How To...Use a Beach or Ocean Spray: Hint, it's not just for the beach

Summer is officially here!  We've had 80 degree days and it's past June 21st!  That means beach spray, sometimes called ocean or salt spray, is having its moment.  According to Allure Magazine, ocean spray started before the Emmy Awards in 2000 when Jennifer Aniston's hair stylist filled a bottle with water from the ocean and spritzed it in her hair.  But now, even if you're not near the ocean or spending the whole day at the beach you head to your local beauty salon and grab a bottle of beach spray for yourself!  Not sure how to use it?  Don't fret, read this blog to get you going!  Here are some tips for using beach spray:

• First thing is first: beach spray is not JUST for applying at the beach.  Sure, you can use it to freshen up your locks if you're on the beach, but you can use it anytime, all year long.
• Apply it on damp or dry hair and scrunch it with your fingers.  Pair it with a great bodifying mousse for extra oomph.
• For curl or wave challenged ladies, dry your hair for a few minutes with a hair dryer fitted with a diffuser to bring out the curls.  Flip your head over so your hair is upside down for part of the drying time.
• If you want a little extra texture, after it dries pull a dab of sunscreen through the length of your hair.  "You're basically faking what happens to you at the beach," says Jennifer Aniston's hair stylist Chris McMillan.
• Mess up your part and let waves take their natural shape to really mimic the beach look.  You can also pull your hair into two uber low pony tails for an unkempt, yet playful look.

My favorite beach spray - okay, confession...the only I've used, but I love it - is Sexy Hair's Soy Renewal Beach Spray (read all about my first time in this "I tried it" here.) You can use it wet or dry and it adds texture without getting sticky.  Bonus?  It comes in a small, travel size bottle too - perfect for touch ups.

What's your favorite beach spray?

Duck Bill Clips for Healthy Curls

Perfect for summer...a curled style that doesn't require a hot curling iron!  You know those silver clips the hair salon always uses?  If you head to your nearest Sally Beauty Supply or beauty store, you can grab a package for yourself and create stress free curls for your hair.  If you set them damp and let them air dry, you'll get a casual and cool look or old hollywood style finger waves.  Give it a try, following these three simple steps from Self Magazine.

For Casually Cool strands

1. Mist clean, damp hair with a salt-based texturizing spray to get that full, rumpled look and to keep strands from falling flat, says Jen Atkin, a stylist for Clear Hair in Los Angeles.

2. Lift top sections, spritzing underneath at the roots. This gives hair "windblown" body without the help of actual wind.

3. Secure hair in two low pigtails. Divide each in half and twist the two pieces around each other, tying ends. Wind; pin twists against head. (Check out this picture at the right -- this is how your mane should look. Tip: Try securing strands with fabric hair bands, which won't leave weird ridges.) When hair's dry, unravel and run fingers through it.

For an old hollywood feel, follow these three steps:

1.  Rub a quarter-sized blog of medium hold hair gel between your hands, then rake fingers through damp strands, starting an inch below roots and pulling to ends.  Create a side part.

2.  Twist 3-4 inch sections of hair around your index finger, pinning coils to your head with duckbill clips until all your hair is up.

3.  Let hair air-dry, then remove the clips and "brush" through the coils with your fingers, pulling gently to loosen the curls.

Getting a New Hair Cut: The Consultation (what to know before you go)

Patrick during a new client consultation.

Getting a new hair cut can be exciting.  A new look often gives you a new lease on life, but it can also be scary.  Fortunately, if you have a fabulous stylist (like Patrick) they'll ask the right questions to make sure you get a hair cut that looks great and is easy to maintain.  

A couple months ago, I took my mom to see Patrick for a new hair style.  She'd wanted something a little different and since her last hair stylist retired (literally...retired.  She moved into a retirement home), I convinced her to come to the city and give Patrick a try (spoiler alert: she loved it!).  Since I went with her, I was able to watch her consultation and pass on the questions Patrick asked her.

