Extensions 101

Birthday Coat. A gift from my Mother.

The Salon holiday party went off without a hitch. I did end up getting a very affordable dress that my Mr. Man was kind enough to help pick out. The party was at an art gallery. Wine, beer, and berry-infused vodka was served. There was a photographer who was taking candids against a white wall and immediately printing the photos for us to take. There was a DJ that rocked our socks off. Plenty of dancing and even a flip-cup table was created by whom else but a bunch of male significant others.

In the hair world I recently agreed to be a model for a Stylist who is learning extensions. There are many different types of extensions. Most are made of real human hair. Some are synthetic. There are a few different ways of attaching extensions. They may be glued in with some sort of a bond, or they can come in a weft to be sewn into a braid. My Pro-Hair extensions were synthetic. After having them I would encourage anyone thinking about getting extensions to go for the real thing. The problem with synthetics is there is no straightening, and no curling iron. These tools are too hot and will melt the hair. The only options for styling this hair is to wet-set, or use hot rollers. (they must have the velvet covering around them). The other thing about synthetic extensions is that they get kinda nappy. They have to be brushed constantly. I would recommend this type of extension for someone who is looking to add body or thickness, but not to add length. Inevitably these were short-lived for me. I took them out after three short weeks. Below is the best picture I have of them. It is my sister and I over Christmas.

Dear Dressmaker,

Yesterday started out great. I officially got my ticket home for Christmas! I am so very excited about this because I didn't think I was going home and it made me very sad. But now I am so excited to see friends and family that I haven't seen since May!

Then one of my new friends at the salon invited me to come see him DJ this Friday. I am really excited about getting out for some music.

And then there is the ever-looming Holiday party. One of the other assistants is planning for this as if it were the Grammies! She has had her "escada" dress fro weeks and it's as if this is THE social event of the year for her! And then there's me, the broke ass newbie who will not be getting any kind of new fabulous dress. Ahhh, and so it goes I will have to somehow convince myself between now and then that this holiday party is not this all important once-a-year event to make a style statement for myself. It is really about eating, drinking, and enjoying each other's company right? Yeah right this is the beauty industry.

I will not give up. I will not succumb to the superficial, materialistic world that can be the beauty industry. I am poor, but my will is strong. I will not be self absorbed and buy a new dress. This is the time of year of gifts for others. I have plenty of dresses in my closet. I know it must be possible to stay grounded in this business. Besides, my beautiful date will obviously make up for what my dress may lack.

Long Time No Blog

Oh well it has been quite a while! Between my 60-70 hour weeks I just haven't had time for reflection. I haven't even had time to sit down and check e-mails! At first I was debating about keeping this blog. I started this while I was in between jobs and had lots of free time. Now my days are usually 12 hours long and by the time I am home I am ravished and exhausted. Without a full day off in four weeks, I decided to leave the second job. The amount of hours/money I was getting there did not make it worth not having one day a week off. So now I do, and am looking forward to it! But after thinking about just quitting on this blog I decided against it. Mostly because the theme of my life these next years is going to be "Stick It". I am trying to learn some discipline and stay with projects that I start. Also I don't believe there are many people in my industry who blog. And while right now I don't seem to have much time, and am not sure just what or who this blog benefits I can't just quit. So while I may not be able to post daily, or even weekly, I am still going to post!

After being gone so long I come back to realize that my header is all messed up. I don't know how the background color got switched to blue but it is supposed to be white. Unfortunately because this damn PC has crashed so many times I have lost the image I had created for the header. It is really bothering the designer in me but lord knows NOW is not the time to fix this because it would turn into four hours at the computer. (I do not have Adobe Iluustrator on this damn PC and would have to use some other archaic program) We are starting a fund for our iMac and I can't wait to have one!!!

I have been surrounded by hair and I love it! I have been able to observe many talented people in my daily work. It is hard as a beginner to see myself being at their level someday. And I think one of the important things for me is just figuring out what kind of hairdresser to be. There are many different kinds. Some strive for money and that all important goal is reflected in the type of clientelle they bring in. Some strive to master edgy techniques and that, as well is reflected in the type of people they service. One of the reasons I think there are so many different kinds of stylists is because this still really is an art. I believe the way you percieve the art that you create is a direct result of how it is presented. And I believe the way you present your art or your craft is directly attributed to how others percieve it. Within the large salon I am at I have been trying to narrow down traits of certain stylists that I would like to have. Is there one person that I would like to see as a mentor? Its really nice to have such a variety of people and variety of minds to pick from!

Human Powered

Good News. . .
I get to keep my second job. I wasn't sure if it was goiong to happen since I only have 3 days of availability now with the new salon job. Which by the way the new job starts Thursday. I am really trying to prepare myself mentally for the long hours and no doubt busy, physically demanding days that lie ahead. I figure if I really prepare myself I will be less likely to complain 4 months into it. It just seems like I always have all of the energy and enthusiasm going into something, but that kind of dissipates after a while.I am counting on my passion for hair to keep me going throughout this apprenticeship. So today I am off to Sully's where I work as a hostess. It really is an easy job. It can be quite enjoyable as well. I can't lie, I also see it as a good place to find hair models.


