Hair Tips

Perfect Summer Hair with Rosehip Root Boost Summer is the season of sunshine, beach days, and outdoor adventures. It’s also the perfect time to refresh your hair routine with products that can withstand the heat and humidity while giving you effortless volume and texture. Why Rosehip Root Boost is a Summer Must-Have The Rosehip Root Boost Volume and Texture Spray is specifically formulated to give your hair the lift and body it needs, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enhance their summer hairstyles. Here’s why you’ll love it: Effortless Volume: The volumizing properties of this spray add fullness to your hair without making it feel heavy or greasy. Whether you’re going for a voluminous blowout or want to add some oomph to your everyday look, this spray delivers. Touchable Texture: Achieve that perfectly tousled, beachy texture with ease. The spray adds just the right amount of grip and movement, allowing you to create a variety of styles from loose waves to textured braids and ponytails.     Nourishing Ingredients: Infused with rosehip oil, this spray not only volumizes but also nourishes your hair. Rosehip oil smooths hair strands, ensuring a non-drying finish that keeps your hair looking healthy and shiny. Fresh Scent: With the addition of bergamot essential oil, the spray leaves your hair smelling fresh and invigorating – perfect for those long summer days. Eco-Friendly: As a non-aerosol spray, it’s an environmentally friendly option that also provides more precise application, ensuring you get the product exactly where you need it.   How to Use Rosehip Root Boost for Stunning Summer Styles Maximize the benefits of the Rosehip Root Boost Volume and Texture Spray with these simple tips: For Voluminous Blowouts: Start with clean, damp hair. Shake the bottle well and spray evenly from roots to ends. Use a round brush while blow-drying, lifting at the roots to create maximum volume. For Textured Braids and Ponytails: Apply the spray to dry hair before styling. For braids, the added texture helps the hair hold the braid better and prevents slipping. For ponytails, the spray adds volume and texture, making the style look fuller and more polished. For Beachy Waves: Spray onto damp or dry hair, then use a curling wand or your fingers to create loose waves. The spray’s texture will help hold the waves in place and give them a natural, tousled look. The Benefits of Rosehip Oil and Bergamot Essential Oil Rosehip oil is packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids that help repair and nourish hair. It smooths the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and adding shine without weighing your hair down. This makes it perfect for summer, when hair can become dry and damaged from sun exposure and frequent washing. Bergamot essential oil not only adds a delightful fragrance but also has antibacterial properties that can help maintain a healthy scalp. Its refreshing scent is an added bonus, keeping your hair smelling great all day long. Why Non-Aerosol? Choosing a non-aerosol spray means you’re opting for a product that’s better for the environment. Non-aerosol sprays do not release harmful propellants into the atmosphere, and they allow for more controlled application, ensuring that you can target specific areas of your hair without overusing the product. This summer, achieve effortless, voluminous hair with the Rosehip Root Boost Volume and Texture Spray. Its blend of nourishing ingredients and effective volumizing properties makes it the perfect addition to your summer hair care routine. Say goodbye to flat, lifeless hair and hello to beautiful, textured locks that can withstand the summer heat. Add Rosehip Root Boost to your beauty regimen today and enjoy the benefits of fuller, more textured hair all season long.

