Honey, Let's face it.  Wigs are our best friends, and no one cares if you wear them.  It's not like back in the day when you had to lie and say --- yeah! This is all me.  Yeah right. Chile please. Who even does that these days?? Wigs have literally become an accessory; like a jacket or a scarf or even a hat.  Just wear a god one and wear it with confidence.  Always remember, GOOD HAIR AIN'T CHEAP ... & CHEAP HAIR AIN'T GOOD. 

And the church said "Amen."

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After four long and wonderful years serving the East Bay and surrounding areas, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. While we have enjoyed a steady flow of our loyal customers coming in to buy hair and complimentary products, the mall industry as a whole has suffered a massive decline in traffic over the past few years. Many large retailers such as Bebe, Banana Republic, Toys R Us, Macy's, and many others have also been forced to make the same decision.

We began a digital upgrade and tedious inventory of every single item, in an effort to accurately and completely display quantities and options to our customers when shopping online. The best part is that we now offer same-day delivery to our local area, through PostMates! The choice was not made lightly, but overall the customer will still be able to enjoy the same products and services with our new setup.

Our hair salon has been relocated to El Cerrito Plaza, and can be booked with Jazzy Hair Goals.

The summer months are fast approaching and the weather is heating up and can do a number on your hair. These simple tricks can help to protect your hair in the upcoming season. 

Get a Trim

I recommend getting a trim before the summer months to minimize split ends and breakage. There is no miracle serum that will truly permanently repair split ends. Only a haircut can do that. When you get regular trims, you control how much hair is taken off. That paired with the next step, helps to ensure length retention. Then you will see growth.

Deep Condition

I recommend doing deep conditioning treatments 2x a month during the summer. With all the activities that are likely to happen: laying on a beach, travelling, swimming, or just being outside in the beaming sun, one thing is sure to happen, DRY HAIR! Deep conditioning treatments restore the moisture lost in extreme heat. For even deeper penetration, sit under a dryer for 15-20 mins. Deep conditioning also helps to minimize frizz. When your hair is hydrated, it is less likely to be unruly.

Remember, dry hair = FRIZZY hair

Wear a Protective Style

Whether you choose to wear braids, wigs, or my personal style of choice, a weave, Protective styling is a must. Low manipulation styles allow your hair to rest and recover. Plus, there are so many cute styles to choose from. If you are an avid weave wearer like myself, then you know hair is an accessory and you probably have multiple sets of hair to choose from. I suggest choosing a wavy/loose curl texture that will be a "get up and go" type of style. They don't require as much work as a tight curly texture (loads of product) or super sleek and straight (excessive heat styling). Just be sure to choose a texture that works well for your hair and lifestyle. 

If you're changing your bundles, one great storage option is Renown's ExtensionSAVER Storage Bag. You can store up to 4 bundles per hanger and protect the hair in the front zip bag. It stores flat and blocks dirt and debris, so your bundles are ready for your next install.

See A Skilled Stylist

Take the time to research a LICENSED professional that puts hair care first. Ask friends and family, use social media, read reviews, call around. If you are seeing a stylist for the first time, book a consultation. If you don't feel confident by the end of the consultation, then they aren't the stylist for you. Be honest, take photos of what you want. Both of you should have a clear picture as to what's attainable for your hair and how long it will take. Make sure they are EXPERIENCED in the service you are requesting. Just because they may be skilled at one thing, they may not be in another area. That's perfectly ok, but they should tell you so and/or refer you to someone that can service your needs.

If you are in the market for a new stylist, I am always accepting new clients. You can click here to book your next appointment with me. Be sure to read my reviews.

Nicki is definitely daring when it comes to her hair. I have to say, my favorite look on her is long sleek black hair. It just screams classic and effortless! If you want to look perfectly polished too, just follow these simple tips. 

What You Need

1. Hair Extensions!

2. Flat Iron

3. Thermal Spray/Finishing spray

4. Comb/Brush/Clips

Keep in mind....

Hair extensions are vital to achieve this look especially if you don't have naturally long hair or if you just want to protect your natural hair from heat damage. If you aren't sure where to buy quality hair, be sure to check out Renown Premium Hair! Bundle deals start at $150! 

What to do

1. Start with clean hair, whether your hair is weaved or if you opt for clip-ins, clean hair is necessary. I recommend 18/20/22" bundles in either straight or bodywave.

