The Road to Healthy Asian Blonde

Have you heard the news? Blonde hair color for Asian women is IN!

The time for adventurous Asian hair color has arrived, and as a hair stylist, I couldn’t be more thrilled. And while this is exciting news, I don’t want us to rush going blonde too fast, and forget about hair health. When taking Asian hair to a blonde color it can take two to four sessions to get the color just right. Think about it this way: on the hair color spectrum platinum is 10 and black is 1. Asian hair tends to range between 1 and 3. When you process, you should only go up by 3 to 5 levels in the spectrum so that your hair remains healthy. Of course, there are amazing hair saving products like Olaplex that we can add on to your color service, but it’s important to not forget your basics of coloring.

I have a wonderful client, Janice, who has been with me since June 2014. She started out with black hair on the spectrum at a 2, and her goal was a golden blonde ombre. Here's Janice before we started:

To accomplish her brilliant blonde, I did 6 color services over the span of 3 months. We built the color up over time, and trimmed her hair every other session.  We have finally gotten to our golden destination, and now we just upkeep her hair with partials and mini express services.

The proof is in the picture! Just look at that beautiful, healthy, blonde hair! It glows! You’ve got to trust the process, and not rush it so that your hair remains healthy and vibrant for the long haul. Give us a call if you are interested getting your blonde on!

More on Janice’s Formula:
Blue Platinum 40 vol
Toner- 10.12 + 9.11 Dia Light  6 vol
Olaplex 20 mins

Credits:
Hair by Mishi Nova
Makeup by Emi Navas
Photography by Christina Campbell

Style story: Morphic + Tooth-n-Nail

Recently, Morphic had the great pleasure of working with the amazing Adrienne Moore, jewelry designer behind San Francisco's own Tooth-n-Nail. Adrienne is known for her distinct, whimsical, and one-of-a-kind designs rich with boho, seaside, and 70′s glam. These naturalistic wonders have something for everyone, ranging from the tiniest of treasures to the boldest of bad-ass belly-length armor.

Adrienne’s distinct style inspired a shoot drawing from the elements of the world being bonded together through sisterhood. Check it out! 

Credits:
Hair: Mishi Nova
Makeup: Emi Navas
Jewelry: Adrienne Moore (on Instagram and Facebook)
Photography: Christina E. Campbell
Styling: Jasmine Guerrero
Models: Charis Briley, Hailey Dittman, Deena Tallo
Assistant: Marleen Moore

Holiday Beauty at Morphic!

Seasons Greetings Morphic Beauties!

The Holidays are finally upon us, and do you know what that means? Holiday parties!

Let us make you and your girlfriends the belles of the ball with customized hair & makeup. If you need a little inspiration, check out these looks Mishi and Emi created!

MORPHIC BEAUTY: KESNIA

Emi was inspired by Kesnia's fair skin to create a flawless complexion. Even winter skin can have a sun kissed glow, just in a softer version! On her eyes, Emi went for a smokey sultry in a palette of matte blacks and grays highlighted with pale blush tones. It's high impact, without being over the top. To add a little holiday spirit, a pop of light silver shimmer covers the almond shape of the lid, and in the inner corners of the eye. It's paired with a cranberry red lip to really give that festive touch. 

Bolder makeup called for simpler hair, so Mishi polished off Kesnia's look with a great natural-looking wave that'll look great all night. Fabulous, don't you think? 

MORPHIC BEAUTY: ADITI

On Aditi,  Emi wanted to create something more toned down. This look proves that you can make a more natural version of a smokey eye! Her amazing full lips are finished with a berry mauve. 

To balance the more natural tones of the face, Mishi took the great texture of Aditi's long and dark locks into full-curl mode, creating a full head of thick, amazingly touchable ringlets. 

INSPIRED YET? YOU SHOULD BE! 

Bring in your holiday inspiration and we’ll create a version of makeup that is customized to you.

Let Morphic make you beautiful for your special event this holiday season! Can't wait to see you! 

