Beauty, Business, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Women

Part of the package

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As many of you now know, yours truly has spread her wings a little wider and has become an Independent Retail Consultant. Over the years in our beloved biz, I came to realize many Salons were missing out on the perks of retailing their products in their Salons. Not only does retail increase Salon revenue, it enhances your client’s experience and gives them the tools to have a good hair day everyday between their appointments. Retailing in the Salon helps your clients protect their investment, in themselves.

Over the years, and during some of my consultations, I have come across the same concern from every stylist I speak with. “I don’t want to seem pushy.”. With over 25 years of sales and customer service under my belt, let me tell you this…if you are coming from a place of honesty and integrity, you are not being pushy. If your client has just had her hair colored red and you tell her that you highly suggest a color shampoo and conditioner to purchase to use at home to protect her new loved color =not pushy. You are trying to keep her red as vibrant as it can be for as long as possible. Selling said client a clarifying shampoo that she does not need = pushy. A clarifying shampoo would ruin her red. Giving your clients the tools they need to protect their investment in themselves is all you are doing, plain and simple.

 

Another common question/statement is “I don’t see the value of it.”. I have one question in response to this one, would you skip adding developer to your color? Of course not, because without developer the color wouldn’t process properly and in turn, you would have an unhappy client sitting in your chair. The same goes for retailing product. Think about it. Your client is sitting in your chair touching their hair telling you “I love it!”. They leave your shop with a spring in their step, feeling as though they can take on the world. They wake the next day, begin to style their hair only to have it not work out or look as good as it did the day before, and begin to feel as though the world is caving in on them. They may not be in your chair, trust me, in this moment, you have an unhappy client. Everyone wants to have a good hair day, the ladies and the gents. Everyone. Selling your clients product to take home and taking a moment to teach them how to use them ensures your clients will not only be happy in your chair, they will be happy until they are back in your chair with their next appointment.

All Salons have packages, be it a wash, cut and style or cut included with each color service, we all have packages. So, why not add some retail to the package? You are using the products. Your clients smell the products. Your clients see the products on your station. Your clients asks “OOO! That smells great?! What is that?”. All the work has been done for you. All you have to do is answer their questions, have a conversation. That’s it. Plain and simple. In my experience, once the value of the product is explained, the cost is never an issue. The client wants that product. Take flat iron sprays – once I explain the value of a flat iron spray – it protects the hair from the contact heat of a flat iron, that it helps to protect the vibrancy of hair color and that it helps to combat frizz and fly aways, when they leave the Salon, they have a flat iron spray in their hand.

Retail is already part of the package. Your clients love their hair and want to continue the love affair. They need you to help them keep their relationship with their hair “all moonlight and roses”. Adding retail to the package will do just that.

 

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Monday Motivators – Joico Flip Turn & Hair Shake

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It’s Monday. Again. In my corner of the world, Spring has sprung, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, tulips are in bloom and I am not outside. After a long, cold, dreary winter I am aching to be out in the warm sun. Alas, someone has to man the desk and pay the piper. Since I can’t get out and tip toe through the tulips, I thought I might as well have a great hair day, and now you can too. Let me introduce you to some gems from Joico…

Joico Flip Turn and Hair Shake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FlipTurn Hairspray and Hair Shake Liquid to Powder Texturizer!

 

Joico FlipTurn –  I have to say, is one of my favorite hairsprays to use. Created for all hair types, it offers;

  • a very strong hold factor that is still workable – you can brush through it and keep your desired style or begin again
  • fast drying = no crunchy tresses
  • it is a volumizing hairspray that adds shine and volume for up to 72 hours
  • offers thermal protection.
  • is humidity resistant = locks out frizz
  • the scent is wonderful
  • A cool feature of this hairspray… it can be sprayed upside down, side ways or right side up without clogging the nozzle = any style can be achieved.

