Diversion - What's That?

Wow! Did you watch that? Pretty powerful message, right? Well, I have a few things I would like to share about diversion. 

Are you ready for the truth? Because unlike Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men", I believe you can handle the truth. And maybe this is going to get me blasted by the product community. Maybe I will end up wishing I hadn't said this because you will go ahead and, without fear of the product you've chosen being inferior, buy from them instead of me. But I don't think so. I am hoping that the opposite will be true. That you will appreciate someone finally being honest with you and then your loyalty will only expound.


Wow! Did you watch that? Pretty powerful message, right? Well, I have a few things I would like to share about diversion. 

Are you ready for the truth? Because unlike Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men", I believe you can handle the truth. And maybe this is going to get me blasted by the product community. Maybe I will end up wishing I hadn't said this because you will go ahead and, without fear of the product you've chosen being inferior, buy from them instead of me. But I don't think so. I am hoping that the opposite will be true. That you will appreciate someone finally being honest with you and then your loyalty will only expound.

Diversion is a LIE! That's right. A lie. 

There are some products that are outdated and expired or discontinued on every shelf. Probably even on a few salon's shelves. And the price mark up may be true. Not to say that a salon doesn't mark up their products though. How much they mark them up is totally up to the salon and retailers. 

There are so many products that are superb quality and salon only products who truly support cosmetologists and salons with great marketing, research, products and education that you will never find at box retailers. These products tend to market for a higher price point (Redken's shampoos typically retail for about $14 per 10oz bottle while SurfaceHair as an example retails for about $20 for a 10oz bottle) which makes salon owners who have a struggle encouraging their stylists to sell products nervous. But they ARE higher quality. A few "non-diverted" brands to look for: SurfaceHair, Aquage, OrganicHairSystems, Unite, and a big one - Aveda. You will never see these products at Target, Walmart, Sephora, etc. And the reason?

Because the owners of the companies do not enter into contracts with retailers! That's the bottom line. A big company like Target is not hanging out in back rooms or dark garages making cash undercover deals with shady distributors for small quantities of product to put on their shelves. End of story. Target is a multi-million dollar business. It costs to be on their shelves. If L'Oreal, Redken, Matrix, Paul Mitchell and others didn't want their products on the shelves of these places, then they would pull them. But that isn't the case. Not by a long shot. Redken (et al) want their products available WHERE YOU SHOP MOST. 

Remember who produced the video above too. These companies spend so much money on this diversion campaign and I believe it's because it creates this "special" feeling around their products. It gives them the "wow" factor that may not be pulled off on their own. 

 "If the folks at Paul Mitchell really wanted to stop these sales, they would simply question their distributors and find out who is selling to Kroger, or Target or Albertson." -Are Salon Products...by Left Brain 6/11/06

"Target, like other retailers, does not purchase from any vendor unable to product certificated proving the rights to use product trademarks. www.partnersonline.com" -TRTASPD

"These two companies, whose annual revenue is several times larger than the entire professional beauty industry combined, would not dedicate shelf space or take product liability risk for any product that is not being supplied directly from the manufacturer." -article by Organic Salon Systems

Ok so here's the bottom line for me. I love being a hairstylist and providing you with the best hair and hair care you can get. Which means that if you spend your hard earned dollars with me, I want you using products that make your investment last the longest. So I spend time playing with products, working with new releases, researching what's out there. All so you can take advantage of my knowledge and enjoy your products. When you purchase a product at Scissor Happy, you know that it has be tried and tested. And I can tell you how it will work best for your hair. I won't get rich selling products to you, but I know that if you use it and love it, you will love your hairstyle all the more, too. You get this assurance when you buy from me. 

And I know that the big companies are going to continue to supply you with product where you shop. And that's ok. I am not bothered by this. You won't have me there to make a suggestion to you when you are at Walgreens. 

So don't be fooled. I provide you with the best your money can buy. If you I suggest it and you like it, please continue to get it from me. Or at least continue to use it. If you don't like it, bring it back. I can then suggest something that meets your needs better. The beauty of a small business. 

Buy smart! I have something I like to say when I am in classes and we talk about retail. I say, "If you spend $100 on a beautiful cashmere sweater, you won't go home and wash it in dish soap. Treat the fabric of your hair the same. If you spend $100 on your color (every month) don't go home and wash it with harsh, detergent laden shampoo. Treat it with love and your color and your hair will love you back." 

-janet

The Sigh

I felt my shoulders relax and the breath leave through my nostrils. I felt my shoulders drop and my neck loosen. I was in my zone. It wasn't yoga or exercise, wasn't massage; it was a haircut. A cut I knew he would like. He would "wear". One he would somedays put product in and others leave wet. A good cut. The kind that 6 weeks later needs a trim but still works. It still lays right and moves well. 

That's my peace. My joy. My passion. 

