May 2013
1 post
10 tags
Commission vs. minimum wage: what is out time...
Recently, at my place of employ this issue was brought up. Since our schedule is implied and my pay is strictly commission I have found it’s not in my best interest to sit waiting for possible business. In the past, I have worked for many salons that state we are independent contractors yet require the staff to be there a certain number of hours and treat them like employees. Since the issue...
March 2013
2 posts
11 tags
Exciting new things to come! Classes and...
Thank you everyone that participated in my photo shoot night! We all had a really great time and I got a lot of fantastic shots.
I am no longer taking models but thank you all for your continued interest. Because of all the inquiries about the model call I am in the process of developing a photo shoot night for anyone interested in getting hair, make-up and a professional head shot. This will all...
New Portfoilio web site is up and Running!
Check it out HERE!
August 2012
1 post
15 tags
Dear Fellow Hairstylists, (something for clients...
Over the last few years the downturn of the economy has gotten many of you desperate for business. Because of our desperation to attract business many of you have turned to giving huge discounts. I understand just wanting butts in our chairs but it has turned to sheer madness out there. So many of these greedy discount agencies have popped up at this point it is ruining our abilities to make a...
May 2012
1 post
7 tags
Model Call NYC
I’m really trying to amp up my portfolio. I don’t have a date set but would like some updo models. If you are in New York city and interested in getting a free updo and some nice picture please let me know. I’ll set the dates for this project once I get enough responses.
February 2012
3 posts
6 tags
Let your hair down!
I’m often asked what kind of styling tools i use so in lew of us taking more time to let our hair down here are some of my favs!
The Blowdryer:
Elchim - Although the price tags for these suckers can be a little steep, this blowdryer will last you YEARS. It’s a little heavier than the cheapo dryers but once you get used to it you won’t even notice. The stronger the dryer the...
7 tags
Flat out curl. Curling with a flat iron.
Jumping right in here. Section in thin section of hair. Clip the flat iron at the root of the section.
Slide the iron down the section slightly and start to rotate the iron. Make sure you hold the ends to feed them into the iron.
Once you make one full rotation the hair should be feeding in through the bottom again. Now slide the iron down the section while holding the ends and...
8 tags
You're doing it wrong. The curling iron article.
I know you are. I know you ALL are. It’s okay I’m here to help. You take that scorching hot iron and slide it to the crispy ends of your hair and roll it up. Then you take the iron out and let that curl fly. Soon enough your roots are straight and the curl is just a wave in the ends.
So here’s the deal. When you roll from your ends not the entire hair strand gets the right...
January 2012
3 posts
8 tags
rollin, rollin, rollers!
The same basic rules apply to all types of rollers. You want to take a section of hair slightly smaller in length and width than the size of the roller you choose. This is probably the most common error in setting rollers. If your sections are too big you won’t get a consistent curl. Also depending on the method the hair might not get enough heat or won’t dry well. Also if you remove the rollers...
curl up and dry! the wet set basics.
I’m going to preface this by saying that although wet setting can be time consuming and kind of annoying to get the hang of, I believe it makes for the most beautiful and shiny result. It also it the least damaging and the most long lasting way to create curls.
There are several types of rollers available for Wet setting. Sponge and soft rollers or hard and vented rollers are typically used in...
5 tags
curly curly curly!
Over the next few blogs I will be focusing on the correct way to curl your hair and the various methods. A very common problem I hear from clients is not know how to curl their hair or that the curl falls out. The reason for this is technique or just not using the correct methods.
There’s a lot to cover in methods of curling so let’s jump right in with the basics. There are several ways to...
December 2011
1 post
WatchHoly crap! The story of my life!!
September 2011
4 posts
Our constitutional rights and #OccupyWallstreet
No matter what your political beliefs, the treatment of demonstrators at the OccupyWallstreet protest is deplorable. I have decided to post a description of what our constitutional rights say. The NYPD should be healed accountable for violating those rights and the public media should be put under scrutiny for not reporting on it. We need to collectively stand up and question our governments...
Loopy updo tutorial
Start with clean dry hair parted on the side.
Comb the sides straight back and Bobby pin. Insert the Bobby pins on top of each other in X’s for extra hold.
Start grabbing random pieces and making loops and Bobby pinning them to the sides where the X shapes are. Leave ends loose.
Continue making loops in the nape and securing them with X shapes.
Once all the hair is looped spray with...
Styling tip!
To create a ton of volume use 2 round brushes while blowing your hair out. Heat up one section and roll the section all the way to the root with the brush and leave it in. Then use the other brush in another section and alternate! This gives each section time to cool!
Happy styling!!
August 2011
1 post
7 tags
Yelp exposed!
Yelp… ARGH! I’ve had many issues with the whole online review system. Whereas sometimes it works really great most companies have horrid business practices. And Yelp is the WORST!
Here’s the low down. Yelp uses a filter system for it’s reviews. It’s “filter” is less of a system and more of a incentive to buy. They call buisnesses that have a lot of...
July 2011
6 posts
6 tags
Hold it! Hairspray and Shine
Shine Spray and Hairspray do pretty much the opposite thing. But used together and you can get a beautiful result. That’s getting a little ahead of ourselves. Not all hairsprays are created equal. Let’s start there.
Hairsprays come in two different varieties. They are usually labeled as working spray and finishing spray. Working spray is made to be a little more maliable. This means...
11 tags
Texture.. Not just for punks! Pomades ect...
Texturizing product are the MOST fun of the products! They add various degrees of separation and are the most commonly feared by the general masses. They can add that sultry beachy feel, make a cut come to life, add edge to your look or make you look more polished.
Let’s start with Pomades. There are dozens of different kinds of pomades out there! Picking which one to use really is...
11 tags
Va-va-voom Volume! Volumizing products
Volumizing products are probably the most misused products out there. So often I hear “I bought X product and I didn’t like it. It didn’t do anything.” Creating volume is totally the work of your styling ability. Products just assist in hold. Although volume adding product can be used to hold a style roots to end the most important part of volume is created at the root.
...
16 tags
Curl/Frizz ->straight and sleek!
We all want what we don’t have when it comes to our hair. So let’s start product week with one of the most common hair issues people have. Curly to straight.
Curly hair also tends to have a frizzy texture to it I’ll cover how to combat that as well.
Straightening products come in many forms such as gel like consistencies, creams, lotions and balms. They are most commonly put...
11 tags
Products! Why and how they're used.
There are billions of types of product options that we use on our hair. This week I’ll be breaking down types of products and what types you should be using depending on your hair type. This blog will be an overview of the week to come.
Products are not effective if not used properly. Products are applied to wet, dry or damp hair depending on the desired outcome. No products are a magic...
3 tags
Show us the money! How hair stylists get paid.....
I’ve been asked this many times through the years on how we get paid. The simple explanation is by you. We get paid by the volume of our clientele. Long since are the days of stylist being able to make a killing. Since the economic downturn in the US the average pay of a stylist dipped to around 50% less than what it was 5 years ago. The fight to get clients in the salon has come the...
June 2011
7 posts
7 tags
Your hair! It has a lovely summer green tint!
There is nothing better on an oppressively hot day than cannon balling into a slightly chilled pool! But now you have to pay the consequences. You have been taxed by the fun police and your hair is GREEN!
Why does this happen? We can once again blame chemicals. Those tricky bastards!
Pools are treated to not grow fuzzies. No one wants to swim in a fuzzy green pool so they add algaecides....
7 tags
Ammonia! It's smells bad.
Ammonia stinks. Literally. So why is it in our hair color? Simple. It makes it work. There are many lines out there now that are “ammonia free”. But for any color to really cover and penetrate ammonia is almost always necessary.
