Hair Clinic: What Hair Products Can I Use with a Wheat Allergy?

Question:

I have a known wheat allergy and my docter has told me to stop using haircare products with wheat based ingredients.  Do you know of any Shampoos and Conditioners that do not have wheat based ingredients?

Answer from our Expert Stylist:

Jessica Martignetti, Style Expert – Simply Organic shampoos and our Everyday and Moisture conditioners do not have any wheat (gluten) based ingredients. Gluten is the portion of flour that gives a porous, spongy texture to bread. It is also used as a base in many cosmetic powders and creams. Reactions in an allergic person can range from runny nose and itchy eyes to upset stomach to severe gas. Gluten allergies can also cause dermatitis herpetiformis, a chronic benign, skin disorder characterized by an intense burning and itching rash. If one has this allergy,  elimination of gluten from diet and topically applied personal care items is the best long term solution in my opinion even though there are certain medications that can be used as well to treat symptoms.

Hair Clinic: My Silver Hair Turns Brown after I Flat Iron?

Question:

“I have beautiful silver African American hair.  I just started to flat iron my hair, however, when I use my iron my beautiful silver hair turns a brownish tint.  Is there anything I can use to prevent this from happening?”

Answers from our Expert Stylists:

Kaz Amor, Redken Haircare Consultant- “There are a couple of reasons why this might be happening: 1) the hair might have product buildup and when the flat iron makes contact with the residue, it is causing it to turn brown or 2) the iron’s temperature is too high, causing the hair to be scorched. If the hair has buildup, I recommend shampooing with Redken Hair Cleansing Cream. This will remove any buildup from the hair. You should also check the iron to make sure there is no product buildup on the plates that could be transferring onto the hair. I would also recommend using Redken’s Blonde Glam Color Enhancer in Perfect Platinum to keep silver hair from turning yellow. In either case, the hair should be protected from the heat regardless so I also recommend using any of our products from Redken’s Heat Styling line to strengthen and help protect the hair from the heat of the iron.”

Roslyn Baker, Soft & Beautiful Haircare Consultant – “Thermal implements can discolor the hair.  Because the gray hair is translucent, the appearance of the discoloration is more apparent.  What causes the discoloration?  Thermal irons release a carbon-type residue, especially when they are too hot. Always have a white cotton cloth or tissue handy BEFORE applying a curling iron or flat iron to the hair.  Test the iron on the cloth before applying it to the hair.  If the tissue turns brown, then you must wait until the iron cools down.  Keep retesting it until the cloth has no color.  You have to keep this process going throughout the styling process because electric irons can escalate in temperature if they are just sitting idle.  It’s also a great idea to use a thermal barrier on the hair to protect it against the heat of the irons.  The Soft & Beautiful STYLEPROTEC Hair Gloss is a perfect solution.  Just apply a few drops in the palm and rub throughout the hair and use a comb to evenly distribute.  If the hair is already discolored consider this homemade remedy to brighten the hair:  Mix your favorite shampoo with small amount of Hydrogen Peroxide.  Shampoo the hair and allow it to sit about 5 minutes.”

Curling with a Flat Iron, Finally!

How can you curl your hair with a flat iron?  This is a MAJOR question asked daily. Honestly I have always found it difficult to curl with a flat iron.  I usually tell my readers to just invest in a $30 curling iron because it is so hard.  

That being said, I just came across this video that may be the key to accomplishing soft beautiful flat iron curls.  The stylist positions the flat iron vertically pointing downwards and uses it as a tong!  He moves the iron down and twists the iron allowing your hair to gently roll through the plates.  I have completely been doing it the wrong way!  

So I decided to warm up my flat iron, which of course is right next to my laptop, and turn that baby on.  Within 60 seconds, and literally for the first time, I curled my hair with a flat iron!!!  Take a look at my picture.  

 

The images are ok – but think what I could do with 5 minutes.  Soft beautiful curls are awaiting you, finally!  Watch this video immediately.  He is using a GHD flat iron, my all time fav iron!

Ask Us! Moisturizer for Straightening Hair?