I walk into this little nook I've created and enjoy sitting here. I say my little prayer over my day. Pray that I have the clarity of thought, the skill of hand, the words to say that will create beauty. Bring out inner beauty. Enhance an amazing canvas. I turn on the coffee maker, the tools, the wax. I take out the trash and sweep the floor. I wipe down the chair and the counters. I turn on the computer and check my day once again. Do I have her perm? Do I have her color? Check, check. I'm ready for you.

When I am home, I am looking. I watch tv differently than most people. What's the story? I don't know but I love the way she pulled back that ponytail. Makeup, shoes, colors, styles. I see all that. I think of that style and I hear the name of a client come through for that look. I watch Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/sizrhpy70/scissor-happy-hair-studio/) for amazing ideas. I look at all the websites. And I am inspired.

When I am out and about I am scouting. That girl at the checkout has no idea that I so want to change her look. The woman who looks frazzled with 2 kids has a great cut! I'm not judging. But this is inspiration to me. The one who lives and breathes hair.

I don't know where this begins. I didn't always want to do hair. I have always been creative. Makeup and hair minded. I didn't do all my friends' hair growing up. Maybe it's a disease. I don't want a cure.

Next time you are here, watch me cut your hair. Look for that zone moment. Listen for the sigh.

Because I Want To

WHY?

I am doing this because:
* I don’t want to shave another head.

* I don’t want to wear another pink ribbon.

* I don’t want to walk another mile.

* I don’t want to see another head scarf.

* I don’t want to go to another funeral.

* I don’t want to hear another story.

* I don’t want to see another tattoo.

* I don’t want to see Facebook photos of children’s who lost family members.

I am doing this because:

* You matter to me. 

* We all matter.

* Because cancer is not racist.

* Because cancer is not discriminatory.

* Because it has affected you in some way.

* Because it has affected me, too.

* Because we have to do this.

BECAUSE I WANT TO DO THIS!

Until there’s a cure,

Janet

White Flakes - Is It Dandruff?

Every year the winter season brings with it the dry, cold air. Heaters run and we are in and out of the heat and cold. We run from the frigid outdoors cold temperatures to the warmth inside. This can wreak havoc on our skin. So, it is not surprising that one of my most frequent questions during this season is, "Do I have dandruff?" 

Dandruff is a broad spectrum term. The Mayo Clinic defines dandruff as a chronic condition of the scalp marked by itching and flaking of the skin. A better definition is a shedding of skin cells from the scalp due to frequent exposure to heat or cold. Cradle cap in infants also falls into this category. These conditions are usually mild, not contagious and usually treatable with just some mild adjustments.

Dandruff is mostly a problem due to the itching and flaking that occurs. There are other symptoms that show up with dandruff as well. 

- dry skin which will also be visible in other areas

- irritated, oily skin which will be visible in places such as the brows, sides of nose, armpits, etc. and usually related to seborrhoeic dermatitis

- not shampooing often enough to remove product, sweat, and environmental buildup on the hair

- psoriasis which may also be itchy and oily and look like seborrhoeic dermatitis as well

- eczema which will be visible in other areas

- product sensitivity such as hair color or products, shampoos/conditioners

- yeast/fungus from overproduction of naturally occuring malassezia on the scalp. 

- hormones, stress, illnesses prone to dandruff such as Parkinsons, and poor diet

Men seem to be more susceptible to dandruff maybe due to the larger oil secreting glands they have on their scalps but no gender and age is safe. Any one can develop dandruff.

Dandruff can be controlled with many different types of over the counter shampoos available.  

Many active ingredients work to treat the symptoms of dandruff.

Zinc Pyrithione is one of the most common. Frequently found in shampoos such as Head & Shoulders and Selson Salon, this ingredient is antifungal. Continued daily use over 1 or 2 weeks is not recommended.

Tar based products are also popular OTC treatments. Found in shampoos such as Neutrogena and T-Gel, these coal tar products just lessen the flaking and slow the shedding process.

Salicylic Acid based are now becoming more popular. Ionil T is a shampoo with this product ingredient. These decrease initial flaking but because of how drying they can be, prolonged use can cause more flaking. A conditioner is required with the use of this.

Selenium Sulfide is another ingredient that has been around for a while. This is found in the shampoo Selsun Blue. This can be a good one to try because it can decrease the production of the malessezia fungus on the scalp.

Ketoconazole is yet another ingredient and is mostly found in shampoos prescribed by doctors.

Try one of these for a week or two and if you have no relief, see your dermatologist to rule out other factors.

Scissor Happy Hair Studio is please to offer a more natural remedy for dandruff and other scalp irritations. SurfaceHair Awaken Therapy. With a blend of cayenne pepper, mint leaf, and peppermint it goes to work to instantly stimulate the skin cell production in the scalp. Then the blend of elements such as magnesium, copper, zinc, silica and iron help to heal and develop healthy skin cells on the scalp. Amino Acids in the product help to eliminate free radicals and produce a healthy follicle.

This can be used daily and because it is sulfate free and vegan it is safe for color treated hair, kids and babies with cradle cap. Use with the conditioner and treatment can reduce male testosterone that leads to hair loss as well. 

