Madonna / Star Hair Style

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national past time. One star whose hair styles have inspired women throughout the world is the Queen of Pop Madonna. For over a quarter of a century, Madonna has been a music mega-star, a pop culture provocateur, movie star and a global style icon. Few can match her flair for reinventing her image and uncanny ability to predict trends. Ever the trend setter at 50 plus, Madonna continues to set the standard for style and glam in a grown-up way. 

TO GET THE LOOK:  Are you approaching 50 or pushing the big 60 and feel it’s time for a totally new hairstyle? If that's the case, take a styling lesson from this style icon and let everyone know that you’re still in the game. Updating your hairstyle does not need to be drastic. Often all it takes are a few well placed snips and a splash of color to create a fresh new look. For those that love the feel and feminine look of long hair Madonna’s versatile face framing style and sexy hair color would be the perfect staring point. To get the look, let’s take it one step at a time, starting with a style cut and shaping. 

LET’S SHAPE IT: To get this versatile “two in one” style, start with a shoulder length or longer contoured silhouette with youthful up-lifting face framing layers. This ultra feminine style cut suits both straight and natural wavy hair and most face shapes, especially those with large or angular facial features like Madonna. With a few adjustments (tweaks / trims) as it grows you can easily find the ideal length and shape for your style. 

LET’S STYLE IT: To put your style in motion start with a styling mousse for volume or straightening balm for a smooth straight look. For sexy up-lifting waves a quick blow dry and few twists around a styling iron or a fist-full of hot roller is all it takes. For slick smooth straight look a quick press with a flat iron and a dab of hair polish and you’ve your ready for any occasion.

NOW, LET’S COLOR IT: Actresses change their hair color often for the roles they play and Madonna is no exception.  Madonna’s natural dark brown hair is given a rich warm auburn hue with a high lift tint to define the shape and wash away the gray. After, Honey and Carmel blonde highlights are sprinkled throughout with a foil weaving technique to push the color bar to the max. To maintain this creative coloring effect the new growth is lightened and highlighted every few months. To get the look a visit a salon colorist may cost a few extra bucks, but is well worth the price for a totally new image and all the attention you'll get. 

Madonna’s ultra feminine style has all the "bells and whistles" to let everyone know there's a new girl in town and she's ready to rock. A quick blow dry and styling iron adds soft up-lifting face framing waves or a smooth straight polished look. The multicolored hue with Honey and Carmel highlights is a work of art and thing of beauty. Your new look pushes the time clock back and style bar to the max. You’re sure to get rave reviews when you show up looking years younger and ooh-so stylish in a totally grown-up way with Madonna’s color and style.  

Madonna is a good example of today's women over 50 that look younger because they color and style their hair in a stylish grown-up way.  If you visit a salon you can look 10 years younger. ___ Today's Time Reset_ 70 is the new 60 and 60 the new 50 and 50 the new 40. For more star hair style visit www.georgecaroll.com

George Clooney / Star Hair Style

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become national past time. One popular star hairstyle is Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney. His matinee idol good looks, charm and style, reminiscent of Cary Grant, is totally swoon-worthy. George's close clipped salt and pepper hair style and debonair persona, has stolen the hearts of women around the world.
 

HOW TO GET THE LOOK:  Do you get the feeling your graying hair and fading hairline is making you look passé? Before you throw in the towel try George Clooney’s classic style cut on for size and watch heads turn when you stroll into work looking ten years younger in a grow-up way. For those looking for a no fuzz style this finger combed look styles itself. To get the look, let’s take it one step at a time; starting with a style cut and shaping. 

LET’S SHAPE IT: To get the look, start with a close contoured silhouette with a taper neckline and sideburns. This versatile "two-in-one” style cut is combed forward to put a receding hairline stylishly under cover and is brush back with a part as it grows out. With a few adjustments (tweaks) as it grows makes it easy to find the ideal length and shape for your new style.

LET’S STYLE IT: To jump start your style, start with a dab of shaping gel or use nothing at all. Just towel dry and comb in place or a quick tousle with a blow dryer for a full look is all it takes. To put your "wild side" in play, when dry, add a dab of shaping gel finger combed through the top for a tousled spiky effect and you’ve got the look.

LET’S ADD WHISKERS & SIDEBURNS: Nothing can reshape a face or add a dramatic look like facial hair. This simple addition can make large ears appear smaller, a narrow chin wider, cover a ruddy complexion and defiantly adds a touch of style or artsy look. Sideburns can be full, close, long, short or narrow depending on how much facial hair you have. This simple addition can make large ears appear smaller or narrow faces appear wider. For a stylish look include short or mid length tapered sideburns and your good to go.

