The Gentlemen's Turn

A great haircut is a powerful thing. It can be that missing puzzle piece that finally makes sense of the rest of your appearance, your day, your life. Ask almost any woman and she can tell you her best haircut experience. More often than not, the person responsible for said cut is still snipping her locks to this day. We know the power and we love it.  Can the same be said for most men? Sadly, I'm not so sure.

We'd like to change that, because everyone deserves great hair.

This week's cutting class featured an all male crew of models. After years of DIY cuts, these four courageous men put their hair in the hands of stylists Lindsay and Brianna.  Under the guidance of HeaD AreA educator JoJo, the group discussed and decided where they wanted to go style-wise.

Dan, hoping to get more shape and control in his super thick mane

Scott, looking to streamline his longer curly hair

Rory, in need of short cut with a bit more longevity and shape

Paul, The day's biggest change: from long to shorter and sleeker

Ideas sussed out, the cuts begin.

Lindsay shapes Dan's sides to alleviate bulk

Brianna subtly blends Scott's back into the sides of his hair

Lindsay sections Rory's hair for a precise cut

Brianna gets a feel for Paul's face shape and natural part

Using that as a guide, she begins to take length from the back

JoJo checks symmetry with Rory and Lindsay

Brianna soften lines to give Scott's curls a helping hand

AFTER: Lindsay left Dan's length, but removed the bulk and defined the shape

AFTER: By losing a few inches off the back and adding layers, Brianna gave new life to Scott's natural curl

AFTER: Lindsay added versatility and lessened the upkeep on Rory's shorter locks with a more personalized cut

AFTER: Paul loses length but gains texture and movement thanks to Brianna's precision

The inhouse reviews on the guys' new looks were raves, but the real test is how they feel and how their new locks translate to their daily routines. Something tells me these gentlemen will decide great hair might be worth making time for...

The Fundamentals

HeaD AreA is education.  Over 50 combined years in this business have produced a masterful set of tools that every stylist must tackle before they hit the floor. You've got to walk before you run.

This is Brianna, who joined our team just last week. Today, our stylist Kitt is taking her through the Flat Brush Blow Dry.

This is one of several key blow drying techniques utilized in every service at the salon. This style of blow drying, done with a flat Denham brush and a blow dryer, leaves the hair smooth and super shiny.

Like many things in hair styling, it looks deceivingly simple. Hair is manipulated in particular ways to maximize body while maintaining a smoother than silk finish. Learning the angles and patterns to allow for such feats take patience and practice practice practice.

The results are not only gorgeous, but they prepare the hair for any other sort of styling the client might need. This blow is a staple at photo-shoots, runway shows, and (of course) at HeaD AreA.

Keep Going

It is now the end of a very long, very busy week. Before I get some much needed rest, I thought I'd share a little piece of what makes us love our work. This is far from the only reason we come into the salon day after day, but it a very important part of what makes HeaD AreA tick.

Just when I thought no one had anything left to give, the last haircut of the week became an impromptu cutting class.

 

Our education head, Lee, and his client Linda, decided to take her existing cut just a few steps further, grabbing the interest of staff members. Before the first section was completed an audience had formed. 

 

After many snips, questions and photos; the final results speak for themselves.

 

Linda loved her hair and seemed to really enjoy the whole experience. 

As did we, but I think that goes without saying. Seeing things move from concept to reality on a daily basis is the driving force behind what we do and why we walk through the big red door everyday.

Thanks again to Linda and HeaD AreA's team. Have a wonderful weekend, guys.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Texture: Charlotte

As we struggle to get through this never-ending winter, I find it helps to plot out what comes next. Spring 2011 is bright, bold with more than a nod to 70's relaxed easy style. What does this mean for hair? Our take is a no (well, little) muss no fuss approach. Hair's natural texture will come shining through. This is either great news, or scary news, depending on you and your hair. However, I assure you, with the right cut and products, even the trickiest texture can look fabulous. 

HeaD AreA model Charlotte exemplifies this notion. Her loose natural wave has a tendency to fall flat in dryer months.  Working with her facial features and natural texture, stylist Kelly gives her a series of weight eliminating layers so that her curls spring rather than fade. By leaving a little length and weight in Charlotte's fringe, they appear natural and a true extension of the cut. 

To achieve the above look, we've used Bumble & Bumble's Curl Conscious Shampoo & Conditioner, followed and all over mist of Prep, a healthy amount of both Defining Creme and Holding Foam applied tips to roots. Brilliantine was applied after a diffused blow-dry to further polish and enhance texture. 

Curl Conscious Shampoo & Conditioner

Bb Defining Creme and Holding Foam

Bb Prep and Brilliantine

If you have a whole different brand of texture woes, fear not! This is just the first in a series of posts tackling all nature of hair issues. Stay tuned...

Stay Inspired

The amazing Freja Beha Erichsen

In the hidden parts of our salon (and in the homes of our stylists) live what I'll call "Inspirations Walls". Massive collections of pictures amassed from photo shoots, magazines, sketches, doodles, and random acts of in-salon insanity. These walls serve to keep our creativity fueled. They give us new ideas and breathe new life into old techniques.

We though it only fair to share this "wall" with all of you. Filled with images uploaded by our team, headarea.tumblr.com is just that a digital version of what we see (and use) everyday.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

Thinking Spring: Jean

Red is hot. Way hot. Possibly hotter than it's ever been. Maybe this is because natural redheads are endangered species, predicted to be as early as 2060. Maybe it's because  of recent advances in red color formulation making it easier to hold onto that fresh pop of color. Maybe it's just because in a see of blond and brown, red will always get you noticed.

Styled by Kerri, HeaD AreA model Jean's fiery curls are a force to be reckoned with. Starting with an all over golden red base color, Kerri then freehand painted on  both copper and gold highlights (look for a more in-depth post about this process soon) to the ends of curls. The finishing color touch came from a copper golden all over glaze. Bumble & Bumble Defining Creme gives the curls weightless control while Bumble & Bumble BB Shine amps up the golden sun dipped effect.

Get the look: