Questions Before the Cut

We have all been through it before: we step into a salon, get a shiny new hair style, and then we go home. And the next morning, no matter how we style our hair, we can't seem to replicate that fresh-from-the-salon-look. Or worse, we realize that the cut doesn't complement our face shapes or is too high-maintenance that it doesn't fit our lifestyles.

According to Harry Josh, International Creative Consultant for John Frieda, your hairdresser is a goldmine of hair info and you're cheating yourself if you don't grill him/her for styling tips!

So what exactly should you be asking? Here are a few suggestions from Yahoo's Shine! network.

Before the cut:
1. Will this work with my hair type?
2. Will this flatter my face shape?
3. (If you're coloring your hair) Will this work with my skin tone?

During the cut:
4. What shampoo and conditioner do you recommend?
5. How often should I wash my hair?
6. Should I use conditioner at all? Just on my ends?

After the cut:
7. What styling products should I use?
8. How much of them should I use?
9. Where should I apply them (roots, ends, all over)?
10. When should I apply them (right after I shower, once hair is somewhat dry)?
11. What styling tools should I use?
12. How should I use them? (Ask her to walk you through the styling processes step-by-step.)
13. What are some other ways I can style this cut? Any tricks for days I'm feeling lazy?

Now that's a more productive way of spending time while in the salon! Then maybe you can continue with the celebrity gossip afterwards :)

Model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy's Wendy Clip. Photographed by Amanda Elkins.

Summer Hair Care

Summer is obviously never complete without enjoying some sun time. But we all know that the sun can be quite harsh on our skin, and even on our hair! Exposure to the sun can damage your hair's cuticle, making your hair dry, drab and brittle.

While protecting your skin is as easy as slathering on some sunblock, what do you do to protect your hair? Here are some tips that have been very helpful to me:

* Cover up! The easiest, quickest way to protect those tresses from the sun's rays. Wear a summer hat or stylish scarves to cover your hair. But remember to choose ones that still allow proper air circulation. Otherwise, you'll end up getting too hot to keep the hat or the scarf on.

* Leave on! Use leave-on hair products that have SPF protection. However, you can also put regular sunscreen on your hair, BUT make sure to concentrate on your scalp as well and not just the strands. It's quite a desperate solution, but when in dire need, improvise. It does save your hair from sun damage.

* All natural! Summer will leave your hair moisture-deprived. So limit your use of certain hair products that may contain ingredients which have been known to dry hair. Choose brands that are as natural as possible.

* No heat! I can assure you, the sun will pretty much do a better job at heating things up so you won't need anymore heat on your hair. Give your hair a break from heat-styling (blow dryers, iron curlers, etc.). If you MUST have waves, try braiding damp hair and let air-dry. Let loose and you've got very natural and playful curls. If you MUST blow-dry, at least apply some leave-on hair conditioner to protect your hair from the heat.

* Deep conditioning! Regular deep conditioning treatments will help in replenishing moisture in your hair. Apply your deep conditioner of choice to your hair (whether damp or dry) and then wrap up in a shower cap. Leave it on for some time or even overnight so your hair absorbs all the re-moisturizing benefits then rinse off.

So go ahead ad enjoy sunnier days ahead, but don't forget to take care of your tresses. Happy summer, everyone!

Image from sxc.hu.

D.I.Y Hair Food

Say that again?

That's do-it-yourself hair products using ingredients just lying around innocently in your kitchen! Here are two "recipes" from Teen Vogue that you can try at home. (Although you might want to ponder the mayonnaise. Read on.)

FOODIE HAIR TYPES: TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK!

I know a LOT of you lovely ladies are beauty mavericks and are willing to DIY-it-up with food products. I, it must be admitted, am a beauty scaredycat. I stick to things that have been, um, made for me by Big Business (or, in most cases, Small Organic Businesses). Anyway, for those of you who are brave-brave-brave, here are some kitchen-friendly hair trips from the gurus at LA-based salon The Parlour on 3rd.

To create an olive oil moisturizing treatment:

1. Take 1/4 cup olive oil and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

2. Part your hair into four sections and apply the warm olive oil to your scalp, section by section. Make sure to work the olive oil from the scalp to the ends of your hair.

3. Put a plastic cap on your hair and let the olive oil work its magic for 30 minutes.

4. Remove the cap. Shampoo, condition, and style your hair as usual.

To creative a healthy hair mask:

The easiest, cheapest, and most effective hair mask secret known to stylists is mayonnaise. Who would have thought? Mayo is composed of egg yolk, lemon juice and vinegar, which can strengthen and moisturize your hair. Avoid commercial brands. Stick with organic for best results. Place a plastic bag over your hair after you apply. Leave it on for 30 minutes. If you don't mind smelling like a ham sandwich, the end result is worth it!

