The past 4 months have been a challenge for all of us – whether you were deemed essential and worked tireless hours, you were confined to your home with little outside contact, or worst case – you were sick. Now that everything is slowly opening up and returning to “normal,” we’re all trying to adjust to this new lifestyle. Salons were one of the many businesses that had to remain closed throughout the majority of the quarantine (depending on the state), and everyone was DIY-ing their haircuts and color. Thankfully, many salons are back open, but only at a limited capacity and no one really knows what will happen these next few months. That’s why this week we decided to focus on what you CAN do at home to get that fresh-from-the-salon feeling we’re sure you’ve been craving!

A big part of the salon experience (especially for women) is not just getting a haircut – it’s the ambiance, the chit-chat with your stylist, the relaxing smells, and the overall feeling of being pampered. It’s very difficult to replicate this on your own (even more if you have zero experience doing hair!) and there will never really be a replacement for the salon experience. HOWEVER, we at Paul Joseph Professional have a few products and tips that can help you gain back even a little bit of that spa-like feeling.

First and foremost, it’s all about picking the right shampoo/conditioner for your hair type. We depend on stylists to make this decision for us, but it’s really easy to ask yourself a couple questions that will narrow down the selection. 1. Is my hair color-treated? 2. Is my hair fine/thin? 3. Is my hair oily? It’s quite simple from here – if you have color-treated hair, you go for a color-protecting, sulfate free shampoo & conditioner (such as LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner) to keep your color vibrant and your strands moisturized. If you have thin/fine hair that needs a boost, look for something with “volumizing” in the name, or anything “lightweight” so it doesn’t weigh your hair down (like our STACKED Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner.) And if your hair is ultra-oily, you may need something stronger, like a clarifying shampoo (we have REAL CLEAR Clarifying Shampoo). And make sure to smell them first! Paul Joseph Professional uses scents like basil mandarin and coconut to create that escape-from-the-world spa-like feeling. Don’t underestimate how impactful the scent of your hair product can be!

The most challenging part to do at home is the blow-out – so challenging in fact that there are salons dedicated ONLY to blowing out your hair! While the technique can be difficult to get the hang of, it’s also about using the right products to get the results you want. There are many blow-out and blow-dry sprays on the market, and most will help to dry your hair faster and create a shiny finish (like UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray) which is the key to a nice finish. If your hair us especially unruly, we recommend combining the blow-dry spray with a leave-in treatment or conditioner which will re-moisturize dry hair and keep your waves and curls bouncy and flexible (such as INTENSITY Leave-In Treatment.) And finally, finish off your look with a moisturizing and nourishing serum or oil (like ENHANCE Shine Serum) to pull everything together and give you that professional touch. These products, combined with a wet-hair brush, a steady hand, and a good hair dryer, will have people asking you WHERE you go to get your hair done! Now is the time (since we have so much of it lately) to educate yourself on little things like this – because you never know what the future holds!

So stay safe out there, experiment with your hair styles and products, and take the time to pamper yourself. Because you can’t help others without helping yourself first! 😊

Hair & Photo by: Kim Bruno @kimmykimster

Golden highlights, soft balayage, icy platinum… it’s finally summer, which means it’s time for blonde, blonde and more blonde! (Or, if you’re a hair stylist – bleach, bleach and more bleach!) Despite it’s bad reputation for causing damage, we at Paul Joseph Professional know that hair lightening is a major part of the beauty industry (and it’s not going anywhere!), so we have some tips and products to help you protect your bleached hair this summer and all year long!

1. PREPARATION! Prior to any color or chemical treatment on your hair, it’s important to start with a clean, pure canvas. Product buildup and environmental pollutants (ie. smoke, dirt, etc.) can prevent the treatment/bleach/color from fully penetrating the cuticle, leaving you with less than ideal results that will fade quickly. Therefore, we recommend using a moisturizing clarifying shampoo to strip away impurities left on your hair and scalp without over-drying. If you use a shampoo that doesn’t replenish your hair’s moisture, the bleach will dry you out more, causing breakage, dullness or even hair loss.
   
