We get enough gray skies in Seattle and for some, gray in the hair is just a little too much! That’s why I’m excited to introduce Redken’s new ‘Cover Fusion’ line of professional hair color. Released just this summer, ‘Cover Fusion’ is the best hair color I’ve yet to discover for covering those grays without sacrificing brilliance, softness and shine. Made with an age defying mix of rice protein, cationic conditioning polymers and rich antioxidants, this pleasant smelling ammonia-free color is nothing short of phenomenal, leaving hair feeling revitalized and healthy with every treatment.

Over my 18+ years of doing hair cuts and colors in Seattle I’ve watched my clientele mature. I love, love, LOVE working with the ‘over age 50′ crowd as well as my majority 20-40 year-old clientele. Energetic folks in the 50+ age range are some of my most interesting and enthusiastic clients. The biggest challenge with maturing hair is finding cuts and colors that are contemporary and fun, without giving the impression one is trying to look 21 again. I’ve had a great time creating looks that bring out the beauty in every age group without requiring the massive styling requirements that some Seattle women don’t have time to do every day. Here are some factors that support the need for a product as fabulous as this one:

Chronological Aging
This type of aging to the hair is related to the length of the hair, as the mid-lengths to ends (vs. new growth closer to the scalp) have endured additional years of mechanical, chemical and environmental damage. The combined effects of these external factors can leave hair dry, sensitized and/or porous.

Hormonal Aging
Hormonal aging occurs as a result of the physiological changes that people experience as they grow older. This ultimately results in slowed scalp activity and the decline in melanin, the hair’s natural source of pigment, protection and defense against age-accelerating aggressors.

The combined impact of both chronological and hormonal aging can leave hair with 6 visible effects.

1. Change in texture
2. Diminished density
3. Increased dryness
4. Surface dullness
5. Fragility / breakage
6. Gray color

So how does Cover Fusion work so well? Because Cover Fusion is designed to cover hair that is 50% gray or more, it has been specifically formulated with Revitalage Colorbond Technology to overcome the three main effects of melanin loss (gray, damaged, and dry/dull hair) and the challenges of covering gray.

Whether you’re needing some subtle blending, dramatic highlights or full gray coverage, now with the addition of Cover Fusion I’m more confident than ever that with your valuable input we will find a color for you that will be flattering, long lasting and absolutely sensational. Why not book your appointment today?

A lot of people prefer shampoo that lathers a lot, thinking it’s working better. However, understand that the effect of lather depends somewhat upon how “dirty” your hair is when you wash it. For instance, the cleaner your hair is to start, the more lather you will get. In addition, more lather may just mean more detergent in the shampoo. You can tell how well your shampoo is working by how your hair feels after you wash it. Wet hair is clean when it starts to squeak.

A big misconception with shampoo is that “more is better” when it comes to products that are loaded with moisturizer (which many are). Note that hair can have too much moisture; you may have noticed this in your own experience once you are finished styling your hair after washing it. It will be stretchy, can look dry and won’t hold a curl. It can be hard to recognize when it looks dry, but it’s not. The air you live in can also make a difference. If you are in a dry climate, you will likely do well with a moisturizing shampoo as there is not much moisture in the air. Here in Seattle where humidity is a bit higher, you may notice your hair going flat with a heavy moisturizing shampoo.

The best Seattle hair stylists will have a good handle on what will be best for your hair type and lifestyle, i.e. how many times a week you shampoo and style. For example, naturally flat and fine hair needs a protein shampoo, which strengthens the hair. As a general measure, the finer the hair the less protein it naturally contains. It doesn’t tend to hold curl well; if you use a curling iron, the curls may only last a few hours. Because hair absorbs moisture from the air, it causes the curls to fall out. Redken makes a protein spray called CAT that really helps fine hair from going flat.

On the other hand, if you have naturally coarse hair you will find that it will benefit from moisturizing shampoo. Thicker hair strands actually contain more protein chains, so coarse hair doesn’t require the extra protein. However, because it can lack moisture naturally and pick up what is in the air, it is good to add moisture with your shampoo.