So here's what to know before you go: These questions are all things you should be able to answer when you're getting a new hair style or switching stylists.

• What is your daily hair routine? (Think how do you usually wear your hair, how often you shampoo, how often you blow dry, etc.)
• What products do you usually use to style your hair?
• How long do you spend each day doing your hair?  How long do you want to spend?
• What is your goal: what do you want your hair to do for you?

And if your stylist doesn't ask you some questions before your first cut or color with them...run!  Wondering how my mom's hair turned out?  She loved it.  Patrick listened to all her concerns and ideas and created a new style she was totally happy with.  Here it is:

He recommended two products to style her light weight, low maintenance 'do: Short Sexy Hair  Rough and Ready Styling Gunk and Shatter Finishing Spray.

Do you have any successful consultation stories?  Any first time new stylist horror stories?  Leave a comment and share your story!

I Tried It: A (Healthy Hair) Pinterest Updo

As I've been embarking on my Hair Repair Challenge, I've been trying to wear my hair down as much as possible, but as I was headed to ballet class, I needed an updo.  Since I created a Pinterest board to help me with some healthy hair style and updo inspiration (check it out here) and I decided to take a stab at creating one of my pins.  The style (shown at left) seemed simple and looked great.  Here were the instructions that came with it:

Try this. 2 elastics. 1 at the scalp: high pony second at the end of the hair. Join the ends into the center of the first and pin. Do this all too often, get compliments all the time.

Seemed easy enough.  So I grabbed two elastics and some hair pins and got started.  After drying my hair I used an anti-frizz serum and spritzed the pony tail with some dry shampoo and a few sprays of beach spray to give it some texture, then did a touch of back combing at the base with a small, packed bristle brush for volume.  I used five hair pins (the open, "U" shaped kind, NOT bobbi pins...Patrick has banned me from those).  Since I would be dancing, I wanted it to stay in-place, but if you're creating this look for "normal life" you could get away with one or two at the point you tuck it in. Then I sprayed the crap out of it with hair spray.  It was easy enough to create, but didn't look as fabulous as the photo.  I think the model in the photo was blessed with MUCH thicker hair than I (at least that's my 
excuse). 

Here's what I ended up with.  See, the blonde chick above has WAY more hair than I do.  But, it's not too bad don't you think?  Have you ever tried a hairstyle you found online or on Pinterest?  How did it go?  Leave a comment and let me know! 
~Kirsten 

Pinspiration: Hair Repair Challenge Style Ideas

If you've been following my hair blogs you know I love me a good updo!  So when Patrick challenged me to give up bobbi pins and wet up-styling I needed some hair inspiration!  Naturally, I turned to Pinterest.  So I invite you to check out my board Operation Anti-Bobbi Pin if you're in need of some hair down styling inspiration too.  Here are some of my favorites I can't wait to try.

Above, a look that my days working at a bridal shop makes me love...the hair jewelry meets boho inspiration.  And below, a chic updo created with a jumbo upside down braid and if you hair pin the very end instead of using a bobbi-pin, it's Patrick approved!

Check out these great styles and more on my Anti-Bobbi Pin Pinterest Board.  Do you have a board of hair style ideas?  Leave a comment with the link!  I've still go some time to go, so I'll need more ideas!

~Kirsten

I Tried It: Goody Spin Pin - Spiral Hair Pins

As you know, I'm venturing on a hair repair challenge, ie - operation anti bobbi pin, which means I can't use bobbi pins anymore.  So Patrick handed me a box of these spiral hair pins to try.  He said it's the clamping action of the bobbi pin that makes them bad for hair, so these would be just fine as long as I used them on dry hair.  I'd seen the Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins before but never been tempted enough to try them since I had been successfully creating buns with bobbi pins for year, but I decided to give them a go.  

Here's what they claim to do:

The Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin allows you to easily achieve three chic updo styles.  Simpley twirl your hair up and spin the two spin pins in for a perfect undone bun, side bun or double bun!  Does the work of 20 bobbies.

