Ken Nissen Hairstylist

Professional hairstylist Ken Nissen gives tips on haircuts, hair color & trends.

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Happy Father’s Day to my late grandpa Roy and my dad Ken. And may all the dad’s out there have a terrific day!

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Prepping your hair for summer

Summer beings June 21 -- next Sunday -- and it’s time to prep your hair for the heat. Go lighter -- in color and volume. Summer is a great time to cut off dead hair, lighten your base color and add highlights to lighten your overall tone. Make sure you get your hair pool ready at the same time, and protect your color with 7′s COLOR Shampoo & Conditioner, which prevents hair color from fading due to sun exposure. 

Make an appointment today to get your hair ready for the Summer Season.

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The Importance of Regular Hair Maintenance

One thing I often hear from my clients is how good their hair looks right up until their next appointment. This may cause clients to delay or cancel their appointments. One client recently said, “I love my hair. Here it is April already. I am enjoying my hair so much, I really don’t need the appointment until May.” I’m always delighted to know that my clients are pleased right up until I see them again, but keep in mind a few reasons to maintain your hair regularly:

Your hair is a living extension of your body. Just as you exercise, enjoy manicures, indulge in an occasional facial or massage, so too should you give your hair the TLC it needs to stay healthy.

The longer you go between appointments, the more your hair dries out and splits. As the hair ends split, it is harder to style and manage.

Stay on top of trends.

Regular trims help maintain the shape of your style and prevent frizz.

When you come in every 4-6 weeks, it’s easier to match your color as your hair grows out, ensuring that you always look your best.

Transition between seasons with a new style or color.

If you are trying to grow your hair out or transition to a new style, it’s important to eliminate potential for split ends to maximize the speed at which your hair will grow. 

Keep a healthy glow.

If your hair is thinning or you want it to grow faster, you should try a vitamin supplement. Try Hair, Skin & Nails by Nature’s Bounty. It’s filled with Vitamins C & E and Biotin.

Whether it’s a fresh look to rejuvenate your spirits, a shared confidence from the security of the chair or just a warm hug from your favorite stylist, indulge in a little therapy with one of your most trusted confidants — me!

Don’t delay. Make an appointment today.

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The Hard Truth about Hats

So you’re up in the stands of your son’s baseball tournament — hour after hot hour. Or you’re playing a round of golf. Or maybe you’re just keeping the sun off your face as you jog through the park.

Great job! Hats can help keep us cool, offer shade and protect your skin. Hats are especially helpful for people with naturally light hair color as it helps trap in hair moisture.

But here’s a story to consider: I’m no scientist and I haven’t proven this out with research, but my Uncle Vern served in the Korean War. When he went off to war, he left with a full head of hair. Five years and one better-be-tight-to-save-my-life helmet later, Uncle Vern came home pretty thin on the top.

My theory is that the helmet was so tight that it restricted blood flow, causing not only loss of hair but the inability for the hair to regrow.

So loosen that band and let your hair — and your blood — flow.

Visit [email protected] today.

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Prepare your Hair for the Pool or Ocean

Just like you were always told to wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming, I always caution my clients to prepare their hair for the water. Not only can exposure to the sun dry your hair, but chlorinated or salt water strips your hair of its natural oils and acts as a severe drying agent.  

As a special note for colored hair, anytime you get into water and then into the sunshine, your hair will lighten over time, so it’s especially important to note the tips below*:

1. Before going swimming, wet your hair and apply an inexpensive conditioner throughout. This helps keep the chlorine from absorbing into your hair. 2. Wash hair thoroughly after you’re done for the day. 3. Apply a generous amount of conditioner to replenish the moisture, such as Mend, the most moisturizing conditioner from our 7 product line.

*  These tips are especially important for blondes and clients with naturally curly porous hair, which is more susceptible to absorbing chlorine.

Next up on the blog: to wear hats or not to wear hats? That’s the question.

Visit my website today for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment.

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Haircare for the Heat

With summer just around the corner, make sure you’re ready to look your best. Short and sassy, bright and beautiful. It’s time to lighten your hair — both in color and in volume. I normally recommend that my clients start their summer transition in May. When you can officially wear your white shoes again, it’s time to come on in to lighten your look.

