Hair Tip of the Day

If you can't spend a lot of money on getting your hair colored talk to your stylist about different options before you reach for that box color! About 60% of my clients that have been walk in color appointments have had to get their color fixed and trust me that is going to cost you a lot more than if you just come talk to me about options that won't break the bank! 

Now what are some if these options? Well if you want highlites get a partial or half rather than a full head a good stylist will know how to place them so they look great. There are also glosses and Demi colors that can run lower in price. And if you're wanting to go from dark to a lighter shade be careful if not done right you can become a pumpkin or tweety bird but talking it out with your stylist you can find options that won't break the bank and make you look crazy! One of my clients wanted to go from dark brown to a redhead but she also had color in her hair so not only are we going to have to remove the color do the roots and ends that is a long process sometimes because you don't want to fry the hair and time is money. So I suggested we do panels of color throughout her head and in time red will become her base color and it will save her money doing it that way not to mention keep the hair healthier. Well we tried it she loved it because every time she got her hair done it changed and had great different shades of red through out it and how I placed the panels the grow out wasn't harsh. 

Now I'm sure stylist are asking why do I want to make less? You aren't! She to this day still comes to me and more often because I worked with her when she couldn't spend a lot of money and now I can't get her outta my chair 😋 your longterm goal is to keep them coming back not raping their wallet the first time and never seeing them again! And those clients refer others!

Learn it, Live it, Love it!

Question of the day from a client

You do know how to curl hair for a interview right? Me thinking is it a corporate interview or Playboy interview. I mean we are in Los Angeles 😏

Hair Tip of the Day.......from another blogger

I just read this girls blog on why you shouldn't by name brand products 
in drug stores vs salons very well said! And VERY

VERY true! 

Live it, Learn it, Love it!

http://m.xojane.com/beauty/why-you-should-avoid-salon-products-at-the-drugstore

Life Tip for the weekend :)

Live it, Learn it, Love it!

Great words to live by

Hair Tip of the Day

Please don't do this to your stylist! Makes us wanna scream!

Live it, Learn it, Love it!

Hair Tip of the Day

This one is more for my fellow stylist but it also can apply to anyone in the work force. As stylist we are showing people we know how to make them look and feel pretty so you too need to project that which means dress stylish, have your hair and makeup done and look professional! No one wants to put their beauty in someone's hand who looks like ass! When I lived in NY I would pass by this salon and this girl was always out front passing out flyers for specials they were running and this chick had bleached out fried hair with 3 inch black roots and all I could think is "why the hell would anyone go to that place with this chick representing them?" Even if she wasn't a stylist she is showing the public that she is a mouth piece for this salon and she wasn't a good representative for them because she looked like she got her hair done by a beauty school student on their first day! We are in the "beauty" industry you are selling the most vain business there is out there so if you want people to have faith you can deliver you better look like it! Not every job sells what we do but it's still important to step it up even if you're in a uniform because you are showing you care about what you do and trust me that is noticed by the bosses. A boss will take notice of a employee who takes pride in themselves and that shows them confidence unlike someone showing up unkept and dirty that just shows you don't give a crap so why should they? You want to be the best possible roll model for yourself and others to move up in this or any job. So keep up on the trends and it doesn't have to cost a ton of money either! I shop for work clothing in little cheap shops its all how you put stuff together and accessorize. Who wants to spend tons of money when it's going to get full of hair and ruined by color? And trust me I don't look cheap! Now go do your roots and have fun putting together outfits :)
Learn it, Live it, Love it!

Hair Tip of the Day

Do NOT call a salon and act like a weirdo! Just had this guy call and ask if there was anyone who would want to do something crazy to a guy who has straight blonde hair down to the middle of his back......??? I'm like what do you mean "do" something crazy? Like to the hair or him (better yet you on the phone) oh to the hair. Ok what do you mean crazy? Cut it all off? Color it green? Put in pigtails? Give me a clue! Oh you know crazy maybe femme..........hmmmmm ok you want a girls haircut? You tell me he says........I'm like ya know what you need to come in so we can see what type of crazy you are! Then I ask did ya lose a bet? No just wondering what you could do. REALLY????? By what I got from this is this guy wants to start cross dressing and hey that's cool but don't act all weird and slightly pervy!
Live it, Love it, Learn it!

