Our Philosophy & Approach
Our approach to haircare is based on fundamentals - hair needs a balance of moisture and protein to be healthy. To make this concept more accessible, we teach haircare using an Elasticity Test and 3 Analogies:
Elasticity Test
The elasticity test helps assess the health of your hair by evaluating both its texture and stretch. Protein provides strength while moisture provides elasticity or bounce-back. To conduct an elasticity test first, run your fingers up and down each strand from end to root, feeling for smoothness or bumps. Healthy hair should feel smooth, like a freshly paved road. Small bumps are normal from daily manipulation (e.g., brushing or ponytails), however, if the texture feels rough or like sandpaper, it may indicate over-manipulation or a lack of protein.
The next step is to slowly stretch each strand between your fingers, maintaining tension. Ideally, hair should stretch and bounce back slowly before breaking (like a rubber band), indicating balanced moisture and protein levels. If the hair stretches, good moisture) but breaks quickly or does not return to its original shape, it’s lacking protein. If the hair snaps loudly and/or does not stretch, it’s lacking moisture. In severe cases, hair may break immediately without any stretch, signaling that both moisture and protein are needed for repair. This test is essential for understanding your hair’s condition, helping you choose the right products, and determining if your hair is healthy enough for chemical services or heat styling.
Healthy hair is like a freshly paved road—smooth, with no bumps or potholes. Over time, however, normal activities like washing, conditioning, blow drying, and heat styling can cause damage to the hair, breaking down its structure and creating “potholes” in the hair shaft. These imperfections lead to tangling, breakage, and a longer detangling process. Just like roads are repaired by filling potholes, hair needs protein to repair these damage points. Temporary solutions like conditioners with "slip" can smooth the hair but don’t offer lasting repair, while protein treatments bond to the hair and provide deeper, more effective restoration. If the damage is severe, deeper repair is needed, much like how roads are dug up and rebuilt for more permanent fixes.
Analogy 1: Your Hair as a Road
Analogy 2: Your Hair as Spaghetti
When hair lacks moisture, it becomes brittle and fragile, much like uncooked spaghetti. As moisture is added, the hair becomes more flexible and holds its shape, similar to al dente pasta. However, if the hair becomes over-moisturized, it loses its structure and becomes fragile, like overcooked spaghetti. Balancing out the need for both structure (protein) and moisture is key to maintaining healthy hair.
Analogy 3: Your Hair as a Lawn
Our hair is like grass, and the scalp is its soil. Just as grass needs healthy soil, water, and air to grow, hair requires a healthy scalp, proper hydration, and nourishment to thrive. When you cover grass with a tarp, it dies or grows slowly due to a lack of air and water—similarly, hair suffers from build-up, oils that don't penetrate, or infrequent washing. Wearing a headscarf or bonnet to bed every night can also restrict moisture and airflow, which isn't ideal. To help your hair flourish, consider using a satin pillowcase and a humidifier to maintain moisture levels and promote healthy hair growth, just like grass needs the right conditions to thrive.