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<h3>Hairdressers are the ultimate influencers. Your influence can translate into income when you set yourself up to recommend the products you use and love.</h3>
<p>Your customers are always on the lookout for experts to help them make sound decisions when trying something new.</p>
<p>Let’s face it; you only have so many hours in the day to charge for services; how amazing would it be to make extra money while you sleep? That ‘you snooze, you earn’ principle is what passive income strategies are all about.</p>
<p>This kind of income isn’t pocket change, either. It can mean boosting your bottom line enough to pay for important things such as education, business expansion, an assistant, a down payment, or a fantastic vacation (because we all need one of those) – all by selling hair products to your clients.</p>
<p>Salon retailing, however, does not always mean selling in person. </p>

<h3><strong>Here are a few of the opportunities to put your hard-earned expertise and unfailing good taste to work as a hairdresser:</strong><br></h3><h5><strong>Amazon Associates Program</strong></h5>
<p>Bloggers, publishers, and content creators with a qualifying website or mobile app can enjoy an opportunity to share products and programs on Amazon through customized links they provide that allow you to earn money on resulting purchases and more. </p>
<p>Learn more <a href="https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/welcome/topic/tools/ref=amb_link_0SCmvU4qQnOltlh4q-t01g_1?pf_rd_p=f6ebaf96-904b-45de-bbf6-06eb866f07fd">here</a>.</p><h5><strong>Amazon Influencer Program</strong></h5>
<p>One option for passive income strategies for hairstylists is joining the Amazon influencer program. If you market yourself as a hairdresser on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook – and these accounts meet certain metrics of engagement – you may qualify for your own page on Amazon with an exclusive URL to showcase what you recommend to your followers and earn money on their purchases.</p>
<p>Learn more <a href="https://amazon.com/shop/info?ref=ac_inf_faq1">here</a>.</p><h5><strong>Online Product Sales</strong></h5>
<p>Product retail is no longer limited to an in-person transaction as a part of services or even to selling through your website. If you are a hairstylist, consider representing products made by a company that equips you with custom links for online sales.</p>
<p>Here at Hairstory, for example, hairdressers and beauty professionals get the perfect opportunity with a 25% commission rate and long-term rewards. You can still earn commission from any client you introduce the products to even when they leave your salon, go to the Hairstory website directly, or head to Amazon. Our biggest earners are currently earning around $24,000 per month for their digital efforts.</p>
<p>Jayne Matthews, co-owner of Edo Salon San Francisco and Oakland earned enough in commissions in a single month to pay the rent on one of her salons, according to a report on how hairdressers fared during the pandemic by <em>Forbes</em>. “It’s been a huge relief,” says Matthews. “This is the best way to make revenue without any work. It expands on itself and becomes effortless.”</p><h5><strong>Linktree</strong></h5>
<p>Selling online – whether through affiliate links such as the Hairstory method or steering followers to purchase elsewhere – requires some savvy about your online presence and the various platforms that you use. It is possible to provide access to everything you are putting out in the world by connecting all of your content with one link. Linktree, the “launchpad to your latest video, article, recipe, tour, store, website, social post,” helps “brands, artists, publishers, agencies and influencers better control their presence online” by serving as a digital business card to monitor performance and capture email addresses – and email addresses are considered marketing gold.</p>
<p>The app became popular to get around the “one link” rule on Instagram by creating a branded landing page that you add multiple links to, then add the page link to your Instagram bio. But Instagram may mark some Linktree links as spam which causes the link in your Instagram bio to be blocked and no longer clickable. </p>
<p>There’s an alternative, however:</p>
<p>If you have a website, create an Instagram Landing Page.</p>
<p>Customize an Instagram Landing Page with your branding, image, bio, navigation, and more for a reliable option to track data, conversions, Facebook Pixels, or retargeting. Even if you aren’t using Linktree in your Instagram bio, it’s a good idea for every online business to have one.</p>
<p>Increasing your revenue requires a mix of conditions and actions. You may be busy with a high enough utilization to raise your prices. You might add extra hours to your schedule. You might be looking to slash expenses. All of those actions might help the extra cash flow in, but don’t dismiss the affiliate link as a simple retail innovation that can move that money needle like nothing else. <strong><br></strong></p><br>

Passive Income Sources for Hairdressers

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<h4>Industry leaders say synthetic ingredients can be cleaner than natural ones, preservatives are a must, and “clean” certifications are not always what they seem.</h4>
<p>If you’re an eco-conscious label-reader who wants to know exactly what is in a product before you buy it, wrapping your head around 'clean' beauty can be confusing. You might believe that 'clean' is synonymous with 'all-natural,' but when you discover that many virtue-signaling products include synthetic ingredients and even preservatives, your heart sinks. How can these brands claim to be clean?&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The Hairstory Sustainable Beauty Summit in April 2021 was a forum for clean beauty leaders to address these issues. Moderated by Jenny Jin, beauty director at Pure Wow, a focus was on consumer misconceptions about ingredients – and what clean really means to them.</p><h5>THE TRUTH ABOUT PRESERVATIVES AND SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS IN COSMETICS AND BEAUTY</h5>
<p>“Synthetic ingredients can be some of the cleanest ingredients; it's all about how they're processed,” explained Hillary Peterson, the CEO, and founder of True Botanicals. “And, natural ingredients can be toxic, depending on exactly that same thing. Was CO2 extracted? Was it cold-pressed? Were there solvents involved in the extraction? For True Botanicals, clean comes down to safety for people and the planet.”</p>

<p>Synthetic ingredients are controversial, and not always rightly so. When Ilia Beauty founder Sasha Plavsic first launched her brand in 2009, she “got some flack” for including synthetics. But as the line grew she noticed that some products' performance was compromised without the relatively consistent nature of synthetics.</p>

<p>“Over the last five years, I started reformulating my products with a mindset of what clean is,” she said. “And I think, overall, it's where the best of natural and the safest of synthetic collide. It's where they meet in the middle. It can be a little bit different for each brand. But in general, it's the collision of the two together where you're creating efficacious products, let's say for the skin. Generally, there's a purpose to protecting the vibe of skin, if it's an active ingredient.”</p>

