Style Bulletin
"Only Her Hairdresser Knows for Sure"
February 2012   
OLDER WOMEN,
LONGER HAIR.
YOUR THOUGHTS?



Oh - who doesn't love having their beautiful long hair blowing in the breeze?!  Well, for me anyway, it's a distant memory since I've opted for my oh-so-short hairdo for a number of years now, but that doesn't mean I still don't think about it from time to time.

There is always a lot of healthy discussion surrounding "older" women and the advisability of keeping their hair long. Check out The Stylist, and the accompanying photos, on older women wearing longer hair styles.  I personally think that the definition of "older" in their choice of the women modeling the longer styles is pretty wide-ranging.  That being said, however, it's clear that a longer hairstyle is more flattering to some faces than others.  I think it's truly an individual choice, based on face shape, condition of the hair itself, and personal preference.  What do you think?


 
Save the Date!

 

My fellow colleague, Elena Daciuk, operates an on-line consignment boutique and is having her first "local opening" in San Mateo.  Please see the details below and mark your calendars for some "fabulous finds"!

 

fabulous finds  

"online" consignment boutique

 

 

"new with tags"  

gently used clothing, shoes & accessories

 

sizes 0 to 28

 

Thursday, February 23  

thru Sunday, February 26

 

check out the fabulous finds consignment boutique link

and see all the fabulous items!

 

(Items will be reduced from their listed price at this special sale.)

 

To find out the specifics (such as location, times), please email Elena. 

 

 

A RED-CARPET
NIGHT TO REMEMBER


I took a photo of this piece of artwork in an airport with my phone, so I apologize for the poor quality. But I just loved the sentiment.  Here's an enlarged version:


Certainly one of those nights that is a LOT about the dress is the evening of the Oscars - this year it's February 26.  I'll be tuned in and I'm sure many of you will be also. I do love to find out who wins the awards, but, yes, it's oh so much fun to catch the red-carpet-show beforehand too. Enjoy!

No...I Didn't Change Professions!
I'm still an image consultant, not a hair stylist. Since our hair, however, is a key component to our image, I thought I'd share some thoughts with you about hair that I recently learned at the recent Education Conference of our local image consultants organization (Association of Image Consultants International-San Francisco Bay Area.)  Two local professional hair experts gave us a morning of their time to help educate us on how we can help our clients interact more effectively with their stylists and thus, be more satisfied with their hair.  I hope you find their insights as helpful as I did. Have a great hair day!
 
"ONLY HER HAIRDRESSER
KNOWS FOR SURE."



When this slogan was first introduced by Clairol in the 50's, it spoke to the intimate relationship a woman had with her hairdresser.  Even though women were finally able to color their own hair for the first time, the relationship between a woman and her "hairdresser" (now stylist) remains to this day one of the most personal in a woman's life.  However the question now is "Does your current hairdresser know "for sure" about you and your needs when it comes to your hair?

We Lie.

 

It's true - we lie to our stylist.  We lie when we don't tell her about the true problems we are having with our current cut or color. We lie when we aren't honest about the amount of effort we are willing to make in order to have that certain "look" that we want with our hairstyle.

  

In order for our stylist to give us the best service and for us to feel like we are spending our "maintenance dollars" in the best possible way, we must own up to our own lack of honesty and/or if our stylist isn't asking the right questions of us, we must take the initiative and introduce the subject(s) that are troubling us.  With that in mind, here are a few tips and teasers to get you thinking about what you might want to discuss with your stylist at your next appointment.  

 

Can We Talk?

  

1.  Does she ask about your hair?  "How is this cut working for you?"  "Tell me what's going on with your hair since you were in last."

2.  Do you have a thorough discussion with her about what's required in order to achieve the look you think you want? Are you willing to use the proper products and take the time necessary for the style, or is it too much of a bother? She should be willing to honestly discuss whether a style is appropriate for your face shape and lifestyle, as well as whether the color you want is actually achievable and, as important, appropriate for your coloring.

 

I recently had a minor revelation on this point - I realized that I hadn't been taking the appropriate time to condition my hair between appointments, nor had I been using the proper styling products.  With my very short hair, I had fallen into a rut of finger-styling and running out the door.  When I started weekly home conditioning, and using styling products on a regular basis, my hairstyle began to look a lot more put together.  But before I started my new regimen, I first had to examine these questions about my motivation and commitment.

 

3.  Does your stylist deep condition your hair (not just the quick condition when they are washing your hair?) This is especially important if you are doing any kind of processing on your hair, whether it is color, bleach, permanent or straightening.

 

4.  Does your stylist allow enough time for the overall treatment of your hair - including color, conditioning and cut? Sometimes it's easy to feel like we're being rushed through the salon, and some things (like color, for instance) just can't be hurried. Likewise, have YOU allowed enough time in your schedule so you're not pressuring the stylist to hurry through the process?  (Sometimes, we're our own worst enemy with our over-booked calendars, yes?!)

 

5.  Are you doing your part?  Just like with our skin, our hair (and nails) reflect our diet.   Don't forget your vitamins too - besides your multivitamin, both biotin and primrose oil can be a big boost to your hair and nails.  Are you using the proper equipment (like a boar bristle brush?) Are you deep conditioning once a week - putting a shower cap on and heating it up with your dryer for 10 minutes or so, so the conditioner can penetrate?  Maybe your stylist has given you other guidelines to help maintain the condition and style of your hair - are you following them?

 

6.  Are you willing to adapt your style and color as you age? Just as we have to modify our color palettes for our clothing somewhat as we age, the same is true for our hair and make-up.  The style and color we've always worn just may not be appropriate for us twenty years later. Are you open to discussing this with your stylist so that she can use her talents to make suggestions?


Breaking Up Is Hard to Do...

 

Lastly, if you're not satisfied with your current stylist, maybe you should try someone new.  It's difficult for us women to even think about "cheating" on our stylist, but it's also important that we feel we're getting the very best care and advice possible.  Don't forget our part in this: we have to be honest with our stylist about our needs and limitations, what we are and are not willing to do, what we are and are not willing to pay. When the communication and cooperation is a two-way street, truly your stylist can know you "for sure" and you'll be all the happier for it.

 

 

 

Learn from the experts:  

 

My Style My Way coverMy Style My Way covers many areas of interest: dressing for your shape, enhancing your image with color, make-up and hairstyles, and many more subjects, including my chapter on 'The Savvy Traveler'.

 

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"Hair style is the final tip-off
whether or not a woman really knows herself."   
~Hubert de Givenchy, Vogue, July 1985


If this is true, then a great many of us struggle with a true "knowing" of ourselves.  Hair is an integral part of our image and self-perception, even more so than the clothing we put on our body, because for one thing, we were born with it.  Long after we have moved onward from clothing styles we wore many years ago, many of us still cling to a hairstyle that we feel best suits our self-image - how we "see" ourselves. The question is, "Is our 'seeing' of ourselves a true reflection of who we are NOW?"  As with other areas in our lives, sometimes we need a little help in figuring that out.  I hope you have a great, honest relationship with your stylist so that he or she can help you 'see' yourself at your best NOW - whatever age that may be.

All my best to all of you!

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Adena DiTonno
415-729-1008 (cell)
[email protected]

  Board Member


Member Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce 

"Elegance isn't about being noticed,
it's about being remembered."
Giorgio Armani