Who Does She Think She Is?

I am not a brand new hairstylist, fresh out of school, with limited experiences or skills. On the other hand, I am also fully aware of the fact that, no matter how "old" you are, there is still a massive amount of information that you do not own and need to learn. I get that. Which is the main reason why I invest & sacrifice so much time, energy & money into continued education in my field and make it a priority to provide the same for my staff. I also work diligently to educate others in my field -even my competition- because I truly believe that educated stylists make for a better industry overall and I very much want, and enjoy doing my part, to make that happen! My history speaks for itself. I don't "toot my horn" or brag about my accomplishments and awards. Although, I am very proud of my achievements, I am humble and only work hard to get better, not to get applause. I give 1000% to each and every client I serve and take pride knowing that our Studio Team works with that same ethic. I can confidently say that I put the same amount of creative energy and effort into a client service that Celebrity Stylists who charge $500 or more per haircut put into their work. And I know this because I spend a lot of time & money to learn technique and form from these Iconic Stylists, over and over again until I master those techniques. I am one of thousands of stylists who are truly dedicated to their craft. Our clients reap the rewards of our efforts. THEY are the ones who truly benefit from our sacrifices and dedication. When a person can feel better about themselves on so many levels because of the work I have done, that is payment enough. The value outweighs the cost of the service. There are many that recognize that value in their stylist and some who do not.  I wish I could say that I would rather not serve clients who don't see the value in my skill. But I'm a Capricorn and I love a good challenge. I am not afraid to prove myself and very much enjoy making believers out of non-believers. The thing is though, that so many times I witness a stylist who does not see the value within themselves, or even worse, they don't see the value of investing in their own continuous education. This is almost ALWAYS because of the clients who do not show them support or express the value they possess for the work that they do. This does not end well for anyone involved. To these stylists I say "Wake Up!" YOU are an artist. You have a unique craft. For every client that does not appreciate you there are 10 who DO! And those are the ones you need to do the work for! DO NOT compromise your value, style and unique-ness because of approval-addiction. Not everyone will love you. That's perfectly okay! They will survive without you & you will survive without them. There is a stylist out there for everyone & you do not need to be everyone's stylist! Sometimes this is a difficult concept to grasp since, by nature, stylists are "people-pleaser's". It's a blessing and a curse and a very important characteristic necessary for success. However there is no need to be less than what you deserve to be, simply because someone doesn't appreciate you for who you are or who you aspire to be. To the client who doesn't see the value in your stylist I say "Move On!" You deserve to truly be happy and feel your very best. There is a stylist out there that can deliver all of that at a price you feel is fair. If you think your stylist charges too much, then you are not in love with the way you feel when you visit! When you are in love with the way you feel after visiting your stylist, the cost means very, very little.  You don't walk into Tiffany's expecting to spend what you would in Kmart. And you don't get the Ritz Carlton Customer Service at the Days Inn. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.  Stylists have a choice as to where they choose to work and clients have a choice as to where they choose to get work done. That's the American Way.  

I know that I can't change the world, but if I could help a stylist or two realize their value & teach a handful of clients to recognize the value in our artistry, I have served my purpose. And when someone asks "Who does she think she is?"  all I can hear in my head is Madonna's Who's That Girl. 

 

           This is an accurate depiction.

           No Pressure!!!

    I couldn't if I tried...

Ombre' Forever! - 3 Ways to Get A Great Ombre'!

If anyone tells you that your Ombre' "Is sooo last year!" take it to mean that they are very, very jealous of your awesome hair! The Ombre' isn't going anywhere! It's just now beginning to find it's perfect finish! When it made its debut to the market - thanks to the lovely Drew Barrymore - it wasn't the wide-spread phenom that it is today. Stylists everywhere broke the rules they had followed for so very long (get it right to the root!) and tried new ways to re-create a faded out color. Sometimes they "nailed it!" & sometimes it was an epic fail. I spent a lot of time over the past 6 months sharing Ombre' techniques with Salons & their Staff. There is definitely more than one way to achieve the look and more than one color palette to choose from. So, as a Client, how do you know that you can trust your stylist to give you the most sought after haircolor creation? For starters, talk to your stylist. You should know each other well enough to know what he or she loves to do. If color isn't your stylists favorite service, Ask For A Recommendation! Stylists know each other and we are more than happy to recommend you to another stylist we trust if we can't promise perfection! Look Around You! If you spy a head of hair you would love to call your own, compliment the owner & ask where they get their hair done - also, get that persons name, call up the salon and let the stylist know you want Susie's hair! Lot's of salons have a referral program where the new client AND the client that referred them get special offers for helping the Salon grow!  Step Away From The Box!  There's a saying "You can't get supernatural from a supermarket!" This is so very true. If you really do think that you have the skill and ability to create the same look that you see the model with on the box or on the celebrity that is in the commercial, what are you doing still working your day job???? Enroll in Beauty School, get your license, and land that job! Because I can promise you, it likely pays more and the perks of working with celebs outweigh the long hours it takes to capture that amazing look in the photo or 3 minute commercial! It's really not as easy as it looks! The Professional Stylist that creates the look you want, has a unique combination of natural ability, artistic eye, training, education, inspiration, dedication & practice. Go out there and find the Ombre' stylist of your dreams! And when you do, tell everyone about them! Nothing makes us happier than being able to do what we love, each and every day!

