Category: Blog
Our Top 5 Layered Cuts for Thin Hair
Having thin hair doesn’t mean that you can’t have great hair. The key is having a hairstyle that works with fine hair, not against it. With the wrong kind of haircut, thin hair can look limp, flat, and lifeless. The right kind of haircut can transform thin hair, adding bouncy volume and healthy fullness. Keep reading to find out our picks for the best-layered hairstyles for fine hair.
1. Choppy Bob
Light layers with waves add soft, ruffled volume to fine hair. Ask for an asymmetrical bob with feathered layers for a modern, trendy look. We suggest wearing with a deep part for added volume.
2. Angled Lob
This shoulder-grazing haircut is very flattering for fine or thin hair. Side-swept bangs frame the face, while feathery layers add movement and lots of volume.
3. Long with Light Layers
Fine hair doesn’t necessarily mean short hair! If you long for mermaid lengths, think feathery layers. These lightweight layers will add texture and movement to the ends, without weighing down the roots or making thin hair look limp or stringy. Follow our style tips below to bring volume to the roots.
4. Shag with Bangs
We’ve been seeing this layered haircut everywhere lately – and loving it. Shaggy layers with blunt ends are easy to curl or air dry for beachy waves. (Perfect for next summer!) The bangs add shape and style to this look.
5. Chopped Pixie
If you’re feeling bold, ask your hairdresser for a chopped pixie cut. A short and sassy pixie make hair look thicker and fuller, plus it’s easy to style. It’s also a great option to cut away any damaged hair from years of styling.
Must-Know Tips for Styling Thin Hair
Now that you have the right haircut, utilize these tips to bring the most out of your new look:
Start With Clean Hair
Bouncy, voluminous looks are the easiest to create on clean hair. Wash hair with a gentle shampoo like Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo, and follow by applying Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Conditioner to the ends – super important for reducing damage & frizz.
Blow Dry Upside Down
Blow drying your hair upside down is one of the best ways to add volume to thin hair. Add a small amount of Aveda Thickening Tonic to hair and gently comb to distribute. Then, give your hair a rough blow dry hair with the nozzle pointed downwards to add volume while avoiding frizz. Rough dry until hair is 90% dry, then smooth hair using a round brush.
Protect Your Hair
Repeat after us: ALWAYS use a heat protectant before applying heat tools to hair. Fine hair is even more prone to breakage, and breakage means thinner hair. We suggest Aveda Heat Relief or Aveda Brilliant Damage Control. Use the lowest heat setting possible for your look, or opt for no-heat styles that embrace your natural hair texture whenever possible.
We are Aveda Stockists & one of few Aveda Salons in Edinburgh, shop with us for 100% Vegan Products.
Wolf Cut, A Summer 2021 Hair Trend
The wolf cut is a blend between the mullet & the 70’s shag cut.
After a year and a half of people adopting the DIY mentality when it came to cutting their own hair, it’s no surprise the latest summer 2021 hair trend is a little wild. This audacious style is the latest viral trend on Tik Tok, reaching over 600 million views so far!
The wolf cut seems to be low maintenance and requires little styling as the choppy layers do most of the work, you may need just a little texturising spray – however, if you have naturally straight hair, you might have to do some heated styling. “Everyone wants a wolf cut until they realise your hair will be flat unless you style it.” Said @coolmadsgames on TikTok.
Is the wolf cut & mullet the same?
Yes and no, a wolf cut can have a deep mullet, depending on how far back to your ears you want to take your fringe/bangs. You can also opt for a grown-out fringe if you don’t feel like plunging into the deep end.
Here are a few ways you can wear this trend:
1. Soft Wolf Cut
This is a recent wolf cut we did at the salon! Our client opted for softer bangs at the front instead of the full fringe. We kept as much length at the bottom whilst adding in lots of choppy layers around the crown.
