Why use a clarifying shampoo?

Clarifying shampoos for some reason tend to have a bit of a bad reputation for their tendency to dry out the hair. If used correctly this should never be the case as it’s job is to lift stubborn styling and finishing products from the hair. It is important to use it at the right time. Most people will benefit from using a clarifying shampoo occasionally. They are formulated with a high surfactant-to-water ratio to deep cleanse the hair. They are designed to lift stubborn residue, products and dirt just like when you deep cleanse or use a scrub on your face! Also as the focus is on cleaning, they often contain very few emollients and conditioning oils to balance them out so are often clear in colour.

So when is the right time to use a clarifying shampoo? 

Here are five steps to look out for!

1. Your hair is really oily.

If your hair is naturally oily, then clarifying will be useful to you. It will keep your hair fresh, clean and oil-free and won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Because clarifying shampoos can be drying, always follow them with a light conditioner to soften the hair.

2. You have been using lots of oils, heavy conditioners and finishing products.

Products that are not water-soluble, like heavy oils and silicone-based ingredients that are found in everyday conditioners, moisturizers, mousses, gels, serums and hairsprays, can build up on the hair and cause it to feel limp, icky and lifeless. A regular moisturizing shampoo won’t be able to lift these stubborn ingredients. You’ll need to use a clarifying shampoo to remedy this build-up.

3. You have been swimming.

Chlorine and salt residue from swimming in pools or hanging out at the beach can really damage your hair if they are not removed promptly. Combine them with sun, and the damage is multiplied. A clarifying shampoo will help you get your hair back to normal after chlorine exposure and will prevent unnecessary damage to the hair.

4. None of your products are working.

When silicone and oils from your hair products build up on your hair, they may cause your favourite shampoos, conditioners and other products to “stop working.” Your shampoo might not lather properly, and your hair might feel weighed down after deep conditioning. The problem is simply product build-up. Whenever products you know are good just stop working, don’t toss them out. Clarify your hair to remove the build-up.

5. It’s been a month since you have last used a clarifying shampoo.

Clarifying your hair can be done as a monthly refresher as it will give your hair a fresh clean slate. If you feel your hair beginning to get a coated, weighed down feeling clarifying at least once a month can remedy this. If you use oily or sticky products like serums, regular oils, gels and heavy pomades frequently throughout the week, then you may find that clarifying weekly is a better option. If your hair is naturally oily, then daily clarifying can be beneficial.

RECOMMENDATION -

L'anza's Daily Clarifying shampoo, gentle enough for every day use, whilst protecting colour.

Spring is in the air TREAT YOUR HAIR RIGHT

Spring days are finally here! 

Spring is in the air and as the season changes from a rather wet and damp cold winter to a warmer, lighter sunnier days our hair changes with the climate naturally and with what we do to it!

As the days get lighter, highlighting becomes one of the most popular services as people want to achieve a sun kissed look, or be blonde for the summer days. Hair can go from being dry and full of static to frizzy, sun bleached and over processed if not looked after properly. Preparing your hair for the seasons change will help you have better hair all year!

Moisture Balance

One of the hardest things to conquer with hair is proper moisture. Just when you get your hair all moisturized to combat the dry season, it gets wet and humid, and then the sun comes out and wreaks havok on your locks.

As the weather starts to warm up and the humidity in the air increases it is time to change your hair conditioning habits. This does not mean, do not condition your hair, but adjustments will be needed.

The rule of thumb with moisture is to listen to your hair. If you notice static, dry ends, a lot of tangles, or if your hair feels rough to the touch and takes forever to dry you are lacking moisture and need to add a deep conditioning treatment or a moisturizing conditioner to your hair routine. If your hair is limp or oily start cutting back on the moisture.

Healthy Highlights


Balancing moisture can be a whole other issue if you highlight your hair in the summer. Frizzy and dry ends on highlighted hair can be more pronounced in the summer, especially if you lighten your hair more, spend time in the sun, or spend a lot of time in the water. Protein treatments or protein enhanced shampoos and conditioners can help restore your highlighted hair's strength. Balance the strength with a good conditioning treatment or even a leave-in conditioner on highlighted hair.

Manage the Sun's Effects


Just as the sun causes your skin to age, it also will effect your hair. You may notice that your hair lightens in the summer. While the sun's natural lightening doesn't cause significant damage to your hair, over exposure to the sun's rays can cause dryness and unwanted lightening to colored and highlighted hair. To keep the sun's effects at a minimum, try using products and shampoos that have UV protection and heat protectors.