<p>The same goes for preservatives, which all five panelists agreed are necessary. Whether it’s fermented natural extracts or a chemical compound created in a lab, without preservatives, beauty products could easily spoil or become contaminated.</p>

<p>“You can use phenoxyethanol at a very, very low percentage truly for antimicrobial and antifungal purposes and to hold the product together,” Joe Cloyes, CEO of Youth to the People explained. “You can go in at very low percentages and be safe, but it depends on the pH of the product as well. We're using more of the fermented preservatives right now, again based on the pH of the product and what we're putting in there. Preservatives are controversial, but there are so many options and so many things that go into how you make the product.”</p><h5>BAD BEAUTY INGREDIENTS: IT’S THE BIGGER PICTURE THAT MATTERS</h5>
<p>
As Cloyes indicated, scrutinizing individual ingredients can be misleading; how ingredients work together in a formula should also be considered. But that's not easy to understand unless you’re a chemist or cosmetics expert, and every panelist agreed upon the importance of education for conscious consumers. While the demand for clean beauty has grown, education has lagged.</p>

<p>“We can do better as brands, manufacturers, and labs to contextualize a blend versus a single ingredient,” points out Sarah Lee, co-founder, and co-CEO of Glow Recipe. “There’s of a lot of information out there. Skincare enthusiasts, especially on social media, make very quick conclusions about whether a product is good or bad based on one ingredient or its percentage. And there's a lot of nuance and context behind each and every formulation. So, I do think that there is some work to be done in order to educate. It's not black and white.”</p>

<h5>CERTIFICATIONS – ARE THEY WORTH IT?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>Consumer education should also address the confusion around the many certifications products may receive. One brand might boast MADE SAFE, another may be Clean at Sephora, and in potential greenwashing fashion, a third may have no certification at all even though they claim to be 'green,' 'organic' or 'cruelty-free.'</p>

I just don't think these certifications are any good unless the consumer understands what they mean

founder of RMS Beauty

<p>In addition, the United States doesn’t have a clear and strict set of regulations for the clean beauty industry. And, based on Swift’s personal experience, other regulations, such as USDA Certified Organic, are also questionable.  While searching for a fragrance to include in the body oil she was creating, Swift received a recommendation for a certified organic supplier in Hawaii. However, when fragrance was tested, they learned it was synthetic.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
So, while there’s definitely work to be done around regulations and explaining what each certification means, brands do align with ones that speak to them. For example, all True Botanicals products are certified MADE SAFE.</p>

<p>“As someone who had recovered from cancer, I was really interested in how the beauty industry could better serve people,” said Peterson. “I learned a lot from scientists who shared their concerns around ingredients like nanoparticles and sub-ingredients in beauty products that weren't even listed on the labels. All of that led me to MADE SAFE because some of the top green scientists in the world have informed the MADE SAFE certifications. For me, MADE SAFE stands out because it's an independent certification. And that's something I'd really love to see going forward, more certifications that aren’t based on self-reporting.”</p>

<h5>CAN CLEAN BEAUTY BRANDS USE PRESERVATIVES AND SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS?&nbsp;</h5>
<p>But if some brands use self-reported certifications and some include synthetic ingredients or preservatives, what does it actually mean to be a clean beauty product? The answer is, once again, complicated. As of now, each brand has its own definition of clean.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“I actually like to call myself green, only because I feel I’ve really held to my value system by keeping it as raw as possible, as organic and clean as possible,” Swift explained. “Sometimes, I almost take it a step too far, because I'm kind of a purist. It seems like so many people have a definition, and different stores all have their definitions of clean. I don't know exactly where I stand on that. Because I always say there's clean, there's cleaner, and there's cleanest.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>

Clean beauty brands may be equally concerned about how ingredients are processed – and how their products are packaged.</p>
<p>“Clean is beyond just the ingredient list,” Lee said. “It's the approach to clean beauty in general – the approach to how people shop and how we educate as a brand. We want to think about how we can affect it in every aspect of product development. This might be sourcing or how it affects our skin and the earth. We want to be really cognizant of how we impact a community.”</p>
<p>Plavsic agreed with Lee. She said that over the last couple of years, she’s seen a stronger focus on packaging and sustainability throughout the industry.</p>

<p>“From a values standpoint, social responsibility includes packaging,” she explained. “Everybody was very focused on the formulas the first 10 years, but in my eyes, it’s becoming so much bigger when we're producing so much. I don't think that zero-waste is possible; I think that there has to be offsetting. How do we offset what we do? We're producing so much, and what is our responsibility as brands to the planet? That is the bigger conversation for any corporation today.”</p>

<p>As clean brands work to expand their mission beyond just good and bad ingredients to include how they are grown, harvested, and processed, they are also examining their impact on farmers and other workers along the way, and how their business as a whole adversely affects the environment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
“No one can say they're the most sustainable or the cleanest," says Cloyes. "It's all about doing the best you can, and learning from peers and other organizations. If we can all be transparent, do the best we can, and align and help each other, that's what's going to make things better. We are making things that people buy, and at the end of the day, that's not ultra-sustainable. But that's what we do; we’re going to do the best we can to be as sustainable as possible.”</p>

Synthetics & Preservatives in Cosmetics & Beauty: Why Clean Beauty is Complicated

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Most articles on this subject invite you to put yourself in a box (or an oval, square, or “squoval”). If your face is oval in shape, good news: You can wear any style!&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">Square? Hmmm… you need to be softened. Rectangle? Disguise those corners! Sharp angles need airy layers; roundness must be elongated. It’s limiting, and it’s negative, frankly. That is exactly why we asked iconoclastic scissor wizard Wes Sharpton to break down the conventions and give us another way to look at haircutting – which is a couture experience that doesn’t fit in any box of any shape – and neither should your face, angles and all.</p>

<p>“A long time ago, I made a vow to not have conversations with my clients that are focused on face shape. The media asks you to look at yourself, find what you don’t like, and then run to your hairdresser and ask for ways to hide it. God forbid that you have a square jawline and get a bob! That’s not a conversation that I want to be a part of anymore. Here at Hairstory, we talk a lot about being in a new world where old rules don’t apply – and the old rules involve a lot of body-shame.</p>
<p>I am interested in redirecting the conversation. It’s the same as looking at a curvy girl, and saying, ‘Don’t wear anything form-fitting.’ I find that hiding behind our hair because we aren’t perfect little ovals is not a message that we need to stand behind. At the same time, how do I approach a consultation if those rules are taken away, or a client comes in saying, ‘I’m square so I can’t have this,’ or ‘I’m round so I can’t have that?’</p>

I find that hiding behind our hair because we aren’t perfect little ovals is not a message that we need to stand behind.

