Scene Hair Guide #1: Products
Scene Hair Guide #1: Products
by Ashr on 12-18-2008 3:25 am
Scene hair is one of those things that either makes you really REALLY annoyed or really REALLY happy. When I first started I literally tried every single product, every single brand I heard was good, I tried different techniques, I spent so much money on product, some that worked, some that didn’t do hardly anything for me.
I want to spare you the pain so here’s a quick guide on hair styling product, the real missing component between having a great hair and just having a great hair cut.
What are hair products?:
Hair products are exactly what they sound like; they are “products” you use to do certain things with your hair. They exist because of one simple reason: You can’t go straight from a great cut and color to perfect beautiful “scene” hair.
Before I go further I want to make something clear: Your cut and color are (really) important. Think of it like this: Good hair is a pyramid, your color is at the bottom, your cut on top of that, then, right there in between the very top “amazingness” and the cut lies a very important part, the place where styling products fit in.
Styling products let you do things your hair can’t do on its own: They let you produce effects, they give your hair qualities it wouldn’t normally, and they also let you “fix” problems you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
Have flat hair? No problem. Want spikes? Sure. Damaged? They can help there too. (I think you’re getting my point.) Hair product is awesome, it’s not a cure everything though, it can only do so much, you can't forget the rest of the stuff you need to do.
What this guide tells you:
-What basic products are out there for you to use.
-A few good brands of each in various price ranges.
-A general idea of what the products are made for and what they are can do.
-The mistakes that are easily made with them and how to avoid them.
What this guide doesn’t tell you:
-What you need for yourself.
-What your hair is like, how your hair will respond to each product.
-The techniques specific to your taste for using the products.
-The other critical details, like cut, color, and selecting a stylist.
-Products not generally used for the scene look.
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Ashr - From Heaven to your Heart.
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RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by Ashr on 12-18-2008 3:27 am
Lets get started… (priming)
Before we start using products let me tell you to do one thing first; take a shower.
I’m a big believer in a little styling concept called “reset” (not everyone uses it but it’s the best and most reliable way to get great results every time) the idea is this: Every single day you start from scratch and remove everything, then you go step by step until you get back to being pretty. Why? Well it’s simple, your hair goes through hell everyday, it needs to be cleaned up and repolished after all the wear. Think of it like sleep, before you can go out and do more things you need to “reset” and start again.
Now we get back to the shower, hop in and use a few products I hope you're familiar with.
Everyday Shampoo
For: Everyone
What is it: Everyday shampoo is the most basic hair product, however it does quite a bit, it’s there to do 3 things: first it cleans your hair (duh), second it readies your hair for conditioning, third it helps make styling easier down the road (eg, some shampoos volumize, some straighten, some repair damage).
Caution: If your hair is color treated use it sparingly, and never leave it on for more than a few seconds to lather. If you have temp hair color (this includes all non-natural colors like blue, purple, ect.) consider skipping the shampoo every other day.
Low end: Pantene
Mid: Nexxus
High: Pureology
Clarifying Shampoo
For: People with product buildup, or very oily hair
What is it: Unlike everyday shampoo, clarifying shampoo is stronger. It's designed to be a sort of deep cleaning shampoo for people who use products that are very sticky on their hair and scalp, or who have very oily hair.
How to use it: Use in place of your everyday shampoo 1-4 times per month, depending on need.
Caution: Do not use clarifying shampoos every day, they're far too strong. Try to use only what you need, and be watchful for signs of damaged hair (breakage, dryness, split ends, frizzyness, fast color fading.)
Low end: Pantene Clarifying
Mid: Nexxus Aloe Rid
High: Pureology Purify
Dandruff Shampoo
For: People with sensitive, flaky, itchy, or dandruff prone scalps
What is it: Dandruff shampoos are the same as regular shampoos except that they add ingredients to heal the scalp. Honestly if you need it you need it. Don't be embarrassed to get a dandruff shampoo, it's very common for all of those products (as well as things like stress, improper diet, and gentics) to make your scalp sensitive. If you use it you'll be doing yourself a big favor, you're hair will be less oily, easier to manage and style, and you will have less risk of hair loss.
How to use it: Use in place of your everyday shampoo 2 times per week, depending on need.
Caution: Beware those 2-in-one shampoo conditioners for dandruff. You don't want them. Also watch for the same warnings as everyday shampoo.
Low end: Pantene Relaxed & Natural Anti-Dandruff
Mid: Nexxus Dandarrest
High: Pureology DandruffScalpCure
Conditioner
For: Everyone (No exception.)
What is it: Conditioner is there to make your hair soft, healthy, and overall in better condition. Conditioner is a must, NEVER skip conditioner. Conditioners help you do everything, they are the silver bullet.
