Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care, Uncategorized

Tales of truth….part 2

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The sun was shining, a cool breeze was in the air, I was enjoying a moment of my life with my flavored coffee when I heard the chirp of the door chime. The customer makes a b – line to the front counter, I smile, greet her “good morning!” to which she replies “uh huh – sure it is.”  I bid adieu to my french vanilla daydream and focus on the moment at hand. “What can I help you with?” I ask (still smiling). “This P.O.S. flat iron stopped working! It’s not heating up! I couldn’t leave my house because of my hair!”. I look at the receipt, the date is under the year expiry of in store exchange, so I look up at her, smiling and tell her “no worries, the flat iron is still under warranty, please go choose a new one.”. This is where it gets good. You would think that service with a smile and getting a new product would be a good thing. Guess not. She was looking for a fight, and she was mad she wasn’t getting one. She proceeded to pout, tug at her hair, all the while exclaiming “Look at it! Look at my hair! What am I gonna do?”. Which I responded, smiling of course (that really drives ’em crazy) “You can choose a new one, a different model if you like, if there is a price difference you just pay the difference owing.”. Then the staring contest began. Ladies and gents – tell your friends…staring contests are meant for the schoolyard, they will not get you a better deal or a free product. Anyways, it is rude to stare. In the end, she stomped over to the shelf, chose her flat iron and refused to speak to me from there on out. Funny thing was – she thought she had one over on me – I was happy it was quiet.

From time to time, you may come into a store and the product you are looking for is out of stock. I know how irritating that is, I am a consumer too. A word of advice – unless you are under the age of five, you should not start to cry because the product is not there. Nor should you yell or stomp or pout. Ladies, please, I know how important hair spray is and I know how much we love our products and we all have our favorites – keep it together ok? At least once a week I have a women over the age of thirty pitching a fit over missing product. Even when I reassure her it is coming the next day and show them the order to prove it – tearfest 2012 ensues.

In my years in this biz, I have come to realize and am in total agreement with Tabatha Coffey – It’s not really about the hair. The anger, the pouts, the tears….always something else going on and the only power the client feels they have that day is being able to pick a fight with a salesperson. So for all you out there in customer service – try not to take it personally. For those of you that are the consumer – try be polite and mind your manners…and quit staring.

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care, Uncategorized

You can’t handle the truth

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Everyday, I am asked questions. Everyday, I try to answer them as honestly as I know how. I may be a manager but I am also a consumer. As a consumer, I want to know as much as I can about a purchase and I want the truth when I ask about my purchase. So, I assumed everyone would want all the information, the truth, an honest answer. My father always told me I hold my expectations of the average person too high…it took me 39 years to realize he is right. This past week has had many examples of people who, as Colonel Jessop stated, can’t handle the truth.

– A client had jet black hair and wanted to be blonde, that day. Not possible. We explained to keep her hair from breaking off or turning to wet sludge it would take a few processes,that because of the box dye she had used there was some color build up. We told her what products to use to repair the damage she had and to get her hair in better condition to begin the lightening process – even gave her some samples. After the pouting stopped, the angry tirade began….I was accused of not knowing what I was talking about and that I was somehow holding out information so that she couldn’t get what she wanted. (I really gotta get some business cards from a local shrink – cross promote our services).

– A client looking for toner. Again, I cannot stress enough, toner is not a magic liquid that comes in a magic bottle. It can be any color. It can process within seconds of being on your hair. If you are not careful it can make a blonde go orange, gold, purple or silver. Please, share this tidbit with all of your friends….toner is not a magic potion. If you are looking for toner in a container labelled “toner” – go to Staples. Otherwise – see your stylist.

– Our hair grows. Everyday. Some people’s faster than others. That is why you will get a different color of hair at your roots and hair line. It is called regrowth. No, hair color does not go into the scalp so your hair grows out that color. No, there is not a product that stops that. Even in death your hair grows.(yeah…I said it). If you don’t like the signs of regrowth, try high and low lights – that way your roots aren’t as noticeable.

