The Harry Josh Dryer

Sooner or later finally comes that time that some of us dread. Our blowdryers just don't work up to par anymore. Its one of those appliances that you just have to keep replacing eventually as time goes on. I was in denial about it for a few weeks, acting like it was totally normal that it smelled like burnt hair while it was running. I finally caved when a co-worker started using it. She turned to me and said "Missy, your blowdryer sucks, just please get a new one". The search started.

 Being in the hair industry, a high quality blow dryer was crucial. I wanted something lightweight, easily transportable and had a strong air flow. Being a Twin Turbo girl for so long, I wanted to venture out of my comfort zone and see what else was out there. I searched through different brands comparing prices, size, weight and wattage. I'm someone who is very visual, so when I came across this fun-sized, mint green blowdryer I was automatically intrigued. 

The Harry Josh Pro Tools 2000 dryer definitely had its own character from the rest of the dryers I've seen. It had a unique retro feel and didn't look like it would feel as if I was drying hair with a 10 pound weight. I read tons of positive reviews about it and even articles from other beauty bloggers giving their opinion. I read about its 9 inch cord, green energy system that reduces energy use by 70%, and its extra cold push button for setting styles. At the time of my research, I found it in a package deal that came with brushes and clips for $250 on Hairenvy.com (I think this is still being offered).  I decided to take the plunge and make the purchase. 

My blowdryer had arrived and I was so excited to try it. I pulled out the pint sized dryer and immediately plugged it in. I was pleasantly surprised with how strong and hot the airflow was for a small little gadget. I clicked on the cool shot button and the air didn't go to just room temperature, it actually got cold enough to cool down hot hair. It also had a nifty little ION button for you to decide whether you want to use the ION technology or not. The cord length was much longer then any other dryer I had owned and the weight of the dryer wasn't tiring to my arm. Luckily my mom needed her weekly blowout that night so I able to test it out right away. 

Since I've been using the same dryer for so long, it took a few minutes to really get used to a new one. I couldn't tell right away how much I loved it since I was so out of my comfort zone. After a few sections of hair I became more adapted and realized how happy I was with it. The strong hair flow made for a quick and smooth blowout, lightweight helped with handling of the tool, and the cool shot button helped with longevity of the style. All around I give this blowdryer 2 thumbs up.

The PROPER way to arrive at your color appointment

A fellow colorist had recently said something to me that opened my eyes a little more about the industry I am in. "We are not in the hair business, we are in the people business". Everyday I have the chance to study how people work and build a one-on-one connection with a complete stranger. I learn their likes, dislikes, family history, all the places they have lived, and everything else under the sun you can imagine. Each client is completely different, which makes my job that much more fun. However, I have seen one similarity between everyone of them. No one knows how to be prepared a hair appointment. 

I can't tell whether or not it's actually common knowledge on how to arrive into a salon. Maybe it's that I'm just a salon professional so I know all the proper ways and clients actually have no clue? Either way, I would like to educate everyone on what to do so you are ready for your colorist to work their magic. 

1. Someone else's sweat isn't something we want to get our hands in

                         I understand you have your workout routine and need to be in the gym at the same whatever time every single day. But please, work it around your hair appointment. It's not going to kill you if your there at 5 in the afternoon instead of 2. It's just once every few months that you have to rearrange your schedule a little bit. When you come in with a head full of sweat and tell me you didn't have time to wash it, the first thing I think is "Oh great, just what I was hoping for". It doesn't make us want to touch your head. It just turns into a chore and we have to immediately go to disinfect our hands because of the sweaty client. Please, don't be the sweaty client. 

2. Be hygienic and make sure your hair is clean

                      Please don't come in to me and say you haven't washed your hair in 4 days. Do you know how much oil collects on your roots just in 4 days? Not only is it very unappealing for us to touch, but it actually changes the way color reacts to your hair. When you have an outer layer of oil coating your hair, it can slow the processing time down and even make it difficult for color or any lightener to penetrate into your hair to begin with. It can create unexpected results which isn't great for you or your colorist. To get the most benefit out of what your paying for, show up with freshly washed hair. This will allow the colorist to properly predict what they can do for you. Those oily roots also mess with where color is placed. Oily hair falls differently then clean hair, which automatically will shift what type of sectioning or patterns your colorist is placing on your head. 

                    An oily scalp isn't the only reason you should wash your hair, product buildup is another. If you use hairsprays, mousses, gels or any other thick product that makes your hair feel like straw, please wash it out. It does not make the color application more efficient when there is a hair that is clumped up like a ball of hay from using to much hair spray or mousse. Not only will it slow the application time down, it also might be uncomfortable to you when I tug and pull to try and separate those stuck-together strands. So, for your benefit and mine, wash your hair. 