Your Seattle hair stylist will likely have the best knowledge on what is on the market that will be best tailored for your personal hair needs. Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions; you deserve to have the shampoo that is best for you.

The consultation is going to be very important. Your hair stylist will take a lot into consideration for your change; they will consider your facial structure, your nose, jaw line and cheekbones. Based on which features you would like to enhance and which you would like to make secondary, your hair stylist will make recommendations to your preferences. This is telling of how effective long to mid-length or short hair makeovers can be; they change more than just your hair style. They can give your entire look a boost, make your face look more open and vibrant while highlighting your best assets.

What Is Your Face Type & Shape?
Here are some ideas for your pre-consultation planning. Consider what your final goals are for a tailored style that best fits your features.

• Square faces are softened with graduated layers, choppy ends, soft curls and a full crown of styled hair.
• Heart-shaped faces look great with layered bobs that flip outward at chin level. Side parts, wispy bangs and styled volume also work well with this face shape.
• Rectangular faces look great with fullness around the sides, and avoid going below shoulder-length, as it elongates the face even more. A chin-length bob with bangs will help the face look fuller.
• Triangular face shapes may benefit from a tapered style that will draw attention away from a dominant jaw line. Off-center parting is a great way to accent this cut and shape.
• Round faces look ideal with height at the crown to slim and soften the face. Avoid extremely short, cropped cuts and opt for some face-framing layers on a chin-length hair cut.
• Diamond shapes will do great with short hair. Layered styles that sit just above the neck look fabulous, as well as angled bangs to soften wide cheekbones.
• Oval faces can look great with just about any style; layers will help draw attention to your best features.

A Few More Considerations Before You Take The Plunge
Don’t forget that a hair cut is somewhat of a commitment. Ask yourself some questions before making your final decision.

1. How attached am I to my long hair? Make sure you are ready; if you’re not quite sure you want to go shorter it may be best to wait until your next appointment to discuss further or make a solid decision. Some people just feel best with long hair.
2. Does long hair offer you options that you are not ready to abandon? Consider your dressy up-do, the high long ponytail or any other style offerings that your new hair cut may not give you.
3. Shorter hair can work well on a variety of face shapes and types, and some people may just look best with longer hair. The advice from your hair stylist will help you in your determination.

If you’re a wavy-haired individual, you might be familiar with that old friend (or perhaps foe might be a better word) known as frizz. Frizzy hair often manifests itself in the form of out-of-control, fluffy strands that, when exposed to heat and humidity, take on a life of their own. Never mind the fact that you’ve tamed it to within an inch of its life and added enough product to style your hair for a year - the frustrating-but-true fact is that wavy hair usually doesn’t stand a chance when confronted by humidity. As a 16 year Seattle hair stylist, I know humidity. I see how it impacts every style I work with. Curly hair can just be styled with a good cream and a flat iron or brush can usually handle straight hair but wavy… it’s tough… it won’t just dry naturally into nice curls and tends to fall apart quickly in the humidity when you try to blow it out and go straight.

Here’s the good news: Your hair doesn’t have to fall victim to the weather’s harsh effects. With a little effort and the right know how you’re hair can start looking better tomorrow! Consider these helpful tips:

• Moisture is key to the success of managing your wavy hair. If your hair is dry, you’ll benefit from a shampoo and conditioner that are rich in natural humectants (substances that promote the retention of moisture in your hair or skin). Don’t be afraid to ask your hair stylist which would work best for you, and keep in mind that soy protein in the conditioner will make a big positive difference.
• Oils are outstanding emollients that leave your hair in smooth, supple condition. Work a teaspoon or two of nourishing oil, such as olive oil (your typical grocery store version will work), into your hair and pull your hair gently back into a loose bun. Let it soak in overnight before washing it out the next morning. The oil is excellent for fighting frizz and controlling static.

One of the biggest advantages to wavy hair is its ability to look full of life, bouncy and stylish when treated well.

