Beauty, Business, Fashion, Uncategorized

An escape from daily life

Leave a comment

Salon -n. -elegant room for receiving guests; room or establishment where a hairdresser or couturier receives clients. (Oxford Dictionary).  Today’s tale is a Salon tale, a tale about being received as a guest into an elegant room.

Yesterday I was invited to an open house at a local business. I knew some of the people that were going to be there, it was a sunny spring day and I heard they had jewelry, purses AND shoes. As I reached the door I could hear “When you wish upon a star” (liked this place already). As I crossed the threshold into the boutique, I couldn’t tell if I was in New York, Paris or London. I did a quick glance over my shoulder, to make sure I could still see my home town streets.  I was embraced by the elegance and beauty that surrounded me. One of a kind jewelry that is elegant enough for a night at the opera or to jazz up everyday wear. A price point that is comfortable for any pocketbook. OH –  and the boots and the shoes!!! Zeyzani – one of a kind embroidered boots and shoes, some of the most beautiful workmanship I have seen in a long time. http://www.zeyzani.com.

The boutique is Poppies on Brant Ave. (in Brantford, Ontario, Canada). The owner, Brooks Williams welcomed me in as if she was welcoming me into her home. Not only did she know her inventory, and gave me helpful hints on how to turn one piece of jewelry into many different looks, all the while smiling and being kind as kind could be. There were over 25 women in her store and Brooks made me feel like I was the only one there. If you are in need of that special something or want to lift your spirits, go to Poppies on Brant Ave. You will leave feeling like you have had a vacation away from your daily life, you will leave with a spring in your step and some beautiful treasures hand wrapped in a pretty bag – what more could a girl ask for?

Beauty, Fashion, Hair Care, Uncategorized

Thank you, Mr. Vidal Sassoon

1 Comment

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, Hair Care, Uncategorized

The shallow end of the gene pool

Leave a comment

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, health and wellness

Do you have a minute?

Leave a comment

As I sit here, enjoying my morning brew, the sun shining on face, my mind keeps wandering back to one thing. Today’s tale is about self worth. Every day at the shop I meet a woman who is a shadow of her former self. There she is, buying pomade for the hubby, flat iron for the daughter, colored gel for the son…nothing for her. As she is keying in her PIN on the debit machine, she utters oh so quietly “oh…don’t look at me…I am a mess…no time for me today.”. Honey, there is always time.

Now, before you go off the deep end or jump on the soap box about how busy you are…..take a breath. If you have time to watch the Jersey Shore or Dr. Phil…why not do your nails while you watch. Got time to check on your crops in Farmville? You have time to check out some beauty advice/ info. blogs… http://www.thatgirlintheredcoat.com  – tell your friends. No time to shop for you? Guess what?!?! You can do it online! Go to http://www.sephora.com – the Mecca of all that is beauty. Professional hair care lines like the ones I have mentioned in previous posts. When you order you get to choose free samples! Samples you get to choose! It is brought to your door! It’s like Christmas – without all the family drama. Yes, I am excited. Trust me, after one visit, you will be hooked. The first time I saw a Sephora Store – I let go of my daughter’s hand (Calm down….my husband was there).

With the right products you can be the woman you know you are on the inside. You know the one…she is the one that won’t shut up, the one that you let kick your butt every time you put yourself last – let’s shut her up. When you are with your stylist – tell him/her your schedule – tell them you need help and ask what products/techniques you should use that can achieve what you want in the least amount of time. They exist people…I can look pretty good in 30 minutes – from in the shower to out the door. ( Yes, I tend to toot my own horn…when you are good at something, do it)

I am a mother. I know the internal struggles we face everyday about who to put first or what to do first. Ladies, it is alright to put yourselves first every now and then – not just for yourself, but for your family and friends. Come on now, admit it. Most arguments or pans being thrown are due to lack of time to ourselves. Save yourself some tears and your family a call to the Mental Health unit. Brush your hair, paint your nails, gloss your lips, go for a run. If the guilt is too great, think of it as teaching your family patience. Let them know that good things come to those who wait for Mom to take a moment.