3. Do not show up with it soaking wet

                   

                  After your hair is all washed and cleaned, pick up that dryer and blowdry your hair. Not damp, not 75% dry, not mostly dry in the front and a little wet in the back, DRY. When you make an appointment with your colorist, you are not the only appointment of the day. Even though you have a special bond with them and you think you have all the time in the world to dilly dally when you get there, you don't. Colorists love spending time with there clients and getting to know them more, but unfortunately, time is of the essence. From the moment you sit down in that chair the clock is ticking until it's time for the next client to come in. When you arrive to your appointment with wet hair, that time booked only for what you requested has been disrupted. Now, your colorist must get their blowdryer out and take however many more minutes to dry your hair for you. Ten minutes as rolled by and your hair is finally dry. Unfortunately, those small ten minutes to you is a big ten minutes to your hairdressers next client, who has been waiting ten minutes past when her appointment was scheduled for because you weren't prepared for your appointment. To avoid any time management issues during your time at the salon, arrive with dry hair. 

4. Actually brush your hair

                     

                      After the experience I had with a client last week, please, I beg you, brush your hair properly. A mother brought in her 16 year old daughter to get her hair highlighted for an upcoming event. I looked at my schedule and saw I was booked the proper amount of time to give her what she wanted. My next client was due an hour after her so I had to make sure I was running on schedule. I walked over to the girl and her mother to discuss what she was looking to achieve. Halfway into the client consultation the mother had said to me that there was a small knot in the back of the girls head. The fact that she had to stop and make me aware of a "small" knot made me a little skeptical. Before we continued, I took a look through the girls hair to see what I was really getting myself into. There it was, a knot of matted, tangled, hard as a rock hair that was the size of my fist. Picture a dread-lock in a baseball form. This wasn't something a brush and some conditioner would handle. This knot was at the point of taking over 30 minutes to remove. I had explained to the mother that since the knot had to be taken out, the daughter might miss her appointment due to the time that it takes to remove something like that. Finally, halfway into her appointment, the knot was out. I still had a half hour left to do something to the girls color where it looked refreshed for her event, but not what she originally made her appointment for. If the girl was prepared and showed up with her hair tangle free, she would of been given the service she intended to have. Brush your hair. 

5. Know what you want

                    There are many times when a client comes into me and has no idea what they are looking to do. No matter how hard you try to get on the same page, everyone has different versions of what colors are what. My caramel tone and honey blonde can be totally different then what you think is it. Visuals are the biggest thing I encourage. Bring in pictures, photographs or whatever you decide to show for what you want your hair to look like. The best investment I've made this year was my Ipad. If a client comes in and is confused about what they are looking for, I just pop up Pinterest and tell them to search through different looks. Finding a common ground with your colorist is very important. We are there to make you happy and make you feel beautiful. When we know what you have in mind and are given the right tools, we can achieve whatever look you dream to have. 

I hope you take everything I've said here into consideration when you are getting ready for your hair appointment. Your time is valuable and to make sure its not wasted, prepare for your colorist properly. 

Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Novemeber 1'st isn't only the day after Halloween. It's also the day we start getting into holiday season mode. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween. It's right up there with Christmas for me. But, the second it's over, It's spreading holiday cheer all the way. I get my ugly sweater out and DVD's of Elf and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The temperatures outside are starting to drop down into hibernation season, which makes it perfect weather for hot cocoa. I'm someone who hates the cold and will love anything that keeps me warm. While I was in the supermarket yesterday, the shelves were stacked with all things Christmas. These items included candy canes and one of my favorites, Andes chocolates. Peppermint Hot Cocoa immediately came to mind. I'm more for homemade hot cocoa. The packaged stuff is way to watery and generic while homemade is thick and creamy. It's a dessert in itself. Today was the perfect afternoon to make it. It was windy with an uncomfortable chill in the air. Needless to say, the hot cocoa didn't last too long. I curled up on the couch with a blanket and sipped it as I watched my dad, through the window, clear the yard for our wood delivery. It made me think that this would be even better in front of our wood burning stove. I see many batches of this being made this holiday season. 

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

2 Cups of  Whole Milk

1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar

4 oz of Bittersweet Chocolate

5 Andes Chocolates

1/8 Tsp of Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp of Vanilla 

Step 1: Pour the milk and cinnamon into a sauce pan and heat on low-medium until it comes to a slight simmer. 

Step 2: Whisk in chocolate and andes chocolates and leave for 1 min. 

Step 3: Turn of heat and whisk in cinnamon and Vanilla. Let steep for 10 minutes. 

Step 4: After 10 minute, turn heat back on until hot cocoa is fully heated. Pour into mug. 

