VAIN hairstylist Scarlet: fine hair, fine lady.

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A lot of people out there have fine hair, including me. Some of the lucky ones have a LOT of it, and others, like myself, not only have fine textured hair, but it’s also thin or sparse. Even the lucky ones with more densely packed follicles share many of the same fine hair complaints. Fine hair has its challenges for everyone who’s got it.

When I was younger I always wanted thick, luscious locks. My fine, thin, flyaway hair seemed to absolutely defy all my attempts at styling it, flatly (pun intented) refused to hold volume or curl, and seemed to get frustratingly both oily and frizzy within hours of shampooing it. Like many fine-haired folk, this led me to the destructive mis-belief that I need to shampoo the living daylights out of my hair. This continued until I started beauty school in 2004. Since then, my hair has made a miraculous recovery due to what I learned there and what I’ve learned since working with fine hair of all kinds, including my own.

The first thing I quickly became aware of is that having fine hair definitely has its advantages!

1. It dries super-fast! I’m grateful every time I dry my hair that it takes no more than 7 minutes to get it completely dry.
2. Curling it is easy! I can usually curl all my hair in 6 quick sections.
3. We fine-haired folk can use less of all our products, because we simply don’t need as much. Instant cost savings!

The next thing I learned was that I had been doing everything wrong to my poor stressed-out tresses…

1. Shampooing too often was drying out my already fragile ends, making them look damaged and frizzy, while simultaneously stressing out my scalp, which caused it to create MORE oil, to protect itself from the harsh shampoos I was using, not less.
2. I was using products that were too heavy for my hair, to combat the frizz I’d created with all that shampooing, which was contributing to the constant oil slick near my scalp.
3. Professional grade hair products (vs what you might get outside of a salon) really do make a huge difference in how fine hair behaves and looks.

So how did I go from flat, lifeless, oily, frizzy, lackluster locks to happy, shiny, healthier looking, (despite all the traumatic coloring services I’ve put it through!) more voluminous hair that will even hold a curl?

Here’s how:

Using the proper professional-grade shampoos and conditioners for starters. Fine hair needs the right products in and out of the shower to stay healthy and look good. Which ones should you use if you’ve got fine hair too? Well, I love Kevin Murphy‘s Angel Wash and Rinse (VAIN favorites!) for regular use. These are great if you have either virgin (not color treated) hair, or color treated hair in good condition. I also love using Kevin Murphy’s Maxi Wash for removing build up about once a week. This shampoo is also wonderful for blonde hair that has lost its brilliance and turned dingy. It really helps keep your ends looking nice and bright. For more distressed hair, I have fallen deeply in love with Davines’ Melu conditioner, another VAIN top product. It seems like it would be heavy and weigh your hair down, but it doesn’t. It is a miracle in a tub. Before I started using it, I was forever victim to severe matting at the nape of my neck, (coat collars and scarves can be so rough) and every time I’d attempt to brush it out, I’d lose a bunch of precious strands in the process. Davines Melu has saved me from this tragic fate! I cannot recommend this product enough to people with matted snarling hair that breaks when they attempt to brush or comb it. If you’re worried about it weighing your hair down, only apply it at the ends and work it up to a couple inches away from your scalp.

Even if you’re using the best shampoos and conditioners available, it is still imperative that you not shampoo your hair every day. It will take some getting used to, I know, but your hair will thank you in the end. If you work out every day and absolutely insist on shampooing afterwords, a gentler shampoo, such as DevaCare’s No Poo or Low Poo is best. But if you can kick the daily shampoo habit, the right products will help ease the transition and avoid further flatness (as an aside though, I have to say that now that I’ve gotten used to not shampooing everyday, I absolutely love it. I shampoo twice a week at most now and I actually resent the days I have to shampoo and style my hair!).

Workin' it with Kevin Murphy's FRESH.HAIR dry cleaning spray

So: Product Product Product! Product is key to keeping fine hair looking its best. Again, Kevin Murphy saves the day with Anti.Gravity. It’s an oil-free volumizer with lavender essential oil. The lavender ensures that it not only smells great, but helps regulate the oil output of your scalp. I notice a definite difference when I use it, in how long my hair appears and feels clean. It also really does make your hair feel and look more full. It has great holding power without being sticky or weighing your hair down. This is a fabulous product to blowdry in anytime, but it’s also great for helping curls last hours, if not days (no really, trust me!)! There is no need to be shy with quantity with this product, either. I use quite a bit on my hair, and I’ve never had it weigh my hair down.