My verdict?  A fail.  Here's what I managed to create with them:

While I was able to create a small bun and get it to stay in place with the spiral pins, it didn't stay that way for too long.  It definitely doesn't do the work of 20 pins...more like 2-4 pins worth of work.  I'll give them this though, they stayed in place, it was just my hair that slid out.   I have fine hair and even though I dry shampooed and beach sprayed it, after about an hour my hair just slipped out into sort of a limp, lame, non-puffy bun...and all I did was go to the grocery store.  It definitely wouldn't have made it through a dance class!

What I did like about them?  They're textured and incredibly easy to slide in.  Maybe some of my thick haired friends will have better luck.  I wouldn't recommend buying these to anyone with thin or fine hair, but with some thicker hair or lots of product and teasing they could work.  Maybe I need to try the mini size?

Have you tried the spin pins?  What did you think?

~Kirsten

Holiday Hair Add Ins

If you're looking for an instant way to add some oomph to your updo, you're in luck!  Pretty pieces to slide and clip into your hair are easier to find than ever.  Sliding a glittering clip or fluffy flower into your hair is an easy way to take your pony tail from ho-hum everyday to extra special or special occasion.  I use hair add ins as secret trick to fix updos that go up slightly off center.  Bun not quite round enough?  Stick a flower next to it and it will look just fine.  Did you curling pull your pony tail to the right?  Slide a jewel encrusted stick next to the base and no one will notice.

Haven't ever indulged in an extra hair accessory?  Now that the holiday season is upon us it's the perfect time to try.  I've rounded up some of my favorite ideas for adding a little extra sparkle and special-nesss to your next hair occasion.  Find these pieces online or in stores...but don't forget to check your jewelry box (you can pin in a brooch with a handful of bobbi-pins) and check your childhood jewelry stash.  You never know what you'll find, I found a pair of cute red and white "Kirsten" barrettes.  If you want to buy though, check these out:

Shabby Chic Hair Flower  - These small flowers are super easy to work with.  Just pop in place with the attached prongs and pin down any layers that are sticking up.  Great for sides of buns/pony tails, nestled in curls, or fixing off center work.

Glam Girl Baretter Flowers - If you don't want to deal with prongs, these snap barrettes are a "snap" to put in.  If you have a pony tail, wear on on each side of it so the flowers touch at the top of your head.  If you're sticking them both near a bun or messy up do, wear them side by side so they look like one piece.  These are also great for pinning back bangs.

Softies Stars These new soft barrettes from Goodie promise to "make hair styling fun and easy for girls to use too.  Softies are free of snaps and clips delivering a comfortable, no-fuss styling experience."  I've never tried them, but they seem to go on almost like velcro.  They would make a fun, playful addition to just about any hair style and since they're flat can go almost anywhere.  Just be careful pulling them out.

T-Shirt Headband - I'm not a big fan of headbands, but these cute DIY t-shirt ones are easy to use and you don't have to worry about pinching.  Don't want to do it yourself?  Check out this cute satin wrapped headband from Forever 21.

Glitter Bows - Bows are back!  Curl your hair and pop these in for a totally cute effect or add one to a super sleek 'do to take the edge off.

Swooping Feather Hair Clip - This Urban Outfitters piece has a decisively vintage feel and would be perfect for a holiday party.  Clip back your bangs, or let it peek out from an updo or next to a French twist.

Adorn Jewelry Bobbi Pins - Want to go simple and chic?  Try these little gold bobbi pins.  You could also create your own version by gluing crystals of glittery baubles or beads to your own bobbi pins...just make sure the glue is dry before you try it!

Multi Flower Head Wrap - Head wraps are like the chic-er sister of the headband.  They'll look perfect and slightly flapper inspired with sleek strands, but don't be afraid to tuck the band part underneath the flowers and pin it in place at the back of your head for a more fascinator feel.  What is a fascinator?  Check out this blog post I wrote a few years ago here.

