HairBoutique Blog

One of the best experiences of my life, was attending a Paul Mitchell The School located here in Texas.

At the school I attended along with all of the Paul Mitchell The Schools, the students are referred to as “future professionals” which is a welcome title to carry.

(Image of Paul Mitchell the school in Cosa Mesa, California - Paul Mitchell - All Rights Reserved - 2009).

Paul Mitchell schools don’t just focus on teaching students about hair.  Many of the schools also offer courses for aesthetic students which my school did.

Note: If you wish to consider attending Paul Mitchell the school visit this link to find a school that works for you. (more…)

Recently I received an email about an article I had written about long hair informing me the author was obviously “clueless” about the topic.

Maybe I’m indeed clueless about long hair, but after having long hair (6″ below my waist and holding strong) since 1988 I think I have some insider’s knowledge of the topic.

Not to mention my experiences going to cosmetology school and writing over 3,000 articles about hair topics (consumer and professional) over the past 10+ years.

(Credits: Hair: Sunnie Brook Jones, Photographer: Sean Armenta, Makeup: Jennifer Thorington, Creative Consultants: Lucie Doughty - Paul Mitchell - All Rights Reserved).

It should be noted the writer of the “you’re clueless about long hair” email was promoting their own hair website and letting me know I should be using their work instead of my own articles.  OK.  Well a little strange way to make a new friend, but whatever.

At any rate, the number one email I am receiving right now is about a wide range of home hair coloring disasters.  It is very frustrating to me because it’s impossible to really help someone with a hair color disaster via email, or even over the phone. (more…)

Everyone wants to get the very best haircut possible.  Are there tricks which can guarantee you a great haircut?

Yes, consider the following great haircut commandments listed below:

1. Avoid Getting Your Hair Cut On A Whim
Avoid getting your hair cut on a whim or because of an emotional trauma like a break-up or losing your job.

If you want to guarantee a disastrous haircut go to a new hair cutter at a new salon right after ending a relationship, a friendship, a job or any other emotionally upsetting experience.

2.  Do Your Research
If you are going to a new salon or stylist, do lots of advance research on their reputation.

Find several clear examples of haircuts you want to have created for your hair.  Make sure the images show the front, the back and the side.   Take some time before your appointment to look at a variety of hair sites on the web to get haircut and hairstyle ideas.  (more…)

Over the many years since I first started HairBoutique.com I have received a series of emails and phone calls from hair consumers who have received unfortunate hair cuts, color, chemical applications and hairstyles at the hands of a hair professional.

Although they are usually upset, some want to understand why the hairdressers made the mistake in the first place.  Was it intentional?  Was it due to lack of skill and/or knowledge?  Or was there some other reason a visit to the hairdresser went so terribly wrong?

The answer to why do hairdressers make mistakes is that there is no one answer to the question.  Some of the possible reasons include:

1.  Your hairdresser is human.

All humans make mistakes.  Even those that try the hardest not to fall prey to this human condition. (more…)

Even though I had been working in the field of hair and beauty for many years before I decided to formally attend cosmetology school, I was ill prepared for the challenges which lay ahead.

The actions I could have undertaken before and during my training, which would have assisted me in being a better student and cosmetologist, were relatively simple.

Unfortunately, I just didn’t think about those options until I was in the thick of taking classes and working hard to get my education.

Hit The Rewind Button

If I could “do it all over again” and hit rewind to Day One of Beauty School what would I do differently?

Listed below are my own tips and secrets on how to ensure a fabulous cosmetology college experience. (more…)