We are constantly bombarded with all kinds of advertising telling us how to get rid of the gray, cover up your gray…and of course – “wash that gray right out of your hair”. Is gray hair a sign of letting yourself go, or a sign of grace and elegance?

Is it Okay to go Gray?

Gray is becoming a new style option, not just the inevitable sign of aging. But don’t think that going gray is easy…it’s not as simple as you might think.  Gray hair needs a good amount of maintenance and care from an arsenal of products specially formulated to keep it from looking dull and drab.  And you need to keep it cut and styled…or you will run the risk of looking “old and gray”.  A sharp, well-defined style makes gray hair look fresh, modern and chic.

All Gray is not Created Equal

What color gray do you want?  There’s white, silver, pewter, platunum, ash gray, light gray, dark gray, slate gray and a spectrum of shades in between.

Many women flirt with the idea of going gray, but quickly change their mind.  It’s definitely a big adjustment for someone who has been coloring their hair for a long time.  Some women start the process of going gray, only to return to coloring their hair because they don’t like their appearance.

Other women embrace gray and view it as a form of “rebellion”.

Celebrities who love and are proud of their gray hair include:

• Jamie Lee Curtis
• Helen Mirren
• Paula Deen
• Diane Keaton
• Emmylou Harris
• Joan Baez
• Sharon Stone
• Judi Dench
• Ruby Dee
• Tyne Daly
• Toni Morrison

If you are thinking about going gray, give me a call.  I am a color specialist and I can help you know and understand what to expect.  Is gray hair for you?  Let’s find out!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sun exposure (which can be as intense on the slopes as it is at the beach) combined with winter wind, snow, rain, and icy cold (which makes hair brittle and dry) can all create extreme damage to your hair.

According to celebrity stylist Nick Chavez,

“The environment can have some of the most damaging effects on hair in both summer and winter, but in winter it’s often worse because people generally don’t take as many precautions to protect their hair.”

Now for the good news: No matter how bad your hair may get with winter conditions, you can take steps to protect and replenish your hair.

At the top of the list: regular use of a thick, rich, moisturizing conditioner.  Make sure your conditioner is the correct match for your hair type. Remember, you should always apply product beginning 2 inches from the scalp and pull it through to the ends.

Another tip: every time you use hand cream, touch the ends of your hair and scrunch to help deposit a bit more moisture where it’s needed most.

Who hasn’t had issues with fly away hair in the winter?  A great remedy for static electricity is the same one you use in your dryer…clothes dryer that is.  Take a dryer sheet and rub it lightly on your hair.  The static will disappear.  A more conventional approach is to use a natural boar bristle hairbrush. Another trick is to spray a small amount of hair spray on your hairbrush and brush it through from top to bottom.

When choosing any winter hair styling products avoid high alcohol content, which can be drying to hair.

Another big tip – limit your time with the blow dryer.  Try using a towel to blot about 20% of the moisture content out of your hair, then use your hair dryer, stopping the moment your hair is dry. Although it takes a bit longer, try using the ‘cool’ setting.

Wear a scarf, hat or cap to protect your hair from the cold and wind. This is especially important if you color your hair.

If you have questions about your hair care regimen, call me.  I’m happy to recommend the best products for your hair!

Argan oil is a great product for your hair.  It’s the perfect solution for frizzy hair, sun-damaged hair, colored hair, blow-dryed hair, heat straightened hair…its even good for healthy hair!

Argan Oil Benefits

• Hydrates hair naturally
• Contains natural anti-oxidants to strengthen hair
• Contains Vitamin E to renew and repair hair
• Enriches brittle hair
• Increases the life of color treated hair
• Restores optimal moisture balance of your hair
• Protects from sun damage
• Adds smoothness and shine
• Cuts drying time by up to 30%

Argan oil is easy to use. Just apply a small amount of oil to wet hair (or even dry hair) and massage it through your hair with your fingers. A little goes go a long way. Because of its lightweight formula, it does not weigh hair down or look greasy.  It can be used everyday as needed.

I recommend Leave-in Treatment DermOrganic® Argan Oil. DermOrganic® Argan Oil is vegan haircare.  There is no animal testing. It is gluten–ree.  It is sulfate-free. It has no artificial preservatives. No sodium chloride, salt, parabens and no dyes.

The majority of argan oil is produced by a North African women’s co-op that shares the profits among women of local tribes. The cooperative has established an ecosystem reforestation project so that the Argan Tree will not become extinct. The women’s co-op works closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to ensure its protection and reforestation.

The money provides health care and education to the local women, and supports the entire community. According to the Department of Water and Forests, argan oil provides income for 3 million people and is the source of 20 million workdays/year for the local economy.

Contact me if you have questions or would like to purchase a bottle of Leave-in Treatment DermOrganic® Argan Oil.

Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities, resources and support they have earned.  Everyone can get involved  – citizens, communities, businesses, non-profits, faith based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and others.

To learn more, you can go to www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces.  The following information about employment, education and wellness was taken from this website.

Employment. In many cases, military spouses move from one community to another when their spouses are assigned to new duty stations.  These transfers can make it very difficult for spouses to continue with their careers or to find similar jobs in new locations.

Joining Forces:

• Highlights the workforce potential of veterans and military spouses;
• Expands employment and career development opportunities for veterans and military spouses; and
• Helps employers create military family-friendly workplaces

Education. Military children move frequently due to a parent’s reassignment.  These moves can make it difficult to transfer records, secure spaces in courses, stay included in extra-curricular activities, and complete required testing on time.