Debbie Lee Long Comb - If you have an extra special event, like a wedding, charity gala, or black tie ball, you'll want to spend a little bit more to get a piece with staying power.  Look for pieces made with real crystals and metal combs (the plastic ones are easy to break).  Smaller combs are easier to work with while longer ones look beautiful coming out of French twists.

Need some help with creating your updo?  Check out this post.

~Kirsten

Popular Pinterest Hair Styles

Pinterest in full of popular and unique hair styling and beauty ideas, tips, and tricks.  So I picked a few of the most popular ones to share with you!  Has anyone tried any of these ideas?  Leave a comment and let us know.

This sweet, romantic vintage inspired style (at left) seems simple enough to do.  Just grab your cans of dry shampoo and Sexy Hair Powder Play!  The photos show you step by step instructions.  See the original pin here.

Braids seem to be all over, as this Double Braided Headband post shows you or this side pony tail with a braided twist.   If you prefer to start your hair designing at night, check out this article by Yahoo Shine, 3 Ways to Wake Up with Gorgeous Hair.  They show you ways to wake up with more volume, less frizz, or waves without a curling iron.

This updo (at right) is simple and chic, and while it's listed as a glamorous wedding style, you can rock this look for everyday.  No reason to save your best hair for one day only.  You can also check out my post on Secrets to Updo Success here.

Another look we've see all over Pinterest is the DIY beachy waves with a rolled pony tail and a hair straightener.  Check the post out here.  I haven't tried it, but I'm a but skeptical.  The after photo doesn't seem worth the hassle, I'd say grab your Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray and make waves that way!  Here's a quick way to create them overnight.

Have you seen any Pinterest pins of hair styles you'd like to try?
~Kirsten

An Interview with a Hair Stylist

Elle magazine often interviews hair stylists and makeup artists and I always love reading it!  So I thought it would be fun to interview Patrick and learn a little bit more about him and his hair styling technique!  So I ripped the page out of my magazine and asked Patrick the questions!

Kirsten's questions are in bold and Patrick's answers are below!

Is there one beauty tool every woman should own?
Yes, a proper teasing comb!

What have you been using it for lately?
I use it to define and give volume behind the chair. I have been using it lately on all of the session work I do for photo shoots and editorials.

Elle Magazine always talks about "expensive hair."  What's the best way to achieve "upscale hair" or get a posh look?
The best way to achieve this look is all in the Cut, Color and Style your stylists gives you. The right product choices make all the difference in the world. If you want expensive looking hair, it is a great opportunity to ask your stylist for a styling lesson and to learn what products give you the expensive look you want.

And for volume?  What's the easiest way to get great volume?
The right blow out and the correct product choices. A few of my favorite products are Sexy Hair's "Big Sexy Hair," Big Volume Shampoo and Conditioner, Root Pump and Root Pump Plus, Powder Play and Spritz and Stay. The products you choose make a huge difference in how to get awesome volume. Don't be afraid to use a lot of product to achieve volume. The right product choices will give you volume without a sticky or heavy crunchy feel. Use your new found teasing comb to achieve this look while styling.

You've done your fair share of weddings and black tie evnts, do you have a go-to updo?
I don't have a go to Up-do or Up-style. I design each look for the person I am styling according to the event they are attending. I like to give a one of a kind style that is unique to each individual. This sets them apart at the function and places my signature on their fabulous locks.

What are your tricks for getting fresh looking locks on days you don't have time for a blow-out?
One Product! Sexy Hair's "Big Sexy Hair" Volumizing Dry Shampoo. This is my "go to" product. Not only to keep hair looking fresh between shampoos but for creating volume on 2nd and 3rd day hair.

If a woman came to you wanting to invest brand new hair style, what would your pick be?
My pick would be, what would work best for them, and their daily styling regimen. I would base this decision according to their lifestyle. It would include a cut tailored just for them and a creative color. It would also include a styling lesson as I am blowing out their hair so they can achieve the same look at home.

