Unwash Your Hair!

The big rage right now are conditioning shampoos, they are a one step "shampoo" and conditioner all in one that does not strip your hair of it's natural oils like regular shampoo can. You may have herd of or tried "Wen" products, Unwash is similar in concept but I believe it to have more technology behind the way theirs works. 

Unwash calls their system a cowash, the "co" standing for conditioner. More about co-washing from their blog:

"After years and years of being told that the proper way to achieve clean, healthy hair is by using a shampoo followed by a conditioner, we've become accustomed to this two-step method. But what many of us don’t realize is that the majority of shampoos out there contain harsh detergents (sodium lauryl sulfates and sodium chloride) which not only strip the hair of essential oils that protect, moisturize and add shine to hair, but which also can cause a dry scalp, flaking and over time the breakage of strands.Essentially, it’s just an ongoing cycle of stripping and replenishing. Luckily, we've now entered a new era, the era of cowashing and cleansing hair in just one step! The idea of cowashing, which stands for conditioner washing, was derived using the notion that hair should be treated exactly as it was created to the body — as an asset. Hair follicles and strands are not “alive” like the rest of the body and as such need to be nurtured rather than stripped.Cowashing is cleansing the hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. Rather than using detergents, there’s a conditioner-like formula void of any harsh surfactants that can dry out hair. Excess oils and buildup are safely and gently washed away while the cuticle of hair is left undisturbed, unharmed and perfectly intact. I like to call it the “intelligent” approach to hair washing and the better way — no, the BEST way of cleansing to maintain an overall moisture balance and optimal scalp and hair health."

So I have never used one of these "conditioning cleansers" before and I will say I was a skeptic. 

I used Unwash for the first time today to cleanse my hair. I had been given a sample of it from one of the reps and had been meaning to try it. He was telling me about all the success and testimonials about it so I went ahead and ordered some for my retail shelves without even trying it, call me impulsive. However, I had been meaning to get something in the salon to fit this "niche" and this product so it just seemed like a good fit. 

So anyways, today I used it. It has a conditioner consistency so that is something you definitely have to get used to, it has no lather, which is expected as it is not a typical shampoo. The directions say to massage it into your scalp and them comb it down through the rest of your hair with a wide tooth comb. With no wide tooth comb in sight I decided to use my Wet Brush (which is also a totally awesome tool, if you have not checked them out). After massaging and brushing, I rinsed. I honestly expected my hair to feel a little greasy, like as if you had only used conditioner on your hair since that was what it felt like. However, I could actually tell that it felt clean. Not the stiff, dry, "squeaky clean" that you get when you have only used shampoo and have not applied your conditioner yet, but a clean that felt like I had honestly used both shampoo and conditioner with one step. My fingers could run right through my hair, it felt moisturized but not heavy which is great for anyone who doesn't want something that will weigh their hair down (pretty much everyone!).

I followed up with my normal hair styling routine with root boost spray and smoothing serum, then blow dried. I am excited to use this product more and see what else I notice. I will post any other updates! 

-Sarah Boulton 

Unwash Video 

Tis the season for...PROPOSALS!

The weather out side is getting colder, the Christmas decorations and music is already starting in the retail stores. Although most of us are preparing our shopping lists, there are many nervous guys out there preparing to pop the big question! Yes, December is the month with the highest number of proposals.

So, when you think of proposals and weddings, think of Body Bliss Salon and Spa. We would love to be a part of the bride and grooms special day. 

We offer spa parties to pamper the bride and bridal party before the big day with massage, facials, manicures and pedicures. 

On the day of the wedding we offer hair and makeup services. We are willing to travel to the venue or the bride and her bridal party can come to our beautiful salon and spa. 

Please contact us at bridalbliss@bodyblissnc.com for more information about our bridal packages. We do book up quickly so if you have set a date, hold it with us!

See some of our work below:

Blog Post By Sarah Boulton 

Mystery Box Color vs. Custom Hair Color

What if all t-shirts, jeans, or underwear were only sold "one size fits all"? Certainly they would fit some people, but not everyone. That's what box hair color is like, it does work for some people but definitely not for the majority.

Box hair color is designed to go on "worse case scenario" type hair. Meaning that the manufacturer needs to make sure it works, or at least has an effect (good or bad) on any type of hair, hair color, hair texture, or hair porosity it is applied to. The box color cannot take into consideration that your are a blonde that is trying to back to their natural medium brown and that your hair needs a filler. Or that you have more than 75% grey hair and need more tonal deposit. Or that your hair turns brassy and you need ash added to your formula, but not too much ash to turn your hair blue or green. (FYI: I have personally had to correct all of these issues, and more, from box color on more than one occasion, it's not fun, is time consuming, and expensive to correct.)

