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