Lets all take time and remember!

As I was heading home from work the other day, I found myself stopped at a cross walk, while an elderly man made his way slowly across.  He wore the traditional uniform of the legionnaires, and on his left lapel was the poppy.
It made me think we all need to sit back and pay respect, not only to our seniors, but to our veterans.  They sacrificed for our freedom, with loss and injury.  They are, our local heroes, and they should be celebrated, not only on November 11th but all year round.
Let us not forget the families that stay behind for them they're strength is admirable, and must not be forgotten.

So let's all take time and remember that they did this for you and me, so we could live safe & free!
"


                      Lest we forget"

New Love!

Let me introduce every woman's new must-have service!!!!!

Rusk DeepShine Smooth Keratin

Smoothing System

I have been very lucky to find this product last week, and couldn't wait to use it.  

Well my wait was finally over.  As you all know hair stylists are very impatient when it comes to trying new things in hair!

Well I began the service with her full color, then once the color had processed and washed out, I proceeded with the treatment.  

As far as a smoothing system goes this one was pretty simple.  Wash the hair with provided shampoo 2x, then if needed use the leave in conditioner (porous hair), I used it on my client today since we had just done her color.  Next was to apply the treatment in sections onto towel dried hair.  Once you have the Treatment throughout the whole head, you proceed to comb, first with a wide tooth comb, then a fine tooth comb. Easy? 

Once I felt I had all the hair was well saturated, I decided with a 10 minute processing time, due to the hair porosity.  

I then proceeded with the remaining instructions, washed the hair, and towel dried it a second time, ensuring I had removed all the product.  

Using the leave-in conditioner once more, (I was careful to not over saturate the hair). 

The hair was so easy to comb through after wards.  My comb just flowed right through.  And we all know that a comb does not usually go through the hair so easily after a chemical services, right?

Second last step was to dry the hair to 90% dry.  I had a hard time with that one.  Natural instincts I guess.

Once I was done with the blow-out I was terrified!  This was all but shiny, silky or smooth.  

How ever I did have one last step.  So I crossed my fingers & toes, jumped right in.  

Flat Iron on max heat, I had to give this girl what she expected, not this fuzzy mess...

Well first section with the iron WOW!!  

The hair was smooth, shiny, & soft!  I kept on waiting for the product to fail me, but it only got better!

Now I will tell you all, I have never taken so long using a flat-iron (1 hr) to be exact.  But the results were amazing!!

She was happy, I was happy.  All around what a great service!

...Now to see how it fares with her daily life.  I will keep you posted.

Lousy Hair-Cut

LICE!!!

This is the subject no one want to talk about, and when we do we all start to itch!

I have been seeing this happen in schools around the country, as soon as kids go back to school, there is a certain little critter that likes our children's scalp & hair.

As hair stylists were quite aware of this pest that threatens us all year.  What do we do when we find them?

Should we proceed?  What is the best way for parents to remove them.

Let us start at the beginning, Lice are a natural pest that loves the scalp and hair. (The scalp for blood, and hair for nesting.)  They are often transmitted in schools, day-cares, any situation in close quarters, or sharing of personal products. 

Once detected it should be taken care of straight away! Keep in mind to advise the school to prevent the chance of further infection.

Many people are very afraid of them, stylists included.  There is also a world-wide assumption that only dirty people get them... That is a very big misconception, they LOVE clean healthy hair.  The problem with them is we don't usually notice them until its too late.  

So what should we recommend?

Myself I rely on Tea-Tree oil, a drop of that in shampoo and they seem to stay away.  It is also good during an infection, in laundry soap, floor cleaner, etc...
I strongly stand behind drug store chemicals for immediate eradication.  They usually are easy to locate, and not overtly expensive.
Another home remedy, is olive oil, and apple cider vinegar.  Not the best smell, but seems to help.
There is also the theory that they do not like chemical services, so colored hair seems to be safe.
I  personally have not tested this theory.  So I cannot say for sure.

Don't forget to keep checking the hair every few days, using the fine tooth comb, to ensure they are well and gone.

We all know how taxing it is to get them all out seeing as its like finding a needle in a haystack.  Keep vigilant and they will be gone for good.

Lastly advise children not to share hats, brushes, etc... also tie long hair back, this will help prevent the chance of infection.

These little creatures are decidedly meant to keep us on our toes.
Keep a close eye on things.  If some-one mentions they seem to be really itchy all the time, check it out.  Could be a simple case of dry scalp or...


If you have suggestions for other readers, please put them in the comments.  I would love to have a list of remedy's to help the ones not so lucky this year.


  

Pony-Tails?

Sleek, Sexy, Smooth, that is the new trend on ponytails this fall.  Structured style, elegance and a touch of femininity is the key.  

