What Hair Stylists Compete On

One thing's for sure. Stylists are COMPETITIVE. They all want the most clients, (happy ones of course) the best 'dos, the most ingenious ideas and style, the latest in trends and experience, education - and the coolest tools. Or - if we're talking about REALITY - the HOTTEST TOOLS.

I was getting my healthier tri-colored hair updated a few days ago, and was listening to the stylist chat about tools.

It seems, that the HOTTER the BETTER on the hairdryer, and these gals & guys will burn a hole right through your blue jeans to prove who's dryer blows the hottest! What's even crazier, is that I about burned my fingers off testing it. (I know, don't stick your hand in the piranha tank if you don't want to get bit, right?)

Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating. Seriously, there were no flamin' dryers. But I learned a lot!

You really need be a professional to go for these ultra-hot styling tools. Sure, curling irons get hot, so do flat irons, etc - but these professional dryers do get REALLY hot. Hotter than I ever thought! You could absolutely cook your chicken dinner with some of these hair dryers.

That said, always pick a hair dryer you know you can handle. And, talk to your stylist about how and where to hold it, what settings to use, and how much to dry at a time for maximum control and results.

I was learning how to dry my hair properly, and noticed 'smoke' coming off of it. Kishia & Simi both promised me that it was the product - and not my hair. Thank goodness! It scared me enough to know TWO THINGS.

1/ I definitely wouldn't want a really hot dryer at home. I'll leave the really hot ones to the pro's at Frinj Salon & Spa.
2/ I definitely have more to learn about blow-drying.

Who knew it was such an art? Seriously! Like many things in life, there's a trick to it!

There are great personal dryers out there that will get the job done! Those are the ones for me.

A Conversation With The Bumble Queen

I can't believe I photoshopped a foot, but I had to. This was WAY too profound not to, in all honesty.

I was doing my thing at the salon one day, and Jordan, one of the stylists - was standing by when I was mentioning my current relationship my hair, and how it's really mad at me right now.

Of course - my hair is liking me a bit better, because I've been treating it with Difiaba products - and it's doing great. But it needed an extra bit of love, (like a hair masque) and I needed some new hairspray. So I figured, "I'll let this gal tell me a little about Bumble and bumble - she seems to think she knows a thing or two about it..." - and we were off.

I begin this post telling you - that I've never - in my years on the planet as a basic human, seen the product knowledge that these peeps at Frinj have. It's unbeliveable. And Jordan - well, she takes it to a new level. Let me tell you what I mean.

I was shopping for, primarily - a new hairspray. Right now, with things as they are with my hair, it's the only control I really have. Jordan told me I needed "Bumble and bumble Classic" Hairspray. The conversation follows.

Jordan: You need Bumble and bumble Classic Hairspray. It's the best out there.

Kari: Really? How so?

Jordan: It's so good I got it tatooed on my foot.

Kari: No you didn't!

Jordan: I did.

Kari: Let me see it!

{ and so a foot was whipped out, and behold - a tattoo right there, smack on the painful part of the foot - a Bumble and bumble Classic hairspray can. I grabbed one off the shelf to compare. }

Kari: OMG! You did! And it looks like the can!

Jordan: It's the best. Or I wouldn't have gotten the tat.

So that's about it. I was an owner.

And I have to say - it's the best hairspray I've ever tried. I go back to the pink-can-Aqua-net days - (that held in a monsoon) and I've done the whole "AUSSIE" thing - this stuff blows it all out of the water. It's not sticky AT ALL, and totally holds my stuff in place. What's best - and I may be making things up here, as I tend to do that - is it SEEMS to me that it makes my hair a little thicker? I dunno. It just works for me.

You can buy this great stuff from Bumble and bumble online, or in our store - of course. We're a Bumble and bumble treatment salon.

But the most important thing I learned, is not to MESS WITH THE EMPLOYEES OF FRINJ. When they say it, they mean it and they KNOW it. Whatever type of 'beauty dilemnma' you might have - they have answers for - and they know their products.

Kudos to the staff at Frinj - they know their stuff. :)

A Woman And Her Hair - A Love Story

I've always loved my hair. And it's loved me. We've shared long times together, and the short. We've been through chemicals, and bad hair days. We've always pulled through.

But lately, I've been a little stressed, and I got the 'mid-life I'm a little frumpy so let's do something funky with my hair' bug, and so it came to pass, that I now have tri-colored hair. There's my natural brown, plus shades of dark red, darker brown, and the festive 'I think it makes me look younger' blonde streaks.

The stresses of everyday life, the economy (Yes!! I blame it!!) and my personal choice to funkify my hair beyond belief, made my hair (as Jenn B at Frinj says...) "Mad" at me. It's begun falling out, and not minding when I tell the bangs to swoop. My hair has been very disobedient, and simply has not reacted with the love I'm used to. And so, I needed to apologize.


So, I bought Difiaba Hydressense Shampoo & Conditioner. (yes, this link is to our website, as a plug, where you may purchase this lovely product to try this for yourself if you find yourself in a similar boat as I...) and I must admit - my hair is beginning to share the love, and after only 2 uses - it's feeling so much better - honestly.

Difiaba is an high-end product, made in Italy - and very exclusive. With an array of product to choose from - you can't go wrong with Difiaba, and it smells DIVINE.

One note of caution: Difiaba is SO exclusive - they know only really smart people buy their product. So, on the tubes (like the one pictured left) - there is some sort of 'secret opening protection' that required my calling in military support to remove. I was wounded in the battle trying to open it, so I am offering you pre-support here, letting you know that you will want to REMOVE the little clear THINGY on the front of the 'snap' before attempting to open, or a piece of your finger might go with it.

