1800

Welllllll..... today i hit my 1800 hour mark in school! This is huge, it means I have met and have fulfilled my hourly requirements to practice cosmetology in the state of North Dakota! Its kind of a crazy feeling, I mean there is still so much more to do like take and pass my state boards, but I'm honestly not that worried about it. This was a huge hurtle for me and I know that now that I've accomplished this the next 300 hours are a piece of cake! ;)

thanks if your reading this and supporting me!
XOXO

Christmas Eve Ramblings.

Does life ever slow down? Or is it that as we get older there's more and more to be in control of, more variables to hold down.  Well, today I helped Austin start moving into our new house, I'm so excited for this new chapter; but with all of this change I feel there's even more yet to come to a head. Of course school is still taking its toll on me, but  in a few short weeks that will all be done as well. Beyond all of that there's a guy, yes of course, i know your not suprised.

Charlie, or Charles, well he is one of the most interesting people I've met in Bismarck for a very long time. He's strong, interesting, mysterious, and fun. Did I mention how good looking he is? Or the fact that he has a job, car, is over 21 and not married? I'm going to be careful and not put all of my eggs in one basket so to speak but I'm not seeing anyone else either. I just want to take my time and go slow with this. Worse case scenario I want us to be friends. Best case scenario... white picket fence?

Austins is heading up to Garrison with his girlfriend Brooke, and my brother Nick is going to his girlfriends friend Amber's house tonight. Which leaves me taking grandma up to my aunt's for Christmas eve. It's honestly so overwhelming sometimes.... the traditions you grow up with, like your family being together for the holidays, well, they change as you get older. Its almost like a little piece of my heart is broken which sounds lame but this is going to be my first Christmas eve spent without a member of my immediate family. I'm 22 and I'm sure there are clearly worse ways to spend tonight, but this is also my family's first Christmas without my grandfather as well, which I'm sure explains why my grandmother is not in the highest of spirits.

Okay, time to pick myself up out of the gutter.

(Deep Breath)

So, the original thought behind this post was, of course relationship related. I was toying with idea of why we play games with the people were romantically interested with. Is it normal or rational to feel afraid to be the first person to send a text or call? Well I'm sure its normal but its definitely not rational. Maybe that's why dating is so frustrating and confusing, its been warped out of something beautiful like courtship into a irrational mind game.  Here this thing though, all games have rules, but not all rules apply to every situation. ---- moment of realization


I refuse to think of romance as a game. If I'm with someone who finds me genuine and interesting I'm not putting rules on it that aren't even there in reality. However I still will more than likely not have sex on the first date, but I wont be afraid to call or text them after having an amazing night together.

Why is it so much easier to think when your writing? I get caught up on these ideas in my head but the moment I put fingers to keyboard, I may as well eliminate half the garbled mess in my head.


Well if your reading this today, Merry Christmas, safe travels, and I hope you find your evening filled with love.

XOXO

Mike Helm - Ready or Not

"You be my William, I'll be your Kate"

So much has been going on, this seems to be a recurring theme in my life for some reason. But all joking aside, Its been insane for me, hair is like a fire burning inside me; sounds like an exaggeration but no. Its what I'm passionate about, everything about it. Its bad when your laying awake in you bed at night thinking about the fun new hair cuts/colors/styles you're infatuated with at the moment. I think its fair to say I Eat, Breath, and Sleep this industry.

Also i got to meet Mike Helm the other day, and he saw me doing hair.... If you know who he is, you would understand why this is a big deal to someone attending a PM School. If not maybe you should do some homework ;)

Mike was a great guest artist because he brought humanity into our school even if it was just a few hours of it, I can guarantee you it made an impression on all of us in the room.  He spoke to us about his dear friend Andrew Gomez and how he touched so many peoples life's while struggling in his own with bipolar disorder. Andrew Gomez took his own life on February 7th and honestly I believe our industry lost a great man that day. I want to be a day maker and Mentor like he was for so many. If I can help one person then I know I'm successful. Andrew was Mike's best friend, Now in his honor PM has the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation. Mike is the CEO of this charity. Mike shared a touching poem with all of us and he struggled through reading it, we struggles through listening to it, there honestly wasnt a dry eye in the room. this is the poem:

The Race

by: D.H. Groberg 

"Quit, give up, you're beaten"
They shout at you and plead
"There's just too much against you
This time you can't succeed".

