| Q. |
Why did you become a stylist? |
| A. |
As far back as I can remember I have always been fascinated with hair, its movement and color. I always had visions of how I could make someone look different, better, younger, etc. I always thought that, if I had the opportunity to take that enthusiasm to work everyday, I could make a positive change in people’s lives. After tinkering with many jobs but no career I had the opportunity of a lifetime to study hair at one of the best schools in the country, Jean Madeline Hair Academy in Philadelphia, PA. I took the jump and now I live my life long dream. I still, after 15 years, have the same enthusiasm for hair that I had as a child. I take it to work everyday and I am making a difference in my life and many others. |
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| Q. |
What do you like best about your job? |
| A. |
The best part of my job is seeing the excitement on someone’s face after a complete makeover, a color correction, or a simple hair style adjustment. I am driven everyday in making each person that sits in my chair happy and feeling great about the look I have created for them. |
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| Q. |
What inspires your creativity? |
| A. |
As an artist I draw inspiration from many sources. I am always watching how people react to others’ looks. I travel many times a year to different hair color symposiums to learn the latest trends and in my travels observe how people are wearing their hair. But the most inspiration is drawn directly from the person sitting in my chair for color. They will set the tone to what is created for them. |
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| Q. |
What information do you find most valuable from your clients? |
| A. |
When it comes to color the most important thing is how the client may see color. As a certified hair colorist, I have many years of experience in knowing the color processes on each type of hair. However, the color I see may not be the same to a client. That is, I may see the color as warm gold and they may see it as red. So, when consulting with a client, I must first adjust my eye to see the color the same way they do in order to create the proper color palette for their hair. |
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| Q. |
What advice would you give someone coloring his or her hair for the first time? |
| A. |
It is my policy to always allow a minimum of 24 hours from your consultation to when you actually have your color service. This way the client can first go home and process the information I have explained to them in the comfort of their home. Even though we provide a separate consultation room where the client can feel at ease Asking questions about their hair without anyone hearing the conversation, a first time color client needs to decide if they are willing to make the commitment to maintaining their new look. It also gives me, the colorist; time to process what I think will work and maybe come up with other ideas. |
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| Q. |
Once a person has decided to go forward with color, what’s next? |
| A. |
Once someone has made the commitment to hair color, we begin slowly. If it’s a one-color process I have selected then we begin blending grays back to their natural color. If they want highlights then a face frame may be our starting point. Some people are shocked to see themselves with a different look. I believe it’s better to take it slow then to shock them out of your chair forever. |
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| Q. |
Why do you think a color correction consultation is so important? |
| A. |
I prefer to have a color correction consultation for two reasons. The first reason is the most important and that is to ensure the Integrity of the hair is where it needs to be. If the hair is damaged, then I can recommend a home hair care regimen to bring the hair back to a healthy state which will allow the color process to look its best. Secondly, it is important to know what the client wants in hair color and what they expect. A person’s lifestyle, personality and their commitment to their hair will dictate most of the color creation. |
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| Q. |
How do you customize a hair color service for each and every client? |
| A. |
To customize hair color you must establish a client’s image. It is important, first, to know what the client is looking for in hair color. Secondly, I need to fit that color to their “image.” A persons “image” is set by their style, shape, skin tone, but most importantly their eye color. This overall look will dictate where I will proceed with their proper color palette. |
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| Q. |
If you could tell a perspective client one thing about your in-house hair color experience, what would it be? |
| A. |
It’s unique; I first evaluate the perspective client with simple conversation. But, before they begin to tell me what they want, I explain what I see and make a suggestion as to what may work for them. I believe that this gives the colorist a little more credibility than having the client think you are just taking what they want and doing it. Once I give my vision, I listen to what the perspective client wants, likes, dislike etc. Then we begin the process of agreeing what will be the best look. |
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| Q. |
What do you believe is the best tool you have in the hair business? |
| A. |
The best tool I have are my ears, that is, I am able to listen and understand what the client wants. Color palettes, brushes, foils, color glossing are all secondary. If I don’t hear and understand what the client is looking for, then I won’t achieve an acceptable result. |