Tressy Thursday: An Interview with my Hair Guru

Ladies, I am SO excited about this post, I can't even begin to write the words! This interview speaks for itself. My wonderful hair stylist and colorist agreed to share his best tips and tricks with us, and I am so thrilled that he did! He works at Cutloose Hair Salon in Houston, TX. If you live in this area, he is definitely worth a visit. He is the only colorist ever in my life that was able to color my naturally light/medium brown locks into a color that was so blended and natural, that I only have to get my roots done every 4-6 months! You can call 713.520.7401 to make an appointment.

David, my bestie Candice and I at Hotel Zaza

I hope you ladies enjoy this interview as much as I did!

Name, Age, Occupation:
David Tran, 30, stylist/colorist and extension specialist

You've been a stylist and colorist for more than 10 years, what service do you like to do better, and why?
I've been doing hair for almost ten and a half years which is hard to believe. I honestly can't say I prefer one service over the other because I enjoy creating the total package from head to toe-- which is why I like to be involved in every aspect. Control freak? Maybe, but I think it's important that the cut, color (and extensions) go hand in hand because you want all the pieces of the puzzle to fit seamlessly.

What are the best ways a client can communicate to you what they want in a color or style?
Pictures work very well because sometimes clients can have a hard time articulating what it is they want. "Colored" Red heads for instance can vary greatly depending on the tone whether it's a true copper tone , a rich mahogony red brown, a bright punk influenced candy apple red, or just a warm brown with red undertones. Pertaining to up dos for an event, pictures work awesomely to get an idea of whether the style should be sleek and formal or loose and romantic.

Have you ever had a client who demanded a color or style you totally didn't think would work for her? what did you do?
Yes! Recently I had to turn away a potentially new client and told her that I didn't think i was the stylist for her. We were going through our consultation and I could sense her hesitation as she requested that I cut her hair with a #4 guard and clippers. She didn't understand how I could cut hair with cutting shears as she was used to a "pro cuts" style haircut. Now I'm not knocking pro cuts. They are skilled hairdressers but just because they are doesn't mean they will be the best for you. Same with me. I am trained by various schools but if we aren't communicating on the same level--I may not be the hairdresser for you.

It's always a good idea to set up a consultation with a stylist if you're doing an overhaul to communicate any fears you have. Another tip--never make a dramatic change before your wedding, switch stylists before your wedding, or cut off your hair while you're pregnant. But in the end, your stylist knows you best and can adapt your style based on what you want. That's why its important to find a stylist who you can connect with and knows technically and creatively how to create your own unique style.

You work with Bumble & Bumble products. Which products from the line do you think are essentials for a woman who likes to have healthy, bouncy hair?
The Damage Therapy line works wonders for color treated hair. It will keep it soft, silky, and luxurious. As far as styling products--the trinity is as follow: Prep or Tonic first, Thickening Spray, with a bit of Styling Balm on the ends. Of course the products will change based on the look that you're trying to achieve and the season but those are my go to products day in and day out.

What trends are you seeing in color right now that you love?
ROOTS and slightly lighter ends. diffusion of colors, reflective brunettes. Anything shiny and not too matte and one dimensional.

What trends in cuts/style techniques are you loving right now?
I love a strong fringe or what Texans call "bangs" (although not everyone can pull it off) and I am loving messy up-dos and I always love retro/period dos as well

Name 5 celebrities who you think have the best hair, and tell us why.
Charlize Theron because of her simple and elegant red carpet style, Drew Barrymore for her willingness to try different colors, styles and textures. I hate to say her because I was sick of doing her bob, but Victoria Beckham because of her chopping her hair off to a pixie then growing it out so gracefully. Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs because only she can pull off that black mop hair do. My last pick would probably be Julianne Moore because of her beautiful copper hair. It's stunning.
What is the craziest hair request you have ever gotten?
A mullet!

What are your favorite magazines for hair inspiration?
W, In Style, Hairdressers Journal

What is the biggest mistake women make when it comes to caring for their hair?
Heat styling without any products or heat protectors. Pulling your hair back in a tight pony tail while it's wet.

How can a woman achieve the best blowout ever? What tools, products and techniques do you recommend?
I love ionic dryers, and it's always best to use the nozzle of the dryer if you have one. It helps to direct the air to eliminate any frizz. I think a good ceramic flat iron is always good for touch ups on second day hair if applicable and a good ceramic 1" to 1 1/2" curling iron is wonderful if you have mid length to longer hair to create some loose waves and texture. Oh--and headbands are great too for hiding roots, dirty hair, or to double as the perfect accessory!

What are the most damaging things a woman can do to her hair?
Wash, dry and flat iron EVERY DAY and not getting it trimmed regularly.

What do you like best about your job?
Seeing the smirk on a client's face when they love their hair. I love making people look and feel better about themselves!

Thanks so much for answering my questions for everyone, David! <3 you! Ladies, if you have any questions for David, please leave them in the comments below, and I will ask David to answer them for you! He is the expert!

Thank you SO much for reading...I noticed I am at 93 followers, wow, I feel so excited and amazed at that. I wanted to do a contest when I reached 100 followers, so please watch out for that. Thank you for all that you contribute!

xoxo,
Veronika.

