Looking For Some Great New Years Party Hair Tips?

That Dress might be important, but nothing is more important than your hair.

Luckily we've got you covered. Check out these great Party Perfect products and tips from Redken's  Education Artistic Director Kris Sorbie:

Click The Picture For A Larger View

Hair Color Wednesday!: This One Is All About Blondes; Even in the winter blondes want to go bright!!

So it's practically winter and we've all heard it a thousand times before.... Go darker with your hair in the winter and brighter and lighter in the summer.

I am not saying I agree or disagree. I mean come on, everyone is different, both in personality and shape, color and size. So to dictate and entire mass to follow the same trend and same structure every year.... That gets a little.... boring.... don't you think!??

Well.... I Do.

So the next time you are thinking of taking that blonde hair darker, try this one on for size.

Expose Contrast!!

For instance say you have a very bright pale yellow... perfect shade of summery blonde. Well, it's perfect right? So why change it? Don't.... enhance it.

Behind every highlight of blonde you add incorporate a neutral to golden shade of a level 7 darkest blonde/lightest brown. The key here is to back your blonde up!

 Do this by immediately placing a sliced section in front or behind the blonde and use the low lighting color.

This will create a high contrast in your color giving your a lot more depth while at the same time brightening up your blondes!!

Its super easy and really really healthy on the hair, so your not going from blonde to brown to blonde to brown to blonde to brown to......... you get the idea.

Have fun with it and like always we would love to hear your thoughts.

A Story To Make You Thankful & Inspired!

There are so many things to be thankful for, even more so on a day like today. We should all be thankful for the amazing world that we live in and the amazing industry we are apart of.

When I read this article I just had to post it and share it with everyone!

** This article comes to us by way of SalonGalaxy.com and was written by SalonGalaxy's Art DiGiacomo

Please take the time to check out their site!

" Being Inspired by a Blind Hairdresser Published by SalonGalaxy.com Being Inspired by a Blind Hairdresserby: Arthur DiGiacomo On a whole we our own a group of talented  individuals in an industry full of amazing creativity, but the individual ego and our competitive nature sometimes does not allow for the true meaning, of why we are who we are to shine through.   As I waited for everyone to join me in the conversation on a conference call, I could not help but think how a person without sight, might be able to have a career as a hairdresser in the beauty industry.  It was when I was a creative young upcoming hairdresser that I use to kid with my clients and say I could cut their hair with my eyes closed. (Yes, I would shut my eyes and take a snip). As you know hairdressing is a visionary profession. A profession where the work needs to been seen to be appreciated and especially to know completely about facial structures, hair texture, color and motion to create the looks that get published and win awards. We preach that education is the key to success in the beauty industry. I am here to add it also takes a determination to bear the brunt of a bad marriage, money, drugs, alcohol, abuse, depression, and especially the will to live through life and what it bestows on us on a personal level, from time to time.                 I have said many times to my children, friends, and colleagues that it is life’s experiences that give you wisdom.  But to gain that wisdom we need the desire to learn – “It is important to go through life being a good speaker and teacher, but it is more important to be a great listener and student”. The longer we live the more we learn.  Wisdom is gained through Experience !    Every time you think you have enough Wisdom to Teach – You Learn    Every motivational speaker who encourages us – Listens    Every Educator who instructs us – Is Inspired Read more after the jump.... NEXT ------>

You've Got Questions?? We've Got Answers!: How do I fade from a 000 to a 4 with oster 76?

Question:  How do I fade from a 000 to a 4 with oster 76?

When it comes to fading hair it's all about the motion of your wrist in conjunction with the clippers and guards.

So knowing you have a great pair of clippers, The "Oster 76" Classics, you know you're on the right track to giving a great seamless hair haircut.



Once you have the right pair of clippers, make sure you have a great pair of guards. This is crucial to creating your hair cut. The more guards you have, the more control you will have over your cut and again, the more seamless your cut will be.

