Two colors....

Had two colors today...one came out just great, the other, meh...

Wing nut number one came in, wanting to know if I could fix her hair.  She had pulled her hair through the cap, but only did the front (bought at kit at the store).  Therefore, the back of her hair was very dark.  And, (this is the best part) she was INSISTING her natural color was a light ash blonde.  NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.  Naturally, she's a warm level 5...medium warm brown.  Which means, when her hair lightens up, it's got some amazing warm tones ("red" to those not in the business) going on.

My mistake was in not lightening her ends first.  I dealt with her roots first.  Big mistake, because by the time I got done applying the lightener to her ends, her roots were pale blonde.  Her ends, not so much.
I then covered her ends (after rinsing & washing thoroughly) with 10A & 8N. (9NA) Also put SPV & SPN on her regrowth area, then feathered the 9NA into the regrowth area. (Hoping it would darken it up enough, which it did not)

This lady was a few sandwiches shy of a picnic.  She was pleasant enough, overall.  However, it wouldn't surprise me to know there's an official diagnosis of SOMETHING in a file somewhere.  She's definitely "not right".

Her color didn't come out quite like I wanted it to.  However, it was more like what she wanted.  And I did tell her she could come back and get it fixed if she didn't like it.  Just give it a couple of days.  Something I've noticed about myself is that when I've spent that much time looking at the hair I need to fix, I don't always see the finished results correctly.  When I redid Tina's hair a couple of weeks ago, even with the warm color I had put on her hair, I could still see all the mocha I was trying to cover up!  So, we'll see.

Wing nut number two:  Her daughter in law.  Who SWEARS I am the best thing since sliced cheese.  Not so much, really.  Especially not today.  Goofed her haircut up a bit....mistranslated what the cut was and gave her something totally different.  Oh, well.  Hair grows.  It doesn't look bad, just not the cut she was looking for.  It happens.  I can't beat myself up about this stuff.  She's still willing to come back and bring her child along for a haircut next time. 

However, her color:  A simple one, really.  A richer shade of what she already had.  She's a warm tone level 6, with some previous color growing out.  So, Color Sync to the rescue!  7WN & 6N to give it the warmth she was looking for, and a richness her previous color was lacking.  Gorgeous!!

Stealing another Monday Meme

Since I've made a point of NOT complaining about what goes on at work with my co-workers, I've managed to limit my subject matter, just a bit.  Therefore, I've been reading Wayfarer's blogs (because he's finally started blogging again) and shamelessly stealing from him my subject matter!!

Are you happy with the person you've become?
Yes.  I'm always needing "improvement", but, over all, I'm happy with me and comfortable with who I am.

What sound do you hate? Small children screaming in pain/anger.  Pay attention to your kid!!
What sound do you love? Small children giggling like crazy.  Best sound EVER!

What is your biggest "what if"?  Truly, if I'd stayed with Katie's dad.  We had a dumb relationship, really.  And now, we're both pretty successful at what we do.  It probably wouldn't have worked out this way if I'd allowed things to continue the way they were.  But, it's still a "what if".

Do you believe in ghosts?  Yes.  My house is full of them.  They're all my family members, so it's not as creepy as it sounds.  It's quite comforting, actually.  I'm living where I'm supposed to.  For now.

Do you believe in aliens?  No.  I love science fiction movies (Star Trek, Star Wars), fantasy movies (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter), but, no, I don't truly believe in that stuff.

What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far??  I have two.  Having Katie and getting my cosmetology license.  They're pretty equal with one another.  Both have changed my life in numerous ways.  All good.

What is the worst place you have ever been to?   Both driving through the George Washington Bridge in NYC and what a friend referred to as "Brown Town" near her southern hometown were pretty scary.  Beyond that, I don't get out much...

Can insanity bring on more creativity?  Having experienced mental illness first hand through my ex-husband, yes, it can.  While he's not "insane", I have experienced him in some seriously manic moments crank out some creative stuff.  Not always good, mind you, but definitely creative.

Most attractive actor of your opposite gender?  Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.  Incredibly lovely to look at, I like their acting abilities, and their voices are pleasantly deep.  Sigh...

To you, what is the meaning of life?  Not really sure how to answer this one.  A comfy home, a decent car that runs well, enough money in my pocket to accomplish what I need to. Making sure my teenager still loves me (and I, her!)!   Guess I answered it!

Define "art"  What I do is art, what Katie's dad does (auto body) is art, what Katie does (pipe cleaner people, anyone??) is art, what my mom did (cakes) is art, what my dad did (2-D drawing) was art.

Do you believe in luck?  I believe we have the power to make our own luck.

In your opinion, what makes a great relationship??  Communication and compromise.  I stink at both, regularly.  But, I keep trying.

