Summer Hair Solutions
When the weather gets hot and humid, most people just wave goodbye to their hair style. Take one step outside, and an hour’s worth of work can disappear into a ball of frizz. But knowing the right product to use can make a world of difference - or, at least, a season’s worth. We asked the stylists and staff here at Citrine to tell us what products they were using - and recommending - in this sticky, southern summer heat.
Bb brilliantine
One-product-wonder
Angie, Gordon, and Tiffany agree - Bumble and bumble’s brilliantine is an amazing product. With rosemary and sage to stimulate your scalp and essential oils to give it shine, this small product packs a big punch. For separation, polish, and sheen, brilliantine is these stylists’ go-to product, giving all hair types a lot of frizz-free style without a lot of fuss
Bb styling lotion
Healthy style
Bumble and bumble’s styling lotion is another salon favorite, and both Heather and Holly will vouch for its versatility. With a hefty dose of vitamins A, E, and H, this multi-purpose styling product nourishes, strengthens, and protects hair while smoothing flyaways, adding body, and reducing static.
Bb curl conscious nourishing masque
Layer it on
Other members of the salon staff use Bumble and bumble’s trademark layering techniques to achieve exactly the style they want, with no fear of the summer weather. Miranda, one of Citrine’s coordinators, uses the curl conscious nourish masque to condition and the defining and grooming cremes to enhance her curls and give her hair a clean, light hold. Once her hair is dry, she mixes the brilliantine and styling wax to prevent frizz and give her hair its trademark long, curly look. And co-coordinator Jessica completely agrees - the curl conscious masque is the first conditioner either one has used that actually enhances their curls.
Don’t let the weather get you down - or get you frizzy, dry, or flat. Just ask your stylist here at Citrine what product you should be using this summer! With the right tools, you can start seeing the bright side of summer - and that means you’ve got to start searching for the right sunglasses…
Citrine Salon serves the Triangle area, including Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham, North Carolina.
It Makes Cents
“I can’t believe you would pay that for a haircut!” Is this something you’ve ever said? Ever heard from a friend? The comment could imply that you paid very little or a whole lot for your cut, but either way it says something about the value of the service - what you’re actually getting for what you pay. Believe it or not, there are some major differences between an expensive haircut and an inexpensive one besides the price. Here are a couple of ways the two can be distinguished.
Cheap thrills
So the total cost for your cut and style came to $15, and your first thought may have been, “Wow! What a great value!” But who says value is completely determined by price? Many maor hair care chains market their affordability, but spend the least amount of time possible cutting your hair - meaning they’re cutting corners as well. Discount shop stylists are trained to work fast, so they often skip opportunities for consultation, cross-checking, dry cutting, and true precision. Any person who’s had a bad haircut will agree - that extra 30 to 45 minutes in your stylist’s chair makes the difference between someone noticing your hair is shorter and someone noticing your stunning new style. If your cheap cut ends up in disaster, you might have to shell out that extra money regardless - just to amend the sloppy chop.
Smart stuff
Salons that charge the lowest possible price for a cut and style might not have the resources to invest in continuing education for their stylists - meaning there’s a better chance your cut won’t be cutting edge. A salon that charges more attracts competitive, well-educated stylists who’ve often invested thousands of dollars into their education and have the skill set to make specific recommendations based on your hair type and face shape. This kind of education is incredibly important, but not incredibly common in salons that offer cheap cuts - when you pay a higher price, you’re paying for those years of education and experience and investing in a cut that’s worth every dime.
Bottom line
It wouldn’t make sense to pay more if you didn’t actually get more, but a salon that’s high in value will have a beautiful space and amenities, pair you with a highly-trained and thoughtful stylist, leave you with a style that truly flatters you, and give you the tools to recreate that style for months to come. At Citrine Salon, that’s exactly what we do. Your look is worth more because we think you are. And that makes sense, doesn’t it?
Featured Stylist - Angie
Once a month, we’ll be interviewing a member of our salon team - so next time you come in, you’ll know a little bit more about who we are and why we love what we do! Be on the look out for your stylist or esthetician!
Angie Aiken has the kind of personality that immediately puts you at ease - and a bubbling sense of humor that lets you know there’s more to this southern belle than meets the eye. We got a chance to catch up with Angie and ask her a few questions.
C: So Angie - introduce yourself!
A: Well, I’m Angie (she smiles) - I love doing hair, and I love my family. I’ve got two amazing boys, and my husband, Chip, is a Chapel Hill firefighter. We’re very outdoorsy - we love the beach, anything outside. I really love spending time with them.
C: That’s great! How long have you been doing hair?
A: Seven years!
C: So after 7 years of working with hair, what kind of hair do you think is “in” now?
