5 Inspiring Beauty Educators

Photo credit (left to right): Ted gibson, tippi shorter, nyma tang, NaeemaH LaFond, Edward Enninful

Stylist Imari Reed (above) - view stylist profile

When it comes to inclusivity, the beauty industry has a lot of work to do. The changes needed are vast, from the lack of representation in executive positions at beauty companies to the limited education, products, and awareness of textured and natural hair. Our team has a wide range of skills and knowledge of different hair textures, but there’s always room for growth as any great hairdresser knows. Here at Parlor, we’ve listened and engaged in the overdue conversations that our industry is finally waking up to, but there’s still more work to be done. One resource we want to share is the #pulluporshutup campaign started by Sharon Chuter, which is a customer-led call-to-action for corporations to publicly publish their employment records. This campaign is working to hold companies accountable when diversifying their leadership teams. Over the past eight years, Aveda, our partner beauty company and hair educator, has made a concerted effort to expand their textured hair education programs and for every master class they offer, we make sure to take advantage.

Imari Reed is a skilled, texture-fluent stylist at Parlor and she believes that education is key to positive change, both on an industry level and on a stylist level. She explains that a stylist has the ability to rewrite the relationship a client has with their own hair, self-image, and confidence, and for folks with textured hair, that guidance can be difficult to find. Reeds explains her personal experience, “I grew up getting relaxers as a kid because it was easier for my mom to do my hair when it was straight. So for most of my life I never even knew what my natural texture looked like. Fast forward to my twenties, I finally made the decision to return natural and it was one of the best decisions of my hair life.”

Once Reed decided to embrace her natural hair, she faced a new challenge: learning how to manage and take care of her curls.

”It can be very discouraging to not know how to manage and care for the hair that grows out of your own head. All I had was YouTube and I was watching videos of girls with hair nothing like my texture wondering why nothing worked. I had to do my own research and learn my hair and now I wouldn't trade it for anything,” she says.

Reed is now sharing her knowledge of textured hair and beyond from the stylist chair and she hopes she can help others avoid the challenges she faced.

She says, “ One of my favorite things about being behind the chair is when I get a ‘young curly’ in my chair and I am able to show them that their hair is beautiful and how to style it. I didn't have that and its important to build people up and make them feel good about themselves, especially the younger ones.”

Education is essential and Reed hopes that no stylist will limit themself with boundaries or expectations.

”I am a textured artist but I am a hairdresser first. Hair is my passion. I've worked very hard on my craft for all textures, straight included. There shouldn't be a box.”

There are so many black beauty educators and leaders that have fought for representation within this industry and not only that, their talent is a source of inspiration and guidance for us as well. If haircare, makeup, wellness, and beauty is a space and source of energy for you and a part of your daily life, educating oneself on the inequality within those spaces is not only extremely important but imperative. This is not an all-encompassing list, but here are a few of the amazing beauty educators that continue to inspire us!

Tippi Shorter

Hairstyles by Shorter have graced the shoulders of countless celebrities. She was the Global Artistic Director For Textured Hair For Aveda and in 2019 she joined Mizani-Loreal Professional as their Global Artistic Director. Shorter’s Instagram is filled with stylist resources and on Mizani’s Facebook Page she publishes videos that are always a source of community, inspiration, and information. Watch her latest video on the beauty industry, here.

Ted Gibson

An inspiration and veteran celebrity stylist, Gibson is one of the industry’s best pushing creative limits. He’s styled icons such as Lupita Nyong'o, Bella Hadid, Angelina Jolie, and more. His editorial shoots are the perfect harmony between aspiration and wearability, the kind of hair that maybe (just maybe) we could all attempt in our bathroom at home. Not only that, he started his career as a product developer at Aveda! Learn more about him, here.

Nyma Tang

Beauty vlogger, Nyma Tang, is known for her Youtube channel and her popular series called, “The Darkest Shade.” Tang started the channel as a way to review and test the darkest shades of makeup on the market to show the need for more inclusive and wide ranging color spectrums. Her Youtube channel was started over three years ago and it now has over 1 million subscribers. You can read more about her, here, in this Allure article or follow her on Instagram.

Naeemah
LaFond

As the Global Artistic Director at amika, LaFond is a sought-after beauty educator and editorial stylist. She’s been at the forefront of the recent call-to-action for corporate transparency in the beauty sector, stating for Essence, “I believe that the first step lies in recognizing the disproportionate lack of access that black people have to opportunities in this industry which lead to systematic and economic inequalities.” Read more from her, here.

Edward Enninful

The insular world of fashion and print publication has a lot of room for growth when it comes to inclusivity, just like the beauty industry. British Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Enninful, is a leader using his voice to bring more black and diverse representation to one of the most revered publications in the world. Read more about his work and role, here.

