Musings by the Hairslave

I’ve written about some of my favorite products in the past.  So I thought maybe I’d focus a bit with some of my favorite TIGI products.

Our best selling TIGI product just happens to be one of the products I use pretty much every day in the salon.  In the Bedhead line, Afterparty is one of the best finishing creams I’ve worked with.  It’s a light, and slightly opalescent cream.  A very small amount, worked through dry (or damp) hair to finish, creates a shiny, smooth, and moveable head of hair!

Switching to the CATWALK line, I next recommend Root Boost.  It’s a surprisingly light feeling foam, with a delivery system that puts the product right where you need it.  The roots!  Hence the name.  Spray the product freely at your roots, comb through to the ends, and style with a round brush.  You will be well pleased by the lift, volume, and light hold.  Finish with Masterpiece hairspray from the Bedhead line for a super hold and maximum shine.  This spray is also perfect for finished styles and up-do’s; giving a brilliant polish to the finished look that is fabulous under lights and in photos.

Going back to the original Bedhead product, I can’t recommend, highly enough, the Bedhead stick.  This take no prisoners wax stick is perfect for maximum hold (think spiky do’s and mohawks), and rock and roll shine.  Applied to dry hair like you’d use a glue stick, this product stays pliable, which is great for an always perfect disheveled look.

Without a doubt, the best complete Beadhead line that I push, is the Superstar line.  With a really nice shampoo and conditioner, my best selling spray conditioner (never ways down even the finest of hair), a spray thickener, Queen For a Day, and the best blow dry thickening lotion on the market.  These products leave the hair in a very nice condition, and never weigh the hair down.  Even hair the texture of fine silk.

In addition to all of these terrific products, I’ll give a nod to the Dumb Blonde shampoo and conditioner.  Great for dry, over-processed, bleached, and highlighted hair.

I’m continually impressed by this product line, by the way.  Whenever I’ve decided to take a chance on one of their products, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find they really work.  Take the word of a busy stylist who doesn’t have the time most days to re-wash and style a clients hair when I have a product failure!

And one more point I’d like to make.  Yes, those products you see in the store are probably the same price as mine, they probably aren’t bad, or dangerous.  But remember, the products I sell contribute to the ambiance of Cobalt Salon & Gallery.  My renters pay the rent.  I live off of my wages, and product sales go to upkeep.  So if you’re going to spend your hard earned money, ask my opinion to get the correct product, buy it from me for the same price, and be sure that you get the best haircare, in beautiful, and well maintained surroundings.

“My job is to make hair fantasies into hair styles.”   -David Martin

Well, I was very excited about my new position as an ISO advisor, but now not so much. I think since I was recruited in the early spring, I have had two classes, more if you count the backstage work at the show (which I loved), but absolutely no teaching scheduled. In the mean time, my work has increased quite a bit, part of the problem is I’m just too busy to be included in classes that are scheduled within just a few weeks, or days.

However, I have to say I love the new ISO wet line. Between the Bouncy Curl créme, and the absolutely awesome Tamer foam. I am a big fan.

I have to admit to being a bit of a snob at first. The products are all priced quite a bit lower than my next favorite line, and the packaging is rather dull, but these products do what they say they do. Oh, not all of them. I don’t really like the daily foam. But the daily shape, and daily finish, are among my top 10 finishing sprays. I don’t really care for the color care line. Sorry, but fragrance is a big part of the package, and all of these products smell like baby powder. Honestly, no one wants their hair products to smell like baby diaper. Anyone who has a child, or younger sibling knows baby diaper smell. Ick.

On the other hand, every single product from the Bouncy line is fantastic. They are light, fresh scented, and moisturizing, just what curly hair needs. The shampoo and conditioner are fine, but the styling products are the true asset. The Bouncy spray is pretty good for styling, or actually better, refreshing naturally curly or permed hair, but the Bouncy créme is the best. It can be used on damp or dry hair. Apply a moderate amount (enough to coat all of the hair), and comb through for best results. Dry with a diffusor, or scrunch and allow to dry naturally. Then scrunch a smaller amount through dry hair to define curl and decrease frizz.

But hands down, my favorite line is the Tamer line. It took me a while to warm up to these products. I tried the Tamer foam first. It actually feels like snot (not a great first impression), and you have to use a lot, and comb it through extremely well. In the end it magically disappears, but it took 3 or 4 uses before I didn’t feel I was going to have to re-wash my clients hair. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a better straightening product. And I’ve tried dozens and dozens. The gel is a lighter version of the same, and I even like the shampoo and conditioner.

