Tip of the Day: Growing Out Bangs

Growing out bangs can be awkward, but we have a few ways to make it more graceful. Don't grab the scissors yourself, you will regret chopping off your bang growth completely. Instead, come in for regular trims, which are free with your stylist here at the Bleu Mousse Salon! Disguising the awkward phase of fringe regrowth can be as simple as picking a hairstyle that keeps bangs in check. For shorter, trickier bangs, part your hair at an angle; brushing it to the side using a product with weight, such as the styling clay; and then securing the ends with bobby pins, barrettes, or clips, as Diane Kruger does. Another stylish way to keep your growing bangs out of your face is the tuck-and-roll technique. It serves to mask any awkward fringe regrowth seamlessly. Roll the lengths of your bangs and tuck them along your hairline either tightly or loosely, like AnnaLynne McCord; then secure the roll near your ear using a hairpin or bobby pin.

AnnaLynne McCord

Diane Kruger

The Pixie Cut

Audrey Hepburn (1953)

Twiggy (1966)

It has such a sweet little name, but it has been worn by some of the biggest, boldest, and bravest stars throughout history. Here are four women who have inspired us with this short hairstyle over the decades. For the movie Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn debuted the pixie cut which impacted hair forever. At age 15, Twiggy supposedly spent 8 hours in a London salon perfecting her strawberry blonde, pixie cut. Similar to Audrey Hepburn, Charlize Theron's pixie cut is the result of her upcoming movie Mad Max: Fury Road. One of the most dramatic haircuts of this year belongs to the newly blonde, Miley Cyrus. Her edgy pixie cut has continued to make headlines inspiring other young women to change up their hairstyles too.

Charlize Theron (2013)

Miley Cyrus (2013)

Color Tips: Blondes

Honey-Gold Highlights

We didn't forget about our blondes! Here are a few color ideas for you guys. Adding a few honey-gold highlights to a head of a darker caramel blonde looks gorgeous any time of year. A simple way to be more than just blonde. If you want to go for something a bit more daring try a shade of auburn. 

Auburn

Is it blonde? Brunette? Red? It's somewhere in between. Caramel shades are massive this season. This glossy auburn hue is stunning. If this is too warm for your taste then try going for an icy-blonde color. This kind of daring is on the other end of the spectrum. Be sure to take care of this color hair with conditioning treatments and trims.

Icy Blonde

Color Tips: Brunettes

                               

Golden Highlights                        Red Highlights

Looking for a new look in the fall? You don't have to do anything too dramatic to change up your brunette locks. We have three suggestions that look great in brown hair: golden highlights, red highlights, or a cooler tone. Change up your plain brunette hair with one of these three styles for the up-coming season!

Cooler Brown

Highlighting: Balayage vs. Foils

Balayage

To get the perfect sun-kissed highlights, you basically have two options: traditional foil highlights and the newer, edgier "balayage." Balayage is the process of sweeping color onto hair using a paddle. Balayage is an originally French-method of highlighting that gives the colorist more freedom to place color where she/he chooses, unlike foils which can be much more precise. Balayage is often called "sweeping" because colorists use a sweeping motion when applying the color with the color applicator. Rather than taking a section of hair in a square foil, keeping in mind that the head is round, colorists carefully take pieces of hair from the head. With great control, colorists gently apply the lightener on from roots to ends or just roots alone.

Rainy Day Hair-do

Don't let the rainy weather get you down! Going out in the rain makes most of us less motivated to do our hair. If you're forced to go out, don't leave your hair looking drab, try one of these three easy rainy day hairstyles. 

Upcoming Trends for Fall 2013

Fall 2013 Hair Trends - Best Hair Trends for Fall 2013 

Previews at the fall runways reassured by the simple elegance of messy low ponys at Oscar de la Renta, easy texture at Proenza Schouler, and barely-there waves at Pucci. Those of us who like a little surprise looked to Anna Sui’s over-the-top updos (visible only from the back) or Rag & Bone’s insta-bangs, created with a clever side part—no scissors in sight. This season, there’s something for everyone. As reported, spring ponytails were positioned at the nape and ironed to emphasize their sleekness. For fall, the position stayed put but textures differed. At Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, Richard Chai Love and Rachel Zoe, pieces were pulled down around the face or tucked behind the ears to emphasize the style’s haphazard ease, while at Chloé and John Galliano, the hair was swept back and sharply parted. Stylists at Ralph Lauren and Moschino, on the other hand, created girlish, bouncier versions. Going for this new look is simple for any type of hair. Just pull your hair back in a low-pony and style it, you can look runway ready in minutes.