<p>Instead, Why not have a conversation about what we like? Rather than looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking, ‘Oh God, I’m not an oval,’ think: ‘Oh my God! I have really amazing eyes!’ Then go to your hairdresser and say, ‘How do we celebrate my eyes? What can we do to bring focus to what’s really great about me?’</p>
<p>So, this idea of celebration allows me to look someone in the eye and say, ‘I really like this about you, and if we add a little bang, or cut this little corner off, or bring that line right to your jaw and celebrate it,’ the conversation becomes more exciting. The power of owning who you are and what you look like is something that I hope for myself and for others.</p>

<p>I remember watching a Diana Vreeland documentary and thinking how great she was at celebrating almost everything. She was the one person who looked at Barbra Streisand’s famous nose and said, ‘Shoot her in profile.’ You look at that photo and she looks confident and proud. So I thought, ‘What if we could inject that into hairdressing? How can we look at people in a fresh way that leads to different conversations that will resonate when they look at themselves at home?’ At the end of the day, fuck that whole face shape thing!</p>
<p></p>

As a hairdresser, I have the luxury to see you as you are – and not as you view yourself – because I don't have to look through your lens.

<p>When we’re thinking about a face, we want to discover what we can reveal and think about how to do it. So look at yourself in the mirror honestly and make a positive assessment. Shift that lens. As a hairdresser, I have the luxury to see you as you are – and not as you view yourself – because I don't have to look through your lens.</p>
<p>Maybe your hairdresser can even help you celebrate that thing that you think is so terrible. I’ve cut off a lot of hair in my time, and I don't think it’s necessarily the answer for everyone, but it is an exercise in how to navigate the world when you can’t hide behind hair. How do you stand when you are fully exposed?</p>
<p>If I cut your hair off and it launches an emotional journey, the value isn’t just in a great-looking result; it lies in the fact that you can get through discomfort to self-acceptance in 45 minutes. And you have a physical manifestation of the process. You get to take it outside into the world and see how people respond – which may be very different than what you expect.</p>

Does Your Face Shape Dictate Your Haircut?

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">A synthetic fragrance may contain up to 3000 ingredients, none of which are required to be disclosed by the FDA. According to the<a href="http://www.safecosmetics.org/">Campaign for Safer Cosmetics</a>, hair care products are especially problematic because 95% of them list “fragrance” as an ingredient, without revealing more about what makes them smell so good.</h3>
<p>Synthetic fragrances are the most common type in beauty products and hair perfume simply because they are inexpensive, unlike the highly concentrated oils derived from botanical sources. For example, it can take over 10,000 hand-picked flowers to produce a single vial of essential oil, and that kind of loving labor doesn’t come cheaply. </p>
<p>At Hairstory, we use 100% natural fragrances comprised of natural, essential oils in New Wash (our paraben-free <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/products/new-wash/">shampoo alternative</a>) and all of our products. We also make it a policy to go beyond the legal requirement and list those oils on our ingredient list.</p><h4>WHAT IS A “NATURAL” FRAGRANCE?</h4>
<p>Natural fragrances are made up of essential oils, absolutes, extracts, CO2s, and aromatic components isolated from essential oil. While natural fragrances are made in a laboratory, they are not made from synthetic materials. Read more about <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2021/01/21/which-essential-oils-are-good-for-hair/">essential oils that are good for hair</a>.</p>

<h4>WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A “NATURAL” FRAGRANCE AND A “SYNTHETIC” FRAGRANCE?</h4>
<p>A natural fragrance is made of ingredients limited to florals, botanicals, or musks, while synthetic scents can be made by blending chemically-composed material to create countless variations.</p>

<h4>WHY ARE SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES SO COMMON?</h4>
<p>Your nose probably can’t tell the difference between a synthetic fragrance and one made from essential oils, so many companies can’t justify the expense when it comes to looking at the bottom line: the profit margin. Fragrance ingredients are also regarded as somewhat of a trade secret, and since the USFDA doesn’t require disclosure on product packaging, anything goes.</p>
<p>However, things are different in the EU, where product ingredients are generally considered guilty until proven innocent, and regulation is far more stringent than in the United States. Since fragrance is often the culprit when a user experiences an allergic reaction or skin irritation with a product, this helps discover which ingredient(s) may be the cause. Regulations in the EU are outpacing those in the US as more and more ingredients are tagged as problematic, and we have already taken note, with plans to comply.</p>

<h4>HOW ARE FRAGRANCES COMPOSED?</h4>
<p>Creating a balanced fragrance is as much an art as it is a science, and one must literally have a “nose” for it. Each scent is intended to be unique and usually consists of several layers that are revealed to the senses in stages according to how readily they evaporate. </p>
<p>The top notes are the first scents you smell, and first to dissipate, lasting from about five minutes up to two hours. The middle, or heart notes give the fragrance its character, arriving and fully developing within ten minutes and lingering for up to three hours. The base notes ground and balance the fragrance, emerging within 30 minutes and lasting for several hours or even days.</p>

<p>Here is a chart that illustrates the basic “structure” of a scent and the categories of its many notes: </p>

<h4>IS FRAGRANCE BAD FOR HAIR?</h4>
<p>The bottom line: While fragrance itself will not damage your hair, it can provoke allergic reactions. It’s important to read ingredient labels carefully, especially when it comes to fragrance. If the hair product doesn’t list its aromatic components, you have every right to beware and ask what they’re hiding. You also want to steer clear of <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2019/05/30/these-ingredients-do-not-belong-in-your-hair/">phthalates</a> – a group of harmful chemicals often hidden under the ingredients, listed as ‘fragrance.’ If you are one of those people with hair fragrance sensitivities, a sensitive scalp, or even sensitive skin, you also have the right to know. So speak up... and smell the posers.</p>

