| Original Publication Date: May 2000 |
May 27, 2000
Olive Oil - Fade Hair Colors?
Question
Dear Karen,
I was reading through your fabulous site and read a note on one of your articles that hot olive oil treatments MAY cause colored hair to fade. Did I see that here or am I dreaming?
I go to a salon and get my hair colored about every 4 weeks and I work hard to keep it a very light blonde. My hair is to my waist and the stylist I go to uses foils to prevent my hair from getting damaged.
Just recently I decided to use hot olive oil treatments that I read about on another site for people with long hair. Then I happened upon your comments that hot olive oil may cause hair color to fade.
Can you tell me the scoop on hot oil?
Thanks,
Carrie
Answer
Dear Carrie,
Yes, it is true that olive oil MAY cause colored hair to fade or it may strip the color. There are many reasons for this and it can be a combination of the fact that hot olive oil treatments are applied "warm" to open up the hair shaft to allow the oil to penetrate. Olives my their very nature can be acidic and this can impact colored hair.
My own hair is highlighted and therefore I stick mostly with coconut oil or jojoba oil which in my experience does not fade my hair color.
This is a tricky answer. I would suggest that you discuss this question with your stylist. Also, if you are in doubt, use a hot oil that will not fade or leach your expensive added colors. Coconut or shea butter should be fine. You can also try Aveda's Beautifying Oil which should not impact your hair color either.
The key is...when in doubt...don't.
You can also wait to use hot olive oil at the end of a color cycle before you are set to have your colors touched up. I will often do hot olive oil the week before I have my hair highlighted. At that point my highlights have faded to the point where it doesn't matter if the olive oil cases some fading.
Thanks for writing.
Best wishes,
Karen
May 26, 2000
Grow Hair - Relieve Stress
Question
Dear Karen,
I am trying to grow my hair longer and I read in one of your many great articles that it helps to do head massage to relieve tension and stress.
Can you give me some tips?
Thanks,
Jean
Answer
Dear Jean,
Yes, it is true that stress and anxiety can slow hair growth. And yes, help is right at your fingertips waiting for you to massage that stress away.
Wearing loose clothes is the best trick for getting full benefit from the massage.
Here are my favorite tips for massaging away tension:
(Please note, if you have any health or medical conditions check with your physician to get approval for this exercise. Hairboutique.com does not suggest that this is a substitute for prescribed health prescriptions or treatments).
Start with a good Shoulder Rub
It is a great idea to start any head massage at the shoulders and work up. This helps provide a deeper level of relaxation. It is also a great idea to do your massage right before bedtime.
Starting at the base of your neck where it joins your shoulders, slowly massage along each individual shoulder with your opposite hand until you touch the top of your arm.
Go slowly taking and massaging in a firm but easy method. If possible take some deep relaxing breaths at the same time you are massaging your neck and top of your arms.
Alternate arms and repeat.
Spend 5-10 minutes on each shoulder. Of course if you prefer, you can do more. Since you are trying to relax it is not advised that you take less time.
Note: If you wish, you can massage both shoulders at the side time. Pick the method that relaxes you the best.
Spine Unwinder
Starting at the very top of your neck at the hairline feel for the top of your spinal column. Once you find it very lightly press your fingers into the fleshy area on either side of the spine.
Slowly "walk" your fingers down the length of your spine carefully pressing on either side in a uniform fashion. Hold the press for the count of 20.
Note: You can slow this down and take longer if you find that it helps to relax you better if you take more time.
Walk your fingers down as far as you can reach. You can repeat this as many times as you need.
Head Soother
Place both of your hands, spread evenly apart, with the thumbs resting right at the base of your neck behind each of your ears. Press gently down into your scalp and rub in small circular clockwise motions. Form circles for the count of 25.
Slightly adjust your hands further up on your scalp. Repeat the circular motion for another count of 25. Keep moving your hands until you reach the top of your hairline.
Once you reach the hairline place your index fingers on your temples and massage the area.
Note: Remember to be firm but gentle.
You can spend longer on this movement if you find it helpful.
Relaxing Aromas Will Help Too
If you really want to relax play some soothing music in the background, burn some relaxing candles with restful scents or take an aromatherapy bath before you start.
Relaxing scents would include:
- Rosewood which is balancing, clearing, uplifting, calming and comforting.
- Vetivert which is calming, reassuring, grounding and balancing.
- Mimosa which is calming, uplifting and soothing.
- Clary Sage which is relaxing, sedating and inspiring.
- Petitgrain which is sedating, relaxing, tranquilizing and refreshing.
Try this exercise every night before you go to bed and your hair and body will love you. I would expect that you will also sleep much better.
Best wishes,
Karen
May 25, 2000
Green Hair?
Question
Dear Karen,
My blonde hair is turning green. What can I do?
Thanks,
Holly
Answer
Dear Holly,
Green hair can definitely be a problem and will tend to impact blondes the worst. Chemically created blondes tend to have hair that may be more porous and allow chemicals to soak in easier.
There are a lot of reasons why hair will turn green. A common culprit is chemicals in any type of water that the hair is exposed to. This water can be from swimming in water with chlorine or it can be from chemicals that are added to drinking water.
