Rainforest Pequi is a fruit harvested in the southern Amazon rainforest.  In personal care applications, the species caryocar brasiliensis is very attractive, due to its high content of vitamins A and E.  In fact, this species is used by the local Brazilian population to prevent or treat xerophthalmia or xerosis (excessive dryness of the cornea, resulting in a vitamin A deficiency).  The fruit nut itself contains approximately 70% of a beneficial (and delicious tasting!) oil. 

Research proves that this moisture rich ingredient can transform damaged hair, making it 600% stronger, improving shine by 250% with a mere application.   The molecular structure of Rainforest Pequi is very unique.  It’s small enough to instantly absorb into the hair’s layers where it begins to replenish moisture instantly.  Yet, it is large enough to seal the outer cuticle layer of the hair, making it smoother and sleeker.  With its ability to penetrate all three major layers of the Pequi oil is one of the best reparative ingredients on the beauty market.

As mentioned, Pequi Oil has massive amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, giving it the ability to treat damage that can take years of treatment by mainstream hair product ingredients.  Further, these vitamins protect against future damage, whether it be environmental, genetic, or heat-related.  Rainforest Pequi oil is also the answer to a healthy scalp.  Those dealing with sensitive scalp issues have found this miracle oil to be a quick-acting solution to rebuilding the skin cells on their head.

All-Nutrient is proud to formulate Pequi Fruit Oil into their products.  The oil is obtained from the pulp using a natural refining process, without the use of chemicals or solvents.  The resulting oil is clear, lightly scented and virtually free from impurities, specifically resinous oxidants and organic peroxides which can cause skin damage or irritation (www.croda.com.br).  In being the manufacturer, All-Nutrient can control the quality of its raw materials and therefore can ensure it provides safe, healthy products to its consumers in the beauty industry. 

Aloe Leaf Juice is a natural conditioning agent, saturated with essential vitamins and minerals, that restore hair back to health. Its amino acids and proteins deliver nourishing benefits that restore sheen, luster and shine.  Aloe Leaf Juice naturally fights frizz, as well.  And when combined with the other essential oils and plant extracts found in All-Nutrient products, Aloe Leaf juice surrenders nutritive benefits that are second to none.

Even more, this restorative extract has shown to increase the growth rate of hair.  Aloe Leaf Juice increases blood flow to the applied area and stimulates the production of moisturizing oils.   The stimulation the production of new hair can even lessen the effects of Alopecia.  Aloe Leaf Juice also helps treat itchy, dry, red, inflamed skin.  Its natural enzymes keep the hair’s natural oils in balance to soothe dry, itchy scalps and eliminate dandruff.  Further, due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, Aloe Leaf Juice can also prevent common scalp infections, like Psoriasis (thick red skin with flaky, white patches) or a wen (a tumor that occurs due to infected hair follicles on the scalp). 

All-Nutrient is proud to use Aloe Leaf Juice in the production of their certifiably organic products, and a higher-quality form of Aloe that is gently pressed from freshly-picked leaves without heat to ensure that all nutrients, enzymes, and healing qualities are preserved.  Providing natural and vitalizing products is All-Nutrient’s mantra.  The inclusion of Aloe Leaf Juice is just another ingredient that makes All-Nutrient such an effective hair care line. 

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.  It can have an adverse effect in the body, causing a reaction range from sensitivity to severely gluten intolerant.  This protein is often found in ingredients such as amino acids and hydrolyzed wheat proteins, commonly used in hair products.   Anyone with intolerance must avoid these gluten-inclusive products.  Why?  Shampoo can easily get in your mouth accidentally, or if you touch your hair and then put your fingers in your mouth, you chance getting “glutened.”  This risk does not exclude hair color.  During a hair coloring service, you are directly exposed to inhalation of the vapors for 30 minutes or longer.

Other hair care manufacturers regard gluten as healthy for your hair (it is derived from a protein), which is why gluten grains are used frequently and liberally in their products.   Yet, there are safer alternatives; they are just more expensive.  Fortunately, at All-Nutrient, the health and well-being of consumers is never sacrificed for a penny or two.  All-Nutrient’s entire line of products, including haircolor, is gluten-free, eliminating the potential health hazard for clients who desire professional services and amazing results, all the while maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle. 