Natural vs Synthetic Fragrance

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Your hairbrush is a record of your hair care routine. The <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/catalogue/category/styling-products_2/" target="_blank">hair styling products</a> you use, the natural oils you produce, and the skin you shed all collect in those bristles. So just as you keep your hair and scalp clean, keep your brush clean too.</h3>
<p></p><h4>DIFFERENT TYPES OF HAIR BRUSHES </h4>
<p>First, let’s break down the basic kinds of bristles to make sure you’re using the right brush type for your hair type:</p><h4>Fine Hair: Boar Bristles</h4>
<p>Pure boar bristles are super gentle and glide through hair strands without pulling or snagging. A boar bristle brush also works well on dry hair to distribute oils from your scalp, your natural conditioners. So if you’re wondering <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/12/21/how-to-do-a-messy-bun-with-thin-hair/" target="_blank">how to do a messy bun with thin hair</a> or more polished styles, keep a boar bristle brush on hand. </p><h4>Curly Hair: Nylon Mixed With Boar Bristles</h4>
<p>Brushes with mixed bristles are especially beneficial for curly hair because they increase tension and help define and add shine to curls and waves. </p><h5>Medium-to-thick Hair: Nylon Bristles</h5>
<p>Nylon brushes are versatile, but they are best for someone of medium-to-thick density hair. Nylon bristle brushes make detangling after a hair wash easy and help distribute your heat-protecting hair product evenly before blow-drying. If you’re wondering <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/12/21/how-to-make-straight-hair-wavy/" target="_blank">how to make straight hair wavy</a>, a nylon brush can help. </p><h4>Natural Hair: Denman Brushes</h4>
<p>Denman brushes have a rubber base that helps minimize static while the rounded ends of nylon bristles gently penetrate and pass easily through hair that tends to break. If you’re wondering <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/12/21/how-to-straighten-hair-without-heat/" target="_blank">how to straighten hair without heat</a>, a Denman brush can help to coax it. </p>
<p>And if you’re thinking about hair extensions, the best type of brush will vary based on the type of extensions you get, so be aware of <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/12/16/how-do-hair-extensions-work/" target="_blank">how hair extensions work</a>. </p><h4>HOW DO YOU DEEP CLEAN HAIR BRUSHES?</h4>

<p><strong>Daily: </strong>Remove excess hair from your brush after each use. Hold your hairbrush in one hand and a comb in the opposite hand. If it’s a rattail comb with a pointed handle, snake the handle tip through the hairbrush bristles a few times to dislodge hair. Any pointed but not too sharp object will work – a pen, pencil, letter-opener, or ice-pick. For longer hair strands that get tangled in the bristles, use scissors to cut them away first. Alternately, use the comb’s teeth – widely-spaced work best – to rake through the bristles from all directions and lift the trapped hair up and out.<br></p>
<p><strong>Weekly:</strong> You’ll need some gentle shampoo or simple liquid dish soap and an old toothbrush.</p>

<h5>If you don’t use products in your hair often, you could decrease the frequency of washing your brush to every 2 to 3 weeks. </h5>
<p>First, fill a bowl or your bathroom basin with warm water. Holding the hairbrush by its handle, swirl the brush head around in the water. Shake out the excess water from the hairbrush, and dribble a few drops of the shampoo or detergent on the bristles of the toothbrush and use it to scrub the bristles and  base. Rinse the brush clean by swirling it around in the basin. Place the clean brush on a towel to dry with the bristles facing down.<br></p>


<p>Alternatively, add your detergent to the water in the bowl or basin and mix well. If baking soda is your household cleanser of choice, you could add a teaspoon. Dip the brush up to the base of the bristles and swish it around. Dip and shake several times, then drain the basin and refill with clean water to rinse.</p>
<p><strong><br>Tip:</strong>Try to keep padding and wooden parts of the brush dry. Submerging or soaking your hairbrush in water could trap extra water inside the pad or cause damage to the wood. If the entire thing is made of plastic, no worries; submerge the entire brush in warm, soapy water, and let it soak for a few minutes. Use the toothbrush method if it needs an extra scrub, rinse, and let dry.</p>
<p>If you invest in high-quality hair styling tools and care for them as well as you care for your hair,  you can expect years of good use. Happy styling.</p>