Well water may also cause some hair to take on a green cast.
How do you remove the green?
If you've been swimming in chlorine check out your nearest beauty supply store for products designed to remove chlorine from your hair. You can also try clarifying shampoos. Philou's Green Apple will often help remove chlorine or other chemicals from the hair.
If that doesn't work you can try neutralizing your hair with an application of either tomato sauce or ketchup. Apply it to your hair and carefully massage it in. Wrap your hair up for a few minutes with an old towel. Then shampoo and apply a good rinse out conditioner.
If you still have green hair, head for the nearest hair color expert and have them work their magic on you.
Prevention is the always the best medicine for hair problems. Once you get the green out, take care to avoid using any hair care products that contain metallic salts. Also, wet your hair before swimming to slow down chlorine absorption. Once you get out of the pool, rinse your hair with Club soda. Chlorine is a copper-rich bleach and the Club soda will neutralize it and wash it out of your hair before it can turn green.
If the problem is with well water, shampoo your hair in distilled water. Buy the cheap jugs at the nearest store and use it to shampoo and rinse.
Tomato sauce or ketchup works to neutralize the green. It should also work on hair that is green from well water.
Thanks for writing. Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Karen
May 20, 2000
What Is A Hairpipe?
Question
Dear Karen,
Have you ever heard of a "hairpipe"? Do you know what it is and where I can find out more information about it?
Thanks,
Jim
Answer
Dear Jim,
A "hairpipe" has nothing to do with hair per se. It is actually related to Native American bone jewelry most often used in necklaces. A hairpipe refers to a tubular bead that measures 1 1/2 inches or longer. You can read the fascinating origin and history of the hairpipe on the Web at the following Smithsonian Web page.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Karen
PS. Happy Birthday to Gary John Pawelko who is today the same age as yours truly. :-)
May 19, 2000
Bumble & Bumble Sumo Hair Wax?
Question
Dear Karen,
I just read about Bumble & Bumble's new Sumo Wax. What's up with that? Is it for wrestler hair or what?
Suze
Answer
Dear Suze,
Believe it or not, the wild and crazy folks at B&B were inspired by the giant Sumo wrestlers when they created this new product.
The buzz on the new Sumo wax is that it is designed to hold hair in place all day without causing helmet head. Think about it, those Sumo wrestlers have to keep their hair in place while they go about the hair stressing biz of rolling around on mats all day.
Leave to B&B to be creative and innovative with their hair care products.
If you want more info about the Sumo Wax, call 800-7BUMBLE. The suggested retail is $18 (US) plus tax and any appropriate shipping costs.
Happy Wrestling,
Karen
PS. Happy Birthday to Gary Don. Wherever you are, we hope you are happy, healthy and prosperous.
May 18, 2000
Hair Type Abbreviations?
Question
Dear Karen,
Although HairBoutique.com's HairTalk is my favorite place to "lurk" I do read boards at other sites. Some of the boards talk about "hair types" and they use abbreviations. One board has a system but is modified by different members. I have to admit that I am confused but don't want to look like a big dummy by asking for details.
Can you tell me who created this system and what the heck it means and how do I figure it out?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Cherri
Answer
Dear Cherri,
 Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about and yes, it can be very confusing. The Hair Typing Abbreviations actually started from a book written by Oprah's hairstylist, Andre Walker. In his book, Andre Talks Hair published in 1997, Andre helps people learn to care for their hair based on their hair type and texture.
Since hair can range from stick straight to wavy and curly, Andre classified hair into categories and assigned a number and letter.
Some of the people on the curly and long hair boards have adopted Andre's system to help quickly identify their hair type. They sometimes add a number system which may consists of three numbers posted as: 10-24-36.
The first number is the length the hair measures at the beginning of the current growth cycle. The second length is the current length with the third number being the desired length. So if you see 10 - 24 - 36, this means that the hair was 10 inches at the beginning, is currently 24 inches and the goal is to grow it to 36 inches. The measures are usually listed in inches unless otherwise noted.
The Hair Type Formula originated by Andre Walker is basically:
Straight Hair
- 1a - Absolutely stick straight
- 1b - Straight but with a slight body wave, just enough to add some volume. Hair in general does not look wavy
- 1c - Straight with body wave and one or two visible S-waves (e.g. nape of neck or temples)
Wavy Hair
- 2a - Loose, stretched out S-waves throughout the hair
- 2b - Shorter, more distinct S-waves (similar to waves from braiding damp hair)
- 2c - Distinct S-waves and the odd spiral curl forming here and there
Curly Hair
- 3a - Big, loose spiral curls
- 3b - Bouncy ringlets
- 3c - Tight corkscrews
Super Curly Hair
- 4a - Tightly coiled S-curls
- 4b - Tightly coiled hair bending in sharp angles (Z-pattern)
Second classifier - What (most of) your individual strands look like
- F - Fine
Thin strands that sometimes are almost translucent when held up to the light. Shed strands can be hard to see even against a contrasting background. Similar to hair found on many people of Scandinavian descent.
