To Bring Or Not To Bring Pictures To The Salon...

  ...That is the question.  Should you bring pictures of examples of haircuts, color, bangs, special occasion hairstyles, or for any other hair design you can think of?  Yes, absolutely!  A lot of people bring photos when getting their hair done, but surprisingly in my more than 16 years of experience I’ve had many people not bring any pictures, or worse, tell me that another hairdresser told them they shouldn’t bring a picture to hairstylists because it won't help.  I disagree.  Unless you plan on giving free reign to your stylist, to do whatever he/she wants, you should bring in pictures

I encourage all my clients to bring a picture or several pictures, especially with first-time appointments or for current clients interested in changing their style to something different.  Why? Well, let me start by saying everyone has a different view on color, styles, or even what bangs mean to them.  So, for example, if someone comes in and sits in my chair and has dark brown hair but wants light caramel blonde hair, I need to know what their idea of "light caramel blonde" is.  Think of what your idea of caramel blonde is - do you think of gold or a wheat color?  My idea of caramel blonde is more like a warm coffee with lots of cream; or giant glass of bubbly champagne.  Or, how about dark brown?  For some, they may view dark brown as almost black! I think of a rich, warm, dark chocolate.  But this particular client may actually want the color of fall acorns laying on the ground or the color of hot tea - to them that is dark brown.  Finally, let's talk special occasion hairstyles.  If someone sits in my chair and says i want it full and voluminous, I may immediately think of something like Adele’s hair style, while they may just want it a" little loose."  The same goes for haircuts and other things too.  You can see how the list of examples could be endless!

The point is, as they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and I agree!  I want you to walk out happy, so bring a picture, heck bring ten, sometimes we have to create that perfect style from several different pictures: “take bangs from here ... the angle from here...the color from here ...oooh and yes i love those layers………….."

What a Brazilian Blowout Is and Why You Should Get One

What is a Brazilian Blowout?

A Brazilian Blowout is a professional smoothing treatment that can be customized to suit your style and needs.  Many people believe the Brazilian Blowout is for people who want straight hair.  This is not necessarily true.  If you want to keep some curl in your hair you can or if you want volume, a Brazilian Blowout can do that too.  A Brazilian Blowout is designed to smooth your hair to eliminate frizz.  

Brazilian Blowout is a breakthrough bonding technology that offers customizable smoothing treatments that actually improve the condition of your hair by creating a protective layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle.  The result leaves your hair smooth and frizz free with a radiant shine!

Why Should I Get a Brazilian Blowout?

There are many reasons to consider the Brazilian Blowout treatment:

• It's Customizable – keep curls and lose frizz or achieve a straight and sleek result;
• There Is No Down Time – you can wash hair your hair, exercise, put your hair in a stylish pony tail or clip as soon as you leave salon.
• Brazilian Blowouts Are Great for All Hair Types – it doesn't matter if your hair is curly, kinky, coily, frizzy, fine, or coarse, the treatment works for everyone.
• There Is No Change to Your Curl Pattern – after about 12 weeks, your natural curl pattern will return.
• There Is No Line of Demarcation with New Hair Growth – it is great for transitioning from Japanese straighteners or other keratin treatments.
• The Treatment Is Finished at the Salon – after about 90 minutes, you will leave the salon with smooth, frizz-free hair for up to 12 weeks.

I have years of experience providing Brazilian Blowout treatments to clients.  At Perfect Style Studio, I offer Brazilian Blowout treatments at an affordable cost.  Our prices start at $175 and can go up depending on hair length and type of hair.  Compare this with prices starting at $200-250 at other salons.  

Call me at 440-339-4899 or go to my reservations page to book an appointment or to schedule your free consultation!

Why You Should Buy Hair Products from a Salon and Not a Drugstore

I know, I know, you are probably thinking that I am just trying to convince you to only buy products from me.  It’s true, I do make money from the sale of these products.  But that is not my main motivation suggesting you buy products straight from me or other salons.  I've tried the “name brand drugstore products” firsthand, and they're just not the same as their salon counterparts, they smell different, or they’re a different consistency.  Plus, they don’t tend to work as well or last as long as the name brand products you find in a salon.

