Morris Wedding

Hair: Emily Chumchal Andrews

Model: Lissa 

Carol

Hair: Emily Andrews

Hair Model: Carol

Octoberness

It's October! Beautiful weather, fragrant soup, and costumes. So, in honor of all that lovleliness and in keeping with all things hair I have decided to post a couple of pictures of one of the messiest costume hair I've done.

Me as Cruella Deville.

Worth it. 

 I divided my hair in the middle and one side black (covering the other with plastic) and then the other side white. The spray came from Party City and because of the texture it leaves your hair you have hardly any need for hairspray. Perfect for Cruella. 

So much better than any wig would have been.

Happy Fall, y'all!

We All Strive For Easy Style in Texas Summers

Youth is in a grand flush, like the hot days of ending summer; and pleasant dreams thrall your spirit, like the smoky atmosphere that bathes the landscape of an August day.

Donald G. Mitchell

Natural Hair Dye

Question: I'd like to know more about alternatives to super chemical-ly hair dyes, like natural options such as henna. I'd really like to dye my hair, but I'm not sure what exactly I'd be exposing it to.

Answer:

So, it used to be that when you went to the hair salon the last thing you wanted was to leave with your hair green. But as of late "green" hair dye has become more popular (cue the ba da bum, cymbal crash). But, seriously, here is some information about traditional hair dye and natural alternatives.

The chemical in traditional hair dye that many people are concerned about is PPD because it has been suggested by researchers that it is "potentially" harmful although it has not proven to be. It has been proven, however, that some people are allergic to it which is why a patch test should be done before application. If you have been diagnosed with an allergy to any of the following then you should not use ANY permanent hair dye.

p-phenylenediamine (PPD or Para Dyes)
m-phenylenediamine
p-aminophenol
m-aminophenol

This includes any natural alternative because if it is permanent it still has to oxidize to be able to change your hair color. Therefore, it will most likely contain PPD.

 It used to be that your only alternative was henna (which only comes in red or black) but hair color has progressed and there are more options now. Most organic colors and chemical free (or almost chemical free) hair color will have a henna base but from my experience if you use Henna to dye your hair and mess it up it does not react well with traditional hair dye and can still take many washes to remove (and may leave enough traces when the color is washed out to react with normal dye). That being said, semi-permanent is your only other option to be free of PPD and peroxide and is probably the best choice.

If you are okay with PPD and would like something that lasts more than a few weeks, there is a line called Herbatint that has less peroxide, no ammonia, and no Resorcinol or parabens. Their line also includes semi-permanent dye and it IS free of peroxide and PPD. Here is their website http://www.herbatintusa.com/ I am sure you would also like to know that Herbatint has the stamp of approval from the Vegan Society.

No Limits is also a dye that is free of ammonia and PPD and it comes from Organic Color Systems. No Limits has ECOCERT and Soil Association certified organic ingredients and is also certified by PETA. It is only available to salon professionals.

There are other companies as out there as well but these seem to be the most well regarded and the most committed to natural and safe products. Natural hair dye will cost your stylist about three times as much as other hair dye and may be harder to apply so the price for the service will reflect that. That being said, you can do it at home (and Herbatint actually has a hotline!) but for the best results a salon visit is usually the safest bet.

Hope this answered your questions.

Questions

"Do you have any questions?"

Sometimes I cannot think of what to write for a blog post. What information should I convey? When people find out I am a hairstylist it never fails that they have a question about hair, usually their hair, that they want to ask me. So, I thought this particular blog I would ask you, the readers, if you have any questions pertaining to hair or style. Let me know!

Two Little Girls Explain The Worst Haircut Ever

Click the link and listen to this audio. It is hilarious!

This is the explanation of two sisters and why the one cut the other's hair. I think we have all had the experience of either a sibling cutting our hair or taking it upon ourselves.

Two Little Girls Explain The Worst Haircut Ever

Summer is Here!

Clearly, summer is here because as I perused my local Armstrong McCall for pink hair color only one out of three brands that carry it had some. Thank you, Paul Mitchell, for being well-stocked.  

This client asked for some pink tips in her long dark brown hair and I was more than excited to oblige (hairdressers love a good extreme makeover). I also put a couple subtle streaks of pink to balance out the tips. 

The great thing about doing your tips is when the dye starts to fade (as bright colors inevitably will) or you get tired of the color it can easily be cut out. Meanwhile, you have freakin' awesome hair to rock.

Like Father, Like Son

Unlike me, my husband does not enjoy getting his hair cut. He doesn't want to sit still for that long and he doesn't particularly like for his hair to be played with. Also, he likes to have longer hair than his job allows so that doesn't make getting his hair cut any more pleasant. 

My son doesn't enjoy getting his hair cut either, but this is generally the case with any young one. So, I am glad that I am a hairstylist and can just run around after him and not struggle with him at a salon. I am also grateful that he will have better hair than everyone else his age. What can I say? It's the truth. 

Anyway, in honor of Father's day which is approaching us in the near future, I have added some pictures of my son's first haircut. 

Mix It Up

Putting different textures in your hair can be a really fun experiment. In this shoot I was trying to create an 80's vibe but make it fun and wearable. There is crimped texture along with some loose curls and even a little bit of the model's straight hair left out. Lesson: have fun with your hair!

