Color Geek.... Numbers Geek...

So, as you can tell, I've been busy...busy enough not to post. I'm one of those anal retentive people who track their progress every month. It's something I picked up from my days in retail and constant report reading. I actually have a ledger that I keep track of everything in...how many clients, how many of them are new to the salon, how many request me, what they have done, how much everything cost, and how they tipped me (as in cash or credit, not lousy or great...Uncle Sam needs to know these things)..oh, yeah, how much they spent on retail, too. I actually keep track in a day planner, then transfer it to my ledger later on...because I can't remember diddly-squat!! I have last year's figures, I've made sales goals for myself, both in services and in retail, and track my progress. Then, I go into work, dig up the same information on the computer to see if everybody matches...it doesn't always...I miss writing things down, and ultimately go by what's entered into the computer. When I create my goals for next year, I take this year's amount, and add 10% to it. 10% seems like a lot, sometimes, but a double digit increase is always a good thing!!! Ginger doesn't know that I do this. It's not like it's a covert secret, or anything. I just haven't bothered to tell her. I like knowing what I did last year, what I'm supposed to be doing this year. It's helpful. Do I always make my goals?? No. What it points out to me (and I knew this already) is that I'm lousy at selling retail. I should be, since I have clients that tell me "I will make the effort to save the $5 do get the "good" shampoo at the grocery store!". I can't help myself, I cringe. I get where money comes into play. But, dear God in heaven...that stuff is full of WAX, silicone, and other various floor strippers. Sigh. It's an on-going battle that I don't always want to engage in. Truly, we need more samples to give out to clients so they can experience what good products do for their hair. The trick with that is Ginger won't spend the money. A separate battle. One of my other projects is making hair swatches and experimenting with color, both at home and at work. (Yes, I have Ginger's permission to do this). When we get a client who is cutting off a fair amount (3 inches or more) of hair, I swoop in, save it, bring it home, fire up the glue gun and make swatches to experiment on. For me, this is fun. When I was in school, we had a color project and needed to collect various types of hair: color treated, permed, various percentages of grey, virgin, that sort of thing. Then, we got to try all the various types of color (temporary, permanent, semi & demi, bleach) on these types of hair. For me, the color geek, this is fun. One of the things I did to collect the hair was purchase some on Ebay. There's a guy who owns a salon (isn't a hairdresser) who sells the hair. People buy it to make dolls with real hair, weaves, extensions, wigs, etc. Why am I telling you this?? Well, I contacted him the other day, asking if we could make a deal so I could score some more hair. Nice guy that he is, he's sending me hair, free. All I have to do is recommend him when I hear about people looking for hair to make doll wigs, etc. SUH-WEET!!!

Wayfarer strikes again!!

So, feeling in a slightly better frame of mind, I hopped over to Wayfarer to read his latest blogs. They're both about what is going on at his school (he's a teacher), but one of them was a bit more useful. And, he wanted a response. So, here are his questions, and here are my responses. 1) Consider what goals you have. What do you want to achieve for yourself?? What do you want to be able to do? A) I want to be a master colorist and a board certified colorist. Currently, there isn't a board certified colorist in the state of New Hampshire. I want to be IT. 2) How will you know you've done it?? (this seems like it would be obvious, but there are many ways to determine success) A) The ABCH (American board of certified hair colorists) does exist, they do offer a national exam...and I can get the study materials (of which there are PLENTY) from a website: www.certifiedhaircolorproducts.com , to work towards this goal. From study guide to mannequin heads to hair swatches...all that you need to practice, practice, practice. (of course, I also need money, money, money...which I'm saving for ). Once I pass the exam, my name is listed as nationally certified in all hair color techniques...it's like having M.D. after my name.... 3) Plan out how you might get here to there. This is often the hardest thing to do where real-life goals are concerned. If you're thinking of a big or long term goal, it might help to think about smaller interim goals that, all together, get you where you want to be over time. A) My plan is to collect hair (sounds gross, but it's what's needed) from clients who don't want to donate to Locks of Love, bring them home, make hair swatches out of them, and experiment with different hair color, to see what I can see and learn from it. Practice on mannequin heads (I have three, will need more), and continue to learn from my experiences with my clients. (let's hope I don't screw up a whole lot more of them!)

