I’m back with another edition of the Empowered Women Series! Each month, I will feature one of the empowering and inspiring women in my life through “The Empowered” series where they will share their brilliance in their field. This month, I am excited to share five hair care tips from my unofficial life coach, fellow eastern North Carolinian & ECU girl, Katy J. Baugh who’s a stylist at Salon Lofts Falls of Neuse Olive Park! We met several years ago through a blog campaign and I was immediately drawn to her ease, her laugh, her encouragement, and how I felt leaving her chair. Katy is serving up some great writing on her posts, has the cutest little boy, Rivers, and adopted pup they rescued from Puerto Rico. And as cliché as it may sound, Katy makes me a better human. She leaves me with the best questions to consider on my drive back home and is an eternal cheerleader. And, y’all, this girl can serve some hair color UP. Set up a visit here and follow her on Instagram here.
Today, Katy is sharing a bit about what an experience is like with her in the salon and 5 hair care tips! Thanks to Katy, my hair is healthier than it has ever been, and I know how to use hot styling tools now, even though with COVID, I don’t need to anymore.
Empowered Women Series with Katy J. Baugh, Stylist at Salon Lofts Falls of Neuse Olive Park
Since we’ve all been spending far more time at home than we had ever anticipated we have had to get creative with ways to stay busy. Some people took up Tik Tok dances. Some people baked bread. Some people spent 29 hours a day watching the news.
I have been encouraged to read more articles and watch more virtual classes than my brain can comprehend. People are sharing their voices, opinions, and stories to feel a sense of connection that has been lost due to social distancing. I hope this continues because we need to listen and understand one another but I also think it’s okay to just need time out from the weight of the world.
I, Katy J. Baugh, am your timeout. I’m going to spend the next few minutes of your life educating you on a few things about your hair you should know. I am a hairstylist in Raleigh, North Carolina and love to teach my guests the ins and outs of their hair. Grab your beverage, move your mouse so your boss knows your logged in, and let’s get started!
1: Hair grows about 1/2 inch each month. You may think your hair is not growing but if you keep seeing new grey hairs, it’s growing! Perhaps take an inventory on why your ends are breaking off. It could be hormonal, excess heat, or you’re overdue for that haircut (thanks, Covid).
2: All hot tools are not created equally. When shopping for a curling iron you will likely have to choose between a ceramic or titanium iron. Which do you buy? Ceramic irons will likely be your best bet especially when you’re learning to perfect your technique or curl frequently. The non-metal material heats evenly and reduces risks of damage. It helps smooth the cuticle which translates to less frizz! Titanium curling irons are targeted for people with thick, coarse hair. These irons heat up very quickly and are very durable. Just like you choose styling products based on your specific needs, you should do the same for your hot tools,.
3: Shampoo until you get a good lather! This one surprised me how many of my clients didn’t know you should wash your hair more than once. Thanks to our good friend -dry shampoo- we are able to go longer between our rinses. While the oils have been absorbed by our aerosol savior, we still need to cleanse our strands and our scalps. If on your first application of shampoo you do not get a good lather, rinse and repeat. Use those fingers and scrub until your head is full of bubbles. A little embarrassing but sometimes I need to shampoo THREE times before my hair feels squeaky clean. If you wash your hair everyday and are able to get a good lather on the first try, stop there. Move on to conditioner!
4: Those tight ponytails could make your forehead a five head! The constant tension of your hair pulled back could eventually lead to hair follicles becoming damaged and you losing your hair, known as traction alopecia. You can help ease the tension of your everyday style by alternating high and low ponytails, using fabric hair ties and opting for looser styles overall. Be proactive and keep that hairline where it is!
5: Differences in dandruff vs. dry scalp. These two are sometimes hard to decipher from one another but are both infuriating. Dandruff is triggered by a reaction to a fungal infection, overactive oil production or a negative reaction to hair products. It is typically yellow in color and may require a special shampoo to rebalance the scalp. Dry scalp stems from a lack of oils on the scalp and presents itself with small white flakes. Both issues can cause itchiness and irritation. Choosing the right shampoo can usually correct the issue once properly identified. In extreme cases a prescription from a dermatologist may be necessary.
Okay. I hope you have learned a lesson (or five) during your time out and it’s time to get back to your real life. If you have enjoyed these facts I invite you to come sit in my chair and we can geek out on all things hair. You can schedule an appointment here and visit me at: Salon Lofts Falls of Neuse Olive Park, 9424 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh N.C.
You can see more from my experience with Katy here on Why I Get My Hair Professionally Colored.
Katy is my niece! I am a blogger on wordpress. GraCieponders.blog Loved this about my gal katy. She is indeed awesome
Love these tips! Thanks for sharing. I’m in the market for a new curling iron so that piece was super helpful!