Stressing Out?

We all feel stressed out at one point or another in our lives from deadlines to school, to crappy boyfriends. Stress can give us tense muscles, pounding headaches, and major anxiety. You may not notice immediately but stress can take its toll on your hair (falling out or dullness), complexion (blotchy or acne), internal inflammation, as well as premature aging… They all sound horrible. Seeing as we’re realistic here and will just accept that Stress is inevitable, here’s how you can make a difference in your life as well as your skin, hair, and overall beautiful self.

Top 5 ways to De-Stress (for stylists as well as clientele):

1) Exercise on a regular basis. It helps to not only fight stress but also keep depression and anxiety at bay… Think: Endorphins! I’m personally not one to be a hamster on a wheel (aka treadmills) but you can exercise in other ways: walk outside on lunch break, yoga, pilates, vacuuming living room, dancing to music, etc.

2) Allow yourself time to get to destinations. I have to remind myself this ALL the time, since I’m constantly in a hurry to get to appointments and meetings. Nothing’s more stressful than feeling like you’ll be late, so just leave earlier than usual and enjoy the extra few minutes to primp or rock out to music in the car.

3) Make time to talk to friends and family. Even if it’s just 10 minutes. I heard a phenomenal inspirational talk at a Paul Mitchell event and the speaker a famous deaf comedienne, Cathy Buckley asked us to take a minute to tell our loved one that we loved and cared about them. It really changes your day and keeps your perspective in check. Try it!

4) Make a play list of De-stressful and calming music. iTunes has fabulous Groove Essentials play list for ideas. Listen to the play list whenever you’re ready to pull out your hair or strangle any person near you. You’ll save a few extra lives (note earlier statement concerning strangulation) by musical therapy!

5) Treat yourself! Yes, I give you permission to treat yourself to a massage, or save a dime and have a spa day at home. It could be simply applying a mask, taking a hot bubble bath, or relaxing.

Tips from a Pro:

“Meditation and breathing techniques don’t cost a dime and you can do them anywhere, anytime.” – Sarah Kugelman

“I take a warm bath with pure lavender oil and have a cup of organic chamomile tea.” –Carol Shaw

“Eliminate toxic people from your environment.” –Karen Behnke

Not just a bad hair day... Let's talk Bad Haircuts!

So you have a bad haircut… What’s your first reaction?? Anger, immense anger as to how this could happen… Well, let me ask you, did you say anything to the hair dresser as your hair was being chopped off? One of the most interesting things that I learned from hair school is to speak up when you’re in the chair. I think that out of politeness, I have never found it within myself in the past to voice out that I was dissatisfied, which is ironic since I’m the one that is paying for the service. I never said “stop” when the stylist kept chopping off inches when I really said (and truly meant) a trim. Nothing is more powerful than communication (can be applicable to many situations my friends).


Well, after a disastrous haircut that I received in hair school (which ends up happening to everyone in hair school eventually), you are forced to get creative. Let me explain…I had some major split ends (hadn’t had a haircut in a good year) and wanted to create a nice side swept bang to help “frame my face.” Shouldn’t be so hard to ask, right? Well, I sat there and watched as my side swept bang turned into a quick snip to create a straight line across my forehead. There were no layers (like I requested) and my hair was severely heavy in the back (due the zero degree/no layer cut). End result, the stereotypical soccer mom hair-do. Refer to tip # 7 to see my personal disaster picture.

Now, at the same time I also worked Full Time in a business office and was in no shape to show up to work with a bad haircut. I needed to be creative and fast since the next morning was going to show up fast and I needed to keep my professional image and dignity intact. I spend most of that evening playing with my hair and finding ways to creatively hide the disaster I allowed to happen on top of my head (don’t deny that you allowed this if you didn’t say anything). Here are some tips I discovered to hide a gnarly haircut…

1) the handy dandy bobby pin (lots and lots of them)! – I have to admit that prior to hair disasters in my life I would find some way to sneak in a bobby pin or two in my daily coif but never have I found it so “supportive” with damage control! Bobby pins saved my life! I would creatively pin up my disastrous bangs into a nice little pomp in the front or braid my front hair line with a reverse braid and secure it with a bobby pin (current trend anyways). You could even take multiple sections of your front hairline, twist, and pin for a new sassy look or sweep them to the side and pin it in. The options are endless! Luckily, there are even adorable and fashionable bobby pins that you can purchase to adorn your hidden tragedy!




