From knowing the difference between a hair moisturizer and a leave-in conditioner to eating superfoods and taking a multivitamin, or relying on their own products for the best hair ever, here’s what ladies at the top of their game want you to know about their mane routines. Read on for the best hair advice from our favorite female founders in the beauty space!
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Credit to: Emilie Branch for Mane Addicts.
I have officially launched my @coloursbygina Professional Colour Line in the United Kingdom. I am so grateful, blessed and humbled by this accomplishment. I want to extend a thank you to all of the key players involved that helped me take another one of my dreams to the next level and expand my Colour internationally. We’re just getting started!! If you work hard, persevere, and never take no for an answer… the WORLD is your oyster. Don’t forget it! 
A HAIRSTYLIST REVEALS THE BRUSH THAT COULD BE MAKING YOUR THINNING HAIR WORSE
It’s a fact: Hair thinning comes with aging. While your twenties and thirties may have been defined by thick, voluminous strands, some of that density may decrease as you blow out the birthday candles. Of course, this isn’t the worst thing in the world—it’s just one of the many ways our bodies change as we enter our golden years. But our hair can be a part of how we see ourselves, and losing it may be harder for some than others. Luckily, there are ways to minimize hair thinning, including using the proper tools to care for it. Read on to find out what you should avoid doing in your beauty routine if you’re concerned about thinning hair.
Not all hairbrushes are created equal—especially when you’re trying to be gentle with your strands. Tightly bristled brushes can pull on the hair due to rough edges and cause additional breakage, especially when the hair is wet. “It’s very important to use a good wet brush after cleansing the hair,” says Gina Rivera, celebrity stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. Wet brushes—which can be used on dry hair as well—typically have more widely spread teeth that are less likely to snag on your strands.
While you’re editing down your hairbrush collection, this goes for boar bristle brushes as well. These tightly bristled brushes are best reserved for thick or coarse hair textures, as they can damage thin strands.
Not all hair thinning is the result of a haircare mistake. According to Andrea Claire, a licensed hairstylist, there could be other issues at play. When one of her clients mentions hair loss, she asks them to consider the following common culprits: new hair products or chemical services, big life changes or stress, medications, changes in diet, and simply, age.
She also asks them to assess the volume of hair loss. Losing between 50 to 100 strands throughout the day is totally normal, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD). But Claires says “if you glide your fingers through your hair and 20-plus strands of hair come out, then further investigation may be required.” In other words, you’ll want to consult your GP or a dermatologist.
You already know that using heat on your hair can lead to damage. But did you know the temperature of that heat also has an impact? “Make sure that when using styling tools the settings are on low or cool heat to avoid doing damage to the hair that would cause it to break off,” says Rivera. A quality heat protectant can also work wonders.
Skip a wash day.
Once you rule out a medical issue, you can make other modifications to your hair care routine to prevent thinning. One of the most effective ones? Skipping a wash day. “Avoid shampooing daily which can cause stress onto your follicles,” says Claire.
To make sure each wash packs a punch, invest in quality shampoos and conditioners that your stylist recommends for your specific hair type. You can also coat strands with a leave-in conditioner to help moisturize and strengthen the hair shaft. “Iles Formula Finishing Serum and Color Wow’s Dream Cocktail are my new jams,” says Claire.
You already know that using heat on your hair can lead to damage. But did you know the temperature of that heat also has an impact? “Make sure that when using styling tools the settings are on low or cool heat to avoid doing damage to the hair that would cause it to break off,” says Rivera. A quality heat protectant can also work wonders.
If that’s not possible with your current ‘do, try opting for a cut that minimizes your need for hot tools. “A textured bob can often be styled by simply towel drying and using product to emphasize waves and curls,” says Rivera. “This omits additional heat exposure that is often required for styling many looks.”
Even if you’re not open to a dramatic chop, a hairstylist can guide you in building a hair care routine that will give you the strands of your dreams.
Credit to: Juliana LaBianca for bestlifeonline.com
When it’s time to get a few highlights in your hair, you have a choice between traditional foil highlights and balayage (also known as hair painting). There’s a difference between the two techniques and each has its advantages, depending on the look you’re going for. But you’re in luck, as many stylists and colorists are skilled in both techniques and can help you decide which will achieve your desired look. Still need help deciding between the two? We’re breaking down the details on foil highlights versus balayage, with tips from the experts.
MEET THE EXPERT
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Originating from the French word meaning “to sweep,” balayage is a hair color technique where a lightening solution is hand-painted on the surface of random portions of hair. According to Walker, balayage is a freehand technique, not a look. “Typically, balayage colors are shades that are slightly lighter than your base color and the color is applied to create a more natural look,” adds Rivera. “The end goal is to provide a lightened look while creating depth and dimension in a way that appears to be natural.
What Are Highlights?