This article was originally posted here!

To see more fashionable hair accessories for women like the one above, visit www.hairclippy.com!

Freedom from Frizz

I don't know about you, but when my hair gets static-y I don't get ecstatic over it. As much as I want to have picture perfect hair like all those shampoo commercial girls, I am unfortunately just a meek human being. Nevertheless, there is hope for you and me! Teen Vogue clues us in on solutions to static hair:

1) When styling hair, try not to use a plastic or metal hairbrush. Instead opt to utilize a brush with all natural bristles.

2) When brushing hair, first spritz the brush with spray gloss to avoid hair standing on end. Using the spray gloss isn't as greasy or harsh.

3) If it's a cold day outside and you need to wear a hat, to avoid the static cling flyaways, store a travel size styling wax in your bag. A tiny amount (on the fingertips) will go a long way.

This article was originally posted here!

To see more chic hair accessories like the ones above, visit www.hairclippy.com!

To Color or Not To Color?

I was never the type who was daring enough to color my hair. Thanks to hair horror stories from friends who got entangled in a hair damaging mess, I've always stayed far away from coloring products.

It also helps that I'm quite fond of my dark hair, actually. But sometimes, I do wonder how it would look if I gave it a just hint of a softer color.

If you're a bit braver than me and actually want to plunge into a color makeover, here's a hair color 101 from Teen Vogue to guide you through it:

HAIR COLOR 101

Hair coloring can be a lengthy and daunting process. I know that whenever I decide to make a dramatic color change, I'm always nervous about whether or not my hair will turn orange, or worse, fall out! Luckily, I caught up with Frauke Neuser, a senior Clairol scientist, who helped clear up some hair coloring myths and provided some really great advice for teens who want to change up their do's without permanently damaging their locks.

What are the most common types of hair and how do they differ?
The latest research suggests that there are 3 main types of hair: fine hair, thick hair and curly hair. Their differences in texture and protein structure not only lead to different sensorial properties, but also to specific needs in terms of caring for and treating the hair.

Is there a hair type that accepts color better than others?
Fine hair has the thinnest diameter and therefore accepts color the best. Thick and curly hair require more color or longer exposure times to get similar color results.

What should girls do before getting their hair colored? What about after the process to protect it?
Don't wash your hair right before coloring - the natural oils on your scalp protect it against possible irritation. However, do brush out any styling product residue. After coloring, always apply a specialized color conditioner... to lock in color.

How often can young women color their hair? Does coloring it a lot in your teenage years do long term damage?
Many women color their hair every 4-6 weeks - depending on how fast the hair grows (and how quickly the roots become visible). Normally, color is then only applied to the roots, where hair hasn't been colored before (and only pulled through the lengths for the last 5-10 mins).

If you want to completely change your color and therefore have to apply color all over your hair every time, you really shouldn't do that too often - depending on the hair length about every couple of months. Coloring only damages the visible part of your hair, it has no influence on the hair bulbs or future growth. So extensive coloring in your teenage years might be stressful for your hair at the time, but shouldn't have any effect on how your hair looks in your 20s and 30s.

What should you look for when picking out an at-home coloring treatment?
Be clear on what you want - if you want to enhance what you have, choose a demi-permanent colorant to start with. If you're ready for a commitment and don't want your color to wash out,
choose a permanent color. Either way, make sure the color on the package is no more than two shades away from your natural color.

How do you cover up or reverse a color that you do not like or are ready to change?
It depends on what color product you have used. Demi-permanent colorants wash out over time - so all you need might be a couple of thorough shampoos. Don't try and cover up a fresh color with another color at home. If you really hate it, go to a hairdresser for advice. If you have had the color for awhile and feel ready for a change, try to not move too far away from where you are now.

To read the rest of the article, click here!

To see more hair accessories like the one above, visit www.hairclippy.com!

Hair Conditioner 101

Hair care products can be quite a challenge. Not only is there a whole wide range of them, oftentimes they don't even work as well as they promise!

It will take multiple blog entries to fully explain the intricacies of hair care (oh boy...) And frankly, we all might not have any more hair by the time I finish. So to spare us all from this, here's just a few handy hints on the most familiar hair care companion---Conditioner!

These are from stylebakeryteen.com:

Conditioner is important for every hair type, but not everyone knows how to use it properly. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your conditioner:

* Apply conditioner starting at the ends, where it's needed the most. Work your way up to about 3/4 of the way.

