If You Thought This Cuffing Season Was Dry... We Have News For You
Problem: During the dryer, winter months our hair lacks moisture.
Don't worry. We got you covered. Top winter hacks to keep your hair health intact throughout the holidays.
1. Avoid overusing clarifying shampoos.
Without a lot of scalp buildup, there isn’t a reason to use such a harsh washing agent. Instead, stick with a hydrating shampoo! Kevin Murphy's product "Hydrate.Me" is one that my clients love and it responds extremely well to dry hair. I recommend trying this product once a week on your hair! Tag me if you try it out! I'd love to see the results! *heart eyes*
Can't forget about my Curly Gang! I’ve been using Traci Ellis Ross’ line “Pattern” Intensive Conditioner on my own curls and can we just say: WOW!
2. I've said it once and I'll say it again: don't wash your hair every day, sis.
Dry shampoo is your best friend. My favorite and most popular of the Kevin Murphy line is "Doo.Over" Spray. This stuff does exactly what it says it will: It gives you a complete hairstyle do-over. If you’re looking for a powder-based dry shampoo, try "Bumble and Bumble" Prêt-à-Powder. Puff some of this on your roots and watch the oil immediately disappear.
3. Throw on a pre-shampoo oil treatment before washing.
More often than not, I find myself grabbing for organic coconut oil or Argon. Apply the product throughout your hair, letting it soak 15 - 20 minutes before washing it out. This will give your hair enough time to soak up the nutrients, without leaving an oily residue behind.
However, I’ve been loving Ecoslay’s “Hot Sauce” oil treatment for the scalp. Massage through the scalp and brush through the ends, cover your hair in a plastic cap to trap all the heat in. Follow with a glass of wine and then a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
4. Invest in a humidifier.
This may seem extra, but hear me out: Indoor heating can cause the air in your home to be dry. As a result, you'll usually find that the winter months make your skin, lips, and hair dryer than normal. Not only is a humidifier great for breathing, but it can add the needed moisture to your hair and skin as well.
5. Washing your hair in cooler temps.
So, this sounds like a nightmare, I know. The very idea of washing your hair in cold water, matching the freezing temperatures outside - usually an immediate 'no' from me. However, to minimize hair breakage, being mindful of your shower temp can go a long way! On top of the already on-going battle of moisture, hot water can add an extra layer to that - making it even more difficult to stay on top of your hair dryness levels. Of course, the water doesn't have to be super cold, just lukewarm to make a difference. And, trust me, you'll notice a difference!
There you have it. My top favorite hacks for winter hair. Use these tips along with your everyday preventative actions to combat breakage: less heat-styling, no going outside with wet hair, using a satin pillowcase to sleep on, and less frequent hair washing. All these tips will have you rockin’ some luscious locks throughout the holidays (and beyond).
If you're in the Nashville area, let's get you a consultation booked and get started on your dream 2021 hair. Why wait until 2021 when you could leave 2020 like the knock-out you are?
Non-Nashville residents: I'd love to ship these items to you and break down the best routine for your hair type. Shoot us an email and we'll get that package ready for you or a friend! No better gift this season than one that is sure to increase your or your friend's confidence!
What are some ways you've been dealing with winter hair? Did you learn anything new in this blog? Tag us on IG! Let's hear your hair stories.
-Kat, Kbeauty Founder + Creator
Top 9 Ways to Stop Hair Breakage
Tired of those pesky split ends? Let’s talk break-ups… and how to get over them.
1. Buy a wet brush. Brush hair starting with ends and working your way up until tangles are out.
2. Toss cotton pillowcase & replace with satin. This reduces the friction that may occur while sleeping. Wrapping your hair in a satin cap is a great alternative as well, plus this can preserve your style!
3. Do not pull your hair back with a hair tie while your hair is wet. When your hair is wet, it’s in a weaker state, so having a hair tie tugging on it while it’s wet will cause breakage over time.
4. Using a heat protectant before applying heat to your hair (Psst. Our go-to is the Kevin Murphy Heat Defense) will preserve the integrity of your hair! Most heat protectants also help to prevent damage from outdoor elements. Shop here!
5. Using less heat if you’re noticing that your hair is breaking or has become weaker. There’s a lot of protective styles out there that can be beneficial to your hair health along with rockin’ a new do at the same time! Giving your hair a heat break will give your hair a chance to heal while you implement these other tips.
6 Practice changing your part so your hairline (home to your weakest hairs!) doesn’t have continued stress.
7. If you’re using a flat iron, be mindful to have the heat lower than 400 degrees. Personally, I like to stay in the 375 degree-390 degree range to play it safe. Also, be sure to only go over a section of hair 1 or two times. Any more than that will put major stress on your hair.