Hair After Quarantine

We all have experienced some version of “quarantine hair” within the last few weeks (even us stylists!) as salons have been closed across the country and the new normal is sweatsuit attire. We feel so grateful to be a part of a community that can laugh and be vulnerable together, especially during hard times like these. From the hilarious hair memes on social media to the #showyourroots selfies and #rootforus campaigns, we’ve loved connecting with everyone, clients and businesses alike, during this strange time. As time continues to move forward, we want to provide more information on what to expect when you return to the salon. What is hair like post quarantine?

As stylists, we’re eager to get back behind the chair and make some hair magic . Even though your roots may have grown back two inches, we can and will get you right back to where you were before quarantine! One of our favorite quotes that has came out of this time is by Dave Hollis, “In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” This is the perfect time to take a moment and reflect on how quarantine has changed the way you think about your hair. Are you ready for a change? Did it bring you relief to worry less about the upkeep? If so, perhaps it’s time for a low-maintenance hair color. Did quarantine help get you past the dreaded growing out phases of your pixie cut? This could be the perfect time for a new chapter. We asked Parlor owner and Creative Director Gwenn LeMoine and Advanced Creative Stylist Liz Taillie to answer a few questions about different options when returning to the salon for your first visit back!

1. What would you recommend to a client that post quarantine no longer wants to dye their grey hair? What are their options?

Hair by Liz Taillie | Left photo is before, right photo is after

Liz says, “There’s a couple ways to do this: 1. We can add lowlights to the regrowth (your roots) and simulate a more peppered grey, which will create a softer grow out 2. We can add highlights to your hair ends and lowlights to the roots to break up the stark contrast and bring the pepper up into the grey. 3. Leave out a grey streak and retouch the rest of the hair. 4. Or a larger undertaking would be to bleach the ends with previous color and tone to create “grey.” This could take more than one appointment, but once the achieved level of grey is reached there’s little maintenance moving forward.

Gwenn also says, “ With roots being instyle, you will get the most longevity from your hair color if you allow your roots to be darker than your ends…so as the roots grow in they will compliment the color of the ends rather than clash.”

2. Is it possible to use one's regrowth from quarantine and turn it into ombre?

Gwenn says, “With most of us having a longer outgrowth area (those pesky roots) due to not being able to visit the salon, it is a perfect time to transition into a lower maintenance color like ombre.  We can use varying techniques to blend your old color with the new rather than covering the new growth entirely. One key ingredient to doing this successfully is to stay within the same tonal family such as cool tones or warm tones throughout the length of the strand.”

3. If someone doesn't have a hard regrowth line, but their overall color is looking dull post quarantaine, what kind of appointment would you recommend for them to schedule?

Hair by Liz Taillie | An example of turning one’s regrowth into an ombre look.

Gwenn suggests if you have a balayage or ombre color that tends to last a long time between appointments, “a gloss or toner becomes a nice pick me up to stop in around 6 weeks after the original service for a "Preservation Gloss".  That said, I think by the time we get to meet again we will all be a hot mess and need more than a light gloss of color.  I think we will all be craving complete makeovers!”

Liz adds that for dull hair, “A shine treatment can be added onto any service, including a haircut. It adds shine, softness, can help tame frizz, and helps improve the condition of damaged hair. It lasts 20 washes and takes 5 minutes.”

4. What if someone has been lightening their hair and so now has a stark regrowth line and they want to go back to their natural roots, what sort of appointment would they need to schedule for that? 

Gwenn says, “If you’ve been lightening your hair and so now have a stark regrowth line and want to embrace more of their natural roots, well COVID19 has done you at least one favor! The longer the new growth becomes the quicker the transition can be. I would schedule a partial highlight and possibly additionally add a color in between some of the foils to help blend that hard line of demarcation.”

It’s important to note that all these recommendations are based off general inquiries, but before every appointment at the salon we do a one-on-one consultation.

5. What are you personally planning to do with your hair post-quarantine?

Liz says, “I’ve been playing with my hair during quarantine. Yesterday I put in highlights and will be cutting it this week. All of this has been giving me the itch to do my own hair and having a pixie requires a lot of maintenance. I hope all my short haired clients are dealing with the very awkward phase gracefully!”

A Guide On How To Style Your Hair (Without Washing It)

photo via Unsplash

Cover photo and hair by Liz Taillie

As we all settle into the new status quo of social distancing, telecommuting, and embracing (if possible) the athleisure life, the question of how to style one’s hair, if one should at all, has been at the forefront of our minds. Despite all things in life being put on hold, our hair will continue to grow and requires a little bit of our attention. It’s stubborn like that * wink *, but in all honesty experimenting with your hair is a great way to unwind, meditate, and get creative during these strange times.

