The Home of Healthy Hair
Wonderful World of Balayage

Wonderful World of Balayage

by | Sep 28, 2024 | Hair knowledge, Inspiration

WONDERFUL WORLD OF BALAYAGE

Let’s talk balayage! If you thought it was just another colour, think again. It’s actually an application technique, not a singular service. The word itself comes from the French “balayer,” which means to sweep – and that’s exactly what we do with the colour, sweeping it onto the hair for that effortlessly natural, multi-tonal, dimensional look we all adore. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Within the world of balayage, there are loads of different sub-techniques, each offering something unique.

Of course, that’s where we come in. During your consultation, the tribe at The Hair Movement will help you pick the perfect technique to match your vibe and hair goals. But, if you’re curious about your options, here’s a little sneak peek into the colourful possibilities…

Foilayage: The Best of Both Worlds

Ever wish you could mix balayage with classic foil highlights? Well, meet foilayage – the dream combo! We use the balayage sweep technique to paint the colour onto your hair, but then wrap each section in foils for an extra boost. The result? A more intense look that grows from the root to the end with a natural, blended finish. This is perfect if you want a low-maintenance, yet high-impact look that lets you stretch out those salon visits without sacrificing style.

Face-Framing Magic: The Money Piece

Looking for a subtle touch-up between colour appointments? Say hello to face-framing highlights! Also known as “money pieces,” this technique involves highlighting strands near the front of your hair to accentuate your facial features and structure. It’s a fab way to brighten your look without a full balayage session, and we finish with a toner to give you that perfect glow. Think of it as a mini-makeover with a maximum of 10 foils – quick, effective, and gorgeous.

Air Touch: A Fresh Spin

Now, if you’re after something truly unique, let us introduce you to AirTouch. Rather than traditional backcombing, we use a hairdryer to blow air onto the hair, gently separating shorter strands from longer ones for a seamless blend of colour. The result? A natural, beautifully soft balayage effect, achieved without the use of foils. And the best part? It’s perfect for those with virgin (never-before coloured) hair, seeking a fresh lift with a delicate, natural finish. It’s also an ideal technique for those with finer hair, looking for subtle grey blending.

What’s Your Balayage Journey?

So, there you have it! Whether you’re all about that bold foilayage, a subtle face-framing refresh, or you’re ready to try the innovative Air Touch, we’ve got something for everyone. Balayage is more than just a look – it’s a journey. And we’re here to guide you every step of the way to find the perfect technique that makes you look and feel amazing.

Curious about which balayage option is right for you? Book a consultation with one of our tribe members, and let’s get ready to sweep your hair into something fabulous!

Wake up With Gorgeous Hair

Wake up With Gorgeous Hair

by | Sep 15, 2024 | Hair knowledge

WAKE UP WITH GORGEOUS HAIR. 

What if we told you that you could style your hair effortlessly while you sleep? Better yet, what if you could prevent damage during those hours of rest? Both are entirely possible, and we’re here to guide you through how you can care for your hair while you drift into dreamland.

What Happens While You Sleep

During sleep, your body cycles between two main stages: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM. Most of the night is spent in non-REM, a lighter sleep phase where you toss and turn. REM sleep is when your eyes move rapidly behind closed lids, your heart rate and breathing increase, and yet your body remains still. Even though you’re resting, your brain is hard at work, ensuring your blood keeps flowing by prompting you to move periodically.

How Does This Affect Your Hair?

Each time you turn over in bed, your hair moves with you—or it doesn’t. Hair can get caught, tugged, or rubbed against your pillow, causing frizz, tangles, or even breakage. But don’t worry, there are simple ways to protect your hair and even style it while you sleep!

Ways to Prevent Hair Damage at Night

1. Loose Braids
Loose braids are an easy and comfortable way to protect your hair overnight. They keep your strands contained, reducing friction and preventing tangles. Just remember to keep them loose if you want to avoid waking up with crimped waves.

2. High Loose Bun
A loose bun keeps your hair from rubbing against the pillow all night, which helps prevent breakage, split ends, and other damage from tossing and turning. Unlike tighter styles, it doesn’t pull on your roots, so you don’t have to worry about stressing your hair or causing it to weaken over time.

3. Silk Headscarf
A silk headscarf is a fantastic option for wrapping up your hair and keeping it safe. It prevents frizz, keeps your hair from snagging, and spares you from being hit in the face by stray strands as you turn in your sleep.

4. Silk Pillowcase
A silk pillowcase allows your hair to glide smoothly without causing friction, helping you avoid frizz and breakage. Silk also doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton, meaning your hair stays hydrated and healthy.