Beauty, health and wellness

Go ahead….be yourself…it will be alright

Leave a comment

This is more of a reminder than a tale. A reminder that you are wonderful just as you are. Every where you turn, someone or something may make you feel like you need to change or if you have just the right product all will be well and all your dreams will come true.  As Glinda the good witch from the Wizard of OZ told Dorothy – you have had it all the time. You have all the answers, you know how wonderful you are. It’s time to show everyone else.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry what others may think. In my experience, the ones who scorn us are the fearful ones, who wish they had the courage to step out into the sunlight, instead they cower in the darkness. As I have said before, the others are probably talking about you already, so give ’em a juicy story to tell. Embrace your faux hawk. Show off your ink. Want to be a blonde? Go for it. Recovering from Chemo? Show of your beautiful baldness or treat yourself to that black bob wig you’ve been eyeing. Paint your cat eyes (not your cat’s eyes….), wear that red lipstick. Dress how you want, man or woman.

If you want a change, make it for yourself, not for anyone or anything else. Love yourself. Embrace the laugh lines – reminders of your happiness, love the wrinkles – proof of a life lived.

The more you become true to yourself, the more your true life begins. The path that you once couldn’t find on a map will reveal itself.

It’s okay to be yourself, you have my permission.

Beauty, communication, Hair Care, Uncategorized

Mind your manners…

Leave a comment

“Mind your manners”. Remember that phrase? I know you all remember where the beef is and not to squeeze the Charmin. Whatever happened to remembering to mind your manners? Today’s tale is for all the hair stylists and esthetician’s out there, to shed some light on what they have to deal with on a weekly and sometimes even on a daily basis. Yes, they offer a service, that does not mean they are your servant.  Salon etiquette exists – it is not an urban legend. When visiting your doctor’s office or your dentist, I am sure you don’t throw your purse on the ground or interrupt them when they are with another patient. The same goes for the Salon. If your stylist is with another client, remember what your kindergarten teacher said, wait your turn. As for throwing your purse on the ground, come on, do I really have to explain?

The following is a list I have compiled that should help make your next Salon visit pleasurable for all parties involved;

– Brush your teeth. You would think it was common sense. Well, common sense ain’t so common.

– Brush your hair. No one wants to see a hair ball at the Salon.

– Coming for a pedicure? Wash your feet. Even the Savior himself wouldn’t want to wash some of the feet that walk through the Salon door.

– If you are sick, re-book your appointment. Salon’s are to spread happiness and self esteem, not the plague.

– When offered a beverage, say please and thank you, or no thank you – which ever works. “Nah” with a hand wave…not so nice.

– When asked what you want done with your hair, try to refrain from “whatever” or “I’m texting”…again… not so nice.

– Want a spray cut? Please make sure your hair is clean. Imagine the smell of old mop water. Enough said.

– When your child is with you, be the parent. It is a little difficult to babysit while applying foil highlights or nail art to your fresh pedi.

– When you make an appointment and cannot keep it – call the Salon. Not only is a “no show” rude, it takes an appointment away from another client. Most importantly it affects the stylist/esthetician’s income for that day.

It’s pretty simple. Be nice. Be polite. Treat other’s as you want to be treated. Remember to mind your manners. If you need to, imagine your mother slapping you on the back of the head.

 

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care

My morning Coffey

6 Comments

The following is a personal salon tale, it is about how I came to be that girl in the red coat. A few years ago, I found myself loathing my job. I had wandered off the beauty biz path and into another industry. I knew something was wrong when I found myself hoping the next phone call would be my daughter’s school stating she was sick, so I could go home for the day. I have always been known for my strong opinions, to tell it like it is. I am a firm believer in leading by example and not painting everyone with the same brush. That being said, my manager’s and I didn’t always see eye to eye.