Have a Great Hair Day!  ~ C

Here I Go Again...

Today I am prepping and packing for a weekend update class in Baltimore, MD. Our last update was at the end of February in Nashville, Tennessee. That event was a complete yling-ylang of experience and emotion - I learned a whole lot of stuff that week! I'm excited because I know this weekend in Baltimore will be full of education, inspiration and bonding! I'm ready for some extra positivity!

Since I began my journey with Goldwell I have been blessed with many new ideas and ways to live in both my work and my life. It's been a real life-changing experience and I am whole-heartedly grateful for it. I can't quite figure out exactly what it is. Simply put, it must be magic. I have been elevated to another level I hadn't known existed and it has changed everything. 

Over just the past few months (and more) I have met many, many amazing individuals, who are not only stylists or salon owners, but are mothers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, husbands, wives, life-partners and friends. One thing that has always been a huge belief of mine is that "we" are always put in the path of another (or removed from it) for a purpose, either for us to learn from another, or for another to learn from us. I am positively sure that over the course of the past months I have learned more than I have ever learned at any one time! And I am speaking to not only my work experiences but my life experience as well. For me, those two things have gone hand in hand since my work began 18 years ago. It's hard for some to understand, but I believe my whole LIFE began when I began my WORK. It's deep, I know... But hey, I wouldn't have it any other way! Before I get too sappy...

                                                                      See you soon my Goldwell Family!

Long time no see.

I'm no better than the clients I occasionally curse for inconsistency. I say "How on earth can you expect your BEAUTIFUL haircut & color to look just as good as the day I first did it, when you wait 3 months between visits!!!!" Ugh. It makes me crazy! Thankfully I've trained most of my loyal clients to follow a strict regimen. And they do without question, but a few slip through.
Well here I am. The pot calling the kettle black. I've left you hanging. In need of guidance & inspiration. While I tryst around, sharing my love & knowledge with the stylists of Eastern Pennsylvania. Although my territory is small, my work is HUGE. I absolutely LOVE providing licensed pro's with tools to add to their repertoire of skill. It truly makes the world a prettier place and grows the professional standards of our Industry & to be a part of that is seriously some awesome stuff! Here's a little look at a few spots I have visited...

Education equals Excellence

I've said it before and I'll say it again:
Continuing Education is your only sustainable advantage that sets you apart from your competition.

In the Beauty Industry (and other Industry's as well) technology moves us at the speed of light. We must put forth the effort to grow with it or be left behind! 

Years ago, I worked along side a very talented, successful & professional Stylist.
I admired her business skills and the way she worked with her clients. I looked up to her as a leader & a role-model. Yet I noticed that her client base was very small and her book was wide-open most of the time. I couldn't understand why, so I chalked it up to her management duties. Until one afternoon, when the salon was all buzzed up about an upcoming International Beauty Show in NYC, I listened in on a conversation my "role-model" was having with her guest.
The client had asked her if she too was going to go to the this upcoming show and her response was this, "There's no way I'm spending my money on a ticket into a building to shop for the same things I can buy at the supply store!" 
I blacked out after that! That was the quote I took away from our years together. It bypassed all the wonderful things I knew of this stylist and suddenly her wide-open appointment book made all the sense in the world to me!

When you're green, you're growing! When you're ripe, you rot.

Trade show's are not glorified shopping trips! They are bountiful educational experiences that put you directly in front of what's happened yesterday, what's going on today, and what's about to happen tomorrow.  Sure there's shopping, if you can find time for that, and yes there are additional advanced classes you can purchase on top of your admission cost, but there are many available classes that are included in the costly cost of your admission ticket - and I truly find it hard to believe that anyone is too advanced for those included classes. As a matter of fact, I have made it to many of these classes, and I've walked away with new information EVERY TIME!

