A friend said she was bored with her long-layered, brunette hair and wanted a change. I could see she was reminiscing from when she had beautiful blonde highlights giving her sparkle, interest and something special. At first, I was ecstatic with the freedom to present creative coloring options! After a few minutes of bouncing ideas off one another, the word "Keratin Treatment" came up...SUMMER BUMMER!

When hair has been treated with a Keratin Treatment, equivalent to a Relaxer Treatment, all bets are off with lightening the hair. The hair has become sensitized (FRAGILE) and will literally break off during the lightening process. It is not possible to lighten previously colored hair predictably using lightener, commonly known as bleach. Bleach is essential to create highlights on hair previously colored. To create great color, the word "predictable" and "lighten" go hand-in-hand. You must correctly lift hair to the correct stage of lightening before toning or glazing the hair to the shade desired. 

After explaining the reality of the situation, we both agreed lightening the hair was not an option. After all, hair is a woman's biggest accessory and even though she is gorgeous, losing her hair to breakage from harsh chemicals was simply not acceptable. 

THE GOOD NEWS... Creative Coloring combined with innovative hair coloring products provide healthy and interesting options for those in similar situations.  Hair treated with a Keratin treatment can appear dull, dry, or damaged. Often, it is brittle and has developed the texture similar to straw after a few treatments. 
Solution: Why not opt for a summer shine gloss that will instantly bring reflective shine, moisture and condition while simultaneously infusing rich tone into flat matt hair. These salon treatments last for weeks and are perfect during the hot summer months! 

Another exciting option is to create dimension is by adding lowlights using creative coloring techniques with  non-ammonia, demi-permanent hair color. Creating dimension by adding deeper pieces of color placed in custom patterns infusing multidimensional tone will bring dry, burned, and boring brunette hair back to "life" again. Like an optical illusion, the deeper pieces painted into the existing dark hair appear like highlights!

Leading chemists and industry innovators from the world's top experts including Beth Minardi Signature Shades, Redken, and others now offer hair color products that are acidic, conditioning, and have a low pH, preventing the cuticle of the hair from swelling leading to further damage of the hair fiber, color fading, lack of shine, and matt color results.   

With summer now upon us, caring for hair is essential and salon treatments including summer shine glosses for highly reflective shine, nourishment and moisture, glazing treatments to infuse rich tone, and demi-permanent hair color for creative coloring without damage, summer hair can still be fun and exciting!  

Visit James Gill Hair Design and book a FREE summer shine gloss, deep conditioning treatment, or Summer Value Voucher to use for an appointment to explore damage free dimensional color! 

Visit:
www.jamesgillpro.com or call 754 800 1685 to schedule your summer hair repair appointment today!

Listen as leading haircolor pH expert from Redken explain why these innovative products are essential for healthy hair in the video below.  

Achieve beautiful hair color results using the highest quality standards.

By using products designed to improve the health, shine, and condition of the hair, in the right way, the creative options are limitless.

If people are concerned about PPT or PTD, ammonia, MEA or other ammonia-based products, people can have creative, multidimensional, results reflecting health, shine, and their personality, at any age or situation.

I aim to provide an experience where they know their health, their hair’s health, and the overall image is a priority and thoughtfully taken care of.

While I do not claim to use 'organic' products, I do believe in using the best methods approach of doing no harm. I do use products, some of which do contain “natural ingredients” that do deliver maximum results they will love.

I want to let people know there are modern methods to create great results if concerned about chemicals and grey coverage. I can use demi permanent color and create hair that looks naturally highlighted. I can cover, not blend, “cover” gray hair without using permanent, ammonia-bearing formula on the hair color.

Healthy hair no longer has to be synonymous with “boring” or “monochromatic”.

I want to provide options for guests to have fun with their image.

With an effective consultation, where we can explore their lifestyle, image, personality, discovering essentially who they really are and what they want to achieve, the sky is the limit.  

I want to let people know I am aware of “organic” products and their claims but let them know natural henna only comes in one shade…red. It is permanent and unless want to be a red head, natural henna found in health food stores is not truly “natural” and cannot be removed.

I truly believe we must care for color-treated hair, as well as hair not colored using the best products. Again, some do contain ingredients that are “natural” and are designed to heal, nourish, and restore hair back to health.

Hair is a person’s biggest accessory and to keep it healthy and in it optimal condition, I truly only recommend what I think are the best products.

Aging hair must be treated differently than any other natural hair color.

Advanced hair color technology, coupled with correct formulation, knowledge, and technique, can transform aging hair to an artistically interesting canvas with options for rich dimensional color, vibrant shine and a fiber literally stronger and softer in texture than before. 
 
There are small groups of people who are deciding to go grey completely.

The ‘all natural’ movement has progressively come to include people opting not to color their grey, aging hair.