Hair Tip of the Day

Growing your hair out can be a real pain in the arse! It's gets in that frustrating awkward stage, it seems like it just stops growing at a certain point and after letting it grow for months or in some cases years you just get frustrated and cut it all off! I am the queen of that but I think I just like having shorter hair more than long :) well let me give some advice on growing out your locks. 

1. Have a style in mind you are trying to achieve look at pictures, a lot of pictures! And play it safe find a few styles that you really love and why a few? Because when you go to your stylist they will let you know if you have the hair to pull off that style, how much work it takes to do that style and if it matches your face frame........not a good idea to put in round short layers if you have a round face :/

2. Finding a stylist that "gets" what you are wanting and trying to archive. A confident stylist will talk you through the grow out process so you know what to expect. If they seem unsure or they are adamant about talking you out of what you want ask yourself that question "Can it not be done or can they just not do it?" Not every stylist is created equal some just can't look to the future and see a end result so they would rather just talk you into something "they" think is the right cut for you. Now don't get me wrong I have had people bring in pictures and show me they want "This" hairstyle and I honestly looked around thinking I was being Punked! It is true not all hair is created equal so that means we all can't have what we want BUT a fantastic stylist will collaborate with you and come up with a solution. And I will say sometimes I have been working with a client and we have great ideas but then we're like yea No and have to adjust our ideas but like I said its a collaboration and we work it out :)

3. Dead ends are NOT pretty and actually will stall out the process of growing out your hair.  Dead split ends keep splitting which causes the hair to break which completely defeats you growing it out and not to mention just looks trashy! If you're starting to grow out your hair and its damaged you should get trims every two months to get it healthy and a trim means 1/4 inch not 3 inches! So that way you will still get length in the process of getting it healthy, hair grows a average of 1/2 inch a month so you're ahead of the game :)

4. Sometimes you have to take some off to even out the cut but people get freaked out that they don't want to lose any length so they just won't do anything and then they get frustrated that they are always pulling it back, it just has no style or you have a super mullet! WaLa off it goes or you look like arse for a good year! I would rather have a amazing shorter cut in my hair than a jacked up longer one! And trust me I am going through this right now! I had the sides and back clippers down while the top was longer and now I'm trying to even it out and I want to scream but I'm getting it trimmed and evened out so I don't look awful, it's a damn process but I will do it!

5. Patience! If you have this and a fantastic stylist you will get to what you want :)

Learn it, Live it, Love it!

Hair Tip of the Day

If your head smells wash it! Come on you know what I'm talking about! If you have run your fingers through your hair and then smelled something funky as you brought your hands to your face your head is dirty! It seems that we are reverting back to hippy mentality! "Oh our natural oils are good for the skin and hair" "that is how nature wants me to smell" ahhhhhhh just FYI one of the main reasons we stopped dying so young was we discovered hygiene! Now yes I agree we over do it with all the antibacterial this and that but wash your ass! And head it's just not pleasant for those around you! And a stinky head to a stylist is gross and not to mention just down right rude when you come in and we have to use a clarifying shampoo to cut through the grease! And guys do you know that as you get older if you don't scrub your scalp oil and scalp flakes will build up in your hair follicle and will kill the follicle and Wa La! You're going bald! Yes it's true! And ladies come on! I mean I don't wash my hair but once or twice the most in a week but if it smells its getting washed! Oh and don't get me started on Dreads! Damn environmental project! I cut one of those open one time and lets just say it was moving inside! And it came from "clean" dreads! Just keep yourself clean from head to toe it makes for a better life! Live it, Learn it, Love it!