2. Wolf cut with a deep mullet
Actor and singer Debby Ryan posted her big chop on Instagram, she brought her layered fringe back to her ears to bring out the mullet style, whilst taking a lot of weight out from the top – we think this edgy look is really wearable and will require little styling.
3. Curly Wolf Cut
Frame your curls around your face and stack your fringe in layers to achieve this super shaggy look. This is so easily styled, just follow your usual routine to define your curls.
4. Short Wolf Cut
Brave it like Miley and opt for a Short Wolf Cut! A Mullet isn’t an alien concept to the Cyrus family which explains this bold look that has probably been the catapult behind the craze this year!
5. Extreme Wolf Cut
It’s called a Wolf Cut for a reason – you’re supposed to get wild with it! Keep the under layers of your hair long with super shaggy layers on top and tapered down to the bottom. Add in a bold fringe to top it off!
Pro’s:
Easy to Style
Gives you natural volume
You’ll be totally on-trend
Looks great on ALL hair colours & textures
Con’s:
You need attitude to pull it off
You may have to get creative with your tied-up hairstyles
If your hair is thick & straight, you may have to use heated styling tools
Convinced? Book In Here!
Check out our previous blog – Why You Shouldn’t Pick Your Split Ends
Why You Shouldn’t Pick Your Split Ends
The harsh reality is that split ends are meant to be cut, not picked! However, we know this is easier said than done. On average, 50% of people in the UK pick their split ends, over 80% of them being women! This can be a sign of something more serious called Trichotillomania, if you think you have this you should speak to your doctor.
So are split ends really that bad? YES, besides it causing irreversible damage to the hair shaft, or if split right to the scalp, this could cause follicle damage. Something you don’t want to do if you love your hair!
What causes split ends?
There are a few contributing factors that cause split ends, heat being one of them – if you are using heated tools to style and dry your hair, without prepping the hair before & after, the heat sucks moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and susceptible to split ends.
Using shampoos with harsh soaps called sulphates – we touched on this in our ‘The Down-Low On Hair Growth: 7 Tips for Longer, Healthier Hair’ blog, a lot of shampoos have sulphates that strip your hair of moisture. We recommend shampooing less, applying it only on the roots and don’t skip using conditioner!
Dying your hair can also lead to split ends if you don’t apply an adequate amount of nourishment.
What do split ends look like?
If you’ve been lucky enough to have not seen what a split hair end looks like (we’re pretty jealous if that’s the case) then the biggest telltale sign is when the very end of the hair has split into two, they can be hard to notice, and when you do notice, it can be even harder to resist the temptation to pull it apart.
When you pull the two ends apart, you aren’t just making your hair thinner, you are damaging the core & hair cuticle leaving your hair weaker & more likely to break off.
How to fix split ends?
There is no glue that sticks them back together, once the hair is damaged, it’s damaged. The best way to fix them is to chop them off. If you can see your ends have split over an inch up the hair shaft, you’re going to have to cut more than that off to avoid it happening again and to restore strong, healthy hair.
See your hairdressers for the chop too – reaching for kitchen scissors will not give you the results you think they will. Kitchen & office scissors are not as sharp and can leave you with a frayed cut.
How do I prevent them from happening?
If you use heated styling tools daily and dye your hair regularly then split ends are more than likely going to happen, however, there are products you can incorporate into your daily hair care routine to slow down the inevitable.
We suggest:
(left to right: Kérastase Aura Botanica, Aveda Nutri-Plenish Hair Oil)
There are other ways to prevent split ends from happening or worsening:
- Avoid brushing hair when wet, if you need to, start from ends first and work your way up.
- Use heat protecting spray before drying & styling
- Use hair masks weekly
Now we’ve covered all that, it’s time to get your next trim booked in!
BOOK HERE
The Down-Low On Hair Growth: 7 Tips for Longer, Healthier Hair
Tired of having short hair that never seems to grow? Are you totally over your ends breaking and splitting? Many clients walk through our door with lots of hair growth questions, like ‘how do I get longer hair’ or ‘how long will it take hair to grow back’ after years of bleaching? The truth is, no one oil fixes everything, the basic equation is Healthy Hair = Longer Hair.
