Studio B NYC

I am very excited to announce my newest venture! I will now be working alongside Beth Minardi and other MAC members at their new salon, Studio B NYC, in the upper east side of New York City, New York. Studio B is an expression of modern luxury which will cater to Upper East Side residents as well as celebrities, and elite clientele. The salon will offer a complete range of haircutting, texturing, and styling, coupled with matchless haircolor enhancement.  Many of my previous clients are thrilled that I will be back to create their beautiful color again.  I am very excited to get back to expanding the Ratay brand nationwide and working with Beth Minardi Signature and alongside inspiring professionals with the same vision of color I do. What better place to revive my passion than New York City?! My first trip will be September 20^th through the 22^nd and will be going up there monthly from Saturday through Tuesday, so if you’re in the area stop by and see me! When I am not there my new PR Company will be representing me and expanding my brand to clientele and other beauty professionals. I am so excited to get back to New York and walk the streets there.  The culture is so different, even just stepping out of the car. The fashion and creativity of haircolor and design inspires me.

Beth Minardi Signature "Rolodex Wrap"

Beth Minardi Signature "Rolodex Wrap"

Now, for those over 40 we know what Rolodex is but for those under 30....let me give you a brief definition. A Rolodex is  a desktop card index used to record names, addresses, and telephone numbers, in the form of a rotating spindle or a small tray to which removable cards are attached. The Rolodex coloring technique is a design to replicate the hair coloring days of the 1940's. As you can see in the picture below, the foils look exactly like the card index tray.   The technique follows the shape of the head with very fine delicate slices alternating multiple shades.  Another known description of Rolodex is shade on shade. For the selection of color, if someone is a natural 6, we would alternate level by using 7, 8 or 9. 

 Beth Minardi's"Rolodex Wrap" was held in Columbus, Ohio on June 8th.   It was a great event with a gratifying group.  I had such wonderful conversations with the attendees.  The one question that stood out to me was, What would happen if we did the Rolodex with aggressive colors? For example, black and red. Using the Rolodex technique will give a very avant-garde result.  It will be bold and fun, remember to follow the very fine delicate slices!

By the end of the day everyone was enthusiastic and successful, receiving their certification that they can be proud to hang up and conquer the Rolodex!!

Image Expo Houston 2015

For the past show I went to, I traveled to the Lone Star State for Image Expo hair show in Houston, Texas. It was an exciting weekend filled with a few curve balls. Although, they ended up being an exciting learning experience for me.

Jennifer Aniston's baby lights technique.

The show in Houston started with my color conversation on Sunday from 9:30am to 11am. We discussed the trends in 2015 such as the sombre, which is here to stay. The sombre is different from the ombre because it is a much softer version. I would almost describe it as the marrying of colors instead of such a huge contrast in the midlengths and ends in the ombre. Another trend is called baby lights this year; Jennifer Aniston looks amazing with this trend. Baby lights incorporates soft delicate pieces that, unlike sombre, go from the scalp to the ends. A more complex version of the baby lights would be incorporating many of these highlights which are around the same level such as 6, 7, and 8 or 7, 8, and 9. I love my color lectures and the hour I have always seems so short.

I also had two hands on classes which ended up being over sold. It was a great thing but I was very stressed because I was really only prepared for half the amount that showed up. When I found out the night before the class, I had so much anxiety I couldn’t sleep. In the morning I planned a solution to have stations, and oh my…it was one of the greatest ideas I have in a long time. Since my classes are usually long being 3 hours the stations made the time break up and time went by quickly. For an hour and a half I described the techniques and demonstrated so the attendees would be able to repeat the same process. Then going from station to station, experienced attendees wouldn’t have to take as much time on each mannequin head, but newer students could take as much time as they wanted and add more foils. It was a huge AHAH moment for me, and I knew it was meant to happen because I am definitely running my classes that way from now on. Then to end my class we had an intimate Q and A which is always my favorite part. I love conversing about color and even more about business. It so interesting to me to hear from people what works in there salon and what hasn’t. It’s beneficial to all of us business owners to see how other businesses run and maybe even learn something.

I left so enthused about how a bad situation turned in to such a good solution. Beth Minardi and I also got together for dinner. We went to a great place called the Groove. I had a mouthwatering chicken with crisp chardonnay. We chatted about the new studio Beth just opened in New York, and how excited I am to I will be joining on a monthly basis. Houston was definitely an eye opener and a great experience. I also have recently heard about the floods there and my hearts and prayers go out to everyone and their families living there.