Styling Your Hair While You Sleep

Why just protect your hair when you can style it too? If you love waking up to soft waves, try this easy overnight styling trick:

  1. Divide your hair into four sections – Part down the middle from the front to the nape of your neck, then split each side behind the ears.
  2. Wear a headband – Think ninja style! It should sit comfortably around your head, just above the eyebrows. If you don’t have one, use a cut-off leg from an old pair of tights.
  3. Twist your hair – Twist each section tightly, moving away from the face in the front and towards the face in the back.
  4. Wrap it up – Take each twisted section and wind it around the headband. Once done, your hair will cover the headband entirely.

Now, all that’s left is to drift off into a peaceful sleep, knowing you’ll wake up with gorgeous, soft waves.

Enjoy your beauty sleep, and say goodbye to bedhead!

The Evolution of Smooth Hair

The Evolution of Smooth Hair

by | Sep 9, 2024 | Hair knowledge, Treatments

THE EVOLUTION OF SMOOTH HAIR

At our salon, we know that achieving healthy, manageable, frizz-free hair is high on your priority list, and that’s where professional smoothing treatments come in. Over the years, these treatments have become a game-changer for many, offering solutions that truly benefit your hair’s health and appearance. From early methods to the advanced treatments we offer today, the journey to healthier locks has been an evolving one, shaped by technology, changing beauty standards, and a growing focus on safety.

A Look Back: The Early Days of Hair Relaxers

Hair smoothing treatments have come a long way. The journey began in the early 20th century with hair relaxers, which were especially popular with those who have Afro-Caribbean hair. These relaxers used harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide to break down the protein bonds in the hair. While they smoothed the hair, they also caused significant damage if not applied carefully.

The 1990s: Japanese Hair Straightening Takes Over

By the 1990s, Japanese hair straightening, also called thermal reconditioning, was all the rage. It offered ultra-straight, shiny hair that lasted. However, the process was lengthy, risky, and expensive. Constant regrowth made it impractical for many, and it was easy for hair to suffer damage if not done perfectly.

The 2000s: Brazilian Blow-dry and Keratin Treatments

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and Brazilian Blow-dry and keratin treatments became wildly popular. These treatments claimed to use keratin, a protein already found in your hair, to smooth and strengthen strands. The promise? Frizz-free, sleek, shiny hair.

However, as many of you might have heard, these treatments faced scrutiny for containing high levels of formaldehyde, a harmful chemical, which raised concerns for both clients and stylists. This led to lawsuits and global bans on some of the products.

A New Era in Smoothing: The Rise of Safe, Effective Treatments

The turning point came in 2010, with the launch of Kebelo’s professional smoothing treatment using carbocysteine, a safer alternative that worked at a foundational level to strengthen damaged bonds. Now rebranded as Nice and Smoothand exclusively offered at The Hair Movement, this treatment has revolutionised the industry. We’ve embraced this treatment in our salon because it offers all the benefits of smoothing—better manageability, reduced frizz, improved texture—without the damage that some older treatments caused. It helps you embrace your natural texture while making your hair healthier and easier to style.

Why Choose Professional Smoothing Today?

Today, smoothing treatments are an essential part of healthy haircare. Unlike older methods that often masked damage, modern smoothing treatments work to enhance your hair’s health while giving you beautiful, manageable results. These advancements have also expanded into retail, meaning you can maintain the benefits of smoothing at home between visits to the salon.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Smoothing

According to Jonathan Shipman, co-founder of The Hair Movement, “The future of professional smoothing treatments appears promising… it’s a must-have service on any salon menu.” While smoothing treatments may never reach the popularity of colour services, they’ve become a core offering in many salons.

And the good news? Smoothing treatments are only becoming more affordable and easier to apply, making them more accessible to everyone. In fact, research shows that salons offering smoothing treatments see their clients visiting four times more frequently each year. This means more opportunities for us to help you maintain healthy, beautiful hair all year round!

Why Smoothing is More Relevant Than Ever

As more of you seek to balance healthy, natural hair with manageable styling, smoothing treatments have become one of the most relevant services we offer. It’s no longer just about straightening—smoothing is about improving hair health while giving you more freedom with your style.

If you’re ready to transform your hair, reduce frizz, and enjoy a smoother, healthier texture, ask us about our Nice and Smooth treatment the next time you visit. Let us help you embrace your hair’s true potential!

