And we are back...

While overseas, our limitations to social media and blogging were unexpected. Happy to be home and on our own soil. That said, our trip to China was eye-opening. Everyone was more than accommodating.

Our days were filled with factory tours, meetings and eccentric lunches. My diet consisted of tea and rice. I was not as open minded with eating as my associates. I made the mistake of mentioning that I wanted to have “authentic” chinese food. My own stupidity, thinking that authentic meant fried rice and Sweet & Sour Chicken. I felt like Andrew Zimmerman from Bizarre Foods; without the desire to actually eat anything in front of me.

Years I have viewed photos of so called “Factories”. I wouldn’t say it’s a “factory”, however, it’s more like a workshop employing over 150 men and women. Each piece, made by hand. An art form, in it’s own way! I have waited since 2002 for this journey. This trip was a dream come true for me. My eyes began to water as soon as I witnessed men and women working with their hands, creating something that means SO much to me.

I shared smiles with the workers. Of course, doing business in China is unlike the norm. I have spent years living in Japan and Hong Kong. I am familiar with the Asian business culture. A female business owner with 20+ years of experience doesn’t instantly receive respect. Nor did I imagine I would. I am highly educated and experienced within the Hair Extensions Industry. I know when I am being lied too. I remain humble in those thoughts, as I still appreciate the time that was given to me by each and every person. I flew 17 hours for a reason. To network, meet, create and learn. I did not come to China to be arrogant. I wanted to make sure that if I partner with a particular company, that I would be employing fairly. Fair trade is not just for large companies. It’s for a small business entrepreneur, like myself, to make sure that workers are happy and enjoying their daily grind. It’s a karmatic approach to business. I witnessed smiles, lunch breaks, laughter and great working conditions. I also am wowed by how closely men and women work. Literally inches apart. Dare I say that in America, we require so much more personal space?! With specific demands, my focus is stronger than ever. I have created a career for myself, with raw materials. The material just happens to come from a human. And the story of women surrendering their hair to “God” and it making it to my salon is something that I cherish. The journey from point a-z of hair extensions is unique. The amount of labour that goes into each and every piece is mind blowing. Consider the initial source and all the steps it takes to produce quality hair extensions…it makes complete sense why hair extensions are a luxury item. To have the best raw material, the source is first considered. Followed by how many hands actually work and process the hair. It would be fair to say that each extension goes through 10+ pairs of hands before it arrives to the salon! Even the beginning stages of storage to assure it is remy is a vital process that takes time. With that, I have a whole new UBER sense of respect for a industry that I am already in love with.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

As I sit here at the airport...I look around and take in my surroundings. I quickly notice a lady reading the latest Victoria Secret Catalogue and another reading Cosmo. Earlier I was in the magazine shop and fixated on the covers of what seemed to be hundreds of magazines. Most covers have a beautiful female with perfect skin, body and hair.

Such a big shoe to fill. The need for females to live up to what appears to be the norm. To fulfill what we, as women, think men want. Or even, what we wish we would look like. A challenge when females have to work full time jobs, take care of children, membership in the PTA, non-profits and so on...

The models on 90% of the magazines are wearing Hair Extensions. False lashes, fake tan and YUP hair extensions.

The photo below is from back stage at a Victoria Secret Fashion show. The top portion of the hair extensions is sprayed with a colored power to give the appearance of a natural root line and also for undetectable extensions.

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I also see men that have very little hair, no hair, tons of hair and one man...earlier...who had a toupee. OH I can spot them a mile away. How is it that he can't see what I can?! YIKES.

My reasoning for comparing men to women is this...and please don't hate on me for saying this. But, the facts are facts. Men CAN get away with what woman can't. If a man is bald, overweight and can make a lady laugh...chances are...he is not a lonely man. If he has a small or large resemblance of a "crome dome" aka "bald spot", BUT has cash in his wallet and a bit of wit, charm and knows how to treat a lady...HE IS NOT LONELY.

I digress. If a lady is bald, overweight and funny...she IS lonely. She probably will not leave her home. Men are not attracted to her. IF he is attracted to her, and there are few, he is one of those amazing men that loves her for her completely. The reality is black and white.

We live in this so-called perfect world. Those that grace the covers of magazines would hardly be noticed at the grocery store. Victoria Secret models do not have all that hair. I have seen the videos of what goes on back stage. I am fascinated with the whole "concept" of what Victoria Secret hair represents don't get me wrong! But what I am saying here is this...men think, society thinks...that that is her hair. They think that her low protein diet, all the time under heat lamps, wear and tear from numerous photo shoots, heat tools and over cleansing that her hair really is THAT shiny, THAT full and THAT long! WOW.

If I were to take the layers off. She would also have freckles (like most of us from sun damage), wrinkles, cellulite and much thinner dare i say shorter hair than what you would think.

For years I have said "I am like Sampson in the Bible. You cut my hair, you take my power!".

Don't judge a book by it's cover!

Stickin To It!

A few years ago, well lets just say...when the economy sank...I began a search for great quality hair extensions that wouldn't break my clients budget. My business was not effected with the negativity of the economy. Of course I hate to hear stories of anyone losing their job! However, when we look good ... we feel good! Unfortunately women are still losing their hair, still struggling with the lack of volume and still want to pass by the mirror and smile! Yes I am the first person to say the beauty comes from the inside. But looking good on the outside sure makes for an easier ride!