- M - Medium
Strands are neither fine nor coarse. Similar to hair found on many Caucasians.
- C - Coarse
Thick strands where shed strands usually are easily identified against most backgrounds. Similar to hair found on many people of Asian, Hispanic or native American descent.
Third classifier - Your overall volume of hair
Put your hair in a ponytail with as much hair as possible in it. The goal is to have most/all of your hair in there. If it means it sits smack dab on top of your head, put it there.
Measure the total circumference of the ponytail. If you have bangs and/or you can't get all of your hair in there adjust according to how much of your hair you have measured.
- i - thin (less than 2 inches/5 centimeters)
- ii - normal (between 2-4 inches or 5-10 centimeters)
- iii - thick (more than 4 inches/10 centimeters)
Best wishes,
Karen
May 11, 2000
Cancer Donation - Tears To My Eyes
Question
Dear Karen,
I just visited your Hair Boutique web page after about 1 year of down time. You see, I am 35 years old and have been battling breast cancer and have been undergoing chemo and radiation. I have not been able to muster the energy to check out my favorite web sites.
Today I decided to check out my favorite hair sites, even though I have lost most of mine, and I read about your current crusade to help Ms. Tricia Brown. I read your article, her story and her letter and cried my eyes out.
I cried because I was so touched at the compassion you and Hair Boutique are showing a woman that contacted you through email. I cried for the fact that Ms. Brown cut off her hair to support her husband who lost his. What a brave woman.
Then I read the article about your friend Bevy who is battling breast cancer. I also checked our Jane Bullocks article on chemotherapy and hair.
I can not tell you how much my trip to Hair Boutique helped me today. You are a very special person to support women like Tricia and I who are battling this terrible disease. Not only do you move me you give me hope.
Thank you so much for your support and compassion and obvious caring about people.
Sally
Answer
Dear Sally,
Thank you so much for your email. I am so glad that Hair Boutique can do their part to help fight this horrible disease.
All of our best thoughts and wishes are with you. Please let us know how you are doing.
Warmest wishes,
Karen
May 10, 2000
Bungee Cords For Hair?
Question
Dear Karen,
I have searched the web for a site that sells these new hair elastics called hair bungees.
They are sort of an open ended rubber band that have two hooks on the end.
Can you point me to a site that sells these on line? I would be grateful for your help.
Thanks...
Sincerely,
Juliet
Answer
Dear Juliet,
The Bumble & Bumble Web site sells them via the phone (888 77BUMBL). In fact, they invented the original hair bungees.
Once you get to the site, check out the Accessories section. The B&B Accessory Kit includes the following B&B hair baubles:
The current B&B accessory kit includes the following assortment of hair baubles:
- 1 black bumble.band
- 2 metal combs
- 4 black bunjees
- 6 silver bobby pins
All accessorries arrive rolled up in a frosted vinyl pouch.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Karen
May 6, 2000
Short Curly Hair Styles?
Question
Dear Karen,
I have short naturally curly hair and I need something cute to do for my spring formal. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Ashlei
Answer
Dear Ashlei,
Some possible options for your short curly hair include the following:
- Slick back the front and sides of your hair and pop on a beautiful sparkly tiara and let the natural curls spill out over the tiara. Or use a pretty headband instead of a tiara.
- Another option is to separate your hair into 1 to 1 1/2 inch sections and twist the hair and then clip it with a little butterfly clip or tiny barrettes so that you have little twists right at the crown that extends in a half circle from ear to ear.
You can also add hair jewels and let your hair do its naturally curly thing. Pop some magnetic hair jewels or tiny velcro sparklies into your curls and let them instantly dress up your style.
- You can also blow dry your hair straight and add some hot finger waves and some sparkly rhinestone hairpins.
Be creative and experiment. That is how some of the most fascinating styles are discovered.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Karen
May 5, 2000
Prom Styles That Are Up?
Question
Dear Karen,
I visited your Hair Boutique web page but I couldn't find what I was looking for anywhere in the entire site.
I'm going to a prom and I need a hair style, that is up.
Could you find me a picture please of some..so I can print them and show my hairdresser.
Thank you.
Callie
Answer
Dear Callie,
Hair Boutique has more photos of Prom styles and Updos than any other hair site on the web.
I am including the URLs to the sections of Hair Boutique that have tons of articles that include photos and step-by-step instructions.
For over 40 different Prom styles, many up, with photos and instructions, please check the Hair Boutique Prom Section.
There are several great Updo ideas in the Hair Boutique Updo Section. There are many great articles.
You may also want to check out the Instant Updo Article. Also, for a great 15 minute Updo with detailed instructions...try Gretchen's 15 Minute Updo.
There are also some great Prom and Updo photos in Gretchen's Gallery.
Please look through the various Prom & Updo styles and select the photos you like and print them out and take them to your stylist.
Best wishes,
Karen
By submitting your question, you grant full permission to HairBoutique.com to publish it. Due to the volume of mail we receive, Karen regrets that she cannot respond to every question personally. To AskKaren questions please read Before You Contact Us Tips and then send send e-mail to: askkaren@hairboutique.com
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