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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the right hairdo for my face?
A.
  • Long faces: Cut your hair above your shoulders, with long layers and a side part.
  • Square faces: It's best if your hair is cut above or below your jawline, in layers. No center parts.
  • Oval faces: You're in luck, just about any length and style works for you.
  • Round faces: Wear your hair cut below the chin, with shorter layers in front. Avoid full bangs.
  • Heart faces: Cut shoulder-length, and go for fullness from your chin down with waves or soft layers.

Q. Are salon products any better than products purchased in drugstores and grocery store?
A. In general yes. Most salon brands use gentler surfactants in more concentrated amounts. Also, many "drugstore" brands produce products with an end price point in mind, limiting the quality or amount of ingredients vital to maintain healthy hair.
Q. I have used "conditioners" but they all seem to weigh my hair down. Is there a solution?
A. Yes. First let me address the problem. The reasons your hair may be weighted down are:
Generally, polymeric products have high molecular weights. Look for products which contain hydrolized human hair keratin protein. Products with hydrolized human keratin protein generally are best because the products generally have low molecular weights. This provides for a superior product that does not weigh the hair down.
Here is a great link for a professional product line
Q. I can never get my hair to style the same way they do in the salon, why?
A. One key reason is your stylist uses styling tools you may not have. Next time into your salon, ask your hair designer what styling product(s) were used to create the style. Have your stylist explain how each product was used. The choices may range from foams, spray gels, gels to different types of hair spray.
Q. Does diet affect my hair?
A. Yes! Here are some ideas to "build" better hair from the inside out...
Eat more protein rich foods.
Supplements of choline and inositol help hair development
Supplements of tyrosine (an amino acid) play a vital role in hair growth
Supplements of B vitamins help produce healthy hair
Supplements of biotin, cysteine,and cystine aid in healthy hair growth
Q. I need more volume to my hair. How do I achieve this?
A. 2 part answer:
1. Get a "wave" (not a curly perm), just enough to create the volume you desire. Pativa® has new tech. that is damage free...
2. Use Paul Mitchell® Volumizer. Also, apply virtually any styling tool to the roots and comb or work through to the ends. "Volume" occurs at the scalp area , not the ends. Paul Mitchell® also makes Extra Body Foam and Gel.
Q. My hair is always "frizzy", what do I do?
A. There are many great silicone based products now that will knock put the frizzies in one step. Ingredients to look for are: Dimethicone and or cyclomethicone.
They are VERY light silicone oils that can even be used on fine hair. Most of the products available are extremely concentrated, so usually a few drops will do the trick.
Recommendations:
Janol® Radiance
Paul Mitchell® Gloss (small amount applied to wet or dry hair)
Pativa® Shinner (small amount applied to wet or dry hair)
Lanza® Design Shine (small amount applied to wet or dry hair)
Q. Why does hair turn grey and what can I do about it?
A. In the aging process the hair bulb produces less hair pigment (melanin). The absence of pigment in the cortical layer of the hair makes the hair clear (or grey). Although not scientifically proven, large amounts of the vitamin PABA (you can buy it at health food stores) may slow this process. Also supplements of biotin, tyrosine, B-vitamins, cystine, inositol, and choline will produce healthier hair.
Q. What does pH balanced mean?
A. Nothing. I mean by this any company can say their products are pH balanced. The pH of normal hair is between 4.5 to 5.5 (in an aqueous solution). Most companies mean their product fits into this range. However, some companies put pH balanced on the bottle as a marketing ploy. In depends what they are balancing the pH to...hair, water (pH 7.0), perms (6.8 to12+)???????? "Hypo alergenic" is a simialar phrase meaning nothing. "Hypo-Allergenic" means less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Less likely than what....bleach, poison ivy, acids????????
Subject: Color and retex rescue
JB Wrote:
Q: I recently had my naturally wavy hair straightened. It seems that the chemical of the straighnter washed away my hair coloring. I don't like the redish tone that I am now left with, so I was wondering when would it be safe to have my hair colored? 1 week, month.....? The straightner did not leave my hair in the best condition and I am afraid if I add coloring that my hair will become dull and brittle.
