Embrace the Autumn Breeze with Fabulous Fall Hair Care and Styles

As the leaves turn to shades of amber and gold, it's time to think about how the changing seasons affect not just the world around us, but also our hair. Fall brings cooler temperatures and a drop in humidity, which means it's the perfect opportunity to explore new hair trends and care techniques. Let's dive into the best ways to keep your locks luscious and stylish this autumn!

1. Nourish to Flourish: With the crisp fall air comes the tendency for hair to dry out, leading to potential damage. To combat this, we recommend integrating deep conditioning treatments into your routine. Look for products rich in hydrating ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, or keratin. Better yet, visit us for a professional in-salon deep conditioning service that will leave your hair silky and strong.

2. Fall Colors to Dye For: Autumn is synonymous with warm, rich colors. Consider updating your hair color to match the season with hues like deep chocolate, auburn red, or even a balmy bronde. Balayage highlights in cinnamon or honey tones can add dimension to your hair and mimic the natural lightening effects of the sun.

3. The Cut Above: As we say goodbye to the summer, it's an excellent time to trim away any split ends and refresh your style. A blunt bob, layered lob, or textured shag are all on-trend for fall and can remove damaged ends while giving you a chic new look.

4. Accessorize Wisely: Accessories aren't just for fashion; they can protect your hair too. Silk scarves and hats can shield your hair from the elements, while also adding a touch of elegance to any outfit. Don't forget about hairpins and clips with autumnal designs, like leaves or acorns, to keep those flyaways at bay and stay in the fall spirit.

5. Styling for the Season: Loose waves, low ponytails, and textured updos are all the rage this fall. These styles are not only fashionable but practical, keeping your hair under control on windy days. For an added touch, why not weave in some ribbons in burgundy, navy, or emerald green?

Fall is a time of change and renewal, and what better way to embrace this than by giving your hair the care and style it deserves? From nourishing treatments to seasonal colors and cuts, there's a myriad of ways to celebrate autumn through your hair. Visit our salon to get personalized advice and services tailored to your hair's needs this season. Let's fall into fabulous hair together!

Ready to update your look for fall? Book an appointment with us today and let's make this season your most stunning one yet!

How often should you wash your hair?

How often should you wash your hair?

The answer isn’t what you think. Discover the truth on how often you should wash your hair.

Listen up, gorgeous!

If you've got color-treated hair, you already know that maintaining that perfect shade is no joke. But have you ever stopped to think about how often you should be washing that mane of yours? Well, honey, sit back and grab a glass of wine because I've got the deets on how often to wash your color-treated hair and keep it looking fab.

First things first, let's get real. Washing your hair every day is a no-no, unless you want to strip your hair of its natural oils and end up with a head full of dry, brittle strands. Ew. That's why it's best to wash your color-treated hair every two to three days. This allows your hair to retain its natural oils and keep the color looking fresh and vibrant.

Now, if you've got a permanent hair color, you're in luck.

You can wash your hair more often without worrying about damaging the color. But, if you've got a semi-permanent color, you'll want to be a little more gentle with it. Semi-permanent color fades faster, so you'll want to wash it less often to keep the color looking fierce.

Let's talk hair type.

If you've got fine or thin hair, you'll want to wash it more often than if you've got thick or curly hair. Fine and thin hair tends to get greasy faster, so you'll need to wash it more often to keep it looking and feeling clean. Thick and curly hair, on the other hand, can hold onto natural oils better, so you can usually go longer between washes.

And what about all those styling products you use?

If you're a product junkie, you'll want to wash your hair more often to remove any build-up. Product build-up can dull your color and weigh your hair down, so be sure to wash it regularly to keep it looking its best.

At the end of the day, the frequency of washing your hair is a personal preference. Pay attention to how your hair looks and feels, and adjust your washing schedule accordingly. And, of course, when you do wash your hair, use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo specifically formulated for color-treated hair. And, for the love of all that is holy, avoid using hot water! Lukewarm or cool water is your friend. And don't forget to follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask to keep your hair looking and feeling fabulous.

So there you have it, darling. Now you know how often to wash your color-treated hair and keep it looking gorgeous. Remember, with the right care and maintenance, you can keep your color looking fabulous for months to come! Book with a Shear Style Salon stylist for a tailored recommendation for your hair. Book an appointment with an expert today

How To Deal With Hair Breakage

Dealing with hair breakage? We got you!

HOW TO SPOT BREAKAGE

In an ideal world, our hair is strong, healthy and happy. But in the real world, sh*t breaks. Whether it’s your nails, car, that vase you just filled with fresh flowers or even your hair!

It's important to be able to identify breakage so you can form a plan of attack. It's also important to remember that our hair sheds on a daily basis, between 50-100 hairs a day which is totally normal. Normal shed hairs tend to be about the same length of your hair and have tiny white bulbs at the end. Whereas, hair breakage is shorter than the usual length of your hair strand and feels drier and more brittle than usual.

