the first haircut:

Sunday was a big day for us. I got to give Elliott his first haircut! A baby's first haircut is a big deal anyway, but it was even more special that I got to do the cutting. Gary held him, and he was such a good boy. It only took a few little snips, but that's all it took to transform him from baby to big kid. I just can't get over it! 

Looking forward to giving him many more haircuts, even when he's a little older and has a preference. I hope he'll always enjoy having a mom that's his hairstylist. I promise to treat him like I treat all my clients that sit in my chair, with an end goal of giving him a style that is his own, even if it means a rad mohawk or fashion mullet ;)

life lately, according to my iphone.

We haven't done anything real blogworthy lately. Just the usual day to day. We have had a few visits from some long time friends, taken a couple of trips to the park on pretty days, and I got a new look, prompting Elliott to scrunch his eyebrows at me with a look that says "you sound like my Momma, but you sure don't look like her." So although life has been fairly uneventful, here's a look at what we've been doing through the lens of my iPhone:

[I broke my social media fast and came out of hiding on instagram. I won't be returning to Facebook any time soon, but I couldn't stand being so out of the loop on what my friends are doing. I guess it's just a curse for our generation, we have to know what our friends are up to daily. I'm praying that I can keep it from consuming my life by just being a part of one form of social media. We'll see. But, if you're interested in seeing mundane day to day pictures, like I am, you can look us up @love_is_in_the_hair.]

::new hair::

I needed a change, so we cut some bangs at the salon yesterday. What do you think?

Let's Talk Hair: No Heat Beach Waves.

After Elliott was born, I wound up with some wave in my hair.  I decided to play with it and see if I could cut down on the time it took to get ready in the mornings (since that time is a little more rushed these days), and much to my surprise it looked pretty good and took half the time it was taking me to blow dry and flat iron.  I've had a lot of people asking me how I'm styling it now, so I thought I'd share what I've found to be the key to scoring beach waves without using heat.

Step 1: I don't comb it out when I get out of the shower.  I just towel dry it, and run my fingers through it to loosen any tangles.  

Step 2: I work Redken's Tousle Whip through the mid-shaft and ends of the hair, and let it dry while I get Elliott and myself ready.

Step 3: Right before I walk out the door I blow dry the roots, just so they don't look flat, and I spray Wella's Ocean Spritz through the ends, scrunching as I go.

Step 4: If my bangs are refusing to cooperate (looking frizzy), I will curl about and inch wide section with my flat iron, otherwise I just finish with a light hold hairspray (such as Redken's Quick Dry).

If you have even a slight wave, give this routine a try.  I've been so pleased to find I can "get up and go" and still have hair that people stop and ask me about.

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

[1] New toy. [2] Cuteness. [3] Listening for Elliott. 

[4] Downtown stroll. [5] Future Tiger. [6] Movies in the Park. 

[7] Loving Aunt Wesey. [8] Bridal hair.

Let's Talk Hair: Braids.

So, Elliott has kind of taken over my blog these days.... how about a post about hair for a change?

This spring, we have been seeing lots of braids in the salon.  I've gotta admit, braids aren't my strong suit, so I've been brushing up on braiding via YouTube home videos. Braids are a perfect solution for humid summer weather, and Arkansas might be the most humid place on the planet in mid July.  Here are a few of my favorites you might like to try:

1. The fishtail braid:

This braid will work best with longer hair and needs a bit of texture to hold.  If you have straight hair give it some curl with a curling iron and dirty it up with product.  I like this one to the side.  Pull your hair to one side and secure it at the base of your neck.  Then seperate the hair into two sections.  Hold one section, then take a small section from the outside of the other section and bring it to the one in your hand. Repeat, adding hair from one section to the other until you run out.  Secure the bottom, and then carefully cut out the top elastic band for a looser look.  You can also loosen it up by gently pulling the braid apart.

2. French braided bangs:

You can sport this look even if your hair is short.  Start with a deep side part, and work from the part to the opposite temple.  French braid about an inch wide section along your hairline and stop at the temple. Secure the braid with bobby pins and then style the rest of your hair like normal.