How to Clean a Hairbrush

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Maybe you’ve decided that blondes have more fun after all, and you’re out to prove it by bleaching it. Color technology has come a long way since the first platinum bleach blonde hair took the stage in the late 1940s when the <a href="http://thehairhalloffame.blogspot.com/2011/01/lapin-bros-school-of-beauty.html" target="_blank">Lapin Brothers </a>invented the first controllable hair color – an event that today’s salons take for granted – and transformed a brunette Norma Jean into the bleached blonde hair icon we know as Marilyn Monroe.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>But being blonde is no fun at all if you’ve fried your hair with too much bleach; we’re here to make sure you don’t cause irreparable hair damage and to fill you in on the ins and outs, dos and don’ts, highs and lows of life on the lightened side. To guide you, we enlisted blonde specialist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cydcharisse/" target="_blank">Cyd Charisse</a> who is also co-founder of a coaching company for hairstylists called Destroy the Hairdresser, busting the myths that stand in the way of a successful beauty career. She has the answers to the most common questions that come our way about how to take care of bleached hair from <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/new-wash-pouch-product/" target="_blank">hair wash</a> products to maintenance tips.</p><h4>HOW CAN I BE KIND TO MY BLEACHED HAIR AND KEEP IT BRIGHT?</h4>
<p>We hope that you have entrusted your journey to lightened hair to a colorist who has the tools and know-how to give you the blonde of your dreams without compromising healthy hair. Cultivating a healthy – and consistent – relationship is the best way to maintain bleached hair health; they will know what your unique hair care needs are, and how it responds to the hair color and hair product. “Don’t wait too long between appointments,” says Charisse, who urges her clients to schedule a series of visits 6 months to a year ahead. Read <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/14/what-is-semi-vs-demi-permanent-hair-color/">this</a> to learn more about toning options with semi- vs demi-permanent hair color.</p><h4>DO I NEED TO GET REGULAR HAIRCUTS?</h4>
<p>“Haircuts are extremely necessary for healthy growth. Getting one quarterly, or at least bi-annually is going to be beneficial.”</p><h4>WHAT ABOUT BRUSHING? SHOULD I?</h4>
<p>“Maintaining bleached hair is all about prevention: preventing dryness is essential. Brushing your hair morning and night is important to bring the natural oil your scalp produces down and through your ends to keep them moisturized.”</p><h4>HOW CAN I KEEP MY HAIR MOISTURIZED AND AVOID IT DRYING OUT?</h4>
<p>“Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – internally and externally. The best thing you can do is to use a cleanser that doesn’t strip natural oils, or strip your color if you have had a toner applied. I always recommend New Wash; it’s full of essential oils and extracts that cleanse without stripping your natural protection. It works as a moisturizing treatment every time you wash your hair.</p>
<p>Then, a rich, <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/06/19/what-is-leave-in-conditioner-is-it-necessary/">leave-in conditioner</a> will be your best friend, product-wise. After you’ve washed your hair and are out of the shower, gently towel-dry it and apply some – concentrating on typically drier ends – and let it dry naturally. Hair Balm will help you style your hair, keep frizz at bay, and help you resist the urge to blow-dry.”</p><h4>HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY HAIR?</h4>
<p>“Wash your hair no more than every other day, and even that may be too often. Make sure you use a detergent-free cleanser that doesn’t strip – again, New Wash is the one!”</p><h4>MY HIGHLIGHTS ARE SUN-BLEACHED AND LIGHTER THAN I LIKE. CAN I TONE THEM DOWN?</h4>
<p>“Toning is always helpful when the environment is lifting your tone. When it comes to toning, always consult your colorist. Sun works as a natural bleach, so if you’re blonde, protect your hair with a hat or a hair sunscreen. I keep a hat in my bag wherever I go, even if I’m just walking around the city.”</p><h4>MY BLONDE IS BRASSY. WHAT CAN I DO?</h4>
<p>“If your newly colored hair is turning brassy in the first weeks after it was done, check your water. If it is also feeling brittle or frizzy, there’s a strong possibility that you are washing with hard water, and it’s damaging to blondes and to color-processed hair in general. It can accelerate fading and cause blonde to turn orange, yellow, or even green. Look into a water filter for your showerhead, and at the very least spread out the frequency of your washes.” Read <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-to-have-sassy-or-classy-but-never-brassy-hair-color/">this</a> for more tips on how to get rid of brassy hair.</p><h4>HOW CAN I ADD FASHION COLORS WITHOUT DAMAGE?</h4>
<p>“Fashion color – pink, blue, or purple – is so much fun, and can be a great accessory to your look. But as with any color change, there has to be a commitment to maintaining it. The longer you go between coloring it, the more they will fade. If you’re not ready for a commitment, try adding clip-ins to ad color, or dye small pops of color on layers underneath that can be hidden and are less of a big deal if they fade.” Read <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-often-can-hair-be-dyed-without-damage/">more</a> on how often you can dye your hair without damaging it.</p><h4>WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO AVOID DAMAGING BLEACHED HAIR?</h4>
<p>“I like to ask, ‘What are you doing in the dark?’ By that, I mean, what are you doing to your hair when there’s nobody around?</p><ul><li>Are you wearing too-tight ponytails that cause breakage around the face?</li><li>Are you putting your hair in tight, messy buns and ripping the elastic out?</li><li>Are you using hot tools on Sahara-level heat that singe your hair?</li><li>Are you using products that actually nourish your hair?</li></ul>
<p>All these things will cause irreparable damage.</p>
<p>Follow my 4 tips:</p><ul><li>Test your water for minerals.</li><li>Don’t wash every day.</li><li>Protect your hair from the sun.</li><li>Use a product such as New Wash to nourish naturally.</li></ul>
<p>If you have good hair color and you’re keeping up with it, it makes you look good and it makes your colorist look good!”</p>
<p>Looking for even more <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/hair-care-resources/2019/01/10/ultimate-guide-color-treated-hair-care/" target="_blank">tips for dyed hair?</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * *<br><strong>Sources:</strong><br>1. Lapin Bros. School of Beauty. The Hair Hall of Fame. <a href="https://thehairhalloffame.blogspot.com/2011/01/lapin-bros-school-of-beauty.html">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">2. Cydcharisse. Instagram. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cydcharisse/">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</p>

