There’s something about the word change that ignites me all over. The way it begins and ends with this strength against your tongue as you say it. Cchhaannggee.

Change is a neat thing, because we all have our own relationship with it. Some people love change- encourage it! Others fear change- get nervous about it. 

Personally, I think change is healthy and empowering. (So much that I have it tattooed on my body.) For me it brings newness, which I associate with feeling fresh and rebooted! 

This time of year everyone feels a little blah. The holidays are long gone, but Spring is nowhere to be found, in the midwest our skin+hair=DRY. We’re searching all depths for some sort of pick-me-up. 

Maybe that’s why all my clients are eager to chop their locks. Whatever the reason, for the first time in my 7 years doing this, it seems like EVERYONE is looking to go short. Typically, I’m ultra conservative with length, and ask a zillion questions before proceeding… “How long have you been thinking about this?” “Did you guys just break up?” etc… but lately, everyone who wants this refreshment has brought in a printed photo or pulled up their Pinterest, eager to invite the newness. In that case, say no more… lets do it! 

If you’re looking for a fresh start, I say go for it! What’s really stopping you? Just let go, it’s liberating!

Your Stylist,
AJ 

(sorry sis! couldn’t resist using these photos!) 

Nobody’s perfect, but somebody is perfect for you, and you are perfect for them. That’s what is so incredible for me as an on-site bridal specialist. I witness love, at it’s peak. It’s raw. It’s anxious. It’s humble. It’s vulnerable. It’s innocent. It’s that moment of goosebumps that lasts longer than just a moment. 

When you witness two people that you’re personally close to on their wedding day, it feels straight up Disney. 

Erin and Mike, are perfect for each other. Doing Erin’s hair, and rockin out the looks of so many girls with my bridal team was TOO amazing. Hope this short video by Delack Media Group makes you feel just as warm and fuzzy. :)

XO
AJ 

Blondes have more fun breakage. But really, it seems women of all colors and textures are suffering from breakage, dryness, and loss. Lets chat about it. 
We’ve talked about contributing factors in regards to hair growth, the heat settings on your tools, and even conditioning treatments, but there’s still more to cover. Behind the chair I’ve been hearing many of the same concerns from clients in the salon, as well as readers in my inbox. 
The first concern is hair loss. Many of you feel like you’re losing more hair now, than you used to. The most common reason for this is the infrequency we now shampoo. See, most of us used to shampoo every day, then many started the every other day routine, followed by some of us washing only two or three times a week. People shed. The average person loses OVER 100 STRANDS OF HAIR A DAY, and we typically notice the bulk of it when brushing, shampooing, etc. So if we are doing this once every third day, it will SEEM like we’re losing more, because it’s like three days of loss. Make sense? So breath easy, and know that unless you feel like your ponytail is significantly tinier, you’re likely fine.
It’s July, (almost August EEK!), therefore we’ve all adapted mermaid lifestyles consisting of UV rays, salt, and even chlorine. Many of us have taken our color lighter, stripping it of nourishing oils. Dryness has a cure. If you suffer from straw-like locks, you can start making some small changes at home, and if still seeking results try an in-salon treatment. At home adjustments worth making:
After shampooing, wring out as much water as you can from your hair before evenly applying conditioner, let conditioner hang out for a few while you shave, wash your face, exfoliate, etc. 
Rinse conditioner with cool water. This closes the cuticle, locking in the benefits of premium conditioners, and also making it easier to comb out hair, AND allowing it to dry with less frizz
Comb wet hair versus brush, and always start at the bottom working your way up toward the scalp
Air dry as much as possible! Try showering at night, applying a hydrating serum, and sleeping on it wet, followed by hitting it with a curling iron the next morning on low heat
Rotate your ponytails. Wear a high pony one day, low pony one day, side braid another, etc. Securing a pony in the same spot every day is a sure way to cause breakage
Use the right products for you. Using expensive salon products doesn’t do you any good if they’re not products targeting your needs. Think about your beauty products as prescriptions, you wouldn’t want to take arthritis medication for allergies. Using the RIGHT products is key and with the help and direction from your stylist can create a huge difference in the health of your hair. 
OKAY, enough info- time for the fun part…
Your Stylist AJ is overdo for a GIVEAWAY. TWO READERS, (yes TWO), will win Rene Furterer products. One blonde, one color treated. To win, simply “like” the Your Stylist AJ facebook page. Two winners will be chosen at random this Wednesday, August 1st. 
XOAJ 
“Active Light” Shampoo & Mask- for blondes report over 80% of users felt nourished and repaired hair, more luminous, radiant hair and revived highlights.“Protect Color” UV & Color Protection Spray gently detangles while creating a bond between the natural keratin and coloring agent for lasting color intensity

Blondes have more fun breakage. But really, it seems women of all colors and textures are suffering from breakage, dryness, and loss. Lets chat about it. 

We’ve talked about contributing factors in regards to hair growth, the heat settings on your tools, and even conditioning treatments, but there’s still more to cover. Behind the chair I’ve been hearing many of the same concerns from clients in the salon, as well as readers in my inbox. 

The first concern is hair loss. Many of you feel like you’re losing more hair now, than you used to. The most common reason for this is the infrequency we now shampoo. See, most of us used to shampoo every day, then many started the every other day routine, followed by some of us washing only two or three times a week. People shed. The average person loses OVER 100 STRANDS OF HAIR A DAY, and we typically notice the bulk of it when brushing, shampooing, etc. So if we are doing this once every third day, it will SEEM like we’re losing more, because it’s like three days of loss. Make sense? So breath easy, and know that unless you feel like your ponytail is significantly tinier, you’re likely fine.

It’s July, (almost August EEK!), therefore we’ve all adapted mermaid lifestyles consisting of UV rays, salt, and even chlorine. Many of us have taken our color lighter, stripping it of nourishing oils. Dryness has a cure. If you suffer from straw-like locks, you can start making some small changes at home, and if still seeking results try an in-salon treatment. At home adjustments worth making:

  • After shampooing, wring out as much water as you can from your hair before evenly applying conditioner, let conditioner hang out for a few while you shave, wash your face, exfoliate, etc. 
  • Rinse conditioner with cool water. This closes the cuticle, locking in the benefits of premium conditioners, and also making it easier to comb out hair, AND allowing it to dry with less frizz
  • Comb wet hair versus brush, and always start at the bottom working your way up toward the scalp
  • Air dry as much as possible! Try showering at night, applying a hydrating serum, and sleeping on it wet, followed by hitting it with a curling iron the next morning on low heat
  • Rotate your ponytails. Wear a high pony one day, low pony one day, side braid another, etc. Securing a pony in the same spot every day is a sure way to cause breakage

Use the right products for you. Using expensive salon products doesn’t do you any good if they’re not products targeting your needs. Think about your beauty products as prescriptions, you wouldn’t want to take arthritis medication for allergies. Using the RIGHT products is key and with the help and direction from your stylist can create a huge difference in the health of your hair. 

OKAY, enough info- time for the fun part…

Your Stylist AJ is overdo for a GIVEAWAY. TWO READERS, (yes TWO), will win Rene Furterer products. One blonde, one color treated. To win, simply “like” the Your Stylist AJ facebook page. Two winners will be chosen at random this Wednesday, August 1st. 

XO
AJ 

“Active Light” Shampoo & Mask- for blondes report over 80% of users felt nourished and repaired hair, more luminous, radiant hair and revived highlights.
“Protect Color” UV & Color Protection Spray gently detangles while creating a bond between the natural keratin and coloring agent for lasting color intensity