   We recommend using REAL CLEAR Clarifying Shampoo prior to any bleach services. It’s mild yet effective and contains the patented “LUSTRE  X” – a conditioning agent which will keep even the driest hair soft and  manageable.

2. PROTECTION! Once you achieve the blonde of your dreams, you’re going to want to maintain it as long as possible – the less you have to touch it up, the less damage you’ll cause. The two biggest culprits of hair damage/discoloration during the summertime are UVA/UVB rays and chlorine. The radiation from the strong summer sun can degrade the protein in your already fragile bleached hair (causing dullness, frizz, and breakage), and the chlorine from your refreshing pool can turn that blonde an unflattering shade of green. For these reasons, we recommend using a leave-in conditioning treatment that can shield against the absorption of UV rays and chlorine. The conditioning element will also keep your hair moisturized – a very important factor for color-treated hair.
   
   For UVA/UVB and chlorine protection, we recommend INTENSITY Leave-In Treatment. This water-based formula (containing sunflower seed extract) is ultra-hydrating, nourishing, and absorbs the UVA/UVB rays and chlorine so your hair doesn’t!

3. PREVENTION! Besides the damage, brassiness is the other major issue bottle-blondes run into. The environment plays a role in this as well – your hair absorbs common pollutants which can create a yellowish/brassy tone. Usually by the time you notice it, you need to re-bleach or re-tone your hair to get rid of it – but there’s a way to prevent it from happening all together! That clarifying shampoo you used prior to your hair treatment is the star of the show yet again – it’s super-cleansing nature will remove impurities that may discolor your hair before the brassiness is apparent. By using a clarifying shampoo once a week, you can keep those golden or icy tones radiant for longer – reducing your need for salon visits and touch-ups.
   
   To beat the brass, we once again recommend REAL CLEAR Clarifying Shampoo. When used once a week along with your regular hair care routine, you’ll notice less discoloration and a brighter, healthier looking blonde!
   
   

Now you have all the tools to be smart about bleach this summer – and beyond! So go out and show off that sparkling blonde!  

Banner Photo & Hair by: Kim Bruno @kimmykimster 

After being cooped up for the past few months, people are rushing to get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and the summer sun - nothing is more relaxing than laying on a beach with a good book and a fruity cocktail. These days, we pretty much all understand how important it is to lather on the sunscreen before an all day BBQ, but sometimes we forget that our hair needs some protection too! UVA and UVB rays will damage those beachy waves worse than nearly anything else in our environment (short of literal hot lava) so we’re going to break it all down for you and save your summer style!

To start, it’s important that we understand what UV rays are and how the different types will affect your hair. A UV ray is a band of the electromagnetic spectrum within a specific wavelength (10nm to 400nm) - UVA rays have a wavelength of 400-320nm and UVB rays have a wavelength of 320-290nm. Each of these types of rays affect your hair in different ways - UVA radiation causes the protein in your hair to breakdown, and UVB radiation causes hair discoloration. Both will ultimately change the appearance/structure of your hair strands based on the amount of exposure. 

As with any radiation poisoning, the breakdown of cells begins on the inside - in this case your hair’s protein and melanin. That’s why it’s super important to give your hair its own sunscreen - usually in the form of a UV absorber (such as ::big word alert:: Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride - contained in both LOCK IT IN Color Protecting Shampoo AND Conditioner) or as a protective shield (a natural property of sunflower seed extract - found in INTENSITY Leave-In Treatment). 

Hair that is particularly dry and/or damaged by bleach treatments is especially susceptible to protein breakdown due to its already weakened state. So keep your hair as hydrated as possible no matter how much saltwater you absorb (but it does make for the nicest curls!) with leave in treatments or conditioners and color-treated hair products before you hit the beach. 

Better safe than sorry though.. The best shield between your hair and the sun is a physical barrier such as a tight bun that keeps most of your strands tucked away, a light headscarf you can wrap around, or a cute floppy summer hat. Your hair (and your hair stylist) will be forever grateful! 