Beyond the small issue trying to get the dang thing open - my hair loves this stuff, and yours will too. Happy Hair Repair!

I've Been To Bootcamp

I've been to boot camp, and broken of my poor blow dry habits.

I've learned what "Power Drying" is, and why we do it. I've learned how to make my bangs mind (because bangs are so seriously mischievous...). I've learned that simple mistakes can easy fixes can put a stop to bad hair days. I've learned about great product, and not-so-great product. Basically - I've been broken of bad hair drying habits.

Now, I practice at home - in the effort
to get great salon style. Round brush in one hand, hairdryer in the other. It's not going to be easy, but Kishia, my hair drying commander ensured me that with proper practice - I'll get it right. And you know what? I've had great results.

Learn more about Blow Dry Boot Camp and be WHIP UP on that hair!

The Eyebrow Saga - Part I

Hello there friends in fashion, here's a little post to tell you about my over-plucked eyebrow problem, where we stand now, and what I've learned.

Of course, two full years before I found myself in my over-plucked state, Jennifer Aniston was in the top 4 of "Best Eyebrows" for their natural look according to USA Today - funny...I didn't make that list.

In fear of getting a unibrow, (this unibrow eyebrow article says Unibrows are NEVER ok... but offers the do's and don'ts of having a unibrow...) I began plucking around 25. That seems like too long to wait, doesn't it? Yes, but I began to 'feminize my face' around this time, because a really snazzy co-worker mentioned to me, "Man, you need to pluck those things so you'll look like a girl."

So, I began 'clearing out' those brows, occasionally getting a wax. I never liked doing wax, as it always resulted in LESS brows than I had before (I'm talkin' about overall shape here) and lots of little bumps and irritation. Nonetheless, I did 'what everyone else was doing' - that was, keeping up with my friends who had 'socially acceptable eyebrows'.

So, over the past decade or so - my eyebrows have dwindled a bit - but they're still fairly full. I went in to see Ashley, at the Salon. She was so sweet, she didn't laugh at me, she just took care of my strays, gently waxed the fuzz from my face surrounding the eyebrows, and then - she dropped the bomb: "I'm not sure your eyebrows will grow back in the middle, there...."

I was momentarily devastated, thinking HOW could I have let myself overpluck? How did I get here? How could I have let this happen?

Without a doubt... I had a vision of my mother and grandmother, with their mouths hanging open and tongues sticking out, while an inch away from a mirror with the little brown eyebrow pencil DRAWING their eyebrows in.

She told me that I could use makeup (I chose a brush, and a dark Bare Escentuals mineral make up eye shadow that we carry in our boutique) to gently 'brush in' some color where my hair should be. And you know what? It's not so bad. It just feels weird.

Plus, if you get all 'stressed out' and put your head in your hand, or wipe the sweat you've been accumilating off your brow, rub your eyes or your forehead - you'll smear brown or black stuff all over your forehead and someone will tell you that "you've got a little toner on your forehead, to be more careful with the copy machine next time..."

So - Right now, I'm going to let them TRY to grow back. Ashley's not sure that they will, but hope remains.

Tune in later for more on this saga....

The All New Frinj Salon & Spa

The all-new Frinj Salon & Spa welcomes you to experience a new kind of salon and spa, one designed to be trendy, innovative and fresh! While we cater to a younger crowd, everyone is welcome and will be thrilled with our young atmosphere.

Our team is vibrant and experienced with all things beauty; and are ready to take care of you in a personal and professional way.

Frinj Salon & Spa also specializes in spa parties for teens, luxury bridal showers, baby showers, pre-wedding parties and prom, homecoming and other special events. Contact us, visit our website or come by to book your event!

Blow Dry Boot Camp

Everyone knows the secret to ‘salon-perfect’ hair is the Blow Dry Style! Unfortunately, not many of us can ever get our hair to as good as it looked when our favorite stylist blow-dried and styled it! WHY? Because designers and stylists know the BEST tools, products, and techniques that work best for each individual hair type. They also know all the ‘tricks’! Everyone’s hair is different. What works for your girlfriend may NOT work for you. Stop wasting your money on trying the wrong tools and products- Frinj is here to rescue you with our newest ‘must-have’ service - Blow Dry Boot Camp!

One of our expert Blow Dry Stylists has created this special one-on-one ‘class’ to teach you about all the techniques, tools, products – and stylist ‘secrets’ that will help you achieve your favorite look. Then, she teaches you hands-on exactly how to do it!

Simply choose your desired hairstyle (or bring a picture, if you have one). Our stylist will recommend the best shampoo and conditioner to achieve the style. He/she will then help you choose the proper styling products and tools that are needed- and explain how and why they will work for best for you. From there they ’ll review the proper application of each product, and demonstrate how to ‘rough-dry’ your hair. You will be taught how to ‘section’ your own hair, how to handle the brush, and blow-drying techniques such as dryer placement, temperature, over-directing, twisting and how to dry your bangs. Then, they ’ll show you how to use the best finishing products to keep your hair looking salon fresh all day!

This one-on-one class will teach you everything you need to know to achieve a salon-styled look everyday. ‘Boot Camp’ is $75 and takes one hour. Included in the price is hair cleansing/conditioning, Blow-dry/style, and of course, the life skill and priceless knowledge of your lesson!

Call us, or visit our salon website to get in touch with us to schedule your 'Boot Camp' today!