Men's Grooming

Gentleman, in this time of economic downturn it is of the utmost importance that we continue to be well groomed.  Through the years of economic slumps and subsequent upsurges, men have maintained their clean, masculine hairstyles.  These short hairstyles suited men in a variety of ways.  We were able to maintain a well groomed look with a minimum of effort.  We could change our looks slightly, while keeping the same clean-cut appearance.  Short haircuts mean that we can generally get in and out of the barber shop in a minimum of time.  We don't have to spend our precious time occupying a styling chair.

There are a variety of short hairstyles for men.  There are the quintessential business men's hairstyles. Those styles are clippered close on the sides, just above the ears, and around the nape.  Then tapered gradually into a longer top length, generally 3-4" in length.  These styles permeate the private sector with their ease of style and variety of styling options. Styles that when the high profile individual isn't on-the-job, the style could be flexible enough to allow a variety of casual looks.  However, many men leaned toward a more extreme short cut.

High and Tight

These extremely short cuts gave the wearer ease of care.  No fuss, no muss, no bother.  Easy shampoo and go hairstyles that required little to no styling effort.  The most popular was the hight and tight.  A militaryish haircut that is extremely close on the sides, closely faded into varying short lengths on top. This cut requires a regularly scheduled visit to your barber for its best presentation.

Buzz Cuts

Then came the haircut that you saw all the boys sporting, the buzz cut.  It's exactly as you think.  The buzz cut is characterized by its one length appearance.  There is no fading.  Only one clipper guard all over the head, then the edges cleaned up.  Very low maintenance, as far as styling.  To maintain this cut requires regular visits with a barber.  Then there is the ubiquitous flat-top.

Flat Tops

Flat-top haircuts are stylish and make a statement.  Men like this cut because it lends them a kind of tuff-guy seriousness to their image.  Drill seargeants, policemen, soldiers, and marines come to mind when I think of a flat-top.  Though this haircut takes regular bi-weekly visits to a barber to keep it at it's peak, I think there is nothing more striking than a perfectly presented flat top. It is representative of the man who values his style.

No matter the style you choose, regular maintenance of your style is important.  How well you groom yourself is indicative of the care you put into the world around you.  If you care for yourself it implies conscientiousness, attention to detail, and preparedness.  Good grooming is the quintessential element of "the first impression."  Good grooming speaks volumes to those around you.  Ask your barber about any of these haircuts and the necessary maintenance, and styling products each requires.

Rusty Jones

Designer/Manager

Emerson Salon

Men's Skin Care

In the winter months it is especially necessary to treat your skin with care.  Gentlemen this is the time of year when mens skin care is VERY important.  I am a firm believer in utilizing all of the weapons at our disposal to combat the visible signs of aging.  Exposure to the sun and other Environmental factors cause 90% of the signs of aging. Maintaining moisture and elasticity in the skin is important to fighting those fine lines and wrinkles.

When choosing a cleanser make sure that it is mild and contains a mild exfoliant.  Exfoliants remove dead skin cells, lending a healthy glow to the skin. They also promote healthy skin growth and reduce fine lines and wrikles.

Be sure to follow cleansing with a pH balanced toner.  Toners return the skin to it's proper ph, also promoting healthy skin growth reducing the signs of ageing and environmental exposure.

When you choose moisturizer make sure it contains a sunscreen.  You want to make sure that you purchase one with a broad spectrum of protection.  In doing that you will have protecton from both UVA and UVB rays, an easy way to remember that UV"A" causes "A"ging,  and UV"B" causes "B"urning. A broad spectum sunscreen provides protection from both of these.

I am a avid user of Arbonne products, and am a distributor for this line of products.  If you are interested in utilizing one of the best skin care products on the market.  Drop me a not and we can discuss choices for you.

Why you shouldn't color your own hair

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008

Why you shouldn't color your own hair

Have you colored your own hair in order to try to save yourself some money? Have you had your hair colored by your best friend and it didn't turn out anything like you wanted?  As a matter of fact it looked absolutely ugly?  So you took yourself to a salon and you sat down in the styling chair for a consultation with the stylist and you were instantly the victim of "sticker shock?"  

During the consultation your stylist probably let you know that in order to correct your hair catastrophe it was going to take a considerable amount of time and color expertise, not to mention money, to get your hair to a better color and condition.  Often times, depending on on how extremely damaged your hair may be, it may take more than one visit to your stylist in order to get your hair to the place you intended it to be.  

