Monday, June 30, 2014

For Tight, Defined Curls, Try this Straw Set Tutorial

A straw set is a great way to get fabulous, tight curls on a budget. It can be a versatile style, and doesn't require any special skills on your part. The best part is, most of the supplies can be found in your local dollar store!

You will need:

1-2 packs of straws
Bobby Pins
a Cream Moisturizer (Recommended: DE Naturals Honey Curl Forming Custard)
a Styling Gel (Recommended: DE Naturals Defining Creme Gel)
a Silk Scarf
a Spray bottle to keep the hair damp
Hair Clips
a Detangler (Recommended: Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb)

Procedure:

  1. Separate clean, damp hair into 4 large sections.
  2. In one section, separate a small section and clip the rest back. 
  3. Apply a small amount of moisturizer and gel to the section and work through, focusing on the ends of the hair.
  4. Detangle this section to remove knots.
  5. If your hair is short, you may want to clip the straws to a shorter length for comfort.
  6. Wrap the hair around the straw in a spiral pattern until the straw is flat against your scalp. Insert a bobby pin into the end of the straw nearest your scalp to secure.
  7. Once all hair is secured in this manner, tie a silk scarf to protect your hair while it dries. This can be underneath a dryer or air drying overnight.
  8. Once dry and cooled, remove the bobby pins and straws. Take care to follow the direction of the curl to minimize frizz.
  9. Style as desired! You look fabulous!

Here is a short video to illustrate the process:

Enjoy! And don't forget to share pictures of your fabulous DIY 'do on our Facebook Page!!

Monday, June 23, 2014

How to Get the Most from your Salon Consultation

Many salons now offer consultations to give the stylist and the customer an opportunity to learn about each other and get on the same page about the customer's hair goals. This is an invaluable step on the road to beautiful, healthy hair for any woman. Truthfully, you should never trust your hair to a new stylist without taking this step. You also should never have to pay for a consultation, which is why All Dolled Up Salons offers them for FREE. But how do you get the most out of your meeting with a new stylist?
First off, understand that the consultation is intended to focus on YOU and YOUR HAIR. This means that you must bring enough information to the table to give your stylist a complete picture of what they're working with. You should come prepared to answer questions like:

  1. A brief hair history- Have you dyed/chemically treated/transitioned/BC'd your hair in the past?
  2. Current maintenance regimen- How often do you shampoo, deep condition, and use heat in your hair?
  3. Your hair goals- Are you looking to gain length? Transition? Maintain a relaxer? Try a new color?
  4. Unique circumstances- Do you have any health issues, sensitivities, or medications that may affect your hair? A stylist can only accommodate what they know about.
  5. Your tastes- What do you like and dislike about your current cut, color, or style?
This information will give your stylist the foundation they need to build a proper plan for your hair. Once you've chosen a style, you can expect an explanation about what the styling or care process requires. You will review the products that will be used in your hair, because you should ALWAYS know what is touching your hair. The stylist also has an opportunity to evaluate your hair, which lets them predict how long your actual hair appointment will take. Once you and your stylist are in agreement about your new look, an appointment can be scheduled. Some other great questions for you to ask would be:
  1. What is the best way to maintain my hair at home?
  2. What color or cut would enhance my eyes/face/skin tone? (You may get a suggestion you've never thought of before.)
  3. What products are recommended to keep my hair healthy? (All Dolled Up has an online shop where you can order the same exact products we use in the salon.)
  4. How often should I revisit the salon for professional hair care and maintenance? (This may vary according to the current health state of your hair.)
  5. May I see some of your work? (Don't be too shy to ask to see what the stylist has done for other clients.)
Here is a review of All Dolled Up Salons where a happy customer discusses her thoughts on the consultation process.

