Shear Over Comb

For many of us, beauty school does not teach us much about the different ways to cut men's hair. I believe I got maybe a day or two of basic men's design and then spent the rest of my time PRAYING that I did not get one of our very few male clients in my chair. My prayers were not answered and I sweated through maybe 2 men's haircuts before I was sent into the real world to make Tacoma's hair dreams come true.

Turns out, I'm quite a natural when it comes to men's design. I'm a wiz with the clipper/trimmer combo and learned very quickly that men's haircuts aren't as scary as beauty school would have you believe.

This is James. In the time that I've been cutting his hair, he has kept it on the longer side in a shaggy, almost surfer kind of cut and every variation of the sort. Today, he sat down and said "short" and I immediately went into visual identification mode. We looked through pictures, decided on a length and this is what we came up with. I took his sides up first by cutting most of the bulk and the went in to clean and shape it up with the "shear over comb" method, texturized with my razor and styled him with Davines' Wonder Wax in the Defining line. With James' hair being the texture that it is, I chose to use my shears to avoid the effect that clippers can have textures like his.

After declaring me a "Master" of what I do, James let me snap a few pics and then left with a very big smile on his face.

Thank you for the adventure James!!! This + listening to Earth, Wind and Fire radio on Spotify had made my day!!

An Ombre Is Forever and So Is Good Hair

This is Dawn. If you are an Instagram-er and follow me, first I must high five you then must mention that this is the second time she has popped up on "The Grams". Months ago, Dawn decided that she wanted the look of her hair to be lighter but didn't want the upkeep of a retouch every 6 weeks. What better way to accomplish that than with an AWESOME Ombre?

Since then, we've taken up a bit of the length, freshened up her layers and have been just retouching her color in the root. Beautiful right?!?

After her last appointment, I sent Dawn home with a few products and when she came back in yesterday I noticed a significant different in her hair. It was softer, easier to work with and a cinch to blow dry. At the shampoo bowl I kept saying, "Your hair feels good!! So much healthier!!" I couldn't get over it!! Ha!!

She cleanses and conditions her hair 2-3 times a week alternating between Energizing Shampoo and Nourishing Shampoo and conditioning with Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle. After I finished blowdrying her with Oi and Melu Shield Spray, she looked in the mirror and said "My hair is shiny!! I've never had shiny hair!!" Spectacular right?!?

It's amazing what using good product can do and the blessing of being able to work with Davines has changed the hair and lives of my clients... It's changed my life too!! The fact that I can stand in front/behind my client and know that the product I'm using it going to do what it says it does without compromising the integrity of the hair is so fulfilling as a stylist!! It makes me happy, my clients are ecstatic and everyone's hair is a better strand for it.

Thank you Davines!! You're helping hair that has never had shine be the best strand of hair it can possibly be!!

Cool Stuff....

I have had the true blessing of being able to be a part of some really cool creative stuff in Tacoma via working with local photographers and friends who have projects that need hair and makeup etc. Doing hair for this photo shoot will be one of the most memorable, simple and exciting styles I've had the pleasure of doing thus far.

Pictured is Elizabeth, Alaska native and author of Delightfully Tacky. Besides writing a blog and being absolutely gorgeous she has the most amazing natural curl I've had the pleasure of working with. After talking to the photographer, Willow of Willow's Photography, and consulting with Elizabeth we settled on rocking her natural curl while adding a little edge.

By taking a triangle shaped section and cornrowing it up and back, I was able to give her a "faux undercut" while giving it texture with a fat braid. To get her curl to be as GIANT as possible. I applied Davines' Volume Mousse along with Oi (because duh...) to give moisture and internal volume and diffused. I relied on Volume Mousse to plump everything up and give me a solid foundation to then take things up a notch with NO. 14 Sea Salt Primer. When her hair was mostly dry, I sprayed No. 14 Sea Salt Primer very generously throughout her hair and diffused until completely dry. I believe this is also when I asked her to stand up and flip her hair over so I could get volume in the crown area (aka the funnest way to add volume to your hair EVAR!!!) To add a little more "guts" to it all, I sprayed another generous amount of No. 14 Sea Salt Primer and diffused.... and then did it again.... and maybe again!! Ha!!!

