It’s already the end of May and the temperature outside is feeling warm! With warm weather come more outdoor activities like camping and trips to the beach. Warm weather also indicates that the sun is closer to the Earth which means more damaging UV rays hitting your scalp. It’s easy to forget to pay attention to your head when you’re taking care of skin protection. Here are some tips to help keep your scalp healthy this summer!
We all know the summer is hot. We also know that heat makes us sweat in order to cool down. Well, our scalp sweats just as much which is why it’s important to shampoo it every day in the summer. Sweat not only is filled with toxins your body wants to get rid of, but it’s also jam packed with salt that dries out the skin. Aveda’s Men’s Pure Performance shampoo is gentle and helps remove all this dirt from your follicles. If you find that you need a little bit more help removing dirt, Pure Performance also carries an exfoliating shampoo to help really scrub away any dirt without over drying your head. Finding a good shampoo and conditioner duo is vital for your scalp health. It’s important to invest in products that won’t damage or dry out your hair and skin. A clean and moisturized scalp will also help fight again hair loss and thinning.
Once you’re all done with shampooing and conditioning your hair, the routine shouldn’t stop there. An important part of your after-shower routine should be to oil your hair (yes, oil). Even though your scalp produces plenty of sweat and oil during the summer, it’s also excreting salt and other toxins your body sheds while sweating. Shampoo helps get rid of all this, but also leaves your hair feeling dry. Oil helps add moisture to your hair, leaving it shiny and moisturized. Aveda’s Dry Remedy Oil is an amazing go-to for summer since it’s not only moisturizing, but also light enough to avoid clogging up your hair follicles and having your hair feel unwashed.
If you’re planning a day in the sun, on the beach or elsewhere, you should make sure you have plenty of sunscreen. Not only is sunscreen important for your skin, but it’s just as important for your scalp. Sunscreen can be applied onto the scalp and hair to protect from painful sunburn. Your doctor can help determine the SPF that’s right for you, but you should always wear some sort of sun protection if you’re planning a day outside. If you feel like sunscreen isn’t enough, a hat is another alternative for protecting your scalp. Make sure that your hair is not too tight because this can cause unwanted tension at the root which can lead to breakage and fallout.
For those of us who plan on hitting the pool this summer, make sure you’re protecting yourself from the chlorine. Chlorine is not only damaging to your hair, but it also damages your scalp and contributes to dryness. To help, a swim cap will protect your head against the chlorine. If you’re not too keen on wearing a cap, Aveda’s After Care Cleaning shampoo is here to help. Wash your hair after the pool with this shampoo and pair it with Aveda’s After Care Masque to help rinse any chlorine from your hair and add extra moisture to your scalp.
Another great way to help your hair and scalp look and feel its best is to get regular cuts. Cutting your hair short for summer is great because the shorter the hair, the more your scalp will be able to breath as air flows through. Another thing to avoid is chemicals. Color, relaxers or any other service that involves chemicals can dry the hair in the summer; however, this can be the last thing you switch up.
Your stylist will be able to help you determine which products to purchase, what routine to follow and what cut you should get to ensure that your hair and scalp are healthy, shiny and moisturized during the hottest time of the year. The summer is a wonderful time, especially for outdoor activities. It shouldn’t be wasted on sunburnt scalp and damaged hair. Protect your head and let your hair flow in the wind this Summer.
Last month we talked about the struggles of styling thin hair and ways we can boost up the volume to give the illusion of thicker, voluptuous hair. Even though thick hair is often yearned for by those with finer hair, it comes with its own styling tricks to avoid a frizzy, unmanageable mane. If you have thicker hair and are looking to add some shine and silkiness to your tresses, keep reading!
More often than not, those with thicker hair notice that their shampoo and conditioner don’t always run out at the same time. Usually, the conditioner goes first. This is especially true if your hair tends to be on the frizzier side. Instead of constantly running out and buying a new bottle of conditioner, you should purchase a one that’s more concentrated, or ‘thicker’. This will give you enough product to work throughout your hair by just using a small amount. Aveda’s Smooth Infusion line is perfect for keeping frizz away, smoothing out your hair and giving you enough product to work with to your ends. If you need something with a little more moisturizing power, Moroccan Oil also carries a smoothing line that will help keep your hair in check. You should always avoid products that promise extra body or volume. Your hair already has enough volume and body; you don’t need to overdo it. When purchasing a shampoo and conditioner, your main focus should be hydration and moisture.
As painful as it is to hear, blow-drying is important when it comes to keeping thick hair manageable. It might take forever, and most of the time we’d rather sleep a little longer than to deal with a sore arm all day, but blow drying really does have its advantages.
When you wash your hair, blot out any access water and grab your products. Products help smooth, tame and hold throughout the day. Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener or Moroccan Oil’s Smoothing Lotion are great serums for hydrating and smoothing out frizz. Sprays designed to help cut back drying time are great too! They usually contain a conditioning agent like oil and some form of heat protectant to keep damage to a minimum. Stay away from salt sprays or any spray that might dry out your hair. This will only add more frizz. For curly hair, use curl creams to add moisture and use a co-wash when shampooing to avoid over-washing your curls. Aveda’s Be Curly line carries a curl enhancer as well as a co-wash to help you along the way! Moroccan Oil also has an Intense Curl Cream that locks in some extra moisture while bringing extra spring to your hair.
