Tag: summer

Featured

Quarantine Queen

May 29th, 2020 2:16 pm…

It is Friday. Normally, I would finishing lunch and headed towards the home stretch of my 10 hour shift at the salon. This is not a normal Friday. Even though, this has been the 11th Friday like this one, I cannot get used to not being there. No, this Friday I sit on the beach and regroup, reinvent, and reflect.

Ohio Beach Long Beach, Ny

I have always been a hard worker and nothing can change that. I have been working hard for more then half my life. I have had the fortunate experience to never be out of work and always have purpose. I have gotten any position I have ever interviewed for. I worked until 3 days before my son was born(10 days past his due date) and returned 6 weeks later. I broke my foot and never took a day off. Took a week when both my father and fiancé passed away. I’ve worked with stitches in my hand, a dislocated shoulder and retuned to work 4 weeks after having broken my elbow. All separate injuries.

On March 21st, we were told all salons in New York would be closed indefinitely. Indefinitely. That word stuck in my head. Such disregard for a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry which employed thousands of professionals. Professionals who work one on one with individuals everyday. They make me feel as good as I make them feel. Each client smiling as they finish leaves a lasting impression on me. Each service I deliver, every heart I touch, never again taken for granted.

My work is a career, a passion, the thing that makes me strive to be better everyday, the only way I know how to live. I went to beauty in 1997 thinking it would be my plan B. I have never looked back. I have been at my current position for over 11 years now. My coworkers have become family. I have spent thousands of dollars on education and tools, and countless hours training to be the professional I am today. Then I was told I couldn’t practice anymore. Devastating.

No one needed to tell me to keep going, I did because that’s all I know. I work hard. While, I have slowed down, I’m still doing what I love. I’m educating myself and others. I’ve set goals and made lists. I plan on coming back stronger than before. Not just professionally, but personally as well. The most important thing I’ve learned was about myself. I have read books, completed countless puzzles, watched way too much tv, baked, cooked every meal, crocheted 3 blankets, made masks and ear savers which were donated, I spent hours with my son, hours on end with my dog, and I’ve explored new places.

I have been truly humbled and am more grateful now than I ever have been. I have searched deep within my soul and learned I love people. I love human interaction. I love what I have chosen to do with my life. I love my home, my son, and my family. I miss my work, I miss my family, I miss human interaction on a daily basis. I miss hugs, and laughing with the people I love. I miss my life the way it was.

I look forward to a different future. I look forward to living life the way it was meant to be lived, as an experience. I have had adversity, strife and devastation before this and will have it after this. Some things are not within our control, but there is so much that is. We choose how we live, I look for the good even in the bad. If you’re not happy with your life you’re doing it wrong.

Back to school, back to you

I’ve realized over the last few years, that when all those kiddies get their summer break from school, most of us check out for the summer season as well. Whether its being in a more relaxed mode or your job actually warrants you a summer break, when the weather gets warmer, we all seem to change our behavior. This is especially true for how we treat our hair. I personally like to keep my guests a schedule and alway encourage them to prebook their next appointment in order to keep up with the maintenance required for keeping their style looking fresh, (I’ll talk about this during a later post). Somehow it seems this goes out the window for June July and August, I am guilty of this myself. Living in New York and being very close to the beach means long days in the sun, swimming in the salty water and maybe even a dip or two in the pool. I don’t get my hair colored or cut as often as I should, I sometimes skip my UV spray, and I definitely almost never wear a hat to the beach. I am a beach babe to the core and so are tons of people in my area, including a lot of my guests. While There are plenty things we can do to help keep your hair gorgeous during these months, here it is September already and my hair is faded, dry and ready for new everything. This is a great time of year to make a seasonal change, but at the very least, our summer hair behavior needs to change. Hair needs cleansing and moisture, richer colors, and fresh cut ends. At my salon we offer a “cleans the canvas” service which includes a clarifying treatment following by a deep conditioning treatment to bring hair back to life. I’m currently obsessed with Oribe’s new Gold Lust Pre-shampoo treatment. I put it on before my shower every week or so and am left with beautifully shiny and visibly healthier hair. Typically, a lot of my guests wear their hair natural over the summer and use certain products to achieve that look. However, Now back at work and in a more professional atmosphere they are heat styling their hair more, which requires a different set of products. So while I do encourage everybody be to keep on your schedule even during the summer months, I totally get those who don’t. Just remember to head over to your favorite stylist and get your hair back in check and maybe even make a seasonal change as well. As those kids go back to school, get back to the salon and back to you.