How long does it take your hair to grow? Hair only grows a half-inch per month (and that’s if your hair is already healthy). Want the good news? We pulled together our expertise to come up with 7 Top Hair Growth Tips on how to get longer, healthier hair that is maintainable.
1.Check-In With Your Doctor
Let’s get this out of the way first – if you’re really concerned about your hair not growing fast enough or that you’re suffering from thinning/hair loss then we really suggest you speak to a Trichologist (hair expert) or a Dermatologist as they will be able to get down to the nitty-gritty details and can identify what is going on with your scalp and hair to set you on the right path to achieving longer, thicker hair. Let’s not forget on average we lose about 50 to 100 hairs per day, which is only about 0.1% of our total hair. So if you feel like you’re losing double or triple that, then that may be a sign that your hair growth cycle is a bit short, this could be due to diet, stress, hormones but your doctor should be able to help determine that for you.
2. Regular Trims – Yep, We Said It.
This may seem really counter-productive, but honestly booking in for regular trims has lots of benefits if your goal is to achieve optimum hair growth. Hair grows from the root but length is maintained at the ends, so if your hair is packed with split ends and breakage you will only be left with uneven, thin hair that never seems to grow past a certain point. Sound familiar?
The trick is to trim your hair before the split ends appear, even trimming half an inch every 10-12 weeks will prevent split ends from emerging, leaving you with longer, healthy-looking hair.
When’s the last time you had a haircut? Ages ago?! Book In Here.
3. Hydrate With Oils On A Regular Basis
There is no magical potion that will make your hair grow super long overnight however, there are oils that are packed with lots of hydrating ingredients which can be great if applied regularly.
One of the most popular hair growth oils is Castor Oil as it’s packed with Vitamin E, Fatty Acids & Minerals, the perfect meal for your scalp (the key to hair growth). “Castor oil is not only anti- inflammatory and anti-microbial, but it also helps maintain moisture.” Says Michelle Blaisure, a certified Trichologist from Bosley Professional Strength.
We recommend Kérastase Aura Botanica Hair Oil or Aveda Nutri Plenish Multi-Use Oil.
You can shop them here.
4. Give Your Hair A Caffeine Boost For Growth
Before you go pouring an espresso all over your head (pls don’t), you may want to consider purchasing a caffeine-infused hair product to add it to your styling routine. Not only is caffeine a brilliant and slept-on ingredient for hair growth, it also counteracts DHT, the hormone behind hair loss. Caffeine stimulates blood flow to the scalp (super-duper important for hair growth) which makes it a great addition to your hair care routine as far as hair growth tips go.
Disclaimer; caffeine takes about two to three months to kick in so we recommend starting using hair care products with caffeine ASAP to achieve optimal results.
5. Shift Your Focus to Scalp Care
Treating your scalp is kind of like tending to a garden’s soil, it helps the grass (a.k.a your hair) grow. Using a scalp scrub or mask will ensure that there is no product build-up that could negatively affect growth, while a scalp massage can help relieve tension and boost blood circulation to the hair follicles.
Quarantine Scalp – yes, it’s a thing! When you are stressed your cortisol levels spike, leading to excess sebum (aka oil) production on the scalp. Which makes sense right?! After months of lockdowns, I think we have all felt the extra anxiety and stress they brought with them. To make matters worse, excess oil build-up can trigger seborrheic dermatitis, an itchy, flakey scalp inflammation, which paired with days of applying dry shampoo (c’mon, we’re all guilty of it) is a concoction for scalp care disaster.
So how do you know what scalp care would best suit you? Well, If your main concern is product build-up then go for a great clarifying shampoo and If you’re dealing with excess oil, think hydrating and lightweight.