Healthy Hair Comes First

Healthy Hair Comes First

by | Aug 29, 2024 | Hair knowledge

NEVER BE FOOLED BY SHORTCUTS TO HEALTHY HAIR

Your Hair Journey with The Hair Movement: A Blend of Strength, Style, and Care

Here at The Hair Movement, we live by a simple yet powerful motto: beautiful hair comes from inner strength and health. This belief guides everything we do. We don’t just focus on making your hair look healthy – we aim for real, long-lasting health that radiates from within. That’s why we avoid products and treatments that merely mask damage. We want your hair to truly thrive, not just appear to!

Our process might feel a bit different from what you’re used to, and yes, we can be firm about what we will and won’t do. But that’s because we’re committed to doing right by your hair. We love and respect each of our guests, and we take pride in the fact that you trust us with your locks. After all, we are the professionals, and we’re here to ensure your hair is as healthy as it can be.

So, how does the Hair Movement journey actually work?

It all begins with a consultation. This isn’t just a quick chat – it’s a thoughtful conversation designed to understand you. We take the time to get to know your hair history (trust us, it’s more important than you think!) and your future hair goals. Whether you’re dreaming of a fresh colour, a bold new cut, or have an inspiring Pinterest board you’re eager to bring to life, we’re here to listen, understand, and guide you.

During the consultation, we’ll discuss what’s realistic and what will work best for you. Sometimes that dream cut or colour might need a little adjustment to suit your unique face shape or hair type. But don’t worry – it’s all about customising the look to flatter you.

We’ll also dive into your home haircare routine because, after all, we’re only part of the equation! What you do at home plays a huge role in keeping your hair strong and healthy. We’ll guide you on the best products and practices to ensure your hair stays in top shape between visits.

A Passion for Quality

The Hair Movement salon was born from our love for high-quality products. For over 15 years, we’ve been formulating our own range using the most advanced, natural ingredients. In fact, our products are 94% naturally derived, ensuring your hair gets the best care possible. We also work with colour brands like Davines, which share our ethos for high-quality, sustainable ingredients. Because when it comes to your hair, quality matters.

Your Hair Journey is Ever-Evolving

Your hair journey doesn’t stop after one visit—it evolves over time. Achieving the initial vision might take a few appointments, but we continue to work with you, keeping things fresh, current, and vibrant, all while maintaining the strength and health of your hair.

At The Hair Movement, it’s all about balance – we’re here to give you the hair you love, while ensuring it stays healthy, strong, and full of life. Ready to start your hair journey with us? We can’t wait to see you!

Commonly asked hair questions.

Commonly asked hair questions.

by | Jan 28, 2020 | Hair knowledge

SOME COMMONLY ASKED HAIRCARE QUESTIONS

Should you wash your hair before a colour? How often should you wash your hair? Answering some of the most commonly asked hair questions that we are asked in the salon.

Commonly asked hair question #1

I’m losing a lot of hair, am I thinning/going bald?

While it’s true that 40% of women experience visible hair loss by the age of 40, seeing more hair in your brush might not be as alarming as it seems. I never take this question lightly, and my first inquiry is: does your hair feel thinner? If you’re unsure, but have noticed more strands in the drain when you wash your hair, it could simply be a shift in your routine that’s making it appear as though you’re losing more hair than usual.

On average, we shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day; this is completely normal and part of the hair growth cycle known as the telogen phase. If you’ve been tying your hair back more frequently, those fallen strands have nowhere to go. So when you finally release your hair and brush it out, you may notice a larger amount coming out than expected. Normally, that hair would have been freely escaping throughout the day.

A similar situation occurs if you’re washing your hair less often. Those strands have detached from the follicle, but until you give your hair a thorough wash, they’re just lingering in your mane, waiting to escape into the drain.

Commonly asked hair question #2

How often should I get my hair cut?

When new guests ask me how often they should get a haircut, my honest response is that it really depends on a few factors. If you’ve just had a fresh cut that you absolutely love and want to maintain that length, the general recommendation is every 6-8 weeks. However, if you’re on a journey to grow your hair while still getting regular trims to keep it healthy, I’d suggest a cut every 3-4 months.

Now, why is that? On average, hair grows about 1 cm every 4 weeks. So, by the 6-8 week mark, your fabulous haircut has grown approximately 1.5-2 cm. While that may not seem like a lot, if you’re loving your current style, you’ll definitely notice that extra length. This is why I recommend waiting 3-4 months for those looking to grow their hair; a simple trim of about 1 cm after that time will leave you with 2-3 cm of growth since your last appointment.