8. After washing your hair, do not vigorously dry your hair with a towel. Wrap a towel around your hair and scrunch up a few times to collect all the loose water. After that, do not rub the towel throughout your hair. That only welcomes a hair day of friction, frizz, and ongoing breakage!
9. Lastly, invest in a hair-bonding treatment. We recommend Olaplex! It will restore your hair's healthy appearance and texture by repairing damage and protecting hair structure. Shop the treatment here.
Single Mom Top 6 Must Haves
Is it even a surprise that being a mom means alone time is very limited? Being a single mom means your alone time is spread thinner than butter on a slice of bread (is that the right saying?)
My time to myself equates heavily to driving. I’m in my car 80% of the time it feels like - always on the go. So, most of my must-haves need to be things I can have in my car. There’s no doing makeup “before” the kids wake up because sleep is important. So how do I make sure I look like a human before work?
#1 Make-Up Bag.
My makeup bag needs to be small enough to not just be another item thrown around in my car, but big enough to fit my necessities. I can fit my foundation stick, brow pencil, tweezers, brushes, bronzer, a couple of lipsticks, mascara.
You may be a single mom but doesn’t mean you can’t look like a queen when you pull up to work.
#2 Ibuprofen.
You never know when a migraine is going to pop off so it’s best to be prepared. In mom world, you’ve got plenty of things that will prompt a headache, in the “single mom” world, with any sudden movements a throb can occur.
#3 Napkins, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes; anything you can wipe various messes up with.
This one is self-explanatory.
#4 Hair ties.
You never know when you have to pull her back and handles some hardcore mom shxt.
#5 Oils.
I’m an oily girl and I’ve got to have my lavender on me. This is a great stress reliever for all the mom stressors. I also love a good breather so sometimes you may find some eucalyptus oil on me, too.
#6 Snacks.
Hunger may strike at any given moment as you’re out and about. Saving time and money is very important to a mama so let’s not go wasting our hard earn cash on (funny snacks you can buy at fast food places). Not to mention, a hangry-mama is never good.
These here, will get you at least through a few hours of single mom-ing. I excluded a few items (a bottle of tequila) for obvious legal reasons. ✌🏼
4 Steps To Increase Productivity
If you're like us, then most of 2020 was spent in sweats with your hair up. We found that spending as little as 5-7 minutes getting ready in the morning will help increase productivity. Try out our mini-guide and tell us how it helped your morning routine!
Brush brows thoroughly using the Essential Brow Brush.
Start applying the Brow Enhancement Pencil in the middle of the brow brushing outwards, moving slowly toward the start of the brow. Make sure to make strokes in an upward motion to mimic your hair growth pattern.
Then, create a line underneath the brow with concealer using the KBeauty Concealer Brush.
Finally, brush brows out to blend color then finish with Essential Brow Gel
Let us know how you keep motivated during your work from home life! We wanna hear your tips, tricks, and what KBeauty products included in your routines!
How Would You Define Beauty?
Welcome to Salon Kbeauty!
At Kbeauty, we strive to be an all-inclusive space. Any outside stressors are irrelevant. You come in to not only transform your look, you transform your mind. Coincidentally, this is just as therapeutic for me as it is to you.
It never gets old to me, being able to help build a woman’s confidence. I love when clients come in and they aren’t feeling quite like their “best” selves, but by the end of the appointment, they are uplifted and feel so much happier. There’s a magic that happens when you feed another human positivity.
Beauty is feeling confident and satisfied in the skin you are in. Confidence reflects how others see you which in fact makes you more beautiful.
-Kat
Communication Skills Are Key.
Before I go too in-depth with this process, let’s go over some vocab words (there may or may not be a pop quiz at the end.) And then message me how impressed your stylist is next time you see them!
Descriptive Words:
Airy - Think of this as the opposite of heavy. If someone’s haircut or style is described as airy, it means that it’s not so perfectly placed, looks slightly undone but in a tasteful way, it is light and flowy as opposed to heavy and flat.
Blunt - The lines created in the haircut are dramatic. The length is all sitting on the same line.
Piecey- Can be similar to airy, but even more specific. you can see the separation in certain pieces of the hair, usually made with using product such as a paste or cream.
Textured - When the hair holds more volume and doesn’t feel too soft or limp, usually has some type of curl pattern in its natural state.
Polished - hair style that is sleek, usually a haircut that doesn’t hold many layers that separate the hair.
Balayage - this word can be used in many different ways. The actual word just means “blended”. Therefore this is a technique of how natural you want your highlights to look. This does NOT describe a specific color. Balayage can range from a caramel brown to a platinum blonde. It only describes how you want the color/highlights to be placed in your hair, meaning a gradual blend from your roots to ends.
