Charlotte Ballinger

Everyone’s favorite part of their hair appointment… 🫧

We’ve all heard it and it’s true, a solo shampoo session will never feel quite as good as when your stylist has her hands in it! Shampooing is typically an autopilot task at home even with the best products! The extra fresh, clean, and luxurious shampoo experience doesn’t only depend on what bottles you have in your shower (although that does matter)! You might be missing a simple trick or two that could make all the difference!
Here are Charlotte’s top tips to get the most out of your wash at home.

1. Drench Your Strands! 😆 Seem obvious?? We mean reallllly drench, almost like you are pre rinsing it! High quality shampoos are VERY concentrated! They are manufactured with less water in the bottle so you will need to make sure to run that water completely through your strands! This concentration of luxury ingredients is what gives professional shampoos their value!
2. Emulsify! Rub your shampoo vigorously and evenly across the palms of your hands. This way when you touch it to your hair it isn’t blobbed (very professional term) in one place!
3. Distribute and Scrub Evenly! Pay attention to your entire scalp, making sure you feel the shampoo on every inch of your scalp. When we wash on autopilot, the most commonly neglected areas of the head are the nape of the neck (especially the sides behind and below the ears), the very front fringe area and the tippy top apex (crown) of the head!
4. Don’t Skip the Lengths! Gently squeeze your shampoo through your mid strands and ends! This will remove dulling buildup and give them the chance to absorb some of the nutrients and benefits from your shampoo as well!
5. Rinse and Repeat? If you did all of this and didn’t get a good lather, you could be in need of a repeat wash! Excess sweat, oils, product or dirt (helloooo gardeners 🌱) will require an extra wash! One to remove the excess, the second to truly wash and nourish your hair and scalp. Bonus tip: make your first wash a clarifying wash (like Maxi Wash).
6. Condition! Professional conditioners are also concentrated but this time we want that concentration to hit our strands a bit more. Emulsify your conditioner too but apply it to your thoroughly rinsed clean hair after squeezing out excess water! Start applying at the ends and work your way up! In some cases we recommend skipping the roots, in some cases we don’t. Ask your stylist what is best for you!
7. Rinse Evenly! The same rules for rinsing apply for scrubbing! Check for extra slippery spots especially around the back sides and nape! Too much conditioner left behind can make hair limp, heavy or greasy looking!

So have you been washing on autopilot and missing one or two of these steps?

We see you trying to decide which size bottle of shampoo is right for you!
Do I really need that much?
Is the little one enough??
What if I don’t like it???
What if it goes bad before I can use it all????

This caption (that has been rattling around my brain far longer than I care to admit) breaks it down for you!

Your hair care routine is as unique as you are, all the way down to which size shampoo and conditioner is right for you! Let’s talk about the perks of each option so you can choose what fits your life (and your shower shelf) best!

🫧 Travel/Trial/Mini
You want low commitment - You want to try something new to make sure you love it before investing fully or you have sensitivities and want to see if this one’s a good fit. Maybe you just like change, always keeping it fresh and new is exciting!

You change up your hair style - You love to wear your natural curl but also rotate in a smooth thermal look regularly. Different styles need different support from their products!

You are on the go - Perfect for tossing in your gym bag, carry-on, or purse… for travel or just life.

You just don’t need that much - You have short, fine hair or you wash once per week at the most. This goes for specialty products like a clarifying or violet shampoo or mask that you are only using 1-4x per month.

🚿 Standard Size
You appreciate practicality - Your wash routine is 3-5x per week. You want enough product to last for weeks without taking up too much shower space.

You like pretty packaging - It’s the little things in life, we get it. We like pretty bottles too. For whatever reason most of the design power seems to go into the look of those standard sized bottles.

You change with the seasons - You may want change it up when the seasons change or your hair needs something different. Examples: Summer Sun = Everlasting.Colour Wash and Rinse. Winter Chill = Repair-Me Wash and Rinse

🛁 Liters
You’ve found the one - It’s true love! You’re committed to this being your signature go-to formula and scent!

You are an every day washer - When your hairstyle, lifestyle or preferences have you sudsing up daily, you just need more shampoo and conditioner. Period.

You want the best value - Liters save you money in the long run. The upfront investment is bigger, but per ounce, it’s almost like getting a whole extra standard-size bottle for free!