When you were growing up, was brushing your hair a chore or a treat?  For some of us, it was a quick morning requirement as part of getting ready for school – “don’t forget to brush your hair!”  For others, it was a pleasure, gentle strokes, time to relax.  As adults, it is easy to get caught up in the rush of life and ditch proper hair brushing. At ANTIDOTE we believe that a good day starts (and can end) with proper hair brushing.  It not only helps you look good, it is good for you too! Hair brushing stimulates blood flow to the scalp, removes dead skin and dirt, and distributes healthy oil onto hair. Do it for 60 seconds before you jump into the shower or before you go to sleep.  Gentle brushing is also a great de-stressor. Like many things, it is not just about brushing, it has to be done right.  So we turned to hair brushing experts – here’s what they had to say.  ANTIDOTE’s master stylist Abigail Kuehl adds, “there are several key benefits of hair brushing: one is to massage and exfoliate the scalp - this stimulates blood flow and healthy follicles; another is to distribute healthy oils to the hair shaft – these make your hair stronger; and you can't underestimate the relaxation benefit of a good brushing - this reduces stress.  It is important to keep in mind what your goal is, like if you are trying to do all or just one of these.” According to Travel + Leisure beauty author, Melisssa Locker, “Brushing your hair really is an art form, but most people treat it like a boring necessity akin to flossing your teeth or eating high-fiber cereal. At its most basic function, it’s an important step in keeping tangles away and making sure your hairdo looks fly.” Start with the right brush (or comb) for you. Real Men Real Style founder Antonio Centeno's "How to Brush Your Hair Correctly" provides the definitive guide to hair brushing for guys...down to what brush or comb to use depending on your hair type.  Here's one of several examples: Real Simple’s Chelsea Traber Burns explains, “Whether your hair is curly, fine, long, or short, there’s a brush for that. ”Curly hair types should use a wide-tooth comb.  To keep those precious curls intact, don’t over brush curls.  Fine hair types should look for a soft boar’s head bristle brush. The goal is to use a brush that takes out knots without tearing them out. Bottom’s up! Start at the base of your neck and above your ears and brush upward to the top of your head. Brushing in different directions is great for blood flow. For longer hair, start at the ends to get those tangles out.  Once that’s done, you can brush from the scalp out.  This spreads beneficial scalp oils all over the hair shaft. Dry hair and scalp? Abigail Kuehl, ANTIDOTE hair brushing “advocate” suggests, “if your hair and scalp are dry, try starting with a quality hair oil. Rub a few drops in your palms to warm it up, then run your hands through your hair until it has absorbed the oil. Brushing will help distribute quality oil along the hair shaft and into the scalp.” Kuehl also notes that dry hair and scalp might mean that it is time to change your cleansing and conditioning routine to something more gentle and natural.  Ask your professional stylist for advice on whether your hair needs more moisture or protein, and be sure to shampoo from the scalp outward, not just the hair itself. Watch outs If you are combing wet hair, beware! InStyle’s Diana Mazzone reminds us, “You’ve heard it before, but consider this your final warning: Don’t brush your hair when it's wet… doing so can cause major breakage since dampness weakens the hair shaft. The only exception to this if your hair is covered with conditioner.  In that case, combing through distributes the conditioner evenly along your strands. A good thing! If you’re in a rush, slick back your post-shower strands into a low pony using a wide-tooth comb.” Don’t over-brush. Lindsey Bordone, a dermatologist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York suggests brushing once a day. Brushing can be addictive!  Once you get into brushing your head, we encourage you to try all over body brushing.  Check out this ancient technique and its unique benefits here. Start brushing! Try mixing it up by finding a brushing buddy.   You can take turns brushing each other's hair.  If you go this route, we recommend focusing on the relaxation aspect of brushing.  Take it slow, turn on some nature sounds or just do it in silence. When done right, hair brushing is a treat and good for you.  Proper brushing stimulates blood flow to the scalp, removes dead skin and dirt, and distributes healthy oil onto hair. We'd love to hear your thoughts on brushing.  What works for you? What's your favorite brush or comb?    -- Abigail, ANTIDOTE1848

