“I think that the most important thing a woman can have- next to talent, of course- is her hairdresser.” ― Joan Crawford

I had the best time last night making someone who had a really bad experience with a haircut (not at my salon) feel like her hair looked even better than before the miscommunication happened. It was one of those times when you meet someone and really get to see them completely light up because they are happy with what you do - and THAT is what I love about my work!

This client is the sister of a long-time client and she had gone in to a walk-in salon for a trim. They discussed layers and I guess there was a miscommunication. One very aggressive snip later this clients hair was what I would categorize as "extremely" layered and not blended at all. As she had one length hair that was about 14-16 inches long this was a very dramatic change. Unfortunately, when she washed it herself and tried to style it at home, the un-blended layers coupled with the extreme difference in the shortest to longest lengths made things quite difficult. She couldn't even really wear it in a ponytail because it just accentuated the 'shelfiness' of the new layers.

Here is what her hair was like before the bad experience at the other salon:

Here are some photos of the ponytail that really show how choppy these layers from the other place were:

And then the fun starts!! We agreed we wanted to keep it as long as possible.. but make the layers more manageable. So I washed and flat-ironed it using Keratin Complex Anti-Frizz Creme (for added conditioning.. since, why not?). Then, I took down a section and determined the minimum I should cut to make the bottom as healthy and full-looking as I could, while still maintaining really long hair. (Sure we could have cut 6-8 inches off, but what's the fun in that?) This photo is that first section and I decided to start at about 2 inches to even it all up:

Now this photo is the super exciting photo of all the hair trimmed, section by section (after flat ironing w anti-frizz creme)  but not yet blended. You can see even here, though, that meticulous layer cutting pays off over one big snip and letting them fall... especially with fine textured hair! My peronal opinion is that being meticulous in a haircut is the only way to be sure that hair cut is going to hold up over time and grow out well. I love my clients but I want them to be able to go a really long time between visits. That's why I do a really precise cut, every single time, that I know they can count on to have built in structure and style! Anyway..here's the photo (pre-blending): 

At this point I was feeling really good about the cut because the over-all foundation was solid again. The rest was details.. blending the layers, taking out weight here and there so she should get height and volume... here's the photo's her sister took as well as some I took myself:

And then I did a quick curl with the flat iron to show her another 'look' she could get with the layers. She was really happy - and so was I! 

Such a fun evening!! And so much more fun than just throwing in the towel on that length and cutting a bob to start growing out. With regular one inch cuts every two months her hair will be easier than ever with solid, manageable layers and she wont have the pain of the "growing out short hair" feeling to go thru. I'm so excited for the evolution of her hair! I just love it when people walk out loving their hair...

Big News Sometimes Comes in Small Packages...

Many of my clients already know this, but I have been going through a major life transition. After 8 great years at E*Clips I finally took that step and am venturing out on my own. About 6 years ago I read an magazine article (Elle? Allure? Bazaar?) where various "Beauty Reporters" went to different salons around New York and wrote in depth about the experience and what values they perceived at the various price points. One of the highest price points ($800 for a day of beauty) jumped out at me (but don't get scared dear clients... we live in Seattle not New York lol).

The writer of the article explained she came to this woman's space which felt very much like a condo in an upscale building. She was listened to, and the stylist assessed her needs and gave various treatments, did a cut and color as well as an intensive conditioning treatment and treated the time they were together like a special time to just focus on that young writers beauty concerns. This writer was quite effusive in the article about how thoroughly happy she was with her experience.

The seed of my dream was borne.

Whenever I thought of what I wanted to do, it had to feel it understated and customer focused with a lot of glamour and elegance. Reading that article resonated with me on a deep level. One woman's private sanctuary, as well as her skill and expertise as a stylist, shared with her clients. It had my name written all over it!

When my husband and I found our house two years ago with the mother-in-law (a separate apartment) built into it, it was one of the major reasons I fell in love with it. I immediately saw myself and my clients in lovely little sanctuary where I could provide them with all the love and attention to detail (ok obsession) I have for doing hair! It's not a Soho loft.. but it's an exclusive environment I get to share with my dear and wonderful clients doing what I really love: hair!

I have been so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life who have helped make this dream a reality and I'd like to get a little sappy here and thank them.. and any one I leave off this list, you know I'm grateful to you too!

Josephine Morales, thank you for eight wonderful years of friendship and a wonderful salon environment to build the foundation of my business around.

Ross Taylor, thank you for being a wonderful friend over the years and lending your services on my Logo, signage and graphic design work.

John Higgenbottom, thank you for making order in our house when there would otherwise be chaos.

Chris Shroyer (CLS Renovations), thank you for all your help and input in the build out.. anyone looking for a contractor I can't recommend him highly enough.

