ASK A STYLIST

Here I will answer your most pressing questions and so my best to assist the beauty industry as a whole. Have something on your mind? Having difficulty styling your hair? This is the place to ask. Simply email you requests to niki@nikimoon.com and I will post the answer to your questions here!

Q: Lately my hair seems to look dull and drab. What can I do to make it look shinier?

A: Shiny hair is healthy hair, plain and simple so lets get that hair on a fitness regimen! We will start from the inside out. Lean proteins and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (think salmon, avocados, flaxseed and almonds). This will make your hair look shinier over time. Next, banish build-up from pollution, minerals in your water and styling products by using a clarifying shampoo once a week. Every time you shampoo use a shampoo and conditioner that is right for your hair type. When you towel dry your hair blot and don't rub this will help your hair from getting tangled. Use a thermal protectant on your hair before you do any heat styling. For ultimate shine finish your style with a styling iron it will seal the cuticle and produce a high gloss, reflective surface. For your final touch use a spray shine my favorite is Beyond Shine by Aquage.

Q: How do I get my unruly curls to look good?

A: If your natural texture tends to be curly and unruly, preparation is critical in order to get your frizz under control! Start by shampooing and conditioning your hair with formulas designed to tame curls and frizz (hydrating shampoo's and conditioners are best). Use a curl cream or a shine serum while your hair is still wet to manage curls and control frizz (Pureology Shinemax is a great shine serum). Leave in conditioners do a nice job and controlling curl as well. Next take big sections of your hair and twist them around your finger, this will help the curl form into nice soft curls. If your hair tends to be on the wavier side than really curly side use a diffuser until your hair is about 80% dry (or until your waves start to frizz) then let your hair air dry the rest of the way. Once your hair is air dried if you have any unruly curls use a one inch curling iron to help tame some of the curls. Finish off with a flexible hold hair spray.

Q: I Just lightened my hair to blonde and I love the color, but something looks slightly off. Should I go back to brown?

A: Before you do anything hasty (and expensive) perhaps you should consider your make-up. Usually a hair color change requires a shift in your cosmetic palette. For example, if you wore dark eye and lip colors as a brunette they are probably to heavy for your new, lighter hue. Switch to paler shades and be sure they are cool if you are an ash blonde and warm if you are a golden blonde.

Q: I think I would like to experiment with red hair. How do I know if I'm making a mistake?

A: First, keep in mind that there are very few natural redheads, so be sure you want to be noticed! Then take a close look at your complexion. The best people to go red are people with pale skin. If you have olive skin and you want to try red, choose a very dark auburn shade. If you have pink or ruddy skin, red hair would not be the best choice for you. Natural red hair tends to have copper and golden undertones. So avoid blue reds if you want your red to look realistic, these hues do not exist in nature. Finally red hair tends to fade faster so it is best to gloss your hair in-between services to keep your color fresh.

Q: What are highlights and lowlights?

A: This technique involves weaving, slicing or ribboning several colors throughout the hair. Some lighter and some darker than your natural color to create a realistic multi dimensional effect.

Q: How long do highlights last?

A: Even though highlights will grow out and look natural as they do, this is a permanent hair color service that should be touched up every six to ten weeks depending on the amount of highlights you have in your hair.

Q: What are the most youthful, natural looking colors?

A: As a general rule, it's best to stay within one or two levels of your natural hair color for the most believable effect. Try to avoid extremes of any kind. Red heads should opt for auburn tones: not fiery reds. Brunettes will find that warm chocolate browns are much more flattering than black or very dark brown. Especially as we mature, we lose pigment in our hair and skin. Warmer, lighter brunette shades help restore some of the lost "glow." Honey is the most flattering shade for blondes platinum can be too extreme for most women. Golden-blonde tones, on the other hand, add a sun kissed glow to mature complexions.

Q: I want to be a blonde bombshell any tips?

A: Blonde is a confident, strong color choice so be ready to turn heads! It's also one of the most expensive colors to maintain, so take a careful look at your budget before plunging in. How blonde you can go depends on your natural coloring- the lighter you are naturally, the lighter you can lift your locks for a flattering result. Your target shade should also reflect your complexion. If your skin is cool, ash or neutral, blonde tones like wheat and mocha will be beautiful; if your skin is warm, stick to golden and strawberry blonde colors.