How to find a good hairstylist?

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by amber

Cool. But I will never blow dry/brush my hair, and then flat iron it. I mean, unless I was going to the oscars or emmys or something. Your hair is thick, though, it looked strong when I saw it.

It is pretty thick but each strand is fine, I just have tons of them. I have a lot of breakage right now and desperately need a trim! Also, I use Biolage or Nexus (sp?) conditioner because my hairstylist told me it was dry and if I was going to spend money for the highlights I should invest in a conditioner to take care of it. It makes a huge difference actually.

I don't blow dry/flat iron unless I am going out. Otherwise I just spread some product through it and let it air dry curly.

[amber]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

It is pretty thick but each strand is fine, I just have tons of them. I have a lot of breakage right now and desperately need a trim! Also, I use Biolage or Nexus (sp?) conditioner because my hairstylist told me it was dry and if I was going to spend money for the highlights I should invest in a conditioner to take care of it. It makes a huge difference actually.

I don't blow dry/flat iron unless I am going out. Otherwise I just spread some product through it and let it air dry curly.

Cool. I'm suprised, each strand looked really thick to me, in addition to you having a lot! Maybe it was the highlights...or maybe just in comparison. Anyway, when I think about you, I always think of thick hair.

I didn't ever use conditioner my whole young life. We just didn't buy it. Weird, huh? We did mayonnaise treatments every month or so, though. Or Olive oil.

Now I buy rosemary conditioner from Whole Foods (I try to get shampoo and conditioner that doesn't have sodium laurel sulphate).

My mom made her own Rosemary conditioner - I think it was rosemary infusion (fresh rosemary she grew, steeped with water or oil to bring out it's "properties"), mixed with oil (probably olive), mixed with some kind of regular conditioner - and put it on her scalp as conditioner - and all of a sudden, her hair grew WAAAAAY LONG.

I also use the conditioner that comes with my hair dye - hey, might as well not waste it! It seems really strong, my hair is soooo smooth and non tangly when I use it. And that's a good thing.

[WildInTheWind]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Also, I use Biolage or Nexus (sp?) conditioner because my hairstylist told me it was dry and if I was going to spend money for the highlights I should invest in a conditioner to take care of it. It makes a huge difference actually.

Martix Sleeklook is heavenly. It is the best shampoo and conditioner I have ever used......and I have used alot! I'm a sucker for salon products.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by WildInTheWind

Martix Sleeklook is heavenly. It is the best shampoo and conditioner I have ever used......and I have used alot! I'm a sucker for salon products.

I use the Biolage balm, it smells so good. If I see Martix I will try it.

[amber]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

I use the Biolage balm, it smells so good. If I see Martix I will try it.

That's so cool, I marvel at the fact that other people can use hair products that actually make a difference in their hair. Although, one time I got a haircut, and the shampoo they used was magnificent. I asked the name, but forgot it seconds later, and the same guy was never there again... It was kind of some half natural, half expensive hair thing. I remain hopeful, though. Luckily, when my hair is long, it makes little difference. When my hair was short there was a little more maintenance involved - I had to use "KMS Curl Up." It was the only best thing. (which sucked, it was like 12 dollars a bottle)

*sorry to go on and on, I'm just amazed at the amount of stuff other people use for their hair! am I missing something important??*
Wouldn't you agree, though, Suze, that for me it would make little difference? I don't even have bangs...

[WildInTheWind]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

I use the Biolage balm, it smells so good. If I see Martix I will try it.

I think Biolage and Martix are actually the same company. I've used that balm, too, it's pretty good. Is that the one that comes in the jar? THe only problem I had with that was I used it too damn fast.

[WildInTheWind]

Originally Posted by amber

That's so cool, I marvel at the fact that other people can use hair products that actually make a difference in their hair. Although, one time I got a haircut, and the shampoo they used was magnificent. I asked the name, but forgot it seconds later, and the same guy was never there again... It was kind of some half natural, half expensive hair thing. I remain hopeful, though. Luckily, when my hair is long, it makes little difference. When my hair was short there was a little more maintenance involved....
*sorry to go on and on, I'm just amazed at the amount of stuff other people use for their hair! am I missing something important??*
Wouldn't you agree, though, Suze, that for me it would make little difference? I don't even have bangs...

Mmmm.....I drool over salon quality products. Once you start using them it's hard to go back to the normal stuff. They are just so damn expensive!

