Maxine stylist Brittany Brudzinski, best known for alleviating frazzled curls provides the scoop on the latest and greatest treatment available at Maxine Salon, Keratin Smoothing Treatment.

With her expertise, Brittany weighs upon client’s top concerns.

Is the Keratin treatment safe for my hair?

Maxine Salon uses the safest Keratin treatment on the market. I have never received any complaints on the way a person feels during or after a treatment.

Will Keratin make my hair flat?

The first few weeks after the treatment one’s hair will not have as much body as it usually does, but after it has been shampooed 4 or 5 times, the hair will bounce back with its usual body.

What will the treatment do to my hair?

It will smooth out most frizz, cut down drying time and it will loosen one’s curls. The treatment will not completely straighten one’s hair.

Can I receive treatment if I have color-treated or relaxed hair?

Yes, it is safe for most chemically treated hair.

Now, that all the initial concerns have been touched upon, see below for other need-to-know facts about Keratin.

Before booking an appointment, what should clients know?

The treatment takes between 2-3 hours, depending on the length and thickness of one’s hair. The client should know that after the treatment, the hair can’t be washed for 3 days, or get wet in any way (vigorous exercise, etc).

Post Keratin treatment, what is the best way to take care of your hair?

The one requirement is to use sulfate-free shampoo post treatment.

How long does the hair stay fairly straight before the client would need to come back for a follow-up treatment?

The Keratin treatment usually lasts 3 months after the first treatment. It will last longer if you wash your hair less frequently. After your first treatment, the treatments seem to last longer because there is a cumulative effect on the hair.

Ashley Tisdale and Nicole Richie are fans of the Keratin treatment, now it’s your turn to get this glam look.

With 13 years of experience under her belt and her recent experience back stage at New York Fashion Week, Amy Abramite the Creative Director of Maxine Salon knows exactly what’s blooming this spring.

What Amy is loving (in beauty & fashion) this spring:

• I love Olivier Theysken's dark androgynous aesthetic for Theory. My entire closet is black, so I celebrate darkness every day! His designs are clean and simple, and the material has just enough of a touch of sheen on a matte surface or leather to make it rock and roll. I'd really love to own anything he designs, especially his jackets and suit coats.
• For beauty, I thought the bright orange-red lip color was stunning on the runway at Jason Wu. A clean eye with a bright lip makes a fresh bold statement on any woman with any skin tone.

• For hair, I loved taking long hair and putting it up to create the illusion of shorter hair, like the bob at Thakoon, the boyish crop at Jason Wu, or the swept bang at Jill Stuart. Exploring a different look is exciting! When it doesn’t involve cutting hair off, there’s no commitment.

Hot hair trends for 2012.

• Feeling bold & gutsy? Free yourself and cut it off Ginnifer Goodwin style into an undercut crop. If you're a long-haired gal at heart, try putting it up into a fishtail braid, or wear your hair with a new texture – the crimper is making a comeback!

Insider tip for spring: Build Height with your ponytail.

• Humidity is on the horizon. Prepare by building up your ponytail. The base of this style ponytail must be sitting at the highest point of the head.

• Use multiple large elastic ponytail holders on top of one another, and anchor with large bobby pins inside the elastics to build height at the base. To enhance the beauty, go for this product, L’Oreal Texture Expert – Shine Perection Anti Frizz Shine Serum.

Happy Spring Trending!
 

With warm weather and summer approaching, now is as good as time as ever to freshen up dull and dreary grown-out highlights with a fresh and updated look to keep you feeling bright! Maxine colorist, John Blue recommends Balayage, a soft and natural alternative to traditional foil highlights. Blue tackles five common misconceptions about balayage.

MYTH 1: COLOR CANNOT BE PLACED CLOSE TO THE SCALP

On the contrary, balayage can get just as close, if not closer than highlights done with foils. Because of the placement of specific sectioned pieces, this technique of hair painting allows the colorist to get extremely tight, especially around the hairline.

MYTH 2: WHY WOULD I PAY TO HAVE ROOTS?

There are many different variations of balayage, and one that has been popular recently is called "Ombré," which means the deep gradient changes from light to dark. Celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Rachel Bilson and Nicki Minaj have been seen rocking both subtle to severe versions of this technique.

MYTH 3: I DON'T WANT STRIPES OR CHUNKY PIECES

I admit, sitting in the chair watching your colorist paint what appears to be huge pieces into your hair can seem a little unnerving, but keep in mind when hair is gathered together it appears thicker than it is. However, when the color is shampooed out and the hair is dry, it cascades around the head beautifully and naturally, making those "thick painted pieces" look like soft and natural sun drenched highlights.