Keep an eye on your hairline too as those "baby hairs" might actually be breakage. Whilst baby hairs or new hair growth, will all be short in length, broken hair strands will be varying in length and have a drier texture to the rest of your hair.

CAUSES OF HAIR BREAKAGE

Whilst we all love coloring and experimenting with our hair, this can make it more prone to breakage. Bleaching in particular can be a huge culprit when it comes to breakage. If you start to see those little 'baby hairs' after a bleaching session, then breakage has most likely happened.

Heat styling can also contribute to everyday breakage. Using straighteners, dryers and other styling tools can all be causing breakage. As can harsh styling (think of that Bella Hadid style bun) as this all pulls tightly on your hair line, causing breakage.

OLAPLEX IS YOUR NEW BESTIE

Olaplex is the ultimate hair care MUST HAVE if you're experiencing hair breakage, or if you're coloring your hair to prevent any breakage. We can't get enough of Olaplex and the entire range is pretty life changing tbh.

If you've never tried out Olaplex before, we would recommend starting out with the No.3 Hair Perfector which contains Olaplex's patented technology in one of it's highest concentrations in a take home product. The innovative formula works on a molecular level to revitalise and regenerate dry, damaged strands that have been broken due to chemical, thermal and mechanical effects.

The Olaplex No.6 and No.7 are some of our personal faves here at The Shear Style Salon! We love mixing these products togehter in the palm of our hand and applying to wet hair before styling. They are a match made in the haircare heavens as they protect against heat whilst also stregnthening the condition of your hair from the inside out. What's not to love?

SILK IS YOUR OTHER NEW BESTIE

If you're suffering with breakage, silk really is your new bestie! From pillowcases to scrunchies, the slippery smooth texture will help prevent tangles, frizz and hair breakage.

IT'S TOTALLY NORMAL

Hair breakage is a pretty common thing that most of us will experience at some point in our lives. If you’re currently experiencing breakage, just remember breakage is totally normal!

WHEN TO MAKE THE CHOP

And whilst all of these tips will SERIOUSLY help your hair recover and prevent any future hair breakage! If your hair is REALLY suffering with breakage towards the ends, the best thing to do is become Becky with the good hair and book in for that much needed cut.

Why You Need Hair Extensions

A LITTLE HAIR EXTENSION 101

Have you always dreamed of real life mermaid hair? Or feel like your hair lacks volume? Maybe it's just got thinner over the years? Then it sounds like you need that extra help with hair extensions! We're going to guide you all you need to know about the wonderful world of extensions…

First things first, we know hair extensions have got a bad rep in the past. We've all heard the horror stories of hair falling out and bald patches appearing after extensions have been taken out. However, we're about to share the most natural looking and least damaging type of hair extension out there.

TAPE EXTENSIONS ARE EVERYTHING

Whilst there are many types of extensions out there, one method we recommend are tape extensions!

Tape extensions are the most discreet extension method, meaning they look JUST like real hair! They are also the least damaging to your natural hair (when correctly maintained and cared for!) As tape extensions lay almost completely flat against the head when applied, they look almost invisible to the eye when the hair is down. We don't use any heat or chemicals when applying tape extensions, making the application process easy and damage free! And as if that wasn't enough they are also reusable making them the most cost effective type of extensions too! What's not to love?

LOOKING AFTER EXTENSIONS

When it comes to those extension horror stories, the real culprit is not maintaining extensions correctly. Whilst tape extensions are fairly low maintenance, they still need to be correctly looked after in order to protect the condition of your natural hair. And we have a few tips on how to do just that!

Firstly, when it comes to washing your hair, you need to be more gentle towards the root of your hair. We recommend using a shampoo that's going to strengthen and maintain the health of your hair. The Olaplex No.4 and 5 Shampoo & Conditioner are great option to use with extensions. We would also recommend always wearing your hair in a low ponytail or bun to avoid pulling on the extensions. Tbh, we're a big fan of the low pony on extensions or extension-less hair anyway!

REFIT OR REMOVE?

When it comes to refitting or removing extensions, our general rule of thumb is that tape extensions should be lasting between 6-8 weeks before a refit. And with the correct care, you can reuse your tape extensions multiple times. And when you decide to remove them, we use a remover for a quick, easy and non-damaging removal.

ACHIEVE YOUR HAIR GOALS!

If you've made it this far, chances are you're considering getting extensions and we don't blame you! Whether it's ultimate mermaid hair or just some subtle volume you’re after, tape extensions are here to help you!

Book in for a consultation with one of our helpful extension specialists who can talk you through any further questions you have on all things extensions. They will also be able to see your current hair, talk you through the process in more detail and provide you with a quote.