What do YOU think?  Love Patrick's advice?  Loathe it?  Let us know, we love comments!

Office Essentials Hair Trick

Houzz.com

Running straight from work to cocktails or a dinner date?  If the 9-5 work day has left your hair looking less than fabulous, try this trick from Cosmopolitan Magazine using office supplies!

Three easy items you're sure to have on hand and three easy steps will have your hair going from fried to fabulous:

1.  Hand Lotion - tame any random frizz at your ends with a dab of lotion.
2.  Pencil - wind your hair into a messy bun or twist and hold it in place with a pencil - bonus points if it's brightly colored.
3.  Paper Clip - put any fly aways or loose hanging hair pieces in place by using paper clips as a stand in for bobbi pins.

Have you saved a bad hair day at the office before?  Have any other ideas of office supplies that can double as hair accessories (rubber band for hair tie anyone?)  Leave a comment and let us know!
~Kirsten

7 Days of Short Hair Ideas

Photo from Sexy Hair

Want to cocktail the products you learned about in Tuesday's blog posts for 7 days of styling?  Read on!  Patrick has written up a list of how to mix and match these products for short hair.  You can use the tips regardless of what kind of hair you have, but keep in my they were designed for a shorter haired, colored treated woman.

Day 1~ Shampoo/Condition. Add Moroccan oil and either comb through hair or rub with hands and fingers to apply. Add Root Pump Plus.  Emulisfy in the hair at the scalp and blow dry, or air dry and curl. Once dry and curled add Powder Play, Layer with What a tease, Style as needed by following directions below in the product section. Finish with Morrocan Oil Hair Spray, and Final spray of Weather Proof.

Day 2~ Curl to refresh, but may not be needed. Add Wired, a small pearl size drop is sufficient, style hair as needed. Finish with Moroccan Oil Hair Spray. If you feel your volume isn't sufficient add a little of the Play Dirty to the Scalp area and pump up the root.

Day 3~ Follow the directions for Day 1 "styling portion only". Add a pearl size drop of Texture twist to the ends of hair only, to refresh. With the exception of Shampooing. You won't need to do that for a week.

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Day 4~ Curl to touch up and Add a couple of drops of Moroccan oil. By this point in the week you have layered your hair with product and because Sexy Hair products re-activate you might not have to add any more. The Moroccan Oil will refresh and add a little softness. It will also break down the build up slightly so you can refresh with heat by Curling.

Day 5~ Follow Directions of Day 2. Style as needed

Day 6~ Follow directions of Day 1 with the exception of shampooing and conditioning.

Day 7~ Follow the directions of Day 1 in it's entirety.

Did you try all seven days?  Or even just one day?  Upload a photo of your hair style to our facebook page!

~Kirsten & Patrick

Overnight Hair Styles: Beachy Waves

Want no fuss hair in the am?  Try this trick Patrick told me.  Take clean, just washed hair (I washed mine with SexyHair's Curling Shampoo), towel dry so you're not dripping, and then spritz with Soy Renewal Beach Spray.  Put your hair up in pin curls and then go to sleep!  In the morning when you let it down, you'll have soft, bouncy waves.

This worked well for me, my hair was soft and fluffy, but here are a few tips.
-Be careful with the placement of the front pin curls.  This area of my hair is very easy to curl, so it was a little hard to tame with my haphazard pin curl placement.
-Use a few, big pin curls for loose waves, or lots of smaller ones (like in the photo above) for tighter curls.
-Spritz again with the beach spray and scrunch your hair for a little definition.  I also used some spray mousse for extra oomph.

Try it and show us how it went!  Post a picture of your style on our facebook page, we'd love to see!

~Kirsten

Secrets to Up-Do Success

One of the questions I get most often at special events is "did you do your own hair?"  It gives me great pleasure to say - yes!  Up-dos have always come naturally to me, very rarely do I have a hair sylist do my hair for an event that requires an up-do!  I started styling my own special occasion 'dos in high school and have slowly perfected my routine while doing my hair for shows.  You can see some of my party styles above.