While there are a small group of people who look great with white, almost "silver" hair, the truth is most people do not. It can be aging, hard to manage, and an overall distraction when left un-colored and in a "natural" state.

There are people who look fantastic with white hair. Some are able to pull off the "salt and pepper" look sported by famed celebrities. However, these are few and far between.

If you do not have the right features, perfect percentage of grey to non-grey hair, correct natural level and tone of still pigmented hair, and/or the ability to correctly care for grey hair, it will not enhance your look. 

I feel important to mention something very important about going grey.  As the aging process continues, the rich shade people remember being will not remain the same shade during the aging process.

The hair that has not yet turned white starts to become darker, drabber and a much less attractive color than people remember being before going grey.

Before you decide to "give up" on your hair color regimen, remember the hair you had will not be the hair you will have when going grey. There are options we can discuss to transition and others if you decide to go grey. 

Allergies and sensitivities to hair color can occur the first application or 201st time coloring your hair.

I have included the best Pre-Color Clarifying Treatment to be used prior to any chemical service; especially when working this this unique texture.

Soon there will be pre-color tests to determine allergies to ppd and ppt prior to any permanent hair color service to ensure safety and predictable results.

The successful consultation will establish a relationship serving as our a guide as we embark on a colorful journey.

A James Gill Hair Design color consultation will involve:

• Determining what is desired
• What can I deliver?
• When can we commence the process?
• The price to proceed 
• The maintenance required 
• Home care prescription and essential products needed to maintain healthy, integrity and color brilliance.
  

Hair color is not quick service. I take the necessary time to safely achieve the results we plan for.

I take hair color seriously and invest in the best education from industry leaders to create signature hair color for my guests.

 I look forward to create dimensional, bespoke, and signature color design with you soon.

Hair products are available for all types of textures, densities, and styles for men. It is no longer true that men have a limited range of styling products to choose from. Men now have styling options!

Men with thick, dense, curly texture can now achieve a frizz-free curl enhanced with shine and contained style.

Men with fine, thinning hair requiring volume, texture, hold and minimal weight also have options.

The type of shampoo and conditioner a man uses does affect not only the resulting style but promotes a healthy scalp environment.

label.m offers men specific formulations to prevent hair loss and treatments to promote growth.

Men often produce twice as much sebum as women and need specific products to keep hair healthy and manageable.

The label.m range has formulated specific shampoos and conditioners addressing a man's scalp creating optimal conditions for hair growth, health, and style. Modern products made with healthy ingredients now result in amazing style possibilities.

Ouidad, 3-time winner of NAHA, specializes in addressing clients with textured hair. Her enthusiasm is infectious and her brand, Ouidad, was developed specifically addressing needs of natural curly hair texture while significantly improving the condition and healthy shine as well. 

Thankfully, there are passionate education specialists who teach the latest in textured hair addressing essential characteristics including how-to design and style accordingly, which products are essential and why, and impressive styling tips and tricks. 

These educators are texture specialists and I am grateful for their knowledge helping me design signature looks for clients who wish to enhance their natural curl.  

Research from leading industry experts in texture, specifically Sam Villa of Redken, reveal more than 50% of salon guests have some degree of texture present in their hair. Findings are significant and reveal people are now embracing their natural texture.

 There is a growing trend towards professionally managed, luscious, naturally curly hair and realization that not everyone is a candidate for "pin-straight hair" as we have seen in the past. 

Curly hair needs special attention because of its unique physical characteristics. It is weaker, more prone to breakage, has a tendency to become frizzy, and the shine can become lost in the depth of the curl.

How these unique texture characteristics affect hair color are also important and the effect of color is a consideration anyone with curly hair must consider.

Hair color offers amazing opportunities to enhance and transform existing color and enhance personal style.

What was once traditionally thought as a service specific to females has now exploded to include men of all ages making up a significant population within the salon hair color industry.

Knowledge of hair color is essential to predict what results can be expected and why they occur.

Knowing the situation, being able to predict results, and artistically create interest with dimension defines a good colorist.

Understanding the opportunities while respecting the limitations of color and potential dangers that can result are also essential.

Many hair color situations and chemicals can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

 I have found only through research and advanced education the truth behind many claims that are simply not true. I freely pass this knowledge on to all guests so they are aware and more at ease knowing their health, safety, and integrity of their hair are all a priority.

 I love creative coloring and using signature techniques inspired by my mentors to create amazing hair color. Their specialized knowledge has enabled me to provide bespoke, creative, modern hair color to my guests.

There will be a trend towards more graphic styles requiring more precision haircutting and disciplined design.


Traditionally shears are thought to be the tool to create these bold shapes. Today, similar, if not more modern results are achieved using the razor.


The art of razor cutting can produce precision design and I love using this technique on the right canvas.


It provides a marvellous effect producing a perimeter shape of softness and interior texture leading to ease and versatility in styling.


The famous bob and the many variation are back so be ready!