SalonClick, The Beauty of Exclusivity

3.1 Phillip Lim Frontstage Backstage

2010-09-16T09:05:00.007-04:00

2010-09-03T23:00:00.005-04:00

For this year's Emmys, Claire Danes opted for a naturally glam look — a complete 180 from the tightly curled wig and overalls she wore for her winning role as Temple Grandin. Her blow-out was ultra-pretty with lots of movement, and her makeup was subtle: all about her glowing skin and Latisse-aquired lashes.

Celebrity makeup artist Matin prepped this Emmy-award winner with Orlane’s Refining Arm Cream and Active Hydration Body Care for the occasion.

· Refining Arm Cream ($85.00) contains natural targeted ingredients selected to effectively fight against sagging skin so arms regain a toned, defined, and firm appearance.

· Active Hydration Body Care ($100.00) includes extracts of water plants (bamboo, lotus and water lily) to retain moisture for long-lasting hydration.

Red Carpet Hair: "Letters To Juliet" Los Angeles Premiere

2010-05-12T09:10:00.000-04:00

Via Photos by M. Sullivan & B. Ingram

Spring's Hot New Hairstyles, 2010

2010-04-05T09:52:00.005-04:00

Angelina Jolie - Old-Fashioned
"She has soft, side-swept bangs and a fall, a hair-piece that actually fits on top of the head," Gibson says of his client, who changed her 'do for The Tourist. "It's very sophisticated, but tends to look a little older. This isn't something she'd wear on the red carpet."

Jennifer Love Hewitt - Day-to-Night Curls
"Ask for shorter layers with blunt ends and softness around the face," Ted Gibson (clients include Angelina Jolie and Kate Gosselin) tells Us. He recommends curling strands "from the scalp all the way to the ends."

Carey Mulligan - The Crop
"This particular haircut is more of a rounded shape, which shows off a longer chin. It works really well for her. Most women can wear this look. Women say short hair isn't sexy, but it is," Gibson says. She has a mix of caramel and lighter highlights, Gibson adds.

Nicole Richie - Bangs Bring Out Eyes
"A wider face means more of a narrow bang," Gibson tells Us. Richie's look is achieved by flat-ironing an inch of hair at a time from the scalp to the ends. "Don't go all the way to the scalp if you want more volume," he advises.

Kate Gosselin - In-between Bob
"Her hair had grown out from that short and spiked up haircut she had from the last two or three years," Gibson explains. The color -- she's a single-process blonde with highlights -- accentuates it. The cut is "graduated in the back and longer in the front with sideswept bangs that emphasize eyes.

Beyonce - '60s Retro Look
"Ask for larger waves, and let the hairdresser know to use a larger curling iron," Gibson tells Us. "If you don't have that much hair, you can add in clip-ons or extensions."

Ciara - Natural Bedhead
"This cut is really about the blowout. While hair is damp, use a volumizing product at the scalp. Blowdry using a medium-sized round brush and then a large barrel curling iron so ends are straight and not too curly," Gibson says. "It looks almost as if you were tousled in bed all night!"

Jennifer Aniston - Voluminous Blowout
If you want Aniston's cut, "ask for long layers and face-framing layers that do go above the chin." But Gibson warns "this is a high-maintenance 'do" because of the highlights. "Get lighter pieces underneath so it doesn't look like you have a massive amount of regrowth.

Jessica Simpson - Mixed-up Color
"A lot of different colors don't really flatter her that much. These different kind of tones look like a mistake," says Gibson, who recommends that those who want to experiment with color should avoid mixing so many shades. "It looks like a calico cat!"

Katherine Heigl - '40s Vixen
"Part your hair on the side. Use a medium-sized curling iron to get soft waves," Gibson says. "Curl from the ends to the scalp."

Reese Witherspoon - Long-lasting Cut
Witherspoon's "soft" ends -- instead of "blunt" -- means you can go longer between cuts! But, Gibson warns, "you might look like you have more split ends." Gibson says Witherspoon's color is single process with highlights "to keep her very blonde."

America Ferrera - Girl Next Door
Low maintenance! "This particular look is a great blow-out, and that's it. No curling iron work, no set [curler] work. After blowdrying, clip the ends under while it cools and you do your makeup -- you'll have a nice, bouncy look." The cut is "soft, long layers that give volume without losing the length.

