Harry from our Sandy Springs Salon gives quick tips on how to fix bedhead from atop the Westin in downtown Atlanta.  WIth minimal products stashed and a little bit of preparation on those mornings when you are running out of time yu can still manage to have great hair with minimal effort.

Any client can have a satisfying color experience if they discuss certain details in their color consultation.  Pictures are an essential part of the process.  At the end of the consultation you and your colorist should have an agreement on the expected outcome and the cost of the service.

The best way to assure a great hair color is to have a great color consultation.  At the beginning of every color service there should be a thorough consultation. Be ready to answer questions about your current hair color and how the look is working for you.  Here are some examples:

Is your color ...

• fading too light?
• looking dull?
• tone changing too much?
  
• dimension fading?

Are you ...

• wearing bangs the same way?
• changing your haircut?
• happy with the amount of gray coverage?

I refer to my portfolio pictures to confirm the look.  Some clients like to change their look, even slightly, at least once a year if not once a season.  My portfolio is always available with new ideas.

Pictures really are worth 1000 words, and more. My idea of  "golden brown with natural blonde highlights" could be very different from what you imagine for yourself.   A picture serves as a visual agreement of the expected outcome.   Sometimes it takes more than one picture to show all that a colorist needs to know:

• amount of highlights
• level of contrast
• color of highlights
• color of base or lowlights

A great look is worth maintaining.  The difference between your natural hair and your desired color determines how often you should return to the salon to maintain your look.  Some services are recommended to touch-up every 4 weeks, some every 6-8 weeks, and some every 10-12 weeks.  Also, you should receive recommendations for shampoo and conditioner that will keep your hair looking great as long as possible.

Dramatic changes may require more than one visit.  If the look you want is not possible in one service, the colorist should find a picture you agree upon for the outcome of the first visit.  In the event of corrective services, a waiver is filled out by the colorist and signed by you so you understand the cost of service, expected outcome, amount of visits required to fully achieve the look, and any possible risks of service.

At the end of a great color consultation, both you and colorist should be excited about the service. You are now free to enjoy the whole experience at the salon!

As a hairstylist who has worked behind the chair for 18 years I am often asked "how long should my hair be," or "is my hair too long for me" or "what is the appropriate length for my hair?"

Now of course there are many factors that will play into this answer; what is the texture of your hair, how healthy is your hair, and what face shape do you have. In addition to all of these factors one of the most important is your lifestyle; how active are you, how much time do you want to spend on your hair everyday etc.

But let's put all those aside for the moment and assume you want long hair, but not too long, what is the best way to determine its length?

One of the effects we as hairdressers are trying to achieve with a cut is an aesthetic balance. One technique I have used over the years to help determine the maximum length of someone's hair involves a little math and can be determined at home by using your own mirror and a bar of soap to mark the lengths.

-determine the broadest part of the face.
-measure the length from your shoulder to that point.
-take this distance and measure the length from the shoulder down

This is an optimal length to create balance around the face.

For example if the cheek bone is the broadest part of my client's face, then I would measure form the shoulders to the cheek bone. Let's say it is 6 inches, I would then measure down 6 inches from her shoulder to determine what would be a good balance for a woman who wants long hair, but is not sure how long it should be.

Now you know what would be the optimal length, the hard decisions is do you want long hair?

How to manage curly hair?

While many women struggle with embracing their natural texture, there is a myriad of benefits in doing so.  Time, which most of us never seem to have enough of, is one of the main points that women in my chair say is a deciding factor in making the jump to their new look.   Also, any of us who spend hours flat ironing their textured hair only to step outside into the Atlanta humidity know that it is a battle we oftentimes cannot win.   These factors, along with various other elements have made "simplifying" our lives all the more appealing.

So I ask you to imagine yourself greeting the change of season with a new outlook about your personal styling regimen.  If you struggle to maintain a look that simply doesn't come naturally, maybe it's time to try something new.    Getting a haircut that is conducive to both natural and styled looks is a good "no commitment" starting point.   A technically superior cut along with a little product can create an effortlessly appealing new look.  So ladies, take a chance and embrace the curly haired goddess that lives within you.   You may find that what you have been fighting all along can set you apart from the rest and turn heads along the way.