Robin Goes P.B.B.

I once worked with this guy named Edward Morgan.. Edward was obsessed with blondes. He had three goals for every woman that sat in his chair.
1. She should wear her hair long
2. She should have a great blowout
3. She should color her hair blonde
Edward had just come from Beverly Hills, where he played Johnathin Antin’s assistant on the second season of Blow Out. For him there was no other color to have in your hair. Edward and I once flew from LA to Baltimore
to attend a class on red hair coloring. Edward spent the entire class telling the world that he didn’t have one red client. When the CEO of the Goldwell Hair color company showed up in the red color class and asked if there were any questions from the stylists attending the class, Edward asked the guy point blank why Goldwell doesn’t make a bleach specially made for baliage blondes. There is a certain kind of woman, who wants a certain kind of blonde. When a woman walks into the salon with a designer handbag and giant Channel sunglasses on and sits in Edward’s chair she will say something like “Edward…..can we go really really blonde?!”
After this Edward might take a stroll over to the color room. If I was in there I would ask him something a typical stylist might say, such as “So, what do you have going on?” That’s when he would bust out his signature
phrase “I’m making her party bitch blonde” he would say. “Party bitch blonde” was reserved for the girls that didn’t want any warmth. No gold, No lowlights, just super blonde.

Today I had Robin in my chair. Robin is a self proclaimed “picky bitch”. She told me before I even started “Oh Jeff I’ll tell you if I don’t like it.” Today she wanted to be P.B.B. Edward would have been so proud. I did manage to sneak one small lowlight into the front of her hair. Midway through putting the foil in the front, she called me out. “Are you putting a lowlight in the front?!!!!!!” I told her that I was just putting my personal tag in her fringe. She calmed down after I assured her I would get her really blonde. After I finished the color she wanted to put the big sunglasses on for the blowdry so she could look like Wendy. This week she is working as a fitness model. She will be ready to party when the camera snaps.

for more about me visit www.jeffdavidsonhairstylist.com

Redken Amazing Color DVD

Some things in life make you stop and say to yourself “that’s amazing”. Maybe if David Blaine decided to wash down a bottle of pain killers with a few Redbulls, hang himself upside down for a long period of time wearing nothing but a suit of ice. David would do this for a week or two. The whole time he might drink nothing but his own recycled bodily fluid for an audience of curious onlookers. Then he would emerge from the ice suit, tired, broken, and crying like a great big dehydrated baby. He would be comforted by some Supermodel and she would look back at him and say “Amazing!”.

Last night, after Catherine went to sleep, I checked out the “Amazing Color” DVD by Redken. It’s part of a two DVD collection that came with some Shades EQ hair color I ordered. I have yet to finish the disc. It was narrated by a small Asian dude with flat ironed hair and a piercing going through his face. He was dressed head to toe in black. I reviewed all of the laws of color and hair texture chapters. I have yet to get to the amazing part. I did find the DVD a nice review of color basics. I look forward to getting to the really juicy stuff later in the week. That way when you come and sit in my chair, and you say “I want you to do something AMAZING!” I won’t have to put on a suit of ice.

For more about me visit www.jeffdavidsonhairstylist.com

Wendy Gets Wavy Extensions

This morning Wendy looked at me and said “Jeff, I want a big hot mess on my head”. About 15 minutes after I finished up with Diane’s extensions last week, Tribe Hair Studio salon owner Wendy had me order a set for her. She wanted the wavy version. I had never worked with wavy extensions before, so I was really excited to try them out. I was surprised to find out from my distributor in Los Angeles that this style is not very popular.

Once again I ordered a two different colors of hair. One set matched her natural color. The other set was highlighted a few different colors to add contrast. This set came “precut” since the wavy version is difficult to cut. After I finished with the install I only needed to cut a few inches off of the bottom.