Chlorine

If you spend a lot of time in the pool, it won't take long before you realize that the chlorine build up can be a real issue. Chlorine can dry your hair, cause your ends to appear more damaged, and build up on your hair. The build up feels unpleasant and makes hair dull and hard to style.

To prevent chlorine from causing problems, the first step is to wash your hair thoroughly immediately upon exiting the pool every time with a clarifying shampoo and follow with a balancing conditioner.

Although shampooing often and getting into a regular clarifying routine is a great start to combating the effects of chlorine most of our clients say that it doesn't completely get rid of the chlorine build up in your hair. Therefore we recommend a in salon hair treatment. We recommend that clients with chlorine issues come in for a treatment every 6-10 weeks.

HELP! I'm growing out my fringe, how do I style it?

Fringe yes or fringe no, Fringes come and go as fast as beauty trends change, and it can be one of the most difficult hairstyles to maintain in everyday life, especially when you want to grow it out.

When it's still too short you can't tie it back like you can with the rest of your hair. However if it is too long, it falls in your eyes... there are all of these difficult phases to go through when you want to get rid of your fringe.

So if you have a fringe, here are our tips to growing it out in style.

Clips, headbands and other hair accessories will become your best friends...

If you are pulling your hair up in a bun or a ponytail, pull your hair back and pin your fringe back with small flat hair slides or bobby pins to help conceal your fringe, thus keeping it firmly under control. You can also back comb it if long enough and fix it into a quiff style to add some height.

If you are a fan of wearing your hair down, do not panic, a simple head band or headscarf will help you discipline your fringe and also act as an interesting addition to your outfit.

For the more dexterous stylistas out there, you can try a pretty braided crown and blend your fringe into it.

For more tips and advice do check back soon!

Zerooti x

Mythic Oil by Loreal

Mythic Oil

Oils are taking the hairdressing industry by storm, we have seen previous oils come and go in the past and now hair oils are making a huge come back. One of our salon favourites is the L’Oreal Mythic Oil. Personally I have not used oil in my hair for some years and was wary to trying it, as I always felt that using oils would make my hair greasy and heavy. However on having my hair cut and styled by Lyndsey who used it on my wet hair, mid-length and ends prior to blow drying I was really pleased with the results. It made my hair which is thick and can go frizzy all smooth and silky. Yes I did realise that Lyndsey was blow drying my hair for me, so I thought I would take one to see how I got on styling my hair at home.

At home use

I can honestly say I loved it! After shampooing and conditioning my hair, it usually gets very tangled! I applied the oil on my hair prior to combing and then I did put a comb to my hair it glided through brilliantly. I rough dried my hair using my fingers and used a brush on my fringe and my hair felt silky and frizz free which usually to get the same effect I have to section my hair and blow dry in sections. I only needed 2 drop of oil rubbed in my hand and this was enough for even my thick hair. It has now become a product I cannot live without. It adds protection from heat and gets rid of any unwanted fizz. It can be used on damp and dry hair, however personally I prefer it on damp hair. It has a gorgeous fruity smell and makes my hair feel like it has been done by one of the girls in the salon. Love it! My must have!

I would give this product a top score of ten out of ten. It makes hair less dry without weighing it down and making it really greasy and unmanageable. I like it and would definitely recommend it to any one.

 

Jodie x

 Salon Reception Manager

Bump to baby in a hair salon

The one main thing that I love about working in the salon I work in, is that work never really seems like work! Not just because I am lucky enough to work in a industry that I really enjoy, but the fact that the people I work with are more than work colleagues they are also my friends. Now I look at many people around me and I feel very lucky that I generally do get along with everyone on my team. We have such a friendly atmosphere that it also generates into our customers, Which well is just super!
One of my closest friends at work Claire, has recently left the salon to have her baby boy and I am so happy that she has now given birth to a little baby boy and I just can't wait to meet him!When Claire told me that she was expecting it was such brilliant news and then we hit a worry of thinking of her customers. Most of Claire's clients have had Claire doing their hair for the last 15 years! Thankfully, all of Claire's clients have been so supportive of Claire, and are currently seeing a member of the team who Claire believed would suit them best. It's all very happy times here at Zerooti Hair Design. 

It has been so strange without her here though, and I must admit I am missing her little ways. Even the way I could word for word predict what she was going to say next some times :-)
I am looking forward to her return, but also as I am a mummy myself, being able to enjoy some kiddie stuff with her too out of the salon!