(You!) My fantastic clients, thank you for coming back over the years and for those of you who I've already seen in the new space, thank you for being understanding about a little bumpiness in the transition. For those of you I've yet to see.. I know you are going to love it!

And last but not least, my amazing husband, who always has faith in me. How did I get so lucky?

So... if you've taken the time to read through all that. Here's the nitty gritty:

My last official day at E*Clips was March 31, though I have been taking some of you in the new space. I didn't mention anything to you all while the build out was happening because it's not a good vibe to put out for everyone at E*Clips so Josephine and I agreed I would just put out an announcement after I was officially done there.

I was hoping to have an official opening on April 1 but I still have some furniture and stuff that's being delivered so the official opening will be May 1, 2014.

I probably have more news to share with you on various little things but for right now I think that's all I can think of to "Officially" announce my new venture.. oh and btw, I've been working like a fiend on my website and it may or may not be up by the time you read this but it's: www.studiothreehairsalon.com

Ombre Inspiration and Interpretation!

So, this first photo is of Jessica Biel and I have always admired her Ombre in it..

This second photo is my interpretation on Kristine's previously solid brunette hair:

Sorry the photo is from a txt so it's hard to see - but I am still pretty excited about it! We are going to change it up in a few days but I love the first phase so far!! Exciting for an easy summer change.. if you are interested, feel free to book a partial foil, or full foil for more time, using the link to the left (schedule now button) and we should have enough time to work some summer Ombre magic in your hair today too!!!

Enjoy the Seattle Sun everybody!!

Update on My Hair Journey

So.. I was saying a few posts back how I went to my friend Vanessa and we have a highlight plan. Can I just say: LOVING IT. (note: Vanessa moved back to Salon Blast, just fyi) So last time I saw her I showed her my current hair inspiration the amazing and talented Anne Bancroft:

Anyway.. so here's a photo of my Mrs. Robinson inspired highlights. I couldn't be happier with them!

I wish someone would come in and want this hair - I would LOVE to do it on somebody else!

Best Options for Rainy Weather..

With the rainy weather, hair in Seattle presents certain styling challenges. Why bother blowing your hair silky smooth and/or curling or flat ironing it if you are going to walk twenty feet to your car and get it all wet anyway? People here really need a lot out of a haircut.

A good haircut for the Pacific Northwest needs to have the style cut into the hair with a good foundation rather than having the style put into it with heat tools and product every day. Optimally, every haircut should hold it's shape but let's be honest, not every haircut really does. A stylist really needs to know how to build in a foundation with the cut, a basic structure and then know when and where to use texture appropriately. Not every head of hair will really work with the shredded, highly textured haircuts that make up most of the hair magazines right now. Some texture is always nice, but my opinion is that it is the foundation work that makes or breaks a haircut, especially when put to the rigors of this Seattle climate. I've been looking at some celebrity photos and come across three looks I think work particularly well in our weather here.

For short hair I like this photo of Carey Mulligan which illustrates a deconstructed bob. The texture is good because the rough ends will work with weather that is not conducive to something sleek anyway yet it can easily be dressed up with heat tools into a polished look that can also be styled up for more formal occasions:

Now, this photo of Drew Barrymore is a great medium length layered cut that has the same nice properties of the photo above (lots of layers can be worn messy for a rock-and roll look. It's versatile because it can also be blown dry or be heat styled as shown for polish and sophistication):

Jennifer Lopez has the perfect example about what to do with the long hair quandary in Seattle.. the low bun! As far as haircuts, when your hair is this long all you need to worry about is getting it cut frequently enough that your ends are healthy and not too uneven. You may want some layers in there but in general people with this kind of long hair (I'm speaking of myself as well) just don't get it cut that often. Personally, I think 3-4 times a year is reasonable. Styling the hair in a low bun or pony and moving the part around to change up the look is a great go-to for a quick style fix. Sometimes I even use conditioner as my styling product to keep it from getting fuzzy (just a little mind you, you don't want it dripping all over you in the rain!). You can move the bun or pony to either side as well as the usual back of the head. Side anything is really in right now!:

Great Short Hair!

I had a really fun haircut today and I was so excited about it I forgot to take "before" shots - but the afters are so cute I think it's ok! See for yourself:



Lia came to see me because I do the hair of a friend of hers that she liked a lot. It was similar in shape to what we did here. It's a very fluid and flattering shape for short hair, especially short hair that has some natural body such as Lia's.




In describing the cut she wanted, Lia (brilliantly) called it "organic" and I can't think of a better description than that. It hugs the head in all the right ways and accentuates the curve of the neck: very flattering for people who have long slender necks (such as Lia) ..and it also has a way of making a neck APPEAR that way.. tricky-tricky!