And as I start to hang my head
In front of failures face
My downward fall is broken by
The memory of a race

And hope refills my weakened will
As I recall that scene
Or just the thought of that short race
Rejuvenates my being

Childrens race, young boys
Young men, how I remember well
Excitement sure, but also fear
It wasn't hard to tell

They all lined up so full of hope
Each thought to win that race
Or tie for first, or if not that
At least take second place

The fathers watched from off the side
Each cheering for his son
And each boy hoped to show his dad
That he could be the one

The whistle blew and off they went
Young hearts and hopes afire
To win and be the hero there
Was each young boys desire

And one boy in particular
Whose dad was in the crowd
Was running near the lead and thought
"My dad will be so proud"

But as they speeded down the field
Across a shallow dip
The little boy who thought to win
Lost his step and slipped

Trying hard to catch himself
With hands flew out to brace
And amid the laughter of the crowd
He fell flat on his face

But as he fell his dad stood up
And showed his anxious face
Which to the boy so clearly said
"Get up and win the race"

He quickly rose, no damage done
Behind a bit that's all
And ran with all his night and mind
To make up for the fall

So anxious to restore himself
To catch up and to win
His mind went faster than his legs
He slipped and fell again

He wised then that he had quit before
With only one disgrace
"I'm hopeless as a runner now
I shouldn't try to race"

But in the laughing crowd he searched
And found his fathers face
That steady look which said again
"Get up and win the race"

So up he jumped to try again
Ten yards behind the last
If I'm going to gain those yards he though
I've got to move real fast

Exerting everything he had
He regained eight or ten
But trying hard to catch the lead
He slipped and fell again

Defeat, he lay there silently
A tear dropped from his eye
There's no sense running anymore
Three strikes, I'm out, why try?

The will to rise had disappeared
All hope had fled away
So far behind so error prone
A loser all the way

"I've lost, so what", he thought
I'll live with my disgrace
But then he thought about his dad
Whom soon he'd have to face

"Get up" the echo sounded low
"Get up" and take your place
You were not meant for failure here
"Get up", and win the race

With borrowed will "Get up" it said
"You haven't lost at all"
For winning is no more than this
To rise each time you fall

So up he rose to run once more
And with a new commit
He resolved, that win or lose
At least he shouldn't quit

So far behind the others now
The most he'd ever been
Still he'd give it all he had
And run as though to win

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling
Three times he'd rose again
Too far behind to hope to win
He still ran to the end

They cheered the winning runner
As he crossed the line first place
Head high and proud and happy
No falling, no disgrace

But when the fallen youngster
Crossed the line, last place
The crowd gave him the greater cheer
For finishing the race

And even though he came in last
With head bent low, unproud
You would have thought he'd won the race
To listen to the crowd

And to his dad he sadly said
"I didn't do too well"
"To me you won", his father said
"You rose each time you fell"

it was an extremely touching poem delivered in a very heartfelt manner.


On to a more happy subject, I found where I will be living after school I'm getting a house perhaps with some friends! The last two nights we've been hanging out there and of course casually drinking and playing hide and seek in the empty house... which is shockingly more fun than I would have ever guessed. If you ever have the chance I suggest giving it a try! I feel like im starting  a new chapter in my life and I am honestly more than excited maybe there will be some more romance in my future as well ;)

sorry there wasn't much about new hair trends just living my life in this industry, but if you haven't yet check out hairdesignertv.com !

XOXO

a grain of sand, a minute of sanity

Well, a lot has been going on as of late, 2100 is going amazing I feel like its completely changed the way I work with hair. I'm learning so much in the classes and being able to utilize it on the clinic floor. I honestly feel like I'm a very strong hair stylist now, I've learned a few new ways to "bring it",

SO much has gone on though, I got to meet Vivien Mackinder, She is a true legend. Right now she's based out of NYC but before that she worked in the UK and was the creative director for Vidal Sassoon at the age of 23. Her portfolio and range of work was so comprehensive I was honestly left speechless. (Which I'm guessing if you read my blog, you know that doesn't happen to me very often)

