How to Look Like You

Yes, it was another informative, fun, and lively event with Jennifer Butler.  You've got to listen to some of the audio to get a sense of how she works. She is a wizardess and a priestess, helping women to know themselves better.  She gives them complete permission to play, and have fun with clothing.

Here are some photos from the event held at the Mill Valley Holiday Inn, last Saturday evening.  There had to be fifty people there to hear Jennifer, who never seems to tire.  She pours out love and acceptance, and yet, when she needs to, a shaking of the head, with a twinkle in her eye, seemingly to say, "It won't work...do you know why?"

 

Then to see people give away clothes they've had in their closet, and don't wear, is quite a generous event. To see people being willing to give up their coveted item on someone for whom it works for, is a complete joy.  The people who have their colors done are looking hot, and like themselves, the way you expect them to look.  Everything is lined up and congruent.  Your eye does not roam, looking to understand what is not working.

 

Wonderful evening Jennifer!   Thank you. 

We Walk a Similar Path

However different we make think we are, it is minuscule compared to what we have in common.  Marcia Branca and I have known each other since 1988.  For twenty years our relationship has winded down a path that hugs the earth, and comes upon vistas that one can see as far out as eye can see.  When she first became a client, we realized we had a couple of mutual friends.  Her personal interests seemed to be similar to mine, and to the friends we had in common.  And although our relationship has not brought us together socially, it's as reliable.  It's as if each time, we fumble for a few minutes to see where we left off, but then quickly get back into a rhythm of sharing that makes us laugh, cry and remember why we carry on for this many years.

Some of the ways we knew each other were from unrelated arenas, giving us the feeling that really this is too much.  We have seen each other grow, and shrink, and grow again.  We both have one daughter, we both write, we both have a similar spiritual practice, we both paint, we both love travel, we both want something better for our daughters.  We have both dreamt, and have had our dreams shattered.  We are survivors, and after a kind of life that we catch glimpses of, and mirror for each other.

The other day, she did her makeup and I colored her hair and took a photo.  Because the time before, I colored and cut her hair, we applied makeup, and she looked fabulous.  The camera had no card.  So, this is what we captured this time.  And this is what she had to say about our presidential campaign:  Click here to download.

There is a certain kind of beauty in knowing that certain people you are sure you've known before, and will always feel a connection to, no matter how much time goes by, and how little you do see each other.  Thank you Marcia for the years of friendship, loyalty, trust and laughter.  You are a beauty.

Hot Topics in the Chair

Topics were all over the board yesterday, all the while, awesome hair color of magenta and Special Effects yellow on Anne, level 3 and Special Effects yellow on Frankie, and cutting a client's hair, then needing to be in dialogue about, her still wanting it shorter.  And yet, I thought we were growing it out.  One needs to be flexible.  And in the end, the client needs to be happy, and sometimes this translates to me letting go of my vision. Suicide of a 24-year-old on one side, people thrilled about Obama and the possibilities he represents on the other.  How is it our youth want to take their lives?   Overworked, overwhelmed, over-achieving women, women shaming men, pathos in full living color in the chair, and promotion of small business owners...also how women are afraid of calling attention to themselves, so they dress frumpy.  Why does anyone want to put out that kind of energy into the world?  It's for us that we dress.

The owner and I went to a book reading for another client, but we had the day wrong.  So, we walked to a restaurant a client recommended.  This fabulous Cajun restaurant, Angenline's in Berkeley, has created an authentic, fabulous, inviting ambiance.  The restaurateur, Robert is friendly and loves talking about the menu.  The food was delicious, and the music added the finishing touch!  We talked about business and possibilities for the salon.

Hair and Politics

Everybody I saw today had lots of hair. They all had hair that needed more attention than most or didn't have much hair, but they decided today was the day their hair did need attention—lots of color, lots of focus, lots of foils. And only one client and I talked about politics.

How can that be? The rest of the world is waiting. How will the American people vote? We are making history now, no matter how the election turns out. Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have people talking. Will they decide to work together for the better of the Democratic Party and the country? Will they choose to work together for the better of the Democratic Party and the country? Will the Clinton constituents realign with Obama?

