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Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

A girl's gotta accessorize, right? Happy Halloween!

Matrix... Take Me Awayyyyy

I just got a phone call from Matrix telling me I made it to the finals and they are flying me and 17 others to New York City in December! While I am in NYC, they will decide if I am one of the 6 people they will take around the country for 6 months Spreading the Love through the beauty industry! There will also be a voting section where you can all vote for me to be one of the six! I will be posting the link tomorrow! THANK YOU MATRIX!!!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Natalie Fox for Spread The Love 2012


Why do I want to be a part of Spread The Love and what do I hope to get out of this journey?
I am about to graduate cosmetology school and I could not have asked for a better experience. I want to share all the amazing things I learned and continue exploring this awesome world of hair. I also graduated from The University of Arizona with a Journalism degree, which gave me experience that I can tie in with my passion for the beauty industry. I am on a quest to put both my educational experiences together and do something BIG with the skills I have been so lucky to acquire. I am someone who absorbs everything around me. I love to keep up with trends and I dream of traveling the world and learning beauty tips from every culture. I know traveling the country with Matrix is the best way to lead me to my dream because it would give me hands-on, interactive experience that I couldn't get anywhere else. I am positive I would be an asset to the team of aspiring hair professionals that are chosen to Spread The Love. I can't think of a more perfect way to utilize my knowledge and my energy!

What does it mean to me to be a hairdresser?
In this world, it is so important to look amazing and help make other people look the way they desire. Your appearance is something you can change whenever you want and it says so much about who you are. Yes, I know beauty is only skin deep. However, I think when you look and feel beautiful, everything else in your life improves... that is why this industry is so amazing! 
I chose to go to cosmetology school a few months after graduating college when I started to realize how important it is to have a career you love and are excited to do every day when you wake up. I love being creative and I am excited about hair and everything that goes along with it. I love transforming someone's confidence by making them feel amazing about how they look. I want to change the world one person at a time and I feel so fortunate that I am headed down a career path that makes that possible.

What would my best friend say about me?
My best friend, Ashley, has a little part in my video saying some really nice things about me. She got all dressed up and even put pictures of us on the table behind her in her video, which shows a lot about how much she cares. However, she admitted she got a little camera shy and joked with me that she really wanted to clear the air and tell you: I have super curly hair that she has seen in every awkward stage since 3rd grade (humid Chicago summers didn't help this issue). When we were young and I went to her house after school, her mom would make us hot dogs with cheese in the middle and I ate them for years to be polite until recently I came clean about how much I hated them. Ashley drove with me from Illinois to Arizona even though she wasn't happy about my big move but she knows that no matter where either of us live, we will be best friends. 
She also told me that she thinks it's important for you to know that I don't like drama and I am always the mediator between our friends, I am honest and trustworthy, and that when you get to know me, you will be surprised how weird and goofy I am.

Who is my biggest inspiration?
My parents are my biggest inspiration. They eat, sleep, and breathe just to make sure my sister and I are happy. They are not only the reason for my existence, but they are the reason I have morals, a big heart, ambition, a conscience, and a strong desire to be something really great. They have seen me fail and have always been the reason I get back up. They supported me when I changed my mind about what I wanted to do with my life and decided to go to cosmetology school. They inspire me to keep pushing because I want to make them proud and show them that everything they have done for me will pay off.

When do I feel most creative?
I feel most creative when I am out of my element. I love diversity and I enjoy getting to know people who are unlike myself. I am always moving, thinking, socializing, networking and learning. I enjoy being out of my comfort zone because I think that is when I really learn the most and feel the most creative.

Where do I look for inspiration?
I don't think I really look for inspiration. I don't think that is how inspiration works. I think it is something that is just there in every day life and if you choose to take the time to see it, you will be inspired. The world is full of art, culture, music, fashion, nature, and beauty. To be honest, I don't know how some people aren't inspired. When I pay attention and take in my surroundings, I get inspired to create overall looks that come from any combination of elements.

What is my favorite classic hairstyle and why?
I absolutely love any hairstyle that originated between the 1920's and 1940's. In my video, I show you finger waves because I think they represent change when it was barely even acceptable for women to express themselves through their hairstyle. I love the feeling of empowerment that is so apparent in old Hollywood photographs of women who were changing the standards of beauty and pushing the envelope. When I see these images, I get pulled into the era of lavish diamonds, men in 3-piece suits, jazz bands, automobiles, theatre, and everything that defines classic glamour. I love that these hairstyles are still worn on the red carpet and hold the same level of classic beauty as they did in the 30's.

