Last Day of 2007 in the little salon

The last work day of 2007 was very eventful at the little salon. Brian, our personal DJ, was spinning records during the afternoon. He set up his equipment in front of the salon and played records, not only for our clients, but the entire neighborhood. The air in the Rosemary District was full of music all afternoon. I really love it when he does this and the clients love it too. Thanks so much Brian!!

We are always learning at the little salon

Nevin, our creative director was working with Brian and John on new cuts. This was John's first training cut in the salon. He did very well, by this time next year John will be a first class cutter in the salon.

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Me

So "where is your picture" is the comment from three of my family members. You know how it is when you go on vaction and the person taking the pictures seems to not have been there. Well that's how it is here. Thanks Brian. By the way, that's not "hair spray", it's spray wax.

Ivana

Ivana's hair is tinted with a mahogany Tocco Magico color. I also use a single process highlift and deposit color for the highlights and very dark neutral brown for the lowlights. The result gives the base color much more depth. The color we use for the highlights is an Italian product called Contrasti, which comes in a variety of brilliant accent colors. Ivana has gone shorter with her cut over the past few months. I like this length best so far, it frames her face nicely and the color is stunning against her beautiful porcelain skin. Ivana works at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, the salon is very convenient for her after work appointment.

Kimberly

Kimberly is a local graphic designer. She has had a variety of styles over the past few years, from very short and spikey to her current bobbed look. We had alot of laughs while taking her picture today. I like the "sultry" look on her face in this one. Kimberly is very active, either with work, Aikdo, Yoga, Running or most important her two very active boys, Aaron and Josh. They also come to the little salon for hair cuts. The last time they were in Brian cut their hair, unfortunately I was not there to take their pictures. To contact Kimberly for design work email her at kimberlyrabow@mac.com.

Jennifer

Today Brian cut Jennifer's hair. She actually has beautiful curls, but she felt like wearing it straight, or maybe Brian felt like finishing it straight. Many times we dry and flat iron curly hair to finish the cut because the hair will fall more naturally, then we can easily see where adjustments need to be made. Jennifer's hair looked very silky and shiny, that is another reason to use the flat iron.

Katie and Jordan

Remember Jordan's mom, who was waiting patiently at the espresso bar while Jordan had her hair cut and colored. (See: Last Client of the Day in November.) Here is mom Katie with Jordan. Today both Katie and Jordan had their hair cut and colored. Katie was in to see both Kristin and myself. Kristin is working with Katie on correcting a "home" color disaster. All is "almost" corrected, thanks Kristin! They both looked lovely when they left the salon, too bad they were on the way to the dentist rather than a serious shopping trip!

Carrie

Carrie was back in the salon for her 6 week reshaping. I took it a bit shorter this time and it suites her nicely. Carrie has alot of hair and when the cut grows out she says she feels like she is wearing a helmet, so I texturized the cut alot more this time. That will help to keep the helmet head at bay. That was her husband on the phone, most likely wondering what was keeping her. It usually takes a solid hour to cut Carrie's hair, that's why she schedules her cut and color on different days. That's just way too much time in the salon to do both at once.

Gabi

Gabi came to us on the recommendation of her sister Elsa. Gabi had longer layered hair that needed a good shape. She looked through our style books and chose two cuts that she liked. I adapted the basic "look" that she pointed out in the books to the shape of Gabi's face and the type of hair that she has. She has quite a bit of natural curl in her hair; she will be able to wear this cut straight by using her flatiron or letting it dry naturally to take advantage of her nice curl. The cut frames Gabi's face nicely and enhances her very pretty features. I couldn't believe she is a senior in high school, I thought she was a bit older.

Bonnie

Bonnie was in the salon today for color with Kristin and a cut with me. Kristin added a few blonde and dark brown streaks to Bonnie's beautiful copper hair. She has been growing her hair out from a shorter style throughout the summer and today was the day for a new cut. Bonnie wanted something that didn't have a "perfect" look, something more casual. She is very active with tennis and working out. Bonnie also wanted something easy that she would not need to worry about after riding with the top down on her convertible. I cut the outline straight around from back to front, no angles. Layers were added to give it a more casual look, as well, as movement.

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Mindy

Mindy's hair needs no description, as you can see, it's curly, curly, curly! This was her second visit to the salon. She was in last week to have color with Kristin and today for a cut with me. She is letting her hair grow from a "too" layered cut. Mindy's type of curl does not do well with short layers, which creates too much width. The layers need to be kept long, with a slight bevel around the perimeter, so as not to get a pyramid shape. We used Pureology's Instant Repair when the hair was wet and Cristalli Liquidi after drying it with a diffuser. Hair that is this curly needs alot of conditioning and very little manipulating while drying to eliminate the frizzies! She really wears "curly" very well!

