American Salon Attends The Paul Mitchell Gathering

Marianne Dougherty and Brett Vinovich, American Salon’s editor-in-chief and publisher, respectively, attended The Paul Mitchell Gathering in Las Vegas in July. Brett posed with a giant blow-up of the magazine’s August cover, created by the Paul Mitchell team. All 2,000 attendees were given early copies of the issue, which also featured a sneak peak of the company’s new Six Figures DVD and collection. Check out our October issue for more pictures from The Gathering.

Cinderella Hair Hits the Small Screen

Cinderella Hair will be featured on an upcoming episode of The Art of Living with Marilu Henner as part of a Better Beauty segment on topics, trends and issues related to hair extensions. California-based Cinderella Hair has combined the latest scientific advances with the aesthetic and stylistic virtues of an art form to become one of the largest and most prestigious hair extension companies in the world. Hallmarks of the company’s success include use of only the finest natural hair, a cadre of expert educators who conduct Cinderella Hair’s instructional seminars, and a line of maintenance and preparation products.

“There is nothing more gratifying than to see the look of satisfaction on the face of a client who sees themselves in the mirror after getting hair extensions,” said Fernando Fischbach, vice president of Cinderella Hair.  “They have a new air of confidence and a better feeling about themselves”

Peter Mahoney on How Salon Owners Can Stay Recession Proof

I was on a conference call recently with some colleagues in the industry and we were discussing the alarming rate of salon closures in the current economy and how fear has created a level of paranoia around decision making. Salon owners and stylists seem to be more afraid than ever to make a decision for fear of making the wrong one. Ironically enough, it is this very notion and the resulting paralysis that quickens the journey to despair. Believe it or not, the way we think has more to do with our success or failure than we care to admit.

When I reflect on the 20% of salons who are growing through this recession vs. the 80% that are struggling, some common points of difference come to mind. The “Top 20,” as I like to call them, are focused on retaining existing customers and generating new customers by providing added value through the use of pre-booking incentives, aggressive referral programs, loyalty points programs and complimentary services while guests are waiting. The mood in these salons is positive and the team is understanding and engaged in the process of client retention and new client development.

On the other hand, the bottom 80% of salons that are struggling seem to be focused on extracting more revenue from a declining client base to meet their own financial needs. They appear to be inflexible in their thought processes and would prefer to complain and blame their situation on the economy rather than do something about it. They often fall victim to the false belief that they have either tried everything and it didn’t work or their circumstances are somehow different than the rest of us.

I am of the belief that if we are to recession-proof our business, we must first recession-proof our attitude, allowing us to abandon these limiting beliefs, think like the “Top 20,” and approach our new reality with the same level of gusto and enthusiasm we had when we first opened our doors!

Peter Mahoney is the president of Salon Consultants International Inc., president of Summit Salon Business Center, lead judge for the 2008 Global Salon Business awards and the proud owner of 25 full service salons, spas and schools in Canada. He is also a Redken Business Partner. Accredited with the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award, Peter’s ability to inspire and evoke personal change in his audience is unparalleled as he teaches modern day philosophies of communication and leadership. His down to earth, pragmatic approach to the needs of his audiences has gained him a reputation as one of the most effective trainers in the salon industry today.

Backstage with Kryolan at Miss Universe 2009

Kryolan artists backstage at Miss Universe 2009

As I blogged about a few weeks back, Kryolan was the official cosmetics sponsor of the 58th-annual Miss Universe pageant, which was held last night. Although Miss Venezuela took home the crown, the makeup artists from Kryolan made sure that each contestant looked like a winner. Here are some notes from the backstage team on how they got the woman ready for the cameras and the catwalk:

• “The look designed for the pageant was simple, clean and based on natural tones of taupe and warm brown while  blending in deeper browns, charcoals and hints of black for projection. High Definition always requires the blending of colors with graduations from light to dark. This process is the best way to  apply color. It takes a few minutes longer to apply, but the end  results are timeless.”
• “Because it was being shot in HD, one  of the key elements was the prep work.  It was important to make  sure that the contestant’s face was properly cleansed and moisturized (face, eyes, etc.). We followed with an application of Kryolan Ultra Under  Base to ensure an even skin surface and flawless finish. The variety  of foundations used was based on the contestant’s skin type. The  foundations used were the HD crème, HD fluid or HD smoothing fluid. We then worked on the eye area using the HD Micro Shade (crème  shadows) in graduations from light to dark, followed by our cream blusher  (SF3, Redwood or Dahlia) and then carefully powdered the entire face.”
• “Some of the contestants required false lashes. We used TV1  lashes for contestants that needed a little more depth and TV5 lashes  contestants with little or no lashes.”
• “Next we defined the lips,  based on the contestant’s skin tone, with natural lip pencil colors (#125,  #123) along with our LG palette.”
• “The final step was to apply our  blusher to enhance the face with a healthy glow and tie all the elements  together for the pageant.”

Oribe Hosts Stylist Event in NYC

Oribe flanked by actress friends Keri Russell (right) and Andi Potamkin (left)

Revered stylist Oribe, whose work has graced red carpets and the covers of fashion magazines for years, hosted a stylist event in New York City featuring his new line of Oribe haircare and styling products. Hundreds of stylists and salon owners who have been working with the line gathered at Pier 59 Studios in Chelsea over the weekend for demonstrations, breakout sessions, a style showcase and mingling. American Salon’s Marianne Dougherty and Jamie Corkran attended the weekend’s events, where they also saw actress and Oribe fan Keri Russell (Felicity, Waitress).

