Kelly: HeaD AreA at Our Best

Photo by Lee Clapson

HeaD AreA believes that education is the foundation of everything. We are at our best when taking on a young stylist and giving them the tools to help them flourish. One of our favorite success stories is Kelly Hursh. A brilliant young stylist and a key member of the head area team for over three years, Kelly exemplifies what we strive to create.

Experimenting on the heads of friends, Kelly's passion for hair was sparked in her early years not only by her inherent talent but as she puts it,"I seemed to be the only one (while doing box color dye jobs) who was capable of not leaving spots and ruining the counters!"

A part-time job at salon in high school solidified her career choice. "I fell in love with the flow and change of it all."

Slicing through(Photo by Lee Clapson)

Kelly packed up and moved to Philadelphia in order to attend Jean Madeline Aveda Institute. She worked as an assistant in various salons while attending school full time, leaving little time to explore her new city and make it her home. She poured herself into learning as much as possible and honing her skills, quickly ascending to the top of her class.

The funny thing is, Kelly almost left the profession before we even got to meet her. Disillusioned and disenchanted by her experiences at a handful of other establishments, Kelly was ready to pack in her shears for good when a chance run-in brought her and HeaD AreA together.

"I had a brief lapse in my confidence of career choice: this city can be tough. I had moved here alone, not knowing anyone and it got rough."

A former instructor, friend and HeaD AreA stylist convinced her to spend a day at our salon, just to see if maybe this was the place she'd been searching for...thankfully it was. By the end of that day, she accepted a full-time position and in no time became an integral part of the team.

It's Kelly's balance between technical precision and creativity that sets her apart from others in the field. She has cultivated her unique style through her years of study. Under the direction of HeaD AreA's education team ( led by Lee Clapson), she has built creativity and personal flair onto the foundation of the classical training. It is that classical, technical training that is paramount to the education at HeaD AreA. Kelly has so fully absorbed this, that she has taken on a teaching role within the salon, helping new stylists find their footing and perfect their craft. She has a confidence and easy nature that puts her clients at ease. This girl knows her stuff and is not one to rest on her laurels. She continues to explore new techniques and widen her range of expertise.

Vibrant, daring color juxtaposed with a classically executed razor cut.(Photo by Lee Clapson)

Her main love of the moment is her straight razor. A finicky and unforgiving tool, Kelly wields it with amazing deft and skill, using it to catapult her cutting to the next level. "I always admired the straight razor and the benefits of using one. I got the cajones to pick it up one day and didn't look back. It took my haircuts to another plane."

Whether it be the straight, the scissors, or the color brush, Kelly has a gift for transforming ordinary hair into something amazing. She is excited about hair and it's an infectious energy. This is something any of her loyal clients can attest to, as they trust their locks to no else.

Photo by Lee Clapson

To book an appointment with Kelly, please call HeaD AreA at 215 829 0699. 

Products We Love: Gentle and Super Rich

Lighten. Darken. Heat style. Blow out. Straighten. 

But then what? How do you say "I'm sorry" to your overworked locks?

In 1992, Bumble and Bumble answered this question by bringing the aptly named Gentle Shampoo into the world. Years later, they added the hearty mid-weight conditioner Super Rich as its companion piece. Bumble's first ventures into commercial products took a "necessity is the mother of invention" approach. Put hair through hell during fashion week, photo shoots, or just day-to-day life, and now what? How do you bring it back? Gently and richly.

As soothing as their names suggest, the Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich conditioner will cure what ails you. From fragile fine locks to raucous curls, this cleansing duo is a friend to all hair types that have been processed or are just naturally in need of moisture.

Gentle Shampoo contains Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima) that calms tortured texture while a shot of glycerin helps soften locks. The cleanser emulsifies with a rich lather, courtesy of nettle extract, shaking loose product build-up without tarnishing even the most gentle of hues.

Super Rich is the best friend of a chemically treated mane, but it works well for any hair in need of some TLC. Cetearyl alcohol (I know, I know, but this is a naturally occurring fatty alcohol, and not drying in the least) adds manageabiltity, while a healthy does of dimethicone gives hair back that shine and smoothness chemical processing took away. Super Rich adds a boost of moisture without additional weight that can flatten finer texture, it's a great go-to after your regular shampoo.

Now that you've heard all the technical reasons why this pair is one of the greatest for hair, it's time to see it in action.

Lina "Before":

Lina's locks have seen better (shinier) days. She has a gorgeous head of hair in need of slightly more astringent cleanser and heartier conditioner.

Lina "After":

Cut and styled by Lee; Lina's hair gets back its gloss and then some. 

Kelly "Before":

An overdose of product knocked the life out of Kelly's curls.