So how does it work? If you’ve been following my blog you remember a few posts back when I explained types of hair color. They fall in several...
9 tags
Metallic hair dye: Box color and Henna
Again and again with this crap! I feel like a parrot. Let’s get one thing out there before I even BEGIN to get into this. Hair color is CHEMISTRY! Why people feel they are qualified to determine what is “safe” without any knowledge of the chemistry is beyond nieve. I would not DARE give myself botox or minor medical procedures. There’s a reason hair stylists need a...
5 tags
Chemicals are Bad, right?!?!?
Okay, I’m a science nerd. I get that. I try to be understanding. But the nerd in me can’t help but get a chill up my spine when someone asks if the organic hair color I’m about to use has chemicals in it. You can ask yourself that question about anything around you right now, including your own body and the answer would be the same. Yes. There are chemicals in EVERYTHING. No,...
9 tags
Sulfates and Parabens: What the heck are they?!
I’m sure you’ve all heard the new big claims in hair care “Sulfate and Paraben Free!” and you think well that sounds good because those are scary words! But what are they? And if they are so terrible why have we been using them?
Sulfates:
The word sulfate is a general term for a family of ingredients. They are used in cleansers across the entire beauty market. The reason...
thesalon401 asked: Do you think the Brazilian Blowout (or other keratin treatments) is a "fad" or something that is going to evolve and stick around for a while?
8 tags
extensions, extensions. extensions.. Feathers and...
Okay, I totally get it. These are the fun new whimsical thing in hair. But there are many things about them that just rub me the wrong way.
First of all is the large number of stylists doing them. After all, they are a type of extension. I’m sure you’ve heard people say time and time again how “Extensions Ruined my hair!” There are many ways extensions can do this and...
April 2011
3 posts
10 tags
Hair loss.. What to do. When to give up.
Hair loss affects a large portion of the population. But Why is it happening? What can I do about it?
There are several factors that contribute to hair loss. Products, stress, styling, chemicals, medication and heredity are all contributing factors.
Product: If you are using heavy products, such as heavy waxes and pomades these can clog your follicles making then dormant and eventually kill...
7 tags
The obsession with formaldehyde....
I recently stumbled across an article about the keratin treatment and decided to once and for all weigh in…
Here’s the original article.
http://www.ewg.org/hair-straighteners/our-report/executive-summary/
My opinion and research:
I don’t feel as if the amount of formaldehyde in these treatments is enough to be hazardous to the point of serious concern. My best friend, who has...
6 tags
Spring Deals!!!
If you haven’t already heard I am having fantastic spring promotions!! 20% of all services. And if you bring a friend they also get the promo and you get an additional 10%!! I know you’ve been hibernating all winter. Time to freshen up for spring!! 212-260-6990
March 2011
1 post
doujinsushi asked: Hello, I noticed you know a lot about hair and I was wondering if you could help me. I have long hair, and I get split ends, which I trim regularly. I was wondering if there is anything I could do to prevent them all together? my hair is naturally curly so I blow dry and straighten my have once every 2 weeks, (since I know it's bad for you). I've heard that girls with long hair need to...
February 2011
12 posts
4 tags
Hats aplenty.
Let’s face it. Sometimes you just don’t want to nor have the time to do your hair. Here’s a collection of some of my favorite classic hats.
TIP: Remember that you can’t just throw a hat on your straggly hair and expect to look polished. The hair that is still visible should still look tidy to give an elegant look.
Mad Hatting everyone!
counterfeitgod-deactivated20111 asked: Hey, I've noticed you know a lot about hair. And wanted some advice.
I had my natural brown color, with bleached to blue underneath it all. I wanted to go to a natural color so I dyed my hair brown twice. The blue is now a dark brown not matching to top of my hair and it has a green tint to it. What would be the best way to get my natural hair back without waiting for it to grow out...
