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Posts Tagged ‘hair design’

Hot Hair Trends: Try Hair Chalking for Color without Commitment

Posted on: November 17th, 2011 by Becca 52 Comments

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that people are always going to come up with creative ways to make a beauty statement.

We have feathers, we have lobe stretching, and now we have a hot new way to add some temporary color to your locks: hair chalking.

In case you haven’t watched the how-to video above, here’s how it goes:

  • You either soak your chalk in water or wet down small sections of your hair.
  • You rub the chalk product into those sections.
  • If you’re using wax pastels, then you just need to set it with heat. If you use a more traditional kind of chalk, then hairspray it down before you style.

And that’s…about it. Hair chalking is that easy and that low-commitment, which is probably why it’s kicking up in popularity. Feel like going wild and crazy tonight? Don some blue or hot pink streaks, straight from your local craft store, and then wash it all out in the shower the next day. Switch up the colors as often as you want or need. Color just the tips or entire lock lengths or maybe just your bangs. Who doesn’t love a trend that allows so much room for not just creativity but also variability?

What do you guys think? Have you tried hair chalking? Or are you sick of the flash-in-the-pan hair trends and think we just need to get back to basics already?

Try these colored chalks to do hair chalking at home:

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ILLUSION: Alternative Hair Show 2011

Posted on: October 11th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Yield your imagination to the whimsical visions of multihued, spiked, twisted and bulbous Lady Gaga-like hair creations. Gossamer designs, colored lights and sky-scraping tresses envelop, tantalize and sometimes shock the senses. Where are you? Is this an alien gathering for lunar stylists? No, you are one of the lucky attendees of the Alternative Hair Show, where anything goes when it comes to hair.

This one-of-a-kind, fantasy-filled charitable event envelops thousands in the bizarre, rainbow-colored world of hair couture. Founded by hairstylist Tony Rizzo in 1983, the Alternative Hair Show was ingeniously designed to heighten awareness and generate funding for leukemia research. Rizzo’s young son, whose death was caused by the disease, is the inspiration behind the show.

Since its inception, the elaborate, fun-filled event has become renowned as one of the world’s most celebrated hair shows. Princes and famous individuals fill the seats as impractical hairdos are flaunted across the stage. Each year’s fantastic theme becomes the motivational concept behind the sprayed, dyed and stiffened locks. The 2010 participants devised styles that embodied their interpretation of the word “masquerade.” The 2011 theme is “illusion.”

In 2004, Rizzo launched the Visionary Award, which encourages hairdressers to submit a photograph of one of their hair creations. Ten award winners are selected; each is invited to present a hair model at the Alternative Hair Show. Hairdressers from around the globe covet the Visionary Award and invitations to show off their dramatically artistic and somewhat outlandish coifs at their own expense.

Known to include major celebrities, the show’s success hinges on the creative prowess and collaboration of industry professionals and has become the pinnacle of hair entertainment. The Alternative Hair Show displays its unusual “dos” annually and hosts the following 2011 events: the Visionary Award Ireland, held this past July 10 at Dublin’s Thomas Prior Hall; the Visionary Award Ukraine, held this past Sept. 5 in Kiev; the Visionary Award Italy and Alternative Hair International Hair Design Masters Presentation, held this past Sept. 25 in Milan; the Illusion Alternative Hair Show Russia, held this Sept. 28 in Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace; and the Illusion Alternative Hair Show London, which will take place on Oct. 16 at Royal Albert Hall.

Alternative styling, like that seen in the Alternative Hair Show, is defined by its departure from the norm, but some of these less-than-popular hairdos could become the next trendsetters. Something has to inspire the pink bobs, white pixies and black spikes of tomorrow.

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Roots Showing? No biggie—Go Ombre for the Summer

Posted on: July 22nd, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

ombre-hairUgh! Are you due for a highlight? Have your roots grown out to expose your darker, natural hair color?  Don’t sweat it. If your lighter color has grown out a few inches, you may have the hottest hair trend going right now and not even realize it!

Ombre hair—you’ve seen it.  Celebs have been rocking this two-toned hair color all year.  From Jessica Biel, Rachel Bilson to Drew Barrymore, this unkempt look has been all over the red carpet.

The Ombre look is basically darker roots with a lighter hair color “grown out” about halfway down.  Some of you may love it, some of you may hate it, but I think we can all agree the trend is hugely popular.

Tips on trying out Ombre hair color:

•    Make sure your hair is at least shoulder length
•    If you don’t want to dye your hair you can always add in a few extensions
•    For a dramatic look use more opposite hair colors
•    For a less dramatic look use more similar colors

What do you think?  Have you tried out the Ombre hair trend or practiced performing it in hair design school?  Don’t like the looks of it? Let us know.

 

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Real-Life Edward Scissorhands!