What's a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?  "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson Orchestra, this time of year.  "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins any other time of the year...I picture the feet, EVERY time!

Where were you yesterday?  At work.  Bringing in clients and making some good tips!

What's the worst injury you've ever had??  Luckily, I've managed to stay relatively unharmed in that way.  However, I sprained my ankle by falling down a small flight of stairs with my then 3 year old niece in my arms...pretty scary.  I was more concerned with whether or not she'd hit her head on anything when we landed, not what I'd done to myself.  Also, the bumps & bruises I sustained from my very first car accident.  The hemotoma on my forehead is finally gone (accident was when I was 19), but my breastbone still "tweaks" every once in a while (hit it on the steering column in my car).  A "nice" reminder to not drive while ridiculously tired.

Ever had a rumor spread about you?  Oh, too many to count.  There are those who feel my life is terribly exciting.  Still haven't figured that one out yet.

Do you believe in real magic?  This kind of goes with the aliens question.  No, not really.

Do you ever hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?  If avoiding certain people because of how I was treated when I was young counts, then, yes.  I steer clear of those that have bullied me.  I'm not afraid of them, not by a long shot.  I avoid them (most of them) so that I don't say things that don't really need to be said.  There's one bully I cannot avoid completely, but, luckily, I only have to be around him 5 times a year....three holidays and two birthdays.

What's your favorite (non-pet) animal??  Elephants.  Bar none.  There is something about them that just gets to me, every time.  I have no idea why.  Must be a past life experience.  I actually saw (on TV) an elephant give birth and I just cried watching that little bit of life come to be.

What is your secret weapon to get people to like you?  It's a combination of things.  Being honest, showing empathy, sympathy, a bit flirty, knowledgeable in lots of things (to be able to carry on a conversation regarding just about anything), and, at least at work, being a little bit easy on the eyes is helpful.  However, those that know me the longest and the best have seen me without all the "paint" and they still like me, anyway!

Where is your best friend right now?  Sleeping.

Visual Learner

The fun thing about hairdressers (at least most hairdressers, anyway) is that we're visual learners.  If you've got something new in mind, bring in a picture.  It's so much easier to have a reference point when dealing with your hair!

The other part of my visual learning is this (and, of course, it's a drawn out explanation):  I write down what I do for client services every day.  I keep track of what, who, how often, retail sold, coupons/business cards handed out, and what they tipped.  Partly because I'm nosy, but also because my employer demands it of me.  I like knowing what I did during the day.  The other thing I've started doing is tracking my day in an appointment book.

GASP!!!  NOT AN APPOINTMENT BOOK!?!?!?  Yes.  An appointment book.  We're not allowed to book appointments, so I don't use it for that, specifically.  However, at the end of every day, when I'm at home, I transfer what I write in my little notebook into my appointment book.  When at all possible, I try to record it in actual time (men's hair cut at 1pm, color at 3pm, etc), including blocking out how long it took me to accomplish each appointment.  Why do I do this??  So I can see how full my day is.

When I worked for Ginger, I had a lot of down time.  So, I spent a lot of time examining various things in the computer.  Productivity being a big one.  I'm between Ginger & Evelyn in terms of productivity....that being said, Evelyn is busier because I'm not there to"hog the clients".  She actually inherited a bunch of my clients when I left.  But, anyway....right now, with the staff I have, we're on par with my old salon.  Which, for a new salon, I happen to think is pretty good.

Monday Meme on Tuesday...

Wayfarer Journal has been a blogging madman of late, after taking a year off, and I'm stealing from him, AGAIN, because, well, I'm too damn tired to think of anything to write, currently...So, here goes:

If you were an animal, what would it be??  Why??
I would be a cat.  They're one of my two favorite animals (the other is elephants).  Why??  Because their needs are met almost instantly, and they get to sleep 22+ hours a day.  Sleep would be good....

Hair color you like on someone you're dating?
I'm a sucker for tall, dark & handsome...EVERY time.  Katie's father fit the bill (at the time, mind you):  Chocolate brown, wavy hair, hazelly brown eyes, 6'6", great smile, moustache....basically, a young Tom Selleck or Burt Reynolds, complete with snazzy car....but, I'm digressing...moving on!

If you were suffering an injury, would you rather be blind or deaf??
Deaf....if I'm blind, I can't see to do my work, and I'm finally doing the work I LOVE...I can't create fabulous hair if I can't see...

Do you have any special talents?
I color hair.  It doesn't sound like much, but I can look at your hair, look at you, talk to you, figure out what will work best and formulate like a mad scientist to make it happen.

