Get Ginafied

The legend in Hair dressing, Vidal Sassoon, died at 84 back in May. This man deserves a thank you and is a true legend to this industry. He changed hair styling forever in the 1950′s buy implementing architectural design into haircuts and freeing women from once a week hairdo’s and roller sets

“When I first came into hair,  women were coming in and you’d place a hat on their hair and you’d  dress their hair around it,” says Sassoon. “We learned to put discipline  in the haircuts by using actual geometry, actual architectural shapes  and bone structure. The cut had to be perfect and layered beautifully,  so that when a woman shook it, it just fell back in.”

I see his style and vison in hair style trends each and every year. They are truly timeless and GENIUS! He inspired so many by wanting to teach others and help them to be come a success all on their own. Having a vision to change how women wore their hair and the courage to go out on a limb and open a salon of his own and start his own product line, inspired so many of us to want the same for our career in the cosmetology industry.

Thank you Vidal for your vision, talent and courage. Pure genius and such an inspiration! Rest in Peace!

     The last few Saturdays as the salon have been SO busy with Prom Season in full swing! It is a very exciting time of year and as a stylist, it prepares me for a very busy upcoming wedding season. I have said it over and over again that I love doing up- do’s and I really do. I have realized that because I am an artist I like having some creative control over my creations. This trend is here and every single girl coming in wants it. I was so frustrated at first because I don’t want every chick walking out of the salon to look the same at the prom. BUT, after all, it is about the clients and if they want it, they get it.  There is an obvious trend this up-do season and as much as I want it to end (because it is all I have done with every up do) I don’t think it is going anywhere and I better just embrace it.

The braid is THE trend for Spring/Summer 2012. Not just for a fancy up- do either. This is something that anyone can wear every day in some form or another. I do really like this trend for summer. Those hot days when it is humid and your hair won’t cooperate or you just don’t want to do it, try braiding it instead. The idea is to re-think braiding and play with the placement of the braid. Here are a few ideas.

    I consider myself lucky to have such a great job. The reason I chose to be a cosmetologist was knowing that I would love going to work each and every day. I can honestly say, as I approach the 11 year mark, that I still feel that way. Being able to impact people’s lives, make their day and give them confidence by making their hair look it’s best really is the best job in my opinion. I have met some pretty amazing people in the last 11 years and a lot of them still come see me every 6 weeks. There is however, one part of my job that I can say I hate and that is Shaving the heads of beautiful, strong,  amazing women faced with the battle of their life after being told “you have cancer”.

Having to shave someones head because cancer and chemo is taking their hair away from them is really the hardest part of my job. I am always truly honored when asked to do this for someone. It is a moment I never forget, even if I didn’t know them beforehand. In fact, I always and often think about those women and pray that they are doing ok. Most of the women become clients of mine afterwards  and I am happy to say that is because they BEAT cancer and got their hair back.

This nasty disease takes a lot from those battling it and the moment that a woman has to shave her head is the moment when it seems to become real and look real. I am always in complete awe of each of these women and how each of them handle this difficult situation. I always make sure to take my time and reassure them and when we get started, I usually crack a few jokes because the best way I know to get through the process is to laugh. I see an instant transformation in each person that truly amazes me. I tell them to get their warrior faces on and to get mad. Cancer can have your hair, but it can’t have YOU.

The job I do every day is so vain and selfish if you really think about it. It is all about US and how we want to look. So many people are defined by their hair and what it does or does not look like. Women are constantly trying to find the perfect hairstyle that is going to complete everything. When we don’t get what we want with our hair we get mad and I mean mad. It is the moments when I am forced to stop, show compassion and shave someones head that all the vanity in my job gets to me. It leaves me wanting to scream “REALLY, what are YOU complaining about? I just shaved a womans head fighting for her life and YOU don’t like your hair?”

