Elements Salon

To those of you who have been visiting this page (I get notices daily) first of all, Thank You...but I suppose it may be time (possibly past time) for me to remove my business page, seeing as how we're about to hit the 6 months mark since retiring from the business. Yes. I do hold on to what I love. Sometimes a bit too tightly.

I've left this page up for those of you who asked me to leave "how-to hints" about the most common dilemmas on caring for your hair, as a going away gesture. Plus, and possibly the real reason, permanently closing this chapter of my life has been a difficult journey, in and of itself. Letting go of the last 51 years in the hair industry is kind of a big thing for me.

But let go, I must.

As with everything, change must have its way so that the future may be fully embraced.

If you have been featured on this FB Page, you will have until the end of November to save it. Only 7 days away. You may want to save some of it for the sake of memories, or simply because you loved that particular featured hairstyle.

It's been a true honor to be a part of your lives. Of this industry...

Giving thanks for you and all that Mary's Place, South Side Salon & Day Spa, and finally, Elements Salon has brought my way, here's wishing you a very happy and grateful Thanksgiving week!!!

It appears the day has arrived that I chose as the closing of Elements Salon. It's not quite my birthday yet (retirement day), but today will be the last time I open the door to a business that has been so very rewarding, here in NC.

Over the last 13 years, I have met and "fell in love with" so many of you. You have been my constant connection in an industry of complexity, with its many avenues of becoming a successful, or a failing business. Because of your loyalty, Elements Salon was successful.

As time releases its grip on the present, and pushes us into our future, so it is with a place I've always called my "get away". Getting to visit with all of you as you sat in my chair, has been a take-away I will remember for years to come.

I promised myself I would not get "wordy" on FaceBook; I only wanted to thank you for the years you have trusted me with such a valuable asset that causes us to walk just a bit taller when properly taken care of. Creating beautiful hair is "the final touch" of our outward beauty.

Just remember how very special you all were/are to me, as I step into my next big thing...

Today is the last informational day from Elements Salon. Retirement from the industry is only one day away. However, my website will stay up for a few more months while waiting for the renewal time to arrive. During these next few months you can find so much info from that site, mostly in the "BLOG" area. But for now...

DAY 9: (9 of 9) Masking dandruff…not treating it

It amazes me that anyone on the planet would think oils and pomades would mask dandruff, and “get them by”. Too often we try an easy fix, which doesn’t address the real issue. There is a difference in those dry flakes that fall out easily when running fingers through your hair…and dandruff. The first is an issue with dry scalp and can be treated by using less styling products, shampooing frequently to loosen the cells turning over faster than they should be, and rinsing the scalp with a product called “Sea Breeze”…it’s an astringent that can be found over-the-counter at various retail stores.

To identify real dandruff, scratch your head then look under your fingernails. Is there evidence of what seems to be “wet & white” stuff? This stuff will cling to your nails (and hair). It has to be either washed or scraped off. That is dandruff. If it’s dry and flakey, and easily brushes off whatever it’s on, most likely it’s an issue with dry scalp, which comes mostly in the winter months where there is just too much dry heat in our homes, and/or too much product laying on the scalp for too many days. Dandruff will not just go away when the seasons change. Since it’s an inflammatory scalp disease unrelated to dryness, a shampoo with salicylic acid, zinc, selenium sulfide or tar, will be needed to eliminate the wet flakes. If not taken care of, it will make your finished styles look droopy and oily, and you will always be scratching that itchy scalp. Healthy scalp equals healthy looking hair.

There are many ways of styling the hair to make it look flattering…some more simplistic than others. They all have one thing in common, that being a healthy environment from which to grow. The skin is the largest organ our body has and the entire host needs care. Bacteria find places conducive to multiplication. The warmth they find in covered places such as the scalp, is such a place. To neglect proper cleaning and care will result in damaged hair and even hair loss.

Be passionate about maintaining the health of your hair, just as you are about the rest of your body.

DAY 8: (8 of 9) Fastening your ponytail in the same spot…day after day

Strands tend to get caught, and broken, in bands. Try alternating the fastening point. Move it up a half inch one day, then down the next. And just like everything, bands continue to evolve. At this moment, I believe the satin hair ties are the best for damaged, fine, or processed hair. Satin scrunchies rank number one for me when dealing with fine hair. Bungee or snap-style ties are great for natural texture, braids, locs, or for those who want to adjust the tension of their ties as needed.

For those with very thick, very heavy (long) hair, the best way to secure a pony tail other than just pulling it back at the nape of the neck, is to section your hair at the top of the ears & pull it up for the first pony, then gather the hair below the top of the ear and all the way down to the hairline. Pull that section up to just under the first pony and secure it. Now you have two ponytails, causing less pull at the scalp. Unless you like that look, continue ponytailing. FINAL STEP: Grab a scrunchie and combine the two ponies, covering both with it. Now you have one ponytail and need not worry about the weight of your hair, hanging from the top of your head all day, giving you a full on headache by the end of the day because you've just lessened the weight of one massive ponytail pulling on the roots in one spot. Two is better than one in most cases...

