My coworkers like to tease me about my memory.  I have a knack for remembering obscure details and facts about my clients, other clients of the salon and newly formed acquaintances.  I suppose it is my own form of a pneumonic device.  I bring up my acute retention of unusual facts because when I decided on the subject matter for this month’s blog, one such instance stuck out to me above all others – a first meeting.  Late May of 2013 was my first day at Salon Enso.  I vividly remember being excited to begin a new chapter in my hairdressing life.  My first order of business was to organize my equipment.  I recall sitting on the floor, fully focused on the task at hand (I share my station, in case you didn’t know) when two feet appeared next to me.

“Hi!  I’m Kelly,” the feet said.  “I wanted to say welcome to the salon and if you have any questions or need help with anything, just ask!  I’m right over there.”  As I looked up the individual that the feet belonged to gestured to the station in the back corner and gave a big smile.  “I’m glad you are here.”

Continue reading “Here is to you, Kell Bell!”

Say what you want without saying a word

One of my most loved reasons for becoming a hairdresser is realizing how trans formative it can be.  Hair is truly the fashion accessory you wear daily.  It expresses what you would like to say to the world.   If you wear it long and flowing with curls, it can say fashionable, beach-y, bohemian.  Cropped says fearless.  Strands carefully slicked into place gives off a polished, groomed vibe.

Clothing has that ability as well.  It says who you are and what you wish to express to the world.  Regardless of your stance with fashion everybody (ok, almost everybody) wears clothing.  You may not be as engrossed in the world of fashion as some, but you still wear garments to cover your body.  There is the saying “dress for the job you want” and some have made it their career – blogging about what is new and in the garment world.

Continue reading “Walk the Walk on the Catwalk”

Our Mission, at Aveda is to care for the world we live in. From the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world.

As an Aveda educator and stylist I have the above mission statement committed to memory. It adorns all the Aveda paraphernalia and is proudly displayed on the walls within Salon Enso. The mission is an impactful, true guiding principal for how Aveda (as a company) and we (as a concept salon) conduct ourselves. Since its beginnings in 1978 (in Hors Rechelbacher’s bathtub), Aveda has worked tirelessly to ensure we give back to the Earth.

Continue reading “Charity:Water, Aveda and Global Responsibility”

#HASHTAG

Whether we like it or not, the hash tag has become a way of life.  It is a way to beacon others to what you deem important.  For example, if you want to show the social media world what breed of dog you have, hash tag it.  If you want everyone to know where you grocery shop, find amusing, where you had the most fabulous meal of your life or get your hair done, hash tag it.

The hash tag #smellslikeAveda is alive and well within the doors of Salon Enso.

Guests repeatedly comment on the various combinations of plant and flower essences we use on their heads.  And who wouldn’t?  Aveda is both unique and completely distinctive with its aromas.  I’ve waxed poetic in another blog posting about the two PURE-fumers who work tirelessly to find the best combination of essential oils to give each Aveda line its signature scent.

Allow me to break down the three that Aveda considers their “Heritage Aromas”

SHAMPURE

Shampure is the most classic of all the Aveda signature scents.  And so wildly popular it inspired a body care line so you can #smellslikeaveda from head to toe.  Its calming aroma is comprised of TWENTY FIVE plant and flower essences including organic Lavender, ylang ylang, petigrain and orange.

The Shampure formula has also seen a recent update where silicones were removed in favor of Abyssinian oil, which gently nourishes hair.  Shampure shampoo and conditioner are ideal for fine to medium hair types with minimal dryness.  It leaves the hair gently cleansed, lightly nourished and sublimely scented.

 ROSEMARY MINT

If you prefer your hair cleansing on the zippy side, Rosemary mint has you covered.  Its rosemary, peppermint and spearmint blend will awaken and energize the senses – like a York Peppermint Patty.  It also uses wheat derived white vinegar to help gently clarify the hair.  The same technology is in the Rosemary Mint conditioner to enhance shine, whilst soybean oil and jojoba help prevent tangles and static.

Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditioner are ideal for the fine haired guest with hair and scalp on the oily side.  Because of its clarifying powers, this shampoo and conditioner may lack in the conditioning department for those with thick curly hair.  However if it is an aroma you just can’t live without – it is also available in body care!

CHERRY ALMOND

                Cherry Almond Shampoo and Conditioner are the new kids on the block (shelf?). Having seen their debut this summer, however that hasn’t stopped this duo from being Aveda Sweethearts.

The softly sweet scent is modeled after a classic, yet long gone Aveda product, Cherry Almond Deep Penetrating Hair Revitalizer.

This shampoo and conditioner duo has the aroma of ylang ylang, tonka bean and orange which create a confectionary creamy fragrance.  Almond oil and shea butter allow this duo to gently cleanse the hair whilst helping to easily detangle and add shine and bounce to the hair.

I’m slightly partial to the conditioner for its ability to intensely hydrate without weighing hair down – plus a comb glides right through in the shower.

THE LOWDOWN              

Why am I giving you all these details?  Because for as many Aveda shampoos and conditioners  I’m sure we all own (peeks in own shower at 10 bottles), I’m sure there is one of those three heritage scents that makes your heart and olfactory sensors sing (get it – shower, shampoo, sing? Haha..) more than all the rest.

And Aveda wants to know!  Not that you sing in the shower, because that would be a little too much information, but they want to know which of their classic aromas you like best.

#AVEDASWEEPS

Now through March 25^th, snap a creative photo of you with your favorite dynamic duo (Shampure, Rosemary Mint or Cherry Almond), post it to social media and tag it as such (#TeamShampure #TeamRosemaryMint #TeamCherryAlmond) as well as #AvedaSweeps and you (YES YOU) dear client could win free shampoo and conditioner for a YEAR.  That’s right.   FREE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER FOR A YEAR.  Once you have done your hashtagin’ and posting Aveda will do the rest by selecting 10 very lucky winners.

So get to bubbling up buttercups!  Smelling like Aveda for free year round is something to get super excited about, or at least gives you another reason to sing in the shower. 😉

New beginnings

January, or more appropriately, New Year’s Day means resolutions for many.  It is a time to come clean, to eat clean, to get into shape or to kick a bad habit or two or three and pick up good ones in their place.  Personally, I’m not a fan of making resolutions.  I feel there is no wrong time to try and improve oneself – ANY day is a good day for that, not just specifically January 1^st.

The same thing can be said for those that set challenges for themselves to learn something new or to try something they haven’t before.  I have had friends do 31 day push up and squat challenges, yoga challenges and kindness challenges.  The thought of trying something new can be scary to many, whilst others will dive right in.  I do think the sentiment remains the same regardless.  That interior voice asking what if I fail?  What if I’m not any good?  What if I can’t complete the ‘challenge’?

Practice Makes Perfect

I am here to say specifically, no one exceeds at their first step.  Failure is part of success.  Success requires practice, patience and the willingness to continually try day by day until little by little you see an improvement.

In my (over a) decade of being behind the chair I most often hear the lament “I wish I could do this at home” or “I wish I could have you come do my hair for me every morning.”  Contrary to popular belief, hairstylists struggle with their hair too!

I was never good at styling my own hair; however I learned – especially when I had my hair cut short for the first time.  When you rock a pixie cut, a ponytail is NOT an option.  Styling your hair becomes an absolute necessity and much of my learning was via trial and error.  I feel I have it down to an easy routine now, but it isn’t to say I don’t suffer from a questionable hair day every now and then.

In today’s social media savvy world, we should all walk around looking like Instagram ready models with hair, makeup and grooming to a tee.  However most of us live in the real world and are looking for quick and easy methods for tasks that seem to take ages.

Thankfully, Here at Salon Enso we are here to take the guesswork out of your most baffling hair conundrums.  If you want to learn how to easily tame your mane, look no further than our Styled by You classes.

Styled by You

Styled by You is an effort to take the guess work out of those times when you want an Instagram worthy hairstyle, but have no idea how to approach it yourself.  Enso began this series with a simple curled holiday party ready style (the brainchild of one Miss Molly Swan) back in December.

Our guests were excited to FINALLY learn how to wield that curling iron in a way that made sense and to have a cute style to wear out for events.  Post class, the response was glowing – so much so that we decided to host another one!

Styled by You: Braiding will take place on Saturday, February 2^nd from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.  Sign up is available now for the price of twenty dollars, all of which is redeemable in product post class.  Braids, much like soft loose curls are a styling phenomenon and you can learn how to do a quick easy style that can be converted into multiple looks.

Challenge Yourself!

Challenge yourself (or if you prefer –resolve)to finally learn how to “do your hair”!  Call 717.435.9574 for more information and to reserve your space.  This event promises you will make some friends, learn a new skill AND overcome a styling hurdle – all good for 33 days into the New Year!

I don’t know if it is as irksome to some as it is to me to see Christmas ads as early as November 1^st.  It may even be close to midnight on October 31^st.  I’d like to quote the rather irritable Louis Black when I say “Christmas is coming and it has been with us since August…”  As much as the big box retailers would like you to believe that Christmas immediately proceeds Halloween – it does not.  There is one holiday that falls in between – THANKSGIVING.  This was a holiday which originated because settlers were thankful for a bountiful harvest.    And also, a holiday in which those settlers were thankful for the Native Americans’ knowledge that informed the planting, successful growth and harvesting of those crops.

It may be my critical world view, but it is ironic that we are so quick to progress from one holiday of commercialism to another – skimming over a holiday where we look back and have gratitude.  Where we stop to think and be thankful for the meaningful things in our lives.