Screwed up hair color, crappy tipper, creepy guy

So, about those purple stripes...She came in today to get those fixed. They weren't really bad, just "fake" looking...she likes a more natural, yet vibrant look. So, I did a test strand first, and it didn't look too bad. So, okay.....I give it a whirl. 6RC & 10 CG (red copper & copper gold)...aiming for a level 8 (6+10+16 divided by 2 =8) It came out unbelievably RED in tone...so not what she wanted. Unbelievably frustrating. Meanwhile, my client is Miss Ants-in-the-pants. She hates to sit still that long and is fidgety the entire time. Doesn't do much to keep me from freaking out, even if it's internal. Next, I apply lightener, 40 volume, & shampoo..used to call this a "soap cap"..let it process for 15 minutes. Didn't lift it enough. Sigh...Now I'm really frustrated and she's even more antsy. Making comments about our sucky lighting (she didn't use the word "sucky" but our lighting does suck) and the fact that she wanted this fix to be a quick one. In my world, especially when there's chemicals involved, there is no quick fix, really. So, I get Ginger & Evelyn involved. They both agree that I should just bleach it. So, that's what I do. Whip out the stronger lightener & developer, apply again, chuck her under the dryer on #3 (heats up to around 100 degrees...no, really, it does...), 15 minutes later...she's more blonde than she likes, and the "hot" spots are still "hot"...however, they're a copper shade now, not a red shade. She was not amused, trust me. Now, this didn't affect the rest of my day, other than my co-workers saw that I was tense. And, while wrapping my perm, later in the afternoon, I didn't talk...hardly at all. My "Chatty-Cathy" mode was waaay off. Consequently, I got a crappy tip. Sigh. The perm came out great, though... Then, my last two clients. Father & son. I like the dad well enough...however, he likes me a whole lot more. Hit on me the entire time. His son, who is 12, picked up on this, reminding him he has a girl friend (who has been a client of mine, as well). He found out I'm on Facebook...and wanted to talk to me online...wants to friend me. Kept pestering me until he got me to remind him what my name is. Luckily, A) I'm not the only one, B) I went in and blocked him, just in case, and C) (most important of all) my profile picture isn't me...it's a famous movie star from the 1940's... There are just certain relationships that need to stay on the professional level. However, why is it I always attract the creepy guys???

Monday Meme on Tuesday...

Borrowing from Wayfarer, again. This one I lovingly boosted from Wayfarer, who lovingly boosted from Chili, who lovingly boosted from Tense Teacher. Here it is: 1. Are you currently in a serious relationship?? A "romantic" one, no. However, I have a relationship with my daughter that I take very seriously... 2. What was your dream growing up? To be a drummer in a rock band...listened to waaay too many KISS albums!! 3. What talent do you wish you had?? To actually knit on regular needles. I can only use those loom thingies. 4 If someone bought you a drink, what would it be?? Probably Root Beer, since I don't drink!! 5. What was the last book you read?? Vivien Leigh, a Biography, by Anne Edwards. Which is funny, since it was written AFTER Vivien's death, making it an AUTOBIOGRAPHY, I'm thinking... 6. What zodiac sign are you?? 100% Taurus...whether I was born on time (April 29th, which I wasn't) or not (May 8th), I would've been a Taurus, no matter what. 7. Any tattoos/piercings? Two piercings each ear. Have contemplated both a nose piercing and tattoos, but haven't done them. Probably won't...chicken. 8. Worst Habit? Entirely too critical, both of others as well as self. 9. What is your favorite sport? To watch, Olympic figure skating in the winter, and Gymnastics in the summer. To participate in, volley ball or Frisbee. 10. Do you have a pessimistic or an optimistic attitude? My mother will tell you I have a BAD attitude, however, I see myself as pessimistic aiming for optimistic. Overcoming negativity is not always easy... 11. Worst thing that ever happened to you?? Both worst and best, actually. An emergency cesarean--very scary leading up to it, yet the best part was I got Katie. Awwwww.... 12. Tell one weird fact about you (one not everyone knows). I can still stand with my feet touching each other, but my right foot is twisted around so my right heel is touching my left big toe. Still doesn't pop out my hip...yet. 13. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?? Neither. Funny or weird, but not cute or scary. 14. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? My weight. But I'd have to change how I eat and make that permanent. Not there yet, either.. 15. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?? Depends on the activity!! 16. Ever been arrested?? Pulled over, but never arrested. Hardly ticketed, either! 17. If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?? Invest some that I can't touch, and spend some. Hey. I'm nothing if not honest! 18. Where is your favorite place to hang out?? Wayfarer House, bar none! 19. Do you believe in ghosts?? Yes. I've lived with them. However, I DO NOT believe in stupidity like "Ghost Whisperer" portrays...blech. My daughter's favorite show. I have to hear about it every week...sigh... 20. Favorite thing to do in my spare time?? Right now, it's continue to educate myself. I keep watching the same dvd's over and over, picking up all the little details I'm wanting to learn and use in my career! 21. Do you swear a lot? Some days are brought to you by the letter "F". Enough said. 22. Biggest pet peeve?? Same as my Mom's: Privileged characters. 23. In one word, how would you describe yourself?? Tenacious. 24. Do you appreciate romance?? To read, yes. To experience, no. 25. Do you believe in God?? Yes. But, I also believe in the fates, reincarnation, just to name a few! Thanks Wayfarer,Chili, & Tense Teacher!! You made my blog very easy today!!