A: Long, layered hair with big, juicy curls. Definitely “in.” And balayage, too - I’d love to learn more about it. But I also love doing short, edgy cuts.
C: And “out”?
A: Mullets! (she laughs) No, let’s see. I don’t know. Anything goes - nothing is “out” to me.
C: Who does your hair, Angie?
A: No one certain stylist. Everyone here has touched my hair at some point, for color, for a cut - I can honestly say I would trust anyone here with my hair.
C: Is there a trade secret you’d like to share? Or I guess it doesn’t have to be a trade secret - just something we might not know.
A: You know, I might look quiet, but I’ve got a spunky side. (she grins)
C: What inspired you to become a stylist?
A: Well - two things. When I was younger, I had naturally curly hair that I could never do anything with, and I always wanted everyone else’s hair. Then my mom started doing hair - she was really my inspiration! I started changing my friends’ hair, and it just took off from there. And now I know how to wear my hair curly or straight - I’ve got the best of both worlds!
C: What’s inspiring you today?
A: The beautiful weather!
C: Is there a musical artist you love to listen to while you work?
A: The “Short Stack Funky Mix” - with some 80’s music thrown in! I’m not into one style of music. I like a little bit of everything.
C: Where can we find you when you’re not at Citrine?
A: I’ll always be at home with my family - or out doing things with my boys!
C: Okay, Angie - three words we can remember you by.
A: Sweet. Honest. And funny - I love to laugh!
Thanks, Angie! And we’ll be sure to post “Short Stack Funky Mix” playlist for everyone else to enjoy!
Your Local Black Market
You know the scenario - your stylist uses a series of fantastic shampoos, conditioners, and products on your hair while you’re at the salon. You leave feeling like you’ve gotten the best cut and style of your life, but leave without those styling tools in hand. A few days later, you stumble across those same products at your local drug store - or, at least, you think they’re the same. And you thought they were only sold in salons!
Turns out, they are. When professional products show up in retail stores, they’ve often gone through an unapproved or unauthorized process called diversion. It’s a shady business, where dealers in fedoras and dark suits meet retail reps in alleys and car parks with suitcases full of shampoo- ok, not quite. But the business is shady, and the arrangements that are made underground between third parties and mass retailers put you at a disadvantage. How? Read on.
The price is (not) right
While major retail chains often highlight their affordability and great discounts, you won’t be getting any deals when it comes to diverted products. In fact, our stylists have noticed that, if there’s any difference in price at all, the diverted products cost more. Paying more for the same product? Doesn’t sound like a deal to me. Add that to the fact that you wouldn’t be supporting the actual product line - you’d be supporting the sketchy guy in the fedora - and those products on the drug store shelf start to look way out of your price range.
You (don’t) get what you pay for
It might not be cheaper, but it’s still the same product - right? Not necessarily. Some of the underground products sit in storage until they’ve expired, but that doesn’t keep them from making it onto the shelves. Sometimes diverted products have been tampered with, and the ingredients listed may not be what’s actually in the bottle. Diluted, contaminated, or worse, they’re most likely not going to be the same as the ones your stylist uses; and they’re certainly not going to be what your stylist recommends.
Keeping it real (really)
While some brands have chosen to file lawsuits against unauthorized distributors of their products, others simply put a warning up for users and fans - like our much-loved Bumble and bumble has done. On their website, they say:
“We only sell our products through the Bb. Network which is comprised of exclusive salons and apothecaries throughout the world. We have no relationship with any mass market chains and none is authorized to sell Bb. products (and we hate it when they do). The only way to guarantee the efficacy of our products (so you know they’re the real deal) is to buy them from a member of our Network or directly from Bumble and bumble.”
Here at Citrine, we simply want our clients to know that the products we carry are the real deal - no guesswork required - and we’re commited to using the products that are best for you and best for the planet. Take a look at the awesome lines we carry, or ask your stylist for a sample next time you come in. And that guy selling shampoo out of his trunk?…he’s not with us.
Citrine Salon in Chapel Hill, NC, serves the Triangle area, including Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham.
Thanksgiving is nearly here!
With the holidays just around the corner we know that looking great for the family photos is at the top of the list. That being said, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and procrastinate making your hair, skin, and waxing appointments. Do yourself the favor of taking just a few minutes right now to secure your appointment with your stylist and esthetician. You’ll be so glad you did! We’ll send you a reminder email or phone call the day before your appointment just in case you space.
We’re here to help you get ready for that special holiday event. Book a blowout and makeup application to save yourself the hassle of doing it at home.
Let Citrine help you look your best for the holiday season.
919.929.2209
Citrine Salon in Chapel Hill, NC provides quality service in all areas of personal beauty care, including hair, skin and waxing. Citrine serves the Triangle and RTP, NC.