What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
Put down my bag, drop the coat, shed the shoes, hang up the keys, change the hairy clothes, talk to the teenager, figure out what's for dinner (because I'm not a plan ahead kind of gal--I should be, but I'm not)

Do you like horror or comedy?
I admit to liking both "Shaun of the Dead" and "Zombieland" (although "Zombieland not as much), however, "genuine" horror, NO.  It's dumb and completely unbelievable.  I'll take a comedy any day...

Are you missing anyone??
There are many people who are gone that I wish were back, if only for a day.  Some good, and some not so good.  Currently, my Gram (my dad's step mother) passed away almost a year ago.  Her birthday is Dec. 23rd...I'm missing her a bit, even though we weren't terribly close once I became an adult.

Where do you want to live when you are old?
Well, I'd like to say some warm, exotic place.  But, I like where I live.  A home of my own, instead of renting, maybe...but I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Who is the person you can count on the most?
There's a huge list.....I'm not able to narrow it down to one person.  I count on everyone for a variety of reasons.  I think it comes with being a single parent.

If you could date any celebrity, past or present, who would it be?
Lately, it's been Matthew Perry....Katie has been watching old episodes of "Friends" lately and his sarcasm is just FANTASTIC!!  I realize it's all scripted, so, it should really be Chandler Bing....

What did you dream last night?
Most of the time, I don't remember my dreams, unless they're graphic or scary, and even then, it takes a lot to get me to remember them.  Must be I have too much in my head....

What is your favorite sport to watch?
No sports fan here....that being said, Figure skating was a favorite when I was a kid, as well as competitive gymnastics.  Loved watching the Olympics as a kid....1980 Hockey team, Mary Lou Retton, Torvill & Dean...

Are you named after anyone??
My first name is because I was a small baby, therefore, I got a small name.  My middle name is my Polish Great Grandmother's American middle name (boy, that's a mouthful for a small middle name, too!!)

What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
I used to drink wine spritzers, heavy on the spritzer, when I was dating The Drunk.  I haven't had a drop of alcohol in 6+ years.  I never was much of a drinker, anyway....I can be stupid on air...I don't need alcohol to intensify it....

Non alcoholic drink??
Juice & seltzer...Wayfarer House turned me onto this and it's how I drink juice now...straight juice tastes wicked sweet!

Have you ever been in love?
Yes.

Do you sing in the shower?
No, although there's always music in the bathroom....I generally talk to myself in the shower, if I say anything at all...mostly, I'm enjoying the white noise and the peace...

Have you ever been arrested?
No.  Pulled over?  Multiple times.  Been in car accidents, yes.  Arrested, NO.

What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas.  Even though I've worked in retail for a million years, I still love Christmas.  The decorations, the gift giving, the whole festive thing.  Christmas music, okay, specific Christmas music, always puts me in a good mood, for the entire day.

Would you ever get plastic surgery?
Yes.  Boob job...in a heart beat.  And some liposuction..I'm too damn lazy to diet.

Have you ever caught a fish?
Only from the meat counter.  Dad took me fishing exactly once.  I was 6.  I asked way too many questions.  He never took me again.

Giving Thanks......

I'm thankful that I've got my health...could it be better??  Sure.  I could actually work HARD to lose all this weight and work to become more flexible (I feel stiff as a board, most mornings), but, over all, no real complaints.

I'm thankful for my daughter.  No, really.  For all that she drives me crazy most days, I'd be lost without her, and I've told her so.  (she never believes me, but I've told her)

I'm thankful I've got a job that I truly love, warts and all.  My  job is nothing if not a constant challenge, which is what I like most about it.  I'm NEVER bored!!

I'm thankful for all of my clients....without them, I wouldn't have a job!!

I'm thankful for my given family, in many different ways.

I'm thankful for my chosen family, who are always there for me, in ways that, sometimes, my given family can't be.

And, I'm thankful for all the events in my life that have shaped me into who I am today.  Without all those people and things that have happened, I wouldn't have the strength I have to get through each and every day.

What are you thankful for??

Updates....

So, I rearranged the cosmos at work...Rita is now right next to me, and Tina is across the way.  They both, previously, were where they could not be seen by the customer, so people would walk by and think no one was working.  Not any more.  At least, not when they have a client in their chair....Still haven't figured out a way to keep them out of the back room when they're by themselves...

We had a staff meeting last week and I just reiterated the basics, which is what we're focusing on right now.  I restated company policies regarding cell phone usage, timeliness, etc.  Whether or not they follow through remains to be seen, but not only did I state the rules, yet again, but they also got a copy of what we went over, so there's no questioning what I said, or how I said it.  And threw Tammy's name out there every chance I got.  How productive or not productive they are is all up to them.