My "Beth Minardi" day

Beth Minardi is my mentor, she just doesn't know it yet. She's actually a mentor to many, so I don't think one more would make a big difference. I have recently spent an ILL sum of money, educating myself on more color theory than I had in cosmetology school, and, as of today, it's money well spent!!! I have books, dvd's, I subscribe to her salon's website, I have a subscription to Behindthechair.com (a professional website) that I have run off many articles that interest me and have them in various binders. Beth Minardi has one all for herself. You could say this has become an obsession. But, in a good way. Let me tell you why. I have a client, I'll call her Sally. (she would shoot me if she knew what alias I gave her!!). Sally is a natural carrot-top redhead, who has since started to fade, as she's no longer 21 years old. I've had her in my chair twice now. Both times were fun experiences with a lot of learning thrown in. It's an interesting trick to bring a redhead back to her glory days. The first time, I used permanent color, and it came out beautiful. But, like all permanent color, it faded. However, it faded well...blended in with her natural color. Today was time to juice up her color. And, since I've been studying Beth Minardi's methods, I've found the perfect opportunity to apply what I've learned!! I had a total of 4 bowls at my station today...2 with different shades of coppery red hair color, 1 with lightener, and one with conditioner. I alternated her color & highlights using the zig zag method Beth taught in one of her dvd's, and used an idea from a Tony Mascolo dvd (he's from TiGi), to use their lightener with the lowest volume developer they carry: 8.5, which is usually used for demi permanent color. Sally's color came out looking very natural, and the highlights lifted up BEAUTIFULLY. I didn't have to wipe any off, I didn't have to deal with damaged hair at the end of the procedure, I didn't have to maniacally peel back the foils to check the progress. It was a stress-free color!!! Now, Sally thought it was going to be brighter, and it was more natural. And, there were two spots on the very front that turned pinkish that I may have to fix. But, overall, a beautiful color!!! I conditioned her ends while the rest of her hair was processing. Then, when I took her to the sink, I glazed her with clear to seal in the color and protect her ends. It's almost like putting top coat on your manicure!! Her hair looked soooo great!!!

Amateur Hairdressers..

So, I got a phone call the other day, from a Mom whose kid is a friend of Katiekatherine's. She saw the high/lowlight I did on another friend and wanted me to do it for her daughter because, well, she highlighted her daughter's hair and it didn't come out so well. Now, I did this first high/low at home, as a favor to the friend's parents, since both mom and dad are out of work right now. It was a birthday present from the dad. I genuinely don't mind doing things like that for people I like...I'm going to be selective here. For which, I'm sure, I'm going to get criticized for. Anyway. I talked my way out of doing this kid's hair at home and thought I had convinced mom to book an appointment with me. I even facebooked her to let her know how much it would cost and why. I got no response. Now, I've dealt with this mother before, in a different capacity. She has no concept of being on time, doesn't realize that it inconveniences others, and is an irritating individual to begin with. If she were an actual client, I'd put up with quite a bit of it for quite a while. However, she's not. So, this child shows up at my house for my daughter's sleepover. Sadly, she's not sleeping over, but she is hanging out for a few hours. And mom got a hold of her hair, again. She decided to put some brown hair color, most haphazardly, onto her daughter's head, thinking that would cure everything. There were portions of her hair that were olive green. Let's look at why this happened (besides amateur hairdresser). When you bleach hair, much like bleaching colored clothing, the chemical takes pigment out until there is nothing left. What happened is that the hair lightener, for whatever reason, wasn't on the hair long enough to lighten it to a pretty color. Mostly because her hair was too dark to lift to a pale blonde. It lifted to a not-so-attractive goldish-orange color. This is what hair does. A colorist will work to fix these things when doing what's called a tint-back. When you've taken color out, you need to put color back in, so that the end result is actually what you're looking for. It was all I could do to not try to work on her hair. Luckily for me, unfortunately for her, I don't have the necessary items at home to take care of this issue. This is a situation I have to try very hard not to get sucked into.