2. Detangle your hair with your comb and/or brush starting at the ends.

3. Prep your hair with the thermal spray before you begin to flat iron. My personal favorite is Care4Me Thermal Protectant Spray. Its lightweight and has a soft hold to lock in your style. Be sure not to have your iron turned to the highest heat setting. When the iron is too hot, heat damage will occur and will shorten the lifespan of your hair (extensions). As long as there isn't product buildup, no more than 375 degrees is really necessary.

4. Flat iron your hair in one inch sections until you get through your entire head. Use the clips to hold the hair you aren't working on out of your way.

5. Part your hair down the center and mist your hair with the finishing spray to eliminate any fly aways and minimize frizz. I recommend Weightless Shine Weather-Block Finishing Spray by Care4Me. 

6. Get dressed. Beat face. Flip hair!

** Remember to flat wrap your hair at night to preserve you style.

That's it! Its really that simple! If you aren't confident in your personal styling skills, you can always book an appointment at Salon RPH online24/7. Just click here. One of our licensed stylists would be happy to take care of you! Mention this blog and save $10 on your service.

Every woman that wears a weave wants to believe that her hair looks "on point" at all times (me included), but that isn't always the case. There are some beautiful weaves out there... and then there are some that just don't make the cut. I don't write this to insult anyone, but rather educate people about the improper weave practices that some may not realize they are doing. I've seen many in all my years of weaving, but I've narrowed my list to the top 5 weave faux pas. Some of these weave sins have been committed by all of us at some point in our hair journey. They aren't in any particular order, but they definitely are at the top of the list.

I can not stress enough how important it is for your hair extensions to match your natural leave out. That is the BIGGEST giveaway that you are wearing a weave. It's like trying to make oil and water blend as one... It just isn't gonna happen. There are so many different texture options available and Renown Hair has over 13 textures at your fingertips. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best texture for your hair:

• Whether your hair is coarse or fine in texture, choose a hair extension that has the same feel and/or look as your hair. If your hair is coarse, Relaxed Straight or NuGrowth may be a great option for you. If your hair is fine, The Bomb Hair, Latin Explosion or Butt Naked may be a great option for you. 

•  Keep in mind your daily styling routine when choosing a texture. If you like low maintenance, wash-n-go, or flat wrap type styles, choose a looser curled or wavy texture. The tighter the curl, the more work you have to do to care for it. 

•  If you don't want to deal with blending your hair at all, a closure may be a great option for you. They are available in many textures and lengths.

 Nobody wants to be the girl with the "skinny weave". I've heard women say they don't want too much hair because they want it to look natural. I get it. I really do, but please keep in mind that we should not be able to see through your hair. Because bundles are weighed and not measured, the longer length you get, the more bundles you will need. All bundles from Renown are 100g, which is equivalent to 3.7-4 oz. Bundle deals are available starting as low as $150. The amount of hair I recommend for a natural looking install is as follows:

12-16"- Two bundles is sufficient for a natural fullness. A third bundle can be used for extra fullness, but you most likely won't use the full three.

18-22"- Three bundles will be needed for a natural fullness. All three will be used.

24" or longer- Four to five bundles is recommended depending on how long you choose to go.

** Keep in mind, there are variables such as head size and track placement that can affect the amount of hair that is able to be installed. If you have a smaller head, less hair may be needed and more hair for a larger head.

Nobody likes to see the dreaded "weave pat". This is often a result of itching caused by your braids needing to be cleansed and conditioned. We recommend cleansing your hair weekly to maintain your weave. You may use a co-wash or if you work out or sweat in your hair, you can shampoo followed by conditioner. If you don't want to deal with washing your weave yourself, it's best to book a bi-weekly weave maintenance with your stylist. When wearing a weave, we recommend co-washing weekly, for three weeks then on the fourth week, shampoo and deep condition.

** Be sure to avoid products with ingredients such as protein (keratin), sodium chloride, sulfates, silicone and glycerin. These ingredients can cause your extensions to be dry, dull and/or clump together. If you are sure what to use, Renown has a full product line that is formulated to be extension safe and great for your natural hair!

 This is very important! Weaves are definitely an investment. If you are spending anywhere from $200-500+ on hair alone, why would you go cheap to get it installed? That's like buying a Benz and putting corner store gas in it. You won't get very far and it will be a bumpy ride. Take the time to find a skilled stylist trained in proper weave installation. Just because it looks pretty on the surface, doesn't make it a good weave. There's a lot more to it than just braiding hair and sewing on some tracks. If you aren't sure where to find a stylist, you can book an appointment with Salon RPH.