NOW, LET’S COLOR IT:  Actors change their hair color often for the many roles they play so coloring their hair is no big deal. For a natural look select a shade closest to your hair’s natural hair color and leave a little gray around the temples for a distinguished effect. To keep the gray at bay plan on having it cut and colored every 6 weeks. This extra step will set you back a few bucks but is well worth the time and expense for a stylish youthful look and all the attention you’ll get.

George Clooney’s classic style cut will put you back in the game looking years younger in a stylish grown up way. The short contoured silhouette looks perfect from all points of view and puts a receding hairline stylishly under cover. Your new color looks so au natural it will have some wondering "does he or doesn't he"?  So don’t be surprised when you stroll into work looking dapper and feeling years younger and hear all the ladies saying, "By George" your hair looks great.

To get the look visit the George Caroll Hair Styling Studio__see details @ http://www,georgecaroll.com 

New Year / New Hairstyle

Are you ready to step into the New Year with a new hairstyle? If you’ve been wearing the same hairstyle for five years or longer it may be time for a change.  Updating a hair style can instantly make anyone look and feel years younger and for some even pounds slimmer. Changing your hair style doesn’t need to be something drastic. Often all it takes is a few well placed snips and some hair styling tricks to create a fresh new updated look that suits you perfectly and that everyone will notice.

To help you find the ideal style for your face shape and unique features our studio stylist’s first look for what your hair does best and then cuts and shapes it to look perfect from all points of view.  Long or short, just comb and go or a quick blow dry and you’ll be ready for any occasion......ideal for today’s fast pace active lifestyles. We’ve been helping the entertainment industry and Toluca Lake residents for years.  To help you step into the New Year with a new hairstyle we’ve made it affordable with our special introductory visit price…save 50% for a first time style cut and hair color service.

Hair Myths

For years all sorts of hair myths have been making their away around the world's households. There are as many myths about hair as there are hair styles. Here are the scientific FACTS about the top 10 hair myths: 

1.      Cutting your hair makes it grow faster.

The hairs growth rate will very for each individual, growing from a half to one inch per month. Cutting your hair will only make it shorter but it will keep it healthy looking. However the hair's grow rate often slows with age, mostly through the crown.
 

2.     Split Ends can be totally repaired to look like it never happened.

Damaged hair cannot be totally repaired to look like new, (only temporarily patched up) and should be cut off or it will continue to fray. Having your hair cut, shaped or trimmed on a regular bases (4-8 weeks) is the best damaged hair conditioning treatment and the secret to healthy looking well groomed hair.

3.      Brushing your hair is bad for it.

Brushing hair incorrectly can damage the hair. However, brushing the hair daily with a simulated or natural boar bristle brush keeps it healthy and well groomed. Brushing your hair helps regulate its natural shedding process, stimulates oil and blood circulation, remove’s tangles, cleans the scalp and polishes the hair. It’s best to brush the hair from the scalp to ends every morning, evening and always before shampooing it.

4.      Wearing tight hats cause baldness.

This one probably started in the military where young men entering the service were required to wear hats and soon showed signs of going bald, or at least hair thinning. This is due to coincidental timing as young men enter the military at the age that male pattern hair loss begins for many.  Ventilated caps are best as the scalp needs oxygen for growth.

5.      All your hair can turn gray or white over night.

This was born in dime store novels. Hair receives its color genetically and can only turn gray or white over time. Actually the hair doesn't turn white in as much as the hair follicle stops producing it natural pigment (color). However, extreme illness or sudden shock can cause the hair to begin to grow in white "but not" over night, or even a wild weekend.
 

6.      Pluck one gray hair and two grow back.

If this were true I would be pulling my hair out by the fist full. However plucking hair incorrectly can damage the follicle and cause it to grow out in an odd shape or direction. 

7.      Baldness is inherited from the mother’s side of the family.

This is more Hair Voodoo. Male and female pattern hair loss can be inherited from either side of the family and may or may not skip many generations. Male pattern hair loss usually begins at age 17 to 20 and female patter hair loss between ages 45 and 55.
 

8.      Dandruff is caused by dry scalp.

Dandruff and dry scalp are two entirely different things. A good shampoo and conditioner will take care of the dry scalp, which is 'flaking'. Dandruff shampoos are entirely unnecessary and inadvisable for dry scalp. Dandruff is a health issue and requires medical attention and prescribed medicated treatments. The 'flakes' are actually oily, not dry and scalps can me itchy. Very few people have actual dandruff and you would know it if you did. And Dandruff is not contagious. On the other hand, there are plenty of nasty things you can get from using someones comb or brush, so be careful. Keeping your personal grooming tools clean is a must.
 

9.  Cutting your hair during a full moon makes it grow faster.

OK I know the moon regulates the oceans tides and many people think it effects the growth of their hair. I am not even going to dignify this one with an explanation. But if you buy into this type of earth muffin drivel, by all means, book a standing appointment on your hairdresser's full moon calendar.