American Beauty Show Chicago

Recently I traveled to Chicago to work with Beth Minardi at the American Beauty Show (ABS). Beth was to present four days on main stage for her company Beth Minardi Signature shades. Each day detailed a full day of prepping beautiful models… seven to be exact! Which were colored by Beth, Buddy, Chloe and I and styled by the talented Stephen Wang aka “Fashion Dragon”.  Along with the very busy show schedule, Behind-the-chair magazine (BTC) held there 15^th annual  Stylist Choice Awards which is an evening of glitz and glam for our industry in recognizing educators, manufactures and products it’s our “Academy Award” night for the beauty industry. I would like to touch briefly on the weather while I was there FREEZING & SNOWY which this Florida woman isn’t use to! I never felt warm enough the entire time…burr… I get chills just thinking about it!

The first day was the day of fully prepping each model with her distinct haircolor Beth, Buddy and I started by openly discussing each formula for each girl. Beth would start on one model and then either Buddy or I would take over and finish. This was the most interesting day to me because it was amazing to see that regardless of who started or finished the ending result was identical. Of course as artists we each think differently in our ability to create beautiful haircolor but it goes to show  the history we’ve had with each other and the education we have empowered ourselves with in  being taught the proper way to color hair. The seven models ranged from a scarlet red head, a cherry brunette, a ginger blonde and a golden blonde. I must say it was quite impressive to see them in their all white dresses this stunningly accentuated the haircolor. Each girl paired it with pink platinum heels which were perfect for a pop of spring. The next three days consisted of an open forum teaching environment, with Beth speaking about each model and her formula. A few topics she discussed were how to enhance any canvas you encounter regardless of past or present color. As she described what she was speaking on, Buddy and I demonstrated the process on that model.

On Sunday night we all attended the Stylist Choice Awards hosted by Mary Procter Gamble editor in chief of Behind the Chair magazine. There were a ton of different categories as I mentioned earlier but the highlight for me was Beth and Beth Minardi Signature shades being nominated in two categories, one for best demi crème color and the other was favorite color educator. She won the award for Favorite Color Educator of 2015. This prestige’s award was well deserved for Beth and I was very excited for her as we all know she strives to elevate haircolor to an art form. It was overall great to be around such inspiring, highly recognized professionals in the beauty industry. We are all there for the love of what we do and the beauty industry.

57th Annual Grammy's Hair Color Recreation

Last Sunday was the 57^th annual Grammy Awards Show for the music industry. I was impressed by the performances and the Grammys awarded. I will say my favorite performance of the evening was Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett's duo because they are both true talented artists. The audience was filled with tasteful celebrities dressed in unique and classic designer attire, and I could not help but notice the array of hair color as well. Throughout the show I was inspired to recreate a few celebrity hair color formulas with the Beth Minardi Signature Shades (BMS) hair color line. A few of my favorite looks are disclosed below.

Carrie Underwood - Natural level 6

American Bailage

Formula 1: Vero light 20 vol, lift to pale yellow

Formula 2: Lowlight with BMS demi crème 1 ½ oz 9BG and ½ oz 8BB 5 vol

Formula 3: Glaze with BMS demi liquid, equal parts 10G and 10BB, with 5 vol BMS developer, process for 10 minutes

Beyonce -Natural level 2

Formula 1: Base retouch with BMS permanent 7ICE with 20vol developer

Formula 2: highlight with L’Oreal Platinium non ammonia paste with 40 vol developer, lift to yellow

Formula 3: Lowlights: BMS demi crème 5BG and 9GO 5 vol

Formula 4: Glaze with 8BB BMS demi liquid, 5 vol, process for 10 minutes

 

Jessica Chastain - Natural level 7

Formula 1: Base retouch with ½ oz 6CG and 1 ½ oz 8C BMS demi liquid, 5 vol developer

Formula 2: lowlight with 7NCG BMS demi crème, 5 vol developer, Shampoo and blowdry

Formula 3: Glaze with 10C BMS demi liquid, 5 vol developer, process for 10 minutes

Lady Gaga - Natural level 6

Formula 1: Global application with Joico Crème on scalp lightener, Lift to pale yellow, Shampoo and blowdry

Formula 2: BMS liquid 1 ½ oz 10ICE and 1 oz 7ICE, 5 vol, Let process 10 minutes with heat and 10 with cool

Color Conversations with Beth Minardi

My dear friend and colleague Beth Minardi held her “Color Conversation Class” this past Monday at my salon, Salon Ratay, which brought many state wide beauty professionals to see her teach. Beth and I have known each other for twenty plus years. We first met at a specific manufacturer conference. She later became my mentor on a professional level I was told information about hair color that I questioned. I reached out to Beth about my skepticism on the information that was being taught to thousands of hairdressers, and Beth said, I quote “Sherry if you don’t trust what I’m telling you, go home and do your own research.” I went and did my own research and found Beth gave me the correct information about hydrogen peroxide, which I have talked about in past blogs (“The Truth about Hydrogen Peroxide”). I was furious that a major manufacturer was teaching misleading information. This led to one of the reasons I have whole heartedly supported and had a part in the development of Beth Minardi Signature Shades. She was the first manufacturer to create a line and an educational agenda informing hairdressers on the truth about hair color including hydrogen peroxide, colorants, and the difference between ammonia and MEA.