Whipped Cream

1/2 Cup of Heavy Cream 

1 Tablespoon confectioners suger 

Step 1: With a handheld or electric mixer, mix cream until the consistency is thick. 

Step 2: Mix in confectioners sugar 

Step 3: With a piping bag, pie whipped cream on top of Hot cocoa. 

Step 4: Garnish top with crushed candy cane pieces and stick a candy cane on the side for extra peppermint flavor. 

I hope this recipe keeps you as warm as it kept me. :)

New Product Review

Bumble and Bumble is one of the most fun product lines I've worked with. Whenever they come out with new products, I'm itching to try them. A few weeks ago I noticed some new bottles on our product shelf. Ofcourse, I was immediately curious. Being that my hair is very fine, I have to be careful of the type of products I use. Anything too heavy will turn my head into a oil slick. It doesn't look so cute. I'm the type that leads more towards cream products, so making sure they're lightweight is a must. I tested both of these products out at 2 separate times. They both helped smooth out my hair without being to heavy. Last night, we finally had a product knowledge class to inform us on all the benefits these products have to offer. 

Repair

Repair is great for those highlighted, superfine blondes and those who are addicted to the styling tools. Over time, highlighting and heat-styling can put a lot of wear and tear on someone's hair. Repair is a featherlight leave-in conditioner that seals split ends while protects against further breakage. It works as a heat and UV protector by creating an outer protective layer on the hairs surface, also protecting your color

All-style

All-style is great for those with healthy hair. It can even be used on fine hair that tends to get a little oily. The product contains powders to keep hair clean and oil free, while giving it the moisture and protection it needs. It makes the hair more manageable and effortless to blowdry by fighting frizz and  flyways. The lightweight feel allows a styled blowdry to hold its shape without being weighed down.

This product also contains the heat and UV protection to benefit the hair even more.

Both of these products have great benefits. You can never go wrong with Bumble and Bumble.

Homemade Apple Pie

What's more comforting in the fall than warm apple pie? Absolutely nothing. If you have a different answer to this, I question your sanity. My baking really picks back up in the fall when the colder weather comes around. It's not so fun working in front of a hot oven in the summer. That's when I like to be outside and enjoy the sun while I can. Now, it's all about staying inside and cozying up with my favorite comfort foods. 

My big thing is making food with love. I don't like to take any shortcuts. If you really put your heart into whatever your making, it shows through the dish. I do whatever I can to make everything from scratch and try to use all organic, good quality products. Great ingredients will always produce better results. 

My pie crust is made with 3 simple ingredients. Cream cheese, flour, and butter. My grandma gave me this recipe years ago. It was nice to see a pie crust that didn't require any Crisco (vegetable shortening). It's just something I rather not use. 

My pie filling was made with apples from this years apple picking trip. I used a combination of all the different apples I took home. I find that the more combinations you use, the better it is. Theres a different, sweet flavor in every bite. 

This apple pie has been eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner the past 2 days. As soon as it's finished I'll definitely be making another one. 

Pie Crust  

1 stick of butter 

4 oz of cream cheese 

1 cup of flour 

1 Egg (for egg wash) 

Pinch of Sugar

Pie Filling

6-9 Apples of  your choice 

2 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar 

2 Tablespoons of Cinnamon 

1/4 Cup of flour 

3/4 Cup of Sugar 

Pie Crust

1. Place your flour on a clean board. Take the butter and cream cheese and cut into cubes. Place on top of the pile of flour. 

2. Take a clean butter knife and chop the butter and cream cheese while combing in into the flour until it resembles a crumbly texture. 

3. With your hands, form the crumbly mixture into a dough like ball. Do not incorporate to much, this way we get a flakey crust. Smooth out any parts that are still dry with flour. 

4. Place the dough ball in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

Pie Filling

1. Peel apples and cut into chunks. 

2. Place the apple chunks into a large bowl. Add in cinnamon, brown sugar, sugar, and flour . 

3. Work the mixture together with your hands to make sure it is all incorporated evenly.

4. Place into pie dish of your choice. 

5. When the pie crust is ready, roll out until it is large enough to cover the top of the pie dish and hanging over the edges a little bit. While rolling out, add flour as needed so the dough does not stick and tear. 

6. Beat the egg in a small bowl. With a brush, dip in the egg wash and lightly coat the top of the dough. Take a pinch of sugar and dust it over the top of the crust. This will create that golden shine while it is baking.  

7. Cut a few slits in the top for ventilation 

8. Place in a 350 degree oven for one hour. When the pie is done, let it set for 20 minutes. 

9. Enjoy! 

Making apple pie is so much fun and can be easy to do. I love to have it with a side of vanilla ice cream and pour some homemade caramel over the top. It gets me through the cold nights and makes them a little bit more bearable. 