 Hope these pictures are an inspiration whether you do this style or try something new. 

To contact me (I am in the Houston area) e-mail me at HairandThereforyou@yahoo.com 

Everybody Loves a Makeover

In honor of Mother's Day here are some photos of a mother and daughter who both got a hair makeover in a session with me. They both loved their new hair!

Prom

Here is a style I did this past weekend for a high school prom. I love the classic elegance. 

It was done by first securing three pony tails. By doing this you create security and you can work with the hair more easily. If I wanted the hairstyle to be centered in one area I would have done one ponytail but because I wanted the  knots to go from the crown of her head to the nape of her neck I created three ponytails vertically.  

I then took pieces of her hair and knotted and pinned it as I went along making sure to create balance. The front of her hair was left out so that I could create interest in the front.

(Photo by Iconica Studios)

Spring Into a New Style

To Spring

William Blake (1783)

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down

Through the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,  
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell one another, and the listening Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn’d Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth And let thy holy feet visit our clime! Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds Kiss thy perfumèd garments; let us taste Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languish’d head,
Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.

Gibson Tuck and a Loose Roll

Spring is in the air and weddings are in abundance. I've been showcasing updos for the past month because weddings, dances, graduations are all around the corner. 

My cousin got married this weekend and I did her hair and her sister's hair as well. The bride had a Gibson tuck that rested on the nape of her neck with loose twists on either side of her head. Her sister had a loose, carefree bun.

Mod With Some Vintage Flair

The model for this formal style has long, thick hair with medium to high coarse texture. Love how it turned out! It is perfect-modern meets vintage.

Vintage

The styles of yesteryear are so romantic and have so much interest. I loved the result of this session. A low roll at the nape of the neck, and pin curls gracing the top of her head. 

Ooh La La

Love this cut and style. I had great fun creating it!

It's another Pixie!

I am excited about cutting all these Pixies!

Guy's Haircut

It is possible for a guy to have a haircut that is not super short and, yet, is still clean looking. I don't think there is one haircut for guys. The one below is versatile as well.

Do a Trial Run Before You Walk

One of the biggest events in your life is the day that you are a Bride. Each detail is planned carefully. You want to look beautiful when you are walking down the aisle and dancing at the reception. The best way to do this is to schedule a trial run. 

Perhaps you don't know what style you will like best or maybe the picture you brought ends up not suiting you at all. A trial run provides you with the time to talk to your stylist about how she will secure your hair (which will make you feel secure), it provides you with the time to ask her advice in a calm setting. A trial run allows you to try a few different styles so you can see what your hair looks like with the veil and if you want it on the top or bottom. It gives you a chance to see if you even like the hairstyle you picked. You want to do it when you have time and not on one of the happiest and craziest days of your life.

The top picture is one of my client's first styles we tried. We ended up going with the bottom hairstyle which she liked better and felt more comfortable with. We were able to figure out exactly where to place her tiara and when her wedding day came I was able to do this style in a timely manner so she could have sufficient time to do her hair and makeup. 

Bring Pictures, Please

The smartest action you can take when getting your haircut is to bring a picture of the styles you like. Yes, I did use the plural form of style. Why? Because it is helpful to have more than one picture. That way, you and your stylist can go over why one might work for you better than another.

Communication is an important factor in achieving your desired look. You, as the client, can have a clear idea of what you want, you can verbally tell a talented stylist, and end up with something completely different than you imagined. Pictures really help with communication because you can point at what you like and, in turn, the stylist has a springboard for finding exactly what it is you like about the cut. When you don't have a picture, the two of you can have very different ideas of what a word means.

Fortunately, there is a wealth of pictures on the internet. You don't need to spend money on a pricey hair magazine. All you need is a computer and a printer (which is available at your local library if you don't have one). Also, don't rely on the magazines and books in the salon, they are often outdated and they are more tedious to look through.

Lastly, keep in mind that getting the same haircut as the celebrity in the picture does not mean you will look like them once you are done. It is easy to say "I know that!" right now, but not so easy when you realize it sitting in the chair. The haircut can be the same cut, but you may have a different head shape or your face may be shaped differently. Even the color of your hair matters because certain highlights or lowlights give the illusion of depth. Your hair may be thicker or thinner as well. Never let your face shape prevent you from getting a certain cut (or age or anything else), but do realize it affects the outcome.

Knowledge helps with satisfaction and pictures helps with communication. Bring pictures!

This is one of my customers who is consistently terrific about bringing pictures!

More Bang for Your Buck

Bangs. I love bangs.

So many people want to "grow their hair out" but also want "something different" at the same time. The best suggestion...bangs. There are so many options and it completely transforms a hairstyle. Thick, thin, straight across, side-swept, clean, jagged.

I recently cut my bangs because I wanted to keep my hair long for a bit, but I am a hairstylist and I have to change my hair or I go crazy. The picture on the bottom was 2 months ago before I cut my bangs and the picture on top was a few weeks ago after I cut my bangs.

Also, your regular stylist will generally trim your bangs for free or give you bangs for just a few bucks. Get some bangs for your buck.

                                 

                                             

Pixie

In my opinion a Pixie Cut is for anyone. 

Confidence is the only thing needed to pull it off!