The photos and commercials lie! I mean seriously, do you really think that celebrities advertising for box color companies would even let their locks near the stuff? I don't think so. It important to know that the photo/swatch on the box is not what you are going to get. “They’re often retouched, and only a professional understands how the existing and natural shades and hair condition will affect the outcome.” Stylist Choice Awards Favorite Educator of the Year, Beth Minardi.

It's about the formula. When your stylist mixes up your hair color, it is just that, YOUR hair color. Box color cannot be customized to be just for you, they are selling it to the masses! Customization is what makes the end result more natural looking and the most flattering for you. 

The stylists at Body Bliss Salon and Spa would love to give you a great custom hair color, call us at 919.435.7373 and receive 20% off your first hair care visit with us, just mention this blog post!

-Blog post by Sarah Boulton 

Know your Keratin!

With all the "buzz" lately on keratin and keratin treatments for your hair, I want to take a minute to explain what keratin is and the different types of keratin that are being found in hair care products and hair treatments.

The definition of keratin is "a fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair." When you do hair coloring, lightening, perming and chemical services to the hair you are depleting the hair of this very essential protein. To replenish the keratin your hair has lost, it is best to use hair care products containing keratin or to receive a keratin smoothing treatment. However, those products will not help your hair, or could even damage it, if they do not contain the correct type of keratin.

There are are four different types of keratin that can be found in hair care products on the market today. The first and best type of keratin is human hair keratin. However, since there are not people lining up to donate their hair for keratin extraction, companies had to come up with a way to get keratin for their products elsewhere.The next best type of keratin is animal keratin, more specifically sheep's wool. Sheep's wool has the closest genetic make up to human hair keratin. Animal lovers, there is no need to worry about the sheep, they get a haircut and frolic on their way unharmed. The next two types are the least desirable and cheapest forms of keratin, they are plant based and man made keratin. These types of keratin can over "keratinize" the hair. Which means that by using products with these types of keratin the hair can receive too much protein and break off. While with the human and animal keratin the hair will only accept the amount of keratin it needs and not take in the rest, so no concerns with over keratinization.

There are some companies that have recently said that their products contain human hair keratin, when investigating a little further you will find that they are very small amounts of human keratin and they are getting the rest that they need from other sources.

At Body Bliss Salon and Spa we carry Keratin Complex hair care products, hair color, lightener and smoothing systems which all contain sheep's wool keratin.

-Blog post by Sarah Boulton

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog! Samantha Graupman and Sarah Boulton, owners of Body Bliss Salon and Spa, will be blogging about anything and everything salon and spa related. From new techniques and trends in the industry, before and after's, client education, product and team member spotlight, FAQ's, events, and MORE!


Samantha and Sarah opened Body Bliss Salon and Spa in March of 2013, with the goal to offer Wake Forest and the surrounding areas a true full service salon and spa. Body Bliss offers a "whole body experience" through an array of services including: haircuts, colors, smoothing treatments, makeup, updos, manicures, pedicures, facials, massage, body treatments, spray tanning, and, as of June 2014, Med Spa services. Our Med Spa services include: laser hair removal, IPL, Laser Genesis, spider vein treatment, and injectables.



About Samantha Graupman

Samantha has been a licensed massage therapist since 2010 and a licensed nail technician since 2004. She is certified in various methods of massage and wants her clients to leave Body Bliss feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.


What her clients are saying:

"Samantha is great, very professional."


"Samantha is an expert on relieving pain."


"Samantha is great in this area! I have been in for a prenatal massage, pedicure, and things of that nature. Samantha gives an amazing massage and pedicures."


"I had not slept in days due high workload and lots of stress. I went to Samantha for a massage and what an incredible relief! Went home and thanks to her expert techniques and working out the knots and pain in my neck and lower back I slept for 10 hours! I thoroughly enjoy going here because of the friendly warm staff and the quiet surroundings and the expertise of everyone there. I would highly recommend Samantha for her great massages."






About Sarah Boulton

Sarah has been an licensed cosmetologist since 2005. She is an expert in many areas including, cutting, coloring, updos, makeup, smoothing treatments and most recently eyelash extensions.


What her clients are saying:

"Sarah did my color yesterday and did an amazing job! She got it right the first time which has not been my experience with other salons. You get an upscale experience that is not over priced."


"Had my first app. today with Sarah for a cut & highlight. Everything about the service was excellent. Prices are very reasonable. After a three year search for a new hairdresser, the search is over."


"I have been going to Sarah to get my hair done for over 2 years, she is great. I love the atmosphere of the new salon. It is hard to find a stylist you trust- once you do you stick with them- I highly recommend Sarah and Body Bliss Salon."


"Sarah is amazing! Great salon and spa! I am always greeted with a smile and the place is so warm and cozy! I always look forward to getting my hair done!"


We hope you, our Body Bliss Beauties, enjoy our blog!