Depending on your texture, those with thick hair don’t have many options that are shorter than shoulder length. Well, you use to not have many options. Nowadays, stylists have ways of thinning up your tresses allowing you to go shorter without sacrificing any movement. Keep in mind that not all shorter cuts work well if your hair is wavy or even curly. If your hair isn’t cut right, thick hair can easily be hard to style the shorter you go.
The best person to talk about what cut will not only give you a great look, but also won’t be difficult to style and lay right is your XEX Stylist. You should always listen to what your stylist has to say. If they don’t recommend a certain length, try going a little longer and decide from there. They’re there to ease you into a style that’s trendy and manageable with your lifestyle. They also want to make sure that you’re comfortable and confident with your appearance.
So, whether you have fine hair or thick hair, all hair requires special maintenance to keep it looking and feeling its best. If you’re unsure about your hair type or want to learn more about how to style your hair, book a consultation with your stylist! They’re here to help!
When it comes to hair, some of us are born with thick locks and some of us aren’t. Whether you were born with it or it naturally occurred, thin hair is not the end of the world. Yes, it takes a little bit more work to look fuller, gives bounce and brings a little life to it, but every hair type comes with challenges. Having thin hair doesn’t always have to mean it’s flat. Read on and find out what cuts and products you can get to make your hair look and feel thicker.
Thin hair doesn’t restrict you to longer styles with tons of layers. Shorter haircuts work great as well! A textured pixie is not only easy to style, but the stacked, short layering helps give you the appearance of thicker hair (even without product). Styling products such as Aveda’s Pure Performance Thickening Paste or Aveda’s Light Elements Defining Whip can help create a texturized finish to give your hair even more body. Since short haircuts can be scary for some of us, it’s important to talk to your XEX Stylist about what will compliment your facial structure and give you the appearance of fuller hair.
Okay, so what if you’re looking for something a little bit longer- but not too long! Medium length cuts are your best friend and they’re even in style! Whether you prefer your hair to sit right on the chin or to touch your shoulders, these cuts are not only stylish, but they’re also easy to maintain. Having your stylist cut layers into your hair will help create some body while adding texture. You can also have your stylist cut your hair blunt giving you a bulk that creates an illusion of fuller hair. When styling, use a round brush to give your roots extra lift while blow-drying. Aveda’s Pure Abundance line carries a style prep to promote volume for a thicker appearance. You can also throw in some clay to help texturize your layers and add dimension.
Okay, so what if you don’t want to part with your long locks? Don’t worry, because even long, fine hair can look thick. With long hairstyles, you’ll need some layering to help your hair from falling limp throughout the day. Long layers can help create texture and fullness to the hair. Another trick for longer cuts is to have your stylist give you some. 
A side-swept bang can draw attention to your face and create a nice, rounded out frame. The best way to prevent long hair from looking lifeless is to add a few waves. You can add waves with your flat iron or curling iron; or, by braiding damp hair and allowing it to dry overnight. Make sure you add some light hold hairspray- like Aveda’s Air Control- to help the waves from falling flat. You don’t want to use a strong hold hairspray because it might just weigh down your hair.
Now that you’ve got some idea for your next haircut, here are some products you should invest in to help. When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, try to find something that is meant for thickening (like Aveda’s volumizing clay shampoo and conditioner). These products are designed to thicken your individual strands to give your hair a little extra depth. Try staying away from anything too moisturizing- these products can weigh your hair down and cause it to fall flat. After washing, you’re going to need some products to help even more. A mousse can add extra weight (in a good way!) to your hair. MoroccanOil’s volumizing mousse is perfect to lift your roots up- this product is best for medium-long styles. A root booster is another fantastic product that helps add some extra lift. A volumizing spray or thickening spray (Aveda’s Volumizing or Thickening Tonic) are great as well! Volumizing will lift your roots and thickening will temporarily expand your strands. Together, they’re the perfect duo. For added texture and volume, a dry shampoo will help give you a fuller look while keeping your roots from being too oily and sitting too close to the scalp. Any of these products will help you have the fullest hair you can possibly have! You don’t need every single one, but a quick chat with your stylist will help you narrow down the essentials that will give you the best results.
Remember, with every great haircut there is a great stylist behind it. It’s important to talk to your stylist and bring up any concerns you have whether it be about the cut, color or product you’re looking into. Everyone’s hair and scalp are different, so some products listed above may not be for you, but don’t be discouraged- there’s a product just waiting for you to discover it. So, book your next haircut and get ready to have the fuller looking hair you’ve been fantasizing about.
The days are getting longer and soon we won’t be able to hide underneath our winter hats. As we put our winter layers away, it’s time to also shape up our hair for spring. It’s been sitting under a hat for months and probably has been somewhat neglected as far as styling goes. Make that appointment with your XEX Stylist to get trimmed up and looking sharp for the warmer weather. Here are some of the top men’s hairstyling trends this year.