Politics, writing, moves, changes, good stories, music, suicide, friendships, Squaw Valley Writing Conference, the economy, and loyalty were discussed in the chair today. I felt fatigued at the end, and yet I couldn't stop. I had to race to pick up my daughter. She reminded me she was almost the last one to be picked up(thankfully, it had been a long time since that happened). I needed to leave my previous client with my assistant to finish the blow dry. Unfortunate situation, even though I trust my assistant to treat my client well.

When I walked past the newsstand to get a cup of coffee, I read the headlines as I always do. Today was the first day I had bought a newspaper in at least a year. The front page of the San Francisco Chronicle caught my eye. I wanted to read the paper; this was highly unusual behavior. I don't know if you call it real news, but it was the first I'd read beyond the online news through moveon.org or truemajority.com. It provoked conversation.

Clients seem to be excited or entirely in fear and still anxious about politics. The campaign is not over until it is over. Will the American people be willing to move beyond their fear and small minds and allow the white patriarchal to rest? Whoops! What does this have to do with hair? A regular client sometimes sits in my chair and wants to talk politics and not hide.

Hair Salon Personnel Change

Savanna, my anchor, and colleague is leaving the salon.  Her last day will be June 17, and it will be a sad day for me, although I am terribly excited for her.  She, and her husband Jeff, are heading to the UK, where he is from, and where she has spent time. Her father is English as well.  Savanna is a talented hairdresser, who is down-to-earth, unpretentious, and somebody you want to know forever.  Her hair designs are creative, detailed, and daring.  Her bobs are perfect, her one lengths impeccable, and her short haircuts are original and well suited for the hair texture and the facial features of her clients.  And, she is a beautiful, genuine, gentle, funny, and kind soul.

Then there is the way she dresses.  Vintage most of the time with a Savanna twist.  She will not wear makeup if she doesn't feel like it.  She is regal, yet funky.  She is grounded and steady.  She changes her hair more than any hairdresser I've known.

Her presence in the salon will be missed by a lot of people.  Her level of care for her clients from the moment they show up, until the time they walk out of the salon, is superior.  She takes care of their hair, describing it to them at length to them, informing them of things they have never known.  I have never heard the cuticle of the hair be so interesting before.

Savanna's future will be fascinating.  She plans to go to design school, with an industrial focus.  She was already a painter before she studied hairdressing at the Paul Mitchell school in San Francisco.  Savanna and Jeff dined at our place the other nite, and as usual, there was lots of laughter, good food, and stories.  In true Savanna style, she walked in with a wet painting to which she had just applied the finishing touches.  It was an oil portrait of me, with my latest haircut and color.  I think she captured a lightness of being, that I will treasure for all time.

Thank you Savanna for your artistry, professionalism, care for people, your beauty inside and out, and your dear friendship.  You are an inspiration to me, and words cannot define the deep level of respect I have for you.  And even though I shall miss you, I am proud of you for taking this leap.  I will see you in the UK.

Baby Green Steps

Okay, so I'm taking a moment out of the presidential campaign flurry of interviews, and updating you on what changes are occurring in the salon. It's amazing, that hairdressers can actually change their ways. I voiced the opinion that there ought to be three plastic, same-size bins for the break room. One for trash, one for plastic/bottles, and one for paper.  One day they showed up, and, they are actually being used, not only that but filled up. The color boxes are being recycled, instead of ending up in the trash. I've encouraged the use of bringing your own cup to get coffee. I overheard Wayne, say today, "You may as well have asked me to walk with books on my head." Milky white, hot liquid spilled over his chapped hands. It was filled to the brim, I might add. Savanna has actually instigated a trend of bringing a bowl to get her lunch in. I just love it! Nick has asked Kerastase to please stop their waste of shipping products with a huge amount of paper, and boxes.  Stay tuned for their response.

There are still issues to work out, like light bulbs(I'm not even sure why we haven't changed over). We still use toxic cleaning sprays. And I have to say, as I hilite clients’ hair, I am more sensitive to the waste produced by all the foils. Adding to the problem is becoming more difficult to ignore. Could I offer less toxic means of coloring the hair? Could I give up an enormous part of my business income because of this sensitivity? Can one person's actions change all that much? Probably not, but what else do we have, but living our own truth? I've got to be able to live with myself and my choices.

