Practical guides for colorists, stylists and nail techs: hair color, developer, bond repair, salon supplies, nail care and inventory.
Most permanent hair color lines mix 1 part color to 1 part developer, but not all: Pravana ChromaSilk and Rusk Deepshine call for 1:1.5, Framesi Framcolor 2001 calls for 1:2, and most high-lift series use 1:2. Follow the brand in your bowl, not the one you used on the last …
To tone hair after bleaching, lift the hair to the right level first, then apply a toner opposite the leftover warmth on the color wheel: violet for yellow, blue for orange. Mix it with the developer its maker names, at the maker’s ratio, and time it by the maker’s directions. …
Pop-up hair foil comes pre-cut in a dispenser, so you grab a sheet and go; a roll lets you cut each sheet to the length the section needs, which helps on long hair. Embossed foil has a raised texture that the makers say grips hair and slips less, while smooth …
Men’s hair styling products differ mainly in how much hold they give and how much shine they leave. Pomade and gel shine, clay and paste look matte, wax gives workable grip, and creams and mousse give a softer, flexible hold. Here is what each suits, how to apply and wash …
The OBB Core Gel System has four 15 ml bottles: Adhesive Base Coat, Adhesive Extend Glue Gel (for tips), Builder Clear Gel and Crystal Top Coat. OBB Gel says all four are HEMA-free and TPO-free, cure under a UV or LED lamp, and soak off. This guide sums …
Do beauty products expire? Yes. They break down over time, even though U.S. law doesn’t require most cosmetics to carry an expiration date, the FDA says. Sunscreen and other over-the-counter drugs are the exception. Below: the open-jar symbol, signs of spoilage, storage, and what hair color and nail polish makers …
Here is how to clean hair tools: unplug them and let them cool, clear lint from the dryer filter, wipe product residue off iron plates with a damp cloth, and brush and oil clipper blades. Never put a hair tool in water. Below: makers’ steps, advice from the Consumer Product …
To detangle knotted hair without breaking it, soften the knot with conditioner or a leave-in, then work it out from the ends up with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, one small section at a time. Detangle curly and coily hair while it’s wet or damp, and let straight hair …
To protect hair from chlorine, soak it with clean water and add a leave-in conditioner or oil before you swim, wear a well-fitted swim cap, and rinse as soon as you get out. If light hair turns green, copper in the water is usually the cause, and in a 2024 …
Towels usually smell musty because they stayed damp too long, in a hamper, on a hook or in the washer, or because detergent residue and a dirty washer let odor-causing buildup grow. Rewash them as the care label allows, dry them completely right away, and clean the washer. Here’s what …