There's no need to be afraid of styling your own updos for low key special events like charity galas, friend's weddings, black tie/cocktail parties, etc.  (Please though, leave the high stress events like your own wedding, your best friend's wedding, or if you're receiving an award or honor, to a professional).  I've come up with 10 tips to up-do perfection!  Follow these, and you'll be styling your own hair in no time!

1.  Be Dirty - dirty hair is the key for up-dos.  Freshly washed hair gets slick and hard to manage.  Dirty hair helps secure bobbi-pins.  Don't worry if your hair is a few days dirty and has old product in it, it all helps!  I usually like to style my hair for updos two days after I've washed it.
2.  Don't be afraid of bobbi-pins.  Bobbi-pins are your friends and you're going to need TONS of them.  I use at least 20 when I rock out a pinned back curled style.  As long as you hide them, no one will know.  Make sure to purchase ones that are the same color or slightly darker than your hair.  No gold bobbi-pins on brunettes!
3.  Use a curling gel/mousse.  If you want a curled look, use a gel or mousse that helps your hair curl.  You can also wash your hair (a few days before, see #1) with a curling shampoo like Curly Sexy Hair.
4.  Only blow dry what you have to.  To avoid extra frizzies, don't blow dry what you don't have to.  I always style the front of my hair when it is wet.  It takes product really well, and is easy to manipulate.    Wet hair is also more forgiving if you should make a mistake.  Style what you can, then blow dry the rest, ie - what you want to curl.
5.  Get a hand held mirror.  You'll want to make sure you can see the back of your head when you're pinning and swooping hair into place.  Get a small mirror that you can see the back view in.  Face away from the large mirror and then find your reflection in the small mirror in your hand.  you'll be able to see all angles of your hairstyle.
6.  Don't rush.  Give yourself plenty of time to style your hair.  You don't want to be rushed at the last minute.  I give myself an hour to style my hair for special occasions.  It's better to be done up early, then getting frustrated that you're running out of time.
7.  Call a pro for high stress events.  Please, please don't try to do your own hair for the first time ever on the day of your wedding.  Call a professional for events where they'll be extra stress or when your hair is extra important to you.
8.  Find Inspiration.  If you're not sure what to do, look at photos of celebs, royals, or vintage ads for inspiration.  The 20s, 30s and 40s were a great time for hair.  Look at photos and then try to recreate them.  It's okay if it's not an exact replica, your interpretation is sure to be just as stunning.
9.  Accessorize.  Never under estimate the power of a chic hatlet, fascinator, or flower.  Even little crystal or floral/feather hair clips can elevate a hairstyle from ordinary to extra special.  Just make sure you design your 'do around the piece you want to wear.  If you're wearing a tiny hat, make sure your curls cluster on the opposite side.
10.  Overdose on hairspray.  Once you've finished your look use lots of hairspray.  Apply crazy liberally all over!  This is one time it's okay if your hair gets a little crunchy.  You want to make sure it stays in place so everyone can admire your work.

Most of all - relax and get styling!

Easy Updo: The Messy Ballerina Bun

Photo from: BridalMusings.com

Looking for an easy updo?  Want to get your hair off your neck for a fun summer day?  Try a messy ballerina bun.   This is my go to summer hair style.  It's perfect for long days of rehearsals, a backyard bbq or lounging at the pool.  It's easy to create and the messy style means you can't really make any mistakes.  So if you fear the updo, try this one! 

Here's how to create it:

Start with dirty hair (it helps everything stay in place better when it's dirty, trust me).  I started with dirty, but wet hair, or you can start with dry - personal preference.  I like to style updos with wet hair to get a slick, frizz free look.  Apply a large golf ball sized amount of your favorite mousse or curling gel.   I usually use Got 2b Kinky Curling Mousse.  Scrunch with your hands to get a nice texture and some volume at the roots, then follow with a couple squirts of Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray.  You want a wavy, curly texture that has lots of volume.  Scrunch your hair some more and then pull it up into a loose, high pony tail, but don't pull the ends all the way through.  Now here's the creative part...take a handful of bobbi pins and start pulling sections of the looped pony tail towards the crown of your head (the goal is to create a round, blob/bun shape).