Joining Forces:

• Supports the academic achievement of military children by helping schools become more responsive to the unique needs of military children and families; and
• Promotes and supports higher education institutions and programs that expand education opportunities, eases transferability for military-connected students, and expands job training opportunities for military spouses and veterans.

Wellness. The stress of war, multiple deployments, and frequent moves can affect the wellness of military families.  Children and spouses can experience anxiety, changes in relationships with family and friends, isolation or emotional challenges in dealing with deployments, illness or injury, and high mobility.

Joining Forces:

• Calls attention to the critical issues facing veterans and military families; and
• Expands access to wellness programs, and resources for military spouses and families.

How you help?

1. Send a message of thanks to a soldier through USO
2. Find service opportunities
3. Pledge service hours

Joining Forces provides ways for all of us to show our gratitude and appreciation to our service members and their families.  For those now serving and those who have served…thank you…especially as we celebrate this 4^th of July!

On April 14, 2011 Denver’s 9News did a story about the potential health risks of the Brazilian Blowout (see video below).  Tests conducted by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found some hair straightening products release high levels of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can irritate the eyes, cause allergic reactions, and is linked to lung cancer.  The OSHA alert specifically mentioned the Brazilian Blowout.

I have NEVER used the Brazilian Blowout because I never trusted it.  It was just too easy.  Other girls would talk about how great it worked…but I was skeptical.  There was always controversy about whether or not it contained formaldehyde.  Some believe it costs less than other chemical straightening methods, but it only lasts 3 months so in the long run there is no savings.

I use Bio Ionic, which is truly a hair straightening product.  It is permanent. Your hair actually has to grow out so only the roots need to be touched up.  Most of my clients find it lasts from 9-12 months.

The Bio Ionic Relax System utilizes ionic technology. It restores and revitalizes hair to a healthier condition, leaving your hair smooth, silky and incredibly shiny.  It doesn’t contain sodium  hydroxide.

The benefits of Bio Ionic include:

• Vibrant hair
• Softens & strengthens hair
• Gives hair body & volume
• Adds a glossy shine to your hair
• Can be used on colored and/or permed hair

I’ve said this before…but once again it comes down to how well do you really know your hairdresser?  Will they sell  you a product that could potentially make you very sick?  What are their priorities?

Those of you who know me know I care about my clients!

Goldwell reduces stress to overly colored hair.  It gives optimal results every time – I always know what to expect and never have to worry about surprises.  Goldwell uses natural plant extracts and has a patented dye intermediate that keeps hair color on-tone between salon visits.

I like Goldwell because of its:

• new outstanding base formula
• outstanding dye pigments and upgraded shades
• outstanding fashion shades

My objective for my clients it to provide the best possible hair care at a reasonable price.  I’ve used Goldwell hair color for 11+ years.  During that time I’ve stepped away from it a couple of times but have found there are no better color lines.  I learned a valuable lesson…I always come back to Goldwell.

Its safer to use and gives more vibrant hair color.  Yes…there are cheaper substitutes out there I could use, but I don’t feel that would be fair to my clients.  I’m not raising my prices – just putting a better quality product on my shelves.

And…they have a color mousse so if you’re need a quick touch up between visits, let me know.

Granted, environment, sun and water can play a role in hair color fading but if you’re using the proper shampoo and conditioner, you can shield your hair from the harsh elements.

Here’s another scenario – people sit in my chair and think they’re going bald or their hair is getting thinner. Again, look to the shampoo you are using. As we get older, our hair changes. It is replaced with gray hair and can become more brittle. This new virgin hair, which hasn’t been touched by color, can be unmanageable. Again, you want to use a shampoo that’s gentle, as harsh shampoos will strip out the natural oils.

Ever have that moment of panic when you look at the drain in your shower or bathtub and you see a wad of hair covering the drain? It can be nothing more than natural shedding. Natural shedding is a process where your body eliminates the old hair and makes room for new hair growth. Don’t want to sound like a broken record, but using a gentle shampoo will help your hair be stronger and more beautiful.

I personally like Kenra Color Maintenance Shampoo & Conditioners. It is a gentle formula infused with several plant extracts to help maintain color. Even if you wash your hair often, it will not break down the color. Kenra contains silk proteins that repair and strengthen hair while the olive oil based derived Squalane adds shine and elasticity. Extra emollients detangle chemically altered hair.

And…a really big thing for me…is that they do NO animal testing. Plus it smells great!

Call me if you have any questions: 303-810-2128.

Thank you for your support…AND thank you for putting up with me again this year!

The issue is not whether you are for or against – the goal is to make sure our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers and all else don’t go without.

Stop by En Gedi Salon and I will give you a recycle bag to fill and bring back when full.  Last year’s collection was a huge success…and this year I’m hoping to double that amount!

Some suggestions include:

• Wisps
• Wet wipes
• Candy  (NO CHOCOLATE)
• Water flavoring (ie: Crystal light)
• Doggie treats (for our four legged soldiers)
• Nuts, pretzels etc..
• Jerky
• Letters

Use your own judgment…just make sure its nothing that is perishable or will melt.  You can get more suggestions at my website www.StylesByKathleen.com.

I will be collecting items through December 1st.  Bring your goodies to En Gedi Salon at:

1263 Park Street Unit C
Castle Rock, CO 80109

Thanks in advance for your support…I couldn’t do it without you!!