Raspberry Delight

OK, so I can't take credit for the color. This cute little girls Mom dyed her hair Raspberry. I don't know if I would have been so brave! I thought it looked like the color of my favorite slice of Red Velvet Cake:)

But I can take credit for the cute cut! I wish I had taken a before picture. I love how it stacks in the back and with her new color this girl is definitely ready for a fun, fun summer!

Those Misbehaving Curls!

Curly hair has been my curse, but I am slowly learning to accept it. It's only been 36 years now! It has not been easy finding ways to wear my hair, let alone care for it. I constantly have to fight the frizz. And some days my curls seem to be more like waves, while other days I feel like a grandma with a new tight set perm. My crazy curls have a mind of their own. It's exhausting! And while I've found just a couple of brilliant ladies who can cut my curly mop, most times I leave the salon feeling disappointed with the experience. And feeling even more frustrated that I just paid a hefty price for something I don't love. You just can't cut curly hair like any other head of hair. In fact, I find that when it comes to making my curls do exactly what I want them to do it requires that I use tools that I was taught to never put on curly hair...namely the razor. But the razor and me have become fast friends. I find that if I twist a section of hair that seems "heavy" and use the razor to remove weight (it's easier to demonstrate than explain), that my curls behave so much better. I also use thinning shears at the ends of my curls. I find that it causes my curls to wrap around each other and it gives them a more modern and piecey look. Yes, I am 100% guilty of paying for a haircut and then coming home and shaping it to my satisfaction. But nobody knows my hair like I do!

In my recent attempt to grow out my hair I became very agitated at how slowly my hair grows. It just won't grow! Or maybe I'm just too impatient. Either way, I gave up and went in for a haircut. My first professional cut since graduating from beauty school! All in all it was a great experience. I love the back with all it's fun layers. I also had her cut bangs...I'm still not sure if I'm in love with them. It was a last minute, "just go for it!", and now I have to learn how to style them and make them look cute. But even if I can't figure them out, they'll grow out eventually and bobby pins will help me get them out of my face. Nice thing is she cut them jagged, so I can give them that piecey look that I love without much effort. It'll just take some practice.

I found the above picture this morning. I love the looks of it! In the next few days my hope is that I have figured out how to wear my hair just like this. I know it won't be just like it, but very close...I hope! The length is similar,and my curls are similar, so now my hands need to figure out how to make it work. And of course, the right styling products will be a must!

Wish me luck.

For those of you with curly hair, do you have any tips and tricks that you use to make your curls behave?

Beauty School Successes!

 This woman came in and wanted an up-do, pronto! 

I was so nervous.

She was nice, but in a hurry. That's scary for a student!

  And this was my first up-do with a real life client. She was no mannequin head!

 She loved it. Phew!

 Kari: before

This is my youngest sister!

 Kari: after. 

Finished A line bob

My now sister-in-law Melinda, came in to get auburn highlights put in her hair right before her wedding! 

 Finished A-line back view

This girl came in with shoulder length hair and wanted a drastic A-line.

I wish I had taken a before shot!

 Finished A-line front view

This woman came in with a jaw length blunt cut and was ready for a change. Again, I wish I had taken a before shot. It was amazing how her face changed and lifted with this short, sassy do! She wanted her bangs left longer so she could side swipe them, but she also wanted her hair short and not above the ears.

  Side view

Toni: before 

Toni came in to get her highlights refreshed and she also wanted some previously done lowlights to go away!

Toni: after