She started out with a basic one length bob with baby fine hair. In the end she ended up with a wild mane of full wavy hair. I had her put her sunglasses on while I put the hair in. This way, I can insure that the extension hair does not interfere with her ability to wear glasses.

Wendy has been doing hair for over twenty years now. She has tried a number of different extension systems. The Nordic Hair has been her favorite so far. Once I finished with them Wendy said “Now you can never leave me”. That’s not difficult since Wendy runs such a great salon. We are now stuck together like peas and carrots.

For your entertainment I have also included this SWEET shot of my son Milo’s Earnie doll. This morning at breakfast I was looking at Earnie and wondering who came up with this crazy puppet hair style. It’s like….. Marine jarhead meets Ricky Martin.

For more about me visit www.jeffdavidsonhairstylist.com I

Full Head of Nordic Extensions

“I have bangs in the back of my head” She said to me during our first conversation. Diane had been to several hair stylists around the Portland area. With each passing visit her hair got shorter and shorter. She read my blog and decided to pay me a visit. We discussed options for fixing her haircut. Most of these involved her waiting a period of time for her hair to grow out while I just trim the ends. Growing out a bad cut can seem like forever. Diane decided the best course of action was to get some extensions to ease her through this process.

I snapped a few photos of her hair and called up my distributor in Los Angeles. We talked at length on her color and the best combination of hair colors to match what she had going on. I ordered two packs of Nordic Hair. One was a medium brown. The other was a lighter multi dimensional highlighted look. The hair out of the package was 18″ long. Since Diane had really short layering in her hair to begin with, we decided it best to cut a good bit of length off of the extensions. After I cut the Nordic Hair it fell about two inches longer than her natural hair. She will wear these for the next 6 weeks. At which point I will take them out, treat them, and then they go back into her hair.

Most people think of extensions as just a way to get long hair. For a majority of clients this is why they choose to do this. For other people like Diane it more important to fill in certain areas to make the hair appear more full. If the layers on her natural hair were a bit longer, she would have been able to wear a much longer style with the Nordic Hair. I think she chose a great length to grow her hair out with.

****I have included two photos of her with shorter hair (her natural)
one photo of extensions before cutting
two photos with her finished and cut Nordic Extensions

Global Keratin Sample

I have obtained a sample from Global Keratin of their “formaldehyde free” hair treatment. Some of my coworkers in Los Angeles have had excellent results with this treatment. It has been suggested to me, that this is a superior product when compaired to “Coppola Keratin Complex”. If you are interested in a Global Keratin Treatment you can contact me at jeffdavidsonhair@yahoo.com. I am offering a reduced rate for this treatment to readers of my blog.

Global Keratin comes in multiple versions. 4% formaldehyde, 2% formaldehyde, or formaldehyde free.
Application of this product is similar to Coppola Keratin. This version I have smells like strawberry. It smooths hair, relaxes curl, and tames frizz. Results are said to last 2-4 months.
Keep in mind that when I’m finished smoothing out your hair, a whole bunch of people might want to touch your hair.

Dog Hair Styles Are Out!!

Today in People “Style Watch” I was schooled on a line of hair care products for your pet. The makers of Bed Head products have launched a hair-care line called Pet Head. This has caused a ripple effect! Now, fresh-from-the-salon High Maintenace Pet Dos are “out” but putting lots of hair product in your dogs coat is now “in”.

I know that the panic is starting to set in now for some of you who are at a loss as to what to do next with Rover. “Jeff, should I style my dog at home ???(“in”, but kind of messy) or should I take my dog to the groomer (but isn’t that “out”)??? Whatever you choose is fine as long as you
don’t put a cape around your dog’s neck and stick them under the dryer.

On a less controversial note, today my coworker Tad had one piece of hair in the front she didn’t know what to do with. Anyone have ideas?