10.       Washing hair everyday is damaging.

At one time not so long ago this was true. However with recent advancements in cosmetic chemistry it’s not only safe to cleanse the hair, scalp and body frequently (even daily) but is also considered hygienically healthy. Shampooing frequently not only improves the hair’s appearance but also removes waxy (sebum) and sweat form the scalp, along with hair mites and styling aids that cause pore blockage and unwanted odor. Thereby allowing the scalp to breathe and promote normal healthy hair growth.

Ageless Hair

With the first wave of baby boomers turning 65, maintaining an active lifestyle is high on their priority list—as is maintaining a more youthful appearance. A recent report projects the anti-aging products market to reach $291 billion worldwide by 2015. Moreover, this market may be more recession-proof than others, as this population continues to seek the fountain of youth and shows no sign of abatement. There’s no better time than now to capitalize on this trend and provide them with care –free hair styles and targeted hair care products solutions specific to their needs. 

According to the results of a recent poll one-third of baby boomers report they regularly color their hair to cover up the gray. However, gray or white color is only one sign of aging hair; other signs include a change in surface texture, diminished density, dullness, increased dryness due to lack of sebum and breakage. Some of these changes are due to the environment—years of coloring, blow-drying, straightening, ironing and in correct brushing take their toll—while other effects are simply due to the physiological changes of getting older. These aging transformations occur gradually over time:

• 20s: Hair is at the peek of thickness and strength, with ample sebum and shine.
• 30s: The external damage incurred during one's 20s becomes visible, and s slight decline in sebum can cause hair to lose its natural luster.
• 40s: The diameter of the hair shaft begins to shrink, leading hair to become thinner and more fragile; a decline in melanin levels can begin to lead to gray hair.
• 50's: Most men and women are 50% gray by the age of fifty due to a steep decline in melanin; follicles continue to shrink and leave hair thinner and the hair often changes its natural characteristics _ becoming straighter, curly or wavy.
• Nearly 40% of both men and women will have experienced some degree of hair loss by age sixty, mostly around the hairline and crown; hair often appears thin and lackluster.

Clearly there is a need for Anti-aging hair care products that leave hair shiny to make up for the loss in natural sebum—but without a greasy look. Because hair becomes thinner, more brittle and less glossy with age, products that create volume, strengthen and provide shine are essential. It’s a tall order but with today’s advancement in cosmetic formulations and refined ingredients it can be broken down into four key segments. 

1.      Anti-aging shampoo and conditioner for example must be gentle and provide excellent cleansing and conditioning benefits, moisturize the hair as it cleans, and leave the hair feeling soft, smooth and free from buildup. The hair must also be strengthened from the inside out. 

2.      Because healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, deep conditioners not only treat and condition hair—they start with the scalp as well. There are available ingredients with compositions very similar to the natural carbohydrate fraction found in the stratum corneum of human skin; as a result, they are highly substantive to the skin and bind moisture like a water magnet. This soothes and hydrates an irritated scalp. These can be added to hair masks also known as deep conditioners, provide intense, targeted moisture that restores hair’s natural shine and strengthen it against future breakage. By nourishing hair and scalp regularly—usually on a weekly basis—texture, body and manageability can improve greatly. 

3.      Replacing the outdated hair sprays with an effective soft-shine spray can pack a powerful punch—smoothing, holding and protecting hair will be the go-to styling product for ageless looking hair. However, it still must function like a great traditional hair spray, keeping styles in place without feeling sticky on hair. In fact, calling the product a “shine spray” rather than the outdated term hair spray may be to a brand’s benefit as well. Even if the two products work in a similar manner, today’s consumer wants something that sounds more youthful and trendy.

4.      Sun, wind and heat can take a major toll on hair in the course of a lifetime, causing it to become brittle and prone to split ends. A great leave-in treatment like a styling cream can help restore hair to its natural shine, moisture and body while smoothing and controlling unbecoming frizz.

Salon products designed for mature hair are on the way but can only mean success when they include the right product mix and the high quality ingredients. The boomers will quickly see through products that overpromise and underdeliver; as always, product effectiveness is key to a line that will keep mature consumers coming back for more. Ageless hair care products____ a trend to watch.

OFF BEAT / Tattooed Lips

With the advent of temporary tattoos, more people have access to this form of beauty expression with a less significant commitment, but many still seek traditional looks and body destinations. However, a new product introduction is giving temporary tattoos a new flair—Violent Lips Temporary Lip Tattoos. Available in designs including animal print, polka dot, fishnet stockings and more, they allow a distinctly eye-catching form of self-expression.