For a Clarifying Shampoo Try:
(Left to Right) Kérastase Bain Vital Dermo-Calm, Aveda Sap Moss, Aveda Pramasana Scalp Cleanser
For Hydrating & Lightweight Try:
(Left to Right) Kérastase Bain Vital Derma-Calm, Aveda Rosemary & Mint Purifying Shampoo
6. Shampoo Less on Wash Days
There are still so many people who wash their hair every day – this can be great for always looking fresh but it can strip the moisture from your hair as most shampoos have harsh soaps called sulphates which can be really damaging, especially to your ends. You should also think twice before you skip using conditioner on your wash day, this is absolutely essential if you’re looking to grow your hair and should be something you do every single time you wash your hair.
Tip: When washing your hair, try only apply & lather the shampoo on your root, then wash out. Why not opt for one of our sulphate-free shampoo’s:
Kérastase Bain Fluidealiste Gentle & Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo
7. Take a Cold Shower
Brrrrr…the thought alone gives us chills but your hair will LOVE it! Fear not, we aren’t suggesting using cold water for the whole duration of your shower – we recommend rinsing your hair with cold water at the very end to give your hair that much needed BOOST.
Cold water closes the cuticles on your hair and pores on your scalp, adding shine which is due to closed cuticles. Smoother hair prevents unnecessary moisture loss and snags, prolonging hair health and remember what we said earlier? Healthy Hair = Longer Hair.
So moral of the blog is, as much as we wish we could squeeze really hard and hair magically start to growing, there is a solution for longer hair, and it really starts with the scalp, and ends with hair care.
Ready to achieve longer hair? Book a hair consultation in here.
Got long hair and looking to show it off? Check out our blog on Everything You Need To Know about Balayage.
If you don’t see your product on our online shop, please contact us here as we may have it in stock in salon.
What Is Balayage? Everything You Need To Know
Ever caught yourself thinking – What is balayage? What does balayage mean? Well, balayage is a French word that translates in English too ‘to sweep’ or ‘to paint’. Essentially, it is the technique of painting the colour onto the hair to give a sun-kissed effect that mimics natural-looking highlights. 
We caught up with our Artistic Director, Allana, to see what all the hype is about.
What’s the difference between Balayage & Ombré?
“Although both are pretty low maintenance services, there are some differences between an Ombré Colour and a Balayage” explains Allana. The main difference is that Ombré has a horizontal colour application with a seamless gradient, going from dark to light. Whilst Balayage has a vertical colour application, as it’s painted on to give a naturally highlighted look. “There are many ways of doing a balayage depending on the result you want to achieve. For example, you may want your balayage to be blended quite high up towards your root or you may want the ends mainly lightened and brought midway up. This is an individual preference which will be discussed during your consultation”.
Is it better than highlights?
“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s better than highlights, it really all depends what look you want to achieve” says Allana. “A balayage is a softer, less-maintenance way to add lightness to your hair. This can be done by working with your natural hair colour at the root or alongside a root tint. Whereas if you are a client who likes a brighter, bolder result, a balayage may not be for you”.
The real principle behind balayage is to achieve the natural highlight look that we see in our hair and children’s hair. Only adding colour to the areas that would naturally lighten in the sun. Balayage also has a lot less noticeable re-growth than highlights, letting you get away with longer gaps between colour appointments.
Is Balayage popular to get in the salon?
If you have been keeping up to date on our Instagram, you’ll have noticed Balayage is definitely a trend in Edinburgh right now since salons re-opened in April.
“Since lockdown, this has been a very in-demand service within the salon. Obviously, with it being a good few months since we’ve seen our lovely clients for their colour appointments, their re-growths were a lot larger than usual” explains Allana, “This being the case many clients have decided to embrace their natural root with keeping their ends light and blended. We’ve had a lot of re-fresh balayage clients and a good few highlight clients change to a balayage in order to have a more low maintenance look”.
Is Balayage healthy for your hair?