3. Braided halo:

This one is not so easy to do on yourself, so maybe have a friend do it for you, or practice on your friends until you get good enough to do it on yourself.  (I'll be having one of the girls at the salon do mine for me.)  If you can french braid, you can do a braided halo.  Part the hair in the middle, and start french braiding on one side, working your way around the head, ending on the opposite side.  Finish by braiding until you've used all the hair.  Wrap the part that's not attached to the head around the front of your head, and tuck it in to where you started, securing with a bobby pin.  You can tug on the braid a little to loosen it up.  If you are a fan of going a couple of days with out shampooing this look can hold though a night's sleep no problem.  It would also be a perfect poolside look.

Hope this gives you some fresh ideas for summer hair.  Practice makes perfect, so use them frequently.

Let's Talk Hair: Vol.4

I am a firm believer in using professional hair care products.  I'm well aware that many people think professional lines are just a way for us hairdressers to make an additional profit.  However, my stance when it comes to hair products is that (as with most things) you get what you pay for when you skimp on the price.  If you are having trouble styling your hair at home, it may not be you.  Try using the hair products your stylist used when styling your hair.  I'd be willing to bet you'll notice a big difference in the quality of your hairstyle. 

That being said, I am often asked what hair care products are my favorites.  I have lots of favorites depending on the hair type, but of course my personal favorites are the ones I use on my own hair each day.  So, I thought I would share what products I use on my hair on a daily basis, then you can comment and let me know what products you are loving.

S-Factor Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner (far left).

Redken Guts- Apply to wet hair on the scalp for lift (the one with the number 10 on it).

Redken Align- Apply to wet hair throughout for smoothing frizz (next to guts, #12).

Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide- Apply a dime size amount to dry hair to protect from the flat iron's harsh heat (brown bottle).

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play- Shake a little of this powder on the root of your hair and rub to create instant body (small red bottle).

Bed Head Manipulator- Work a small amount of this sticky substance through your ends for added texture and body (small blue tub).

Bed Head Spoil Me- Spray on second day hair to restyle or defrizz (tall lime green can).

Bed Head Masterpiece- Shine spay and hairspray in one (tall teal can).

Rockaholic Dirty Little Secret-  Dry shampoo used to absorb oil at the root of your hair, providing an extra day (or two) of wear (black can with lime green top).

Redken Spray Starch-  Thermal setting spray, good for holding curls.  Spray all over the hair before curling (pink bottle, #15).

I don't use them all every day, but they all serve a purpose.  My hair wouldn't know what to do without hair product, that's why I never skimp when it comes to using professional brand names in hair care.  You can't put a price on feeling good, right? 

Now, I wanna hear what works for you.  Feedback, please!

Let's Talk Hair.

Instead of the usual journal entries of "what we have been up to lately", I am going to try and spice my blogging up a little.  Since the title of this blog is "Love is in the Hair", I've decided to actually write about hair for a change.  I'd like to make this a weekly thing, so get excited.

This week I was thumbing through the February issue of InStyle when I came across a segment sharing the same title as this blog!  I'm sure one of their writers stumbled across my blog, and loved my clever title so much they had to steal it.  After all, I had the title first! 

Anywho, I loved the article, so I thought it would be the perfect topic for my first "Let's Talk Hair" (Don't try stealing that, InStyle! I'm on to you.) segment of this blog.

The article shares 4 ways to "explore the roots of romance":  "the big tease", "dream weaves", "classic with a twist", and "up, up and away".  These are styles our clients often come in the salon asking about, and this article shares some tips for achieving these looks at home.  Using the article as a guide I'm going to share my own tips for achieving these looks.

1.  "The Big Tease"

This look can be a day or night time look.  In the evening, pair it with smokey eyes to really turn heads.

Step 1:  Use a volumizing shampoo.  I like Bed Head's newly reformulated Superstar (now known as Epic Volume) shampoo and conditioner.

Step 2:  Use a root boost at the crown of your towel dried hair (my fave is Redken's Guts) and apply a volumizing blow dry gel, (I like Redken's Velvet Gelatin), to the ends of your hair.

Step 3:  Turn your head upside down and blow it 80% dry with your hands.

Step 4:  Flip your hair over and use a large round brush to create lift at the root.

Step 5:  Take small sections of your hair in the crown and tease it with the small tooth end of your comb, then smooth the teasing with the wide tooth end of the comb.

Step 6:  Take a 1 inch curling iron and curl 1 inch sections of your hair.  Starting at the root, turn the iron toward your face and pull the ends through last.

