Last Saturday began with my guest saying, "I'm sorry, I'm SO hungover right now!" She was! It was an interesting start to the day. Over the course of our few hours together, she found her balance and began to feel normal. Upon her arrival, her hair was looking "NSG" = (Not So Good), she came in feeling "NSG". I'm happy to report she left feeling and looking fabulous : ) It was great fixing an icky color and giving her a great cut.
Later that day I had a young man arrive for his hair-cut. He hadn't cut his hair in a year and a half! It was a lot of hair! He was ready to make a change and I was ready to make it for him! He brought in some photos of styles he was hoping to have. The interesting thing was the photos weren't pictures of humans, instead they were photos of cartoons-illustrations. It was an interesting take on style and fashion. A textured look inspired by a Japanese Anime illustration. Although unconventional, the illustrations gave great cues to the details of a hair-cut. I saved the print-outs he brought in. It made me smile knowing I may never have another guest bring in an illustration to show their stylist what kind of hair-cut they want. Inspiration is a funny thing, when it strikes it guides in a powerful way. He was an interesting young man in more way than one. A college graduate pursuing his dream job...which is yet to be determined. He was excited to show his girl-friend his new style. I hope she liked his cut which turned out to be a mix between Harry Potter, Justin Bieber and an Anime cartoon. He looked ready to tackle his pursuit to find a career that he can put his heart and soul into. I wish him well.
My parents both reminded me regularly that, "It takes all kinds of people to make this world go around"...these people get their hair done, and I tell their stories. : )
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
12 cuts, a comb over and a paraffin dip
Last week I had a wonderful experience. Saturday and Sunday, I was completely booked! I had a moment here and there to eat, prep, remind myself of my guests name and rock out some sweet hair! It was so FUN! On Saturday, I had ONE person on the books for a haircut. Within an hour of being open I was BOOKED! Sunday filled in much the same. I left the salon that weekend feeling so great! I had done it! I had experienced the full books of a real stylist. The only down side was I also had 12 cuts staggered throughout my middle finger, index finger and various knuckles. At times there was such a flurry of hair, comb, shears and styling that I didn't even realized I was bleeding a bit....whoopsie! That usually is the case, I think, oh, that one got a little close, or that one made contact. Then I'm so caught up in things that I forget and a few moments later I have a bloody mess. Sometimes I have to excuse myself to fetch a band-aid. Other times it is like a paper-cut and doesn't need attention. I felt like such a hair warrior that weekend. My battle-wounds were proof.
Another first for me in the last week, my first comb-over. A neat couple came in together. I had the husband and my co-worker had his wife. I am glad to say they were one of the cutest couples I have ever met. Probably in their late forties, they acted like twenty-somethings as they held hands, gazed into each others eyes and beamed with adoration for one another. Neither individual would have graced a cover of a magazine, neither would have caught your eye as they walked down the street...but together, they were a knock-out! I came to find out the two were friends in college years before. After school they went their separate ways and lost touch. Guess what brought them together....yes, you've got it, facebook : ) After reuniting- their friendship blossomed into love. After dating, she moved to be near to him. After engagement, he moved to be near to her. They finally became husband and wife. When they came to the salon it was just a few days before their belated honeymoon, to Disney World. Too cute! Love is alive. Love stories are real. Good work facebook : ) So, in lew of all the "love", I couldn't bring myself to address the comb-over. Besides, its always good to build a relationship with your guest before proposing a big change ; ) There's always next time!
Tonight I had a handful of interesting people. I was at "Salon R" for one of my last shifts there...ever! Yay. I had a nurse looking for a new "do". A mom with her three year old in tow...a bit tricky indeed! A woman getting a shampoo and style before a first date...hoping it went well (her hair looked great, she looked great, hope it went great!)! But by FAR...the most interesting was the woman who wandered in for a complimentary hand treatment (think exfoliation, hydration and paraffin dip). She had the craziest questions about our products, about home remedies and everything in between. Upon removing her paraffin (which is a treatment in which you dip the hands into a warm-wax creating layers...let it sit and remove...it hydrates and seals in moisture). Her strange request...as I was peeling off her paraffin....
