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. 

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...