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Natural Hair Care with Beauty in Variations

May 8, 2018

Haircare

Beauty industry is constantly changing.  Every month new and improved products come to market and it’s hard to keep up with trends. However let’s think about this… Our ancestors had no synthetic conditioners, shampoos and lotions but their hair was healthy and beautiful. What was their secret? How was it possible without the modern innovative products? The answer is simple.

Cosmetics made of herbs, fruits and oils helped women sustain their natural beauty.

Of course, our ancestors did some pretty weird and gross things to keep up with hair fashion. For instance, during the late 16th century, women would set their hair with lard and slept with a nightcap over their head to protect it from rats. Weird? I think so! But still there is a lot to learn from our history.

The most amazing think about the ladies from the past is how close to nature they were.

Let’s look at the ancient Egypt! The women there used castor and almond oil to promote hair growth. They put no synthetic products in formulas and even in the context of hot dry climate their hair was wonderful. Another example is 7th century India. The beauties from there enjoyed coconut, almond oil, honey and ghee (a form of purified butter) for cleaning and conditioning.

The compounds of these very treatments became the foundation of many synthetic hair products we use now. It may even happen, that you are currently using a shampoo, conditioner or a hair lotion that includes them. Can you imagine how powerful beauty tips of our ancestors are if the main ingredients and vitamins for hair treatments remained the same? It is really powerful…and I truly believe in it.

In my opinion, having strong, shiny gorgeous hair means that we should make the best from both of the approaches. Combining synthetic products with natural treatments can help us to bring back that healthy shine, banish those split ends, ditch the dry itchy scalp and strengthen the hair!

Which is why, my clients enjoy not only professional but also natural hair care.

Among the procedures we offer are hair masks made of kefir, yogurts, oils and fruits along with herbal hair washes, all of which are individually selected for each client.  Natural hair masks and washes are just as beneficial, if not more so, than regular beauty products. Unlike a typical beauty product that rests on the surface of strand of hair, a hair mask works its way inside the root.  Regular application of a natural hair mask can improve shine, help with manageability and work to nourish the root.

The best thing about natural hair care is that you may propel hair growth, prevent breakage, retain moisture and moreover it seems no hair goal is impossible with correctly selected natural hair mask.  Schedule an appointment with Beauty in Variations to discuss your individual solution.

 

Donna Bella Hands-On Certification Course @ IBS NYC 2018

March 27, 2018

IBS NYC 2018, Uncategorized

Short course description:

Intensive training course will allow you to practice hands-on with all three of Donna Bella’s traditional hair extensions methods: I-Link, Kera-Link, and Tape-In.

This turned out to be a most inspiring class.

There are new hair trends coming out every day – I know about that since I am deeply in love with my profession.  I noticed that nowadays bright colored hair is the chic, amazing and super subtle trend.  A lot of girls, myself included, dream about dying hair blue, purple, pink and so on but we never actually do.  We don’t want to risk the health of our hair.

At the IBS New York, which is one of the most known beauty shows, I discovered for myself that there is an alternative to dying hair. The Donna Bella Milan course, inspired me to use purple-pink hair extensions!

It may sound a bit pretentious, but the class was awesome.  The representative of the company explained everything in a way we quickly understood, and the product was of excellent quality.  The only thing I am a bit disappointed with was the amount of mannequins — 5 people worked with 3 heads.  I think the product was too cool to practice the use of it with anyone else! I am sorry, my friends, but if you were there you would hold the same opinion ;).

In 3 hours we learnt three different techniques of using Donna Bella hair extensions.  The first of them didn’t require heat.  It involved «i-link» (beads) and «tape-in» (tapes) hair extensions methods.  Also, we learnt how to use properly «flat-tip» technique, that united «i-link» and «tape-in» methods, and natural fusion «kera-link» method.  Everything was very interesting, but what impressed me the most was the fact that Donna Bella provides extensions made of 100% human remy hair which you can be reused multiple (2-3) times. It turned out Donna Bella has 18 different shades of natural hair color to offer us.  

It was easy to work with Donna Bella products. The hair didn’t narrow or «flash» and its’ texture, colors and length were awesome.