This look is sharp looking, but still easy to manage. It’s all about the close-to-skin taper on the sides with a little bit of length left on top. Have your stylist texturize the top of your hair so you can achieve a piecey look. To style this look at home, pick up some Aveda’s Grooming Clay. Put a tiny amount in the palm of your hands, rub them together and apply as desired.
This look is perfect for those of you who prefer slightly longer styles. Still easy to manage, this hairstyle keeps the front of your hair longer and tapers down the back and sides. While the front looks a lot longer, it’s still textured and cut short to keep it easy to style in the morning. Aveda’s Thickening Paste is the perfect product for this style. It will help create that thick looking “pompadour” style, but is lighter than grooming clay to prevent from weighing down your volume.
2017 is still keeping it classic with traditional men’s styles such as the pompadour and the quiff, but it’s time to spice it up. This time, it’s all about faded sides and hard parts. Designs (especially on your part like pictured) are a great way to maintain a classic look with a bit of edge that’s still relatively office friendly. Depending on the kind of hold, shine and control you like, you can use any of the Aveda’s Pure Performance Line for styling. Talk to your XEX stylist about which product will best suit your hair type.
If you’re someone who’s not big on the faded look, this is the hairstyle for you. It keeps the sides tapered in while still maintaining the length. Meanwhile, the top is kept even longer to style it back. For this style, a matte finish is usually best to get this look. Aveda’s grooming cream, thickening paste or grooming clay would work best depending on the type of hold you’re looking for.
That’s right, 2017 is all about brightening your locks. Whether it be for bright, bold shades or something more neutral, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. For hair color, your stylist is the most important person to talk to before you make the plunge. They’re here to help and guide you to the look that best represents you and fits with your lifestyle.
So, there you have it. 2017 is all about bold cuts, edgy styles with classic roots. Don’t hesitate! Book an appointment today to welcome in the warm weather! What are you waiting for?
Valentine’s Day is around the corner and love is in the air. Contrary to popular belief, Valentine’s Day is not just about love for a significant other. Sometimes, we all need a day to love ourselves, our friends and just have fun! So, if you’re not going out on a date this Valentine’s Day, go out with some pals or even yourself because you deserve a night for some self-love! Here are some tips to help you look as amazing as you feel.
There’s nothing more enticing than a radiant glow. If you haven’t already, we seriously recommend picking up a good face highlighter. For a more striking appearance, pair your highlight with some sharp contour to give you a chiseled finish. This helps, especially if you plan to spend the evening in a dimly lit area. If you’d rather have an innocent, angelic look, skip contouring all together and bring out your best features with just highlighter. Strobing is a great way to make your best features pop without overloading them with dark shadows. Either way, you’ll be sure to look flawless.
There’s something special about blush. Most of the time, people don’t use blush and go for something subtle. However, if you’re planning on spending Valentine’s Day throughout the evening in a dimly lit area, then blush is your best friend. Aside from giving you a flushed look (who doesn’t feel flattered making someone else blush?), it gives you more dimension and doesn’t wash you out against low light and harsh shadows. For those of us who do wear blush every day, go for something a little deeper than normal to help add that healthy appearance in low lighting. Just make sure you don’t go too overboard!
Kissing and lipstick don’t always go hand in hand. If you do plan on getting a kiss goodnight, then we recommend not reaching for a striking plum or Marilyn red. Instead, go for a soft pink, berry or a nude tone to help compliment your lips without the fear of going everywhere! Add a little gloss to the center for an extra pop and you’re all set. If you’re taking the night for yourself or hanging around with some friends, then go bold! A matte liquid lipstick in deep tones is the perfect product for you! They have amazing coverage and, for the most part, won’t budge so you don’t have to worry about reapplying after a few drinks. Make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your lips before applying any color to your lips. Keeping your lips soft with help your lipstick to stay and not overemphasize any dryness you might have.
As much as we hate to say it, try not to use hairspray in your hair. Hairspray can make your hair too shiny, stiff and overall not romantically tousled. Instead, use a finishing serum or cream to smooth out your strands while still keeping them soft and in place. Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Smoothing Cream is amazing for giving a soft appearance without weighing your hair down too much. If you must grab hairspray, go for something light like Aveda’s Air Control. It will give you a hold without being too much for your hair. You can always sprits a little onto your brush and gently run it over your flyway to keep them down throughout the evening.
Who doesn’t love big hair? Nothing shows that you’re ready for a big night out then big hair. Get yourself a blowout. Your XEX Stylist knows you and knows your hair. They’ll know just the right way to add height to your hair. Book your appointment the day prior to Valentine’s Day (or the morning of) to achieve that day old, tousled bed head look. Then, grab some MoroccanOil Dry Shampoo and sprits it on your roots to bring back some volume and texture. If this isn’t giving you enough volume, don’t worry because Aveda’s Hair Potion is there to give you that last little oomph you’ll need to feel sexy and in charge.
Whether you have a hot date planned for Valentine’s Day or not, don’t forget to go out anyways and treat yourself. Nothing makes us feel more amazing than looking and feeling absolutely fabulous.
