September 2021

While most of us are still desperately clinging to the final weeks of summer, at Colabella we also have our sights firmly set on the season ahead. 

One thing about hair & beauty is that we continually have to predict for the next trends and with so many diverse trends emerging in 2021 already, It’s been particularly interesting to find out what’s in store.

Autumn always brings in warmer shades and a little length in the collar to ward away the change and drop in temperature. 

This summer we loved trying out different styles and that lazy type of styling that summer brings, from braids to messy buns and from beach waves to opting for short pixie cuts. 

They all came with less maintenance but now it’s time for a look at what to do now moving into autumn.

Nails, lashes skin tanning along with hair takes a change of style at each new season.  

Lashes are far more natural, less dense and more of a whisper of fullness rather than long and bulky as seen this summer. 

Nails too, more french less lengthy, more gel over lays, almond shaped and shellac on your own nails. 

The change of hair colour normally heads for warm brown mocha, coffee blondes and depth creating coppers… sounds great right ?

Well I can tell you we love that in salon, as it gives hair a break from trying to bleach it within an inch of its life to create those pastel blondes many people reach out to during spring and summer months. 

In fact the tide had turned anyway from the heavily bleaching earlier this year, as clients were realising the up keep and damage even if done well that the blonde tones cause. 

No matter how great you are at colour, bleach is bleach and no tint will lift more than aprox 4 shades.

Simple scientific fact.

We meet new clients that come in as their hair is breaking or dry or going very thin and they tell us the last salon they visited had used a tint but they are a base 4 medium brown and their hair is a level 10 blonde! 

Sorry to say…but it’s bleach ! We will never be disingenuous we will always tell you exactly what it will take for your hair to achieve the target shade. 

But hey it’s a new season let’s move into it with options…

Come autumn some of us can find it difficult to find the right hairstyle or cut that will continue to look healthy throughout the colder months and it’s not just the summer that can dry your hair out, soon as those radiators click on our skin and scalp will need extra care.

All of the experts and ourselves included always stress that adding a nourishing hair mask or repair treatment to your haircare routine is a non-negotiable for autumn haircare. 

Make it a regular show of love for your hair 🙂 it will thank you in the long term.

But what cuts, colours  and styles are we predicting?

It won’t surprise you that the Bob is taking a turn at always being on trend, you got to give it up for a Bob it comes around with a little tweak every season. 

So it’s going to be a grungy Bob, bit choppier messier and tousled. 

I love that it just keeps surviving…

This year has seen fringes, and bangs to adopt the American term, they definitely aren’t going away. We saw the curtain fringe leading the trend for 2021, this we think will progress to into more dramatic full fringes.

Strong bold but also choppy fringes are in and can be perfectly tailored to you, they can still be full solid, choppy or side sweeping.

Possibly this year’s most edgy haircut was the mullet. This  will continue to be a popular choice for those seeking the high end fashion and more dramatic hair style to switch up for autumn, combine that with a pop of bright and bold colour to set it off…

Iv said it many times but Autumn is one of my favourite seasons for hair colour and we always see clients looking for a little switch up from summer pastels. 

Beautiful auburn, copper golden blondes and mochas, this will be to everyone’s taste but think autumnal leaves and the  vast array of colours that run thorough hair that matches the scenery around you.

For the guys it’s still about volume on top soft perm or utilising your own volume and with a little more length over the ear but the fade out is still not budging. 

So if you like it sharp and clean it’s still good and on trend.

So many options and as we always say if you want a change you can just book a consultation a week or two pre appointment then you don’t feel rushed at your appointment and it gives us as stylists time to talk through options for you.

Don’t forget the hair clinic so If you have hair loss or thinning concerns book in at Bilston branch for a hair loss therapy consultation.

With so many options to choose from we look forward to seeing you soon and as always any questions just ask…

Have a great September 

Anna x

August 2021

Summer is in full speed…

What can be better than warm sunny days, floral dresses, loose cotton clothing and ice cold green tea. That sounds like perfection if you ask me…

Summer, however, can bring a few challenges to our hair and skin. Summer heat as with our skin can damage our hair and sometime cause us oily scalps due to the extra washing of it. Pool water can turn our hair green when in contact with chlorine and really dry hair out if you swimming more this time of year.

Generally it’s in the summer months that we tend to venture to the swimming baths or in holiday resort, extra pool dips to keep cool.

As always if you need a hair colour you will need a skin test. It seems more than ever, we are being asked to provide colour services without a skin test. the implications of a bad reaction is immense. As well as shown in the image horrible swellings sores etc, worst case scenario it could kill you!

Now lets talk simple summer hair tips!