We’re here to offer up a styling routine to help extend the shelf life of your hair between shampoos! It’s never been great to over wash one’s hair. The natural oils from the scalp help hair grow strong, increase its shine, and keep it from drying out. That’s why there’s no guilt in skipping out on a shampoo, especially when we’re all tucked away in our homes. Here’s a loose guide on how to make your shampoos last longer:

Day 1: Wash & Blowdry

The initial wash and blow dry is the foundation for setting your hair up for success between shampoos! The amount of product you need to use on day one will depend on your hair type and what you have available for products at home. If you need product replenishing, visit us here. It’s great to use a heat protectant and a style-prep smoothing product for the blow dry to help smooth the follicles, reduce frizz, and finish with shine. Once again, we’re setting the foundation for five days! For curly hair, Aveda’s be curly, style-prep treatment will help define your curls whether you prefer a diffuser or to air-dry!

Day 2: Lightly Style

On the second day you can relish in the effort you put in the day before (blowouts are a lot of work, especially in these times)! If you have thinner hair, your may already notice some grease. Resist the urge to reach for the dry shampoo. Instead, use a blowdryer to reactivate some volume. We suggest for curly hair folks to use a small curling iron around the crown of your hairline and the face-framing curls just to give some extra definition, if you so choose!

Day 3: Style It Up

This is the day when heat styling is your best friend. The oils that have built up in your hair will act as an extra protectant against the heat tools, but we always advise to use a heat protectant whenever possible. If you have curly hair and want to brush it out for a more retro, old-school glam look that’s also a great option!

Day 4: Dry Shampoo

Yes! Finally on day four it’s time to wield the power of dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is no substitute for a true hair washing, but it absorb the oils at the scalp to help us get through another day. For curly hair, oils don’t disperse as easily from the scalp downward so you want to apply the dry shampoo at the scalp but also use a moisturizing serum or oil on the ends of your hair, too, as they likely will be dry. As far as styling goes, rock the heat styling you did the day before.

Day 5: It’s Time For An Updo

If you’ve made it this far, congrats! It’s time to play around with the natural fluff and shine of your hair and make it one more day. We always love a topknot, braid, or a twisted chignon!

Day 6: Wash It Out & Repeat ♡

Benefits Of A Routine Blow Out

Hair by Lindsay Chango

Hair by Melissa Márquez

Hair by Imari Dominick

It’s time to bust the myth that blow outs are just for special occasions. Their scope and benefits go so far beyond the feel-good hair you leave the salon with (though that is definitely a benefit not to be undervalued!). There’s been a long tradition for women and men to use salons as a nexus for culture and conversation, a gathering place to unwind, and an environment for community. Similar to coffee houses, salons are a social place to return. The power of a blow out is similar to the joy of a cup of coffee. Ritualistic and decadent. Aside from all of this, the benefit of blowouts go beyond the stylist chair, here’s the list on how:

1. Time Management
   Think back to all the frustrating bad hair days you experienced (or barely avoided) this month. We will forever be indebted to high buns and bobby pins for saving us those days, but if you feel like you’re spending more days in ponytails than not due to running of time to style your hair, arm fatigue from holding the blow dryer (oh, we know the burn), or hair just isn’t your favorite thing to do, that’s when adding a blow dry to your routine can and will improve your mood AND save you time!

2. Volume
   Bed head can either be chic or very flat. The beauty of a blow out is that the volume can last from anywhere between two to five days. That’s a big deal, especially for thin and flat hair folk. Why can't your air dry hair get the same volume as a blow out? It’s all about the heat and tension combo. Heat from the blow dryer and tension from the round brush.

3. Avoid Frizz (& Breakage)

   You may also notice that after a blow out your hair cuticles are flat and smooth. When hair is air dried, the cuticle has a harder time laying flat and that’s how frizz is born. The more frizz you experience the more likely you’ll also experience breakage. If you need help avoiding both, a blow out will do the trick!

4. Versatility In Style

   It feels good to have a routine and we’re creatures of habit, but blow outs can give you versatility in your style. One week, you may ask your stylist to blow dry it straight and smooth and the next blow out you may want beachy curls. It’s up to you and it’s much easier than learning a new technique at home.

5. Play To Your Strengths

   We all have our personal expertise. Hair is ours! There’s no reason to lose sleep over styling your own hair the morning, and this way you don’t have to.

6. Shampoo Less

   After your blow out, you won’t need to wash your hair for two to five days! It’s common among hair experts to recommend shampooing your hair only once a week because your natural oils build up and nourish your hair. If you’re still shampooing every day or find it difficult to manage oily hair, a blow out will help keep the hair full with volume (and mask the oils) and we can also pair you with the right beauty products to help the styling last longer.

