Japanese, Brazilian, Keratin Straightening Do’s and Don’ts

This week, I’m going to get my hair Japanese straightened.

It’s kind of a big deal. It works phenomenally – I won’t have a single curly hair left!

But my hair will be more sensitive to a lot of factors, and that’s something I need to give serious consideration to.

Award-winning colorist, Mia, has done her research and she wants to share color tips for chemically straightened hair.

“I get clients coming in all the time asking if they can color their chemically straightened hair. There are so many new straightening techniques out there that it can sometimes get confusing. So I’ve done my own sleuthing and compiled a list of a variety of treatments and the do’s and don’ts regarding coloring.”

Thermal Reconditioning/Japanese Straightening
Thermal reconditioning (also known as TR, Magic Straight, Ionic Perm, Bioionic Straightening, Yuko System, Liscio, Japanese Straightening, Japanese Straight Perm, Straight Perm and Rebonding) is a Hair Straightening procedure uses heat to change the shape of the hair. After the cuticle is broken down with chemicals, locks are ironed straight with a hot iron. A neutralization process then closes the cuticle, causing hair to stay straight. For women who spend hours each week blow-drying their hair into submission and dodging raindrops like bullets, thermal reconditioning is worth the time and money.

This hair straightening technique will normally last from five months to a year. It all depends on the rate of growth of your hair. Since new hair will grow to its normal characteristics, you will need to only touch up the new hair.

Afterward, you will be able to use standard good quality shampoos and hair conditioners. The treatment is pretty much permanent, until the hair grows out. You will want to protect your hair from ultraviolet rays, (intense sunshine); so applying hair products with UV protection like the Maijan Pure Organic Argan Oil is recommended. Lastly, you will need to wait at least four to six weeks before coloring your hair.

Keratin Treatment
Whether it is called Brazilian keratin treatment, Coppola keratin straightening, Keratin Complex treatment, Liquid keratin, and Global keratin, etc., the primary product used in this conditioning treatment is keratin. Keratin is a tough protein found in skin, hair and, nails. The chemical aldehyde, a derivative of formaldehyde, assists the keratin infusion into the hair.

Unlike the thermal reconditioning system (Japanese straightening) which thermally and chemically restructures the hair bonds to create permanent stick straight hair, the keratin procedures recondition the hair preventing frizz while allowing it to wave, curl, or be flat ironed straight. Hair gradually returns to its original state without the awkward growing out stage inherent to the Brazilian hair straightening. This advantage becomes its disadvantage; the treatment is not permanent and lasts anywhere from eight weeks to four months.

You need to wait two-three weeks before and after you do any other chemical treatments including coloring. For best results always do the coloring before Keratin treatment. After treatment the Keratin coat your hair like a thin layer of film and colorants might not penetrate the hair they way it should.

Ionic Hair Retexturizing (IHR)
Ionic Hair Retexturizing is the latest Japanese hair straightening technique, which locks in moisture and nutrients during the ironing process, to improve the condition as well as straighten the hair. It works best on non-chemically treated hair. Treatment lasts up to 6 months depending on the growth rate of your hair.

Always remember the healthiest hair usually has the fewest chemicals applied. Having both straightening and coloring may not be the best option for everyone. Being able to work with healthy, shiny hair will allow Mia to give her clients the very best results.

By Aly Walansky

Oscars 2010, Zoe Saldana Hair and Hairstyle

Zoe Saldana, the incredible star of Avatar, looked fabulous at the Oscar’s last night. Her sleek style and beautiful dress created the perfect package.

TRESemmé Celebrity Stylist Mara Roszak provided StyleBell with the simple how-to on how to get Zoe’s super-chic up-do. Mara said “We wanted to to have an editorial look because she was wearing Givenchy. We also didn’t want the hair and make up to compete with the dress so we created an elegant but effortless look.”

Step 1: Apply TRESemmé Naturals Lightweight Mousse all over damp hair and blow dry away from the face with volume, flipping head upside down when the hair is almost dry to finish.

Step 2: Separate the crown from the rest of the hair and pull back sides and back into a tight ponytail. Pull the hair almost all the way through, leaving the ends tucked into the pony tail holder to create a half bun shape. Let a few pieces in the back fall out for a messier look.

Step 3: Tease the top of the hair, pull back to meet the back and pin, criss-crossing the bobby pins for a secure hold.

Step 4: Spray all over with TRESemmé TRES TWO Extra Hold Hair Spray.

Step 5: My Stylist Secret: Spray hairspray on finger tips and gently pull the hair around the face with your fingers to loosen the hair, giving it an organic effortless look.

Valentine’s Day: Romance Begins With Your Hair

Do you have someone special to celebrate next week with?

Well, whether you do or do not, this is a great excuse to celebrate yourself and up the “wow” factor. We consulted celebrity hairstylist, Paul Labrecque, who shared his secrets for achieving muse-like curls, seductive waves, lovely chignons and a few additional flirty looks that are perfect for the holiday.

Sexy, Soft & Touchable Curls
If you have naturally curly hair, this type of curl is so easy to achieve—you just have to choose the right product!

An anti-frizz curl activator (such as Paul Labrecque Curly Style) is the perfect item to begin with (Curly Style has been recognized by Allure magazine as a Best of Beauty 2009 winner). It forms curls without making them crisp, fragile or frizzy. Put a dollop on damp hair, then twist sections of hair around one of your fingers. Let hair dry naturally or use a diffuser for added volume.