 

Joico Flip Turn and Hair Shake

 

Joico Hair Shake  – is a liquid to powder finishing texturizer. Yep! Liquid to powder! If you like the results of volumizing powders from OSIS Dust It or SexyHair Powder Play but not a fan of the powdery mess, Joico’s HairShake is for you. HairShake offers;

  • texture and lift
  • touchable and moldable layering styling grip = easy to create and recreate styles.
  • lift and fullness at the root
  • fast drying residue free and grit free finish = no powdery residue
  • created for all hair types and lengths
  • the BEST scent ever – it smells like the beach! You will be transported to white sands, blue water, buff life guards offering you a cool drink….

HairShake is to be applied to dry hair. To apply, give the bottle a good a shake then apply as desired. This has become one of my favorite styling products and every client we use it on in the Salon buys one for themselves. Many of my customers who love their volumizing powders are now fans of HairShake. It offers hold, texture and volume. The one feature that made me a fan – if I wanted to change my style, I could brush through my hair with ease and begin again. My hair was not weighed down and there wasn’t a sticky residue.

So, for those of us with our noses pressed up against the window looking out on the beautiful day, may we find solace that although we may not be outside or at the beach, at least we are having a great hair day and are surrounded by the heavenly scents of the beach, thanks to Joico.

 

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized

…the last to know

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Today’s tale is meant for Sales Reps., Sales Managers and distributors alike. Our industry, I believe, is one of the best to be in. There is always something new around the corner. New coloring techniques. New cutting techniques. Our workplace always smells great. We change peoples lives. We improve their self image and in turn their self esteem. It’s exciting and it’s fun. …and it is a business. Something, I am sorry to say, as of late, many are tending to forget.

Over the past 5 months I have been on the receiving end of many an unreturned call, email and text. I have had to find out through my own investigative skills that products have been discontinued, that products are on back order and that certain companies no longer had a rep. for my area. I have even had to hear about a brand promotion from a Rep. that is a competitor of the brand that is running the promotion. I have not been too impressed, to say the least.

I am fortunate enough that our Salon/shop carries over 25 professional hair care lines, so I am able to suggest another product. I am also very fortunate that our shop has been around for over 15 years and our clients/customers trust me and my suggestions. I do not think other Salon’s are as lucky. In fact, I know they are not because I hear about it everyday. Trust me, when a woman isn’t getting the straight goods, she will let everyone from the mailman to the newspaper delivery boy know about it.

Stylists are in the service industry. We are in the business of serving the client and the customer –  catch phrases I hear all the time. Yes, this is true, for Stylists, Salon Managers and Salon Owners. It is also true for Sales Reps., Sales Managers and distributors. To be clear, I have a few Sales Reps. that go above and beyond their call of duty. They keep their appointments, they call when anything changes from products to our appointment time. They offer retail bags and samples, free of charge so I can in turn give them to our clients and customers. They have become my friend and someone I hold in high esteem. I also deal with some distributors that are on top of their game and are in contact with me when it is needed. Unfortunately, they are the rarity when they should be the norm. So, being me, I have compiled a little how to or reminder list, think of it as a job aid.