Check out these guards which are perfect for the Oster brand clippers:

So, now that you have all of the equipment here is what you need to do! We broke it down step by step:

1. Starting with your largest desired guard (in this case size:4). Begin cutting the hair from the base of the hair line sliding the clippers all the way up to the base of the crown. The clippers should roll off of the crown area with a slight flick of the wrist. Continue doing this motion until you have completed the entire back and side areas.
 ** If you wish the top of the hair to be cut with a 4 guard then you will cut the entire head with a 4 guard first. If you wish for more length through the top, then you will roll off at the crown like stated.

2. Decrease your guard to the second largest (in this case: 3 or 3.5). *Please note if you have half sizes, this will make the cut more seamless. Repeat the process from step one, only roll off from the head slightly lower from the previous point (once again with a slight flick of the wrist as you roll off).

3. You will continue to repeat this processes decreasing in guard size and slowly moving down the head. The point in which you blend your fade should slowly be moving down towards the hairline.

4. Once all of the sides and back have been finished, using a scissor over comb method, begin blending your lines even further with a texture based shear. This will help to create softness and precision in your cut.

**Skip Steps 5 and 6 if you cut the entire head in step one with your largest guard. If you wished for more length through the top continue on with the remaining steps:
5. Using a scissor over comb technique and using a texture shear, begin rolling the comb, starting slightly bellow the crown, finishing towards the top of the crown. The desired length should be determined prior to cutting and you will visually create your length using the scissor over comb technique.

6. Once the length on the sides is blended into the length on the top, begin cutting the rest of the top length with a blunt shear, using a 90 degree cutting technique.

7. Once finished, remove all guards from the clippers and edge the sides according to the desired look. If necessary use a T shaped clipper for the edging. This will give you more control, as this what they are designed for; need a great one? Check out this edger:



That pretty much sums it up!! Hope this helps!

Also be on the look out for mens cutting videos, as we are in the process of filming multiple Hair Cutting Videos for THSB which will all be free and on our THSB TV on YouTube.

If you have questions we have answers, so don't be afraid to ask!!!

The Worlds Largest Afro

The Guinness Book of World Records just announced the new worlds largest afro.

Aevin Dugas a 36 year-old social worker from New Orleans, USA, is the proud owner of the largest natural afro in the world with a circumference measuring an incredible 4 ft. 4 in (1.32 m).

The hairstyle that has taken over 12 years to grow can at times be problematic. 

"It's always getting caught in trees, and one time I even slammed my hair in the car door!  And I hate it when people touch it without asking my permission first!" , she admits.

 "As a woman you're told that straight hair is beautiful hair. This is crazy.  The afro is my natural hairstyle and there can't be anything more beautiful than that". 

Aevin trims her afro three times a year, and uses up to five conditioners at once when she washes it. 

"You want to know the best thing about my hair?" Aevin says with a smile: "It provides the perfect pillow. I sleep very well."The hair is larger than a disco ball! Aevin's hairstyle is so large she could fit the world's shortest man inside!

The Many Uses For Hair Dryers... Besides Your Hair.

Here is a fun list Yahoo! Green put together filled with 15 (+1 Bonus) ways you can use a hair dryer,; besides using it on your hair.

Hope you enjoy!:

"

1. If you need to quickly set the icing on a cake, the air and heat of a hair dryer can quicken up the process.
2. If your cake won’t unstick from the cake pan, use your hair dryer on the bottom of the pan then invert it, it should drop right out.
3. Running an ice cream scoop under hot water helps, but you can also try using a hair dryer on the carton to soften ice cream for easy scooping.
4. Some people use pots of boiling water to quicken freezer defrosting, but a hot hair dryer works even more quickly. (Be careful of puddles of water and the dryer, though.)
5. Automatic ice-makers can get jammed with frozen ice; relieve that with a long blast of hot air to melt unwanted icebergs.
6. Remove contact paper from shelves by heating it with the hair dryer and gently working the edges up. Also works for bumper stickers and other rogue sticky things.
7. Use a hair dryer to dust hard-to-dust items; the air will blow the dust somewhere else, but hopefully somewhere else that is easier to dust.
8. Personally, I like my kids’ crayon marks on my walls, but for the rest of you: Heat the crayon marks until softened, then scrub with hot water and detergent.
9. Old photo albums with magnetic pages can get stuck -- unstick them with a blast from the hair dryer.
10. Spot-iron wrinkles by lightly dampening the area and then heating the wrinkles with your dryer.
11. Wet boots, shoes, and sneakers can take on a terrible odor if left to dry slowly -- alleviate that by drying them with your hair dryer.
12. Winter can bring frozen windows and locks -- thaw them with a hair dryer.
13. Window screens collecting dust and pollen? Blow it back to whence it came.
14. Removing bandages can hurt more than the wound, so soften the adhesive with a hair dryer first to ease the rip.
15. If you have trouble keeping a hot compress hot, keep your hair dryer by you and reheat as necessary.

