Sulfate-Free Body-Care ! Thankful for One Amazing Product

I thought I died and went to Heaven with the discovery of a new product - something completely by accident, ( all my really good ]]]]finds are) as I whisked my way through Trader Joe's on one of the busiest days of the year. There it was . . . right in front of my face, a product I had spent the last 2 -3 years or so checking, Googling and combing the body care lines looking for. I didn't go nuts. . . I wanted to find this product handy. I wasn't willing to go to extraordinary means to find OR purchase it. This is what I mean about not obsessing about some of the things we do...the stress alone is horrible for your hair and your health , try daily to eliminate it gradually.

I know there are many of you that have been on the lookout for this product, you have asked about it in your emails.

Do you know the number 1 Searched for topic on the Web under the umbrella of "HAIR" ?

"sulfate-free shampoos" (according to Google)

- kind of blows my mind, but in reality you can imagine how thrilled I am.

So what did I find at TRADER JOES?

Sulfate-FREE: Body Soap Wash

Doesn't seem like a difficult concept, does it?

Seems like it should be made and all over the place, doesn't it?

NOPE

Impossible to find.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, it absorbs everything you put on it, which goes directly into your blood stream. So to think that the soap you use is not important, is ludicrous...which is why I have been on the warpath.

To top it off, all the ingredients in this wonderful little bottle are superb, actually excellent by Cosmetic Chemist ( and my own personal) standards - - its smells delicious to top it off.
One of the most brilliantly put together products I've seen in a long long time . . .

and the price is incredible.

Now . . .because of this find I went on to see where Trader Joe's were located . . I knew there were approx. 300 stores, just wasn't sure where they all were . . . I see they are making their way into all the states - which is terrific its the most amazing health - food - natural - organic - mini-grocery store . . . . which-by-the-way . . ..if you do not have one of these stores in your town or city, call them, demand they get one in your town . . . it is owned by the most amazing company I am told, that is also the best company in the world to work for, the people that are in the work force are just so happy to be working for them, that tells you a LOT!

So , if you are really interested in purchasing this product and don't have a Trader Joes near you . . . I will add it to the store The Killer Color Clinic and set up a BUY NOW button here for you . . . . and will make it available to you for $7.99 (plus shipping) - simply out of convenience for those of you that won't be able to get it because of location or whatever...

If you were looking for it, run down to your local Traders Joes , enjoy the nice surprise . . . it will be waiting for you.

I'm back and ready to roll this week, so for all of you with Color Consults, I would love to get you all handled in the next couple days - so send me your emails and photos today and even tomorrow if you have a few minutes . . .

I need to get caught up .

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU . . . I love you all . . . . You have been nothing but a warm and welcome gift in my life

I am so Thankful for a new host of many wonderful people I have met through this wacky web site that I hope has served you well through the year and I hope improves even more for this next year...

Happy Thanksgiving - Killer Stranders
Killer Chemist

Click the BUY NOW button and receive 1 - 32 OZ Bottle of Sulfate-Free Body Wash = $8.05
with the most incredible ingredients (see in Store) + shipping in the continental USA = $7.95

32oz Sulfate-Free Body Wash

Hair Photo Inspirations : A-List Looks for Autumn

. . . .and how to achieve these looks ??. . . taught and discussed for you through our Google Group and our underground Store .. the link to the Group....... http://groups.google.com/group/killerstrands?hl=en 

the INFO is FREE unless you would like a 1 On 1 Hair Color Consultation with me a Board Certified -16 year Vidal Sassoon - LA Based Hair Stylist/Colorist for $25.00 with $10.00 refunded when you make your first purchase + a 10% discount on all hair color products from then on .

Our underground store has products that you will find no where else. - its a very unique collection of products . . with more interesting products than you will find anywhere . . . . these products work - I am told

How about that phenomenon ! !

I dare you all to begin a learning experience, this is not about me answering the same questions over and over.....this about you taking on the challenge of learning the basics to hair color which I teach in a very basic and easy to understand method. I know its successful because I have had dozens of happy - successful CRIB COLORISTS, That is the AWARD you receive when you figure this out and git-it-done -- - correctly on your own HEAD of HAIR.