A quick trip to the shampoo bowl where Emily cleanses (just once, repeating is rarely necessary with Bb's shampoos) and conditions with the products of the hour:

Kelly "After":

Styled by Emily and sans product build up, freedom rings in ringlets.

We encourage personal research of these and all Bb products. Make sure to ask your stylist about Gentle, Super Rich and any other styling aids that pique your creative interests. They'll gladly take you and your hair for a test drive. 

Let It Shine

Back before the cutting, the coloring, the heat styling, the perming (it's okay, we were all there) there was this hair. Hair that had life, bounce, an inner glow even. Hair that was as fleeting and magical as childhood itself.

Hair that had that shine. Remember?

Bumble & Bumble does, and that was the inspiration behind their new line – Let It Shine shampoo, conditioner and Shine On Finishing spray – that manages to add maximum punch, yet leaves hair full of body and life. Shine on, indeed.

With the help of veteran HeaD AreA model Yoko and new face Allison, Lee takes the staff through the finer points of our newest styling addition.

In need of some freshening and a more refined cut, Lee shampoos and conditions Allison's long locks with Bb Shine (This lightweight cleansing duo is ideal for all hair types who want to add sheen without weighing hair down) and begins to map out his plan.

Lee reshapes Allison's heavy fringe to unify it with both her facial structure and the rest of her hair. Precision cuts and an unwavering hand are key to achieving this harmonious effect.

Once her fringe is properly (and beautifully) landscaped, Lee tackles the bulk of Allison's mane. Losing minimal length, Lee continues his refinement by razor cutting long layers into the back and sides of the hair.

This deceptively intricate cut is elevated by Lee's deft use of Bb Shine On Finishing Spray. He starts by spraying the product into his hands and working it through Allison's hair from mid-lengths to ends (Shine On is a silicone-based product and should be applied sparingly and added in stages) smoothing and building as he goes. 

The end result is healthy, gorgeous hair with plenty of natural movement and a weightless finish.

Divine shine. 

Yoko's coarse texture serves as an ideal platform to showcase the versatility of the Shine finishing spray. Again, starting with a few spritzes into his hands, Lee works the product through Yoko's locks, smoothing and shaping the hair to accentuate the lines of her cut (featured on this blog back in March) for a dramatic take on shine.

Lee then breaks down the glass finish with even more product, combing it through and rough styling it for a tousled bed-headed effect.

Even with a healthy dose of the Spray, Yoko's hair is still light and malleable this second time around.

(Special thanks to our models, and the wonderful Judith Robinson for bringing the Bb knowledge to HeaD AreA. For more information on the new Shine line, please call 215 829 0699 or stop into HeaD AreA. Shine on!)

Texture

Grit. Oomph. Chutzpa.

Thanks to Bb Texture, we can now use these words to describe not only our attitudes but our hair as well.

The HeaD AreA team was lucky enough to have a hands on product knowledge class taught by our Creative Director, Lee and our wonderful Bb rep, Judith. These demonstrations are a vital part of our overall understanding of how to get the most out of our product line and your hair.

For the first part of his demonstration, Lee used Bb Texture as more traditional styling tool, working it through Mindy's damp curls and then using a diffuser to remove excess moisture.

 

The result is loose, relaxed waves appear look effortless. Hair (un) dressing indeed.

Being the consummate boundary pusher, Lee went a vastly different route for his second demonstration. This is Audrey, naturally beautiful with a great sense of style,  her fuss-free look needed a bit a of a boost.

After cleansing and towel drying her hair Lee added his first dime-sized amount of Texture, working it through roots to ends, then spritzing with Prep for a touch extra moisture.

Audrey's hair is then smoothed out, lightly sectioned and the cutting begins. 

Precision slices enliven the fine layers around Audrey's face and make the most out of each strand.

Bb Texture's inherent moisture allows Lee to cut organically and let the hair's natural bend dictate the layers.

As the weight is lifted from her locks, Audrey's hair becomes fuller and the color more defined.  Had the cut ended here, it would have undoubtedly been a success, however product inspiration spurred Lee to take it further. 

By wefting, or carving into the hair at the root and mid-lengths, Lee is able to create a whole new element of inner lift and body into the cut.  

 

 

 The result is tousled and somewhat deconstructed, allowing the focus or the style to be Audrey's natural texture. 

 

Bb Texture is a versatile product and works well with absolutely every hair type.It performs best when worked into damp hair and doesn't really require any sort of heat styling. Use as a change from Surf Spray, Sumotech or Defining Creme or mix it with Bb foundations along with virtually any other Bb product.  During you next visit, ask your stylist to design a personalized Texture product cocktails. Experiment and let us know what you think!

Special Thanks to Judith and Mary from Bumble and Bumble and, of course our fantastic models, Audrey and Mindy.

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...