Liz

Liz was in Sarasota visiting her sister, Lisa, who is a client at the salon. Liz took the opportunity to have a new hair style while here for the holidays. Her hair was past her shoulders. She wanted something that was long enough to pull back into a ponytail when things get really busy with her new born baby, but with a "style" that will look great when she can take the time to blow it dry. Liz also has a nice curl to her hair that she can dry naturally when baby's needs just won't allow blow dry time.

Carol

Today was Carol's first time at the salon. She saw one of my clients at Macy's and asked her where she got her hair cut. That's a great way to find a new stylist, just ask someone who has a great hair cut. Carol told us something that she read regarding salon etiquette. Is it polite to close your eyes while having your hair shampooed? The answer was no it is not polite. This was in a column, in a British newspaper which was written by the British counterpart to Emily Post. Quite the contrary at the little salon. We like our clients to close their eyes and relax while having a shampoo and head massage. As a matter of fact on our ceiling right above the shampoo area it says "Out of my mind, be back in 5 minutes".

Eve

This is Eve, she has that beautiful Grecian hair thick, dark, dark brown with plenty of curl. Eve came to me with "80's hair", as we called it. Long, long layers, which were doing nothing to show how lovely her hair really is. I left it long, just past her collar, with long layers. Eve will be able to let it dry naturally when she does not have the time before work to blow it dry. She is manager of Curves in Fort Meyers and was recommended by her Curves cronies in Sarasota. (We really appreciate that she drove all that way for a cut at the little salon!) What a great group of women, they really take care of one another, they were all there in support for "the transformation of Eve".

Derek and Brian

The guy on the right is Derek Barnes, chef/proprietor of Derek's Culinary Casual on Central Ave., just one block north of the salon. He has just had his hair cut by Brian, the guy on the left. Every few weeks Derek finds a precious 30 minutes outside of his kitchen to have a hair cut. From the conversation I overheard between Derek and Brian, his kitchen sounds an amazing place where he is constantly experimenting and stretching the imagination of culinary wizardry. Did I hear something about hot ice cream? If you haven't been to Derek's, as I say to everyone who sits in my chair, you are really missing something!
www.dereks-sarasota@dereks-sarasota.com

Stylist Paul with Debbie

Paul is checking Debbie's cut to make sure the hair is falling perfectly into the shape he has cut. Debbie has beautiful dark straight hair, which is ideal for the Bob Paul has chosen for her. This was Debbie's first time in the salon, she came to Paul on recommendation, which is the way most of our clients come to us. When a salon builds it's clientele on referrals that means they are doing something very right!

Nancy

By the time Nancy gets home her new hair cut will be on the blog for everyone to see. She wanted something with more layers and that's what we did. I took off about 3 inches in the back and left the front longer with alot more layers than in her previous hair cut. Yesterday Nancy was in with Geri to have her color done. The color is a warm brown with red/copper highlights. Nancy is the manager of Jenny Craig in Sarasota, she and her staff are responsible for the many Sarasota women that have taken off pounds and inches, as well as, started eating a more healthy diet. www.JennyCraig.com Nancy has such a great smile!

Wendy

Wendy was my last client today. We are in the process of growing Wendy's hair into a longer layered Bob. Wendy's hair is actually quite curly so she has the option of wearing it straight by using a flatiron or letting it dry naturally. The cut will accomdate both types of hair. Geri is Wendy's colorist, she uses a Tocco Magico single process blonde and a gloss at the end for added shine. As I was taking Wendy's pictures she told me she had been a hair model at one time in her life and it shows. We have gone through many looks with Wendy's hair, from longer and curlier to very short and spikey. I like this look on her alot. Although I really did like her curly look too!

Lauren

Brian took a before and after picture of Lauren, which really shows a change. I wish we had the time to do that with every new client. The darker base with a few highlights is much more pleasing for Lauren's comlpexion. The cut is very layered, which gives her hair a great deal of movement. The cut is absolutely perfect. I watched Brian finish it off and each hair that he picked up was perfectly even. This cut will fall into place without any effort on Lauren's part. Even though Brian was due to be at T Giorgi ( a new wonderful shoe store in the WholeFoods Center) for a DJ gig shortly after he finished, he took time and patience with Lauren's hair to the very end. He never settles for anything short of perfection when it comes to the cuts and colors he gives his clients.