Yesterday was a school day. Sometimes my friend Joelle will pick me up and take me. BUt when he doesn't, I walk the 2.7 miles. I am sure that once the weather turns bad I will be relying on Joelle more and more. The thing about walking is that I have so many materials that I have to bring:



There are a plethera of things in this bag that I need to take to school. It would be really great if we had lockers at school so that I can keep my supplies there. I believe that most other students leave stuff in their car. But since I am Human Powered it's not really an option for me.



You'll have to check out the new sidebar piece I am working on. I am rapidly approaching 30 and I refuse to be a person who doesn't keep up with fashion trends. And believe me there are a lot of folks in the Denver metro that have not kept up on this. There are also lots who have. The way things stand I am too poor right now cannot really attain new things on a regular basis. So for this time where I am aspiring to be a rich and famous hairdresser, I want to keep postings on what I would be wearing if I could be wearing anything. My idea is that if I at least keep paying attention I won't wake up one day and realize fashion has gotten away from me. Fashion had always been important to my self expression. I think a lot of artists feel that way. It may sound silly to some, but I tend to start to feel really depressed and unhappy if I get into working situation where there is a dress code. I I going to be one of those mothers some day that lets her kids pick their own outfits everyday. It think it is an important part of having a self-identity. Anyway the look I chose for today you can find here courtesy of Urban Outfitters. Hopefully I will finish and post the new sidebar piece soon. . .

Oh Happy Day

Unvictorious, washout, unavailing, futile. These are all describers of the way I sometimes feel as a 27-year-old college grad who is working as a hostess in a restaurant. Let's be honest, anyone who owes upwards of $20,000 in school loans could start to feel this way when surrounded by 19 and 20-year-old co-workers. I actually know a few college grads who are working at similar low-paying jobs and are perfectly happy. But this is not what I had envisioned for myself five years ago when I threw my cap up inside Anderson Arena.

Be that as it may, there is still hope for success. Everyone has a different mountain to climb. Some people are climbing a slippery slope and just stay in the same spot for years and never seem to make it up. Some people excavate their way to the center of their mountain and take an elevator to the top. (These people are very smart, but may be missing the point. You know the saying "you get what you give".) In the last 10 years, I have gotten to know my personal mountain very well, and have become dedicated and infatuated with "the climb". It can be patronizing to be in a job one is over-qulaified for and this is part of the struggle; over-coming the self-pride and ego. But, the most important thing is the all-important end goal. Keeping your eye on the prize is the only way to get there.

Remember the Little Engine That Could? "I think I can, I think I can", etc. . . This is the way I have often felt on the way to the top except it has actually been my Mother's words that have been my driving force. "Never forget your dreams, and always know you can be anything you want to be". I wonder if she'll ever know how important those words have been to me.

On my trek up the hill I have had a few ideas of "what I want to be when I grow up". I guess part of knowing that you can do anything you want makes it difficult to hone in on that one right thing. I happen to know a lot of people of my generation who have that same affliction. But finally after some trials, and important life lessons I find myself back in school to become a hairdresser. Anyone who knows the hair industry will tell you that the education part of it is all backwards. In most cases, you would go to school full-time for a year or so and then, if you work at a high-end salon, you would apprentice for another year in that salon. It really doesn't make sense. The only true reason you are paying $14-$16,000 for school is to be able to pass your state board test and become a "licensed" hair dresser. Problem is that just being licensed doesn't mean much to most of the really talented people out there. They know that being licensed doesn't mean you are good. And thus the reason for the apprenticeship in the salon. In essence I am saying that where you go to school is really not as important. More important is the in-salon training you receive which along with your drive and motivation will determine how good you really become.

Today I have reached a new destination in my climb. I was hired at The Salon to begin their apprentice program. The Salon is, from what I can tell, probably the most successful chain of salons in the Denver area. Directly attributed to their success is their rigorous 10-phase training program. The director of my school has told me to be prepared for 70 hour weeks while completing their program. It's tough to get through, but anything that's tough can only make you better. Someone in my position, who has been climbing for so long is literally salivating at the mouth for success. Don't think for a second that this girl isn't ready for any challenge, or any amount of hard work this apprenticeship might bring. I can see it, taste it, and wow the sense of triumph is staggering! This, people is my arrival.

So thank you Mom. And thanks to my best friend, and biggest supporter BenJammin. Thanks to my girlfriends who convinced me that I am not a loser whenever those questions entered my brain. Thanks to Ms. Aguilar who gave me a solid foundation to work from. And for anyone who forgot-you all have a mountain to climb. All you have to do is engage it. You don't have to be stuck in one gloomy spot. There is always another place to be, you have the whole mountain to explore!