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!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
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
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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