– A client wanted volume in her hair but didn’t want to use product. I told her that to achieve the volume and the look she wanted, she would need a little bit of product and if she used a blow dryer it would help too. I was told that if I cared about the environment I wouldn’t use a hair dryer. She stormed out and got into her Hummer. (I kid you not).

– A mother came in with her daughter looking for hot pink hair dye. I explained that we don’t sell it, because the vibrant hair color dye is not allowed to be sold to the public. We don’t carry it because we are a retailer, not a wholesaler. Again, big surprise, I was yelled at…told I was unfair and that I made no sense and should not discriminate against the public. I gave her the toll free number of the company that supplies color to LICENSED stylists and told her she should call them. As she stormed out calling me stupid I thought about what a wonderful example she was setting for her daughter….and I swear I heard a banjo playing.

This week will be a fun filled week for my readers. I was told all my life to be honest and tell the truth, so this week that is exactly what you will get, the truth. So hold on my friends. Hold on.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, Uncategorized

To go where no flat iron has gone before

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So, you are looking for a new flat iron. You see all these big words like Negative Ions,Tourmaline, Nano- Titanium. I know, you are thinking “What do I do?”, “What do I choose?”, “Where are Data and Jean Luc to help me decipher this language?”. Read on my friends, this should help you with your decision. To be honest, for home use, as long as the Flat Iron is a professional grade, it comes down to the price you want to pay. Heat is what you want. Most professional Flat Irons will achieve at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit at optimum heat. If you travel – look for “Universal Voltage”  – this means you can use that Flat Iron anywhere in the world and it won’t short out.(you will still need an adapter for the plug).

Look for these name brands and you know it is a Professional Salon quality flat iron;

AVANTI, BABYLISS, ZAZEN, CHI, GHD, FHI – Beware if you see these at a department store – they may not be the real deal – and when purchased any where other than a Salon – your warranty may be void with the manufacturer.

Negative Ions – Atoms that can stop the growth of bacteria & fungi which can result in healthier hair and scalp.

Advanced Ceramic Heater (MCH) – Refers to the heating element used to heat the plates in flat irons. Originally developed in Korea – now synonymous with top of the line quality.

Sol Gel Technology – A process that transforms nano particles of a material from liquid to solid, creating an ultra-high concentration, making styling tool plates stronger to resist chips and chemical corrosion and smoother for superior gliding through the hair.

Ceramic/Nano-Ceramic – A non metallic material that is durable, smooth and retains and distributes heat efficiently. A natural source of negative ions and radiates far infrared heat.

Tourmaline – A mineral and natural source of far infrared heat and negative ions – similar benefits as ceramic.

Titanium/Nano-Titanium – The highest electrical and thermal conductivity of a metal. The most useful properties of titanium are corrosion resistance and strength to weight ratio of any metal and is stable at ultra high temperatures. * AWESOME for thick/coarse hair

Far Infrared Heat (FIR) – To put it simply -helps to retain moisture deep in the hair shaft which results in less damage to the hair.

Once you find the Flat Iron you want, no matter what happens, please don’t throw it at anyone – you will just look like a fool – trust me.

 

 

Beauty, Fashion, Hair Care, Uncategorized

Look behind you

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I saw it again yesterday. It never ceases to amaze me. There she was. She had the designer bag, the cute shoes, the newest frock from the summer collection, her hair freshly highlighted and coiffed…and then I saw it. She turned around. This poor soul had forgotten about the back of her head. From the front – looking like she just walked off the pages of Vogue magazine, from behind, looked like she just rolled off the nap time mat at preschool. Ladies and gents, please try to remember the back of your head. I know you know where it is – it’s that place that your Mother used to hit you when you were rude or “too funny” at the dinner table. (See….now you remember.).

