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.

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!

Savannah's Next Step

In the past two months there have been some major events that have happened in my family life. My daughter, Savannah, graduated from high school in May, and my son, Lee Michael, finished his last school days in elementary school, ready to transition into middle school. After Savannah’s graduation all attention was to her next step to Florida State University. Savannah decided to start in the summer to get a head start on classes and her college career in nursing. She was to move in June 27 so we had the month of June to prepare for this big step.

A couple weeks before she started we had a great time shopping for all those college necessities like a laundry basket, microwave, bedding, hangers, and everything you can imagine. This much stuff led to two cars full on move in day. We left around 7 am on Saturday morning, Savannah and I went in her car and Mike and Lee Michael in another. This was the first time Savannah drove the four hours straight to Tallahassee in her own car. I made her do it so that I would feel safe that she could do this safely for the various times she would have to without me. (Hopefully frequently to see her mom ;) ) We had to register between 9am-1pm.

We finally arrived to Southgate, Savannah’s new dorm on the fifth floor. I did a quick snapchat to some of my friends on this momentous occasion. I immediately received a reply back from one of my close friends, Bryn Auld. She was over excited because Savannah ended up in the exact same dorm room she had when she went to school there. It was a crazy coincidence and Mike, my husband, would not believe it for one second…haha. It took us a couple hours to move everything in and then a quick trip to Walmart and Target to get those last minute dorm essentials. After we were all done we went to dinner at a local restaurant called Andrew’s Grill and bar which was great. After a full day we were exhausted and all went back to the hotel for some rest. Savannah even stayed with us because her roommate hadn’t moved in yet and she didn’t want to be alone. On Sunday we had brunch and made some finale touches such as connecting the printer before leaving around 4pm. Although, right before we left we walked around campus to her two classes she would be taking during the summer semester. I felt relieved knowing she would know where to go even when I wouldn’t be there to help her.

When we left it was full of mixed emotions for me. She makes me so proud, but sad as a mother who wants her little girl to continue to sleep in her own bed at home with me. I am just unbelievably grateful for the daughter I have and the nursing degree she’s pursuing. Now Savannah has been up there for two weeks and is almost halfway done with her six week semester. We are all adjusted to her not being here, but Mike is having the hardest time with it. He has been nonstop texting and calling her within the last week. I have to constantly continue to tell him to back off because she is okay. As a whole we are so happy and proud of her, but can’t wait to see her soon!

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.

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.

Sherry Ratay Color Forum

This past Monday was my Color Forum here at Salon Ratay. It was an exciting, long day full of color! Additionally, I’m going to give you a step-by-step story of how busy my daily routine is on a normal day. To start I wake up at 6:15am; wash my face, brush my teeth, and get dress then I head down stairs to fix LeeMichael my son’s breakfast before waking him up. I enjoy bringing him to school it’s like our special time together to chat about all kinds of different things. This particular morning I had a parent-teacher conference scheduled with his teacher at7:45am. (He forgot to turn in a few assignments) After the conference I arrive at the salon around 8:15am. Alicia, the creative artistic director arrives at 8:45am and she shampoo and styled my hair, so I look great for the day. Jacob, the salon manager also arrives at 8:45am to set up the tables and chairs and place all the color literature out. The rest of my staff arrives at 9:30am to help with any finishing touches and we are ready for the day to begin!!

 Before the attendees arrive, my first model Paige arrives so that we can prep her hair. It is important to have the hair smooth down so that you can see the texture of the hair and previous color application. Attendees start arriving, once everyone is signed in we begin with an introduction of myself then I go around the table having each person tell everyone a little bit about themselves. Before I start the first model I like to read haircolor facts that are recently published from creditable sources. So now let’s talk about Paige’s hair. We were actually fortunate because she came in with a previous Ombre application done wrong. First, I showed everyone how we needed to approach the previous application in what to erase and how to recreate a new fresh beautiful Ombre. Her color was placed too far up the hair strand; and the ends were oxidized to dark. It drives me crazy when I see an Ombre application!! During our color process I showed the correct technique in order for us to have a softer, more appealing version of the Ombre. While Paige was processing we discussed the way a colorist should analyze the hair strand as a piece of fabric, and the importance of knowing where the hair lives in placing your haircolor. We discussed many topics during the day such as the difference between MEA and ammonia, “organic” haircolor, and the new technology from Proctor and Gamble called ME+ which is a derivative of PPD and PPT.

Our second model cancelled last minute due to an eye infection which kind of left me in a bind. Luckily one of the gracious attendees needed a base retouch. This was a coincidence because when I first noticed her upon arriving I knew I would use her as a model. She was a soft redhead but her color was very hollow. It was an open discussion on what to create on her considering her eye color, skin tone and personality. We decided to lifted her foundation to covered her grey here is what we used; Beth Minardi Signature (BMS) permanent 1 oz. of 6NCB and ½ oz. of 7OG with 20 vol. developer. On her mid-lengths and ends we created different shades of red with the following two formulas; the first was BMS Demi Crème 1 oz of 5CB and 1oz of 7NCG with 5 vol. developer. The second formula was 1 oz. of BMS Permanent 11GO with 40 vol. developer. She processed for 45 minutes (at room temperature) was cleansed, dried then glazed with BMS liquid 10C and 5 vol. developer. It was absolutely beautiful, full of shine and soft dimension. As a finishing touch we softened her brows with BMS permanent 8G and 6G equal parts with 20 vol. giving an end result of 7G.

After lunch, which was provided by my dear friend Jean, it was right back to business. I handed out a color assessment test for each attendee to take so I could see what they really knew about hair color, I like to go through each question in helping the group to fully understand each answer. Our last model was our very own colorist here at Salon Ratay, Rebekkah Breeding. Unfortunately she is so young, in her 20s, but already has 25% grey hair. Her formula consisted of BMS Demi Crème 3BB and 4BG with 5 vol developer she processed for 20 minutes under heat and 20 minutes without. We closed with a discussion about my next local hair show, Premiere Orlando on May 30 through June 1^st hope to see you there!!

Once the attendees left at 5pm my staff and I cleaned up the salon, and I scooted off to watch my son’s baseball game at 5:30.  The game lasted until 8 and we headed home for dinner. I cooked spaghetti and meatballs while also preparing the kids lunches for the next school day. By the time I got in the shower around 10:30 I was exhausted, but it is always worth it! It was a fantastic color filled day!