Sources: https://www.thehairfuel.com/science-behind-sun-damage-to-hair/ 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138021/

Humidity can wreak havoc on your smooth, fresh locks mere seconds after you finish styling. Up here in the Northeast, it’s something we’re very familiar with - every summer we deal with suffocating levels of moisture in the air. That’s why we at Paul Joseph Professional focused so much on frizz prevention, and we’ve got some insider tips on how to keep that mane tamed in even the most humid climates! 

First and foremost, it’s important to understand WHY our hair frizzes in humidity. Of course we all know the chemical makeup of water is 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen - therefore on a particularly muggy day, there are high levels of hydrogen in the air. The chemical makeup of our hair is sensitive to these airborne hydrogen molecules and they quickly bond to the protein and water molecules already present in our hair. And the drier the hair, the more likely it is to absorb outside moisture (which is why those with brittle, chemically damaged, dry hair are more susceptible to frizz). When these bonds form they cause the hair strand to swell up - disrupting the smooth outer layer of the cuticle. This gives you a coarse, “fried” appearance, commonly known as frizz. 

Now that we got the science out of the way, here are some tips and tricks for shiny, sleek hair all year round!

1. MOISTURIZE! I know it seems counterproductive to ADD moisture when fighting the humidity - but as we already know, hydrogen bonds are more likely to form in dry hair. So that means if you get chemical treatments or use a lot of heat for styling, you need to make sure you’re replacing that moisture lost in the process.

For the ultimate re-hydrator for colored or chemically treated hair, we recommend LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner.

2. PROTECT! Create a shield of defense against the elements with conditioning treatments. Products with high levels of nourishing extracts can create a protective shield around the hair strand, helping to prevent the disruptive hydrogen bonds which cause frizz.

For the best line of defense, we recommend INTENSITY Leave-In Treatment & UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray. Both which contain multiple extracts proven to help prevent frizz such as sunflower seed, lemon zest, and sugar cane.

3. REPLENISH! Depending on how humid the air is,  how long you are exposed to it, or the overall condition of your hair, moisturizing and protecting alone may not be enough. If this is the case, make sure to have a smoothing serum or oil on-hand to re-stabilize the moisture in your hair. A small amount run through your fly-aways and ends should be enough to keep you frizz free until your next hair wash. It’s important to not overdue this step though or you’ll end up with greasy, heavy hair.

To smooth and shine your locks, we recommend ENHANCE Shine Serum - a unique blend of carrot and Argan oils light enough to use throughout the day but strong enough to condition and moisturize even the most damaged/dry hair. 

Now you’re equipped with all the knowledge you need to enjoy a frizz-free summer, no matter where you live! So get out there and enjoy yourself! :) 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which doesn’t sound like such a bad idea actually…) you’re aware of the ongoing pandemic occurring globally right now. People are quarantined, wearing masks, and wiping out stores of hand sanitizer and (for some reason?) toilet paper. It’s a pretty scary situation that will hopefully resolve itself soon, but we thought this would be a good opportunity to discuss hair and scalp health. All parts of our bodies are exposed to bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, and free radicals – including your hair! An unhealthy scalp can cause a host of problems so keeping it clean and protected should definitely be on your checklist.

As with our hands, it’s important to keep our scalps sanitized and not just for aesthetic reasons. Our hair is dense and has a large surface area which can carry germs that will remain there for hours, or even worse, will spread to other parts of our bodies. Furthermore, bacteria and fungi left on the scalp can create a pretty nasty situation – one that could result in hair loss, hair breakage, or even a serious infection.

The problem is that many shampoos and hair products out there are not antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial or antifungal, so generally hair washing isn’t going to help. However, at Paul Joseph Professional, we recognized the importance of sanitization and that’s why we’ve included several beneficial extracts in our products.

