A cut every 6-8 weeks? Yep!

Your hair grows 1/4 inches a month - on average.  It also grows at different rates all over your head and you typically will develop split ends (yes it happens to everyone).

I have talked to woman after woman who has hair on the longer side that don't get their hair cut very often.  One of the guest's hair I cut this weekend had really, supper long hair.  It took me about 30 minutes to untangle and brush through her hair.  I ended up taking about 4 inches off - she hadn't had a cut in over 4 months and was completely overwhelmed by her own hair, which she liked to wear down and couldn't manage very well.  Well, we also ended up cutting some long bangs on her - she was super excited about that because it made her feel like she had an instant change that she could see, beyond the super long hair that she chose to keep.  Since it was such a change for her, I scheduled a time to see her next week to check on her new bangs to make sure they are still working and to see if she wanted to go shorter.

She went home with some detangling spray (I'm so glad) and an appointment set for 8 weeks from now to revisit the idea of making even more of a change, right before the holidays.  This is setting my guest up for a routine of maintenance, feeling like she has a plan for her hair and ultimately success when she looks in the mirror.

Julianne Moore probably gets her hair cut often, but still maintains her length.

My cut is VERY inverted and precise.  If I let my cut grow out beyond 6-8 weeks, you can really see it!

Front View of Posh's famous inverted bob.

Observing Posh's famous inverted bob, to maintain the percision, you can assume that her hair is cut very frequently. 

This would also be true for many men - they get their hair cut every 4-6 weeks, you can really see it if they don't!  It's great - this is one of the things that most men really get when it comes to their appearance and general maintenance.

The women I see coming in have generally waited soooo long to come in that it feels like a heavy burden after they have waited so long, rather than a complete pampering joy they could experience more often.  There are few things better than a good head massage, a precise cut and a great blow out!

By going to the Academy, you can get all of the above for only 12.95 - which fits every body's budget.  The web site usually has specials under their client section and a program that you can join to send you special coupons on cuts, colors and pretty much every service the Academy offers.  Make that call, get in early in the day so you get maximum time with your stylist and leave feeling like a million bucks for the rest of the day!

Arica Kildea aka Britta 
www.genejuarezacademy.com 
206.365.6900 - scheduling line

Suitability

Suitability is a term we learned in Design - during the first six weeks at Gene Juarez Academy.  Suitability means that a stylist can listen to the guest and determine his or her hair needs depending on 1. what the guest wants 2. what the guest needs 3. what maintenance the guest will actually put into their hair and 4. what will work with their life-style.

For example, it wouldn't make sense to advise a guest with curly hair that went down her back to straight iron her hair every day to achieve the look she really wanted, while having several young children at home to care for - this style may be what she wants, but is not conducive to her lifestyle.  This process might take her up to an hour every day.  Is that really practical for my guest?  Probably not, but it is my job to inform her of the realistic maintenance involved with her hair choices.  If my guest wanted to get a bleach and tone *think Gwen Steffani) - the physical and costly maintenance may not be fully appreciated until it is explained to the guest before the service is underway.  To be fair to the guest, these thing must be explained before the service is done.  Next time your stylist is giving you super good advice on what you have to do to maintain your look - please listen up and head their advice!

Extreme A-line Bob, cut perfectly by Matt at SEVEN Salon in Downtown. 

To be honest, when I first started school... I had no idea about what I wanted or how to even do my own hair!  I knew that I enjoyed having it long, but rarely wore it down.  Starting school it was made clear to every student that wearing it back in a pony tail every day (as I had been accustomed to) was not an option.  We are now stylists and should look and act like it.  I felt an inner panic at this point.  Over time, as I realized just what made me not want to put my hair down, I realized how to keep it long and solve my problem with one cut... and color.   I realized I did not like having my hair upon my heck, it made me feel oily and gross by about hour two of school because my hair was so fine and did not take well to so much volume being given at the nape (or back of the head).  My ideal hair cut came through once this initial road block was articulated.  Thus, I got an extreme a-line bob.    Keeping the length in front and cutting it super short and dramatic in the back.  I further achieved the dramatic look I was going for by coloring the back and and under parts of my hair dark brown and keeping the blonde on top.  I finally look like I know what to do with my hair, while maintaining my suitability.