Enter AG Hair Cosmetics’ Stylist With Substance Contest

AG Hair Cosmetics is inviting talented stylists to enter its first annual Stylist With Substance competition, running from September 1, 2009, through December 15, 2009. The contest offers the winner a chance to work alongside acclaimed hairstylist and AG Artistic Director Jami Symons at the company’s annual collection photo shoot and execute his or her own winning look with a professional photographer, model and makeup artist, which will be featured on the cover of AG’s September 2010 Style Guide, a publication seen by more than 17,000 salons across Canada and the United States. The winner will also receive an all expenses paid trip to Vancouver, Canada, to meet AG’s artistic team.

Entry fees for the competition will be donated to AG’s Project Wellness, a charitable initiative started by AG founders John and Lotte Davis to improve the wellness and education of African people. Interested stylists can visit www.aghaircosmetics.com for more information.

Enter AG Hair Cosmetics’ Stylist With Substance Contest

AG Hair Cosmetics is inviting talented stylists to enter its first annual Stylist With Substance competition, running from September 1, 2009, through December 15, 2009. The contest offers the winner a chance to work alongside acclaimed hairstylist and AG Artistic Director Jami Symons at the company’s annual collection photo shoot and execute his or her own winning look with a professional photographer, model and makeup artist, which will be featured on the cover of AG’s September 2010 Style Guide, a publication seen by more than 17,000 salons across Canada and the United States. The winner will also receive an all expenses paid trip to Vancouver, Canada, to meet AG’s artistic team.

Entry fees for the competition will be donated to AG’s Project Wellness, a charitable initiative started by AG founders John and Lotte Davis to improve the wellness and education of African people. Interested stylists can visit www.aghaircosmetics.com for more information.

Julien Farel Salon and Phyto Team Up at the US Open

Julien Farel and a team of stylists from his eponymous salon will once again be the exclusive on-site stylists at the 2009 US Open in Flushing, NY, where they will be pampering world-renowned tennis players, coaches and VIPs for the third year running. The salon, open from August 29 to September 13, is located inside the Player/VIP section of the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The top 40 tennis players will receive a large Phyto Plage tote bag with Julien Farel brushes and Phyto products. Farel and his team will also offer VIPs on-site haircuts, hairstyling and conditioning using Phyto products; nail care with Natura Bissé; and Yves Saint Laurent makeup applications. Farel and his team have created a signature US Open style designed to beat the humidity and last through even the toughest matches called Hair Thread, a technique allowing hair to be tied into place without the need for clips or pins.

“The last thing a tennis player needs is hair falling in their face during a match,” Farel says. “I see such beauty in this elite level of athleticism. The players can focus on their matches knowing that they look their very best, both on and off the court.”

To create the signature look, shampoo the hair with Phyto Phytojoba and condition with the Phytojoba mask. Apply the heat-activated Phytodéfristant botanical relaxing balm to towel-dried hair and blow dry. Pull the hair back into a slick ponytail, and spray PhytoLaque Soie for a natural, yet firm hold. Thread the ponytail with the Hair Thread and spritz with Phyto Plage Sun Veil to protect the hair from UV rays.

NCA Encourages Change

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) is encouraging spas and salons to host their own Dining For Change event in October to help make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer and domestic violence. If hosting the event is not an option, NCA asks that spa and salon professionals join one of the many small groups of professionals across the country to network and help them raise $150,000 for the two causes. To learn more or to register as a host, visit ncacares.org/diningforchange.com.

“Hair Rules” Goes to School

Hair Rules! The Ultimate Hair-Care Guide for Women with Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair by Hair Rules founder Anthony Dickey is now required reading for some students at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. FIDM is an accredited college that provides specialized, professional education to students seeking careers in the fashion, interior design, graphic design, and entertainment industries. Sharlene Habermeyer, a professor at FIDM’s Beauty College has incorporated Dickey’s book into her Fundamentals of Body and Hair Care course.

“I was looking for a resource that contained valuable information regarding all aspects of hair and hair care, history, myths, diseases, etc., but that would also actually engage and motivate my students. Hair Rules fit exactly what I was looking for,” Professor Habermeyer said. “This book has provided me with fabulous information from which I’ve been able to develop individual lessons for the course.”

Now on its third printing, Hair Rules, The Ultimate Hair-Care Guide for Women with Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair is has become a beauty bible for women (and stylists) who want to to look at curls and waves in a positive, refreshing new way. The book also teaches women how to create beautiful, natural styles that are easier to achieve than they ever imagined. This approach can be life-changing for women with kinky or wavy hair who have been victims of years of bad information, misguided cosmetology education and irresponsible marketing platforms related to curly hair.

“The whole idea behind the book was to empower women of all textures with the information they need to achieve gorgeous hair without the damage,” says Dickey. “When you constantly fight your natural texture, you inevitably sacrifice the health of the hair, which sets off a vicious cycle of yet more damaging interventions. When texture is respected, hair health is maintained. And when hair is in its optimal state of health and hydration, women are amazed to see that it is possible to love their hair and their texture.”

Shampoo stations at Hair Rules New York

His book might be taking Los Angeles students by storm, but Dickey has returned to his roots with the launch of Hair Rules New York, a truly multi-textural salon which offers a healthy approach to haircare and styling for all textures under one roof.