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Highlights, on the other hand, are more traditional and generally done using foil. “Hair highlighting is changing the hair color, using a lightener or hair color to lift the level or brightness of the hair strands,” says Rivera, noting that there are four basic types of highlight application, which include foil highlights, hair painting, frosting, and chunking.
Babylights are very subtle and lightly applied highlights that are meant to look natural much like a child’s hair, hence the name. Since they are done so delicately, babylights tend to look best on those with finer hair.
It’s very likely that your colorist will recommend highlight foils if you want a big color shift. Foils tend to work best when taking dark hair four or more shades lighter. The same is true if you want hair that has a lot of contrast with both highlights and lowlights or prefer an even distribution of color.
“Highlights are often placed much closer to the scalp and applied in specific sections while the balayage process includes a graduated painting the color onto the hair in random sections,” says Rivera.
If you are looking to add non-uniform chunks or sweeps of color, balayage is a better option. The method offers your stylist more freedom to add color that fits and flatters your cut, face shape, and, of course, your personal style. So, if you have more of a carefree attitude, you can give your colorist the opportunity to stretch their artistic muscles with balayage.
Balayage is also great for face-framing highlights. Where foils often target the full shaft of the hair, including the roots, balayage is frequently used to highlight from mid-length to ends, leaving a more natural root.
While the method of color application will largely rely on the results that a person is attempting to achieve, there are some thoughts to take into consideration. “How dramatic you want the look to be, the hair texture, and the length of the hair are some things to consider,’ says Rivera. “Those with longer hair may opt more towards balayage as the length will allow for easier sweeping on of the color. While those with shorter hair may opt for a highlight as the process allows for the color to be applied much closer to the scalp.”
Balayage is also a gentle, subtle way to cover grays because the stylist can paint just the gray strands rather than having to color your entire head. Likewise, if you’re in a transition phase and want to grow out your roots without making it obvious, balayage can be a natural-looking and temporary solution. For instance, they may suggest giving you just as many highlights as they would with foils, or they may suggest a gentle sun-kissed look with just a few natural streaks here and there.
“Balayage is great for people wanting a soft grow out and warmer tones,” says Walker.
Some stylists, Walker included, even use a combination of balayage and foils. One technique known as “American tailoring” begins with foils after which balayage highlights are painted in between the new highlights to soften and blend the color. Another popular approach is “foilyage,” and it’s just the opposite: Starting with painted color and finishing up with foil accents.
If you prefer to avoid the maintenance of getting your hair colored every six to eight weeks, balayage may be a better match for your lifestyle. The technique is less obvious and allows you to go longer between salon visits—even just three to four times a year—and it grows out beautifully.
“Because balayage is freehand, it’s not for someone who likes to have their roots touched up every week,” says Walker. “I like to have enough regrowth to work with ideally four months-worth. Anything sooner than three months, in my opinion, causes too much breakage from the overlapping of color.”
To maintain balayage, Rivera recommends using a sulfate-free wet line of shampoo and conditioner. “I recommend Pure BioGen Complex ($16) because it’s packed with biotin, collagen, and B Vitamins, which are designed to improve hair and scalp health,” she says.
Prevent your balayage from looking brassy by using a purple or blue shampoo once or twice a week.
Foil highlights have an obvious demarcation, so new growth is also more noticeable. Again, Rivera recommends using a sulfate-free wet-line of shampoo and conditioner, and to reduce the heat slightly when washing to extend color. “Keep the color fresh by periodically doing a clarifying treatment,” she recommends.
For his blonde clients, Walker uses foil highlights as he “has more control and can lift the hair to that creamy very light blonde that girls want without overlapping.”
“To freshen up the blonde ends that have gotten a little dull over time, I like to balayage/tip-out the ends while my foils are processing,”
All in all, each highlighting method creates a different look. For a natural, sun-swept look, balayage highlights are the perfect option. If you prefer uniform highlighted strands from root to ends throughout your hair, foils are your best bet. That being said, you do have the option to get both at the same time.
“Balayage is great for a low maintenance highlight, adding beautiful rich and warmer tones to the hair,” says Walker. “Foils are for the girls who love to have very little regrowth and like their hair nice and light.”
You’ve probably noticed that natural hair colors aren’t a single shade and that each strand is a different color. You can achieve similar diversity when getting either balayage or foils by asking your stylist to use more than one color for highlights that look even more natural.
You can also consider getting lowlights—a color that’s about two shades darker than your highlights. When lowlights are woven into the hair, they add dimension and depth for some fabulous-looking locks.
Refrain from washing your hair daily to maintain the color for longer, and wear a hat to protect from the sun fading the color.
While some stylists use the two techniques together, determining if you are best suited for highlights or balayage is up to you. However, taking into account your hair color, length, texture, and lifestyle could help make your decision a bit easier before you hop in the chair.
Credit to: Julyne Derrick for BYRDIE
Clients who previously wanted to achieve a fitness goal or up their beauty routine had to spend time in the trenches asking around for the right professional. Now, like everything else, there’s an app for that.
