hair straightning at home

Posted by newmom (233 days ago)

Hi,
I like to straighten my hair by my self for some occations. Have you tried the hair straightning irons available in the market?
Would like to hear your experineces and recommendations. Also what accessaries use along with the iron?

Thanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by Philip George (233 days ago)

Hi Newmom, first of all, just press submit once, when posting (:
There are allot of great free to view videos on the net, that show you how to use the flat irons, eg:
http://video.about.com/beauty/Curling-Iron-and-Flat-Iron.htm
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-use-a-flat-iron-12366
I would suggest buying a low to medium priced once first to find out whether you wish to continue with them before investing in an expensive model, which might end up sitting in your bathroom drawer after a few months, you can find them easily in Fortress etc.
It is best to buy a Flat iron hair oil before you use them to add protection to the hair as the irons get awfully hot, again this is easily found in any good drug store.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (232 days ago)

NM,
congratulations if you are a new mom in the recent days...I will take you back to something my father told me with I bought my first watch ' always buy the best the first time or you will inevitably cost you even more' I have tried to ignore that a few times and, well, it always comes back to bite me. That said I would strongly suggest a trued and true industry standard the "GHD". They are the most readily serviced iron and stand by their product if you buy professionally. These irons are tuf and will last a life time plus you can trust the cords to not fray and the plates to not go bare. I know that they are a bit more but I assure you their worth it. I am going to leave you a frew locations that the Rep Jane was kind enough to give me as the supplier I use is no longer a supplier. As of this writing the following Central salons carried GHD: Harvey Nic's(store), O2, Paul Gerraud and TIGI.

As for your accessories, I have to be very adamant about this, if you use an iron you must use professional products. I do not mean to disagree with the above statement, but drug store brands are mass produced and more often than not are PH balanced but NOT Acid Balanced. Plus they use Silicon and Dymethicones which are dreadful for the hair long term because the are petroleum based. I can again suggest some highly effective products here if you like. The "leave-in" product you use is VERY important as it is actually baked onto to hair and if you use the wrong product you will not be able to remove it easily, let me know if you would like some actual suggestions...cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Butterfly Effect (232 days ago)

What is "PH balanced"?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by iluvprada (232 days ago)

ph balance is a measure of the degree of the acidity or the alkalinity of a solution as measured on a scale (pH scale) of 0 to 14. The midpoint of 7.0 on the pH scale represents neutrality, i.e., a "neutral" solution is neither acid nor alkaline.

In a normal, healthy state hair is positively charged and will be found in a pH range between 4.5-5.5. Therefore, we can state that hair, in its optimum state, is acidic. Hair which has a pH above 7 will become alkaline and hold a negative electrical charge. When this occurs, the hair will exhibit damage to varying degrees. Examples of how hair becomes alkaline:

* Natural body chemistry
* Inferior, alkaline-based products
* Chemical solutions (perms, colours, bleaches, etc.)
* Thermal styling appliances (blow dryers, curling irons, hot rollers)

I made the mistake of buying an expensive flat iron, only to get bored with it and later getting a new look that didnt suit a flat straight style, so be sure want to spend allot of dough.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (230 days ago)

be,
in short Acid Balanced means a solution is affixed on the PH or Potential Hydrogen Scale and is not moving up or down. PH balanced means the solution can be anywhere on the scale but not moving. Hence it could be 3 or 9, this is the trick drug store brands use when they put PH Balanced on the bottle and it is more costly to develop Acid Balanced products. Also, the levels are in 10th's so it is a very large increase to go up even a point or two. It is important that you use Acid Balanced products as they prevent color from fading and support other services as well. I am going to leave you a friend of mines web page as its getting late , it has allot of info as well...great question by the way...cheers

http://www.salongeek.com/general-articles/59980-hair-structure-part-3-a.html

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Butterfly Effect (230 days ago)

The correct term is "pH" and not "PH". The lower case "p" is a symbol.