Rinse/Gloss/Toner - These terms are all used interchangeably. These all describe a service that is usually preformed at the shampoo bowl because of how fast they work but are susceptible to being put on at the chair based on stylists’ preference. A rinse or gloss usually darkens the hair that’s faded between services, usually leaving it with a shiny finish. This can also be colorless (clear) if you’re solely looking for shine. A toner describes the same service but is used to shift the tone in hair that has been prelightened or naturally lightened due to sun exposure or hair damage.
Colors, explained:
When you sit down in a hairdresser’s chair, the first images that pop up in his or her head, are these 2 charts.
Sorry, not the beautiful Pinterest pic you brought with you; Although, that is definitely considered.
These two charts tell us (your stylist) everything we need to know. The color chart lets us identify what level your current hair is and the level we are trying to achieve after your appointment. The color wheel will help us determine what tone of the level of color we need to use to achieve the color and, same as above, helps us to identify your current hair undertone.
I won’t break it down too much because I wouldn’t want to spill a hair dresser’s secrets! But some of this knowledge is good for anyone to know to help promote clear communication between a stylist and their client:
If you are any shade of brown (levels 6 and under) the tones that your stylist will have to lift through to get you to that pretty bright blonde are - first red, then orange, then yellow. So what that means is the darker your hair color is, the warmer the undertones are. That is not a curse, that’s just a fact. Once we acknowledge facts, we can appreciate the process. So, depending on your desired color, assuming you’re trying to go lighter, your stylist has to lift through all of those undertones, therefore the process may be more in depth and take more time. Your stylist will then use what ever toner necessary to get you to your desired color - whether it be something cool, because you’re wanting an icier or deeper look, or something neutral, to leave you with a more natural highlight.
What to take from the color wheel: think of what color undertone you have and what undertone you’re trying to get to.
For example: you have medium brown hair (level 5 or 6) and it is a bit warm, kind of an Auburn color. So that means your undertones are of orange or red. Look at the color wheel and see what’s the complement of orange or red. You’ll fin the complement of these two are blue and green. So this means if you mix the colors red and green together, it will neutralize, and then blue and red, same thing. That is what we want to happen with hair most of the time, is for the colors to neutralize so the unwanted tones can disappear.
Your desired color is to be about the same color level (still 5 or 6) but less warm. You would use a color with the undertones of green or blue. So that would be like an ash brown in whatever color series with the option of a blue base or green base. Slap that baby on your hair and then boom, you’ve got a deeper color of the same level.
I also always mention to clients who desire to be super blonde and super bright, that the icier we go, the darker it may look. That is, because icy equals blue undertones instead of yellow undertones which would be like a neutral tone. Applied at the same level, blue will always appear darker than yellow. That’s always something to consider. There are ways to work around that but I like to mention that to help people to understand those over filtered IG and Pinterest pictures may not look that bright and icy in real life.
With this knowledge, hopefully your trip to your hairdresser can be a bit more informative and create easy communication now that you’ve done a bit a research.
Tell em Kat taught you ;)
Covid-19 Safety Protocol
Our Mission to You
As we move forward in our new space, we want our clients to feel as comfortable and safe as possible. The safety precautions Kbeauty has set in place will ensure a clean and structured work environment followed under the state health department guidelines.
Our mission is to create a peaceful environment with the right amount of creativity that will make you feel inspired. When you step into our suite, you can leave all of your troubles at the door and enjoy a place where your spirit will be uplifted, and your confidence will be elevated.
What Kbeauty Expects from Clients
• When you arrive, please remain in your vehicle. You will receive a text when it’s time for your appointment.
• I ask that you do not bring any extra people to your appointment, unless you are a minor accompanied by an adult.
• Please enter the studio wearing a mask
• Thermal scanning will be required upon entry
• Hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry
I ask that you do not bring any food or drinks and to limit the amount of personal items that you bring to your appointment.
I ask that if you are feeling unwell to please reschedule your appointment to a later date, cancelation fees will not be charged.
OUR COMMITMENTS
• Stylists will submit to thermal scanning each day
• Stylists will be wearing masks and shields during services
• Both stations and shampoo areas will be sanitized with a hospital-grade cleaning solution before and after each client.
The maximum capacity of people in Suite 32 will not exceed 4 people at a time.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND FOR HELPING US ENSURE A SAFE AND RELAXING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL GUESTS!
Kbeauty Virtual Tutorials
First, I want to thank those that are still working at the moment, who haven’t gotten time off and have to risk their chances of catching the virus. For those of us that are out of work, I hope you guys are holding up well.
If I’m being completely transparent, when the beauty industry shut down was mandated, I felt like my job, my business, my passion was at a complete standstill. But after some time, I realize that I still have a purpose here. I still have clients to maintain a relationship with, clients who may still be working that would love hair or makeup tips since they can’t visit a salon, people who still want to invest in themselves.
I want to continue to be that to my clients.