Also note, many product lines are not actually manufacturers.  All-Nutrient, however, IS the manufacturer: researching, developing, and producing its entire product line.  What is the benefit?  All-Nutrient monitors every single raw material used in the product line.  The company does not have to question if products have previously come into contact with gluten while being stored, shipped, or delivered to the manufacturing plant.   Other hair care companies do not have this control, meaning that there is a chance that gluten may be present, even though it is not part of the formulation for the product.

A gluten-free lifestyle can be intimidating and nerve-wracking.  Fortunately, All-Nutrient eases the anxiety and offers an entire line of products that are 100% gluten-free.  All-Nutrient strives to meet the every need of its consumers, providing them most natural, safe products for your hair AND more importantly, your health!  

Red hasn’t been a sign of courage since Ancient Greeks used harsh soaps to lighten and thus, redden their hair for battle. It’s a top hair coloring fear of today’s man, and to avoid it, Kunz suggests using demi-permanent, no-ammonia, no-lift Keratint CS or cool slate series, which counterbalances red/orange. Then, create speed techniques to avoid keeping men in the chair too long, and add the techniques to your male-centric menu.

To meet all men’s needs, Kunz recommends the following quick services with natural results:

Men’s Youth Booster: Use Keratint Clear or a CS shade that’s next to natural to rebuild dry and straight—or fragile, curly hair—and add super shine. Keratint actually reconstructs the hair with keratin protein, while infusing it with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. The service is great for adding a youthful look for the second-time-around groom in just 10-15 minutes. By smoothing the cuticle, it can even help men with natural curl control unwanted frizz and hake their hair look healthier.

Speed Lights: This wet-on-wet technique creates subtle highlights. Apply a Keratint CS shade all over, then immediately add the bleach highlights right over the top. To increase the speed even more, use a balayage technique or lay foils flat on top of one another without folding them. You can also put a darker demi shade on top of a lighter one for instant lowlights. “Remember, says Kunz, “If you start with a permanent color, you must wait until the lifting stage is done, or about 18 minutes, to add bleach over the top.”

Natural Blending: To avoid a line of demarcation on the man who wants to get rid of gray without a harsh, unnatural result, offer a blending service, using the appropriate shade of Keratint with 10-volume developer. As it fades, the line of demarcation is softer and less obvious. “To achieve near permanent results on the client who is 100% gray, use a shade of Keratint that’s no more than two levels away from the natural color, and use 20-volume developer,” says Kunz.

The best part: all three services can easily be added to a regular men’s cut appointment.

“We are thrilled to use Zemea^® propanediol in our haircolor,” says Chuck Frank, Founder and enthused Chemist of All-Nutrient hair care.  “This renewably sourced, pure form of 1,3-propanediol reduces the world’s reliance on petroleum-based chemicals.  Even more, it’s performance is far more superior to its harmful oil-derived alternatives, like propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol), butylene glycol (1,3-butanediol) or glycerin, that are used in most hair color brands.  Because of its all-natural properties,we are able to offer a hair color that prevents skin irritation or sensitization, improves moisturization, and keeps the hair healthy.”

Zemea^® propanediol, a 100% corn-derived compound, is the 100% natural and petroleum-free glycol alternative for the cosmetics and personal care market.  Approved by Ecocert™ and certified by the Natural Products Association (NPA), Zemea^® is a USDA certified organic ingredient.  Produced at DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProduct’s manufacturing plant in Tennessee, Zemea^® is free of GMO, testing negative for the presence of genetically modified corn traits and genetic material from the fermentation-based process.

Like DuPont, All-Nutrient is continuously broadening its sustainability commitments.  The production of this earth-friendly compound consumes 40% less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20% when compared to oil-derived propanediol (used in most hair color).  Zemea^® is also certified as readily biodegradable based on an Organization for Economic C0-Operation and Development (OECD) Guideline Test for Biodegradation.  

Chuck concludes, “This bio-based ingredient gives our company the ability to replace petroleum-derived materials with high-performance, biodegradable solutions that not only significantly reduce the environmental impact of our products, but ensure our customers are using the finest and healthiest hair color in the industry.”