- One quote that sticks out to me from everything she said, and she said a lot. It was an full 8 hour day of training with her. is this "You can choose to be in the removal business, or the design business."  When I look at hair now I feel like its so much more than what I thought before, with Paul Mitchell Systems, you in the beginning learn cutting in a very precise geometric fashion, sometimes great fashion stems from art, art happens to live in design and we cant have one without the other. Hair isn't something where I can tell you that if you always do it one way you will always achieve the same result. Just like every person who sits in our chair is different and an individual so is their hair. They all want something different and unique, we want our external to match our internal, and theres nothing wrong with that. That's why as hair dressers we have two choices with our work, we can be in the business of removing it without a care in the world, not questioning if we are doing our clients a disservice, or we can be in the business of designing for them a custom piece of art, that is perhaps even more important than any painting or sculpture they will every hang or show. Their hair is a piece of art that they will wear everyday of their life. Its every woman and mans first accessory whether they choose to recognize it or not. 

Now as for a little bit of my personal life, does anyone know how to get balance? Like for real, this whole thing everything has been so overwhelming lately, school, friends, family, work, and not to mention love. In all honesty if their were a award ceremony for dating like there are for movies, I would most definitely be nominated in multiple categories.  The lions den seems to be going okay, all things considered, its funny how when you start seeing things for what they really are, sometimes you realize you were worried about something that shouldnt have even been on your radar.


here's a fun video hopefully i get a chance to do this cut sometime this week!

The lions den...

Or so it would seem.

(let me just preface this with the fact that I am aware that I make typos in my blog, and frankly I dont care. - thanks! no ones said anything about them, just letting you all know)

Well tomorrow I start my 2100 hour classes Kind of a mixed bag of emotions right now. Turns out Dan wasn't the only guy I'm seeing that currently has a wife; Mr. Realestate is equally as guilty if not more, his wife just pends most of her time in Minot. Which also explains how he has so much time for me. Well he certainly wont be receiving the same quality scalp massage in the wash house anymore. (again another failed attempt at a joke) maybe my humor is only good in real life.)

Kind of stressed about my 2100 hour situation, I'm excited for starting new classes and continuing my education, but honestly I'm kind of worried I will be walking in there with a target on my back. kind of not excited for that aspect. I guess someone was complaining out loud to one of our learning leaders about how I shouldn't be in there, which is ironic since my tuition is being payed just like theirs is.  But, I guess with someone people it just doesn't really matter.

Today in school I got to help a few other future professionals - in Paul Mitchell language that means students. Its kind of cool showing them things I've already learned and giving them tips and tricks like how to create custom colors by enhancing and neutralizing unwanted pigment. If there's one thing I'm glad for its how much experience I've had with color during my time at JZ Trend.

You know that feeling when you feel like you need to listen to your instincts, well I've been having that a lot lately and honestly I'm not 100% on whether I should listen or not.. It seems like my logic side of my brain is stronger than my intuitive side, however i know that doesn't mean logic automatically wins out every time.

I'm just confused, not sure whether I'm coming or going... but maybe that's the path I'm on right now. Maybe the beauty of the situation is that I'm the one in charge whether I listen to my logic or intuition every decision from here on out is what i want.

So whether is my love life or school that's the lion den, I guess  only have one choice, I'm going in and hopefully I will make it out the other side.

Wish me luck,
xxoo

 Matt

yes its 2 am

and I cant sleep. smh.

Today was an interesting day to say the least, I spent two and half hours outside moving and setting up a hot tub. And while I can say I can check another accomplishment off my list of things didn't know I wanted to do, it was truly an experience I'm glad i had.

With my world existing so much in design and what look is currently trending it was nice to just get my hands dirty and do some manual labor. I'm not saying I particularly enjoy lifting insanely heavy objects but lets face it its nice to show a side of ourselves that we don't normally get to. It's also nice knowing we can put ourselves outside of our comfort zone and finish a project others wouldn't be able to.

 (if this starts making less sense I just drugged myself with allergy medicine my sinuses have seen better days. - note: I unknowingly chose to wear flip flops and a hoody as my outside gear for today it was 19 degrees and colder if you count windchill. So I'm positive I shall befall some sort of viral plague as a result.)

I've been thinking a lot about some of my past relationships and I'm sure this is a bad thing. I've been second guessing some of my relationships in the past. There are obvious reasons why I've ended them or why they fell apart; but all the same, seeing exes, its always like being stabbed in the stomach. - and sometimes like they're twisting the blade.