I know you can do it, you just must sit down and read . . . and look at some very easy and basic DEMO's I have put together that  are very easy to understand.....I have many happy people with very happy healthy hair. . . . . they did it themselves....and I bet you all can do it as well . . .

Go for the Hair Color Consultation .
 . . if you are insecure about doing this yourself. . .
Just know I let people ask me questions for a couple months, if they need to . . . so far no one has become a headache - they've been respectful of my time . . . . I don't mind answering the questions as they slowly figure them out as the learning process takes place .
so its not a super tough structure.

Get familiar with the GROUP and our Underground store, my 2 managers Nikki and Detour - both of them are super helpful. . . all the color charts are downloaded - so you can look at the color swatches up close ( a big help) - then you will listen to everyone talking and learn how our unique-successful system works (using PAY PAL).
I have not created a regular STORE/Shopping Cart yet - on purpose - -
I want to be sure everyone is learning prior to buying my products.......
they might alter their hair too much in one direction that they may not want or be.

It Boils down to "I  CARE"

I know an unusual sentiment   here on the web,
but it will remain one here on KILLERSTRANDS.Blogspot.com

My Goal here is HAIR EDUCATION.
Hair Color EDUCATION . . Hair Health Education, for its lifetime.

They all end up thanking me in the end, and that is my reward . . . it gives me a great big smile and that is what I need in my life right now .
Smiles - Love - and warmth.
Dakota

your

Killer Chemist

KC

Sleep On It :Applying Hair Conditioners to Strands While You Lay Back & Relax

 Rejuvenate lackluster tresses while sleeping, an idea others are finally catching on to

Lately, I've started to notice many articles and NEW hair products that are touting my long time remedy coined the "SLUMBER PARTY". Where by one takes the deep conditioner, in Killer Strander's case: "THRIVEN" (which lately we've added GLEAM to the mixture)... applying it, and sleeping with the conditioner in overnight. Therefore giving the conditioner a full 6-8 hours to work its magic, something I came up with about 15 years ago when I first hit the floor of the Salon on my own. I should have known I couldn't keep it forever . . . and should be grateful it took mainstream media/hair manufacturers this long to figure it out.

 My reason for the idea ? As most of my ideas are . . . common sense. I just love common sense. I was always fortunate enough to be associated with Hollywood Insiders and all the advantages ( and disadvantages) that came along with them, both on a personal and business level.  Although I will say that this one idea was right out of my teeny tiny brain. Being in Malibu and right next to a college (Pepperdine) . . . I had plenty of 16-30 year olds with super bad hair damage that wanted it cured... so they could go right back and do it all over again!!  Which set me on a path right from the beginning of trying to figure out a solution to damaged hair, the thinning & loss issue didn't show its ugly head for another 6-7 years. Which, by the way - - this solution worked for all 3 issues - -  solidly!

 When I first studied the beginnings of Cosmetic Chemistry . . . it takes you down the path of the make-up of a hair strand . . . and the make-up of the skin  - what both are made-up of - all the way down to its molecular structure. . . I won't bore you with the particulars . . . what I will tell you about, that I still find fascinating -  is that the make-up of a hair strand and the make up of the skin itself are almost identical . . . every single thing I read in those first few months just kept telling me how the hair strand prospered and thrived off of all the same things as  facial skin did. Moisture, Condition . . . all the same. . . both the skin and the hair strand thrived when the same foods were eaten, when loads of water were consumed, when smoking was halted, the sun was eliminated. . .all the 12 STEPS of 10,000 HEADS!  . . .and here you thought I was pulling those things out of the air! Nope, all of it is scientifically proven.  Its just no one has ever sat down and written it out. . . till me - I guess. Still blows me away - I will never understand - why!  My point being... as I read over and over how the health of the hair strand AND the skin were so similar . . . I started to think how we moisturized and cared for our skin. So much of beauty technology is focused on our skin, when I feel they should put at least 1/2 of the focus  - - on the hair. So many people would do what ever they could to have gorgeous healthy hair...which I feel is very very possible.