Trend of the Day: Messy Hair

It might not sound like it could possibly be a hairstyle trend, but messy hair is  massive for Summer 2013. Create your bed-head look by using hair straighteners to give your hair an effortless style.  Then add a volumising product to give your hair extra oomph. We recommend Kenra Root Lifting Spray, a volumiser that gives hair maximum body and style support. 

We'll be taking a one week hiatus, but visit our blog again next Saturday to learn about predicted hairstyle trends for this fall!

Trend of the Day: Extreme Side Fringes

On the other end of the spectrum, today our trend is the extreme side fringe. The parting should sit close to the temple and sweep across the forehead to create a dramatic look. Side fringes can appear like bangs without the long-term commitment and upkeep. 

Trend of the Day: Centre Part

Hairstyle trends change just as much as fashion trends do, if not more. They’re constantly being influenced by the catwalk, as models are judged not only on the designer clothes they’re wearing but also on their hair and makeup. So this week we're going to introduce a new hair trend of the summer every day this week. The centre parting has come back into fashion. After years of side partings being the go-to style for a lot of ladies, centre partings can now be worn in a multitude of styles for an on-trend appearance. Consider creating soft waves with a curling iron or wearing your hair in a low ponytail to mimic the equestrian-style trends seen on the catwalk as of late. 

Tip of the Day: Layer Up

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What’s the best way to liberate your client’s long locks and enhance her features? By creating lovely long layers, of course! Some blending here, a little slicing there, and suddenly your client looks like a superstar. But when you’re confronted with a sea of long hair, how do you keep your head above water and create the best layered look for your client? Begin with these tips from Joico International Artistic Director Damien Carney.

Scissors Only: I’m a purist and I stick to my shears—no razors or texturizing shears when layering so texturizing is kept to a minimum. Therefore the original technique/concept is not altered and the original design concept remains intact. The secret to layering is removing weight, and with scissors one can remove weight and create any effect that can be done with razors or texturizers, but the integrity of the hair is maintained.

Layer First: Keep in mind that hair will fall to its heaviest point. If the outline is solid, it is difficult to soften or lighten a line once it’s established. So create your internal layers first; by doing so you will create your outline at the same time. What’s more, the outline will be softer, your layers will be fluid and your look will be modern. (Tip of the Day: From www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: Aisle Style

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At this year’s Oscars, it was all about the updo; the big screen stars provided plenty of inspiration for your clients’ wedding styles. We particularly loved Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s (hottie Channing Tatum’s lovely wife) elegant, tousled updo. “We went for a soft, retro romantic feel,” explains her stylist Bridget Brager. Here’s how she did it:

1. Apply Macadamia Natural Oil No Tangle on damp hair from the mid-shaft down. Next, work a dime-sized amount of Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment on the ends and rough-dry the hair to bring out its natural texture

2. Wrap 2-inch sections around a 1-inch curling iron, pulling down on the hair to soften the wave as each section is dropped

3. After the waves are set, leave the front section out and lightly twist hair back above the ear and pin it just above the nape

4. Take the remaining hair and loosely braid it, wrap it into a low knot and secure it with hair pins

5. Finish with Macadamia Natural Oil Control Hairspray

(Tip of the Day from www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: California Curl

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You don’t need to be near the ocean to create the perfect beach waves. So forget the salt water and pick up your curling iron—Simon Miller, National Technical Trainer for KMS® California has a quick and easy formula for creating stylish waves with a laid-back edge.

1. Mist hair with KMS® California Free Shape Hot Flex® spray. Comb through to distribute product evenly.

2. Gather a 1 to 2-inch section of hair. Near the base, make a half turn with your iron and let sit for a few seconds before slowly releasing the curl.

3. With the same section of hair, make another half turn with your iron facing the opposite direction. Hold for a few seconds and gently release.