Btw, the icing on the cake… We got the opportunity to talk with Donna Bella partner Donald Scott.  In the world of beauty industry he is known for creating patented razor tool designs.  Mr Scott turned out to be an interesting person and I was glad to have met him.  

After the end of the master class I was so inspired that I decided to get hair extensions for myself. We arranged the meeting with Donna Bella hairstylist and in 1 hour and 15 minutes the results were received — pink-purple strands! Among the methods offered by Donna Bella I chose «i-link» since it will last me longer.

Thanks to Donna Bella for reminding me that being bright is wonderful!

Date attended: March 5th, 2018

 

ARROJO American Wave Certification Class @ IBS NYC 2018

March 5, 2018

IBS NYC 2018

Short course description:

a three-hour hands-on workshop offering American Wave Certification! In this workshop, you will learn distinct American Wave techniques: The Beach Wave, Style Support and Texture Expansion.

This was simply an amazing and beautifully organized class.  There were 3 instructors and 4 assistants for a class of about 40-50 people with enough personalized attention to understand the techniques.  I was fortunate to be assisted by Tina, I think she was the best.  We went through the 3 techniques, and the product looks amazing.  I will definitely schedule an appointment to get the treatment myself.

The after event hosted at Arrojo Tribeca salon was also very interesting.  This was where I got to see how Nick Arrojo interacts with his staff, how he speaks about his product and the types of marketing ideas he shares.  What I found interesting in the stance he took on never using Keratin products due to the damage they cause the hair, this was exactly the reason why I never wanted to have anything to do with the product.

During both the class and the after event the whole team seemed so integrated in their talks.  One would start talking and another finishes the thought so seamlessly, you would think these were trained actors.  The staff came through as very knowledgeable and caring about the products, services and the image of the American Wave product.  I can see why hair stylists would be excited about joining a working environment such as this.   

200 Hudson Street

The core of the class was excellently executed, but there is always room for improvement.  I don’t know why, but I was expecting some gift from completing the class.  Some small samples would have done the job.  Another item I found lacking was the absence of engagement from the class staff after the class.  When it hit 1pm, it seemed like they all just relaxed.  I found it strange that none of them came around finding feedback from the students.  But the strangest thing I found was the lack of ability to signup for their products in the classroom, I actually had to go find their booth on the main floor to make a purchase.  These 3 hiccups are all organizational and had no impact on the product presentation and the positive opinion of it that was formed in my mind.

I will speak more about American Wave after my first client as well as after I put myself through the process.

Thank you, Nick and Tina.

Date attended: March 4th, 2018

IBS NYC 2018 – Day 1

March 4, 2018

IBS NYC 2018

 I arrived at 9:15am on Sunday March 4, 2018 at the Jacob Javits Center for the IBS NYC Show.  Check in lines already looked like an hour wait, but with some luck I found a line in the furthest place from the entrance that took me through the check-in process in 15 min.  I was in, and now I was up to my next challenge … find the class room for my first master class of the day.  I never realized there are so many levels to this place, Javits Center is huge. 

My first class of the day was on ARROJO American Wave Certification with Nick Arrojo.  You can see the full class description here.  My overall opinion, I was impressed. 

My second class of the day was The Highlighting Strategy that Works on Everyone with Marco Pelusi.  You can see the full class description here.  Once again, I found the class to be engaging and well worth my time.

Both classes deserve separate posts and you will see them here shortly.

I had a very little time to explore the bazar like atmosphere on the main floor.   But I did end up making a few purchases.   A couple of flat irons, makeup brushes, makeup brush belt and some other products which I will describe in detail.  But not today, I am just too tired to go through this right now.

The takeaway of the day – I realized that all the years of attending this show just to see new products were wasted.  The best investment any professional can make at this show, is to sign up for the hands on training seminars.  They are not free, and my total package, including the 4 classes I registered for, ended up costing me over $1000.  But, I will easily be able to make that investment back through the new services that I can now offer my clients. 

So, even if you are not a salon owner and even if your budget is tight, find the money to take at least 1 or 2 courses.  You will not regret it.