Bring in magazine clippings or pictures:

I’m not sure why this is but many people believe that if you bring in pictures or magazine clippings depicting the exact hair style they want it will somehow offend the hair stylist. This is very far from the truth. Most hair stylists love it when the customer brings in pictures and the more the better. It helps them get a better idea of what you want, in this case pictures do say a thousand words. They can also let you know if the hairstyle is even possible because sometimes you may want a particular cut that may not be flattering or work with your hair type.

Please don’t use your cell phone 

While getting a haircut please don’t use a cell phone. While you are either talking on the phone or hunched over texting someone it makes it extra difficult to give you a precise and even cut.

If you don’t like something speak up 
Have you ever sat in the chair and watched the hair stylist start cutting your hair all wrong. You need to speak up and the sooner the better. Hair stylists are not mind readers. They want you to be happy so that you will come back and tell your friends and family to come in for their haircuts as well. If you are not happy please don’t wait till the last minute to say so and even if your haircut did not come out the way you had hoped you can still say something it will help the hair stylist get to know what you like and don’t like. They do remember.

Keep it up 

After your haircut don’t be shy to ask your stylist how they did what they did and what products they used. The way he or she styled your hair isn’t top secret and nobody minds giving you tips so that you can maintain it. You shouldn’t feel obligated to purchase the products that the salon carries either.

Not bringing the kids

This one is a touchy subject, and can offend some people. Some people honestly do have children who will sit or play quietly during you hair service, and some don’t. Kids will be kids, and it’s not up to your stylist, their staff or other patrons to watch your children. There are many things in a salon that children can get into and be hurt with. If you need to be reprimanding them, you are not able to hold still and communicate with your stylist.

Tip etiquette 

Keep in mind that the majority of this industry only receives commission & gratuity for the work they do and also do not receive benefits, sick time, vacation, or retirement.. In addition they need to have a license that must be continually renewed to perform any services, 15-20% seems fair, but do what you feel is fair too. There are some circumstances where you should increase your tip. Some are: if the salon squeezes you in at the last minute, your styling includes a shoulder massage, if you bring children along or if you are late.

Don’t skip the moisturizer: Your skin may be less dry these
days, but don’t banish that moisturizer. Instead, switch to lighter, water-based
formulas for both face and body, and swap your heavy eye cream for a lighter
serum.

Slather on the sunscreen: Choose products that provide
broad-spectrum protection (they block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B
(UVB) rays) with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. Apply sunscreen
liberally (at least a one-ounce shot-glass-size amount) before you go outside;
reapply every two hours and always after swimming. And don’t let those clouds
fool you — apply sunscreen every single day!

Bring on the balm:Lips are susceptible to skin cancer too,
so be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sun-protective lip balm with an SPF of at
least 15 to keep lips sun-safe and supple.

Switch to summer makeup: Trade liquid foundation for a
lighter, mineral-based powder with a minimum SPF of 15. Skip the creamy blush
and instead go for a natural-looking glow with a touch of bronzing powder. Use
waterproof mascara for streak-free swimming, and ditch that lipstick for a dab
of tinted gloss.

Don sun-protective clothing: No need to cover up head to
toe, but do consider a long-sleeved shirt, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses at
the beach, at least for part of the day. Remember, tightly woven, darker fabrics
are better sun blockers than lightweight, light-hued fabrics, or try clothing
especially made for sun protection.

Go for the faux: Minimize your chances of wrinkles, age
spots, and skin cancer by skipping the suntan altogether and opting for a
sunless self-tanner, spray tan, or airbrushing.

Exfoliate regularly: Sun, sand, sweat, and sunscreen only
increase the amount of dead skin cells that build up on your face and body.
Slough them off with an exfoliating scrub or loofah a few times each week. (A
beautiful bonus: Exfoliating will also help your self-tanner go on more evenly
and prevent streaking.)

Practice smart shaving: Short shorts and sundresses mean
more frequent shaving sessions, and that can irritate and/or dry out skin. This
season, be sure to replace your razor often, shave only after you’ve been in the
shower for a few minutes (when your hairs will be softer), use a moisturizing
shaving cream or gel, rinse thoroughly, and moisturize immediately
afterward.

Head off heat rash: High temps and humidity may mean heat
rash, especially if you’re overdressed or prone to sweating a lot. Do your best
to keep cool and stay dry, and avoid wearing clothes that rub or irritate your
skin. A mild heat rash should go away on its own, but if it’s accompanied by
swelling, oozing, dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing, seek medical
attention ASAP, since those symptoms may be signs of an infection or a more
serious heat-related illness.

Prevent rosacea: This common skin condition can be
exacerbated by heat, causing your face to swell, get red, and break out in
little pimples. If you’re prone to rosacea, seek refuge in air-conditioning,
wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes, and keep cool by taking cold showers,
misting yourself with a spray bottle, and drinking plenty of cold water.

Use these 10 simple strategies for skin care in summer and you’ll have the
best-looking — and the healthiest — skin on the beach!

