Losing Normal For Good

Coping With Covid & Life During The Pandemic

For me, things started to get eerie in February, reading headlines from overseas, hoping the virus would never make it to America, and if it does, surely we will be more than prepared. Thinking it may have a minimal effect on my business with our more vulnerable clientele. At the time, this conversation was a laughing matter with meme warriors working overtime. As a person who has struggled with anxiety in life, I tried to believe it wasn’t a big deal. Weeks later, all non-essential businesses, including salons, were mandated to close by the end of the day. With little time to prepare for such a drastic event, the stress alone is a health crisis. 

Still getting established as a salon, there has been a lot to overcome. I tried my best to support my team and share resources with other female entrepreneurs, encouraging them to return even stronger. But deep down inside, I was thinking—This shouldn’t happen, when you put everything you have, your entire life into a dream and the whole world closes. Usually overworked and fulfilled to the max with my passion, income, identity, and entire social world wrapped up into one beautifully packaged career. Living without it so suddenly was shocking, but not as unnerving as the way I was feeling without something that should only represent a part of me. Having just celebrated our first salon anniversary, closing our doors was the furthest thing from our minds. As a community of stylists who had suddenly found ourselves unemployed with rent and bills still due both personally and professionally, we were anxious. It felt as if the entire beauty industry was in retrograde. So here I am with the question facing so many hairstylists and maybe other displaced workers as well— Who am I without my career? 

My initial response was typical for me; over-analyze and go on an information binge. This pattern almost always ends in an unhealthy spiral of thoughts. It’s physically and mentally exhausting. The more energy I spent trying to find solutions, the less energy remained for my wellbeing.

why losing “normal” isn’t the worst outcome of 2020

I was so deeply immersed in my hair career that I hadn’t spent enough time experiencing life itself. It’s easy to get lost in your job when it is your passion. I decided to start paying more attention to what I needed to be healthy. I started slowing down to be present throughout each day. Accepting both good and bad emotions, without judgment, and then letting them go. I learned what makes me feel good in the moment vs. what is good for me in the long run and incorporated a healthy amount of each. I focused on positive coping skills rather than using bad habits as a distraction. Each day, being met with new challenges helped me learn to improvise and make the best decision with the information available at the moment. (This is a difficult skill for a planner such as myself)

When I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, I remind myself that no one is without loss during this time. We are all collectively experiencing this unprecedented event together. Instead of feeling sorry for my expectations of what life “should” be like, I can sit back and look at the world around me. In what ways can I learn from these experiences? In what ways can I support the people who need it most during this time? Consider creating joyful moments that don’t require spending money or going to large events. One day we will look back, realizing these were morally defining moments for all of us. If you are in the position to give a little grace, there is no better time.

Even then, I couldn’t help wondering if and when things would return to normal. And more importantly, was normal good? Were my patterns worth repeating? Or was I caught up in the symbolic hamster wheel of society? We saw the best and worst of ourselves in 2020— we saw our resilience, innovation, and compassion come together to make some of the biggest strides in history. Only to be met with corruption, the largest shift in wealth/poverty, media misinformation, and for moments it seemed as if the entire universe had turned on itself. After extensive mental debates considering if our country and the rest of the world are making the best decisions to end the pandemic as quickly as possible. No one actually knows. What’s certain is we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a snapshot of our lives and decide how to shift our future. Whether the economy tanks or recovers— what’s happening here may be more important than printed paper. An in-depth look into our daily lives and the way we treat each other. The way we destroy our planet and every sacred thing within it. 

With nothing to busy ourselves with, we’re forced to look at the home and life we have created. Is it full of love and happiness, even without a flashy career and flourishing social life?…

If you enjoyed this in-depth post, have questions, or have an idea for a topic you think we should cover-- send us a message or submit a comment below.

Photo by Oladimeji Odunsi

To The Girl Who's Hair Never Grows

What's going wrong and how to correct it

Have you ever left the salon feeling hopeless? Left with hair that never seems to be getting any longer and forced to cut it shorter to remove split ends. Your hair is always growing from your scalp; it just doesn't get any longer because many factors are causing it to break off before gaining length. 

Professionally Damaging

I've been witnessing this struggle between clients and their stylists for over a decade. The stylist attempts to meet the clients' expectations by using excessive chemicals and heat. Caution is essential with any professional chemical service, especially with ammonia(permanent hair color), bleach, relaxers, and perms. Overlapping any of these services too closely will cause the hair to turn a warm shade of broken off. Adding heat during and after will only worsen the problem. It's an expensive cycle because you need it done more often. After all, it doesn't look as good, you must now purchase additional products for damaged hair, and you might even splurge for extensions. It shouldn't be a surprise that it all leads back to—you guessed it—cause more damage.

I have also witnessed the flip side of clients slamming their previous stylist or threatening their new one and generally taking for granted a service provider. Try your best to come into the salon with realistic expectations for the timeframe, cost, and timeline of appointments to reach your desired goal. Keeping a consistent goal in mind can help minimize damage in the long run. I genuinely believe that stylists have the best intentions. They often lack the tools to reach their potentials like hands-on education, mentorship, self-care, and business management training. It's all about communication and grace.