MYTH 4: IT LOOKS EASY, CAN'T I JUST DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AT HOME?

Unfortunately not. The skill and precision to execute this technique takes a great deal of knowledge of understanding of different hair types and growth patterns. It also takes extensive training to develop a steady hand since there is no foil to "guard" or "direct" the colorist on what hair to color next.

MYTH 5: ISN'T IT MORE EXPENSIVE?

Initially yes. You have to consider the time it takes training and mastering this technique. It requires a keen eye and detailed sense of precision. Remember, you may pay more per service getting a balayage highlight, but because of the natural placement of this technique, it could possibly extend your highlights weeks or even months between your next hair color service, thus saving you more money in the long run.

Now that you're in-the-know, remember to update your look by booking a balayage appointment soon!
 

Maxine Salon Colorist Jasen James has been a top colorist for 20 years and has spent most of those years honing his skills at Maxine Salon. He’s known for creative color and for his balayage (baliage/hair painting) technique. This season he vibrantly expresses what’s in for spring; Colors that is!

What hues do you think will be the most popular in Chicago in 2012?

• Vanilla blondes – Not platinum, nor golden but a smooth blend of the two.
• Bold - Rich brunette with massive shine.
• Earthly Red – Deep rich auburns with small hints of fire.

What new coloring techniques have emerged as popular for 2012?

• “Bally Boo” named by Jasen himself is a modern version of “peak-a-boo” hair color. A color process “hiding” panels of color in the interior of the hair for the purpose of subtly adding low maintenance pops of color. It can also be done boldly for a more dramatic effect.
• For the clients who want crazy pops of color that many celebs are doing – think pink, blue and other colors – but do not want to take the plunge, colored extensions can be added for playful hints of celebrity style. They are low maintenance fun. Celebrity influences for this kind of look include Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry.
• Runways are showing tons and tons of shiny, glass-like, reflective hair. Shine from hair to clothing. This look can be achieve with glosses and glazes.

What are you most requested celebrity hair colors?

• Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston for blondes. Courtney Cox and Fergie for richer brunettes, and Julia Roberts and Florence Welch for earthly reds.

There is no stopping this color guru – the options are endless.

“For someone who wants color that’s a bit different or more exciting, I’ll suggest color smudging – as long as she’s not the shy, retiring type,” says Maxine colorist Robert Bennett.

Timid girls need not apply because Bennett’s color smudging uses three to six complementary colors placed in irregular sections. “The analogy I’d use is when you apply different makeup shades and blend them together,” he explains. “You see the result, not the colors themselves.”

Color placement is in sections -- triangles, squares and rectangles – based on the shape of each client’s face. He emphasizes the parts of the head that are more flattering to each particular haircut. Color smudging is best on straight, layered, medium to dark hair with a lot of movement. Architectural bobs are ideal but long hair works as long as it’s layered.

Bennett recently gave Smudge Color to a dark brunette client with a bob. He placed black rectangles on the longer pieces at the side. He wove triangles and squares in red, brown, copper and eggplant within the layers. Color was bolder under the part.

“I know it can sound extreme, but it’s really quite beautiful. When your hair moves you can see the tonal variations,” he adds. “It can look really subtle. You don’t have to belong to an artists’ collective to wear this.”

Creative Director, Amy Abramite – who has been featured in W, Glamour, CS and Michigan Avenue Magazines (among others!) – breaks down one of fashion’s latest and greatest hairstyle trends: the ponytail.

How is the “new” ponytail different from a traditional ponytail?

• Placement of the ponytail is very important to achieve the new look. This ponytail is worn higher on the head in the crown area, whereas the passé pony was worn low in the nape.

On which runways did you see this look?

• At New York Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2012, we styled the high sleek ponytail for Jason Wu on the runway. Sandra Bullock also wore this look at the 2012 Oscars.

What advice do you give customers who want that red carpet ponytail look? Any secrets?

• To achieve this look, you'll need 3 important tools: a fine tooth comb, a Mason Pearson brush, and an elastic bungee.
• Begin by brushing the hair back with the Mason Pearson brush, and gather at the crown with your hands. When the ponytail is about ready to be secured, comb the hair again with the fine tooth comb for refinement and to create smoothness.
• Lastly, secure the ponytail with a bungee elastic to not loose tension, and to avoid bubbling.

What products are the best to use to keep the ponytail intact through the day and / or night?

• The key product to keeping the ponytail looking sleek and shiny and to last all day is hairspray. I recommend Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer. Spray a generous amount on the scalp before beginning brushing for maximum shine and control.

Create this easy style fix on your own. Who says celebs get to have all the fun!?