Professional Haircolor Stories–Good, Bad and the Beauty.

Seeing is believing. Each of us have something we are good at. What are you good at?

Well when is come to professional hair color….. this is what I AM good at. Why? I love doing hair, and I especially love working with color. The world is a colorful place, especially when it is this time of year. Once I had a client bring in a flower petal, and we matched it.

There was I time when I can say that I did not understand a thing about color. I did know how to formulate and was petrified to color someone’s hair. I once asked an employer how she knew what to mix up and she said,”You will know someday…”

Wow, what an education that was. Everyday when I woke up I thought, “well, maybe today will be my lucky day?” … meaning about mixing haircolor. At that time, I only had about 3 years experience.

Earlier this year someone tried to post such a negative post about one of my entries, that I must of really struck a nerve. Either they were a disgruntled hairstylist or someone that maybe had not the best experience with a salon and/or haircolorist.

I will be the first to admit one of my situations that did not come out as I thought it would. It was in my early years behind the chair. I had gone to a class one time, that had shared about “adding a drop of blue” to your formula to control brassiness. How about this? Adding tooo much, and more than a drop……can you guess what happened? First of all, let me also back the story up with that when I saw that client come into the salon, to get her nails done……I thought—”I can’t wait to get my hands on her hair….!”"

Well I did, and did I have some explaining to do about her “professional” haircolor when we were back at the shampoo bowl. She was to be blonde and a fairly pale blonde, but instead……..I began shampooing her and immediately realized that I now had to explain to her that she need not panic, however……..”I TURNED YOUR HAIR BLUE”

I can only imagine what you may be feeling or thinking as you read this. It had been my experience, up until that point, fixing haircolor and not creating a corrective haircolor job.

What had gone wrong?

Being a newer hairstylist at the time, and with very little “professional” haircolor training (remember the boss’s answer to coloring hair) I was unaware of the color wheel.

Fast forward to the present day, and things are much different now. I have had the great fortune of experience and educating for one of the largest color manufacturers, in the country and that is Redken.

When it comes to color, in general, or haircolor is ALL based on the color wheel. The color wheel is used in basic art classes. Why? The laws of color never change. Professional haircolor, truly, is worth the investment (that’s the word that had set off the negative feedback); however it is my opinion and the truth.

If you are looking for a haircolorist that is a colorist, ask to see some of their work or call the salon and inquire about when is the last time that they participated in taking a current class.

Unfortunately, in the hair salon business, it is not necessary to take part in any further education past getting out of hairdressing school.

I, personally, have an education habit. If there is something new out there, then that is what I want my clients and salon to have. Hair and haircolor are fun.

Not very often will you find that when we “grew up someday” that we will really enjoy our jobs, unless we are the rare few that knew what we wanted to be when we were about 8 years old.
For me, my first clients were my Barbie Dolls….poor things.

Taking much pride in providing makeovers on a regular basis, I can say that going to work everday is fun and filled with surprises.

Just last week, one of my blondes decided that she wanted to be a brunette. Maybe your are blonde and you are reading this? It is not as easy going back to a darker color without the help of a professional. Grabbing the “at home box of haircolor” maybe temping but very risky. Choosing and ashy color will produce a greenish cast, and then it will be an expense to get it corrected.

Now, let’s not think that I am picking on the blondes…..

Last winter I had a girl come in that had used a non-professional box of JET BLACK haircolor, and she wanted to be a light brown. The shade of black haircolor is and can be the toughest to lighten up. We spent 6 hours working on her hair. If you find yourself fitting into this situation, be selective in finding a salon that will not only fix your haircolor professionally, but will be sure to treat the condition of your hair, too. Going from black to lighter shades may require lighteners, color removers and or professional bleach.
is a great site if you are looking for experienced professional haircolorists.

I am proud to be a Redken Certified Colorist.

Redken’s definition for this tough certification is:

“Redken Certified Haircolorists provide top notch service and guarantee exceptional haircolor results. There’s a certain level of acclaim associated with being a Redken Certified Haircolorist. Members of this elite group are recognized for their expertise and commitment to excellence.”

For more information about professional haircolor and or a complimentary professionaly haircolor consultation come visit us at The Loft Salon Studio.

We are located in Western Mass. 2301 Westfield Street, West Springfield, Mass 01089

413-734-6204
All of the faces on our site are actual clients.

Below is our latest makeover. I wish you could see her reaction when she finally looked in the mirror!

Why box haircolor is “bad” or is’nt it?

There are definitely different opinions on “box” at home haircolor, right?

What causes haircolor mishaps, in general?

In my professional opinion, over the counter haircolor does truly have its limitations.  The only time that I have seen that this option comes out with nice results maybe when the consumer is wearing a short style.