 What do we do with our expensive face creams? I'm sure most of you have at one time or another bought yourself one - expensive night cream - whether it be the OLAY's of the world. . . which are locked up at the local Drug store for $30.00 a jar  . . . all the way to the 16 ounce jar of Le Mer Creme they have Neiman Marcus this Christmas for $1630.00 Neiman Marcus - Le Mer Creme- no typo there boys and girls!! Which by the way I have seen many a clinical trial that puts those 2 creams on the EXACT same "results" level !  Back to the point . . . What do we do with those expensive creams?    Because they are so expensive we want to follow directions explicitly - to get the most out of it . . . right?   So we wash our faces really well, then apply the cream carefully to the entire face. Go to sleep and let the work begin . . . We swear when we wake up every penny of that money we spent was well worth it. RIGHT ???

Therefore to me (here's the common sense) I thought. . . if they are telling us to do that to our faces with these really expensive face creams. . . Once I had my pretty expensive Hair conditioner. . .  which by the way is made with many of the same ingredients they put in expensive face creams ( another common sense move on my part - I mean if they are both so similar - why not - right?) I decided why not give hair the same advantage that our facial skin got... WASH the hair so it was all clean and ready to absorb the goodies in the hair conditioner, which is what you are instructed to do on the THRIVEN package . . . towel dry the hair, then apply THRIVEN, and go to sleep. So it could work exactly the same as really expensive night creams were given the chance to. Sleep is the only time when the hair has between 7 & 8 hours without any external aggressors such as UV rays, heat styling, brushing at work. PLUS... and this is really my reason for picking it at the time . . .the cell renewal process is at its busiest when you're resting (which means when the cells renew to produce more "new hair" growth) so the key ingredients of overnight products can work to their maximum potential. While sleeping your skin and your scalp repair themselves, fixing the damage of the day. So, it makes sense to boost this natural restoration process with an overnight treatment to enhance the effect. OF COURSE!

Thus. . .  the SLUMBER PARTY method of hair treatment was born nearly 15 years ago from > yours truly. How and why all of sudden numerous companies are coming out with their versions of Overnight conditioners. . . seem extraordinarily funny to me. . . but just for my own satisfaction I thought for once I would point out this one similarity.  Doesn't matter to me, I have a lot of people on 10,000HEADS and when I say I want you all to help me spread the word I can honestly say it comes from the bottom of my heart. I am only looking to spread the advantage of having healthy - strong hair to the rest of the world . .  that's all. Very simple - Very Easy. The protocol is up here on the web site. . .and to purchase THRIVEN is one click away to the right here, on the Side bar . .  for both sizes. . . and with THRIVEN comes the info on the Secret Supplement and how to incorporate it into your life. But I wanted you to see exactly how I came up with the theory of how to use THRIVEN - and how important that overnight therapy and treatment is.

 Some Killer Stranders get lazy about THRIVEN overnight application and I get concerned about that. One way of making it not such a "project". . I have found? By doing the shampoo and application earlier in the evening - like around 5-6 PM.. Then let the product dry all the way into your hair by itself or every hour you can shoot it with the hair dryer for a few minutes to help speed it up. So by the time you go to bed its completely dry, that way you don't need the plastic cap, nor the towel , nor anything - plus the smell of it is so pleasant and when its all the way dry, you hardly notice its there. That has become an easier way to deal with the overnight application some have found. Everything must be kept up to acquire all the great advantages that come with the Protocol.  I think one of the things that make me the happiest, is when I get an email from one of the newer members of the group or just the site ... after they have been very religious about following the Regimen for the first  30-60-90 days. . .and they are blown away. . . and on Cloud 9... it really is the most rewarding feeling that after all those years of studying and learning and formulating . . . to actually make such a difference in people's lives. It gives me a teeny tiny feeling of what a physician must feel like when they cure a disease, a cancer or fix a broken bone. . .Wow, I cannot imagine what it must be like to be a doctor, I finally see why they become one, for the rewarding feeling.

