Ladies
Colouring
gents & children
Perms
Tips to caring for your freshly permed or naturally curly hair:
Don’t shampoo, wet or tie up your new perm for 72 hours. It needs time to set.
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Be gentle – Use a wet brush, wide tooth comb or fingers to comb through your hair. Try to do this while your conditioner is still on before rinsing.
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Don’t brush your hair especially when dry this will cause your curls to frizz.
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Don’t rub with a towel, scrunch the hair up into the towel taking out excess water. A microfiber towel is good for this.
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Use a leave-in conditioning product to help detangle.
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Curly hair needs moisture. To give curly hair the moisture boost it needs use a moisturising conditioning mask weekly.
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For best results apply curl creams, oils or mousse(your preferred choice)and apply with your head upside down scrunching your hair in to your hands and allowing your hair to air dry naturally. This will help prevent frizz.
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If you don’t like to leave your hair wet you can use a diffuser and dry on the cool and slow setting.
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For second day styling (after initial 72 hours) spray down with water and re-scrunch in hands re-apply products if needs be. Normally by adding the water it re-activates the products and enhances the curl. The less you touch your curls the better.
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If your curls don’t seem to be as bouncy as they used to be your curls may need a trim, a trim will help to give your curls a lease of life.
Colour
Tips to caring for your freshly coloured hair:
Avoid shampooing your hair for 72 hours after your colour service; this allows the colour to lock.
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Always use a salon grade colour protecting shampoo and conditioner to prevent colour fade and to keep hydrated.
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Never skip conditioner this closes the cuticle and prevents the colour molecules escaping and causing colour fade. Conditioner will also keep your hair looking healthy and shiny.
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Avoid Chlorine on Color-Treated Hair, always apply a leave-in product before swimming to help protect from the chlorine.
Applying a leave-in conditioner will help to detangle and keep your hair in a healthy and shiny condition.
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Your Hair also needs to be protected from the sun not just your skin, be sure to use a UV protect leave in product to help prevent your colour fading and becoming dry and damaged while in the sun.
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It is best to always use a Heat protector and try to switch to a low heat setting while styling your hair.
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Reds, coppers and vivid colours fade a lot quicker and will need extra care to help prevent this from happening. Use products especially formulated for vivid colours, there are specific toning shampoos and conditioning products to help refresh these types of colours.
Use cool to warm water when shampooing and avoid standing directly under the water if you're not shampooing your hair. Hot water can cause colour fade.
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By shampooing your hair less often, 1-2 times a week will help prevent colour fade, you can use a dry shampoo between shampoos to keep your hair feeling fresh.
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Apply conditioning treatments at least once a week to replace any lost moisture and rehydrate your hair.
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Use a clarifying shampoo before your next colour service to create a clean canvas for your colour to take evenly.
Don’t skip on regular trims, trimming off the dead ends will help keep your colour looking and feeling it’s healthiest.
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Purple Shampoo
Tips for using your purple shampoo at home.
Keep your purple shampoo regime to once or twice a week, but get into a regular routine to keep warm tones at bay.
Alternate or mix in with a regular colour care or hydrating shampoo to keep your hair colour vibrant and healthy.
Apply the Purple Shampoo to wet hair, throughout the roots and ends, and lather. Wear gloves to prevent staining.
Leave the purple shampoo to work in counteracting warm tones for 3-5 minutes before rinsing out thoroughly.
To keep your lightened hair soft, detangled and healthy, use a purple conditioning hair mask alternating with your regular conditioner.
Use a coloured or dark towel to pat your hair dry gentl purple pigments can stain your towel but don’t worry, any residue colour will wash out.
Brazilian Keratin
About your COCOCHOCO GOLD Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment
COCOCHOCO GOLD Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment is a new and improved formula containing 24k liquid gold improving shine, smoothness and manageability.
Liquid Gold reduces static electricity in the hair and reduces water absorption, protecting it from humidity, salt water and rain.
The treatment is keratin based (the primary protein of skin, hair and nails).
Keratin is a natural substance that gives your hair the ability to return to its original healthy, shiny, smooth and conditioned state.
COCOCHOCO GOLD Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment straightens the hair with out changing its texture.
COCOCHOCO GOLD is specially designed for all hair colours.
The treatment can be applied on all types of hair, virgin, including chemically treated hair (coloured, permed, relaxed, highlighted and bleached).
The application process lasts anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the length and thickness of the hair.
