Alright.... So I really want to talk a little about something that has been eating at me the last few days. (Probably to my detriment, as I suppose some things should be kept to ones self.) Oh well. I'll begin from the beginning....
About 2 weeks ago I had an older women come in. She was a walk-in ( a non-referred, first time client.) She asked for a "body-wave" style of perm. I clearly explained what a body-wave is, especially in comparison to a tighter style of perm. She agreed that was exactly what she wanted. She had been given many tighter perms before and wanted something more natural, with less curl.
After an appropriate consultation, we begin. As I'm shampooing her (the first step in the process) she proceeds to tell me how the last girl that did her hair didn't have a clue. She explains how her perm didn't take properly in parts and how her cut was very "frayed looking". She returned to that salon to complain, and they offered for her to come back in after a couple of weeks to have it re-permed (for the safety of her hair she had to wait to have another perm done.) or they would reimburse her for the service. She decided to take the money.
She assured me that I really seemed to know what I am doing. She felt so much more comfortable with me than with the last girl she had. We chatted about her work, my family and when my baby is due. (I'm pregnant.)
After the perm is done, I trim her hair, put a little mousse in it, and then put her under the dryer. She dries and the "body-wave" looks great! She and I both agree. I remind her not to shampoo for 48 hours, and that the curl will "relax" a bit over the next couple of weeks, as it's always a bit tighter right after the service. She pays, rebooks with me for her next appointment, and is on her way. I was very happy with the results. It was probably my favorite perm I had ever done. (I'm truly not a fan of perms. You'll soon see why.)
Fast forward two weeks. I get a call from the perm lady. She says "The very next day it was completely straight!" I think to myself....... Hmmmm I'm not quite sure how that can happen. In all my years I have never heard of such a thing. I tell her that I remember her telling me that she had issues with it taking properly last time. She responds angrily saying she never said that. (Okay then!) I tell her to come in and I will take a look at it. I decided to ask all of my stylist friends (many have been doing hair 15-25 years!) if they had ever heard of a perm taking, then going completely straight the next day. They said they had not.
The day she comes in, her husband sits with the car running in front of the door. (My first sign something is up.) I look at her hair and can tell immediately that it is not straight, at all. The curl had relaxed a bit, as I had explained would happen. She responded angrily, pulling on her hair and smoothing it out, repeating "NO, this is straight." I asked the other girl I was working with at the time and she agreed with me that it was indeed a body-wave. The lady just kept getting angrier.
I decided to shampoo it and put some mousse in it then put her under the dryer, just as I had the initial time. I wanted to see what it looked like freshly washed and not pushed flat down on her head. After she was dry I took her back to my chair to show her it wasn't straight. I maintained an upbeat attitude even though I wanted to scream, or cry, or tell her to go straight to hell! I told her this is what a body-wave is and that it was what she had agreed to. (All the while I was honestly being extremely polite.) She keeps saying "NO!" I explain that if she wants we can do a tighter perm in 2 weeks (the wait was necessary in order to not damage her hair) and we would give her 20% off. It would not be a free service due to the fact that she had agreed that a body-wave was indeed what she wanted.
She didn't like this solution. She started yelling that she was not coming back. I calmly said "I understand and that's fine. Be sure to explain to your next stylist that you want a tighter perm and not a body-wave." (I was still being nicer than I have ever been to someone being so rude.) She pretty much jumps out of my chair, yelling in front of other clients how she was never coming back and how she is giving everyone a bad review of me and the salon. I told her that I again was sorry I couldn't help and "Happy Holidays".
I kept it together, but I was stunned and hurt. I have not ever had that happen (aside maybe from my first week of doing hair, many years ago.) I wanted to cry. I now realize that she was more than likely one of THOSE people who jump salons complaining and getting free services. This would make sense why her husband sat outside the door in his car. If she was expecting to get another perm that day he wouldn't be sitting there for the 2 hour service. She wanted cash back. (I bet she also finds hair in her food every time she goes out to dinner.)