The irritating husband...

Whilst at work today, I was playing receptionist and was dealing with a client at the desk. Since I was not done with said client when the phone rang, I answered the phone "Thank You for calling Ginger's Hair Palace. Would you hold while I'm with a client, please?" to which the reply was "Yes, of course." I then proceeded to finish with the client in front of me, then picked the phone back up and replied "Thank you so much for holding, how may I help you??". Now. While all of this was going on, Ginger's husband, Tony, overheard me, and whipped around to question Ginger as to why I was putting the phone on hold. Mind you, I never actuallyheard what Tony said, but he was looking right at me when he said it, and Ginger replied with things like"well, did she take the call?? Was she dealing with a client in front of her". WTF??? Here's my opinion: If you have a question about how I'm dealing with something, please ASK ME. Here's a little background on me: I worked for a very prominent salon in our neighboring town for a total of 4 years. These were people VERY respected in the Hair Salon Industry..Members of Intercoiffure (and elite hairdressers club), actually personally knew the Paul Mitchell, and JP Dejoria (PM's business partner), etc., etc., etc. While I worked there, I was taught the professional way to answer the phone and how to put a client POLITELY on hold while I deal with the client in front of me, because I was taught to deal with the clients in the order to which they appeared. It's irritating, piddly little things like that that will send me over the edge. It was all I could do to not say anything to anybody about it. But, now I have said something, so now I feel better!

KatieKatherine

So, this one is, obviously, not about hairdressing. It's about my darling daughter. KatieKatherine was born prematurely, on March 4th, 1997. My water broke at work, due to Placenta Previa...placenta attaching too low in the cervix--when she started hanging out up near my ribs, she managed to tear the placenta, hence, my water breaking at work. The doctors at BMH were trying to figure out if I needed to be on bed rest when her heart rate spiked to over 300 beats a minute...very high for a baby, whose heart rate should be around 120-150 beats a minute. So, the decision was made to have her by cesarean. She was shipped to Dartmouth roughly 5 hours after she was born, because they couldn't stabilize her in Brattleboro. She stayed there nearly a month, where it took her a couple of weeks to have what's called a spontaneous episode. KatieKatherine was diagnosed with SVT...supra ventricular taccardia or super fast heart beat. While her heart beat circulates throughout the heart, at a random time, it will speed up. Her heart races and it doesn't slow down on it's own. When kids are very small, this is tough to deal with because they can't always tell you what's going on. However, as a 13 year old (almost) she definitely can. Katiekatherine was in gym class yesterday, doing lots of running. She told the gym teacher she wasn't feeling right, the teacher had her sit down, and checked her pulse..her heart was beating 240 beats a minute. Guess what, folks?? A spontaneous episode. The first one since she was 2 weeks old. She was very limp and ookie last night...felt unbelievably tired and was also very scared. I checked her heart rate and it was just over 100 beats a minute. A normal heart rate for her is now in the adult range (it slows down as children age), any where from 60 to 100 beats a minute. Currently, she's sitting pretty at 88 beats a minute, after the third time I've checked her this morning. That brings back when I had to check her rate every hour or so when she was a newborn!! Thank goodness I kept the stethescope I bought way back then!! Now, we're waiting for Dartmouth to call back to see if we need to get in earlier than May 7th. At that time, she'll get a complete work up, including an EKG. The last time we were there, she was 5, so she doesn't remember any of this stuff. Should be interesting. I will admit, to you, not so much to her, that this scared me quite a bit. I went with the opinion that since she's never had an episode before, that she's okay, that she outgrew it. Apparently not.