style diary The Style Guy
Mary Hair still has to be styled
 Posted 10/17/08
Someone asked me the other day if I thought that the economy was going to affect my business as a hairdresser. The answer I gave sparked an interesting conversation between several of us at work. Yes, a poor economy will have definite affects on all business, but in my line of work the near-recession we are in won't be too detrimental. People are always going to have to have their hair done. There aren't many people who are all right with walking around this world looking bad. And I don't fear the do-it-yourself-at homers because at home hair color often turns out a mess and I have to fix it. No, where this financial crunch will have an effect in the hair biz is going to be in the styles we choose for ourselves. Historically, in times of economic booms, when we're all living the high life, hair styles begin to become more wild, edgy, and adventurous. When we are feeling great, with little worries, our personal style reflects that freedom. But with hard times come safe looks. I expect the next few months of hair trends to take a turn towards the tried and true, the familiar. We will see people return to looks they had from before that were comfortable, familiar, and subdued. We will see the easy, breezy bob-cut take center stage. We will see less highlighting and more low-lighting. People are going to want something simple that they can manage with little thought, product, or concern. Getting ready in the morning is going to return to simple tasks that that can completed quickly. At least that aspect of people's lives will require little thought or anxiety.

We get it
already OK?
 Posted 8/7/08
I recently attended a hair styling class where this one male hairdresser worked the topic of his girlfriend into every conceivable conversation. It was so frequent that soon everyone in the class was rolling their eyes when he spoke. I found myself wanting to scream, “We get it, you aren’t gay. You are a straight hairdresser, shut up already!”

Why is it that some male hairdressers have to assert at every opportunity that they are not gay just because they do hair. It’s so crazy that men are still so worried about this, I can name a dozen straight male hairdressers in just Birmingham alone right now. Its not really all that uncommon anymore. Of course that leads to a whole other stereotype out there, and that is that gay men are the best hairdressers.

I know many superb hairdressers and some are gay men, some are straight women, some are straight men, and some are gay women. Sexuality does not automatically imply hairdressing brilliance. But to this day, many women prefer a gay man as their hairdresser. But I’m not convinced it is because they truly believe the gays are more talented. I think it depends on what the woman is really looking for. For example, a woman may not need just a hairdresser, but a confidant and a sort of therapist to chat with while she has her hair done. A straight man is too much like talking to her husband, and a straight woman is too much like her already existing girlfriends, so she seeks out a gay man because she doesn’t already have one of those. Likewise, some women prefer a female stylist because they feel like a woman will understand them more. And many younger women want a straight male stylist because they are able to flirt and be flirted back with and can trust that he is turning them into a straight man’s fantasy. Its important to have a stylist that you “click” with, but priority one is to choose a stylist that does good work, regardless of their sex, race, age, or blood type.

Who cares about the Joneses?
Posted 7/10/08
I know so many people who struggle too much trying to keep up with The Joneses. Personally I think the Jones family has caused enough trouble. I say let them live their lives and we’ll live ours. But I have to admit even I struggle with that very same thing. It seems like just when I am happy with my home, happy with my car, and happy with the way I look, someone fabulous looking drives by in a nicer car on their way to a nicer house. I work so hard everyday to try and earn a good life for myself but it always seems like I am just falling short of where I want to be. But then it hit me one day. My best friend was complaining to me about someone he knows who has everything, and I realized something. Here is my friend who has a better house than I do, can afford trips to any place he wants, he has not just one-but three nice cars, and even he feels inferior to someone else that he knows. So why am I wasting so much time feeling bad about myself and my accomplishments? I have been blessed with much more than I ever thought possible. So now I don’t worry about how the Joneses live. I spend my time with the Smith’s. They are dirt broke and I feel wonderful about myself when I’m with them.

E-Mail the Style Guy! Make time to
look your best
Posted 5/30/08
My question is why? I don’t think there are really too many people out there that don’t actually have 10 minutes to spare each day. Let your husband run the kids to school, you can pick them up. Make your kids empty the dishwasher or unload the groceries. Skip that morning forward of the stupid joke or the funny picture of the a dog roller skating when you check email. There are all kinds of places in the day to gain a few extra minutes. Remember if you don’t have time to take interest in what you look like, then your spouse probably doesn’t either. And isn’t that the last thing any woman wants?