Take A Break

There are some influences out of our control that affect our hair growth like genetics and age. Sometimes you just need to step back from the cycle and look at the bigger picture. How will your hair ever grow if chemicals and heat are continuously damaging it? If this has been a chronic issue for you, and your stylist isn't taking you seriously, it's time to look for a more ethical stylist. Someone who is going to put the health of your hair above making money in the moment. How are your diet and sleep? Your hair can be a good indicator of other things going on in your body. 

Remedies

• Start with what you're putting into your body. Drinking enough water and eating a balanced diet can all contribute to your hair health. Bonus foods for hair growth are eggs, avocadoes, spinach, beans, and berries.

• Stress less. Chronic stress can absolutely affect your hair growth cycle along with the rest of your body.

• Sleep 8+ hours if you can. Sleep is your body's chance to do maintenance and heal from the inside out.

• An easy supplement for your hair, skin, and nails is Biotin.

• A good clarifying scalp massage can go along way for stimulating new hair growth.

• A hydrating or protein mask can significantly improve the overall feel of your hair. Refer to our 1.1.20 blog post for more info on types of conditioners.

Maybe the secret to growing your hair out is simply worrying and doing less. As you replace worrying about society's beauty expectations, with healthier habits, you might find you grow in more ways than one.  

If you enjoyed this in-depth post, have questions, or have an idea for a topic you think we should cover-- send us a message or submit a comment below.

Photo by Nick Karvounis

Boundaries Are For Both Of Us

Have you ever struggled with difficult people and situations? 

We’re sharing insights to help create more healthy boundaries to prioritize a peaceful lifestyle in both your inner world and the world around you.

What are Boundaries?

Boundaries are to protect you and those around you by clearly defining how you treat yourself, how you treat others, and how you let others treat you. Setting boundaries is essential to your well-being as food, water, and sleep are to your body. They are the most profound act of self-care there is—a kind of roadmap to navigate life to honor your being and protect your energy. Boundaries are never out of vengeful anger or manipulation to change someone or acquire something. The absence of boundaries is just letting anyone treat you anyway, including yourself. Trust your intuition by slowing down and tuning in. A good indication that your boundaries can use some work is when you find yourself living with anger, resentment, and hurt. Pay attention to what you’re feeling. What is your gut telling you? If it feels wrong, make a change.  

Start With Yourself

You must establish a healthy relationship with yourself before you are capable of recognizing healthy behaviors in other relationships. I have learned through much practice that life is more peaceful when I am conscious of where I end, and others begin. As I near my 30’s, I have begun to glimpse the healthy side of boundaries, the side where I gift myself grace and acceptance. Especially on the days, I can’t seem to find it in this world. The side where you know even when people hurt you deeply, it wasn’t personal. Humans' actions are 100% a reflection of who they are as a person, and no matter how much it hurts you, it was never about you. As I have come to accept this reality, I have been able to unload so much that never belonged to me. And let me tell you, it feels incredible. 

Setting boundaries with yourself means getting familiar with the way you speak to yourself in your head, prioritizing your time, what your focus is, and allowing yourself the same kindness you readily share with the world. We judge ourselves so harshly, especially as women— to the point of sickness, eating disorders, surgery, anxiety, depression, and the ultimate rejection— suicide. I genuinely believe the standard of beauty is just one more made-up set of guidelines to torture womenkind. At some point, shouldn’t we consider it’s time to quit playing the judge and accept ourselves? I love this quote by Mary Lambert “You cannot love what your body turns into until you can love what your body is now.”

Cultivating love starts in your mind. Take time to reflect with grace; it’s not always the other person, sometimes we need to take a good hard look in the mirror to evaluate if, by chance, we could be displaying some toxic traits of our own. Sometimes kindness is respecting someone's wishes for space. Everyone has an ego, and it’s important to check it regularly. It’s good and healthy to feel loving and confident about yourself, but when you begin to feel or speak as if you are above another person, your ego is at large, and it's time to checkmate that B. No one is above you, and no one is below you.

Where To Begin

-> Understand why you need the boundary 

-> This is your motivation for setting the limit 

-> Get really clear with yourself about the limit you need to establish and clearly communicate those expectations. 

When you’re clear with that needs to be done, the real test begins. I love this quote by Shannon L. Alder— “The only real conflict you will ever have in your life won’t be with others, but with yourself.” 

With Others

Having healthy, clear, and confident boundaries will help you respond instead of reacting in situations that arise. The kindest and most rewarding approach is to be direct. Say what you mean and mean what you say. It is much easier to remain calm and kind in the face of confrontation when you release the need to be “right” or understood. Communication is more than words, its tone, body language, style, and perspective. Hearing people out can help you better understand what they’re actually trying to say.

Many times people who benefited from your unhealthy boundaries will balk at the sound of your new guidelines and found confidence. Those people oftentimes were unfairly benefiting from your kindness; it was not mutual. Realizing relationships aren't serving you is the first step towards changing them. Relationships, personal and professional, require an even exchange of energy. Not all the time, as life ebbs and flows, but certainly over time, mutual effort should be given. One person cannot continually take more than the other, or someone is suffering unfairly. When this happens, it’s time to revaluate your boundaries. Sometimes you’re a parent or caregiver, and you are forced to give more than you take. You must remember this is only for a season, and even you must give yourself rest.