Alice

Alice really didn't want her picture taken today, but her curly hair is so beautiful I just had to snap a few shots. Kristin colors Alice's hair with Tocco Magico and Nevin usually cuts it, but this month I did the cut, due to her schedule not working with his. Alice stopped in today to have me "tweek" the top of her hair and she brought Dancing Dear brownies and a bottle of Fuji water. That was very thoughtful!

Kamila

Kamila comes to the salon about every 6 weeks to have her highlights retouched and a trim. Two cuts ago I gave Kamila a shorter more layered Bob, which we are now growing out into a more one length look. It is easier for her to care for and she just likes it better that way. Sometimes we try things that don't work, so...because it's hair and it grows we can change it. We have also gone with a darker color, but the lighter blonde really suits her best. It just brightens up her face. Kamila is a delight to have as client, she is always smiling and positive.

Shirley

Meet Shirley, she is my mother. At 83, she looks wonderful and is very active with exercise, trips with her friends, movies (she knows more about current movies than I do) and recently she got a new Landrider bicycle, early Christmas gift from the "kids". We all plan to take Mom on some of the "Rails to Trails" bike trails in Florida. We use Tocco Mogico level 13 on her hair, which is close to her natural with a bit more "color". Her natural is more silver. The added color is good for her skin tone. Today I just reshaped her hair. The cut is a basic layered cut and blown dry. I use a small flat iron to lift and bend the ends under. A flat iron works much better than a curling iron to give a softer look.

Jan

Jan was a new client today for Brian. She had an unfortunate hair experience before coming to the salon, so Brian did a little repair work today for her. The result was excellent, although there are still some areas that need to grow and then the cut will be perfect. Jan's color is stunning and best of all natural! That's Brian with Jan, they both look very pleased. The back of the head shot is Jan and me. I am growing my blonde color out to my natural, which is quite silver in the front and darker in the back, as you can see. I will continue to have blonde streaks blended in with my natural color after all of the blonde tint grows out. The "growing out" process has been a breeze.

Louise

Lousie is a resident of The Rosemary District, so it's just a walk around the block and she is at the salon. I highlight Lousie's naturally dark blonde hair with many very fine highlights for a natural look. We have been growing her hair from a shorter style to a bit longer on the sides with a shorter nape. Lousie is very active and likes a cut that she can shampoo and go without having to dry and style it. With this cut she can do just that. I like the one side tucked behind her ear, it's very classic and sophisticated, which is exactly what Louise is!

Andrew

Andrew is a Ringling student, who had his hair cut by Brian today. Brian has a large clientele of students from Ringling School of Art and Design. As it goes "word of mouth" is the best advertising and that is for the little salon, the way it happens. Andrew brought in a picture and when he left, his new cut looked very much like the picture.

Judy

Judy is a realtor in Sarasota. The way Judy likes to see her hair is "funky", so Kristin and I do "funky" for Judy. Krisint uses a Tocco Magico mahogany base, with a variety of colored peices mixed in for the "funkiness". This visit Kristin and Judy chose a magenta to create a few dramatic streaks in the front. For Judy's new cut, I took the back and fringe short and left out a star shaped pattern of longer hair on the top. After the hair was dry, I textured the longer crown hair to blend with the shorter hair underneath. Judy's is always alot of fun, she is usually up for most anything that is out of the ordinary.

Karen

Karen is an aritst at the Longboat Key Art Center. She is one of the most upbeat people I know. She is always smiling and always very appreciative of her hair cut when I finish. Karen could brighten the day of scrouge. We have gone through quite a few looks for Karen, from very short and spikey to this longer layered style. I really like this one on her. She tells me it's very easy for her to do herself, after she dries it, just a little styling paste on the fringe and she's good to go.

the little salon

426 central avenue
sarasota, florida
955.4691

Dueling Cowlicks

If you think that cowlick in the crown of your head gives you a fits, how would you like to have two that grow against one another? This happens to be Jack's and right now it's really cute becaause he's only 5, but when he's about 18 he most likely won't think it's cute anymore. Hopefully the men's styles will be similar to today's, where a little cowlick or two actully creates a bit more interest to a cut.

