Oscars of Hair / Hairdresser Awards

The Hairdressers Unlocking Hope Award is given this year to Winn Claybaugh, dean and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools, motivational speaker, and author of Be Nice Or Else, and those individuals in the professional beauty industry who serve as exemplary models of philanthropy, giving back to their communities and to the world with generosity and spirit. This award was created in 2007, when behindthechair.com founder Mary Rector Gable joined forces with the legendary Vidal Sassoon and launched an industry-wide campaign to build homes in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina.

The ensuing campaign, Hairdressers Unlocking Hope, rallied the entire industry and resulted in 22 new homes for displaced New Orleans residents after raising more than $2 million. Winn will be the fourth recipient of the honor, joining celebrity stylist Ken Paves, stylist and international hair care manufacturer John Frieda, and Paul Mitchell School graduate Michelle Kelly. Madison Avenue calls this "under cover marketing" because the awards are tied to a "public worthy social cause" which in itself is good and away to market and promote a sponsors business interest every year.

With so many "awards" presented today I for one feel it's made many less import. The English have their Hairdresser of the Year award based on a "hair do' contest" and we now have the Hair Stylist Choice "a popularity contest". However, there's one award that I feel is worthy and merits recognition. The Hairdresser's Hall Of Fame Award is presented to hairdresser's that have made a significant contribution over many years to the good of our Nobel Profession and Beauty Culture....The Oscar of Hair.

JUSTIN BIEBER / STAR HAIR STYLE

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national past time. One such star whose hair style has been emulated by teenaged boys around the globe is Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber. Justin recently turned in his boyish Beatle-like hair style "the Bieber Bob” for a tousled rock style look and a totally new image. His playful spiky hair and new rock star persona is sure to be irresistible to girls attracted to the wild side and quite the catch for those that go for the sensitive, creative types.

 

TO GET THE LOOK: If you’re looking for a cool new hair style, take a styling lesson from Justin Bieber. Justin knows just what it takes to standout from the crowd and stop girls dead in their tracks. If you’re up for a rock star hair like Justin, 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 spiky contoured (layered) silhouette with tapered hair stylishly over the ears and collar with a few “love locks” across the forehead (eyebrow length). With a few adjustments (tweaks) as it grows out you can easily find the ideal length and shape for your look.

LET’S STYLE IT: To jump start the look add a dab of shaping gel or mouse through damp hair and finger comb in place to dry au natural, or give it a quick once over with a blow dryer for a full tousled look. To turn on the rock star look, when dry, finger comb a dab of extra hold shaping gel or styling spray wax through the top and your good to go. 

NOW LET’S ADD ACCESSORIES: What’s a rock star hair style without accessories? To get the look include black or white T shirt, tight black jeans with black leather motor cycle jacket ala Bill Idol and you’ve got the look. 

THIS ROCK STAR STYLE is a babe magnet and comes with bell and whistles to stop girls dead in their tracks. The tousled spiky contoured silhouette with a few love locks across the forehead adds a playful look and lets everyone know you’re a stylish dude. Just wash and go or turn on the rock star look with a quick blow dryer and finger comb a dab of styling gel or wax after for a spiky effect is all it takes. How easy is that? Heads will turn when you show up with a totally new hair style and rock solid accessories. So be prepared to take email addresses, cell phone numbers and unexpected text messages with when you show up with Justin Bieber new rock star look.

SHORTCUTS / Beauty Book Review

At first glance the name (SHORTCUTS) might be miss-leading, this is not a “HOW-TO” short hair styling book.

If you’ve dreamed of working in the “fashion or entertainment industry” Diana Schmidtke’s book SHORTCUTS takes you step by step through the process to one of the most exciting careers in the world of beauty. As a freelance hair or makeup artist you have the opportunity to work on fashion runway shows, commercials, music videos, advertising campaigns, movie press tours, concert tours, television shows, fashion magazines cover shoots and motion picture films and travel the world.

Diana shares the industry secrets that have helped made her one of the busiest hair & makeup artist in the entertainment industry. Her biography reads like a fairy tale and a dream come true.  How a young hairdresser from the suburbs of Chicago moved to Hollywood and became one of the leading entertainment industry’s freelance hair & makeup artists. Her big break through came when she was hired as an assistant to leading motion picture hair stylist.

Diana Schmibtke explains how to connect with both fashion and entertainment industries and the importance of being in the right cities. For example to work in the motion picture industry you must live in Los Angele's. And for high fashion magazine work a move to New York is a must.

If you’ve dreamed of becoming a big time fashion or motion picture makeup / hair stylist or both you’ll learn what it takes to get started and succeed in these exciting beauty fields. It takes a lot of persistence and patience to succeed and the competition is fierce.  These two industries are all about connections and SHORTCUTS includes a national directory for hair and makeup agency, agents, magazines editors, television, special effects makeup schools and motion pictures union contacts making Shortcuts well worth the $45 price tag. 