I remember the day I came home, feeling like maybe it was me that was the problem. I was the only one speaking up and more or less being told to shut it. Working my butt off without a thank you while others texted and stood around looking busy and got a coffee “on the boss”.  After homework was checked and dishes were done I flopped into the couch, put on my best pout, turned on the television and there she was. Tabatha. Tabatha Coffey.  She wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, to lead by example, to show her integrity all while in the most awesome heels and great clothes. As I watched the first of many “Salon Takeovers” I felt the little flame ignite again. It was then and there I quietly promised myself somehow, someway I would get back to my beloved industry, I would return to the beauty biz, to my home away from home – and that I would meet Tabatha.

Now, remember, I am not a stylist nor an aesthetician.  In the past I had managed a Beauty Supply and Salon. I know, you are wondering how will she get back in the biz? Well, here’s how. I always kept in touch with my contacts from the biz, kept in contact with my old employer and stylists, kept up with all the newest products (thank you In Style ,Google and Tabatha.). I never stopped believing, as a child believes in the tooth fairy, that one day I would be back in the biz.

It happened. The powers that be, the universe, the Smurfs – take your pick – opened a door and I ran through it. My previous employer was selling her Beauty Supply/Salon. The new owner/head stylist and I met in passing one day as I went into the store to buy my hairspray. Long story short, the new owner offered me my old management position. I will be forever grateful to her. I was finally coming home. Oh yes, and I got to meet  Tabatha. Yes I did!!  I had bought her book – “It’s not really about the hair” and when I bought it I told my daughter I would meet her one day and she would sign my book. In 2011, Tabatha was at the ABA in Toronto and my new boss bought me a ticket to the show. I heard Tabatha speak, waited in line, and had my picture taken and book signed. I thanked her for inspiring me to get back in the biz, and she told me she loved the hue of my red coat.

SSPX0641

 

This past year I had the privilege of hearing her speak at the 2012 ABA in Toronto. Once again, she reinforced the fire in me and my belief in true customer service, professionalism, educating yourself and keeping your head in the game.

Tabatha Coffey is a true professional. She has poise, intelligence, creativity and above all else, balls. Yes ladies and gentlemen and feminists alike, I said it. Balls. She reminded me that it’s okay to have an educated opinion, to have pride in yourself and your work and not to care what people think. Tabatha helped me to be brave once more and to stop hiding my abilities.

Thank you Tabatha Coffey.

Yours truly, That girl in the red coat.

 

Beauty, communication, Hair Care

Do you see what I see?

Leave a comment

The silent killer of stylist/clientele relationships. Symptoms  – puffy eyes, red face, tissue lint stuck on the end of nose, hands clasped together in prayer standing in front of the hair color swatches or the thinning shears. Diagnosis – hair tragedy. Prognosis – with professional help and proper communication the hair and your self image will be survive.

This is more common than you know. We have all been there. We float into the salon with the dream of looking like Kate Middleton and leave looking like Peg Bundy. We buy the lightener to use at home because our “friend” said it was so easy and everyone she used it on went “so blonde” (of course “everyone” was already blonde and you are a brunette) – we start to see ourselves running on the beach like the baywatch girls – blonde tresses blowing in the wind and end up having a hair color that even a lifeguard couldn’t save. Why did this happen? To be honest, more times than not as the Captain in Cool Hand Luke put it so well – what we have here is a failure to communicate.

Believe it or not, most stylists want you to be happy. Most are heartbroken if you are not pleased with their work – they want you to have a good hair day everyday until you see them at your next appointment. Unless you have the ultimate trust and have had your stylist for many years and you know her as well as she knows you – NEVER say, “oh do what you like.”. Guess what – what you see and what she see’s are two different things. You may say “I want to a redhead” and picture Molly Ringwald – she pictures Jessica Rabbit. You may say “I want a pixie cut” – you picture Michelle Williams – she pictures Tinkerbell. Bring in a photo of what you want, google the image on your phone while you are sitting in her chair. Now remember… you can achieve the hair cut you like – you will not leave looking like the person in the photo – sorry to squash the dream – the hair we can help with – the face – that’s the office down the road.