     Being handed a heavy dose of reality can and does put it all in perspective for me. It tells me to slow down and think about what really matters in life. I am thankful to be able to be a comfort  to women in all types of situations, including shaving their heads.  These moments mold us into better people and me into a better hairstylist. Having to turn on those clippers one more time motivates me to give back to my community, raising all the money I can for cancer research.

  So the next time you look in the mirror and you want to shave your head because you HATE your hair, remember this article and be thankful you have hair. A dear friend of mine and cancer survivor told me that she wakes up each day so happy to be able to complain and live a “normal” life. That really made me think. Someone who was faced with the possibility of not surviving now is happy to wake up with a “bad hair day” because the great news is she HAS HAIR! That is the way we all should wake up each day.

* If you or someone you know has cancer and needs a wig, please contact me. I work exclusively with Raquel Welch wigs and do not increase my costs at all to anyone purchasing a wig because they have cancer.

     I see it time and time again. Clients who walk in the door of the salon and I know right away that no matter what we do they will not be satisfied when they leave. That is one of the hardest parts of my job. I love what I do, truly. I am confident and educated enough to be able to execute just about anything thrown my way. There are just many situations where no matter how great of a job I do, the client isn’t going to be happy and there is nothing I can do about that. Don’t let this be you the next time you walk into a salon. You should leave happy and feeling great with the best hairstyle for YOU and your hair. Dont set yourself up for failure.

How does one set themself up for failure you ask? After all they are coming to salon and wanting a service and if we are so “great” we should be able to do it right?  After all you are the professional, so what is wrong with you? Why can’t a I find a hairstylist to give me the cut/color I want? These are all good questions and valid points, but not where the problem lies at all.  The reason I want to address this is not to offend you, but to educate you. I want each of you be able to go to your next hair appointment and leave with THE style that you have always wanted. There are many factors that play into the outcome of getting what you want and also being realistic about your options.

If you walk into a salon and already are doubtful you are going to get what you want and have a negative attitude about it you are not going to leave with what you want even if the stylist does just what you asked for. You came in with doubt, fear and negativity and that is what you will leave with. Isn’t this true in all areas of our lives? I know it is. The old saying “you get what you give” or “treat others how you want to be treated”. Well, it is true. You should most definitely tell your stylist how you feel, what you like and don’t like and even past services you received that you didn’t like. They need to see the full picture to get to know you and what it is you are looking for. This is especially true if you are working with your stylist for the first time.  I see this happen a lot when a new client has lost their old stylist who they LOVED and now they have to find a new stylist when it is the last thing they want to do. Attitude is everything so go in with a smile and positive attitude and I can assure you success.

Are you being unrealistic about your expectations? We have to be honest with ourselves about what our hair will and will not do as well as what we have for time in our day to put into our hairstyle and the budget we have to maintain our hair. All of these things need to be considered when trying to find THE perfect hairstyle. I love when clients bring pictures in to show me what they like and don’t like. The problem is that most of the pictures in magazines come with gorgeous models with thick perfectly styled hair. None of that is realistic for most of you. These models spend hours in hair and makeup and most likely have some sort of hair extensions in their hair. The photos you bring work, when you understand that and realize you are NOT going to get exactly what the picture shows. If you don’t realize that or don’t want to then you just set yourself for failure.

Have you ever gone to your stylist and said “Do whatever you want”? I am serious, have you? Think about it, this person has been your stylist for years. They know you, your family, your lifestyle, the things you like and don’t like. If you are happy with this stylist and what they have been doing, give it a try. Why not? You may be surprised at what they have to say and what they can do and they most likely have not offered that to you because you have never been open to trying something new before. I can tell you I do my best work when people are open-minded and trust me. Ask my clients, it is true. So, you should think about this at your next appointment.   Hair Stylists have a hard job and in order to make it in this industry you HAVE to LOVE what you do. What we want is to make people look and feel good when they leave the salon, it is always the goal and it really is the most rewarding job. I lose sleep at night when clients leave unhappy, blaming myself and analyzing the situation. I know going in what needs to happen and I never set myself up for failure, so why should you?