Hair at last #1 an intro

(WARNING: I tried to make this intro post as short as possible, but you can see that didn't work, I just wanted 

to put all my info about hair put out there, so you felt comfortable taking advice from another hairstylist)

For those of you who have followed my blog, you may not even know that I have been a hairstylist for over 18 years! Yikes, that is a long time. I started this blog for the purpose of sharing my many projects, both finished and unfinished! (I am trying to tip the scale towards the finished) Anywhoo, my intention was to write about anything and everything about what it is I do. And that includes hair, but I have done it for so long, it is like a third arm for me. Don't get me wrong, I am not bored with what I do, it is something I have continued to do the longest, other than be a mother to my 27 year old son that I continue to do and love every minute of it. And I am a very good hair dresser. That may sound conceited to some, but I have worked extremely hard on my career, putting myself through beauty school and working nights while being a single mother. 

  I spent many many hours in education by way of hands on classes. I trained at Vidal Sassoon in Santa Monica, Toronto and London. I worked at an Aveda Concept Salon for my first 14 years. Education was a must. I trained with Aveda in Minneapolis, New York and London (2X's), along with many other smaller named Hair company's but too many to name. 

  I also became an educator in the salon and had many assistants who I trained that then went on to be full time hair dressers in the salon. I became a very advanced hair cutter in a few short years, mostly due to my devotion to continued education. 

  I also had other areas I specialized in. The next area I specialized in is bridal hair. I did a photo shoot for St. Louis Bride magazine, and a few other smaller local publications. As well as newsprint. I do freelance work for both models and bridal parties. I educate for many different salons in St. Louis and have traveled off sight for over 500 bridal parties. That is alot of bridal hair. 

  I next specialized in straighteners and relaxers. Most of my co-workers were too terrified to attempt this process, so being the new kid, I was very eager to get my hands in as much hair as possible. I remember the first straighteners for Caucasian hair were pretty scary. But I can honestly say, I have never been afraid of a service or client. They just do not intimidate me, as certain services do alot of stylist. Like relaxers or working on brides. I remember the days when if you were Caucasian and wanted straight hair you had to relax it. Like an ethnic relaxer. And THAT is a strong chemical. But I was always diligent in education, if it didn't come with it, I went out and researched it. For those of you who are familiar with the Keratin (Brazilian) Smoothing Treatments, you are looking at a state of the art, industry changing product, that some company's use very safe ingredients in their products. We have come a long way baby!

  Next I became a hair color educator. Now mind you, I did not hop from one specialty to another, I ADDED these specialties to the current ones. I may have ADD, but in this case, it is a good thing. My brain works best when I have alot going on. Slow me down and I am worthless. I trained both in the salon as well as for other St. Louis salons. 

  Lastly I became a curly hair specialist. This one I think is kinda funny, cause I don't know anyone who has hair straighter than mine. If people don't know me, they usually think I straighten my hair with a flat iron every day! Ha! I went to NYC and trained with Deva Curl at their NY salon. 

(Isn't Amy's hair fab?!!)

I actually am getting into blogging about hair thanks to my friend Amy over at the Salvation Collection. She has a new header on her blog, with her beautiful curly hair in it's natural curly state. She said her hair was co-operating the day the photo was taken, but that it is not usually like this. So my first 'Hair at last' post will be dedicated to her and it will cover curly hair. Along with great hair, she is hella funny and super talented to boot!

  I know that not everybody will be interested in a post about curly hair (or hair at all for that matter),but stay tuned for other textures, types & styles, you never know, you may learn something!

  In essence I have equivalent to a Masters Degree in Hair. But I will never know everything there is to know about hair. I hope I don't ever get there, cause that means I am not growing. And I love to learn something new every day.

My clientele is extremely diverse. I have working mothers, children, college students, teachers, older women, men, teenagers, women with disposable income and a few clients who live in other cities like KC,  Atlanta & Chicago who still come to see me for their appointments. And they are very loyal as well.

  I left the big salon after 14 years because it was no longer the small family salon it started out as. Don't get me wrong, I think it is brilliant my old boss was able to grow his salon so much and with such professional employees, but I just wanted something more. I worked next to a friend of mine for a while until I found a salon that I could purchase. I renamed it, redecorated it and saturated the employees with education, something they had not been as familiar with. Then I got pregnant again, my oldest was in college, and my daughter in daycare. So I was basically paying for day care and college at the same time. (don't recommend it). The bad economy was looming over the horizon and my poor husband took a back seat to everything. I decided that I wanted to grow old with him, not my kids, clients or the salon. So having rescued the salon from bankruptcy, I found a great buyer and moved on. I am in my own space in a salon as an independent contractor. I have a room with 4 walls, a locked door and the choice of any products I wish to carry myself. I LOVE it. I make my own schedule, book my own clients, and decorate the salon how I want to. Can't beat it. 

  I also have a few web sights if you want to check them out, but I have not paid as much attention to my personal one as much as I should since starting the blog!

http://www.bonnieboze.com

http://www.stlouisbridalhairandmakeup.com/

  One of my favorite things to do in the salon, is sharing my knowledge with my clients. I used to give a blow dry/makeup class years ago, called K.I.S.S. & Makeup. Keep it simple (stupid). Not that the clients were stupid, but that here is how easy it is, you are gonna think you were stupid of the way you USED to do your hair.  I would physically show my clients how to roll the round brush, section off the hair, how much product to use and how often. 

  There is a young hairstylist named Kate, whose blog I follow called It's the Small Things. She has wonderful videos showing you how to do your own hair. Not, here is how I do your hair, but look at me doing my own hair, cause lets face it, it is night and day for most people whether you do your own hair or your stylist does it. GO check her out and tell her I sent you. You will not be disappointed!

  I hope this info does not turn you off, again I just wanted to get it all out there as it has been such a big part of my life and I still love to do it. And I want to share some with you. So if there is something you are interested in knowing, hearing about, or how to do, let me know. I also love asking questions!! And I have had THE CRAZIEST questions already so let me have em!!

  I will not bombard you with posts of hair, but from time to time there will be some, I hope you like!!