How to Care for Bleached Hair: Your Questions Answered

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">If you’ve lightened your mood by lightening your hair, while your natural, darker pigment has been removed, traces of underlying warmth can emerge many a blonde to lose their cool when a yellow-orange tone referred to as brassiness appears.&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">There are both corrective and preventative measures to keep your hair color looking brilliant and blonde; here is how to say bye-bye to brassy hair with the right hair wash and care.</p>
<p></p><h4>WHY DOES HAIR COLOR BECOME BRASSY TO BEGIN WITH?</h4>
<p>Everybody’s hair has some degree of warmth to begin with. Bleaching – or “lifting” in colorist-speak – doesn’t always erase all the underlying pigment, especially if you were very dark to start with. During the weeks after coloring, your hair can take on unwanted warm tones of yellow-orange, often due to oxidation by sun exposure, chlorine, impurities in the air, or minerals in the water you wash with.</p>
<p>Let’s start with what to do if your hair is already showing signs of brassy tone, and then we’ll fill you in on how to keep it from happening in the future. We consulted with blonde specialist and lifelong blonde <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cydcharisse/">Cyd Charisse</a> for her best advice on how to maintain cool tones.</p><h4>CORRECTING BRASSINESS</h4>
<p>All blondes from golden to platinum to ash blonde require some vigilance to maintain, however, the darker your natural hair color is to start with and the lighter you go, the more likely your hair is to show brassy undertone. The easiest fix is in your colorist’s hands: “I ask that my clients come in to see me for a ‘mid-service’ – anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks after the initial service” says Charisse. “I can do a toner if necessary to cool things down, check to see how well natural oils are conditioning the hair, and maybe do an <a href="https://olaplex.com/pages/how-it-works">Olaplex</a> treatment to help the color last longer and ensure health and shine.”</p>
<p>Hair toner helps neutralize any unwanted warm tones and can include demi-permanent color (<a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/14/what-is-semi-vs-demi-permanent-hair-color/">What is demi-permanent hair color?</a>) or glosses, in this case by using a complementary color, usually in the violet-blue range. Olaplex is a product that claims to repair disulfide bonds that bind the protein that hair strands are made up of for structure and strength. These bonds can be compromised by bleaching, and damage can result.</p>
<p>Always consult your colorist about toning if you’re determined to attempt it at home.</p>
<p>If your newly colored hair turns brassy within a week or two after it was done, Charisse recommends that you check your water. “If your hair is also feeling brittle or frizzy, there’s a strong possibility that you are washing with hard water.” This means that your water source has a high mineral content and has percolated through deposits of limestone, chalk, or gypsum which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates.</p>
<p>If you find your soaps aren’t doing the job and you see white scaling on your glassware or plumbing fixtures, you probably have hard water. There is a simple test you can perform <a href="https://www.wikihow.life/Determine-if-You-Have-Hard-Water">here</a>.</p><h5 style="text-align: center;">Hard water is damaging to blondes and to color-processed hair in general, and it can accelerate fading and cause blonde to turn orange, yellow, or even green.</h5>
<p>She recommends fitting your shower head with a water filter, or at the very least spacing out the frequency of washing your hair.</p>
<p>Your colorist might also send you home with a hair toner to keep your blonde cool over time in the form of a commercial cleanser or conditioner that contains purple pigment. Simply use it every few weeks by allowing it to steep in your hair for about 5 minutes before rinsing. Colorist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/colorbyjulz/">Julia Elena</a> will often mix custom potions for her clients by blending the appropriate pigments into her favorite cleanser and conditioner-in-one, New Wash.</p>
<p>Charisse is also a New Wash advocate not only because it is highly moisturizing – a must for chemically-processed blonde hair – and doesn’t strip your essential, natural oils that your scalp produces. Because it does not contain detergents which strip the hair, New Wash is also the kindest cleanser for colored hair by not stripping out color in the way traditional shampoo can. Full of essential oils and naturally-derived ingredients, she considers it “a moisturizing treatment every time you wash.”</p><h4>PREVENTING BRASSINESS</h4>
<p>Now that you know what to do after the fact, here are some tips to make sure brassy hair color doesn’t happen in the first place. Keep in mind that the more damaged your hair gets, the more readily it will turn brassy. Make sure you know <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-to-care-for-bleached-hair-your-questions-answered/" target="_blank">how to take care of bleached hair</a> so that you can prevent damage and in turn keep brassiness at bay.</p><h4>Be consistent.</h4>
<p>Make sure your relationship with your colorist is solid and take advantage of their expertise. Don’t wait longer than 6 to 8 weeks between appointments so that your hair discolors; popping in for a refresh or toner and giving them the opportunity to see how their work fares will help. “I like to make sure clients have appointments in the book 6 months to a year out so we can stay on top of it,” says Charisse. “Plan ahead if you can.” Learn more on <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-often-can-hair-be-dyed-without-damage/" target="_blank">how often you can dye your hair</a> without damaging it.</p><h4>Protect hair from the sun.</h4>
<p>While the sun won’t actually burn your hair, it can “cook” it and damage the cuticle, making your hair dry and frizzy. Sun can also affect your hair color: “UV rays work as a natural bleach,” says Charisse, “so if you’re blonde, protect it with a hat or a hair sunscreen. I always keep a hat in my bag so I can put it on even when I’m walking around the city.”</p><h4>Protect hair from chlorine and salt water.</h4>
<p>Chlorine and salt are nobody’s friend when it comes to hair, but they can wreak havoc on hair color, not to mention the dryness and brittleness they can cause. The best prevention is to simply wear a cap. If one isn’t handy, douse your hair with pure water before you dive in so that chlorinated water isn’t the first to be soaked up. When you’re finished swimming, don’t under any circumstances let pool water dry on its own, as chlorine is nearly impossible to remove at this point. At the very least, rinse with water, or better yet shampoo and condition. If you can, limit swimming to salt-water pools.</p><h4>Wash hair less frequently.</h4>
<p>Water alone, especially when it’s hot can swell the cuticle and provide an opportunity for color to bleed out. Use the gentlest possible shampoo when you do cleanse (another reason to adopt New Wash) and do it no more frequently than every other day. Look into alternative washing methods such as  co-washing, popular with curly-haired folks  who are often prone to moisture loss.</p><h4>Use a purple shampoo or conditioner.</h4>
<p>We maintain a strong stance against shampoo at Hairstory because of the damage that detergent can cause. However, there are many toning shampoo options available that will deposit a small amount of purple/violet pigment to neutralize yellow/orange hair tones. Alternatively, try violet-tinted conditioners to achieve the same effect.</p><h4>Know your level of porosity.</h4>
<p>The lighter your hair is the more porous it will likely be – and the more your blonde tone will fade because porous hair can’t retain the moisture or color as capably.</p>
<p>Hair – and hair color – is always in some state of flux, especially when chemicals are in the mix. But it’s in your control to a great degree. Just take Cyd Crarisse’s 4 <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/hair-care-resources/2019/01/10/ultimate-guide-color-treated-hair-care/" target="_blank">tips for dyed hair</a> to heart:</p><ul><li>Check your water.</li><li>Don’t wash every day.</li><li>Protect your hair from sun, chlorine, and salt.</li><li>Use New Wash to nourish naturally.</li></ul>
<p>“And remember,” she says, “if you have good hair color and you’re keeping up with it, it makes you look good and it makes your colorist look good!”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p>
<p><sub>Sources:</sub></p>
<p><sub>1. How To Combat The Effects Of Hard Water On Your Skin And Hair. Vogue. <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/hard-water">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</sub></p>
<p><sub>2. Cydcharisse. Instagram. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cydcharisse/">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</sub></p>
<p><sub>3. Olaplex - how it works. Olaplex. <a href="https://olaplex.com/pages/how-it-works">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</sub></p>
<p><sub>4. How to Determine if You Have Hard Water. WikiHow. <a href="https://www.wikihow.life/Determine-if-You-Have-Hard-Water">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</sub></p>
<p><sub>5. Colorbyjulz. Instagram. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/colorbyjulz/">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</sub></p>