As I ponder nontoxic thoughts, I ponder the idea of cutting my hair off and exposing my grey hair. Radical thought in radical times. There is something about just letting it be that sounds attractive, knowing full and well it doesn't mean that I'm interested in being frumpy, or not feminine. But this idea counters the general philosophy of the beauty industry.

Back to the green conversation, though.  We are taking baby steps in the direction of being conscious, but we have still, a long way to go.  I acknowledge the great job my colleagues have done arriving to this point.

Obama vs Clinton

Three out of four of my clients polled on Wednesday said Obama was the man for the job.  A couple of Hilary voters, are disgruntled with her old-style politics and have moved over to the Obama side of things.  The fourth client was a Hilary supporter and has not decided to give up until Hilary does. We all agreed nobody is perfect.   Not one of my clients is looking for perfection.  They are interested in diplomacy, integrity, and intelligence.  We all agreed whoever gets the job will have a mighty task ahead of them.  Nobody cares for the classic style of politicking, in fact, everybody I talked to, four out of six clients, was ready for somebody very different. 

Is Obama that person...it remains to be seen.  We would like him to be, not only because of his potential but because the alternative, McCain, is dreadful.   Everybody I talked to was sickened by McCain and seemed to be worried more about who would he bring along as Vice President.  May it not get to this point.

I've heard a lot of people talking about Obama's message of hope, more than actually talking about a plan, or course of action.  Frankly, I feel that I'd rather not have the promises.  Hope is not a bad word, hope is what people need to rise above their situations in life.  Somebody needs to say,  peace is possible, this is how we will do it.

Obama or McCain

Instead of interviewing clients about their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to color, I want to know which candidate the Democrats are going to vote for and why.  At this point, it is a little frightening to think that if the Democrats in America can't get behind Obama, and they decide for malicious reasons they will vote for the antiquated McCain, a guy that even the Republican party doesn't like, we are heading down further into dark times.  Maybe it's too late for this sort of inquiry, but is it?  Shouldn't we fight with determination in the ways that we can to affect those around us, to have a dialogue about what matters in the final moment? In fact, I need to be recording people's responses, NOW.  What better place than the hairdresser's chair to gather a consensus based on this particular segment of society, in Berkeley, California?  It's a bit intimidating to open up the political conversation in the chair, because who knows what beliefs people have, and if they consider it too personal a topic to go into, and what if they are Republican?  In the past, maybe I would have had a reaction, but now, I think it is more important to discuss our viewpoints, especially if they differ from mine, to understand other viewpoints.  I think I could interview clients from a neutral position. 

Mrs. Page in beauty school might not approve, but interviewing clients right now about their political views would bring me the satisfaction of a different sort.  I've always been trying to get to the underbelly of the beauty industry, knowing from experience, that there is much more than what meets the eye when somebody sits in the chair.  Why not take the opportunity?

Take Note Fashion World

Andrea, at Serrahna's, held another wonderfully colorful fashion event at Khana Peena on College Avenue, in Oakland today.  We had a great time.  The models were fabulous, all five of them...I lost count.  I was completely absorbed with each one of them, applying makeup and styling their hair.  The makeup application went a bit easier than last time, even though I was moving from the moment the first model showed, to when I left at about, 2:30 pm.  The real proof is what comes through in the photos. What I love about Andrea, is that her heart comes through in her clothing designs, she is able to articulate her passion through fabric, and design. Beautiful!  I also love the fact, once again, (I'm sorry if you've already heard it), that she celebrates, and honors every woman who steps into her business.  She helps them move in new directions and helps them become more feminine.  I love that the models are of all sizes and all ages.  How refreshing is that?  The fashion world takes notice!  You don't have to be 16, have skin and bones, and be flawless(yawn!), to be a woman.

I also loved how the models took on the divine feminine as they transformed before our very eyes.  Oohs and ahhs fell out of the mouths of the audience.  Queens!  It was such an honor to bring out what was already there, waiting to be drawn out.  They would walk back into the store, and say, "that was fun/"

Andrea and I walked over when the show was just about over, and with the grace of the Queen, she introduced me to each table of quests.  Thank you Andrea.