As a nutritionist one thing I always ask my clients is are you drinking enough water! 

Not only is it vital for your body and mind, but it also does wonders to your hair. Remember that water will hydrate your hair and scalp and also as well as good hydration, make sure that you are eating delicious healthy foods that are boosting hair growth.

Summer hair care steps up a gear, as with all the seasons hair and skin TLC is best maintained by regular care each season brings different needs.

If you are going to spend a long day in the sun, I recommend either applying a deep conditioner containing SPF protection or covering your scalp with a hat. We always remember our face but our head does get more neglected when it comes to covering it up. Over the years at Colabella we have sent a few clients off to their gp’s with worrying looking skin changes and moles on scalps and the back of the ear, so always be mindful.

Another way of protecting your hair is to avoid heat styling as much as possible, we know this can be challenging, but your hair will be very grateful:)

There are lots of heatless hairstyle ideas on line, it’s so easy now to get a quick tutorial on a new way of styling on line.

You may of heard about green hair that swimmers get after too much exposure to chlorine, it’s very true and we see it in salon especially on bleached blondes or porous hair. The key to avoiding the greenish color and chlorine damage is to prep your hair before taking a swim. Since dry hair acts like a sponge, you can rinse your hair with tap water before your swim in order to ensure it will absorb less chlorine. I swim with a cap so I apply conditioner to my hair then put my cap on, just for extra protection.

After the swim, shampoo and pay extra care on rinsing the hair really well, if possible. Follow with a good quality conditioner.

We see it too often…colored hair that gets ruined and damaged from all the salt water and sun exposure. This is because heat and sun oxidize our hair color, leaving our beautiful hair dry. Kertain Treatments can help revitalize and rehydrate our hair, bringing it back to life. 

Our most popular is the Biolage Keratin range, stand alone the best product I have used in 45 years in the industry.

It speaks for itself one use and your hooked…

Have you ever heard the recommendation to wash your hair everyday during the summer because it helps control oily scalps. 

No don’t…frequent washing strips your scalp of its natural oils, stimulating and causing additional production of oil as your body does its best to replace the sebum ( scalp oil) your scalp needs for protection.

It helps to wash your hair less. If you can stand it make sure to do the final rinse your hair with cool or cold water since it closes the cuticle and seals its moisture. 

A double bonus the cool water on your body is great for you immune system.

If you are not doing much and you have longish hair, tie it up. If your hair is short there are some fab fabric hair bands that will disguise the greasy hair line to give you and extra day in between shampooing.

When it comes to curly or textured hair, you know that feeling…like your hair grows in size the second you step outside on a humid day? Frizzy hair is definitely a challenge, especially in the summer months. Unless you are a die hair straight hair lover, I say let the waves or curls just be. Don’t fight them. You can spend an hour with the irons and it be frizzy within minutes if there is a lot of humidity.

Use a taming spray, we love the Biolage coconut infusion. It is not heavy like a lot of coconut sprays and helps moisturize your hair while also taming it against the humidity. It doubles up as a heat protection on days you want to style your hair straight. 

Running late and don’t have that much time again put it up if it’s long enough, a bit of holding hair spray your brush and run it through your hair, which will lock your frizzy and hold in place. If again it’s too short to tie up a bandana or fabric hair band look great on any length for a quick hide fix.

Lastly, as we journey through summer, this month make sure you make a little you time… when ever you get chance kick your heals back for some down time. 

Don’t feel guilty for taking some time out, be it a coffee shop meet up with a friend, or even alone if you have a hectic home life. A nice walk with a friend is my go to choice, I feel like I’m relaxing but also being active in a gentle way.

Be good to yourselves…And did I say…make sure you drink enough water? 🥰

Anna x

 

July 2021

July is here and we have not had the sunny sizzler we had last year in lock down but hopefully there is still time for some summer sun and fun that we all need. 

Now we have emerged post-pandemic and back into the flow of kind of normal, I think its safe to say we have all changed a little… how couldn’t we.

Talking to many clients its so interesting to hear all the different ways the pandemic has affected us all.

How we do stuff, compared to how we did, what we want for ourselves and our family, coping with loss and grief and just how its opened our eyes.

In salon the most noticeable thing that strikes out to me is that many of us have stopped stressing the small stuff. 

I am trying hard not to let those old stress habits creep back in but as you may know its not easy, I hope you are also trying to keep those levels down too.

Many of us seem more open to change and not just in our life but with our hair which as a stylist is great. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a trusted style that works for you but at the same time there is nothing more enjoyable as a stylist than to create a whole new look for a client.