Almost pretty 
isn't enough
 Posted 5/20/08
It irks me when I see a potentially beautiful woman who says that she doesn’t have time to worry about how she looks. Every morning she just pulls her hair back into a ponytail or clip and goes off into her day. Being a hair stylist I guess this bothers me more than others, but not because of lost business, but because I hate to see anyone that is “almost” pretty. The women always say that there isn’t enough time. They have to get the kids to school, or get themselves to work, or they have too many errands to run, or they have to tend to something around the house. And at the end of the day they still look like they just got out of bed.

Take care in where
you put that tatoo
Posted 5/07/08
I am worried about the tattoo craze. So many younger people are getting them. I don’t want to sound prejudiced or behind the times, because I am so in front of the times it’s scary. But I don’t think people are realizing that this skin they are covering with art is going to sag one day, not too far off. These decorative upper back tatoos are going to be a jumbled mess in 10 years and don’t even get me started on the people who put them on their lower back. That is not going to be pretty in time.

So encourage people to think about their tattoo placement if they insit on having one. If you want a tattoo, be very careful where you put it. You’ll want to be able to blend into all parts of society, not just the hip tattoo crowd. And don’t ever tattoo your hands or knuckles. You can’t hide that anywhere. Remember today’s fun idea can easily turn into tomorrow’s permanent mistake. So think long and hard before deciding to get one and then think even harder about where to place it.

Pair sandals
with sexy feet
Posted 5/01/08
Somebody please tell people that stylish summer sandals should only be worn by people with pretty feet! OK, maybe it’s my job to tell them. So I will. Just because the days are warmer does not mean you have an open invitation to bare your feet if they are not attractive sites to behold. No one wants to see callouses, red marks, and funky toenails. People need to remember to treat their feet as they would their face or hands or anything else that is exposed. If you plan on showing it, then groom it. Have a pedicure, scrape off the ugly parts and condition the skin. Beautify your feet if you plan to stick them in other people’s faces.

You don't have to
look your age
 Posted 4/22/08
I don’t understand women who want to let their hair just go natural. It’s a personal choice I suppose, but I don’t understand why someone would make it. If you look around in ads or on television everyone is trying to look their best. Not necessarily younger, just cleaner, fresher and vibrant. Your look says a lot about your energy and personality. Even if your older, everyone wants a hip grandma.

I have two relatives, both the same age. Both look like older women. But one gives the impression that she is exciting, active and full of life. The other is just there. She gets little attention and few compliments. I think you can guess which one takes pride in her appearance and which doesn’t.

There’s nothing wrong with acting your age but nobody ever said you had to look it. When I am 80 years old I still plan to look as close to what I look like today because when I see my reflection in the mirror I don’t want to wonder “Where did I go?” I’d rather be able to say, “Oh there you are. You still look good!”

Revamped website offers
more opportunities to talk style
Posted 4/7/08
Hello readers! Welcome to my new Style Guy Beauty Diary on Birmingham Magazine's website. The magazine has asked me to contribute here as often as I like about all things hair and beauty. The website is being completely revamped into a more interactive and up to the minute resource for all of the latest news and views of Birmingham.

With this new forum I'll be able to give you even more of the latest style and beauty news that you've come to expect from me, as well as my musings on daily life in the salon and beyond, all peppered with my usual dose of humor and straight talk. I'll also have the opportunity to answer your hair and beauty questions alot faster and respond to your feedback quicker than I've been able to do in my monthly Style Guy column.

There will always be something new to see or read so check back often and keep your questions, suggestions and comments coming, I love to hear from you!

Why lift a face?
Posted 4/8/08
It's far easier to change your hairstyle than it is to get a face lift. What’s the point of a face lift anyway? To look refreshed and more youthful…hair can do that. I am always amazed at how many women are perfectly comfortable getting some cosmetic enhancements to their skin and face but are still reluctant to change their hair because somebody might think they’re trying to be something they're not.
Get a whole new hair style that’s vastly different from what people are used to you wearing. Color your hair a new shade no one would expect of you. Be free and independent and take control of your appearance through your hair. It can make the years melt off if your existing style is dated.

Then get your face done, because no one ever said you didn’t need that too.
November Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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