Via

No Ifs Fashion Show, Berlin Autumn/Winter 2010

2010-01-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

The look from No Ifs Fashion Show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2010 at the Bebelplatz on January 20, 2010 in Berlin, Germany:

Laser hair removal at home?

2010-01-12T11:20:00.002-05:00

The TRIA Laser Hair Removal System is the first and only FDA-cleared laser hair removal system available that uses the same trusted laser technology as the professionals and provides the same lasting results - at home.

"In as few as eight simple treatments, you'll never have to shave or wax again. End of story.

No more inconvenient appointments. No more endless waxing and shaving. Wake up to silky-smooth skin every day and wear what you like, when you like. With the TRIA Laser Hair Removal System, it's all about privacy and being hair-free on your own terms, in your own home. You set the schedule and let the TRIA System do the rest!"

I'm a skeptic, but it sure sounds like a good idea to me. Beauty Professionals, what do YOU think?

Behind the Scene of Sex and the City 2

2009-12-27T09:48:00.001-05:00

The women of Sex and the City have been known to do some of the coolest, most envelope-pushing fashions around. But for the second installment of the TV show-turned feature film, clothing stylist Pat Field might have a little competition on set. Frank Barbosa of Frank Antonio Hair and Makeup gave some inside scoops on the coifs for Sex and the City 2.

“The hair makes more of an impact in this film than in any of the other Sex and the City shows,” he says. “The best part about working as the hair department head for this movie is that everyday fluctuated. We did something different literally every day!”

#1: Expect to see a lot of wavy hair! If you’ve already fallen in love with SJP’s signature wavy style, be ready to turn green with envy because all the Sex-y ladies are rockin’ the natural wavy look. Frank says it’s “waves for everyone” in the film. To create Carrie Bradshaw’s fabulous waves, Frank used irons of varying sizes for a natural, carefree look.

#2: More, more, more headpieces! He couldn’t say what they were exactly, but Frank shared that there are three scenes in the film where headpieces will be front and center.

#3: Frank’s never-fail products! Filming in New York City, you never know what to expect when it comes to the weather, so Frank had to be armed with an arsenal of top-notch stylers. “I always have Rene Furterer in my set bag,” he says. “The Fioravanti spray calms down flyaways and works really well under bright lights. It helps to seal the cuticle so the hair would hold up all day.” Frank also colored all the stars’ hair with Italy haircolor.

#4: The ‘80s are back! There are several retro flashback scenes in the film, and Frank said he relied on lots of wigs when it came to the hair. He also kept the Rene Furterer strong hold hair spray flowing to ensure the wacky looks stayed in place. Photos of Carrie in frizzed-out-to-there hair, Samantha strutting her stuff in a ‘do the members of “Poison” would covet, Miranda rockin’ an 80s mushroom cut, and Charlotte in her uber-preppy get-up have been all over entertainment news channels, and they are a hoot!

#5: The inspiration! SATC’s director drew inspiration from a lot of old black and white films. To translate that feeling into hair styles, Frank brought in tons of old photographs. “There are lots of beauty and glamour scenes and I had so much fun working on them!” he shares. With all that beauty comes a lot of time and energy. Frank says he would do a run-through every day with each actress, spending 1-4 hours on each look.

A look back…
Never underestimate the power of film. SATC has had as much impact on hair trends as it has on fashion trends (remember the flower brooch??) Here’s a look at the movie’s more memorable hair moments. We can’t wait to see the impact SATC 2 will have.

Rope Me In:
Kim Cattrall’s character Samantha sported a rockin’ rope braid in Sex and the City the Movie, and since then, we’ve spotted the sultry look on stars like Blake Lively and Fergie.

Honoring Your Roots:
SJP is the queen of perfectly imperfect hair color, and her “rootier,” golden blonde waves have been a hit with women across the nation since her character first donned the look on the hit HBO series. SJP’s been wearing the look in real life ever since, too!

Gear Head:
The fabulous four absolutely love slapping on a sweet statement-making headpiece to coordinate with their haute fashions. Carrie wore a gigantic blue bird on her head for her (almost) wedding day, and the look has been translated into real life in the form of fun and flirty head bands.

