Upcoming Color Forum!

I will be having a private Color Forum class on September 28, 2015 here at Salon Ratay in Lake Mary, FL. The class starts at 10:00am and concludes at 5:00pm. I have had five previous color forums, so this makes the sixth. The day will be filled with an in depth conversation about haircolor. We will review topics I've discussed in previous classes such as the difference between MEA and ammonia, “organic” haircolor, and the new technology called ME+ which is a derivative of PPD and PPT, but also we will discuss different topics such as hair color application processes like permanent and demi permanent grey coverage, foil tecniques such as baliage and sombre, the hair color oxidation differences in hair color formations, and fundamentals of a business such as pricing, budgets and marketing. I love teaching classes at my salon because it is such an intimate setting. Everyone can actively participate, as well as ask as many questions as they can think of without having such a huge crowd. I feel like my students and even I walk away with much more knowledge of every aspect of the hair color industry. You do not want to miss it!

Tuition cost is $199.00 per person. We are pleased to offer our “Friend Package”. Bring a colleague or industry friend and their tuition is $99.00 when you purchase a full price ticket.(a savings of $100.00) Call Salon Ratay at 407-320-5151 or email salonrataymanager@cfl.rr.com for more information.

Check out our website www.salonratay.com for any other information!

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!!

Orlando Premiere Beauty Show

This year’s Orlando Premiere Beauty Show was bigger and better than ever before. It also happens to be the biggest beauty show put on in the country every year. Premiere also puts on Premiere Columbus and Premiere Birmingham which are always the largest every year followed by Orlando. The show floor has a mass amount of exhibits from booths on salon software, building business, color manufacturers, salon furniture, and of course my favorite booths on face and body products. I actually spent a bit of time in the PCA (Physician's Choice of Arizona Company) booth looking at all of their new products, wishing I could own all of them.

Additionally, there are stages for all categories of beauty such as hair color, hair design, makeup, and many more. Many people come to watch experienced professionals share their knowledge on their spin on their talented skill. There were even some special events such as fashion shows by Paul Mitchell and Keratin Complex that are always exciting to watch. I had one of my color conversation lectures on one of the color stages on Sunday morning. The audience was filled with over 200 talented hairdressers; it’s always rewarding to share my knowledge with them.

In even another section of the convention center where Orlando Premiere show was held, there were many classrooms where you could take a class on basically anything you wanted to learn or increase your skill on. I had two classes of my own just like most of the shows I go to about my Haircolor Applications, Techniques, and Trademarks. When I was not teaching my classes I got to sit in a class through a company called Summit. The class was on business building which was refreshing to listen to new ideas and reinstate others. Christina the teacher spoke on topics such as the front desk, customer service, and livelihood of a successful business. It really helped me take a look inside my own business to make changes to improve and make it the best it can be.

Overall the weekend at Orlando Premiere Beauty Show was a great one. I had a great lecture and two, three hour hands on classes. It’s always rewarding to me to help other hairdressers think differently about hair color.

Spring Cleaning!

My thoughts on spring cleaning/organizing here at Salon Ratay.

Professional Retail Products

Professional retail products are vital in maintaining shine, health and the integrity of your hair. As a colorist I strongly believe in using homecare products when away from the salon. In operating and owning a successful salon it is vital to have professional products available for sale, not only for the importance of hair health but also it’s a huge monetary asset in sustaining a prosperous salon business.  At Salon Ratay we carry three exclusive lines Kerastase, SHU UEMURA & Minardi which each are different price points allowing us to target the consumer in different financial ways, yet assuring each guest quality professional products BACKED BY A GUARANTEE( I won’t even start about on-line buying through third parties) For Salon Ratay, Kerastase makes up about 65% of our retail sales followed by Shu Uemura which is 21% then following with Minardi Luxury Color Care pulling in about the last 11% of our retail sales. We also carry a few miscellaneous products (brushes, customized color conditioners & styling tools) that I feel are important to sell in the salon that make up the other 2%. Since Salon Ratay is a departmentalized salon retail is split with colorists that sell shampoo, conditioners and masques, while designers sell all leave-in’s and styling products.

