BellaSugar

Three Ways to Get Some Clarity (In Your Hair)

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0700

If you've got buildup from chlorine or styling products, or perhaps your hair is looking a little lackluster, I've got a few solutions. Just head to the pantry, grab a few ingredients, and stir up your own homemade brew.

Do you need some clarity? Then perhaps it's time for a little DIY action. Keep in mind that for color-treated hair, it's probably best to use a clarifying shampoo specifically formulated to protect your color from stripping out. Check out three of my tips after the jump.

Easy Tips on Preventing Product Buildup

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:00:07 -0800

Some - but not all - low-priced products give your hair that silky feeling and light-reflecting gloss by coating the shaft with a wax, which doesn't always wash off completely. The result is a buildup that can keep hair from absorbing color or holding styles, dandruff, and breakage. During this time of year, piling on serum, spray, gel, cream, and mousse to protect hair from the wind and dry air can actually make it even drier.

According to New York City stylist Antonio Prieto, a common cause is using a larger quantity of styling products than recommended, especially if the product has alcohol high on its ingredient list. His solution? Use a clarifying shampoo and higher-quality stylers, especially ones with water soluble ingredients. Try washing hair with Bumble & bumble Sunday Shampoo ($18 for eight ounces), which removes residue, hard water minerals (another cause of dullness), and pollutants, or Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo ($23 for eight ounces), which rinses out buildup while nourishing with apple, verbena, rosemary, and kukui nut oil. Those with color-treated hair might stick to an even more natural shampoo, since it probably won't include stripping sulfates, like EO Clarifying French Lavender Shampoo ($6.59 for eight ounces).

Beauty Marked! Deep-Cleansing Shampoos

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:53:26 -0700

Last week I asked you to suggest your favorite cleansing shampoos, and you definitely found some good ones!

Marcella loves Lush's Big shampoo: "It's by far the best cleansing shampoo for people who use a ton of styling products (like me)!" I agree-this stuff lathers like crazy, smells amazing and leaves hair looking shiny and bouncy.

Then there's Rachelattack, who suggests using good old-fashioned baking soda! She says that adding a bit to a regular shampoo transforms it into a cleansing shampoo. I might have to try this.

Leeluvfashion and Bigestivediscuit both rave about Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, which takes me back to junior high. Come to think of it, my hair did look good and shiny back then-aside from the (gulp) spiral perm.

I've assembled everyone's suggestions in this handy widget. Browse through it and get some great ideas!

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Mmm Mmm Good: Fruit Flavored Shampoos

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:23:40 -0800

Fruit flavored shampoos can instantly turn your shower experience into an aromatherapy pleasure zone! Clarifying shampoos are intended to remove dirt, residue and unwanted oily waxy buildup that has been left in your hair from the use of daily styling products. They are safe for chemically treated or color treated hair since they have been carefully pH balanced to neutralize your hair and scalp. Combine the two and you get these yummy clarifying shampoos:

Fresh Soda Shampoo, $24, bubbles up and fizzes just like soda does! It feels really cool and invigorating on your scalp as you work it into a frothy lather. This shampoo adds volume to your hair while removing residue.

Made from mint, lavender, and grapefruit your hair will be revitalized, vibrant and oil free! Great for all hair types. It is also available in a travel size for $10.

Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo, $19.50, is made from an old french recipe with an apple cider base. This shampoo smells deee-licious. It will remove nasty product buildup that's been weighing down your hair and will leave you with unbelievable shine and bounce.

For one more, read more

Naani's Naturals Cucumber Lime Clarifying Shampoo, $12.99, contains natural coconut oil cleansers, cucumber, aloe, lime, green tea, ginseng & rosemary. I am sure you can imagine just how mmm, mmm good this shampoo smells! It helps to renew dull lifeless hair while softening and making your hair feel more manageable, clean and full of body.

Ask Bella: How Do I Lift Black Hair Dye?

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:01:19 -0700

Recently, a distressed reader contacted me about an unfortunate incident regarding a box of black hair color and the subsequent regretful results. Here's her story:

Three months ago I had an adult identity crisis and dumped a box of jet black dye on my naturally medium brown hair. Now I can't get it to lift out for anything - professionally or at home. Can you make a suggestion? I'm a 25-year-old woman and I look like a scene kid. It's rough.