  - Why is this relevant?

well, its got me thinking about my current almost relationships. I know, plural, it sounds bad. But I'm working on narrowing it down substantially.  I'm just so confused. I've been told by some one the men in my past that I require a certain type of attention. Is that bad?  I don't feel like I'm reaching for the stars its just that for some reason i require a lot of attention. But the attention has to be on my terms. I don't want you being clingy to me, but if i expect you to drop everything and come over, well, if you want to stay in my world you only have one option.  - not to imply I'm some sort of dictator, I fully understand people have other things going on but if your sitting at home or having a beer with your friends you see every other day, please respect the fact that I am a priority. Or that if i text you, i expect more than a one word response.

So this brings me to my current dilemma, I spent some amazing time with Dan the other night, he was thoughtful and we had amazing conversation, and then well we had some equally great physical chemistry if you know what I mean. Here's where it gets tricky, Dan is currently in the process of getting a divorce, ha typical right? The divorce isn't what I'm concerned about at all actually. I'm not sure if he knows the whole back story for this crazy train he's about to get himself on. i.e. me.

And on top of all that there are a few other men competing for my attention. I honestly don't find any of them as interesting at the moment as Dan but I guess we are just going to have to see about that. Especially since Amanda's having a party this weekend and she wants me to bring someone with. - maybe i should be more cautious about who I'm putting all of this out there to but honestly I'm just going to hope for the best. Writing seems to be my best way to figure out my life lately.

I guess I'm just confused, I don't feel like the attention I require could be more specific or that I require more than would be normal in any other relationship. But, at the same time i guess crazy people don't know they're crazy. (me attempting to make a joke)

Moving on! In any case my hair doesn't require and special attention anymore, I'm healthy. At least one part of my life is uncomplicated.

Now if only it were this easy to fix and take care of everything else.

If you, like me are looking for a break, try this! A dab on the wrist or behind your ears, maybe even adding it to a bath if you have the time for a relaxing soak.

Lavender Mint Essential Oil

Pure Essential Oil

Basics:

This versatile oil inspires harmony and restores balance.

Benefits:

Helps ease everyday tensions.

Bonus:

Provides a soothing aromatherapy session.

Details:

• Pure lavender oil helps ease fatigue, headaches and anxiety.
• Natural mint oils help bring clarity.
• Tingly tea tree is a natural antiseptic known for its healing properties.

Anyway, I am off to bed where hopefully I can get some rest. Take care xoxo

The Search of...

 - quick scroll to the bottom and play the song before going on and reading this blog.



Something better. That's my generation it seems. We're re all looking even if we have exactly what it is we need and want. There's some belief deeply rooted in our minds. Its that deep want and belief that maybe were missing out on something even better than what we already have. I for one am terrible with this, i want so desperately to have the best of everything, from hair, to clothing, to love. Love, that's the tricky one. Do we ever stop looking for our one great love? What if we already have our great love? Is it that we only get one great love? Can we get multiple options for our happily ever after?

I personally want so desperately to feel loved unconditionally; find my other half, the person who will face forever with me. But, alas I am a hopeless romantic and idealist. I don't know if you've had the opportunity to learn that about me yet or not.

I'm sure by now you wondering what this has to do with hair right? well here's the loop. Stop looking for something better, feel free to change, but not scared to trust. Try keeping the same stylist, They know you, they know your style, how your hair lives, how you live. They've been cutting your layers and and know how to maintain what you love. The same is true with relationships, if we keep sampling other lovers, well, we pick up little pieces of them and leave pieces of ourselves with them. The next thing you know your walking around the product of diluted misguided actions. Your hairs uneven and your personal life's one round brush short of a great blow out.

Now, let me challenge you if you like me are date hopping, stop, give them a real chance. Give your hair stylist the opportunity to be everything you want. And don't be afraid to trust and take in what they have to offer you.  This could be a truly pivotal point for me, and you. Lets make a change.

So much...

has been happening this week! ahhhhh!

 - So I taught a PK (product knowledge) class on the Curls line!
 - I got to meet Alee Kao (he's kind of a big deal) the PM artistic direction for 14 Eurasian countries
 - Received the amazing honor of being Future Professional of the Month - November
 - Recieved a F.A.C.E. award for my return clientel
 - Survived my graduation ceremony
 - And got the flu, all in one week.
 - Oh, and one of the most prestigious salons in town has been expressing interest in me after school.

