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tipoftheweek

Gina’s Tip of the Week – How to Combat Frizzy Hair

April 29, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Frizzy hair can be one of the most challenging hair situations that we deal with. Here’s my Tip of the Week for combating the frizzies:

  • Start with a terrific professional wetline. Hint: This is always where your hair care should start.
  • Select a professional wetline based on its ingredients and its ability to provide proper nutrients, soften, and smooth the hair.
  • Always go with a shampoo that is sulfate free.
  • Make sure to select a wetline that is packed with items such as biotin, collagen and vitamins. I recommend Pure BioGen Complex by Gina.
  • Always select hot tools that utilize infrared technology because they lock the moisture into the hair.

Filed Under: Article, Hair Care, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: Gina Rivera, gina rivera style, ginas platform, hair, hair texture, haircare, healthyhair, tipoftheweek

5 Haircuts For Round Face Shapes, According to Celebrity Hairstylists

April 21, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Credit to: Hailey Bouche for theeverygirl.com

Back in the day, my only source for haircut inspiration was found in coffee table catalogs at a local salon. If I wasn’t going for a standard trim, I’d have to frantically flip through each page to choose what I was going to do next before it was my turn to sit in the salon chair.

Now, thanks to the internet and social media, we have access to experts who can help us choose the best haircuts for our face shape weeks before our appointment so we can make a decision, change our minds, and change them again, all before it’s too late. If only this was the case sooner, I would have been saved from more than just a few not-so-cute haircuts.

I am happy to say that we no longer have to learn the hard way. All it takes is reaching out to some stylists to ask about the best haircuts. In this case, we inquired for all of our beautiful readers with round faces to find out what the best round-face haircuts are.

1. Long Layers

Gina Rivera, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Phenix Salon Suites, recommended long layers for round face shapes. “These styles tend to create a balance that makes the face appear to be slightly longer rather than wider,” she said.

If you don’t opt for layers and choose a one-length haircut, the roundness of your face will likely be overemphasized, according to celebrity hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor.

2. Mid-Length Cut with Chin-Length Layers

Similar to shag cuts, “chin-length layers help elongate and frame a round face,” said Andrew Fitzsimons, a celebrity hairstylist who has styled some of our favorites (Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, J.Lo, and Megan Fox). Adding a smaller curl pattern to this style if your hair isn’t curly already can be one of the best round-face haircuts—especially if you are a fan of styles with a lot of volume.

As far as parting your locks goes, stylists agree: A deep side part or a middle part will give your face the illusion of length.

3. Pixie Cut

If you prefer a shorter style that requires minimal styling, Kee said that you can never go wrong with a pixie cut. This is arguably one of the most popular round-face haircuts, so if you are looking for inspiration, Ginnifer Goodwin and Michelle Williams are two celebrities who do the pixie cut right.

If you have curly hair and are worried about how your hair will look with a pixie cut, Kee recommended a layered bob. Once your hair drys and the pattern of your hair is formed, you will be left with tons of volume.

4. Shag Cuts

According to Rivera, a long shag cut is another great style for those with round faces. “The shag layers can help frame the face, creating a focus on the center vertical line of the face rather than the width of the face.”

Fitzsimons agreed and encouraged adding bangs to haircuts with a shag effect to further accentuate your face shape.

5. Bangs

Fear not: A side-swept bang or a bold bang will add an edge to your look and compliment your face shape, so don’t be afraid of them! Fitzsimons recommended them both but suggested avoiding soft, wispy bangs, as they can result in further accentuating the softness of your features.

Filed Under: Hair Care, Lifestyle, Stylist Tagged With: Gina Rivera, gina rivera style, ginas platform, hair, hair texture, haircare, haircut, haircuts for round face shapes, haircuts for women over 40, haircuts for women over 50, healthyhair, tipoftheweek

Tip of the Week – Wondering why you should select tools designed with infrared technology

March 15, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Here’s my Tip of the Week:

  • Infrared works to lock the moisture in to the hair drying the hair from the inside to the out. (Tools by Gina has a terrific one!)
  • The technology contributes to the hair being dried much faster and cuts the drying time in half. Meaning less heat exposure.
  • Infrared technology is like giving the hair a spa treatment. Think of all the places you see infrared light used for the betterment!
  • Infrared tools are comparably priced with other professional tools on the market.
  • Always read the instructions to make sure you’re reaping the most benefits from your infrared tool

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Hair Care, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: Gina Excel Infrared Hair Dryer, Gina Rivera, gina rivera style, ginas platform, hair, hair texture, haircare, healthyhair, infrared, infrared technology, tipoftheweek, wellness

Should You Get Balayage or Foil Highlights?

March 7, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

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

  • Gina Rivera is the founder of Phenix Salon Suites. She is also the creator of Colours by Gina and the By Gina hair product line.
  • Reece Walker is a bicoastal colorist, stylist, and hair extension expert for his celebrity clientele like Victoria Beckham, Miranda Kerr, and Caroline Vreeland.

What is Balayage?

Balayage Blonde Seamless
@STEPHENGARRISON

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?

30 Ideas for Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights From Celebs
GETTY IMAGES

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.

What Are Babylights?

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.

Highlights vs. Balayage: What’s the Difference?

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.

Which Is Better For Your Hair?

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.

Maintaining Balayage

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.

Maintaining Highlights

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,”

Consider the Look You’re Going For

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.”

Go With More Than One Color

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.