There you go!  You have a messy bun.  Massage your scalp with your fingers around the bun for a little lift, apply a little gel if you have any crazy frizzies, and then finish with your favorite hairspray and Sexy Hair's Weather Proof if you'll be outside in the elements.  I also used a sun protectant from Pureology (check back soon for my blog review) to protect my color.  Pop on a headband if you want extra flair like the photo above.

Voila!  You have an easy updo that hides your frizz and stays in place.  Try the messy ballerina bun for yourself and then share your photo with Patrick on facebook!

~Kirsten

Hair Tip of the week: Blow it up!

For those moments when you need a little pick me up, use Sexy Hair's Short Sexy Hair Blow it up.

Place a dime size - for shorter hair - and about a nickel size - for medium length hair - in the palm of your hand.  It will come out as a gel and then transform into a mousse. Emulsify (which means disperse) and apply evenly from scalp to ends.

Tip: Comb through for even distribution and blow dry with a round brush or your hands. This product will add shine and hold well during the day. Perfect for creating styles with great lift and texture.

Hair trick: Use a pin size amount and emulsify to add great texture to a dry style.

Enjoy and let us know what you think. Grab a bottle for yourself at The Styling Studio in Chicago's South Loop.

-Patrick

How to know when your client gets bored with their hair.

This is a challenge to overcome in any ones hair chair. Often times we get set in our ways. We keep doing the same hair over and over again and we expect that our clients are happy. Are your clients trying to tell you that they are in fact bored with their current look? Have you asked your clients lately how many compliments they are getting on their current style? How do we tell if this a problem? I have an understanding in my hair chair. If I ask a client how they liked the last service and the answer is "It was OK." Then we have a problem and I need to address it. I cannot address this if I am not keeping current in the latest trends, styles and fashions. I want their answer to be, "It was amazing, and I get compliments everyday." Even after 25 years behind the chair, I still find this challenging. I find my inspiration in what I see around me and if I lose sight of this, then my clients don't get the best of me and my creativity. One of my favorite ways of staying inspired is to attend classes on current trends. I am certain that we can keep learning no matter how long we have been in this business. Attending a hair show is a great source for inspiration. I feel so rejuvenated after attending a hair show and cannot wait to get back behind my hair chair. Don't allow yourself to fall into a rut. Maintain your education, keep current on the latest trends, and most of all, stay inspired. Your deserve it and so do the people who sit in your hair chair.

Update!

I have been having so much fun with MSP Productions while we update my new website. Stay tuned for details.

Update!

Styling Studio, located at 1518 South Wabash Avenue, now carries Pureology hair care products. Pureology is specifically designed for color treated hair and is 100% vegan. As a colorist, I totally endorse use both in the salon and at home. I will be completing Pureology Certification Monday, April 18th and look forward to offering this fabulous edition in the salon. Stay tuned for a new look to the blog site and a renewed commitment to keeping up with the posts. You will see a lot more of me in the coming weeks.

Cheers,
Patrick
"your friendly neighborhood stylist"

Styling Studio to carry full line of Redken and Moroccan Oil!

Exciting news for the South Loop of Chicago! Styling Studio has now decided to carry the full line of Redken products and the Moroccan oil products. What this brings to our area of the neighborhood is an alternative to going further into the loop for these fabulous products. It also brings a commitment to excellance in hair care for all of our clients. What this means for me is a continuation for a journey started 3 years ago, to bring my career to a new level of performance. I am so excited to be a part of such a great line of hair care.

Cheers,
Patrick Daniels
"Your friendly neighborhood stylst"
Master Redken Specialist