Beth travels nationally to teach her hair color brand, Beth Minardi Signature Shades, along with Minardi techniques and applications in what she calls “Color Conversations”. We had a seven hour class lecture on different topics such as grey coverage, using proper color tools, PPD(which I talked about in one of my previous blogs), BMS color line, appropriate pricing for hairdressers, setting a higher standard of professionalism for the beauty industry, and Olaplex(which will be in an upcoming blog). I admire how she teaches others to achieve their greatest potential to follow Beth’s motto of “elevating hair color to an art form”. Beth teaches the importance of deeply analyzing the integrity of the hair fiber, to determine whether you should erase or lighten the hair strand when coloring and how to maintain optimal health because HEALTHLY hair radiates BEAUTIFUL haircolor!

Furthermore, it was a great refresher for me to discuss Olaplex, and the sensitivity some clients have to PPD. It is becoming more of a rising issue as the number of sensitivity to hair color continues to increase. I admire and respect Beth because she continues to lead and develop the way for hair color as it evolves in modern society. Leading into my motto, “No matter how skilled you are as a hairdresser, whether it is one week or twenty years, you never stop learning.” I believe it is extremely important to have a mentor figure in the beauty industry because it is always good to have someone to go to with questions. Two minds are better than one!

Ohio Premiere Beauty Classic Show

Rolling Video in 5…4…3…2………this is what I hear in the far distance as I prepare to walk on to stage and present the Ratay Way of coloring hair. It is always natural to have those butterflies before presenting, no matter the size of the audience, but if you’re prepared and grounded in the information your presenting the fear dissipates. This past weekend I traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the Premiere’s Beauty Classic Show. The Premiere Beauty Classic Show was the first trade show I started teaching at. Since then I have taught the past four years at this show, but this was my first main stage presentation

The Beauty Classic Show was a little different than many other shows I have taught at. This year I was offered an 80 minute main stage presentation in front of a seven hundred plus audience. Originally my mentor, Beth Minardi, was scheduled to do a presentation for the show, but unfortunately due to a family matter she was unable to appear. When I was contacted by Premiere Show Groups to fill in for Beth, I was elated at this opportunity as well as hesitant on how the attendees would respond considering many of them were expecting to see Beth. Although, I must say the show went very well; the audience was very warming and responsive. After it was over I received an overwhelming flow of compliments on how wonderful the presentation went, and how much they loved my passion for teaching hair color. One woman said “she was disappointed about Beth, but she enjoyed every minute of the presentation; it exceeded her expectations”.

The most exhilarating part of the show to me was the revolving microphone. I love hearing the voices of the attendees, and their true questions. As the mic was passed and the audience became more inquisitive, I was asked many questions such as grey coverage, creating a violet plum shade, and, my favorite, the mathematical lift and deposit equation. It is enclosed below.

                Lift Equation                                                                                                          Example

·         Natural level                                                                                                         4

·         Color level, add together                                                                                   8, 12

·         Divide by two                                                                                                        /2

·         Final level of lift                                                                                                    =6

Although my presentation was only eighty minutes, the attendees and I left wishing there was more time. In addition to my lecture, I colored three models the day before the show and enhanced my redhead model on stage. I will conclude with the three formulas I used on my gorgeous models in creating natural, believable beautiful hair color at Premiere’s Beauty Classic Show.

                                Blonde

                                Natural level 6 Dark Blonde

Formula 1:             Joico Base Breaker 20vol

Formula 2:             Highlight: Vero lights 20vol

Formula 3:             Lowlight: Beth Minardi Signature (BMS)

                                Demi Crème 8BB 1oz, 9GO 1oz, 5vol 2oz

Formula 4:             Glaze: BMS liquid 10G 2oz, 10vol 2oz

                                Brunette

                                Natural level 3 Dark Brown

Formula 1:             Highlights: BMS permanent 9ICE 2oz,  

                                20vol 2oz

Formula 2:             Glaze: BMS demi liquid 7BG 1oz, 8WG

                                1oz, 5vol 2oz

                                Red Head

                                Natural Level 7 Medium Blonde

Formula 1:             Lowlights in bottom nape: BMS demi

                                crème 7NCG 1oz, 1oz 5vol

Formula 2:             Mid-sides and top panel: BMS permanent

                                8RG 1oz, 1oz 20vol

Formula 3:             Mid-sides and top panel: BMS demi

                                crème 7NCG 1oz, 1oz 9GO, 2oz 5vol

Formula 4:             Glaze: BMS demi liquid 2oz 10C, 1oz 8C,

                                 3oz 5vol