Color Corrective services can be expensive.  That self-color you tried to save some money with is now going to cost you exponentially more dough than it would have cost to have had your hair professionally colored.  Don't feel alone.  I can't tell you how many corrective colors I have done in years past.  The lure of cheap box color overwhelms many a bargain hunter.  There are so many things that the directions on those nare-do-well box colors are never quite specific about.  Nor do they tell you that most box colors are only designed to lift your hair only a little.  They also don't tell you that that ultimate platinum blonde box color won't quite lift your dark brown hair to a buxom blonde.   They also don't tell you that putting that sassy red box color on blonde hair may just turn your hair pink or another atrocious shade.  Box color companies prey on your willingness to believe that the color in the box is miraculously going to make your locks look beautiful.  When in fact you just might turn out with bright orange roots and burnt orange brown ends.

Cosmetologists are trained in the art and science of color and color correction.  Removing over-the-counter box color can be a challenging process, entailing hours of color removal, re-pigmentation and then re-coloring to your desired tint.  Many box colors use mineral dyes rather that vegetable dyes, causing each of these processes takes a considerable amount of time and expertise.  I once did a color rescue on a client who used an OTC box color that took me nearly 6 hours, and $285.00 to correct.  Trying to save money on color, cost her much more than she ever anticipated.  Generally I charge $85 per hour for color corrective services.  I will usually try to keep my clients costs down as much as possible.  As you can tell 6 x 85 does not equal 285 rather $510.  So consumer beware when you go to purchase your next over-the- counter box color, you just may be paying more than you bargained for.

For this reason alone you should be very wary when you decide to do your own color. It just may cost you much more money than you planned, or months of ugly hair while it grows out.

The product makes all the difference

For over 50 years one company remains the leader in trichologic (hair) cosmetics - Framesi. Headquartered in the Milan, Italy, Framesi framesi distributes it's products in over 70 countries and has been a recognized world class leader in the world of fashion, hair artistry and product quality. 

I have been a Framesi 2001 hair color product user for 13 years.  I have worked with other color products, 4 to be exact and have always come back to Framesi. Its ultra-high quality, and predictability have earned my trust over the years.  When used correctly the color is precise, and the integrity of the hair remains intact.

If you are looking for high quality hair care professionals, seek out those who use Framesi as their color line.

Do you want a trim?

Holy Mackerel!@#!  have you ever walked into a salon and ask for a trim? I can't tell you how many stylists, including myself who've had this question asked of them.  "How much for a trim"?  Consumers,  if you then see this perplexed look come over the face of your respective stylist, keep in mind that your idea of a trim and the stylist/salon owners definitions of "trim" may be quite different.

I can only speak generally in the specifics of other individuals definitions.  In my experience the stylists definition of a trim for a woman consists of a) shortening your bangs, 2) Re-layering your face framing, and 3) possibly, the bottom fringe (1/8th inches or less) of your haircut.  This is a trim and is generally a reduced charge because it takes considerably less time to complete the service. 

For a man a trim consists of 1) shortening the bang area, 2) and cleaning up the neck hair, 3) trimming eyebrows, ears etc.  This is a trim and is generally a reduced charge.

Clients remember:  If you request a trim, but then begin to ask for the stylist to "cut just a little off the top" or "off the sides or back" or "can you cut it shorter?" then you have just upgraded to a haircut, and could and should be charged appropriately. 

 

Steamy Style

Not all hair is the same.  Not everyone wants their hair to be supermodel sleek.  Not everyone wants to have curly sumptuous waves.  Everyone's hair is unique.  Everyone wants to have their own style.

One styling product can't be used to duplicate many different styles.  No matter what the commercials tell you.  Variety in your look requires variety in your styling aids.  The right shampoo and conditioner are always the foundation for your best look.  If your hair isn't responding the way you want it to, then chances are you need to restore the foundation of your hair.  Most of the shampoos and conditioners out there in Walmart, Bartells, QFC, Safeway etc. all have the same basic ingredients.  All of them contain cleansers who's base is as strong as tire cleaner.  Yup, you got it.  Buffers are used to tame the strong cleaning agents to "reverse" the drying effects.  Then methylparabens (waxes) are used to coat the hair to make it look shiny and healthy.  If you don't believe me have your stylist scrape your hair shaft with a sharp edge.  the white fluffy stuff that comes off is wax.  The wax builds up over time and weighs down our hair.  As a result, your hair becomes dull and lifeless.  Difficulty in styling always ensues.

In order to remove this waxy residue you should make an appointment with your stylist for a deep clarifying treatment.  If you have been using "over-the-counter" products for a long period of time, it may take several initial treatments to remove the build-up.  Once you have removed the crap from your hair you should invest in high quality salon products.

Salon quality products such as Alterna, Kevin Murphy, Sexy Hair Concepts, and Framesi products (there are many others) are all produced as organically as possible.  All are water soluble so that the styling aids will rinse off with water.  The use of parabens are minimal in most professional products.