Via

Kamo On Top

2009-12-26T19:22:00.004-05:00

Kamo On Top
Vogue Nippon Beauty Jan 2010
Shot by: Mark Segal
Model: Malgosia Bela
Makeup: Makky
Styling by: Tiina Laakkonen
Scans by: a.t.

Julia Roberts to Be Lancôme Spokeswoman

2009-12-04T10:44:00.001-05:00

Pretty Woman has succumbed to the charms of the beauty industry: Julia Roberts, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, has been tapped as the “global ambassadress” for Lancôme.

“By her remarkable personality and career, Julia Roberts is an emblematic woman of her time,” said Youcef Nabi, president of Lancôme International. “Her exceptional talent, her radiance and her strong commitments perfectly echo Lancôme’s values. We are convinced she will embody the brand in the most sublime way possible.”

Lancôme executives declined to give further details on the relationship between Roberts and the brand, including the amount the actress is being paid to sell the products, the length of her contract and specific duties, saying more would be revealed early next year.

Roberts is the latest in a string of Hollywood A-listers entering the beauty realm — and one of the industry’s biggest “gets” in years. Demi Moore was signed to a similar deal with Lancôme sister brand Helena Rubinstein, as the face of its Wanted fragrance, earlier this year.

Roberts, who is said to command salaries north of $20 million for her acting projects, is in post-production on two films — “Eat, Pray, Love,” based on the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, and “Valentine’s Day,” directed by Garry Marshall, who also directed her in “Pretty Woman.” She could command a beauty salary close to her acting paydays.

Getting Roberts — or any other star of her caliber — to appear in U.S. advertising a decade ago would have been a longshot, although many stars consented to appear in product advertising outside the U.S., such as Madonna for Max Factor in Europe. However, the celebrity culture has become ubiquitous, and the stigma once associated with selling products to middle America seems to have disappeared.

Part of the movement of top-tier stars into beauty began when the celebrity fragrance trend started to gain traction in 2001 with Jennifer Lopez’s Glow by J.Lo, which did upwards of $100 million at retail globally in its first year on counter. In February 2002, Catherine Zeta-Jones signed a spokeswoman deal with Elizabeth Arden, and the star race was on. It now includes Cate Blanchett promoting Procter & Gamble Co.’s SK-II skin care line; Halle Berry representing both makeup at Revlon and her own fragrances at Coty Beauty; Kate Winslet as the face of Lancôme’s Tresor fragrance, and Brad Pitt partnering with Kiehl’s. As Zeta-Jones told WWD in March 2008, “Things have completely changed. It used to be, if you’re an actor, why are you selling stuff? People only used to do it in Japan. But beauty is an industry that makes complete sense for an actress.” [Via]

Backstage for the 2009 Victoria's Secret fashion show

2009-11-19T23:44:00.000-05:00

The Armory of New York City hosts the 2009 Victoria's Secret fashion show tonight. Join us backstage for hair & makeup.

Nice bangs

2009-11-12T13:04:00.000-05:00

Animal Hair Styles

2009-11-01T21:47:00.010-05:00

Nagi Noda was a brilliant Japanese artist and director from Tokyo. She passed away on September 7, 2008 at the age of 35, after surgical complications from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Check out her work!

PR Lead: Coping during the holidays

2009-10-12T17:53:00.001-04:00

For a story for a salon trade magazine I need stress-reducing experts, book authors, and hair salon owners to complete the below written interview about ways to cope with anxiety due to the holidays and new year.

Please include your full name, title, salon name, address, telephone and email, and send the answers via email back to me by Wed.

1. How has the economy put stress on hair salon owners?

2. How much business does a salon owner expect to do during the holiday season?

3. Is it stressful that economic woes can hurt sales this time of year?

4. Please list between 5 and 10 ways hair salon owners can cope with anxiety due to the holidays and new year.

Please be as detailed as possible.