So where do you go when all of your hair school dreams come true?

Well I havent had time to figure that out yet. But I'm hoping its somewhere warm. - or I could just wait for the room to stop spinning before I make any new plans.

And Speaking of warm, if you havent tried this product it should be on your shopping list the next time you go see your hair dresser!

Hot Off The Press®

Thermal Protection Spray

Basics:

Protects fragile strands from damage caused by heat styling.

Benefits:

Boosts hair’s strength, fights frizz and provides flexible hold.

Bonus:

Adds great memory for effortless curls or smoothing with a hot iron.

Details:

• Rice hull extract builds a weightless barrier between hair and heat styling tools.
• Wheat proteins deliver an extra dose of strength.

Sizes (oz): 1.5 6

 

labels.

Label: Noun. A small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it.

What labels do we attach to ourselves?  What labels are attached to us by other people? Better yet what do labels have to do with this blog? Let me explain.

Labels don't really exist in the beauty industry, why? as soon as we label something its liable to change, short hair? - extensions. long hair? - bob. blonde? - 1N. There are many instances where this is more than true. But there are some labels we cant shed or hide from others so easily.  Those would be the labels we put on ourselves, the labels that are the most limiting and destructive. Failure. loser. alone. Not all labels carry negative connotation like mother, dad, sister, brother, friend, companion. But when we get so used to seeing ourselves in one light; the struggle becomes recognizing other aspects of ourselves. For instance I'm a homosexual hairstylist. Two labels that do define me one for my personal life, and one for my work life. both are things that I can love, accept, and appreciate about myself, but they're also limiting, I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or breeder. But a label can mean one thing to the person wearing it and at the same time mean something completely different to those reading it from the outside. For example to some I'm a walking stereotype. and lets be honest there's nothing that's a bigger mess than a walking cliche. But like any quality garment, I come with care instructions. I don't have to be washed in cold with like colors. I'm multifaceted, one label or a hundred cant define a person. Were ever changing and while somethings are a constant, others aren't. Everyday we have the ability to wake up and put on a new outfit - or daily perspective. WE have the ability to show the world how were going to be defined, I will never be defined as a victim or outcast. I will never be labeled as unloved, or broken. In all honesty I'm a little like my hair, a little ruffed up and occasionally frazzled at the ends. But that will never be how I chose to have people see me.

the truth is we live in a world that uses labels, we cant just sit on the curb and wait for the bus full of people that wont read into ours. The best thing we can do is pick ourselves up, dust of the labels others put on us, and strut it out. Besides I cant honestly think of a label that sounds better than Success or feels better than Happiness, and those are two labels I plan on wearing for a long time.

not enough time?

well, that seems to be the one constant i can count on as of late. I know I've been neglecting to write something new hear for a while and honestly its not from lack of inspiration. I think that I've just been trying to process everything going on. Want to hear some fun goings on?

-For starters i gave a 9 month old boy his first hair cut. He loved it! He got all sorts of attention from the girls on the floor and I learned some amazing new tricks to help deal with children from Melissa. She's a very talented instructor and I'm super glad we have her... I'll explain more later about why i love her. (Apparently duck bill clips work great for getting kids to look at one point - so they stop moving their head.  Just clip it on the cape.)

-Attendance haha... well mines been great haven't missed a single hour yet this month ;P and i plan on making up a total of four Saturdays this month. So my worksheets already pretty much done.

-I've also started searching for my post school era job. Which is no small feat. Its almost as overwhelming as going to school. But I've recently allied myself with Vicky and were taking it on together haha im just not sure if she knows she's as involved as I'm planning on her being.

- Acne medication vs. Wax. well in the case of today, acne medication and wax tied. I finished the service but my poor teenage guest just though it was normal for her skin to blister from being waxed. I simple dismissed her redness because she had already told me she gets very red, But when i realized it more closely resembled raw hamburger than human skin I began asking questions. It only took me two questions to get to the cause, acne medication. This is why I love Melissa, I grabbed her immediately and explained the situation. She remained calm which helped me regain some calm - clearly not all of it. But she explained the situation to my guest and let her know the redness she was experiencing wasn't normal. Then we explained to her about threading and how it would be a great option for her. Melissa even gave her a great home remedy for her sores, milk, apparently it takes heat out and will promote the skin to heal. (Acne medication cause the skins natural structure to change either by weakening it, or thinning it, which is why you should never perform a wax service on someone taking and prescription strength acne medication without permission from their dermatologist.)