7. R&R
   At the end of the day, it feels good to sit back, zen out, and have great hair!

Trends In The Stylist Chair

Cover photo hair by Liz Taillie

The stylist chair doesn’t lie when it comes to trends! You might ask, why bother keeping up with trends anyways? Every season, there’s a list of new hairstyles to try out, and to quote Heidi Klum it can feel like, ”one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out.” This might be true for fast-trends where the focus is on the color, texture, and hair length, but what about the attitudes these hairstyles emanate and their role in a larger social context? Cultural trends are more than that, they’re long-lasting and tap into a larger conversation of cultural sensibility. Think back to the counterculture movements of punk rock and hippiedom, it’s easy to recall images of hip-length hair and the spiky pixie. That’s a cultural trend that doesn’t span just one season. Everyday we see hairstyles cycle through our salon, and we began to notice a few hair trends that aren’t just fast-fashion, but have a cultural conversation all together. Here are our notes:

Eco-friendly Beauty Guru

HAIR BY SARAH JONES

HAIR BY GWENN LEMOINE

hair by ALISSA JONES

We believe eco-friendly beauty isn’t just a trend and it’s here to stay! From the climate marches to the plastic bag bans across the country, in the salon chair, we’ve been noticing more awareness, more active participation in our eco-friendly beauty products and practices. When it comes to hair in the salon, sometimes it’s best to embrace your natural color and invest in a haircut that may require some maintenance, but leaves you and your scalp chemical-free and feeling like your best self!

Au Natural Curls

hair by IMARI DOMINICK

HAIR BY IMARI DOMINICK

hair by IMARI DOMINICK

The natural curls trend is definitely not just a trend. The celebration of curls is only growing and will be a core conversation for beauty in 2020 (and the decade to come), according to Instagram’s Beauty Partnerships Lead Kristie Dash! There’s a movement both online and off for women and men to embrace their hair and create positive conversation around self-love and breaking outdated stereotypes of beauty. We are head over heels with the curly hair styles that we are lucky enough to craft every day! The images above are just a few examples of our stylists’ work, click on the images if you want to explore a stylists full IG portfolio.

Boss Babe Easy

hair by LIZ TAILLIE

hair by LINDSAY CHANGO

hair by LINDSAY CHANGO

As women continue to climb the ranks of their careers and work to break the glass ceiling, they are in need of hair that looks on par 24/7/365 with limited maintenance and styling necessary. After all, one can build an empire AND have memorable hair! Here enters the era of balayage highlights and dimension. The power of great hair color is that once you’re out of the salon chair, there’s no upkeep at home (aside from color conserving shampoo, of course). We’ve definitely seen an uptick in clients requesting natural highlights that grow out effortlessly. It’s the ultimate #bossbabe aesthetic for a busy schedule, and if you’d like a refresh of your color midway through the growing out process or a preservation gloss there’s appointments for that as well!

Edgy & Versatile

hair by MELISA MARQUEZ

hair by LINDSAY CHANGO

hair by MELISA MARQUEZ

We’re also noticing an emphasis on styling flexibility! The ability to change up one’s look day-to-day is a growing interest, and planning ahead for the dreaded “growing out process” is a must. A great example is fringe! Though not traditionally thought of as a versatile hair option, when bangs follow their natural course, they naturally create different looks along the way. Blunt bangs can quickly grow out to be curtain fringe which then turns to shag over the course of just a few weeks. That’s three different hairstyles with little to no awkward phases! Versatility keeps it interesting and let’s you change up your look on the regular, we can’t get enough of the fringe requests.

Holiday Cheer Is In The Hair Care (& Accessories)

The bitter cold is here and that means our hair and skin is equally as dry and in need of a moisture boost! Hair care changes from season to season, from frizz diffusers for the summer humidity to avoiding the static of our winter sweaters. We went ahead and created a list of 1) products and rituals that are especially important to practice once the cold air moves in and 2) our go-to hair accessories (the winter edition) because hair care is more than just the products we use!

Rituals for Happy Hair Through Winter

1. Deep conditioning hair masks (Aveda’s Damage Remedy & Smooth Infusion are great options!)

2. Coconut oil for your dry scalp and skin

3. Heat protectant for heat styling! (Of course, this is important year round, but the cold makes heat styling extra precarious)

4. Dry brushing for your skin

5. Lip Butter ASAP, stock up with 3-5 tubes and strategically place them in your go-to spots

Secondarily, once you’ve locked down the winter hair woes, this season is also the time of year when pairing your fresh cut and color with a hair accessory can elevate your holiday outfit from the usual humdrum to a stylized lookbook moment. The best part? This is a grab-and-go fashion staple that helps highlight the work you and your stylist already put in at the salon. Aside from the usual outdoor wear of beanies, ear muffs, and berets, we curated some of our favorite go-to hair accessories at a variety of price points so no matter the budget you’ll be ready to dazzle in street-style and the holiday festivities!

