Category Archives: Local Businesses

Beauty and the Diversion Beast

Stop Diversion Photo
Photo Source: American Salon

As an Ann Arbor hair salon owner, where style is in constant demand, it’s important to stay on top of your education game. This is how I get refresher information on the industry as a whole, find new tips and fun tricks to better myself as a hairdresser.

Earlier this month, I attended an educational afternoon with some wonderful folks from the Matrix company care of Sola Salon Studios. It was great. Not only was I given some quick styling ideas, for a fun date, wedding, club night; I was also reassured that some of the obstacles that I face as a hairdresser, are also the same for other beauty professionals.

One such obstacle is the topic of diversion. Diversion occurs when the professional products that we know and love are sold in “unauthorized” places. Educators refer to these places as URL’s: unauthorized retail locations. Diverted products are bad because they could potentially be old, counterfeit, diluted, or even expired formulas that may not be safe for you to use.

As many of you may know, I’m a huge fan of the Pureology, Deva Curl, and Evo products. I purchase all of these wonderful products from licensed distributors that in turn, get their products directly from the company. That’s how I know it’s the real deal. However, if you get these products from the grocery store, drugstore, or any place other than an authorized salon, spa, or salon related website, what you’re getting may not be what you think. Meaning also, that it may not perform the way you expect it to.

For example, in the class I mentioned above, these ladies were talking about the fact that their products have a special scan-able code on them to help determine whether it’s real or fake. They also said that their company, like many others, will often buy products from the drugstore, grocery store, etc., to test the quality of what’s inside. What they said next was literally unbelievable. They told us that what was inside some of the bottles was actually DISH SOAP! That there are people out there who create their own “copycat bottles” that look similar to the professional ones, put whatever they want into them, and sell them to a salon/drugstore/etc. cheaper than a licensed distributor will. Yikes!

What this means is that you, as the consumer, are getting the raw end of the deal, literally. This is why buying your products from a salon, spa, or another authorized source is the best way to go. Plus, the price you pay at the drugstore is probably more expensive than at your local salon. Also, it’s a great way to support your local businesses, thank you for reading!

Seeing Peaches at the Crofoot!

Peaches
Peaches – Source

This month I went to see one of my favorite musicians, Peaches, perform at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac. If you’re unfamiliar with her music: think quasi-rap, over the top, sexually explicit lyrics, backed up with pounding danceable beats all crafted by her. Peaches also happens to be a bit of a style icon for me, wearing avant-garde futuristic clothing combined with funky fresh hair along with having hysterical back up dancers in similar gear.

I was pleasantly surprised with the space at the Crofoot – excellent for seeing any kind of music show. It’s cozy, fits fifteen hundred people maximum, clean, and filled with a friendly, professional staff ready to deal with the typical high energy crowd with a few drinks in them ready to party.

Case in point, my friends and I had a couple of drinks, and at the end of the show wanted to run out to the car to get our concert t-shirts to have them signed by the amazing Peaches. The security staff was so cool with us going back and forth, it warrants me to mention it. We actually went out a couple times, and each time we were met with smiles and understanding instead of the usual “grumpy” antics of the quintessential concert venue security staff.

I will definitely be back to see a show there! The space is great, the bartenders are quick, and the drinks are very reasonable! Also, if you ever have a chance to see Peaches in concert, go for it! You’ll dance, and laugh your booty off. Overall, my experience was memorable and fun, so go check out this space!

Red Yoga Studio Ann Arbor

Nicole and Kelli
Nicole and Kelli – Source

This month’s post is about two of my favorite yoga instructors in town, Nicole Ferguson and Kelli Harrington. I’ve been huge fans of theirs for over five years now, and I’m very happy to say that they now have their own yoga studio RED YOGA on the west side of Ann Arbor near Zingerman’s Roadhouse.

If you’ve never tried yoga before, I strongly recommend it. It doesn’t matter how flexible you are (or aren’t), but rather, it’s a great practice to help keep you grounded and centered during your busy life. For me, it helps with keeping me in the present moment, something that’s incredibly hard to do.

As a hairstylist, my job is quite physical, so integrating yoga into my schedule has helped me stay in shape while working. I often don’t even realize my poor posture while doing hair! Yoga is a great way to “straighten” out my body after working on my feet all day. Putting it into different positions (the spinal twist is a personal favorite) to help counter what I’ve been doing for the past several hours.

The classes at RED YOGA are fun, challenging, inspirational, and VERY sweaty. So come prepared with water and a hand towel to stay hydrated and to wipe away your sweat. They use a different type of heating (infrared) to warm up your muscles and help you to gain greater flexibility. You can read more about that on their website though: http://www.redyogaannarbor.com/infrared/.

Overall, the team of yogis at RED YOGA that Nicole and Kelli have put together is awesome! Take any class with any instructor and you won’t be disappointed. After your first class, you can sign up for two month’s unlimited for only $99!
Yoga has changed and will continue to change my life for the better, and I greatly appreciate Nicole and Kelli helping to guide me through that positive change. You are two great ladies! Thank you!

Cover Up Tattoo

Name Brand Tattoo Crew
Source: Google

I had such a great experience this month; I have to share it with you!

I’ve been thinking about getting a new tattoo for awhile now, but finding the right place, let alone the right person can be challenging. I find that it’s similar to finding the right hairdresser; you simply have to “click” with that person. You have to trust that your vision is in the hands of the right professional.

I had gotten a tattoo when I was nineteen, and basically hated it ever since, so I’ve been thinking about covering it up for a long time. I knew that the next tattoo had to be a bit bigger, and far better than the old one, and done by an artist I completely trusted.

Cover up tattoos can be tricky, so I wanted to find the right artist for the job. Several years ago, when I was working at a salon on State Street, I worked with someone who told me that Jeff Zuck from Name Brand Tattoo was the man for the job.
I‘ve known about Name Brand Tattoo for several years now, but I postponed going for a few reasons. First, I had to be certain of what I wanted, so I put some thought into it and let some time pass to know whether or not I’d make the right decision. Secondly, tattoos cost money, so I needed time to put a bit of cash aside for it. Third, it’s important to look at the artists’ work to make sure you like it and are inspired by it.

This month, all three came together perfectly. I finally had everything ready to contact Jeff about my cover up. I sent him an email and we chatted back and forth about my ideas, photos I’d sent him (Pinterest), etc. After a couple weeks, he said he’d do it and for me to make an appointment for a consultation at the shop.

I just have to say that from the consultation to the completion of my tattoo, everything was excellent as far as customer service is concerned. The shop is incredibly clean and inviting, with a staff of friendly people that are ready to work hard to make sure you have a great experience, which I did, of course. I can’t say enough positive things about Name Brand Tattoo; great artists, awesome shop vibe, wonderful people all around. I will definitely go back!