Other great products for giving your hair lasting volume, texture, and the appearance of cleanliness are Kevin Murphy’s (I know, I know, I keep bringing him up, but his products really are amazing for fine hair) Fresh.Hair, an aerosol dry shampoo, and also Powder.Puff, a wonderful little shaker full of powdered texture, volume, and oil absorption [VAIN Blog Editor's note: this product and I are getting married. Not even kidding. More on that later] are great. If you want something a little stronger, Dust It by Shwarzkopf, has the same desirable properties listed above. I’ve also been known to use plain old cornstarch, though this can be tricky as it doesn’t disappear as readily as the professional products do and should be used very sparingly, especially by those with darker hair.

Powder.Puff: so tiny, so right.

When using hair powders, whether in aerosol form or in a shaker, always apply just under the top layer, about half an inch from your part at the root and then repeat in half to inch sections throughout your hair, and then work it through with a bandana (as if you were towel drying your hair) and/or brush (boar bristle brushes are best). Expert tip: don’t apply powder right on top, as it can give a dull, whitish appearance.

I love all of these products for boosting fine hair, and for fine hair bangs in particular. It really helps keep them from the dreaded separation effect and makes them look thicker.

So there you have it. Fine hair may have its challenges, but armed with great products and some how-to knowledge, it can look better and fuller than you ever thought possible. Take it from me:

The bangs! The curls! A fine finished product.

-Scarlet
VAIN stylist since 2007

To learn more about any of the products mentioned in this post, visit VAIN downtown or in Ballard. To make an appointment with Scarlet or any other of our fine hair specialists, call us at 206.441.3441 or 206.706.2707.

VAIN stylist Lucie knows luxurious hair.

Check out this MSN.com Lifestyle interview with VAIN downtown + VAIN Ballard stylist Lucie on her top 10 expert tips for getting glossy, manageable hair without spending a bundle. Her tips include quick and easy ways to noticeably improve your hair’s health and appearance, from proper conditioner application to eating the right veggies, the truth about those little white flakes you sometimes get when you scratch your head, and the hair product she calls “amazing” [Editor's note/SPOILER ALERT: it's Moroccan Oil and she's totally right. It rules.].

Read the whole article here, and here’s to hair luxury for less.

Lucie cuts, colors, and generally luxurifies hair at both VAIN downtown + VAIN Ballard. Call us at 206.441.3441 or 206.706.2707 to schedule an appointment, and visit her stylist profile on vain.com to learn more about her skills + experience.

The hair product wall at VAIN Downtown: we mean business.

If you’ve been to VAIN, you know we’re serious about hair products. We’ve been called hair product specialists, hair product mixologists, hair product wizards, Chief Executive Hair Product Officers [editor's note: ok, maybe not that last one], and everything in between.

To help spread the word about the sprays, creams, waxes, pomades and powders we use in our salons, we recently started a series of VAIN Blog posts spotlighting a favorite hair product of one of our hairstylists or staff members. The posts list what each product does, what type of hair textures it’s good for, and expert how-to tips so you can get your DIY on at home.

In case you’ve missed any of them, here’s a roundup of the hair products we’ve featured with links to the full posts + how-to tips:

So there you have it: hair product picks from us to you. Check out the entire list here, and as always let us know if you’ve got questions about what to use and how to use it.

Happy hairstyling!

♥,

Your humble hair product specialists/mixologists/wizards/CEHPOs at VAIN

Get 10% off all hair products tomorrow (Sat 11/27) at both VAIN downtown and VAIN Ballard tomorrow as part of Shop Local Saturday. Viva shopping local… and having hot hair!

Alexis is nuts for the stuff!

Who? Those with coarse, thirsty hair. Bleach addicts.

Why? To make your hair as smooth as your wildest dreams.

Secret Tip from the Stars: Not only is it a great styling product to put in curly hair while it’s wet, it’s great for blow outs, too! No matter how you use it, it’s sure to smooth out all of your hair’s sorrows. Use a little to tame frizz after your hair is dry and still won’t just behave. We imagine this magical cream is what Sade would smell like if we ever got close enough to her in real life.