I used to post on Facebook what I was doing all the time, then I had a friend tell me she was exhausted just reading about my life and was afraid I was going to stroke out one day. So to help ease her fears, I don’t do a play by play anymore. I have had a few inquiries in the past month or so as to what keeps me so busy, why I look a little tired, and why I don’t answer my phone when you call. Its not you, it’s me. Honest.

I own a salon:

I do hair for a living – and I love it. I don’t sit at a desk, I stand behind a chair. I have a smart phone, It’s the only personal assistant at work I can afford for now. It takes messages, keeps my calendar and even lets me do research. My voicemail tells you that in order to get to me quickly, you can send me a text. Would you want me to put your hair cut or color on hold to answer my phone? I think it’s rude. I can read and respond to a text while I’m mixing a color or cleaning my station. If you leave me a voicemail, I need a pen and paper to write down what you need and your number. So I don’t check it until I am in a place to do so – it may be 24hrs later…. I check my email at home, so it may be first thing in the morning or last thing at night. For those of you who don’t know me that’s 10am and 2am – ish… The rest of this story goes like this – I’m a small business owner. I’m responsible for all aspects of keeping the doors open for myself and 3 more stylists. No sweat… sometimes.

 I drive a dirt track race car:

 My husband is a veteran, and I am a rookie. 2 cars to promote, sell, maintain, race and fix. I don’t get to work on my own car, and that may surprise those of you who know me and my ’69 Stang. I get to drive and learn. All other work on my car is done by family and friends, but it’s up to me to pay for it. John does almost all the work on his car himself. He has help with some things, but he makes all the decisions, and still does most of it himself. His full time job tends to get in the way, but it seems to help with paying the bills. Me, well, on Saturday afternoons April-Sept, I get to drive and learn. Oh, and sell the cars, promote the cars – and our advertisers, keep the web site and social medial up to date, take care of the motor home, food, dogs etc. All the normal behind the scenes stuff, you know. I don’t do much single handedly, and I have learned the hard way to ask for help. We have a few people who are very good at helping us do what needs to be done, and take good care of us when we need it the most.

 I produce a Car Show:

Yep I’m a girl who produces a car show. 6 years ago I was helping out a local car club with their car show. Watching a group of men argue over who had more of a say than the other, place blame anywhere other than themselves and so on. I made the comment that I could put on a show by myself, and not have to deal with any testosterone bull crap. I was laughed at, and told there was no way one women could do it alone. I will tell you again I don’t do much single handedly, I have a kick ass assistant – we call her “Mom”. I have many volunteers who have helped immensely, but Mom gets “Best of Show” every time. What do I do? Promote it, sell it, and run it. It’s up to me to find all the sponsors, promote those sponsors, Promote the show – to get the entries, order and decide on T-shirts, awards, gifts, gather gift bags and all the goodies in them – put them together, work with the promoter (of the Marion County Fair) to organize date, time and location, and of course oversee everything on the day of he show and put out fires as needed… Mom does most of the book work, handles all the entries and just holds my hand when I need it.   2011 will be my 6th year – I think I proved the old boys wrong don’t you?

 
I love to network:

 I use all the free social media I can, any business owner would be stupid not to. I used to volunteer for every event in the Salem/Keizer area. I am a member of Salem Business Builders (Salem’s premier networking group) and a past board member. We meet every Wednesday for lunch. I am also a member of The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, I have sat on many committees, have been the Chair of The Ambassador Team, and starting July 1 2011 I am the Co-Chair of Greeters and will be the Chair in July 2012. The Chair and Co-Chair run the weekly networking meetings for The Salem Chamber, and has been said to be the most visible position the Chamber has. And yes, I did have to interview for it.

I’m a great wife, but just a so-so housekeeper:

All the normal everyday stuff, cooking, cleaning, paying the bills, taking care of the dogs and my flowers. I show my roses at County Fair every year, and I make my husbands lunch every day. I love gardening more than I like vacuuming, and it shows. I have more than one junk drawer, and my home office could be called my junk room. My husband is truly my best friend, and for now my dogs are my kids. We all live next door to my Mom, and that’s a bonus. We help her out with many things, and she does a great job of taking care of herself. The Hubby leaves for work early, and get’s home just a few hours after I have left for the salon or a meeting. Some nights we only have a couple hours together before he heads off to bed. I love to read, and I also sell Scentsy, so I squeeze them in when I can.

As you can see I have a couple things going on most every day. So if I don’t want to talk on the phone or I don’t show up for a night out, I hope you will understand. It’s not you, it’s me. Honest.

After my wedding I swore I was going to write a book called “Wedding advice from your Stylist”, again for many reasons some good and some bad. The introduction would read something like this: If you are NOT the Bride or the Groom: IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. Then every chapter would go on to reference this page at least once.

Telling my friend and also client (and my part time life coach – about every 8 weeks) about this, she suggested the “blog to book” idea. I looked into it, talked to a couple other advisors i.e. clients, and then forgot about it. I got busy with race season and other super fun things in my life, and once again filed all the stories away for another time.