Zemea^® propanediol Certifications:

• EcoCert™ – Approved as an ingredient of natural origin
• Natural Products Association (NPA) – Certified natural ingredient for Personal Care and Home Care
• s-GRAS – Safe for use as a food ingredient in same categories/concentrations as PG
• DfE – EPA’s Design for the Environment – First solvent approved under this program USP-FCC
• USDA 100% Bio-Based
• Kosher

Source: DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts http://www.duponttateandlyle.com/zemea

“When parents ask me about Ombré, I tell them not to let their daughters do it with bleach, but to bring them to the salon,” says Ferguson. “For fall, we’re redoing their Ombré using tints in tobacco and copper. Half my clients are blondes and the other half are multi-cultural women with dark hair. For those who have curl, when they try to wear their hair straight for back-to-school, the bleach-lightened Ombré is way too heavy.”

To soften the shades and the contrast, Ferguson advises tapping the fall trend toward warmer hues with these ideas:

Color Shadowing. For blondes with overly sun-lightened hair, put back warmth and depth with lowlights. Ferguson’s fall favs to use are Tobacco or Chocolate and Sun Poppy. For instance, to create shadow at the roots and leave more blonde at the ends, he uses demi-permanent Keratint® in Tobacco to create lowlights from the roots to midway or two-thirds of the way down the hair shaft. Then he applies Keratint in Sun Poppy from the mid-shaft to the ends to break-up the solid blonde. Balayage makes the app easy. 

Color Enriching. For dark-haired clients, take an opposite approach and avoid using bleach if you can. Using permanent cream All-Nutrient in Sun Poppy or Copper, create woven highlights that move from the roots to one-third or one-half of the way to the ends. Alternate your stopping points. Then use a warmer or deeper shade to create sparkling, dimensional lowlights from the previous stopping points to the ends.  

“In general, post-summer blondes need lowlights, warmth and the TLC that ammonia-free Keratint provides, while darker brunettes benefit from permanent All-Nutrient highlights that add soft dimension, which looks great whether the hair is worn straight or curly,” adds Ferguson. “Ammonia-free Keratint and All-Nutrient Permanent Cream Color both infuse the hair with active keratin micro-proteins, amino acids, certified organic oils and vitamins, which goes a long way to undoing summer damage.”

“Makeovers must make an impact, not only with color but with a cut and texture change,” stresses DuBose. “Colorists get carried away and forget that a total image change must work with skin tone, eye color and face shape. Also, texture changes show off color differently.”

DuBose’s best use for makeover photos: For over 10 years, she’s put them on appointment-reminder postcards mailed four weeks after the client’s visit to account for the usual “two weeks of procrastination.” They’re super-affordable when you email digital photos to online printers.

What are her other colorful secrets to makeovers?

• Know your market. The sophisticated business woman won’t get extreme color but wants to see something edgier than she wears now. Also, photograph day and evening style various—as well as smooth and curly looks—to show off haircolor in a different light.

• Double-processed blondes must look super-healthy. “I like blonde-to-red and dark-to-pale blonde changes,” says DuBose. “For these to look healthy, shiny and vibrant, I add Pure All-Nutrient Oil to my color formulas—it was created for this purpose.” 

• Brunettes must be dimensional for shade shifts to show. For rich bases and highlights that pop, finish with an all-over wash. All-Nutrient Professional Cream Color and Keratin Color Glaze have several caramels, chocolates, auburns, coffee and tobacco tones that are true to the company’s color chart. Says Dubose, “I get predictable results and even root-to-end deposit. No other brand I’ve tried creates such incredible condition and shine.”

• Once you have a great makeover, use it on your website and Facebook page, salon menu and posters, postcards and press releases. DuBose says 30-40% of her new business comes from sending her makeovers to newsstand style-selector hair magazines.

“When you do makeovers, the consultation is key,” says Dubose. “Some models are reluctant to make color changes, but I show them my work and tell them that All-Nutrient color is manufactured in the USA, and that the permanent crème uses very low ammonia and a certified organic crème base. That’s how I get great models to make the color changes I need.”

