Unlearning Beauty Myths

The myth: “Come in with dirty hair for color or a formal style.”

This came from old-school times when chemicals were really harsh and a layer of natural oil helped protect the scalp. Things are much more gentle now — and we’ve found that hair weighed down with product buildup or excess oil actually repels color. The same goes for formal styling. Years ago we didn’t have products that created the right kind of texture and grip. We do now. We need clean hair coming into the salon, for a lot of reasons.

The myth: “Wait as long as possible to shampoo after color.”

Hair color has gotten so advanced, and we now have professional products specifically designed to stop the chemical process and close the outer layer of the hair. Giving your hair a day of rest after a color service is great — but waiting days isn’t necessary. Ask your stylist what’s right for your specific service.

Dandruff and chronic scalp conditions are medical. Hairstylists cannot diagnose medical conditions. What we can do is work toward bringing balance back to the scalp — recommend the right products, avoid aggravating what’s there — but the depth of what we can do has limits. If something persistent is going on, a dermatologist is your best move. We’ll always tell you the truth, even when it means pointing you somewhere else.

The myth: “Dry shampoo counts as a wash.”

Dry shampoo is a styling product — and it goes in clean hair. Think of it as a blow-dry extender. Once your hair actually needs a real shampoo, that window has passed. Lean into it early, not late.

The myth: “Certain products are only for certain people.”

Hair products are ambiguous. They don’t care about the color of your skin or your gender — they care about what your hair needs. The same goes for “men’s” and “women’s” products: that’s all just marketing. If a product is right for your hair, it’s right for you.

The myth: “Skip haircuts if you want to grow your hair.”

Hair grows from the scalp — about half an inch a month on average. Breakage starts at the ends, and the only thing that stops it is scissors. Conditioners and bond builders can help alleviate damage from heat and chemicals, but they have limits. Trims don’t slow growth. They protect it.

The myth: “Age dictates how you should wear your hair.”

Your age and your hairstyle are not exclusive. Healthy, beautiful hair can happen at any age. Just because you retired doesn’t mean you need short hair — or that you have to start or stop coloring it. Do what makes you happy and take good care of the strands of silk you wear every day.

The myth: “The right cut for me is all about my face shape.”

There really isn’t an ideal face shape — contrary to what we’re told. There are proportions that can help create visual balance, but let’s not get so caught up in there being a right or wrong. Hair is personal. It’s expression. We consider a lot of things when we design a cut, and face shape is one small piece of a much bigger conversation.

The myth: “A trim costs less than a haircut.”

A trim and a haircut are the same thing. The skill, the eye, the time, the intention — none of that changes based on how many inches hit the floor. A great trim requires the exact same expertise as a great cut. You’re not paying for how much hair comes off. You’re paying for what’s left on.