Layering textured product on top of itself is one of my favorite ways to give hair volume and that 2nd day hair feeling without having to wait for that second day. No. 14 Sea Salt Primer is one of the more matte products that I like to do this with and probably the best smelling of them all as well.

Please, take a second or 500 to check out Elizabeth's blog and Willow's as well and if you come across either of these lovely ladies in your goings on in Tacoma, make sure you tell them hi for me!!!

Thank you and have a good night!!!! **drops mic like a rock star, bows, walks off stage**

Mermaid Hair and Smurf Bangs

Meet April. She's one of my younger clients, who like most kids, likes fun hair but can't do it during the school year because of the silly dress codes schools have now a days. When I got text from her mom that April wanted "fun color", I was super excited.

Despite poplar belief, I do more "normal hair" than I do "punky hair" so when I get a chance to do it, I giggle and dance and get super excited!!! It's not so much that "punky color" is more creative, it's just a different creative outlet.

For April, her mom sent me a picture of a blue to teal 'Ombre and I leaped with joy!! How fun!!!

This is probably the most fun I've had doing an 'Ombre EVAR!!! I opened up the cuticle with a quick bleach wash to ensure longevity and also because April's naturally about a level 8 or 9. I chose the back combing method because the colors she wanted are so vibrant and needed to be solid instead of blended like I've done in the past with the Flamboyage strips.

After applying, combing out and rinsing, the expression on April's face once we blow dried and cut her bangs was PRICELESS. Her over all reaction was amazing!! She danced around Indigo picking up every mirror and checking herself out in every reflective surface!! While I was shampooing her mom's hair, I caught her moon walking across the salon floor while dancing and singing!! I sent April's mom a text the next day to see how April was doing and it was reported that she was still dancing, singing and checking her self out every chance that she could!!! Best client reaction EVAR!!!! Hehe!!!

Rock on April!!!

Indigo's Half Bday!!!

Oh man!! I am super excited about this event!! This is the first of many I plan to have here at Indigo, so I'm guessing that this will be a learning experience as well as lots of fun times.

If you've taken the time to read the lovely flier to the left, you'll see that I've got awesome stuff planned for this evening; raffles, hair tutorials, door prizes etc. So much to plan, so little time....

At this point, I think I'm most excited about the raffle items. So far, I have 4 local businesses that have donated items to be raffled off to help raise funds for my GoFundMe project. I am completely humbled by the support I've been getting from the people in our lovely community and am so grateful for the generosity I've been able to witness.

As days go by and the planning plot thickens, great ideas keep popping into my head and with the help of a client, friend and donatee we've been able to figure out a way to allow those who can't attend the event bid on raffle items from afar!!! Super cool right?!? OMG... I get super excited about stuff like this and to most, it's just a thing... I get excited over things!! Haha!!!

Well, I guess I should explain how the raffle will work. Duh...

Indigo's Half Bday Raffle:

1. Items up for raffle will be displayed throughout Indigo. Each item will have its own separate drawing.

2. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 each, 12 for $10 or 25 for $20.

3. Raffle tickets can be purchased by cash or any major credit card during the duration of the event and until winners are announced.

4. Winners will be announced at the end of the evening. You do not have to be present to win.

How to Enter the Raffle Drawing for Items from Home (for raffle items will only be taken during the time of the event)

1. Click here to go to Indigo's GoFundMe Project page during Indigo's Half Bday event, May 1st between 6pm-8pm.

2. Click the donate button, fill in the fields accordingly.

3. In the comment section, list the item you would like to enter to win. If you would like to enter to win more than one item, list the items and how much you would like to go towards each item.

Sounds easy enough right?!? Right!!!