During consultations, we’re so enjoying finding out where you’re at. Maybe you’re channelling a new path in life and that includes a new look and style for yourself. 

Or you are all for getting right back to your usual hair and beauty routine. Maybe you’re going more natural and are planning project nurturing-of-self. This is a high on many agendas and we love that.

It’s not just about hair feel good time. There have been lots of back massages booked in. With so many people working from home in makeshift offices at the kitchen table and over a long period the ongoing aches and tension have needed a little help to settle down and there is nothing better than a nice back neck and shoulder massage to reduce tension. “Walking on air “ is how one client explained it…how lovely 🙂

No matter what your plan is, we have you covered.

At Colabella we always listen, give our best advice and provide hair and beauty that’s tailored to what you want to achieve.

CONSULTATIONS

Some times its good to just book a consultation, I cant say it enough that we are not just here to do, we are here for you to talk and discuss and help you plan your next new look. Its great to sometimes do that before your appointment so there is enough time to really talk it through.

If you don’t already know we offer a free 15 minute consultation by appointment or if you know you want a re style and have not had time to come in for that, tell us on the phone and we will allow the extra time at the start of the service. It helps the stylist out  to have the right time allocated out for you. 

HAIR LOSS THERAPY

Ren our salon owner, resident barber/style director has been passionate about hair loss for many years. The laser has been working away and we have had some fab results already with the hair loss treatment. 

As a Mark Birch official stockist the range runs in sync with our hair loss therapy but is also great to use if you really want a truly organic paraben sulphate free product.

As Mark Birch said to me himself, if you would not wash your face in the shampoo you use why would you put it on your head! Fair point I said…

For hair loss advice please book in for consultation its a slightly longer time slot usually 20 to 30 minutes but its still free but definitely needs to be booked as an appointment.

Its always good to talk about any concerns you have.

WHAT IS TRENDING

When it comes to summer styling we see the long bangs are still trending for those of you with long hair. I love that on long fringes it gives it such a soft edge around the face. 

The wavy mullet is a great summer look as seen here by Miley Cyrus

The 70’s is making an appearance too so shaggy looking long air for the girls and the guys. If you like short and sharp, the pixie or bob with a very blunt fringe as well as choppy bobs and lobs, so something for everyone. 

The fade is still on trend for guys but with a bit more length around the front but only a minimal quiff and also still soft top perms too.

HAIR MODELS

Enjoy July and as a quick ps before I close…please let us know if you want to be a model for training sessions as we are starting to book the next training sessions for the next few months. The prices are discounted and always supervised and checked by our level 3 advanced stylists. 

Most important of all never get stuck in a hair rut, there is always something new that you can try and you know what they say about change 🙂

Big virtual hugs

Anna x

June 2021

HAIR CARE

As you can imagine we have been colouring hair for many years.

I started hairdressing aged just 11 years old in my Aunty’s hair salon, add that to the current and that’s 45 years of experiences. Along side me are my fabulous team, some of which have been with me since we opened. They bring an additional wealth of expertise experience and skill to our team.

So it’s fair to say over this time, we have built up a wealth of knowledge of all the do’s and don’ts to care for coloured hair and permed hair, actually of which is very similar and with more clients now turning back to perm for volume or the big hair many of us desire, the care regime is similar for colour and perm. 

The general rule when it comes to caring for chemically treated hair, is that it needs an extra bit of care.

When it comes to the preservation and condition of hair colour or perm, proper care and attention help to keep it shiny and the colour stay true for longer. 

Here are some top tips below for looking after your hair…

The best way to care for your coloured or permed hair is to wash it less, it sounds simple but it’s that easy.  We would recommend washing it just one ot town times a week max. If you tend to get oily roots, we recommend just a light spray of dry shampoo to help it last an extra day. Don’t over use the dry shampoo or it builds up on the scalp but a little once or twice a week is fine. Just make sure when you do shampoo your hair to pay extra attention to the scalp if you use dry shampoo.

No matter how great the colour or perm, the more you wash your hair, the faster the colour fades or the perm drops. If you try to cut down on excessive hair washing and your beautiful hair colour will last longer. Another plus is that it causes less drying and heat styling so if you want longer or thicker hair the less wear and tear you cause from over washing & drying the better.

When you have your hair chemically treated it makes sense to get our advice on what to use right ? Often products are purch while doing your shopping with no one to advise you what’s good or not. As we offer a complete salon service we are happy to advise you and we would always recommend a product health update to check you are on the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair.  Using your ordinary shampoo can actually damage the colour of your hair and wash it away. So many brands have plastic additives that not only stop the colour or perm taking as well but they can cause the results to not last as well. 