---

Reporter: Tracey Porpora
Email: TraceyPorpora@aol.com
Media Outlet: National Salon Trade
Deadline: 06:10pm EASTERN - 14 October

The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

2009-09-23T13:12:00.005-04:00

Debra Messing's head-turning look was one of the most beautiful seen at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Complimenting her dramatic red Michael Kors gown, star stylist Robert Vetica created a truly inspired low, asymmetrical ponytail shaped into a free-flowing cluster of curls that resembled an elegant chignon.

"It was all about style complemented by sensuous movement and healthy, natural-looking ease," said Vetica. "A smooth, shiny texture was the essence of the look."

The technique was as brilliant as the look, and was achieved without any curling or flat irons, using only Moroccanoil® Treatment, Moroccanoil® Glimmer Shine Spray, a blowdryer and a round brush.

To ensure smooth, natural-looking and weightless shine, Vetica first generously applied argan-oil infused, original Moroccanoil Treatment to Messing's coarse textured, curly wet hair. "Her hair loves the ultra-light richness of Moroccanoil® Treatment and it absorbs in instantly without any residue. There's nothing else like it for this kind of shine," said Vetica.

Next, he blow dried sections of hair with a 1 1⁄2-inch round tourmaline brush and clipped each section in place to cool and set, and to help retain its movement and wave.

The style itself was easy to create. "I first made a low side part, gently brushed hair back and pulled it behind Debra's right ear and held it in place with a few bobby pins and a elastic hair band." Vetica then pulled the right side forward, letting it drop over her right eye. "My homage to Veronica Lake," he noted. Finally the relaxed ponytail (on the right side), was fluffed to perfection, and he added a spritz of Moroccanoil® Glimmer Shine Spray followed by light spritz of hair spray.

"The thoughtful preparation of the hair allowed the relaxed ease and hold of the style, and the use of Moroccanoil® Treatment and Moroccanoil® Glimmer Shine Spray and the heat of the blowdryer insured brilliant shine and great condition."

Here are some other great celebrity do's from this event:

Domenico Vacca, S/S 2010

2009-09-14T15:47:00.003-04:00

Timeless hair & makeup... Models looked beautiful at Domenico Vacca's Spring-Summer 2010 preview at SoHo House.

Backstage: Lacoste S/S 2010

2009-09-14T12:05:00.003-04:00

Fahion Hair: Sebatian & Binetti, S/S 2010

2009-09-14T11:44:00.004-04:00

Last night, Thomas Dunkin led the Sebastian Professional stylist design team at the Spring ’10 Diego Binetti show. Thomas and team created a modern, textured twist on structured braids echoing the unique individualism and carefree youth inspiration in Diego Binetti’s spring ’10 collection.

The Hair Look:

To develop the imperfectly perfect Grecian-inspired updo, Sebastian Professional lead stylist Thomas Dunkin adds a touch of disarray to structured braids for a modern twist. The asymmetrical pattern and haphazard positioning of the braids represents unique individualism and carefree youth. Here’s how to take this runway look to real life:

1) Apply Sebastian Professional Thickefy Foam to damp hair; blend evenly throughout

2) Blow hair out straight with a medium to large-sized round brush, spray hair with flexible hairspray for added texture; section hair, and set with large velcro rollers

3) Take out pins, apply Microweb Fiber to hair, focusing most of the distribution towards the top of the head for lift and malleable texture. Clip top half of hair aside.

4) French braid bottom half of hair starting behind left ear. Pull down top half of hair and pin pieces into french braid updo for playful positioning. Finish look with Shine Define for shiny finish and lasting hold.
How to Get the Look:

Thomas Dunkin suggests prepping hair with a weightless thickener, flexible hairspray and soft texturizer to create moldable texture for hold that lasts without a product-laden look. Try:

• Thickefy Foam – Weightless thickener for natural volume ($15.95)
• Microweb Fiber – Elastic texturizer for malleable, touchable texture ($18.95)
• Shine Define – The ultimate versatile hairspray ($15.95)

PR Lead, Dermatologists/Skin Care Experts Needed

2009-08-12T13:17:00.000-04:00

Name: Cynthia Ramnarace

Media Outlet: iVillage

Deadline: 08:08pm EASTERN - 12 August

Query:

I'm looking for skin care experts who can discuss: How to relieve dry skin, especially in problem areas. How to ensure your home and clothing are not irritating your skin. - People who can talk about how they solved their dry/irritated skin issues. Interviews must be done Thursday, Aug.13.