When dealing with someone who repeatedly violates your boundaries, it's time to identify your choices, choose the best option while respecting yourself, and trusting your instincts. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Sometimes setting boundaries and healthy guidelines will result in losing relationships; some may even surprise you. When you release expectations of wanting to be liked, you may just find out who actually cared about you all along. 

A wise woman once said, “The opposite of belonging is fitting in.” -Brene Brown

If you enjoyed this in-depth post, have questions, or have an idea for a topic you think we should cover-- send us a message or submit a comment below.

Some great books and resources that have offered reliable guidance over the years as I have navigated difficult situations have been:

The Four Agreements

Heart Talk

Photo by Imani Bahati

Balayage & Highlight Breakdown

Have you ever found yourself asking what technique or combination is used to create various inspiration images?

As a stylist—navigating hair color in the modern age of Pinterest, VISCO, & Instagram filters can be overwhelming. If you're a client who likes to stay informed, I can only imagine how confusing the ever-changing beauty industry vocabulary can be. We’ve heard your frustration and we’re here to clear up confusion on the popular hair trends— Balayage, Foiling, and the hybrid “Foilyage”. We have provided guidance to distinguish between techniques and to determine the best choice considering lifestyle, maintenance, budget, hair health, and desired outcome. 

BALAYAGE / HAIR PAINTING

The word “Balayage” means “sweeping” or "painting” and refers to the motion of sweeping lightener onto the hair, which is why it is also known as "Hair Painting". Originating in France in the early 1970s, more recently making its way into the states in the last 20 years. Balayage is a more visual technique, meaning unlike traditional highlights that follow a distinct sectioning pattern, balayage is a more personalized placement. Lighter pieces are chosen where the sun would naturally hit the hair to complement facial features creating a warmer and more youthful look. 

PROS:

• Appears soft and natural "sun-kissed" effect.

• A gradient color that appears brighter as you build upon the initial application creating the ultimate blended grow out.

• More gentle on the hair as the process is done without foil and typically open air. (plastic can be added for additional lift.)

• Because the application is more free-hand and organic, the process can be faster as there usually aren’t tedious subsections.

• When working with naturally curly hair types, we almost always opt for "Pintura" to paint curls individually, where they live, creating a more cohesive and impactful look.

CONS:

• If rushed or performed by an inexperienced stylist, lightener can overlap, causing breakage, and turn out overly warm, brassy, or blotchy. 

• It can take longer to process once the product is applied as most painting lighteners are clay-based and begin gradually drying on the outside while the inner layers take more time to finish their work. 

• The effects are usually more subtle and warmer, which can be disappointing if you had platinum ice queen dreams.

• There will be an unavoidable redish warmth that must be lifted through or toned back down when painting darker hair types. Just because the inspiration image says, "balayage," it doesn’t always mean it will be the best technique that should ultimately be performed to reach the desired outcome. 

Maintenance: When done correctly, you should be able to go 2-6 months without a lightener touch up, creating an ombre' like effect as your hair grows out. However, we recommend coming in for a trim and gloss refresh after 8 weeks or so to keep your color looking vibrant. 

TRADITIONAL FOILING

Traditional Foil Methods include slicing or weaving strands of hair from thin subsections to lighten from the root to the ends. This process tends to lead to a more intense overall blonde look.

PROS:

• Bright, bold, and impactful effect. 

       (can also do very small detail work like baby-lights or microweaving)

• Foiling increases the odds of eliminating warmth if that is important to you. 

• The foil conducts heat better than open-air or plastic, allowing the lightener to penetrate deep in the hair.

• The foils help keep the treated hair separate from untreated hair. 

CONS:

• Foiling can be harsh or streaky (steps can be taken to blend root area).

• Can be easily over processed by overlapping lightener, you guessed it--causing damage. Consider using a bond builder such as Olaplex to protect the hair's integrity and ensure minimal chemical damage during the lightening process. 

• Usually results in higher maintenance service.

• It can appear more patterned looking.

Maintenance: For traditional highlights, you should be able to go about 4-8 weeks. Traditional highlighting methods require more frequent maintenance due to more obvious grow out. With more rigid lines of demarcation, steps can be taken to soften the outcome. Some examples are root shadowing, root tapping, root smudging, base bumping, and color melting. 

FOILYAGE: THE HYBRID

Taking larger sections as if working in a balayage placement and backcombing to blur effect. Sections are painted in “V's” and “Slanted” similarly to balayage painting, except the hair is encapsulated by foil to achieve more lift. If you like the brightness of traditional foiled highlights and the blended effect of balayage, then Foilyage may be for you. Taking the best of both worlds to combat the warmer stage that many experience with balayage. The downsides of foilyage are potentially missing out on some of the more fine detail work of traditional foiling and some of the softness from free-hand painting. However, each of the techniques we've discussed today can be used separately or in combination to create limitless results. 