Unusual lip color products have long been a way to stand out, but Violent Lips is in a league by itself with unusual designs that are sure to produce a lot of double-takes from consumers. Estimates are that over one-third of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 have at least one tattoo, which suggests that a sizeable number of consumers could be open to trying a product like this. People often choose to be tattooed to convey characteristics such as ruggedness, individuality and, possibly, a wild and dangerous side, and tattoos have been a beauty symbol in cultures across the world for thousands of years. Although subject to their own design trends and placement fads (tribal arm band or Chinese symbol on the lower back, anyone?), those who get them often insist they are form of expression and personalization they feel they can’t get through any other means of self expression.

For the fashionista’s you can now turn your pout into Polka Dot, Leopard or Fishnet prints that last through the night with Violent Lips. A fashionable line of Temporary Lip Tattoo Applique. The ultimate form of self-expression, the Violent Lips Collection offers a statement-making line of Lip patterns that range from bold animal prints and fun polka dots, to sexy fishnets. This innovative line of Temporary Lip Appliqués will keep the print and color on your lips for 4 to 8 hours. Vitamin enhanced with a smooth feel and glossy finish, the appliqués are easy to apply to lips of all sizes. Violent Lips was created by entertainment industry veteran Jeff Haddad and his daughters Isabella and Sophia. Violent Lips is a line of natural and vitamin enhanced temporary lip tattoos that stay put from the stage to the after-party. These FDA approved, vegan lip tattoos, are tested on supermodels, not animals and made in America. One pack of Violent Lips contains 3 applications. Follow the instructions on the back of each application or watch our online tutorials to help apply the product. The appliqué itself is applied and sealed using water much like a temporary tattoo. The patent pending appliqué removes easily with mineral or baby oil and a textured wipe. A trend to watch !!!

Leo Passage / Godfather Of Hairdressing

Leo Passage / Godfather Of Hairdressing / 1936-2011

The life of Leo Passage is an inspirational story and the kind of stuff that dreams are made of to boot. He came to America from the Netherlands with his young wife of one week and created a network of educational programs for beauty schools that today spans the globe. Leo’s career began at 17 when he was sent to apprentice with a family friend in Holland, where he worked five days a week. On weekends, he returned to Belgium and worked Saturdays and Sundays in his father’s barbershop. His father encouraged him to venture out and try new things. This led him to the world of “competitions hairdressing” where he won more than 95 competitions. He then set his sights on American with a two-year contract at a salon owned by a French expat in Evanston, IL.

With his unique hairdressing techniques and the help of two full-time assistants, in six months he was serving fifty clients a day__ what most hairdressers might do in a week. However Leo could not walk away from the competition hairdressing world and began teaching his competition techniques around the country. By 1959 Leo captured the coveted titles of World Supreme Champion as well as Hairdresser of the Year and became the youngest member of the U.S. Hairdressing Team in Paris, France. With his reputation as original, fresh thinking innovative hair stylist Leo was asked to represent professional product companies, at beauty conventions held in hotel ballrooms to standing room only hairdressers.

Armed with a passion for teaching Leo walked away from his salon business and opened what was to become known as the Pivot Point Beauty Academy on the north side of Chicago. Leo had a dream of creating a path to success for hairdressers by teaching students to see, think, create and adapt as a designer — not just duplicate the latest fashion trends — but to be the innovator of these trends. His Pivot Point system embraced not just (the how to_ but the why it works) and remove the guess work with a systematic scientific approach that produced predictable results every time. He defined this as the Pivot Point Difference.

Beauty school owners soon took notice and began asking him to implement the “Pivot Point Hairdressing System” in their beauty schools throughout the United States. Over the past half century Pivot Point International has become a global company creating high-quality cosmetology and esthetics educational programs used in schools around the world. It’s estimated that more than a million hairdresser’s have studied the Pivot Point System of hairdressing, including a number of the industry’s most influential giants, leaders and educators. Today and into the future, Pivot Point continues to drive the paradigm shift in education by offering the educational materials and programs to help empower the next generation of designers to succeed in the beauty industry. Whether you dream of working or owning a salon or spa — or heading for Hollywood, the fashion stages and even the competitive arena, Pivot Point provides the most comprehensive hair and skin care education in the U.S. and around the World!

In an industry that champion’s individuality, Leo was a giant whose humility was well known—always sharing with others without self-interest, and possessing a timeless, creative spirit as fresh on the last day as on the first. He truly lived his life to the fullest, and inspired everyone to follow your heart and your dreams. In 2008, the L.E.O. Award for “Leadership, Education and Outstanding” contributions to the hairdressing profession was created to annually acknowledge the best and the brightest in the industry in an awards ceremony at the annual beauty show held in Chicago. His legacy will continue to live on in all Pivot Point educators and graduates in the best salons, spas and companies in the world.