• CITRUS EXTRACT: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant & Antiseptic Properties Antiseptic Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo, LOCK IT IN Shampoo & UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray
  
  
• GARLIC EXTRACT: Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant & Immune-Boosting Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo
  
  
• SAGE EXTRACT: Antibiotic, Anti-Allergic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant & Antiseptic Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo
  
  
• ECHINACEA EXTRACT: Anti-Inflammatory, Antiviral, Antioxidant & Immune-Boosting Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo
  
  
• CARROT OIL EXTRACT: Antibacterial & Antifungal Properties
• Contained in ENHANCE Shine Serum
  
  
• WHITE OAK BARK EXTRACT: Antiseptic, Antibacterial & Anti-Inflammatory Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo

While using these products won’t make you immune to whichever illness is circulating near you, they will certainly help to maintain a healthy scalp (which means healthy hair!) and can reduce the amount of germs/bacteria you’re carrying around with you. With the world the way it is right now – every little bit helps! Be sure to take the necessary precautions and keep yourself and your family healthy and happy! 😊

Hair & Photo By Kim Bruno @kimmykimster

Spring is right around the corner (finally!) and that means many people are freshening up their color or adding sunny highlights for the new season. But it’s not cheap to get your hair colored – the popular balayage technique can run you hundreds of dollars depending on where you go. Most don’t realize how important it is to secure your investment by using color-protecting hair products. Your color lasts longer when you take care of it, resulting in less salon visits for touch ups, saving a lot of money in the long run! Here at Paul Joseph Professional we understand that, so we use cutting edge and natural ingredients in our specialized products to keep your color sparkling.

The first and most common line of defense is shampoo and conditioner. Our sulfate free LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting system uses a specialized UV absorber (with a long scientific name), to prevent color fade caused by UVA and UVB rays. Dyed hair can also become brittle, weak and dull so it’s important to stay hydrated. LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting Shampoo contains extracts such as garlic, sage, lemon and echinacea which help to add and retain moisture, increase shine, and even boost healthy hair growth. The keratin, protein, and vitamins contained in the LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting conditioner aid in repairing hair damaged by the coloring process, giving your hair a healthier, more vibrant appearance.

Next, the blow out process. By using a combination of INTENSITY Leave-In Treatment and UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray (or either one on their own) you can keep your hair hydrated and protected from color fade even on the sunniest of spring days. The sunflower seed extract in INTENSITY keeps the color sealed in, the strands hydrated and repaired, and protects against damage caused by UVA/UVB rays. UPGRADE adds to that protection with lemon zest extract which has antioxidant properties, shielding your hair against the elements. The sugar cane extract, also in UPGRADE, contributes to retaining moisture and conditioning each strand for a manageable texture.

And lastly, styling. In the past decade, it has been discovered that the “superfood” quinoa was found to help retain color when the extract is used in hair products. That’s why we included that, as well as kiwi, mango and aloe extracts in our ELEVATE Color-Protecting Hairspray. The flexible hold is never crunchy and won’t dull your beautiful (and expensive) color – in fact it will add shine (something hairsprays typically don’t do!) On top of looking nice, your scalp and strands will absorb nutrients rather than harmful build-up, improving the condition of your hair and color with every use.

So after your next expensive trip to the salon, think about the long-term effects of color-treating your hair and how to keep it as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Stylists have a fountain of knowledge when it comes to this, so don’t be afraid to ask which product is best for you and your hair type. And don’t forget to mention Paul Joseph Professional – our complete color-protecting system will change your life (and your wallet!)

No matter your hair type, it’s likely that you use SOME sort of hair product on a regular basis – a leave-in treatment, a pomade, hairspray, gel, etc. Thankfully these products have come a long way and aren’t nearly as harmful for your hair as they used to be. There’s still one downside to putting anything in your hair – it builds up! Although most products gets absorbed into the hair and scalp, or comes off naturally during the day, a significant amount WILL remain on your head. This can lead to dandruff, an oily/greasy appearance, breakage, or can even hinder the growth of new hair. No thank you!

Most people think the pesky build-up issue is solved with a simple hair wash and you’re back to a fresh clean slate. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. With the rise of the “anti-sulfates” movement, the general public usually opts to use a gentler shampoo as to not cause hair damage or color fade. And while it’s true that sulfates add intensity to the cleansing process, they are not always harmful; and in some cases, they’re necessary!