Buying Shortcuts is the first step to a new amazing career in the fashion and entertainment industry....available on Amazon.com

Tabatha Coffey / Beauty Book Review

Star of hit Bravo show, “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” Tabatha Coffey has written a new beauty book titled: It’s Not Really About the Hair:  The Honest Truth About Life, Love, and the Business of Beauty. 

Tabatha’s journey growing up in a dysfunctional family from the back waters of Australia to international renowned platform artist and television star reads like a dime store novel.  

It’s the kind of stuff that dreams are made of. Tabatha writes openly about her own transformation which will surprise, amuse and inspire you to be your very best and reach for the stars. It is not unlike any artist's frustration of having a dream of one day doing what you really were created to do, to be born with a talent and drive knowing there was something she was meant to do. Tabatha Coffey was just going to do it no matter what was in the way. 

Part memoir, part business manual, and part coaching guide, readers will get in touch with their own inner and outer beauty, and understand the importance of embracing their individuality. Coffey also gives a behind-the-scenes look into the process of starting her own business and opening her own salon - sharing tips with readers such as the right way to fire someone, the five things to ask yourself before opening a business, and how to rely on yourself in any situation.

Tabatha was first introduced to America as a contestant on the Bravo reality show Shear Genius, where she quickly earned a reputation as the beauty bitch for her outspokenness. Voted the show’s Fan Favorite despite being ousted in the sixth episode, she was asked by Bravo in 2008 to star in her own reality series, Tabatha’s “Salon Takeover”, combines Coffey’s hairdressing and business expertise with her edgy style as she saves salons, in danger of closing.

Tabatha lifts the curtain and exposes the "ass end of the salon business" which has embraced some in the industry and welcomed by those professionals that play by the rules.

If you are a star struck fan of the Bravo show Tabatha's Salon Takeover, a fan of the bitch from Shear Genius, or just a hairdresser with dreams - pick up the book, and learn how to attain the success you desire... You must have a some talent, work hard for many-many years paying your dues, and then you will become an over-night success, just like Tabatha !      

When I started reading Tabatha’s book I was taken aback by her use of so many four letter words, and I don’t mean HAIR. But half way through the book I was delighted to find some real gems - perils of wisdom. For example, her advice on how to fire someone, how to dream big and using the “three-second rule” before losing your cool are well worth the 20 dollar price tag. 

It’s a must read for every salon owner, and all hair stylist’s that dream of one day owning their own salon and becoming the next rock star hairdresser.                         

   

Hair Heroes / Beauty Book Review

Interviews with the world's most influential hairdressers of the 20th century by Michael Gordon. The son of a London hairdresser, Michael began his career at the age of fifteen as a apprentice at Rene' of Mayfair and went on to found the world famous "Bumble and Bumble Salon", product company and hairdressing school in New York City.  
 

Kenneth Barttelle / Gene Shacove / Christiann
Aldo Coppola / Irma Kusely / Sydney Guilaroff
Annie Humphreys / Sam Lapin / Leonard Lewis
Luis Iiongueras / Alexandre de' Paris  /  Vidal Sassoon

In Hair Heroes Michael Gordon takes you on a journey around the world to meet his personal hair heroes. The interviews cover twelve hairdressers that personally influenced his career and set the pace and standards for hair fashions in the 20th century. The question and answer format is filled with personal pictures rarely seen before. From Alexendre de' Paris to Vidal Sassoon and other notables you may not know but all will inspire you none the less. What they have to say about their career's and the beauty industry will both surprise and inspire you. The following are Mikael's candid interviews with two of my Hair Heroes. 

In the world of hairdressing, if Vidal Sassoon were the architect of hair styling Alexandre would be considered the king. Simply known as Alexandra de’ Paris__ he has single handedly helped defined the industry for more than 60 plus years. 


Michael: Who was your hair hero when you were young? Alexendre: My teacher Antoine, he taught me the art of beauty and service to women. I worked with him from 1938 to 1952. First in Cannes on the French Riviera, then afterwards at Salon Antoine on rue Cambon, it was the biggest in Paris. It was he who in 1925, brought French hairstyling to America. He defined the modern look for hairdressing at the time.


Michael: Why did you become a hairdresser? Alexendre: I grew up in Florence in a family that was quite artistic. The wife of a great painter introduced me to hairdressing.  It was predicted when I was a child that the “wife of a king” would make me famous and it came true. It was while working at Salon Antoine that the Duchess of Windsor became my patron _ she was a great friend.


Michael: What advice would you give a young person starting today? Alexendre: Never stop learning your craft. We need extraordinary people, people who are dedicated to their art and craft. 

Vidal would have loved to be an architect. Fortunately for us, he was destined to become the master hairdresser, able to transfer his passion for angles into another medium. Indeed, Vidal Sassoon is the modern day architect of hair styling. Charming and engaging, he talks about his life, his work, and the future with the enthusiasm of a beauty school student.