The two most important requirements for major success are first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it!

I'm really excited about my educational line-up to come, and I know my clients are too - because at the end of it all, that's who really gets the benefit from all the work I put into my art!
At the End of February I will find myself in Opryland Nashville, Tennessee! There I will have 3 days of intense training in Goldwell Coloring, Styling & Business. I am beyond BLESSED!  (visit www.goldwell-northamerica.com  to explore more educational opportunities at the Academies in Baltimore & Santa Monica - Canada, too)
In April, you'll find me at IBS New York, taking the opportunity to learn something new in at least 5 classes that are MUST-SEE's for me! (check out www.IBSnewyork.com to see the schedule, line-up or purchase tickets!) I will reward my hard work & sacrifce with a delightful dinner in Little Italy, and a dozen Cannolli from Ferraro's Bakery for the ride home! (it's tradition!)
May will feature the Fashion Focus Show in Baltimore, where I hope to not only learn from the best, but also share my knowledge with others!
(www.fashion-focus.net)
You've seen my posts about EEG's Future Professionals Expo...  well that's in June & you know how I feel about that! If you don't know what "new blood" is coming into the industry, this is THE event to see it all! The talent is so Inspirational! And the future for these soon to be pro's is BRIGHT! They are raising the standard!

Travel may not be an option for you and that's ok! The WORLD is at your fingertips via the internet! Of course, Celina the Hair Pro will keep you up to date, as will Celina's FAVORITE blog Stylista by Salon Confidential! 
Behind the Chair is another excellent resource! Below is an excerpt from my daily BTC inspiration. I'm sharing it with you, because I believe it to echo my message of Education!

Read on & have a GREAT HAIR DAY!

~ Celina 




Get Schooled
Complacency. It can kill a salon business. So what’s the best defense against this deadly inertia? Education! This year, make it a point to allocate more time and energy for training and education to light your team on fire. Here are three tips to get you going:
Make the Commitment: Giving staff access to educational opportunities requires dedication and effort on the part of ownership. This means developing and implementing a training system, writing your own salon-specific training manual, and keeping abreast of everything that's offered in the marketplace. Also consider supporting manufacturers who offer aggressive educational programs.
Be Flexible: Structure must not become suffocating, especially in a creative field. Realize that your training manual will change as staff members grow. For example, if someone can demonstrate they don't need to be in a particular class, they can teach for two hours a week instead of being a student.
Use It Or Lose It: When team members return from a trade show or outside training, set aside time for them to present their discoveries to the rest of the staff.

Move over Brazilian Blowouts & Thermal Ionic Straighteners....

DESIGN ESSENTIALS STRENGTHENING THERAPY SYSTEMS

Allow me to introduce you to a phenomenal Hair Care Brand :  (if you don't already know ) : Design Essentials offers a strong commitment to improving the look and feel of your hair by providing healthy hair styling products that address and satisfy your specific hair needs. They understand that there are a myriad of hair types by nature and that hair care is a very personal and emotional experience. Design Essentials provide you with effective, professional-quality products that you can depend on to cleanse, condition, nourish, revitalize and restore your hair to its natural beauty.

That being said, please feel free to visit  www.designessentials.com to explore all the product categories and systems they have to offer! And use the Salon Locator tool to find stylists in your area that offer Design Essentials product services and at-home care!

I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of the products available from Design Essentials and the most impressive feature is the versatility! 

They truly are effective on all hair types from the curliest of curls to  thinner textures, without leaving  heaviness or a greasy feel!

Read on to learn all about the NEW Strengthening Therapy Systems available! With options like  straightening out natural curls, transitioning from relaxers,  improved curl management and frizz control, to treating dry, brittle hair, there is a Strengthening Therapy System made just for you!   

Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Transitioning Mousse

This new, amino-acid infused strengthening treatment is designed to silken and smooth naturally curly, multi-textured and frizzy hair types.  The Transitioning Mousse is a revolutionary product that is best for naturally curly or transitioning consumers seeking to maintain a smooth style. 