Think of your hair as a car for a moment. Especially in these New England winters, the exterior will take a real beating from salt, sand, and muddy slush. Then the springtime rain comes and washes that all away – giving the appearance of a clean (well, cleaner) car. But rain doesn’t have a whole lot of pressure, and that caked on salt and mud doesn’t budge. So you take your car to a car wash where specialized tools use pressure, soap and water to deep clean and you’re left with a sparkly looking-like-new result. Great! But if you looped back around and repeated the process multiple times, the paint is eventually going to wear down. That’s how sulfates work. When used in moderation and when truly needed, they can be extremely helpful.

So when and how should you be using a clarifying shampoo (such as REAL CLEAR)? There are a couple types of situations that call for deep cleaning. First, and as previously mentioned, build-up. Based on the texture of your hair, using a clarifying shampoo from once a week to once a month is recommended to break down the product build-up, unclog your hair follicles, and remove excess oils. Without all that weighing you down, you’ll notice the appearance of shinier, more voluminous hair. And underneath, a healthier scalp less prone to drying and dandruff.

The second use for clarifying shampoos is to create a “blank canvas” for color application. Many products these days protect the hair by creating a film around each individual strand. This film prevents outside toxins and/or heat treatments from penetrating and causing damage or color-fade – all good things! However this film will ALSO prevent the color from effectively bonding to the hair and it won’t last as long as it should A shampoo such as REAL CLEAR will remove that barrier when used prior to coloring, allowing for a stronger bond and longer lasting color.

Unless you’re a hair stylist (or just interested in all things hair related), you probably don’t know what a clarifying shampoo is or what it’s for. Well now is the time to get educated – because most people are missing out on an important part of their hair routine.

The main purpose of a clarifying shampoo should be “real clear” (pun intended.. check out our own REAL CLEAR Clarifying Shampoo 😊). It’s used to clarify (clear up) your scalp and hair of product buildup and natural oils. Why is this so important? Clogged hair follicles prevent healthy hair growth, and environmental stresses on the hair strands can lead to breakage or worse – hair loss. All of the fancy oils, creams, gels, serums, and styling sprays you may use will stay put if not washed away, and if left untreated will create excess greasiness and dandruff – neither of which are very pretty!

The reason clarifying shampoos are so good at removing buildup is because they’re generally stronger than your daily use shampoo. That’s because they contain surfactants (typically found in detergents for deep cleaning) that work by attracting water and dirt/oil molecules, allowing the buildup to lift off of the hair strand and rinse out with the water. Without this ingredient, the dirt and oils will stay in place, only removing some of the surface buildup. Think of it as that deep cleaning you do on your carpeting before you have company over – the rest of the time you just vacuum, getting the surface debris up. But that deep steam clean penetrates down to the bottom, lifting up all of the tracked-in dirt, sand, and stains.

So how do you know when you need to clarify? It’s not something you’ll need to do every day – and can even cause more harm than good if done too frequently. First, start with your hair type. If you have thin, flat hair, a weekly dose of clarifying shampoo can boost your roots and prevent oiliness. It’ll also add a nice, natural shine. If you have color-treated hair, only clarify before a color treatment. This will give you a nice “blank slate” for the color to penetrate, giving you longer-lasting vibrancy. If you have regular to thick hair, a clarifying shampoo is good as needed or once a month, just to clear away the accumulation of product used over time.

REAL CLEAR Clarifying Shampoo does all of the above – but we went an extra step and added in what’s called “LustreX” or Polyquat-7. This is a positively charged polymer that binds to the negatively charged parts of the hair proteins, smoothing out the strands and helping the hair to lay flat. In addition, it counteracts the drying effect of the surfactant by moisturizing, removing tangles, and eliminating static-electricity. Overall you’re left with squeaky clean, shiny, manageable, voluminous hair. Oh, and since this isn’t a daily shampoo, our 13.5oz bottle will last you for FOREVER! 😊