Back in the day there was a method called, "Skin Wefting". Wefts of hair were attached to the natural hair with some form of cold fusion. Cold fusion can be liquid adhesives, keratin tape or links/beads.

2012 this method is called "Sticker/Panels/Tape 2 Tape/Skin Wefting/Double Sided Tape Hair". What has changed? The weft now is made in 1.5 inch panels. Pre-tapped and re-usable. When I hear the name sticker hair extensions, I am less than excited. However the concept is there. Imagine a method of hair extensions that are applied "sandwich" style. Each panel marries to the other, with a thin section of the natural hair in between.

I have been wearing this method for the past 2 years. I love the volume this method achieves. Oh and I love that it takes under an hour and re-usable. I have experienced minimal damage. To be honest the damage that is done is because I often go to bed with wet hair. I am a late night bath addict! It's impossible to keep my hair dry!

Maintenance is every 8-10 weeks. The hair (if its the right brand)is re-usable for 8+ months. I have a few clients that have re-used the panels for over a year!

The Long And Short Of It

Hair Extensions are - in my opinion - for everyone!  For those who want to add highlights, lowlights, block coloring, volume (don't we all?), a little or a lot of length, wavy or straight texture and for some...fantasy colors.

Fantasy colors for example, are Ravens Fans who wear purple extensions during the football season.  Redskins fans rocking the red feathers.  For a hot minute feather extensions were the "IT" thing.  I have been working with feathers way before they came and left the fashion world.  I have always had nothing but love for feathers!  How unique, feminine and colorful they are.  However, they are not, in my opinion, for everyday wear.  Earrings, bracelets, headpieces and clip-ons.  Basically, the type you can take on and off.  I only know one celebrity who can pull the daily feather extensions off and that is Steven Tyler.

The bottom line is that hair extensions can give you what mother nature didn't.  As a professional stylist, I have noticed that there are times when a colorist has not taken the extra steps to protect the integrity of the clients hair.  Why over highlight and stack a whole head of foils?  Why not use the natural level as a low light and only highlight the crown region?!  I could go on but none the less.  The long and short of it is this..."Let the Extensions do the work for you!".    It saves time, protects the integrity of the natural hair and dare I say...saves money!

A good "head" on my shoulders...

Providing women with the hair they have always dreamed of is an opportunity of a life time.  Sure you can say that this is a HUGE exaggeration. However, roll with me here...

If you came to me and said you wanted to lose weight, knowing that I am a BCRPA Certified Trainer.  I would guide you to the ways of weight loss that would be healthy, increase your metabolism and practical. I would also kick your butt in the gym. Personal Training was my first real job, or was it my second? I have had so many jobs.  I think somewhere in there I worked at McDonalds and Wendy's for a hot minute.  I have been working since I was old enough to have a paper route.  ANYWAYS.

What I know to be true is this...goals takes time.  Plastic surgery we have to heal, actually first we have to save the money.  Followed by take time off work, then the surgery and finally healing time.  Weight loss is similar.  If you want to lose 10 pounds, I am going say give it two weeks and here is the detailed plan.  There are no short cuts or overnight success stories in fitness and nutrition.

That said, in less than 2 hours I can change your life.  Sure that may seem like a stretch.  But I have found this statement to be more true than not.  A "bad hair day" turns into being a "bad day".  This phrase hit in the 80's.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Bad Hair Day hats, t-shirts, websites...

I have never NOT had hair extensions.  I actually don't own photos nor have I taken a photo (for that matter) of myself without hair extensions.  Call it what you will.  I am honest in my lack of confidence with out some type of extension.  I have had and worn it all.  Weaves, wigs, clip-ons, synthetic bang pieces(huge mistake), wrap around pony's and last but not least...used to make my own fusion hair extensions from bulk hair.  Why?  Because I have hair of a little girl.  My pony tail resembles a 3 year old.  Cute on a little girl, not so cute on a 30 something (ok almost 40) year old.  The good news of this is...I can relate.

When a female calls, visits or emails and shares her challenges, I instantly want to be the one to give her what God didn't.  A Good head of hair!  I joke and say that God couldn't' give me this wowing personality and a good head of hair at the same time because it wouldn't be fair to others.  This always makes me feel better when I see a gorgeous Brazilian lady walking down the street wearing a size 0 pant and has a full head of gorgeous hair!  SO unfair.  Why her?  How come she has the Victoria Secret hair without the clip-ins that the Victoria Secret models wear to get that hair?!

Ok back to the point...

Once I have provided her with the perfect set of Tresses, blended, cut and styled her hair; she now has volume, length and the hair she always dreamed of.  She will walk taller, look and feel younger and have a sense about herself that she didn't have before.  Her stress level is minimized and so are the hours she used to spend trying to get ready every day.  Trying to manipulate thin fine hair to do "something"/"anything" is a challenge.  I have seen the transition with with my own eyes.  Phone calls, emails and testimonials back up what I am sharing.  The key is selecting the right technique, texture of hair and placement of extensions.  Of course always protecting the integrity of the clients hair first and foremost.

Having a good head on my shoulders simply is the new way of turning something negative into a positive. Bad hair days are a thing of the past.  We all should have a good head on OUR shoulders.  And by that I mean, we all deserve a good head of hair.