My suitability lived out:
1. Maintaining my length in front - I worked hard to get it this long, I wanted to keep it.

2.  Minimal maintenance - before school started I had never successfully flat ironed my hair!  By showering the night before and wrapping my hair so that it is not 100% dry in the morning allows my hair to be pliable and lends it's self nicely to get quick flat ironed look that indicated professionalism.

3.  Dramatic and professional - check. check.

Next time you go into get your hair cut and styled, make sure your stylist is taking into account all of these factors before you get your hair cut!  

I'll be on the floor doing any service that we offer some time in September!  

Be sure to contact me with any additional questions - or if your a professional in the fied... I'd love your feedback!

Alli Snell's Wedding Pictures... come check them out!

As a Makeup Artist, sometimes you have to wait a while to see the pictures from a wedding, aside from any snap shots you took during and or after your application the day of the wedding.

I was excited and am very please with how Alli's makeup turned out and am so excited to share them with you, with her permission of course. When we talked initially she didn't really know what she wanted for her wedding look.  We met about a week or so before the big day and came up with a look that was just what she was hoping for.   

I choose a soft brown and cranberry shadow combo and a cranberry lip color, which surprised Alli on how well she liked the finished look.

Trial run 1 week before wedding

Alli's wedding was an evening event, she was going to get ready at the church and then go about the town to take picture - it was a beautiful day out!  The room was a hustle and bussle of things and people running in and out and asking questions and quick decision making.  Alli held it all together, she was not stressed and enjoyed the moment.  At about half way through her hair setting, we started on her makeup.  It turned out great - she enjoyed her time, felt good about herself and was ready to go about her big day. 

Here are some  things that Brides need to consider when choosing a makeup artist for their big day:

1. What kind of products will the Artist use on your skin?  Are you getting non-professional foundations applied to your skin?  Are you getting long wearing products?

2.  Are you advised to clean your skin or do any skin prep prior to your makeup service?

3.  Will the Artist provide a lipstick for you to retouch during the day - let's face it - after pictures, the kissing, the reception... at some point your going to need to retouch those lips.  I always recommend a lipstick, lip liner and gloss. 

However, the essentials are a lip liner and a clear or light gloss!

The liner is going to have the pigment stay on your lips longer and  the gloss is so easy to have your maid of honor run across your lips and so much less messy than pulling out a lip stick that might possibly drop on your pretty white dress. 

4.  Do you like the Artist?  Are they listening to your ideas and concerns?  With Alli, we went a little more intense with her makeup than she originally wanted and it turned out well - as an Artist, I knew she needed a little more makeup for how long she would be wearing it - inside out side - wedding - reception, starting in the morning with a 7pm wedding.  As you can see, it was a great call - Alli felt comfortable and we came up with a plan that worked!

Day of Wedding - March 2010

As an Artist it is sometimes difficult to walk away from the fun environment of the preparation for the wedding,  I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Alli.  Congrats to the happy couple!

Alli and Justin

March 2010

Makeup and Skin Care Lessons

Client Feedback:
Christina Nelson, March 2010

"I hired Arica to give me some lessons on my skin care and makeup.  We went through the very basics of evaluating my skin, proper care and maintance including some goals for how I wanted my skin to look like - we came up with a plan.  Arica held my hand through the basics of makeup application in a way I can use every day.  She showed me how I can use the colors and makeup I already had so that I would not need to go out spending money unneccisarily.  A few days later she came over in the morning to give me an on the go makeup lesson - how to get ready in 10 minutes!"