As you care for your hair in the summer, make sure to retain your moisture. Over cleaning your hair strips it of natural oils that retain moisture. As you become more active in the summer, you may wash your hair more frequently, so remember these tips:

1. Reduce the temperature of your water. 2. Lather shampoo primarily at your scalp. Don’t scrub it through to the ends; they will get clean enough without extra effort down to the tips. 3. The more active you are the more may wash your hair. Make sure to replenish your moisture with a good conditioner. I like the light, spray on, leave-in conditioners such as Pravana’s Nevo Intense Therapy Conditioner.  4. Try a conditioner from our new product line, SEVEN. One of the six conditioners is Lustre, a daily conditioner that adds dimension and shine.

Check back for tips to protect your hair in summer conditions. In the meantime, visit me online.

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Lighten up for Spring - Red Heads

Much like the previous advice for Blondes and Brunettes, Red Heads have the opportunity to lighten up for the Spring too.

Bring up your base color a bit and try adding medium to light highlights throughout your hair. Complement your new color with a shorter, sassier haircut. Plow through your closet or go for a quick shopping spree to find colors that reflect the season.

Just like Brunettes, Red Heads benefit from adding a Gloss to keep hair shiny and fresh. It lasts 4-6 weeks and adds extra shine for the spring and summer months.

And while Red Heads are always cautioned to stay out of the sun, it’s just as important for your hair as it is for your skin. Try Seven’s COLOR Shampoo and Conditioner line. It protects the hair’s hues while providing needed moisture to color-treated hair. COLOR uses a patented color protectant, ChromAveil to prevent hair color from fading due to sun exposure and protects the hair fiber’s integrity.

Watch here or on my website in the coming weeks for tips on wearing hats and protecting your hair at the pool.

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Lighten up for Spring: Brunettes

Now that Spring is here, make sure you look the part with a lighter, brighter hair tone. In Winter, brunettes have the opportunity to have very warm tones--chestnut, mahogany, auburn. But as Spring approaches, brunettes should lighten the brown tones toward a more neutral tone.

The same advice applies to highlights and low lights. Whereas in Winter, highlights may have used red tones to evoke warmth, Spring calls for a more neutral golden palette. As Brunettes transition between seasons, you can move gradually from your base tone of chestnut to using it as an accent color, just using it less and less as you move into Spring. Similarly, low lights should be in the neutral brown range.

Add in a Gloss to keep your hair shiny and fresh. It lasts 4-6 weeks and adds extra shine for the spring and summer months.

Don’t forget to match your clothing and makeup to the changing seasons.

Check in next week for Spring tips for Red Heads. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook. 

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Lighten up for Spring: Blondes

More and more, Colorado is seeing four distinct seasons. No more skipping Spring and going straight into heat, heat and more heat.

As a stylist, I’m as inspired by the changing seasons as I am by the changing trends. So tune in for three weeks as I help you step into Spring.

This week, I’m focusing on blondes. While it’s debatable whether blondes really do have more fun, what’s indisputable is that blondes require less attention to their actual base color than brunettes or red heads. Unless you are more than 75% gray, you may not need to do a single thing to your base color.

Instead, consider transitioning into Spring with highlights and low lights. During Winter, I often apply dark brown/gold low lights and medium blonde highlights to my blonde clients. From February through Easter, blondes can go brighter with light brown/gold low lights and extra light blonde highlights.

Complete your Spring look by lightening your wardrobe and corresponding makeup palette.

Next week? Spring color for brunettes. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook. 

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Spring into Spring with lighter, brighter hair

Hair is one of nature’s best layers of protection. It literally keeps you warmer in the winter and keeps heat from escaping too quickly from your head.

But the days are getting longer, the temperature’s going up and it’s brighter outside. Now’s the time to go a little shorter and start lightening up your tone to match the changing seasons.