A Tour of Short Hair Inspiration

When it comes to hair, among many things in life, it can be difficult to know what you want until you see it! Do you want short hair? That depends on how one defines short. Do you want a high-maintenance cut? Not necessarily, but your inspiration board may tell a different story. Generally speaking though, most of us know if we want an above-the-shoulder cut or if we want to keep the inches growing.

That being said, we curated a list of ten above-the-shoulder looks all colored, cut, and styled by our beauty team to give you some ideas for your next hair decision.

The Long Shag (Think Alexa Chung)

hair by @curlycosiqueen

hair by @curlycosiqueen

Tapered Pixie

hair by @s.bryzow

The beauty of a tapered pixie is that the long front layers still allow you to add texture and play with different styles on the daily. The length on the side of the pixie can vary, but we’re really loving this luxe rock-n-roll look by Bryzow!

The Tousled Pixie (Great To Play w/ Volume)

hair by @missalissathehairdresser

hair by @missalissathehairdresser

Short, Defined Curls

hair by @slbkny

The key to nailing a short haircut with curls is making sure you have the perfect products to undercut the frizz and keep the locks defined. We love the bounce to a short, curly cut!

The Lob…Great For Low Maintenance!

hair by @locuraroja33

hair by @locuraroja33

Traditional Bob

hair by @lizzybunnytail

The classic bob is always a statement piece. Stylist Liz Taille gave the ends of this cut a little curl that helps frame the face and give the hair more volume!

The Pompadour

hair by @torres6555

hair by @torres6555

Short, Piecey Pixie

hair by @shirleyhagel

There’s little room for doubt when going for a short pixie, but the plunge is well worth it! To maintain a haircut this length, it’s recommended that you visit the salon every 4 weeks for a trim. The piecey layers in the front can be defined like the one styled here or can also be cut to blend in more, depending on your preference!

The Undercut

hair by @lizzybunnytail

hair by @lizzybunnytail

Micro Bob

hair by @missalissathehairdresser

The micro bob is an edgier take on a classic. It’s a perfect fit for curly and straight hair alike and is great to be paired with fringe to help balance out the length and face-framing.

Hair Accessories Are Here For Another Season

Hair accessories are not just a fashion decision, but when paired with some creative problem solving, can take one of your worst hair days and make it a little bit sweeter. Imagine tucking your flyaways behind a headband, side-sweeping your short layers with a pearl bobby pin, elevating your bed-head ponytail with a silk scarf. Accessories are finally being seen as more than just an add-on item, they can be the answer to our daily hair woes.

All summer long, celebrities and street style influencers donned puffy, silk and velvet headbands inspired by Prada’s Spring 2019 runway and the perfect oversized hair clips to offset the mundanity of their regular hair routines. As the first inklings of fall begin, we’re predicting the hair accessory craze is staying for the long-haul. That’s why we’ve compiled inspiration photos from our favorite influencers who utilize hair accessories in a way that’s both fashion and ease.

8 days * THE DANIELLE Jean #joesxweworewhat * shot by @omgteddy

18.8k Likes, 257 Comments - Danielle Bernstein (@weworewhat) on Instagram: "8 days * THE DANIELLE Jean #joesxweworewhat * shot by @omgteddy"

Danielle Bernstein | @weworewhat

One of our accessory inspirations comes from influencer and entrepreneur Danielle Bernstein. Her oversized baby blue clip is the perfect trick and style piece to pull back her face-framing layers that otherwise would be too short to tuck into a ponytail. It’s functional and easy to manage, plus it gets the hair out of your face on a busy day

We found some similar clips for you here, if you’re feeling inspired!

Julie Sariñana | @sincerelyjules

The ponytail scarf is one of our personal favorite hair trends, and influencer Julie Sariñana, is a master at styling it. This accessory is particularly useful if you need a quick hair fix or don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to your hair routine in the morning. It elevates the classic ponytail to bohemian chic. Not to mention, scarves come in all prints and colors so it’s a great way to add a punch of color to your outfit.

