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The best feeling is when a client says that they’re ready to give their scalp and hair the extra love and care that they deserve. With the rise of the skinification of hair, this is happening more often and we couldn’t be happier. And who has been at the forefront of this movement from the start? Alterna Haircare.
The skinification of hair brings skin care principles to hair care, focusing on health, hydration, and nourishment. When a brand can embody those principles in the form of a bottle, you know it’s a hit. Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair line does just that. With its innovative ingredients and caviar bond-enforcing technology, the line offers a luxurious and transformative experience for healthy, youthful hair. And salon pros can’t get enough!
The Tease spoke with Meg Schipani aka @shmeggsandbaconn, an LA-based hairstylist who specializes in creative color and styling, and a Digital Content Ambassador for Alterna Haircare, about why she loves the brand’s bond repair line for music videos, photo shoots, New York Fashion Week, and more. Scroll to see what she had to say.
The Tease: Tell us how you discovered Alterna Haircare
Meg Schipani: I remember using Alterna a few years ago after hearing buzz about it from other stylists, but with a ton of other products coming my way, I didn’t do a deep dive. Thankfully, this year I was able to really get my hands on the line and learn more about it. I had a feeling I would love it, but it honestly blew me away. I think everyone needs it in their haircare regimen, professionals and consumers.
The Tease: What drew you to the concept of a “skincare-inspired hairline”?
Meg Schipani: I love all things skincare and in the last five years I have really invested and committed to using high-quality ingredients in my routine and have seen it make such a huge impact for not only the look of my skin but the health as well. So it just makes sense to have the same quality for our hair care. I also think routine and rituals are important for our daily lives because we are living in a really busy and distracted time. Having a solid routine that you know works is really motivating to stay consistent.
The Tease: What are some key quality ingredients in Alterna products that set them apart from others in the market?
Meg Schipani: The Caviar Extract is definitely the hero. It is packed with omega-3s, which replenish the hair’s natural lipid layer on the exterior of the strand for better moisture retention and shine. It also is packed with vitamins and minerals to strengthen the hair and help prevent future damage.
The Tease: Could you elaborate on how Alterna products benefit hair health?
Meg Schipani: Our hair is constantly being exposed to multiple different kinds of damage every single day. I think most people think that color and heat are the only catalysts for damage. Environmental factors like sun, wind, and pollution exposure are all stressors that none of us are immune to and the impact they have on our hair is often overlooked. In addition, the tension caused by brushing and styling your hair, even with the absence of heat, is a sneaky source of damage as well. Now if you actually are coloring and heat styling your hair, that’s another layer of damage that your hair goes through. We put our hair through so much and hair care is about repair just as much as it is about prevention. Of course it’s good to replenish and restore the hair after any of these damaging processes, but it also is super important to be proactive. We are spending our time and money on our hair and protection of your investment is key. It’s the same with the way we treat our skin and our body. Our bodies are aging from the moment we’re born and that includes our hair. If we are keeping up with the maintenance then repair isn’t as necessary.
The Tease: How do you think the notion that “hair should be treated just like your skin” influences the way people care for their hair?
Meg Schipani: I think if we frame hair care the same way we do skin care it will be motivating for people to take their haircare more seriously. We are all obsessed with skincare and having a skin care routine and I think if we can get our clients and consumers to understand that it requires the same amount of TLC and also inform them about all the different kinds of damage their hair is exposed to it will help paint a picture that hair is just as important as skin. I think we are also way more careful with ingredients in our skincare and I always stress to my clients that the rule is if you wouldn’t put it on your face, you shouldn’t put it in your hair.
The Tease: Talk to us about the Alterna Haircare bond repair line, what do you love about it and why should hairstylists stock up?
Meg Schipani: The Bond Repair line really should be a staple in any hairdressers lineup. If you are working with lightener it is especially important. The Intensive Leave-In Treatment is my favorite post-lightening treatment. It instantly repairs any damage and is incredible at delivering shine and softness back into the hair. The 3-in-1 Sealing Serum is also amazing for an extra dose of shine and damage prevention. If you have a client with naturally tangly hair, this line is also incredible for aiding in manageability in terms of brushing and styling which helps prevent breakage.
The Tease: What kinds of results should clients expect from these products?
Meg Schipani: Clients can expect both instant and long-term results using Alterna. There is an instant improvement in overall texture and health, but then you will also see a decrease in breakage and damage after using Alterna consistently.
The Tease: How can hairstylists empower their clients to maintain healthy hair with Alterna Haircare products at home in between salon visits?
Meg Schipani: I think it’s all about education. So many of my first-time clients are just unaware of what they need to be doing at home. It is a non-negotiable for me if you want to be my client. I specialize in color and often vibrant color so at home maintenance is a make or break for longevity and the way it fades. I try to provide education in a way that isn’t shaming and is respectful of lifestyle and budget so there is a better chance of sustainability. It is a huge and really important part of the consultation.
For too long, hair care products overlooked the full picture of scalp and hair health. But Alterna has worked to change that. After all, the skin on our heads needs just as much care as the rest of our locks to look as beautiful and healthy as ever.
If you’re not already, be sure to follow Meg Schipani and Alterna Haircare on Instagram for real time updates.
