I'm baaaaaack.

It has been 2 years since my last post. I will admit that since originally starting this blog, life in Toronto has proven itself to be more of a challenge than I had originally thought. As a young professional trying to break ground in this industry, I don't think you are ever fully prepared for the challenges you will face, most importantly finding the right fit. It has taken me some time and 2 different environments to develop the plan I have now set forth going forward in my career. I have learnt that branding is one of the most crucial aspects in building any business. It is of the utmost importance to identify and develop a brand that you are proud of. I have learnt that in any environment you will be placed in, there is always going to be opportunity for conflict & encounters with those of whom you do not get along. But in order to move forward, you must overcome these challenges & never lose sight of your ultimate goal. I have learned that for every negative influence, there will be 10 supportive ones, eager to nurture & develop your talents.  I have learnt that your attitude is literally everything, & most of all I have learnt that without passion there isn't much of a point. I've been broker than broke. I've eaten nothing but Sidekicks for dinner, for weeks on end. I've had moments where I've seen the light (and the cash). I've been torn down by those who promised to help build me up & my ego has taken more blows than a box of Kleenex. But at the end of the day, I am hopeful. I am determined. I am motivated. I am successful.

(and I'm blogging again)

Product Endorsement: UNITE EUROTHERAPY

One of the best product lines on the market today has to be UNITE EUROTHERAPY. I was introduced to this line about two years ago by my stylist, and have yet to find anything that trumps it. UNITE's hair care collection is free of parabens, sulfates, gluten, DEA and MEA, and is 100% vegan. Not only does the whole line smell amazing, but it provides tons of shine and leaves your hair feeling great. Highly recommended.

AWARDS:
2010
behindthechair.com
Favorite Boutique Company

2011
behindthechair.com
Favorite Boutique Company

2011
Self Magazine
Best Conditioner for Color Treated Hair: BLONDA Condition

2011
Details Magazine
Best in Grooming: Texture Paste GO247

Instagram: unite_hair
Twitter: @unitehair

The Lowdown on Celebrity Inspired Lowlights

"Multidimensional color is definitely in right now,” says Amie Breckenridge Goltz, Director of Field Education for Scruples. “It adds a third dimension to the hair and creates a really natural finish when it’s done right!” And the key to doing it right, Amie adds, is choosing formulas within 2-3 shades of your client’s natural haircolor. “This keeps the contrast minimal and the overall effect from looking too artificial.” Here are Amie’s tips for selecting the right highlight and lowlight formulas to create amped-up yet natural-looking multidimensional color on your clients this season.

“First off,” Amie says, “don’t overuse your foils. I believe less is more and using placement that follows the head shape by slicing off the top of the head and down to the round of the head, as well as using a pinwheel pattern, will result in the most natural looking effect.”

 

Cool Blondes
Inspiration: Carrie Underwood: “Her color has an icy cool look, which can be created using Scruples ILLUSIONIST Brilliant Crème Highlights and HYPNOTIC Single–Step Crème Lowlights,” says Amie.Use this formula:Base color: ILLUSIONIST 9AV minus the accelerator powder with a 20 volume developer to break the base and create an expensive blonde on blonde effect
Dimensional color 1: ILLUSIONIST Highlights 9AV Bombshell
Dimensional color 2: HYPNOTIC Lowlights 9NA Cashmere
 

Warm Blondes

Inspiration: Sarah Michele Gellar: “Her color has a much warner feel, which can be created by using Scruples BLAZING HIGHLIGHTS Toner Infused Gel Color System and SHADOW LOWLIGHTS Filler Infused Gel Color System,” Amie explains.  Use this formula:Base color: HIGH DEFINITION Custom Mixing Gel Color System in a Level 6 Neutral Blonde (8G and 4BV)
Dimensional color 1: BLAZING HIGLIGHTS 8G Warm Golden Blonde
Dimensional color 2: SHADOW LOWLIGHTS Nutmeg (6NA +7GR) and Brandy (4GN + 7GR) underneath


Cool Reds
Inspiration: Florence Welch: “Her cool red is a perfect example of a great red on red, which can be created by using Scruples ILLUSIONIST Brilliant Creme Highlights, HYPNOTIC 
Single–Step Creme Lowlights and TRUE INTEGRITY Opalescent Colour Creme Colour System,” Amie says.Use this formula:Base color: TRUE INTEGRITY 4RR
Dimensional color 1: ILLUSIONIST Highlights Scarlet 4R and Firestorm 5CR
Dimensional color 2: HYPNOTIC Lowlights 6RR Passion
 

Warm Reds

Inspiration: Amy Adams: “Her warm soft red is a gorgeous example of natural dimension, which can be created using Scruples BLAZING HIGLIGHTS Toner Infused Gel Color System and SHADOW LOWLIGHTS Filler Infused Gel Color System,” says Amie.
Use this formula:
Base color: HIGH DEFINITION Level 7 Strawberry Blonde (8G + 4G + 6RG)
Dimensional color 1: BLAZING HIGHLIGHTS Warm Copper Blonde (6R+8G)
Dimensional color 2: SHADOW LOWLIGHTS Amber (6GN+7GR) and Paprika 7GR

 


Warm Brunettes
Inspiration: Emmy Rossum: “This is a great combination of warm brunette shades,” notes Amie, “which can be created using BLAZING HIGHLIGHTS Toner Infused Gel Color System and SHADOW LOWLIGHTS Filler Infused Gel Color System.”Use this formula:Base color: HIGH DEFINITION Chocolate Brown (1N + 6RG)
Dimensional color 1: BLAZING HIGHLIGHTS Chestnut (6R+ 6A)
Dimensional color 2: SHADOW LOWLIGHTS Espresso 4GN
 

Cool Brunettes

Inspiration: Megan Fox: “This cool deep brown/black is very hot right now,” Amie says, “and it can be created using Scruples HYPNOTIC Single–Step Creme Lowlights as either an over color on lighter hair or to take someone back to a beautiful cool brown in a single step.”Use this formula: Base color: Not necessary
Dimensional color 1: HYPNOTIC Lowlights 4NG Nightfall and 5NA Dark Desire

Tip of the Day: How to Grow Out a Pixie

I've never been a huge fan of the Pixie cut and personally feel that only a very small percentage of women can pull it off. But, there is (almost) nothing worse than the look of what used to be a short, trendy style in its awkward half-grown, half-growing out phase. The trick to looking stylish and not (let's face it) awful, is by keeping your 'do fresh and interesting throughout the growing process.

The November issue of Allure Magazine features Rodney Cutler as an expert, in the article, "Hair Guide: How to Grow Out a Pixie"