*Braiding hairline and securing with bobby pins

2) Heat tools- My mini flat iron (I had shoulder length hair but could be used for really short or really long hair as well) and my Marcel curling iron became fast friends with me. Now I was “blessed” with stick straight hair and thus any bad “precision” haircut would always turn out to be unavoidable if you didn’t have any texture or curls to hide the holes that were cut into my poor “do.” There were many days where in I would create a mass of fun curls or a combination of straight hair and curly bits for an interesting look (mini flat iron create the best curls in my opinion.)



3) Texture- as I just mentioned, texture can hide a lot! Dry wax and Dry shampoo became a “must” for me. Since my bangs took a rough “cut” (apology for the pun), I would utilize dry shampoo to make my bangs easier to slick or braid back, then I would use a little (and I mean little) bit of wax to slick down the stray hair. As pictured below, you can fashionably wear this slicked back look anywhere!



4) Consult with a more trusted stylist- There’s nothing wrong with consulting with another stylist about your current predicament. With that being said, you should seek help, not another hair cut! Don’t subtract! It’s better to add then subtract my friends; you don’t want to make it any worse for yourself. I found that even though I was a current cosmetology student, it was always a good idea to pick another stylists brain for creative ideas. You never know what kind of ideas can be thrown our way. Don’t feel guilty for going to another stylist; no one is going to put you into time-out for going to someone else for help that you trust (remember it’s your hair that is on the line here).


5) Ponies- I love pony tails, especially high pony tails! You can really hide a hair disaster and look professional with this simple and easy to do look! There are a lot of noted celebrities that choose to wear ponies for the Oscars or even for casual events! (Also consider buns and braided ponies as alternatives).




6) Accessorize! - Use what you have! I had a variety of headbands and scarves that were collecting dust and I almost was glad to have an excuse (a good one) to utilize what I had. Really take the time to experiment with accessories and find one that suits your style.  And if you are in a professional work place or school, find a cool wig ASAP and wear it like it's your own hair (wigs can be really fun and stress relieving if you’re not savvy with fixing your hair).


7) Work it! – I can be one of those delusion people that take a bad experience and “work with what I got.” I actually had more fun with a bad haircut than I ever did with my old ho hum hair before. I used my accessories, I used my hair tools, I busted out the gels and hairspray and I walked into work with my head held high as though this was what I wanted. Of course, there were some comments about what happened to my hair and I would respond politely back that, “You don’t like it? You just don’t know what’s “in”.” The funny thing is that the same week I flaunted this new “do”, there were others at work doing the same thing with their hair. There is something to be said about working a bad cut with a delusional confidence! Refer to initial Christmas photo for a ridiculous and fun way to flaunt the “do”.



8) Bald is beautiful – A lot of women put their self esteem into their locks of hair. It’s our vanity. So when our hair is irreparable and in shambles, sometimes it’s best to start clean… shave it! I know that there are numerous noted women that have sported the bald look, i.e.: Courageous cancer survivors, Sinead O’Conner, Megan Fox (who is a sultry young starlet), Demi Moore, Natalie Portman, and even Britney Spears. It can be done and it can be sported (but it’s not for everyone).



9) Poppin’ Pills- lots of people I know swear up and down that vitamin make their hair magically grow like no one’s business. I’m not one to take pills specifically for my hair to quickly grow out of the mullet I have but at the same time I think that no matter what your current hair circumstances, it’s never a bad idea to add a multivitamin to your diet (please consult a physician, just in case).


10) Don’t forget, Hair grows- It won’t last like this forever and learn to forgive yourself and your stylist and embrace the experience. Trust me, eventually you’ll laugh about this later (probably not now, but def later)!


Have fun experimenting and salvaging what locks you have left!

Here’s to happy locks!

Creativity... Takes daily practice.