Significantly reduces hair swelling from root to tip

Honey and Sweet Almond Oil hydrates, nourishes and protects hair

Provides maximum smoothness and lasting strength

Lasts up to 12 weeks

How does Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Transitioning Mousse work:

Infuses the hair with a Botanical Restructuring Complex that tames, strengthens and conditions the hair 

Rich foam formula promotes fast, deep penetration for optimal results

Uses the lowest recommended heat setting (340°F – 400°F)  for hair health and preservation

Who is Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Transitioning Mousse for:

Great for transitioning clients who want to skip “the big chop”

Ideal for naturally curly clients who desire to wear their hair straight

Perfect for those seeking style preservation due to humidty, light sweats or workouts

If you have:		The Transitioning Mousse treatment will provide:
	Untamed, unmanageable, uncooperative hair Big hair - big “boofy”curls Hair that is multi-textured naturally or due to relaxer transition       Smooth styles that do not last throughout the day      A lot of time invested in styling your hair daily		Smooth, sleek, silky hair Reversion resistant styles lasting up to 12 weeks Consistently smooth hair week after week Styles that last from morning till night Significantly less styling time each day

With Design Essentials Strengthening^® Therapy Transitioning Mousse, hair is noticeably stronger and more resilient with an intense luxurious shine.

 Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Elongation Mousse

Defines, stretches and extends curly to tightly coiled textures for maximum curl length, definition and control while reducing frizz.

This new, amino-acid infused strengthening treatment is designed to stretch and maximize the natural curl length of multiple hair textures (wavy to tightly coiled), while enhancing manageability.  The Elongation Mousse defines, stretches and extends curly to tightly coiled textures for maximum curl length, definition and control while reducing frizz.

Ideal for naturally curly consumers seeking greater manageability and curl control

Amino Acids tame and elongate curls while visibly reducing frizz

Honey and Sweet Almond Oil hydrates, nourishes and protects hair

Strengthens hair for maximum resilience and manageability

How does Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Elongation Mousse work?

Infused with Botanical Restructuring Complex for increased curl smoothing, taming and curl contouring

Micro-fine Amino Acids penetrate the hair shaft to safely enhance curl length while strengthening

Rich foam formula promotes fast, deep penetration for optimal results

Uses the lowest recommended heat setting (340°F – 400°F) for hair health and curl preservation

Who is Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Elongation Mousse for?

Ideal for naturally curly clients who are frustrated with frizz and hair swelling

Best for clients seeking greater manageability when wearing curly styles

Great for clients who want to wear "wash and go" with minimal daily styling time

Perfect for clients seeking curl control with maximum curl definition and length

If you have:		The Elongation Mousse treatment will provide:
	Big hair that frizzes easily Dry, hard to detangle hair       Compact curls and a desire for fuller, curly styles     Loss of style due to humidity and swelling A lot of time invested in styling your hair daily		Beautifully tamed, frizz free styles Strong, moisturized, manageable hair Maximum curl definition and length Reversion resistant styles lasting up to 12 weeks  Considerably less styling time each day

With Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Elongation Mousse, hair is noticeably stronger with enhanced manageability, curl control and length.

Design Essentials^® Strengthening Silkening Spray 

The Silkening Spray is an Amino-Acid based Thermal Reconditioning designed to strengthen, treat and repair chemically processed, weakened or damaged hair.

Blend of Amino Acids and proteins deeply penetrates the hair shaft to swiftly renew hair health

Dramatically reduces breakage and shedding

Progressively strengthens hair

Emits a luxurious shine

How does Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Silkening Spray work:

Micro-fine Amino Acids swiftly penetrate the cortex to strengthen and protect the hair strand from root to tip

Nourishing botanicals and vitamins fortiry and recondition the hair for maximum smoothness and strength

Uses the lowest recommended heat setting (340°F – 400°F) for optimal themal protection

Who is Design Essentials^® Strengthening Therapy Silkening Spray for:

Ideal for clients who are relaxed or color treated

Greater for clients experiencing excessive shedding or breakage

Best for clients with dry, brittle hair

Design Essentials Strengthening Therapy Silkening Spray fortifies, hydrates and nourishes dry, brittle, weakened damaged hair.  After the first treament process, hair is noticeably stronger, healthier, fuller and shinier.

For optimal results and maximum strengthening, repeat treatment weekly for three weeks.

Have a GREAT Hair Day! 

~ Celina  XO

^ information obtained from www.designessentials.com  

re - NEW YEAR - 2013

Re-NEW Year.  Do you see what I did there?  2013 is THE year to renew! Back to basics. I know, I know, you're thinking resolutions, shmesolutions.  Reality is, most people don't even make New Year resolutions anymore. And so what? It's not about a resolve, it's more about reflection! Take a look at yourself, your work, your style, your business, your health, your family. Every day. Not just because it's January. A friend of mine said it perfectly when she asked, "Doesn't every day deserve the same excitement as New Year's Day?" ABSOLUTELY!