Why is there a distinction drawn between "acid balanced" and "pH balanced" when both these terms are incomplete? To be complete, the terms should state the exact pH to which the solutions are "balanced". A solution which is "pH balanced" would still fit the definition of "acid balanced" if it were "balanced" at an acidic pH.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (230 days ago)

You know guys...ITS JUST HAIR FOR GODS SAKE!!!!!!!!!!! I answer these things at 3am usually while on the line to the US consulting with salons and Manufacturers this is not my thesis or a law examine....if you like though you can spell check me. As for he definition of ph and Acid balanced no it would not fit actually, scientifically yes but I am speaking about marketing ploys for gods sake and defining professional product....man guys is there no foot ball on or something you guys enjoy...this is just crazy.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Butterfly Effect (230 days ago)

"...I am speaking about marketing ploys..."

Thank you Douglas.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (230 days ago)

BE...I Know...I just had to vent though, I am not sure why people get so bent but its crazy....anyway, I was wondering if you had a Chemistry background, I need some advice on a product I'm developing. Sorry about the jab, it was in fun and to get you to respond back...hope your having a good day, if you are in the business give me a ring or stop by I would like to show you something.

By the way, I really get fed up with all the outrageous claims on the market and the fact that the public is so misled by them...more venting...cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by iluvprada (230 days ago)

A pH balance skin care product is one that is adjusted to have the same pH as the hair or skin. This is an attempt to keep someone from using a product that is too-alkaline. The real fact is that most of the time the pH of the product does not effect how irritating it will be to the skin.

Cleansers and toners are alkaline; hand soap typically has a pH of around 9 or 10, for example; because alkaline molecules bind to dirt and accumulated oils you want to wash off. For your face, you want a product that's alkaline enough to get your skin clean but not so alkaline that it will strip it of the oils it needs. It's unlikely that a cleanser or toner on the market today would have a pH that was not balanced (too high), because if it did it would be so drying that no one would want to use it.

Alkalis and acids have different effects on the hair. Acids will harden and contract the hair, while alkalis expand and soften the hair shaft. Hair and skin has a pH level of between 4.5 and 5.5 (an average of 5), and any application of acidic and alkaline compounds can raise or lower the pH levels of the hair causing physical changes. Shampoos, conditioners and other chemical hair products use acids and alkalis to affect changes in the hair.

Many clarifying shampoos use alkaline ingredients to swell the hair shaft and allow the surfactants to penetrate more deeply. Most hair relaxers use a strong alkali to soften the hair, break the side bonds of the hair and remove curl. In addition, many conditioners and moisturizing shampoos use acidic compounds to contract the hair shaft, smoothing it and locking in moisture.

Thank you Butterfly effect, It is important to use the correct terms if one wants to seem like an expert, and Doug-lass: Calm down, this is a ladies only forum where we try not to show aggresion.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by newmom (229 days ago)

Dear Douglas,
Sorry for being late. Thank you very much for your help. I really want to know the information about your beauty supplier as I would like to buy a 'GHD' flat iron. I used it once (One of my friend who bought that from UK) and felt the difference.
Please suggest good products which goes along with that too.
One more question.. Is there any salon in HK that match the new hair style with a photo before they actually cut. I mean by using a computer or something so that I can see my future look before do it ?

Thanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (228 days ago)

NM,
great question, first the irons...I left a note above that spells out the locations including the one I operate out of. GHD makes a difference because of the type, thickness and quality of the ceramic they use. Also their elements are much more consistent.

As for your Picture question, I just worked with SCMP on an article about this type of issue. The answer is I am sure that there are, you can go to my Blog and there is a web site you can look up and download your photo just like the salon...I will look fr the url. Now, lets be really honest. It is a one dimensional photo and does not take into account topics such as:

facial structure, hair line abnormalities, texture, condition, local as pertains to humidity, lifestyle, body type, your abilities to replicate, personality etc.

This is just a small part of the areas a stylist and client should cover each visit, in case something has changed. Aka...new job...marriage...etc.

NM, I appreciate your asking this because it shows an ability to pursue your goals ans style with more than just guess work. I would suggest as per usual several consults in town ( I can suggest a few if you like ) But by all means bring visual aids, remember short or Bob has a different meaning to everyone. Make sure you are on the same page before you start and above all remember you are the client and you are in charge ultimately. And please remember two points, no matter what YOU no the stylist must live with the outcome, baby steps work as you can always cut more...hope that helps...cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)