[amber]

Originally Posted by WildInTheWind

Mmmm.....I drool over salon quality products. Once you start using them it's hard to go back to the normal stuff. They are just so damn expensive!

That's what I've heard people say, though I only experienced that when my hair was short, with "KMS Curl Up". That was my one "must have" product.

uh...maybe I've never tried anything expensive enough?!!!

honestly, though, my hair just isn't that....changeable? Like, it would do little good.
Also, I prefer natural products that i've seen work.
My friend with really long hair swears by leaving her conditioner in, not rinsing it out. But she hates even a hint of poofiness to her curly hair. She won't even let me brush it at all. And she doesn't brush. She uses Pantene conditioner/shampoo combo. Her hair is down to her waist, though...

[WildInTheWind]

Originally Posted by amber

My friend with really long hair swears by leaving her conditioner in, not rinsing it out. But she hates even a hint of poofiness to her curly hair. She won't even let me brush it at all. And she doesn't brush. She uses Pantene conditioner/shampoo combo. Her hair is down to her waist, though...

SHe doesn't wash out her conditioner?! Does her hair look waxy or greasy all the time? I know if I don't rinse my conditioner out thouroughly my hair looks dirty again. I only brush my hair when it's wet. Or else it looks terrible and the curl comes out.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by amber

That's so cool, I marvel at the fact that other people can use hair products that actually make a difference in their hair. Although, one time I got a haircut, and the shampoo they used was magnificent. I asked the name, but forgot it seconds later, and the same guy was never there again... It was kind of some half natural, half expensive hair thing. I remain hopeful, though. Luckily, when my hair is long, it makes little difference. When my hair was short there was a little more maintenance involved - I had to use "KMS Curl Up." It was the only best thing. (which sucked, it was like 12 dollars a bottle)

*sorry to go on and on, I'm just amazed at the amount of stuff other people use for their hair! am I missing something important??*
Wouldn't you agree, though, Suze, that for me it would make little difference? I don't even have bangs...

It would add shine and make it less prone to breakage. I think the L'Oreal products are pretty good though. I held out for a long time before breaking down and paying these rediculous prices. The results are very good though.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by WildInTheWind

I think Biolage and Martix are actually the same company. I've used that balm, too, it's pretty good. Is that the one that comes in the jar? THe only problem I had with that was I used it too damn fast.

Yep, the jar, and I use it too fast too.

[catinthedark]

Originally Posted by lagringader&r

Anybody have any tips on finding a good hairstylist when you're away from home? What to ask? I just need a trim.

Well, don't know how long you'll be away from your stylist, but when I moved to a new city, I needed to find a new one. I was terrified because I have totally pin-straight, long, fine, soft hair. If it's not cut perfectly, it most definitely shows. What I did was ask around at work to the women who had hair like mine - if I thought they had a good cut, I asked where they went. I hit gold when I was talking to a colleague and we realized we have the exact same kind of hair. I went to her stylist and and have been going to him ever since.

[lagringader&r]

Originally Posted by catinthedark

Well, don't know how long you'll be away from your stylist, but when I moved to a new city, I needed to find a new one. I was terrified because I have totally pin-straight, long, fine, soft hair. If it's not cut perfectly, it most definitely shows. What I did was ask around at work to the women who had hair like mine - if I thought they had a good cut, I asked where they went. I hit gold when I was talking to a colleague and we realized we have the exact same kind of hair. I went to her stylist and and have been going to him ever since.

That's a good idea and you DID hit gold. I'm not working here now so I don't know who to ask. I am terrified too. I don't like finding new stylists. So I keep going without a trim and it's been a long time, like 6 months! I just condition like CRAZY. There's one chick I talked to that has been a stylist for three years. Is that long enough to be good at what she does? Male or female stylists better?

Thanks everybody for the advice on conditioners. I'm going to try some of those. I like the Biolage too.

[amber]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

It would add shine and make it less prone to breakage. I think the L'Oreal products are pretty good though. I held out for a long time before breaking down and paying these rediculous prices. The results are very good though.

When I use things that "add shine", it just makes my hair look greasy. Plus, I already have shine, of course. dark brown hair is good that way.

[lagringader&r]

Originally Posted by amber

When I use things that "add shine", it just makes my hair look greasy. Plus, I already have shine, of course. dark brown hair is good that way.

Ok one tip I can give that my stylist (I miss her!) told me. Don't EVER use those shine-enhancing serums and then flat iron it. She says it's like taking an iron to oil and will fry hair. Use the serum after, not before.