Hair Tip of the Day

If you are having issues making a decision on what you want to do with your hair get on that smart phone or computer and do research! Ya gotta give your stylist a clue because sometimes you may think you're describing one thing but they hear another! So do your research! I have posted this before but I have to drill it into people because I hear so much "they didn't do what I described" and I've been there when someone is describing a style but they really don't know how to do that and that's where I pull out the iPad and show pics to be clear we are on the same page. So yea stylist do your homework also have visual options to show so you don't get blamed for not giving someone what they want! Learn it, Live it, Love it!

Taking it all off ;)

A brand new client Meg had grown her hair out for her wedding and now that she is married she's ready to take it off and donate it to Locks of Love :) if you don't know Locks of Love they make wigs for children who are being treated for cancer. If you would like to find out more about Locks of Love or to donate hair here is their website. 

http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html

Hair Tip of the Day

How many of you are out in the sun more during the summer? Going to the beach, hangin at the pool or just enjoying more time outside. Well put that sunscreen on! And be sure to protect your hair and head! I'm a child from the 80's and we tanned the Hell outta ourselves and I can now see the damage it causes, dark spots, random moles pop up and you hope a pray it isn't cancer! I always covered my face and head but tanned my body to a golden brown for years so I get a body check once a year and that also means check your head! Yep you can get melanoma on your head anywhere there is skin it can happen and even with hair on top of your head it can seep through. Ever get sunburned on your part or for those who have lack of hair get a head burn! Well that's all it takes so when you go in for a body check have them look at your scalp and if your stylist says they see something different be sure to get it checked out and YES stylist that means if you see something just not right mention it you could help save a life! Wear a hat, put sunscreen on they make it for the body and scalp here is one from Banana Boat and Nixoin that are awesome! And a big plus it also protects your hair which can get damaged from the sun so using it is a win win! Learn it, Live it, Love it!

Hair tip of the Day

If your hairstylist isn't giving you what you want leave them! I can not tell you how many times I have heard from clients "my stylist just isn't giving me what I want" and then the conversation begins. Usually they tell me they ask to change their style or may want more layering and texture but the stylist just dosen't seem to get it right the whole time they are telling me I'm going through the hair looking at the cut and what I almost always see is the lack of what they are desiring no layering or it's very sutle and no texture! Why is this? I think some stylist are scared to really get into the hair an take that weight out and put that layering in and why would they be scared? Because they are not continuing their education and don't feel confident in their skills. I'm not saying they are doing a crappy job but they aren't doing a fabulous job! In this biz you have to keep up with the trends and continue your education through out your career if not you fall back and sooner or later your clients will leave and find someone who will give them what they want. To keep making money you need to invest it in education, going to hair shows or a free way look on YouTube at how to videos. No excuses with the Internet.

So my advice to clients is bring in pictures of the style you like but be sure to keep in mind your hair may not be the same as the picture but you are giving your stylist a idea of what you're going for and this goes for cuts and color. Your stylist should then have a conversation with you on how your hair will work with that style and if there are things you may want to tweak about the cut. Now if after the cut you're still not getting what you want then it may be time to move on and I know how hard that can be if you have been seeing someone a long time but why should you not be getting what you want? I do know also that stylist will sometimes try and talk you out of a style because they don't feel confident in doing it and instead of saying that they'll just convince you it will "look bad" on you. So find pics, ask people you see with cuts you like who does thier hair and go get the style YOU want!
Learn it, Live it, Love it!

And for the stylist get your asses out there and get education! You invested time and money to become what you are don't let it go to waste! Also watch other stylist you work with who do great work and learn from them I have learned so much from people I work with ask them questions most will be flatterd that you're admiring their work. This is a industry that is always changing we must keep up to date or we will fall behind and so will our careers.

