Following us on instagram yet?
Get the latest in art beauty and love inspo for your hair + updates on promotions, give-aways and tutorials
Brianna Davis at abl hair studios, Kent Ave. Brooklyn
“Behind the Chair: They Call Her the Hair Healer”
interview featured in unplugg | july 16 2019
On a hot summer NYC day, I walked from the Bedford train station in Williamsburg to an adorable nook of a salon called Abl (reads as “able”) Hair. I would have the pleasure of meeting Brianna, the Stylist, better known as the Hair Doctor, of Abl. Decorated with dreamcatchers, aromatic candles, and the scent of natural herbs and oil perpetually blending in the air, it is a whimsical lab of a place: think boho chic-meets-Harry Potter-and-Indiana Jones, and you’d know you’re in a salon like no other.
On knowing her calling very early in life
I went to beauty school for high school, which was a dream come true because I’ve always been a creative person. I did hair on anyone I could get my hands on. By the time I graduated high school, I had my license to do hair. I worked at salons as assistants, so everything I wanted in life in terms of creativity and connecting with a person, I can channel that in this trade. Having beauty in my radar so early was beyond me.
Getting hooked on natural products
Very early on, I landed in a salon that was an all-natural concept called the Beehive. There were a couple of locations in Williamsburg and Long Island. My heart connection became very strong in working with natural products, having seen the dramatic difference it made on the quality of my clients’ hair.
I grew up going to salons with my mom, and whenever I walked into one, the first thing I’d notice was the chemical smell. Imagine: ammonia, toxic chemicals, keratin, color, going on all day and people just get used to them. But technology has come so far and you no longer need to be in this situation. I was lucky to be exposed to natural products early on and I didn’t have to feel the effects of all the chemicals (as a stylist).
On how non-natural products are harmful to more than just your hair
For the clients, it’s going on their scalp and hair. For us stylists, we are working on 5-10 people a day and are constantly breathing in chemicals. Hairstylists have a shorter life span than they should due to repeated exposure, which goes deeper than we think. My wake up call was during my transition period of switching between using natural products and regular products. I saw a big difference, and this didn’t register with many salon owners, but at one point, I asked myself: “what are we doing?”
“Take Your Hair From Day to Night With These 4 Easy Style”
By: alyssa brieloff | holysstic living | februrary 4 2019
My lovely hair healer, Brianna put together smart & tactful ways of achieving good hair any given day. Taking the frustration & confusion out of the beauty regimen with a simple break down and how to for creating a more abundant experience that feels more like self-love & care time, and less self-bullying.
Brianna talks about what she calls “working with the elements”. Understanding your elements such as wind, sun, workout, dry air, humid air, night time vibes, errand day, beach, park, travel, teatime, date night. The list goes on but the point is, we do this for the way we dress and most of the time skin care but NOT as much with haircare. Bringing these cosmic and self-love/wellness approaches into the practical and actual part of the process should make it all more enjoyable, which at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all really want? To enjoy the things that have seemed more like a chore, errand or obligation!
With a directory of styles, we hope to have you be able to tap into these top secret ABL guides when you have an overview of what your days ahead look like. Know exactly what you need to do and how you need to do it, leave MUCH more room for other things and positive affirmation! ex: “Dammmmmn goddess, you’re looking good…”
A leave in conditioner has grown to be an ABL beauty Altar favorite! It is vital when moisturizing enough to really hydrate and soften the hair from the dry brittle cast we usually get in the summer! This product is to go on post washing regimen after towel drying. Roots to ends of hair, ALL up in there! This is the first step to creating a sustainable and protected mane. Bonus tip: Toss in your beach bag to keep ready for you at the beach for after a swim! You’ll still get your beachy texture but with the element of protection & moisture! We Recommend: Leave In Miracle by Voce.
A MUST - Keep our favorite hydrating mist “Blissed Out” ready in your bag & rehydrate those mids and ends before finishing with a hair healing oil from your favorite Go Gettem, Rose, Rosemary, Lavender! WALA, hydrated, shiny hair strands! Blissed out is also a super calming recipe for scalp irritation from too much sun or stimulation. With herbal essence extract and jojoba protein, the hair feels stronger, appearing to have a full, bountiful texture!
Masks & Treatment Love : Once a week, we suggest substituting your regular conditioner in the shower for a treatment mask & leaving on up to 20 minutes before rinsing. We recommend : Seven Day Miracle / Protein Base by O&M.
No 2: Sun Exposure
After a few summer beachy afternoons and scenic weekend strolls around town, your hair has probably started yelling at you. It's not SCREAMING yet so thats a good sign, we can still heal! Here a few ways to prevent and heal exposed hair!
What to Do
Weekly brushing & hair healing oil treatments
Just like a relationship, you may not be able to connect for a few days but at some point you come together and catch up, right? This is the same idea! You and your hair ARE in fact in a relationship except you're more like a parent sometimes! When you take time to brush the hair for 10 minutes and massage/press a healing oil such as our Orange Blossom in, you're teaching your and nurturing it after all the elements its been through! It is then likely to feel calmer and refreshed with a glow about it after your wash! This is a treatment suggested to do day of or night before wash day! The “Home stretch” as we like to call it, is a time to ground & begin the renewal process. This brushing/ oil treatment will actually make your washing experience more enjoyable and stimulating, all around easier & more effective.
Hats,Wraps, Scarves: Come on, a hat can be SUCH a great hair accessory! Not only that but they create a protective layer between the heat & sun rays that our faces love OH so much but our hair....not so much! Think twice before leaving for your adventure with out one!
No. 3: Flat Hair
Its easy to over wash once warm weather comes around! We are out all day, staying active and attacked by all sorts of elements! The secret to not over wash is to UNDER WASH. If we stick to a 2-3 times a week washing regimen, we are keeping our pH balanced and our hair more protected. When we wash nearly everyday, we are stripping our hair of vital nutrients and activating the “survival mode” of our sebaceous glands which will then over produce.
What to Do
Abl “Stay Dry” dry shampoo! - Keep your personal container somewhere visual on your dresser/ beauty altar & have a moment before you head out of the door by tapping, shaking or massaging onto the area which seem oily of tend to become oily fastest! Micro dose on the days between your wash cycles to balance and refresh style! Carry a 1 oz mini stay dry bottle in your purse for emergencies! Yes, do not be afraid to whip it out when no ones looking and shake it up, you’ll feel a world of a difference in volume, texture and oil absorption to continue your sumemr vibes well into the night with out feeling insecure!
Washing
Avoiding Shampoos & conditioners that are filled with silicones are fillers (Pantene, Herbal essence, Treseme, ect ) Is key to sustainable hair. These useless ingredients overtime, create a coating over your hair follicle that feels like a slimey finishing resulting in residue build up, becoming hard to remove, more difficult to color and a heavier finishing. A re training of the hair is required to come back to its natural and most authentic state of being. We recommend: O’beehave Naturals, pH balancing washing system.
Fun Faves
THE MUST HAVES FOR SUMMER
If no other hair products are in your purse…
