Viva Italia!

Recently, my husband and I took a vacation to Italy. While enjoying delicious food and fabulous wine, I couldn't help to notice all of the beautiful hair that surrounded me. We visited a handful of cities on our visit to Italy, but by far my favorite city was Florence.

The biggest haircolor trends I saw were various shades of brunettes. The color resembled the natural haircolor of a child. The ends were slightly lighter it was very, very soft. It was not anything visually too an ombre; with the hair length not extending past the shoulders, the finishing of the hair was a messy unpolished but very natural style. Very chic!

In addition to the fabulous Italian hair trends, I couldn't help but notice the fashion. The men were carrying shoulder bags of all different kinds made from beautiful Florentain leather. To keep warm from the chilly winter air, the women wore waist length coats made from famous Florentain leather.

Me and my husband with the owners of the vineyard.

I enjoyed so much wonderful food and wine while visiting Italy. I have to tell you about this fantastic family who owned and ran a vineyard just outside of Florence. Azienda Agricola Altiero is run by a husband and wife alongside the father-in-law and mother-in-law. I absolutely loved their Chianti and the fact that they are completely organic. When I asked how they kept out the pests without the use of pesticides, the wife told me that they purchase pests that are beneficial to the plants, but get rid of the pests that cause harm to the plants. I was absolutely amazed. In addition to having fantastic wine, they had olive oil that was to die for. The father-in-law and mother-in-law picked the olives and separated them by hand, which were then sent out that day to be made into fresh olive oil. Within 24 hours the olive oil is back in barrels where the family hand packages it themselves. The olive oil is then sent throughout the country side to be sold by local merchants.

Fresh hand-picked olives.

A gorgeous view of the vineyard.



Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Azienda-Agricola-Altiero/312176965575876


This trip was one to be remembered. I can't wait to go back to visit more regions of such a beautiful country.

Tips for Winter Hair

Recently I sat down with Fashion Pulse Daily's Julia DiNardo and talked about tips for winter hair. Read below what you can be doing to keep your hair fabulous during winter months.

Your Winter Hair Color Woes Solved with These 4 Tips from Sherry Ratay

by Julia DiNardo

My lovely hair color aficionada, expert colorist and owner of Salon Ratay, Sherry Ratay, is going to help you get through the winter, all the while preserving your hair color as much as humanly possible. Take Sherry’s lead, and with very little effort you can ensure your locks stay lustrous, hydrated, shiny, and opulent!



Tip #1: “Moisturize, Moisturize, and Moisturize YOUR HAIR! We take care of our skin throughout the various seasons, so let’s not forget about our hair. I just love the Minardi Pre-Wash for this; just saturate your dry hair and then wrap it in a warm towel, let it sit for a bit, then shampoo it out with Minardi Wash #3, and finish up with Afterwash #3.”
 

Tip #2: “Cover your beautiful hair with a scarf. Remember that your hair is surrounded by extra dryness with heaters and recycled air, and it can only take so much. Remember to maintain your monthly haircuts, since your ends will be less likely to split with more frequent trims.”
 

Tip #3: “Let’s talk adjusting the actual hair color: if you’re a blonde, brunette, or redhead, winter is the perfect season to create ribbons of butterscotch, amber, caramel, tangerine, terra cotta, cherry cola, and merlot throughout. Winter is all about creating richness and texture within the hair, so don’t be afraid to add in some extra dimension.”

Tip #4: “Winter weather tends to dry and dull out your hair color, so I recommend a visit to the salon in between your scheduled touch ups and to get a glaze treatment. A glaze will refresh the tone, condition the hair, and create spectacular shine.”

http://fashionpulsedaily.com/winter-hair-color-woes-solved-with-these-4-tips-from-sherry-ratay/

Another Rave Review!

Susan Linney of Examiner.com wrote a fabulous review about myself and Julien Farel Salon. Read what Susan has to say and clink on the link below for the full review.

Hit the Julien Farel Salon for high-end cuts and exquisite hair color

This two-floor, full-service Madison Avenue salon is all about class, without any intimidating airs. The moment you walk in, you are warmly greeted and promptly checked in, despite the fact that the entrance is located right in the main studio, which is hustling and bustling with stylists hard at work. (Not a single chair was empty.)

But still, there's a relaxed, soothing vibe to the Julien Farel salon, and once you are seated (depending upon the stylist you see, you'll either be led to a space on the main floor, or to one of the equally chic spots upstairs), it’s time for pure pampering. There is a wide menu of services to choose from, but masterfully executed hair color and precise, spot-on hair cuts are the real fortes of this upper east side establishment.

It's also the perfect salon to pick if you're looking for a color change (whether significant or slight). All of the colorists have top-rate credentials, but if you can, book an appointment with Sherry Ratay, an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed color expert. She's a true master of her craft, and has been at it for more than 20 years. She's worked with a roster of celebrity clients, including Ashley Benson and Audrina Patridge.

Ratay travels once a month from her own salon in Lake Mary, Florida to take appointments at Julien Farel, so you may have to book a bit in advance. But it's well worth it, as Ratay is an amazing and intuitive hair-hue master. She can look at a face and immediately know exactly what shade will suit it best. (“It’s in my blood,” she says. “I just know.”)

