Tag Archives: hairstylist

A Parisian Salon Experience Part ONE

October 14, 2016

As a beauty professional I have been lucky enough to travel all over the United States and some parts of Canada. If time allows, I try to book a service in the best salon I can find in that particular city. I feel it is important as a service provider to experience what my clients experience. Being the client equips me with a different perspective and allows me to provide the most memorable salon visit. I love serving my clients! They deserve my absolute best 100% of the time!

My most recent trip was to Paris. This was my first time overseas and I truly had no idea what to expect. I had about 6 weeks to learn French which resulted in Bonjour, Bonsoir, and Merci Beaucoup. Due to my lack of the spoken language I became mute when meeting my cab driver. I literally forgot English and just used hand gestures. I’m sure I gave him a good laugh. Despite my poor French all of the Parisians I met were extremely kind and helpful! Thank god!

With the help of my amazing travel agency, “Limitless Planet” I was booked for a blowout & meeting with the owner at “L’ Appartement De Christophe-Nicolas Biot Trandline” before arriving in France.

art

The discovery of the salon occurred while scrolling through Instagram. Immediately I was drawn to the beauty of the salon’s architecture and vintage design. I could not wait to meet the person responsible for this inspiring space!

Upon my arrival I was greeted by a lovely woman by the name of Roxana. After taking my coat she guided me to a beautiful office where Christophe was working behind the scenes of his highly successful salon. It didn’t take long for Christophe to realize I only spoke English. I immediately felt terrible that I couldn’t communicate. Christophe was very polite about it and simply requested that Roxana be available to translate.

Although an ocean and a language separate us, I was pleased to discover Christophe and I shared many of the same beliefs when it came to the beauty industry. The salon was designed as an art gallery home to hairstylists, colorists, estheticians, massage therapists, dermatologists and even Tibetan masseurs. They cater to everyone from the average Parisian to celebrities. In such a beautiful space I wondered what the requirements would be to be a part of the Trandline team. His answer was simple and perfect in every way. To be a part of the Trandline team one must be a hard worker, this is someone who is not concerned with how early or how late they will be working. One must also bleed creativity and passion because without these traits the finished result would just be mediocre. So for all the emerging stylists out there reading this, never think you don’t have the “experience” to work in a salon as high end as this. It simply takes hardwork, passion, and ambition to make the cut. Everyone starts somewhere.

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After our conversation Roxana took me on a tour of the salon and spa. She even shared their private styling room where Kim Kardashian had her hair styled the day before. The private styling room also had a private entrance for those high profile clients. I think my favorite feature of the entire salon was the variety of shampoo bowls. One style rotated up to the styling chair while the others were attached to reclining massage chairs.

Before handing me off to Vanessa who would be shampooing me, Roxana went through a series of questions on an iPad that would help determine the right products for my shampoo experience. This form of consultation is done with each client before any hair service.

Now, about the shampoo experience…it was perfect. I melted into a reclining shampoo chair until I was literally laying down. Vanessa manipulated my scalp working away every last bit of tension I had. This is where things got even better. While my conditioner was on she applied a damp hot towel around my hairline and at the base of my neck. I felt so pampered!

For my blow out or shampoo and brushing as the French call it, I was seated in front of a gigantic floor length mirror next to a gorgeous window overlooking the city street below. The natural light flooding in made me relaxed and thankful to be there in that very moment. Moise was my stylist. He was sophisticated, confident, and tailored. He was patient with my lack of French phrases as well. Due to the language barrier I did what all girls do, pulled out my Pinterest hair board! When I shared the image with him I could tell he loved it and we were good to go. It was so nice to sit back and let someone else take care of me for once! Moise used a ceramic round brush to wave my hair and finished with a bit of hair spray to froth it up. It was exactly what I wanted!

Of course I didn’t leave empty handed! On my way out I had the chance to play with the Terry makeup line. I love makeup lines that are actually created by makeup artists. They just get it. I picked up a eye primer, concealer, and lip cream all infused with my favorite plumping ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid.

Viola! The finished result of my first Parisian Hair Salon experience.

If you’re ever in Paris this is a must experience salon! To learn more about Christophe-Nicolas Biot and his salon visit their

website http://www.lappartementdechristophenicolasbiot.com

or follow them on Instagram @cnbiot_trandline

salon-des

Good Enough, is Just Fine.

September 15, 2015

So many women sit in my chair in awe of my ability to style their hair. They say things like, “Can I take you home” or “Now if only I could do this myself!”. My response is always the same. You can absolutely recreate this blow dry if you simply have the time, products, and patience.

Here’s the problem for most women. They just don’t. They don’t have the time because life is crazy. They don’t have the products because although their stylist will recommend exactly what they need, they buy a cheap knock off that is garbage elsewhere. Last but not least, patience. Ha! Who has that?