After the product is applied, it is sealed with a flat iron at 450 F. which traps moisture, hydrates the hair and creates a glossy finish.
Results are immediately visible after the keratin treatment is completed, hair looks healthy and revitalised.
It is important that after any keratin treatment that you maintain your hair and ensure the long lasting effect of the treatments by using high quality sodium chloride (salt) free products.
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Can you do the treatment over other straightening?Yes, you can do the treatment over any kind of straightening.
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Is this treatment a relaxer?No, it is a treatment based on keratin that naturally straightens your hair.
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Can I colour my hair after the treatment?Yes, we recommend doing so only 2 weeks after you have done the treatment. For better results we actually recommend only after you colour your hair.
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Can you do the treatment on top of relaxed hair?Yes, you can do the treatment over any relaxed hair.
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Can you do the treatment on previously chemically treated hair?Yes, you can do the treatment over any chemically treated hair.
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Can you do the treatment on highlighted hair?Yes, you can do the highlights and do the treatment right after.
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Can you do the treatment on children, if yes, what ages?"Yes, but we only recommend on children 10 and over.
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When can I wash my hair after the treatment?It is recommended to wait for 3 full days after the treatment but it can be sooner if desired or needed.
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Can I wear a ponytail or tie my hair?No, only after the hair has had it's first wash.
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What should I do if my hair gets wet during the first 3 days or before the first wash?Blow dry and re-straighten immediately.
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Can I go into the pool or ocean after the treatment?Only after the first wash.
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How long will the treatment last on my hair?2 months on virgin hair, and 3-4 months on any other type of hair.
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What shampoo and Conditioner can I use after doing the treatment?Sodium chloride (salt) free products only - do not get confused with sulfate free.
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Do I have to do root touch-ups on my next visit or the whole head?The whole head.
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When should I have the treatment done again?2-3 months or as needed.
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Can I do the treatment every month?Yes, if needed.
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Should I cut my hair before the treatment?No. we recommend cutting your hair afterwards, so this way you can trim the dead ends at the end of the treatment.
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Can I use any hair-spray, gel, mousse, or any other hair products on my hair during the first 3 day period?"No.
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If I get any ridges in my hair when I sleep, what should I do?"Use either a blow dryer or flat iron to straighten out the ridge in the hair.
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Can I do the treatment while pregnant or nursing?It is not recommended by the Health Department.
Keeping Keratin Fresh
Tips to caring for your fresh Keratin treatment:
To ensure longevity of the treatment use only high quality sodium chloride (salt) free shampoo's, conditioner's, serum's and masks.
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To also assist in extending the life of the treatment use a high quality sodium chloride free keratin mask twice a week and use a high quality serum on a regular basis.
Hair Extensions
Tips for caring for your new extensions:
It is not recommended to colour, tint or perm the extension hair. These types of products contain elements that can damage the extension hair.
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Even though the extensions we supply are 100% human hair, it is not receiving nutrients from the scalp like your own natural hair.
The more heat you use on the hair extension the shorter the lifespan of the hair.
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Treat your extensions with the same respect as you would with your own natural hair.
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Superior aftercare and regular maintenance will keep your hair feeling and looking great for longer.
The first thing that you may notice is that immediately after the installation of the extensions, and for the next day or two your scalp may feel tender. This is normal and will go away by the third day at the most. Rest assured that this is not a sign of a problem but just because of the added weight of the hair.
Tie your hair back in a loose ponytail or plait using a soft scrunchie for bed. Never wear your extensions for longer than 3 months.
Please Note:- Lighter Shades have a bleach content therefore will not last as long in life span as non bleached hair. The lighter shades will need extra care and less heat application to increase the lifespan.
Products such as hairspray and mousse will dry out your hair extensions and can destroy them.
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Shampoo and conditioning your extensions at home:
Your extensions should only be shampooed a maximum of twice per week, dry shampoo can be used at the roots of the natural hair to absorb excess oil
Do not shampoo your hair for at least 5 days after having your extensions fitted. This will give the bonds plenty of time to set and avoid hair shedding from the bonds later on.
Before shampooing it is advised to de-tangle your extension hair with a wide tooth comb and separate the bonds.
When shampooing your hair, do not tip your head over the bath as this could cause tangling -always shampoo with your head upright – in the shower is ideal. Smooth the shampoo down the extension hair – do not rub vigorously.
Only condition from the mid lengths to the end of the hair.