Ensuring a good experience all the way around

If you're a client, don’t be afraid to ask questions and find a stylist who is comfortable discussing the process. Getting yourself on a routine schedule for any coloring service makes good sense. The schedule's length can vary depending on how much of a “natural look” you're comfortable with. If you are opting to receive dimensional color, expect to be at the salon for several hours. Remember to bring a snack, hydration, dress in layers, fully charged cell phone, iPad, laptop, or if you’re more traditional, a good book will do. Keep in mind that any multidimensional service will cost more than single color because more time, product, risk, education, and skill go into producing a balanced dimensional color. 

Our mission is to facilitate happier, healthier, and more helpful conversations between stylists and their clients. We must stress the importance of a stylist who stays up to date on education to provide a safe and effective service. Inspiration photos can be a great visual tool to help communicate. However, a combination of methods may be chosen depending on desired results and maintenance level. Techniques should always fit each client's individual needs and lifestyle while taking into consideration the starting canvas when creating the desired outcome. 

If you enjoyed this in-depth post, have questions, or have an idea for a topic you think we should cover-- send us a message or submit a comment below.

Healthy Summer Hair Habits To Start

Has your hair experienced dryness during the warmer months caused by the sun, heat, chlorine, & saltwater?

We have compiled an extensive list of summer hair pitfalls and how to avoid them. Summer can be a really rejuvenating time for your mind, body, and hair with the right practices in place. 

Heat Damage

Avoid blow drying and heat styling your hair when possible as it is already being environmentally stressed during the summer. Instead try the new “No Heat Hair Diet” and let your hair breathe. When you stop and think about it— it’s better for your wallet, the environment, time management, and having more healthy hair is really just the cherry on top.

UV Effects On Hair

Wondering why your hair color fades so fast? Frequent sun exposure is probably to blame. Always protect your skin from direct sunlight by wearing sun screen, hats, and long sleeves. If you plan to be spending more than a couple hours in direct sunlight, spray on sunscreen should be applied to protect your scalp and hair from damage.

Hey! It’s not all bad, there are some really great benefits soaking up the sun in healthy doses. For starters your hair actually grows fastest during the summer than any other time of year.  

If you don’t mind your natural hair lightening or your artificial color fading—effortless multi-tone ribbons of sun kissed highlights can be drool worthy. People pay big money to achieve the balayage-like youthful glow and you can have it for free with a few hours of sunshine. Of course it’s important to practice moderation in all things, especially sunshine.

Water That Drys Your Hair:

We often overlook the very thing that’s actually drying our hair out, water. Steamy hot showers for example can leave hair stripped of its natural oils. When possible rinse your hair in cool water, this simple practice seals your cuticle and helps avoid frizz.

Ocean and salt water pools draw moisture out of the hair and skin striping them of natural protective oils. Frequent exposure to chlorinated swimming pools can be very damaging to your hair and cast a familiar green hue to your blonde locks as the copper molecules and other pool chemicals bind to the protein of the hair shaft. Keep in mind— any foreign chemicals can negatively affect your next professional hair service. Your hair is like a sponge and by doing your best to prep your hair in advance you can minimize the negative effects. Saturate your hair with clean water and leave in conditioner so your hair won’t be as quick to absorb harsh water. Try to keep your hair tied back, braided, or if you’re a trend setter—a swimmers cap. If all of these measures fail you, rinse and repeat as soon as you finish swimming. 

The Good Kind Of Hydration 

Like everything else in life— it matters what’s on the inside— meaning to keep your hair and skin hydrated, you’re going to need to start by DRINKING ENOUGH WATER. A moisturizing hair mask can go along way if you’re needing a pick-me-up. 

Professional Restorative Treatments

It’s amazing what a haircut and gloss refresh at the salon can do with summer wrecked hair. A professional gloss and Olaplex treatment can restore old color, neutralize unwanted tones, add shine, balance Ph, and seal the cuticle. If you’re stuck with a greenish or hard water buildup more extensive treatments can be performed by a professional stylist. Be sure so give as much information so the stylist can prepare as hair that is in a compromised state needs extra care. You always want to make sure you and your stylist have the information to make the best decisions. 

If you’re enjoying this blog series and would like us to cover more topics— drop a comment below or shoot us an email at deaconhairc@yahoo.com.

If additional help is needed for chlorine swimmers a good shampoo can be found at https://malibuc.com/products/swimmers-wellness-shampoo?variant=31714228797503 

If you can’t make it to pick one up a moisture mask at your local salon— here’s a great DIY at home mask and instructions at https://helloglow.co/summer-diy-hair-masks 

Photo by Joe Gardner

Advocacy Through Sisterhood

Our Collective Calling

The defense and prevalence of human rights must always be at the forefront of our society, and yet, many have went without these basic protections for so long. These Injustices are directed toward minorities, women, and children through the means of racism, inequality, and human trafficking. These disparities effect strangers around the world and our very own sisters, mothers, daughters, family, and friends here at home. They continue to exist regardless of media coverage; Open your eyes, ears, and hearts to the state of our world—it is our responsibility to listen and do better.