Companies like Redken, Pureology, and Coppola Keratin Complex only sell their products to salons.  So how do these products end up on drugstore shelves?  This is called the"gray market" for salon products.  Bootleggers will buy professional salon products from a legitimate distributor, then will wait for the bar codes to expire, so the products can’t be tracked.   The big chains, including places that seem like they'd be legitimate, sell bootleg salon beauty products that they're not authorized to carry.  If you like the cheaper brands and those work for you that’s great, but they will probably be of an inferior quality.  Waiting for such a long time for the bar code to expire can cause the product inside to expire as well.

The reason people usually buy these products at drugstores is because they believe they are getting a great deal.  Oftentimes drugstores will mark up the products just so they can offer “deep discounts.”  Unfortunately, this is usually just an illusion.  The products end up being only slightly less (and shockingly, sometimes even slightly more) than I sell them for at my salon.  Plus, as I mentioned above, you are likely getting an inferior, expired product that may not even be what the product says it is.  So, you’re not getting a great deal after all, you’re getting ripped off!

There have been times when I’ve gone to use a product on someone's hair and they say “oh yeah I’ve tried that and didn't like it” but it was an expired drug store one.  Sometimes I am able to convince them to let me try my product on them and they usually are astounded at the difference between the product I use and the product they bought at the drugstore even though it is supposed to be the “same” product. 

Many people complain about various hair issues - it’s too frizzy, I can’t curl it, I can’t straighten it, etc.  A lot of times these hair issues can be solved with a styling product or better shampoo and conditioner.  At a drugstore if you ask the cashier or person stocking the shelves, they are going to have no idea what product is best for your hair and you may end up spending more money trying to figure out what product is best for you.  At my salon, I have the experience and expertise to help you choose the product that is right for you.  I have taken years of courses to stay apprised of the latest trends and new products.  Next time you come into my salon, let me know about any issues you are having with your hair and I will recommend the product that is best for you and you can be assured it is the real deal!

Beauty Box Suites Holiday Open House

Please Join Us for the Official

BeautyBox Suites Grand Opening/

Holiday Open House!

Raffles, giveaways, promos, cocktails and appetizers.

***I will be passing out coupons for free haircuts with the purchase of any color or nail service at Perfect Style Studio (Suite 4 at Beauty Box Suites).  Just ask for Alena!

Saturday, November 14 from 6pm – 9pm

BeautyBox Suites, 9443 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio

 First 20 people in the door will receive a special gift.

 We will also have reps from the following…

Young Living

Rodan + Fields

Thirty-One

Younique

Stella & Dot

 Come Support all of our new businesses and have a little fun too!

Grand Opening Discount - 20% Off Your First Visit

The grand opening of Perfect Style Studio is finally here!  As a special incentive for my clients - new and old - I am offering 20% off discount for your first visit.  Although this discount only applies to your first visit, I will be regularly offering discounts for loyal customers and referrals.  I will also be offering monthly discounts and sales in addition to my already affordable prices.  You can click here to check out my current promotions.

For those of you who are new, let me introduce myself.  My name is Alena Albin and I have been a hairstylist and nail technician for 20 years.  The name of the salon may be new, but I bring years of hair cutting, coloring, and styling experience to Perfect Style.  So why did I decide to start my own salon?  I wanted to be able to offer my clients more personal attention and care including by providing lower prices, greater flexibility with my schedule, and regular incentives.  

Perfect Style Studio offers a full line of services including haircuts and hair coloring for men, women, and children, hair styling, manicures, resort-style pedicures, and facial waxing.  I also provide elegant hairstyles for weddings and other special occasions including homecomings and proms.  Even though I am the only hairstylist at Perfect Style, I work with several other women who also have years of experience with updo hairstyles so that I can expand my operation for full bridal parties.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to take advantage of the 20% off discount, please call me at 440-339-4899 or click here to make an appointment.  If you aren't sure about the services or styles that I can provide or have any questions, please call or come in for a free consultation.  (Don't worry, it won't count as your first visit for the 20% off promotion!)  I hope to see you soon!