So right now, I’m going to be offering personalized beauty virtual tutorials. If you have been wanting to learn how to apply your makeup, fill in your brows, or maybe learn a new hair style that you can do yourself, I invite you to a virtual tutorial with me. If you’re interested, please contact me through the forum below and I will have you fill out a questionnaire prior to our virtual tutorial so I have a complete understanding of what it is your are wanting to do and how I can help you to my fullest extent. I hope you guys find this useful.
Here are the list of questions, call duration times, and prices. I will have you fill out the questionnaire prior to our call. You would choose which tutorial you are wanting and fill out the questions according to that. If you want to know how to do it all, you would fill out all of the questions.
QUESTIONNAIRE
MAKEUP | UP TO 1 HOUR | $35
1. What is it that you are looking to accomplish after this call?
2. What is your makeup routine right now?
3. Are you a person who (choose one)
a) Wears glam makeup everyday
b) Wears enough makeup just to brighten up your face, everyday
c) Wears makeup only when you have time to put it on
d) Only wears makeup on special occasions
4. What is your skin type? Oily, dry, combination, spot areas?
5. What is the hardest thing you find when it comes to applying makeup?
6. What is the easiest thing you find when it comes to applying makeup?
7. Are there any skin/face products/makeup that you are allergic to that you know of?
8. What are the things that you want to avoid having to do when it comes to applying makeup?
BROWS | UP TO 45 MINS | $25
1.What is it that you’re looking to accomplish after this call?
2. How would you describe your brows? (Sparse, full, big but not dense, dense, wiry hairs, blonde hairs that aren’t visible, etc.)
3. What do you struggle with when doing your brows?
4. What brow tools do you use right now, if any?
5. Which tools have you used in the past that you’ve liked? (You don’t have to mention brand just whether it was a powder, pomade, pencil, or gel )
6. What color brow product do you usually use?
(Light, medium, dark brown, taupe, ash, etc)
HAIR STYLING | 30 MINS TO 1 HOUR | $35
1. What is it that you want to accomplish from this call?
2. Describe your hair. (Short, long, medium, wavy, thick, fine, oily, dry, etc.)
3. What are the areas that you struggle in when it comes to styling your hair?
4. What products do you use on your hair right now?
5. How often do you wash your hair?
6. When it comes to styling your own hair, on a scale 1-5, how would you describe your hairstyling skills (5 being very skilled)?
If you would like to schedule a beauty call with me, please fill out form below and I will contact you within 24 hours. Thank you.
All Things Oils
What is an essential oil?
I’m sure a lot of people know what an essential oil is by now, but if not, let me introduce you.....an essential oil is the lifeblood of a flower, tree root, shrub, bush or seed. It can help support healthy habits, create mental clarity, and can help you create a balanced atmosphere. So with that said, essential oils can be used for basically anything.
I never really liked to wear perfumes much, I felt like they were always too strong for me or that they all smelled the same so when I discovered essential oils way back when, I used them solely for fragrance purposes. I had no idea all of the health benefits, natural remedies, diversity, or even fun (yes I said it) that was involved with using essential oils.
A little over a year ago, I met someone who is now a really good friend of mine who introduced me to a new level of oil-ism. Her name is @kiley.co.eo on instagram and you’ve got to check her out! She’s using the Young Living EO’s.
Me, being a repeated offender of buying the cheapest oils that I could find, hadn’t been familiar with Young Living yet. Once she introduced me, she really didn’t have to bribe or persuade me into buying them because I already had an interest in using them. I noticed in the past with the oils I had been using, their scents wouldn’t last long or the smells weren’t as potent as they probably should have been because they probably weren’t the best of quality.
Since using Young Living, I had really developed a love for these oils that I would like to share with you guys. The oils can be used to diffuse, ingest, or apply topically. Here’s a quick synopsis of some of the common ones I like to use and some recipes of how you can use them in real life.
Lavender
Anyone who knows me will vouche that lavender is my favorite scent. I use it pretty much everyday.
It is an oil that promotes calming and is stress reducing. It can help your body relax therefore is helpful during bedtime or winding down after a long day of work, or even at work.
Lavender is great for your skin as well, as it helps reduce acne, clear acne scars or stretch marks and calm down any itchy sensation after a bug bite or from eczema. For your scalp, you can use lavender to help generate hair growth and is anti-fungal, as most oils are.
Bedtime recipe (You can apply this into your hands and take deep breaths to inhale or diffuse in your bedroom.)
3 drops lavender
3 drops copaiba
3 drops cedar wood
Lemon
Lemon EO’s fresh scent is great to use for the mornings to get you going. Lemon promotes energy and can help you focus. It is also so great as a cleanser! Drop a little lemon EO on a sticky surface and wipe away. I enjoy putting a few drops in my hot tea in the morning to give me a fresh taste and a little morning motivation. Lemon also has some health benefits as its an immune stimulate and can help you out when you’re feeling under the weather.
Lemon remedy for allergy or asthma relief, this would be used best with a diffuser.