Colouring & bleaching your hair is never going to be healthy however, balayage doesn’t require fully saturating your hair in bleach or colour dye, leaving you with healthier hair that is less processed. “Our standard highlight clients are usually 6-8 weeks for their next appointment where our balayage clients can be as little as twice a year for their full balayage application. Again, this all depends on what kind of balayage service you’re having done i.e. if you have had a root colour applied or a toner etc you will need to visit the salon more regularly for freshen ups” says Allana.
So is it for me?
We can only tell you that during your consultation!
We advise all colour services to book in for a consultation prior to their visit to the salon.
Book Online Here
Get Summer Ready with Kérastase K Water!
We’re Back and ready to get your locks Spring/Summer Ready with our Kérastase K Water Blow Dry!
We are almost a month into being re-opened and we are SO happy to be back! If you’ve been to the salon already you will have seen some of the decor changes that have taken place! With a lot of help from our Senior Stylist Sarah, we were able to bring Spring into Sobo!
Happy Hair, Happy client, and what would make your hair happier than having glass-like shine?! Kérastase K Water is an add-on treatment to your blow-dry for ONLY £5! Replacing your conditioner, the Lamellar technology instantly activates upon contact with water, and rinses off leaving a weightless fine coat, smoothing out the hair fibre, giving you shine in a flash!
Ask your stylist to add this onto your next cut and blow dry – you won’t regret it!
If you didn’t already know, our online booking is open and we encourage you to use this feature to make any future appointments. Don’t forget – if you rebook your whilst you’re in the salon you can get 10% OFF your next appointment!
Book Online
-Recent 5* Client Reviews-
“Sarah, as usual, was able to put my request into practice. My hair looks great and I feel like a new woman! Thank You!” – Shirley, 5*
“Really enjoyed my visit to Sobo, had been looking forward to getting my post lockdown haircut and they didn’t disappoint. Team are lovely, salon is very clean and covid safe, looking forward to my next visit.” – Nichie, 5*
“Brilliant as always! Brian is brilliant making me feel relaxed and safe in COVID times, my hair was fab as always!” – Audrey, 5*
“Felt wonderfully pampered. It was a real treat. Emily was easy company and I was delighted with the result” – Carol, 5*
Keep your finger on the pulse and make sure you are following us on everything social as we bring lots of transformations your way!
5 WAYS TO SUPPORT SOBO HAIR BOUTIQUE
Like many other businesses, we too have been impacted by COVID-19 and we would like to thank you all for recognising that and choosing to return to Sobo Hair Boutique.
With a possible re-opening date of the 26th April on the horizon we are really excited to welcome you all back! We understand some of you, due to your own circumstances, may not be able to visit us straight away and we encourage you to come back only when you are able to do so.
Whilst we are still closed there are lots of ways you can still support Sobo, which would mean a great deal to us, check them out below!
Buy a Sobo Gift Voucher
Whether it’s for you or someone you know, Gift Vouchers make an excellent present for Birthdays, Anniversaries etc. Not only do they support your local Salon, but they also give you something to look forward too! Purchase a voucher here
Liking & Sharing our Posts
Without getting into the nitty gritty of Marketing, liking, and sharing our posts maximises the amount of people who will see it, which will help us get new clients through the door.
Shop Hair Products Direct With Us
Do you ever walk through the supermarket, trying to decide what hair care products won’t damage your hair and will preserve your colour? Save that headache and shop with us direct, we only stock brands WE trust & use every day in the Salon, especially our Aveda Range which is 100% Vegan & Cruelty Free. Shop Direct Here
Book your next appointment in Salon
Not only do you get 10% OFF your next visit when you do this, it really helps us plan ahead, especially if there is a desired look that can only be achieved over a few visits.
Refer a friend
Do you know someone who hasn’t been to a salon for a while? Why not point them in our direction! Let them know we offer 30% OFF their first visit with us!
If you don’t already, please give us a follow on our Instagram & Facebook Pages!