Go ahead and embrace your hair color - after all, ANTIDOTE is color safe. If you color your hair, you are not alone.  75% of women and nearly 10% of men enhance their hair color.  Given this, it is no surprise that the #1 question that we get is whether ANTIDOTE products are color safe.  Yes!  ANTIDOTE 1848 shampoos, conditioners, and styling products are all color safe.  Whether you do your own color or use a professional stylist (which we highly recommend), you want your hair to look amazing for as long as possible. The #1 way to keep your color as fresh as the day it was colored is to not touch it.  That is, don’t wash it, don’t style it, and don’t go outside.  But that's not practical, so, what's one to do? We talked to professional stylists for their advice on how to take care of color treated hair.  We heard that to minimize shampooing, avoid excessive sun exposure, limit heat treatments, and use cooler water.   In terms of product use, they all agreed on 3 steps: minimize your shampoo usage and use shampoos with gentle cleansers (sulfate-free) be sure to close the hair cuticle with a quality conditioner (and rinse with cool water) use styling products that protect, especially from UV rays (look for natural oils like shea butter and jojoba, and vitamins like provitamin B5 and vitamin E) To understand this advice, it helps to understand how hair color works.  HowStuffWorks explains that hair color involves 3 steps: opening the hair cuticle changing the color closing the hair cuticle to lock in the new color. Each strand of hair is made up of an outer cuticle, a middle cortex, and sometimes an inner medulla. The cuticle provides protection via a shingle like structure.  The cortex - the thickest part of the hair - holds the hair’s color, shape, and texture.  The first step in coloring involves opening up the cuticle so that the color or melanin in the cortex can be lifted out or lightened and the new color can be deposited in.  The final critical step in color involves closing the cuticle to seal in the new color.  In general, water and soaps open the cuticle and conditioning oils close the cuticle.  Professionals recommend avoiding harsh detergents like Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (which unfortunately are used in most traditional shampoos). These ingredients were originally developed to de-grease industrial pipes and strip all dirt and oil from the hair. In addition to leaving a squeaky clean feeling, they expose the cortex which accelerates the loss of hair color. Natural shampoos that don’t use SLS as their cleanser gently remove dirt and oil. Non-SLS shampoos expose less of the cortex, therefore less color is lost.  Note that washing with water alone also opens the cuticle, too. The use of a quality conditioner with healthful oils like coconut, jojoba, castor, and sunflower oil close the cuticle and protect the middle cortex. Styling products that contain Vitamin B5 and E provide protection from oxidation. Considering hair coloring? Beauty expert Julyne Derrick from Birdie says, "We always recommend getting a hair color consult with a professional ... Bring pictures along of hair you like or want to achieve. .. be sure to mention any other hair processing you've had done." Go ahead, color away. ANTIDOTE’s got your back with gentle coconut cleansers, nourishing conditioning oils, and anti-oxidant rich stylers. Looking for a one stop shop?  Try ANTIDOTE's Color Treated Bundle.    

 

Hopefully you know the feeling of a good scalp massage.  Your skin tingles, you get goosebumps along the back of your neck.  You forget that list of errands.  Problems fade into the background.  Your mind clears.  You are in the moment. I recently had sat down with Abigail Kuehl, master stylist, to talk about the benefits of a good scalp massage.  She’s made the scalp massage part of her guest regimen for over 10 years.  Her technique is legendary among her clients. Why do scalp massage? “I like to help my guests make the transition from the busy outside world to the restorative space of the salon, but it’s much more than just about making my guests feel good.”  Kuehl explains that there are physical benefits that come from a good scalp massage too.  “A good massage increases blood flow to support the body’s natural internal cleansing process, and reveals healthy skin cells.  I like to enhance the process with a high quality plant based oil blend, the combination promotes healthy skin and improves hair texture.  My favorite blend is ANTIDOTE 1848 AVOCADO HAIR + BEARD OIL with organic avocado, grape seed, jojoba, and grapefruit oil. These are great for soothing skin and strengthening the hair and this product doesn’t have harsh additives.” The ideal brush? Our favorite is a boar's hair and nylon bristles in a soft rubber bed.  Kuehl’s explains her approach, “I like to start by brushing the hair in multiple directions to expose the scalp, remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation.  Then I rub a few drops of a good hair oil into my fingers and start taking long strokes across the scalp from back to front and side to side to transfer the oil onto the scalp and hair.  For people with long hair, I also apply hair oil to the ends of their hair.  Starting from the forehead and moving to the back of the neck, I use gentle circular motions across the crown and then from the temples.” You can enjoy the benefits of a scalp massage by giving one to yourself. “Find a quiet spot and give yourself 5-10 minutes. Even a couple of days a week can make a difference. Feel free to mix it up – so you don’t have to do the same thing each time. Nature sounds can be fun to use. The National Park Service has some great options.  And don’t forget to take deep slow breaths to make sure you get lots of fresh air!” “If you want to get more adventurous, find a scalp massage buddy!  It’s good for you, fun and a great way to improve your technique.”   -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848