2010 Christmas: My husband bought me a Kindle! Whoo Hoo! I have always been a book lover, and this was the perfect gift! (Here may be a look into my personality for those of you who don’t know me) the first books I downloaded:

It’s easy to forget to drink that glass of water or to cleanse yourself at night when you’re tired. But over time, those bad habits can take a toll on your skin. Each day, provide your skin with:

* Plenty of water.
* Thorough cleansing.
* Balanced nutrition.
* Toning.
* Moisturizing.

Over the course of your life, you should pay attention to all parts of your skin. Familiarize yourself with it, so you’ll notice any changes that might occur, such as different moles or patches that might indicate skin cancer. Whenever you have a question or concern, make sure you see your doctor.

How Does My Skin Work?

Medical terms for various parts of your skin are commonly used today to sell skin care products and procedures. Here’s a rough guide to what those terms mean.

Epidermis: The Outer Layer of Skin

The epidermis is the thinnest layer in your skin, but it’s responsible for protecting you from the harsh environment. The epidermis has five layers of its own: stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum. The epidermis also hosts different types of cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes and Langerhans cells. Keratinocytes produce the protein known as keratin, the main component of the epidermis. Melanocytes produce your skin pigment, known as melanin. Langerhans cells prevent foreign substances from getting into your skin.

Dermis: The Middle Layer

This is the layer responsible for wrinkles. The dermis is a complex combination of blood vessels, hair follicles, and sebaceous (oil) glands. Here, you’ll find collagen and elastin, two proteins necessary for skin health because they offer support and elasticity. Fibroblasts are the cells you’ll find in this layer, because they synthesize collagen and elastin. This layer also contains pain and touch receptors.

Hypodermis: The Fatty Layer

Reduction of tissue in this layer is what causes your skin to sag. This layer is also known as the subcutis. It hosts sweat glands, and fat and collagen cells. The hypodermis is responsible for conserving your body’s heat and protecting your vital inner organs.

Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up 75% of your skin. This is also your fountain of youth, for it’s responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines. Over time, environmental factors and aging diminish your body’s ability to produce collagen.

Elastin

When you hear the word elastin, think elastic. This protein is found with collagen in the dermis, and is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs. As with collagen, elastin is affected by time and the elements. Diminished levels of this protein cause your skin to wrinkle and sag.

Keratin

Keratin is the strongest protein in your skin. It’s also dominant in hair and nails. Keratin is what forms the rigidity of your skin.

What is normal hair loss per day?
Recent research has shown that when shampooing daily, losing more than 75 hairs per day is considered to be excessive.
How long does it take to re-grow hair? Every individual is unique, as is the body’s ability to grow hair. The body normally produces hair in a growth cycle of 2 – 6 years; however, the length of time varies from person to person. The hair on the scalp goes through three cycles: Anagen Phase (growth), Catagen Phase (intermediate) and Telogen Phase (resting).

• Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body, second only to bone marrow.
• 35 meters of hair fiber is produced every day on the average adult scalp
• The average scalp has 100,000 hairs. Redheads have the least at 80,000; brown and black haired persons have about 100,000; and blondes have the most at 120,000.
• 90% of scalp hairs are growing and 10% are resting.
• It is normal to lose 75 hairs per day from the scalp.
• You must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone.
• Many drugs can cause hair loss.
• Thyroid imbalance and iron deficiency are reversible causes for hair loss.
• Over 50% of men by age 50 have male pattern hair loss.
• Forty percent of women by the time they reach menopause will have female pattern (hereditary) hair loss.

You see, it used to be that you almost always paid $10 for a bottle of shampoo from the salon. Non-professional shampoos, on the other hand, only cost a couple of dollars. Today, however, you can spend as much or more on a bottle of shampoo from your local department store as you can for a bottle from the salon. The reason that this is so is because most professional product lines have not raised their prices in years, while new shampoos and conditioners being introduced to the non-professional market have been given packaging and price tags to mirror their in-salon competition.

So, now the only thing that separates the non-professional from the professional is the quality standard by which each product line is produced. Just think about it this way: All products made to be used in salons by professionals can only be retailed in salons. That means that the products must be of the highest quality. If they weren’t, beauticians simply wouldn’t use them. Never will you find a professional product that causes build up or leaves the hair feeling dry and brittle. Professional shampoos will also not strip hair of color or vital moisture. If you could get these products or products of similar quality in any department store, why wouldn’t your beautician use them?

While not all non-professional products are bad, you do run the risk of choosing a product that could cause problems like build up, dryness, breakage, color fading, lifelessness, frizziness and a host of other problems. That means that if you choose to use a non-professional product, you should monitor your hair closely to look for any adverse affects.

Also, keep in mind how much you are spending. While it makes perfect sense to choose a non-professional product at huge savings over a professional one, it doesn’t make much sense to spend as much on a non-professional product as you would for a guaranteed, professional product.

In the end, the choice to use professional products or not to use them is yours. Just remember to watch your wallet and most importantly watch your hair. Choose products that are kind to both