To be sure this hair blunder doesn’t happen to you, keep a hand mirror in arms reach in your bathroom or at your vanity. Make it a part of your routine. (Hey, if you can make checking your facebook status part if your morning routine, you can do this too.). When you are gazing ever so lovingly at your reflection, pick up the hand mirror, place it in front of your face, then turn around (be sure your back is to the mirror…sorry – had to clarify – you would be surprised). The reflection you see is you! The back of you. Try not to scream – it will be alright. Pick up the brush – it all can be fixed. If you can take the time to squeeze into a pair of  Spanx, you can learn to style the hair on the back of your head. ( less sweat and tears involved in the latter).

At your next Salon visit, let your stylist know that you need tips on how to style your complete hair style (the back of your head included – VERY IMPORTANT), what drying techniques would be best, or styling products to use. Then go to the nearest dollar store and buy a hand mirror. PLEASE!

Hair Care

Damage control

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We have all been there. Looking at our reflection in the mirror, wondering “Is my hair dry or damaged?”. Today’s tale is about damage control. There are three major levels of damage when it comes to our lovely locks.

Mechanical Damage – your hair looks and feels dull, little pieces of hair fall onto your clothes. In some cases the hair looks singed. (kinked and fuzzy)

The Cause –  brushing/teasing the hair (in excess – picture Priscilla Presley’s wedding photo), and using thermal styling tools without the proper products.

The Solution – A good conditioning treatment once a week and using a thermal protection spray each time you use a flat iron or curling iron

 

Environmental Damage – your color fades and it feels like product build up is on your hair.

The Cause – Sun exposure and pollution.

The Solution – Most professional hair care lines have U.V. protectants in their products, and there are many spray leave in conditioners that have U.V. protectants as well. A good clarifying shampoo once or twice a month (depending on how much product you use) will help as well.

 

Chemical Damage – your hair looks and feels fuzzy, it will not hold a style, looks like frayed cloth. It breaks off , inches at a time.

The Cause – over use of chemical services such as hair color, lightening, perming or chemical straightening.

The Solution – Stop whatever chemical process you are doing right now. Give your hair a break for a while – buy a hat if need be. You need to get a good deep conditioning treatment done with your stylist ASAP. If you can’t get to the salon – I highly recommend JOICO Kpak Revitaluxe. The newest addition to the Kpak family – this treatment is restorative and strengthens the hair with each use.

I highly recommend that you use Professional Salon products. Too many knock offs and drug store brands have too many sulfates, detergents, silicone’s and alcohol which defeats the purpose – your hair may feel good but those products don’t always penetrate the hair – they just coat the hair, which will lead to further damage.

 

 

 

 

Beauty, Fashion, Hair Care, Uncategorized

Thank you, Mr. Vidal Sassoon

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The beauty industry lost one of it’s beloved yesterday, Mr. Vidal Sassoon. The beauty industry is what it is today because of this gentleman. The hair style you have today is probably based on one of his cutting techniques. Mr. Sassoon opened up a whole new world for women in the 1960’s – freeing them from the beehive and allowing their hair to fall free and perfectly into place. He removed the shackles of the hood dryer and curlers and helped women realize the how the right cut can bring out the beauty that was lingering underneath. The ever so prominent pixie cut of today would not have happened if not for this man – “Actually short hair is a state of mind … not a state of age.” (Los Angeles Times 1967).

When I was 14, and my double crown and cowlick were not my friends, Vidal saved me. I was at the “Hair Gallery” in Winnipeg ( my local Salon) feeling like the ugly duckling. I was flipping through a hair magazine and saw it….the pixie cut, 80’s style. I looked up at my hairstylist and asked him “Could I have that?”. I will always remember him in his white parachute pants and tank top saying “your face was born for that cut…Vidal Sassoon created that look you know”. At that point of my life all I knew about Vidal Sassoon was his name was on the mousse can my mother had in her bathroom. By the end of my appointment, I had cheekbones, my eyes looked bigger, my hair wasn’t sticking up in the back or in the front for that matter (unless I wanted it too.). I left the salon that day feeling pretty, women were actually stopping me, asking me who did my hair. If not for Vidal Sassoon and his ground breaking techniques I do believe something about me would be different today, for the day I cut my hair short was the first time I can remember a stranger paying me a compliment. Vidal Sassoon coined the phrase “If you don’t look good – we don’t look good” .