My go-to hair accessory! ❤️ what's yours? #hairstyle

61.1k Likes, 510 Comments - JULIE SARIÑANA (@sincerelyjules) on Instagram: "My go-to hair accessory! ❤️ what's yours? #hairstyle"

I tend to think footwear in summer is optional but then I found the pair that goes with everything #WearEverYouGo @tkees

6,151 Likes, 50 Comments - Hannah Fallis Bronfman (@hannahbronfman) on Instagram: "I tend to think footwear in summer is optional but then I found the pair that goes with everything..."

Hannah Fallis Bronfman | @hannahbronfman

Now, we figured if one is going to invest in some beautiful scarves, there should be multiple ways to purpose them! We love the way lifestyle influencer and DJ, Hannah Fallis Bronfman, styled hers. There are endless ways to tie a scarf as a headband, but learning how to tie a few solid knots and a bow will go a long way. It’s great volume, and volume is always a bonus!

Camila Coelho | @camilacoelho

Next up on the inspiration board is Camila Coelho, influencer and fashion designer, as she wears a velvet headband with a strong and slick side part.

One of our pro tips to get this look is to spray your brush or comb with hairspray and “set” the hair that will be displayed in front of the headband. This will keep it smooth and frizz free and get that sleek look.

After work monday stroll💫 #ootd É verão! Bora passear! #lookdodia

122.9k Likes, 649 Comments - CAMILA COELHO (@camilacoelho) on Instagram: "After work monday stroll💫 #ootd É verão! Bora passear! #lookdodia"

@violettenewyork x @akila.la available online now. Shoutout to my brother @joshmadden for always being a master dot connector! 💗

11.4k Likes, 121 Comments - va$htie ♛ (@vashtie) on Instagram: "@violettenewyork x @akila.la available online now. Shoutout to my brother @joshmadden for always..."

Vashtie Kola | @vashtie

DJ and music video director, Vashtie, is the perfect inspiration for some bedazzled bobby pin symmetry. From diamond pins to pearls, this is a great look that is playful and confident. Our pro tip is that when you step out of the shower, if you want your wispy hairs and shorter layers to dry flat this is a great option. Bobby pin and go! Hairspray helps, too.

Want to try the look? Here is one of our bobby pin recommendations.

Lazy Girl Waves With A Flatiron

Lazy Waves. Beach Hair. The S Wave. These are just a few of the names the beauty industry and Internet have coined for those loose, almost not there curls that have taken everyone’s Instagram feeds by storm. They look effortless, but we all know it takes time, energy, and the right technique to pull off the “I woke up like this,” effect. Tousled, undone waves aren’t new, but the latest rendition, called S Waves, can be achieved with your flatiron, which already makes them the perfect wave technique when you’re on a time crunch, traveling, or if you need a low maintenance routine. When learning a new styling practice it can feel a bit daunting , and trust us when we say, we’ve been there! But with some practice and following our guide we hope it makes it a little easier for you to achieve the waves you want.

Why the Flatiron?

**IMPORTANT NOTE: make sure your flatiron has rounded edges. That’s essential for using it to curl!

The beauty of S waves is that you can use a flatiron OR a curling wand to achieve the look, but today we’re going to talk specifically about how to use a flatiron. Why a flatiron? Curling wands make more of a pronounced wave, and we’re trying to achieve as minimalist of a wave possible. It’s also economical and when traveling you’ll only have to pack one heating tool!

Don’t Crank The Heat, At First

If you’re new to using your flatiron as a curling tool, start by lowering the heat level while you get the hang of the technique. It’ll take two, three, even five times to nail the angle and speed of the twisting motion and also avoid the much despised crease line that flatirons can make if you hold it in one spot too long.

STEP 1

Section your hair in a way that feels most comfortable to you and so it’s easy to handle. The size of your flatiron will determine how large of sections you can curl at a time. If you have a 1” flatiron, we recommend curling 1” sections at a time. This will help make the heat more evenly distributed and the waves more defined.

@karolkdoesmyhair

@shirleyhagel

STEP 2

Clamp your 1” section of hair and in a smooth motion twist the flatiron so the hair semi-wraps around the flatiron’s body and pull down. Think of your wrist twisting in a roughly 180 degree circle. The more you twist the hair around the flatiron, the tighter the curl. This is the motion you should practice a few times on the low level heat.

Important note: release your hair from the flatiron before reaching your strand ends. It helps keep the curls less structured and avoids a lot of heat damage.

STEP 3

Don’t feel pressure to make every wave perfect. The beauty of this style is that it’s supposed to look natural — some hair strands more wavy than others and vice versa.

Feeling inspired? Follow us @parlorbeautyofficial for more hair inspiration.