Grab some Moroccan Oil Styling Cream @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard for $30.99. You can book an appointment with the fabulous Alexis at either location while you’re at it!

demonstrating the awesomeness

Who? Folks with fine hair that want a smooth and polished finish.

Why? For a perfect style with strong hold that doesn’t feel stiff or sticky.

Secret Tip from the Stars: For a flawless finish for any style, make sure to hold the can about 10 inches away from your head and mist evenly. To soften wave, spray on some Session Spray and use a wide toothed comb to break up the curl for an instantly relaxed texture.

Pick some up for yourself @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard for a smooth $19.95. You might even be lucky enough to have Lea try it on you if you score a blow out with her at our downtown salon!

The ever debonair William(aire) demonstrated the amazing techniques to us mane managers and thanks to him, you’re liable to reap the benefits when you book an appointment for some fancy flair. Who doesn’t want to be the ultimate in glamour? If you’re not into wearing your hair down for that special event, we can handle that too. The look sets any up-do up for sleek success.

William whipping up some volume!

FYI, the trend as of late is modernizing all of those drool-worthy hairdo’s the ladies of Mad Men rock all the time and making them work for the now. That makes you the hottest girl at the party. Bam!

The sleek and sexy aftermath.

We at VAIN have always gotta stay true to ourselves and our DIY roots, so let us show you how it’s done! I’ll be back soon to whisper sweet nothings and hair secrets into your ears. Til later.

VAIN 4-eva,
Emily

Scott is so excited to share his secrets!

Who? Folks with fine hair that want a lot of texture.

Why? To add shine or to add definition in place of a pomade.

Secret Tip from the Stars: Blow-drying Full On Protection into the hair activates the texture enhancing capability. When that’s all said and done and you’re still thirsty for more, spray on a little more Full On Protection and blow-dry that business in for extra messy magic.

Stop on by and grab a bottle or book an appointment with Scott to get the full on (tee-hee!) experience.

Scott works exclusively at our VAIN Ballard location. 206.706.2707

The first step to recovery was realizing that the ringlet routine that I had for the past seven years just wasn’t working anymore. After mixing and matching and trying all the usual trial and error of product concoctions available to me in my new home @ VAIN Beauty World, the idea finally came to me like a bat out of hell! It was so obvious that you could’ve knocked me over with a feather, people. SCIENCE. Hello!

I hail from the “windy” city, the land of weather to the extreme, Chicago, and I realized that I was spending a lot time blowing hot air defending my old hair habits. I should’ve known that despite Seattle’s rainy reputation, the level of moisture in the air is actually rather lacking compared to my days residing in the Midwest. It was like every lightbulb in my brain lit up at the same time- what do curls want most? Moisture!!! I felt like I uncovered the most coveted secret in the whole planet earth and I had to share it with you. The most obvious is sometimes the last thing you think of due to preconceived notions about a certain city- lesson learned.

Curly hair + the appropriate amount of moisture = happy hairs. As an apprentice stylist and connoisseur of leave-in options available, I recommend a few depending on what your locks are craving.

Kevin Murphy's Leave-In Luxury is a one-size-fits-all! Weightless, paraben-free help for hair.

AG's Fast Food is rescue 9-1-1 for long term split end repair and a serious shine intervention.

Deva Curl's B'Leave-In is perfect for the seriously parched. A real wake up call that is chock full of vitamins.

Pick up any of these lil’ helpers @ VAIN downtown or @ VAIN Ballard.  Viva la hair health!

VAIN 4-eva,

Emily

double up on this magic!

Who? Those with Fine to Medium curl or wave looking to enhance that business.

Why? To create soft curl or wave with hold.

Secret Tip from the Stars: Apply to super wet hair to minimize frizz and maximize awesome!

At $18.95 a pop it’s a steal- a little goes a long way with this one.  Look for it @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard.  You can look for Vai at both salons as well!

VAIN stylist Carinn is the brain behind all this Staff Pick business and is a huge fan of Redken Full Frame 07 Mousse.

Sportin' Sexy!

Why? If you want body, hold and shine- this is the stuff. It’s extremely versatile. It’s not the mousse of the 80′s, people.

Who? It’s great for both curly and straight haired folks. Amazing!

