Behind the Scenes of the Discovery of a New Steam Styling Tool

I went to beauty school in the days when hair setting was an art. As time went by, the gains in speed and convenience brought by curling irons and hot rollers came at a high price. The incredible glamor and high fashion of true hairstyling skills that I loved and trained for began to fade, and heat damage became a way of life.  

There has to be a better way

Considering some of the tricks we used during the time of my cosmetology training, I wondered if steam could be used to create strong, lasting curls, without the need for scorching high temperatures. With some experimentation, a product was born. A simple microwavable cap was created that surrounded dry hair, set on any kind of curlers, with warm gentle steam. You never know for sure what’s going to happen. And then we tested it . . . and we were amazed. 

We eventually realized how it worked. By letting the steam in the cap surround the dry hair on the curlers for 2 minutes, the hair was relaxed to the shape of the curlers. However, the trick that made it work came after removing the cap. Allowing the hair to air cool before removing the curlers was the unexpected part of the equation. With testing, we found that this cooling process was what “locked in” the curls, and that they lasted incredibly without the need for scorching high temperatures.

Asian hair, the ultimate test

An Asian model close to the project at the time had hair that was considered “impossible to curl”. We tried setting her hair dry in perm rods. We warmed the cap briefly in a microwave, and placed it (filled with warm steam) over the curlers on her head for 2 minutes. We then removed the cap, and allowed her hair to cool for 3 minutes. And then we held our breath . . . and removed the first curler. It was one of those moments that you never forget. Her long hair (which was normally to the middle of her back), had turned into incredibly strong tight spirals that came only to her shoulders. None of us had seen anything like this, including the model, who couldn’t recall seeing any significant curls on her head in her entire life. As we continued testing with more and more individuals, we found that the cap worked incredibly well on hair that was considered difficult to curl.

And then came the media

As production began, so did the publicity circuit. One of the first live on-the-air demos (WJZ13 Morning News) captures the spirit of early days of the release, along with the surprise of the interviewers after seeing the results. Give it a look:

As women learn more and more about the damage done to their hair by traditional heat styling tools, they will naturally seek new ways to move away from harsh temperatures and chemicals, and more and more toward more gentle and natural methods, I see a shift toward the use of pure steam, without scorching damaging heat, as the primary method of styling. It has been my blessing and privilege to be a part of this change.

Contributing author Carol Graves originally received her cosmetology training in the Washington DC area, and is currently the President of Microwaves Corporation. Microwaves Corporation produces the patented Microwaves® Steam & Style® Heat Cap. Facebook and Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

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Little known insider secrets to tame frizzy hair

As the summer days approach, so does the humidity triggering our hair to become uncontrollable and seemingly impossible to maintain. But don’t worry, it’s possible to turn those frizzy hair curls into beachy waves, or the “frizzy-ness” into a more sleek and smooth look this summer. This is a common concern my clients have in the heat of summer and I’m always excited to share these tips. Here are some simple steps to follow to say “goodbye” to summer frizzy hair.

Shampoo

• Don’t wash your hair every day. Only wash it every couple of days to keep its natural oils. Learn how to create some second day hair looks.

• Use a moisturizing shampoo which is low in alkaline. High alkaline shampoo tends to dry out your hair.

Conditioner

• Always, always, always use conditioner.

• If you have fine or thin hair use a volumizing conditioner.

• Use  only a small amount on the ends and work it through your hair.

• For all hair types, use a leave-in conditioner. This will help control your “flyaways” and protect your hair from heat.

The Right Product

• Some of my favorite products are Moroccan Oil Frizz Control and Eufora Pure Polish. These products will control your frizz without weighing your hair down or making it feel oily.

• Always use a product that has UVA and UVB protection.

• Apply these products while your hair is still wet.

• Emulsify a dime size amount of product in your hands to get an even application. Repeat till proper amount is achieved.

• Everyone’s hair is different. After a couple of applications you will know how much product is right for you. But remember, less is more! You can always add more product but using too much can cause your hair to look and feel oily.

