How to Choose a Blow Dryer for Your Hair Type

Quality tools are important to the health of the hair as well as producing the best styling results. There are many different types of blow dryers on the market which can make it overwhelming to decide the best one to purchase. We created a guide to help you understand blow dryer terminology and choose one that is best for your needs!

 Wattage- Measures how powerful the dryer is  ( aka “wind power”). The higher the wattage, the more power it has which means less styling time and exposure to heat. Look for wattage of at least 1800.

 Ceramic- Designed to distribute heat evenly and as gently as possible. Good for preserving the natural moisture of the hair. Great for all hair types but especially if your hair is dry, damaged or fine.

 Titanium- Quickly heats up which makes it great for fast styling.  Helps combat frizz but can damage hair due to higher heat if proper care isn’t taken. Titanium is best for thick hair that is extra challenging to smooth.

 Ionic- Disperses negative ions to break down water molecules for faster drying.  Great for closing the cuticle and removing moisture from the hair creating a more sleek, polished finish. Great if frizz or static is a main concern. If you have fine hair this feature may leave it a bit flat.

 Tourmaline- Think of this as ionic but supercharged. Disperses even more negative ions to dry the hair quicker.  Closes the cuticle layer which creates a smooth finish. Enables hair to endure higher levels of heat without damage.

 Cool shot button- helps set the style by closing the hair cuticle when it is nearly dry,  Adds shine and provides long lasting style memory.

 Nozzle/Concentrator- An attachment to direct the airflow for a smooth finish. Make sure to keep the nozzle pointed downward on the hair!

 Diffuser- An attachment to style curly hair. Helps define curls and reduce frizz. This can also be great for straight hair to create extra volume at the root!

 Multiple Heat Settings- Like any other hot tool the ability to change the heat settings is a must. The different levels of heat should be adjusted according to hair type. For finer hair, lower heat will get the job done and produce less damage!

Regardless of the type of dryer you choose, using a thermal protector is a must! We love the Unite 7 Seconds Leave in Detangler!

We hope you found this information helpful! Share in the comments below if you have a favorite hair dryer or any questions:)

How to Properly Thermal Protect your Hair

If you heat style your hair in any way it is very important to protect it! Some hot tools can reach up to 450 degrees which means if you are not using a high quality thermal protector you are literally scorching your hair. We recommend using a product in wet hair (see our previous post Leave in Conditioner 101) with a thermal protector built in before blow drying as well as an additional spray on dry hair prior to flat ironing and curling. Using good products on your hair can help prevent damage before it starts! 

7 Seconds Glossing Spray by Unite is a UV and thermal protector for all hair types that is great to use prior to curling or flat ironing on dry hair. We love it because it is lightweight and gives the hair great shine without weighing it down or making it sticky. An added bonus is that it smells amazing! Simply spray each section of hair lightly (3-5 inches away) prior to flat ironing or curling. This can also be used as an all over finishing mist for added shine! We carry Unite in the salon and are always happy to answer any questions:)

Some additional tips:

-Keep your tools moving-don't hold your flat iron or curling iron in one section of hair for too long.

-Don't use heat every day if you can avoid it-even giving your hair a break one day a week can go a long way.

-Quality matters- using professional quality tools will make a big difference in the health of your hair.

-Make sure hair is fully dry before using hot tools (flat irons and curling irons). 

-Spray your thermal spray at least 3-5 inches away from hair.

We hope you found this post helpful! Let us know if you have any questions:)

Leave in Conditioner 101

One of our number one tips for keeping hair in optimal condition is to use a salon quality leave in conditioner after every shampoo. Leave in conditioners with high quality ingredients are important to help maintain and improve the health of hair. Many of our clients who never used one are amazed at the difference it makes once they start to incorporate one into their routine. A few of the benefits of a leave in conditioner include: add moisture, shine, thermal protection, static control, and manageability. One of our favorite leave in conditioners that is great for all hair types is the 7 Seconds Leave in Detangler by Unite Haircare.

7 seconds seals the cuticle and has a perfect balance of light protein and moisture which are both necessary to keep the hair healthy. It instantly detangles the hair, helps to lock in color as well as repairs and strengthens the hair. This leave in conditioner also has a thermal protector as well as UV protector and is very lightweight so you don't have to worry about it weighing the hair down or sacrificing volume!

With this product and any leave in conditioner, you want to focus on applying from the mid strand of the hair to the ends. Since our scalp naturally produces oil, you don’t want to apply any to that area as it will cause the hair to become limp and greasy. Also, these products should not replace normal conditioning in the shower, but used in addition:)  If you decide to incorporate a leave in conditioner into your haircare routine, be sure to only purchase from a reputable salon rather than discount stores or other sources to ensure the integrity of the product! If you don’t already use a salon quality leave in conditioner, we highly recommend adding one to your routine and be consistent in using it, your hair will thank you:)!

5 Reasons to Use a Clarifying Shampoo

Over time products, environmental pollutants, chlorine, oils from our skin and minerals in our water cause a build up on the hair that regular shampoo just can’t remove.  It is important to use a clarifying shampoo on occasion to remove stubborn build up. Here are some signs it’s time to clarify your hair:

1.) Your go-to hair products don’t seem to be working anymore. If your haircare regimen that you normally love doesn’t seem to be doing the trick anymore, this may be a sign you have build up on your hair. This prevents products from being able to sink into the hair cuticle and do their job correctly.

2.) Your hair is limp and feels weighed down. If your hair is dull and feels greasy even after being shampooed, this is also a sign that you have build up that needs to be removed!

3.)  Your blonde hair has become brassy. Hair that is lightened with bleach is more porous so more easily absorbs environmental pollutants such as smoke and minerals from water. Don't forget to follow with a violet shampoo!

4.) To allow your deep conditioning treatment to work better. Hair that has build up cannot properly absorb moisture products. Clarifying the hair prior to applying deep conditioning treatments will ensure your hair gets the full benefits.

5.) To help remove chlorine from the hair. If you are a frequent swimmer, it’s a good idea to alternate your regular shampoo with a clarifying shampoo. Chlorine in the hair can cause it become very brittle and dry and can cause a green cast in lighter hair. For severe chlorine build up an in salon Malibu treatment is a must!

As far as how often you should use a clarifying shampoo depends on your hair type. If you have very dry, damaged hair once every two weeks is a good amount . If you have severe build up, a very oily scalp or are a swimmer you should clarify once a week. It is important to use a good quality shampoo (one that is color safe, free of sulfates and sodium chloride) to clarify since it is a deeper cleansing process and you do not want to dry out your hair or strip it of its natural oils!

I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments below:)