Upon my return home, my daughter had her own clothing situation to work out.  From showing me new shorts purchased with daddy to meltdowns around not having clean laundry to questioning the shoes I suggested for our bicycle ride to the park.  I loved every minute of being with her, up to patting her back and saying goodnight.  A nice balance to the day.  And now, a movie with my loved one.

I'll be sure to post the photos the minute I receive them.

Check out www.serrahna.com for Andrea's designs.

Touching My Clients

It's a business deal.  In exchange for money, I touch the heads, necks, and shoulders of my clients.  People surrender to me, some in a slow, steady manner, like a door inching its open.  Some jump right in, like two slaps of the hand from a Flamenco dancer.  And, finally, some clients have a unpredictable time in the chair.  However they decide to show up, whether conscious or not, it's an intimate dance in the mirror. There we are, sometimes strangers, looking for ways in which we can connect, searching for the similarities.  I comb, shampoo, run my fingers through their hair.  I tug, pull, stretch, this way and that.  I imagine who they might have been as a kid, I wonder at their particular wiring.  How did they get to where they are?  All the while, learning a great deal about myself, and them.  My caresses continue to relax or repel them.  The expectation is high for that hour.

And in the end, I am paid, in more ways than are countable.  And they leave, with maybe a bit more skip in their step.

Spark a Smile

A new client came in the other day.  Another contact from Jennifer Butler.  Nancy Procurier is her name, and talk about sprite!  More like vivacious, fun, good hearted, attractive, a great smile and laugh.  Spending time with Nancy was like dancing the cha cha cha, we laughed, we shared business ideas, stories from our past, back and forth, step, step, step. She came in with long, heavy mid blonde hair, with highlights, pinned up.  She wore high heels and shorts, and large sunglasses.  Hip, with a desire for change, for more femininity.  This woman is busting out of her comfort zone, and what better set up could a hairdresser ask for.  She was respectful of my ideas, and we were able to build rapport with a snap of a finger.  I suggested she bring up the length to at least mid back, shape it around the front, and release the crown.  I wanted to see more movement to match her energy, and size of her facial features.

As we layered, and lengths flew to the floor, we went for getting in as much as we could.  Her business is brilliant!  It's based on fostering contact between aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc, and the kids in their life.  She sends them mail for you.  That's right a bright envelope, with big letters!  The envelope contains different fun things based on themes she creates through the year.  I love it! Not only is her service fostering contact and connection with those little loved ones, who may live miles away, but it's fostering letter writing, a lost art.

Check it out!  www.sparksprite.com

It takes a lot of courage and inner strength to make change.  Beautiful job Nancy.  Thank you.  Stayed tune for make up and hair photo.

Sunset Hues in Her Hair

Cordelia was in today. Her hair was faded, but the black and the lightener pieces held up. I used 4.3 1/4 tube, and 6.46 on the base because I am was out of 5.46. I touched up the ends with special effects blood red, with hot lava, hi octane orange with a bit of yellow, and yellow by itself.  Cordelia is on her way to Greece for three weeks with her mother.  They are going on a sail boat for a contra dancing cruise.  She wanted to sport great hair, and so I went to work.  As, I swathed the sunny colors on her hair, we talked about our work, good food, and art.  We both had returned from women’s weekends, both wanting girl, art and nature, and good food connection. I came back with the deeper knowing that writing is what feeds my soul. Even so, sitting down and working on my book is the last thing I will sit and do. I’m afraid. What it requires for me to slow down enough to go deep inside feels like stepping into quicksand.

Back to Cordelia.  She continues to inspire me, to hold a torch for art and it’s importance to humanity. To end an insane day, with having time with Cordelia, was a dream.  There was lots of sparkle in the finished do.  I can picture her on that sailboat now, Hi Octane Orange colored hair blowing in the soft, warm wind.  People oohing and ahhing, “Look at that gorgeous woman, she must be an artist.”  Sunset hair!

Thank you Cordelia.

The Cellist and Fire Spinner

Laura is a unique being, and a client.  I usually see her not long after the sun comes up on Saturday mornings, every ten weeks or so.  When we see each other we either chat it up, or drift into a silence, both of us okay with what is so. 