With each guest, my colorists analyze the condition of their hair, addressing the most important needs and concerns and then will select specifically from Kerastase, SHU UEMURA or Minardi to create the ultimate homecare regimen for each individual guest.  Remember, there are many different types of categories in a product line that address different issues; moisture, shine, color protection, volume, revitalizing…the list goes on. Professional products don’t just help the guests; they also help the colorists by having a balanced canvas in order to create beautiful seasonal haircolor. Designers

also recommend products that help guests replicate the look they receive in the salon; whether it is a mousse for volume, anti-frizz serum for a polished look, or finishing spray for that perfect hold.  It is a large expense for a salon to carry inventory as it is “money sitting on the shelf” until SOLD.

Currently Salon Ratay has about $12,000.00 dollars’ worth of “at cost” products on our shelves at a time. Therefore you can see how important it is from the business side that my service providers are doing their job in educating and selling retail to every guest that enters the salon.

Furthermore, I see both sides to the importance of having and selling profe

ssional salon products, from the colorist point it is my job to inform and keep my guest hair in the most optimal condition, allowing me to have endless creativity. As a salon owner, retail sales pay for operating expenses, maintenance, and additional revenue to each service provider. IT’S A PROFIT WIN WIN!!

In closing, it is always great to give your staff incentives to keep them motivated in selling, as we all can drop the ball at times. At Salon Ratay we have friendly competition between services providers on who can sell the most products, or who can sell the most products in a day… spice it up! Keep it fun for you and your salon. We’ve had prizes such as iPads, gift cards, Starbucks to even a year

incentive in winning a three day cruise.  In conjunction with staff motivation I also do retail offers through email for the guest such as BOGO ½ off, all SHU UEMURA 25% off, and buy two get one complimentary and so on. At the end of the day retail sales equal many successful equations, find a product brand that fits your salon and create a retail program that works for your staff. 

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!

ManeStream Hair and Beauty Expo

My team and I traveled to Tampa for the second annual Manestream Hair and Beauty Expo this past weekend. With a mixture of attendees, cosmetologists and barbers this show brings a fierce energy that is one of a kind! Thomas Faucette, the show producer, is a pleasure to work with and sees a purpose that ALL professionals need, want, and deserve top notch education. When he asked me to be a part of his main educational line-up it was without question I would join. Each year I present a main stage presentation with 4-6 gorgeous models followed by a more intimate in-depth classroom setting.

The morning begins with the main stage presentation where I talk about hair color, and the techniques beautifully displayed by my models. This year I did something a little different; I brought my Creative Artistic Director, Alicia Delbrey, on stage to demonstrate simple hair techniques that could be done in minutes and still look fabulous. I have to smile because Alicia doesn’t like the spotlight on her. She is an extremely talented designer but prefers to stay behind the scenes. She was a bit nervous but did a great presentation. One of the styles she demonstrated was the “Barbie doll pony tail”. This is done by teasing the front of the hair to create a little poof, then pulling the back half of the hair into a ponytail. Take the loose pieces and wrap them around the ponytail base, and lastly spray with finishing spray to tame fly-aways.

The afternoon switches into the classroom setting where we discuss my HOT topic: The Truth About Hair Color. During this class we talked about multiple topics such as grey coverage, the truth about hydrogen peroxide, eumelanin vs pheomelanin, the PH scale and many more. To keep the energy alive I demonstrated the new “Sombré” look with one of my models; I explained in depth the technique of creating a more natural look without the seeing a ”dreadful visual starting point” we see on some people. My favorite part of teaching is engaging with the attendants! This show allows more of an interaction scenario which I thrive on! When hairdresser wants to learn, and you see the “light bulb” per say, come on… well… I HAVE DONE WHAT I WAS PUT HERE TO DO!!

One thing that I felt sets this show apart from others is the barber competition and education that is provided.  It was so interesting to see the intricate designs they created, barbers truly have an eye for the lines of design.  Additionally, it always interests me to see the new hair color trends. During this show there were a lot of fashion shades such as reds, blues and even yellow.  The most dramatic fashion hair color I saw was an Ombré that went from blue to green, then yellow. It didn’t fully cover the whole head; instead there were thatchy pieces with an almost black foundation. This color wouldn’t work for me but I appreciate the colorist who is bold enough to try it and make it work with their face shape, skin tone, and haircut. Overall, I would consider the Manestream Hair & Beauty Expo a success. I never get tired of teaching regardless of the shows dynamics my PASSION is educating colorists to elevate the standard of the beauty industry.