If you’re like me, taking time to plan out your “holiday style” can help you feel less stressed and more beautiful for parties, photos and those special dinners with loved ones. So, what’s the best advice my professional colleagues and I can give you for the holidays? Pamper and primp, but save the new dramatic ‘do’ for a time when there is less pressure! What we do encourage is that you polish your current look by allowing the professionals to help spruce up your holidays in a personal way!
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Joseph Michael’s Holiday Fun Fact: We have a 20-year holiday tradition that is talked about all year ’round. Paul’s Famous Homemade “Grand Marnier” Hot Apple Cider and Danish butter cookies. And, yes, it is as decadent as it sounds! (We even hand out the recipe for your own parties and family affairs.)
[/box]Here is our other recipe for a very, V.E.R.Y. happy holiday!…
V is for Versatile Vesna!
Those of us who work with Vesna never tire watching this Master Stylist whip up looks from timeless to trendy—depending on the type of client who sits in her chair. She knows that women want a great style, and she has just the skill to make sure that they do.
“I always use a Thermique to protect the hair from heat styling, then I start layering with products—but I like different products for different hair types. Lift Vertige is my favorite for finer texture, and I love the Mousse Bouffante for other hair types.” (All 3 are products from Kérastase…always using what she personally prescribes for her clients!)
“I try to lift the hair from the roots then smooth the hair’s surface for shine. It just flows from there because every woman wants her hair to have volume and be flowing.”
(We agree that whether for sophisticated or spiffy styles, this saucy Serbian knows how to please!)
E is for Extraordinary Eileen!
In addition to her exceptional color and cutting, Eileen is the stylist you’ll see setting 3 large round brushes—all at one time—in a client’s hair to maximize volume! Having worked with models (as a former model herself), high-fashion styling comes naturally to this talented beauty.
“Recently a lot of people are asking me for formal looks that are updated, like an up-do accented with a braid or a bun with some sort of twist.”
Speaking of twists, Eileen is also doing more of the classic French Twists but with a bit of fun added. “Girls like their hair curled and pulled back and yet effortless-looking with a more natural feel.” Her favorite salon product? Dust It from Schwarzkopf. “I like that it gives the hair texture but leaves a more natural-looking finish.”
(We think Eileen makes it all look effortless, too!)
Ever wonder why your hair is shinier when you leave the salon? With the right tension and implements, taming the hair’s otherwise ruffled surface layer makes hair reflective & sleeker, while creating volume at the base makes hair appear fuller. It is a myth that heat, brushing and product are damaging. Over-heating with the wrong products can be the problem. Our advice? Think, “protect and pass.” In other words, use protective heat styling products, then pass heat over the hair instead of lingering, which does the most damage. Another benefit to sealing your top cuticle layer properly with heat? It reduces frizz, repels impurities, and holds in your color and conditioners.
R is for Remarkable Ronnie!
Why is he remarkable? Because along with his talent as a hairdresser and make-up artist, Ronnie has a way of making all of his clients—young and old—feel like the most special person in the salon! His brush strokes are as smooth and suave as he is, and this time of year, beautiful is how he makes his clients look and feel.
“A good holiday look that’s being seen a lot lately is very fresh-faced makeup. By that I mean sheer foundation, a rosy cheek, light matte eye shadow, and a fine line of eyeliner.”
But what is Ronnie’s favorite thing? Eyebrows!
“I think eyebrows really ‘make’ a face.’ With more emphasis on a pronounced eyebrow that is very defined, the right brows can open up the eyes and really make them pop!” He adds, “—and a red lip. It’s a must!”
(And we really think meeting Ronnie is ‘a must’ whether for hair, make-up or brows!)
Y is for a Youthful YOU!
Why do we urge you to pamper more? Because in our biz, we know that self-care allows you to be your best you precisely so you have more to give others!
Here are a few more of our quick tips for the holiday season:
- Get everything you want! Booking in advance, whether for maintenance or quick service, will assure you the day and time you prefer in your busy schedule, before someone else more organized fills your favorite appointment slot.
- Utilize money-saving magic this season! Getting a haircut but don’t have time to return the day of your special event or party? Ask your stylist or make-up artist to give you a blow-dry or make-up lesson. Tips and tricks for using the right tools from your salon professional can be the gift that keeps on giving all year long.
- Go for pampering presents! Joseph Michael’s salon will sparkle and shine for you all year ‘round whether you seek glitter and glam or that reliable tailored touch. Don’t forget to check out our gift cards, because nothing says, “you’re worth it” more than a pampering gift for someone you love.
Finally, as we wrap up 2014, we hope you will drop us a line to let us know if this blog series was helpful to you and, if so, which issues were your favorites! We also want to know which topics you’d like to read more about in the future to help us better serve you. Until then, happy pampering!
We look forward to seeing you in the New Year to assist with the evolution and ever-expansion of YOU, BEAUTIFUL YOU.
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Char Panico Muffitt, author and educator, is Joseph Michael’s Hair color & Texture Specialist. In addition to happily serving clientele, she is presenting her PERSONALITY POWER image seminar to groups all over Chicago. You can view her detailed bio, along with all of our amazing talent, here.
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