Earth Month Auction

Every year at Ihloff, we raise money for Earth month and this year we're donating the money to Gulf Restoration Network.

We are doing a silent auction at the South Memorial location. There is a book located inside the entrance and I have donated a Hair Spa and Haircut ($105 value) to raise money as well. I believe the starting bid is $52.50.

This is the perfect opportunity to either treat yourself or someone else to a 'spa like' service, consultation, and great haircut for spring.

What is a hair spa? A deep conditioning treatment that helps to provide either moisture or strength, depending on what your hair needs. A relaxing scalp massage to begin with, sitting under a warm dryer to open up the hair cuticle to allow the product to get inside the hair, and then cool down to allow your hair to seal back up with the moisture or strength inside (a nap is optional).

~Happy Bidding

My Thoughts For Once...

This is my first week as a Senior 1. I have to admit, I was a little scared (and still am) of promoting. I love almost everyone that I have gotten to meet because of working at Ihloff and being a hairstylist.

As a Protege, I met some of the sweetest women, usually with children and then some really young kids as well. That was definitely the time that I spent learning more about hair, the process, and about what kind of stylist I was. Including how I wanted to take care of the people sitting in my chair. I want to make sure that they have the best possible time because they can go anywhere and try to communicate with anyone, but they have chosen to come sit in my chair and allow me the pleasure to work with them and their hair.

Moving up to Designer was a little scary but I felt that I had 'completed' that level. - i.e. Protege. I started to meet a few new people, usually ones that just needed in or that the communication center felt I would be best for. My clients would refer me to friends and family members, so I stayed busy. I continued to take as many education classes as I could, but I had finished most of the elementary color classes, so the search was a little more difficult now. I had to keep myself motivated and look for inspiration in other places. This was more of a growing phase, growing up.

I realize that hair is still fun, but it's my profession. I have always been very competitive in everything I do, and I want to be the best. I know that I'll still more experience, more practice, more education. I plan on getting it, but I also think that my eye is sharp. I can see my mistakes very quickly now and as long as I know how they happened, I can make the adjustments to correct them as soon as possible.

I am excited about becoming a Senior 1. As I'm sure you know, my goal is to have an Assistant, which I can have as a Senior 2 if I reach certain goals. I have already started to meet some really amazing people, even on day 2 that specifically wanted to see an upper level stylist. This is very exciting for me to now be included in that category. The journey here has taken over a year, but I'm excited to see what the next year brings!

~Happy hair vibes,
Christa Michelle

The Growing Stage

How does bad hair happen? We forget to take the time needed to make it look great! Even if you decide that a length change is needed, sometimes a little texturizing here and there can either keep the Q-tip off the man's head or the bulkiness out of the women's hair.

Hair always seems to grow the fastest where we notice it first - i.e. back of the neck, top of the ear, or the bang area. Hair typically grows about 1/2" a month, so about 6" a year. Regular trims help to avoid split ends and maintain a straight line. When you run your fingers through your hair and have to 'tug' through the ends more than usual, that's when the hair is needing a trim.

Ways to help ensure your hair's healthiness:

Good shampoo and conditioner - maintaining moisture and strength are vital to achieving longer hair. Most over the counter products have alcohol and other drying agents that strip the hair of its natural oils.

Stop washing it every day - I have mentioned this time and time again. The oils our scalp produces adds shine. Don't strip that natural shine out!

Keep thermal styling to a minimum - limit your use of your blowdryer, flat iron, curling iron, etc. Make sure that when you do use thermal tools, you use a thermal protectant. (Aveda's Brilliant hairspray is amazing.)

Help Achieve Clean Water

As I hope everyone knows, April is Earth month (yes, I know - it's still March). Last year we did a Walk For Water and raised money to donate to Aveda's Earth month fund.

Why "Walk for Water"? In less fortunate countries, they have to walk anywhere from 5-10K just for clean water. (That's 3-6 miles). So we decided to join together and walk the distance too, just to remind ourselves.

This year there's going to be a little change - well a few.

+ We're opting to also run the "walk".

+ And....we're letting YOU join in!

The details aren't completely worked out yet, but I BELIEVE the event will be held on Sunday, April 18th at 21st & Riverside.

Donation amount - $25 and includes our Earth Month candle, which is actually encased in a recycled wine cooler bottle bottom! It's lavender scented and made from soy.

A New Type of Service....

I have discovered that most women go through this time in their life - what a way to capture it!

http://fineartboudoir.blogspot.com/2010/03/introducing-fine-art-boudoir-maternity.html