Can you get $30,000 for a hair cut?

I can read you mind on this question. No one would ever pay that much for a hair cut.
Well here is a Stylist in London that gets that kind of money. Outrageous? Yes, but how do you up your price? How do you convince a customer that you can be worth more than the cost of typical haircut? It's service, that extra time or product that you spend on your customer. That great cup of coffee for the morning appointment of glass of wine for the evening appointment. This case is extreme, but find something that will bring your service to the next level.

From the New York Daily Post
by Sherryl Connelly

If a haircut costs $32,339.98, how often would you go in for a trim?

British stylist Stuart Phillips claims that regardless of the recession his Covent Garden salon is crowded with clients willing to pay that price. Many of them are the wives of new-money Russian oligarchs, according to London's Daily Mail.

Phillips insisted in the Daily Mail the price was right and fair.

"I am available to them for the whole day and we make sure they have the best of everything.

"I have had to provide everything from security teams and bodyguards, exotic and expensive oils to wash through clients' hair, interpreters, personal chefs, and special scents put through the ventilation system, and even dog walkers to entertain their pets."

Okay, so there's overhead. But Phillips does provide a discount, of sorts. A guest can bring a friend for the cut-rate cost of $13,023.95.

There is a 20-point questionnaire in which clients make clear what kind of treatment they expect. Questions run along the lines of "Would you like your bodyguard to wait behind you or by the front door?" and "Would you like your personal shopper to shop with you or for you?"

Phillips, who won't reveal the names of his clients for security reasons, among others, came to stylistic prominence after the British Academy of Film and Television made him their first official stylist. He was the one who peppered Serena Williams' hair with diamonds worth 163 million for a Wimbledon party last year hosted by business mogul Richard Branson.

"It may seem a lot of money, but I feel that these charges are justified," Phillips insists. "All you need to do is compare other expensive non-essential things. For example, certain hotels in the world can easily cost a few thousands pounds a day.

"If someone has a billion dollars in the bank, to fly their girlfriends or wives over, it is nothing. For them [$32,000] is a drop in the ocean."

For the price, Phillips will close the salon, send a luxury car, deliver an hour-long lifestyle consultation, and usher the client into a relaxation area where they are treated to a shiatsu acupressure head or body massage.

Canapés and cocktails are served throughout, or champagne lunch, or traditional tea and scones. Probably all three are available for that price since a personal chef can also be had as well as an assistant and up to three bodyguards.

Then there's the goody bag composed of luxury hair products that Phillips chooses based on hair type.

"If anything my services have been more in demand," he claims. "I guess in times of uncertainty people like to pamper themselves."

Oh, we do. But the rest of us can't, or at least, not like that.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/08/26/2009-08-26_30000_haircut_at_british_salon_helps_superrich_survive_recession_with_no_hair_ou.html#ixzz0Qm3EKSEu

Putting a pretty face on Retailing

There is a new podcast up from the Salon Insiders. We have Anita Zappacosta as a guest talking about retailing in salons. She gives advice about retail layout and products to bring into the store. She also gives tips about the customer experience inside a salon.
Give it a listen with the site's embedded player on the left.






Written by
Bryan Cantrell

Salon and Barber trade good do for good grade

Quida Rand, a Memphis stylist donated a days work of cutting and styling hair to help school kids who normally would not be able to afford a haircut from her salon. She and a colleague spent a Sunday giving girls the confidence to go back to school with fresh hair styles. The school girls pledged to do well in school in exchange for the new dos. Read more at


What a great way to get involved in your community.



Written by
Bryan Cantrell

Salon Insiders Podcast

It's up and working! Please give our newest addition to the Salon Insiders blog a listen. There is a podcast player now on our blog in the upper left side. We will try to have new episodes up regularly. The podcast will bring you insightful information about the beauty industry along with our commentary. If you like the podcast you can subscribe to it through itunes.




Written by
Bryan Cantrell

How to win in a down market

The market is down and sales may be soft, but this is the perfect time to expand your business.
It can be in small ways by taking on a innovative new product, adding a new service or marketing in a new way. You can expand in a big way by adding a new location or buying a building so your rent will never go up. The key to success is to stay ahead of your competition and treat your customers like gold. Here is a press release from a company in our industry doing just that -

February 18, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Latin America EXPANSION

Jay Halaby and Associates, LLC, is pleased to announce the expansion into Latin America effective March 1, 2009. Headed by salon industry veteran Jeannette Rozzotto our Latin American Division will be servicing Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Having worked with distributors in Countries all over this territory, Jeannette understands the various markets, requirements, and the method of distribution in each country. Under her direction, we will be developing a team of Representatives physically living, and working throughout the region, opening new distribution for our manufacturers.

Although many manufacturers have some distribution in this region, very few have the concentration of distributors or market share they are looking for" says Halaby. "We understand the market and have enough of a distribution base to build a rep group that will eventually have the same physical coverage as we do in our territories here in the US. When the economy is soft you need to look for more customers, and find new ways to grow your business. Manufacturer Rep Organizations are still the most cost effective way to do it."



Posted by
Bryan cantrell