Achieving your #HairGoals is really only one call away...

Everything You Need to Know About Olaplex NO. 0 through NO. 7

So with Olaplex now having steps 0- 7 things can get a little confusing. We know our hair has never been healthier or stronger since using Olaplex, we're totally addicted to our No.3 and quickly becoming dependent on the new number 7 bonding oil, but why? What does each step do? This is something I get asked a lot so I thought I would break it down step by step.

Maybe we should begin quickly with What the heck even is Olaplex and how it works.

Olaplex is a bond multiplier with a patented active ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. It works on a molecular level to seek out broken bonds in the hair that are caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage. You can use Olaplex to restore compromised hair, or add it to another service to provide the ultimate breakage insurance.

The image below shows a hair shaft that has been 'Olaplex'd' and one that hasn't.

OLAPLEX NO. 0

Much like skincare and makeup, most products work best with a primer. Eyeshadow sits best and lasts longer when put on top of an eyeshadow primer, and makeup sits better on the face after a solid skincare routine. Think of No.0 as the primer to your No.3 treatment. No.0 can certainly works on it's own and will provide repair; however, the product is intended to work as a two-part process. OLAPLEX technology works best when the product is wet in the hair. No.0 is a watery liquid that will dry quickly. Using No.3 over it, keeps the hair damp so both products can continue to work during the process. With salon time reduced and COVID-19 restrictions, clients can perform the No.0 treatment at home to reduce the time spent in the salon.

So, who can use OLAPLEX No.0? No.0 is for everyone and works on all hair types and textures, just like the entire OLAPLEX line! Though all hairstyles benefit from his treatment, more intensely damaged hair will see the most dramatic results at first. The more often No.0 is used, the healthier the hair becomes. Results may not be as noticeable, but it is still working within the hair structure.

OLAPLEX NO.1

This concentrated first salon step rebuilds broken disulfide bonds and begins the process of preventing damage and repairing hair. At The Shear Style Salon we always recommend adding Olaplex to your hair color services, we add Olaplex No.1 directly into all of our colors and bleaches to prevent damage to keep your hair in the best condition possible.

OLAPLEX NO.2

The second salon step continues to rebuild and restore any remaining broken bonds ensuring the strongest, shiniest, and healthiest hair possible. This is applied through out the hair post colouring but pre shampooing to ensure that every hair benefits from the all the Olaplex goodness! 
HAIR HACK* - If your hair feels like it needs some serious TLC its worth remembering that these super concentrated steps of Olaplex can be used as a stand alone treatment. You might have seen I mentioned that above, the stand alone Olaplex treatment is like the holy grail of in-salon repair treatments. The No.1 is added to the hair in a little bit of warm water then the No.2 is added directly over the top for the ultimate in hair repair, as this is a pre shampoo treatment you can follow up with your favourite conditioning mask. Trust us your hair will thank you! 

OLAPLEX NO. 3

Moving on to the at-home steps in the Olaplex line, No. 3 Hair Perfector is a leave in with directions to use once a week, or 2-3 times a week if you have damaged hair. The purpose of No. 3 is to repair damaged bonds in between salon appointments. It’s recommended to leave in for at least 10 minutes. I like to wash my hair, towel dry, then apply No. 3 liberally. I then wrap my hair in a towel turban and sleep in it. You will immediately feel and see a difference in your hair after using this treatment.

OLAPLEX 4 & 5

OLAPLEX NO.4 aka SHAMPOO - Repair bonds while gently cleansing all types of hair. Impart moisture, strength, and manageability with every wash.

OLAPLEX NO.5 aka CONDITIONER - Restores, repairs, and hydrates without adding excess weight. Eliminates damaged frizz for strong, healthy, shiny hair

OLAPLEX NO.6

A leave in conditioner which helps to prevent frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours. OLAPLEX Number 6 hydrates and protects hair of all hair types, including coloured and chemically treated hair. It strengthens and moisturises hair as well as speeds up blow dry times resulting in hair feeling smooth and silky. Apply a tiny amount of the product into damp or dry hair focusing on putting it on your mid-length to ends. Comb hair and style as you wish!

OLAPLEX NO.7

The latest edition to the Olaplex family and we're already OBSESSED! OLAPLEX N°.7 Bonding Oil is the first-of-its-kind. Highly concentrated, ultra-lightweight, reparative styling oil dramatically increases shine, adds softness and strength, and enhances all hair types and textures. When used with any thermal styling appliance N°.7 provides heat protection up to 450°F/230°C.

HAIR HACK* For the ultimate frizz free, soft glossy hair cocktail your Olaplex 6 & 7. Mix them together in your hands and apply to clean damp hair before styling!