How to Have Sassy or Classy – But Never Brassy – Hair Color

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Choosing between hair color options can be confusing, especially as everyone’s hair is unique. Your colorist will have definite opinions about demi-permanent color versus semi-permanent color and will consider individual factors such as the degree of porosity that determines how readily your hair will accept color, how vivid your natural color is the overall health of your hair, and your hair wash habits.</h3>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The primary difference between semi- and demi-permanent hair color is how long they last after repeated washing and exposure to sunlight. Both methods are temporary compared to permanent hair color, with demi- lasting up to 30 washings, and semi- lasting about 5. Here’s how to decide which method is best for your hair and your hair color goals.</p>

<h4>WHAT IS DEMI-PERMANENT COLOR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?</h4>

<p>Demi-permanent hair color is made without the potentially damaging ammonia that permanent hair color requires. It is used by mixing it with a low-volume developer that activates hair color with a low level of peroxide to lift the outer cuticle so that pigment can lodge there without affecting the innermost fibers of the cortex. Demi-permanent color is usually applied to dry hair before shampooing to deposit pigment on the surface layer without lightening your natural hair color.</p>

<h4>WHO IS DEMI-PERMANENT COLOR BEST FOR?</h4>

<p>Demi-permanent is the best choice – and the least damaging one – if you’re looking for a temporary hair color change or to shift your tone from cool to warm or vice-versa. It affects natural hair enough to darken it and is a fine choice when gray hairs begins to appear, making them look like natural highlights that blend with your overall color – with less demarcation as hair grows out. Demi-permanent color is also perfect for refreshing faded ends. If you're wondering <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-to-care-for-bleached-hair-your-questions-answered/" target="_blank">how to take care of bleached hair</a>, demi- permanent color is a great way to brighten up dull and brassy blondes.</p>

<h4>WHAT IS SEMI-PERMANENT COLOR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?</h4>

<p>Semi-permanent hair color is a low-maintenance and short-term commitment. This “deposit-only,” temporary hair dye lasts for a short while and is often referred to as a toner, stain, or gloss. Unlike demi-, semi-permanent color does not require a developer to work and is usually applied to freshly-washed hair. It doesn’t change hair color as much as it enriches the tone, and adds some depth or vibrancy.</p>

<h4>WHO IS SEMI-PERMANENT COLOR BEST FOR?</h4>

<p>Semi-permanent hair color is the best choice if you’re new to the hair color arena, or a “color virgin” in salon parlance. It is the most temporary hair color method – and the least risky as it can be washed out quickly and easily if the results aren’t to your liking. If you’re wondering <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-often-can-hair-be-dyed-without-damage/" target="_blank">how often can you dye your hair</a>, this method allows you more freedom. It’s also the best way to indulge adventurous fashion whims as often as weekly and makes for full-spectrum Halloween hues.</p>
<p>Semi-permanent color can also counteract yellowing blonde hair, keep red from fading-usually the first hue to lose its punch – and prevent brunette from turning red or brassy. Wondering <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/stories/2020/10/16/how-to-have-sassy-or-classy-but-never-brassy-hair-color/" target="_blank">how to get rid of brassy hair</a>? Your colorist can add semi-permanent color to a masque or conditioner to create a custom toner to use between salon visits.</p>
<p>And since we’re discussing color, you might be asking:</p>

<p>Permanent hair color involves a process where ammonia and hydrogen peroxide work together to lift the hair cuticle to change the structure of the melanin and keratin, the elements responsible for hair color and texture, respectively, in order to deposit dye. Permanent hair color can lighten, darken, or alter the tone and will last up to 8 weeks, though root touch-ups may be required monthly. Permanent color can offer full coverage of grays.</p>

<p>Blonding specialist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cydcharisse/">Cyd Charisse</a> has this advice for you if you’re considering playing with fashion colors such as pink, blue, or purple: “They’re so much fun and can be great accessories to your look, but with any color change, there has to be a commitment; the longer you wait between color services the more your color will fade.” Not ready to commit? “Try small pops of color on layers underneath that can be hidden or featured less of a big deal if they fade, or the ultimate commitment-free method: clip-ins.”</p>
<p>Your choice of cleanser and how often you prefer to wash is key to determining how long your color will last. We have many <a href="https://www.hairstory.com/hair-care-resources/2019/01/10/ultimate-guide-color-treated-hair-care/" target="_blank">tips for dyed hair</a> including washing less frequently or choosing a detergent-free formula that will help you get more brilliance for your buck. We recommend New Wash, which is often called the colorist’s soulmate; you will consider it your hair’s best friend, especially when it comes to preserving the color and keeping your hair looking and feeling absolutely brilliant with intense shine.<br></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br>Sources:</strong><br>1. What Is Demi-Permanent Hair Color? L'Oreal Paris. <a href="https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/hair-color/hair-color-application/demi-permanent-hair-dye.aspx">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">2. The Difference Between Semi and Demi Permanent Hair Color. Mane Addicts. <a href="https://maneaddicts.com/semi-permanent-versus-demi-permanent/">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">3. Cydcharisse. Instagram. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cydcharisse/">URL</a>.<br>Accessed October 7, 2020.</p><br>

What is Semi- vs Demi-permanent Hair Color?