Email: haro@cynthiaramnarace.com

Clean Water Act: SaniManiPedi Launches

2009-08-04T08:45:00.004-04:00

A joint resolution, the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of Mani/Pedis.

Section 1: Abolish all cases of fungus and staph infections incurred at establishments across the U.S.

Section 2: Sanitize water in hand and foot baths at spas and salons without using harmful chemicals.

Section 3: Mix a concoction that is made of all-natural botanical products.

Section 4: Package such product in discreet, biodegradable materials.

Section 5: No animals are to be tested on during the creation process.

This bill is now approved and will be officially called SaniManiPedi.

We hereby proclaim that no man or woman shall visit a chop shop without said product ever again.

Via

Sephora is seeing double in Times Square.

2009-08-01T23:23:00.002-04:00

The beauty retailer today will open its second store in the area, at 5 Times Square. Instead of cloning its nearby store at 1500 Broadway, the new space aims to serve as an incubator for new ideas, as well as products exclusive to Sephora.

“This was a recession-related opportunity that gave us the opportunity to shake things up a bit,” David Suliteanu, president and chief executive officer of Sephora, said during a Wednesday walkthrough of the space.

“There’s plenty of business in Times Square for two stores, and we made a conscious decision to take our most current thinking and concepts and test them here,” he said. “It’s a blend of our DNA and the part show, part spectacle of Times Square itself.”

Successful concepts will be adapted for existing Sephora doors. “We think there are three very strong messages here,” said Suliteanu. “First, that we’re editors of brands, giving consumers what is best. Second, that we’re beauty experts in everything we sell, and third, that we have exclusive brands and products that in many cases you can’t find elsewhere.”

Located on 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues, adjacent to a subway entrance, the 9,359-square-foot space with soaring ceilings is smaller than the Sephora at 1500 Broadway, which is about 14,000 square feet. (The average Sephora door is about 7,500 square feet.)

“We had no footprint like this, so our design team started from scratch,” said Suliteanu of the tall, yet relatively narrow, space. Led by Paul Loux, the company’s vice president of design, the space is fronted with a 50-foot, lighted black-and-white Sephora sign. Immediately inside the front doors, a Sephora Beauty Studio — designed to allow consumers to learn to do a smoky eye or a perfect pout in 10 minutes or less, and leave with the kit to re-create the look at home — is to the left, while a new gondola design featuring Sephora’s eponymous color cosmetics collection commands significant floor space to the right.

“Amping up our consultation services is a big priority in this store,” said Sharon Rothstein, senior vice president of marketing, noting that an additional Sephora Beauty Studio outpost is at the back of the store and focuses on skin care. Nearby, a travel beauty bar sells Sephora-branded, TSA size-approved clear pouches, along with pint-sized moisturizers, Evian spritzers and cosmetics which are within carry-on liquid limits.

Sephora’s natural offerings — notably, Ole Henriksen, Boscia and Caudalie — have been gathered into an upscale boutique area along the left wall of the store, with LED-lighted fixtures, sustainable wood floors and display units and recycled fixture components. “We want to reinforce the concept that natural and glamour can go together,” said Suliteanu.

Along the right wall, oversize, colorful signage — “We’re using a lot more color here than we have in other stores,” noted Suliteanu — shows off the Sephora by OPI nail color collection, which includes a $9 shade called 212-SEPHORA that is only available at 5 Times Square; Sephora’s complete brush line (complete with detailed instructions and uses on a large wall display) and a fragrance wall which groups scents by designer, rather than gender. A circular, lighted fragrance tester unit, which changes hues continually, offers a chance to give said scents a whirl.

In the center front, a display unit touts “Irresistible Values” on one side; the other teases Early Access, a part of VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider), the newest wrinkle to Beauty Insider, the chain’s loyalty program. VIB, which will comprise the highest-spending Beauty Insider participants, is rolling out now; its members will get previews, promotions and freebies not available to other customers.

