New Year, New You: Hair Tips & Tricks in 2017

By: Linda E. Alberty, M.A. ​​
​
January can be a fun month for setting personal goals despite its chilling temperatures  for those living in the Midwest. With the cold dreary month also comes a warm opportunity to reflect on all of our learnings from the year before. It’s a chance to set new goals, change old habits, build a new vision, and yes -- even treat ourselves! It’s newness gives us a chance to reset from the previous years’ circumstances and events and intentionally lean towards the things we desire for our lives.

Fourth from the left, Pam Howard, Owner of Main Street Hair Company (located at 4736 Main Street on the Lower Level, in Lisle, IL) smiles for a picture with her team of stylists. Main Street Hair Company is voted "Best Hair Salon in Lisle."

CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE recently interviewed long-time business owner, Pam Howard, of Main Street Hair Company, on do-it-yourself hair tips to keep in mind in the new year. 

Serving the Lisle community since 1988, Main Street Hair and Company provides its clients with a cozy ambience, 100% organic products, and guaranteed work, keeping clients coming back for generations. “I have a lot of people in the community who have supported me my whole career. I lovingly call them my lifers and feel blessed that they have supported me all these years.”

Continue reading for a special "Treat Yourself" Coupon -- Starting at 20% off services

Despite the decades of success Pam and her staff have seen, it wasn’t always that way. Before her business ever launched, Pam struggled to make ends meet while learning her trade. Three weeks after enrolling into barber styling college, her then husband walked out of their marriage. At the time, Pam recalls, “I didn’t have a car or an income but with the help of my family, I was determined to do my very best and provide for my children.”

"I believe it's empowering and unbelievably satisfying
​to take care of your own needs as well ... "

This year make a resolution to be good to yourself. You’ll be amazed at what a new haircut, color, or style will do for you!
​

Pam’s creative soul and strong perseverance kept her going through tough times as she made the decision to go into business on her own. “I’ve always been creative and now I am following in the footsteps of my mother. This is my home sweet home, and Lisle is where I want to be — This is the kind of clientele I want to have.”

Remarkably, most of Pam's clients have been with her for well over 20 years, far exceeding the average 3-5 year life cycle of a normal client. She has grown into the person she is today thanks to the help of a genuine, tight knit community. "I've always wanted my place of work to feel like home and like I'm inviting my friends over." 

​Pam strongly believes that women, in particular, deserve to be respected, appreciated and admired. She understands first hand that it is easy for women to put others' needs in front of their own. "I believe its empowering and unbelievably satisfying to take care of your own needs as well ...  When a woman improves her appearance, people notice. She becomes more confident and this makes her look even better. I encourage women everywhere to treat themselves."

Pam shares these do-it-yourself tips and tricks that will keep
your hair healthy ​and strong in 2017:

Click HERE for a Special TREAT YOURSELF Coupon!

• Dealing with Tangles - Never use a brush on wet hair. Detangle with a wide tooth comb or wet brush. It’s best to comb your hair in the shower while the conditioner is still on. If your hair is prone to tangles use a leave in detangler like our Ready-to go or All-Nutrient’s Leave in Conditioner. It allows the comb to slide right thru! When brushing or detangling your hair, always start at the bottom and work your way up to prevent breakage. Use a wide tooth comb or flexible bristle brush.
• Preventing Hair Breakage - To prevent breakage and speed up your blow-dry; blow-dry your hair with just your dryer and hands until 60-80% dry before styling with a brush. Your hair is most fragile when it’s wet and prone to breakage.
• Preventing Split Ends - To prevent further breakage, make sure to get a haircut every 6 weeks. Split ends run like nylon hose until they break higher up on the hair shaft which leaves all those unruly frizzies.
• Keeping Hair Healthy - In the summer use a product with a UV protection, to prevent sun damage.  Like our All-Nutrient Colorsafe Leave in Detangler. When swimming in chlorinated water, always wet your hair first to prevent soaking up the chemicals in your hair. Better yet, apply a conditioner to wet hair protect and repair prior to swimming. Olaplex is a great option for preserving the integrity of your hair (Especially great for highlighted or bleached hair). It can be added to any color service or used as a stand alone treatment. It actually repairs and rebuilds the bonds that break in hair from any damage to hair. It’s basically insurance for your hair!
• Getting Volume - For volume, blow dry hair upside down. For added volume and body use Color WOW’s Carb cocktail in wet hair then blow dry upside down or with a round brush. Dry shampoo not only absorbs excess oil in your hair, it also gives it volume. Even if your hair is squeaky clean, apply dry shampoo at the root to give it an extra lift. You can also sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch in your hair to absorb excess oil. Tousle it thru with your hands and brush to remove the excess powder. This also helps to create volume.
• Adding Shine To Your Hair - After shampoo and conditioner finish rinsing with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to lock in color, close cuticle, and add shine to your hair! 
• For static-y hair, run a dryer sheet over your head to prevent your hair from getting clingy. Or try Color Wow’s One Minute Transformation. This one minute miracle cream transforms dry, damaged-looking texture into liquidy-smooth and shiny hair instantly.
• Smoothing Out Waves - Here’s a tip for guys with heavy waves in their hair. Blow dry your hair with a brush the opposite direction first until dry and then brush into your normal style. This helps to smooth out waves.

Click HERE for a Special TREAT YOURSELF Coupon!