-Finally i haven't made up my mind yet about confronting you know who from face your fears day. Am I being spineless? Should i just man up? I honestly think I'm waiting until i know what i actually want to have happen. Some part of me and I'm not sure why thinks that i can fix whatever the issue is. Worse  case scenario im only in school two more months.

- My final day will be in the first week of December! So excited!


Here's some product info if you like me are running short on time. :) Fast Form - love it, live it.

Fast Form

Cream Gel

Basics:

Soothes, tames and secures any texture
with long-lasting hold.

Benefits:

Reduces drying time and creates
great detail.

Bonus:

Works wonders on curls with defined,
frizz-free results.

Details:

• Shea butter, evening primrose, avocado and
  jojoba oils boost shine and manageability.
• Versatile formula can be applied to wet or dry hair.

So, thanks if you've made it this far once again haha I'm sure I'm not the greatest blogger out there, but i did just realize tonight that there's a typo in my blog title! fixing that asap.

I'll be the mean girl

Theres been a lot of cattiness and just general gossip flying around lately. Why is it that such an amazing field of work is tarnished by its reputation of gossip?  This is something i dont really understand... In paul mitchelle culture we have a bitch buddy sytem - to in part reduce this. but, what happens when your bitch buddy has loose lips? Or something things that by choosing one but bitch buddy their entitled to choose the whole class, or school.


I know in the end that the kind of people who are negative and love to have that kind of attention surround them are only limiting themselves and their careers. But what about everyone else in the meantime? Are  we supposed to just let them say and do whatever they want? to put it short honestly im tired of being defamed on a daily basis. Am i supposed to draw more attention to the already wild and extreme comments being made about me. I may not be the perfect person, but i can genuinely say i try to be a good person.


the craziest part of all of this now is that the person spreading these false accusations about me is not attempting to take out their feelings towards me on my friend.

Yesterday i resolved that i will be the mean girl. So, just like when a snake bites you, and you have to suck out all the venom; that's what i have to do. Gossip and lies are like  venom. I'm going to suck out all the venom from my life.  I'm going to resolve this if it kills me today haha. Dont worry i'm sure there will be a follow up post tot this.

- on a side not have you read the "be nice or else book"? its honestly very inspirational and it has some great advice. Today i will be facing someone and clearing with them. One way or another. I am resolved.

secrets, thats why her hairs so big.

There's a simple beauty in just getting your hair done, I mean it’s not just the act of cutting it strand by strand or coloring it section by section. There's a strong connection formed between client and hairdresser.

A truly great makeup artist once told me that we have two ears and one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we speak.  So how do you keep balance and make sure the conversation keeps its momentum? haha I just ask simple questions of course they have to be open ended, but beyond that sometimes it’s possible to even steer the conversation in a direction you want it to go; even more than all of that its important to listen. It’s extremely easy to pick up when someone’s tuned you out and given up on what you’re saying. - which is probably the easiest way to devalue your client and lose them.

Personally I try to not draw to many parallels between what they're saying and what’s happened in my life. I want the attention to be on them and not me; they're paying to have the focus be them.  Let’s face it I know a lot of people could enjoy a hour long journey into my life but let’s be real haha that's not why they're in my chair.

When your client opens up to you it’s not for you to share with every other appointment you have that day/week. It’s just to share with you. You don't need to take it to heart and mull it over throughout your appointment just hear it and let it go, chances are it doesn't pertain to anything you will ever need to know. If it’s something that affects you, use those amazing conversational skills and steer the conversation somewhere else. BE POSITIVE. Negativity hates POSITIVITY and will remove itself from your presence.

---- Thoughts on hair school this week.

Not everyone is going to like me, haha well I’ve known that for a while actually. They don’t even have to have a reason; sometimes people just don’t like you. Simple as that. But what’s new is this- I can turn out some amazing hair. What does that mean? I don’t need them to give me my value. My clients already do that for me. Every time they leave happy with a smile on their face for whatever reason, and I’m sure most of it comes from my personality and not their hair, I know I’ve made a difference in their life. even if it only last fifteen minutes after they leave, for one moment they knew they were beautiful and worth feeling that way.