Michael: Which years were the most important for you? Your styles were so revolutionary at the time. Vidal: In 1954 I opened my salon on Bond Street. I decided I wouldn’t do anyone who wanted to come in and have their hair teased. I was not going to do bouffant hair styles. It was as simple as that. From 1954 to 1958 we were still getting out of our old ways of styling. Then in 1964 we did the five point geometric haircut and everything followed. 


Michael: How much do you pay attention to fashion today? Vidal: Today, we seem to have become the pawns of the fashion designers who tell us what kind of hair styles to do__ that is outrageous. When we did shows for Mary Quant, Gernreich and Ungaro, the attitude was, “do what you feel.” Now, it’s: here’s what the designer is doing, style the hair to it. We have become secondary to a bunch of designers. 

Hair Heroes is a must read for hair stylists that love what they do and the history of the beauty industry. We all stand on one another’s shoulders. That’s how we and our Nobel professional grows and evolves. Hair Heroes offers twelve strong shoulders to stand on. It’s a page turner and has found a permanent place on my book shelf.

Requal Welch / 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 (and there are many) have been emulated by women around the world is the always stylish looking Hollywood actress Raquel Welch, best known for her trendy high fashion line of wigs. 

 In the past it was pretty easy to tell if a woman was wearing a wig however with today's hair piece technology it’s almost impossible to tell if a woman is wearing a wig. Raquel's trendy styles, hair pieces and extensions come in wide range of fashion colors and feature state of the art Memory Cap technology offering the ultimate in light weight comfort and dependable fit. This unprecedented comfort is achieved by using her ultra-sheer stretch cap material instead of traditional wide stretch lace used in other brand wigs. Both her "synthetic and human hair" wigs, hair pieces and extensions offer the unmatched luxury and unlimited styling possibilities making them perfect for today's fast paced time challenged life styles.

Many actresses and entertainers like Raquel Welch have based their stage image on the use of wigs, hair pieces and extensions; just look at Cher, Dolly Parton, teen star Miley Cyrus, Beyonce’ and the high priest of wigs pop-star Lady Gaga. It's been one of Hollywood's many hair styling beauty secrets.

Making the decision to wear a wig can be a fun and simple way to instantly change your hair style or hair color for any occasion. It’s one of Hollywood’s best kept hair styling beauty secrets. Regardless of your reasons for investing in a wig how you wear and style it can make all the difference. For this reason a visit to your hair stylist for a custom shaping and styling tips is well worth the time and investment.  Lean more at www.voguewigs.com

Rod Stewart / Star Hair Style

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national past time. One such star whose hair style has been emulated by men around the globe is world class rock star Rod Stewart. His tousled spiky bleached blond style set the trend for man's hair styles throughout the 80’s and is just as popular today. Rod’s spiky hair style and rock star persona is irresistible to girls attracted to the wild side and quite the catch for those that go for the sensitive, creative types.

TO GET THE LOOK: If you’re looking for a sexy rocker hair style, take a styling lesson from Rod Stewart. With years of practice Rod knows just what it takes to standout from the crowd. His rock solid style is loaded with “sex appeal” and guarantied to stop the ladies dead in their tracks. If you’re up for a rock star hair style, 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 spiky contoured silhouette with tapered hair stylishly over the ears and collar with a few “love locks” across the forehead to fill in the blank spots. With a few adjustments (tweaks) as it grows you can easily find the ideal length and shape for your style.

LET’S STYLE IT: To jump start the style a dab of shaping gel or mousse adds style support and thickens thin hair. Just run either through damp hair and comb in place to dry au natural, or give it a quick once over with a blow dryer for a full tousled look. To add the spiky look and turn on the sexy appeal, when dry, finger comb a dab of foaming pomade or gel-mousse through the top and you’ve got the look. 

NOW LET’S COLOR IT: Entertainer’s and actors change their hair color often for the many roles they play so dying it is no big deal. If you have light or medium brown hair and gray around the edge like Rod’s a golden blond “high-lift tint” will put the gray stylishly under cover. After, a few strands are bleached and highlighted with a foil weaving technique for a contrasting au natural sun kissed effect. The blond color will also make large facial features appear smaller and give thin and thinning hair an overall thicker look. To keep it up the new growth is re-colored with every six-eight weeks. This bit of hair color magic requires a trip to a “salon hair colorist” and will set you back a few extra bucks but is well worth the time and expense for a sexy-stylish look and all the attention you’ll get.

This road tested rock n roll style is loaded with sex appeal and comes with bell and whistles to stop women dead in their tracks. The tousled spiky contoured silhouette with a few love locks across the forehead covers the hair line and fills in the blank spots. The au natural sun kissed hair color puts the gray hair under cover and lets everyone know you’re a stylish dude. So be prepared to take email addresses and cell phone numbers when you show up with Rod Stewart’s rock-sexy style.