Thank you Mr. Sassoon

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care

Protecting your investment

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Today’s tale is for clients, stylists and Salon owners alike…..read on.

“I need that stuff for my hair that my hair stylist used”. This is what I hear on a daily basis. As I silently sigh, I ask “do you remember the name of the product or the what the packaging looked like?” As always, I am looked at like I have just spoken a foreign language. Then,  more often than not, the customer turns into a valley girl from the 80’s, places her hand on her hip, flips back her hair and says “If I knew thaaaat, like why would I neeeed you.” Gotta love that. If the valley girl doesn’t show herself, I get to meet the 5 year old. You know the one. She starts to pout, turns in her one foot, begins to twist her hair around her finger and says “Oh, I don’t know….oh no…what am I gonna do?”. Now, I am more than willing to help anyone find the right product, I do so love a scavenger hunt. That being said, I am always amazed that the customer has come to me for their product, that their Stylist/Salon didn’t even attempt to sell them something. My reasons for amazement you ask?

1) Why wouldn’t they want to keep their client happy and loving their new look?

2) Why wouldn’t they want to protect the color they just applied?

3) Why wouldn’t they want to increase Salon sales and in turn be able to offer more to their clientele?

Got you thinkin’ didn’t I?

Ladies and gents, pay attention. When you are at the Salon, pay attention. Pay attention to what your stylist is using. Ask them what the product is, how to use it, what the name is. Write it down, or ask them to write it down for you. Come on, you just paid over $100.00 for your color service, I am sure they can take a minute to talk product and sell you something. (Or at least tell you where to get it.). Professional product is important. It gives you the look you had at the Salon at home. Professional product protects your investment. That’s right, your investment. Think about it. Most of us spend over $900.00 a year on hair color alone (when we go to the Salon- at home color from a box….a little less expensive but having to say a Hail Mary each time you use one is too much trouble if you ask me). When we spend $900.00 on anything else, we purchase a warranty. Think of professional hair care products as your warranty.

We ask our doctor for specifics, we go over our lawyer’s papers with a fine tooth comb, we make the poor souls who sell us cell phone plans promise us their first born if anything goes awry – I think we can ask our stylist “what’s that stuff your putting in my hair?”.

 

Beauty, Hair Care, Uncategorized

The shallow end of the gene pool

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Today is my day off. Got up, had coffee, made lunches, had coffee, kissed the hubby and the kid good bye, had coffee, started my day. I didn’t check my email this morning, guess I should have. Apparently I missed the memo about the “day off” dress code. Hmmm, that must be it. That is the only explanation I can come up with for the morning I just experienced. You see, I did my hair this morning and I put on a little makeup. Once you get up off the floor from the shock of it all, read on.

I like to do my hair, I like my lipgloss, I like my wedge sandals (they have a red/white gingham pattern!). I like to look good for me – not for the mailman, the milkman, your husband, boyfriend or girlfriend for that matter. Wanting to look nice does not mean that I am stupid or swim in the shallow end of the gene pool. Ladies and gents, promise me, from now on when you see someone looking nice or put together, smile at them- do not scowl.  More often than not, sorry to burst the bubble, it is not about you. It is not personal. They nor I awoke this morning thinking “I’m going to put on makeup and brush my hair to drive that woman in the grocery express lane crazy with worry and paranoia.”. Yes, I am on the cusp of turning forty and I am still amazed that people are petty.  If judging people on their appearance is your hobby…time for a new hobby. That being said…you want to wear flip flops and pajama pants – knock yourself out. (Although, you may want to rethink that ensemble for the opera – perfect for the soap opera).

