Finally, spring is here! As the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan fill with the latest fashions, Redken announces their top trends as observed by Guido, their Creative Consultant.

According to Guido, this season’s hair is all about “looking at things with new eyes, taking elements from all genres and eras, creating new textures, and drawing on urban elements of romanticism.”

Guido identified four strong trends from Fashion Week 2010: Urban Romance, Past Perfect, Slick Move, and Extreme Measures.

 Visit the links below to view photos and detailed instructions on how to re-create popular runway looks:

Urban Romance

Past Perfect

Slick Moves

Extreme Measures

As we approach Spring (and hopefully a warm Summer!), many men and women choose to update their haircolor to reflect the season. Brunettes get warm, caramel highlights, blondes go from dirty to platinum, and red heads become a little more fiery than before thanks to updated strands.

Home hair olor can be incredibly tempting, especially for those that are on a budget (who isn’t?!). However, when searching for perfectly-painted highlights or lovely, lightened locks, avoid the urge to “experiment” with color at home. Recent salon surveys show that 9 out of 10 clients were unhappy with color they applied themselves. Similarly, the average cost to “fix” a boxed color application is at least $200 when performed by a professional- not including at-home products needed to repair or maintain the quality of the hair. Boxed colors can strip vital nutrients and moisture from hair, causing it to break and damage easily. Not to mention, the damage caused by at-home color can lead to uneven (and downright ugly!) coloring in the future.

According to Redken.com, Redken color products- paired with the expertise of your stylist- will get you the results you desire with minimal to no damage. Here are their top reasons to “Go Pro” and have your hair colored in a salon:

1) Your hair is your best fashion accessory—when it looks amazing, so do you.

2) Salon color offers you versatility and customized options to deliver the look you want.

3) Coloring your hair not only makes it shinier and sexier, it can even improve its condition.

4) You don’t need to make a drastic change—even a subtle color enhancement can make a big difference in your look.

5) Your Redken Stylist is focused on the latest trends and has the skill and creativity to customize the look for you.

6) Using professional products in a salon setting gives you access to the newest techniques and advances in color science.

When thinking “short-term,” at-home hair color may seem great. However, be sure to consider the strain it may cause on your hair and the cost you may incur if it doesn’t turn out exactly as you’d imagined (or like the picture on the box!). Everyone’s hair is different in terms of texture, previous coloring, and health, so be sure to remember this if you’re considering a box color. Most salons offer complimentary consultations…we suggest meeting with a stylist before you make your final decision. It never hurts to be informed!

Do you suffer from dandruff or a flaky, itchy scalp? Dandruff- medically known as seborrheic dermatitis- is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes white, flaky scales to form on oily areas of the head and scalp. Pityriasis simplex capillitii is the shedding of these dead skin cells from the scalp. Dandruff affects millions of men and women around the world…are you among them? Read more to find some simple ways to combat a flaky scalp.

Internal Causes: Hormonal imbalance, poor health, excessive perspiration, poor hygiene, allergic hypersensitivity, lack of adequate rest, emotional stress, excessive consumption of sugar, fat, or starch, genetics*

External Causes: Excessive use of hairsprays or gels, improper use of home hair color, excessive use of electric curlers, cold weather or dry indoor heating, tight-fitting hats and scarves, frequent shampooing or inadequate rinsing, stress, anxiety, and tension*

There are a few ways to prevent or minimize dandruff, starting with a healthy diet. Your diet should include plenty of vitamin B, which counteracts inefficient carbohydrates and fatty-acids. Good sources of vitamin B include wheat germ, yeast, eggs, and cabbage. Avoid greasy or spicy foods, allergens like chocolate, nuts, and shellfish, and foods that contain refined white carbohydrates such as white flour and sugar. These foods deplete the body of vitamin B and healthy fats and interfere with the metabolism of essential fatty acids.*

Another easy way to reduce dandruff is to brush the hair from the nape towards the top of the head. This method improves circulation and removes flakiness. Also, try massaging your scalp daily using your fingertips in circles around your head. Lastly, occasional exposure to the sun and professional scalp treatment shampoos (look for products containing coal-tar, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, or sulfur) will help prevent dandruff.*

*Thanks to HairBoutique.com

Have you ever thought about how your internal body is connected to your skin? Do you sometimes wonder why your ears  feel hot or why you always break out on your chin? Using great products and still having problems or skin issues?