Until recently I haven't had the opportunity to spend a chunk of my time with art in one shape or form. Thus I have really taken the time to work daily to strengthen and keep up the creative flow... So, I have been: cutting styling and coloring hair, drawing, painting, random sharpie tattoos (purely for fun), rebuilding my baby gift stash with stuffed softies, remodeling my parents home with painting, creating fun handouts for girls camp, and photography.

My brother requested that I send one of my sketches over to a gentleman in Texas who had a dream about a book that saved his life while he was serving in the military in Iraq. It was a neat opportunity to draw up this idea and send it off to this fellow.

Jon asked that I make sure my tattoo pens work and draw him a turtle walking in the sand... Needless to say, they work!

One of my stuffed softies I'm making through this wonderful pattern (will post pictures when it's finally completed).


I decided to help my mom change her kitchen lamps with random glass paint... I think it's improved from plain white!


One of the handouts I slapped together for Girl's Camp... One of the evening's devotional is "Let Thy Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts.." I decided to take a different approach with the skull and cross bones (used pink to soften it up a bit). It goes along the lines of: "Thoughts become your actions (so keep them positive) and actions become your character and character becomes your destiny." It's a lot of work to make sure these girls have a meaningful week in which they can build up skills to aid them as an adult/leader. I take it seriously to make sure that each night I have a handout and a planned devotional that hopefully makes a good impression... It takes a lot of creativity to impress and teach a whole bunch of 14 yrs old girls!


I was walking along the River near Notre Dame and found a small patch of beautiful flowers!


I am progressively finding that Indiana has some beautiful wild flowers along the sides of the roads.

It's amazing what you'll find right outside your doorstep!



Styling Hair

In short, creativity is a very unique force that seems to visit me often with impromptu ideas and a constant source of new ways I can view my surroundings. I also find that it sparks a courageous spirit within myself to do the unexpected and the daring. I am a firm believer that regardless of whether you're an artist or a local accountant, flexing your creative talents can open so many doorways to success... Whether that is a new way to improve your own business or a renewed promise to improving your health or a better sense of gratitude for the beauty that lies around you.

I try and make sure that I take a little bit of time each day and dedicate it to increasing my creativity. I have had a lot of inspiration and motivation through many sources:
"The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it for Life" by, Twyla Tharp
Handy Dandy "Word a Day Calender"-Nothing wrong with building your vocabulary
"This Book will change your life", Benrik- Unusual and quite hilarious guide to changing a boring work week
"Wreck This Journal" by, Keri Smith
"Living Out Loud", Keri Smith
"The Awe-Manac: The Daily Dose of Wonder by, Jill Badonsky
Just to name a few...

Through some of these sources, I have discovered that its nothing really scientific to De-stress and rebuild your creative fuel. I usually write in my journal or handy notepad in my purse, reflect/mini meditation, sneak away for a hike or window shopping, do something crazy/out of the ordinary, revert back to my 5 yrs old self and laugh out loud or literally see my world upside down, and etc.

I hope this may have help with your own creative progress but I thought I'd share my own two cents on the subject today.

Let's go Red!

I had a good hairstylist friend, Ashley who is was a recent graduate of the Paul Mitchell School in Provo, UT come and spruce up the sad state of my hair. I had never gone red but she suggested that Copper and Red was "in." Well, she was right! I have worn my hair red many times and loved the results. Unfortunately for me, I have recently moved from PA to IN and am not close to any of my friends from the Paul Mitchell School I was attending. In attempts to cover my gray hair (yes, I'm graying), I have enlisted the help of my OCD/Perfectionist mother to help me color my hair Red. I have to say that I it was nice to not have to barely direct her at all and my hair looked fabulous as an end result!

Well, everyone... Red is "In"! I will keep everyone updated on my latest Before/After (Styling, Cutting, Coloring) pics from these past few months.


All smiles with the new color that replaced the old "grays"

My mom/new enlisted beautician and I (w/ the vibrantly new red hair)!

My friend Ashley (Paul Mitchell Graduate and present instructor in CA) and I. My first time going Red.

Nothing like a little bit of Red to spice up your color history! If you're ever in the Indiana area and need some sprucing with color and whatnot, give me a call!

Here's the skinny: Up do's!

Hey guys! Trying to keep up with my blog while relocating! It's not an easy task...
Oh yeah, I'm moving to Indiana! So I am def excited to see what fun I can have being so close to Chicago and all. I'll be sure to find some great classes and join forces with some great stylists out there! So stay tuned.