  • In the age of facebook, twitter, email and text, there is no reason, whatsoever that a Salon can’t be notified that there is not a rep. for their area. All Salons should be notified, not just the big accounts. PSSSTTT…the little accounts could have become big accounts if you had kept in contact and showed up more often.
  • When an email is sent, respond to it. If you don’t have an answer, then politely admit it and let the person know you will be in touch as soon as you have an answer.
  • If you can text a picture of a cat driving a toy car, you can text that you are running behind and may be late for your scheduled appointment. *Again, I cannot stress this enough – do this for all accounts, not just the big ones. I have personally had a $500.00 order waiting for a rep. who didn’t show up or return my texts (well, she did, 3 days later and made the mistake of telling me was “sorry” but she had landed a big account and was too busy to get to my shop – her exact words), so I gave it to her competitor – because she did return my text and showed up to see me, even when I didn’t have an order.
  • Stylists, Salon Managers and Salon Owners are customers too. I can only speak for myself, I do not like when someone thinks for me. Never assume we do or do not want a product or product line in our Salon. Show it to us, leave a sample if possible, explain it’s value and let us decide. *That Girl in the Red Coat tip – explain the retail value of your products, not just the backbar/station use. …clients love the way they look in the chair, they also want to love the way they look at home and retailing products is the key to opening that door.
  • When a product is discontinued, let us know. Write it on the invoice with the order shipment, it’s that simple. Hoping I will get the point and will stop ordering a product after 10 tries to order it is not the way to do business. Many times that product is a special customer order and now I have egg on my face, a disappointed customer, and a lost sale. *While they were waiting for that product, if I had known it was discontinued, I could have introduced them to something comparable.
  • When an order is placed, please confirm you received it. I emailed an order because the sleuth in me discovered I no longer had a Rep.. It wasn’t until I sent another email forwarding my first email that I got a response that the order had been shipped and again, the product ordered was in demand and I had a list of women waiting for my call to let them know I once again had it in stock.

I didn’t like waiting for the phone to ring when I was 16, I really don’t like it now. …and in business, no one likes to be the last to know.

 

ThatGirlx3

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Monday Motivator – Joico INSTATINT

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Here we are again Beauties, it’s Monday. The sun is shining yet many I have met this morning are glum. Spring has finally sprung yet many have lost the spring in their step. Over the past weeks I have had many women call me brave because I have colored some of my hair magenta (courtesy of the FAB! Color Intensity line by Joico!).  I always thank them and follow up their compliment by telling them they could add some flair to their hair as well, and I am met with the same answers every time …  “Oh, I couldn’t do that”, “What would people say?” or the ever present “What if I think I like blue and then once I’ve done it I hate it?!”. Well ladies, and gents, have no fear for Joico INSTATINT is here!

joico INSTATINT INSTATINT offers five FAB! shades;

  • Fiery Coral (red)
  • Pink
  • Orchid (purple)
  • Sapphire Blue (a denim blue)
  • Mermaid Blue ( a turquoise blue)
For all those who are a tad skeptical or a wee bit worried about adding some flair to your hair, Joico INSTATINT is your answer. Truly a no commitment color. Always dreamed of having blue hair, only to realize blue hair feels like a nightmare? No worries! Just wash it out and give the red a whirl! Yep, INSTATINT washes out in one shampoo, every time. Being me, I have compiled a quick go to list, a what’s what of INSTATINT;
  • applied color lasts up to three days
  • washes out in 1 shampoo
  • is color safe = will not alter your existing hair color after INSTATINT is removed. Yes, it is safe for the blondest of blondes
  • easy to apply! Spray onto dry hair in short bursts. I prefer not to apply heat after color is applied, so I apply color after I am done with my flat iron.
  • the less you spray, the lighter the color.
  • the more you spray, the color becomes more vibrant
  • protect your clothing while applying the spray. Drape a towel over your shoulders.
  • color only lands where you direct it
  • does not stain your scalp, your hair line or your face
  • layer over existing vibrant shades to perk them up or to get you through until your next color appointment.
  • it is $10.45 a bottle. Yep! $10.45.
I am a week away from my color appointment and I gotta tell you, I love the Pink INSTATINT to keep my magenta looking vibrant. …I also added a touch of Mermaid Blue and Sapphire Blue because….why not 😉
Joico INSTATINT

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized

Monday Motivator – Joico Humidity Blocker

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Well, here we are again. It’s Monday. Mother Nature is having an identity crisis. In my neck of the woods we have seen snow, rain, sleet, freezing rain, snow and rain once again in the last 12 hours…and just to add a little kick to her ever present weather humour, Mother Nature has decided to keep humidity in the air and in turn, in our hair. Rain and humidity are in the forecast for the next few days, so for all of you who are trying to figure out how to tell the boss you will be late for work because you cannot get out of your car for fear of frizz and for all the Mom’s fretting over why you chose this week of all weeks to volunteer to chaperone a school field trip, fear and fret nor more! Let me introduce you to Joico Humidity Blocker.