 Weaves are not meant to be left in forever. Weaves can be worn safely up to 12 weeks before they go from being a protective style to causing unnecessary damage. Keep in mind, not everyone can go the full 12 weeks depending on your hair texture and how well you maintain your weave. Often times you will find, good hair care practices will cause you to see more growth, in turn causing your hair to be done more frequently. Here is a guide I share with my clients for how long they should wear their weave:

Fine, oily, or thinning hair -- 4 to 6 weeks 

Normal, medium, thick hair -- 8 to 12 weeks

* Keep in mind, you should still see your stylist regularly while wearing your weave to get it thrououghly cleaned and conditioned. You still need to wash/condition at home, especially if you sweat a lot or are active, if you want to maintain optimal wear of your style. Your stylist can also gauge how your hair is underneath your weave and adjust the timeline for your needs. 

Next time you wear your weave, just keep these tips in mind. If you still aren't sure or simply want to experience the Renown weave for yourself, don't hesitate to come see us! We are open 7 days a week! 

We've all had good and bad experiences when it comes to our hair. What do you do when you just aren't truly satisfied with your salon visits anymore? Some people are brave enough to just leave and find a new stylist, while some are much more hesitant because they have been with them so long or simply just don't know where to look. Sometimes change is good and much needed. The search for a new stylist doesn't have to be a pain.

Do your research

The easiest place to start is close to home... Ask your friends/family whose hair you like for recommendations. We all have that one girlfriend that changes her hair every 2 weeks like it's nobody's business. She would be a great place to start. Even if you don't always love her hair, I'm positive she knows of multiple hairstylists in the area. They may also be able to direct you to other sources to find a new stylist. A good stylist knows to make themselves easy to find, so they may be closer than you think...

Utilize Social Media

If asking friends and family doesn't work for you, you may want to turn to social media. Sites like Facebook and Instagram are great starting points because you can SEE what you are looking for. I do caution, like with any other information available online, do further research if using sources like Instagram or Facebook. I'll explain what I mean... Just think, how many selfies do you take with your phone before you find the right one to post? Probably close to 20 right? Then, how many filters and edits do you apply to make it look "perfect"? Now, do you look just like the photo you posted in real life? Probably not... That is where your questions are important. Ask about their process and how they will get you to your goal hairstyle. They should be able to tell you in detail.

At Renown Premium Hair we keep all of our social media posts uniform so you know what you see was done at Salon RPH. Just look for the angel in the background. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat. If you aren't following us already, click on the links to be directed to our social media pages. 

What To Ask The Stylist

Once you have a list of stylists going, it's time for the fun part... Asking questions! When looking for a new stylist, the worst thing you can do is to not ask questions. You want to have an idea of what you are  looking for as far as the style you are trying to achieve. Photos are very important so that you can SHOW the stylist exactly what you want.

• Always ask the stylist for BEFORE & AFTER photos of their work. It's helpful to see the transformation they created from client to client.
• Does the stylist regularly works with your hair type/ hair texture?
• What is the process they will use to get to your desired style?
• Will the stylist TEACH you how to care for your hair at home in between salon visits?
• Have they ever created the style you are looking for?
• Do they have any customer reviews?
• What products will they be using on your hair and what are the benefits of each?

All these questions are important to ask to determine if the stylist is a good fit for you.

At Salon RPH, consultations are a vital part of the salon experience. Not only will you have a chance to ask questions, but you will be asked questions by the stylist. It is very important that you are honest with 's going on with your hair so we can create the best plan of execution for you. No two people have the same head of hair, so no two people will have the same hair journey. Healthy hair is our number one priority. To book a consultation or an appointment with one of our skilled stylists, click here.

Don't Sacrifice Beauty For Pain

Hair care should be your stylist's number one priority. Whether wearing a ponytail or a weave, if you find that your hairstyle is excessively tight or painful, take it down. If you feel uncomfortable during your appointment, inform your stylist so they can make necessary adjustments. If not, that can lead to hair loss and tension alopecia.Your hairstyle should NOT interfere with your daily routine (sleeping, turning your head, and/or blinking). As a stylist myself, I can honestly tell you that we don't mind when you let us know what you are thinking while in the chair. We'd rather you let us know, than go home and hate your hair. We care about our work too much. (Most hairstylists are perfectionists when it comes to the finished product). Remember, pain is an indication to your body that something is not normal. If it's too tight, it ain't right!

A Hairstylist Is A Girl's Best Friend

The relationship between a client and his/her stylist is one that can be deeper than any other.  Finding the right person to care for your hair and help you reach your hair goals isn't easy, but it's definitely worth the hunt... Keep in mind, a referral is a great way to show your stylist love. When your stylist feels loved by you, they will love you back!

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