Before Styling:
- After shampooing and conditioning hair, BLOT, do not rub your hair dry. Hair is at its most fragile when it's wet, so gently pat or blot dry with a towel.
- Use a detangler if needed before combing out wet hair. Also, begin combing the hair from the nape of the neck and work your way up versus starting at the roots.
Blow-drying Tips:
- After blotting hair with towel, apply a gel - spray or regular - starting at the base of the head and working through to the ends.
- Begin drying by using your fingers rather than a brush; once the hair is 80% dry, use a round or flat brush to complete the process.
- Start using the brush at the nape of the neck and work from back to front of head.
- Never "over" dry your hair to a point where it is bone dry.
- Use medium heat setting.
- To achieve more volume/lift, push hair in the opposite direction with your fingers or a brush for a few seconds under blow dryer.
- Avoid any styling products that include alcohol in the ingredients - alcohol plus blow-drying equals hair dehydration.
Since hair thrives on moisture, spring and summer are the healthiest seasons for hair since warmer temperatures generally bring more moisture to all parts of the country. However, overexposure to sun and especially chlorine, can offset any upside in the weather and wreak havoc on summer hair.
Never fear - Leon has a number of simple hair care tips for the season and none involve staying out of the pool!
Sun Goddess:
If you are frequently in the sun, take precautions and use hair care products that include sunscreen. This is particularly relevant for those with color-treated hair to prevent against dryness and color-fading.
Apply your regular skin sunscreen into hair - if it's gentle enough for your skin, it's gentle enough for hair.
Salt Water:
Contrary to popular belief, salt water is good for the hair, however, it should always be washed out following a day in the ocean.
Conditioning:
Occasionally use leave-in conditioners instead of the rinse-out versions. They are lightweight, yet have more lasting effects.
Drip Dry:
Cut back on blow-dryer use. Spring and summer are the times to sport a natural, softer look, so let hair dry naturally or with minimal blow-drying.
5-6 Weeks:
A great cut is crucial during this season of relaxed styling. You'll need to visit your stylist every 5-6 weeks.
Lighten Up:
Even with skin protection, skin tones naturally get a little darker in the summer. Therefore, create a little contrast and lighten up your hair color. For a gentle touch, use a semi-permanent color, or simply add a few highlights around the face.
Keep Cool:
Swept-back looks are always hot! Keep your cool and get hair off of the neck with a soft chignon or ponytail - keep the look modern yet elegant by letting pieces of hair hang around the face.
Whether you're heading out of town on a business meeting or a few days away for leisure, here are a few packing tips to help you look great while packing light (assuming that you're traveling to a hotel/destination that provides a blow-dryer).
Shampoo:
Make your own travel-sized shampoo and conditioner by filling small plastic bottles with your favorite products. It's less expensive and a way to ensure you have the best/favorite hair products versus being limited to what the store offers.
Bring a combination shampoo/bodywash and you get two products in one.
Style:
Bring Velcro rollers of various sizes, depending upon the level of smoothness or waviness that you desire. They're lightweight and compact since the rollers slide inside of each other.
Hold:
Bring along a favorite hair wax to hold the style after rollers. That way you won't need to lug around a heavy can of hairspray.
Vacation:
Pack lightly. If you are traveling to a warm weather locale for a vacation, simply bring shampoo, conditioner and a styling gel. If you have a good cut, you should be able to let your hair air dry for a carefree, natural look. That’s what vacations are for!
Oval-Shaped Face:
This is the easiest, most flexible facial shape with which to work. Hair can go short or long, layered or not. If it fits your personality, Leon suggests going a bit bolder with color.
Round-Shaped Face:
Avoid a cut that falls at the chin line because it accentuates the face’s roundness. Go for cuts below the chin (at or above shoulder length). In addition, round faces should incorporate soft layering along the ends. Bangs that are swept to one side also create balance for this facial shape.
Triangle-Shaped Face:
Bangs are suggested to detract from a wide forehead. Middle parts should be avoided, and layers that fall around the cheekbones work well to soften a triangular shape. Shoulder-length hair is best.
Square-Shaped Face:
Concentrate on adding a lot of softness around the face. Shorter cuts work well, with layers and soft waves. Bangs that are swept to the side are great for the square face and always avoid a style with severe lines.
Rectangle-Shaped Face:
Avoid one-length hair around the face as it will emphasize facial length. Soft layers work well as do bangs. Leon also suggests an asymmetrical look – part hair on the side rather than down the middle.
Tips
Leon de Magistris knows a thing or two about keeping hair healthy and beautiful. "Healthy hair is a must for creating and maintaining a great hair style," says Leon. "If the hair is not in good shape, even the best cut and color will fall flat."
Leon is full of tips and trade secrets on everything from keeping your locks in great shape to the best styles for various facial shapes. Follow these tips and "bad hair days" will be a thing of the past.