Monday, June 16, 2014

10 Hair Shows You Can Go To Without Leaving Florida


Hair shows and expos are a great opportunity for professionals, students, and consumers alike. They are the place to learn about new techniques, trends and hair products. If you're in a hair rut, attending a hair show can be the creative spark you need to love your hair and what it's capable of. Here are 10 hair-focused events happening right here in Florida. The links go to individual site where you can learn about each show in detail. Can you say "ROADTRIP!"?
  1. Central Florida Simply Natural Beauty and Wellness Expo- June 21 in Orlando. This family-friendly event welcomes children 12 and under for FREE. They offer hair care classes, product showcases, and fashion shows.
  2. NOPC "Natural Beauty just like Mommy"{A Natural Hair Event}- July 26 in Palm Coast. This DIY workshop is geared towards mother/daughter groups and will also feature a product swap. Register early and potentially win a swag bag.
  3. PBC Curlfriends (Naturals Night Out)- July 26 in Delray Beach. This event showcases vendors, fitness experts, and bloggers at an incredibly low price. Bring your friends and mingle for the evening!
  4. Bronner Bros. Happy Hair Show- August 2-5 in Augusta, GA. I know I said '10 shows within Florida', but the Happy Hair Show makes this list because All Dolled Up Salons will be here live and in person! This show is geared towards students and professionals. It will also feature a fashion show, church service, and comedy show.
  5. The Healthy Sexy Natural You- August 16 in Tampa. This show covers hair and skin care as well as jewelry and fashion. Fitness experts will be there to educate you on being fabulous from head to toe.
  6. 3rd Annual Capital City Natural Hair & Health Expo-September 13 in Tallahassee FL. This expo boasts celebrity appearances, competitions, and a generous student discount.
  7. Curlfest- September 27 in Orlando. This family-friendly event is all about celebrating natural hair and seeks to offer comprehensive knowledge about it to consumers. Come learn about nutrition that will help your hair as well as new products!
  8. South Florida Simply Natural Beauty and Wellness Expo- September 28 in West Palm Beach. If Orlando is too far for you, SNBWE hosts a second show in South Florida in September. Just wait for them to come to you!
  9. Fall’s Natural Hair & Beauty Showcase- November 8 in Sanford. This showcase aims to display the hottest trends in natural hair and beauty. Vendors and stylists will have booths on hand to offer you some much-needed "hairspiration".
  10. South Florida Beauty Show- February 1-2 (2015) right here in Fort Lauderdale! This show is focused on student and professional stylists, but there will be product exhibitions and and free classes available in English and Spanish. Plus, it's local!
With all these choices, where will you be this summer?

Monday, June 9, 2014

Scalp Scrubs and Exfoliators- Do You Need One?

Product buildup and dry scalp/dandruff are issues that many women encounter at least once in our hair care journeys. A clarifying shampoo will leave your strands squeaky clean, but can sometimes strip your hair of much needed moisture. An alternative option is a monthly scalp scrub. Exfoliating the scalp breaks up all the accumulated gunk that is keeping your scalp from breathing as it should. It stimulates blood flow, promoting a healthy scalp, which leads to healthier hair. There are store-bought formulas that you can purchase, or you can mix up your own recipes. This short video will show you the basics of applying a scalp exfolliant.
Several product lines offer scalp exfolliants, including Jane Carter and ORS should you choose not to make your own formula. It is important that you try to avoid scratching or otherwise irritating your scalp prior to exfoliating, because this could cause further damage. It is also important to apply some sort of oil or other moisturizer to the scalp afterwards to restore balance to the scalp. Here are some indicators that you may be due for a scalp scrub treatment:

  1. Your hair seemed weighed down and lifeless, even after you've shampooed.
  2. Your scalp is excessively flaky, even when you haven't applied product recently.
  3. Lightly scratching your scalp leaves a layer of gunk under your nails.
A scalp scrub is a great way to revitalize your scalp without drying out your hair. Be sure to wash it out thoroughly, so you aren't left with any sort of granules in your hair. Once a month is usually the ideal frequency to keep your scalp healthy.

Monday, June 2, 2014

How to Speed Up that Braid Out

If you're anything like me, you love the way you look with a fresh braid out. You also wish it didn't take so long to put those braids in or to take them out. My hair isn't even very long and the thought of dedicating an afternoon to braiding it up is enough to discourage me from doing it. But there's a better way! Naptural85 is a popular natural hair vlogger on YouTube, and she has a trick that we could all use to speed up our braid out process.
If she can braid all of that hair in no time, so can you! Let's get to it! And don't forget to share your good hair days on our Facebook Page!