Guests often wonder about this when they’ve recently changed their hairstyle. The key factor here is how well you manage the style at home. If your new cut feels perfect right from the first wash and doesn’t get any better in the following weeks, it’s time to book your next appointment in 6 weeks to maintain that fresh look. But if you find it takes you a week or two to really get the hang of styling it—what some might call it “settling”—then you can likely extend it to 8 weeks or even a bit longer.

Commonly asked hair question #3

Should I wash my hair before a colour service?

At The Hair Movement, we’ve always stressed the importance of using the right professional products at home. It’s something I discuss with every guest, and the difference these products make is truly noticeable. One area where professional products are absolutely essential is preparing your hair for colour services.

Days before your colour appointment, I always recommend using our Build-up Be Gone shampoo. This deep-cleansing formula is designed to remove product residue, environmental build-up, and any impurities. Why is this important? By thoroughly cleansing your hair before a colour service, you’re giving your stylist the best possible canvas to work with, ensuring your colour service performs optimally.

Debunking the Myth: Should You Wash Your Hair Before Colouring?

There’s a common internet myth that you should never wash your hair the day you’re having it coloured. Let’s break this one down. Yes, a little natural oil on your scalp can act as a protective barrier, but excessively greasy hair can actually slow down the colouring process.

To make sense of this, it’s important to understand the difference between two common processes: lightener (which many mistakenly refer to as bleach, though that’s something I reserve for toilets!) and tint. Lightener is used in the blonding process, either applied directly to your scalp or used in foils for highlights. Tint, on the other hand, is applied straight to the scalp to darken or cover grey hairs.

Let’s go through each process and discuss how to prepare.

On-Scalp Lightener

If you’re having lightener applied directly to your scalp, I recommend avoiding washing your hair for 48 hours before your appointment. Lightening is a harsh process, and your natural oils help protect your scalp from the burning sensation that often accompanies it. Also, avoid scratching, brushing, or irritating your scalp in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment, as this can increase the likelihood of discomfort.

Lightener in Foils

For those getting blonde highlights, the lightener is applied to your roots and wrapped in foils, meaning it doesn’t come into contact with your scalp. There’s no need for a protective layer of natural oils in this case. If you feel like washing your hair on the morning of your appointment, go ahead! Just be gentle—don’t scrub the scalp too hard, as you may still need a toner afterward, and your hair will get a thorough wash post-highlights anyway.

One thing to keep in mind: your stylist will be working on your hair for an extended period without gloves, and they need to weave and section your hair carefully. Please, don’t turn up with greasy hair for highlights—it’s unpleasant to work with and makes it harder to get those perfect weaves.

Tint on Scalp

When having a tint applied to your scalp, you can wash your hair up to 24 hours before your appointment. If you have a sensitive scalp, avoid scratching or brushing it, as these actions can cause mild irritation when the tint is applied. Your hair doesn’t need to be overly clean or dirty for this service, but please keep in mind that your hairdresser has to work closely with it. If you’ve had a sweaty gym session that morning, washing your hair won’t impact the colour, just make sure it’s dry before your visit and avoid scrubbing too aggressively.

The Bottom Line

At The Hair Movement, we believe that every hair journey deserves the best care, and that starts with using the right products at home. Whether you’re prepping for a colour service or maintaining your daily routine, professional products like Build-up Be Gone are designed to protect your hair and enhance your overall results. So next time you’re tempted by a supermarket shampoo or unsure about how to prepare for a colour appointment, remember: healthy, happy hair starts with the right steps.

Commonly asked hair question #4

How often should I wash my hair?

This depends on a multitude of factors, but the golden rule is that you should avoid washing your hair every day.  There are a few reasons for this, mainly because you build up natural oils on your scalp, washing every day will continuously remove these and leave your hair dry and dull.  You will also find it will cause your colour to fade a lot faster, and it leads to more heat damage as you are then presumably drying and styling it every day.  It also means you’re getting out of bed earlier each morning, need I say more?

If you frequent the gym every day and feel you need to wash away the sweat, I would recommend giving your hair a good rinse and just applying conditioner to the ends.  If you do it because it means you can dry and style more volume into your hair, try a dry shampoo every other day.

I personally feel that washing your hair 2-3 times a week is enough with a good deep cleansing shampoo.  If necessary, washing your hair every other day is not a problem, but if you are blow drying it each time then use a form of heat protection to avoid damaging your ends.

That’s all for now

I hope that helps you in your quest to many happy hair days.  If you have any more questions, contact us and we’ll be happy to answer them or add them to future posts.

 
Send this to a friend