Bonus: For wrinkled ribbons and fabric belts, employ a curling iron to straighten them out. 

Michelle Monaghan Joins the Fire Club.

Michelle Monaghan joins the redhead club. Monaghan showed off her fiery looks at the Toronto Film Festival on Monday.  According to some this cut and color seem to be quite the  resemblance to The Help star, Emma Stone..... I guess I see it.


Check out some more Red Hot Redheads

"

On Sunday night she was recognized at the Creative Coalition's 2011 Spotlight Initiative Awards for her work in the film, which is based on an inspirational true story of a drug dealer who transforms his life. 

"To be honored with a Spotlight Award means a lot to me, actually," Monaghan said. "I think it's important to recognize projects that take a risk, and this one isn't afraid to confront the audience with some tough material."

Michele Bachmann's Hair Is Looking Good...

Although her comments have been leaving many in confusion and displeasure, we are not here to discuss politics. So love her or hate her this is all about the hair!

It seems as if her hair is progressively getting better and clients are noticing.

Its funny how fashion/hair can supersede politics; but I must admit, I love it. 

Here is a bit of an expert from the nydailynews.com

"

I called [Michele's] stylist Tamara Robertson, whose $4,700 hair-and-makeup bills Bachmann paid for with campaign cash.

But Robertson wouldn't reveal the Tea Party darling's color secrets.

"I'm sorry," Robertson said. "Because of who I work for, I was told not to talk about it."

But it's not just me asking.

Top stylists from New York to Hollywood told me their liberal clients are guiltily requesting the Bachmann Look.

"A lot of clients have asked for Sarah Palin hair in the past four years, and now, it's Bachmann," says Andi Scarbrough of Byu-ty Hair Therapy in L.A. "Politicians are the new celebrities, because they're real. They didn't just spring up out of the red carpet."

However, she admits, "I have women who come in with photos with the face cut out sometimes."

"She has great coppery color that warms her up a little bit," said Angelo David at his E. 43rdSt. salon, who confirmed a spike in copycat requests for the candidate's look. "Not everybody wants to look like Kim Kardashian."

Bachmann's style "is safe, but not soccer mom. It's sexy," said Alma Qeraxhiu at her AlmaG Salon and Spa on E. 21st. St.

"I have found it a little bit amazing how many women have been coming in asking for her hair style, even though they don't agree with her politics."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/08/30/2011-08-30_palins_hair_apparent_bachmann_politics_arent_nyc_fave_but_locks_are.html#ixzz1WW4tGjPJ

The Importance of Niche Hairstyling & How to Find Yours.

The key word to this post will absolutely be "Specialist!"

We all have an idea or an understanding of exactly what that means. In fact it's more than likely that we all have experienced one!

But the question here is, have you ever thought of yourself as one?
Well guess what? YOU ARE!

Not buying that yet? Well think about this.... We all get the question: what do you love to do the most? or what are you best at? yada yada yada... you get the idea.

Well if you can answer that question in any shape or form then you are on the right track to reaching your niche market and that is exactly what we are after; your specialty and how to place your self within that Niche market.

So do you have the answer to that question?? Great! Let's go with that.
Maybe you've said Colorist, Cutter, Up-do's, Etc...

At this point it's not enough to be a broad or a "general" specialist. We need to dig deeper. What do I mean? Well the more niche you go with your market the easier it is to build a stronger presence within this market.