If you’re not sure of the best shampoo for your hair type and we have not asked then please ask us . Our hair stylists are here to help and offer advice to ensure your hair stays looking great.

Hair does get damaged through colouring and will become more fragile. It is common for some people to say their hair feels and looks dry after colouring, if it’s not looked after properly. One of the biggest factors of healthy hair is hydration. Every time you wash your hair, use the conditioner too. It will form a protective barrier and prevent your hair colour from washing out. Deep conditioning masks are a great idea and a nice treat for your hair too.

We all know that heat styling tools can damage our hair. However, using excessive heat on coloured hair can cause the colour to fade and make hair look dry. If you can only air dry your hair, this is the best solution. However, if your hairstyle needs heated tools, just use them sparingly and turn down the heat.

You can book a free consultation to discuss your hair needs by calling us and making an appointment so we can create the perfect hairstyle for you.

Have a great June

Anna x

May 2021

This month its a blog for the guys or those of you who like to wear a shorter style.

Are you thinking about change ?

Or maybe just up your look and trying a new haircut style? Look no further we got you covered.

The best thing to do if you feel like a change is book in first for a free consultation.

If you book a wash & cut but then decide on the day for a re style there may not be enough time allocated so don’t forget you can book the free consultation option a few days or weeks before your appointment.

When it comes to styling, there is much more to men’s hair than short, medium, and long. Although length is a key part of a haircut but so is the parting, fringe, having a curl or taper fade and texture cut…

Fade haircuts are still one of the most popular and easiest men’s hairstyle trends. They are everywhere because a fade can be added to any type, length, or style of. At the moment just like I predicted its been all about perms for the guys since coming back from lockdown no 3.

See our social media for some great before & after images.

Once you get your new look one thing we get asked a lot is what comb or brush to use, so here is a simple tutorial.

Brush or comb which works best…

This is an often asked question with all sexes who visit the salon.

It seems simple but with all the options can be overwhelming but here is what you need to know.

Combs work best for straight hair, creating parts, styling hair or combing the conditioner through your hair but if you have thick, wavy, or curly hair types then always use a wide- toothed comb to untangle hair and help distribute hair product thoroughly.

Hair brushes are for guys too and they work best to add volume to fine, straight, and long hair. If its a vent brush your using which is more square at the sides that can be used on any styes but not curly hair as brushing curly hair sends it frizzy, only comb or brush curly hair when its wet.

Brushes also help to speed to the hair drying process.

There are special blow-drying paddle brushes that also help hair dry faster as well as round brushes to straighten hair.

Brushing hair also helps distribute scalp oils and stimulate circulation or just do it because it feels good.

You can let hair dry naturally/air dry but if you blow dry your hair you will get a better finish. Blow drying hair cuts down on styling time, helps hair stand tall, and makes it easy to straighten hair.

If your hair is permed or curly its best to use a diffuser on the end of your dryer to stop the curl or perm from going fizzy.

By spending a bit of time on the drying it will give you a sharp salon finish look that sets any day off to a good start.

Start Blow drying hair cuts down on styling time, helps hair stand tall, and makes it easy to straighten hair. your head and work your way down. I always say your hair is your crowning glory so any time you spend on it is time well spent.

By giving it that extra TLC you’ll have soft, smooth, and shiny hair that just needs a touch of product for all-day hold.

Have a great hair day

Anna x

April 2021

Happy April.

Its great to check in with you all again. A quarter of the year has flown already.

The clocks have sprung forward and we are almost out of lockdown 🎉hooray for all of that except how fast the year has gone bye, that’s just crazy fast…

This month I wanted to talk a little about our re opening plans and a bit about trends to give you some ideas while you thinking time until we open.

So first things first:

Our Colabella salons are still due to re open on Tuesday 13Th April 2021.

It goes without saying that our usual high standards of safe practice and hygiene control will be as meticulous as always. We will still require clients to wear face masks or coverings to offer safe practice for all.

If you have not yet booked in yet then please call the salon line as soon as possible, all the contact numbers are on the answer service. Feel free to call us even before we reopen.

We are booked up and busy but we will do our best to book all new appointment request but the sooner you call the better.

REGARDING SKIN TESTS

If it has been over six months since your last colour or you have box dyed your hair, had micro blading or had an allergic reaction during lockdown, you will need a fresh skin test. If you need a fresh test, book that first and at the same time book an appointment to have the colour done when you are booking your skin test. Please be understanding when you are asked to attend for a skin test, some of the team get such a hard time from callers but they simply cannot bend the rules. Most clients understand but some object and there is no way around this.