DAY 7: (7 of 9) Avoiding Hairspray

Yep…you read that right! It’s gotten a bad rap, in my opinion, and it’s all because one does not use it correctly. First, let me sing its praises. Hair spray contains a polymer that actually locks out humidity. Most tell me the alcohol content dries their hair, when in reality, the alcohol evaporates before it even hits your head. It’s the polymer in the spray that gives your hair that dry feeling. And that is why a little goes a long way. You want to use just enough to hold your style. And one more thing…spray at least 10-12 inches from your head. If you get closer than 10 inches, the likelihood of having “helmet head” is extremely high because of the heavy coat of polymer shield.

And now, for the not-so-good side of using hairspray. This may sound extreme, but when using anything flammable (such as hairspray), try not to breathe it in. Hold your breath, spray, and leave the room…or at least have the room ventilated and not closed in, while spraying the product. Again...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

DAY 6: (6 of 9) Not every brush is created equal

Choosing the wrong brush can not only ruin your style, it can get snagged in your hair and cause that dreaded breakage. Generally, the longer your hair, the larger in diameter your brush should be. I find it hard to work with the boars hair bristled brush (unless there are nylon bristles mixed in), because of how easily it tangles and mats the hair, especially if you're in a hurry.

I actually prefer the wire or hard plastic (or nylon) brush…the ones with those tiny round balls on the end. Just be extra careful, because even those can get tangled in the hair if the brush has lost its rounded tip, and/or, you’re not sectioning and blow-drying small sections at a time. A word of caution: over time, when working with plastic, the tips will fray and become split on the ends, or they will lose their balled ends. Toss the brush and purchase a new one, if you don't want damaged hair strands.

To create volume, use a round brush; to smooth hair, a paddle shape is best for long hair. If your hair is short, and you like the “close-to-the-head” look…just style with your fingers as you blow-dry.

Here's a great link to find the perfect brush designed for your personal hair type.

Hair 101: Find The Best Hair Brush For Your Hair Type | Redken When it comes to hair tools, not all brushes are created equal. Find the best brush for your hair type & achieve salon-quality results effortlessly.

DAY FIVE:

(5 of 9) Addressing Scalp ignorance

For the hair to be it’s best, your scalp needs attention. Massaging with your fingertips will stimulate blood flow, which in turn, allows the proper amount of oxygen to reach the follicle…where the hair bulb is created, and produce what we call “healthy” hair. This will also help the cellular turn-over rate to be more in line with what it’s supposed to be, creating new cells constantly for a healthy scalp. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

DAY FOUR:

(4 of 9) Blow-drying the hair while it’s dripping wet

I doubt many, if any, actually do this…but just in case someone might think they can skip the step of squeezing excess water out of the hair before hitting it with a blow-dryer…think again. If you are taking more than 15 minutes to dry your hair, you are setting yourself up for disaster. Heat damage will go over-the-top and styling will be very difficult. The preferred way to dry hair would be to wrap the hair in a towel for five minutes, then let the hair air-dry for another five. That would be the time to add any styling products you might want to help shape and protect. Now, you have positioned yourself for a beautiful finish!

DAY THREE:

(3 of 9) Forcing tangled hair through a comb from roots to ends

Although a comb is easier on fragile wet hair than a brush is, tugging it from scalp to ends can cause mid-length breakage. Have you ever noticed all those tiny hairs waving in the wind? That’s from this sort of treatment, or from yanking ponytail holders out of the hair instead of gently unwinding them. If there are tangles in the hair, first spray a little leave-in conditioner on the surface, then work your way up the hair strands by combing tangles out of the hair from ends to root, not the other way around.

DAY TWO:

(2 0f 9) Daily shampooing

Want to know why hair usually looks its best the day AFTER you shampoo? It’s because the natural oils from your scalp have had a chance to extend to the ends of the hair. It creates luster and control…just as it’s created intent. However…some of us have an excess of oil in our bodies, that excrete just a bit more than necessary, because the sebaceous glands are over-active. If you have trouble with breakouts, or acne, you don’t have a choice but to shampoo daily to keep the oil at bay. One more thing you could try, however, is the use of a dry shampoo. And sad to say, they are not all created equal. A really good one is, KMS Hair Play Makeover Spray. Spray at the roots and restyle with a blow dryer, on low heat setting.

I thought, as a final "advise lovelorn" *wink *wink, I would use these last 9 days I'm doing business as usual, to leave you with a bit of insight on caring for your hair. Many of these are just common sense, but just in case you haven't considered them being a thing...I will put ONE per day, here, on this site, before my page needs removed.

I'll address bushing the hair, shampooing the hair, forcing tangles through the hair, blow drying dripping wet hair, scalp ignorance, types of brushes to use & not use, truth about hairspray, ponytail nightmares, and finally...masking dandruff and the consequences of it.

Seemingly simple topics, yet many times needing addressed. I won't be getting into the nitty gritty of all things hair. Just a small wave goodbye as I point you back to the most important things that surround the making of beautiful hair. Small snippets of caring for your hair. Love and Hugs! ❤️❤️❤️

DAY ONE:

(1 of 9) Overly Brushing Hair to Create Shine

I suppose this one is more for those of you with long hair who are the "wash and wear" type of humans, yet I know some of you with short hair who LOVE the brush.

Here's a fact you need to consider: All we need are a few strokes from that awesome brush, to spread the natural oils from roots to ends. Simple. Lay the brush down after a few strokes.

From my business blog: An associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Amy J. McMichael, M.D., commented (when asked) that anything more than a few strokes from a brush is unnecessary friction, which can lead to breakage.