Hottest Hair Trends for Autumn 2020
Summer is over and everyone has either already chopped their overgrown locks and touched up their roots or are desperately waiting too. But we sense rebellious crops coming on this Autumn 2020.
Lets take a look at the most predicted hair trends for Autumn, the Bob & the Fringe!
The Shaggy Fringe
Image Credit: Instagram – @goodnitemoonn_
This 70’s shaggy hair look is gorgeous and perfect for long and short hair. The multiple layers make this easy and effortless to pull off. Pair with our L’Oreal Savage Panache Texturising Powder Spray.
The Grown Out Bangs
A heavier fringe that doesn’t overwhelm the face, the wispy touch softens the bluntness of the bob. Autumn is going to be all about the Blunt Bob!
Image Credits: Instagram – @laurajadestone
The Curtain Fringe
Image credit: Instagram – @prettyfrowns
This bold fringe will really come into its own this Autumn. Great with long and short hair, we suggest going for a blow dry to make the most of this style!
The Messy Bangs
Image Credits: Instagram @reneesavillehair
Tapering some shorter layers to frame the face like this tousled look is very Gigi Hadid/Hailey Bieber and will definitely come into its own this autumn.
Book your appointments online or call the Salon on 0131 552 7500
For all enquiries, email info@sobohairboutqie.co.uk
What we offer at our exclusive Blow Dry Bar!
Blow-Dry Bars are soaring in popularity – and no wonder! An expert blow-dry with our Stylists will transform your hair. Whether you’re into big dramatic curls, sleek and shiny locks or tousled tresses, it’s your chance to have bold and beautiful, salon-ready hair without costing the earth.
Here are our fabulous treatments below!
| Treatment | Artistic Director | Senior Stylist |
|---|---|---|
| Cut & Blow Dry | £45 | £40 |
| Blow Dry Short | £20 | £20 |
| Blow Dry Long | £25 | £25 |
| Deluxe Blow Dry | £30 | £30 |
| Hair Up From | £35 | £35 |
| Bridal Hair (Trial) From | £65 | £65 |
| Nanokeratin Express Blow Dry (Lasts Up to 6 Weeks) | £80 | £55 |
| Nanokeratin Full Blow Dry (Includes Shampoo) Lasts Up to 12 Weeks | £150 | £150 |
| Olaplex (With a Colour Service) | £35 | £35 |
| Olaplex (With a Cut & Blow Dry) | £25 | £25 |
Deluxe Blow Dry
Our Deluxe Blow Dry includes a Cleanse, Treatment, Extended Head Massage, and a Blow Dry – perfect for treating yourself.
Nanokeratin Blow Dry
Our Nanokeratin Blow Drys gets your hair looking frizz free and manageable for 6 – 8 weeks. This treatment is perfect for weak, thinning hair and locks in colour and shine.
Olaplex Brow Dry
Our Olaplex Blow Dry is a revolutionary hair treatment that will instantly reduce breakage, and after getting it done a few times (or as recommended by your stylist) gives you softer and more balanced hair.
Book in for your next hair appointment from the details below!
T: 0131 552 7500
E: info@sobohairboutique.co.uk
Top Tips for great hair in Autumn!
Here are our top Autumn hair tips!
#1 – Keep your hair moisturised.
We recommend you use a leave-in conditioner during the cooler months, to lock in the moisture, especially for windy days. You can also rinse your conditioner out with a blast of cold water to seal the cuticles. You can also add a hair serum to your hair routine, and also use a hair mask once a week!
#2 – Book regular trims
Your hair will be a little frazzled after a Summer of sun and heat, so it’s good to book your next trim and get your hair ends looking great. You can also use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup that will have occured.
#3 – Make sure your diet is helping your hair too.
Eat lots of foods like nuts and seeds, eggs, yoghurt, and chicken, plus salmon will give your hair shine.
Do you have any other tips? Post them on our Facebook page!