Olaplex: What Is It? Do I Really Need It?

Olaplex has been blowing up on the salon and beauty scene with thousands of stylists singing it’s praises and backing it’s incredible results. But what exactly is it and why is it important you you to use during and after a chemically strenuous salon treatment.

Let’s break it down and get to the simple science behind Olaplex , explaining what it is, and why you do need it.
Hair is made of up Keratin proteins. Keratin is rich in the amino acid cysteine, and cysteine is important here because it contains a sulfur atom. Typically, two sulfurs will join together to form a disulfide bond creating a link between two proteins - and that is where the Olaplex magic begins. Disulfide bonds can be broken down by chemical treatments, daily heat styling and the general wear and tear that our hair goes through on a daily basis. As a bond multiplier, Olaplex takes the already existing bonds in your hair, multiplies and repairs them, producing stronger, healthier hair. It actively reverses damage, while proactively protecting your hair against future damage.

Olaplex has products formulated for the salon and for take home use. Olaplex No.1 Bond Mulitplier and No.2 Bond Perfector, are strictly for professional use.
We utilize the Bond Multiplier on clients having any sort of intense chemical treatments done. The Bond Multiplier gets mixed into the hair color/lightener and begins the process of mending those broken disulfide bonds, while working to prevent further damage.
No. 2 Bond Perfect is worked into the hair once the color/lightener is removed. This step fortifies the work that has already been accomplished by the No. 1 Bond Multiplier and continues the repair work while the hair rests.

No.3 Hair Perfector is where YOU come in! This is the take-home part of the treatment. You’ve been in salon, had a beautiful color applied and your hair has been protected and nourished throughout the entire process, now we need to continue to provide your locks with some TLC. That’s where No.3 Hair Perfecter comes in! This little bottle of magic sure does pack a punch, and when used properly, it will give you smooth, silky, strong hair.

Here is a quick run down on how it should be used:

1. Wet hair as if you were going to wash it, then towel dry.

2. Apply a generous amount of No.3 Hair Perfecter from your scalp the ends of your hair

3. Ensure hair is well saturated with the product, massage into hair and comb through to evenly distribute(be gentle!)

4. Leave on for at least 10 minutes. The longer you leave the treatment, the better your result.

5. Rinse your hair, shampoo and condition as normal.

It’s a quick and easy step to pop into your weekly routine; build it into your self-love routine, slip on a face mask and enjoy some quiet time while you rejuvenate your hair, skin and mind!

Next time you are in the salon to visit, be sure to ask about Olaplex. It’s such an easy and low cost investment in the health and maintenance of your hair. It’s tried and tested and a product that we love to educate our clients on. Long live healthy hair!

Talk Like the Pro's! Color Terminology 101.

Have you ever left the salon with a hair cut or color you weren’t really pleased with? I think we’ve all been there and it’s our mission that when you leave Rush Salon, you are happy with the cut, color or style your received.
When it comes to getting exactly what you are looking for, communication is key. Today we’re going to break down some coloring terminology so the next time you roll in for a color service, you’ve got a better understanding of the phrases that get you the color, tone or application you’re actually looking for!

We’ll start with a few of the most popular:

1. Base Color: Color applied at the root area or all-over before a dimensional/creative color technique is done.

2. Dimension: Dimension refers to the color range in your hair. Some hair has very little color range, giving it a very flat appearance, while other hair is packed full of natural dimension. You can change up the dimension in your hair by adding in highlights or lowlights.

3. Highlights: Highlights are applied by taking sections of hair and treating them with the use of a lightener. This creates a lighter contrast in relation to the natural hair color and has various application methods like: foils, cap, and hair painting.

4. Lowlights: Lowlights are applied in the same manner as highlights, but instead of using a lightener to make strands of hair lighter, a hair color is used to make strands of hair darker, creating more depth within the hair.

5. Balayage: A technique used to apply highlights in which the dye is applied to the hair freehand, using vertical strokes, painting color onto the hair to achieve a natural look. The hair ends up with a natural dark to light flow.

6. Cool Tone: Cool tones can apply to blonde, brunettes and red heads and will have blue or violet undertones - think, platinum blondes, ash brown or plum hued red hair colors.

7. Warm Tone: Can also apply to blondes, brunettes and red heads. Warm tones are generally referred to red, yellow or orange, a few examples would be: copper red, auburn brunettes or golden blondes.

8. “Brassy”: What happens when warm tones start to fade out over time. The lightened hair is left with an orange/red tint. Special shampoos and conditioning toners can be utilized to help prevent this(We’ve got the goods! Ask us how!)

9. Toner: Toner is a very light color that is used “tone” lightened hair to the desired hue. Example: If you want a cool platinum blonde, you’re hair will first have to be lightened as much as possible, leaving it with a yellow tint, a violet toner will be applied, cancelling out the yellow and leaving you with a head of cool blonde locks!

   These are just a few of the terms we use regularly around the salon. Are there terms or processes you would like explained? Get in touch and ask, we’re always happy to answer questions and help you get the hair you want!