2 drops lemon
2 drops peppermint
2 drops lavender
Peppermint
Peppermint is definitely one that you want to keep close by. It’s cooling affect can help relieve headaches and can open your airways for when you’re feeling stuffy or having respiratory issues. Peppermint is also a great bug repellent for obvious reasons.
Migraine/headache reliever (can be used in a roller or can use finger tips to massage on affected area):
5 drops peppermint
5 drops panaway oil (Young Living oil blend)
5 drops lavender oil
Carrier oil (coconut oil)
Thieves
So this oil here is a very popular oil blend. This oil is a blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary. This is an oil right next to peppermint that should be kept on hand as well. It can help fight infections and boost your immunity. Because of these factors, this oil has a lot of cleansing properties. There is a whole line in Young Living dedicated to the oils that make up Thieves, that shows you how serious this stuff is. To take things deeper than just opinion, there’s actually been studies on how the oils that make up this blend have been proven to fight against bacteria and promote wound healing.
“A 2017 study found that low concentrations of cinnamon and clove oil had high antimicrobial activity against persistent cultures of Borrelia burg dormer I, the causative agent of Lyme disease.”
“A 2018 study found that vapors of cinnamon oil inhibited the growth of respiratory pathogens like Haemophilus influenzas and Streptococcus pneumoniae in a Petri dish.”
”A 2012 study showed that eucalyptus oil had antimicrobial activity against tow types of bacteria that can cause disease in humans: E.coli and skin infections.”
(Sendai-Schuman, PhD. “About Thieves Oil.” Healthline, 2019.)
Need I say anymore?
All purpose cleaner recipe:
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
15-20 drops thieves oil in 16 oz spray bottle
Mix it up and spray in desired area.
Frankincense
This is a very ancient oil that has been used for nearly everything over the years. Probably for the fact that it is antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal. This scent is very earthy but is very uplifting. It’s great for enhancing spiritual and meditative practices. Not to mention, it can promote radiant skin.
Radiant skin formula
Mix and massage 4 drops of frank oil with a half of teaspoon of coconut oil onto your skin for that glow. Let sit for at least 5 mins, then remove with wet towel.
Ylang Ylang
So, this one is probably my second favorite. This is another oil that promotes calmness and relaxation. Apparently, I need all of that in my life. This oil also boosts your mood, lowers your blood pressure, and decreases your heart rate. Therefore, it’s great at the end of a long day of work or after running around doing errands and things. I like to put a few drops of it in my bath water (along with lavender) to feel the fullest effect of relaxation.
Ylang Ylang also has a history of use as a herbal treatment for conditions like stomach distress, rheumatism, gout, malaria, and pneumonia. This stuff is legit.
Floral Oasis Diffuser Recipe
5 drops Lavender
2 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Frankincense
In addition to the fact that Young Living has an endless amount of oils and great products that have a plethora of health benefits, it is also a great community that brings people together. As an adult, it can be so hard making new friends and building new relationships. With Young Living, it has also been a great way for me to learn something new, be confident enough to share it with other people, and gain relationships with others through this one community that we all found interest in. I hope you guys find this useful and if you have any questions about oils or are interested in purchasing these oils I would love to hear from you!
September Suicide Prevention
As we get through the month of suicide prevention awareness, I want to acknowledge those who struggle or who have struggled with thoughts of wanting to give up on life. It’s a lingering thought to some or maybe just a “what if” to others. But that particular thought can take over someone’s entire world if it gets out of control. In some cases, individuals are able to make their way out of that dark hole, get the help they need, and take control of their lives. Not saying that it’s that simple, but there are some people that have survived through the darkness. But what about the one’s who couldn’t see passed that darkness?
There are a number of resources made available for those who need or want help with subsiding suicidal thoughts. But what if you’ve tried everything possible for a loved one, and they still attempt it? What if you called the suicide hotline and they didn’t respond because the person that was threatening suicide claims they weren’t a threat to themselves? What if the person threatening suicide has gone through multiple hospital visits in the past and refuses to go back again? What if that person doesn’t keep up with their medication and complains about all the side effects of each medication? What if that person is a threat to you while trying to prevent them from committing suicide? My point is, it is important to know and use, if it comes down to it, all of these resources made available because there can be so many great outcomes that can come out of using these resources. But what if you’ve tried all of it, everything. And that loved one goes through with it. That loved one is gone and you and everyone else is left to pick up the pieces. You’re left raising the children he has left behind, a mom is left with an unbearably, aching pain that will never subside, a sister and brother are left trying to keep their mother afloat, and friends are left questioning who was this person they only knew as a goofy, confident, hard working individual, never knowing the darkness he was actually living with? What do you do when you tried everything and it still happens?