In other words it's always going to be your goal to be a BIG FISH in a SMALL POND.

So how do we dig deeper? Well that's easy too!

The next question we need to ask is, within that category of what you love to do or what your are great at doing, what specifically do you love to do?

For instance, if you are great at color, what type of color are you great at? Blondes? Reds? Highlights? Brunettes? Are you a Cutter? Maybe specifically long hair? short hair? bob haircuts?

I think you get the idea!?

So, now that you are heading in the right direction, lets discuss why this is important and what it means to your business.

Lets start by personalizing it. When we are need for something for our home, specifically a new toilet, where do we go? The Home Depot maybe? They are home specialists, however that's not enough right? When we get to The Home Depot we naturally go to see a specialist who understands exactly what we are looking for, in this case the toilet section of The Home Depot!

Why do we do this? The million dollar question and answer! We want our needs met! Bingo that's it!

Now does this mean that if we were just a "Hair Specialist" that we would not be able to meet the needs of lets say a Blonde looking to have her Blonde color look the best it has ever looked? Well of course not, we know our skill level! But that's our ego talking if that's what we are telling ourselves!

The reality is that if you are that Blonde client looking to have your hair done, you are going to seek out the stylist that positions themselves as the Blonde Specialist. The only thing that Blonde client knows is what she is told by the stylist who positions themselves as a Hair Stylist or a Blonde Hair Specialist. Naturally they will go to whom best suits their needs the Blonde Hair Specialist.

You tell me... what would you do?

The same reason when you are looking for a new toilet, you go and see the Toilet Specialist!

OK, so we can all agree the importance of a niche market!

[Looking For Some Great Reading Material? Check out Riches in Niches. A great book to increase your specialty awareness and the importance of growing in a niche market.]

Here is a quick list of some different ways that you can position yourself as a specialist within your Niche. I don't want to babble on anymore :) so I am going to do this in a list form to make it easy and accurate. Before I do this though I want to leave you with one last, very important point!!

JUST BECAUSE YOU BECOME A SPECIALIST IN A PARTICULAR AREA DOES NOT MEAN YOU STOP PROMOTING YOURSELF AS AN ALL AROUND AMAZING HAIRSTYLIST!!

This will never change. This is about growth and how to position yourself as an amazing talent to a particular type of person.



So...... Here you go:

1. You need to build credentials, it's not enough to just call your self a specialist. So here are a few options:
a. Attend any advanced courses that you can get your hands on and document everything.
b. Use the documentation to promote the skills you have earned to classify yourself as a specialist.
c. Practice and create as much as you can to build documentation for credentials, using things such as mannequins and models. Make sure to take lots of pictures!

2. Make your new found niche seem as if it is a promotion. Your current clientele needs to know about this! Anything you can do to put your name in their mouth in conversation to their friends is the greatest thing you can do for your business.
a. Use your social media sources to promote your promotion.
b. Use your email marketing to promote your promotion.

3. Offer incentives to your current clients to send you a specific type of client. For instance, (lets use our blonde hair guest as an example again) tell your guests that if they send you a blonde hair client you will give them a 20 dollar credit towards their next service.
a. You can do this by using a client referring card.
b. A gift certificate that is made out to a specific person, if they bring it back their name will be on the back so you know who gets the credit.

and lastly

4. Promote yourself as a specialist on your business cards. Make sure all of your business cards state that you are in fact a "[Blonde Hair] Specialist."


...... Thanks for reading :)

Watch This! Great Video On A Couple Of Film Makers.

Check out this 8 minute video on a couple of film makers and their journey of who and what they are. You might recognize one of their films "Catfish"



Integrity is something I am big on and I believe is something that allows someone the ability to truly be who they are. This group of dudes was clearly born with that! I loved the way they create organically and they don't allow the world to interfere with the foundation of who they are as artists.

I think in hairdressing this is important. Sometimes the world influences us in ways that hinder our ability or desire to create. It's important to not loose sight of who we are as artists and let the organic side of our creations come alive.

Great Inspirational Look Book! Barbara Palvin

As always we love posting inspirational looks from fashion Mags.