The box color brands do offer different gadgets for highlights and lowlights, however it is when it is time to repeat the process that it can get tricky.

Not all stylists are “haircolorists”, either.

Working with a color, in general, and understanding the “laws of color” are what make working with a color specialist worth it.

The color spectrum is much like the rainbow.  The next time you see a rainbow, take a close look at the variance of color.  Another example of the refraction of light/color is when you can catch light through a diamond or a prism.

Only last week, did we have a client who had been opting for non-professional, “box” color come in for what turned out to be an all day appointment.  So long ago, she had been using a medium brown.  She had been doing so, just to blend in a couple of grey hairs, but only to find that after repeated use…her hair looked black.  She left happy, and said that she would never do her hair herself again…..

The strength of the chemicals in “box haircolor”, are not the same as professional haircolor.   Sometimes, and often it will take custom blended the haircolor to achieve great results.

There are so many factors to take into account when coloring your hair.  What is the percentage of grey hair do you have?  Does your own hair have an extreme amount of warm (brassy) undertones?

Let me share with you that, yes I am a professional, however I previously have used the haircolor found at the grocery stores, and drug stores.

What happened?

It wasn’t pretty when we (my friend) tried to lighten it up, and it turned ORANGE.   I RAN to my hairstylist, and I, too, was there ALL DAY getting it fixed.

It is not so much that the “box- at home haircolor” is bad, as it is really hard to apply evenly, select the right corrective shades and repeat the process the second time.

Best way to find a salon or professional haircolorist is to get a recommendation from someone that has had great results and experience.  Find a haircolorist that is NOT AFRAID of haircolor.  There is a complete difference between coloring hair, and creating haircolor.

What results have you experience with either situation?

Haircolor? To use Box or Not To Use Box… Maybe Hair Extensions?

Hot topic… Home haircolor versus getting it done in the salon, right?  

 

  Am I biased…yes.  However, coming from an educated viewpoint I can share the “why” it is extremely beneficial to consider leaving the box of haircolor on that shelf.

Chemically speaking, at home box- hair color definitely has its limitations.  The strength of the chemicals are not design the same as for the professional hair colorist.   

In the salon, with an experience haircolorist  they are able to enhance, adjust, lighten and manipulate the natural pigment of natural haircolor with much more choices of hair coloring tools.

Some of the components of professional hair color, enable the hair colorist to adjust the developer (peroxide) and or the alkalinity of the hair color formula.

In many cases, it may take more than one shade of hair color to make the perfect shade.  This is an art form based on principles.  The principles include:  Laws of color, the artistic eye of the hair colorist & analyzing the condition (porosity) of the hair.  All of these factors will play a very important role for the hair colorists’ selection of what type of hair color will be used.

Many times I have been at a store and see a consumer looking at the side of the “box/ at home hair color” with such a puzzled look….    

I have been there, personally, and it cost me in the long run.  Understandably, cost can be a factor; however the end cost can be definitely costly if the wrong “box/ at home hair color” is selected.

A great site to find a Redken Certified Hair colorist, in your area is www.redkencolor.com

Switching gears, another option to opting for color can be achieved with Balmain Hair Extensions.  Balmain Hair Extensions are not just for adding length, but also for adding hair color. 

The  photo below was an extreme makeover that included:

Trust– much consulting

Professional Haircolor (s) plural.  Her natural hair was colored the day prior to the installation of the Balmain Hair Extensions.  Then to be sure that the Balmain Hair Extensions blended in seemlessly….the hair extensions had to be treated with professional haircolor, too.

The beauty about reconsidering splurging is not just about the haircolor, but the experience of just letting someone take care of everything for you.

Today’s life styles are so rushed and packed with “things to do”.  Cell phones, blackberry’s, texting, emailing, blogging….

There truly is nothing better than having someone else shampooing you.

Box or no box?

 

 

 

 

 (Redken Certified Hair Colorist) 

 

Bio Ionic Japanese Thermal Straightening- Straight Talk

Just about 7-8 years ago, as a stylist, I was not convinced to get on the “japanese hair straightening” bandwagon.

Why?  I know what the hair is made up of, and how much the hair fiber can withstand.  Hair is comprised of salt bonds, hydrogen bonds, moisture, and protein.  Professional salon chemical services are just that…. CHEMICAL services.

At the time, my experience was that many of my color clients were also highlighted with higher lift tints and/or decolorizers (bleach).  I can say now that not only has technology changed but what about all of the “wannabee straight haired” girls out there?

Having more experience these days , in general, the professional chemical services that are available today for straightening provide unbelievable results.

 

The product of choice, at our studio, is Bio Ionic Japanese thermal retexturing.  It is design for all hair types, and leaves the hair with incredible shine, and smoothness.  The hair is left with body, and will remain straight for a very long time without reverting to the previous texture.