Most people who are having suicidal thoughts or have tried are people suffering from some form of mental illness. “46% of those who die by suicide had a known mental health condition” (Mental Health by the Numbers, NAMI 2019). Most of the time these mental illnesses are from a long road of trauma and unfortunate life experiences that lead to development of depression, bipolar, anxiety, ptsd, etc. I don’t know what the answer is to prevent suicide but I assume the earlier we start digging into our mental, maybe there’s a better outcome. And I mean earlier before suicide is even a question, earlier as in during our youth.
“50% of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% develop by age 24. The "normal" and expected personality and behavior changes of adolescence may mimic or mask symptoms of a mental health condition. Early engagement and support are crucial to improving outcomes and increasing the promise of recovery” (Mental Health by the Numbers, NAMI 2019).
Im a true believer in therapy. I started therapy as an adult, only about 2 years ago and I’m not sure how I would have gone through these incredibly tough life-changing 2 years without her. Yet, I’m able to see through it on every bad day and I believe therapy plays a huge part in that. I couldn’t imagine what therapy would have done for me if I had started a lot sooner, in my adolescent years or even younger. I think, the younger we make it aware to our children that there is a safe space to talk about feelings with professionals, and with you too of course, then the more likely they are able to process their emotions and behaviors and develop coping skills to help them deal with trauma or everyday ups and downs.
Healthy coping skills are key to getting through traumatic times. Coping skills could possibly help someone get through times they might have questioned their existence. I am not a professional by an means, but I am a suicide loss survivor. I watched someone who was very close to me struggle with bipolar behavior, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and just life in general. But he lacked coping skills and only did things to mask the pain. Sometimes, I think to myself, maybe if he had better coping skills, he could have possibly gotten through it.
So, I wanted to continue to spread the awareness of suicide prevention, share the resources, but to also raise the question of how can we prevent this before suicide is even an option? I don’t think there is one solid answer, but I think there is hope in spreading awareness and taking care of ourselves, our children, and our loved ones.
RESOURCES:
NAMI.ORG
This website gives so much insight on what suicidal behavior looks like, how to talk to a loved one about it, where to go, how to help, and information about all of the mental health conditions.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
800-273-8255
Suicide Text Message Hotline
741741
Therapy Resources for Adults and Children
Psychologytoday.com
In Nashville,
ECB Councseling, Psychotherapy, and Wellness Center
(615) 212-8955.
Nashville Counceling Associates
(615) 579-5747
Shear Haven
A few months ago, I was invited to an event with a couple of my coworkers hosted by a local salon. This event was associated with a nonprofit organization called YWCA, and for this particular night, we were shedding light on an initiative of this organization, called Shear Haven. Shear Haven caters to women or men in need from domestic abusive situations or relationships. I didn’t have much background on the organization, only that it was a training about helping those that may need help from an abusive situation. Before hand, I thought that I would go to this class for support of my coworkers, thinking that I wouldn’t learn much more than what I already knew about abuse and that the signs should be pretty obvious if I were to come across someone that was being abused.
But this class was so much more than that. It was definitely eye opening and made me think about certain clients that I may have come across. Noticing certain behaviors they displayed, mentioning certain things about their husbands, or maybe their demeanor as they sat in my chair. It made me realize how close I’m capable of getting with people because of my profession and by knowing that, I hope that I’m able to help a client if they ever needed it. It also made me think back into some of my own personal situations. Aside from the knowledge this class filled me with, it also connected me to such an amazing soul, Susanne Post, the co-founder of Shear Haven.
Susanne is a survivor of domestic violence and is dedicated to teaching the public about the signs of abuse in victims and about the resources that are made available to help these victims. Recognizing signs in someone who may be suffering from abuse in any space is so important but she has made it a point to educate professionals in the beauty industry to recognize victims displaying signs of abuse specifically in a salon setting.
“This domestic violence education program equips stylists with the knowledge and resources to recognize the signs of domestic violence, successfully navigate conversations with clients who may be in danger, and pass along tools that can help them get to safety.”
(YWCA Nashville 2019)
The YWCA provides a plethora of domestic violence services in the Middle Tennesssee area, all of which to create a safe place for women, children, and individuals in same sex relationships suffering from abuse. The Weaver Domestic Violence Center is the largest emergency DV shelter in Tennessee. They provide a 24 hour crisis and support helpline, individual therapy/counseling, support groups, transitional house and Re-New at the YWCA.
This class gave us insight of how certain signs of domestic abuse can appear, behavioral or physical, to someone on the outside. As cosmetologists, we are put in situations where we can become very personable with our clients even though we may not know them on the outside. This relationship can allow us to notice signs that may be less obvious to other people. Although, many people assume it’s very easy to know if someone is a victim of abuse, most signs are not physical. I repeat, most signs are not physical.. Emotional abuse, verbal abuse, and manipulation are just as much as abusive as physical. If you or someone you know may be in one of these situations, this hotline and website may be the first step for them towards their safety:
1-800-334-4628
https://www.ywcanashville.com/domestic-violence/
If you are a salon owner or stylist and want to host a training, you can contact Marissa Miciotto through the website above as well.