INSPIRATION: GOOD Hair!

FABULOUSLY GOOD HAIR! 

For our last Hair Movie Night, we featured Good Hair, the documentary narrated by Chris Rock. Naturally, my challenge was to commit myself to learning about black hair. While doing research, I loved getting the chance to talk with people about black hair. After giving it some thought, I decided to share what I learned about black hair that makes it different, how I like to cut and shape afro hair, tips for afro sheen, and where I got inspiration for the shoot!

I'm loving pro-natural afro movement. Morphic’s very own resident photographer, Christina Campbell says about her own hair, “Its a rebellion against what young people’s moms were saying about straightening your hair with chemical relaxers.” She sees it as loving her culture by not assimilating to the most mainstream way to wear your hair.  

So, let's get technical for a second. What gives black hair its characteristics is that the cross section of the hair fiber itself is more of an elliptical/flattened shape than other hair types. This is why it takes on a helix shape. It also has extra surface area and therefore the texture is easier to damage.

I approached our model Thea’s hair by first taking a large hair pick to it and starting at the bottom and brushed the hair out until it was at maximum expansion. As a long time hairdresser, I was able to feel the areas that were uneven and I started in the spots that needed the most length cut. I then went back and trimmed the whole thing around, from one side to the other, in a round shape, keeping it a little shorter at the nape to keep the hair off her shoulders and more in the air.  

For color, I mixed up some non-ammoniated Platinum and applied the solution on the foil and used the old-school “shoeshine” technique. I went around with freehand brush strokes and spread it evenly. The idea was to create a halo light effect even when its not backlit. I rinsed, shampooed, and conditioned and afterwards spread around the Bamboo Kendi Oil to nourish the hair. We finished with Rene Furterer Gloss Spray. It retained a really gorgeous sheen!

My inspiration, I looked to 70s trends and Pam Grier's great hair in the film Foxy Brown. Solange Knowles is also doing a great modern take on this right now.

Credits:
Hair: Mishi Nova
Makeup: Emi Navas
Photography: Christina Campbell

HAIR ICON: BETTY DRAPER

Oh, Betty Draper!

Okay, okay...January Jones as Betty Draper, but you get our point. Vintage style dream! 

Even at her most questionable moments, we still can't help but shimmy with excitement over every outfit and hairstyle! Her ability to be so put together on a daily basis deserves an award in itself (thanks the Emmy nominated Mad Men hair and wardrobe team!). 

In honor of the season 7 premiere of Mad Men, we just had to bestow some tribute on the lovely, Betty Draper, our hair icon.

Lets start with Season 1 and the refined Betty Draper at her best. The earrings, outfit and the hair. Oh! The hair! Beautifully coiffed and smooth brushed out roller set. Isn't it magical what rollers and back combing can do?

And while we would never describe Betty as the sporty type, she definitely has always shown us how to stylishly look like we might play a sport. Who knew a bun could be sporty?

Remember when the Drapers took a trip to Italy and Betty went all 60’s Euro chic on us? If you look a bit closer, you’ll spot a bow within a bow. Yep, its pretty genius.

Always knowing when to keep things very classy, Betty opted for a side swept updo topped with a golden brooch for Rogers daughters wedding.

And if you ever cared to know what an old-school wash and set looked like… Women would get this done at least once every week or two to keep that refined 50’s style.

By season 5, Betty Draper is Betty Francis and is trying to break free of her atypical looking housewife image by dyeing her hair a darker shade. As soon she comes through the door her oldest son Bobby see’s her and yells, “You look ugly”. Bobby might’ve been harsh, but he’s right. It was awful.

Luckily she listened to the kid, relaxed and went back to her right shade. Even better she is opted for a relaxed curl.

Now, season 7 has rolled in with bright colors and a glorious bouffant hairdo. Gotta wonder what fashion heights Mrs.Francis will be taking us to this season!

And just for fun...remember that time Betty shot some birds in her backyard?

Hey, every girl's gotta have her bad ass moment!