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Does Hair Really Grow Faster In The Summer?

7/19/2016

Summer is here and the question of the day is: "Does hair really grow faster in the summer?"
When I first heard this, I thought "Well, that's an old wive's tale if I've ever heard one!" Then I went for a doctor's visit and out of the clear blue, my doctor started telling me that hair grew faster in the summer! Ok! Have to listen to the expert! Many of my clients come in and tell me that their hair grows faster in the summer, and I believe now that they are right! In an article from the Huffington Post, this is what Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips, a trichologist at the Philip Kingsley Clinic in New York City has to say: “There may be a slight increase in the rate of growth,” says Cunnane-Phillips, “but it’s really marginal. A natural hormonal shift and increase in UV may contribute to some changes, but again I must stress it’s marginal.” Hmmm...coming from someone who has studied hair growth for the past 22 years, I suppose you have to consider what she is saying. She goes on to say: mor? “More highlights and sun oxidation can cause the demarcation between base and scalp to be more apparent than in the winter months,” notes Cunnane-Phillips. “This contributes to the myth.”
So....you be the judge. I don't know, I'm kind of siding with my clients and my doctor. Either way, it's a subject that we are all interested in and have varied opinions about.

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The same haircut twice...An impossibility?

4/28/2016

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"What is this haircut called? I want the exact same thing next time. Will you remember what you did?"
How often I hear this. And I most often hear it from a client who comes in maybe 3 times a year! So what are the chances? Good question, right? And one I am sure everyone has pondered, or has experience with.

Let me start by saying that the exact same haircut twice literally (IMHO) is impossible. Hair designers who are truly artistic tend to look and evaluate a client on an appointment by appointment basis and given that particular appointment, engineer the look best suited for that client's need on that given day. Often times, there is an artistic flow and we can get lost in the moment of creating. What results is a beautiful new look with that designer's personal "stamp" or touch, which is unique to them and special for you. No two hair designers are the same and that personal touch is theirs alone and will not be duplicated. So when I hear "Thank you for cutting my hair -I will have my old hairdresser follow the lines", I am amused, as this is impossible. Just like fingerprints, hair designers have a personalized touch and no two are alike.

Now that we have that out of the way, what haircut and style is working for one appointment might not work for the next appointment. Why? Things change! The artistic eye is never the same from day to day. Did Van Gogh paint the same painting every time? Of course not! But, you can tell his painting style when you see it, and that is his personalized mark. It is the same thing with hair cutting! Now I am not talking about a client who comes in with waist length hair and only wants a trim but walks out with a pixie! That is called not listening to what the client wants. No, I am saying that no matter what length of hair you have, your haircut will not be the same every time and it is best to realize that and make peace with it.

A truly good hair designer will do a consultation with you on not only your first visit, but every visit - to determine your desires. That includes listening and giving input and ideas. Once you are agreed upon a look, I have found the best results are achieved by not constraining the hair designer, but letting them be creative and do their job!

I go to NYC for my haircuts. I always bring photos of what I am looking to have done. I don't think I have ever walked out with my hair looking exactly like my photos, but I always walk out with awesome hair - a look created with artistic skill and expertise, suited to MY features and personalized just for me. After I show my photos, I give my stylist creative license to do what she sees best and to create it in any way she chooses. It wasn't always this way. I had to learn the hard way. When I used to "direct" my hair stylist and offer suggestions on how to cut my hair and what to use to cut my hair, it was almost always a disaster. No matter how famous the salon, no matter how talented the hairdresser, when I didn't give creative license, it never worked. So... I learned. I keep my mouth shut, go with the flow and I now LOVE my hair...every time! :)

I say this because I know it works. And I want you to know it works. And I want you to know that if you are in a hair designer/client partnership with me, I work this way. I care about and love doing hair and because of that, you will get my best every time. You need to trust me and put your hair in my hands. Does that mean the same look every time? No, but let me be creative and do my job and I think you will love your hair.

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Undone is the new Done!