For the best look, towel-dry your hair after washing it. Run a volumizing mousse or creme through your hair. Comb gently through as needed to ensure that the product is distributed evenly. Scrunch your hair gently with your hands, essentially squeezing the hair towards the scalp with a “crunch” of your fingers. Then, blow dry your hair (after using a good heat protection spray) with a diffuser attachment to achieve frizz-free waves. Once you’re into the blow dry, do not run your fingers through your hair! This will create frizz.

Lastly, keep in mind the right cut can make all the difference. Make sure your Seattle hair stylist knows your hair type. Whether you prefer short, medium or long hair, nicely shaped layers can get you away from that frizzy triangle head look by simply removing the weight that is pulling all of your beautiful wave out.

With the proper cut, care and styling techniques, even in rain land you can easily discover how to manage wavy hair without intense treatments or damage to your fantastic hair type.

Often, (not always) women in Seattle need a hair style that is a bit more “wash and go” than one that requires more time to style. Why is this? Well… I’ve found that weather plays a huge part. For many, it’s just not practical to have a style which requires them to put 30 minutes or longer into styling “just right”, only to have the whole thing fall apart as soon as soon as the humidity shifts or the rain starts to fall.

Another factor is the Seattle culture. As opposed to places like L.A., New York and Texas where big hair, dressy clothes and bold makeup are more the norm, around here women tend to pride themselves on natural beauty and a more active, outdoorsy lifestyle. It’s not like they don’t dress up with style (they do!) - but Seattleites need hair that can work well while dropping off the kids, going for a jog, making it through the Trader Joe’s parking lot and still looking cute at the end of the day! They need hair that can “work” in 10 minutes, and really shine in 20.

During your consultation with me at ‘Hair By Joey’, one of the first questions you will be asked is “How much time do you typically have to spend on your hair in the morning?” Taking that critical piece of information into account, I will craft a hair style that will look great & stay looking great throughout the day - whatever your allotted time budget.

This isn’t to say we do boring hair here. Over my 17 years of doing hair in Seattle, I have developed ways to make easy, do-able hair look amazing whether it’s a subtle shift in color, dynamic highlights, a dramatic swooping bang or a soft & connected layer that just works.

Often it’s the little things that make a big difference when it comes to managing your “Seattle Hair”.

Perhaps you have heard that ancient saying, “You are what you eat.” Come to find out, the health of your hair is a reflection of the foods you choose to eat, or not eat for that matter. A deficiency of any one of the several vitamins and minerals essential for our well-being can determine many aspects of hair health including growth rate, stability, scalp health (dandruff) and hair loss.

The secret to a diet for healthy hair is to support the hair follicles by supplying them with the nourishment they need to thrive.  The below ideas will give you a boost for your hair:

Protein Requirement

Hair is made of keratin, a type of protein, and a diet for healthy hair would inevitably command protein.  However, our western diet is seldom deficient in protein and in most cases does not need to be dramatically altered to ensure an adequate intake. Most Americans get plenty of protein, even if they are not following a high-protein diet such as Atkins. Even vegetarians generally get the required amount of protein through whole grains, legumes, and soy products. If you are concerned that your protein intake is low, adding the lean proteins mentioned above, along with wheat germ and nutritional yeast will maximize hair growth and strength.

Vitamins for Healthy Hair

As with every function of the human body, vitamins are an essential ingredient for a myriad of interactions that allow us to operate efficiently and optimally. Medical practitioners and hair specialists have named the following vitamins as part of a diet for healthy hair:

• B-Complex: prevents hair loss; responsible for cellular growth and repair; found in poultry, lean beef, fish, whole grains, nuts, seeds, nutritional yeast, green leafy vegetables, fortified foods (especially for B12 sources).
• Beta-carotene: antioxidant; prevents hair loss; responsible for synthesis of protein; found in green, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables, sweet potatoes, parsley.
• Biotin: also known as vitamin H; deficiency can cause itchy and scaly scalp; found in whole grains, molasses, nutritional yeast, nuts, fish, egg yolks, dairy products, meats.
• Vitamin C: antioxidant; involved in capillary health; helps with iron absorption; found in most fruits and vegetables, parsley.
• Vitamin E: antioxidant; involved in cellular repair, protein synthesis, and circulation; found in egg yolks, avocados, almonds, wheat germ, whole grains, sesame oil and seeds.

