Styles by Claudia Blog

Archive for May, 2009

Here is a recent article on the Vern Shears in Salon Today magazine.

To see the article click Salon Today  or to see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

When looking for that “Perfect Colorist”, people’s opinions vary from one extreme to the other. I’ve personal seen many “perfect colorists” perfectly damage a client’s hair and with the ending color mediocre at best. On the other hand I’ve seen young but well educated colorists produce healthy, vibrant even stunning color. Here is a simple fact; when you are looking for a really good colorist be wary of anyone whose hangs their credentials and tries to impress you with how long they have been in the industry. If with in the first 2-3 minutes you hear with a little attitude “I’ve been doing hair for __ years.” Run!!!

The truth is regular continued education is what distinguishes a simple licensed cosmetologist to a GREAT COLORIST. The truth is the years behind the chair mean nothing! Many stylists and colorists have not attended advanced classes in years and some have never attended advanced classes ever! I’m not saying that experience doesn’t have its place because it does but think about it this way. If you are doing something that’s outdated or simply doing something wrong for 30 years what good is your experience? On the other hand if you take a colorist that attends several classes each year and has 30 years experience then that is probably a great colorist.

Schedule a few consultations at recommended salons. With most salons this is a free service; some charge for the consultation but then apply the full amount to your service. The consultation is your chance to interview and get to know this person. Once in the chair don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Also a good colorist will ask you lots of questions. If you see that they are not giving you full attention then you should keep looking. One thing I always do during a consultation is I ask the client – “What do you expect of me today?” This is very important! I need to know who am I dealing with and this question really gets a client thinking. I need to know what they want to see when they leave the salon.
Don’t be surprised by some of the questions. A good colorist may ask you things about your family history, medications your taking, your diet and types of water at your home, and many others. One thing you can do in your quest is the website www.haircolorist.com.

Here you can enter your zip code and find an American Board Certified Colorist.

These are colorists who have gone above and beyond to perfect their craft by passing the industries most stringent exam. No matter what, in the end, you also match personalities so that you and your new found best friend “the colorist” are always on the same page.

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

For all the mothers and children of domestic violence, this is for you. Nothing takes away the pain of what happens behind closed doors but it’s nice to hear when those who promote that violence get theirs. And one of the best ways is to get out, get away and become successful. Then hope they hear about it and suffer. I was one that was able to get out. I had to leave behind my family, some of whom have passed away and I did not get to see them again. When I came to this great country I was fortunate to find this beautiful industry that lets us make people look and hopefully feel their best. Whether I love this industry because of what I can do and how it makes me feel or whether it became the outlet for revenge I don’t really know. For me I relish knowing that I have proved all the things my ex-husband said about me wrong. I hope some of you out there that have suffered, are suffering and for the memory of those that have been lost in this battle find some small comfort in this. This letter is for us all.

My Greatest Accomplishment
“Freedom is the greatest single thing an individual can possess. I have been blessed to have seen many beautiful places and met many beautiful people in an industry that I love. Soon I will send this letter with a map of these places to an individual who did not think that the hope of freedom could make the weak, strong and the timid, brave.”
Claudia Diesti

Because of you I left everything I loved behind to seek safety. The day I told you that you were going to be a father you said, “You could not love something you did not know.” I knew then that our daughter’s fate would be the same as mine. So many times she and I entertained ourselves by watching the children playing from our window but never joined them; we never risked the consequences of your anger. All that you took from me over nine years; my health, my self respect and my success I take back with this letter. I find it ironic how often you told me I was not beautiful and that I was nothing without you but now people come from far away for my work. You tried to keep me silent but thousands are going to hear My Voice. You forced me to watch life through a window but I will be watched from a stage. Although you prevented me from becoming a doctor I have become successful in the world of beauty and fashion. Some of the industries best know My name. The day you drew a circle on a map around that small town and told me I could not cross is the day I became a prisoner in my own home. Now I’m sending you a map of the world with places marked across the US, Canada, S. America, Europe and even the Far East. Never will you or anyone else determine my destiny. I forgave you long ago and turned my hatred of you into drive and determination to make up for the time you stole. My scars have healed and although you tried to hurt me you failed. Now with this one letter I will do to you what you could not do to me over nine years, I will cut you to your very soul. I know this letter of my success will emotionally destroy you. Your judgment I leave to Almighty God but before your life comes to its close I want you to know this, in the end your insults became encouragements, when you screamed at me they became blessings and when you hit me you gave me the strength I needed to push farther.
In the end, YOU DID NOT BREAK ME!

