Hair Myths Busted!

Nexxus Salon Haircare Creative Director and Celebrity Stylist Kevin Mancuso, who has worked with A-list celebs like Natalie Portman, Kristen Bell and Taylor Swift, debunks some popular haircare misconceptions:

MYTH: Frequent trims make hair grow faster
Truth: You are likely to have heard your mother tout the old adage that hair will grow faster with frequent trims. And while cutting hair may make it appear healthier, it has no effect on growth rate. If you are trying to grow your hair out, Kevin says your best bet is to use a reparative treatment like Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-in Treatment Crème prior to daily styling. The revolutionary product actually binds damaged ends back together in just one use for beautifully strong, healthy hair that can last longer between trims!

What AHS thinks: Trims do nothing but make your hair shorter, but if you keep your ends healthy you will need to trim less often and the damage will not spread up the hair shaft resulting in more hair needing to be trimmed off.

MYTH: Mayonnaise and eggs make great deep conditioners
Truth: Keep those at-home remedies in the kitchen and away from your hair! Not only are they messy and malodorous, but egg protein and mayonnaise oil molecules are too big to get inside the hair shaft for any reparative benefits. Instead, use a deep conditioning treatment like Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment Deep Conditioner which contains Keratin, avocado and honey extracts to strengthen and moisturize parched hair.

AHS Thinks: I've used mayonnaise and eggs before to condition my hair, but I never really noticed that much of a difference. But I know some women who swear by using these ingredients as protein treatments with great results, so the bottom line: to each his own.

MYTH: Switching shampoos will make hair healthier
Truth: Hair cannot build up a tolerance to your favorite shampoo, causing it to be less effective. If hair is looking a bit lackluster, the real culprit is probably a build-up of conditioner or styling products, not your shampoo. Use a light formula like Nexxus Diamatress Luscious Volumizing Shampoo, says Mancuso, to gently remove dulling build-up, restore vibrancy and add fullness to hair.

AHS Thinks: I completely agree with Kevin on this one, but you can use a natural products to clarify your hair like Apple Cider Vinegar.

MYTH: Brushing hair 100 strokes a day will make it grow faster
Truth: Excessive styling and brushing actually pulls hairs out at the follicle, weakens strands and can lead to breakage. Stick to brushing only in conjunction with daily styling. Mancuso recommends using a 100% natural boar bristle brush which adds shine to hair and gently stimulates the scalp without harsh bristles.

AHS Thinks: I agree with Kevin again on this one, minimal manipulation is your best bet! Especially when you have highly textured hair.

Rainy Day Hair Tips

With all the amazing weather we've been having in New Jersey, I'm sure we are in for some rainy weather soon. Below are a few tips from Butterfly Studio Salon owner, Kattia Solano, on how to style your hair during humid rainy days and how to keep your hair looking glamorous even under a hood or hat!

1. For an easy to manage rainy day 'do, use a light-weight styling cream like the Kerastase Paris Oleo Curl Crème to smooth and define your hair. After towel drying, work a small amount through your hair and diffuse with low speed and high heat to keep your locks safe from rainy day frizz.

2. If you have straight or fine hair and are worried about static as a result of wearing a hat in the rain, simply create a side ponytail or a neat braid to wear under your rain hat. With the help of an anti-frizz serum, such as the Kerastase OLEO-RELAX Serum, even under a hat, this style will maintain its form and reduce static. Once you arrive at your destination, you can let down your hair and shake out those locks or keep it secured to the side.

3. If the humidity is unbearable and all you want to do is throw your hair up into a bun and keep it out of your face, try turning it into a chic messy bun! Instead of securing loose pieces with plain old bobby pins, opt for a more stylish set of clips and even an eye-popping headband.

AHS Tip: When the weather is acting up, it's so much easy to embrace your natural texture!

7 Rules for Sexy Hair

Jet Rhys shares 7 secrets for Sexy Hair!

1 "Don't fight your natural texture" is my motto! If you have curly hair, rub in some styling cream and feel up those curls to bring them out. If your hair is straight, play up the smoothness by blow-drying just the top layer with a round brush
*Insider Tip: This is a lot faster than a blowout

2 Get a style that's not too styled! One thing that makes you seem dated is a haircut that look's like a "haircut", with harsh lines and angles. Seamless, non-choppy layers are gorgeous!
*Insider Tip: Ask your stylist to "Point Cut" the edges off your layers, this avoids any sharp lines.

3 There's a world of hair Products out there...experiment! I talk to my curly haired clients, for example to cocktail products straightening balm with a texture cream, apply it to damp hair, then air-dry. It's a magic bullet when you find the right products to work with your hair not against it!
*Insider Tip: When cocktailing products, layer the products one at a time into the palm of your hands, rub the product throughout the hair starting from the tips working up to the roots.

4 Beware of flat iron codependency! The secret to sexy hair is hair should move, have bounce to it and swing. If you flat-iron your entire head it'll look to on-purpose, or "wiggy".
*Insider Tip: Don't try to have your hair stick straight "perfect". Let your hair have bounce!

5 Don't go nuts with the curling iron either. The look now is texture! I love to take a big curling iron and do just the ends of client's hair. You'll have loose, luxurious waves like Jennifer Lopez!
*Insider Tip: The smaller the iron the curlier the ends will be, the bigger the iron the more sexier the wave will be. Make a fist, that's how big your iron should be to get this look.

6 Attention ladies...remember your roots! Women forget to use volumizing products where their hair starts, which is why so many walk around with flat tops. Spritz a thickening spray right at the scalp, then blowdry your hair upside down!
*Insider Tip: When blowdrying upside down massage your roots with your finger tips, this encourages the hair to expand at the roots. If you use a brush it will disperse the product throughout your hair resulting in no volume.

7 Wear a pontail stepping out at night! There is nothing more Gorgeous than a tres' glamorous ponytail when it is placed correctly on the head. Too high above the ears is too young, right at the ears is too casual, but low at the nape is stunning! I lightly spritz the tail with a light hairspray, then smooth on glossing cream. The spray helps the cream stick so hair looks sleek and not messy.
*Insider Tip: What sets apart a great low ponytail from other ponies is to "dress it". I love a simple statement and color is huge for spring. Take a tiny colored ribbon and place it around the elastic or an antique hairpin placed through your ponytail, simple, but chic!