An overnight hair conditioner gives that conditioner time to properly penetrate the hair shaft, which will restore the hair's natural radiance. . . maybe that will give you the kick in the butt you need to give this a shot.  I mean the only hesitancy I can think of might come from a partner. . . and for that I am going to put it to you . . . what ways can you think of to use if you think your partner might balk at this idea? Use the COMMENTS section to suggest some ideas for those that might have issues with their partners, what can  you suggest?

Or is that even a problem - in retrospect. . . . ? ? ?

 Killer Chemist

Breath of Fresh Hair : Remove Brassy/Yellow Tones In Blondes--Highlights

Rusk, a company I am always interested in . . . they still seem to continue to care about their products and their clients. . . have come up with this new line they call Sensories.

Here is what the company has to say about it::

Rusk Sensories™ represent a new era in haircare.

This unique collection provides not only the benefits of natural, botanical ingredients, but a totally new chemistry as well, CFT, or Compressed Formula Technology. Compressed during the formulation, Rusk Sensories™ expand with a little water and gentle manipulation, transforming their physical appearance while releasing their provocative botanical aromas for an irresistible sensory experience. And that's not all. With Compressed Formula Technology, you use 30% - 50% less product to get double the performance.

Now - that seems innovative to me and I love the "feel" of this spray - its particularly - 'yummy'.

I point this spray out because of its wonderful 'feel' and its smart technology in trying to solve a number of problems at once. It is not only the nicest feeling spray Serum I have felt in a long time, it also has elements in it that eliminate yellow and brassy tones on blondes-gray & highlights - how clever is that?!

Once I learned Cosmetic Chemistry . . .
which by the way - -
many of you can learn just enough to understand the basics
. . . by studying a couple of web sites.

Jenny has Lotioncrafter and is an absolute dream as far as her knowledge and her assistance she will give you in making some basic products yourself... yes, its chemistry and you do need to be committed to the process of learning it, but I got sick and it was the perfect thing to keep my mind OFF of the illness and ONTO something constructive. . . . "Learning".. so if that happens to be your situation - - or maybe if you have lost your job and need to learn something else to get you by - I would seriously consider it.

NEVER - Ever . . .give up.

That just is not an option.

I always feel you should push forward and push harder -

N O M A T T E R W H A T

Its fun, educational, handy and very eye opening to the world of everything you put on your body .

Here is Jenny's web site, tell her I sent you
www.Lotioncrafter.com
or use
Angie's ( who is a good friend of Jenny's btw!)

The Herbarie . . . basically one is on the west coast and the other is on the east coast . . for delivery charges would be the basic difference. The Herbarie is the staple for bringing Cosmetic Chemistry to the public, prior to that web site - we were not allowed to learn any of it . . . so the INTERNET has been just spectacular for the world of EDUCATION, in my opinion.
None of Killer Strands would be available to you if it were not for the Web.
I would use both for your education as well as the GROUP they have.
http://theherbarie.com/


Now back to the point of this post !

The Chamomile and Lavender Brightening Shine Spray

and 'yes' it does have a wonderful scent of chamomile and lavender . . so one more goal of one tiny product. . . and its not overpowering either.. but it ALSO
"makes the hair smell wonderful "

lots of advantages to this $12.95 wonder!!

> It claims to Awaken the senses and impart instant shine as it revitalizes and brightens dull, lifeless, blond, silver, gray or white hair.

> Bright Shine Spray adds shine and effectively erases yellow or brassy tones on highlighted or blonde-tinted hair.

> Contains sunscreen protection to help protect color fading.

> Specially formulated with Chamomile and Lavender.

Once again the advantages to these sensories products: All Sensories products feature Compressed Formula Technology. CFT enhances and expands the user's sensory experience. Use 30-50% less product and achieve twice the performance. Another excellent 'plus'.