Whether your hair is curly, straight, fine or full - whether it is long, short, or non-existent – ANTIDOTE has tips for everyone this season.  Collecting shells and pebbles on a beach is good for the soul. Summer is hard on hair. Heat, sun, wind, humidity, sweat, chlorine, and salt water make hair dry and dull, and stress the scalp. We sat down with a few of ANTIDOTE’s professional stylists to hear what they had to say.  Here are their best tips for great summer hair. Cocktails all around! Christopher Jensen of Freshair salon suggests "cocktailing" products for a personalized look.  “For example, I mix a volumizing gel and hair cream together on naturally curly hair for wonderful ringlets of curls.” Christopher’s favorite mix for summer uses ANTIDOTE’s Sandalwood Multi-styler with Avocado Styling Cream. “I like the ANTIDOTE line because the products can be combined in different ways - the natural ingredients and fragrances blend well together.”  Use protection or stay in the shade.  To protect your hair from the elements, use ANTIDOTE Goldenseal Hair Protector, a leave-in hair heat and environmental bodyguard.  Golden seal extract and shea butter guard against heat styling and UV exposure, reduce tangles, and condition hair.  Trey Rosenkranz of Triple Three Wellness reminds us, “it’s important to embrace warmer weather - play outside as much as you can and explore nature. But beware of the sun.” Avoiding sun exposure can be as simple as wearing a fun hat or colorful scarf.  Head wraps are in right now – and there are so many great styles to choose from. Trey explains, “When you don’t want to wear a hat or sun blocking clothing, there is nothing like a good sunscreen. Look for Oxybenzone & Octinoxate free ones –  these are safe for coral reefs.  My favorite site for information on sunscreens is EWG.”  Sunscreens are always improving.  Check out EWG's Guide to Sunscreens for the latest. Keep it clean. “Whether you’ve been to the pool, lake, or ocean, make sure to wash your hair afterwards to remove chlorine, salts, and chemicals that naturally occur in water,” explains Raina Wells of Tailored Muse Salon.  “Look for SLS free shampoos because they won’t dry your hair the way that traditional shampoos will. The secret to getting good lather with these is to make sure that your hair is saturated with water.  One of my favorites is ANTIDOTE’s Rosemary Detox Shampoo. I use it a few times each week, then follow up with ANTIDOTE Chamomile Conditioner to add back good moisture. Jojoba and sandalwood oil naturally moisturize and protect summer hair.Moisturize and protect. While washing out chemicals like chlorine is important, don’t over wash!  Liv Mueller of Divine Salon explains, “You want to keep your body’s natural oils if you can. Oils that come from the scalp are produced for a reason, and can help dry brittle hair.” Look for conditioners and styling products with natural, cold-pressed oils. These penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen from within. Liv notes, “ANTIDOTE Sandalwood Styler has been great for my clients on dry hair as well and acts as a de-frizzer. Note that any conditioner can be used as a leave in conditioner if used sparingly enough on towel dried hair.” And summer is a great time to give your blow drier a vacation! Start with a new style. According to Bold Salon’s Abigail Kuehl, “Summer is a great time to try on a new style.  For longer hair, my favorites are braids, high ponies, cornrows, and buns. Keep them loose to allow hair to flex.  These styles protect your hair from breakage.”   For shorter hair Abigail recommends going a bit shorter than usual. “Staying cool is about keeping your hair off of your face and neck.  These styles do that and protect fragile ends. I like that they work well with hats, scarves, and head wraps so that you can have fun with your look.” Whatever your hair type and style, get out there and enjoy the summer with these hair tips for everyone!