So, to recap…. No matter what apparel they are wearing, no matter what their hair looks like, makeup or not….be kind. Don’t make a face…like your parents always said, it could get stuck like that.

Beauty, Hair Care

Ya got the right attitude…ya got the wrong person

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At our Salon, I have printed out a calender of when the full moon will rise each month so we are prepared for what will come through the door. I can honestly say that a full moon makes people a little crazy.

Today’s tale begins. “Hi There! How are you today?” ( from yours truly) “Do you sell toner? My daughter needs it!” ( Guess she didn’t see yesterday’s blog). The first red flag pops up. Now, in her defense, she has seen all the commercials that truly are not so easy and nice so of course it seems like an easy fix. So you all know – Toner is not just one bottle, nor is it one color. Applying a toner is a science and an art form – you must know the color wheel, you must know your color line, you must know the porosity of the hair…in other words, you should be a hair stylist. Getting back to my tale.  After explaining that we needed to see the hair in question, that every color line is different and that she should really go back from whence she came and speak to the stylist in question because she knows what she used and because she would probably want to know her client wasn’t happy and would probably fix it. Then it happened. A grown woman started with the shakes, the quivering lip, the sighs, the gasps, the anger – I was waiting for “NO MORE WIRE HANGERS” to be shouted, I kid you not. “She won’t go back there! No way!!Why won’t you tell me what to do?” (kinda just did). Yes, she had a reason to be upset – WITH THE STYLIST, not with me – right attitude, WRONG person.

I understand the frustration of bad hair. I know the pain of dealing with a teenager after a bad hair experience. Be the parent. Keep your cool. Show your child the proper way to deal with life’s misfortunes. Teach them how to ask for what they want and how to tell someone that they are not happy with what they received (without pouting, shaking or swearing). Save the drama for the Oscars and be kind.

The full moon will rise in a few days, I wonder what today will bring?

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care

Just looking…..

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Picture this scenario. The sun is shining. It is a beautiful day. A customer walks through the door. A sales girl greets the customer with a cheery “Good Morning!” (yes….it’s true, customer service does exist, it is not an urban legend). The sales girl is greeted back with “I’m looking”. My all time favorite response from customers, I especially love it when accompanied with the famous “talk to the hand” motion.

Believe it or not, there are sales people that want to help you. Yes, there are commission sales people that make you feel like you are a gazelle about to be pounced on by a lion, and sometimes you cannot find a person in a smock. That being said, you should not paint us all with the same brush. I, as well as many other sales people get paid if you buy or not. I really just want to help you find what you need, or even help you use what you have correctly. Would you like it if a salesperson assumed you were nasty because you have a black leather jacket since the last customer wearing a black leather jacket was less than kind? Didn’t think so. Sounds pretty stupid actually, don’t you think?

Here is a little check list for you all. Trust me, your shopping/salon experience with be most pleasurable for all parties involved.

– When greeted with a good morning/good afternoon, remember what your Mommy taught you – say good morning/good afternoon back

– Unless you were asked what your name is and your name is “I’m looking”  that phrase just doesn’t make sense as a response. Don’t feel like chatting, smile at the sales person and politely say (after greeting), “I would like to peek around and can I get you if I need you?” – See, how lovely is that. You get your way and the salesperson is treated as well as they are trying to treat you.

– Make eye contact when speaking to a salesperson/stylist. We are all human beings. Yes, we are service provider’s – we are not servants.

– Please do not walk up to the counter, interrupt our greeting, refuse eye contact and say “get me my hairspray”. That is rude, plain and simple.

– Please and Thank You. Two little phrases that mean so much.

– Do not throw the Flat Iron

* A little treasure tidbit for you – we are trained to watch for theft. When you refuse to make eye contact and try to manoeuvre like a ninja through the store, you ARE gonna get our attention – because you are lookin’ a little kooky.

So, lets recap. Say Hello, be polite, don’t throw the flat iron – or any product for that matter – including throwing your weight around.