As for the “at home” blunders – when all is said and done – don’t be hatin’ the friend – you decided to let her do it. To fix the horror that is now your hair – DO NOT TOUCH! Go to your stylist, tell her what happened and ask for her help. Don’t call and try to describe the color – half ripened banana color doesn’t mean a thing. We need to see your hair – to see the porosity of the hair, look for any breakage etc… Sometimes the dream of being a blonde bombshell may still be possible. Sometimes not.

If you can order a cheeseburger and ask them to hold the pickles, add just a drop of mustard, add more ketchup and only add 2 3/4 onions to the burger, I am sure you can figure out a way to tell your stylist what is it you want.

 

Beauty, Hair Care

Sulfates, Alcohol and Parabens ….Oh my!

Leave a comment

Three little words. On their own, not so scary. Put them all together and place them in a bottle and your trembling hand reaches up to your freshly colored tresses. For some, all three together causes sneezes, itchy scalp or sends some people running out to hug the nearest tree.  SOMA Hair Care. Use these products and save yourself from running out of tissue, scratching your scalp raw or being the front page photo of your local newspaper with the caption “Crazed woman apologizes to a tree”.

SOMA Hair Care is a Sulfate free, Alcohol free, Paraben free, Formaldehyde free, 100% Biodegradable, Hypo allergenic hair care line. All their products are color safe, and the majority of their styling products offer thermal protection. The product line offers more than 20 products. Here are a few of their hidden gems.

SOMA Solace – A cuticle sealer. AWESOME! Adds shine without hold, stops frizz in it’s tracks.

SOMA Prism – A shine spray. Puts an end to nasty static flyaways, non greasy and humidity resistant

SOMA Gravity – A smoothing product – great for thick/coarse hair. Eliminates frizz and is humidity resistant.

SOMA Blonde Silver Shampoo – A MUST for blondes! One of the only purple shampoo’s on the market that add moisture and strength while eliminating those nasty brassy tones.

SOMA Clarifying Shampoo – Color safe. Gentle to hair yet strong enough to remove chlorine stains from the hair. Smells like childhood memories (the good ones).

SOMA Concrete Gel – STRONG hold without the flakes. Humidity resistant

SOMA Leave in – an awesome leave in conditioner – can be used on all hair types – even the finest of hair. Great detangler – no more screams from the children when they see you with a comb.

Check out their website – somaorganics.com.

This SOMA may not help you achieve hangover free holidays like in George Orwell’s 1984 – but your hair is going to look great no matter how you feel.

Beauty, Business

Beauty and brains? Yes…it is possible

Leave a comment

So, it happened again. Some poor soul made the common mistake that because they saw that I was rockin’ a great hairstyle and had some lipstick and eyeliner on that I must not be very bright. SURPRISE! Yes, it’s true, a woman can be attractive and be intelligent at the same time.

I know many people think, “oh, it’s just hair products, how hard can it be?”. As in any profession, product knowledge is key. In my store/salon, we have over 30 different hair care lines, so approximately 1000 products. Let us not forget the nail care and foot care products which equal out to approximately 200 products. Quite a bit of product knowledge to retain, don’t you think? Now, because this is a business there is payroll, accounting, staff meetings, inventory, orders, meeting with Sales Reps, keeping up with the latest trends and newest products, advertising to take care of and all the while servicing our customer’s and clientele with the best customer service we can provide.(Yes, it’s true….hairstylists and beauty professionals alike actually run a business….we are not playing beauty shop all day).

I know, you are reading this thinking “Hey! I thought this was a blog about salon tales”. Well my friends, everyone has a tale to tell and this tale is for all the salon owners, stylists and for professional business women everywhere or the stay at home mom who enjoys beauty products. Getting excited over hair extensions or squealing with delight over the newest polish collection does not lower your I.Q.. Wanting to have your hair done before you go to the grocery store doesn’t make you a bad mother. Taking pride in your appearance doesn’t make you vain. Stop worrying about what others will say. Sorry to break it to you – they are probably already talking about you so why not (in the words of Bonnie Raitt) – give ’em something to talk about.

Think of all the fun you will have when you get to take them all by surprise. Trust me…..it is glorious.