Regardless, my spirit was broken. I truly TRULY put my heart into every service I give. I give it my all, and when someone comes in and is so rude and cold, after you spent hours talking like friends and sharing a part of yourself, it is heartbreaking. People make mistakes, and I'm only human. But when you KNOW you did not make a mistake, it makes it that much harder. I know not everything I do is perfect. I'm no robot. I'm still learning, and growing in my career, my passion, every day. My only mistake was doing that stupid perm in the first place! So thanks lady, for making a pregnant girl miserable right before Christmas. This is the time I am most busy, and I should be PUMPED to be working so much. But now I'm feeling scared. What if I mess up?! What if someone else tells me off? What if I just don't have it anymore?
My only option is to suck it up, and move forward. Heartbroken or not, I have clients that rely on me. So I decided to write this blog. Below I will attach photos of what people perceive a perm or body-wave to be, and what they really look like. I'll add that, you must take into account your hair's texture! Many people (this women included) think a perm is going to make them have more hair. It doesn't. If you have five strands of hair on your head, after a perm, you will have five stands of curly hair on your head.
Most likely a perm. Could be natural, using some product and a diffuser. Could have been a "body-wave" type perm that took stronger on the ends due to the hair being more porous there.
Perm.
Perm.
Most likely used a curling iron or wand.
Again, probably a curling iron or wand.
Body-Wave style Perm
Another subtle Body-Wave style perm
Roller set. (Could also achieve with curling iron.)
Roller set.
Roller set, combed out finger waves or pin-curls. Possible a curling iron was used on parts.
Well, now. I feel MUCH better. Be sure if you are getting a perm that you have the right idea of what it will look like. Chances are you may not. I'll note that the majority of the above photos came up in a search for "Perm". The internet lies. Always take pictures of what you want. And always ask questions before jumping to decisions that may be a bit under educated. Good luck out there, and stay strong!
"Your shadows will always fall behind you if you choose to face the sun."
With Christmas fast approaching, I thought I'd make a list of some fun hair-inspired gifts, for those of you looking for that last minute gift idea for those who are a little harder to shop for. Soooo here we go!
Mother-in-Law: Moroccan Oil Holiday Repair Essentials Kit. (Approx $69)
Father-in-Law (or any other man!): American Crew Dopp Kit. (Approx $32)
Grandma!!!!: Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium 8 Roller Hairsetter. (Approx $60)
Preteen Niece or Cousin?: Knotties Hair Bands ($10 for 5) and The "Wet" Brush. ($14+)
For the Older Daughter, Wife, or anyone who wants the best there is in a flat iron.....
The ghd Gold Professional 1" Flat Iron (Approx $225)
I could list many more! I like getting my family professional hair product gift sets. Try to keep in mind when purchasing someone a hair-inspired gift, what they are likely to do with their hair and the type of hair they have. (You wouldn't want to get someone a clarifying gift set if they have colored hair.) Things of that nature. Best of luck out there! And Happy Holidays!
"May your days be merry and bright!"
The question I am forever being asked as a hairstylist is "How do I grow my hair long?" There is A TON of conflicting information out there, from simply not cutting your hair, to holding your head upside down for periods of time. I'd like to help clear up some of the confusion and put to rest the false information that people so readily share.
False: Cutting your hair will make it grow faster.
True: Getting regular TRIMS will help, but not by promoting growth. Keeping your ends tidy will help keep breakage at a minimum, in turn, helping you to keep more of the hair you're growing from breaking. This WILL help you to achieve longer hair, but only if you are just getting a tiny trim. Hair grows about a 1/2 inch a month. I suggest getting a small trim or what some call a "dusting" about every 8 weeks. (A dusting is when the stylist just barely nips the ends of your hair.)
False: Putting olive oil/coconut oil on your hair several times a week, then holding your head upside down for a specified amount of time will make your hair grow 1-4 inches per week.