Just stop. Stop criticizing yourself. Stop telling yourself you can’t take time or have patience for the most important person. You.

This is the big secret. Are you ready? Good enough is just Fine. The least you can do is try. Try to recreate what you’ve learned from your stylist. Maybe not everyday but perhaps try once a week. Most people learn overtime. I know I didn’t learn how to do hair in one day, that’s for sure.

Also, these days disheveled bed-head or maybe I just had sex hair is what people are after. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I promise no one judges you more than you do. So do yourself a favor and just try your best and after a few weeks you might find yourself bouncing around with a “good” blowout that you did all by yourself!

Backstage NYFW with Nathan Rosenkranz

September 17, 2014

I met Nathan Rosenkranz at the first salon I assisted at in Bethlehem, PA. Back then Nate was a great stylist behind the chair. Fast forward 8ish years he is now a Freelance artist in NYC working for brands such as Alterna and styling celebs like James Franco. It takes a lot of hard work and networking to get where he is today so it was very cool to hang and see him in action. When I reached out to Nate a few weeks ago I was hoping to interview him backstage at some of the shows he was leading. Instead, he asked if I would like to work on his styling team! Even better!

I arrived to Lincoln center around 7:30am and found Nate and his team waiting outside the Salon tents. Everyone on his team was super nice! I could tell that it was going to be a no stress environment. In the past I have worked NYFW with another brand who will remain nameless and they were not so pleasant. I love everything about the beauty industry and love people who love it too so when someone is rude its a total buzz kill. THANK YOU NATE for leading such a polite team!

Around 8am we were given our passes and allowed into the tents to set up our workspace.

Once we were all set up Nate explained the step by step of the look we would be creating for DEOLA’S Spring 2015 collection.

Deola Hair step by step @ NYFW Spring 2015 by kristen-linares featuring alterna haircare

Here is one of the models I worked on!

The final outcome was gorgeous! DEOLA is absolutely amazing. As a lead stylist it is important to work with the designer and decide what hair will compliment the garments. Nate nailed it! The hair was not only beautiful but also wearable. This is a classic style that would look great on any woman!

Deola Sagoe / Clan - Runway - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015

Runway looks of 2013

February 12, 2013

Runway looks of 2013

Hairstyling for Czar by Ceaser Galindo with Original Mineral.

We achieved this look using O&M’s Style Guru to create a sleek and shiny wet appearance. We added a bit of texture to the mid lengths and ends by applying Original Queenie hairspray followed by the flat iron. A low fishtail pony was created and sewn into a modern chignon.

I don’t know what to do with my hair!

August 15, 2012

How often do you find yourself in a styling rut? You think maybe color is the solution but you really don’t want the maintenance. So perhaps a new cut, but quite actually you would die if you lost any length! Ahh what to do!? You run to your stylist with no clue what to tell them. You basically want a miracle, right?

As a stylist I would like to share the questions that I’ve found really dig deep. They help me understand my guest and pinpoint a realistic expectation while also delivering their deepest-secret desire, sex appeal. Deny it all you want, but we all know you want to look sexy.

A few typical Consultation questions with Kristen Linares:

Explain your style. (People tend to look like a deer in headlights with this one.) No worries though just explain your way of life. Are you relaxed? Do you love bold prints & colors? How do you wear your hair, makeup, and clothing most of the time? Have no style and need help? No worries! Just answer as best as you can and we’ll get you there!

Who’s your Fashion Idol? Is there an actor/ actress, musician, politician, or blogger who exudes your ultimate look? This question is my favorite and helps me understand your limits. Someone who likes someone such as Jennifer Aniston will most likely not want extreme hair color.

What do you Like/ Dislike about your image? If you love your cut then let’s leave it be! We will work on things that enhance the great look you already have with haircolor or eyebrow shaping. Dislike your cowlicks? Pinpointing the problem areas is the first step in making them vanish. I will teach you how to feel confident achieving your look daily.

How often would you like to come in for services? Some say once every few months while others what to come in once a week. Knowing the time frame you’re willing to commit to helps me design your look and how it will evolve through each season.

What do you look for in Hair/ Makeup products? For me it’s the smell and beautiful packaging! For some it’s eco friendly or it just has to work! Whatever it is this question helps me understand what to use and what to stay away from ensuring you will love the way you look when all is said and done.

Leave it to your stylist to help you in this time of indecision. Please come see me at Thirteenth and Washington http://www.ThirteenthandWashington.com for an experience that will leave you feeling happy and heard. Don’t live in St. Louis? Bring these questions to your stylist! I guarantee they will help you both!