Take whats told to you and stick it where it belongs, in your backcombing. I'm sure you can think of a thing or two to add some lift to your hair.

 

Caper - "my dreams, my future"

What is Caper you may ask? - Well let me give you the run down. It’s an intense three months of selling "bags" of product to win a once  in a life time trip to Las Vegas. (Where you will be educated by some of the biggest names in the hair industry.) Sounds exciting right? Well of course it is, or did you miss the Las Vegas part?!

But as with all great things, there's a catch. Students must sell 80 of the bags at my school to secure their ticket, and of course there are only 10 tickets. So this creates quite the predicament.... how does one go about selling so many bags when they're in such steep competition. I'm currently on the phone with my mom and we’re strategizing haha.  

This is what I’ve broken it down into. Three amazing and undeniable reasons to support a future professional and buy a bag!

1.      We aren’t always going to be future professionals, eventually were going to be out in the real world. And let’s face it even though it’s in Vegas were there to learn. By investing in our advanced education you’re investing in your own head of hairs future.

2.      It’s not just helping us, it’s also helping yourself you’re getting a great price point on professional PM product! – Which of course we both know you’re in need of…. Tresemme isn’t cutting it anymore. If your living in an adult world let’s try some adult products.  

3.      It’ll feel good. Even if you weren’t getting product out of the deal would it just make you feel good to help someone reach and achieve such an amazing goal, to help them experience a truly motivating and life altering experience?! 

Let’s be excited about this! I know I am. Opportunities like this don’t come every day for students living in the Midwest. We have a very wide range of opportunities but none of which include the possibility of meeting the people, who are the driving force behind one of the most successful and inspiration companies to work for - Paul Mitchell -  its far more than a range of products, its schools, and other material things. It’s a lifestyle, culture, and most importantly a family. By supporting your helping us to reach – our dreams, our future.

Did I mention its held at Caesars Palace???

;)

"Straightening" things out -

Well today I had a new client, this infinitely interesting 16 year old girl. It’s amazing how someone that on first glance you think you already know can somehow abruptly and unintentionally change you whole day. Let’s just say for times’ sake that today, well today was not one of my fondest days spent in hair school, frustrating would be an understatement. But this girl, she was my first chemical relaxer, now to someone outside the industry that may not seem like a big deal, but let me just tell you that the area I live in, well it’s not exactly diverse in culture. - German - Norwegian - and of course any other non-exotic nationality that springs to mind.

So, in my chair I found her, shoulder length hair. (natural blonde level 8) - with extremely curly hair. Not just your run of the mill curl, I'm talking that tight natural spiral, that when tamed can melt hearts. It almost broke my heart to turn it straight. What product did I use to relax her? Well of course it was Paul Mitchell (Paul Mitchell relaxers are sodium hydroxide, not to be used over thio relaxer) are you seeing the trend here? I used the regular strength relaxer mixed half and half with the super strength relaxer, processing time was around 20 minutes and my guest only barely complained of discomfort.

The final affect was amazing; the relaxer both conditioned and smoothed the hair. For post treatment, I started with shampoo two (my personal favorite pm shampoo, then moved to Tea Tree lavender mint shampoo and conditioner, and finished with the detangler. After drying her, well, her hair was straight and lustrous. I was needless to say excited, I did go through her hair section by section and straiten her hair to remove bulk, and polish strands.

However, the biggest transformation was in my guest. She had been waiting a very long time for this service. She couldn't wait to show her friends, she actually had them come and meet her at the school. The reason I think this is important is that I feel like sometimes we get caught up in the routine of what we’re doing, we don't look beyond it to see the emotional tie that's buried deep within our guest. This was a turning point, not just for her but for me. I can continue having not so great days or I can choose to see the magic that lives in what do we and create for people on a daily basis. We help people fix themselves. We make people see beauty where they’ve been taking it for granted for years. We help; shy, courageous, 16 year old girls find confidence in their own reflection. That’s how I know I’m in the right industry.

Here are my babies. If you’re curious about what the backbone of my style and finishes look like take a peek.