Jack

This is Jack again, who seems to be pretty excited about his new hair cut. Most of our clients say that they become extremely relaxed while they are here at the salon. Well, not Jack. He was the most excited client of the day. Even though he was full of energy after we finished, he sat perfectly still for the entire hair cut. While I was cutting Jack's hair we talked about his dog Scout and his favorite food, which is pudding. I asked him what was his favorite restaurant, next to his Dad's. (Jack is the son of Derek Barnes, chef/owner of Derek's on Central Ave.) He said McDonald's, but his Dad dosen't like it. I then asked him who he thought was a better chef, Ronald McDonald or his Dad. He thought for a minute and said, "Ummm, my Dad"! After the hair cut I walked with Jack down the street to meet his Mom, Beth, at Derek's. Before leaving, Jack insisted on showing me how he could putt with his new putter. I think he sunk a whole in one right on Central Ave.
PS: Not only is Derek Barnes a better chef than Ronald McDonald, I think he is the best chef in Sarasota. If you haven't been, you are truly missing something. www.dereks-sarasota.com

Michelle

Wow, what georgous hair! This was Michelle's first visit to the little salon. On Saturday Paul gave Michelle a gloss to enhance her dark brown hair and give it more shine. A gloss is a temporary color, as well as, a conditioner. It comes in many colors or clear. The gloss will last from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how you take care of your hair. If you shampoo frequently, if you use a color safe shampoo, if your hair is exposed to the sun alot; will all determine how long a gloss will last. Michelle's hair is very healthy, which makes it very beautiful.

Brenda

Brenda came in on Saturday to have her hair blown dry and flat ironed for a Christmas dinner that evening. After shampooing I used a leave-in conditioner by Pureology. It gives the hair strength and shine, while protecting it from the flat iron. After her hair was dry, I then used Pure Veil, an Alphaparf product that also protects from the iron and gives the hair shine. When I finished I topped it off with Cristilli Liquidi, another Alphaparf product which gives the hair a silky feel and again shine. We are very aware of the health of the hair while using hot tools on our clients. Brenda was in a bit of a rush to finish errands before going home. She was trying to leave the salon and I was trying to take her picture. I believe her last words as I snapped this one were, "Can I go now?"

Duane

This was Duane's first visit to the little salon. He came to see Paul on the reccomendation of his wife Jakie, who is a client of Paul's. Duane's cut is close in the back and on the sides, with a longer more textured top. It looks great on him. Duane is an I.T. person in Sarasota. Next time we need to take a couples picture of Jackie and Duane together.

Anne Marie

Anne Marie has great naturally curly hair. The cut Brian has created for her allows the curl to form into a very unique shape, which frames her face nicely. There is a slight asymmetry to the cut. The neckline treatment is beautiful, it softens the nape and shows off Anne Marie's lovely long neck. Brian has been working with the color to create a more natural appearance, a soft medium blonde with a few highlights.

Kim

Kim was with us twice this week. The first time she came in to see Brian for a cut. The layers are long with a great shape that is perfect for Kim's face and hair type. The second visit was to see Kristin for color, which is a warm dark blonde base with a few very natural looking highlights. Kim is a very attractive woman and the great hair enhances her total look. Kim's cut and color really shows quality of work that walks out of the little salon everyday.

Pat

Pat came in on Saturday to have her hair blown dry for a Christmas party. We used a little mousse to start and finished off with a moulding net, which gave the hair lift, shine and separation. Pat comes in every 5 weeks to keep her short cut in shape. I snapped a few pictures before she put her glasses on, but when I saw the glasses I had to take one more. I love the shape of the frames, they look great on her. They really add to her already very unique look. She told me that she was wearing a Tuxedo to the Saturday night function. I wish I could have seen her, I know she looked stunning! I really like Pat's style. By the way, Pat's frames came from IOptics. http://www.iopticseyewear.com/.

Betsy Johnson

Oh, that's not Betsy Johnson, that's Laura Gale from Everything But The Girl. For a minute I thought we had a celebrity in the salon. We can't take all the credit for Laura's hair color, the blonde yes, Kristin does that. Jeremy Gale (not a licensed stylist) does Laura's fuschia. Jeremy is Laura's multi talented husband. Not bad J. We did do it in the salon at one time, but I guess J does a better job. After Laura's color and cut (see the fuschia on the floor), we went next door to her store EBTG and had some fun taking photos in her "Vintage Clothing Department". If you haven't been there, you "are" missing something. Well, as you can see, Miss Laura is about as campy as BJ. It was certainly a fun way to start the day!

Aileen

This is Aileen, our world travelling client. She is so thoughtful, she always brings a gift to me from each of her travels. I am always so touched that she would think of me while on a trip. The short cut that Aileen wears is perfect for the shape of her face and hair texture. Her hair is very straight, but has alot of body. We use a small flatiron to give the hair a bit of height and bend the ends under. Flatirons work much better than a curling iron. They give lift and a more natural look. Kristin adds a few highlights just to enhance Aileen's already beautiful silver hair and then adds a gloss at the end to protect the color and give it shine.