The resulting look is a cross between a finger wave and a curling iron set, says Simon, but requires half the effort! (Tip of the Day from www.behindthechair.com) 

Tip of the Day: Do the Twist

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When BTC tagged along with TIGI recently at the South by Southwest Music Festival, we picked up lots of styling tips as the team, led by co-owners of Bettie Bangs Salon in Austin, served as the go-to stylists for VIPs throughout the event in the Bed Head Style Lounge at the Nikon Warner Sound showcase. Festival hair was the focus, obviously, but we learned lots of great tips you can use in the salon, too! “Some of my favorite tricks for fixing my client’s hair after a long day or even for styling second day hair is using braids and twists,” says Bettie Bangs’ Kristen Klein. “TIGI Masterpiece Hairspray is my go-to product for braids and twists—it adds great hold and shine.” Kristen’s favorite new ’do—and one that could make for a fabulous prom style—is an easy headband twist. “Place a bungee headband on top of all the hair around the crown of the head,” she says. “Then tuck in pieces of the hair into the headband until it’s all rolled up and tucked in. Spray the style in place when you’re done and you have an elegant but youthful, retro updo.” (Tip of the Day from www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: The Damage Isn't Done

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With warm weather on the horizon, you’ll undoubtedly be doing a lot bleaching, lifting and highlighting on your clients. But blonding can wreak havoc on hair if certain precautions aren’t taken. To keep damage to a minimum, ProRituals by Jingles Global Artistic Director Terrence Michael Renk suggests adding a little something extra to your color formulas. “When it comes to blondes, the addition of essential fatty acids to the formula will replenish the moisture that is depleted from the hair, and assists with color penetration and scalp protection,” he says. Here is Terrence’s formula to create an ultra-light shade like Julianne Hough’s—with no harm done! (Tip of the Day from www.behindthchair.com) 

Tip of the Day: Get on the Campaign Trail

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What’s that you say? You’re not promoting popular color trends to your clients? Well, you’re missing a huge opportunity to make buku bucks, says Colortrak Artistic and Technical Director Gregory Alan. “Trends like ombré present an unbelievable opportunity to grow your color business,” he says. He recommends building a campaign around a trend to captivate and excite your clients. “A great way to do this is with visuals; display posters, signs, etc., throughout your salon to create visual inspiration for you clients,” he explains. “Also, make sure to name your campaign to personalize it. Rather than calling the trend ‘ombré’ give the trend a unique name and sell it as a technical skill rather than a look. It becomes something you clients definitely can’t get from a box!” Finally he adds, “By creating a specialized campaign tied around the latest trends, it adds value to the service and gives you the confidence to charge for it at a premium price point.” (Tip of the Day from www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: Get the Look

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After NYC’s top designers released their fab fall collections at Fashion Week, the mix masters atColorProof Evolved Color Care assessed some of the best hairstyles on the catwalks and provided the perfect product blends to re-create the looks in the salon. An all-around favorite style—full, glossy, “mink coat” layers—came off the Diane Von Furstenbergrunway, and the lush locks are sure to be a hit with clients. To get the look, combine equal partsColorProof CrazySmooth PlushLocks Leave-In Smooth to combat frizz, condition hair and reduce blow dry time, and HeatProof Anti Frizz Blow Dry Crème to protect hair and haircolor from thermal damage. Work the cocktail through damp hair. Beginning at the nape, dry subsections with a large round brush and blow-dryer, creating lift at the roots and curving the ends. Direct all strands away from the face. Once hair is dry, twirl vertical sections around a large-barrel curling iron. Cool, brush through lightly and mist with AllAround Flexible Hold Hairspray. ('Tip of the Day' from the web site www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: Halo, Dolly!

