauty supply store. If you find a product in a department store, it’s watered down and not real (Even if it’s a salon brand. It’s not the real thing. But that’s another rant for another day). It won’t do anything for your hair. Sure Redken is a little more expensive than Suave, but it’ll last longer and actually do what it’s supposed to. Please listen to your stylist. She’s not telling you to buy it just for the money (although that is a bonus). It’s mostly for your benefit.

5) No home snipping. 
For the love of all things cosmetology, keep the scissors out of your hair at home. If your bangs are too long, call your stylist and see if she can cut them. If your layers are too long, just go get a trim. Maybe that’s too much to ask of you, but come on! You’re going to throw off your style and possibly create a giant mess of you keep snipping away at your hair at home. Baby bangs aren’t attractive. That’s why we cut them for you.

6) Conditioner is a must. 
You don’t need it every day. I condition mine about every other day. Conditioner’s not just for long hair or chemically treated hair. It’s to keep your hair from drying out and keep it soft and healthy. You don’t need to use much. There’s even light conditioner for you fine haired females. If you have colored, highlighted, or permed hair, use it every time you shampoo. It will make your life so much easier.

Some of these you may have known, others you may not have known. Please take my advice. Not only will You be happier with your hair, but your stylist will be thrilled with you and your life changes!