Special Note: Conditioner is the one thing you may not skimp on. It makes a huge difference, you cannot get by without it, and the difference between the varying price ranges (unlike most products in this guide) is huge. If you have any extra money to spend, spend it on conditioner, it’s that important. Also, 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioners aren't the same thing as a shampoo and a good conditioner.
Caution: Make that you follow the directions, keep it on for the recommended time, and use color-safe products if you have dyed hair.
Low end: Pantene
Mid: Nexxus
High: Pureology
Deep Conditioner
For: People who have recently dyed, and those with damaged hair
What is it: Deep conditioner is special "super conditioner" it does what regular conditioner does but it's way more intense and comes with extra ingredients to repair hair after serious damage and coloring. Normally it comes in 2 types, the "conditioner" type and the "treatment" type. The difference is usually the treatments are more concentrated, expensive, and designed to be used for shorter times.
How to use it: Use immediately after hair coloring, and 2 times per week after until your hair is normal. If you're repairing damage use 2 times per week until normal.
Caution: Do not use instead of everyday conditioner, it's made for special circumstances. Make that you follow the directions, keep it on for the recommended time, and use color-safe products if you have dyed hair.
Low end: Pantene Restoratives
Mid: Nexxus Keraphix
High: Pureology EssentialRepair
Thermal protectant
For: All people using straighteners.
What is it: Using a straightener is the best way to make sure that your hair has that sleek and cool look. Straighteners are required for most people in order to have scene hair. They are not so good for it though, they are very hard on hair and will cause split ends, color fading, and even hair loss if they aren’t used properly. To prevent this from happening you must use a thermal protectant. They coat your hair and minimize damage; some will even assist you in styling making things easier. They come in different forms though I would highly recommend something liquid, they are the easiest to use and generally produce the best results.
Caution: Don’t over apply thermal protectant, it can make your hair crusty and even impossible to straighten. Make sure to apply evenly, and use on every part you plan to flat iron. Watch oil-based protectants with ceramic irons, it can make them oily and difficult to use.
Low end: Tresemme Heat Tamer
Mid: Chi Infra Treatment Protectant
High: Aquage Beyond Body Thermal Styler
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Ashr - From Heaven to your Heart.
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RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by Ashr on 12-18-2008 3:28 am
Moving on… (styling)
Now that you’ve washed and conditioned (you better have conditioned dang you). You need to start doing the basic styling of your hair. This is where it gets complicated. You need to find what you need out of here. Keep in mind that products change your hair as you use them so when you use one you’re not going to get the same effect when you add another as if you had added it like it never happened.
Latex Texturizers
For: Texture with separation
What is it: Latex texturizers are semi-sticky pastes that help make your hair stick to each other without clumping (separation.) This gives your hair a look of controlled messiness without making your hair sticky or hard.
How to use: For just slight texture use only a tiny amount (pea-sized is about right). Rub vigorously through hands then push through in the way that you want to create the effect.
Caution: Start light, if you add too much your hair will get weighed down and you’ll end up with hair that is flat and heavy; build up as you get a feel for how much you need.
Med: Bed Head Manipulator
High: Aquage Freeform Latex
Wax Texturizers
For: Texture without separation
What is it: Wax is actually what it sounds like in many cases. It’s a thick sticky paste that will make hair clump and give high levels of texture (controlled messiness). They are made for people who need that extra bit of stickiness to keep their hair together.
How to use: Get a few fingers worth (enough to leave a noticeable layer on your hand) rub through hands vigorously then push through hair in the way you wish to create the effect.
Caution: Waxes are very heavy, they can also make hair oily, some have a tendency to set once they are applied don’t be touching your hair a lot otherwise it might come out in a dry form like dandruff.
Low End: Got2b Playful
High: Aquage Transforming Paste
Serums
For: Controlling ultralight hair
What is it: Serums are liquids used by a rare breed of people who have light hair. It adds a thickness to hair and purposefully weighs it down to prevent flyaways (strands and sections of hair that move because of their light weight.) The kind of person who need these are very VERY rare, I do not recommend using it unless you are absolutely sure that none of the other products can help.
How to use: Squirt a small amount on your hands, run through hair, style in needed direction and let set or blow-dry. Continue with other products needed.
Caution: Make sure you need it; if you don’t you’re painfully creating weight when you don’t need to. Make sure you let it dry the way you want your hair to be, serums set so that your hair doesn’t just become loose when it dries.