Joico Humidity Blocker

A hidden gem in the Joico styling line. Joico Humidity Blocker literally creates a humidity block around each strand of hair, creating an invisible shield over your beloved tresses. It locks out the humidity and moisture in the air which means no frizz. At all. Created for all hair types, from our girls with curls to our ladies who are a fan of the flat iron, this gem is a perfect addition to your daily hair care routine. Joico Humidity Blocker offers a long lasting light hold, so it can also be used as a hairspray, for those who prefer a lighter hold to their hairspray.

For best results, use on dry hair. Once you have created the style you want for the day, and after all styling products have been applied, spray Joico Humidity Blocker all over your hair to lock out humidity and lock in your FAB! style.

From this day forward every time you hear “April showers bring May flowers”, you can rest assured that all the showers will bring are flowers, not frizz.

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

Time to Shine

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After its winter slumber, spring is upon us. The birds are chirping, the days are getting longer, everything seems better and brighter.  For many of us, the harshness of the winter weather, the dry blast of heat from the furnace and the ever present flat iron have become the enemy of our beloved tresses. The sun may be shining longer and brighter, our hair, not so much…until now. Let me introduce to you, from the SarynaKey Damage Repair line, your new best friend. Meet SarynaKey Damage Repair Gloss Spray.

SarynaKey Damage Repair Gloss Spray

SarynaKey Damage Repair Gloss Spray contains the healing benefits of Shea Butter, vitamins, amino acids and proteins that safe guard your hair and keep it hydrated. Healing and repairing the split ends that go along with dry, damaged hair all the while delivering a fantastic, natural shine. Formulated for all hair types, its lightweight formula will not weigh down fine hair, yet is potent enough for thick, coarse hair. No greasy residue and no brassy effect on blondes. It also contains UV filters to protect your color from the sun and environmental changes.

Some of my FAB! SarynaKey Damage Repair Gloss Spray Spring & Summer tips!

  • Apply pool side to help protect your color from the damage of chlorine and salt water * the chlorine/salt will adhere to the shine spray more than your hair = less damage to your hair and keeps your color vibrant.
  • Take it with you to the beach! Apply to your hair to protect your color from the sun’s U.V. rays.
  • After a day out at the beach or on the boat, spray on your hair as an instant refresher.
  • Your ends are looking a little fuzzy and you can’t get into the Salon for a trim? Spray a little SarynaKey Damage Repair Gloss Spray in your hands and rub into the ends of your hair = no more fuzzy ends and you are ready for a night on the town.

Beautiful, silky, shiny hair every day, thanks to SarynaKey.

Beauty, Business, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Monday Motivator – The New Orleans Collection by OPI

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Here we are again, it’s Monday. In my neck of the woods Mother Nature forgot to check her calendar and our April is feeling and looking more like January. We woke to ice, snow and cold winds. I can’t help but wonder, if April showers bring May flowers, what on earth will April snow clippers bring? As I was shoveling, pouting and cursing this morning, I decided that no matter how cold my toes were and how much my nose dripped, I was going to make Spring happen…well at least for myself, and now for you too. In hopes of brightening your day and  motivating Mother Nature herself, let me introduce you to the latest collection from OPI. The Spring/Summer 2016 collection, the New Orleans collection!

OPI New Orleans    OPI New Orleans

To celebrate the spirit and hope of New Orleans with these FAB! bright shades that go by the names of “Let Me Bayou a Drink”, “Crawfishin’ for a Compliment”, “Got Myself into a Jam-balaya” and “Show us your Tips!”, I dare you not to get a smile on your face, a spring in your step and more than a glimmer of hope for Spring.