Plus you can click here and make the purchase which will take you through PAY PAL

One click takes you to a $12.95 - 4.2 oz.bottle of RUSK Bright Shine spray PLUS Shipping of 8.95.... good for anywhere in the continental USA.
If you are outside of that, shoot me an email
Killerstrands@gmail.com
Love this stuff. . Killer Chemist

Patience & the Hair-Color-Surge : or Damn it, if I color my hair this second, I will feel better

There are many of us that use different beauty techniques to satisfy those funny urges we have. I know you know what I'm talking about, like when things at work or at home aren't going so great - what can you do to make yourself feel better? There are 2 choices for relief for us Beauty junkies : 'SHOPPING' or 'BEAUTY' techniques - - I know because I do it, my kids do it and almost everyone I asked in over 10,000 Heads of Hair do as well - to one degree or another! We all use them to give us that warm little feeling in our blood, to take the uneasy feeling away we have > because your boss snarled at you today, you lost that job interview, the economy is in toilet - - a g a i n , or little Billy got in trouble at school today - or whatever scenario fits your life - and turns our good day into a yucky day... we ALL DO IT.

Why do we do it? Human Nature - its "IN" our blood, bones and brain. But we do have an inbred quality that prevents us from going down that road . . .the quality of PATIENCE. Most of us have let Patience slip away from our life. It's a quality many of us rarely even "think" about anymore - which is not a good thing.
If we stopped at that moment of panic at that moment of 'desire' and instilled some patience into our life, what do you suppose would happen? We may not jump on those urges and we may find they are not a good idea for our hair, our skin our person.
Well, that's not what happens to us, because we have lost that one quality and if you ask Buddhist's or any other eastern religion member they will say their religion is based on learning the skill of patience. What does that say about - - us?

Some go absolutely nuts and when the sh*t hits the fan they head to Rodeo Drive and do the PRETTY WOMAN shopping spree, but most of us don't have that kind of cash-ola and we head to the mall, OR we head to the Salon OR we head to the Drug Store and for the absolute worst choice on the entire planet we buy a box of hair color without knowing anything at all about what we have on our head...what this box will do to the hair we have. . . worst of all ... none OF US EVEN READ WHAT THE BOX SAYS . We just want that urge satisfied . . . to make us "feel" better... and to get rid of that yucky feeling we have in our blood.

Patience is not even in the game at this point, just satisfying that urge is all we have. As a Colorist this is just SO . . V E R Y. . . H A R D. . . to listen to - you can imagine, I hope. After putting together over 300 POSTS on Killer Strands in trying to teach all of you "why" that method is not such a great idea. That it matters what is on your hair to begin with -- - > is probably the most important piece of information there is. But it doesn't point that out on that box - nor deal with it - so how can the hair color turn out anywhere CLOSE to correct or what you desire ?

IT CAN'T - - IT WON'T AND IT NEVER WILL ...

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO


Those boxes of hair color are aimed at all of you with ZERO patience, and looking for the "QUICK-FIX" to that URGE ... they use models on the front that don't even use the hair color that is "in" the box they are selling (my friends and I, have all done all those photo shoots - we know). We use Color Touch 90% of the time because of the Shine that one brand imparts - it truly is remarkable and all the other companies know it - they don't ask us what we use - they just ask for a certain color with lots of SHINE.

So from the get-go the process is: Fake/False and it is just playing on your heart strings. . . DON'T LET IT !

I really don't want to get into the whole scenario of addiction that is a big giant bag of worms that I don't have the room or time to go into . . but this is a bit of an addiction and you need to get control of it. When it is something smaller like this - if you are just made AWARE of the fact that it is "there" sometimes that alone works. BE aware that you do it, and be aware that it is a common problem and the manufacturers are working to trap you into their beauty "URGE" traps . . .like CELLULITE Cream for $130.00 / jar. You all know that there is not a cream alive, nor WILL THERE BE, that gets rid of cellulite. Right? Please never EVER EVER buy anything of this nature - its ridiculous and as a chemist, I don't know how Chemists can sit on a board of a company that sells this, when we all know they don't work nor will they ever.

So give it a whirl - - give patience a whirl . . watch how good it makes you feel accomplishing it just for one single day.