Have you ever had a facial where your Skin Care Therapist incorporated Chinese Skin Analysisinto your skin assessment? Hopefully, the Esthetician IS at least providing you with a thorough skin analysis as part of your treatment! Shocking, but some estheticians skip this essential part…partially out of laziness or quite possibly they never really learned how to accurately perform this critical step.

The Chinese belief is that your ears are directly related to your kidneys and your chin is directly related to your stomach and small intestine. Skin problems found on the forehead can be directly attributed to the bladder or digestion.

In order to see results from any skin care line, your internal body must be healthy. If you’re not happy with your skin, consider speaking to your esthetician about Chinese Skin Analysis…this may be the key to your skin’s success!

Myth No. 1: Cutting Hair Makes It Grow Faster and/or Thicker
False. Shorter hair often looks and feels thicker but cutting your hair won’t alter its normal biologically determined growth rate or overall texture. Thin, limp or fine hair will not ever grow thicker in response to a haircut. Plump up your hair by using volume enhancing hair care products, experimenting with a hair fattening blunt cut or getting a texturizing perm or color treatment.

Myth No. 2: Split Ends Can Be Repaired Without Trimming
False. The only successful treatment for removing split ends is with a scissors. While some hair care products may temporarily merge split ends together, this fix only lasts until your next shampoo. Keep in mind that damaged ends tends to grow slower than healthy, well-maintained, trimmed hair.

Myth No. 3: Hair Grows Faster in the Summer
True.There are no reliable statistics about it, but warm weather does seem to make hair grow faster, says Brian Thompson, senior trichologist (hair specialist) at Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in New York City.
During the warm summer months, the human body has to work faster to perform some common activities and maintain homeostasis. It also has to work faster and harder to help the body cool down. This leads to faster cell division due to more efficient blood circulation throughout the body, which, among other things, causes hair to grow faster. Hair cells at the root divide much more quickly in the summer than during winter months and push the hair down more rapidly. As a result, hair grows faster by about 10 percent.

Myth No. 4: Split Ends Will Travel
True. Uncut split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards the roots. Tresses that are not tended to, over time, may develop splits that migrate and split all or part of the entire hair. Some ends can actually tear multiple times so that your split ends have splits.

Myth No. 5: Hair Grows Faster On Different Parts Of The Head
True. There is some scientific evidence that the growth rate of hair may vary on different parts of the head for select people. There is also some indication that the growth rate of hair on babies may be faster on the crown than on any other parts of the scalp. Usually the growth rate differences are very marginal and will not impact the hair appearance in any way.

Myth No. 6: Hair Will Always Remain The Same Texture
False. Although you may be born with straight, curly or wavy locks, there are many circumstances under which your hair’s ultimate texture can be permanently altered. Pregnancy, medication, chemotherapy, age and other variables can cause your texture to be temporarily or permanently altered.

Myth No. 7: Shaving A Baby’s Scalp Will Alter Their Natural Hair Texture
False. The hair that a baby is born with may or may not be the hair that they grow up with. Shaving a baby’s head will not alter the texture of their ultimate hair nor will it cause their hair to grow faster or thicker.

Myth No. 8: Coloring Hair During Pregnancy Is Harmful
False. Although some physicians disagree, most believe that coloring the hair during pregnancy will not be dangerous to the baby. When in doubt always get your physician’s permission to color your hair during pregnancy. Most experts believe that the key danger with hair coloring is not the application of the product to the scalp but the inhalation of the strong chemical odor.

Myth No. 9: Virgin Root Hair Should Be Treated Differently
True. The hair that is closest to the roots will react differently to the application of new hair color and chemical treatments. Hair color applied directly to the roots will process differently that color applied on hair that has already been treated.

Myth No. 10: Blow-Drying Hair Can Cause It To Smoke
False. This bizarre myth has been circulating for years in a number of versions. On the rare occasion that hair “smokes” it is due to the evaporation of condensation on the hair from styling gels or similar hair care products.

Myth No. 11: Smoking Causes Gray Hair
True. According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997) smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than nonsmokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.

Myth No. 12: Gray Hair Can Only Be Covered With Permanent Color
False. Depending on the percentage of gray hair that you have, you may be able to blend or cover the budding gray with a semi-permanent or demi-permanent blend that does not contain harsh chemicals.