Posted on: December 17th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Edward Scissorhands Hairstyling Finger Scissors ShearsMove over Johnny Depp – there’s a new Edward Scissorhands in town! Valentino LoSauro, a London-native operating a salon in Florida, has created devices that he says cut hair twice as fast as normal scissors. The device: little shears that attach to his hands making him look like a real-life Edward Scissorhands. The ‘CLAWZ‘ were born as a simple idea to bring a certain type of musicality to his hair styling.

Being a pianist, LoSauro wasn’t foreign to using his fingers. Now he’s just using them to cut hair instead of replicating piano masters like Beethoven or Bach. The music that inspired him is still important to his new hair cutting process. When he styles and cuts hair, some of the methods are named after famous works, like Flight of the Bumble Bee and Zap.

The prototype took years to develop and cost nearly $250,000 but eventually the CLAWZ became a reality and he was able to market them to other stylists. LoSauro patented these CLAWZ in 2001 and has sold 30,000 units so far. He cuts and styles with them, and has even done some celebrities’ hair with the CLAWZ, like Ritchie Sambora from the band Jon Bovi.

They might look funny but they get the job done! What do think? Would you like to have your hair cut by a real-life Edward Scissorhands? Hairstylists and hair design school students – would you give these CLAWZ a shot?

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Where Hair Extensions Come From

Posted on: October 21st, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

Hair Extensions from IndiaHave you ever wondered where hair extensions come from? According to Oprah.com, 1000 tons of human hair are imported into the U.S. every year. The finest quality hair comes from India.

One Indian landmark in particular is famous for exporting human hair. The Venkateswara Temple in Southern India earns around 18 million a year selling hair to exporters. As one of Hinduism’s holiest sites, worshipers to this temple leave an offering of their hair for Lord Venkateswara. Cutting off hair for religious reasons is part of a ritual called tonsuring.

Some salons sell this “temple hair” anywhere from $2000 to $4000 depending on the length of the extensions.
Hair from India is also collected by village women who pool their hair together and sell it to exporters. Other women collect hair after it falls out naturally and sell it.

If you want to learn how to do hair extensions and become a professional hairstylist, find cosmetology schools near you.

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America’s Best and Worst Hair Cities

Posted on: October 15th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Top 11 Best and 13 Worst Cities for HairHave you ever considered that the city where you live may be to thank (or to blame) for the health and stylishness (or lack thereof) of your hair? Over at the website Total Beauty, they took several factors into consideration, and ranked some of the country’s best and worst hair cities.

Apparently, when humidity levels, pollution amounts, rainfall totals, average wind speeds, water hardness levels, and the number of beauty salons per capita come together in the perfect combination, the result can be beautiful hair. Check out some of the country’s best hair cities. Is your city helping or hurting your tresses?

The top 11 hair cities in the United States are:

1. Santa Barbara, California
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
3. San Diego, California
4. Anchorage, Alaska
5. San Francisco, California
6. New York, New York
7. Miami, Florida
8. Los Angeles, California
9. Denver, Colorado
10. Boston, Massachusetts
11. Chicago, Illinois

Did your town make the list? Unfortunately, mine did not. I guess that means I’ll have to take it into my own hands to try to make my hair look good – even with the high humidity and hard water. *Sigh*

Luckily for me, my city didn’t make the list of “worst hair cities,” either. But if you’re already fed up with living in one of these unlucky 13 places, maybe it’s officially time to pack your bags and head to greener pastures.

America’s 13 worst hair cities are:

1. Corpus Christi, Texas
2. Olympia, Washington
3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Phoenix, Arizona
6. Pensacola, Florida
7. Fresno, California
8. Houston, Texas
9. Tucson, Arizona
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
11. Cincinnati, Ohio
12. Albuquerque, New Mexico
13. Eugene, Oregon

Sorry, Corpus Christi residents. Texas may be your destination of choice if big hair is your thing, but Corpus Christi’s extreme humidity, hard water and small handful of salons make it one of the worst hair cities around. Better find an amazing, trained Texas hairstylist!

Do you have any tricks for overcoming the environmental hazards in your city? Maybe if you choose a cosmetology career, you’ll help your city win the battle against bad hair!

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Address-Free Licenses for Florida Barbers and Cosmetologists

Posted on: October 9th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 2 Comments

Florida cosmetology law requires barbers and cosmetologists to post their license and picture where customers can see it.  Until Tuesday, October 6, home addresses were also required to be posted. This change gives cosmetologists and barbers comfort knowing that their personal information is no longer easily accessible to the public.

According to this article, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation says the change wasn’t prompted by any incident or crime – it’s simply a safety precaution. The request for the change was made by representatives of the states nearly 200,000 barbers and cosmetologists.

Many cosmetologists and barbers – especially those with a lot of walk-in business – are relieved with this change. Is your home address listed on your license? If yes, did/does your home address being posted publicly for all to see concern you?