There's no excuse for looking like a Brokencyde groupie. Lifting pigment can be a tricky endeavor, though, so you have to be careful. For my advice on helping this reader to lighten up, just read more.

Got Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair? Read This.

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:00:16 -0700

As owner of Atlanta's Urbanbella salon and apothecary-style store, Keneesha Hudson has learned a thing or two about hair - particularly when it comes to kinky, curly, and wavy textures. That's why I consulted with the leading expert in the category on how to tame those unruly curls; and now, I have more of her helpful tips. No matter what kind of curl texture you've got, if your hair has some type of wave to it, this post is for you. Just read more.

5 Tips For Keeping Your Locks Glossy

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:49 -0700

After perusing through the pictures from Rock a Little, Feed a Lot benefit concert that took place last night in LA, I was struck by all of the completely gorgeous, shiny hair. From Isla Fisher to Christina Applegate to Alanis Morissette, it was all about light-reflective locks. There are countless ways to boost shine through technique and product, including starting off by giving residue and buildup a farewell party with a good clarifying shampoo. And I have even more tips to keep you glossy. Just keep reading.

Bella Quiz: It's Hair Trivia Time!

BellaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Perhaps you consider yourself an expert when it comes to the best clarifying shampoos, the most hydrating deep conditioners, or the ultimate in hair gels. But, when it comes down to the interesting facts and statistics about hair, does your knowledge continue to shine?

When does hair grow the fastest? How much more do women shave then men? You're about to find out. With these little tidbits, I'm sure you'll be the hit of any party - or just the weird gal that can't stop talking about hair . . .

Take the quiz

Bellissima! Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:00:00 -0800

There are some things that are beyond my understanding: The pyramids, tetraneutrons, why Heidi Montag came out with a record. I now consider Kerastase's new shampoo, Bain Divalent ($27), one of them. This shampoo is for those with a greasy scalp and dry ends - a.k.a. combination hair. Those with dry hair know what it's like to skip a few shampoos in hopes of getting silky ends, only to find your roots so greasy that by the time you do wash, you need a clarifying shampoo, putting you back at square one. How a shampoo can know where your scalp is and where your ends are is beyond me. While lathering up with it, your roots feel less oily and your ends feel silky. Of course, $27 is a lot to go (literally) down the drain, so you could also use two different shampoos, one on roots and one on ends. But if you're a busy lady with a little cash to burn, give it a try!

What to Do If Your Hair Color Comes Out Too Dark

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:00:11 -0800

Recently, I received an email from a reader who purchased a reputable do-it-at-home hair color. Unfortunately, the color was a lot darker than she expected, turning her medium brown hair into an almost black tone, as opposed to the light brown she desired. Have you ever had a gone-too-dark mishap? Check out my tips below to find out how to fix this hair obstacle:

If you experience unwanted results from an at-home hair color, immediately call the hotline number on the side or back of the box. The company representative can offer you professional advice on what to do next. Also, if you think there may be something wrong with the dye, it's essential to report it immediately.
Know what formula you are buying. Semipermanent or demipermanent colors typically fade a lot faster than permanent colors - and are often more gentle for the home colorist.
Use a clarifying shampoo, which is full of color-stripping surfactants. The faster you can get to your freshly-dyed hair, the better. I have also heard of people using dish soap, but I think that's a little extreme. Make sure you deep condition afterwards.

To see the rest, read more.

When coloring your hair at home, go only one to two levels lighter or darker than your natural hair color to avoid "oh no" moments. While most box color includes a description of what the shade will be (such as medium light brown), keep in mind that level one equals black and level ten is light blond.
Face the facts. If your hair is too dark for your liking, the only true way to lighten color is to remove it. Hello, chemicals. Then, once the unwanted color has been removed from your hair, sometimes tones have to be added to color correct. Sure there are color-removing products like L'Oreal Color Zap ($10) readily available at the nearest beauty supply store, but if you want my honest opinion, heading to a professional is probably the best option.

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