A: First let me tell you that in most cases a relaxer should not pull color from your hair, the service or the product may have been too strong for your hair type. In any event it is safe to color in a week or so if you properly condition. Try Detangler by Paul Mitchell as it has a low pH and will seal moisture in the hair. When it's time to color, a temp-color or a color with a low developer should be used. Your colorist will know what type is best for relaxed hair. If you are doing this at home I offer one bit of advice, DON'T. You can do damage that you never dreamed of. When asked about home services at my salon, we always tell our clients " you can pay us to do it right, or you can pay us DOUBLE to fix it"
Subject: Curl again!
SY Wrote:
Q: I have naturally curly hair that I get chemically straightened. Right now it is in shoulder-length layers. I am very small (5'1, 95 lbs) and couldn't find a curly hairstyle that didn't overwhelm me. However, the time that it takes to style my relaxed hair (blow-drying, curling to put body back in) is not practical for my busy schedule. Two questions: Is there a hip curly style that will not overpower my face, and can I go there without having to shave my head of all this chemically relaxed hair?
A: I think that you can get back to a style with out shaving your head, but it will take time. First try having your stylist give you a mild relaxer, one that will make your curl soft not remove it. If you take weight off your hair by adding a bit of layers you could use Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam and "scrunch" for a soft style. If your hair is too straight you can use Velcro rollers for soft curl and wave. If you sculpt your hair off your face it should flatter rather than over power your face.
Subject: Color action
W Wrote:
Q: I have my hair (natural level 7) highlighted (foil) to a level 11, double 40 volume peroxide every 8 weeks. I have noticed a LOT of breakage about an inch from my scalp and think maybe it's from color overlapping. I do not want my natural color to grow out because I like this color and don't want bad roots. What should I do? Thanks!!
A: I would be happy to help. You obviously know color so we'll jump right to advanced, if your hair is high lighted very heavy it could be overlap. High lift color will break hair if you overlap more than once, even the best product. Check the pH of the product with the manufacturer and also the ammonia content. If it's high (8 and up) you may want to switch products. Also, if you are using an accelerator you may want to remove it from your formula, my motto is " the slower the better". If you have tried all of the above, I think you may want to use Hair Repair from Paul Mitchell for two weeks prior to color improve the strength of the hair. After color try Detangler as a conditioner as it has a low pH and will close the cuticle. All of this will help if the application is done in a professional manner. I hope this will help, please feel free to contact Salons.com in the future for help.
Subject: Salon location
HB Wrote:
Q: I just moved last week to the Bay Area, south of San Francisco, from Australia. I want to find a good salon in this area, anywhere from Burlingame down to Palo Alto or even up to San Francisco. My requirements are pretty straightforward - a professional who listens, endeavours to give a perfect cut and a salon which provides a pleasant environment in which to spend an hour or so. I would be really grateful if you could either recommend a salon to me or tell me how I can find one, without having to take a chance from Yellow Pages. (I think your Web site is a great initiative).
A: At this time I do not have a professional friend in your area. You may want to call "A Robert Cromeans Salon" in San Diego or 1 800 321-JPMS for a professional salon close to home. I often call upon these professionals for help. I can advise you that if you are planning on spending an hour or so at a salon you may want to choose an upscale place. Most salons will try to give you value and professionalism and can only do this based on time. In the hair business, time and skill, is money. Visit us again as we will be adding a salon locator in the future.
Subject: Paul Mitchell Help!
JA Wrote:
Q: I don't know if you guys can help me but I guess it's worth a try. I just purchased a Paul Mitchell hair spray from a local salon and the spray nozzle gets stuck very easily. I almost have to wash it every time I use it. There is not 800 number on the bottle. I would like to contact them directly. Do you have a customer service number or any info so that I can contact them? They are not on the Internet. Thank you
A: If you purchased your product from a salon you can bring it back as all professional products carry a guarantee from the manufacturer. If you did not buy your product in a salon, shame on you. All professional products state on the back of the bottle the terms of their guarantee, and only a professional can give proper hair care advice. If your salon will not help, call 1800 321-JPMS for assistance or right the company at the address on the back of the package. I can tell you that this is truly the most professional and kindest company I have ever crossed paths with, and they will help if you have a problem. Some times a top will stick if it is not used often or if you refill (as I do) from a larger size. What ever the reason, your salon should be professional and live up to the guarantee agreement. If not, call Paul Mitchell Systems and I'm sure they will.