To achieve this beautiful look, start out with a good smoothing lotion, my favorite is 

Orofluido, this golden dream, is made of Agran, Linseed, and Cyprus oil, all this combined with a pleasant fragrance of vanilla.  It helps with drying time and of course the dreaded frizz.

I will then blow-out the hair with the biggest round brush I have (aprx 3" dia), I then to get the look I smooth the hair with my straightener.

Sleek hair back into a smooth ponytail, and re-apply smoothing serum and secure with your favorite elastic or tie.  Lastly I touch up the tail with my straightener to complete the look.

This enticing style would look great with a full fringe, or swept to the side, try it out today for any event such as, a relaxed dinner with the family, or a night out! Get creative!

Plans will fall apart!

So I spent all week-end preparing for a Color class I was about to teach on Monday. There were boxes to be packed, information to have on hand, even practiced a few times. I have a format to follow, easy right?
Wrong! The location for the class was quite a ways from where I live, so I left early in the morning coffee in hand to brave the fog and moose.
I arrive at the salon on time.

Surprise!!!

Not a soul there. I proceeded to wait wondering if I had the wrong date, or did I miss the time etc...

Finally to my relief, I see a single person enter the shop... Could it be? She lets me in only to find out some people will be late.

This set the class to the wrong start
And it just kept going. Things that should be done by them were done by me. At one point I saw a stylist take two hours to cut hair!!

Well I rolled up my sleeves and managed to complete my class, with every one happy.

So even with a delayed start, late stylists and a major change of plans, it all worked out.

I guess no matter how well organized you are there can always be a challenge thrown in.
It's all in how you roll with it!

I have just received my first testimonial from beautiful Caroline Khoury! I will share it with you all.

You know that feeling you get when every time you get your hair cut, you don't like it on the first day, because you're not used to it or the hairdresser did not do it the way you imagined?

Ive always felt that way, I've always felt the hairstyles i've always desired to have were hard to describe with with words. 
I've always wanted layers, intensified, volumized layers you see on a celebrity with really long wavy hair. No-one could get it as fabulous as Eloise did with mine. The hairstylists that did mine before were possibly novel stylists and afraid of wrecking my hair. However, Eloise went far out with her magical hands and with confidence gave me the best haircut I've ever had in Canada. I enjoyed the look of my new layers, the intensified, and volumized ones I have always imagined. Thank You Eloise
Caroline

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!

  Today was a princess day, little girls all excited to get pampered like the star that they are.  

My first one was a little fashionista, (7 years old going on 17), she knew what she wanted.   No silly stuff for her.  So excited to show off her up-do to her friends and grandmother, that she couldn't sit still for her manicure.  

The second of the crew, a 12 year old feisty little red head, (she used to walk my dog until I adopted twin pups), I had given her a gift certificate for a few funky hair extensions.  She chose the brightest pink I had in stock in support of  "walk for the cure" week end.

My last little princess was another fashionista, a model in the making, (she can do the splits!!) we cut her hair into a sharp a-line bob.  Then we topped it off with a feather extension.  Let me tell you she was so excited she didn't want her mother touching her hair at all.  

 Little girls are always a joy to do in my shop, they have such great imaginations, and love to try new things.

You can always hear giggles & animated chatter from one end of the shop to the other.  

Its days like these that make me love my job!

If you have any stories you would like to share, feel free to do so, I'd love to hear them!

Like sands through the hour glass, so is the days of our lives...

How many of you are chronically late?
How many forget you have an appointment and never bother to call once you remember?
Then frantically call wanting another appointment A.S.A.P.?

I'm sure were all guilty of it at one time or another, myself being no different. (I've had my moments)

Over these last few weeks my co-workers and I have noticed a bit of a trend, late clients who expect way more than we end up having time for.  Then when me mention that we will be running tight, they look at us like we have 5 heads, it doesn't stop there, they even get frustrated with us.   Now tell me why is that?
Lets not forget if we are behind when "they" arrive for "their" appointment they also get frustrated with us.
I love my clients, I would also love to remind some of them that my world does not revolve around them.  That I am not a 24hr service, and Yes! I do have somewhat of a life, and a schedule to keep.


Now don't think I'm a big grouch, I do understand life happens

How do we remind our clients that our day follows a certain schedule, and that their being tardy will delay the remainder of your day, myself I call all my clients for the next day the evening before, some I even text.  Lastly I even send a reminder-call or text 30 min ahead of their appointment if I know they have a bad habit. (I'm a bit of a nag that way)
Now some of you reading this, this is NOT a rant, I hope it will remind you that your stylist, nail tech esthetician, doctor etc... may have more than you on her day planner, lets all keep that in mind.

