A visit to the Windy City for Vidal Sassoon training on the Magnificent Mile proved valuable for a lifetime. The once Posh haircut of Victoria Beckham bob was all the rage and though now we see the a-line less angled and more blunt, it will be training that carry’s over to each modernized version of the classic cut.
The classic Sassoon course consists of three ways to cut hair. Blunt, layer, graduate. Worth all the sweat and blood.
The hottest trend in warm color tones for hair this spring season of 2018 is still rose gold. It is strawberry with a twist. Accents of pink and blush are entwined with the gold and yellow palette to create a modern, beautiful blend. Seen in metals, like my now long lost wedding ring of yellow gold and blush pink gold, it is only natural that we would take a classic strawberry red and add it to punky pink hues to create an ultimate classy yet cool expression.
Pounding the city streets of New York as whiffs of cinnamon and cardamom from my tea latte pleasantly surpass the usual city sidewalk stench, my Hair posse and I power step it up to our yearly trade show held at the Jacob Javit's center this past crisp March. Chattering excitedly about all things hair; shears made from alloy steel, carbon combs with varying teeth width and the ergonomics of new powerful blow dryers, we three women veteran hairstylists and one newbie yet passionate male stylist keep each other fresh with insight and ideas.
Eventually we make our way to the International Beauty Show floor where all the usual loud music and tight crowds beam around us. We take notice the trend of our times, mens hair grooming, and are grateful for scents of sandalwood body wash and bergamot beard wax instead of the previous headache promoting keratin straightener craze with its aldehyde fumes of years past.
After a quick refuel, we head back in ready to challenge our cutting skills in our anticipated hands on class with master DJ Muldoon. A disciplined and focused stylist with modern and creative skills and Vidal Sassoon and Paul Mitchell training, he guided us through precise simplicity. Using graduation techniques “the build up of weight” and layering “to remove weight” we recreated multiple sections and clean cut lines on our mannequins. These tools, tried and true, bring us back to a bustling clientele where the "underground cool kids" continue to bring it forward. Learn. Share. Recreate.
Hibernation, the pure act of heat cranking, blanket bundling, and ambition releasing while shoving aside cleaning, scheduling, planning and other possibly anxiety producing moments is a necessity. Eyes half shut, bask in the calm of holiday prep and chaos and revive our souls, allowing space for rebirth and regeneration.
Out of this abyss we arise with innovative ideas. The blank slate we've created during those snowy winter days and fridged air temps, give way to a power of ultimate expression and freedom as our hands work thier muscle memory to refined outcomes. Visionary new trends emerge.
Gray hair has become a tonal trend for millennials yet continues to be many a baby boomers worst hair nightmare. This finds generation X searching for their place between the shades.
Gently painted balayage with pure pigment lavender gloss after. Weekly wash with pastel lavender shampoo for upkeep
The take over starts slowly. Gray hairs spring up one by one as they invade the natural pigment until suddenly they spread rapidly... in the temples, around the hairline and in the dreaded top part line. With no where left to hide those stubborn often wiry pigmentless hairs, one will pluck, (a big no no!), color, or force hair to part unnaturally in order to sweep them under the carpet. Battle won, gray in favor.
The color, especially for brunettes, is not the hair they were born with. low lights can add depth when dimension has disappeared.
Blondes can use a blending technique so maintenance is minimal. Time for platinum is now.
Redheads loose luster but can go from auburn to strawberry for a more natural, soft grow out.
The Gen X'ers, always the rebels at heart, aren't going to fight the same way as the generation before them, and are are creatively finding ways to enhance and glorify their grey, a retaliation all their own.
Give in but don't give up.