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Color services are super profitable for salons, so whenever we hear of a quick and easy new color service guaranteed to make you lots of cash, we HAVE to share! This idea from Schwarzkopf Professional Fashion Director Nicole Hartmann of Privé Salon in West Hollywood is pure gold. “When I need to do a great color service on the fly, I like to create a color halo,” she says. “I strategically place a panel of color so it has a halo effect—as if the sun is shining on the hair.” To get the look, create a halo-shaped section on the top of the head. Apply a lighter or contrasting color to subsections in the center or on the ends of the halo section. “I like to offset colors,” says Nicole. “So for example, if the client has a Level 5 copper base, I might create the halo with Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal COLOR10 4-89—a purple tone that is one shade darker.” ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthchair.com)

Tip of the Day: Tobacco Shop

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When the seasons change, so should your clients’ haircolor! According to Davines International Color Ambassador Edoardo Paludo, this season’s brunette takes on a rich, tobacco tone. Here’s his favorite formula:

Natural Level: 6

Midlengths and ends: Davines A New Colour 30g 5,14 + 30g A New Colour Cream Base + 60g A New Colour Activator 30-volume. Process for 15 minutes.

Scalp area: A New Colour 20g 5,14 + 10g A New Colour 5,0 + 30g A New Colour Cream Base + 60g A New Colour Activator 20-volume. Apply to the root area and process for 35 minutes. Add some water to the color, rinse thoroughly and dry the hair.

Flamboyage highlights: 20g A New Colour bleaching powder + 60g A New Colour Activator 10-volume. Apply using Flamboyage Meche strips (20/24 strips). Process for 20 minutes. Remove strips by rinsing with warm water. Shampoo and towel dry the hair.

Toner: 30g 6,73 Davines Mask + 45g Activation Source 10-volume. Apply as a toner, process for 10 minutes. ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: Will Ombre Stay?

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Although the world did not end in 2012, some stylists wish that high-contrast ombré could have been wiped off the map. Ted Gibson, owner of Ted Gibson Salons is not a fan of the “need to get your roots done” look and sees something new on the horizon: “The new haircolor trend will be gradient color, which is a much more subtle and soft shading effect.” 

Rona O’Connor, celebrity colorist and owner of Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills agrees that extreme ombré has had its day in the sun, and that a more understated version will take center stage this year, “I see extreme ombré phasing out, as it has been overkill. The look will go back to a prettier “sun-flicked” accent (á la Gisele Bundchen).” Janine Jarman, Sebastian Professional Lead Stylist,suggests that ombré doesn’t have to stick to its traditional brown to blonde graduation in the New Year. Instead, she suggests, “how about red to orange to yellow?” ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthechair.com) 

Tip of the Day: Brunettes Have Just as Much Fun

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In the upcoming Lifetime show The Balancing Act, celebrity colorist Rona O’Connor of Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills (she’s the one behind Blake Lively’s to-die-for haircolor) takes actress Valerie Azlynn from a blonde to a rich, dimensional brunette. “My goal was to create a beautiful rich brunette with red undertones that enhanced her skin tone,” says Rona. Here’s a peek at the formulas used to create Valerie’s striking new shade:

Formula 1 (Base): Rich Warm Brunette

30mls Tophic® 6NN + 20mls 6GB + 1ml 8kg + equal parts 10-volume developer

Formula 2: Golden Blonde

15mls Tophic® 8G + 5mls 9G + 2mls GG mix + equal parts 10-volume peroxide

Formula 3: Coppered Chocolate Brunette

20mls Tophic® 7KB + 5mls 7 G + 3mls 8kg + 2mls GG mix + equal parts 10-volume peroxide

Formula 4: Warm Brown

10mls Tophic® 7nn + 10mls 7G + 5mls 7B + 2mls 8kg + equal parts 10-volume peroxide

Formula 5 (Toner)

10mls Colorance® 8G + 5mls 8k + 3mls 7g + 2mls GG mix + 40mls Colorance® developer ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthechair.com) 

Tip of the Day: Red Hot

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Reds are red hot this year, and celebs of all ages are sporting deep and vivid variations of the hue. So your rosy-haired clients can't be caught with bland colored strands, right? Take reds from drab to fab with this color transformation from Marie Ferro!

Tip: Multi-layering red tones creates transparency and vibrancy throughout the hair for an eye-catching effect.

Step 1. Use Malibu C Pre-color Active to remove mineral and product buildup from the hair.

Step 2. Apply base color Goldwell Topchic 7K 40mls + 40mls 10-volume peroxide

Step 3. Alternate the following three formulas from the base color into the mid-shaft and ends with alternating foils using Goldwell Topchic. Process 30 minutes.

