Hair

Meg here! SO I am pretty obsessed with W Magazine and all of the couture and the models dramatic looks. I'm daring. I love a beaded headpiece as much as the next girl. It's just some of the designs that come down the catwalk are such pieces of art that even if I had the funds-where would I wear them?

I feel that way about a lot of the make-up as well. I love Nadja Auermman as much as the next modelizer. I just gazed at a picture of her wearing a mohawk looking ponytail with crazy dramatic eye-makeup and I thought "Hmm, I wonder if this would work in real life?" As luck would have it I had an industry event to go to last night. I also wasn't having the best hair day. I thought what better time to experiment and see how the mohawk ponytail translates to real life. I thought I'd throw super dramatic eyes in just to try to mimic the look.

How'd it go? Well, I opened the front door and hopped into Megken's car.

Megken: Your makeup looks really good, your hair looks like Grace Jones or something though.

So 1 Point Makeup 0 on hair. The event was not an entertainment event but a technology one so there wasn't exactly a lot of "boundary pushing looks going on" or any actually.

My verdict? It was fun and I might do the look again for real life instead of just "experiment." I got a few looks and a woman in the ladiesroom said she "loved it,"so there's that.

By Marco Pelusi, Marco Pelusi Hair Studio, Inc. www.marcopelusi.com

Gem asks:  I have pretty fine hair that has annoying cowlicks in it.   The  only way, I've been able to straighten my hair is with a flat iron,  
which eliminates all volume.  Can you suggest another way to tame my  
annoying cowlicks and preserve volume?

Marco: Hi there!  Yes that's an issue for certain - the combination of fine hair with the challenges of growth patterns (or cowlicks) can be tricky.  The first item to consider is the stylist who cuts your hair.  You have specific needs that must be communicated to your stylist.  You literally must say to your stylist 'I need you to respect the growth patterns of my hair while you cut it'.  As a general rule, less tension should be applied by your stylist during a haircut to the areas in which you have cowlicks.  If too much tension is applied, the cowlick can be exposed, and can rear its ugly head, and then you are forced to tame it all the time.  I truly believe if you get a better haircut - one that respects the growth patterns and cowlicks on your head - your hair should fall more naturally and you will be able to control it much easier.  Secondly, yes, a flat iron does tend to flatten the hair.  But, a trick you can use when using a flat iron in the cowlick areas is not to start at the scalp area - but rather, start at least a 1/2 inch away from the scalp.  It's ok to have a little bend at the scalp area, and if you eliminate it altogether, the hair will be flat.  Also, when using the flat iron in these areas, direct the flat iron straight up into the air, in a vertical direction - not down, nor to the side.  Lift it up.  And finally, aim to learn to utilize a metal brush when styling your hair instead of a flat iron, as you can achieve smoothness and volume simultaneously when you're skilled with a brush.  If you have no idea how to use a brush, ask your stylist to demonstrate.  Also I have a marvelous, alcohol-free gel (Marco Color Control Gel with Collagen Color Guard) available at www.marcopelusi.com that will add volume to your hair before blowdrying.

Artcandy asks:I love my hair dark ( it is natural) Have read that after your over a certain age its best to lighten up. Is this true with everyone? Thanks so much!
 
Marco:  As a colorist, yes, generally speaking, I do believe that as we get older, we shouldn't be AS dark with our haircolor as we once were.  The reason for this is: as we age, we lose pigment in our skin and our hair, so the very dark hair no longer looks as good as it once did next to our skin.

Hair genius extraordinaire Marco Pelusi has taken some time out of his day to go back to your hair questions!! As usual, he answered them with precise care. Hair's some of your answers! Thanks Marco-xoo

Micky Santos says, "I have really thin hair that is colored and volumizing products make it look and feel really dry. Any suggestions?"

Hi there!  I can most certainly understand where you're coming from.  The combination of color treated hair along with very fine hair is a bit of a dilemma.  The biggest complaint from women like yourself with fine color treated hair is that products formulated to preserve color often weigh the hair down -- which is exactly the opposite of what you want!  Therefore, the answer for you is somewhere in the middle.  I would recommend shampooing more often so as to increase the volume in your hair -- but you absolutely must use a product that is 'color safe'.  I would recommend ALTERNATING shampoos -- one day please do go ahead and use a bodifying or a volumizing shampoo -- and the next day use a moisturizing shampoo.  This system will even out the potential for either drying the hair out, or weighing it down.  The answer is to mix it up -- and the answer is really in the shampoo you use -- volume will either begin or end with a shampoo.  That's the best place to start.  Of course, you know I'm going to recommend Marco Color Bodifying Shampoo with Collagen Color Guard, as I specifically formulated it JUST for women with fine color treated hair.  It's a slightly higher pH than my moisturizing shampoo, but still maintains the life of the color -- www.marcopelusi.com

Kimmielocks says, "I'm a student who barely has time to devote to her hair in the morning before class. Outside of ponytails or simply wearing my hair down, my hair routine is pretty boring!

I have long, straight hair. Can you suggest some quick hairstyles or ways to jazz up my hair? Thanks!!"

Meg hair! about of you got a "wild hair" at the chance for my Mr. Marco Pelusi  to answer your hair dilemma's! I thought we'd get a few questions-since we got over 20 (and Marco wants to carefully answer each one) we are going to do 3 at a time! Thanks so much Marco! Here is his hair wisdom and very generous use of his time! We love you!

