Essensuals London to Open U.S. Flagship in March

Already a go-to salon for many Brits, Essensuals London is bringing its fashion-forward styling stateside to its first U.S. location in March. Located on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, the salon will offer styling, cut and color services and will be led by international editorial and celebrity stylist Laini Reeves, whose client list includes Anne Hathaway, Kate Bosworth and Emily Blunt. Customers visiting the 2,500-square-foot salon can also indulge in high tea on the rooftop patio and receive expert advice at the “Beauty Bar.” Below, take a peek at some renderings of the sleek salon.

—Beth Furtwangler

Grammy Stars Scoop up Moroccanoil Products

Grammy night was thrice-as-nice for Moroccanoil, which contributed products to the Official Grammy Gift Lounge and the Official Grammy Gift Bag and created the gift passed out at the Grammy Celebration Official After-Party. All of the presenters, nominees and performers could visit the Gift Lounge backstage to pick up a selection of Moroccanoil products held in a specially made sports bag. Additionally, celebs received the Official Gift Bag that included favorites of many stylists, the Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray and Moroccanoil Treatment, while the After-Party gift was a beach bag containing a gift box and three hair products.

—Beth Furtwangler

Platinum Seamless Offers Innovative Attachment Method

Spokesmodel Catherine Frances Scott wearing Platinum Seamless extensions

I recently had the opportunity to watch stylist Craig Piatti demonstrate how to use Platinum Seamless extensions at Eva Scrivo’s Bond Street salon location in Manhattan. The 3-inch wide extensions are made of 100 percent Remy human hair, are paper thin with an adhesive strip backing, come in 20-21 inch lengths in 36 colors and have three attachment methods to choose from. I was really impressed by how fast the attachment process is, typically less than one hour, and how natural the results look.

Before applying the extensions, Craig, who works at both Eva Scrivo and Bô Salon in Austin, Texas, texturized the model’s hair using Vern Interlocking Shears so that her natural hair would blend easily with the extensions. To attach the extensions, he simply separated the top layer of hair on the model’s head using a rattail comb, removed the extension from it’s backing, and applied it to a section of hair, pressing down with the back of the comb to secure the adhesive. To create an “invisible” attachment effect, Craig applied one of Platinum Seamless’ customized adhesive strips on top of the attachment point and pressed a section of the model’s natural hair on top. Finally, he customized the look by cutting and blending the extensions.

Craig Piatti demonstrating the Platinum Seamless attachment method at Eva Scrivo salon

Platinum Seamless extensions can be worn for two to three months and removed in 20 minutes. For more information about the system, visit www.platinumseamless.com.

Phyto Benefit Raises Money for Haiti Disaster Relief

In an effort to aid relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake there earlier this month, Phyto organized a benefit event last night that raised nearly $2,000 for the cause. The event, held at Phyto Universe in Manhattan, featured a live performance by the band I Love Monsters, wine tasting provided by Oriel Wines and $20 blow-outs from notable Manhattan-based stylists, with all proceeds going to the organization Yéle Haiti. Participating stylists were: Ted Gibson; Eric Rosado, Ted Gibson Salon; Devin Toth,Ted Gibson Salon; Mordechai Alvow; Davide Torchio; Alejandra Nerizigal; Mauricio Cifuentes, Christopher Stanley Salon; Stacey Weinstein, owner of Loft 26 Salon; John Gerard Griffith, Loren, Stephanie and Patrick, Loft 26; and Atsuko, Alina and Gabrielle, Julien Farel Salon.

Phyto will be accepting donations through the end of next week, with all contributions being sent to Yele Haiti, a nonprofit organization established by Wyclef Jean to inspire change in Haiti through programs in education, sports, the arts and the environment, and to provide disaster relief assistance following the recent earthquake. Please contact Phyto Universe at 212/308-0270 for more info.

New Faces, New Bases

Take a look at some recent appointments and promotions in the salon and beauty industry:

Belson appointed Denise Russell to its sales team as regional manager for the Northeast, Southwest and Canada.

Colomer Salon Division announced promotions and new additions to the company. Rachel Stroback has been named marketing director for the brands Abba, MOP and Roux. In the Sales Division of Colomer, Jason Lumsden has been promoted to director/national distribution. In the Education Division of Colomer, Tonya Hanna has been promoted to manager/national education. Buzz Verucchi’s role will change to salon development manager for American Crew.

Unilever announced that Philippe Hostalery will join the company as president of TIGI’s global business.

Paul Mitchell Schools Aim to Raise $100,000 for Haiti

In response to the earthquake that has devastated Haiti, Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh has called on every school in the network to join together in a fundraising initiative with a goal of $1,000 per school — with 100 participating schools, that’s a total of $100,000 for the American Red Cross’s Haiti Relief and Development Fund and other organizations supporting the relief effort.

Throughout this month, Paul Mitchell Schools across the country will hold “Casual for a Cause” days where staff members and Future Professionals can donate money in return for wearing casual clothing for the day. Schools will also have paper bottles that friends, family and guests can buy with a donation. The bottles will be displayed around the schools to raise awareness and recognize the donors. Individual schools are planning other activities as well, and John Paul Mitchell Systems has pledged up to $10,000 in matching funds.

 “I’ve often heard people say, ‘Somebody should do something,’” Claybaugh said. “Well, YOU are that somebody. I challenge every family, individual, business, salon, and other organization to do something similar, whether it’s recruiting three friends, 20 teammates or hundreds of employees to get organized, active and involved. You CAN make a difference, and I hope that you will!”

Claybaugh posted this message on YouTube about Paul Mitchell Schools’ Haiti relief fundraising campaign:

Clark Russell Salon Steps Up

Clark Russell Salon in Walnut Creek, CA, is offering 30 percent off makeover services to local, first- time clients seeking employment opportunities this January. Clients are asked to simply mention the New Year, New Job, New You promotion when booking, and bring a copy of their current resume during the appointment to take advantage of the savings. The program will take place from Jan. 5 through Jan. 30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, by appointment only, with select stylists.

What are you doing to help unemployed residents in your community? We’d love to hear from you.

Jean Paul Day Spa and Hair Salons Donate to Haiti Relief

This salon initiative was forwarded to us by the folks at Oribe Hair Care:

Jean Paul Day Spa and Hair Salons in Albany, NY, usually holds its highly-anticipated annual company holiday appreciation party in late January or February (after the holiday rush), but this year, the staff requested something different. In the midst of party planning, the staff asked Jean Claude cancel it and donate the funds that would have been used for the party (around $5,000) to the Red Cross to help earthquake victims in Haiti. “I am truly touched to have a company family with hearts so big,” Jean Claude says. “It speaks volumes of how our people really do make the Spa and Salons, and more important, are moved to contribute to greater needs.”

Panache Salon & Spa Raises Money for Haiti Relief

Earlier this week, I posted a list of some initiatives that salons and beauty companies were taking in order to raise money for the relief effort in Haiti. Here’s another one:

Panache Salon & Spa will match 20% of the donations received through their dedicated Haiti website or at their location in Erie, PA. The money they are raising will go to Partners in Health, an organization that has been working to bring modern medical care to Haiti and other developing countries for more than 20 years. We encourage you to donate what you can and/or share with us what YOUR salon or company is doing to help.

Favorite Golden Globes Quote of the Night

“The technology is nothing. Talk to the hairstylists. It was an Aqua Net kind of day!”
– Jennifer Garner, to E! on the (rainy) red carpet