Do not apply any conditioner to the bonds as this will cause slippage.
You can pick the top section of your own hair up and apply condition to this section. Pat hair gently when shampooed– do not rub.
Do not brush your hair when wet.
Do not use Xten/X10, it will make your hair extensions feel dry, tatty and damage the bonds.
After shampooing with the recommended Shampoo and Conditioner, follow by de- tangling with a wide tooth comb, making sure you avoid the bonds. Make sure all bonds are dried completely.
Make sure you support the extensions hair by holding the bonds.For a sleek finish, section your hair off and blow dry using a round brush with soft bristles. Be very careful that you do not snag the bonds.
Finish by using a good quality straightening iron.
Heated Rollers, Straightening Irons, crimpers and tongs can all be used on the extension hair although it is advisable only to use heat protection sprays, Serums, gels etc that are recommended or supplied by your extensionist, other products may contain ingredients that may do more damage than good.
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Brushing:
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Remember your extensions are attached to your own natural hair, pulling too hard or mistreating your extensions can result in your own hair being pulled out. The only brush you should use near to your extension bonds is an extension brush.
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When brushing the extensions always hold the bonds, making sure no additional stress is put on the hair.
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Day to Day Activities
If you use a sunbed it is advisable to wrap the hair in a towel first. Sun beds can dry out the hair and melt the bonds.
If you work out regularly or have regular use of a sauna or steam room make sure the bonds are completely dried as soon as possible after your session - leaving the bonds in a constant damp environment could cause them to deteriorate.
It is not advised to get Hair Extensions if you are pregnant or for 6 months after having a baby as hormonal hair loss during and after pregnancy can be accelerated by wearing hair extensions.
When working out or doing any exercise that can make you sweat you will need to shampoo your hair immediately afterwards as your body's salt can dry your hair extensions out.
Swimming & Holidays
It is not recommend that you swim with your extensions, however if you do, we advise you take the following precautions:
Place long hair extension styles into a braid, using a covered band.Avoid getting the extension hair wet when swimming.
Keep your head above the water, do not swim under the water.The chlorine in pools, salt in the sea and ingredients in sun creams,combined with heat can cause the extension hair to discolour and matte.
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Chlorine, pool chemicals and salt will cause the keratin bonds to break down and disintegrate which will result in the loss of the extension hair if the pre bonded or micro loop system is used as they both contain a bond or micro bond.
If the extensions do get wet during this activity, dry extension hair immediately after swimming, ensuring you rinse the hair in fresh water first. Do not brush extension hair when wet, make sure you dry immediately. Ensure that Extension hair is tangle free after swimming.
Do not sleep with wet hair extensions, ensure they are dry before you head for bed.
It is not recommended to use a sunbed while wearing hair extensions as this will dry them out. Holidays abroad in the sun will also dry out extensions.
We recommend you try and keep them covered; there is no guarantee that this will protect them 100% though so maybe remove them while abroad and wear clip in’s as these can be removed in the day.
The Importance of Good Aftercare
It is crucial that you make the most of your extensions by taking good care of them and using the correct products
Correct aftercare is just as important as fitting the extensions correctly.
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Many people try to save money on aftercare by watering down regular shampoos/conditioners etc to "make do" which can have really disastrous results such as dryness, matting and dullness in the extensions.Hair extensions are a great way to change your look but they do require some maintenance and care.
Once you have had your extensions fitted your stylist will guide you through how best to look after your new hair.
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Hair extensions often cost a lot of money and can take a while to attach, so it is in your interest to look after them properly.
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With your new hair extensions you won't need to wash your hair as much as you would normally.
You shouldn't need to wash your hair any more than 2-3 times a week as any more than this can put too much stress on the extensions due to excessive heat styling etc.It is important to only use a shampoo and conditioner recommended for hair extensions.
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This is because many of the standard high street brands contain high volumes of sodium chloride (salt) which will dry out your hair and silicone based ingredients which can cause the bonds to weaken and break down. Loose bonds will cause the extensions to fall out - so either way it is a lose - lose situation.You also need to keep your hair in really good condition by using a moisturising conditioner.
However, you need to make sure that the conditioner does not come close to the actual bonds as this can also cause the bonds to weaken.
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You need to take extra care when drying and styling it.
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The hair is at its weakest when wet so ensure it is dried gently and handled carefully.