Minerals for Healthy Hair

Just as important as vitamins, there are specific minerals that have been touted as providing the hair follicle with the nourishment it craves for growing strong hair. These include:

• Iron: prevents hair loss and pigmentation; found in dried fruits such as apricots and figs, red meat, green leafy vegetables, red kidney beans, and whole grain cereals; absorption enhanced when eaten with vitamin C-rich foods.
• Copper: responsible for hair color and helps with utilization of iron; found in shellfish, nuts, seeds, nutritional yeast, and mushrooms.
• Zinc: helps to prevent hair loss and dandruff; found in shellfish, brown rice, almonds, lentils, and herring.

Dry hair can look very dull, may be very challenging to style and can make you look older. You always want to handle it carefully when treating the problem, as too much activity and products can actually make your hair drier.

Your hair stylist may have some great options for oil treatments, specialized conditioners, etc. but you can also make your own oil treatments at home with olive or coconut oil:

• Measure three tablespoons of olive oil into a heat-resistant bowl, and place the bowl in boiled water (to heat it slowly). You can also heat it in the microwave. Either way, be sure to monitor it so that it won’t burn your scalp upon application.
• Divide your hair into sections and gently work the oil in, beginning at the scalp and massaging down to the ends.
• When your hair is thoroughly saturated, put a plastic cap over it and let it sit for half an hour. Then rinse it out with lukewarm water. Hot water carries the risk of stripping away too much oil.

This is a good weekend treatment to give your hair a rest, and a great chance to re-moisturize!

Meeting a new stylist in Seattle can be an intimidating experience. What’s the etiquette? Our lives can be so busy, loud and rushed that for many people the hair salon is a place to unplug, relax and rest.

You’d like to have a hair stylist just “get” what you’re after from the vision of your ideal cut and color to the salon experience. But sometimes they miss it… big time. A seasoned stylist will know the questions to ask to put you at ease, and it never hurts to drop a few clear hints. Here are a few suggestions:

• If you’re feeling tired and not up for lot of chit-chat, feel free to mention your “long day at work” or that you’re “So looking forward to relaxing for a little bit”. Closing your eyes is a great, subtle way to get across that you’d like to just zone out for a bit.
• If you enjoy conversation, go for it! This is your time, and hair stylists are some of the most interesting and interested people I know. We’re always up for a good conversation!
• If you enjoy reading magazines during your service, don’t feel embarrassed about asking for the latest ‘US’, ‘People’ or your favorite magazine.

A great stylist can work around your ideal scenario while delivering an outstanding experience. When you find your best Seattle hair stylist “match”, a few clues will help them deliver the tailored experience you’re after.

Hair has a definite lifetime, and it tends to behave consistently in each season of our lives. As we age, a decrease of the hormone estrogen in women throughout their 30’s and 40’s slows hair growth gradually. Some thinning of the hair may happen in your 40’s, and some hair beginning to turn gray as a decrease of pigment cells in the core of the hair.

Eating well and limiting heat damage to your hair can offset some of the changes you may notice as you move into your 50’s. As your hormones ebb and flow, it causes some hair follicles to shut down, which can result in evident hair loss. By making healthy lifestyle choices, your hair will not show its true age.

Finding the best hair stylist for you will be somewhat determined by how well they understand where you are in this process, and how to cut your hair and which type of highlights to add. They will know color techniques that will renew some of your childhood pigment resulting in a healthy and youthful look.

A lot of that depends on what you’re after.  Seattle is a melting pot of many enthnicities and lifestyles.  It’s important that the stylist you choose understands your unique hair type.

For example, Asian and Indian hair types can pick up color very differently than Caucasian hair.  Highlights can look “brassy”, and all-over color can turn downright orange if the color isn’t formlated just right.   What do you want your color to say about you?  If you want to stand out and make a statement with dramatic hair color, be sure to let your stylist know in advance.  If you want something subtle and soft, be sure to use those types of words during your stylist consultation.