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!

It's Like Shopping at COSTCO or SAM'S... But WAY More Cool.

Did you know? You can buy your SALON AND SPA services in BULK?


It's like shopping at the Sam's Club or Costco Warehouse but WAY more fun! Hmmm... purchase in advance and save money. I like this idea, especially where facials, massage, mani & pedis, and hair styles are concerned!

Clearly, I think the Frinj Salon & Spa owners got the idea from buying Monster Energy Drinks in bulk at Sam's. :)

Either way - here's a GIFT TIP for those of you living in the Dallas Metro Area:

Get your loved one a series of massage, facials, maniucures, peduicures, wax services, cut & style - anything you might want - you can buy in a series and save money. Great gift for a guy or a gal, and the perfect way to groom thyself & others for the holiday and beyond, or relax and escape day to day dilemmas.

The Eyebrow Saga - Part II

THICK, LUXURIOUS HAIR.

WHERE IT DOES NOT BELONG.

In my eyebrows. A few weeks ago.. I was so very worried that my eyebrows wouldn't grow back. And now - well, they have. While this is great news (mostly), the problem is that it's SUPER thick, and SUPER stubborn about how/where it 'points', if you will...

Now, it's not as thick as this unfortunate fellow, or as long - as I went to the Frinj Salon & Spa and had them trim me up.

After a general meeting on the subject, and close review of said hairs... everyone was pleased with the progress, and very kind about not commenting on the scraggly and skyward appearance of the few hairs that have made a resurgence on my forehead since the over-pluck drama.

So I guess the new challenge - training those brow-hairs. Just the ones in the middle by my nose where I over-plucked. I'll be experimenting over the next few weeks, before I post the third installment of the Eyebrow Saga - by:

• Blow-drying my brows with low heat in the direction I'd like to train them
• Testing product, maybe mousse?
• Having individual coaching sessions with each batch of brow hairs, to try and coax them into laying down.

If you're a stylist, or eyebrow-pluck-expert - I welcome any and all comments and suggestions on my proposed plan of action and next steps.....

Cheers to all!!

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!