Hot Styling Tools

• If letting your hair air-dry doesn’t work for you, or you just want a smoother look,  use hot tools.

• Hot flat irons are great to tame down summer frizzy hair.

• The hotter and more powerful the blow dryer, the better it is at smoothing your hair. The high heat will help make your hair smooth and shiny.

Contributing author Nadwa Yono is a professional hair stylist and owner of Nadwa Hair Spa in West Bloomfield, MI making Oakland County her home. More info on Nadwa and Nadwa Hair Spa can be found at NadwaHairSpa.com and on Facebook.

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Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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Tired of Leaving the Salon Disappointed?

After much excitement and anticipation, your hairstylist shows you the mirror to see the finished look and . . . drumroll, groan . . . the hairstyle in the mirror does not look like the vision of the perfect haircut you had in your head. How did this happen? You totally thought that your hairstylist understood what you wanted as she nodded her head enthusiastically as you described your vision. The sad truth? You were victim of a consultation gone wrong.

A consultation is the time period from when your butt hits the salon chair to when your hairstylist picks up the comb or ushers you to the shampoo bowl; a time when you receive their undivided attention while you describe your vision for your hair. A good consultation shouldn’t be rushed, and should involve an exchange between you and your hairstylist, where they ask questions, look at photos, and take the time to ensure that the picture in your head is the same one they are envisioning.

Here are five surefire steps to ensure that next time you’re in the salon, you’re hairstylist truly gets what you want, and delivers that fabulous haircut you desire.

Find the Right Stylist

I don’t recommend going to a hairstylist for the first time and asking for a drastic change. Before you go from long locks to a playful pixie, take the time to get to know your hairstylist. Give it at least two times for less drastic hairstyle changes to make sure that you guys are in sync. This will not only put you at ease, but will also ensure that your hairstylist is comfortable and confident with what you like.

Take the Time

When you make your hair appointment, let the person booking the appointment know if you’re planning on making a hairstyle change. That way, they can allow more time to ensure that your appointment isn’t rushed. If you have a hairstylist that makes you feel rushed, or doesn’t offer you her undivided attention, this might be a clue that she’s not the right fit for you.

Before beginning a haircut, ask your hairstylist if you can take a moment to talk about your style. Sometimes hairstylists can become lazy about taking the time to do the thorough consultation you deserve. A little nudge or reminder will encourage them to slow down and take the time to hear you out.

Use Your Hands

When discussing length, inches or centimeters can be relative from person to person. Show your stylist with your fingers how much you want to cut. You can also use points of reference on the body (i.e. the bottom of your shoulder blades, your collar bone, or your chin). This should also apply to determining the kind of layers and bangs you want as well (i.e. “I want face framing layers right above my collar bone and tapering down.”).

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

The most successful consultations involve photos. Whether it’s an example of what you love, or even to show what you don’t love, a picture ensures that you and your hairstylist have the same point of reference. Because your hair could be different from the model’s, bring several pics for variety.

Speak Your Mind

In the middle of the haircut, you feel like the stylist isn’t doing what you want, don’t be afraid to ask them to pause so you can ask questions. Remember, it’s your hair that’s falling to the ground and you have to live with it!

If the finished look isn’t what you had in mind, let your hairstylist know so that the two of you can discuss options for fixing it. A good hairstylist will go out of their way to ensure you leave happy!

There’s no bad hair day insurance (don’t we wish!), but there’s certainly steps that we can take to help ensure the best results. So for your next visit to the salon, ask your hairstylist to take the time to hear you out, speak your mind, and remember that the person you’re aiming to please is you! That means communicating your expectations, and not being afraid to let your stylist know what you want and what you don’t want.

Contributing author Lindsay Hausch has provided clients with professional cutting edge color and cutting techniques at exclusive Paul Mitchell and Bumble and Bumble Signature Salons for the past seven years. She co-founded Sedona Beauty Team, which represents a team of artists that offer luxury, on-location beauty services. She enjoys writing articles that share her expertise. You can follow Lindsay on Twitter and FaceBook.

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Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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