As I said, I really like this product line, and whole heartedly endorse the company. Always keep in mind, however, I endorse many different lines. One persons favorite product will be totally useless to their best friend. Try lots, you will only look more stunning for it.

As I’ve said before, I’ve worked in Davis for over 20 years now. That means a certain aversion to styling products has been ingrained in my psyche.  I’m working very hard to overcome that mentality now. For me and my clientele!

Seriously people, products are your friends.  You don’t have to worry about the eco-consequences any longer, almost all of the products created today are vastly superior to the old hairspray and mousse.  We’re no longer destroying the ozone layer. I promise. Most of the products I use (possibly all) are tested in salons (not on animals!!).

Some of my favorite recipes are pretty simple, but the application is just as important.  If you tend toward frizz, but like your natural curl (bless you!) start with a smoothing lotion. Something the texture of hand lotion is what you’re looking for.  Look for anti-frizz formulas.  I like Kenras Straightening Serum (yes for curly hair, it won’t automatically straighten your hair!). Be sure to distribute evenly.  If it’s not scalp to ends it will only help the half of your hair it’s on.  Follow with a curl creme, I like creams for curly hair because they have a “flexible” hold. That means they don’t get crunchy or hard.  Kenra Curl Defining Creme, or Aquage Curl Defining Creme are two of my favorites.  Again, comb it through.  Scalp to ends is the only way it will work properly!  For you lucky women (and men) with naturally curly locks, bravo!  That’s all there is to it.  If you want to go all out, by all means use a diffuser. Scrunching will work just fine if your lazy.

For straight hair, follow the same basic principle, but instead of a curl creme try a root boost.  Aquage Uplifting Foam is awesome, and I love Catwalk’s Root Boost.  I’ve never been able to use too much. Apply to the roots (that’s what that funny nozzle is for), and once again COMB THROUGH!  Blow dry with a round brush and your friends will be blown away (sorry, I like bad puns).

A few of my product recommendations are:
(follow directions and comb through evenly on wet hair, use hand styling for dry hair):

On almost all hair types I recommend starting with Bedhead Superstar Spray Leave-in Conditioner, it detangles without weighing hair down!
Fine, Straight Hair
For volume use one of the following: Bedhead Superstar Thickening Blow Dry Lotion (wet, can also be used with any of the next products), Aquage Uplifting Foam (wet), Catwalk Root Boost (wet), or Paul Mitchell Extra Body Mousse (wet).
To combat frizz, layer with one of the following products: Kenra Straighening Serum (wet hair), Bedhead Afterparty (wet or dry), or Kenra Style Creme (wet or dry for texture), and I love most silicon based shine enhancers, Abba, Paul Mitchell, Aquage, and TIGI all make great liquid smoothers (shine enhancer).

Course Straight Hair
To add volume or control use one of the following: Aquage Uplifting Foam, Catwalk Root Boost, or Paul Mitchell Extra Body Mousse.
To combat frizz, layer with one of the following: Kenra Straighening Serum (wet hair), Bedhead Afterparty (wet or dry), or Kenra Style Creme (dry for texture), and again I love most silicon based shine enhancers

Curly Hair
Use one of the following: Kenra Curl Defining Creme (wet, can be scrunched in dry also for extra control, not too much!), Aquage Curl Defining Creme (wet, same as above), and/or Kenra Style Creme (wet or dry, on dry hair scrunch in to help hold curl and fight off frizz).

For Fine Curly Hair
Add Bedhead Superstar Thickening Blow Dry Lotion before any of the previous products.

All Hair Types
Bedhead Afterparty (a light smoothing creme for wet or dry hair), Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine (great for spiking short hair or holding a style all night), Sexy Hair Soy Paste (especially good for short textured cuts), Aquage Transforming Paste (not recommended for fine hair), most Kenra Hairsprays, Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine, and once again almost all silicon based shine enhancers

For Mohawks or other spiky styles
Aquage Freezing foam is like cement, be warned!

Shampoos and Conditioners
For dry or bleached hair I recommend Bedhead Dumb Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner.
For curly hair I like Bedhead Foxy Curls shampoo and conditioner, frizz is a result of curly hair’s natural dryness, conditioners can help keep curly hair moisturized to defeat frizz.
For fine hair Bedhead Superstar Shampoo, I don’t generally recommend conditioner for finer hair types unless damaged or dry. Why way it down more?
For color treated hair I like Bedhead’s Self Absorbed shampoo, again, only condition if hair seems excessively dry or damaged.

Really people, good products are the foundation to a happy hair day.  A little spray can fix a shoddy blow-out.  Even a little shine enhancer can lift your mood!  Go on, give it a try.  You will like the results!