Myth No. 13: Washing Hair Every Day Dries It Out
False. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture will actually add moisture, body and beauty to your hair. The key is to finding the correct shampoo designed for your hair.

Myth No. 14: Rinse Out Conditioners Does Not Provide Benefits Because It Is Rinsed Out
False. Rinse out conditioners applied to your hair right after washing will leave a deposit of moisturizing proteins and other ingredients on the hair shaft providing hair that feels softer, shinier or better conditioned.

Myth No. 15: Wearing Tight Braids, Ponytails Or Buns Causes Baldness
True. Traction alopecia is a very real hair loss condition that may result from wearing tight ponytails, cornrows or buns over an extended period of time. Over time, hair breakage or loss as the result of tight, stressed styles, can become permanent. Avoid this potential problem by opting for looser styles that minimize scalp tension.

Myth No. 16: Sleeping With A Wet Head Causes Scalp Fungus
False. Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp fungus or infections requires prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. As an example, ringworm can be spread by infected animals.

Myth No. 17: Sharing Combs And Brushes Can Spread Scalp Diseases
True. It is a fact that lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes and other hair care tools.

Myth No. 18: Hair Develops Immunity To The Same Shampoo Over Time
False. Many people swear that their hair will become immune to the benefits of the same shampoo used over time. There is no scientific evidence to prove this myth.

Myth No. 19: Hair Should Be Washed Every Day
False. There is no correct schedule for washing hair. Every person should shampoo according to the specific needs of their hair type and texture. While some people do benefit from a daily shampoo, others benefit from a variety of shampooing schedules.

Myth No. 20: Lemon Juice Will Bleach Hair Blonde
False. While some naturally light haired people may notice a slight lightening or brightening after prolonged sun exposure soaked in lemon juice, the majority of people will not see any obvious change in their hair lightness or brightness.

Myth No. 21: Salon Products Are Identical To Drugstore Products
False. While there is an exception to every rule, salon products are generally manufactured to contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing and conditioning results. The quality ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in drugstore brands.

Myth No. 22: Swimming Pool Chemicals Can Turn Hair Green
True. Frequent swimmers with natural blonde or chemically highlighted hair that is extremely porous may experience the development of green tints and shades over time. This problem can be prevented with regular use of moisturizing shampoo and conditioners that provides a natural barrier to chlorine and related chemicals.

Myth No. 23: A Sunburnt Scalp Can Lead To Hairloss
True. Severe sunburn or a series of burns that occur over time may damage delicate hair follicles at the root level. People with a genetic predisposition towards hair loss may accelerate the onset of hair loss activity. Avoid scalp burns by applying sun protection products to your scalp along with your hair.

Myth No. 24: Brushing Thinning Hair Makes It Fall Out Faster
False. As long as you use a good brush on your hair, normal daily brushing will not accelerate the normal loss of hair from the scalp. If your hair is suffering from a hair loss condition like alopecia brushing will only cause you to lose hair that is already ready to fall. Excessive brushing is always discouraged under any circumstances.

Myth No. 25: Hair Care Products Advertised As Natural Are Chemical Free
False. Not all hair care products sold in health food establishments are completely natural and may contain chemicals like SLS. When in doubt read the label.

Are you skeptical about the benefits of spending a bit more money on professional hair care products? Don’t be….there is a big difference between salon and drug store products! Trust us, the little extra cash you’ll spend to have a healthier head of hair is absolutely worth it.

Each products contains a list of ingredients on the back of the bottle, listed in order of highest to lowest concentration. The main ingredient in most drug store products is water. Many drug store products contain 97 percent water which can cause dryness and friction at the scalp and hair breakage. There are many brands that claim to contain ingredients like honey, aloe, natural herbs, and leave-in conditioners, but for the most part, the concentration of these ingredients isn’t nearly high enough to make a difference in your hair.

Both drug store and professional salon products contain the same ingredients, but the concentration is much higher in salon products. Per bottle, salon products contain higher levels of proteins and vitamins- both are needed for healthy hair.

A common misconception is that a shampoo with more lather has more cleaning power, thus drug store products get a reputation for thoroughly cleaning hair. However, salon shampoos lather less not because of cleansing ability but because they contain the safest and most gentle cleansing agent: sodium laureth sulfate. Contrarily, drug store shampoos contain ammonium laurel sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, or sodium laurel sulfate, all of which are harsh on your hair and scalp.