As we work together to amend these injustices, we must remember true sisterhood is supporting our fellow woman even when she doesn’t share the same point of view; not tearing her down because she has experienced different emotions related to the subject or event. We must also remember to be truly inclusive means not rejecting someone because they are inconvenient, uncomfortable, look, or think differently. Always leave space for ideas and concepts to be shared instead of forcing opinions. Real change doesn’t come through virtue signaling, philosophical debates on social media, or unfriending people you care about, it comes from the heart. (thats not to say—healthy boundaries aren’t important— because they are, but that’s a whole other topic)

Change Within The Hair Industry:

Within our hair community and the hair industry as a whole, we believe these changes start in education. Receiving and sharing diverse curly education normalizes and celebrates all hair types. This creates an accumulative effect with more diverse training—more service providers, more service options, more job opportunities, and more products available to minorities. We must continue creating space where diversity is not only welcome, but encouraged. Using our words and resources to create a better, fairer, and more just world. Just as there is not one skin color, there is not one hair type, and all are deserving of the same amount of education, attention, and dedication. 

How To Be Part Of The Solution

Commit yourself to be part of the change—whether that’s through petitions, donations, protests, social advocacy, dinner table conversations, or educating yourself on factual history. Be open to tough conversations, be willing to listen, and use your resources, opportunities, and your voice to elevate the voices of the oppressed. The more you listen, the better you are at understanding how much you have yet to learn. Register to VOTE and elect individuals who share your compassion. Lets begin changing laws to empower women and minorities.

Always remember to replenish your own vitality during the seasons of life that require extra energy.(more info about this in our February Self Care Blog) It’s crucial to guard your own mental energy by limiting your time on social media, consider fact checking information before clicking the “Share” button to help decrease the spread of misinformation. Always use your voice to share truth and resources to help others find it.

Advocacy isn’t always flashy. It’s more about encouraging voices to be heard and people to become involved in their communities—coming from a place of love, inclusion, and understanding. The conversation is long from over as there is much work yet to be done.

Keep learning, caring & fighting for humanity.

If you are looking for meaningful and easy ways to make a difference we have collected some valuable resources below ↓

Vote The Change You Want To See In The World

To register to VOTE, receive absentee ballot, 

and receive text message reminders for all of your local elections.

www.vote.org 

Petitioning For Change

Begin building a profile by signing petitions and track your impact on 

https://www.change.org/join 

IJM

Slavery still exists. As the second largest criminal industry in the world. Working together with local justice officials, community partners, advocates, and people like you to end it for good.

https://www.ijm.org/our-work 

International Sponsorship

Consider sponsoring a child or children through compassion International. 

https://www.compassion.com 

The Lower Eastside Girls Club 

Connects girls and young women to healthy and successful futures. 

https://www.girlsclub.org/donate/ 

RAINN

The Nations Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization

https://www.rainn.org

Black Visions Collective

Creating the conditions for longterm success and transformation. Believing in a future where all black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in the right relationship with our ecosystems.

https://www.blackvisionsmn.org

Protect Our Defenders (POD)

national organization solely dedicated to ending the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military and to combating a culture of pervasive misogyny, sexual harassment, and retribution against victims. 

https://www.protectourdefenders.com/factsheet/

Courage World Wide

Our vision at Courage Worldwide is big and bold. We want to build a Courage House in every city that needs one so rescued children will have a safe place to call home. 

https://courageworldwide.org

Traffic 911

Helping survivors embrace healing and freedom by building trust-based relationships and providing ongoing field-based support.

https://www.traffick911.com

WPA

Works with women at all stages of criminal justice involvement. They promote alternatives to incarceration and help women living in the community to avoid arrest or incarceration by making positive changes in their lives. 

www.wpaonline.org  

PCC MENTORING PROJECT

Local mentoring program connecting high school students to a successful future.

https://tinyurl.com/ydg24qr8  

Professional Beauty Association Charities including: 

CUT IT OUT: The Beauty Community Against Domestic Violence, the Disaster Relief Fund, educational scholarships for beauty students and professionals, and heritage initiatives which preserve the beauty industry's history, archives and artifacts.

https://www.probeauty.org/pba-charities/donate

Campaign Zero

The comprehensive platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America

https://www.joincampaignzero.org/

(List will be updated as new resources are discovered. If you have any ideas or resources you think would be helpful we would love to hear them. Drop a comment below or shoot us an email. We’d love to hear from you!)

Photo by Omar Lopez

Embracing Low Maintenance Hair Color

Why quality color is the real bargain for your hair, wallet, schedule, and the environment.

Is it possible to have healthy-low maintenance hair if you currently receive frequent chemical services? The answer is yes.

We like to think of low maintenance hair as a lifestyle: a “hair-ecosystem.” Putting in that extra dedication upfront makes it possible for low maintenance hair to really thrive. You’ll experience these benefits in many other areas including your wallet, schedule, Mother Earth, and—ultimately—a healthier you. 

To preface, begin with a stylist you trust who stays up to date on education— one who will do their best to deliver the best possible results without wasting your time, money, and compromising the health of your hair. The importance of quality hair maintenance must be stressed, especially when professional chemicals are involved. It can be a big leap to spend more time & money on a single hair appointment, and that is understandable. 

