The Consultations No. 1

SHARING INSIDER TIPS, TRICKS, KNOWLEDGE, AND WAYS OF ACHIEVING RESULTS FROM PROFESSIONALS IN OUR WORLD. TODAY WE SPEAK WITH JAMES PECIS, CO-FOUNDER OF BLU & GREEN, ABOUT SUMMER HAIR REVIVAL.

It looks like we may get heat and humidity for a while longer. My hair gets so much more oily in these temperatures. Is that normal, or am I doing something wrong?

Totally normal. Heat and humidity kick your scalp's oil production into a higher gear; it's just your skin (scalp) responding to temperature. 

The mistake I see people make is over-washing to compensate, which actually backfires. Strip the scalp too often, and it tends to overcompensate by producing even more oil.

My advice is to keep your normal wash schedule, rinse with cool water when you can (it helps close the cuticle and can cut down on that greasy feeling faster), and if you're going in the ocean or a pool, rinse your hair with fresh water right after. Chlorine and salt sitting on the scalp all day doesn't help.

Is it true that saltwater and sun are actually bad for your hair, or is some of that just a myth? What can I do to keep my hair looking healthy?

It is a bit of both. Saltwater itself isn't bad, it's actually a natural texturizer, which is why your hair looks so good after a day at the beach. The problem is what happens after… salt draws moisture out of the hair shaft as it dries, so if you don't rinse it out, you’ll get hair that's more porous and more prone to breakage over time. 

Sun is similar. A little exposure isn't going to ruin your hair, but UV rays do break down the proteins in your hair over time. So many weeks with a LOT of sun can change your hair, making it feel more brittle by September. 

My rule backstage: always rinse with clean water so unwanted minerals don't try on your hair. If you do have some mineral buildup, use a cleanser that can remove them without stripping or drying the hair (like our Shampoo Concentrate).  

What's one thing stylists do differently in the heat that most people don't know about?

We get way less precious about texture.

In winter, a lot of styling is about smoothing things down. In the hotter months, the best stylists work with what the humidity is already trying to do. Natural waves are embraced, texture gets more gritty. Instead of fighting it, we lean in. 

The other thing is that we cut a little more often. Ends take a beating in summer from sun, salt, and chlorine, so a quick trim every 6 to 8 weeks instead of stretching it out makes a bigger difference than people expect. A little maintenance pays off.

- JP