Miss Blush chats with stylists about the best hair-care solutions for four ELLE readers.
Q: I'm trying to go back to a dark hair colour, after years of having it lightened. The dark colouring doesn't last in my hair, though -- it washes out within days. What can I do to keep the colour longer?
A: For an expert response to this ELLE reader's question, I went to Sam Arangio, master colourist at Civello Rosedale in Toronto. He says:
"Previously lightened hair is usually weak and porous. This means it lacks the ability to absorb and retain moisture and colour.
"Use shampoo, conditioner and styling products designed to protect colour-treated hair. Aveda's Color Conserve product system, providing both moisture and protein, helps protect hair from fading.
"Once a week, switch your regular conditioner for a weekly treatment like Aveda Color Conserve Strengthening Treatment to strengthen your hair and ensure shinier, longer-lasting colour."
Q: I want to straighten my hair but when I try, my hair gets all static-y. How can I straighten my hair without all the static?
A: There's nothing like the science-experiment look -- especially potent after removing a tuque -- to show you've got style! For advice on how to tame your mane, I chatted with Dylan Sit, creative director and master stylist at Civello Queen Street in Toronto. He says:
"When straightening you want to make sure you use a serum to seal the hair. Hair gets static-y when there is no moisture. When you apply heat to the hair, you further rob it of moisture. A serum will seal the cuticle and add moisture and shine.
"Try a lightweight serum like Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid to protect the hair from the heat of the flat-iron or blow-dryer. It also adds an all-over sheen without making the hair look greasy."
Find out how to fight greasy hair and increase volume on the next page ...
Spring/Summer beauty trend: Wavy hair
Winter hair care tips
Q: For the past year my hair has been getting more and more greasy. I try not to wash it every day, but I honestly have to. I'm an executive receptionist so I need my hair to be at its best every day. My hairdresser told me to try to change shampoos, but that didn't really help. Any advice? I have long, blond hair.
A: I asked Sit for hair-care advice for this ELLE reader. He says:
"Hair health starts at the scalp. Greasy hair is a sign that the pH balance of the scalp is off. Use a clarifying shampoo like Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo, which is designed to remove excess sebum and build-up. If your hair is oily it will help bring it back to a balanced pH. Vice versa if your scalp is too dry -- it will balance the pH level.
"You also want to avoid moisturizing shampoos because that could weigh down the hair and cause the sebum to produce more oil."
Q: How can I volumize my hair?
A: Here's what Sit has to say about getting red-carpet-worthy volume in your hair:
"First use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner like Aveda Pure Abundance, which uses acacia gum (a natural bulking agent) to add volume at the roots without weighing down your hair.
"When the hair is 40 percent dry, spray a volumizing hairspray like Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Hairspray onto the section of hair you are about to blow-dry. This will help tack the hair but still leave it soft. Use a large barrel round brush and blow-dry in sections. When the hair has been completely dried, you can also add Aveda Pure Abundance Potion for extra oomph at the roots."
Read more
Try eco-friendly hair products for instant angelic hair
Long hair: Styles, care and products
Update your look with simple hair accessories