Besides having fun and fabulous shades in all their collections, there is something not many people know about OPI. Not only does OPI create heavily pigmented, long lasting chip resistant lacquers…all their lacquers are formaldehyde free – formaldehyde has never been an ingredient in OPI lacquers. *Some of OPI’s nail strengtheners/hardeners do contain formaldehyde – a level 4 times lower than the safe standard established by the FDA. For those looking for a formaldehyde free alternative, OPI Nail Envy Sensitive and Peeling and OPI Start to Finish Formaldehyde Free formula are your answers.  Another FAB! fact – in 2006 OPI reformulated their complete line to eliminate DBP(dibutyl phthalate) and Toluene.

With this wintery weather and another Monday upon us, how about you join me and OPI, “Take a Right on Bourbon” and turn your face towards the sun.

 

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Monday Motivator – SexyHair Blonde Sexy Hair

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It’s Monday. If you are anything like yours truly, you a nursing an Easter sugar hangover…those damn crème eggs get me every year. In my corner of the globe Mother Nature cannot seem to make up her mind what season it is…one minute it’s spring with birds chirping, the next it’s fall with bitter cold winds, then onto winter with flurries only to return back to spring a few minutes later. In the midst of these seasonal disorders, yours truly has come across a real gem for all blondes…natural and otherwise. Let me introduce you to Sexy Hair’s Blonde Sexy Hair

Sexy Hair Blonde Sexy Hair

Blonde Sexy Hair by the beauties at Sexy Hair Concepts has been formulated to meet all the needs of our blonde tresses. With their key ingredients of quinoa, chamomile, honey and vitamins, among others, this line provides moisture, strength, shine and keeps our blonde, blonde and bright. …also a lovely line for our silver haired beauties.

Blonde Sexy Hair Sulfate Free Bombshell Blonde Shampoo – A daily shampoo that eliminates product build up and keeps blondes hydrated and bright and protects against your color fading.

Blonde Sexy Hair Sulfate Free Bombshell Blonde Conditioner – A daily conditioner that strengthens and shields the hair’s surface to help prevent breakage and reduce split ends. Provides natural moisture and helps to protect against color fading while leaving the hair silky and shiny. Anti oxidants protect against environmental damage.

Blonde Sexy Sulfate Free Bright Blonde Shampoo – Blonde Sexy Hair’s answer to a purple/blue shampoo. This gem rids your hair of those annoying yellow/brassy tones we pick up from product and pollution build up. ….pssst….nicotine is a nasty culprit of adding brass to your tresses…if you a smoker and you are blonde or have silver/grey hair, once you quit, the yellowing will slow down….oh, and your health will improve too. (insert wink and a smile).

 

Being me, here is a little break down of the what and why of the ingredients that make this line such a gem for blondes;

Chamomile = enhances the vibrancy of the color, keeping blondes & silver bright

Honey = helps to restore moisture. Blonde hair can tend to be on the drier side …something all non-blondes know far too well.

Quinoa = a gluten free protein that repairs the hair by penetrating the hair’s cortex for a more deep conditioning effect and result.

Vitamin B5 = capable of penetrating deep into the hair to improve the condition of the hair and helps to reduce the formation of split ends.

Green Tea & Vitamin E (anti oxidants) = protects the hair from environmental damage (pollution, wind etc…) and U.V. rays

Kervais = provides strength and aids in reducing breakage. …again, all us non-blondes know how fragile our hair can become.

Sulfate free = no suds, plain and simple. When using the shampoo, if you prefer a little more sudsy action, add more water to your hair, not more shampoo. Using too much of a sulfate free shampoo will leave a residue on your hair leaving your hair feeling and looking lifeless.

So, the skies may be grey today, but my blonde is bright…and yours can be too.