Statistics
1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime.
3 women are killed each day by a man who says he loves her.
15.5 million children witness domestic violence each year.
In Tennessee alone
More than half of crimes against persons are domestic violence-related.
Tennessee ranks 5th in the nation for the rate at which men kill women.
Metro Nashville Police respond to a domestic violence call every 20 minutes.
(YWCA Nashville 2019)
This training is actually mandatory in some states, such as Illinois, before you can receive your cosmetology license. So let’s pass the word around and make sure we all know the signs of someone who may be suffering because you never know what someone may be going through behind closed doors. Sometimes, all they need is the tools to help them find a safe haven.
What is Microblading?
If you’re paying any attention to what is trending in the beauty indurstry, you’ve probably noticed that brows have been making a pretty big statement lately. The brow game has certainly changed over the past few years and alot of us are paying for the times when thin eyebrows were in. Brows mean so much to a person’s face and we had no business just plucking them away like that! Luckily, we are at a point in time where we can redeem ourselves.
On average, most women find it a chore having to fill in their brows before getting out of the house. I’m most women. Although, I enjoy getting glammed up, fitting brows into my morning routine is the last thing I want to do. Because of this, so many people find themselves moving towards more permanent brow services. Microblading would be that alternative. Microbalding is brow shaping in form of semipermanent makeup. In this service, the brow is created one hair stroke at a time, which gives them a very natural look. There’s other techniques that can be used to enhance brows, like microshading, to create an ombre brow look. Microblading is done using a pencil-like object with a line of microneedles. This utensil is dipped into pigment which is used to graze through the basil layer of the skin. Once it’s healed, there you have new brow hairs, at least what appears to be. This service can last up to two years, which is why it’s a semipermanent process rather than a permanent one because let’s be real…. our faces change entirely too much for us to be walking around with brows that were created 10 years ago.
The Breakdown
How does the artist chose the pigment color?
Pigments are chosen based off of the natural hair color. Your natural brow hairs are usually no more than a couple of shades darker to a couple of shades lighter than your natural hair color. There are a total of 6 shades in the brand that I use and they can also be mixed. That way, you can customize any color to fit any client.
How long does the service take?
It usually takes 1.5 hours- 2 hours. This just depends on how much a person’s brows needed to be created.
What is the down time after getting this service?
There is no downtime. I’ve had ladies come in to get this service done and then went right back to work!
How do you maintain your brows after you leave your service?
Aftercare is just as important as the actual service. For the best results, follow these aftercare instructions:
Avoid direct contact with water or moisture on microbladed area during the first 10 days. Any cleansing should be done using sterile water and a guaze, by lightly patting on brow as opposed to rubbing. The best form of healing is dry healing, where you apply after care cream as least as possible.
When to apply after-care cream:
When area begins to get itchy, which is normal during the healing process.
Before showering, to protect it from moisture.
When applying post care cream, always use a thin layer.
Things to avoid Day 1-Day 10.
Excessive sweating
Swimming
Hot sauna, hot bath, or Jacuzzi
Sun tanning or salon tanning
Wearing makeup in affected brow area
UV/UVA Rays or chemicals as they have been known to cause a shift in color and premature fading
Any laser or chemical treatments or peelings, and/or any creams containing Retin-A or Glycolic acid on the face or neck
Picking, peeling, or scratching of the micro pigmented area in order to avoid scarring of the area or removal of the pigment
Brows should be fully healed within 4 weeks of inital appointment. A touch-up appointment should be done after the brows have fully healed.
Remember to always apply SPF sunscreen on your brows after they are healed to avoid sun exposure and fading.
Microblading is only one service that I provide. It’s very different from the other services that I perform, mainly because of how long it lasts, but it is also a very intimate procedure. It contains alot of focus, alot of detailing, and alot of observation. The outcome is so satisfying and can be life changing when someone hasn’t seen their own brow shape for so long. Those are the one’s that definitely pay off.
If you would like to inquire a microblading appointment, please fill out form below.
Chronicles of a curly headed gal.
One of my clients that I see regularly now, found me via social media a little while ago. She booked me for a wash and style. She’s a black girl and has hair similar to mine. Not a problem, as I can work on all hair types. She tells me that before she found me, she was searching other salons that were referred to her in the Nashville area. She found one, called to book an appointment, mentioned that she had “ethnic” hair and the receptionist got a little hesitant. They basically told her that nobody in the salon could service her because nobody was comfortable enough doing that type of hair……I can’t say that I haven’t heard of this scenario before.