Cosmetologist and Barber Licenses in Florida No Longer Have to Post Home Address

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Illinois Tightens Hair Braiding Laws

Posted on: August 20th, 2009 by Heather 16 Comments

hair-braiding-illinois-cosmetology-lawSince 1985, Illinois has maintained that if you want to work in the cosmetology or beauty field, you must have a cosmetology license. In fact, all states require all cosmetologists be licensed to work on hair, nails and skin. But, when you offer such a niche service like hair braiding, that’s where the law becomes a little twisted, at least for some.

According to Illinois law and the Illinois State Board of Cosmetology License Requirements, anyone working with hair must take the required 1,500 hours of cosmetology training. That is putting some tight restrictions on hair braiders. They provide a service that is strictly braiding hair, and normally don’t offer any other service like hair cutting or coloring. However, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation wants hair braiders to be licensed, and not for the reasons you may think.

When a beauty professional is licensed, they are protected by the law when a customer refuses to pay or writes bogus checks. But, it goes a little deeper than that – some believe that hair braiders need to be trained in a few core courses relating to the industry.

The United African Organization would like to see a compromise from the state that allows hair braiders courses only in sanitation and business training, which would be around 300 clocked hours of cosmetology school.

Up on the debate block for the fall is a law that would require hair braiders to complete 300 hours of training, which the courses would focus on blood-borne pathogens, recognizing scalp disease and sanitation practices.

What do you think? Should niche beauty services like hair braiding have specific cosmetology licensing requirements? Tell Beauty Schools Directory your views on this tangled matter.

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Hairstyling: Need for Speed?

Posted on: June 26th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 7 Comments

As a beauty school student or instructor, do you think that speed matters? That is, the speed at which you cut someone’s hair.

Ivan Zoot holds the world record for the fastest haircut at a mere 55 seconds. Wow! Of course, that’s for the Guinness Book of World Records, but still. Is speed-cutting a skill that can take you anywhere? I’m just not sure.

On one hand, we’ve all heard the saying that time is money. In most other industries, a quick turn-around with a quality result is one of the most important things a business can provide.

On the other hand, when a client comes into a salon, whether it’s for a day of pampering or just a quick trim, they like to feel relaxed, right? They like to be able to sit in your chair and chat, or read a magazine – anything but feel rushed.

So, which is more important – quality or speed? What are you learning or did you learn in cosmetology school? To be quick and efficient, or to linger over each client and make them feel special? Or something in between?

Sephora.com, Inc.

Cosmetology School is Not Just for Women

Posted on: May 13th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 7 Comments

Manly men need their hair cut too. Maybe not highlighted, maybe not flat-ironed (or maybe so), but cut and styled at least! As much as they hate to admit it, even the most rugged of men still want to look good. That’s why in today’s metro-sexual world, barber shops still flourish.

You know the kind … It smell like shaving cream and hums with the drone of electric shavers. It’s got televisions tuned to the big game. Its employees probably won’t try to sell you a $60 styling product for your buzz cut. And it’s run by a trained, professional barber.

Ever wonder what it would be like to have his job? Here’s a hint. Awesome. Find out more about this stable, flexible, and hands-on career choice!

What exactly does a barber do?
Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair – mostly for male clients. They are generally also trained to fit hairpieces and offer scalp treatments and facial shaving. Plus, they can do most everything else that cosmetologists can, including hair coloring, permanent waves, and facials.

What do barbers earn, and what kind of advancement opportunities do they have?
Median hourly earnings in May 2006 for salaried barbers, including tips, were $11.13. Entry-level earnings are usually modest, but experienced barbers can advance quickly in the field. Advancement usually takes the form of higher earnings as barbers gain experience and build a steady clientele. Some barbers manage their shops, lease booth space, or open their own shops.

What are a barber’s working conditions like?
In 2006, about 19 percent of barbers worked part-time, and the rest worked full-time. Most full-time barbers put in a 40-hour week, but long days are common, especially among self-employed workers. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends, the times when barbershops are busiest. Barbers usually work in clean, enjoyable surroundings with good light and ventilation. They are on their feet for most of their shift, so good health and stamina is important.

What training will I need to become a barber?
To qualify for a barbering license, barbers are required to graduate from a state-licensed cosmetology or barbering school. Full-time programs in barbering usually last about nine months, and may lead to an Associate’s degree or diploma. Throughout their careers, many barbers continue to take advanced courses in hairstyling or other personal appearance services to keep up with the latest trends. They also may take courses in sales and marketing if they are interested in opening their own businesses. (There are cosmetology and barbering schools in your area with classes starting now.)

Will I need to get licensed?
All states require barbers to be licensed. Requirements for a barber license vary by state, but generally barbers must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 16 years old, and have graduated from an accredited barber or cosmetology school. State licensing examinations generally consist of a written test and, in some cases, a practical test of styling skills or an oral examination.

How much work is available for barbers?
Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow slightly faster than the average for all occupations – even in a recession.

Do you already work in the field and have something to tell aspiring barbers? Comment and share your wealth of knowledge and experience!

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