Sensor Tower data rightfully forecasted that wellness apps would exceed 1 billion downloads globally in 2021. Meaning, if your beauty or lifestyle business hasn’t yet made it to mobile, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
But not just any slapdash app will cut it. With the proliferation of options out there, you need to make sure yours stands out. Ahead, we’ll highlight what makes an app great, starting with the features you should focus on.
Few other features matter as much as ease of use. It’s what makes a good app the go-to. If you want to retain users, make sure it’s easy to navigate. The more intuitive, the better.
Make sure it doesn’t crash or freeze either. If so, a user is exceedingly more likely to delete it.
In general, you want your app to be more scroll-friendly since clicking can be cumbersome when you’re working without a mouse.
Opening up a quick and essential communication channel can do wonders for your beauty business. It’s also one of the critical characteristics of mobile applications.
With features like in-app texting, you and your clients can communicate in advance of their appointments. The text messenger feature is unique to Gina’s Platform and allows lifestyle professionals to toggle back and forth between their text message and calendar. This feature also allows you to keep your personal text messaging system separate from the business.
Gina’s Platform professional business application even lets you exchange photos. It can be a great way to ensure you know what type of service to book for your client and set the right expectation of what can reasonably be achieved in that time frame.
In this business, it’s all about the personal connection. By using an app that makes the user experience a personal experience, you’re far more likely to keep clients engaged.
Using the client history and notes section of Gina’s app, lifestyle professionals can enhance their personalization efforts with a built-in client management system.
Customize birthday and appointment reminders in the app and have them automatically sent at the appropriate time. It may seem like a small gesture, but the more touch points you have with your clients, the more loyal they’re likely to be.
Reports suggest, nearly 75% of organizations were targets of a payments fraud attack in 2020. That number is only predicted to increase as digital payment methods become the new normal. “Real-time payments are expected to witness exponential growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than half a trillion transactions and a compound annual growth rate of almost 23% between 2019 and 2024,” says Global News Wire.
Show that you can help keep your clients secure from these types of cyber attacks, and they’re far more likely to make electronic payments with you.
Have clients who still prefer cash-in-hand? No problem. The point of sale system on Gina’s Platform offers a quick and easy-to-use system with features that include a cash-discount option for those not wanting to pay credit card processing rates and an invoicing system.
Want to keep your clients coming back to the app over and over again? Use it to push your promotions.
Whether that be a referral bonus, seasonal savings, or product push, you can make your app the destination.
As COVID continues to keep us all on our toes, you can use your app to communicate salon safety protocols and procedures.
Gina’s Platform helps you prioritize the health of your clients by sending them up-to-date COVID-19 info.
Knowing what makes an app successful is only the beginning. You have to execute on it if you want your beauty business to benefit. Ready to get started? Contact us.
As we age, many of us think we have to stick to a mature, short haircut, but turning 40 does not have to mean playing it safe! Rocking your ageless beauty is possible with experimentation and adventure, and what better way to mix things up than hitting the salon for a new haircut?
We spoke with Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites for three sexy haircuts you can definitely pull off at any age, and that women over 40 can always rely on for timeless, chic and effortless energy.
Flat, lifeless hair be gone— read on for stylist tips for each kind of cut, and why short hair doesn’t have to be boring (and definitely isn’t with these styles!)
Fun, flirty and full of movement, this hairstyle centers around layers and texture to prevent a dull and flat look. It’s timeless and as seen here on Emma Stone, effortlessly glamorous and can be parted in the middle or side depending on your face shape and what works for you.
“A textured bob is always a terrific youthful look,” says Rivera. Texturizing, she says, provides a fuller look with more volume, “which tends to be youthful.” In addition, removing weight and creating movement “always increases the appearance of youthfulness,” she adds.
This haircut allows full, undivided attention to your beautiful face! With lots of layers, this style also provides its wearer with skyrocketing volume and its youthful exuberance never goes out of style, as seen here on Halle Berry, who often rocks this look as her iconic go-to.
“A pixie is such a fun look for aging beauties,” Rivera says. “The pixie is very stylish and trendy which can create a youthful feel in itself.”
This cut is the best of both worlds— it’s not *too* short if you’re not quite ready for a big chop, but it still provides volume and a punky edge from the collarbone length and up. Paired with sultry, eyebrow-grazing fringe like here on Alexa Chung, the shag has been a cool and signature look for many rock stars and beyond since its debut in the 1970s.
“Face-framing cuts like the shag also work well for taking years off,” adds Rivera. “The shag is a great style for softening features because it frames and highlights your face.”
Overall, there are so many great haircuts for women over 40 that prove sexiness and beauty are truly ageless and that getting older (despite what anyone or society says) means you can still experiment and mix things up for as long as you wish to! These cuts are undeniably classic, and your stylist can help shape them for your face and hair type.
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Credit to: Marissa Matozzo