Low End: got2b Anti-Frizz Shine Serum
Mid: Bed Head Control Freak Serum
High: Pureology SuperStraight Relaxing Serum
Freezing Hairspray
For: Setting hair
What is it: Hairspray is a sprayed liquid used to create hold (rigid stiffness), Freezing spray is designed to be used as a last “finish” to your hair, keeping it set in place and preventing it from changing shape. Unlike working hairspray freezing spray can usually be found in aerosol or squirted liquid, they behave the same it’s a personal preference. (I’ve posted only aerosol because it’s the most popular type.)
How to use: Style your hair by any method, spray all around hair, coating evenly. Let set.
Caution: Don’t apply too much your hair will become crusty and heavy. Be careful not to touch the hair once it has set, it will ruin the hold and make your hair drop back to the way it was before.
Low End: Got2b Glued Freezing Spray
Med: Bed Head Hard Head
High: Pureology InCharge Plus
Working Hair Spray
For: Styling with hairspray
What is it: Hairspray is a sprayed liquid used to create hold (rigid stiffness), working hairspray differs from normal hairspray in that it has a slight “grace period” between the time it is applied to hair and the time it actually holds. This allows you to spray and style your hair into a particular shape for a brief time, after which your hair will retain the shape.
How to use: Spray onto section lightly, style either during the spray or immediately after. Let set. Apply an additional top layer for extra hold if needed.
Caution: The setting of the hairspray can be fast, you can apply it and have it immediately evaporate on you, leaving your hair in a nasty shape you didn’t intend; you need to work fast when styling. Also like freezing hairspray it’s extremely easy to use too much; you need to make sure you don’t apply so much your hair becomes crunchy. Be careful not to touch the hair once it has set, it will ruin the hold and make your hair drop back to the way it was before.
Low End: Catwalk Work-it
Med: Aquage Transforming Spray
High: Pureology InCharge
Glossing Spray
For: People who desire extra-glossiness
What is it: Glossing spray is basically just a sprayed on liquid used to create extra shinyness, some help prevent UV damage but it’s really just for aesthetic purposes.
How to use it: Mist on hair before or after styling.
Caution: I know it feels like the more glossing spray the better, but you can apply too much and make your hair crusty or weighted; it can even ruin all of your previous work if you freak out and over gloss.
Low: Bed Head Headrush
High: Pureology GlossingMist
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Ashr - From Heaven to your Heart.
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by treeceydoll on 12-18-2008 2:52 pm
wow Ash 
this was soo great. it helped me a lot, thank you! (+1)
this was soo great. it helped me a lot, thank you! (+1)-
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RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by Ashr on 12-18-2008 3:34 pm
treeceydoll wrote: wow Ash
Oh thanks, it's incomplete (I'll add more later) I was up until 2 last night and I didn't finish so I thought I'd do as much as I could.
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Ashr - From Heaven to your Heart.
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by JessicRAWWR on 12-18-2008 4:17 pm
It took me 15 minutes to read
but was totally worth it
thank you ♥
Cant wait for more to be up
but was totally worth it
thank you ♥
Cant wait for more to be up
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by Ashr on 12-18-2008 4:36 pm
JessicRAWWR wrote: It took me 15 minutes to read
but was totally worth it
thank you ♥
Cant wait for more to be up
Thank you, I appreciate that you read it; glad I could help.
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Ashr - From Heaven to your Heart.
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RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by KittensKill on 12-18-2008 5:04 pm
this thread scares me
im gonna go hide
im gonna go hide
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KittensKill - Your Own Personal Judas
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Re: RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by Ashr on 12-18-2008 5:05 pm
Pff don't act that way kittens, you told me you use wax.KittensKill wrote: this thread scares me
im gonna go hide
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Ashr - From Heaven to your Heart.
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Re: RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by KittensKill on 12-19-2008 12:36 am
Ashr wrote: Pff don't act that way kittens, you told me you use wax.
yes i use wax
but i give hair advice in 2 lines, not in a huge essay.....
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KittensKill - Your Own Personal Judas
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Re: RE: Scene Hair Guide: Products
by HxC FiALURE on 12-19-2008 8:45 pm
KittensKill wrote:Ashr wrote: Pff don't act that way kittens, you told me you use wax.
yes i use wax
but i give hair advice in 2 lines, not in a huge essay.....
Well I bet some people need extra hair help lol.
[including me, I suppose]
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by BeccafaceTM on 12-20-2008 9:35 pm
This is awesome. :]
+1 Karma.
I like that you gave some brands to try out and you didn't just give the expensive stuff. *nods*
Very cool. I'm gonna try Redkin 06 and tresemme heat tamer *nods* :]
+1 Karma.
I like that you gave some brands to try out and you didn't just give the expensive stuff. *nods*
Very cool. I'm gonna try Redkin 06 and tresemme heat tamer *nods* :]
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