Gorgeous Hair Inside and Out
I was braced for any number of oh-so-casual comments on the state of my hair when I walked into the salon a few weeks ago.
To start, my natural frugality had led me toward many budget-friendly barbers, and life as a mom of three with as many community commitments as store loyalty cards made the good ol' ponytail my hairstyle of convenience. Surely I wasn't the first client to nervously enter a chic établissement several notches above my usual haunt?
Robert Barbosa, owner of Salon Escape, Redken Specialist and former Master Stylist for Schwarzkopf took on my special challenge, instantly forgiving my faux pas calling him "Roberto" (but in my defense he's Portuguese, so it wasn't a far stretch).
Much can be immediately discerned from a single lock of hair, I learned, from mineral buildup to anemia. Using the right haircare and styling products is important, but overall hair health begins with the right diet.
A balanced menu is key, supplemented with the recommended daily dosage of iron, zinc, and Vitamins E and B. Hair is shinier, fuller and stronger, better able to withstand the rigors of daily styling and heat damage. Robert advises caution with zinc supplements, however. Recent studies show that overdoses or long-term continued use can cause negative side effects. A 3-month on, 3 to 6-month off pattern will maximize benefits and reduce risks, he suggests.
Having made a mental note to dig out my barely used value-size bottle of One-A-Day Women's, it was time to ask about hair care.
Processed hair is especially susceptible to damage, he noted. Look for shampoos and conditioners with UV protection, protein and keramide. For coloured hair, choose a sulphate-free system to avoid colour stripping. Robert recommends professional products, but for a lower cost alternative you might try the new EverPure line by L'Oreal Paris.
So, what would be the one piece of hair advice he'd offer to women everywhere?
"You shouldn't wear a ponytail with wet hair," he warns. I run my fingers through my hair and sure enough, I feel the weakness right at the point where my elastic usually sits.
"Wet hair stretches. If trapped in, say, a hair elastic as it dries, it can't spring back. The shaft weakens and is prone to breakage. This is why you get mid-shaft flyaways and frizz."
He chuckles genially and the conversation turns to more typical stylist/client gossipy chatter. He reboots my hair with a series of layers and deep conditioning, and I leave his chair with a firm plan to change my follicular ways.
So far, it's working.
Salon Escape has locations in Toronto and Calgary.
by Claire Rahn
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4 Comments
 | Ohhh makes sense! I was wondering why you thought your hair needed a re-do 'cuz when i saw it it looks gorgeous to me :) :) |
 | Wow thanks for the advice. I have kids and the ponytail seems to be my style of choice. I guess I had better wait until it is dry. |
 | Becky - I had just come from the salon to the ShopCrawl, so you've already seen it ;) |
| Loved the article ..sounds like you had fun... You should post pics of your new do!! :) |
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