Looking for an amazing everyday shampoo and conditioner to restore moisture to dry hair and scalp?  We can’t wait for you to try ANTIDOTE Ginseng Shampoo and Conditioner!   Restores moisture Improves scalp and follicle health Ingredients are the best part of ANTIDOTE 1848: Wisconsin ginseng stimulates hair follicles and increases blood flow. Texas aloe vera soothes the scalp and promotes hair strength and shine. Coconut oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, strengthens and protects hair against environmental stress.  We only use organic, cold pressed, raw coconut oil sourced from fair trade certified farmers. The shampoo uses a 4-part coconut based cleanser that is gentle but effective.  It is less irritating and can’t dry your scalp the way traditional sulfate shampoos do. And Vitamin E provides excellent antioxidant, moisturizing and soothing properties that reduce inflammation and repair damage to skin and hair follicles. The conditioner uses shea butter and fair trade coconut oil that won’t weigh hair down. It's easy to use... We recommend brushing hair before washing to stimulate blood flow and exfoliate the scalp. Shake shampoo well to make sure that you get a good dose of those great plant based ingredients.  Apply to wet hair and work from the roots out. Rinse.  After shampooing, apply conditioner to damp hair for 2-5 minutes. Rinse with cool water to close the hair cuticle.  A small amount can be used as a leave-in conditioner. People love this product’s citrus and cedarwood scent. We think that you will too! ANTIDOTE 1848 Ginseng Shampoo & Conditioner. Vegan. Cruelty-free. Color safe. Did you know… Wisconsin ginseng is the best in the world thanks to the unique soil and weather conditions in Marathon County. We get ours from family farms in Wausau. In a Mayo Clinic study, Wisconsin ginseng reduced fatigue in cancer patients. Wisconsin ginseng has been used in centuries old Chinese medicine remedies.  - Abigail + David

Looking for your perfect shampoo, conditioner, or styler?  A typical hair care line has over 200 products. In the last 30 years, the # of products in the average supermarket ballooned from 10,000 to 50,000.  No wonder most of us are confused about the right product for us. In a recent shopper survey, over one third found the array of choices “overwhelming.”  At ANTIDOTE 1848 we are committed to a tailored, continually improving line. We are always looking for the minimalist approach.  FIND YOUR ANTIDOTE! All ANTIDOTE shampoos and conditioner bases include aloe vera, color safe coconut cleansers, shea butter, and vitamin E.  You'll also find other good stuff - the finest organic, fair-trade, cold-processed ingredients and essential oils.  All formulas are cruelty-free, and nearly all formulas are vegan.  Since no formulas use harsh SLS detergents, bad paraben preservatives, or controversial phthalate plasticizers, you can feel good about any choice.  Remember, over 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. The first step is figuring out what your hair needs. Does your hair need moisture?  protein? Do you have sensitive skin? Looking to remove product build up? What style are you going for?   One of our favorite hair experts, Karen Marie Shelton, explains how to tell what your hair needs by taking a wet strand of hair:   "While holding the wet strand between two fingers, gently stretch it. When the strand of hair stretches slightly, returning to its original length without breaking, the moisture/protein levels are balanced.  If the hair stretches more than it should and then breaks, it’s likely your hair may need more protein. When the hair has very little stretch and easy breaks, you need more moisture.   When the strand test doesn’t give you clarification .., observe your hair closely for a few weeks. If your hair feels gooey, gummy, sticky, stringy, limp or doesn’t dry easily, it needs more protein. An overabundance of protein in the hair may also cause hair to feel hard, tough and prone to easy breakage. Conversely, if your hair feels brittle, hard, excessively dry, tangled, weak or all of the above, it needs moisture." Once you know what your hair needs, use this guide for the most common benefits and product recommendations. Strength:  If your hair needs protein, go with the Baobab + Quinoa Protein line.  This will add strengthening protein back into the hair. Be careful though, too much protein can weigh hair down and make it feel dirty. Moisture: If you hair is dry, try the Ginseng line.  It has fair trade coconut oil rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that strengthen and protect your hair. Deep clean: If your hair needs a deep clean from excess environmental damage, product build up, or oiliness, go with the Rosemary Detox Shampoo.  Apple Cider Vinegar and Rosemary oil will leave you with a clean slate.   Sensitive: If you have sensitive skin or react to certain chemicals, the Aloe line is for you.  Organic chamomile soothes and grape seed oil protects. These formulas are hypoallergenic and fragrance free. Repair: If you have really dry hair, restore it with Jojoba conditioner.  It’s blend of plant based oils penetrate the hair shaft to restore it from within. For deep conditioning, apply to wet hair and leave on for 5-10 min before rinsing out.  Note that if you have a lot of product build up or have been using silicone based products, the natural oils will not penetrate.  You may need to detox your hair first! Now that your hair is clean and conditioned, time to rock your look with a great style!  But, what styling product is right for me? Feel free to try a combination of products and mix it up seasonally.   Right now the Sandalwood Multi-styler, Goldenseal Hair Protector, and Vanilla Pomade are popular. Most of us have multiple goals, so feel free to mix up your shampoo/ conditioner/ styler combination. If you have dry hair that needs some protein, you might wash with Ginseng Shampoo and condition with Keratin Conditioner, then style with Sandalwood Styler and Burdock Root Spray Wax. Feel free to alternate products.  Be sure to change your routine seasonally.  Don't forget to ask your stylist for advice! For a personal consult, fill in the "Find your antidote" form and let's start a conversation.     -- Abigail + David PS. Don't forget to tell us what is working for you.