Don’t despair those with straighter hair, this look can still be yours!

Spray damp hair with a volumizer (like Paul Labrecque Volume Style) and then rough dry it with your hands. Once hair is dry, use two different sized barrel curling irons—one smaller and one larger, to achieve a beautiful textured look that’s random and uneven. When the ironing is done, use an alcohol-free silicone product to work through hair with your hands to separate and free hair to make the style complete.

For another stunning curly look that’s one of Paul’s favorite easy to achieve romantic looks…it only appears quite complicated!

Gather curly strands into a loose pony and make sure not all of your ears are exposed. Fold the ponytail under and secure the ponytail band to the hair at the nape of your neck with two crisscrossing pins. Finish by spraying a light shield of glitter on your hair—the sparkling whimsy is both playful and put-together

Seductive & Loose Waves

Make sure hair is very wet before you begin styling…

Apply a curl activating gel and a leave-in conditioner (Paul Labrecque’s Curly Style and Repair Style are excellent choices— the products were created specifically for hydration and curl separation). After product is applied, twist wet hair into ringlets. Slowly dry hair with a diffuser and make sure you don’t break the curl. It’s very important you don’t move your hair while drying since too much touching during this phase could cause frizz. Once hair is dry add a shine serum for extra gloss (such as Paul Labrecque’s Curly Finish– this lightweight Camelia Oil spray won’t weigh hair down, and its glossy finish makes waves look radiant and very seductive.)

Quick & Chic Chignons

Start with hair in a tight ponytail…

Make sure the ponytail is smooth and set with a firm hold spray (like Paul Labrecque’s Volume Finish). It’s also important to spray the underside of the ponytail. You can do this while back combing the hair at the bottom of the tail into a fan. Quickly smooth the top section of hair over this fan and twist it under, leaving one piece of hair free to wrap around the ponytail. You can pin this hair in place with bobby pins and spray the style one more time for extra hold so it will last all day or night.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Beauty Blog Weekend Reads

Elke shares her blush tips and application tricks.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido’s Maquillage Face Creator 3D!

Felicia from ThisThatBeauty shares her current hair obsession and gives YOU a chance to win it!!!

A Touch of Blusher previews Lancôme’s fall 2009 collection.

Summer is coming and you want your makeup to stay on, right? Cybelesays.com found an eye shadow that won’t go anywhere until you move it.

Need to eliminate frizz in your curly hair? StyleBell has the answer with the Redken How-To on Creating Curl Perfection!

The Makeup Divas are giving away one pair of Current/Elliot The Boyfriend Jean valued at $229! So pop on over and enter today!

Beauty Junkie in SF has another tip for all those recessionista’s out there: Homemade Pedicure Prep.

Beauty in Real Life is having another giveaway, this time 3 lucky readers will each receive a Zannclip – and they get to pick the size and color. !!

Kyle at Face Candy shows you how to make your own Mixing Medium using Glycerine.

Ouidad New York City Giveaway!

This one is for all of you curly girls out there.  Ouidad, yes the curly girl’s best friend, is sponsoring an Ultimate Curly Girl Weekend in New York City contest!  You simply click on this link and upload a picture of your beautiful curly locks.  One lucky contestant will win:

The Ultimate Curly Girl Weekend

Makeover with Ouidad at her New York Flagship Salon

Two nights at the W Hotel

Two tickets to see “In the Heights”

$500 American Express Gift Card

Collection of Ouidad products

Ouidad Curl Ambassador title plus a guest blog on Ouidad.com

How can you pass this up!

This one is for all of you curly girls out there.  Ouidad, yes the curly girl’s best friend, is sponsoring an Ultimate Curly Girl Weekend in New York City contest!  You simply click on this link and upload a picture of your beautiful curly locks.  One lucky contestant will win:

The Ultimate Curly Girl Weekend

• Makeover with Ouidad at her New York Flagship Salon
• Two nights at the W Hotel
• Two tickets to see “In the Heights”
• $500 American Express Gift Card
• Collection of Ouidad products
• Ouidad Curl Ambassador title plus a guest blog on Ouidad.com

How can you pass this up!  I am submitting as I write.

Hair Tutorial: Gwen Stefani Hairstyle

Tease all you want my dark brown hair is just never going to look like Gwen Stefani.  Not true!  Celebrity stylist Johnny Lavoy does it again with his celebrity how-to on creating the Gwen Stefani look.  Definitely hair raising and a tad complicated but if you have the will you now have the way.  Enjoy!

See more of Johnny’s how-to videos click  here!

Want to know more about Gwen Stefani’s hair read more!

StyleBell $10 off all orders over $100!

In honor of the Inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, Stylebell is offering $10 off all orders over $100 plus Free Shipping.! No coupon codes necessary.  Remember this is a for a limited time so act fast!  Buy Now!

Get Out and Vote plus 10% Off Storewide Sale

Hi Everyone!  StyleBell has a strong commitment to the community and would like to encourage all citizens to Get Out and Vote today!  We, at StyleBell, feel that it is everyone’s responsibility to exercise their right to vote and contribute to the future of our country.  

In honor of the election StyleBell is offering 10% off all orders over $50.  Use Coupon Code VOTE1121.  Remember this is for a limited time so act fast!  Buy Now!  

*This sale begins 11/4/08 and ends 11/21/08 at 11:59pm EST.  This offer cannot be used on previously placed orders.