Much of the problem stems from all the stimulus we get from the INTERNET, TV, Films, Dancing with the Stars, Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, Glossy magazines, everywhere we look are Celebrities -Stars- Politicians- and the "beautiful people'' showing us that they can look like a million bucks . . . it makes us all want to follow in line. Doesn't it? In my opinion it is one big giant "marketing web of URGES" and it influences so much of what we do everyday that I feel very deeply that it needs to pointed out - so it can be worked against. With a 24 hours news cycle on 4 major networks there basically is no way to escape the flash and dash of the "beautiful people".

That is what gets you all to "jump" without thinking many times in changing your hair.

You see a photo of someone you want to emulate and you don't "think" about it . . . you don't want to consider the ramifications if it doesn't work on your particular hair, or your skin or just so many factors that one must consider... You just "want to do it and do it NOW !" How many of you is that>? How many of you will admit to doing that ? How many of you will run out and buy that darn box of color and try to do something to your hair without even considering if it will work or not? Hundreds of Thousands do this every single week . . . its why they sell Billions of dollars of Boxed hair color every year - - - to satisfy these urges. To Kill Your Patience Factor. Come on boys and girls. . . don't let them win.


I'm hear to tell you to stop and think before jumping into that mess.

When you think about how silly that scenario sounds now, doesn't it make you wonder why you would actually do that? There are many factors at work here, but today's Post is focused on PATIENCE so lets just deal with that.

I'm very much into eastern philosophy - had plans of teaching Yoga to Inmates, when I came down with the cough that has never gone away, which made it impossible. So I am going to impart some of those teachings to you.

Patience is one of the virtues that will bring the most happiness and beauty if you can accomplish it. Buddhism is based on patience, monks live their life practicing and trying to achieve patience because they feel it is so very important. Can you imagine if you just brought a little bit of it into your life? Everyday practice one instance of Patience, patience that you have never ever done before. Even if it is waiting 1 hour longer to buy your Starbucks or drinking a small one instead of a large one - that remains an act of patience . . . I know you can incorporate 1 act of patience in your life every single day.

Start small and get bigger.

Create a chart - - - send us your idea of what Patient virtue YOU are going to incorporate into YOUR life.

Please let that be your beginning, I want you to print it out on the computer in bigger letters so its a nice little sign, whatever your act of patience is going to be .... and hang it on the fridge. So you have to read it and remind yourself every time you walk by. . This will {hopefully} open the entire world of patience up to you and your life.

If you are working the 10,000HEADS Protocol then add this step to the 12, one of our illustrious new members CANDEE (from Korea) is the one that inspired me to choose this topic to write on ... I was puzzled as to why I never thought of it myself, but who really cares 'where' a great idea comes from, just as long as it is there. So thank you Candee and FYI if you have a topic or even just a word like she did and would like my take on it, email me Killerstrands@gmail.com I will give it a shot . . . . . as uncoventional as I am

I have honestly been considering adding it to the Steps, because of how important I feel it is, now that I have been thinking in depth about it . Learning patience with Beauty endeavors - what do you think?

PATIENCE and the HAIR-COLOR-SURGE -
by Killer Chemist

Thousands of people in the world:
weekly get
* inspired.... from something they have seen, which gives them an
* urge .......basically frantic trying to buy something for beauty or clothing(still beauty)
* surge .....to change their hair color, hair or "look" immediately to something they have seen or heard about in the media or ?
whether it works for their hair or body or not . . .

Patience has basically been forgotten
If you inserted patience into this formula ANYWHERE you would have such a better outcome. . . think about that . . ALL OF YOU - please.

Don't let hair color and beauty routines "control" YOU
. . . learn patience . . your life will be a warmer and cozier place to exist.

Killer Chemist

Boys & Their Toys Are Changing: Men's Hair Color < Acceptable > as Well As Cool

 Boys Validate All the Bottles on Our Shelves

Men and their hair

In my Salon business in Malibu, which was located a stone's throw from the Pepperdine College campus (there were tons of 18-29 year old men) - I began with an 85-15% split women to men in my clientele. At the beginning of my career men came for a great hair cut, I had learned the Vidal Sassoon manner of cutting men's hair and I adored the process . . . It is "Sculpture" at is finest and my cuts were not cheap - but they were done with love, art and design in mind every single time.