A surprise celebration meal for Claire at the start of her maternity leave

Claire opening her present

Claire's Presents

Claire's Hen Night - only feels like yesterday

Claire and me

Good friends, happy days x

FIVE TIPS TO GET RID OF SPLIT ENDS

Very often, women who have long hair have the problem of split ends. It is usually the last 2-3cm of our hair that usually is affected by this problem. However many of us are in the category of not wanting our hair trimming, because we can lose “important centimetres” of our beautiful locks. Then the dilemma of what to do? It now appears that it is very popular to find natural remedies for various problems and often, it’s also more convenient, because usually we can find many of needed ingredients right in your kitchen.

Now unfortunately the only way to get rid of split ends is to have them cut. This also means having them cut above where they start meaning a good 2-3cms of your hair. This to come is something that they just are not happy to do so below are 5 different ways to help prevent split ends without cutting our hair. However do not forget that the best way to keep your hair healthy and split end free is to visit the salon regularly for a trim. (6-8weeks ideally).

It’s better to apply the below masks concentrating on the middle length and on the ends of your hair avoiding the roots, because our target are split ends. (If you apply the mask all over your head and on the roots, your hair can become greasy and heavy.) Let’s begin:

1)    Here is very efficient hair mask with oils and ripe avocado, that will help you to efficiently fight split ends:

Mix 2 table spoons of olive oil with 2 table spoons of coconut oil (you can very slightly warm up the oils for better results, warm up till comfortable to touch temperature) and add one ripe avocado (avocado is optional, oils alone will also do a great job). Mix it all up very well till you get a creamy consistency. Then apply it on your hair as a hair mask (avoiding the roots, concentrate on the middle length and on the ends of your hair). Make a hair bun and cover it up with a shower cup and then – towel. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes (you can keep it on for longer for better results). After, wash and condition your hair as usual. You should notice the result from the first time of doing this mask. Hair will become more shiny, softer and healthier looking.

2)    Beer. 

Who would have thought that beer can be a remedy from split ends? But yes. It definitely can help, because beer contains proteins and sugar which can help strengthen your hair and mend damaged ends. Wash your hair and then, after conditioning, rinse your hair with beer. The only minus of this technique is beer scent, but if you can bear with this – try this technique!

3)    Here is another hair mask to efficiently fight split ends: take 2 table spoons of any hydrating cream and mix it up with 2 table spoons of olive oil (or you can use coconut oil in liquid form). Apply this mask on the middle lengths of your hair, concentrating on the ends and wait for about 30 minutes, then wash your hair as usual. If you do this mask regularly prior to washing your hair, you will see amazing results.

4)    This hair care tip is for ladies who don’t like home made remedies. To get rid of split ends you can use your favourite bottled cosmetic hair repairing mask, but use it in a little bit unusual way… (Here are, on my opinion, some of the best masks, L’anza Moi Moi Hair Masque, L’oreal Serie Expert Intense Repair Masque for Dry Hair and Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe. Instead of applying it for 2-3 minutes, as we usually do, try to keep it on your hair for longer. After you’ve washed your hair, pat it with the towel and apply your favourite repairing hair mask on the length of your hair concentrating on the ends, avoiding the roots of your hair. Then put on shower cup and towel and wait for 1 or 2 hours. Then, rinse off thoroughly. Your hair will be silky, nourished and hydrated. This technique fights slit ends very efficiently!

5)    Create hair mask with ingredients form your kitchen: mix one egg’s yolk with 3 table spoons of olive oil and add 1 table spoon of honey. Apply this hair mask on the ends of your hair and keep it on for one hour. Then wash and condition your hair as usual. If you do this mask at least once every 2 weeks, you will notice how much more nourished and healthy your hair will look.

And finally, remember that in order to have beautiful and shiny hair without split ends you need to take good care of your locks, hydrate your hair very well and protect your head from the sun exposure and having regular visits to the salon for a trim will help your hair get longer as it wont get as damaged.

Teaming up with Beautiful Nails and Body Salon

As you know we love hair and we specialize in hair and hair alone. It is our forte and what we do best! However we do still love to keep our nails and bodies in top tip shape!


We have started discussions with the lovely team at the wonderful Beautiful Nails and body salon in Manor Royal and their new salon in Pound Hill. There salon is all nails and everything beauty and we will be offering a special offer for all of our customers at Zerooti at Beautiful Nails. And visa versa. More information to come shortly so do watch this space!


Today in the salon everyone seems to be going for colour changes. It is mainly going lighter which is exciting!

More blogs will be up shortly, we have just been so very busy here, and we have all of you to thank for that so thank you all very much!

Zerooti Team x