How To Cover Gray and Eliminate brassy hair

Most hair is prone to becoming “brassy” or orange/copper when artificial hair colors fade. This is because all oxidative dyes (both permanent, and demi-permanent colors alike) remove or “lift out” some of the natural pigments from the cortex of the hair in the process of depositing artificial color there. This is especially problematic for folks who are trying to blend or cover grey hair to match a natural color.

The root cause of excessive warmth in artificially dyed hair comes from the hair’s underlying pigment or undertone (see illustration). All permanent and demi-permanent hair coloring products on the market that combine an artificial dye with a developer (hydrogen preoxide) utilize a chemical reaction to drive small color molecules under the cuticle of the hair and deep into the cortex (center shaft) of the hair where the dyes swell and “stick” during the “processing” time. The faster the coloring process, the more unstable the dye color results and the more likely the color will change and fade over time. During the oxidative dying process, natural melanin pigments are removed from the hair and replaced with artificial pigments. This increases the hair’s porosity and makes the hair prone to color fading over time - revealing the hair’s warm or “brassy” undertone. The darker the hair the more orange/red the undertone. Fine hair is especially prone to becoming brassy after artificial hair coloring.

For folks who experience a lot of undesirable warmth or “brassiness” from artificial color (but don’t have a lot of white/grey hair), I recommend trying my Artisanal Herbal Hair Color: a natural plant dye that preserves all the natural pigments in your hair, effectively blends grey hair with natural hair colors, strengthens and seals the hair’s cuticle, and preserves the hair’s natural dimension, color variation and reflection. I have created a bespoke range of non-oxidative, herbal hair colors that are designed to stain and seal the cuticle of the hair, providing natural color protection and a permanent color change to silver and white hair.

Herbal hair color is the ultimate way to take care of hair naturally, using the healing and protective properties of nature. The more often it is applied, the healthier the hair becomes. It doesn’t go “brassy” and provides optimum grey blending and conditioning benefits to hair.

Covid-19 UPDATE: San Francisco Closes Hair Salons & Barbershops

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On December 4th, San Francisco Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco would voluntarily and preemptively shut down all non-essential businesses in San Francisco including hair salons and barber shops on December 6th at 10pm. The announcement came one day after Governor Gavin Newsom issued New Covid-19 Regional Guidance to close all non-essential indoor businesses for 3-weeks, including hair salons and barber shops, when the region’s remaining ICU capacity falls below 15%.

During the first 6-months that my business was shut down by local order, between mid-March and mid-September, I carefully analyzed my business and made safety modifications to my services and cleaning and disinfection protocols to protect myself and my guests from possible Covid-19 viral transmission. The sanitization and safety protocols I implemented, in combination with the natural cross ventilation of my space, makes my salon one of the safest salons in San Francisco to receive a haircut or color.

I’m very sad to I have to close my doors once again on December 6th. I anticipate reopening soon, and I look forward to sharing my space with you when the time is right.

Jan. 4, 2021 Update: Mayor London Breed has extended the San Francisco “Stay Home” order indefinitely. Please call or email me to discuss how I may support you and your hair care during these challenging times.

Artisanal Herbal Hair Color: A 100% Natural Alternative to Chemical Salon Color

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Artisanal Herbal Hair Color - a 100% organic and natural alternative to chemical color. Artisanal herbal color enhances natural highlights, restores a youthful glow, and protects the hair and scalp from environmental irritants and degradation. Learn More.

The Safest Hair Color To Use During A Pandemic

During the first few weeks of sheltering-in-place, I spent a good amount of time thinking through how to bring truly natural and organic hair color to my clients. I started by providing a small group of clients with 100% natural, herbal hair color kits for home use. The results were fantastic. Three months later, I believe that professionally applied, herbal hair dye may be the safest and healthiest hair color option for anyone staying home or going back to the salon for hair color after the shelter-in-place orders are lifted.

The plant dyes I use (henna, cassia, indigo and amla) do not come in a box. They are ethically sourced, pure, unadulterated, organic plant leaf powders that I custom blend to create bespoke natural hair color that is professionally applied to your hair in about an hour. Because I offer an "application only" service, it will dramatically reduce your time in the salon and eliminate face-to-face time at the shampoo bowl. For these reasons alone, this service may be the safest hair color option available when the Covid-19 SIP orders are lifted. In addition to being safer from a social contact perspective, 100% herbal hair dye is free of toxins, out performs chemical color, and is restorative rather than damaging for fine and textured hair. If you want natural looking and completely non-toxic hair color, I recommend giving herbal dye a try.

Have questions? Want to learn more? Schedule a consultation to see if herbal hair dye is a good option for you.

100% Plant-Based Hair Color From The Organic Stylist

I love working with 100% pure plant pigments - free of all the nasty toxins that you find in traditional hair color. After a natural hair coloring treatment, your hair will feel soft to the touch, will have a beautiful shine, renewed strength, and a lively bounce.

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The Origin of An Authentic Beauty Experience

The Organic Stylist (aka Jaiya)

The Organic Stylist was born out of my deep love for people and the planet and my fascination with the art and science of natural hair care. I created the Organic Stylist to provide an authentic beauty and hair care experience in harmony with nature. I draw inspiration from the beauty and efficiency of nature, the fluidity and grace of dance, and a wabi-wabi philosophy of celebrating the beauty of imperfections and impermanence. I pride myself on providing well-crafted and technically superior haircuts, and artisanal herbal hair color.

With a background in architecture, art, design, and sustainability, I take a holistic approach with my clients’ hair, health, and personal style. My services draw upon my artistic talents, my passion for science, and my dedication to improving my craft. My ability to envision a finished look while working on the finer details of a haircut allows me to create a hair style for you that is customized to your hair texture and density - and suits your lifestyle, personality, face shape and body type - so that you may present your best self to the world. I love learning and sharing my knowledge with my clients. My sense of justice, honesty, integrity, and transparency guide me in my daily work and business development. When you become my client, it is my intention to help you feel safe and at ease; to listen to you with compassion, to meet you where you are, to provide you with honest answers, and to help you feel seen and understood. I want you to leave my salon with a better understanding of how to take care of your hair and a little lighter than when you arrived.