No need to fear the flakes any longer! Call today and I can get you set up with the SurfaceHair Awaken Therapy and be on your way to a healthy scalp!

MY FAVORITE SEASON

I don't know what it is about fall. I'm not sure if it's the end of summer and a time for new beginnings. If it's that the days get a bit shorter and cooler. Or if it's that it's a really great time to be outdoors before winter approaches and being outdoors becomes a chore. Whatever it is, it's simply my favorite time of year. 


It's my favorite season in the salon, too. Spring brings a set of color services that are fun. Women dare to go a bit lighter and add some blonde to their faded out dark winter colors. Some are even bold enough to actually go full out blonde. And that's exciting too. But for me, nothing is more fun than seeing someone's skin tone even out, their eyes brighten up and their hair regain the shine and richness that the fall colors can bring. It's exciting to feel the anticipation build in a guest who is taking the "going darker" plunge for the first time. 


My role in this is exciting for me. Bringing out the color swatches, pulling out some pictures and going over with you the color you desire is just such a fun thing. Whether it's Kim Kardashian's deep chocolatey brown, a gorgeous red or something in between, I am thrilled to walk you through the selection process. 


And just look at print ads, the runway, and most of the new television shows coming out for fall.  Zooey Daschanel, Tina Fey, Courtney Cox, Julianna Marguiles, and Whitney Cummings are all beautiful brunettes who are making dark hair fun and sexy. It's exciting to see dark hair turning heads again.


So I stock up now on my burgundys, browns, chocolates, rich royal plums and powerful crimsons and wait. I wait for you to come in and say you are ready for the change that fall creates in us. A change to shake off the damage that the sun has taken on our hair. Shake off the remnants of chlorine, sun and just a period of time when we put our hair and looks last. 


So come on in. Bring an idea. Bring in a picture of something you've wanted to try but haven't dared to yet. Put it out there. Take a step and make the dive. You will be beautiful!

Let's Talk Feathers!

By now you have noticed many people walking around with little stripes in their hair. Look closer. What you are most likely noticing is the hottest trend in hair since little hot pink hair extensions took off several years ago for breast cancer awareness month. 


Feathers have become the latest in the hot trends department. They are fun, obscure, easy, non-damaging and pretty economical. People are sporting them in many ways from one single feather hidden underneath long locks, to a bundle of bright colored feathers in the bangs. Some have attached them to braids, some have put them in updos and elegant styles to add color and pizzazz. Everyone is doing them, too. My first feather client was a woman who has 3 kids and a corporate job. I have done them on little girls, teens, tweens, moms, ladies with tattoos, and ladies without. I have not yet done a man, but come on! If Steven Tyler can wear them, you can too!


Celebrities from Jessica Alba, Roseann Barr, Megan Massacre, and many others have been seen with them in their hair. No one is immune to the feather craze!


So what's the deal with them being available everywhere from hair salons to flea markets? Well, keep in mind who you are dealing with. For feathers that can be styled with hot tools such as your curling iron, blow dryer, and flat iron, you want to make sure you are getting what you pay for. Ask them if they can be styled the way you style your hair. If they have a flat iron available, ask them to flat iron one so you know for sure. 


Feathers come from many places (well they come from birds ;) ) but there are only a few farms where they actually process them the way they can be safely worn in the hair and are humane to the birds they pluck. Because of this, industry pricing can become an issue. Don't be fooled! Michaels, Joann, and other craft supply stores carry feathers but these could become real yukky when you go to wash them. Will they melt when you put them to heat? Well, I wouldn't want to learn the answer to that the hard way.


The reputable places who sell the feathers have tried to maintain some respect and integrity for the hair profession by offering their feathers to only licensed hair stylists. This is because of many factors. One is that it will help keep cost down by being better able to meet supply/demand balances. Another is because we are working with hair! Do you really want someone without any hair knowledge putting some weird (possibly unprocessed think duck feather found by car) feather in your hair? And of course, for their benefit too!


My feathers come from only 2 sources and they have both had me send in my licensing information before I could order. The 2 places try to be strict with this but just like with your professional hair products, there are ways around it. Because I purchase outright from the places who have amazing reputations, I can make statements that others cannot. I can tell you that they can be used over and over. I can tell you they are clean. I can tell you to style your hair with what ever you want! 


I keep my prices competitive because I love my industry and want everyone to be able to participate. But I cannot match the prices of some of the unlicensed boutiques, flea markets, and tables at festivals who offer ebay feathers for a couple bucks. But I have seen these feathers come in and there is no color left, they are frayed and tattered and just don't last. Like they say, you get what you pay for.


Technically speaking, they are easy to apply, last at least until your next cut or color service, can be easily removed with minimal damage, and put back in. So don't toss them if you take them out!


So, now you know the ins and outs of feathers. I finally took the leap and put a few in my hair! Do you have yours yet? C'mon, what are you waiting for? 


The eagle will soon depart so don't wait! 


j

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