 

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Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Monday Motivator’s – Goldwell Sleek Perfection & Diamond Gloss Spray

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I swear, I blinked on Friday night and poof! it’s Monday morning. It was cold and gloomy this morning when I whined myself out of bed. Not even my cloud filled cup of morning coffee could shake my melancholy. As I was on my way to the shop, the sun broke through the clouds as if the universe was saying “Alright Sara. Chill out and smile.”. I do not enjoy admitting my shortcomings, but at that moment I realized that I was being a big old baby. I woke up in my own bed, in my own house, with electricity and hot coffee. My loved ones are healthy. I have my own car to get to work. I have a job. Yeah, safe to say my life is pretty damn good…oh, and thanks to these gems from Goldwell, so is my hair.

 

Goldwell Sllek Perfection & Diamond Gloss Goldwell Sleek Perfection & Goldwell Diamond Gloss Spray

 

Goldwell Sleek Perfection is a thermal protectant spray serum. It’s waterless formula insures less damage during heat styling and reduces breakage up to 50%. A humidity resistant formulation that locks out humidity for up to 24 hours all the while offering color protection = less fading so your new found color keeps it’s vibrancy. It is lightweight, so a great option for our fine hair beauties, yet potent enough for our thicker, more coarse tresses. It is a fast drying non aerosol spray with no hold factor, so there is never a worry for a sticky residue, or working against any other styling product you may be using. Oh….and by the way…it smells like candy….you know, the good candy from the penny candy counter.

 

Goldwell Diamond Gloss Spray is a fast drying, aerosol shine spray. This gem offers spectacular long lasting shine, reduces frizz and offers color protection. Since Diamond Gloss offers no hold it can also be applied to your hair when it has decided to get a mind of it’s own and becomes unruly or looking a little stressed or haggard – picture being caught in a gust of wind as your umbrella blows inside out – give your hair a spray of Diamond Gloss to get it back in line. I have found it to help with static as well. …and it smells great too.

…you gotta admit, when you are having a good hair day, it helps everything else seem a little less daunting and helps bring some light to your day.

 

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women, writing

Monday Motivators – Quantum Ultra Shine & Quantum Ultra Fibre

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It’s Monday…again. It is also the Monday after daylight savings time and to be honest I feel a tad ripped off. I had one less hour of sleep, I have no idea what time it is and to top it off, it is dark and cloudy in my part of the world – so much for daylight. The only upside to this dull day? My hair looks fantastic. Thanks to these lovely gems from Quantum Micro V.

Quantum Ultra  Meet Ultra Shine and Ultra Fibre!

QUANTUM Ultra Shine is a lovely, lightweight, colorless, aerosol dry oil spray. Once applied, your tresses spring to life with a bright, natural shine and silky soft texture. Created for all hair types and all hair colors. Ultra Shine reduces frizz and flyaways and locks in color – perfect for a drizzly Spring morning. Ultra Shine can be applied to damp hair as a primer and to dry hair after your style has been achieved to lock out frizz and add that little extra head turning shine. *FYI – Ultra Shine never makes your hair look greasy and you can also apply it to your skin, leaving it silky soft.

 

QUANTUM Ultra Fibre is a texturizing taffy. A styling cream that acts like a wax. *PERFECT for your clients/customers that want the look of a wax but cannot stand the feel of wax in their hands and/or hair. Ultra Fibre offers a flexible medium hold with restylability = you can change your hairstyle from office to a night on the town, no muss, no fuss. Ultra Fibre contains little fibres that act as a styling companion (not to worry Beauties – the fibres do not leave any residue in your hair nor on your clothes). The fibres help to separate hair while creating definition and movement. For best results, apply Ultra Fibre to dry hair. A little goes a long way so I suggest using an amount the size of your pinky finger nail, spread into your hand, emulsify the product in both hands (rub hands together), then apply as desired *FYI – For some fun, before you apply the product, clap your hands together and you will see the fibres in action!

There are many things that could improve a Monday…Brad Pitt being your pool boy, winning the lotto, scientist’s discovering that they had it all wrong and that donuts are good for you. Until then, thanks to Quantum Micro V, at least I am having a good  hair day on a Monday. What more could a girl ask for?