Catch the Wave

When stylists in our busy salon have a free minute or two, we have to make a decision on how to spend that moment.

Many times its a quick bite to eat to fill our bellies and a scroll through Instagram while we quickly post, comment, or share its inspiration with one another.

Little time. Must use wisely.

When Nine Zero One salon in Hollywood posted a picture of Julianne Hough admitting to her textured DARE SHE SAID THE P WORD, perm, the buzz was sent bouncing from our master stylists to the support staff with curiosity and excitement.

To awake with texture and width, not flat bed head, as Jules proudly does, is many a limp haired ladies' dream.

With new products, like the Arrojo American Wave and Olaplex, a hair bond strengthener, invented to keep the hair bonds stronger we can now achieve volume and wave while maintaining hairs' integrity. Curly hair go.

The Picasso Effect

Using new tools reignites our creativity and challenges the complacent hair artist in all of us.Like a sprinkle of fairy dust of glittering gold, those unique powers too grow old.

By following instagrammers like @hairbycamille and @prettylittleombré, social media colorists willing to share their vivid secrets, our creative palette is lit once again.

A tool for every trade has evolved thus so has a need to dust off our magic bag of wands, add some new sparkle and customize that color. 

Chip brush from the hardware store, sponge brush, Siggers balayage brush, Framar highlight brush

Picasso away.

Hair Paint or Foiled Again

Which techniques will you choose to lighten and brighten dull locks this summer?

With a variety of highlighting tools in your box, it's easy to see why colorists have foil vs. balayage wars and why they challenge themselves. Freehand or foil. That be they question.

This week I explored traditional foil placement in hopes to add and refine brightness, especially in the part area even though I’m usually drawn to the beauty of balayage for its custom placement, it's ability to freely paint around the head and it’s it’s more natural looking grow out.

Color Go Big in the Apple

Spending the nights in a dimly lit, swanky Soho hotel room, chowing down pigs ears at a foodie hot spot and shopping for cozy, waterproof winter boots necessary to survive the foot of snow, slush and ice in zero degree nights while days were filled testing color skills with color renowned Matrix educators Chrystopher Benson and Leah Sterk, pushed my color limits on chemistry experiments, visual exercises, and included a full head foil highlight done with precision by yours truly, color expert certified.

Out of The Paint Box

Icicles formed on my hair as I boarded the Metro North, Brooklyn bound, for an intense day of hairpainting wizardry at The Paint Box with my two coworkers the first Monday of the New Year.

After six months of following Jenny Regec with her Modern Salon approved Instagram posts, I was ready for my full day hair adventure. 

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Warmly greeting my coworkers and I at the door the moment we finally arrived, two wrong subways later, Jenny was prepared to share her craft. 

She dove into her first head of hair, a blonde model relaxing in the narrow four chair salon, as light swarmed around our intimate group through the front window.

Sections were neatly divided, lightener was tapped on with soft, fluid strokes and I was instructed on every brush, tap and smooth.

Jenny shared the history of this modern hair lightening technique, which started fifteen years ago in France, and her background, including a hairstylist mom and Bumble and Bumble training.

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Hairpainting is a hair lightening technique placed without limitations close to the root or mid-shaft, all for a natural grow out with a modern, sophisticated look.

After a pause for lunch I went hands on under Jenny’s watchful eye. Anxious with one on one attention while she shared the art of mixing a clay based bleach, where to place the product and how to use my hands to help smooth consistency, I gave it a go.

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Platinum highlights proved the ultimate challenge. I was ready to give in and grab a foil when Jenny came to my rescue, found my flaw and elevated my skill. Challenge met!