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Salon Relaxation – It Really Is Okay To Give Us The Silent Treatment
Free eBooks While Your Hair Color Processes
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Hello fellow book lovers. Since we are seeing more guests bringing their eReaders into the salon I thought I would share a money saving tip. Get a library card. Seriously. The library now has a downloadables section with tons of eBooks for Kindles and Nooks. Here’s what you do…
Step 1: Get a library card. Take your drivers license and a bill with your current address to the library and they will get you set up.
Step 2: Go to the library website and click on the downloadables section.
Step 3: Find a book you want and put it in your cart.
Step 4: When you are done, just proceed to check out and follow the directions they give you.
That’s it. Very easy, totally free, no late fees, and no need to leave the house. So now you can have free entertainment while your color processes and spend the money you saved on essentials like the Dry Remedy Treatment Masque!
p.s. The library also has downloadable audio books 
Will Someone Tell Me How Fabulous I Look In These Jeans?
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Clients are always asking me how I manage to be “on” every day at work, even when I’m feeling blah and despondent. This may get a bit touchy feely (so not my personality) but bear with me. So if I need to get out of a funk I give specific, genuine compliments. That’s my “on” switch. I have found (through very unscientific and undocumented research) that if I say to a guest “that shade of green looks stunning on you” she will generally say a) “thank you” and smile b) “this old thing” and smile c) “too bad it doesn’t make me look slimmer” and smile I dare you to try frowning when someone is smiling at you. So I smile, and my day gets a bit better. Then she tells me a funny story and I laugh. And before I know it, I’m “on”, and my coworkers are a little less afraid of me. So next time you feel blah-y, tell someone you know how fabulous those jeans look on her. a) because she will smile b) then you will smile c) and we all spend so much time searching for the perfect pair of jeans and that persistence and perseverance should at least be rewarded with a compliment!
4 ways to determine your skin’s undertone and how it affects hair color
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Photo: http://arsaromatica.blogspot.com/
Here is a quick guide to help you determine if your skin has cool or warm undertones and what hair colors work best with each.
1. In natural light, hold out your arm. If the veins on the inside of your elbow look green, you have warm undertones. Blue veins means cool.
2. Hold a piece of gold jewelry and a piece of silver jewelry up against your arm and see which one “pops” or looks better. Gold means warm and silver means cool.
3. Try on baby blue, white, cream, and rust colored clothing. Baby blue and white will look great on cools while cream and rust will look better on warms.
4. If you are really lucky everything looks good on you and you are a neutral.
So what does this mean in terms of hair color?
Cool undertones in the skin lend themselves to cooler hair colors. Colors that have blue, violet,and ashy tones. Reds will work but should be of the red violet or blue-red variety. Blondes should stay away from peachy or golden tones; stay closer to ashy or neutral. Brunettes should also have an ash base to neutralize warm tones.
Warm undertones (you guessed it!) lend themselves to warm hair colors. Golden or peachy blondes, orangey reds, auburn or golden browns.
!!!! Ruddy complexions beware. Stay away from reds and platinum blonde. Red will bring the red in your skin to the forefront and platinum will just look harsh. Slight red tones can be corrected with a make-up primer or concealer with a green tint.
Neutrals can go either way, but I would recommend a hair color that incorporates eye color or clothing color preference.
Remember that these are guidelines for anyone looking for a change and not knowing where to start. Rules can sometimes be broken and create amazing results. The most important thing is that you love your color! Be sure to check out this week’s Flash Deal if you’re looking to schedule and appointment for hair color.
So what color is your natural skin tone? Are you looking to change up your color and not sure what color is right for you? Leave me a comment below. I’m interested in knowing.
3 Questions You Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Ask Your Colorist
By Erica Colon, Director Of Color Education
1. How much maintenance does this color require?
If you can not commit to coming into the salon every four to six weeks, explain this to your colorist. They have the knowledge and experience to find a color schedule that fits into your life.
2. How much money is this going to cost me?
Don’t be shy. Ask up front how much your color is going to cost and have your colorist break it down so you know what you are paying for. If it’s over your budget, speak up. Sometimes a few strategically placed highlights can take the place of a partial highlight and bring the cost down a bit.
3. What products should I use to maintain my color?
Please listen to your colorist when they recommend products to maintain the longevity and shine of your color. These products are formulated to combat fading and dulling caused by all types of environmental elements.
Helpful hints:
As colorists, we sometimes lapse into “hair” speak; commonplace to us, but Klingon to you. If you don’t understand exactly what a colorist means by words like “warm” or ” chunky”, ask them to explain differently or show you a picture.
Compare the thickness of your desired highlights to pasta. Seriously. Most people know the difference in thickness between fettucini and spaghetti.
Caramel, mahogany, and chestnut are different colors to different people. Use pictures to show your colorist what you desire. We heart pictures.
Tell your stylist about your occupation, kids or no kids, frequent travel or homebody, Britney Spears or The Clash, etc. These details may seem like small talk, but over time they go a long way towards helping your colorist customize the perfect color to fit your personality.