Hair Tip of the Day

We are all soooooo busy we have appointments to keep and places to be but I hate to say I have seen so many times that clients don't think showing up for their hair appointment late is a big deal and I just want to give a little in site on that. If your stylist is booked pretty solid through out the day they have to stay on schedule to make sure they don't fall behind and make clients wait. I have waited for a stylist over a hour to get my hair cut because one of her clients showed up 45 min. Late and it put her behind so there I sat thinking well I'm now not going to be able to do XY or Z because my schedule was screwed up but she did awesome hair so to me it was worth it but still me being in the same biz it was hard for me to comprehend having a client wait that long. So I have a rule if you are x amount of time late and I'm booked and its going to affect my book I will reschedule you or you can be "fit in" at my convince. Now people get pissy not understanding why they should be punished and I inform them it's not about being punished its about operating a smooth business and not putting others out. Most people get it and some are just so self absorbed they pitch a fit. In my world of hair I want great clients and to me you're not great if you have no respect for others and I have no problem referring these people to another stylist, I myself make sure I give great customer service in all aspects and if someone is jeopardizing that I'll cut ya lose! Now I'm not saying if you're 5 min. late it has to really be a difficulty for me to turn someone away but I will as not to cause my other clients drama. So what I'm saying to clients is please be on time and if you're running late give you're stylist a call to let them know and to stylist be honest with yourself and your clients on your time because its better to upset one person rather than your whole book by falling behind. Learn it, Live it, Love it!

Hair Tip for the Day

Some of you may not to hear this or just think its bullcrap and its all about us stylist wanting to make money and trust me we all like to make money but the reason why I try and drill this into my clients heads especially my color clients is because it does make a huge difference! If you spend money on getting your hair colored then spend it on good shampoo! I hear clients bitch so much about their hair looking faded or dried out from coloring it and will actually blame the stylist for ruining their hair when in most cases (you see I say most cases) it's about how the client treats their hair. Certain shampoos with strip color right out of the hair and most people shampoo their hair everyday which is also not good for your hair, Hell I was one of those people because I thought my hair would get too greasy but when I was in my pinup look washing your hair everyday just wasn't a option I would lose hours of my life and just ruin my hair so I was forced to just recycle my hairstyles and in time my scalp adjusted and my hair color lasted 4 times as long and the condition of it improved, BUT it also depends on what you use on your hair, you use Pert and Head and Shoulders and your color will get stripped right outta your hair. The cheaper brands have harsh sulfate's in them that strip the hair and the conditioners have petroleum in them that coats the hair to make it look all silky but in time builds up and your hair makes it limp. Using a color safe shampoo and conditioner is the way to go and trust I get that product can be super expensive at times but there are places that have amazing sales (Regis Salons and Ulta have great package deals through out the year, holiday time is the best!) my personal favorite shampoo and conditioner that I use for colored hair is Joico Smooth Cure it has no sulfate's in it so it saves color and not to mention it does give your hair a great defriz. Now with no sulfate shampoos you don't get a big lather so people want to use more but DON'T you will be wasting your product it is getting your hair clean. Now if you really can not afford the professional stuff I have found Dove and Neutrogena shampoo's are good and gentle and have ones for color treated hair. Basically what I'm saying if you pay good money to get your hair done invest or do research on keeping it looking fabulous!

My Fav Joico Smooth Cure

Hair and Make-up Pin-up style

One of my clients was doing a Pin-up photo shoot and I did her hair and make-up. I did her color the day before as not to put too much stress on the hair.

Video for conclave long layered haircut

I like this viedo on doing a concave long layered haircut, key is to BLEND or you get that speration in the layers.

http://youtu.be/tdJ6CosQHMM

OK I have been MIA from my Blog for quite some time! Life has been crazy and a bit difficult in the hair world to say the least and I will be posting A "Lesson's Learned" post to help share what I have learned during this time hopefully to give some in site to others so you don't fall into the hole I did. It has been a amazing learning experience but I really wouldn't wish it on anyone so if I can help you not make poor decisions in your career that would make me super happy and worth going through what I went through :) So stay tuned and give me feedback.