Transitioning Away from All Over Color

The past few years I have been transitioning into what I like to call the “natural world.”

What this meant to me was:

  • Researching ingredients and being able to offer top of the line products that include safer, cleaner ingredients. I highly recommend  Inner Sense Organic Beauty products.
  • Eliminating silicones, sulphates and parabens from my beauty routine.
  • Allowing my natural wave pattern to come through and actually figuring out a way to wear my hair like this daily. Offering that advice to clients as well.
  • Not coloring my hair every month and allowing my natural color to peek through.
  • Not painting my fingernails or toenails.
  • Cleaning with safer, healthier options.

If you’ve sat in my chair you’ve probably heard me talk about this journey. It has sparked some fantastic conversations and allowed some of my clients to want to explore this journey as well. This has been such a fun process for me! It has allowed me to expand my knowledge because there is no guidebook for this.  I am also helping my clients see themselves, for the first time in a long time, as they naturally are. This is about so much more than hair. I have felt a closer connection to these clients and feel honored that I got to be a part of this journey with them.

 

Here are some of the documented journey’s along the way:

Day 1 of no more all over color.
After first hair cut. You can see the curls better and some gray peeking through.
Final Product! A few demi permanent foils strategically placed to make the hair look salt and peppered.
Before picture: starting the process of seeing her natural color.
All Natural Color
Small Picture is first session, bigger picture is a few months in.
A few months between these pictures. I did a highlight to bring in some lighter pieces to make the difference not so noticeable.
Final Color! Nothing but a toner to blend the natural color with the gray coming through.

 

Along the way we would discuss how often they should come, at home maintenance but most importantly how they were feeling. Certain months were better than others. My biggest piece of advice if you are thinking of following this journey is to begin to
Loosen up your thoughts on how you see yourself
Give yourself some grace
Let the old go and embrace the new

I saw multiple times someone would take a comment from someone else so personally that they would want to stop the journey altogether. No one should have that much control over how you feel about yourself! This is your life and if you want to see who you are with your hair natural, then by all means do it!! In all honesty, that comment said to you shows more about what that person is struggling with than anything to do with your hair. They may be jealous of you for actually doing it!

If you are thinking of transitioning away from coloring your hair every 4 weeks, or if you are interested in what I call the “natural” beauty world, let’s have the discussion at your next hair appointment.

Why you should be using Apple Cider Vinegar in your beauty routine?

Did your Grandma ever tell you to wash your hair with Apple Cider Vinegar? I can remember thinking, “Yuck!” Fast forward 25 years and I am doing it on a monthly basis!! Why…..here’s the benefits I have found:

-helps breakdown buildup
-anti fungal and anti bacterial properties. This helps with any flaking you may have on your scalp.
-helps oily scalp
-helps in transitioning from not shampooing daily
-a clean scalp = a clean follicles which will help strengthen the hair root which in turn promotes hair growth!
-seals cuticle to lock in color
-exfoliates the scalp

This rinse is going to be adjustable based on your needs for your scalp and hair. A good starting ground is to mix:
1-4 Tablespoons of ACV to 1 cup of water
You can add it in a squirt bottle, cup, or spray bottle to make the application easier. Then you will shampoo your hair, rinse, then apply the ACV rinse. Make sure to get it on scalp and ends. Rub it into your hair and leave on for 1-2 minutes. Rinse. Follow up with a conditioner.

Make sure to use the apple cider vinegar that contains the “mother” in it. This type contains nutrients and enzymes that contribute to its many different benefits.

Try incorporating this into your hair routine once a month to keep the buildup under control. If you are struggling with oily scalp then try doing this every 4-5 shampoos until your scalp settles down. If all of this is too much to start with, I can recommend a great product that contains ACV in it.