THE BEST HAIR SALON IN LOS ANGELES, CA

 

We recently sat down with Camilla and Leslie of Nova Arts Salon to get their take on the basics of hair care. 

Nova Arts Salon is a sustainable hair salon, based in downtown LA.While the salon specializes in cuts and coloring, it strives to represent more than just hair. Nova Arts is taking steps to sculpt the Arts District, creating an evolution of the self and community to create an exciting new collective.

There’s no one we’d trust more with our locks, so let’s dive into Camilla and Leslie’s hair care tips. 

 

What’s the best way to shampoo? Should we target just the scalp or our hair, too? 

 

  “I always tell my clients to shampoo and scrub the scalp only. Allow the shampoo to naturally flow down as you rinse. Over shampooing the ends will dry them out.” - Camilla 

 

 

 “I like to focus on getting the scalp clean, sometimes shampooing twice and gently washing the ends. Once a week or if necessary twice a week. Hair needs those oils that your scalp creates to help maintain the moisture on the ends.” - Leslie 

 

And conditioner? Should we “scrunch” it into our locks or apply it to the scalp? 

“Conditioner should be applied from mid length to ends. I like to apply my conditioner and brush my hair with the conditioner in it.” - Camilla 

 
“I usually use my fingers in a raking motion to work the conditioner in from the mid-shaft to the ends. If your hair length is past your shoulders, dense or curly, you can use a wide tooth comb to evenly distribute it. I generally keep the conditioner in for a minimum of 5-7 minutes & rinse with cool water.” - Leslie 

 

We know wet hair is prone to breakage, what’s the safest way to dry our tresses?

 

“For sensitive hair again I recommend brushing while the conditioner is in. This is also good for textured hair. Let the conditioner rinse with water and don’t mess with the hair too much. Also, avoid scrubbing your hair with a towel – try a microfibre head wrap instead to soak up excess water. As a rule, you should wash your hair every 2-3 days, with 3 being the magic number. This means the natural oils can run from your scalp to the rest of your hair. It’s also super important to find a shampoo and conditioner that suits your specific hair type. For example if your hair isn’t compromised and you use any short of repair or for damaged hair products it can be counter productive. Talk to your hair specialist for the best option for your hair type.” - Camilla 

 

“Using a brush on wet hair can cause breakage. When hair is wet it becomes elastic, especially if it's highlighted. It's best to use a wide tooth comb and a detangling product to avoid any unnecessary tugging. Keeping your hair wet for too long can also cause scalp sensitivity. To be safe, get as much of the moisture out with a towel and allow your hair to air dry completely before pulling it back. If you're planning on blow drying, I would prefer to air dry 80% leaving some moisture before applying heat.” - Leslie

 

What’s the best way to towel dry our hair? 

 

“I like to dry my hair by scrunching the moisture out with a microfiber towel, being gentle to not tug or pull on my hair. Never wrap your hair in a bath towel because when it's wet the hair is being pulled and this can cause breakage around your hairline. When taken care of properly, our hair can often be a voice for what our bodies need. Our hair is a representation of how we're feeling; therefore, feeding it the proper nutrients, using the correct product for what your hair requires in the moment can lead to beautiful, healthy strands that will speak for themselves.” - Leslie