Professional hair spray worthy of the ANTIDOTE 1848 brand name is here! No matter what style you create, ANTIDOTE Malva Hair Spray will keep it all in place with long-lasting, maximum-strength hold.  Malva Hair Spray is ANTIDOTE’s strongest hold – ready for another great hair day, a night on the town, or a special event. Spray over finished look for all day hold and humidity protection. Extreme hold provides excellent volume. 
 Controls static and resists humidity. Conditions with each application. 
 Use it the same way you use any hairspray.  As a styling spray, lightly spray onto hair and style as desired. Blow dry it into hair to add body and volume.  As a finishing spray, hold container 10 to 12 inches from hair and spray after you’ve got your desired look.  Ingredients are the best part of ANTIDOTE products.  Every ingredient is selected for how it will benefit you. Certified organic Malva flower, Lemon Peel, Burdock Root and Horsetail Fern extracts condition hair.   Did you know that Malva flower extract comes from cold-processing the flower, leaf, and stem.  This Swiss alpine plant’s polysaccharides also protect hair from environmental damage. Rice, corn, and wheat proteins coat hair to reinforce its structure and improve strength. Sunflower seed and Lemon peel extracts add shine. Go ahead and style away. Whether you are just looking for another great hair day, or preparing for a special event.  ANTIDOTE Malva Hair Spray is there for you. Finally, a hair spray worthy of the ANTIDOTE1848 name. Did you know that Malva (Mallow) flower grows in the Swiss alps.

We hope that 2019 is off to a good start for everyone!  Thanks for sharing your new year's resolutions.  One of our favorite's- Dry body brushing! This easy addition to any morning routine, takes about 5 minutes.  The results include improved skin health, reduced stress, increased energy, and better digestion.  Dry body brushing isn’t new. For centuries, Native Americans here in Wisconsin used brushes made from dried corn husks to improve circulation and skin health.  In Ayurvedic healing, dry massage is called Garshana. The Chinese integrated body brushing into their daily routines as an extension of eastern medicine.  Today’s techniques come from insights into how energy flows through the body. It’s fun and easy to do. Find a soft natural bristle brush that won't scratch.  Beginners should start with a softer brush. You might want several brushes – like an even softer brush for your face and tummy.  In general, take long, slow strokes and brush toward your heart.  To benefit, plan on brushing once per day. It's easy to do:  Brush the soles of your feet which include important pressure points that relate to the rest of your body Brush your legs in long strokes from your toes to the hips Brush your arms in long strokes from fingers to the shoulders Brush the back of your neck to your lower back Brush your throat from your chin to your chest Brush your sides in toward your heart Brush your tummy in a clockwise direction to follow the path of your colon Brush your ears with a soft brush – ears are full of pressure points How does it work?  Chinese medicine practitioner Matthew Scott explains why dry brushing works, “regular brushing clears away dead skin cells and improves skin tone and texture. The more substantial internal benefits, however, are due to the fact that the skin is the largest eliminative organ in the body. Regular brushing not only helps the skin to sweat away toxins, it also stimulates the underlying circulation of blood and lymph (a waste-removal fluid), which helps the body eliminate deeper level toxins.” ANTIDOTE Avocado Hair, Beard, and Body Oil complements body brushing. The Center for Accunpture and Herbal Medicine adds that brushing, "enables lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified.  In addition, skin brushing is highly stimulating to surface circulation of blood and leaves you feeling invigorated." Some people recommend adding a few drops of body oil to the skin before brushing. Watch-out! Because body brushing energizes, do not do it right before going to sleep.  And never brush your private or tender parts. Already a dry body brusher? We’d love to hear how you got into it… and keep the wellness tips coming in!    -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848 ANTIDOTE1848 Avocado Hair, Beard, and Body Oil

