The Summer heat wave has hit us for sure. I love this weather. Hopefully many of you are able to get outside and enjoy the short summer season that we get here in Maine - and the best way to beat the heat is to hit the pool.  

Many of us spend an awful lot of time in the pool because you are lucky enough to have one or you have a super cool friend who has one (like me). If you have not noticed a green tinge in your hair or your kids' hair by now, you will before summer is over. Blondes definitely are more prone to this than those with other hair colors. It usually grabs onto the driest part of the hair, which is the ends. The good news? There are ways to prevent it and ways to get rid of it.

The lazy days of summer are upon us. We all have felt the humidity in the air lately, haven't we? We have an extended amount of daylight right now, and I believe you should spend it wisely - not in the bathroom trying to fix your hair. Maine summers are just too short to be fussing over your hair, but humidity causes a challenge when it comes to styling hair. You can fight it, or you can stop trying so hard.

Put up the hair dryer for the summer. You're just going to sweat to death while you use it anyways. Hang it up and let it stay there until fall. I suggest turning on the fan in your room while you get ready. Let your hair catch some fresh air for the summer and air dry it. Humidity causes frizz, and adding more heat to it from your hair dryer isn't going to help. I also scrunch my hair while on my way to work with the ac cranked and the windows cracked. You may chuckle at this, but I get the most compliments on my own hair when I have done nothing but let it do its thing that particular day. This will be true for you too, I promise.

Common questions get answered

How do you know when it's time for a new style, or maybe even a new hairdresser?

This can be a tricky situation. Personally, I always let my clients know that need to tell me if they are unhappy. You have to communicate with your stylist. If you are unhappy with your hair or you want change, you should voice that to them. Your stylist should also be checking in with you and suggesting changes every now and again to keep your look updated. You should feel amazing when you leave the salon. You also should leave the salon knowing you had a great experience and feel that you want to go back. If either of those things are not true for you, you need a new hairstyle and/or a new hairdresser!

Schools are about to finish for the summer, but that doesn't mean you are free from the risk of lice. It is a topic none of us really ever want to talk about, but if you have children you should be aware of this very common and persistent problem. 

Recently I have been made aware of many reported cases of lice in the Bangor and Ellsworth area. Head lice is out there, but if taken care of promptly and properly will go away as fast as it came. 

Here I sit on a chilly winter morning looking out the window at snow and blowing trees when all I want is warm sun, blue skies and some moisture in the air. Hot and humid days are on the horizon. We made it through January, the days are getting longer and soon enough it will be spring. 

Winter and the dry air that comes along with it does a real number on our skin and hair. A great solution to revive and re-moisturize your dry hair and scalp is olive oil. I am willing to bet that you have some, so go check the pantry.

Many new clients tell me that they are looking for a haircut that works with their face shape. I get it - you want a new style that flatters your face and makes you look your best. Here's what I want you to really consider, and it addresses more than the shape of your face: What type of hair do you have? What is your lifestyle? How often can you maintain your look? If you don't know the answers to these questions, then it won't matter at all if your haircut flatters your face.

It is a topic none of us really ever want to talk about, but if you have children you really must become aware of the very common and persistent problem that is head lice. Recently, I have been made aware of many reported cases of lice in the Bangor and Ellsworth area. I do find it necessary to get the word out and inform you all in the hopes you will pass the information on to your friends, daycare providers and teachers. Head lice is out there, and if taken care of promptly and properly will go away as fast as it came.

Do you know how many things your hair stylist knows about you simply by working with your hair? Your stylist has a perfect view of your hair, scalp and skin when doing your hair. Everything - and I mean everything - that goes into your body comes out on your hair. Often times when there is something going on, good or bad, within your body, your hair will tell the story.

I have been doing hair for more than 10 years now, so these are things I have learned along the way. I speak for myself and not every single stylist out there. But it's something to think about. If your stylist notices changes in your hair and suggests you see a doctor, listen. Some of the things that I can tell simply by looking at someone's hair and scalp include pregnancy, new medications, poor diet, diabetes (or the potential to get it), drug use, thyroid issues, cancer (the need to have a mole checked), stress and more.

I get a lot of questions that I hang onto, and every once in a while I like to put a few together in a 'Dear Gina' format for you. Please don't hesitate to contact me with your questions or comments at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on twitter @getginafied. Enjoy.

We may not want to admit it, but summer is winding down. Our kids are headed back to school and we have been busy preparing them by getting their supplies, new clothes and haircuts. Well, what about you? Is your hair feeling and looking a bit too "summer?" Those highlights we all had to have in May combined with lots of sun exposure through the summer have left you with a whole head of dry blonde hair and some pretty dark roots. What do you do now?

When you highlight your hair, you are actually removing pigment from the hair, which is why it dries your hair out. When you reverse that process, you are "filling" color back into the hair, which is going to make it feel fuller and healthier. This is also why darker hair always gets so much more shine than blonde hair gets. Going darker doesn't mean you have to go back to your root color all over your head and become a brunette. Darker just means any color that is darker than what you currently have.