4/14/2016

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Fast, easy, carefree - Undone hair is a hot trend and it is easy to see why.
On my last trip to NYC for my haircut I observed two things; bright red lipstick and messy, undone hair.
My amazing stylist, while giving me one of my best haircuts ever, also encouraged me to let my hair dry naturally and to not style it so perfect, as I am prone to do. It was hard for me to get used to at first, but...she was right on. It is so freeing!
A couple weeks after my trip, I started noticing undone hair on the cover of almost every fashion magazine. It all looked so good. I was sold.
I started to think about it, this is nothing new, of course. Think back to Janis Joplin's hair - talk about undone! It was awesome. And here it comes again, only now on all lengths and textures. Don't get me wrong, I am a "every hair has its place" type of person at heart, and that has its place with precision haircuts. But this is something that can look good on everyone. AND it takes so much time off your beauty routine. What used to take me 30 minutes, with round brush, flat iron, etc,. now takes me 5 minutes - a quick blow dry of the bangs, the proper product application and leave it alone!

Of course, this all works if you have the proper hairstyle, cut with skill and worked to your individual features. That is KEY. Then you can shampoo, condition, apply your styling products and either rough dry with your hands or simply air dry and maybe fine tune your fringe or face frame, if they are uncontrollable like mine.
So don't limit yourself - give it a try! Come Undone and you could find you are looking at a whole new you!

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NYC Balayage Class @ Wella World Studio

7/24/2015

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Hey! I'm back from my Balayage class @ Wella World Studio, NYC, and I thought I'd share some of what I learned while I was there.

First, I have to say that staying in SOHO was pretty cool; Walking the streets and hanging out in the small parks, I got to see what was going on fashion and hair-wise and it was inspiring! I saw a lot of natural hair color, an occasional ombre here and there, but not many. So many cool haircuts! Bobs everywhere - especially dramatic - flapper style bobs with straight and textured bangs. LOVED it!
Chuck Taylors were everywhere! I mean just everywhere. Worn with dresses, skirts and jeans - they were worn in unusual and cool combinations. Couldn't wait to come home and wear my sneaks with some skirts. AND...so many pairs of black yoga/running pants! Hated that. It was a bit too hot and humid to be entrenched in all that spandex and I thought it looked sloppy. Not for me, at least not as a fashion statement. Confine this to the gym, only...PLEASE! lol

As far as my class went, it was intense, inspiring and fun! A lot of theory, then working on mannequins the first day, live models on the second day. What I learned was that Balayage - or Hair Painting is fun and a great additional technique to know for when the client is looking for a natural, grown out hilighting effect. To me, it is most suitable for someone with medium to long hair, who wants to look like she has been sun kissed, while at the beach. Someone in my class said that Balayage will replace foils and I disagree. Foils have their time and place and can be used to create effects that you can't get any other way. Foiling is also an art, when done in a creative way. Since I have been back from my class, I have been Balayag-ing up a storm! I have done this technique solo and have also done it in combination with foils. Either way, it is a beautiful effect. You really have to decide if it is right for you, based on the look you are going for and what you have going on with your hair. It is fun, fresh and worth a try!

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BALAYAGE CLASS!

6/5/2015

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hair design & color studio education update!

We've been so busy doing and creating, here at the studio, it has been impossible to post anything lately. We had a moment and would like to post an exciting update!

In early July - Melissa will be attending a 2 day intensive Balayage class at Wella World Studio, NYC! It is so exciting, we can barely contain ourselves. As you may or may not know, Balayage is a free form highlighting technique and is French for "sweep!" While Balayage does not replace traditional foiling techniques, it is a great addition to color techniques for a sun-kissed, natural highlighted look. It has been used in Europe for many, many years and is becoming increasingly popular here, in the USA now, too.

So....give us a call...come and see us and find out if Balayage is right for your look. Hair ideas...it's what we are all about!

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A Note From Wella!

3/4/2015

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Help! I've got the Dry Hair Winter Blues....

1/20/2015

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It's winter time again and if you are like me, living on the East Coast where it gets quite cold, then you are familiar with dry skin and hair. Dry air from having the heat on, static electricity = bad hair days! What causes static anyway?