So... For those of you who can't come but would still like to enter to win one of the super awesome raffle items, here's your chance!!!!

Indigo's YouTube Channel

For those of you that don't know, Indigo has its very own YouTube channel!! What?!? Yeah... I know!! Hehe!!!

Currently there are 5 videos up which have all been created on a whim. I don't feel like I'm some sort of YouTube video creative mastermind but I do realize that there is a need for detailed instruction on how to do things that you should be able to access from home.

As time and creativity permit, I will be adding to this collection of videos. the plan is to create videos that speak to the needs of my clients from the point of view of a person doing their own hair or makeup.

If you have any suggestions for future videos, please feel free to leave a comment below. Let me know what you would like to learn!!

Also, above is one of the latest videos I've posted that shows you how to, from wet/curly to end result, create a pompadour. This video seems to have garnered the biggest response and currently has the most views. I even got my first compliment on it by a non-Indigo type person!! Yay me!!!

Anywho...

I thoroughly hope you enjoy it!! Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you can stay current when new videos show up :D

Now to decide what to film next....

What Can I Say... The OI Got Me!!!!

I'm not sure why it's such a surprise to me when I return from an Educator Update and feel so energized and excited about Davines!!! I am so excited about what I've learned over the two days I spent with my colleagues. I can't wait till I can share it with whoever on this planet is willing to listen to me nerd out about the company and products I love so dearly. There are SO MANY good things to come!!! I think I might burst!!!

There are some details that emerged during the update that I CANNOT divulge but what I can share with you is my experience with the new OI!!! THIS. STUFF, IS AMA-ZA-ZING!!!!! I have to tell you, the only reason I can gush about this before its US launch is that it has already launched in Italy and the press is out!! Oh BOY!!!!

Ok... Gush time!!!! Once it finally arrives in the US we will have 3 new products; OI Shampoo, OI Conditioner and OI All In One Milk. I was the first person in the room to wrap my greedy little hands around each bottle and upon receipt, about DIED!!!! I was floored just by the smell, the packaging and its all around awesomeness!! When I sprayed some of the Milk into my hands and ran it through my hair, it served as a reminder of why I love this company so much.

I cannot express how wonderful it is to work for a company that is constantly on a path of growth. There's always a new idea, a new product, an innovative new tool and a quality and excellence that is hard to find in any other hair care company. You may have heard me rant and rave about some of the product lines that are out there. The reason I can do so with such confidence is because I work for and utilize the products of a company that TRUMPS the competition in its efforts to be earth friendly, honest, human conscious and just plain and simply put, beautiful.

If you haven't had a chance yet, please take the time to visit the Davines website to learn more about the many ways this company makes efforts to be as amazing as it is. Hopefully this will give you some insight as to why I can't help but be so madly in love with the tools I have to use and what I do.

Davines Artistic Team!! Who Me?!? Well Ok Then...

I announced a few weeks ago that I would be auditioning to be a part of the Davines Artistic Team and the over all response was "congrats, but I don't know what that is..." Ha!!! I guess, like most people in a chosen profession, I forgot that non hairdresser peeps might not get exactly what that means.

Well, I guess I should start by saying that I'm very excited to announce that I received a phone call today regarding feed back from my audition. The adorable man on the phone with the amazing accent was very impressed by my reviews. He said not only that my energy during the audition was much appreciated but that the team is very excited to add said energy to the team. WHAT?!? I almost drove off the road I was so excited!!!

What this means is that I will now embark on a journey. Further training and certification in color, cut and presentation skills may land me in venues as small as a tiny salon in "who knows where" to the stage of a large and spectacular hair event showcasing Davines goodness. I will move on to sharpen my skills, learn how to accurately execute collections created by Davines' Artistic Director Angelo Seminara which I will then turn around and teach to salons and stylists on this coast and possibly other regions as well.