The Final Takeaway

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

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Fashion, Hair Care Tagged With: balayage, foil highlights, Gina Rivera, gina rivera style, ginas platform, haircare, haircut, healthyhair, highlights, tipoftheweek

Cute Hairstyles for Women Over 40 – 2022 Guide for Women

March 1, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Finding a good haircut is like finding the fountain of youth. That’s especially true of hair over 40. Few features have more transformative power than your locks. The right style is an essential part of your look, and let’s face it, a lot cheaper than plastic surgery! 

Don’t worry though. There are plenty of youthful haircuts for those over 40 to choose from. Whether you’re after something edgy or sophisticated, the best hairdressers can help you pick the best age 40 hairstyles for your face shape and lifestyle. 

A few minutes in the chair can change your life and even a decision as simple as whether or not to get bangs can make you look 10 years younger (or older if you’re not careful). With that in mind, we’ve amassed the best hairstyles for women over 40 based on hair trends in 2022. 

The Classic Bob

Consider this one of the go-to hairstyles for women over 40. No matter your face shape, a classic bob or lob (long bob) is a safe, flattering bet. The trick here is to make sure your hairdresser incorporates some longer layers. It’s the best way to pump up the volume. Since harsh, blunt hairstyles in your 40s can make your locks look limp, you want to make sure they remove the weight for a light, airy, youthful feel.

Bangs

Not all bangs work when talking about hair for women over 40. In fact, some can actually make you look :: whispers :: older. If the bangs are too blunt across the brow, they can often draw attention to your eyes – and more specifically, your eye wrinkles. Instead, a feathery curtain bang or set of swoopy side bangs can frame and soften your face in a sweet and sophisticated way. They’re also a great example of stylish hair for over 40 that universally works for most face shapes. They’re also easy to care for and grow out (bonus!). 

The Pixie

Definitively one of the cutest hairstyles for women over 40, the pixie cut has long been a favorite of chic ladies entering the best years of their lives. If you’re looking for a way to highlight your eyes, cheekbones, or any other favorite facial features, this is it! It’s the ideal choice when trying to diffuse fine lines as it draws the attention up to your trendy tresses. It really is a must-try at some point in your life. You don’t even know the meaning of easy and freeing until you’ve tried a pixie cut. 

The Short Shag

You’ve heard us rave about shag haircuts before. Well, that wasn’t just the quarantine talking. The volume you get from a short shag alone offers unbeatable fullness and movement, even if your hair is thin or thinning. (Don’t worry. That happens naturally as hair ages.) It’s the queen of the hair trends for women over 40, and not just because most of us are going out less. This tousled, multi-dimensional favorite has a carefree, chic feel that will make you feel proud of your age. 

Asymmetrical Cuts 

Yes, edgy hairstyles for women in their 40s definitely exist. Case in point: the asymmetrical cut. We love it for its charisma and uniqueness. It’s also super versatile. Go with layers at varied lengths and add some extra interest or you can go the classic route and sport pure sophistication. Either way you slice it (pun intended) longer on one side and shorter on the other look is trendy in the best way possible. The cut also has all the hallmarks of a pixie (read: feature popping and line softening). 

Hairstyle Tips For Women Over 40 

In general, make sure you always consult with your stylist to determine the best cut or style for face shape and lifestyle. ⁠You don’t want to get a chop that makes your face look worn or that’s more upkeep than you’re ready to commit to. 

You’ll also want to make sure you have a quality, light-weight mousse or gel on hand. Applying it to the crown of your head and fluffing with a blowdryer creates a youthful, tousled look, everytime.  ⁠

Cute Hairstyles Over 40 FAQ

We get these a lot, so let’s set the record right once and for all. 

Does long hair make you look older?

Texture more than length can make you appear slightly older. When searching for hairstyles for ladies over 40, look for ones that are textured or wavy for a youthful feel.

Should you go darker or lighter with hair color as you age?

If you want to appear younger, stay away from shades that can look grey. Platinum blondes count, too! However, if you are going grey, be aware it could be more difficult to cover over. But not impossible! Talk to your hairdresser to see about color correction or grey coverage color options and pricing.

At what age should a woman stop wearing long hair?

To that we say, your hair, your choice. There are cute hairstyles for women over 40 at all lengths. If you’re unsure, schedule a consultation with your hair stylist. 

At what age should a woman cut her long hair?

Again, that’s really a personal choice. In general, we say if you’re ready to make a change in your life, short hair is often the gateway. 

Picking a signature hairstyle when you’re over 40 doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Find a professional to help you choose the one that will make you look and feel young at heart! 

Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

    Filed Under: Lifestyle, Business, Hair Care Tagged With: asymmetricalcut, bangs, bob, hairsytles, lifestyle, pixie, tipoftheweek, womenover40

    Gina’s Platform – Tip of the Week

    December 7, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

    The holidays are such an important time of year for businesses, especially in the busy beauty industry because we have extra opportunities to increase revenue.  Here’s a few of my tips for keeping your business thriving financially and professionally during this festive season:

    • Schedule Text Alerts & Appointment Reminders Early
    • Have small give away gifts on hand for your clients to wish them a Happy Holiday. (Hint: I use to like sample products, but candy canes work great as well…it’s all about the thought!)
    • Create a holiday gift package of a few items that you prepackage and have available to sell.
    • Team up with other professionals and offer special packages that pair a variety of services.
    • Take photos of special holiday looks that you create and post them on your social media account to drive sales.
    • Make sure to schedule some time for fun!

    Filed Under: Business, Business, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: tipoftheweek

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