This taken from eHow - "Your hair is made up of atoms, which in turn are made up of electrons, protons and neutrons. If the atom has the same amount of protons and electrons, it is neutral. When electrons move from one atom to another, though, the atom can become positively charged, causing static."

Well, no matter what the cause, we have got dry hair and static, making it stick out like a porcupine and it is just not pretty. So, what are we going to do? This is the question I get asked most in the winter, and the answer is always the same: There really is no miracle cure for static! Dry hair is another issue.

For dry hair, first thing to make sure of is that you are hydrating yourself properly. You just cannot drink enough water for healthy skin and hair. I am always surprised at how few people drink an adequate amount of water on a daily basis. You can usually tell by looking at their hair and skin, believe it or not. The next thing to consider is how often you are shampooing your hair. If it is daily, think of shampooing it every other day, as that will help your hair to hold onto the oils it produces and therefore retain moisture. Also, refrain from brushing your hair, as this will only cause static. Use a wide tooth comb instead and once you have your hair styled - leave it alone! :) Also, think about adding a deep conditioning treatment into your beauty routine, once a week or every other week. Use a deep moisture penetrating one, leave on for 1/2 hour with a plastic cap and your hair will be softer and more hydrated.

We have tried it all; dryer sheets rubbed on the hair, Static Guard, spraying water on our hair, etc, etc. The best thing I have found to do with static, is to take a bit of an emollient paste on the tips of my fingers and gently smooth over the surface of my hair. That seems to hold the static at bay for a short while.

Winter is tough but with a little work and some fine tuning our beauty regiment, we CAN and WILL look beautiful! :)

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DRY SHAMPOO - The Unsung Hero

12/5/2014

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Dry Shampoo has been around for a long time; going back to the 1970's. A lot of people seem to know it exists and yet I'm always surprised at how many clients I speak with don't know a thing about it! You might be saying - what's the big deal? Who cares? Well...if something could make your life a lot easier, wouldn't you want to know about it?

You have thick, coarse hair and know you should only shampoo every other or every third day. But, you want to refresh your hair in between those days, without getting it wet. What to do? DRY SHAMPOO! Works wonders for extending the length of time you can go in between shampoos. As a rule, I shampoo my hair every 3 days. On the third day, I want more body and want my scalp to be refreshed. I get out my trusty Dry Shampoo and spray a few shots underneath my roots, from top to bottom, then blow dry to set in and give volume. Voila! Refreshed and restyled hair.

You have fine hair, which tends to get oily by the end of the day. You wish your hair had more texture. Dry Shampoo works wonders on fine hair, to absorb oils on the scalp. It also will give you some added texture and lift. Bring a can with you in your bag, slip into the ladies room and give your hair and scalp some Dry Shampoo therapy!

I've had clients who would get night sweats, leaving their hair and scalp in need of some serious refreshing in the morning. They didn't want to shampoo and style their hair everyday, so they used Dry Shampoo and it saved the day!

For the elderly or the bedridden person who doesn't have easy access to a shower or sink, Dry Shampoo is a great way to cleanse and refresh, in bed, without the hassle.

My FAV Dry Shampoo is INSTANT REFRESH by Joico! It is very effective without being heavy on the hair and adds just the right amount of texture. Spray in, about 2" away from roots, section by section, lifting the sections up. Then blowdry lightly and you're good to go!

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So, what's in a Hair Consultation?

11/18/2014

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Ever thought of what exactly should go into a Hair Consultation? As a client, you are putting your head of hair into someone's hands - both literally and figuratively - when you sit in their chair, so it's a good idea to think about what goes into a good consultation. The results, for better or worse, depend on it!

In a great hair consultation, communication is KEY. That communication could be in words and or pictures. For my clients, it is usually both . Think about it; we don't all speak the same language. What is an inch trim for me could look like a major haircut to you! I once had a client tell me that she wanted a "short" haircut. When I showed her that her length would be going from the middle of her back to the top of her shoulders, she almost had a heart attack! Can you imagine if I didn't probe further? To her, short meant on top of her shoulder blade, not top of shoulders! To me, short would be chin length and above. You see what I'm saying.