That's what this first blog of 2013 is designed to do! Jump start that renewal process! 
We are in the business of Beauty. Every day there is something new and exciting to discover & explore. Technology advances at lightning speed, products and techniques are developed, discovered, diluted and discarded within a matter of minutes. But the basics are what holds true. The foundations that were proven to sustain are what we sometimes fail to focus on and then we wonder why we fall off track.

I think GOAL SETTING  is a GREAT place to start!  When you have a plan put in place that makes sense you will have little trouble reaching your goals. And if you fall off track, at least you'll know exactly where to pick up where you left off. Without goal setting, you're basically just winging it. And I don't know about you, but I've got a bit of a control freak streak! I like to know exactly when I'll be able to purchase my next pair of ridiculously expensive, impractical, yet superbly stylish pair of stilletto's that I'll never actually wear. And without a plan I'm just leaving that up to chance!
Allow me to assist you in achieving your dreams! Follow these simple rules to get your Goals in place. Then watch as the magic unfolds!

BE SMART! S-M-A-R-T  / S-M-A-R-T-E-R  These mneumonic terms first appeared in the early 1980's in business management and have withstood the test of time. It's a popular arrangement of strategies used in goal-setting, as described below.

s - Specific. BE SPECIFIC. This in not the time to be vague! Instead of saying "My goal is to  be a better Hair Colorist in 2013", which is quite vague, be more clear by saying "My goal is to attend 5 Master Colorist Classes this year to become a Certified Master Colorist" See the specifics there? Define your specific by asking if the goal answers the questions that begin with the letter "W"  Who, What, Where, When, Why, Which.

M - Measurable. How will you measure your progress? If a method to determine if you are moving toward your goal is not in place, you may very well end up giving up just moments before attaining your goal! Very common mistake! So if your Goal, specifically, is to Attend 5 Master Colorist Classes to become a Certified Master Colorist, then you know that when you are at class number 4 that you only have one more to complete before your goal is achieved! That's measurable!

*Did you know that goal achievement INCREASES our Self-Esteem? Setting goals not ONLY moves you forward but it gives you confidence! A goal oriented, confident stylist is a SUCCESSFUL Stylist! *

A - Attainable. In order for a goal to be achieved, it must be attainable and realistic.  Ask yourself  "How can this goal be accomplished?"  Can 5 Master Colorist Classes get you Certified? Or will certification require even more training? An attainable goal might make you consider previously overlooked opportunities to bring you closer to the achievement of your goals. Be open to those possibilities! And remember when you set a goal, you are likely going to stretch yourself to achieve it. If it were simple to achieve, setting the goal wouldn't be necessary in the first place, right? So don't expect a walk in the park!

R - Relevant. Choose goals that matter!  A goal that supports or is in alignment with other goals would be considered a relevant goal. If you are working to improve your professional business,setting a goal such as making 50 Nutella & Banana sandwiches by noon, is definitely NOT a relevant goal even though it is Specific, Measurable & Attainable.

T -Time sensitive! Ground your goal by giving it a time frame or target date. When you commit to a time period it allows you to stay on track when life happens! Rarely is a path to goal reaching paved with pansies! There's bound to be some poison oak along the way, something that throws you for a loop and sets you off course. Knowing that time is of the essence with give you that urgency to re-group and re-commit.

* Why stop at SMART when you can be SMARTER! READ ON!

E - Evaluate. How's your plan working for you? Are you on track? How did you overcome your obstacles? How much further do you have to go?

R - Re-evaluate. Are you ahead of the game or have you fallen behind? Do you have any unexpected events that you need to prepare for? Should you reach out for help to achieve your goals? Do you need some extra support as you navigate through reaching your goal?

S - SUCCESS! There it is! You set a goal, charted your course, survived the storms and reached your destination of BLISS and doesn't it feel good!!!! There it is! That increased self-esteem and it comes with a bonus called confidence, which inevitably convinces you that this goal-setting thing is easy once you get the ball rolling. So, before you know it you're on to your NEXT goal and you are achieving the success you so very much deserve for all your hard work!

Stay tuned for next week's topic! The focus will continue on with getting back to basics for 2013 in the business of Beauty!

Till then! ~ Celina   HAPPY NEW YEAR!