I had my natural brown color, with bleached to blue underneath it all. I wanted to go to a natural color so I dyed my hair brown twice. The blue is now a dark brown not matching to top of my hair and it has a green tint to it. What would be the best way to get my natural hair back without waiting for it to grow out...
7 tags
Winter hair battles and what can help
Dear Winter,
My hair is a mess. The forced indoor heating and knit hats are making my hair dry! Please stop.
Sincerely,
Your hair
You’d think that winter wouldn’t be as harsh as the sun on us. The truth is any extreme weather causes us to treat our hair less than ideally. We are less prone to air dry. Forced indoor heating is drying causing frizz and dry scalp. Pulling those...
5 tags
The job hunt... my New York Journey
This entry is more of a personal and less of an educational entry.This is the first time I am speaking publicly about my personal experiences at these businesses. This is all from my perspective.
Since moving to New York nearly 6 years ago I’ve had a problem finding a salon that are both friendly and professionally efficient. The last two salons I had worked at in Michigan totaled 8 years...
9 tags
Undertones and Toners.. (introduction to the color...
You remember art class in school right? That fun little color wheel which you forgot because you thought wasn’t important. Well, it’s time to revisit it my friend. I know you’ve all gone and browsed through the hair color at your local drug store. You see colors call warm brown and ash blond. What does all this warm and cool buisness mean? Hello, color wheel…. Color ...
9 tags
Good Shampoo and Conditioner & The haunting of...
I have a personal problem with Pantene. Pantene has been messing with me since my very first salon job as an assistant in a middle class suburb of Detroit. People there thought they were treating themselves by purchasing the most expensive drug store brand they could find. Client after client showed up with their fried out waxy pantene coated hair. I had to clarify every single one of them. ...
6 tags
If you cut your hair it grows faster and other...
I’m sure you’ve heard someone at some point in your life tell you that if you cut your hair it grows faster. Now lets think about that logically just for a second. Does that make any sense to you? It’s just ridiculous!!! The saying should be “if you cut your hair it grows healthier”. Now that I can get behind. If you are growing your hair out you should...
9 tags
Once you go Black & Stages of hair lightening
It’s true. Black is permanent. Period. Even semi-permanent… nonsense! I have a feeling I will be referring back to this blog many times in the future. I’ve said it over and over and over… They should NOT be selling hair color over the counter. Hair stylists are trained in how to use these chemicals. YES PEOPLE! CHEMICALS! People coming in with black dyed hair wanting...
6 tags
The number one hair damaging mistake!
Wanna break your hair off? Do you want a line across your hair where it just snaps right off? Do you want your hair to be more frizzy? Well here’s how to achieve such a look! TIE YOUR HAIR BACK WHILE IT’S WET! Everyone is doing it! For all you lazy people that wanna straighten some curl. Or maybe it’s just to hot or annoying to blow dry! Let’s get to some serious hair...
8 tags
The Razor cut..
I have pretty strong opinions about razor cutting. I can’t say it’s a rule but, in my opinion, they are horrible, and lazy. There was the day once when I used one and swore by it and loved my razor. Those days completely vanished for me about 6 years ago. And if you know me, you know I have scientific theories why! (hairstylists, please don’t hate me if you love your...
4 tags
Let me guess what haircut you want...
I’m not the kind of stylist that is going to tell someone they should cut off their hair or grow it long. Sure we all have opinions, but I’m from the school of thought that our job as stylist is to try to make the clients happy first and foremost and not try to force opinions on them. Of course if someone comes in and wants something I think is totally wrong for them or that is...
Tales from the Hair Chair intro to Tumblr
I decided to start this blog as a way to inform and maybe sometimes vent. I spend so much time telling so many people the same things about what they are doing wrong to their hair that I sometimes feel like a parrot. So there will be tips and education galore here!! A few years ago I started answering questions on Yahoo Answers and I was appalled by some of the responses. I pride myself on...