Subject: My hair is too THICK and WAVY!!!
K Wrote:
Q: Hi! I have really thick, wavy hair. I want it to be strait, but when I blow-dry it, it gets frizzy anyways. Whenever I wash it, it gets very poofy and frizzy and dry. It takes so long to TRY to get it thinner. Is there any type of product I could put on it??? Any advice would help! Thanks!
A: You may want to try a mix of Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam (size of a golf ball) and Foaming Pomade (just three drops), we use this in the salon to add control to frizz and curl. If you want a change you could ask your stylist about relaxer, if done by a professional, this service is a dream come true. It will calm down your hair, cut your dry time, and leave you with healthy hair. Just be advised that with most services, if not done by a professional the results can be far from perfect. Talk to your stylist and see if they agree.
Subject: Hopeless in hair-drying
D Wrote:
Q: Please help....I have very thick, naturally curly hair. So, about 2 months ago I was bored with it. I wanted a new style - a straight style. I decided that the easiest and healthiest thing to do would be to cut it short (middle neck length) and to start blow-drying it straight with a natural bristled round brush. I'd read somewhere that using an oval instead of a round brush would shorten drying time , but didn't work. Anyways, I figured it wouldn't be too much of a hassle and would only take 45min.-1hr. to dry at the max! But, Now it's short--I was wrong. It takes me more like 1and1\2-2hrs. to blow-dry. I'm a student and really don't have this time to waste even though I do it every other day. But, I love the way it looks. More so than when it's curly. I can't let it airdry because I end up looking like cheapest! I have thought of straighteners, but all the pros. and stylists have sworn that it completely ruins the hair, and takes forever to grow out. So, I'd realy appreciate it if you would please give me some advice, tips, and info. on my hopeless in drying hair.
A: You have learned the hard way that advice from a magazine rather than a professional is often a waste of time and money. As a curl head who tried blow drying and tired of looking like Gumby in wet weather I think Relaxer is the way to go. If your stylist does not have the skill try a new professional, but choose well. Relaxer done by a stylist or friend with out proper training can be VERY bad! If done properly, a slight relaxer service can give you soft curl with bounce opening the door to two styles. You could wear your hair with the curl, or blow straight for a change. Try not to blow out your hair too much as even great hair can suffer from the stress. Most people with curl hate it, but if worn right it is one of the most fashionable looks ever. For a professional salon in your town, E-mail Salons.com your city and state only and we will find a professional that meets our high standards.
Response: I thank-you so much for the great advice! I live in Houston, TX. I hope you can find me an experienced professional w/ skill.
Subject: Noncomedogenic conditioner
TF Wrote:
Q: I have been growing a beard for about three months now, and the whiskers are becoming very thin and dry because of the alpha-hydroxy cleansers and acne products I continue to use on my face. I am wondering if there are any noncomedogenic conditioners that will make my beard softer and fuller without causing breakouts. My dad uses a shampoo and conditioner that is supposed to combat baldness by unclogging pores, but it is quite expensive. I will be very pleased with *any* information you can provide on beard hair-care. I am twenty years old, and I live in the Houston area.
A: I would be happy to help. It seems to be a product problem rather than a hair growth problem. I am sorry to say that most skin products like the one you use will lighten hair and some times thin it. As far as the product your dad is using, products that help enhance growth work to remove blockage and stimulate a dormant hair growth cycle into action. If you have no growth in an area these products do not help. I can offer this advice, try keeping your beard cut very close, this will give the hair the advantage of the oils produced by your skin. This is the best conditioner in the world.
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