Products We Love: Gentle and Super Rich

Lighten. Darken. Heat style. Blow out. Straighten. 

But then what? How do you say "I'm sorry" to your overworked locks?

In 1992, Bumble and Bumble answered this question by bringing the aptly named Gentle Shampoo into the world. Years later, they added the hearty mid-weight conditioner Super Rich as its companion piece. Bumble's first ventures into commercial products took a "necessity is the mother of invention" approach. Put hair through hell during fashion week, photo shoots, or just day-to-day life, and now what? How do you bring it back? Gently and richly.

As soothing as their names suggest, the Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich conditioner will cure what ails you. From fragile fine locks to raucous curls, this cleansing duo is a friend to all hair types that have been processed or are just naturally in need of moisture.

Gentle Shampoo contains Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima) that calms tortured texture while a shot of glycerin helps soften locks. The cleanser emulsifies with a rich lather, courtesy of nettle extract, shaking loose product build-up without tarnishing even the most gentle of hues.

Super Rich is the best friend of a chemically treated mane, but it works well for any hair in need of some TLC. Cetearyl alcohol (I know, I know, but this is a naturally occurring fatty alcohol, and not drying in the least) adds manageabiltity, while a healthy does of dimethicone gives hair back that shine and smoothness chemical processing took away. Super Rich adds a boost of moisture without additional weight that can flatten finer texture, it's a great go-to after your regular shampoo.

Now that you've heard all the technical reasons why this pair is one of the greatest for hair, it's time to see it in action.

Lina "Before":

Lina's locks have seen better (shinier) days. She has a gorgeous head of hair in need of slightly more astringent cleanser and heartier conditioner.

Lina "After":

Cut and styled by Lee; Lina's hair gets back its gloss and then some. 

Kelly "Before":

An overdose of product knocked the life out of Kelly's curls.

A quick trip to the shampoo bowl where Emily cleanses (just once, repeating is rarely necessary with Bb's shampoos) and conditions with the products of the hour:

Kelly "After":

Styled by Emily and sans product build up, freedom rings in ringlets.

We encourage personal research of these and all Bb products. Make sure to ask your stylist about Gentle, Super Rich and any other styling aids that pique your creative interests. They'll gladly take you and your hair for a test drive. 

Love Your Hair: The Thin Hair Chronicles

When I was all of nine, way back in the eighties, I wanted "mall bangs" more than anything on earth. Being that I was a fourth grader in a strict catholic school, this was a lofty goal, but I was determined. I mustered up my nine years worth of bravado and told my mother's hairstylist what I wanted to happen on my head. What I ended up with was a quasi mullet, with a short spiky top and straggly shoulder length sides. Glamorous*. The reasoning I was given for this interesting take on "mall bangs" was that I had thin, flat hair which wouldn't naturally have any sort of body save for layering it within an inch of its life.

Hmmph.

Thus began my love/hate relationship with these wacky follicles sprouting out of my head. They now had a diagnosis. Thin, flat and to be "dealt with". During the next 24 years, I have followed every piece of bad hair advice and almost always done the wrong thing regarding this mop.

My pampered locks

The sparse reality

However, I feel that I am learning and might even have what some would consider "nice hair". This is mostly to do with where I work, among a half dozen or so of the most talented stylists working today, than to anything I have done of my own accord. Now I would love to share my good fortune with others.

Hair we go:



Big Mistake # 1 Lighter Equals "Thicker"

Blond Ambition circa 2001

I am natural blond. Sure it's dark blonde these days, but it was once a glorious shade of honey with flecks of caramel and platinum. So it made sense for me to dump lightener on my head from age 16 on, right? Especially if the increasingly lighter shade was slowly starting the match the tone of my actual scalp... I mean that meant my hair looked thicker, right? Right?

Actually no. Lightening hair strips more than the color, it makes the strands appear thinner. Conversely, the darker hues add a bulk to wimpy follicles. JoJo (hair guru) compares it too an empty straw versus a full straw. The darker the color the plumper the appearance.

Armed with this knowledge, I am now a red head. Don't get me wrong,  I love blond hair and I am gobsmacked daily by fair haired folks.  For me, it just wasn't meant to be.  The ginger hue is more flattering to my coloring, more befitting of my personality and just generally a better idea.

The difference a dye makes. Red in 2009

*Unfortunately, any photographic evidence of this hair insanity were destroyed for the sake of my own self esteem.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of "Thin Hair Chronicles"... The Myth of Length vs Width

Let It Shine

Back before the cutting, the coloring, the heat styling, the perming (it's okay, we were all there) there was this hair. Hair that had life, bounce, an inner glow even. Hair that was as fleeting and magical as childhood itself.

Hair that had that shine. Remember?

Bumble & Bumble does, and that was the inspiration behind their new line – Let It Shine shampoo, conditioner and Shine On Finishing spray – that manages to add maximum punch, yet leaves hair full of body and life. Shine on, indeed.

With the help of veteran HeaD AreA model Yoko and new face Allison, Lee takes the staff through the finer points of our newest styling addition.

In need of some freshening and a more refined cut, Lee shampoos and conditions Allison's long locks with Bb Shine (This lightweight cleansing duo is ideal for all hair types who want to add sheen without weighing hair down) and begins to map out his plan.

Lee reshapes Allison's heavy fringe to unify it with both her facial structure and the rest of her hair. Precision cuts and an unwavering hand are key to achieving this harmonious effect.

Once her fringe is properly (and beautifully) landscaped, Lee tackles the bulk of Allison's mane. Losing minimal length, Lee continues his refinement by razor cutting long layers into the back and sides of the hair.

This deceptively intricate cut is elevated by Lee's deft use of Bb Shine On Finishing Spray. He starts by spraying the product into his hands and working it through Allison's hair from mid-lengths to ends (Shine On is a silicone-based product and should be applied sparingly and added in stages) smoothing and building as he goes. 

The end result is healthy, gorgeous hair with plenty of natural movement and a weightless finish.

Divine shine. 

Yoko's coarse texture serves as an ideal platform to showcase the versatility of the Shine finishing spray. Again, starting with a few spritzes into his hands, Lee works the product through Yoko's locks, smoothing and shaping the hair to accentuate the lines of her cut (featured on this blog back in March) for a dramatic take on shine.

Lee then breaks down the glass finish with even more product, combing it through and rough styling it for a tousled bed-headed effect.

Even with a healthy dose of the Spray, Yoko's hair is still light and malleable this second time around.

(Special thanks to our models, and the wonderful Judith Robinson for bringing the Bb knowledge to HeaD AreA. For more information on the new Shine line, please call 215 829 0699 or stop into HeaD AreA. Shine on!)