When Lia told me she was a Salsa dancer I immediately (though erroneously) made an association with paintings of Flamenco dancers and the swirly tendrils they wear. It all worked out even though Flamenco is Spanish and Salsa is Latin American.. but for purposes of the haircut the association was ok! With the natural curl and wave patterns in her hair we also incorporated a bit of 1920's flapper finger-wave feel to the shaping in the front. I think the whole thing just turned out wonderfully- What to you think?





For me, the key to making this feminine, feisty shape work is the texture of the cut and the attention to fine tuning personal details to make it flattering to the wearer.. it's definitely not a formulaic, one size fits all haircut by any stretch. This is a tailored and personalized hairstyle that, when done well, is effortlessly stylish and timeless.

Anyway.. it was fun to do and I think Lia likes it too!



(NOTE: I just want to say that I had completed this entire post and lost it due to some stupid glitch with blogger.. GRRR!)

Praise Where Praise is Due...

This hair blog blows mine out of the water...

Other Cool Hair Blog

Deep sigh.
Maybe I am trying to be too "serious" -this chick isn't even a hairdresser but her advice is great - she knows what she's talking about. She SHOULD be a hairdresser.

That's all.
Thanks!

My Intentions

So, I have intentions for this blog to feature hair I see around Seattle, but I have not got off my caboose and gone out looking for people. I was inspired to do this blog by this fashion blog:

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

You may even notice I use the same blog format as him...

Anyway, I have ordered some business cards with the blog info on them (so I don't feel like such a freak when I walk up to people and go "uhm.. I really like your hair can I take your picture?") and as soon as they come I intend to go out and about so I can fill these posts with what I intended from the name of this blog.. until then, I guess you'll have to put up with my meantime musings, sorry!

I do hope you enjoy a little of what I have to ramble about though.

Best to all!
Lynn

for apppointment call 206.322.9280

On Face Shape

I see a lot of talk about matching your cut to your face shape and I have to say, I really think this is a whole lot of hooplah about not much. I find it especially annoying in terms of "shouldn't."

I don't like the idea of "Shouldn't" in hairdressing. In this day and age when we can literally make your hair any color of the rainbow, any length, texture and density - why is this notion still around? I think when it comes to hairsyle - it's all about what you want to reveal or say about yourself.

A classic example of someone who breaks the rules and does exactly what she shouldn't with hairstyle is Isabella Rosselini. She is a textbook example of a square face shape. However, rather than doing all the things you are supposed to do with regards to a square shaped face - she does exactly what you aren't. She has a square cut bob - and frankly, she rocks it. Always has.

This it's just a small example of why this face shape ideology is less important than it is sometimes made out to be. Sure, there are ways to wear your hair to accentuate some features and detract attention from others. I certainly believe it's good to know how these rules work and where and when to use them.. but instead of thinking of these as rules written in stone - why don't we think of them as the bendy kind of rules? You know, the ones that are fun to break! (wink-wink)

The Role of the Hairdresser

One of my favorite books (about hair) is "Big Hair" by Grant McCracken, Anthropologist. I'd like to quote some of this book for my first entry. Ideally, most of this blog will be a photo blog - but like I said, it's in the works. Instead, something to meditate on:

"It's time for the hairdresser to leave the prison of sterotypes and slam the door behind him. Time to throw off all those stupid ideas about hairdressers being flighty, irresponsible, insubstantial and dim.

And this is the time for hairdressers to throw off their own sterotypes. Forget comparisons to doctors, priests, rock stars. In crucial ways, hairdressers are just as important. They are professionals who stand at the transformational heart of the contemporary world. They are the new high-priests of self-definition.

Historically, the time is right. No other professsion has as legitimate a claim to the role of metamorph. No existing profession can perform this service quite as the hairdresser does. Hairdressers are our transformers. It is they who advise women as they make their way from one self to another. The time is right for them to seize the opportunity, to make themselves the metamorphic profession.

But it won't be easy. If they wish to be the new profession in charge of transformation, hairdressers must reinvent themselves. Too many crucial decisions are being made at the chair under pressure of deadline, an impatient client and a noisy salon. New responsibilities demand new methods.

It is necessary to take more time with clients. It is necessary to do periodic consultations, off the floor, away from the cutting and coloring. Client and hairdresser must meet face to face and talk. It is necessary to keep a written and polaroid record of the good cuts and the bad ones. It is necessary to rehearse the clients options in a more systematic way; style books will not do it anymore. It is necessary to get to know the client, to listen to her, with more and better care. It is necessary to take the file home at night and dwell on where the client should be headed."

I am so in-line with what he's saying here. I really want to integrate it into my work. I have been telling some of my clients for a while now that I want to start doing digital pictures of all their cuts/colors since it would be so cool to look at how they change over time.

I think I'll just jump on in and do it!

that's all for now.
Over and out.
-Lynn Caldeiro