Heres Why It’s Important:

By committing to spend more money upfront you are allowing your stylist more time to do their very best while serving you. You’re giving your stylist the ability to stay up to date with new education, focus on your needs, and to choose naturally sourced brands/chemicals/products(more gentle on your hair/environment[supporting other small businesses]).  It may cost more upfront, but the results equal longevity. Knowing what you’re comfortable spending before scheduling and getting an estimate before your appointment can help avoid surprises. A stylist who believes in their work will be more than happy to explain their menu and create a plan that works from both of you or recommend a stylist who can.

By committing to a longer hair appointment your stylist is able to focus on safety and balancing methods that protect your hair. This additional time allows your stylist to concentrate on details that allow your hair to grow out more effortlessly. Your “roots” will not show as quickly, giving you more time between appointments creating less waste and chemicals going into the environment, more free time, more hair growth, more healthy hair, more longevity of color, and more satisfaction with your results. Focusing on the quality of your hair appointments rather than frequency gives your hair opportunity to grow and improve over time. At DHC we are all about growth, and not just with hair! What are you going to do with that time you could free off your calendar? A girl can use a few extra free Saturday’s am I right?

Pro Tip: For longer appointments bring a book or your favorite snack and refreshments as salons are not able to provide refreshments with current pandemic regulations.

Not only does your investment in your hair benefit YOU, but it benefits your stylist, too, and their ability to provide a higher level of service and healthier more natural products, as well as broadening their education to continue their growth. Their ability to provide you with the best all relies on your dedication to yourself.  If you have been enjoying our blog series or have questions/ideas to share we would love to hear your comments below or shoot us an email!

Photo by Brooke Cagle 

Quarantine Hair Don't Care

Keeping it light this month with this gallery of hairstyle inspiration. If you’ve been experiencing hair-boredom we have some fun style and color ideas you can try in your home.

Sun Hat

Hide your roots & protect your skin.

After French Braid Waves

*Zig Zag parting for more natural style and volume.

Temporary Color

Clenditioner & Aerosol Color Spray are both great alternatives to box color.

Hair Scarves

Chic and effortless way to keep your hair swept back.

Top Knot

*Add a little dry shampoo for extra volume and a quick refresh.

Sun Lights

spending time outdoors is not only good for metal health, it’s also a great way to get those perfect sun kissed highlights. ( And they’re free :)

Root Camouflage

From aerosol spray to mascara wands we will survive quarantine without box color.

*Zig Zag parting to distract eye from regrowth.

For More Hair & Lifestyle Inspiration Visit Us Online At:   https://www.deaconhairco.com, https://www.facebook.com/Deaconhairco/, https://www.instagram.com/deaconhairco/, & https://www.pinterest.com/DeaconHairCo/boards/  

What To Do When You Can't "Do" Anything

Let this be your reminder to breathe.

It’s true that right now is a scary and uncertain time, but there is still cause for hope; all we can do in life is choose the best reaction to the situation we are presented with. Don’t let the looming fear cause you to shut down. Don’t let the darkness overcome your light.  Set a schedule for yourself to maintain structure while staying at home. Block out times when to work, get creative, get active, and get relaxin’ — it’ll help keep the days from blending into one.  

Keep informed and stay prepared. Search for reliable sources by credited medical professionals when educating yourself on up to date Covid 19 aka Corona virus precautions. Consider the safety and wellbeing of others—especially those who are at the highest risk—by committing to social distancing as much as you are able. Now more than ever do we need to look after each other and ourselves. Limit your time in public and the people you interact with, not only for yourself, but for your family and for the rest of the world. Stay home. Support your local businesses by ordering food to-go or shopping online when you are able. This pandemic, while unsettling and serious, is the perfect time to implement your much needed and well deserved self-care.

Take this universal shut down as a time to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.  Focus on your mental health, as well as your physical. 

• Read that book or get started on the book list you’ve been planning for years.

• Write letters and FaceTime your loved ones.   

• Binge-watch all of your favorite movies and shows. Yes, the cheesy ones, too! 

• Exercise through at-home workouts or yoga, or take a walk. A little sunrise mediation never hurt anyone.  

• Bubble baths, pedicures, and face & hair masks are encouraged—just don’t try any DIY at home hair color (you will thank me later!). #ShowYourRoots 

• Journaling, painting, and cooking are excellent outlets for creative minds.  

• Start that organizing project you’ve been putting off. You will feel so accomplished when it’s finished.  

• Get outdoors, get into the woods, maybe start a vegetable garden—grow your own food! 

• Learn something wildly new— A hobby, musical instrument, or language! Hell, there’s no limits here.   

• Our pets have been waiting for their owners to stay home with them fur-ever! Find comfort and joy spending time with them.  

• If you have children, this time will be remembered forever; whether they listen to you or not, they are watching and learning from you now more than ever.  

This time is your time and the world is in agreement. Whether you need to find ways to be active, catch up on sleep, focus on things that make you laugh, create, create, create, or just have a good cry—let it happen. 