With most salons utilizing social media and having their own Facebook and/or Twitter page, all it takes is keeping your page current with what you’re doing in the salon.  Before your eyes, one loyal customer can easily and quickly turn into 10 new customers. There are many ways to offer promotions… here are a few suggestions: 

1. 12 Days of Product. Just like the classic song, 12 days of Christmas, you can announce this program, and decide what days you will promote what product product, holiday gift set or even service.  Post them on your salon’s Facebook page regularly.   Current status updates keep you salon’s name in your clients’ Facebook-newsfeed on a daily basis and poses as a reminder for anything else for which they may need to come see their stylist.  You candiscount a product, promote holiday sale prices, or introduce giveaways.  For example, if a client books a haircut, give away a free deep conditioning treatment, or a free eyebrow wax.  Also, make your clients mention the Facebook post while booking a service in order to receive their goodie!  This will rapidly increase your fan base.

2. Facebook Twitter “Today Only” Contests.  Whether it’s Twitter or Facebook or you have attracted probably hundreds if not thousands of “followers” or “likes.”  Use this to your advantage!  Post a question with an incentive for responses (i.e. tell us what was the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever received and best response wins a free shampoo blow-dry.)  Be mindful that you should offer something that will get them into the salon, not something that could be mailed to them (like a $25 gift card).  The key is to get the person in your chair.  Face-to-face contact strengthens the relationship with your customers, which is the key to any salon’s success.  It offers your stylists the chance to consult with the customers, and convince them they need to maintain their hair color, cut, or style every so often.   This will not only increase the traffic walking in and out of your door during the holiday season, it will create a constant flow of customers throughout the next year!

3. Gift Certificate Discount for EVERY client.  From now until the end of the month, offer your clients the opportunity to purchase a Gift Certificate at a discounted price (i.e. if they buy a $50 gift certificate, they only pay $40 for it). This is such a simple promotion that can easily increase your clientele.  Think about it… every one has that last minute friend or family member they haven’t crossed off their gift list yet.  Why not turn that person into one of your clients this holiday season? 

4. Service of the Week.  Most salons usually use this technique when promoting a retail product, but you sell services too!  Offer a specific service, at a discount, each week.  And consider what your customers are demanding this time of year.  Amidst the Christmas parties and other holiday gatherings, who doesn’t want a blow-dry at 25% off?  Use your Facebook page to market this promotion by featuring some pictures of the service.  You work in a visual industry, so you need to demonstrate to your clients what their hair could look like!   And remember, during this busy time of the year, people don’t have hours to sit in the chair, so choose quick services.  Yet, remind them its ok to treat themselves!

5. Station success!  As a salon owner, it is a good idea to create a festive environment.  It will give your salon personality and put your customers in the happy, holiday spirit.  But it does not have to come at a high cost! Have your staff members decorate their own stations and offer an incentive to whom sets up their station the best!  But don’t forget to include your customers!  Have your clients be a part of the voting process.  The contest is a great conversation starter, and you can also turn it into a marketing situation, as well.  Have each staff member feature a product, or holiday gift set, within his or her decoration scheme.  Not only will this increase product visibility, it will encourage your customers to ask questions about the product, creating a perfect scenario for you and your staff to sell it!   Remember, enthusiasm is contagious, so promote the stations will Christmas fervor and holiday cheer!

Not just pretty to look at, the abundance of minerals, vitamins, omega fatty acids and other natural properties make Sunflower Seed oil (Helianthus Annuus) a top choice in cosmetic preparations.  This oil is rich in the minerals zinc, phosphorus, iron, and potassium, as well Vitamins A, D, K and E.  Sunflower oil also contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. But what does this all mean for your hair?  A lot!

All-Nutrient’s Sunflower Seed Oil extract possesses the strong activity against free radicals, prolonging the color of color-treated hair.  Its effective free radical scavenger reduces the fading of dyes.  The oil’s powerhouse component, Heliogenol™, is to thank for this miracle.  This concentrated glycolic extract of sunflower seeds is titrated in polyphenols, which makes it possible for All-Nutrient to protect and repair 100% of damage caused by free radicals of any nature and origin.

Sunflower Seed Oil also contains more Vitamin E than any other oil used in hair care. Vitamin E is a super-antioxidant, protecting locks from environmental damage, mainly from UV rays and chemicals traced in medications and certain foods.  This natural UV ray protection (like Heliogenol™ offers) prevents your hair color from fading and further makes rich tones last (especially those stubborn reds!).  That’s double the protection!  This is just another way All-Nutrient justifies their claim that their color lasts longer than any other brand on the market.

The Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in Sunflower Seed Oil are also antioxidants, which offer further protection and act as an anti-aging ingredient (especially the Omega 6 essential fatty acid Linoleic Acid, which can repair damaged cells and preserve the DNA of your hair within the cells). The dynamic combination of Vitamins A, D, K & E are also vital to cell growth.  Their presence in any hair care product literally strengthens the hair by keeping cells healthy deep within the structural core. 

Even more, the zinc, phosphorus, and iron found in All-Nutrient’s Sunflower Seed Oil extract prevents hair loss or hair thinning, while Potassium is shown to help re-grow hair.  It’s no surprise these ingredients provide protection and treatment for hair loss, especially for those whose diet lacks these minerals.  Potassium is also a natural pH stabilizer, making it safe, calming and soothing for the scalp and skin.  Potassium also provides a longer shelf life for products without the need for chemical additives. 

Lastly, Sunflower Seed Oil is a natural emollient, which keeps the hair soft and manageable.   It controls frizz and helps the hair to retain moisture longer, imparting an optimal conditioning result to the hair.  This very light oil also lends to natural shine without any weight; an added bonus that users love, and another reason All-Nutrient uses it in not only their hair color, but their rich shampoo and conditioner formulations as well! 

The miracle nutrient that has this unique, yet simple power to restore the hair is Keratin Protein, also referred to as Keratin Amino Acid.  All-Nutrient not only uses macro and micro Keratin Proteins in their retail products, but also infuses them into their reconstructive hair coloring systems.  Both macro and micro Keratin Proteins are necessary to completely repair the damaged layers of the hair and fill them with everything needed to repair, strengthen, and revitalize them back to health. 

The odds of completely ridding harmful styling tools, harsh chemical services, or even the regular use of hair-ties and roller brushes that cause damage are not likely.  Yet, it’s important to understand what happens during the destruction process, and then learn how to “undo” this impairment.

Unsightly hair damage is simply the breakdown of proteins, which are a major part of the hair shaft’s superficial structure.  When these proteins’ polypeptides are lifted, separated, and torn off by damage, your hair loses its protective barrier all together.  After the damage breaks through the outer protective barrier, it moves to the inner cortex, which is the physical and chemical structure of the hair itself.   The inner cortex is, too, made up of keratin proteins’ polypeptides (which gives the hair its natural structure and strength).   When damage breaks it down, the inner cortex becomes weak and frays like a rope until it snaps and breaks just the same.  Sounds hopeless, but there is promise with the right products!

At this point, the hair’s outer and inner layers require both macro and micro protein filaments to restore the hair back to its natural, healthy state.  Fortunately, All-Nutrient infuses both macro and micro Keratin Proteins into their hair care line, reviving the hair’s layers.  The form, sequence (and therefore function) of the natural macro and micro keratin works just like your own hair’s natural keratin.  It patches up the frayed cortex and replaces the damaged and/or protein polypeptide chains.   And to think this can even be done in a color service!  After just one hair coloring treatment by a professional using All-Nutrient Hair Color, you will visibly notice and feel the return of your hair’s own structure.

All-Nutrient proudly uses macro and micro Keratin Proteins that are derived from vegetables, as well as human hair.  Human hair itself is an organic compound, and the vegetable bases that All-Nutrient uses to obtain their keratin proteins, are indeed organic.  So the products are vegan-friendly, which only adds to the endless list of benefits.  Also note that diet, along with the environment, also affect the health of your hair.  If your diet is lacking recommended protein levels, or the hair is exposed to harsh environmental conditions (i.e. severe cold/hot temperatures, sun exposure, sulfur-based destructive particles in the air), it’s likely there is a breakdown or loss of protein in the cuticle.  For this reason, hair repair should be and needs to be a continuous process in order to keep your hair at its optimum health and condition!

All-Nutrient hair coloring systems and products are able to keep your hair at its optimal health and physically REPAIR the damage that has already occurred, eliminating the all-too common myth, that split ends and other hair damage cannot be permanently restored but only temporarily coated with heavy serums or cut off altogether. With All-Nutrient, this myth is disproved. All-Nutrient haircolor and products can repair and maintain your hair’s natural, healthy integrity and look!