Hi!
Thanks to your blog I purchased the Babyliss Nano Titanium flat iron after much researching. My question is in reference to moisturizing before flat ironing the hair. I have relaxed african-american hair btw. I’ve read that oils and flat irons don’t mix and that the combo can “cook” your hair. What type of moisturizer can I use in combo with a heat protectant?

Thanks!
Hi StyleBell Reader,
You should always use a thermal protector on your hair before straightening!  As for moisturizing  I believe woman with African America hair really like the Beyond Straight.  Beyond Straight is a straightening serum that helps to straighten the hair and protects from the heat of the iron.  So with Beyond Straight you only need one products.  At 16.95 it is nicely priced as well. 

http://www.stylebell.com/Beyond-Straight-Temporary-Straightener-p/sb-00460.htm

I am sure you will like it.

Best,

StyleBell Editor

Curling with Asian Hair

Hi!

I have a wedding to attend in about 2 weeks. I have been trying to curl my super straight hair and spraying various products to see what will make the curls stay. Nothing seems to work! I have super straight asian hair and everytime I curl my long hair, the curls just become straight within 1 hour or so. How do I get those pretty curls to stay in my hair? What hair products and curling iron would you recommend? Could you give me a step by step on what hair products to apply first?  Thank you so much!! I’ve been trying for years to get curls to stay in my hair and nothing has worked.

Dear StyleBell Reader,

It is very difficult to curl Asian hair and to retain the curl once completed.  Styling products are definitely your friend and probably the only way you will be able to keep that curl all night.  I would try using both a mousse and a hairspray to keep the bounce in your curl.
1) Put a light mousse on your hair while damp, Davines Volume Soft Hold Mousse is a good choice.
2) When curling each group of hair you can use any curling iron which has high heat like the Hot Tools Curling Iron with variable temperature.
3) While curling each group of hair, spritz hair spray each time.  This will provide better hold.  Davines Glam Power Spray is an excellent choice. 

4) Once you are complete with your curls spray more hairspray on the style.

Frizzy Dry Hair! Help!

Hi StyleBell,
I am in need of some hair help.  I have long, fine hair and lots of it.  It’s not particularly curly but it does have some wave to it when I let it air dry.  The only problem I find with doing that is that it gets very frizzy.  Is there anything I can use to control the friz?  I have found that most gels make my hair greasy and I must be using mousse wrong because my hair stays wet looking most of the day.  Please help.  I really like the “toussled wavy” look without all the friz!

Hi StyleBell reader,
Although air drying your hair is very healthy for your hair I definitely agree that it can sometimes become one big frizz ball.  Many times my ionic hair dryer works wonders in smoothing down my hair every now and again.  I would also suggest that you first use a natural deep conditioner on your hair.  A deep conditioner can really decrease the frizz in your hair and keep it healthy without weighing down your hair.  My deep conditioner of choice is the Aveda Dry Remedy deep conditioner.  I love it and have been using it weekly.  I can now keep my hair natural but have rid my hair of the nasty frizz.  Also a Beach spray can give you a nice tousled look as well.  I would look at the David Babaii Bohemian Beach spray.

Ask US! Which CHI Hair Dryer Turbo or Nano?

Hi StyleBell,
I am trying to decide between the chi turbo and the chi nano hairdryers. I currently have the turbo which I bought 2 1/2 years ago. I am having problems turning it on so I believe the switch is about to go. I need to get a replacement but I can’t decide bewteen the two. Any advice? Also can I use the diffuser from my old turbo on the nano? Thanks!
Thanks,
Christina

Hi Christina,
So here is the scoop on both of the CHI hairdryers. There is actually very little difference between the Chi Turbo and the CHI Nano (hush! don’t tell anyone). The Nano technology is one of the major differences between the two irons. Honestly it is the handle of the dryer that has the nano infused technology. This allows hair stylists to prohibit the spread of harmful bacteria between stylists. If you are the only user of this hair dryer honestly there is no need for it. The Nano hairdryer does have one more speed setting and an extra 100 watts of wattage. If I were you I would just stick with the CHI Turbo. I love that dryer! If you do decide to use the CHI Nano yes you should be able to use the diffuser.

Thanks,
StyleBell