Introducing ANTIDOTE 1848 Sunflower Hair Spray! Light hold that conditions with each use. This unique formula uses a blend of plant based ingredients to create a light hold while also working to condition, strengthen, and protect hair. Grapefruit and verbena give it an uplifting scent.  It’s easy to use.  Use it as a styling spray by spritzing lightly onto hair, then work it through using your favorite styling technique. As a finishing spray, hold the container 10 to 12 inches from hair and spray after desired look is achieved. This formula conditions and strengthens as it holds, so reapply as needed. 
And of course, shake well before using. Controls static and resists humidity Fast drying styling flexibility 
 Brushes out easily to reduce breakage
 Ingredients are the best part of ANTIDOTE products.  ANTIDOTE Sunflower Hairspray is no different. Provitamin B5 and Vitamin E protect hair from environmental factors that can fade color or damage hair. 
 Sunflower, Sweet Almond, and Jojoba oil and certified organic Mallow flower and Horsetail fern extracts condition the hair shaft with each use. Vegetable derived proteins from corn and wheat penetrate the hair shaft to reinforce its structure and improve strength. ANTIDOTE 1848 Sunflower Hair Spray.  The guilt-free, non-aerosol hair spray. Plant-based ingredients to provide all day protection from the aging effects of oxidation, free-radical damage, and UV exposure.    -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848  

Go ahead and shake up... your hair care, that is!  Do you ever give your shampoo and conditioner a shake? After all, shampoos and conditioners are combinations of oil and water. In ANTIDOTE products, the oil phase contains things like rich plant oils like castor, jojoba, and coconut, and essential oils.  The water phase includes ingredients like aloe vera juice, cranberries, chamomile flowers, and ginseng root.  Through the production process, these two phases are blended together with a cleanser.  One part of a cleanser molecules is water soluble and the other part is oil soluble.  It is the cleanser that holds everything together.  ANTIDOTE uses 4-part coconut cleanser that is gentle but effective. We all know that oil and water don’t mix.  Over time, some of the components can start to separate.  A good shake is all it takes to put things back on track.  This doesn’t change the efficacy of the product – it is just a by-product of the natural ingredients. Why don’t we shake traditional shampoos? Traditional shampoos use harsh detergents with sulfates. These are are also used in dish soap and household cleaners.  They keep the oil and water phases together, but are also known irritants.  According to Livestrong's Max Roman Dilthey, "At a concentration of 15 percent with prolonged exposure, harmful effects on laboratory rats included skin irritation, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea... - A shampoo that contains sulfates typically has a concentration of around 15 percent."  If you see a product with the warning label: for external use only, avoid eye contact, keep out of reach of children.; it likely has sulfates. So go ahead - make sure that each dose of ANTIDOTE is full of the right balance of good stuff.  Feel free to shake your ANTIDOTE productsevery once in a while. Here are some of the natural ingredientsyou'll be shaking up with ANTIDOTE 1848.

