Thursday, January 26, 2012

Wedg-a-licious

Ah, the age-old question... Wedge, bob or a-line? 

Okay, this might be a silly hairdresser kind of thing, but its still a valid question. When someone comes in asking for a new hairstyle and it has to be short, there are a few questions I usually ask.

1. How much time do they spend on their hair? (Of course this also depends on their hairtype.) Not a lot of time in the morning usually means the a-line is out. Unless they have super straight hair that's a little coarse.

2. Are they more sassy or more conservative? Playfull or demure? Usually, and this should go without saying, these are not things to ask your client... Just ask yourself these questions and maybe ask about their lifestyle.

3. Have they ever had hair that short before? Sounds silly, but its a necessary question! A layered bob is a less dramatic option than an a-line or a wedge.

4. What's prompting the change? Breakup, funeral, friend's or ex's wedding? Emotionally driven drastic change is a BAD idea...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Coffee fueled cleaning

House cleaning is a misnomer in my home. With a little bit of imagination and a little bit of coffee, I can organize and pile and, in some unfortunate cases, horde with the best of them.

Trying to find a healthy balance between things that I actually need and perceive that I might need in the future has been one of the things that I've struggled with my entire life. How does one put a value on future use?

There is something to be said for the spartan lifestyle. Actually, its one of the things that I admire in my fiance, Sean. He has the ability to put things in a bag and throw them away. I have a collection of small bric-a-brak from my life that I cannot seem to bear even the thought of letting go.

Sure, things happen. New jobs, new venues, new opportunities, births, deaths, mortages, loans, sculptures, stories, capers and more... but for some reason, I have trouble throwing away things that really aren't important. Why do I need to keep certain things and can live without calling the important people in my life?

Maybe things don't let you down? There is no way for a book to break your heart, is there? At least, not by sitting on the shelf collecting dust. There is always the possibility for heartbreak or distrust or horrible catastrophe with people.

I think that the same reason I enjoy doing hair and the whole cosmetology thing is because, in small doses and for short periods of time, I can be a positive influence on how a person feels about the world and their place in it. I can make people feel beautiful, if even for a moment, and I don't have to worry about them hurting me.