Today was probably the busiest day that I've ever had. I was booked solid from 9AM until 5PM, with the exception of a 30 minute lunch break. Haircut, foil with color, haircut, haircut.....etc, etc, etc.
One of the girls from the call center called halfway through the day and wanted to know how my day was going. "Busy, but good so far." "Good? Do you think you could fit in one more haircut today?" I look at my full schedule and think...and of course, say yes. So everything is according to schedule, up until the 'add-on' haircut, but it was a good thing. The woman was from Missouri and needed a non 'soccer mom' look. And because it was my second to last appointment, I didn't run too late.
Today many people came in, were very sweet, were made more beautiful and it was a great day in general! Nothing crazy happened, a little stress, but still under control. Great times and tomorrow is Saturday; today was JUST Friday!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
The World Is Just A Stage...
As well as my mirror I suppose. Today Michael Baker came to Tulsa and gave a class called "5 X 5 The Stage". First thought...what is the 5 X 5 stand for? It's the measurements for a stylist's station. Ah-ha! And the stage? The mirror, everything you, the client sees as you sit in the chair (as long as your eyes aren't closed, I have a few nappers!).
I think his class was quite informative, although some of the thoughts he shared, many people didn't know or didn't do. It surprised me, because I am already doing most of the ideas he gave to us and learned them through both Polo Grill and Ihloff. Something as simple as listening...it just amazes me when people just don't do it. I think that's just a quality a person is supposed to possess and if it's one that you do not have, it's a necessity for you to work on it. I am not perfect and there are sometimes glitches in my consultations, but I really am a people pleaser and only want to make you look as beautiful/handsome as you possibly can be and create hair that you like as well!
So...from this I did learn, which I thought was strange. People think hair is dirty. I suppose it is, and if/when I find hair in my food at a restaurant, I stop eating it. But for me, hair on my clothes is an everyday part of life. I will have to adopt this reality of 'hair is dirty' for my clients comfort though, which can be done.
I also learned that to become an éxpert' in a given field, it takes 10,000 hours of work or practice. I of course, decided to do the math...
- if I included the 2100 hours that I went to school, plus the time as an assistant, plus the hours that I work now and the extra classes I've taken and will take...and then how many hours I approximately work each week....then it would take me AT LEAST 5 MORE YEARS to be an 'expert'. That was quite shocking for me.
So in conclusion, sweeping and listening. And looking into the mirror every now and again to realize what it is that my special relationships are looking back at.
I think his class was quite informative, although some of the thoughts he shared, many people didn't know or didn't do. It surprised me, because I am already doing most of the ideas he gave to us and learned them through both Polo Grill and Ihloff. Something as simple as listening...it just amazes me when people just don't do it. I think that's just a quality a person is supposed to possess and if it's one that you do not have, it's a necessity for you to work on it. I am not perfect and there are sometimes glitches in my consultations, but I really am a people pleaser and only want to make you look as beautiful/handsome as you possibly can be and create hair that you like as well!
So...from this I did learn, which I thought was strange. People think hair is dirty. I suppose it is, and if/when I find hair in my food at a restaurant, I stop eating it. But for me, hair on my clothes is an everyday part of life. I will have to adopt this reality of 'hair is dirty' for my clients comfort though, which can be done.
I also learned that to become an éxpert' in a given field, it takes 10,000 hours of work or practice. I of course, decided to do the math...
- if I included the 2100 hours that I went to school, plus the time as an assistant, plus the hours that I work now and the extra classes I've taken and will take...and then how many hours I approximately work each week....then it would take me AT LEAST 5 MORE YEARS to be an 'expert'. That was quite shocking for me.
So in conclusion, sweeping and listening. And looking into the mirror every now and again to realize what it is that my special relationships are looking back at.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Have a Photo of Your Worst Hair Ever?
Send it to me! christa.michelle.stylist@gmail.com
It's CONTEST time! From right now until August 7th, I'm going to be collecting these wonderful photos and putting them on my Fanpage on Facebook, if you're not a fan, join in the fun! My fans will be voting on which one they think is best, and the winner will receive a color makeover, valued at $150!
So whether it's color or a haircut or just styled REALLY crazy, I want to see it! And you want to win!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Strawberry Blonde Huh?
I love my clients. I know how I love to change my hair and do different things and I LOVE it when they want to as well!
Miss Rachel came in today being medium to dark golden brown color. She had decided she wanted to be strawberry blonde, all over. No highlights, no dark anymore, blonde, strawberry. All before her trip tomorrow!
So...talk, discuss, insure....talk again. And then we got BUSY! It was basically a 'color correction' instead of just a 'color', so I definitely needed a little extra time.
We put enlightener (powder bleach with creme booster) on every strand of hair. We needed to lift the previous hair color we had done up to a blonde/dark blonde color. It took a while and a little heat had to be involved, but we got her there. Then we had to color her back down because blonde roots and orange strands just won't cut it! So another 30 minutes with haircolor, rinsed, masked and she was good to go!