Change isn't always easy.  This saying holds true when it comes to switching to plant-based, natural hair and skin products.  I recently had a chance to sit down with master stylist Abigail Kuehl to talk about making the transition. Don't panic! The daily use of the harsh detergents in most hair and skin products can cause irritation.  This signals your body to compensate by over-producing sebum.  Gentler cleansers allow your body to adjust back to normal level of sebum production, but this can take a few days or weeks.  Being consistent in your use of plant based shampoo allows your body to bet back to a more balanced state.  "Initially, you might experience more oily hair if your body has been overproducing sebum.  Don't panic! After a few days or weeks, your body will adjust.  We think it is worth the wait since a healthier scalp and happy hair follicles ultimately mean better hair and skin," explains Kuehl. Restore from within Restoring hair strength from within can take time too, especially for over-worked hair. Traditional products are full of heavy silicones that coat the hair.  This provides an instant result of thicker, fuller hair.  Kuehl, "Silicones build up on hair to the point that I can scrape it off with my cutting scissors.  That build up actually weakens the hair shaft and makes it more susceptible to breakage." Shai Amiel, Celebrity Hairstylist & Owner, CAPELLA Salon explains, “Silicone will weigh the hair down, making it limp, lifeless, and, with time, very dull. It prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft and becomes like a magnet for dirt and other ingredients. With time it will dry the hair out because it won’t allow in the conditioner and it ends up sitting on the surface.” What's the alternative? Formulas rich in natural oils like grape seed, coconut, jojoba, and avocado work by absorbing into the hair shaft. They restore hair strength from within. The transition process can take a few weeks.  First you have to remove the layers of build up, and then give your hair time to pull in the natural oils. Work with your professional stylist to determine the right mix of products for you.  Change up your product routine seasonally. Are you ready to make the change?    -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848

Of course, it's great to hear from professional stylists - they have the education and experience to help us look our best.  To change it up, it's also fun to hear how "civilians" use products every day - a great way to get inspiration.  Thanks to Ryan and Marshall for sharing their advice about how they get that salon look even when they don't have time to go to the salon. Here they talk about using a matte pomade. Here's what they had to say about getting a low maintenance, style it and forget it look for the day. R: So tell me about what you do and what you use? ANTIDOTE Styling Clay uses carnauba wax from the Brazilian carnauba palm. The plant produces wax to protect the leaves from damage during hot, dry weather. M: For me, it's all about a low maintenance matte look, I don't like using a comb or brush - just set the style using my hands and fingers. My goal is to get a look that I can rely on for the day. For that I use a matte pomade from ANTIDOTE. This one has carnauba wax, it's not sticky but gives a firm hold.  I grab a nickel sized amount, rub in in my hands until it is smooth, then just rub it through my hair.  On wetter hair, it gives a smoother look.  On dry hair, it adds more texture.  That's how I like to use it. R: Matte vs. regular? M: I don't like a lot of shine, so it's why I go with the matte product.  I just want a nice low-key hold, so this is right for me. R: Looks like your ready to crush your business? M: What I like about this product is I can put it in and not have to think about it again. It's not getting hard and crunchy.  It just looks natural. Here's to plant-powered hair products! Watch more ANTIDOTE videos on our YouTube channel here. We'd love to hear your product tips!

ANTIDOTE Goldenseal Hair Protector preserves the richness and vibrancy of salon color while improving manageability – a "must have” for your haircare tool kit. All it takes is to mist throughout clean, towel-dried hair before styling. Shake well to make sure you get a rich blend of ingredients. Protects hair from heat styling and environmental stress Preserves salon color Works on all hair types. How ANTIDOTE Goldenseal Hair Protector works: Goldenseal, rose flower, and horsetail fern extracts condition hair.  Algae and White tea leaf extracts and Provitamin B5 protect hair from environmental factors that can fade color and cause premature degradation of the hair structure.  
 Soy and Rice proteins restore strength. Shea butter, sunflower seed extract, and castor oil add a protective moisture barrier to seal the hair shaft and increase shine. Our hair is under attack every day.  In addition to blow drying, hot irons, and hair coloring, we’ve also got the sun, wind, humidity, and air pollution.  Studies show that all of these factors damage hair’s cuticle – its protective outer layer - and cause the loss of proteins that give hair its strength.  Damage to color treated hair can be especially noticeable in the loss of shine and vibrancy. Go ahead, have fun with your hair.  Protect it with ANTIDOTE 1848 Goldenseal Hair Protector. Pre-order now.  Ships March 2019. Did you know? Goldenseal, native to the Ohio River valley, has been used as a healing plant by native Americans for thousands of years. It takes five to seven years to grow harvestable roots from seed. Sunshine is one of the most common causes of hair damage - protect it with ANTIDOTE Goldenseal Hair Protector.     -- Abigail + David, ANTIDOTE1848