Hopefully that makes perfect sense now! We know you’ll be just as obsessed with Olaplex as we are! xoxo -Robin

Covid-19 Salon Updates

Valued Customer,

We understand your concerns, so we have outdone ourselves in preparing our business for you! The safety of our staff and our customers is essential to us, so we have:

• Cleaned and/or disinfected all surfaces and implements

• Laundered and/or disinfected all capes, towels and linens

• Removed any non-essential items throughout our business

• Initiated contactless methods of scheduling and payment

• Acquired appropriate personal protective equipment to be used when necessary or requested

• Discontinued the practice of hand shaking and other non-essential contact

• Re-trained our staff on essential infection control and hand hygiene practices

Feel free to ask any of us at any time about all that we do to provide for your safety.

Please relax and enjoy your services!

Why Olaplex is your best friend.

We rave about Olaplex, A LOT. But we know it's not something that everyone opts for when they come in for a hair appointment because not everyone is sure how it'll benefit them & how it works. We'd quite happily brand it the secret to healthy and strong locks. But let's get one thing straight before we delve in, it's not a conditioning masque.

What is it then?

It's THE miracle product for re-building your mane, restoring strength & health. Every time you colour your hair, the bonds within each hair strand break, causing your mane to become weak and distressed. Olaplex combats the breakage by creating a bridge between broken bonds which ends up healing your mane from the inside out.

Since it's not a conditioning product, you will need to use your usual weekly hair masques to deliver the gloss.

Let's get down to how it's applied..

STEP ONE : Olaplex Number One - Bond Multiplier.

This is applied to the hair by being mixed directly in to the hair colour / bleach that is being applied to your mane. It can also however be used as a stand alone treatment!

STEP TWO : Olaplex Number Two - Bond Perfector

After the colour / bleach has been rinsed out, the bond perfector is applied and is left on for at least 20 minutes.

STEP THREE : Olaplex Number Three - Hair Perfector

This is the "take home" part of the treatment. It's recommended to be used once a week by applying to damp hair and leaving on for 10 minutes before washing as normal. If you want to maximise the effects of the hair perfector, you can leave it on over night.

YOUR OLAPLEX QUESTIONS :

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE ON DAMAGED / SPLIT ENDS?

Yes, absolutely! The unique purpose of Olaplex is re-build your hair from within so it's perfect to address damaged hair problems. 

HOW TO USE STEP 3 AT HOME AND HOW OFTEN?

Follow the guide above and it's recommend to use Step 3 once a week for a healthy mane. 

BEST WAY TO USE STEP 2 AT HOME? 

Steps one and two should be used at the salon by your colourist, it's only step three that should be used at home.  

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE THE OLAPLEX TREATMENTS? 

Steps one and two can be used each time you have your hair coloured to repair any damage and step three can be used at home on a weekly basis even if you've never used steps one and two before.

ARE THERE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES? 

 There are various re-building treatments out there but there's a reason why Olaplex has received such a high level of standard when it comes to healing hair. It's always better to spend a little more when it comes to treatments.

Dry Shampoo - When and how to use it!

Dry shampoo mistakes and how to use it!

Have you been using dry shampoo all wrong? Read on to find out.

Spray, ruffle and go? Most of us opt for this routine when adding a spritz of dry shampoo to our mane. But there actually is a right way to apply it and it can help the results better and last longer!

MISTAKE ONE : SPRAYING AND LEAVING

A spray and a ruffle doesn't allow the dry shampoo to work to the best of its abilities. If you don't massage the product in to your roots,  it'll just end up sitting on the top of your mane! Get your hands busy and starting massaging the shampoo in to your roots for the best results huns!

MISTAKE TWO : RUSHING

BUT! ...don't jump in and massage it in straight away, give the product a few minutes to work its way in to your mane and absorb the excess oil.

MISTAKE THREE : NOT STYLING AFTER

A lot of hair stylists recommend setting your blow dryer on cool and running it through your mane to make sure it's distributed evenly. Again, this also helps the product work its way in to your hair.

MISTAKE FOUR : ONLY FOR GREASY HAIR

Dry shampoo is great to use on clean hair too, it'll add volume and texture instantly. It can also add a soft hold to your hair so this would be an ideal alternative if you're not a fan of how hairspray makes your mane feel.

MISTAKE FIVE : SPRAYING TOO CLOSE

We can often make the mistake of spraying too close to the scalp as we think it'll be more beneficial the closer it is but it can end up leaving a white powdery residue on the scalp. You want to make sure you're applying it 8-12 inches away from your roots. You can always add a little more but once it's on your mane, you can't take it away! 

MISTAKE SIX : USING TOO MUCH

Whilst it's great to have dry shampoo as an option on days you can't be bothered to wash your mane, it can be damaging if you use it too much. It can start blocking hair follicles and cause product build up on the scalp. Try to keep the usage down to 1/2 times a week.