Christina Nelson, Makeup and Skin Care Lesson in March 2010

Your Highness - Catwalk - TIGI

I have found one of the most exciting beauty products, that you don't put on your skin - in a long time!

The Your Highness by TIGI is the most amazing hairline that I have ever used. I buy my products at Ed Wyse and usually like to stick to my good old Bed Head - dumb blonde... unless Damon (my 8 yr old) is with me and wants the "blue bottle" that smells like oatmeal. Well, the last visit I went in without children, thus I could have a conversation about what my hair really needed, not just the color of the bottle! You might not think me to be so cavalier when choosing a beauty product, but in this case... they all felt the same to me so I didn't see a point in being choosy. They were all TIGI, so it seemed more fun to let Damon pick out the smell and color he liked. What can I say... I'm a good mom.

I was directed to the TIGI - Your Highness, it was more than I am accustomed to paying, but with how dry my hair had been feeling and how processed it is, I really needed to up my game in the hair department.

I went home excited to try it out, but honestly not expecting much. From the first shampoo - not even exiting the shower, I noticed something I had never experienced before: immediate volume in my hair. Just in the shower... my hair had more volume and was softer! The conditioner is awesome as well. The smell is not offensive or overbearing, it is a soft sweet smell. I've been using the product now for about two weeks and am in love with it. I won't be able to go back to Bed Head.

Must Have:

TIGI Catwalk: Your Highness

Prep It: Elevating Shampoo

Prep It: Nourishing Conditioner

Now... I stopped by a few days ago to see what else they had. I had been using a shine product from Aveda and it honestly made my hair feel a little heavy and I didn't really see the benefit of using it. I should know better: there is always something better. So, I asked about the Your Highness line and they did indeed have a shine product. It is in a spray, it does not smell obnoxious and takes care of frizz. Me frizz? Aparently. I used it for the first time today and my hair is even softer, smoother and NO FRIZZ (the frizz I didn't think I had).

Must have:

TIGI Catwalk: Your Highness

Weightless Shine Spray.

If you know anything about me - you know my hair has not an ounce of curl to it - however I was told the new Catwalk Curl Line is to die for.

Enjoy Ladies - let me know what you think!

TIGI WEB SITE

Some of my favorites... this week's focus - Nordstrom Northgate

If your all about town - specifically in Northgate, you may want to seek out the following people while purchasing your skin care and/or makeup.

Northgate: Shelly - she is amazing, she works at the Clinique counter at Nordstrom. Not only is she the counter manager, she has worked for Clinique for years and comes with the added bonus of being an esthetitian. The lady knows skin. My own personal experience with her goes back years - she has given me advice after advice and has gone outside the box for my own personal good - even if it did not benefit her counter directly.

Also at Northgate Nordstrom, you will find Denise. Denise is a floater. She's been a floater for years. The benefit is that she knows EVERY line. You can ask her anything about any line and if she does not know the answer (rare) she will find it out for you.

Misty Stevens is the assistant manager for Cosmetics at Northgate Nordstrom. She came from Clinique and has been in a couple of stores before coming to Northgate. You can also find her by asking for her.

The benefit to knowing people in a particular department - especially on a personal and/or recommended basis is that you are not going to run into people who have only been at the counter for a couple of weeks. The above people have been through years and years of only the best skin care and makeup training that department store cosmetics has to offer.

Nordstrom Northgate also has a fan page on facebook - check it out - the will let you know who has the next gift with purchase, also known as GWP and special events that may take place in their store. A great way to keep up with specials you may not have previously been privy to.

Nordstrom also offers a service called "personal book" - that means you can become a personal client of whomever has helped you - they will let you know personally about any GWP coming up or events or sales.

So... if you are looking for a great "in store" experience - you may want to swing their way!

The "one" Event April 18th @ the Sole Repair Shop in Seattle

Contact Wedding and Event Planner, Amy Vallejo of Anticipate Weddings