A great hair consultation involves some serious detective work! I ask A LOT of questions! As a hairstylist..no YOUR hairstylist, I feel that it is MY responsibility to figure out what you - my CLIENT is trying to achieve with their hair. So many clients do not know what they want, or are unsure about what will look good on them. Some of them are not sure what looks are current or what look would be appropriate for them. A good hair-relationship involves compromise; give and take: taking what information and input the client has and offering ideas and options based upon the client's desires and what existing hair perimeters they have to work with.

So in short, successful hair and happy clients ALWAYS start with a great hair consultation. Whoever your hairstylist is; be sure they take the time to look at you, listen to you, and offer you ideas and options. Make sure that your hairstylist's vision is clear and that you both agree on the direction you will be taking during your appointment. If you are unsure or have questions - ASK! You can't ask enough questions. Bring in pictures of hairstyles, ask for hair books or magazines. Don't proceed until you feel comfortable and sure you are on the same page. This will make for a happy and healthy long term hair relationship.

So, what's in a Hair Consultation? Everything! :)

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A RAZOR HAIRCUT - is it right for me?

11/5/2014

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There are so many cool haircuts out there and they are all not created the same. Some edgy, textured hair looks are achieved best using a razor, as opposed to scissors. Different looks, different circumstances, different hair textures = different techniques employed by your hairstylist to achieve your ideal hairstyle. You might see a hot rockin' pixie in a fashion mag or a messy, textured bob with pieced-out ends and say "I want this!" BUT... is it right for you?

Now, before I go any further, let me say that some of the hair industry's top hairstylists (some of them being my favs, whom I absolutely adore and have learned from) are in the school of ANY hair texture can be cut with the razor. The thought goes - yes, any hair can be cut with a razor, you just have to use the right products and styling techniques to make it work. That's fine and I respect that opinion. But, I personally do not agree with that.

I, for one, have thick, wavy and very coarse hair. If you just LOOK at it, it will get frizzy! lol! I also like straight, smooth and textured hairstyles. Almost every hairstylist who cuts my hair wants to immediately take a razor to it! I have gone with a razor cut a few times and while it looks kinda cool, I almost always regret it. It makes my hair twice as coarse, frizzy and hard to manage. When I'm lying down, it makes my hair feel like a brillo pad and is quite scratchy. It's to the point now that I no longer allow a razor to touch my head and I'm so much happier about it!

When a client comes in to see us, one of the first things I do during our initial consultation is analyze the hair's texture. If I see a coarseness to the hair, or unruly wave , I most likely will not razor cut that hair. Fine hair is not a great candidate for razor cutting, either, although I will put some finishing details in with the razor. To me, the ideal hair texture for razor cutting is straight, smooth hair. This type of hair is usually a dream to cut with a razor and shows off texture really well. Some types of curly hair work great with a razor; ringlet curls and curls with a smooth texture, which will be air dried or diffused a little. When you have coarse, curly, wavy hair, you are already dealing with a "rougher" hair cuticle and razoring it will only accentuate that more. Because there is more frizz, it takes more work to make it look great. I might use my hair cutting shears and slide cut that type of hair, but I would not pick up the razor. Products are also very important. If you have a cool razor cut, you want to bring out that texture with some hair paste. One of my favs is TIGI BEDHEAD - HARD TO GET Paste. It gives great separation without being to heavy and actually adds some shine.

Get to know your hair texture - you probably already DO know what type you have. Then ask yourself, is a razor cut right for me? If you don't know, ask your hair stylist. A good one will evaluate your hair and let you know your options. Remember, it all begins with a good and thorough consultation. There are many different avenues you can take to arrive at your "hair destination!" It's up to your hairstylist to figure out how to get you to where you want to go.

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Forward>>

Does Hair Really Grow Faster In The Summer?

The same haircut twice...An impossibility?

Undone is the new Done!

NYC Balayage Class @ Wella World Studio

BALAYAGE CLASS!

A Note From Wella!

Help! I've got the Dry Hair Winter Blues....

DRY SHAMPOO - The Unsung Hero

So, what's in a Hair Consultation?

A RAZOR HAIRCUT - is it right for me?

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