Ultimately, be kind. Showing compassion as the light in this darkness is what the world has desperately craved for quite some time. Don’t let the fear of the unknown or the panic the public is volumizing compromise your kindness towards yourself and others. Consider how simply staying home can flatten the curve, slow the spread of covid 19, save lives, and change the outcome. Express gratitude for those working endlessly and risking their own health for all of ours. Occupy yourself with what brings you joy rather than panic. We may be distancing ourselves socially, but we are all in this together.  

A few ways you can help your hair stylist during this time include:  

Reviews - They go a long way! Writing a review for the stylist that made you feel extra special is a way for other likeminded, badass individuals like you to find a salon home & start their journey for happy, healthy hair. (You can find Deacon Hair Co. on Facebook, Google, and Yelp.)  

Engagement - Commenting on your favorite hair post, sharing a style you love, or simply giving a double-tap to any of our posts not only promotes stylists work, but also builds community through online algorithms. (You can find hair and lifestyle inspiration by Deacon Hair Co. on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest. ) 

Schedule - Miss an appointment because of the closing or need to get back in the chair? Plan to be booking for May! You may be able to do your consultation through email and have everything set up in advance, that way you don’t have to wait around for things to open back up. (Contact Deacon Hair Co. stylists directly to book.)  

Purchase - If you are willing and able, purchasing gift cards & retail are a great way to support your stylist now and save you money later. (Contact Deacon Hair Co. stylists directly to purchase.) 

We sincerely appreciate the support of our readers, clients, and community during this time.

 Photo by Jared Rice 

Happy Hair Next Time You Sit In The Chair

How to get the Results You’re Looking For when you step out of the Salon.

We all have our dream vision when we go into the salon for a hair appointment, but we don’t always walk out with what we planned. I will be sharing tips that can ensure you’re getting the hair you want before you sit down in the chair.  

A reliable, trustworthy stylist 

It seems obvious, but sometimes it takes reflecting on the stylist you see and how they make you feel/what outcomes they produce as a first step to reaching your hair goals. 

• Do they listen to your ideas? 

• Do they answer your questions? 

• Do they stay up to date on education and safe practices?

• Are they environmentally conscious and looking for safe and natural products?

• Do they discuss what they’re doing, offer advice—not only for the appointment, but also for when you style your hair at home? 

• Do you feel comfortable and leave the salon feeling confident, heard, and refreshed? 

• Is your hair becoming more healthy over time?

Having a stylist that knows what they’re doing, and, most importantly, cares about making both you and your hair happy is a n e c e s s i t y. 

Clear communication and expectations with your stylist 

Once you find your tried and true stylist, it’s time for you to do your part! They’ll offer their advice and opinions, but it’s good for you to come to your appointment knowing what you want out of the experience. Be clear with your expectations—they know hair, but they can’t read minds! Give them some insight as to what you’re looking for, so they can help you achieve the hair of your dreams.

Bring inspirations! The more details, the merrier!

...BUT keep in mind that everyone is different, and your hair is probably different than the person’s in the photo! That doesn’t mean you can’t have the cut/color/style you want, but there may be different ways to achieve it, or your stylist may have ideas on how to make it better suit you. Ultimately, photo references are a great way to show your stylist exactly what you’re working towards. Pinterest and Instagram are excellent resources for finding hair-inspo, especially because you can search for colors/cuts/hair types that suit you (such as “hair styles for curly hair”). [we’ve saved some excellent references on our accounts https://www.pinterest.com/DeaconHairCo/ , https://www.instagram.com/deaconhairco/ , https://www.instagram.com/sarahdeaconhair/ ]

Know your budget and what you plan to spend before scheduling 

You don’t need to break your wallet for your hair! Practicing self-care and self-love doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune (although we always support a treat-yo-self splurge!). Before you go into the salon, or even when you schedule, have an idea of the price of service you wish to receive. Doing so will help you and your stylist avoid unexpected curve-balls. Your stylist should be able to give you a ball park before going into the appointment. After discussing your hair wants and needs with your stylist a game plan can be devised that fits your hair and your budget.

KNOW. YOUR. HAIR.  

Is your hair curly? Wavy? Coily? Straight? Is the texture fine or thick? Prone to oiliness or dryness? Study your hair as best as you can, and please feel comfortable to ask your stylist questions about your hair type. Every head of hair is different! Knowing what your hair needs, thrives with, what does more harm than good, and what cuts and styles work best for you is important in order to achieve the outcome you want. We all benefit from different products, routines, and methods—talk with your stylist and let them share their knowledge, so you can know your hair, too! 

Patience! 

All good things come with patience, and hair is no exception. It may take several sessions to achieve your dream hair, especially when it comes to coloring, so don’t fear and don’t give up! Additionally, your hair-care doesn’t stop when you walk out the door. Find what works for you and your hair even when you’re at home, so you don’t have to rely on luck there, either!  

Leave the luck to St. Patrick’s Day and go to your hair appointment prepared for success! It takes time, effort, and care, but the result from what happens in that chair + combined with good home care will always be worth it in the long run.

Self Love & Care - The Opposite Of Selfish

How incorporating your (much deserved) self care routine can boost your wellbeing and productivity.