I continue to gain new clients...I just wish I could remember them when they come in three months later, expecting me to remember everything from the conversation we had!!  I feel bad when that happens...it's not that I didn't enjoy my time with them...I did.   But, depending on how many people I've seen between then and now is what erases my memory of them!!  I apologize profusely when it happens.  Sometimes it means I've kept them as a client, and sometimes not. 

I'm now also getting people that ask me to promise not to move to another salon without telling them!!  That's a good feeling, I've got to tell you.  I also had a lady (who suffers from OCD & anxiety) yesterday who loved what I did and who will be back...so exciting!!!

The girls aren't calling Tammy with their personal sales figures like they're supposed to...I've caught both of them not doing that this week.  I suspect it goes on a lot more than it should.  I'm just as guilty, however, I don't normally do it on purpose....I tend to remember right when the nightly paperwork is printing, which means the computer is "polling"...sending the information over the phone line to home office.  If I pick up the phone, it breaks the connection...and I'm not supposed to call Tammy from home, either... (working off the clock, you know...)

I'm also looking forward to my two days off this week...Wednesday and Thursday (which happens to be the holiday)...I'm wiped out!!  It's been so darn busy that my body is reminding me I need some rest...I get the feeling I will COLLAPSE on Wednesday...I've only got laundry on my list...and I'm hearing that we're supposed to have sloppy weather on Wednesday...hmmmm.....

And now we are three...

So, Stephie gave her notice last week...Thursday, in fact.  This past Sunday was her last day.  I don't have a problem with her having left, except that she just should have told the truth.  She gave me some song and dance routine about how this job opportunity just "fell in her lap".  Of course it did.  In this economy, hairdressing jobs, especially for someone without a  genuine client base, do NOT just "fall into your lap".  Sigh.  Whatever.  I do wish her the best of luck.  She is a talented hairdresser.  And in the right environment, she can really shine.  Smartstyles just wasn't the place for her....it's not the place for anyone fresh out of school, really....

So, with that in mind, we had an emergency staff meeting on Monday, just to go over the basics, really.  Because we're down to three, there is no room for error.  No one can get sick, no one can be late.  There is no one to cover.  I outlined, yet again, the company policies that not everyone follows.  I also stated that the only way you get to leave early is if you're either scheduled that way (say only til 3:30 instead of 5pm) OR if it's Saturday, dead, and you're not the closing person.  And don't you know, Rita honed right in on that one.  She's been whining about how the hours got cut, she now has more hours, and wants to know when she can leave early.  Unreal.  Not unexpected, just unreal.

I've got another application in the drawer...one I'd actually hire.  Except right now, we don't have the payroll to hire someone else.  We need to focus on everyone getting on commission and staying on commission, for a month or more, to even entertain the idea of hiring another person.  Of course, if any of us get "letters" again, and any of them state that someone is all done, then I have to hire someone else.  Thank goodness I've got someone in the "hopper"!!

I had one of my newer clients the other day....she had been going to the chi-chi salon over in Keene, getting her hair done by the same guy for years.  She had gone to him about a month or so  ago, asking him to take her darker, as she couldn't afford to maintain the blonde any longer.  He had originally colored her regrowth her natural shade (just warmer, since she's ashy) and left it at that. ( My client thought maybe he was on something that day).  When he was done, she looked like she hadn't had her color done in MONTHS....very dark regrowth, very light ends.  She went back the next night and told him he was fixing it....she was ANGRY, as she had a right to be!!  What he wound up doing (because approximately 2 weeks later, it was obvious) was putting permanent color over the top of the old highlights, then re-highlighting a couple of spots to brighten it up.

You know what happened 2 weeks later when she started asking me questions about it??  The darker color faded away (as I knew it would), leaving some very ashy sections behind (as I also knew it would) which is what told me he'd put permanent color over the top of the highlights. 

When she was in the other day getting her hair trimmed up, she asked me what I would do to get her where she wanted to go.  I explained it this way "I'd use permanent color on your regrowth to match what was already done, then I'd go through your ends with a matching demi permanent color, leaving out select pieces of your lighter hair to use as highlights, giving those pieces a nice deep conditioning in foils to isolate the hair and keep it in the best condition possible.  You'd have the darker hair you're looking for, and natural looking highlights to break it up so it doesn't look so shockingly dark until you adjust to it.  We may have to do your color this way for a few visits until the darker color stays on your fragile ends, continuing to to trim up your hair every other visit to help your hair to better condition, because the only cure for these fragile ends is to cut them off...product to smooth them is only a band-aid, not a cure."

She LOVED what I had to say!!  She promised she'd be back (the hair cut was her third visit....first was wax, second was her son's hair cut, third, hers)..I can't wait to do her color!!