New Product Review

When you work in a salon, it almost drives you nuts with all the different products you have to choose from. Everyday I stand there debating which one I'm going to use. When your an indecisive person like I am, this is no easy task. I try and stick to a few key favorite products, that way I'm not procrastinating. However, sometimes I like to venture out and try something new. Being someone who has fine, short hair, I am always looking for more ways to thicken it up. A little over a year ago, a Kerastase product called INITIALISTE was introduced. Before trying it, I waited a while to see what the reviews and results were from consumers. After getting an abundance of positive feed back and earning the award for Product of the Year, I've finally decided its time to add into my at home ritual. 

Here's the breakdown of INITIALISTE. It is a serum that comes in a glass bottle with a handy little applicator. Being that it is to encourage hair strength and growth, it is applied right onto the scalp after you wash your hair. After continuing usage, your hair becomes healthier and stronger, protecting it from breakage. It also encourages growth and thickness. This is especially great for women with fine hair, those suffering from hair loss and women who get highlights. 

Statistics 

9 out of 10 women showed results after 1 week 

89% saw more shine

87% felt more thickness 

86% felt their hair was stronger and softer 

Since I have been using this products for only a few days, I have yet to see the results. After the feedback I've gotten  by consumers and the high ratings of this product, I am so excited to see what this will do for my hair. Every few weeks, I will track my progress and review this based on my opinions from  personal experience. Wish me luck!

Surviving the Cold

Great hair day weather is so hard to come by. There has to be no wind, no humidity, and between 55 to 70 degrees outside. Unless you live in California, this isn't happening very often. At the moment in New York, we can feel the temperature making that dramatic shift and dropping down into sweater weather zone. As much as I love sweaters and boots, I don't love the fact that my hair is static electricity central. As soon as I put my coat on or sweatshirt over my head, my hair sticks out like I'm a porcupine. The lack of moisture in the air doesn't help either. It's brittle hair for days. Unless I really take care of it, breakage and dryness takes over. I try to avoid all of these unpleasant situations as much as I can by having a solid hair regime at home. With the right products and steps taken, you can  keep your hair healthy and manageable during the cold seasons. 

1. Lay off on the shampoo 

                    I'm not saying to never wash your hair or take a shower. Just cut it back to 2-3 times a week and use a shower cap. Washing almost every day strips your hair of its natural oils, causing it to dry out. Our scalp secretes oils for a reason, They are our bodies natural moisturizers. On days you feel a little oily, opt for a dry shampoo. It will soak up the oils and incorporate volume back into your hair. What I like to do is use some dry shampoo on the day that I've washed my hair. This way the oils are soaked up right away and I can wait a little longer between washings. Some great dry shampoos are Pret-a-Powder by Bumble and Bumble and Dry Clean Only by Sebastian. 

2. Deep condition 

                     This is such an underestimated, overlooked task. Deep conditioning really makes a huge difference and doesn't take that long. I have a lot of clients that say they just don't have the time for that one extra task. Deep conditioning can be done in ten minutes while your taking a shower. As soon as you get in, wash you hair and the apply your deep conditioner. By the time your done with your shower, it will be time to rinse it out. My favorite way to deep condition my hair is overnight. I wash my hair right before bed, towel dry very well and apply my deep conditioner. When I wake up in the morning, I rinse it out and continue my usual styling. It's that simple. Some of the conditioners I like to use are Creme de Cocoa and Quenching by Bumble and Bumble. These are for more thicker hair. If you prefer something lightweight, Masque Force Architecte by Kerastase is moisturizing without being heavy. It is also great for women who highlight due to the reparative properties.  

3. Use post-shower products

                       It's common to think all you need is a good shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair manageable. These products are just the first step. Using products after you wash your hair is also important. It's the final step to de-frizz and tame down. 

               

                  For straight or wavy hair- An oil or leave-in conditioner is great. An oil will seal all the fly ways down while the leave-in conditioner provides extra moisture. These products can be used together for hair that is especially unruly. My favorite oil is the Elixir Ultime by Kerastase, which has also won the award for Best Of Beauty by Allure Magazine. My choice for leave in conditioner is the Nectar Thermique by Kerastase. If you prefer something light, Ciment Thirmique by Kerastase is also a great choice. 

                    For curly hair -  Bumble and Bumble has an awesome line just for curly hair. From shampoo to mousse, they have it. Curls get especially dry in the winter due to the natural oils not being able to travel down the coils of our hair. When I say our, I am speaking from experience. My hair is a curly mess so I understand the struggles. My favorite product to use is the curl cream. It holds curl while adding extra moisture. They have the cream for both fine hair and coarse hair to give you a variety of options. 

Following these simple steps are easy ways to keep your hair manageable during the upcoming seasons. Good luck and stay warm!