As for these pictures, I had the wonderful opportunity to have one of my girlfriends come out to visit me
from AZ and I had to take advantage of the situation and play with her hair (I don't usually get that opportunity since I live with my husband and black lab puppy)! I decided to play up some up do ideas I had in my head and put them to use! Have a look!


Up do with knots! tried to use as little bobby pins as possible but seeing as her hair is extremely short, we ended up using a box! Oh well, it looked great in the end!


I decided to get a little bit more creative and play up with different types of knots! This one is my favorite!


We decided to do a mini photo shoot since we had a victorious hair session!


Nothing helps like practice! I polished up the same look on my mannequin head. I think it looks great with the single panel down the middle!

Yay for hair victories!

Everybody wants to be a princess!

Well this Sunday as a proud Student Council Member, I helped host a Princess Party!
We helped raise a couple of bucks for the different Foundations through our Paul Mitchell School! It
was a wonderful opportunity to host an even that would not only be fun for us students and the girls we
served but also feel like our little school was apart of something big!

We were so blessed to have a lot of girls come out on a Sunday and volunteer to help with: Makeup, Hair, Nails, Airbrush, and etc.

We even had our very own Snow White on the premises! We were excited to have some of the
girls dress up, it really made a difference!


The girl's could choose from the heads what style they would like done to their hair as well as pick out
their airbrush stencil!

One of the other Student Council student, Karen did a great job!

Even though we didn't get a chance to raise as much as we hoped, we had a blast! We took home some ice cream and all agreed that it was worth it! I feel lucky that I was able to be on board and help set up a great event. Next year, I'm def going to plan on dressing up!

International Beauty Show-NYC

So I got the amazing chance to head out to NYC to attend the International Beauty Show... Pretty much the biggest beauty expo on the east coast which was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (which is absolutely huge). We went on Monday which was Student Day but don't worry, I def did not miss out on anything. I was so overwhelmed with all of the booths, mini classes, products, and freebies (my favorite)! I was on Cloud 9 the whole afternoon! Needless to say, the show was a successful adventure and there was much to see in a short amount of time. We saw:
Main Stage Performances by Martin Parsons, Vivienne Mackinder, and many other hair celebrities
Fantastic Demonstrations by award winning makeup artists and hairstylists
Thousands of products, tools, and educational booths, and etc.

Taran, Ms. June (the best teacher EVER!), and myself

Taran and I for our close up!

I am so excited that I got the chance to see all of these amazing up dos! I was inspired! We'll see
what I come up with after witnessing all this inspiration!

Well, here's a toast to many more shows and to keeping up with the latest trends!

Moving On Up!

There has been some welcomed changes these past couple of weeks. I have officially resigned
from working at Vitas Hospice and decided to further my experience with a fabulous salon
in Chestnut Hill called, Spa Elysium. I will be assisting the owner as well as their other well
rounded stylists on hand. The environment is relaxing and inspiring and I am excited to make
myself an addition there.

Here's their website:

http://spaelysium.com/index.asp


If you're ever around that area, please stop by and say hi! They offer a large variety of
services and are all about making your experience there successful!

Also, I will be working at the Valley Forge Convention Center this weekend. I was lucky to be chosen to
assist the American Girl Doll Hair Show and style up some fabulous dolls for Charity! I am excited to make a little girl's day by giving her doll a wonderful hairdo and help the American Girl company with their efforts to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and The Saturday Club Children's Charity Fund.

Caper 2010- Las Vegas... Continued

Here are more pictures obtained from the wonderful
Paul Mitchell Caper Event in Vegas!

Setting up for our photo!

We found the white part mascot!

Picture time with Scott Cole, Linda Yodice, Tikashi Kitamura, and gang!

Wynn Claybaugh, Me, John Paul Dejoria, Lauren Pascoe, and Angus Mitchell

Robert Cromeans, Lucie Daughty, Stephanie Kocielski

Some fabulous hair styles on the runway!

Fabulous clipper designs by Robert Cromeans

Our inspiring color class, led by Stephanie

Our amazing cutting class led by Tikashi Kitamura