“Every man has his dignity. I’m willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to.” – Denis Diderot

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

Is it really worth it to spend so much more for salon products?

Absolutely! It all comes down to pH. The natural pH level of the oil in the hair and skin is 5.5 to 4.5. It’s acidic. For drugstore shampoos to be cost effective, they’re more alkali. They clean the hair very well, but they strip the natural oils. Ends will be dry and the scalp will be oily because when the product strips the natural pH oils, the body actually increases production. I see it a lot: ends are really dry and scalp hair is really oily. Most salon products are in an acidic pH range. That also protects against color fading, by slowing down dye escaping from hair.

It’s also worth spending the money not just for pH but for the water content. Salon shampoos tend to be more concentrated, so you don’t need to use that much. A 10 ounce bottle should last at least a month. And a strong word of caution about the salon brands at your local drug store. They are there illegally and most likely 3 years old. You might say “so what” if its three years old. Well the fact is hair products have a shelf life of about 1 year!

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

Although wearing a ponytail often is not good for the health of your hair, who can deny they don’t enjoy the simple and confidant look of that old classic. And while it seems like an innocent schoolyard up-do, psychologists say ponytail wearers tend to be surprisingly bold between the sheets. “In fact, pulling your hair away from your eyes rather than hiding behind it indicates sexual self-confidence,” says Ian Kerner, PhD, author of Be Honest — You’re Not That into Him Either.

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

Female hair is usually viewed as seductive. Even the Bible has passages that speak about the beauty and sensuality of female hair. Since the beginning of time long hair has been viewed as an indicator of fertility and availability while short hair as free and independent.

A female with thinning hair can represent a loss of femininity. Thus the loss of hair can represent the loss of virility and sexuality. Anyone who has gone through or knows those who have has seen the emotionally devastating effects of hair loss from cancer. Some women describe it as “losing themselves.”

If that were not reason enough to keep ones hair in the best possible shape and condition, hair can even determine our career, promotion and friendships. In our self absorbed fashion driven world we not only love hair and covet the hair of those that have lush locks but we psychologically find ourselves shunning those with hair less than our own and view ourselves as superior as we use our hair to flaunt and seduce.

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

Ever think how many times per day we check our hair in a mirror or reflection in a window? The way you see your hair affects the way you feel, how you move, and your confidence.

Your hair tells much about you and projects the way you want the world to see you. Your unspoken cut, color, style and makeup can say more about you than You can with words. It’s said that “Your outward appearance is a direct reflection of your inward confidence.”

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

After shampooing, pull excess water in a downward direction with your hands. Gently pat your hair dry with the towel (even better with paper towel) so it’s not dripping wet then wrap a towel round your head to pick up the excess moisture. What ever you do don’t rub! Rubbing tangles hair and causes the follicles to stand on end and removing the shine. Apply leave-in conditioner and separate hair with a wide-toothed comb. This may solve the problem.

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

Hair Fact – a single strand can support 100 grams in weight. That means, a whole head of hair, in theory, could support the weight of two elephants!

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle

If left undone, split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards the roots. Hair with unattended split ends can, over time, travel upwards and split all or part of the shaft. Some split ends actually tear several times and even though products advertise they repair the problem they only temporarily merge the split end. This repair will only last one maybe two shampoos. The only permanent treatment is to removing split ends with scissors.

To see what people are saying about Claudia click Merchant Circle