Formula A for vibrancy: 7OR 10 mls + 8GG 10mls + 7KG 10mls + 30mls 20-volume peroxide.

Formula B for depth: 7KG 10mls + 8GG 10mls + 7KR + 30mls 20-volume peroxide.

Formula C Highlight: 8KG 10mls + 9G 10mls + 20mls 40-volume peroxide.

Step 4. Shampoo. Apply Goldwell Colorance - 9KG 30mls + 7KG 10mls + 80mls Colorance Lotion. Process 20 minutes.

Step 5. Dry hair completely. Apply Goldwell Elumen (a high shine gloss) BK@940mls + GK@all 10mls. Process 30 minutes. ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthechair.com) 

Tip of the Day: A Layer Cake... And Not the Good Kind

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How do you turn a “three-layer cake” look into an overall blonde? Specifically, the bottom six inches has high/lowlights; the middle indicates the client had bleached blonde highlights, and that’s topped by four inches of Level 7 virgin growth. Wella Professionals Celebrity Colorist Dean Roybal says, “Start this challenger at the new growth area. Apply Wella Soft Blonde Crème Lightener to the new growth virgin hair. Carefully apply lightener with a higher developer in foils to protect the previously lightened hair. 

Use extreme caution when isolating foils and carefully saturate all the remaining darker areas through the midshaft to ends. Saturate the blonde hair with conditioner for extra protection. Rinse the lightener from the scalp once the desired level is achieved and reapply to the ends if more lift is desired, always taking into consideration the condition of the hair. Once all the hair has been lightened and all the hair shares the same exposed natural remaining pigment, apply demi-permanent color to damp hair to achieve your desired, all-over blonde result.” ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthechair.com)

Tip of the Day: Bridal Bonding

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The brides are coming! The brides are coming! Want a great way to turn your salon into THE destination for wedding day ‘dos? Here’s a tip from Tabatha Coffey: “One of the best ways to promote your salon is to hook up with your local bridal shop,” she says. “Drop off business cards, a book of images and a service menu. Create a ‘look book’ for brides to peruse that shows off your best styling work.” And don’t just limit yourself to the bridal shops, she advises. You can also chat it up with local florists, caterers and bakeries. “Use materials from these vendors to create a bridal resource center in your salon—the cross promoting opportunities are endless!” (Tip of the Day: www.behindthechair.com)

"The Mission of Beauty at Bleu Mousse Salon" by Owner Doug DiCarlo

www.phillydealyo.philly.com

Most women enjoy getting their hair done for special occasions. One client in particular I have had for over 30 years gave me a card. She represents one of several clients who have stayed with me for a long time. 

When I moved my salon from King of Prussia to Wayne a few special, dedicated clients were able to continue with me. During the holidays, I received cards from my clients. Beyond their ability to have stayed with me over the years, those tokens of appreciation mean a great deal to me. 

The clients and their appreciation are a daily reminder of my passion and focus for styling hair.

After being successful in the salon and styling business I decided to take thirteen years off for school. I graduated from Villanova University with an undergraduate and masters degree in Counseling Psychology

Currently, I volunteer part time helping at- risk and underprivileged kids. In Philadelphia Keeping them from going back to jail. Although the scope of the volunteering in the suburbs has changed the meaning has remained the same. 

Over the years whether it be helping underprivileged and at-risk children or my clients at the salon,  my passion to make the lives of others beautiful is not only my priority but my passion in life.

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Tip of the Day: Blonde, Jane Blonde

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Looking for a blonde that shakes (or stirs) things up? This formula from Deb Gavin for Keratin Complex Color Therapy should do the trick! She shared this formulation exclusively with us at the BTC COLOR Show in Miami. Here are her formulas:

Formula A (prelighten and clean the canvas):Keratin Complex It’s a Blonde Thing + 20-volume developer. Apply to new growth, then pull through and lift to level 10.

Formula B (platinum overlay): Keratin Complex Kerahold 25 ml 11A/90.1 + 50 ml 20-volume developer.

Formula C (slate shadow): Keratin Complex Kerahold 3 ml 1N/1.0 + 27 ml 10A/10.1 + 45 ml 0 Lift Developer. Process 15 minutes. ('Tip of the Day' from www.behindthechair.com)