It is hard to put into words how humbled and excited I am that I have been chosen. It is a true honor and blessing to work for such an amazing company and can't believe that I have come to a point in my career where people are recognizing my talent in a capacity of wanting me to be a part of something so great. The journey that has brought me to this point has been nothing short of amazing and I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that Davines has offered me.... ME such an amazing opportunity.

I'm getting a little verklempt...

I believe it goes without saying, but must be said, that there are too many people to thank for being so supportive in my growth as a hairstylist, educator and human being. I am so grateful to have such amazing people in my life that it fills my whole heart each and every time I think about it. These are the people who believed in me when I couldn't see past my own insecurities to believe in myself, the people who held me up when I could not do so myself. There are people in my life who have encouraged me to push forward, to stay on this path of growth, and for that I am beyond grateful. I am grateful for each and every one of you!!

I must go now... I must go forth and giggle like a school girl and do, yet another, happy dance which will involve shaking of my groove thang and awkward arm movements!! Ha!!

A good day to you all!!!

Hello Spring!!!

It is definitely that time of year again!! We're transitioning from the chill and rain of Winter to the chill and rain of a beautiful Pacific Northwest Spring!!

Regardless of how wet the weather stays, the humidity has definitely gotten the memo that it's time for the season to change. If you are anything like me, whenever the weather changes the first place I feel it is my skin and hair. My hands get dry, the skin on my face feels a little tighter and my hair requires a little more tender loving care to avoid a scary looking Mohawk/half fro. I'm not quite sure why my skin freaks out the way it does when the seasons change but I have accepted this as a part of life and add a couple of components to my routine to counteract this crazy phenomenon.

For my face and body, I continue with my daily routine of cleansing with Authentic Cleansing Nectar and moisturizing with Authentic Replenishing Butter. In addition, I dab Authentic Moisturising Balm on any dry patches and on any of the zones on my face that tend to get dry during this time. I also dab a little under each eye to help prevent future wrinkles due to over dry skin. My eyes never really feel dry but better safe than sorry right?!?

My hair is a whole different ball game. Since I've been wearing my hair more curly than straight lately, I will employ the Curly Girl method to cleansing my hair. Every once in a while I give my hair and scalp a treat by adding a NouNou Pak to the routine to give my hair added strength, moisture and an undeniable yummy smell that only NouNou Pak can give.

What are you doing to battle the weather transition?

Curly Hair Rocks!!!

My hair curly, sewed up in a pompadour. I used Authentic Moisturizing Balm to style.

So... The delay in posts can be directly attributed to the fact that I've been over thinking this particular post for quite some time.... Why you ask? Well, I've recently been reading up on curly hair and wanted to create something meaningful and as kick ass as possible. As much as I would have loved to write a blurb on another subject, I just couldn't focus. It became an overwhelming concept that even so much as consumed my dreams... SERIOUSLY!!!

Let's face it, I've never been one to sugar coat things and quite frankly I'd rather tell you the truth about your curly hair... Are you ready to hear this?!? Here it goes!!!!

Your curly hair is AWESOME!! Please, for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT let anyone tell you otherwise!!! For years I have "struggled" with my curly hair... The money I've invested, the horrible haircuts, the hours of trying to get it straight, the embarrassment of getting things stuck in it... The list could go on!!! It took me YEARS to get to a point of acceptance and love for my curl which has grown to an undeniable adoration for the natural state of my hair. I do, however, wear it straight sometimes but only because I enjoy having an option that the "straighties" out there don't.... Be jealous!!! Be very, very jealous!! Ha!!

The Truth About Curly Hair:

1. DO NOT let people touch it!!!! It is yours!! It is a part of your person. Yes, it's beautiful. Yes, it is different. NO, you cannot touch it!!! Why? What most straighties don't know is that it will frizz so, speaking from experience, they will mess it all up!!! Politely tell whoever it is that believes it's ok to violate your personal space "no", smile and then continue on with whatever it was you were doing before they, most likely, interrupted.