Find me on Facebook!

Hey guys and gals, look me up and my salon on Facebook, just click on this link to get you there.  If you have any questions feel free to message me.

https://www.facebook.com/PureBlissNailStudioSpahair


 Don't forget to "Like my page!!

Bob can be Romantic?

Brigitte Bardot

I find myself often looking over new and old hair styles, this fall's trend brings two generations together, all the while making it soft and romantic.  I'm talking about the style all over the runways around the world, the converted bob or Mod-Bob.  With 60's inspired style coming back, this is a great touch.  It is soft, modern, and everyone's favorite sexy.
This is far from Victoria Beckham's sharp edgy bob from 2008.  This look is much softer, almost romantic, what every girl wants, not to mention looks like you spent hours styling it when you haven't.  The key to this cut is its length and lots of texture.  And of course a good product to give you the lift and tousled look, my fave is Abba Volumizing Root Spray.  Lastly a hair accessory is always a good finishing trick, such as a flowered headband or a bobby pin is a great look.

Arizona Muse

How many stylists have found that clients have been wanting more body, all the while spending less time styling?  With times being more hectic, most clients have less time to spend in the powder-room, and even less time in the salon.  While this style requires regular maintenance to keep the texture, I would recommend 6 week in between appointments, the reduced maintenance at home is well worth the salon visit.
Lastly for the client who is tired of the bob length, this cut is great when growing out, and can be tied back, still keeping the integrity of the style with minimal work.  This is one of my favorite cuts of all time! Keep it simple and lets have some fun!

Old dog New Tricks!

You would think in 15 years I'd have mastered the art of grey hair, however faced with the potential client who is mostly dark brown, 45% grey, and has a washed out color.  She would like... hi-lights.

Not the thin hide the re-growth type, but the noticeable chunky foils.  Not my favorite choice choice when facing 3 issues at once..  I'm a  hair stylists, not magician.  

This look can be gorgeous with a great low-light, however when you mix all these factors together, it doesn't always work out.  Ends often tend to remain washed out and there is always the ever present regrowth veering its ugly head at every brush stroke. 

The solution I prefer to use and I highly recommend is the "all over color with a two-tone hi-light".  It covers the grey, blends in the regrowth and looks fabulous!  

Now faced with a customer who is used to getting just "chunky hi-lights"  it is very difficult to  change them over.  I recommend to talk to your client.  A great consult is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.  We are in the "know" to make each client look their best, lets do it!  

Now you may read this and think, wow does she know what she's talking about.  Well I will be honest, I still get intimidated by those clients and sometimes I forget that I "do" know the best way to achieve the look she wants, but I feel like I'm scaring the poor thing, so I do as I'm told.  Once I'm done if I see any hesitation in their faces I start to recommend the changes and explain why.  

When they first sit in your chair you know if you will be able to show them a new way or not.  Sometimes you have to wait it out, for them to see it for themselves.   

This may be a way to teach an old dog new tricks!

  

Let's get Snippy!

I have been a stylist, educator, and colorist for over 15 years.  I have seen many interesting things in my day, such as inventive color, cuts, and styling.  I have also seen many different types of stylists in the past, to which some have become mentors and made me who I am today!
I enjoy what I do,and love to try new techniques, which is why i created this blog to help us all in the industry defeat the Bad Hair Days for good.

Now lets talk trends, there are many out there to say the least for fall 2012, where to begin?  My favorite of the season... PIN-UP!
This style has been hitting the red carpet, with stars such as Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, and Christina Aguilerra to name a few.   
Everyone has an inner pin-up, its up to us to let them out!

 A classy flashback to the 1920's has caught my eye, with ravishing reds all over town, along with big barrel curls and soft hair,, pin-up trend.  This particular style has been around all along but only now is it making a comeback.   
This trend seems difficult, however it is quite simple if you use rich color and know how to roller set.  The ideal style requires a "wet set", which is achieved by using foam rollers on wet hair, and letting them air dry over night.  This technique is well known to be gentle on the hair as we are not using damaging heat.  You will notice the hair remains soft, and shiny, with little to no frizz.  
The best part of using a "wet set" is the fact you can do anything with the hair once it is dry.  This set will last 3 days to a week, and require little maintenance.  You should use a good settling lotion to  assist in holding the style.  My favorite being "Abba Curl Prep Spray"  it is light product with a pleasant fragrance, based on natural plant ingredients.  

Once your "wet-set" has dried, you may be as creative as you like. Try  large barrel curls, soft flowing waves, victory curls, queue curls, omelette rolls, and lets not forget the wedding staple the "chignon".

Get snippy! Its what makes us great stylists!