“We’re also looking at giving our VIB customers lab samples of upcoming products to get their opinions on them,” said Allison Slater, vice president of retail marketing. “We know these customers are passionate about beauty — we want to know what they think.” The chain also plans a private holiday shopping event for these consumers.

Close by, brands exclusive to the 5 Times Square store — including home airbrushing brand Temptu (see related story, page 8), color cosmetics brands By Lauren Luke and Illamasqua and curly hair line Ouidad — are highlighted, as is another 5 Times Square exclusive: Make Up For Ever’s Gotham lashes, black crystal-encrusted false eyelashes, which will retail for $15 per set. A tool bar, complete with electricity, allows customers to test everything from hairdryers to electric skin brushes. Some best-selling brands, such as Philosophy, have been given generous — or, as Suliteanu puts it, a “distorted” — brand presence, where large fixtured units hold the line’s soup-to-nuts offering.

More than 13,000 products from more than 200 brands are featured in the new space. And good news for night owls: the store will be open until midnight seven days a week.

Even the chain’s brands appear to be going ape over the store: today, Bliss plans to have employees in gorilla suits (“our version of guerrilla marketing,” joked the brand’s spokeswoman) handing out information on the brand’s waxing products in front of the store.

As for sales the new space will generate, Suliteanu said only, “a lot.” Industry sources estimated the average Sephora store generates at least $1,200 a square foot yearly.

Via

Consultations via SKYPE

2009-07-29T13:31:00.004-04:00

Realizing that both existing and potential clients might appreciate a chat about a haircut before visiting their stylist, Plan B Salon in Cambridge, Massachusetts launched a new service offering 15-minute video consultations. Prior to their appointment, customers can get an idea of what their options are or how receptive the stylist is to their requests, without wasting time on a journey to the salon. It also lets clients to weigh various possibilities before going in for a cut.

The consultations are set up over Skype. Customers request a date and time using a form on Plan B's website, which asks for their Skype call-back name/number. The salon offers appointments all day on Mondays—a smart way to fill up those quieter days—but will book consultations on other days of the week if time is available. The service is free, and clients are charged from USD 50 for a cut, style and finish.

Costing only time, web-video consultations are a relatively easy way for hairdressers to add value to their customers' experience. We think that this is a great idea... This is something you could start offering next week!

Be flexible in tough times...

2009-07-27T11:50:00.011-04:00

How low should you go? That’s the question on beauty professionals’ minds these days when it comes to stimulating business with discounts and offers.

Keep in mind, said marketing and branding expert Larry Gulko in his PBA Symposium presentation last week, that “free” is not a bad word in 2009. Consider also that it costs ten times more to get a new client than to retain an existing client. And think about what these clients are worth over a lifetime in direct revenue and referrals.

So whether it’s with discounts or freebies-- like complimentary post-haircolor make-up applications-- it's worth doing whatever it takes to keep these customers in your salon!

On Brazilian Keratin...

2009-07-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

he Brazilian Keratin category has people talking. Salons, manufacturers, clients, consumer press and bloggers are all abuzz: “Where are the opportunities? What are the concerns?” Here, Graciela Santiler-Nowik, owner of Hair Base in Chicago, tells us her experience of providing keratin treatments.

Graciela Santiler-Nowik
Hair Base, Chicago, IL
www.HairBaseSalon.com

ST: When did you first add keratin treatments at your salon?
GSN: “Three years ago this June. We are a “neighborhood” salon on the north side of Chicago. We were one of the first salons in Chicago to adopt and publicize the service.”

ST: How did you learn about the service, and how did you research or test it?
GSN: “Four years ago, we were doing a lot of hair extension classes. An educator from Miami told me about a new process coming from South America. I started looking for information. Finally, at a show in Florida, I found a lone manufacturer with a tiny booth. I spent three hours there. Later, I traveled to get certified before ultimately bringing a certification class into the salon for the entire team.”

ST: What do you charge for the service?
GSN: “Between $300 and $600, based on length and density of hair. It takes an average of two hours, and we always work in tandem to be efficient.”

ST: How many of these services are you selling per week?
GSN: “At least two per week. I’ve seen a slight dip because of the economy and some increased competition. But we’ve used this service to attract new business and clients. We promoted it heavily online, through beauty sites and forums. There’s always someone coming to us from out of state.”