I typically recommend that my clients lighten their hair for Spring near Easter--anytime between mid-February and mid-April. Don’t be radical--just a more neutral base color accented by highlights and low lights. Just as your wardrobe and complimentary makeup adjusts to Spring colors, so should your hair.

Look your best. Spring into Spring with a lighter look and a brighter you. Keep an eye on the blog for color tips appropriate to your hair shade in the coming weeks. In the meantime follow me on Facebook.

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The Psychology of Hair

Ever had that life changing moment--the breakup, lost job, child going off to college, something major--and decided to take it out on your hair? You know the moment. The one when you walk into the salon and want something “different,” whether it’s to redefine yourself, start a new chapter or just be spontaneous?

All too often that moment of inspiration turns into months of regret. While the client is always right, there are those moments when a hair stylist needs to exert a word of caution. As a stylist of more than 30 years, I pride myself on taking time to listen, question and advise. If you really want to copy off eight inches and dye your hair purple, I’m on board, but expect to come in, sit down and talk about your end goal first.

I call it the psychology of hair--it’s not about the craft; it’s about understanding the needs of a client and reading between the lines. It’s understanding what a client means despite what she may be saying.

Hair is an emotional expression of who you are. Sure there are times when you want to be fun and flirtatious rather than professional and polished, but a simple adjustment to your current hairstyle is a lot easier than regrowing your hair for months after an impulsive reaction to one of life’s curve balls. Don’t worry. I’ll be your catcher through the final inning.

Watch next week for tips to transition your color for Spring. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook. 

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Happy International Women’s Day!

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Gwenyth Paltrow at the Oscars 2015

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A standout at tonight's 2015 Oscar ceremony - classy fashion and classic hairstyle.

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Pravana's 12 Tips to Perfect Hair

My favorite hair product is Nevo Intense Therapy Leave-in Treatment by Pravana. Here is Pravana's 12 Tips to Perfect Hair. Enjoy!

1. Instantly Detangle

2. Provide Deep Hydration

3. Equalize Hair Porosity

4. Protect During Thermal Styling

5. Help Repair Split Ends

6. Protect Hair Color

7. Give Hair Shine

8. Eliminate Effects of Static Electricity

9. Soothe Irritated Skin

10. Effective Pre-Color Treatment

11. Lessen Effects of Chlorine

12. Hair Cutting Lotion for Salon Stylists

Get more information at www.pravana.com 

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With Valentine’s Day just around thecorner, you want to look your best for that special someone. One of my favoritelooks is the classic chignon. Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve your look:

1.     Backcomb your hair a bit to give it some “grip" then sweep your hair to one side. Place bobby pins down the middle, back of your hair, crossing them over one another for maximum hold.

2. Take the hair you’ve gathered at the side and gently brush it toward the back. Now, wrap the hair around your hand, twist it up and tuck it in to create a smooth roll.

3. Secure the chignon at the top with bobby pins. Place the looser-hold hairpins in and up through the chignon to secure the hold. Apply a little hairspray.

 Visit [email protected] to schedule your updo for Valentine’s Day today.

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Hair styling tips #2

If you’ve been following along, you have reduced your water temperature and the frequency with which you wash your hair. You’ve applied a leave-in conditioner and, perhaps, a light-weight oil. And you’ve used a generous amount of mousse or gel before sectioning your hair and drying back to front.

  While I’d call your efforts complete at this point, you might not. I know you likely keep an assortment of tools to flatten, curl or flatten then curl.

  Remember the old steam curlers? They are just about the only styling tool that doesn’t damage your hair because they add moisture rather than take it away.

  Flat and round irons produce dry heat, too much of which will burn your hair. While any professional hairstylist would tell you to avoid these tools, I also understand that you want to look your best.

  So my advice is to focus your energy on perfecting the blow dry. When done correctly, you will rely less on flat and round irons. Limit use of your tools to simple finishing touches — a little less volume, a little more movement. Then, once you’re satisfied with your final look, apply a texturizer such as  Sebastian Microweb Fiber and a light hairspray. That’s it — a masterpiece! 

In the meantime, visit my website for more information on Ken Nissen Hairstyling.

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New England Patriots fans really get their heads in the game.