She asked to take her paraffin home.
WHAT!???? So, I kindly put the blob of used waxy goo into a plastic bag and sent her on her way. A strange request I can easily say will never get again! It takes all kinds to make the world go round. Sigh. I love my job.
Another first for me in the last week, my first comb-over. A neat couple came in together. I had the husband and my co-worker had his wife. I am glad to say they were one of the cutest couples I have ever met. Probably in their late forties, they acted like twenty-somethings as they held hands, gazed into each others eyes and beamed with adoration for one another. Neither individual would have graced a cover of a magazine, neither would have caught your eye as they walked down the street...but together, they were a knock-out! I came to find out the two were friends in college years before. After school they went their separate ways and lost touch. Guess what brought them together....yes, you've got it, facebook : ) After reuniting- their friendship blossomed into love. After dating, she moved to be near to him. After engagement, he moved to be near to her. They finally became husband and wife. When they came to the salon it was just a few days before their belated honeymoon, to Disney World. Too cute! Love is alive. Love stories are real. Good work facebook : ) So, in lew of all the "love", I couldn't bring myself to address the comb-over. Besides, its always good to build a relationship with your guest before proposing a big change ; ) There's always next time!
Tonight I had a handful of interesting people. I was at "Salon R" for one of my last shifts there...ever! Yay. I had a nurse looking for a new "do". A mom with her three year old in tow...a bit tricky indeed! A woman getting a shampoo and style before a first date...hoping it went well (her hair looked great, she looked great, hope it went great!)! But by FAR...the most interesting was the woman who wandered in for a complimentary hand treatment (think exfoliation, hydration and paraffin dip). She had the craziest questions about our products, about home remedies and everything in between. Upon removing her paraffin (which is a treatment in which you dip the hands into a warm-wax creating layers...let it sit and remove...it hydrates and seals in moisture). Her strange request...as I was peeling off her paraffin....
She asked to take her paraffin home.
WHAT!???? So, I kindly put the blob of used waxy goo into a plastic bag and sent her on her way. A strange request I can easily say will never get again! It takes all kinds to make the world go round. Sigh. I love my job.
Monday, January 10, 2011
17 and focused
I met the most interesting young woman this week. I will call her "17 and focused". "Ms. 17 and focused" looks like she could be 24. Tall, gorgeous, put together, stylish, confident...but still a teen. She is a new staff member at Salon M in our guest services role...aka the front desk crew. On Saturday late afternoon I had an open time-slot and offered to do an up-do on her for fun. She agreed and we began to get to know one-another. It was a fun and interesting 45 minutes.
"17 and focused" is a senior in high-school. She works 24 hours a week at our salon, baby-sits for her neighbors, is a twin and has a slight Heather Locklear look about her. She plans to go to college in the Fall.
One of my favorite questions to ask people is, "What is your dream job"? "Ms. 17" didn't miss a beat and replied seconds after the question was proposed. She clearly and confidently stated, "a divorce negotiator".
WHAT!?? Hopefully I didn't make a weird face!!!
I immediately thought, "Why is this young woman so set on trudging through the mess of divorce for a career!??? Who would ever want that? I didn't even know this career exists!"
She went on to tell me that her parents are still married but have had many ups-and-downs along their journey. "Ms. 17" described herself as someone who helps others make decisions concerning relationships. I am always baffled by people who have such a definite career in mind in their teen-age years. I had interests but never a clear idea.
I think the whole conversation made me sad. Why is this 17 year old focused on such heavy life issues? Why is she working 24 hours weekly at the salon, baby-sitting for tax-free money (as she was sure to point out), and looking forward to her future career as a divorce negotiator. Where is her fun? Does she have the freedom to simply ENJOY? What is driving this young woman?
As I looked and imagined what was going on inside for her, I then turned the questions to myself.
Where is my fun?
