Ann Gunter :: Bringing Sexy Back to Mom's Hair!

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Before babies you liked, maybe even LOVED, your hair. You made your happy hour appointment every 6 weeks with your beauty bestie known as your hairstylist. You had wine, gossiped and tried the newest go-to beauty products. Fast forward to today when even WASHING your grossly ignored tresses sounds great. All of the sudden you feel out of the hair “touch” and if you are a new mom, wonder why it’s all falling out. Let me, Ann Gunter, get you some answers and bring the sexy back to your hair!

Thinning

As moms, we enjoy good and bad effects of those pregnancy hormones. One of the “goods” we love are thicker locks! But after delivery, the hormones return to normal levels, which allows the hair to fall out and return to its normal cycle. Basically, the normal hair loss you would have experienced in the last 9 months is now occurring as a massive shed clogging up your shower drain and causing your bathroom floor to look like a creature all its own. This process is called telogen effluvium and is not uncommon.

So, what can you do about it?

  • Increase your intake of biotin and vitamins B, C and E.
  • Use a hair cleansing product line that contains zinc, like Intraforce by Redken.
  • If your hair loss is centered around the front area of your hairline, consider a fringe or long, side-swept bangs. It’s an easy way to be right on trend, it looks great on everyone, and it can hide those annoying short hairs that seem to stick straight out of your scalp.

Color

When was the last time you had your hilights touched up? Seem like years ago? What worked for you, pre-baby, in the color realm no longer works for you now. Your time allotment(and budget, possibly) look a little different now. Instead of apologizing to your stylist for not being able to come in every four weeks, talk to him or her about all of your challenges. Your stylist should be able to steer you in a color direction that makes it easier on your time and budget. If hilights are your thing, ask for “accent or t-zone” hilights. These are typically about ten foils strategically placed to give the look of a partial set of hilights. Because there is less involved, this is a smaller-priced service and won’t need to be touched up but around three times a year.

isis hilights

Now, if you’re ready to go darker to compliment the beautiful jewel-toned colors you’ll be wearing this fall, or if you are also trying to hide a few gray strands, ask your stylist for a “glaze” or “gloss”. These are technically demi-permanent hair colors that have no ability to remove any of your natural color (unlike permanent hair color). The great part about “glazes” is that they make your hair super shiny and soft and leave no embarrassing line as your hair grows out or the color wears off. Be sure to mention to your stylist when you book your next appointment that you’re ready for something different so they make sure to take enough time to understand what your new hair needs really are.

Style

I know what you are thinking. “OK, great. I get a new, fabulous and easy-to-manage new ‘do but I’ll never be able to fix it like the hairstylist does.” While it may be true that you won’t be able to EXACTLY replicate the awesome, bouncy round brushing your stylist did for your blowdry on a daily basis, you CAN learn how to style a few quick up-styles that are all over the fashion magazines. Today’s hair looks are meant to be more relaxed with a lived-in look (This is great for you because lived-in is sometimes all that you have to work with). Get rid of the plain, old pony tail and scrunchy, and move into messy buns and braids!

isis braid

Yes, women of all ages are braiding their hair! It’s all in how you do it. We’re not talking about the super-tight, straight down the back of the head french braid you wore at summer camp. Today’s modern braids are loose and lived-in. Try braiding your hair to the side and pulling the band about an inch farther down the finished end than it needs to be placed. This will allow your braid to look like you tried, but not too hard.

Now to the messy bun. This is one of the easiest up-styles to do, and you can use this one when your hair is still damp (after it dries your hair will be perfectly beachy-wavy), when your hair is three days past a wash, and on a hot date with your better half. First, purchase one of the best new hair tools on the market, the Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin (CVS, Target, Walgreens). This little handy hair tool is equal to using twenty bobby pins. Next, either tie your hair in a pony tail or simply gather your hair into a bun. Now, screw the open end of the Spin Pin into the bun close to your head (Imagine a wine screw going into a wine cork). Done! Wear your messy bun down low and slightly to the side for the most current look. If your messy bun looks a little small or slips out, try some hair spray or a backcombing spray (Redken Quick Tease 15 ROCKS) first, and then backcomb your pony. You’ll have your college-aged baby-sitters wondering, “How did that mom get so trendy?”

Let’s face it. Becoming a mom brings all new challenges to a woman’s life. Figuring out your hair situation shouldn’t be one of them. It’s time to bring the mommy sexy back! Now grab a glass of wine, and call your stylist. Your hubby will thank you later.

FWMB Contributor Isis Hargrave had the opportunity to be colored, styled, and educated by Ann. In Isis’ words,

I was incredibly impressed with how knowledgable Ann was. She answered all my silly questions. I am so not a girly girl and now I braid my hair almost everyday. I love it! Makes me feel dressed up even when I’m heading to the gym or running errands with my son. I’m also in love with the color she put in. It’s subtle and beautiful. I needed low maintenance and she delivered.

Color? Cut? Style? What is your biggest ‘hair struggle’?


**This sponsored post was co-written by Ann Gunter and FWMB, but all opinions expressed are our own.

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Ann Gunter HeadshotAnn Gunter is a highly regarded Redken Artist, Certified Hair colorist, stylist, and Temptu Certified airbrush makeup artist located in Fort Worth, Texas. With an aesthetic that ranges from casual chic to elegant sophisticate, Ann is a master stylist and savvy business owner with a devoted clientele that depends on her for beautiful cuts and lavish color that are easy to wear and maintain. Ann has worked at some of the best salons that Fort Worth has had to offer including Garrison Moore, M & Co. and now at the chic and modern Zeeba Salon and Spa located in Montgomery Plaza. She has helped numerous beauty contestants with winning stage makeup and hairstyling including Miss Fort Worth, Miss Dallas USA, and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen to name a few. She was also named “Best Cowtown Cut” by D Magazine. Community involovement is very important to her, believing “If you build a stronger community, EVERYONE lives a better life”. She volunteers her time between her busy schedule at the salon with the Presbyterian Night Shelter, the Lena Pope Home, Santa Fe Youth Organization, and The Greatest Gift Catalog Ever.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I am one who has never been scared of getting a different cut, OR maybe it is just that I have never found a cut that I just absolutely love? 😉 I like change. I have never done color but would like to try it and Ann is my girl with all her knowledge. Coming to see you Ann!

  2. When I left the corporate world to become a SAHM, the first thing to go was styling (and washing) my hair everyday. And if you saw me out in public, you’d KNOW IT. Just got a fabulous cut from Ann, and she gave me so many great tips for how to do a quick, easy, “I look put together” style! Thanks for the great advice, Ann!

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