I have said lots of times in previous blogs and I don’t mean to be a parrot but I had hair colour all my working life then out of the blue massive anaphylactic shock, rushed to hospital and thank god I was resuscitated and the rest is history. Don’t gamble with your life for the sake of coming in 48 hours before your colour.

FEEL GOOD FACTOR

The power of having great is a real feel good factor.

At the first sign of wrinkles or ageing, many rush to the dermatologists for fillers botox and miracles creams but wait… there is another way.

A change of hairstyle or hair colour could be just what you need to take years off you. If you are stuck for ideas or you are in a hair rut, check out popular celeb hairstyles. You can book in just for a consultation. Its better to do that than to book in and then there not be time to sit and look through styles ideas with your stylist.

A style and colour change can pick a real pick you up and make you look years younger.

You have only got to look at Jane Fonda to see how hair and fashion combined can take years off.

EASY WEAR STYLES AND TRENDS

The undone bob will carry on being popular this year, this a great style as it can work for a variety of lengths.

Choppy bob, sleek bob and bouncy bob can all be styled from this cut.

A highly popular style that many clients keep it on going for years. Its very versatile and even if you want it just long enough to tie back, it works.

I really like the all one length bob or just a slight layer to the front and the rest one length, it gives a 90s feel which is very in right now, with the more bold and panelled hair colours that were popular back then.

Bob trends have moved away from the ‘dainty’ bob and are being worn with a lot more shape and texture. It’s such an easily maintained cut that is super stylish you can dress it up or down and requires minimum effort to maintain the style at home.

Easy hair is the thoughts for 2021 and no prizes for guessing why…but hopefully we wont get lockdown again any time soon.

Better to be prepared though now that we know the drill.

I love long glamour hair and it never really goes out of trend, this year very long layered hair is appearing in many of the fashion mags and its not easy to keep hair long and strong.

It takes work to keep your hair living long enough to get that length.

With heat and chemicals many people struggle to get that extra long length they desire.

As our hair gets older it gets more tatty on the ends and thats the main reason clients struggle to get length. Its better to have once centimetre cut off every six week than to leave it for a trim twice a year and wonder why it wont get any longer.

Short answer: Its fraying and breaking away, yes thats all it is.

Unless of course your have chemical damage but done correctly hair colour wont damage your hair. Swapping colour to colour and having colour strippers etc will but if you want natural very long hair something has to give. You have to aim for condition and strength so it gets a chance to reach that long length. Having it trimmed will not slow that down but continued breakage will.

HAIR EXTENSIONS

An option if you want long hair yesterday are tapes and bond extensions, these are good and when done correctly will not cause damage. We offer hair extension services at Colabella, Kirsty is our specialist so its an idea if you are thinking of going down that route of extra long look via hair extensions then book in for a consultation with her.

There is a small deposit for a consultation but it is refundable when you attend or give a full 24 hours notice to cancel the consultation.

So if its by hair extensions or the natural route, if you’re looking to stand out with your long hair, it’s time to take care of those ends. Regular trips to the salon for a trim plus a good haircare routine at home will see to it that your hair grows and maintains the best possible condition.

BEAUTY NEWS

We are expecting the trend for nails to stay natural. Nail extensions will always be popular for the die hard talon style lovers but many of us are staying with Gel Polish Shellac to grow the length with our own nails, without having the tips bonded on. When done well and without the use of nail drills nail extensions are fine but be careful if you have the drill method as it can cause deep infections and long also term irreversible damage to the nail bed. 

IN THE BARBER SALON

In the barber salon we will continue to see the skin fade for a while longer, it gives longevity to a cut. The skin fade is a sharp clean look that is very popular with all age groups.

We touched on it in previous blogs but the man perm on top only is still trending. Permanent waves also known as a perm is a method of chemically curling hair. The perm can last 4 to 12 weeks depending how curly it has been wound.

It does not require a skin test as there is no PPD chemicals in perm lotion. It does take a bit of getting used to for the styling and the use of products that suit a perm.

The LLLT ( low level laser therapy) clinic will be available again as soon as we re open. Ren is the best person to book a consultation with for this. This treatment is aimed at any one who has thinning or shedding hair that would like to maintain and improve the hair loss.

It is a safe non invasive treatment when combined with specific natural hair products via the Mark Birch range, can give the best scalp environment to slow down hair loss and improve new hair growth.

This service is available at our Bilston branch and by appointment only.

Our trichology knowledge can offer support and advice on your concerns with hair loss or thinning hair. So that all being said, have a great few weeks and all of us at Colabella hair and beauty look forward to opening our salons back up very soon and welcoming clients old and new through our doors.

Happy hair days

Anna x