Step 7:  Run your fingers through the curls to loosen them and finish the look with Bed Head's Masterpiece, hairspray and shine spray 2 in 1.

2.  "Dream Weaves"

This style will be your go to look this summer.  It works perfect on second day hair, or sun dried hair.

Step 1:  Start creating loose waves with your curling iron randomly throughout your hair.

Step 2:  Take a shine serum (love, love, love S-Factor's Dream Drops) and rake it through your ends.

Step 3:  Leaving out your bangs, part your hair to one side and gather your hair on the opposite side in a low side pony tail, but don't tie it off, instead begin loosely braiding just below the chin.  When you get to the bottom secure the braid with a clear elastic. 

Step 4:  Hold the braid taut at the end and give it a few shakes to soften the look.

3.  "Classic with a Twist"

I know this looks complicated, but you can create this look with second day hair in 10 minutes, I promise.

Step 1:  Tease the crown of your hair and curl 1 inch sections just like you would for "The Big Tease". 

Step 2:  Make a soft part and pull your hair back low at the nape and secure it in a loose ponytail.  Leave out your bangs, and/or shorter layers around your face.

Step 3:  Wrap your hair around the pony tail holder as though you were making a bun.  Bobby pin a few places, but leave the bun loose. 

Step 4:  Spray with a firm hold hairspray.  Try Bed Head's Hard Head.

4.  "Up, Up and Away"

This look is the easiest of the 4, but it still makes a bold statement.

Step 1:  Blow dry your hair until it is about 80% dry.

Step 2:  Use a frizz fighting serum (Redken's Smooth Down: Heat Glide would be perfect) and rake it from roots to ends.

Step 3:  Use a boar-bristle brush to slick your hair back into a high pony on the top of your head.  Secure it with an elastic.

Step 4:  Twist your hair in a tight bun and pin tightly into place.

Step 5: Finish with a medium hold hairspray (Redken's Forceful would be a good choice).

There you have it! Our first "Let's Talk Hair" on "Love is in the Hair".  What do you think? Do you like this new segment?  Also topics for this segment are welcome, so please, comment.

New do.

I'm in the process of trying to grow my hair out (for like the 1 millionth time), and it's getting to that beloved, in-between stage, where all I want to do is cut it off.  Being a hairstylist (who's job is to have hair on the brain 24/7) doesn't help matters. 

So, in order to keep myself from cutting it, I had Laura change the color and trim my bangs for me today.  I'm loving it.  This is the darkest my hair has been since December 2007.

None of the pictures do Laura's beautiful color job justice, but there are some auburn highlights and dark lowlights in there. 

What do you think? Blonde or burnette? Short or long?

Fall Open House.

Last night Katherine Grant Salon & Spa held a fall open house.  We wanted to have the chance to do something nice for our loyal clients, family and friends, as well as draw in new business.  We had food and wine, our TIGI rep did make-up demonstrations, a client sold her cute fall clothes from Arkansas Apparel, other clients showed Artistry skin care, Mark gave lots of chair massages, and Carrie and Susan let people try the new Gellish manicures.  It was a huge success!  We had lots of clients and friends drop by, as well as several people in the Park Hill community who just wanted to check us out. 

Our Staff (minus Laney).

Me with Laney.



Napkins.



The cute cookies Laney brought!

Our sweet friends from church stopped by.

Mr. Kirtis wore purple to show his salon spirit!

A good time was had by all.  Thanks to everyone who came by, and to all who helped!

So... Friday Little Rock got an Anthropologie!  I know, moving on up, right? Meghan (it was so good to see her/catch up on life) and I headed over to check it out Saturday afternoon.  It is super cute, and I could make a wish list a mile long, but I'm too cheap to actually buy anything.  A girl can dream though...

Tonight was bunko night.  I won 3rd place and got a cute zebra print scarf.  Now if it would only get cold enough for me to wear it...

I'd like to give a shout out to blog reader, Linda, in Kansas City.  She came across my blog, liked my hair in the header pic and called the salon to find out the color formula.  I was so very flattered, it's made me wonder if I should go back blonde? (Thoughts?)  Anyhow she was getting color today, and I am hoping it turned out well, if you're reading you'll have to let me know!

It's been a busy past few days for us, I'm gonna sleep good tonight!