Check out this killer look from
Barbara Palvin by Emma Tempest for Dansk A/W 2011

Loving the obvious hair net accessory. Not sure if this would influence a trend, but I love the nostalgic  feeling it brings to the look. I am sucker for anything throw back, but I find this extremely refreshing.


WANT MORE? WE GOT YOU COVERED...... CONTINUE

Have a Problem with Hair Spray Residue Getting Everywhere in the Bathroom? Here is a helpful hint from Heloise of the Washington Post

"Dear Heloise: I have a problem with hair spray getting all over the surfaces of my bathroom. I am tired of having to clean it off, and it isn’t always easy to do and can be quite time-consuming.

So, I came up with this great hint! I get into the shower, close the door and then give my hair a good spray. All the residue stays inside to be washed away the next time someone showers. -- Tiffany in New York"

Find out what Heloise had to say & how to get that residue off your surfaces!

Rihanna's Hair Stylist has it good! 23,000 a week good!

A report recently came out about Rihanna's hair stylist and how much she is getting paid to keep up the high maintenance super star.

According to the source the "Ursula Stephens bills her; $23,00 a week to keep her in the most eye-catching, head-turning, meme-making hairstyles."


Well thats one thought as to why we are always seeing her with a new look/style. 

Hair Color Wednesday!! Corrective Color: Dark Brown To Light Golden Blonde

One segment we have gotten away from that we promise to bring back is Hair Color Wednesday.

It's back!!

So... what the hell is it? It is everything hair color all day every wednesday. That's Formulas, Correction Ideas, Trends and anything else that relates to hair color for hairstylists and enthusiasts.

What better way to kick off this Hair Color Wednesday than a corrective hair color formula?

Well that is exactly what your getting :)

Here it goes......

This is where we started:

This is where we finished!:

So HOW DID WE DO IT?

EASY!!!

LETS BREAK IT DOWN:

The first step is to breathe! Really taking someone to a darkest brown to any color is not as stressful as you think. 

When doing this we need to understand that color affects color and creates an effect to color. Think about that for a second...........

Ok got it......? GOOD, lets move on.

Now with that said we can begin to understand that we do not need to change her entire hair color, we only need to enhance it. Enhance it A LOT, YES! But enhance not change. Why? because we can use that dark color that is in her hair already to create a beautiful depth and shadowing effect that will help to bring out the light pieces a lot more.

So.... what do I mean? In simple terms..... tons and tons and tons of highlights. 

However, before we can do that we MUST do a clarifying based treatment. Get all the crap we don't want in the hair, out! My recommendation: Malibu treatment or Pre Art Treatment from Redken

Step 2: Cut the aluminum foil!

Starting in the back, section the hair down from the crown to center back and from the crown to the top of the ear on each side. Begin to go through and create as many small weaved highlights as possible. My suggestion would be to never skip a section to just weave every section. Do the entire back sections increasing in strength of developer as you begin to move up to the the crown.

In between the foils apply a demi-based hair color 7 level gold from roots to ends through the entire hair.

Allow the entire back to finish processing (your goal is a level 8 Yellow Orange if applicable).

Shampoo and condition. Bring back to chair and blow dry the hair completely.

NOW DO THE FRONT. Dividing the hair into 3 sections. A mo-hwak section from the parting and the two side sections. Repeat the same coloring process including the color in between the foils and through the ends. Completely finishing the front. Allow hair to process (your goal is a level 8 Yellow Orange if applicable).

This is the most important part of your color processes. The glazing. I highly recommend you test strand your formula to conclude an accurate result. If you reach an Orange to Orange with a little Yellow, I am going to recommend to test with a Green/Yellow Base and a Blue/Gray Base. Chances our these are your best bets to maximize gold (yellow) and control unwanted reds and oranges.

Once your test is complete Glaze the entire head with your formula. 

*** You may want to consider using a lighter version of your formula on your ends if the hair is porous or extremely long. 

Glazing may also be a two application processes. If you feel you would like to see added control or richness you always have the option to glaze a second time.*** In this case we did not!

*** I would recommend using a level to two levels lighter on your second glaze for increased tone with minimal saturation. 