Retouches do not have to be done again for about 5 to 6 months.

Our studio was introduced to this product by on of our exsisting clients.  She shared her desire to have straight hair, and she had done her research.  Of course we wanted to keep her as a client, and so……….we went to go get certified.

Below you will see the coarser texture.  The after photo, and all of the after photos do not have any styling products in the hair.  All of the shine is the shine that Bio Ionic Japanese Thermal Retexturing provides.

        

Besides the obvious smoothness, the most advantageous aspect is that your hair will dry faster when blowdrying. 

Why?  It is because the hair cuticle is laying much flatter and is closed.  This is what makes hair shiny, in general.

     Bio Ionic is gentle enough for all ages, too.  There are not reasons why there should be any awkward teen years….

(The added splashes of purple are Balmain Hair Extensions’ clip in hairMakeup.)

Bio Ionic  is a two step process.  The thermal part comes before the beginning of the second step.  Once the first step is rinse out of the hair for several minutes, then the hair must be blown dry.  After the hair is dried, the hair is flat ironed.  The sections of this process is extremely important.  Very precise thin sections provides optimum end results.  The heat of the specially made Bio Ionic flat iron has all of the negative ionic technology in it, too.

Bio Ionic Retexturizing is based on negative ions.  This makes the hair behave nicely.  It helps to reduce, eliminate frizz.

  During the Bio Ionic workshop, we had live models that had various hair types and color situations.  This is what made me rethink my previous thoughts about thermal straightening.  This product is not like the straighteners of the old days.

No more frizzy, bad hair days.  No more spending hours trying to get your hair straight.

Just smooth shine!

For even more detailed information check out www.bioionic.com

Looking to get your hair straightening feel free to contact us.

All of the photos are of our own clients, and the photography is done by our studio.

Thanks for reading

Straight Hair and No more Frizz!!

Bio Ionic is the best Japanese straightening system out there!!!

www.annmariewalts.com

Practical Glamour with Balmain Hair Extensions

Balmain Hair Extensions are virtually undetectable once they are installed. As seen in the above photo, they are attached to a very small section of the natural hair.

No one will know that your beautiful hair has been enhanced with Balmain Hair Extensions, unless you tell them.

Glamorous, yet practical.

Eyelash Extensions– Poor and Proper Application Photos.

 

 

Staying informed is important when it comes to having your eyelashes extended.

If you have been thinking about getting this service done or do not know anything about the subject, I suggest that you keep reading.

My salon is certified in Xtreme Eyelash Extensions, and they are a great company to deal with.

Why?

EDUCATION!!!

This service is a great thing to have done, and has many benefits, too.

Long, beautiful lashes are what ever girl/women want, right?

Be very particular about what salon and lash stylist you pick.

This service takes time to get done, and for the technician VERY tedious and METICULOUS!

Our salon has been certified for almost 7 months, and we only started charging for our sets of lashes this month.

Why?

We wanted to be sure that we could stand behind our work, and that the lashes leaving our salon were acceptable and applied properly.

Let’s talk about the process and application.

My suggestion, for you, would be to ask plenty of questions before you get this procedure done?

*Do you have photos of actual clients that have had this done by your salon?

*Be sure that the lash stylist has actually gone through the training themselves.

*Do you take before and after photos of my eyes?

*How will my eyes be protected during my service?

*What is the maintenance of my lash extensions?

Let’s talk about seeing the photos.

Photos speak volumes of what eyelash extensions SHOULD and SHOULD NOT look like!

Below are photos of a poor application of eyelash extensions.

(This is NOT an example of Eyelash Extensions done by us!)

Keep reading…..

(Shown below—Not Xtreme lashes & Not done by our salon.)

             

 

Photo take by: Ann Marie Walts Photography

 

What happened to cause the lashes, in the above photo, to come out like this?

Poor application!

Prior to the first lash being applied, a through consultation is giving each and every time or should be.
When trained by the Xtreme Eyelash Extension company, they train the lash stylist to give an extensive consultation.
This consultation has a few consultation papers that need to be signed, and consultation photos have to be taken.
A full explanation of the steps of the lash extension procedure are gone over, and all questions are answered then.

What we discovered with the client/photos above was that they did not experience:

Eyelids being secured out of the way.

No before and after photos.

No consultation paperwork was filled out.

 

 

They were only refunded 1/2 their money back when they went back to have them removed!!!

 
Ok, now let’s move forward with what this client was able to experience recently, once they had a set of XTREME EYELASH extensions!!!!

The first thing that needed to be done was to wait awhile before we were able to re-lash her.
Why?
Take a close look at the above photo.
With a poor application what can happen is that the eyelases get stuck/glued together.
This is why the photo, on the left, the lashes looked very clumped together.
(This client was not wearing any mascara, in this photo.)
Should the lashes get glued together this can cause damage and loss of natural lashes.

