Whenever you buy a new garment, from the simplest t-shirt to the most expensive dress, no matter whether it’s a discount store house brand or Armani, Versace, Chanel or Gucci, they all have one thing in common: A “how to care for” label hidden inside the garment.
And if you don’t follow directions, especially when it comes to the finest pieces of clothing, like washing a blouse that clearly says “dry clean only, using hot water when the label calls for cold, using a too-hot iron when the label instructs “cool iron inside out,” or using bleach or other destructive cleaning agents when the label calls for delicate treatment and detergents, we all know what happens next. Shrinkage, discoloration, loss of texture, even total disintegration and other disasters that can and will destroy our clothes. Not a very pleasant picture, whether we’ve paid hundreds or thousands for those clothes.
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| Rich, easy -to-maintain, single-process colors on Halle Berry, Katie Holmes & Marisa Tomei |
For that reason, most of us take very good care of our clothes, and follow the directions to protect our investment, even if we only wear these garments occasionally and they spend much of their time hiding in the far reaches of our closet.
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| Raven-haired, single-process colors on Demi Moore, Vanessa Hudgens, & Salma Hayek |
Yet when it comes to the most important and visible “fabric,” the one you wear every day and cannot hide behind your winter coat, the one fabric that can make or break your look every single day, we’re not nearly as vigilant – we’re talking about your hair.
Women (and men) often don’t take the time to find out exactly what type of “fabric” their hair really is and how best to care for it, or worse yet, their hairdresser – the person that is supposed to know EVERYTHING about hair – does not prescribe the perfect haircare products that will keep your hair shiny and healthy, especially hair that has been colored, highlighted, or double-processed.
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| Kate Beckinsale, Sandra Bullock, & Lily Aldridge wear natural-looking, warm medium brunettes |
As a Board-Certified Master Haircolorist, I advise most of all to look for an experienced hair colorist, not just a stylist who occasionally does color, who can and will do it right in the first place without any further damage, and just as importantly, prescribe the perfect combination of take-home products for the upkeep of the beautiful new and exciting color, so it is just as stunning in a month as it was when you left the salon.
Remember, when you have you hair colored, highlighted, double-processed, or any other chemical process, you and your hair colorist become partners in your new look – what that means is that the colorist is 100% responsible for achieving that new look, that new color, and for prescribing the very best and most appropriate take-home products. You are 100% responsible for keeping your new hairstyle and haircolor shiny and healthy by purchasing these products to use at home for longevity, health, and shine. You need to take care of your new haircolor and your new style just as you would take care of a new Chanel suit.
So, here are my “prescriptions” for colored, highlighted, double-processed, single-processed, straightened, or otherwise chemically processed hair – the one “fabric” you cannot hide.
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| Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, & Emma Stone wear the hardest shade to maintain: ravishing reds |
By now, everyone understands that the intense heat and ultraviolet rays of the sun, especially during the summer (and when combined with swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean), can and will fade the color from your hair. Also, exposure to the sun can cause hair to become dry, brittle, and can also cause discoloration of your haircolor – especially red hair.
As we all also know, any chemical services affect the condition of the fabric of your hair, so you must always ask your colorist for his/her recommendations for home maintenance. My recommendation is to take precautions using the proper products to protect and support your hair.
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| Super high-toned, double-process blondes Michelle Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow, & Gwen Stefani |
For high-toned blondes, double-processed, or heavily highlighted hair, I like the Aquage Sea Extend Ultimate Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner line, which is sulfate-free and offers UVA/UVB thermal sunscreen protection. These products will both restore and protect your hair, and can be used on any hair type.
In my salon, other than the Aquage products, I also recommend my private D. Laudati line:
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| Highlighted Blondes: Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon, & Ali Larter |
Delizioso Shampoo: An active 5.5 pH, fast-clarifying cleansing shampoo for all hair types, Delizioso Shampoo is a breakthrough in fast maximum cleansing. Quick-reacting proteins and amino acids work with great speed to cleanse and clarify all hair types, leaving hair manageable and shiny.
Delizioso Conditioner: An adjustable conditioner for all hair types with silk proteins and natural botanical extracts, it deep conditions dry, damaged, and chemically treated hair in just 60 seconds. Structurizing proteins of different molecular weights penetrate within the hair shaft, producing benefits like no single protein can.
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| Medium Highlighted Blondes: Drew Barrymore, Sheryl Crow, & Jennifer Anniston |
Intenso Enzymatic Rebalancing Treatment: Designed to heal damaged or distressed hair that has been parched by chemicals or the elements, after treatment with Intenso the hair will be infused with antioxidants and soothing botanicals, leaving hair healthy and shiny. Leave it your hair and wear it to the beach or the pool, and the heat will help it penetrate further into the cuticle of the hair.
Liscio Leave-In Conditioner & Straightening Balm: Liscio is a rich botanical leave-in conditioner and softening balm. Used as directed, it straightens and controls curly or frizzy hair for maximum manageability and shine. It is a fusion of a deep treatment and a finishing product.
One final, simple suggestion – when possible, wear a chic hat. The physical barrier is a strong one, and in addition, you’ll also be protecting your face.
Until next week...ciao!