Over the next 12 years the numbers got closer and closer till when I had to shut down my business the last time I checked into the hospital - but  it was at 50% - 50% - a dead even split and I could see that if I was to keep going I was going to maybe bump over the line. Yes, I adore men . . . and was raised with 2 brothers so I feel a certain kinship to them, something most women have a hard time with . . .when a guy sat in my chair it was just easier for me to rattle off questions and BS than if a woman did - which has nothing to do with "likes" "dislikes" or anything but just plain being "used to".  I will admit they were a lot prettier to look at...
 for me and the smell of a well dressed man with  a great cologne wins hands down over a woman - any day to me. . . . but still  - when you get down to brass tacks. . . you make a helluva lot more money off of a woman in your chair than a man and I knew it..
It never stopped me from trying to get men into my chair, ever.
Completing a 100 minute men's hair cut was one of the most rewarding acts I could complete in the art of hair. I sculpted each head of hair to 'each' specific man and accomplished that very meticulously - I guess loving Sculpture was the catalyst I had for that.

So when the tide started to change and men began coming to the Salon for highlights, bleaches, relaxers and most everything we offer women - there was not a soul happier than, yours Truly. Problem is, men's hair is very difficult to do and difficult to do correctly. Why? It is so damn short . . .  and it needs to be done in such a manner that it does not look like he has gone to the $29.95 Car painting shop and has race stripes down the sides. Most of what needs to be done is good - honest - Hair color - usually just one color .
Stylists should not try to get the man to pay for a number of things he doesn't need.
He doesn't need . . . . . Highlights.
Not only do I dislike highlights for women - for men I want to cry and I bet most of you will agree with me.
I will admit I- myself- have given slices - ribbons and veils to a number of clients but they were NOT highlights and the difference is huge if you were to see them side by side. Some day I will find comparable photos to show you the  difference > visually.
Most of my color work with men was like this gentleman - here. With interesting placement of the color, instead of stripey stripes on the hair - just to say you have them.
Men have become interested in their hair, their skin and their overall appearance in phenomenal numbers which is good news for us girls. We no longer have to push them into it, they are truly turning into mini- beauty junkie's on their own . . . isn't that the most exciting news> ?

You know how you will sit across from them at the table in a restaurant, wondering why they don't give a crap how their hair looks . . . why will they get a Fantastic SAMS  haircut for $10.00 when a nice $50.00 scissor over comb hair cut looks 150% better on them?  They care what "we" look like and we try to improve our appearance "for them". . . its the least they could do in return - we like to look at a nicely shaped head as well.

Well, according to all the numbers across the board : 'men are turning into chicks'. Which is a statement I refuse to say too loud or the men will go running from here and I may disrupt a very encouraging 'shift' in culture. Men need to become more sensitive - more caring of their looks - its an attractive feature  --  I guarantee you.
According to AC Nielsen, sales from men's grooming products and services grew almost 70% between 2002 and 2005 compared with only a 6% increase in the women's market. Take notice next time you are in Sephora, Macy's, or your favorite Beauty Supply, almost every major manufacturer in the professional salon business has a men's brand.

Statistics show that men are now spending more than $4 Billion dollars every single year on Grooming products. I hope you think that is as insane as I do. Men's attitudes have changed, they are now interested in a variety of products instead of a bar of soap and stealing your shampoo. It took years of them wondering why we had so many damn bottles in the bathroom to finally catch on that maybe  - - just maybe... there was a point to many of them.

The men I had as clients were much more willing to try new products starting back 14 years ago, yes it was Malibu and "yes" many of the trends start here . . . but still it was pretty unusual and rare -- even then.

I will never forget seeing  3 of the local professional surfers running with their capes blowing in the wind to get in their trucks and head to local McDonalds with Foils in their hair ( begging me to go while their hair processed !)...

It was truly an amazing site... The big - butch - surfers - finally let down their barriers and simply did not care that they had foils in their hair and a cape around their neck - they thought it was "cool".  That's when I
knew a shift in the tide was here to stay.

Here is some work I did on one of the Local surfer boys . . . he had his coat painted by a car painter for Malibu HIgh PROM  - wanted his hair to match  ! !