You want it off your to do list - Less in between appointments trips to the salon and fewer “oops, I’m out!” moments.

You are a good sharer - You share with your daughters, split a bottle with your sister OR maybe your guy can’t get enough of that Kevin Murphy Plumping.Wash scent and volume so he now uses it too. (All true stories)

You care about the sustainability - Buying liters reduces packaging waste plain and simple!

So there you have it! Whether you’re packing light, keeping things fresh, or committing to your all-time favorite, there’s a size that fits your routine perfectly! The best choice is the one that keeps your hair (and you) happiest.

I 🩵 Halo Couture! Want to know more? Message me!

MYTH: Extensions are heavy and bulky. MYTH: Extensions expensive and high maintenance. MYTH: Everyone will be able to tell that I have extensions. MYTH: Extensions are only for adding mermaid length. TRUTH: Halo Couture extensions offer many customizable options for your hair needs, comfort level and budget. It isn’t all mermaid length halos! Halo Couture offers a WIDE variety of pieces designed to add only the fullness or coverage you want in problem areas. The blend-ins (shown in my video) are a simple way for me to add the fullness that I’ve always wanted without ANY maintenance time or expense! They are so light weight I comfortably wore them all day at work today, and even forget that I had them in! No headache! I don’t think a single person knew my secret either. Did you?

✨20 years✨
It’s been a blessed career; one I’ve actually had to fight hard for from the very beginning… Thanks mom and dad, ironically, it was most likely your disapproval that fueled this middle child’s drive to do it right and prove myself. That early fight gave me a foundation of independent confidence and resilience that I have needed again and again. Nothing worth having comes easy and it’s definitely been worth it all. I’ve loved this career every single day through 20 years, five salons, three cities, and countless connections.

The most rewarding part of my career has undoubtedly been those connections. From my clients and colleagues to my local community and hair community, these relationships have truly enriched my life in a way I could not have imagined.

It’s never been just about doing hair; it’s about being part of people’s lives, celebrating their milestones, hearing their stories, and at times having the honor of being their confidant. I’ve seen clients grow from teens to adults, watched families expand, and been part of life’s ups and downs right alongside them.

I have to take a moment to acknowledge a few extra special ladies that have helped to shape my career. First of all, two angels who are no longer here to thank personally but I think of often, Lana Thayer who was the one who taught me how to hold my shears on day one and Lisa Colson who took me under her wing and mentored me in my first year behind the chair. Next, the three salon owners I’ve worked under, who taught me more than they will ever know about business, leadership and life: Betty King, Sandy Garcia and Jeannie Huck. Of course I can’t forget my business bestie and “mentor” (thank you Thrivers) Amanda Lux Wissmann who consistently has held my hand from 1900 miles away, traveled all over the country with me for education and has been my sounding board. Last but definitely not least, the two women who took a leap of faith to come Bloom with me when I was a brand new salon owner in 2020, Kara Koziol and Abi Moser. I could not have asked for better Bloomies. This (almost) five years together has been truly special. Thank you. 💕

These relationships and many more have reminded me again and again why I love what I do. It’s more than a career—it’s a journey of human connection that makes every day meaningful.

Anniversaries are a funny thing, bitter sweet in a way. They are a time to reflect on and honor the past while also an opportunity to evaluate and dream of the possibilities ahead —there’s always more to come!
For now, enjoy the collection of past headshots and hair colors.

🎁 The sets are so good this year!!

🎁 We know it feels so good to get ahead on your holiday shopping 🎁 So... for the first time we are dropping our Kevin Murphy holiday gift sets EARLY! Our limited supply will hit the shelves TOMORROW (November 13th) and they won’t last long! As always these sets offer the best savings of the year on full sized Kevin Murphy products and are perfect for gifting or treating yourself! Don’t wait, come grab yours and check the gift of beautiful hair off of this year’s list!

…and just like that, it’s November! 🍁

It’s time for cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and holiday shopping!

As the entertaining and shopping season kicks off, please remember to look local and shop small! You not only will find more unique and meaningful gifts, but you’ll also be supporting the dreams of local artisans, business owners, and families right here in our community.

If you would have told us 5 years ago that this always blondie would be not just embracing a more natural look but loving it, we wouldn’t have believed you! But here we are and look how gorgeous it is! Change can be a good thing!