I love it when people challenge me like this and want to do something completely and totally different. It makes my days so much more fun! So thank you girl!
Miss Rachel came in today being medium to dark golden brown color. She had decided she wanted to be strawberry blonde, all over. No highlights, no dark anymore, blonde, strawberry. All before her trip tomorrow!
So...talk, discuss, insure....talk again. And then we got BUSY! It was basically a 'color correction' instead of just a 'color', so I definitely needed a little extra time.
We put enlightener (powder bleach with creme booster) on every strand of hair. We needed to lift the previous hair color we had done up to a blonde/dark blonde color. It took a while and a little heat had to be involved, but we got her there. Then we had to color her back down because blonde roots and orange strands just won't cut it! So another 30 minutes with haircolor, rinsed, masked and she was good to go!
I love it when people challenge me like this and want to do something completely and totally different. It makes my days so much more fun! So thank you girl!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
On Facebook Now!
Come join me on Facebook! Connect, network, and be included in the craziness of the salon life!
Christa Michelle / Ihloff Salon on Facebook
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
If only Polo Grill knew how much they taught me....
I really believe that thought it true. If you are prepared to start your day, then everything really just seems to go that much smoother. (Note: This is something I feel I need to work on. Starting.)
Often times at night, no, my apologies, every night before I leave the salon, I look at my books for the upcoming day. Glance over, hopefully it's full and no mistakes are made. I do have to say that usually my upcoming guests are people I've seen before, which makes me extremely happy. Obviously/hopefully that means that you liked previously what we had accomplished and/or are working towards a known goal. And seeing a familiar face is just awesome too. I definitely welcome new people into my chair, by all means, let me help you look even MORE fabulous! Love to!
So the evening before, I kind of mentally prepare myself if it's a busy day ahead and if not, then sometimes I'll pack a book or my laptop, or see if I can get a service done myself. I definitely prefer to stay busier, but those little times that a color glaze or a hair spa is snuck in for me or maybe even a little pedicure, the time sure flies by then!
I do have to admit something though. I'm a little OCD about my station. Jaclyn, my station buddy is pretty awesome at keeping it clean and helping me restock, that sort of thing. But I'm really fussy about WHERE the products are. And I prefer them to all be facing front and center. Preference, not absolutely necessary in busy times.
Another thing - I'm a perfectionist. And a people pleaser. Perhaps this is why this type of work is a good thing for me, but I want to help make people look as wonderful as they possibly can. And in timed situations, that is periodically more difficult to achieve. And the perfectionism kicks in, I want every little thing that may possibly be wrong, fixed. Then, not later. Then, even it takes 5 minutes over the appointment.
I've spoken with some stylists and I suppose learning is different for everyone. When I was in school, of course, technique was definitely emphasized over time. When I worked in my first salon, technique still. And at Marilyn's, I think it's a personal choice of the stylist.
I've known of certain stylists that won't take a guest if they're more than 15 minutes late because they won't be able to 'customize' the haircut. At Ihloff, that's actually the company's policy. We usually do the basic cut wet and then personalize it after we blow it dry (some, not all). Sometimes it takes longer than others, cowlicks, whirls, growth pattern, texture, it can all be a little tricky sometimes, so achieving perfection....sometimes takes just that extra minute.
I really believe that thought it true. If you are prepared to start your day, then everything really just seems to go that much smoother. (Note: This is something I feel I need to work on. Starting.)
Often times at night, no, my apologies, every night before I leave the salon, I look at my books for the upcoming day. Glance over, hopefully it's full and no mistakes are made. I do have to say that usually my upcoming guests are people I've seen before, which makes me extremely happy. Obviously/hopefully that means that you liked previously what we had accomplished and/or are working towards a known goal. And seeing a familiar face is just awesome too. I definitely welcome new people into my chair, by all means, let me help you look even MORE fabulous! Love to!
So the evening before, I kind of mentally prepare myself if it's a busy day ahead and if not, then sometimes I'll pack a book or my laptop, or see if I can get a service done myself. I definitely prefer to stay busier, but those little times that a color glaze or a hair spa is snuck in for me or maybe even a little pedicure, the time sure flies by then!
I do have to admit something though. I'm a little OCD about my station. Jaclyn, my station buddy is pretty awesome at keeping it clean and helping me restock, that sort of thing. But I'm really fussy about WHERE the products are. And I prefer them to all be facing front and center. Preference, not absolutely necessary in busy times.
Another thing - I'm a perfectionist. And a people pleaser. Perhaps this is why this type of work is a good thing for me, but I want to help make people look as wonderful as they possibly can. And in timed situations, that is periodically more difficult to achieve. And the perfectionism kicks in, I want every little thing that may possibly be wrong, fixed. Then, not later. Then, even it takes 5 minutes over the appointment.