Ratay is also incredibly friendly, down-to-earth and very easy to chat with. She works closely with her clients to decide on a final shade ("beautiful, believable hair color, that's what I'm all about," she explains), and she describes her process in detail so you know exactly what she is going to do and exactly what you are going to get.

So you can sit back, relax, and feel rest assured that you'll be thrilled with the final result.

 http://www.examiner.com/review/hit-the-julien-farel-salon-for-high-end-cuts-and-exquisite-hair-color

Mid Town Girl with DateNight Hair

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Date Night Hair: Celebrity Colorist Sherry Ratay at Julien Farel Salon

Jan 13th 2014 0 Comments

Share5 Tweet2 Share0 Share8

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

kissies,

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Date Night Hair: Celebrity Colorist Sherry Ratay at Julien Farel Salon

Jan 13th 2014 0 Comments

Share5 Tweet2 Share0 Share8

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

kissies,

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Date Night Hair: Celebrity Colorist Sherry Ratay at Julien Farel Salon

Jan 13th 2014 0 Comments

Share5 Tweet2 Share0 Share8

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

kissies,

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Date Night Hair: Celebrity Colorist Sherry Ratay at Julien Farel Salon

Jan 13th 2014 0 Comments

Share5 Tweet2 Share0 Share8

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

kissies,

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Date Night Hair: Celebrity Colorist Sherry Ratay at Julien Farel Salon

Jan 13th 2014 0 Comments

Share5 Tweet2 Share0 Share9

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

kissies,

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

Cheers to fresh new color & a gorgeous mane in 2014! I had the opportunity to have my color done by Celebrity colorist Sherry Ratay at the gorgeous Julien Farel salon in Midtown Manhattan. Based in Orlando & New York, Sherry’s a 20+ year beauty industry professional that specializes in the chemistry of hair color. Check out her technique & hair magic on MG below…

Sherry suggested that we extend my natural hair color so that there is less of a dramatic color difference. She also recommended we lighten the very bottom of my hair because it looked like it ended higher than it was (and obvs I want my hair to look as long as possible- long hair, don’t care!).  

The end result?

Sherry created more lightness at the bottom for length, removed the brassy band of color in the mid-top area & created a richer chocolate color thoughout my mid area for a softer ombre effect. Thanks for the fabulush hair Sherry!

 

Check out Salon Ratay to make an appointment.

Dahlings, visit MG’s Best NYC Hair & Beauty Salons & Date Night Hair columns for fabulush hair in NYC.

Read more at http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html#w7EFoLcDEcKWUYf6.99

 

Mid Town Girl, Amy Chandra, visited me at Julien Farel during my last visit to New York. I created a very soft ombre look for Amy and she absolutely loved it. Below is a link to her website. See what she had to say and check out the gorgeous photos she posted of her fabulous hair!

 

 
 

http://midtowngirl.com/2014/01/date-night-hair-celebrity-colorist-sherry-ratay-at-julien-farel-salon.html

Haircolor Maintenace Tips with Sherry Ratay!

Today I sat down with Fashion Pulse Daily's Julia DiNardo. I shared 4 easy and important hair color maintenance tips with her.  Enjoy!

 

Four Easy Hair Color Maintenance Tips From Expert Colorist Sherry Ratay

by Julia DiNardo

[Colorist Sherry Ratay]

 
My friend and AMAZING colorist, Sherry Ratay, who gives me my lustrous red locks, shared with Fashion Pulse Daily four tips to keep your own color vibrant and long-lasting, so you can achieve salon quality results up until your next coloring. Ratay describes hair color as the ultimate accessory, and I couldn’t agree more! When having your tresses look their very best is always within reach, it’s essential to consider these recommendations, in order to deliver the TLC your haircolor absolutely deserves.
Sherry’s Tips:

• After getting your haircolored, it is vital to wait a full 48 to shampoo your hair.  Naturally, it takes 48 hours for your cuticle layer to lay to its normal state and at that point lock in the haircolor dye.

• Dry shampoos are the next BEST thing! On the second morning of your style, spray your dry shampoo at the root area and flip over and shake your hair. The dry shampoo will absorb the excess oil from your hair and scalp as well as a fresh feeling.  I LOVE them! My favorite is Powder Bluff by Kérastase.

[Try a vintage print for a touch of sophistication; above: Emilio Pucci 'Deco Fan' Silk Scarf]

•  Protect your hair from the harsh weather in the winter by using a lovely scarf when outdoors, and then nourish your hair once a week with the Minardi Pre-Wash.  Saturate your dry hair with Minardi Pre-Wash, wrap in a warm towel, relax, and sit in the bath tub while it restores.

• I always recommend a color shampoo, and you might ask, what is this exactly?  It is a shampoo that has color inside…which can be great for ALL shades: blonde, brunette, and reds. The issue is, if you do not purchase your color shampoo at a salon, you are leaving your color choice in your hands…which could be complicated to decipher! If you are in this situation, the best thing to do is once you get the shampoo at home, take a clean Q-Tip and dip inside the bottle.  Is the tone of the Q-Tip the same tone as your hair?  If so go forward with the shampooing.  If not, go back to the drawing board.  You can always make it easier on yourself by getting the shampoo from your professional hairdresser.

http://fashionpulsedaily.com/four-easy-hair-color-maintenance-tips-from-expert-colorist-sherry-ratay/