Her piercing, but loving blue eyes contrast her level 5, red mahogany hair color.  Her hair is straight, and we are growing it out to one length, it seems to take forever.  The seasons pass, and we wait patiently, only trimming her fringe.  We are getting there.

Last time she was in, we captured her thoughts on creativity.  Check it out. 

She's not only interested in fire spinning, but she is a cellist, playing in an all girl jazz band.  www.girltalkband.com.  Laura comes from a family of musicians, all playing together at get togethers.  I love the picture it conjures up for me.

One thing you don't know about Laura is that she is committed teacher in the Alameda School District.  Teaching now, in California specifically has much to be desired, she has similar issues as when she taught in Oakland.  Apparently, our state doesn't value education.   How painful is that?

Back to Laura.  When she is not teaching, she explores her creative side; salsa dancing, music, and fire arts.  She is a delight to be with, and always willing to laugh.  Thank you Laura.  Being with you makes my job most interesting.

Ouch! That Brush Hurts

That was Dee's response was to my favorite round brush.  I never used to use them, in fact, when I trained with Rusk for a period of time, we had to do all our drying with a Denman or a vent brush.  The curvature was created by the haircut, but since working with them, I have slowly gone back to round brushing.  Those around me have brushes the circumference of a foam roller stuck in the hair of their clients, to form big 70's kind of hair.  I don't quite understand, but I don't get a lot of what the beauty industry supports. Back to Dee, ever since, it's been a running joke about this brush.  I've already written about her idea to photograph this brush in different environments.

We've struck up a friendship/professional relationship outside the salon.  She has a light hearted spirit, great sense of humor, and she is a fabulous photgrapher.  Wedding portrait images fill her portfolio. But check her out yourself.  Let me know what you think.  I think she has an incredible eye for design, lighting, etc.  www.deeconway.com.  Here are a couple for now.   We are talking about a shoot together soon.  Keep your eyes peeled.

That was Dee's response was to my favorite round brush.  And, I ddin't use to use them... When I trained with Rusk for a period of time, we had to do all our drying with a denman or a vent brush.  The curvature was created by the haircut, but since working with them, I have slowly gone back to round brushing.  Those around me have brushes the circumvernce of a foam roller stuck in the hair, to form big 70's kind of hair.  I don't quite understand, but I don't get alot of what the beauty industry supports.  But anyway, back to Dee, ever since. it's been a running joke about this brush.

We've even struck up a friendship/professional relationship outside the salon.  She's got a light hearted spirit, great sense of humor, and she is a fabulous photgrapher.  She exudes self-confidence-minus the ego.  Wedding portrait images fill her portfolio.  But check these images out yourself.  Let me know what you think.  I think she has an incredible eye for design, lighting, and a relationship to humans that is unique.  www.deeconway.com.  Here are a couple of photos for now. 

Thank you Dee!  I look forward to our shoot.

Romance Helper

Sierra Faith is a new acquaintance.  We met at Jennifer Butler's follow up event.  She came to me with long, lackluster hair, all one length.  She said she was ready to shed some of it.  I suggested bringing up the length, and layering.  At the last minute, I asked if she would mind if we cut and styled her hair, then applied makeup, and then took a before and after picture.  She said please do.  See what you think.

As we started talking during this, what I think she would call a transformative afternoon, she revealed that she was an online dating coach, hence her url of www.onlinedatingcoach.com.  She loves this work she is doing with men and women, about dealing with what is in the way of them not only meeting people, but walking the dating course with them.  They look at, and talk about what worked and what didn't.  She said, "Women don't know how to recieve from men."  I've been pondering that statement ever since.  This woman knows what she is talking about.

As I put the finishing touches to her hair, I could see tears trickling down her cheeks.   "This is who I knew myself to be."  This kind of transformation takes being ready inside. to let go of who we thought oiurselves to be.

Thank you Sierra.

Generosity Abounds

Beth has been a client since 1986.  Her loyalty to me as a person, a friend, a hairstylist, is unbelievable.  Twenty two years of unwavering support in all that I do.  Her heart is generous, always thinking about what I would like, not to mention she allows me to play with her hair.  I saw her the other day, and we discussed everything, while we applied a level 4, Majorel, on a zigzag section, from below temple, all the way around her head.  Then with many slices we alternated 6.01 20 volume, with the level 4, all on a level 5, with 90% grey.