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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Allergic reactions to personal care products are common: up to 24 percent of Americans experience an allergic skin reaction during their lives, which a doctor will call contact dermatitis.&nbsp;</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">The immune system overreacts to chemicals considered harmless to most people, and hair cleansing products are, in fact, a leading cause of contact dermatitis. Even with regular use without incident, a reaction is still possible. An allergic reaction to shampoo can leave you with an itchy scalp and hair loss. </p>

<h5>WHAT MIGHT YOU BE ALLERGIC TO?</h5>
<p>Shampoos are typically formulated with up to 30 ingredients including ‘surfactants’ which aid in cleansing and lathering, ‘conditioners,’ ‘active ingredients’ which soften the hair and scalp, ‘additives’ which stabilize the formula and modify its effects – and fragrance. Choosing <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/">hair care products</a> with fewer ingredients is one way to reduce the risk – or narrow the possibilities and hone in on the culprit. Establishing a gentle <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/09/11/what-makes-a-good-hair-care-routine/">hair care routine</a> can help eliminate chemical irritants and boost hair growth. </p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/706406#:~:text=The%20allergens%20most%20commonly%20present,butylcarbamate%2C%20and%20methyldibromoglutaronitrile%2Fphenoxyethanol.">Medscape.com</a>, fragrance is the most commonly present allergen. The next most common is the cleansing agent cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), followed by preservatives with antifungal and antibacterial effects: methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), dimethylol dimethyl [DMDM] hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, followed by preservatives imidazolidinylurea, Iodopropynyl butyl carbamate (IPBC), and methyldibromoglutaronitrile/phenoxyethanol (MDBGN/PE).</p>

<h5>Your skin will be the first to tell you that it has come in contact with an allergen, and while symptoms usually appear within 48 hours, abnormal skin conditions can take up to a week after exposure to appear.</h5>
<p>Additionally, propylene glycol, a chemical solvent and emulsifying agent, the antioxidant vitamin E (tocopherol), and benzophenones, used to absorb UV light, are all potential allergens. These allergens can create shampoo allergy symptoms in people leading to skin irritation and irritant dermatitis.&nbsp;</p>

<h5>WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION?</h5>
<p>Your skin will be the first to tell you that it has come in contact with an allergen, and while symptoms usually appear within 48 hours, abnormal skin conditions can take up to a week after exposure to appear. People have different allergic reactions to shampoo, but the most common adverse reactions take place in one or more areas of the eyelids, face, neck, scalp, or upper back. Additional symptoms include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Red, burning, or itchy skin</li>
<li>Scaly patches</li>
<li>Oozing blisters</li>
<li>Swelling</li>
<li>Hives</li>
<li>Sun sensitivity</li>
</ul>
<h5>WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION?</h5>
<p>A thorough exam with questions about your symptoms and a physical exam, may provide your doctor with everything they need to diagnose your condition. However, your doctor may suggest you consult an allergist for a patch test to further narrow down your allergy. A patch test involves applying small samples of potential irritants on your back and monitoring any effects such as a rash. Rashes can also slow your <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/stories/2020/09/11/how-to-boost-your-hair-growth-rate-as-you-age/">hair growth rate</a>, which can be frustrating when you don’t know why your hair isn’t growing. </p>
<p>If you know you are especially chemically sensitive, this is something your colorist will do to gauge the effects of color chemicals on your system. Many permanent and some semi-permanent dyes contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is the most common cause of allergic reactions. Options include temporary color and henna.</p>
<p>Keep track of your symptoms to help with a diagnosis. Take note of these details:</p>
<ul>
<li>What were you doing in the days and hours before your outbreak?</li>
<li>Which products were you using before the reaction occurred?</li>
<li>How much and how often were you using them?</li>
<li>Where on your body did you use them?</li>
<li>What symptoms do or did you have?</li>
<li>Have you experienced skin reactions before?</li>
<li>What treatments, if any have you undergone to address previous reactions?</li>
</ul>
<h5>WHAT DO I DO TO AVOID AN ALLERGIC REACTION?</h5>
<p>Once you know what you’re allergic to, be thorough in your efforts to shun it. If you use shampoos to wash hair daily, decreasing the frequency of use should be your first action.</p>
<ul>
<li>After contact, wash thoroughly with hypoallergenic soap and water as soon as possible, and wash your hands before touching any other part of your body.</li>
<li>Remove and wash clothes or jewelry that the irritant may have touched.</li>
<li>Treat mild reactions with Aloe Vera, Calamine lotion, antihistamine- or Cortisone-based ointments.</li>
<li>Prescription medications are available for more severe reactions if needed.</li>
</ul>
<p>Patch-testing for a shampoo allergy isn’t easy. Sensitive skin tends to have a stronger skin reaction leading to more severe allergy symptoms. Several allergens in shampoo have not yet been included in current lists of suspects and may result in testing with the shampoo itself rather than its individual ingredients.</p>
<p>Similar ingredients are used in various brands, and simply switching to another shampoo may not be sufficient. You could complicate your diagnosis by introducing too many variables.</p>
<p>Approximately 1 to 4% of the general population will have positive patch-test reactions to fragrances, though the short time the body is exposed to them in shampoo makes them less risky than fragrances in leave-on products. If you know that your skin is especially sensitive historically, avoid synthetic fragrance, or search for fragrance-free products.</p>
<p>To make your allergen detective work even more challenging, fragrances are considered trade secrets, and their specific ingredients are not required to be listed in the US, although the EU differs in this practice and requires a complete list. Avoiding a specific chemical then can be impossible if you don’t know it’s there. To be completely risk-free, choose products that are labeled fragrance-free.</p>

<p>Shampoos contain a wide variety of potential allergens, and for people with sensitive skin or who are allergic to multiple ingredients in a formula, finding a hypoallergenic shampoo isn’t easy. However, there is hope in a product called <a href="https://uat.hairstory.com/catalogue/category/cleansing_4/">New Wash</a>, a cleanser that is about as different from shampoo as one can get.</p>
<p>First off, it contains no detergent whatsoever, which eliminates potential allergies to surfactants. Second, the preservative system used is completely natural. Third, the fragrance is composed primarily of essential oils and extracts. Every single ingredient is listed – and since the recipe is what makes our rosy-fresh aroma so beloved, this trade secret is quite safe. Your skin will be too.</p>

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