BellaSugar

Have You Ever Asked For a Hair Redo?

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:00:36 -0700

Have you ever left the salon feeling not-so-fabulous about your cut or color? Maybe the blond was a little too yellow for your liking, or there was an obvious bleed mark in your fringe. Or perhaps it was just that your new cut wasn't cooperating with the texture of your hair, leaving you with a string of bad hair days.

As for me, most recently, it was the latter. I liked the shape of my cut, but for some reason, nothing else was cooperating. Since I wasn't completely satisfied, I called up and asked for a redo. Ah, much better. Have you ever phoned in a "part two" for your hairstyle?

How Do You Spend Salon Time?

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:00:48 -0800

A "quick trip" to the salon can take what feels like an eternity, especially if your stylist sees clients back-to-back or is double booked. Patience isn't exactly my best virtue, but salon time can be a great opportunity to sit back and not worry about all the things I could or should be doing. Even with the fun magazines I don't get at home, I'd be lying if I said I've never blogged while under the dryer. How do you most often spend your time in the stylist's chair?

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Take Copious Notes From Your Stylist

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00:42 -0800

You say honey, I say honey, but what color comes out on your hair? People have different interpretations of hair color descriptions, so just as it's smart to take pictures of what you like and don't like, to the salon, it's wise to keep track of your color.

My favorite stylist keeps index cards on all her clients with their colors, conditioning treatments, cuts, etc., which proved very handy when I relocated. I just had her copy it for me, down to application notes and times. Even if you're not planning to move or change stylists, many people have eliminated nonessential beauty treatments due to the recession and it'd be rather helpful to know what your highlights and lowlights were when the economy picks back up again, right?

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Do You Book Standing Appointments?

BellaSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:00:22 -0700

Having regular scheduled blowout and manicure appointments always seems like the most ladies-who-lunch cosmopolitan dream to me, but I recently discovered a friend of mine - who, um, serves lunch - has a regular Wednesday afternoon date with her manicurist and a standing monthly eyebrow appointment. Do you schedule your appointments months in advance, or are you an impulse salon visitor?

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What's Really Going On at the Spa

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:00:48 -0800

Set aside a few minutes to read this excellent article from New York magazine. It's a thorough, unblinking look into the reality of the spa and salon business, from the amount of money that workers make to the what they really think while they're waxing off your hair.

For instance, the writer interviews her facialist, Francesca Kim, who reveals the pay structure at her employer, a Manhattan spa:

In her current gig, she began at an hourly rate of $10 to $12 - the industry maximum, she tells me - plus commission for each treatment she does for a client. But without notice, the owners started removing the hourly rate from treatment slots. Sometimes the commission was 40 percent of the treatment price, sometimes 25 percent. It varies irregularly, though the more expensive the procedure, the lower her cut (tips make up 20 percent of her income).

I don't know about you, but this is absolutely fascinating to me. I've long wondered about the wages at spas, opting to over-tip for even the least expensive services. Now I'm glad that I've been doing so, and I'm thinking I should probably amp it up a few bucks more. But that's just one aspect of this story. Be sure to check out these poll results, which are equally intriguing.

Oh Man: Guys Are Being Groomed for Barber Lounges

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:01:19 -0800

The term "metrosexual" was just a blip on the cultural radar, but the business of men's grooming is far from a fad. Some guys will always opt for a trip to the simple, no-fuss barber. My dad, for instance, pays a whopping $7 to have his "ears lowered," as he puts it. Works just fine for him.

But for a certain breed of man-urban, well-paid and trendsetting-Supercuts won't do it. Instead, this kind of guy is heading to men-only spas and salons. These places cater to the modern-gentleman type who knows how to make a martini, reads GQ, and so forth. And the perks sound fantastic. For instance:

At the rockabilly-inspired Belmont Barber Shop in Chicago, guys can shoot a game of pool after their shave.
At Los Angeles spa Mark Matthew, men are ushered into an area that looks more like a swank living room than a spa. Leather chairs, flat-screen TVs and complimentary beer, wine or scotch create a gentlemanly environment.
Shown here, MR in San Francisco offers a $65 monthly membership that includes a haircut, a touch-up, a shoe shine, and a drink at the bar. (Yes, there's a bar.)

Of course, there are dozens of other options all over the country, but these three give a good idea of what's out there. Something tells me that more than a few dudes wouldn't mind getting a gift certificate to one of these places. Even Papa Bella might
go in for a manly manicure if he were able to watch the Bears while doing it. Okay, maybe not. But I think he's the exception, not the rule.
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Quick Quiz: Should You Tip The Owner of A Salon?

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:00:22 -0800

I get lots of emails asking about tipping etiquette for hair, nails, and other general salon and spa treatments, so I thought it was time to address the issue. Growing up, my mother always told me that it is not standard practice to tip the owner of a salon.

This unspoken rule stems from the idea that the entire cost of your treatment goes to the house. So unless your level of service was exceptional (say they gifted you with a deep conditioning treatment or an eyebrow coloring), a tip is unnecessary. Do you think this rule still applies today? To find out, take this quick quiz!

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Take the quiz

Join Our Tabatha's Salon Takeover Group!

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:25 -0800

Do you love Tabatha's Salon Takeover as much as I do? As you might know, each episode of this addictive show features a salon that's in dire straits, and the longtime stylist heads on in to correct what needs correcting. Tears are always a-flowing and there's usually some kind of feel-good ending.

If you're a fan of the no-nonsense approach of the charismatic host, Tabatha Coffey, who we first saw as a contestant on Shear Genius, I've got the perfect place for you to go. It's our new We Love Tabatha's Salon Takeover group. Stop by here anytime to discuss the latest goings-on of this guilty pleasure show, which is on Bravo, Tuesdays, 10/9 central. All are welcome in this group, so join now!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

How Much Does Your Salon's Appearance Affect You?

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:32 -0700

Lately I've been seeing descriptions of new salons that emphasize their design elements over the services offered; you'll find out who the architect is before you'll ever know whether they offer manicures. I'm not quite sure why this is happening - maybe with the economy down, salons are looking for ways to distinguish themselves - but it got me thinking: Are you willing to pay extra for a blow-out in that Frank Gehry-designed atrium or to sit in an Eames chair? I like a beautifully curated environment as much as the next person, but if a stylist is good, I'd be happy to get my hair cut in a back alley. Is that just me, though? Is going someplace nicer worth a little extra to you?

Tabatha's Salon Takeover Is Back!

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Looking for a dramatic, conflict-ridden show to add to your must-watch TV lineup? Might I recommend Tabatha's Salon Takeover? The reality program, which made its debut on Bravo last year, is set to make its second season premiere on Nov. 3. In case you're not familiar with the premise, Tabatha Coffey, a fan favorite on Bravo's other salon reality program, Sheer Genius, heads into ailing salons with the main goal of transforming them into successful businesses. Of course, there are lots of f-bombs and tears along the way, and it looks like this season, which centers around salons located in LA, Chicago, and Miami, will deliver the same level of no-nonsense action. Will you tune in to see Coffey cracking her whip?