Beth is a wonderful jewelry designer, artist, and has an interest in the world around her.  Listen to her talk about her ideas on creativity. 

Here is her bio:  Through my 30+ years working in the fields of Adoption, and other areas of Child Welfare including Foster Care with Refugee Youth,  I have found continual inspiration in the incredible struggles of people with broken connections and the magic of their healing.

Bellemirth Creations grew out of my interest in the mysteries of the creative forces within.  It has become my source of healing and revitalization of spirit and soul.

She uses Precious Metal Clay, which is a product comprised of silver particles mixed with an organic binder that is in a clay form. It is fired in a kiln, resulting in a piece that is actually .999% pure fine silver.  At high temperatures, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse to form solid silver that can be sanded, soldered, and polished.

Thank you, Beth.  It is my pleasure to know you, and an honor to be with you, always.

The Tree of Life

Anne use to live in a live-work unit in the same building I did years ago.  I moved out, she moved out, and we hadn't seen each other until she popped intot he salon seven, or so, years later in a stylist's chair.  That stylist went out on maternity leave, and so Anne ended in up in my chair.  Then three years later, same thing.  Another pregnancy leave, and Anne was back in my chair. We had a great time.  Anne is smart, talented, and computer savvy, which I am not.  I shared my interest in interviewing clients, and she agreed in it's appeal.   I didn't know the extent of her creative genius, until we interviewed her, while she sat with color in foils all over her head. 

Beautiful Anne, I've got to get sound up and running so that we can hear you talking about this Tree of Life project.  Thanks for sharing with me.

Shoreline Park

Here are our images from the shoot.  We both learned some valuable lessons.  I can see my translation needs work, and the fact that the wind kicked up, really cut a lot of juice from the act.  Next time we both agreed that we need to work with less models, and really get the shot.

The Latest Version of Frankie

She's the new assistant at Keter.  We love her, and the girl's got talent.   She just graduated from the Paul Mitchell school in the San Francisco.  And now she wants to apprentice.  I think she has the combination of people skills, the eye-she can see hair, and she is an astute listener.  Now, she must make it through the program, however long it takes her.  I predict she will have no problem moving through it quicker than any assistant so far.  Talent, beauty, smarts, and funny as all get out, all she needs is to believe in herself.

She has endeared herself to me, and now is my muse.  We are trying to grow some hair out in front, if she can dodge my scissors, and her need for change.  Meanwhile, on our off hours, this is our latest color fest.

Good luck Frankie.

Juggling

Today I have a shoot in Marin County.  It's for a permanent makeup artist.  There will be five models, I will step in with the hair. I am going to meet the fashion pr woman in charge of the shoot, Annette Harding.  I responded to an ad looking for fashion interns to help out with a fashion show she is planning for the end of May.  The purpose is to raise money for a non-profit organization called Stop the Spray.  "They" want to spray all of California with poison to kill of the apple moth(can't imagine what it will do for every other living being).  I let her know I'd like to come up with the concepts for the hair and makeup, so today's shoot she invited me in on so we could meet.

My mind is reeling with ideas, and creating a challenge for myself by using no artificial products.  Creating netting with hair, by crimping, teasing slightly than using egg whites to harden the hair over organic shaped forms, and then attaching them to the hair.  I'll start playing this weekend.

Meanwhile, I am sending out photos to clients who have modeled for me, printing all of them, so I can see how everything is translating to camera.  I'm waiting patiently for images from the professional photographers.  I am trading with Dee Conway to choose and print images for my portfolio.

It is crazy energy in the salon. I have moved clients to accommodate the shoot today, and the fashion show the other day.  This of course takes finesse.  I must talk to others in the industry to see how they deal with this situation.  It feels delicate.  I must scramble to find time for a client I needed to move for today.  Three out of the four days I work, she is not available, so I think I must come in on a day off.  Time with my daughter is squeezed, and I leave next week for three days to the mountains.

I have to remember in times like these that it's not quantity, but quality.