Colie079 says, I was wondering If shampoos and conditioners that are organic and sulfate free are better for your hair, and also how often do you suggest washing your hair?? Everyday, or every few days?? Thanks so much!

Hello my dear!  My personal belief is that anything we can do to utilize more naturally-based products, the better off we all are, in the long term.  So generally speaking, if you are able to find an all-natural or even an organic shampoo or conditioner that works for you, and feels good on your hair, do it!  However, be aware, that even the older ingredients like sulfates, that have been tried, tested and true for years and years, are still acceptable for the hair.  Everyone is so crazed over products without sulfates - sort of like for years we were crazed with foods without fat - and more recently foods without carbs - so the answer isn't so black and white - but rather a bit grey - somewhere in the middle, not so extreme.  Some ingredients have proven more compatible with haircolor (if your hair is color treated, this is a concern for you) - whereas some natural, herbal, or organic ingredients have not.  The best way to find out about a product is literally to purchase a trial size of a new shampoo or conditioner, and experience how it feels on your hair.  You'll know how it feels even after one usage.  As far as shampooing your hair, the older we get, generally, the less we need to cleanse our hair, so we won't dry it out over time.  It's hard to specify without personally seeing your hair.  But in general terms, if you have thicker, coarser, frizzier, or color or chemically treated hair, at least skip a day between shampoos.  If you have very fine hair, it's possible you may need to shampoo daily, if your hair gets flat and/or oily quickly.  Check out my haircare products at www.marcopelusi.com.  I have a wonderful conditioning shampoo as well as a bodifying shampoo.

kellie76 says, This is really exciting and very nice of you to do. Thanks for thinking of us.

I have naturally curly, brunette hair that is a little longer than shoulder length. I am 32 and have only added some subtle color to my hair less than ten times in my life. I never really know the best way to deal with my hair. I am not ever sure what the best and most stylish type of cut would be for my hair type. By the way, I have a big head and a wide forehead to boot. I feel that this limits my style options. I just feel like my hair often looks flat or frizzy. I am never quite sure of how to care for my hair at home. I never blow dry because it ends up looking even frizzier. I also am thinking of doing some mild highlights. But I am not quite sure of how to explain to my colorist that I want something natural that still makes an impact. These are not very specific questions, I know. But as I am sure you are aware of, many women struggle with how to handle their curls. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Ok-A more specific question has just occurred to me. My curls always seem to have more volume and definition at the bottom of my head. While the top of my head always seems to have flat hair. Nothing seems to change this. What can I do?
 
Hi there!  You bring up some very common issues with curly hair, what a wonderful question.  You're right, curly hair tends to frizz, and blow drying generally makes it look even frizzier.  It's a very, very common problem with curls.  The trick to a great curl is NOT to overdry nor overmanipulate the hair while styling.  Overmanipulation - i.e. using your hands to scrunch and scrunch and scrunch - while the hair is wet, or even damp - is what will make the frizz even worse - especially when done in combination with a blow dryer.  It's really important, firstly, as a general rule, for women with curly hair to ensure the hair stays moist, and in good condition - therefore, you need a good in-shower rinse-out conditioner.  Secondly, once out of the shower, the key is to utilize a lightweight leave-in conditioner to comb through the hair, and then possibly a lightweight, non-sticky gel or glaze - AND THEN LET THE HAIR DRY NATURALLY ON ITS OWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.  You also mention the curls at the bottom of your hair are big and the top of your hair is flat.  Grab a few inexpensive 'jaw' clips - lightly and loosely clip some of your curls towards the top of your head - perhaps a total of three or four sections - and allow the product in your hair to dry naturally for a while.  This will 'suggest' to your hair to lift in the areas towards the top of your head, as opposed to the natural progression for the curls to be 'big' on the bottom.  You might even consider driving to work with the clips in your hair, and when you get to work, sneak into the restroom, take the clips out, and lightly and gently scrunch once you get there, or perhaps even consider bringing a blowdryer with a diffuser there with you to finish the look.  Check out my haircare products at www.marcopelusi.com.  I have a wonderful miraculous in-shower conditioner, leave-in conditioner, as well as a lightweight alcohol-free gel - a dynamite combination for curly hair.

Katehrm777 here! I would like to make a disclaimer before I go any further.  I am usually a very smart, very practical person.  Keep that in mind as you read what I am about to say.  I have a weakness for infomercials.  I won’t get into too specific detail about everything I have purchased (I have a reputation to uphold!), but it ranges from weight loss systems to kitchen appliances.  My most recent foray into the world of infomercials was the hair accessory, the “Bumpit”.  If you haven’t seen the commercial, this product claims to save you the hassle of teasing and spraying while giving you much desired body and root lift.

First I would like to discuss the customer service here, as for me, that is all important when buying from unknown companies.  I ordered the bumpit off of their website, and they mistakenly charged me twice for two orders.  I called them immediately to let them know I only wanted one order and they told me that my order had not yet been processed and I had to wait 24-48 hours for it be processed before I could cancel.  I called back the next day and they told me my order had already been shipped and it was too late to cancel.  Hmm…..a little shady if you ask me.