Once that is finished you are DONE!!!!

Hope you enjoyed... see you next week!!

Lady Gaga is using Rogain?

Is Lady Gaga turning to Rogaine to get hair back? That's what a recent report in The Sun suggests.

"Over the years Lady Gaga has put her locks under a lot of stress," a source told The Sun. "She's poured so much chemicals over them that it's damaged her follicles. She's hoping by using Rogaine, she can repair some of the harm."

I find it hard to believe that this is true but anything is possible and figured it would be fun to blog the excerpt.

What do you think? 

3 Easy Summer Hairstyles To Fight The Heat

Are you sick of the heat!!?

Hate it so much you want to cut your hair?

Well don't!!!!

Here are three fun and easy styles to get your hair out of your way and keep you cool.

Courtesy  of Refinery29

The Unicorn: Ladies with long locks can attempt this up-front topknot. To get the look, pull hair into a high ponytail, just above the forehead. Twist the ponytail, then coil it into a bun and pin. Be generous with hairspray


MY THOUGHTS: I love this. I think its simple, chic and super modern. Perfect for those of you who have a grungy style but are still really into their looks! Hairstylist: this is super easy and super fun to show your clients an easy way to keep "cool!"

LOVE THIS!? WANT MORE?

READ ON

Interesting Article On The Trends of Hairstyles & Relaxers

This was a really interesting article that discussed a shift in the culture of relaxers in relationship to desired hairstyles and how the "trend" of relaxing hair is beginning to slow down.

I think its a cool thing to embrace your natural texture. The ability for change is always there and of course we often love what we don't have, but what we have is great! Embrace It!!

"

But as women are becoming more conscious of not just what they put in their bodies, but what they put on their bodies, that trend is beginning to change. While relaxers remain popular, women also are returning to their “roots” and wearing their hair in a variety of different styles that don’t require chemical treatments.

According to Expressions: Eco Salon For All Ethnicities owner Blase (no last name provided) in Little Falls, this shift is mostly occurring among college- and middle-aged women who have become more aware of the harmful chemicals that are used in relaxers.

Women tired of dealing with those harsh chemicals are choosing to let their hair return to its original state so that they can make their hair healthier and embrace its natural beauty.

“We understand that our natural hair is beautiful,” Blase said.

READ ON.....

Share Your Love For Michael O'Rourke & Be Heard At NAHA

Video Testimonials:  As many of you know Michael is receiving this year’s NAHA’s lifetime achievement award.  [They are] planning on introducing Michael at the awards ceremony with a video tribute. If you have ever been touched by something Michael has said or done [and you want to share your story], record your testimonials as to how Michael and/or his products have affected your life. These can be posted on [their] FaceBook page and/or emailed to info@michaelorourkehair.com by June 20, so get those video cameras/smart phones rolling!

 follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook

Reality Star Whitney Port Sports a New Shade of Red

When your bored go Red.

That seems to be the trend right now anyways and I have no problem with that!

It's exactly what reality star Whitney Port did. Relying on colorist Johnny Ramirez of Neil George.


“I needed a change. I’ve kind of had ADD with my hair color.” 


When asked if she would be changing it up again once the summer is headed to an end, she responded saying "Probably"


New trend on it's way?.... Maybe so, either way I am loving this one and you should join in on the fun!

(In fact make sure to check out a few posts back to check out a whole slew of fun red hair color formulas - READ HERE.)

Inspirational Picture: Zoo Magazine Cover (BONUS! - includes color formula)

I am often looking for forms of inspiration! Many times we are lucky enough to find it in fashion and even lucky enough to find it on the cover of fashion magazines.

Check out this Inspirational Picture of Karen Elson (1 of 2) on the cover of this summer issue of Zoo Magazine. Also make sure to peak at the bottom of the pic for my take on the formula!

Formula - Working on a Natural Level 7 or Higher - Highlight the hair using a face framing highlighting technique. Process. Apply a deposit only 1 & 1/4 oz of 7 level Copper and 1/4 oz of 7 level Gold and 1/4 oz orange kicker throughout the hair. Process. Style.