I don’t mean to sound bitter or believe the whole world lives in retail gluttony.  I understand how economy works and I, much like my mom, love giving gifts.  There is a distinct satisfaction in that.  I like to share, to cook and provide people with food/treats, spend time with friends and give back.   I like to show people how much I care and am very lucky to work with women that feel the same way.

The last three years at our salon holiday party we have engaged in a service project.  Each year it was something that gave back to our community.  The first year we made twelve blankets for families at the Ronald McDonald house with two very dull sets of shears (you would think hairdressers would have better fabric cutting equipment) and some frustration, but we did it!  And the Ronald McDonald house was very grateful.

Last year we scarf bombed Lancaster. Utilizing sharper shears (and more pairs!) we made 24 scarves to hand out in downtown Lancaster to those in need.  Our owner (fearless lady boss, and all around cool woman in charge) went into Downtown Lancaster to hand them out on a frigid January day.  Within ten minutes all the scarves had been dispersed.

This year was what I affectionately dubbed “The Toasty Digits” project.  This sudden snap of cold weather has been torturous to my already dry skin (nurses, childcare workers, teachers, germ-a-phobes and fellow hairdressers – you know what I’m talking about!).

I am a massive fan of gloves and lotion this time of year.Sometimes my gloves grow legs (four of them!) and walk away but they are a much needed asset when the temperature drops as is something to keep the moisture from further draining away.

This year we bundled a pair of gloves, a small bottle of lotion and hand warmers into a sweet little package to dispense to those in need of keeping their digits…um, toasty.

I know a favorite expression is to “treat yo-self”, but I think it’s good to treat EVERYONE.  Whether you shared that Halloween candy [with your kids or friends] brought snacks or coffee into those at work, made your family a meal or just want to gift someone warm hands.  Gratefulness and gratitude are things that work October, into November into December and beyond.

Happy Holidays to All!

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As an artist (did you know I have an art minor background?) I have an appreciation for color.  As a stylist and even before then I’ve had hair that has been nearly every color of the rainbow –  blue, purple, varying shades of brunette, red, teal (at one point), copper and most notably blonde.  I am drawn to very bold saturated color. The quest is also on to create subtle variances in my guest’s formulas when they ask for something new.  And yet, for all my love of Technicolor, three is one shade that causes very few stars to form in my eyes….

It’s pink. 

I don’t know that I’ve ever been a pink fan.  I always turned my nose up at the bubblegum hue.  Even as a child, I liked Sleeping Beauty’s dress best blue – or better yet, the flame like purple and black robes worn by Maleficent (she’s my FAVE Disney character).  Pink was never my thing. As an adult I believe I own a grand total of 2 pink items both worn very infrequently (both sweaters – although now that the eternal summer has taken a break, they may be dug out of hibernation)

Now don’t get me wrong.  There are tons of pink things that are cool – cherry blossoms, lemonade, roses, Jem’s hair color, raspberries, valentines and flamingos to name a few.  However, the color has always given me an adverse reaction. I equate it with being overly precious and girly – two things I don’t equate myself with at all.  It also seems like such a princess soft color…at least that is what I used to think. Now I view the color as a symbol of courageousness and strength.

In August of this year my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was early detection with absolutely zero family history of the disease.   As you can imagine, this was a shock to my family. Yet, her prognosis was good.  Her surgeon was confident of a smooth and easy surgery and this would be followed up by chemotherapy and radiation.  Curious like me, my mum began researching her options, especially for wigs. She marveled about the sheer amount of information about breast cancer on the internet, as well as the overwhelming support from the doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital.  I have shared my mom’s diagnosis with several clients to the same type of support. Everyone knows someone who is impacted by breast cancer, or who has had it themselves. I had no idea there was such a network of women offering love, support and positivity.  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month – a month where pink has never been more prominent.  Aveda also joins the fight against Breast Cancer with their limited edition Hand Relief. This year’s it iteration is house in a (what else?) pink tube with Aveda’s signature calming Shampure scent added to the mix.  Since 2001 Breast Cancer fundraising via Aveda has raised more than 4.3 million dollars.

Five dollars from the purchase of each tube is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) a non-profit organization founded in 1993.  In traditional Aveda fashion proceeds from all BCRF Hand Relief sales are used to fund cruelty free research looking for environmental links that lead to the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Pink no longer evokes Pepto-Bismol to me or screams prissy princess to me, but rather warrior queen.  I can proudly say I have been sporting pink all month. Yes it is a tiny ribbon on the front of my colorist’s apron however I display it proudly (baby steps!).  I stand with all the fierce females who have battled or may be battling the disease. I may never say pink is my favorite color, however my view point has changed –  Pink is power, pink is passion, pink is hope for a cure.