Sneak Peek: It's not even out yet, but I found the BEST new oil!

Oils for your hair are the hottest thing on the market right now! However, so many of them are missing something or have a little too much of something and look heavy and greasy. You might be wondering why Biolage hasn’t come out with an oil, but let me tell you, be patient because perfection takes time! We pulled some strings and got ahold of the Matrix Biolage Exquisite Oil before it is even available. This is one of those times when I wish you could reach into the screen and feel my hair before and after it is styled using Exquisite Oil because it literally went from straw to silk. Watch how just using the Exquisite Oil alone transforms my hair. Now I might not survive without it until it’s available!

Tool Talk: Texture Tools with Andreas Hogue

Texture is all the rave right now and Andreas knows how to get it. He shows us three different tools to create various patterns in the hair. Enjoy!

Can you guess which side of my hair I used Matrix Total Results Silk Wonder on?

It was a little humid out today in Baltimore so I needed something quick and easy to conquer my frizz! I worked a little bit of Matrix’s Total Results Miracle product, Wonder Sleek, gradually from my ends to my mid-strand and even smoothed a little over the top of my head. I only got the chance to put it on one side of my part when I caught myself in the mirror and realized how big of a difference Wonder Sleek made compared to the side where I had not yet applied it! It made my hair shiny, smooth, and made my color look richer and more vibrant. It also made my hair feel super soft and not greasy at all!
I had someone snap a picture before I put any on the other side so I could show everyone how much better that one side looked! Can you tell which side got the royal sleek treatment and which side was still looking thirsty?

America's Beauty Show in Chicago!

We were in Chicago at America’s Beauty Show and it felt like we died and went to hair heaven! Everything a hairdresser could ever want and need all in one giant room. We had so much fun seeing new techniques, products, and tools. Here is a little taste of ABS Chicago 2012!

The 2012 behindthechair.com Stylist Choice Awards!

We were fortunate enough to be there for one of the most celebrated nights in the beauty industry… The behindthechair.com Stylist Choice Awards! It was such an exciting night for us and the rest of the MATRIX Family, who went home with prestigious awards including “Favorite Overall Professional Products Company”! We even got to present an award among some of the biggest names in the industry! What an honor! When are we going to wake up from this incredible dream world??? Somebody pinch us! 

LOVE for LILLY!

Watch our video to see how we raised over $2,000 for Lilly at Vickies Salon!
Lilly is a beautiful second grader in Illinois. Unlike other children her age worrying about school,  Lilly has the battle of a lifetime ahead.  Lilly was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma, a very aggressive form of cancer. Her mother has taken a medical leave to take care of her child…they would appreciate all the love the you can spread their way. A fund has been set up at the local bank for you to make donations. If you’ve caught the Love Bug the fund’s information is below. 
Love for Lilly
C/O Wauconda Community Bank
495 W. Liberty Street, Wauconda, IL 60084

Andreas Hogue Color Challenge! Natalie and Meredith Conquer Corrective Color

Andreas and Ashley Hogue invited us back to their beautiful salon for a color class! Not only did we have a great time, we learned so much about every Matrix color line. Our challenge was to take one mannequin that had four different problems (one section was too brassy, one was over 50% grey, one was too dark, and one was way too light) and make them all match. Our goal was to make each quadrant a 6N and we came pretty close!

HairSpa Spreading The Love

Indiana’s 2012 Matrix Spread The Love Salon, HairSpa, invited their guests to have a free pamper service with every salon service to encourage them to donate money to Relay for Life. They also ran a special on all Matrix products and gave all proceeds from product sales to Relay for Life. HairSpa will continue to be involved with Relay For Life; at the actual relay, the owner, Mendi, will perform a blind folded haircut! HairSpa has had several other events benefitting charities such as a cut-a-thon to donate hair to Angel Hair, fundraisers for Cutting for The Cure, and they have their very own in-salon wig bank! Keep up the good work HairSpa!

Do You Know About Diversion?

I always wondered why there were professional salon products in the grocery stores, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and other places that are not professional beauty supply stores or salons.

Are they real? Why are they usually more expensive than in salons? Why is the packaging sometimes different? Why are they there?

I have been learning a lot about this issue called “Diversion” and all of my questions are answered! I can finally walk through Target in peace (except for the fact that I want to put bright yellow CAUTION tape across all the professional products!) Tell all your friends, family, clients, etc. how important it is to buy professional hair products and only in salons and professional beauty supply stores. Tell everyone not to assume that shampoo at Wal-Mart is cheaper than in the salon because it is not. If it does appear cheaper in price it is most likely expired or tampered with.

I found a Matrix poster that explains everything very well! This is what it says:

DID YOU KNOW… That when you purchase salon products at food, drug, and mass retailers…

-The average price for a bottle of Matrix shampoo or conditioner is generally more than 15% higher than salon retail prices.

-Products may not be authentic– product quality is guaranteed ONLY when purchased in the salon.

-Products may be older than the recommended shelf life.

-They may not carry the product you need for your specific hair type.

TRUST US. As salon professionals, we know your hair and will recommend the best products for your hairstyle.

Buy MATRIX (and other professional products) ONLY in the salon.

REPORT DIVERSION: nodivert@aol.com 1-800-503-3997

"Cut It Out" with Xenon International Academy

Xenon International Academy in Wichita, Kansas, invited us to participate in a cut-a-thon to raise money for “Cut It Out”, which is an organization for hairdressers against domestic violence! We had so much fun cutting for a great cause with everyone at Xenon!