ST: You are very involved in Cosmetologists Chicago and Cosmetologos Latinos associations, as member and past president. What are your colleagues telling you about this service?
GSN: “At first, a lot of people were scared. They made judgments without having all the information. Now, it seems almost everyone is on board. For instance, the Mario Tricoci salons here in Chicago now offer the service.”

ST: When another salon owner finds out you’ve been having success with keratin treatments, what questions do they ask?
GSN: “How’s it going, what do you charge and what about the formaldehyde.”

ST: Do you take any extra or special precautions?
GSN: “We revamped our entire ventilation system. We needed to do it anyway, because of the Japanese straighteners and other chemical services we offer. We went a step further and said, “Let’s really protect ourselves.” I researched and found a lab safety supplier, and picked a multi-gas, carbon mask to wear. It filters out ammonia, peroxides, thio and, of course, formaldehyde or formalin. These are multiple-use masks with replaceable cartridges. They cost $60 each. Our entire team now wears the mask for all chemical services, including basic color. We also offer masks to clients to wear for all services. Many have started to do so, but their exposure is so minimal.”

ST: How did clients react?
GSN: “We educate them. We do thorough consultations for all keratin treatments and other non-traditional services before we will even book them. We explain how low their exposure is, and that we are taking extra precautions because we are exposed on a daily basis.

“I’ll admit that it was a strange feeling for some to come into a salon and have hairdressers wearing these masks. But over time, they understand. When your nose is only seven inches away from those fumes, it is hard not to get that into your lungs, no matter what the chemical is. This is a trend I think more hairdressers and salons will keep moving toward. It should start and be taught in school. It’s a new era of responsibility and wellness. Clients will adapt, respect and even appreciate it.”

Fast Facts About Brazilian Keratin Services

What it is: A chemical process service to smooth curly, frizzy hair. Includes the application and absorption of a liquid solution throughout the hair. Heat (450 degree flatironing) is applied to activate, and seal keratin to the hair.

What you can charge: The service can command up to $800; the average price ranges from $300 to $600, depending on length and density of hair.

Time it takes: Most technicians complete the service within 90 minutes. Some salons have stylists “double up” to expedite the flatironing stage, depending on the length and texture.

Permanent or temporary: Designed to be long-lasting without changing the physical structure of the hair. Fades over time with shampooing.

How long it lasts: The straightening, frizz-reducing effects are estimated to last up to four months, depending on the client’s hair texture, condition and home maintenance routine.

Do: Perform color services before processing keratin treatments.

Don’t: Shampoo hair for three or four days after processing

Know that: Formalin, a cosmetic-grade solution of formaldehyde, is what binds and preserves the keratin (a protective protein) on the cuticle, and is what creates the long-lasting effect.

Always: Ask your distributor or manufacturer for an MSDS on the product. Be suspicious of any product that does not plainly list its ingredients on the label.

Insist: On training, education and proper ventilation systems.

Get the Look: Kirsten Dunst

2009-07-25T10:13:00.002-04:00

Celebrity stylist David Babaii is ditching the thermal tools this summer and coaxing the best out of his star clients’ natural textures. For looks like this one sported by Spidey’s sweetie Kirsten Dunst, apply a lightweight beach spray or mousse to damp strands and divide the hair into alternating triangular sections to avoid lines of demarcation. Twist or twirl each section into a pincurl and clip in place. When hair dries, remove the clips, loosen strands with fingers and ask the client to shake and flip her head over for more volume. Finish with a light holding spray.

Modern blonds

2009-07-22T13:47:00.014-04:00

This season’s blondes, says Christel Lundqvist, hob salons’ head color technician and current British Colour Technician of the Year, are inspired by the 1980s.

For her clients, Lundqvist is embracing cleaner and more feminine blonde shades like ivory, vanilla and whipped cream, amped up with accents of pastel tones ranging from candy floss peach to mint green. It’s also critical, she notes, to offer clients rehydrating and nourishing treatments at this time of year, especially when hair has been lightened. It’s so important, she says, to prevent locks from looking tired and worn out from heat, sun, swimming and other forms of summer fun!

Via. Photo courtesy of Christel Lundqvist.