True: I'm not sure where people are getting this. Maybe they think that you hair is all balled up inside your skull, and by holding your head upside down the force of gravity will pull it out? Maybe the oil is to help lubricate the hair so it comes out of your skull better? TOO FUNNY! The truth is, both olive oil and coconut oil are nice for conditioning very dry hair. It may even help keep some breakage from occurring on you ends. I for one would never, ever enjoy trying to wash olive oil out of my hair. And I definitely wouldn't want to struggle with it several times a week! (I also wonder if all the shampooing you would have to do to get the olive oil out might end up drying out your hair more than you started with.....)
True: Take your vitamins! (Or eat a healthy diet!) Healthy hair comes from inside. The healthier your are on the inside, the healthier your hair (skin and nails) will be! Some supplements that are common for people to take for hair growth are; Biotin, Fish Oil, Vitamins A & D3. (There are numerous supplements being marketed as "Hair, skin, and nail vitamins" These contain many of the above listed in one capsule.)
*The best thing you can do to ensure your hair grows long and strong is to take great care of your body, and he hair you already have! *
"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."
With Candy-Colored locks being popular right now, I thought it would be a great time to write a bit about haircolor maintenance.
The following are some tips on keeping your color brighter, longer!
1) Shampoo using cool water. (The colder the better, as cold as you can be comfortable is best.) This will keep the color locked into your hair better and will help keep colors from bleeding into one another, if you have multiple shades.
2) Use a professional sulfate-free shampoo, specifically designed for color treated hair. (My Favorite is Goldwell DualSenses Green - True Color.)
3) When showering, don't keep your hair directly under the flow of the water. Only wet it when you are shampooing and conditioning
4) Try to avoid shampooing daily. Invest in a nice dry shampoo if you have oily hair. Shampooing daily is a sure-fire way for your color to fade very quickly. (I "wash" twice a week. Once with shampoo and conditioner, the other time with just conditioner. I have dry hair, so this works best for me as shampoo tends to dry me out more.)
I hope you have found these tips helpful! Happy coloring!
"Try to be rainbow in someone's cloud."
It's so great to see that fun, funky, and bright colors are becoming more accepted in the general population! I was always one of those kids in school, pushing the boundaries of "natural hair color". I'm so lucky to have a career in this field, as I can get away with coloring my hair anyway I choose. Others aren't so lucky and can only dream of luscious, pastel pink locks! I've compiled a few photos to drool over, for the adventurous folks, and dreamers alike.
Here's me a few years ago, dabbling in pink hues.
"Color, like features, follow the changes of the emotions." ~ Pablo Picasso
As I'm scrolling through my news feed on my stylist Facebook page this morning I can't help but be surprised at what I am seeing...........
Are we seeing the theme here? Could it be?! Is SHORT HAIR making a comeback? It appears that losing the length is the ticket this Fall. And I for one AM LOVING IT! (And not just because I chopped my hair off in the literal "heat of the moment" this summer.) It does leave me wondering if some are ready to shed their bleached out, summer ombre ends, for a fresh start.
From Undercut Pixies, to Mid-length Bobs, it does appear that many celebs and normal people alike are jumping on the short hair trend. Will you.......... join us!?
Many times over the years I've been asked "Is it safe to color my hair when I'm pregnant?" As some of you know I am currently expecting my 3rd child, due to arrive in April of next year. I had this same question during my first pregnancy. When I asked my doctor she told me that it's not known to be dangerous. (Don't you hate when they say stuff like that?) Here's what I have learned.
1. While it is not known to be a danger to the baby, it is also not known whether it is safe.
2. When you get an all-over color, a small amount is absorbed into the scalp. (It is a very small amount, but it is happening none-the-less.)
3. Some doctors suggest waiting until the second trimester to color your hair. During this time the baby is better formed and a little more durable.
4. If you can't wait until the second trimester to get your color done, you can get off-the-scalp services done such as foiled highlights/lowlights and some ombre techniques.
My best advice is that if you are nervous, don't do it! I have always colored my hair throughout my pregnancies, although I do try to use a semi-permanent type color, especially during the first trimester. This type of color has low or no peroxide or ammonia.
Whatever you choose to do, it is always wise to ask your doctor or midwife before having color done when you are expecting a child. Every pregnancy is different, just as every person, and some pregnancies may have more restrictions than others. Have a happy, beautiful pregnancy, my pregnant friends (and those who may be in the future!)
"Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside."
It's that time of year again! Time for bonfires, pumpkins, corn-mazes, and hayrides! The leaves are changing to beautiful burnt oranges, and deep reds. The hot, sunny days of summer are behind us for the year, and your sunny summer haircolor could most likely be needing a bit of help with moving you into the cooler seasons. Lucky you! I have been doing my research and have compiled a list of color ideas that are trending this Fall 2013.
The usual rule for Fall is to go a bit deeper with your color. This doesn't HAVE to mean darker. It does mean using richer tones and adding more depth. Going a bit warmer with your tone is always a great way to freshen up for Autumn. Here are some ideas......
Dark Brown Hair - Add lowlights (just a shade or two darker than the base color) to enhance shine and add depth. Choosing a cool color for the lowlights can also be a good choice this time of year, to compliment your sun/chlorine lightened summer locks.
Brown Hair- The "ombre" fad is sticking around for Fall
this year! It's transitioning into a much softer, more refined look than
it's summer counterpart. For brown hair, choose a warmer chocolate brown for the base, and complete with balayage highlights a shade or two lighter. The name of the game here is subtlety.
Red Heads! - It's a fairly common trend to go red for fall, as we like to reflect the beautiful leaves. And with the sun shining less often, it's easy to shine with red hued hair! This year let's take those reds to the cool side. This is a beautiful "cola" red-brown color. Gorgeous!
(With this color as your base you have many options for adding some flare. You could put in some subtle copper highlights to compliment the cool red tone. OR you could go the other direction and cool it down more by adding some darker, also cool toned lowlights.)
Blondes - Blondes can also benefit from the color transition to Fall. They tend to go very light during the warmer months. Add in the lightening effects of the sunshine and chlorine from swimming, that can end up being very light and nearly one solid color on the ends. Change this lack of depth by adding in lowlights one-two shades daker. This will break up some of the ultra-light blonde and add both shine and dimension. In this photo the root would be taken 1-2 levels darker and blended down in a sort of reverse ombre, with some subtle balayage highlights added in to the top to blend. BEAUTIFUL!
For Those More Bold- I have been seeing a lot of talk of Plums/Violets this Fall. I'm a huge fan of stepping outside of the box, and this is a fun way for those who have been rocking the summer brights and pastels to transition into the cool seasons with the rest of us, (without looking like the rest of us!)
So we can see that the Ombre and Balayage trends aren't going anywhere, but have been softened a bit for the season. Warm tones are also the way to go this autumn. And subtle highlights/lowlights are in, hard lines are out. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments section.
“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.”
With Halloween fast approaching, I thought I would compile some fun costume ideas! And of course, I couldn't choose ones with BORING hair, now could I?! Scroll and enjoy!
<------ Geisha type costume. Look at that hair! How fun is that?!
Everyone loves that Classic Flapper Girl with her finger waves! -------------->
1960's Pop-star. Volume abound!
Tribal head wear? YES PLEASE!
Yet another interesting tribal get-up. I love everything about this.
Hindu Goddess, with hair (and arms) a-plenty!
Marie Antoinette.
The forever lovely Bride of Frankenstein.
I'm not sure WHAT this is, but I like it!! Some kind of bird maybe?
Not a huge Gaga fan, but her bow-hair rocks!
I think using this hairstyle for a Lioness costume would be an amazing idea, if done right. (Her makeup could use some help too.) But you get the idea, right?
I thought this would work well for a Post-Apocalyptic, Mad Max type costume........
Nothing fantastic about her hair here, but the whole costume concept is awesome! There are so many options for mermaid hair, I wish they would have done it up a bit more. Still, it's an amazing idea!
We can't forget the ever popular Vintage Pin-up Costumes! Probably the sexiest, most classy costumes around. These costumes cannot be pulled off unless you have the hair to match!
As weird as this is, I thought the hair would be a fun addition to any Unicorn Costume!
May you all have a safe and enjoyable Halloween this year!!!