Styling tip from the Stars: Adding heat to the product (i.e. blow-drying or diffusing) intensifies the product’s styling ability and adds softness. If it does get a tad crunchy on you get scrunch-y on it! Loosening your locks by making a fist and squeezing sections of your hair will instantly soften it.

Pick up some Full Frame Mousse for yourself at our downtown or Ballard salon for a smooth $16.95. To make an appointment to see the vixen with all the moves, Carinn, call 206.441.3441

Way to be hot and talented!

Sam was gracious enough to grant this VAIN Blogger an exclusive interview and paparazzi (aka me) captured some coveted intel on creating curly beauty.

VAIN: Sam, you fell in love with curls pretty hard and you’re so good at making them behave. How did the love affair start since you’re a straight-haired gal yourself?

SM: I like texture. I like shaping. I like helping people control their hair and make it as easy as possible- it can make a huge difference in someone’s life and self esteem.

VAIN: Ok. What about twisting and scrunching- when and why is each method appropriate?

Before: twisting to create the finished look!

SM: Twisting helps you get more consistency to a curl pattern as well as helping straighter areas in your hair get a little help up. If you have thick, unruly hair it can sometimes help add definition to your curls. You also get a lot more lift and definition out of the top part of your hair.

As for scrunching, I think it’s most important when you use product to really get it all saturated evenly. Hair is like a sponge, so it’s almost like putting a drop of soap on a sponge; if you squeeze it the soap gets everywhere.

VAIN: What’s a good tip for someone possessing some wicked natural wave that’s looking for it to hold more curl?

SM: Product and moisture. [Ed. note- Deva Curl's Set it Free is AMAZING for that!] Choosing the correct product combination to get the look you want to achieve is essential. You have to try and find the right amount of hold and moisture to cut down on frizz and achieve consistency in curl pattern. Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners are also essential to promote softness and seal the cuticle layer of the hair, making curls springy and shiny.

VAIN: What’s your number one rule for keeping frizz to a minimum?

SM: Moisturize and proper washing patterns. You have to see what’s right for your lifestyle, but altering your hair care patterns to wash less and wash properly every time is crucial. Give your hair what it needs. If it feels dry, use a treatment on your ends. If it feels like there is product buildup and it’s waxy, use a clarifying shampoo and a good moisture treatment.

VAIN: What’s your advice to new curly-haired clients getting started?

SM: Every great head of curls begins with a little chitchat with your stylist during your first appointment or consultation [Ed. note- style consultations are FREE at VAIN!] It’s key for making sure you’re on the same page. I want to know what you want your hair to look like, how much maintenance you’re willing to put in, what products you use, etc. It helps me give you curls that work best for your hair and lifestyle.

VAIN: What’s the best reason to embrace curl instead of fighting it?

SM: It’s way, way easier for a lot of people, and curls are epic!!

After: VAIN curly-haired clients rule.

So there you have it, folks! And from one curly headed person to another, I think Sam is pretty right on. She’s a true gem in the land of texture so if you haven’t seen her yet, get in line. Dibs!

VAIN 4-Eva,
Emily
The newest VAIN blogger + hotshot apprentice

Sam is exclusively at our Downtown salon at 2018 1st Avenue. To book an appointment with her or any of our other fabulous curly girls, or to find out more about the curly hair products that VAIN carries, call 206.441.3441!

And, no, I don’t mean the Hasselhoff variety. I’m talking about Kevin Murphy’s newest styling product- an oil-free, matte texture paste with a strong hold that’s great for short and choppy styles. Here’s what VAIN Downtown stylist William has to say about it:

“The first thing you must remember about Night Rider is that the product starts setting within 60-90 seconds so you have to work it into your hair quickly. You have up to five minutes before the product completely sets all together.  Once its set, its not going to loose its hold, but its pliable so you can bump it, move it around, and kinda reshape it as the day (or night) goes on. Its PERFECT for pompadours and really sleek shorter looks“.

From radical, rockabilly hair to chic, sleek ‘dos, its looking like Night Rider has got us covered… whether we’re fighting crime in a Pontiac Trans Am or not.

Night Rider is available at both VAIN locations, come on in and try it out! Downtown – 2018 1st Ave. Ballard – 5401 Ballard Ave NW