I've spoken with some stylists and I suppose learning is different for everyone. When I was in school, of course, technique was definitely emphasized over time. When I worked in my first salon, technique still. And at Marilyn's, I think it's a personal choice of the stylist.
I've known of certain stylists that won't take a guest if they're more than 15 minutes late because they won't be able to 'customize' the haircut. At Ihloff, that's actually the company's policy. We usually do the basic cut wet and then personalize it after we blow it dry (some, not all). Sometimes it takes longer than others, cowlicks, whirls, growth pattern, texture, it can all be a little tricky sometimes, so achieving perfection....sometimes takes just that extra minute.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Hair Refashionista!
If you did not make it to this last night, you missed out! Some of us from Ihloff were invited to the Openarms Youth Project center's latest gig: Hair Refashionista! We arrived around 5PM and started in with doing hair and makeup for the big show. The participants were between 14 and 22 and members of OYP group.
Some of the young adults had taken clothing from their closet and 'refashioned' it. There was one adorable guy that had cut out hearts from his jean's legs and then put them on the back of a vest. Perhaps for street style, it would have been a little risque for most men, maybe showing too much leg (*wink*) but creativity was definitely flowing here.
There was a few performers during the show that had previously won some awards. One girl was for singing and another was more towards lip syncing and dancing while in drag. It was a very fun evening and it was nice to see kids being able to feel confident and walk the runway!
Some of the young adults had taken clothing from their closet and 'refashioned' it. There was one adorable guy that had cut out hearts from his jean's legs and then put them on the back of a vest. Perhaps for street style, it would have been a little risque for most men, maybe showing too much leg (*wink*) but creativity was definitely flowing here.
There was a few performers during the show that had previously won some awards. One girl was for singing and another was more towards lip syncing and dancing while in drag. It was a very fun evening and it was nice to see kids being able to feel confident and walk the runway!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Humidity Protection For Straight Hair!!!!
Yeah, no more pairing 3 and 4 products together for thick, curly/wavy hair this summer!!!
We JUST got in the Smooth Infusion Straightening Gloss on Friday!!! Yay! Aveda IS discontinuing Hang Straight, unfortunately, but replacing it with this awesome product instead. We still have Style Prep Smoother of course:
Style Prep is better for finer hair ( as far as I can tell so far), but if you have curly/wavy thicker hair that's coarser, come in and get our new product, the Gloss!
We JUST got in the Smooth Infusion Straightening Gloss on Friday!!! Yay! Aveda IS discontinuing Hang Straight, unfortunately, but replacing it with this awesome product instead. We still have Style Prep Smoother of course:
Style Prep is better for finer hair ( as far as I can tell so far), but if you have curly/wavy thicker hair that's coarser, come in and get our new product, the Gloss!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Met My Goals!
http://www.ihloffspa.com
Oh, my lovely salon; love it! A little background...
When I first moved to Oklahoma, I really didn't know if I wanted to continue to do hair. I had been working in Iowa at a salon and in a restaurant. I made really good money in the restaurant and it was easy and I've been doing it forever. The salon...it was fun, but...I made more money in the restaurant. Instant gratification I suppose, right?
Well, when I moved here, I started to work at The Polo Grill and all the clients there were constantly asking me if I was going to school or what I was doing. I just told them that I hadn't had a chance to get my license transferred yet from Iowa to Oklahoma, and I wasn't quite sure yet. Everyone told me about Ihloff and how great it was and how I should definitely go there.
So, I applied and was intent on getting the job. I had only been to the salon at Utica, so I didn't realize how large of a company it was, now having 4 different locations! I went through quite the interview process, 3 different times, so I could understand what I was getting myself into and them making sure I would fit with the company.
At our salon, every stylist has to go through an Assistant Training program. In Oklahoma, you have to go to school for 1500 hours I think, so about 9 months. In Iowa we had to go a little longer, so I was in school for about 18 months. But the Assistant program teaches you how to work in a salon and perfect the skills that you've previously learned and how to deal with clients in a one-on-one circumstances. Color with Aveda is extremely complicated as well, because you make everything; there is no "golden light brown" to pick, you have to mix it up from scratch.
40 classes and Advanced Masters sitting on your jury, will pass you through to being a stylist. It usually takes 8-12 months depending on how serious you are about the program and if you do any volunteer opportunities. After that, you start as a Protege 1 and we have 8 different levels at the salon.
To be able to advance to the next level, there are different goals that you have to meet and then you advance to Protege 2 (where I'm at).
The other levels are: Designer 1 & 2, Senior 1 & 2, Master & Advanced Master.
I was up for promotion at the beginning of May and today my manager let me know that I reached all my goals to be able to move up into a Designer 1 spot. But...I decided to not, not yet. I requested that I start to 'double book', which means when I have a color/foil, cut someone else's hair. I hopefully will be much busier and I prefer that. I don't like sitting and color seems to take forever sometimes. This way, I'll be able to see more people and keep busier overall. Yeah!
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