* Every day conditioner can be rinsed out right away, but for deep conditioning wear a shower cap on your hair and leave in for 5 to 15 minutes.

* To ensure that every strand is coated with conditioner, comb through hair after applying.

* Rinse conditioner out completely. While some people think it's healthy to leave a little bit of conditioner in the hair, it can actually be drying or make your 'do look weighed down and oily. Use your fingers to separate sections of your hair and rinse thoroughly.

In the image, the model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy's Birthday - Cakes & Princess Bow (3 1/2" Shocking Pink)

No Slippy Hair Clippy Winter Sale

Snuggle up to the No Slippy Hair Clippy hearth and chase the winter chill away. Our “hot” new mini clips, hair clips, baby bows, headbands and baby gifts will be on sale this winter!

Get 20% off on ALL purchases on our two-day winter sale, only on Jan 18th and 19th, 2010. This includes all items in our inventory, even our newest styles! If it’s on our site, it’s on SALE! Click here for our heart-warming designs.

When it's this cold, you know that it's time for a little cozying up. But don't forget to take care of your hair and your baby's hair too! Here are some easy tips from mamashealth.com:

* Do not shampoo often. In cold weather, both the hair and scalp dry out easily. Try to limit it to once a day.
* When you do shampoo, do it in warm water.
* Wear a scarf, hat or cap to protect your hair from the cold and wind. Make sure your head gear is not too tight that it will restrict circulation in your scalp.
* Once the head gear is off, make sure your baby is pretty with a cute clippy. And now you can load up on them with No Slippy Hair Clippy's sale next week!

PLUS: you stand a chance to win a mystery clippy for your purchase!

So don't miss out and mark your calendars on January 18 and 19! :)

Hot discounts await you here.

Hair Ye, Hair Ye!

It has been said that the moment a child is born, a mother is also born. A woman may exist for many years, but she only becomes a mother once she gives birth to her child. And indeed, I'm sure a lot of new moms would love to tell their babies: "Oh come on, we're both new here!"



Being a new parent can be very overwhelming, to say the least. There is always one more new thing to learn, one more lullaby to hum, one more tantrum to hush, one more poop to scoop, one more hour of snooze to lose, and inevitably, one more "I told you so" from your own mother. But what you get in exchange is the privilege of experiencing what could be the greatest love you'll ever know.



It's easy to get distracted by the many needs of the newest member of your family. This is not as easy as getting a new kitchen appliance. Babies don't come with a manual, unfortunately. Even so, motherhood will not be the exciting journey that it is without the challenges along the way. To get at least one hurdle out of the way, here's a little 101 about taking care of baby hair.



Caring for baby hair is often overlooked. Admit it--you don't really think much about putting baby hair accessories on your child's three strands of hair. While your baby may have very little hair, it's very sensitive and must be cared for properly.



Be gentle. As infants generally have very little hair, there is no need to wash it everyday. Do it on an as-needed basis or every few days. Be very careful not to go obsessive-compulsive on your child. Applying pressure to the soft spot on your baby's head will endanger her.



Bye bye tears. A lot of babies and small children hate to have their hair washed. One reason could be that their shampoo has stung their eyes before and they are afraid that it might happen again. One solution is to make sure you buy a shampoo that is especially formulated for babies, made with mild ingredients that won't sting.



Hush little baby. When shampooing your baby's hair, gently recline her while holding her in the bath. But brace yourself because when in this position, babies experience a reflex and get frightened. Just make sure you hold your baby securely and put her at ease by speaking in a comforting tone.



So the baby hair is clean, but the mother's job does not end there. Of course, you have to style it! Especially if it's a baby daughter we're talking about, a mother can never be passionate enough to make her child look her best (and maybe show her off in the neighborhood afterwards).



But your baby's barely-there hairstyle isn't doing her any favors, as all she keeps getting are praises of how adorable HE is and how HE takes after HIS father. Sacrilege! Even when she is decked out in pink, some people can be so darn clueless. A neon sign saying "SHE'S A GIRL!" might be out of your budget. A cheaper solution: baby hair accessories.



Here clippy, clippy. Aside from the usual baby items, a lot of boutiques now offer hair accessories specifically designed for babies' wispy, delicate hair. Look for brands whose accessories stay in place even with just a few strands of hair. No Slippy Hair Clippy, for example, has baby hair clips that are wrapped in Swiss velvet, so they are soft against your baby's head. A safe small magnet underneath the clips ensures a non-slip clasp that doesn't tug at her hair. This spares you from having to clip and re-clip and re-clip those little things.