Success and the methods to achieving it have been preached for ages, but often in formulaic and “perfect” examples that lack personability, circumstance, and plain realisticality. Thus, they’re not very helpful at all. One person’s journey is not the same as the next’s, and on top of it all, it’s rare to see any of them include the crucial component we all should incorporate into ways of life...

What we neglect? Prioritizing our self care. 

In reality, a stronger you will result in productivity. Without continuous, prioritized self care, being productive and feeling that “success” is either unachievable or on a path that won’t ever feel genuinely successful at all. Overlooking your own nourishment makes it difficult to nourish other aspects and/or people in your life (not impossible, but difficult--and simply unfair!). 

Take care of YOU. After all, you are the driving force; your mind, body, and soul combined is the only vessel you have in this life: the only vessel you have the power to operate. So, tend to it. Listen to it. Care for it. Love it.

• Know your boundaries and enforce them, BUT

• Always push yourself to continue growing. Recognize your comfort zone, just don’t allow it to inhibit growth!

• Celebrate yourself and your accomplishments, big and small. Make sure you’re crediting the vessel that brought you here.

• Accept that success is subjective; your idea of it can and will change, and that is OKAY! It’s a good thing to reach a goal, then make another one (and know that your goals won’t be the same as your best friend’s).

• Organize your time and tasks. Know when you need breaks, but also know when you’re more likely to get that ish done.

• AND make prioritize time for you, whether that be with reading a new book or one that will always be a staple, journaling, meditating, exercising, sleeping, binge-watching your favorite show, tending to your health and wellness needs; feed your soul with whatever “food” is best for you. Not everyone relaxes and/or expresses creativity in the same way, so do what you enjoy, not what you think is expected of you. So, yes--gobble up that chocolate bar (just drink that water too!).

• In addition, prioritize the relationships that make you feel good, and subtract the ones that don’t. Tending to your relationships, whether they be romantic, familial, or platonic, is a form of self care! Surrounding yourself with people that care for you as much as you care for them is absolutely important.

• Do all of these things with love and kindness. Not just for others, but for, and most importantly, you.

This list isn’t a step-by-step to the perfect life--that doesn’t exist. It’s just here to remind you that you are important, too. Taking care of yourself sounds simple, but it’s crucial in order to really feel that fulfilment you deserve from life. And you do deserve it! Understand that prioritizing you can and will boost your productivity for the other parts of life you prioritize. It’s not selfish--it’s self love.

Image By: Jeremy Cai

The Simple Hair-Care Step Many Are Doing Wrong

How one of the most basic steps in any hair-care regimen is a crucial key in achieving healthy hair.

Conditioner. We all (should!) use it, and we all (hopefully!) love it. It’s the one step in our routine we can rely on to only help our hair…but what if it wasn’t? Actually, what if there’s a way conditioner can harm our hair?

Maybe the conditioner itself isn’t bad, but rather, the misuse of certain types of conditioners that can result in more harm than good. More specifically, the benefits of protein condition and hydrating conditioner differ, and without knowing those differences, there is a chance you may be damaging your hair when you think you’re helping it.

How do you know those differences? 

Protein Conditioner— while sounding only beneficial, is meant for hair that has been damaged—and nothing more. The conditioner, consisting of proteins and (sometimes) amino acids or ceramides, helps revive hair that may be damaged from chemical treatments, heat, or lack of proper attention. However, they are not meant to be used long-term. The sole purpose of protein conditioners is to repair, but too much of it can build up and result in further damage. Excess protein can impact the hydration barrier, making it harder for hair to hydrate and causing it to be weakened, dry/brittle, and break. For this reason, protein conditioners are sometimes referred to as treatments; they are meant to target a problem and solve it. Too much protein? Your hair may need hydration!

Hydrating Conditioner— is simply for hair that is too dry, and while overuse may not be as detectable, there are certainly effects of too much moisture (as hard as it is to believe!). Along with the appearance of greasy/oily hair, an excess of moisture can lead to your hair not retaining any hydration at all, hair can feel limp and fail to hold hairstyles, or even feel dry or too stretchy.

In other words, it throws off the balance and makes it difficult to absorb protein. Sometimes oily hair is a result of dryness--your hair may be trying to hydrate itself! Not everyone needs that extra boost of moisture, especially those with thinner hair, but it’s still crucial to maintain hydration no matter your hair type. Too much hydration? Your hair may need protein!

As a whole, we need a healthy balance of both protein and hydration in order to achieve happy hair—it is simply a matter of what your hair needs in the moment and how much. 

Whether or not you should be using a protein conditioner or hydrating conditioner, or even both, really comes down to the current state of your hair health. What does your hair need? What is it asking of you? How can your hair be the happiest it can be? Both conditioners have their benefits, but they also require proper use in order to reap those benefits. Care enough for your hair to learn what it needs and to understand what you are offering it. Healthy hair is happy hair!

For natural, home-made remedies and conditioners, check out:

6 Natural Hair Conditioners For Every Hair Type You Can Make At Home by Sarika Rana

Image by ​Baylee Gramling