Meet the remarkable Kristen Shaw. She’s the hair guru behind Cabin in Venice Beach and the styling Brand Ambassador for Playa Haircare. She also happens to be awfully knowledgeable about the ins and outs of switching to cleaner, healthier hair products.
Although Kristen’s stylistic approach is generally regarded as surfer-girl cool, a description that I believe better defines her look is sprezzatura. An Italian word without an exact English equivalent, sprezzatura is an aesthetic marked by effortless ease. It’s the antithesis of coiffed perfection, and so much better for it. Kristen gives her clients a distinctively undone, my-hair-just-happens-to-be-this-fabulous feel. It’s fresh and beautiful and uniquely suited to the person rocking it. That’s the magic of Kristen Shaw.
Recently, Kristen shared some practical tips with The Beauty Proof about transitioning hair into fall and how to best switch to natural hair products. Here’s her wisdom for you to drink up:
The Beauty Proof: Can you describe the kind of hair damage you typically see at the end of summer? How do you get your clients’ hair back in fighting shape for fall?
Kristen Shaw: Hair at the end of summer is typically sun soaked and water damaged, whether it be ocean or chlorine. I like to prep my clients with a cut that will last them through these kinds of elements, and grow into a new cut by the end of summer. My favorite trick for healthy hair is to use an environmental damage mask, like the one from Davines, to remove the impurities and boost moisture and stability. From there, I can see how much of the hair is actually damaged, and cut around those pieces to ensure we have the hair in excellent shape for the fall and winter months.
The Beauty Proof: Which cuts and colors are you leaning towards this fall?
Kristen Shaw: Right now I’m loving all the chops going on, chin length to collarbone length bobs that range from box shaped to rounded edges. They are so fun and clean. A favorite of mine is to pair it with a tousled fringe—a 70s bang that was so popular over the last couple years, inspired by Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin—so you get that 90s look that’s strong, with the soft 70s femininity from the fringe.
The Beauty Proof: What guidance can you offer someone interested in transitioning to cleaner, more natural hair products? And what changes can they expect to see and feel in their hair after switching to healthier hair care?
Kristen Shaw: Read the labels and research—there is information on ingredients everywhere online! From my experience, I found that it’s the easiest trying a natural shampoo, like Playa, and watching how my hair reacted. I wouldn’t just shampoo again the next day out of habit, I would see if I needed to. Rinsing is a great way to move the oils from your scalp from root to end so that you don’t get build up. I found that washing every three days, with rinsing in between, gave my hair the time it needed to be in its natural state, free of heat styling and over-cleansing, which can very easily strip the hair of its oils and eventually break down your hair strand. Over time, using this method, you’ll see the difference in your hair, and will love the moisture you’re receiving from shampoos with such thoughtful ingredients like Playa.
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You can follow Kristen on Facebook at @cabinbykristenshaw or on Instagram at @shopcabin and @theshawness.
*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