2. DO NOT shampoo your hair. Ok... I realize that this is a hard one to swallow so I should rephrase. Shampoo your hair as needed. Your hair is curly, it does not need it. What it needs is the natural oils your scalp so lovingly provides. I, personally, only shampoo when I transform it from curly to straight or from straight to curly and that's it.... For realz!!! Through helmet hair, derby sweat and other general grossness I do not shampoo. What I do is stand in the shower under the warm water (as warm/hot as I can stand) and scrub my hair and scalp for a good bit to loosen the unneeded gross, condition with my preferred Davines conditioner, let the conditioner sit while I do all the other shower time stuff and rinse before I exit. Viola!!! Best. Thing. Ever!!! By day 2 or 3 my hair looks fabulous!!! Not kidding!!! The longest I've gone without a shampoo is 3 months :) Try it. Your hair will thank you!!

3. DO use good product. If you're buying it at Walgreens or Target, it's not good. Sorry, but it's the truth. My recommendations are as follows:

Davines- Momo Curl Serum, Momo Fluid, Authentic Moisturizing Balm, Oi/Oil, Protein Sculpting Lotion, Artifixture Gel, Invisible Styling Cream, Shaping Gel, Creative Molding Foam, No. 1 Oil Non Oil, No. 3 Universal Mattering Mousse, No. 8 Quick Setting Hard Gel, No. 11 Universal Instant Grip Glue.... The possibilities are endless!!!

Kevin Murphy- Un.Dressed, Motion Lotion, Body Guard, Easy Rider, Young Again

These recommendations are definitely texture specific so when you're in, we can discuss what will work best for you.

4. DO use a wide tooth comb. Brushes separate curl vs. a wide tooth comb that honors what a curl pattern is all about. They have them at Sally's but if you're interested in the Kevin Murphy version, aka my FAV, let me know and I'll get your hooked up!!

5. DO find a good hairdresser!!! Cutting curly hair is not complicated BUT it is not something that is very widely or thoroughly trained. I have picked up a few techniques over the years because I have sought them out. Most hairdressers do not. Sad but true.... So do your research. Stop a fellow curly haired gal whose hair you like and ask her where she gets it done. Pay whatever the hairdresser charges and make it happen. Do not settle for the bell shape poof that I see so often. Do not pull your hair up all the time because it's easier. Let your curly hair flow in a brisk breeze... But not the wind!!! The wind is not good for us!! Haha!! Let the bounce of your curl match the bounce in your step as you parade your lovely locks with pride. Make the straighties jealous!!! They totally are so give them a good reason!!!

Ok... I'll step off my soap box now!!! Haha!!!

I'm sure I have more insights to offer for my curly haired sisters but for now I will bid you adieux. If more comes to mind I will rant further in a future post. For now, I will leave with this; embrace, love, and cherish your curl. It is just as much a part of you as the freckles on your nose or the hitch in your giddy up. It is not until you release yourself of the burden of hating your curl that you can truly be happy. Curl on my friends.... Curl on...



Check out my work at www.indigo253.com :D

How I ReUse My Essentials Bottles

As I spend my days gabbing with clients and educating in other salons, one of the facts about Davines I like to speak on is the fact that as a company, Davines is very Earth conscious. I get a bit giddy when I get to tell people about Davines' association with Lifegate and how specifically the Essentials bottles are recyclable and reusable. I purposefully buy Essentials for myself in different sizes so I can use them around my home and here at Indigo. I know right?!?

Alright!! It's nerd out time!!!

Essential Hair Care is Davines' basic cleansing and conditioning line. These are the "essentials" you utilize on a daily basis to give your hair the foundation it needs to be healthy and able to be beautifully styled. The bottles themselves are transparent, what you see is what you get. If you need moisture, you would pick up Momo shampoo and/or conditioner for the day. If your hair is curly or you would like it to be straight, that hair needs the love that only Love Curl Enhancing or Love Smoothing can provide.... I could go on. You will notice that the names of the are short and sweet, like nicknames. That's because that's exactly what they are. Each product is given a nickname in accordance with what it does (Momo = moisture). Essentials is the first line within Davines to be completely zero impact, the second being Su, with the hopes that soon all of Davines will be as well. The bottles are made of PE/PET plastic (the same plastic that water bottles are made of) which is a food grade and safe plastic to recycle and reuse.