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You need to keep your extensions tangle free by brushing your hair up to two times a day, but avoid over-brushing as this can cause unnecessary shedding.It is perfectly normal to lose some hairs when brushing, remember most people actually lose up to 100 hairs a day! You are actually doing less damage to your hair.
A few other useful tips to keep your hair in the best health possible are:
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Use a wet brush and leave in conditioner to detangle long hair.
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A silk pillowcase will help to reduce friction on the hair while you sleep.
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Using a silk/soft scrunchies to hair tie will reduce breakage, avoid using bands and elastics as these will damage the hair.
What are Sulfates?
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Just because a product contains sulfates doesn't mean it has to be avoided entirely.
Sulfates are the detergents responsible for the super-sudsy lather you get out of most shampoos. You will know when you see names like sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium laureth sulfate on an ingredient label.
In terms of chemistry, sulfates are a type of ingredient called a surfactant, which is a combination of molecules that attracts water and oil. "This unique property allows soaps, shampoos, and body washes to separate dirt and oil from your skin or hair and then allow the water you rinse it with to carry it off your body and down the drain,
Sulfates are so effective at removing the dirt from your hair that sometimes they strip the hair of its natural oils and the proteins that make it look shiny and healthy.
Meaning sulfates can cause premature fading of hair color and keratin treatments and can break down the bonds used to attach extensions which is why it is recommended to use sulfate free products. But don't worry Laura Ami will advise if it's safe to use a shampoo with or without sulfates after your colour, keratin treatment or extensions services and prescribe suitable products for your specific hair type.
Why do I need to use professional products?
The fact is what you put on your hair really will make a difference in the longevity of your new hair style, whether that be a color, perm, keratin treatment or extensions service. Chemically treated hair and extensions require special attention. To make sure you are maintaining and looking after the overall long-term health of your hair it is a good idea to invest in salon-grade products formulated especially for your hair type. For example by using color-protecting shampoos and conditioners on your color-treated hair you will help protect from color fade, add volume and shine and just keep your hair in overall good health.
The battle between salon grade professional and shop bought shampoo and conditioner has always been a tricky one. On one side you have your favourite stylist, who prescribes you the shampoo (that is maybe more expensive than just your average shampoo) but it suits your hair and your specific needs. Who uses these products everyday and knows the quality of these products and that they actually work.
But then on the other side, you have a large bottle of shampoo which “says” it is colour protecting and smells “ok” for £1.99 in your local supermarket. The question we get asked all the time is ‘is professional shampoo really worth buying?’
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And my answer to that is YES!
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After all you have just invested your money into your new hair style and you wouldn't want to just watch your money rinse straight down the drain, so why not Invest a little more on salon grade products to help prevent just that from happening. By using shop bought products the longevity of your new hair style can not be guaranteed.
Let's put it this way: Would you use washing up liquid on your brand new bright red lamborghini? Or would you invest in the high quality car shampoo and wax recommended by your favourite car specialist, to make sure you kept the paint work vibrant and at its very best?
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By using cheaper alternatives there could be a risk of the paintwork on your beautiful new car fading and peeling. Would you risk it and buy the cheaper products anyway or would you invest in the higher grade products guaranteed to look after the paintwork. I know what I would do!
So, you might think what makes professional hair products so special? Well to start you will be purchasing a product that has been prescribed to you specifically based on what your hair needs. Not only leaving you with amazing feeling hair that smells absolutely delicious, you will be treating your hair to what it needs and keeping it in the best possible health. Not only that it will make your hair feel cleaner for a lot longer. Our shampoos are way more concentrated and full of ingredients such as vitamins, oils and minerals that will give your hair all the nutrients it needs.
Rather than store bought products which all have a large consistency of water, silicones and fillers meaning you will need to use a lot more product to clean your hair resulting in buying more often. You will think your hair feels nice and soft, but what actually is happening is your hair is being coated in silicone making your hair lank and greasy over time. This will also result in making it harder to colour and perm your hair in the future.
The decision to buy salon grade vs shop brands will always be yours at the end of the day, and if you’re on a budget then the ideal choice would be to purchase a shop bought product. However salon grade products have been proven to last much longer, so in reality you are getting a bargain and your hair is getting all those vitamins it needs, leaving it feeling wonderful. Clients that have changed to professional products told me their hair has never felt better and wish they had purchased sooner.
Everyone deserves to have wonderful hair and to feel amazing. So if you’re wondering which shampoo would benefit you the most, feel free to message Laura Ami for advice.