How To Maintain Long, Healthy Hair

Hair maintenance is essential no matter how long your hair cascades, but for those with longer locks a steady hair-care regimen can eliminate the struggle of breakage, dullness, and stunted hair growth. If you're new to the idea of a daily hair-care routine, the idea can feel a bit daunting. But don't worry! These tips won't add more than 15 minutes to your daily care . Here are five tips on how to maintain healthy hair, pick and choose, or incorporate all five into your beauty routine. You won't regret it and your hair will be glowing!

1. Upgrade Your Hair Brush

Photo by stylist @samoslyn

Think of your hair brush as your biggest tool to building the foundation for your healthy hair. Long hair is more prone to breakage and a great hair brush will smooth the hair shaft and reduce friction. What happens when you get split ends? Although split ends are common, they are also avoidable with regular haircuts and reliable tools. We recommend purchasing a wet hairbrush, which is made specifically to comb hair after a shower (when your hair is most fragile and likely to split) as well as a wide-tooth comb which also minimizes stress to hair roots. The important thing to note is that the longer split ends are ignored the worst split ends become. They'll continue to split higher up on the hair shaft, which will later only require more work to clean up. Come schedule a haircut with us if you're worried about split ends!

 2. Hair Masks Are Your New Best Friend

Protein is essential to growing long hair that is also healthy. What's the easiest way to pack in a healthy amount of protein to your roots? A hair mask, once a week. Aveda's Dry Remedy Moisturizing Masque is perfect to apply and quick to use with a sitting time of 2-5 minutes. If you feel like your hair needs an extra dose of protein, spring for Aveda's Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment. It's packed with quinoa (amazing, we know!)  and it will undoubtedly build your strands back up so they are as strong as they are beautiful.

3. Use Proper Technique When Blow Drying

Any heat to the hair will cause damage, but there's ways to reduce the stress put on your hair with proper technique. When blow drying, make sure to keep the hair dryer 3 inches away from your hair and point the nozzle downwards. It's also best if you use a low-heat setting. Creating that distance from your hair will help limit overheating and by pointing the nozzle downwards (not sideways) it will keep the shaft smooth and frizz-free.

photo by Parlor stylist @s.bryzow

4. Ponytails

Ponytails: they are your friend and foe. Now before we get ahead of ourselves, we're not suggesting to annex ponytails altogether! That'd be sacrilege,  but it is good to know that pulling your hair into a tight updo on the daily will cause breakage at the elastic line. Consider updating your elastic bands with softer hair band options, such as the now-popular "telephone-cord" hair rings. They are totally giving us 90s Spice Girl vibes, but in the best way possible. See an example, here.

5. Avoid Over Shampooing

This final tip may be the easiest because it requires the least amount of energy. Limit your shampooing to  2-3 times a week. The natural oils that our scalps produces stimulates hair growth and will provide the protein your hair needs to stay strong and shiny. Shampooing too often drys out the hair and leaves it more brittle than when you started! Also, don't skip on the conditioner! We're trying to make the hair as lush as possible and conditioning always helps. If you're worried about your hair looking too oily, grab a dry shampoo to help out. Aveda has a great one, available here, and in our two salons.

photo by Parlor stylist @shirleyhagel

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Books That Will Make You Rethink the Beauty Industry

Nowadays all it takes is a few scrolls on a phone to find inspiration for your next hair transformation, makeup rendez vous, and the motivation and guidance to achieve it all. Beauty bloggers, hair salons, and makeup artists from around the world are accessible with a simple tap on our smartphones, which is perfect when in search for a new updo or cut, but trust us when we say these books on beauty will change the way you think of "beauty" as a philosophy, as a routine, as everything.

Endless amounts of information outside of the Twitter-sphere exist on hair and makeup and the beauty industry as a whole, but it can be difficult to sift through the chaos and find that perfect read.  Let's go beyond the 5-minute updo tutorial and get closer to the fundamentals of why it's fun to decorate our skin with eyeshadows and why cutting off a few inches of hair can spark confidence and feelings of renewal. We believe beauty is a cornerstone of self-expression, empowerment, and confidence! Read these five books and dig deeper into the history of the beauty industry, the ebb and flow of styles, and how to make your skin glow from the inside out.

Facepaint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge

photo by @bea7507

This book is a tour de force. It chronicles the history of makeup and goes as far back as ancient times in order to showcase how body and  face decoration is one of the oldest human practices. Author and make up artist Lisa Eldridge weaves her research of original  makeup materials and practices  with beautiful photography, which makes this book the perfect centerpiece on your bookshelf or coffee table. The $445 billion dollar beauty industry had to start somewhere and Eldridge leaves no questions unanswered.

Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes

photo by @judgebymycovers

This gem of a book takes a look at pivotal beauty products throughout modern history, from Chanel No. 5 to MAC lipsticks. Each of the products outlined in Sali Hughes'  book has influenced the conversation of beauty and  has equally made small and big waves throughout our personal histories as well. It's easy to get wrapped up in Hughes' witty anecdotes of her personal bump-ins to these products, which helps give the book the perfect balance of story and fact. 