This gave me some flash backs. When I was younger, my mom would take me to the salon to get my hair straightened, on special occasions, and I used to really look forward to getting this done. I remember a specific time she took me to a local Hair Cuttery in Columbia, SC, probably my mom’s first mistake. But we came in and I remember when the stylist saw that I was her “wash and style” client she looked like a deer in headlights. Completely frazzled. She proceeded to try and blow dry my hair and it was just getting worse as she continued. It was super frizzy, she wasn’t putting enough tension on my hair as she was round brushing it, and it was just a mess. My mom had to take me somewhere else to get it flat ironed because what she gave me was not the look I was going for. I was probably about 10 years old and can envision that scene so clearly. It wasn’t anything detrimental, but I was pretty annoyed that this lady made me look completely crazy and how uncomfortable she was working with my hair. She DID try though, I could give her that.
My point is that this happened about 15 years ago to me, my client’s experience happened only some weeks ago. We all have our specialties when it comes to any career path we chose but part of being a stylist or even a business in this case, is being able to cater to the public without making people feel left out. To blatantly say that nobody at that salon was able to do her hair was foul. It’s safe to say that even some of these trendy or top salons in Nashville could broaden their horizons.
What are all these parts?
Knowing your hair tools and hair products is one of the most important hacks you can learn. Many people will buy hair products without knowing exactly how to use them, therefore they may think a product doesn’t work when in reality they might not be using it correctly. Same goes for your hair tools. Sure, most people know the jist of what a blow dryer does, but here’s a little tip on what some of the attachments are used for to help you when it comes to styling your own hair.
Using no attachment - usually used for a quick dry but those who have finer hair can actually benefit from not using a nozzle. By round brushing your hair with no attachment on the blowdryer, this creates more airflow through the hair which can create more fullness and kink for finer hair.
Concentrater- these are used to concentrate airflow to a specific area of your hair which will create a smoother and shinier look. A dryer can come with more than one concentrator, usually different sizes, to give you a choice of preference.
Comb attachment- This makes it easy to blow through the hair smoothly and still create volume as the "pick" creates height at the root. This is also a great tool to dry coarser hair with, as it combs and smooths at the same time. Because you don’t need another tool when using this attachment, it’s made easy for someone to style their own hair with.
Diffuser- This is the bowl shaped attachment. It lowers the intensity of the blow dryer's air flow, which ultimately helps reduce frizz. This is great for drying wavy or curly hair just for those reasons. To get the best results, dry hair using a diffuser while your hair is flipped upside down for voluminous curls. When you use a diffuser, be sure to use more product on your hair beforehand to compensate for any frizz that the blow dryer may create.
Balay... who?
One of the things that can ruin someones salon experience is not being able to vocalize what they want their stylist to do. Although, it’s important for the stylist to be able to depict an idea of what their client may want through a thorough consultation, it still wouldn’t hurt for clients to have a small understanding of some trendy hair verbiage. Here’s a few words and descriptions that can make your salon trip a bit easier.
Balayage- This word is probably the most mispronounced word in the hair world. Yet, every stylist knows what you are trying to say so don’t get too caught up on the pronunciation. Hell, I’ve probably said it wrong myself before. Balayage is a french word that literally translates into “sweeping” which describes the technique used to apply color or bleach to the hair. This sweeping technique creates a gradual transition from dark to light at any color level. Most people confuse this term with something that describes a specific color but, it is simply a technique. So, someone can have balayage highlights on brown hair and someone can have balayage highlights on blonde hair as well.
Airy- This word is used to describe how you might want your style to look. Any hair cut can be styled to look “airy”. This is when the hair is slightly undone, looks light and flowy as opposed to heavy and flat. This look is usually achieved using a finishing texture spray or hairspray.
Blunt- When the lines in your haircut are dramatic, the perimeter or length of your hair is all sitting on the same line. Blunt looks are usually described as more of an edgier look.
Piecey- This can be similar to airy, but even more specific. With this look, you can see the separation in different parts of the hair whether you are describing color placement or the style of the hair. This look can be created using some hair paste or cream at the end of your styling process.
Textured- This is when the hair has some grip to it, and isn’t so soft or limp. Most times, more textured hair will hold volume better. This is why stylist push the importance of using texture sprays when styling someones hair because that will help your style last longer as opposed to making it feel heavier as some people may think.
Polished- Hair that looks sleek or shiny. Everything describing the hair is “put together”. This would be the opposite of airy or piecey.
Rinse/Gloss/Toner-These terms are all used interchangeably. These all describe a service that is usually performed at the shampoo bowl as a short or add on service but can be susceptible to being put on at the chair based on the stylists’ preference. A rinse or gloss is usually used to darken the hair that’s faded between color services, leaving it with a shiny finish. This can also be colorless (clear) if you’re solely looking for shine. A toner describes the same service but is used to shift the tone in hair that has been prelightened or naturally lightened due to sun exposure or heat damage.