Do I have the freedom to simply ENJOY?
What is driving me?
It turns out these are hard questions to answer. "Ms. 17" challenged me.
I'm happy to report her up-do turned out beautiful...picture a side swept, low-bun. It had a beautiful texture about the whole look with an old holly-wood twist. "Ms. 17" LOVED the up-do and told everyone she has "dibs" on me for prom. It felt good to make her beautiful, it felt good that she liked it, but even better - it felt good that I liked it.
Where is your fun?
Do you have the freedom to simply ENJOY?
What is driving you?
"17 and focused" is a senior in high-school. She works 24 hours a week at our salon, baby-sits for her neighbors, is a twin and has a slight Heather Locklear look about her. She plans to go to college in the Fall.
One of my favorite questions to ask people is, "What is your dream job"? "Ms. 17" didn't miss a beat and replied seconds after the question was proposed. She clearly and confidently stated, "a divorce negotiator".
WHAT!?? Hopefully I didn't make a weird face!!!
I immediately thought, "Why is this young woman so set on trudging through the mess of divorce for a career!??? Who would ever want that? I didn't even know this career exists!"
She went on to tell me that her parents are still married but have had many ups-and-downs along their journey. "Ms. 17" described herself as someone who helps others make decisions concerning relationships. I am always baffled by people who have such a definite career in mind in their teen-age years. I had interests but never a clear idea.
I think the whole conversation made me sad. Why is this 17 year old focused on such heavy life issues? Why is she working 24 hours weekly at the salon, baby-sitting for tax-free money (as she was sure to point out), and looking forward to her future career as a divorce negotiator. Where is her fun? Does she have the freedom to simply ENJOY? What is driving this young woman?
As I looked and imagined what was going on inside for her, I then turned the questions to myself.
Where is my fun?
Do I have the freedom to simply ENJOY?
What is driving me?
It turns out these are hard questions to answer. "Ms. 17" challenged me.
I'm happy to report her up-do turned out beautiful...picture a side swept, low-bun. It had a beautiful texture about the whole look with an old holly-wood twist. "Ms. 17" LOVED the up-do and told everyone she has "dibs" on me for prom. It felt good to make her beautiful, it felt good that she liked it, but even better - it felt good that I liked it.
Where is your fun?
Do you have the freedom to simply ENJOY?
What is driving you?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Home
In the last two months since I wrote ... the Holidays have come and gone, my city received 33.4 inches of snow in December alone, I've met some amazing people, done some great hair, and I now know which salon will be my home.
Salon M : )
In early December I got word that starting February 2011, I will be working Wednesday through Sunday at Salon M. It's wonderful! At the end of November, I knew I wanted to call Salon M home. I felt at ease there. When I spent time at our other two locations, I wished I was at Salon M. Our color trainer is the lead stylist at Salon M. As I got to know her, I realized that she speaks my language. She encourages, and pushes me to grow. Finding a mentor that "fits' really sealed the deal; actually the whole team at Salon M "fits". A new home, a new team, and a new year - 2011, yahoo!
As far as the hair goes, its going SO much better. I'm feeling great about cutting and styling; color is coming along. Timing is getting better. Confidence is getting better. Endurance is getting better. My joy is getting better. My paycheck is getting better.
Until next time...
Salon M : )
In early December I got word that starting February 2011, I will be working Wednesday through Sunday at Salon M. It's wonderful! At the end of November, I knew I wanted to call Salon M home. I felt at ease there. When I spent time at our other two locations, I wished I was at Salon M. Our color trainer is the lead stylist at Salon M. As I got to know her, I realized that she speaks my language. She encourages, and pushes me to grow. Finding a mentor that "fits' really sealed the deal; actually the whole team at Salon M "fits". A new home, a new team, and a new year - 2011, yahoo!
As far as the hair goes, its going SO much better. I'm feeling great about cutting and styling; color is coming along. Timing is getting better. Confidence is getting better. Endurance is getting better. My joy is getting better. My paycheck is getting better.
Until next time...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)