2009 Sexy Poll

Certain events in our lives have such an effect on us that we are forever changed. Perhaps it was your first kiss, or maybe it was the time the Berlin Wall came down. It could be when Obama was sworn in. For a select few, it is this moment right now, when you see the following picture from the In Style Magazine “2009 Sexy Poll”. It seems that a majority of In Style readers have stood up to make their voices heard. Wavy hair is now “sexier” than straight. Brunette is also much “sexier” than blonde according to voters.

I realize that maybe there are a few of you out there with straight blonde hair. I don’t want you to get too insecure. I would like you to keep in mind that this was a poll taken by women about women. I am currently the only straight man in America actually reading In Style. Enjoy your Summer highlights and your flat iron.

For more about me visit www.jeffdavidsonhairstylist.com

Coppola Keratin Complex Before & After

I swear women with curly hair have a cult. I was discussing this with my new client Lindsay today. In my experience, women with curly hair have a difficult time finding a good stylist. They only get recommendations from other women with curly hair. When you have extreme frizz or curl, getting hair smooth and straight can be near impossible without professional help.

Lindsay had done quite a bit of research before coming into me for a Coppola Keratin Complex Straightener. She had over-processed highlights from her mid-shaft through her ends. A Japanese Straightener (otherwise known as the Yuko System) would have left her with major breakage. It also would have left her hair permanently straight. Should she decide to discontinue routine maintenance, Lindsay would end up with two different hair textures.

She looked into the Brazilian Straightener which requires the use of formaldehyde on the hair. One problem with this is that when the chemicals mix with heat, toxic fumes are released (which is why doing Brazilian Straightening requires special masks and ventilation.) In the past, this has caused a host of illnesses, respiratory problems, and allergic reactions to both the clients and stylists involved with these processes. Stylist Peter Coppola saw firsthand the problems associated with the Brazilian system and went about developing a hair smoothing system that was safe, effective, and temporary.

Coppola Keratin Complex Hair Therapy is marketed as a smoothing system. In the case of Lindsay, this process took about four and a half hours to achieve and when I finished, her hair was silky to the touch. This smoothing usually lasts usually three months. Over time her hair will slowly revert back to its natural texture. For the first few weeks she will have stick straight hair, then it will become wavy, while still maintaining the smoothness, and eventually her curl will return. At that point she can decide to repeat the process or go back to her natural texture.

Coppola Keratin Complex is a protein. When bonded into the hair it forms a barrier over the cuticle layer. Oftentimes this actually improves the health of the hair. It also has the advantage of helping to seal in your color. I sent Lindsay home with a special shampoo and conditioner to use. She needs to keep her hair dry for the next three days. After that, she will wash it and enjoy life with smooth shiny hair.

The day I did Lindsay’s hair was the same day that I got a write up in the online newsletter Portland Picks. I was featured in this week’s publication. Portland Picks tracks what’s happening in Portland. They feature fitness, beauty, food, shopping, etc. I would like to give a special thank you to editor Alisa and writer Liz for the great coverage. I enjoyed doing your hair and I look forward to seeing you both again. I would also like to welcome all of the new Portland readers that have found me since my pick was published. You can visit Portland Picks at – www.portlandpicks.com

On a side note, I am pleased to report that my sphynx cat Mr. Kitty has now started shedding. Mr. Kitty has been slick and bald the majority of his life. Since moving to Portland, he grew a fine layer of hair for the winter. I was shocked. He is currently on his way back to being bald. I now present the Mr. Kitty FAQ
1. “Did you shave him?” – No, he was born bald, I’m not that twisted
2. “Does he get cold?” – Yes, he enjoys laps, heating pads, and the top of the DVD player
3. “Is he from outer space?” – It is quite possible he is alien
4. “Is he nice?” – Yes, he is very sweet
5. “Why do you have a hairless cat?” – My wife is allergic to cat dander
6. “What is his favorite Joy Division song?” – Mr. Kitty currently likes the song “Transmission”

For more about me visit www.jeffdavidsonhairstylist.com