If I could have dinner with an industry celebrity or icon, who would it be and if I could make a change in the world what would it be?
These two questions may not seem like they go together, but the change I would make in the world is that everybody would adopt the attitude of my most influential industry icon, Jill Kohler. Jill may not be a celebrity to everybody, but she should be. I am not the only one who has said, "If there were more Jill Kohler's, this world would be a better place." Jill has dedicated her life to changing the standards of the beauty industry from the ground up and inspiring everyone she meets to become better versions of themselves. In this fast-paced, money-hungry, politically-charged world we live in, it is really hard for people to take a step back and focus on what is real and what matters. Jill really sees the big picture and she has made me more capable of doing the same. I wish everyone would live by her high standards and adopt her attitude. These are just a few of the things Jill says often and I think everyone should live by: 
"You can leave an after-math, after-taste, or after-glow. Choose to leave an after-glow."
"Be where your feet are."
"Get comfortable being uncomfortable."
"Let silence do the heavy lifting."

Here is a two minute video that answers four of the questions above. Enjoy!



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Gorgeous & Green

As you know, I was chosen as a semi-finalist for Matrix Spread The Love 2012 and I couldn't be more excited! They asked me to showcase a salon that is special to me as part of the submission for the next round in a short, two minute video. It was a hard decision because there are so many amazing salons full of talented people in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area... but after a lot of thought, I decided to tell Matrix about a Salon that is not only making a difference in the beauty industry, but also the world.

I chose The Green Room, an organic hair lounge in Scottsdale, Arizona. I love the green room because of the concept, the people, and the amazing hair they produce every day. Take a look!


Saturday, October 8, 2011

Hair Art

Every first Friday of the month, the streets of downtown Phoenix turn into an art fair organized by a nonprofit organization to bring artists together in the community. The culture and the art are amazing.

Of course, the only things I bought at First Fridays was food and hair accessories. I found these hand-made, crochet headbands that I love! They were only $8 each and there were hundreds to choose from... I had to buy two!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Bumble and Bumble Concen-STRAIGHT

I was asked to be a model for the regional training of Bumble and Bumble's new professional permanent smoothing/straightening system called "Concen-straight". Watch this video to learn a little more about this new straightening system:


My Review (So Far):

I got the treatment done less than 24 hours ago, so I can't tell you how different my blow-dry and styling is yet. However, I can tell you that I have gotten the Brazilian Blowout, and so far I like Concen-Straight a lot better. The service was a lot less tedious than the Brazilian and didn't take nearly as long. The best part about it was that the formula actually smells good! I remember holding my breath and having really watery eyes when I got the Brazilian Blowout because of the smell and the fumes. I didn't experience any of those negative effects with Bumble and Bumble's Concen-Straight.

My hair feels amazing! It is soooo shiny, smooth, and healthy. My only concern right now is that I hope I can still get the same body and volume as usual when I style. I will keep you updated!


BEFORE


DURING



AFTER

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A BEAUTIFUL Idea

Women in the hospital probably don't get the chance to Feel Foxy too often... but that doesn't have to be the case.

Check out: http://www.bewellbebeautiful.org/

I love this idea! I truly believe feeling beautiful on the outside can help someone feel good on the inside. This would bring a smile to so many faces... smiles lead to happiness and happiness often leads to good health :)

Spread The Love 2012

I'm ecstatic! I was chosen as a semi-finalist for Matrix Spread The Love 2012! The final prize is traveling the country for 6 months on a journey to celebrate the pride, passion, and impact hairdressers have on the millions of lives they touch. I would get to blog about it every step of the way and learn so much about this amazing industry! I know I would be perfect for this opportunity, I just hope Matrix thinks so too!

I made it to round TWO with this goofy video! As silly as it is, it is a perfect example of the things I love most because it combines my passion for doing hair, the beauty industry, journalism, and making a difference in this big crazy world. Enjoy!


P.S. I will keep you updated on the next round... wish me luck! And... No, I don't have an identical twin. I play myself and the reporter in my video ;)

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Introducing... NEW Bare Minerals READY Eyeshadow

I got to try out the new Bare Minerals innovative solid mineral technology before it was even out. Here is Christine from Bare Minerals to tell us all about this exciting new product!


Undo Skin Damage Before it's too Late!

If you are anything like me, you ignored all the advice about wearing sun block every day, not going in tanning booths, and removing all your makeup before you go to sleep... until you grew wiser and smarter and started seeing some minor signs of aging. Eeeks!

The bad news is, even if you quit all the bad habits and start protecting your skin, most of the damage is already done and will start to show more and more the older you get.

The good news is, you can start reversing the signs of damage now, before they get really bad.

My esthetician recommended that people my age (twenty-somethings) can start getting peels regularly to get rid of hyper-pigmentation and prevent wrinkles from coming to the surface later. She also recommended a great new product by Dermalogica called Overnight Repair Serum. It is the newest addition to Dermalogica's AGE Smart system and controls the biochemical triggers that lead to skin aging. It focuses on three main things... increased collagen renewal, increased elasticity, and boosting cell renewal.


I have been using it for a week and I really like it. I like that you wear it at night, because who has any more time to lend to my morning routine? I also love how it feels. It goes on like a light, silky lotion and your skin absorbs it almost immediately. If you don't already have an anti-aging routine, this is a great place to start. It is never too early to start!

You can order Dermalogica online at Dermstore.com or search for spas in your area that carry Dermalogica.