Let me state that it is POOR APPLICATION that gives LASH EXTENSIONS a bad reputation….not the other way around.

It has my professional experience that clients who wear lash extensions have noticed that their own lashes are in better shape and condition once they have had them removed!

 

 

   

 

 

All photos taken by Ann Marie Walts photography. 
All Lashes Shown by Ann Marie Walts/The Loft Salon Studio.
413-734-6204

Before

After

                               

Karel’s Lashes by The Loft Salon Studio

        

 

More LASHES!!

 

Natural lashes have a life cycle of 60 to 90 days. The all shed at different times.  They actually grown in rows.

Lash extensions can last up to 2 months with proper care and PROPER APPLICATION!!

So, stay eduated and keep your eyes open!!

Long lashes await you!

Be sure to visit our Xtreme Eyelash Extension Maintenance page for some awesome products, and mascara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Take My Picture….I’m Gorgeous Now!!” Makeover Contest

           

Who do you know needs a makeover? Mom, Friend, Aunt, Neighbor

With shows like “What Not to Wear”, and “Ten Years Younger” being so popular, I am sure that we all know someone that is derserving of a makeover.

This is our specialty and our passion.

The Loft Salon Studio, in West Springfield Mass is having there own makeover story contest.

It’s called……….TAKE MY PICTURE!!….I’m Gorgeous Now!!!
            actual client 

The deserving winner must be nominated by you!

The deserving contestant will receive a new look!!!
The drawing will happen in August of 2008!!!

For all details visit www.annmariewalts.com

Ann Marie Walts Photography

No purchase necessary

1 lucky winner!!!

Balmain Hair extensions come the the U.S.!!!

(Photos with in this article are courtesy of Balmain)

 

Welcome back, if you have been stopping by our blog!

We are very excited and please to annouce that Western Massachusetts   01089 will never be the same again, or the United States….when in comes to hair extensions!!

Choices are a good thing to have, right?  

Well, I can tell you that Balmain Hair Extensions have so very much to offer!  They offer a unlimited amount of creative options which include:

Hair that is REUSABLE!!! &

Guaranteed for 6 MONTHS!! 

(by Balmain)

& comes in a variety of:

COLORS

LENGTHS 

 

What is so impressive is not only all of the creative options that Balmain Hair Extensions has to offer, but even the way Balmain has packaged their products.  The photography is of the hair models, is just beautiful.

Balmain offers temporary hair extensions that simply clip in.  This is such a fun hair accessory.  I do not know about you, buy I know there have been days that I wish I could just have my hair look different. 

This is also a great way to try out different color highlights….without the commitment of actual permanent haircolor. 

Balmain hair extensions offer micro-bonding.  This is a strand by strand process, and the Balmain hair extensions are applied to very small sections of your own natural hair. The results are so incredibly real looking. So real looking that noone will be able to tell that it was not the hair that your were born with.

Coming Soon……….BALMAIN’S DOUBLE HAIR!!

Balmain Hair Extensions also will be offering what’s called “Double Hair”.  This is the revolutionary way to have a full set of extensions……..that are REUSABLE…….in about an hour!!!

Yes, I said 1 HOUR!!!

We live in such a fast paced, busy world.  Can you imagine, too, you got invited somewhere extra special, and you wished that you could put your hair up?  Now, you will be able to.

Many celebrities and movie stars are wearing Balmain Hair Extensions, these days!!!  With the Balmain Hair Extensions hair being reusable, your investment will go farther….and how great is that??? (This is the ultimate feature that Balmain Hair has to offer….seeing that many of us might not be making millions—yet.)

(Let me know when you get signed for your first movie, because you may need a hairstylist…lol)

Balmain Hair Extensions are from Europe, and that’s where the U.S. is greatly influence when it comes to the subject of fashion.  Fashion, nowadays, does not just mean clothes.

Hair today is very fashionable and can/doe express your own personal, unique sense of style. Everyday, when we get up, we have to decide what we are going to where for clothes, makeup, and accessories. So, having Balmain Hair Extensions can really compliment and/or immediately change your

best accessory

which is your hair!

Who should wear Balmain Hair Extensions:  

(Everyone!!)  No really.  I am not kidding.

Brides

Mother’s

Teens

Wanting Volume?

Wanting length?

Short on time?

Want the option of having long hair only on some days?

Maybe want to try purple highlights?

Want Blonde Highlights for a season?

If you have thought “yes” to any of the questions above, feel free to contact loftmail@annmariewalts.com

for more details. The Loft Salon Studio located at 201 Westfield Street, West Springfield, Mass 01089

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridal Mania….Calling All Brides…. Where do I start?