An Atlas of Natural Beauty: by L'Officie Universelle Buly 

photo by Penguin Books

 The rise of organic, natural beauty products has helped make the world a little greener, and as an Aveda salon, we're all about sustainable beauty and protecting the earth we live on! So of course this book made it onto our list. This all-natural beauty guide harkens back to old school recipe books with carefully laid out instructions on how to make your own skincare and makeup out of the fruits, seeds, and plants in your backyard (or more likely, at the grocery store!). Apricots, passion fruit, peonies, and more. It will blow your mind.

Hair: Fashion and Fantasy by Laurent Philippon

 Hair meets fashion in this stunning collection of photographs that celebrate hair as art. The book is a collection of rare and archival photos from some of the world's most renowned fashion and beauty photographers paired with commentary and insight from style icons such as Dita Von Teese and hair stylists like Nicole Tucker (Alicia Keys's hairstylist!).

Eat Beautiful: Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out by Wendy Rowe

photo by Bikinis and Passports

The skin is the largest organ and our makeup canvas! This book Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe is a hybrid beauty-recipe book that talks about the connection between eating healthy and having clearer skin. We've heard this motto time and time again, but Rowe with her 20 years of experience as a makeup guru makes it accessible, timeless, and sweet.

Feeling inspired? Tag us in your beauty book reads @parlorbeautyoffical on Instagram!

Protect Your Hair From Winter's Cold

The winter hair game is all about finessing the weather to your advantage. We've all heard that heat can damage hair, from the sun to hot iron tools, but cold temperatures can cause its fair amount of damage, too. The number one rule is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. That's actually the first three rules! But aside from investing in some new  shampoo and conditioner, we recommend the Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo and Conditioner from Aveda for adding a little extra moisturizing oomph, there are many other small changes you can make to protect your hair while the snow and cold winds blow outside.

Dry Your Hair Before Going Outside

This may require some extra time management depending if you shower in the morning or not. Rolling out of bed in a rush to shower and leave for work is A-OK during summer, but in the winter months going outside with wet hair will leave it at its most vulnerable and prone to breakage. There are many different variables that cause the damage from the small icicles that form on the hair strand to the friction that happens when your hair rubs against scarves, hats, and collars. Give your hair ample time to air dry and it'll thank you for it later!

Avoid Static

From wool sweaters, nylon tights, rugs, and anything with fur there are a lot of conductors in our closet and home for static electricity. Why is static more common in the winter months? Dry air! The common enemy for the majority of hair troubles in the winter. The best way to avoid static in your hair is to use a silk or satin lined hat or pillowcase, but for a DIY fix, we recommend taking a fabric softening sheet and rubbing it on your hair. It may not be the sexiest of solutions, but it'll reduce the static and its cost effective! One last tip is to put hairspray on a tissue and lightly apply it to the top of your strands. This will coat it with a protective layer without creating its usually stiff hold.

Hat Hair, No More

There are too many cute hats out there to swear them off altogether, but how do we reckon with the flat, limp hair that they create?  Step one, avoid putting your hat on when it's freshly styled. This includes things like blow drying and hot iron tools. The heat will make your hair conform easier to the shape of the hat and create that dreaded dent line. Step two,  wear fewer products in your hair if you know that you'll being wearing your hat on and off all-day. Products naturally weigh down hair and will help keep it flat after taking off your hat. Step three, invest in Aveda's magical dry shampoo. When you take off your hat, apply this light powder to your hair and tussle it around. The product will give your strands the lift they need and it will look freshly styled.

Use A Humidifier

It's cold outside, but with the heat on in our homes the air becomes dry like the desert. The best way to counteract the dry air is to add a humidifier to your home. It'll reinfuse the air with moisture and will not only help your hair lock in its essential water and oils, but it'll also help with dry skin. Adding humidity is also a great way to reduce static and frizz. It's a win-win!

Double-Up On Vitamin C  & Omega-3

Not many people associate diet with healthy hair, but there's a lot you can do for your strands from the inside out. The antioxidants in Vitamin C helps strengthen your hair so even when the cold hair is working against you in terms of breakage you'll have that extra element of strength. For Vitamin C, add citrus fruits and dark greens to your meals. Another way to protect you hair via food is doubling up on Omega-3s. Our body doesn't naturally produce Omega-3s so eating foods like salmon, avocado, and nuts, will help your hair grow and keep its shine among many other health benefits.

Feeling inspired? Tag us in your winter hair selfies @parlorbeautyofficial on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.