OK... So how would you go about reusing these bottles?!? The possibilities are ENDLESS!!! Seriously, when I find a new way to use them, I freak out and immediately to an "I'm so proud of myself" happy dance for at least 30-45 seconds..... SERIOUSLY!!!

What I have pictured below are just a few ways I use my Essentials bottles at home and at Indigo:

1. GARLIC!!!- I use A LOT of garlic when I cook so it's easier for me to peal a bunch at once and store it in the fridge. This, by far, has been my favorite way to store the stinky stuff in the fridge cause the screw on top allows for an airtight seal meaning no funky smell AND my garlic stays fresh for quite some time.

2. Lotion- I am very particular about the lotion I use on my skin due to skin sensitivities and what not. This means I can't just pick up any good smelling lotion and throw it in my purse for travel and daily/obsessive applications to hands and other "ashy" areas. When I finally found a lotion that worked well with my skin, it did not come in a travel size option so..... Essentials to the rescue!!!! After emptying a purposefully bought travel size Essentials bottle, I quickly washed it out and filled it with my fav, non irritating body lotion for purse convenience and travel. This is also how I travel efficiently with other products that do not come in FAA regulated travel sizes yet.








3. Vinegar- I am a klutz when it comes to pouring stuff out of big bottles. So, instead of risking the possibility of a spill I transfer the contents of my large bottles of things like vinegar and laundry detergent to liter size Essentials bottles. This makes for easier and less spilly pouring and is awesome for easy storage in the various places I use vinegar (laundry, all purpose cleaning, 1/2 water 1/2 vinegar mixture for pet accidents etc.).






4. Waxing Space- To save space at my "waxing station" located next to the shampoo bowl, I utilize a Momo Conditioner container to house the waxing sticks, q-tips (to dry wet ears after shampoo), trimming shears and tweezers. I pre-cut my own wax strips to the size I like and they live in an Authentic Replenishing Butter jar (not Essentials but totally reusable). I really enjoy how decorative it makes the space look and how each container brings its own sense of charm to the space.




Now that you've seen what I do with my Essentials bottles, I hope this gives you ideas on how to use your empty bottles in the future.

Oh!!!! I forgot to mention!!! I also store leftovers in a variety of containers, put bobby pins and hairpins in an emptied Momo Fluid bottle and made myself a little after derby anti-stink/germ kit out of a Dede Mist bottle, Momo Conditioner container and Solu Shampoo bottle... Like I said, happy dances and excitement all around when I figure out new ways to use these awesome containers!!

Cheers and happy reusing!!!

More photos taken after the original post:

I use a Momo Fluid bottle to hold hairpins and bobby pins in my "hair stuff" drawer at home.

This a homemade dog shampoo I made and now store in a Melu Shampoo liter.

Make Up How To!!!

Make up, to some, is a scary thing. I feel like (and sometimes see) that there are a number of people who struggle with make up application. Whether it be a day-to-day face, day-to-night transition etc, it truly doesn't have to be complicated. I often think of applying make up as art so when I say, "I'm going to paint my face" I literally mean that my face is my canvas and my make up my artistic tools. Here are 2 tutorials for some very basic make up applications. One is a "5 Minute Face" and the other a 2 minute-ish "Day To Night" transitional look. Take what you can and incorporate them into your routine. If you truly have questions on how to apply your make up and need hands on help, feel free to book a make up lesson and we'll cover all the ins and outs of working with your canvas.

PS- I feel like I should also say that I REALLY do not like the thumbnails that YouTube chooses for you. If there is a way to choose my own, will someone please let me know... Otherwise, you're stuck with these awkward faces!!! Hehe!!!

DON'T LOOK UP MY NOSE!!!