Brunette Season

I have had almost every hair color under the sun on my head, but since I have been a hairdresser it’s been blonde.

I have a large clientele of light blondes, and it’s my theory that I attract them because of my hair color.

But recently I have gotten a big influx of brunette clients.

Dark hair has definitely made a comeback this year and more and more girls are searching for soft rich brunette tones.

There are so many ways your can approach a brunette. Tones are important like Warm, Neutral, or cool, or a combination.

How light or Dark they want to be?

Sometimes I’ll describe lighter brunettes as “Bronde” which is brunette-blonde mix.

If they are “Bronde” I like to ask if they want to feel like a brunette with lighter tones or if they want to feel like a blonde.

It can drastically change they way they feel about their color being too light or not light enough.

With hair extensions too often I see the mistake of only one color being mixed in to match their own hair color.

This is a dead giveaway that they have hair extensions because even brunettes have dimension and multiple different levels and tones.

Whenever I mix extensions I always prep at least 4 (or more) different options of tones and levels to give the most natural real effect.

When a client has no existing length to work with we really have to build the depth and tones to make it look like real hair.

Every client seen above has had color, custom colored extensions and NBR™️ installed and cut by me.

Every NBR™️ client will receive this every time.

NBR™️ is a method of hair extensions that works on all types, textures, and densities.

It’s the least damaging extensions on the market.

To see if you are a good candidate for the NBR™️ Experience click here and fill out my application.

To see more NBR™️ and Color transformation by me click here.

Custom is the Standard

Ever since I was young I have always wanted to stand out. I wasn’t much pleased to follow “trends”.

I’ve always wanted to be different.

In high school I would shop at thrift stores, make my own clothes, and I would listen to music that no one else knew about.

I’m still the same way with the clothes I wear, the car I drive, the music I listen to.

I like to be unique and original, and I believe everyone should.

Because there is no one like you.

We live in a world full of personalization. Having your own identity is “cool” and even encouraged. 

We have so many choices for shoes, monogram jewelry, accessories to fit perfectly like sunglasses, bags, custom tailored clothes. Sizes in petite and tall. And even down to our specific Starbucks order... 

“Grande Light Vanilla Latte with steamed almond milk and 2 pumps of White Mocha, please…”

Custom is the Standard.

Despite all of these endless choices, we have one decision that affects us the most…

Our HAIR.

It’s our most important accessory, because for most of us it dictates how we FEEL every day. 

So, if it’s the most vital factor... let me ask you this simple question:

Why shouldn’t your hair be completely CUSTOM and unique to YOU? 

The best part about my job is being able to help my clients stand out and helping them be the most elevated version of themself.

I get to do this every day in the salon by specializing in Color and Natural Beaded Rows Extensions or NBR™️.

I love this method because it is perfectly aligned to be a tailor-made process for every single client.

How? Every strand of hair is custom colored by ME before it is installed. I NEVER take a bag of hair and put it in your head.

Below is a side by side picture of what the hair looks like before and after a custom color.

On the left is raw hair, on the right is the same hair after being custom colored.

Custom color is necessary in order to give you the dream color and blend you have always wanted.

Pictures above is an example of the amount of hair I prep before an installation. On average we use about 3-4 different shades.

Multiple different tones should also be used in order to get the perfect blend.

When you are my client you never have to worry about purchasing your own hair or color matching. Everything is prepped for you.

It is so important to have the color spot on because it makes your extensions undetectable.

Even when the extensions are totally exposed they still blend into the scalp.

No matter what density, thin or thick, NBR™️ works for everyone.

Having natural-looking Extensions is so important because your hair is the crown you never take off!

If your extensions aren’t blending or they are hard to hide and you are ready to try the most elite hair extension method click here to start your journey with me Natural Beaded Rows Extensions.

To learn more about the story behind the NBR™️ Method click here to visit their official website.

To see more NBR™️ transformations by me click here.

Good Hair Can Change Your Life

Seems like a dramatic statement, i know, that something so superficial like hair could change someone life.

But if you’ve previously suffered from hair loss, or currently have bad hair, or you’ve have a bad hair day at least once in your life, you know what i’m saying.

Hair affects the way you feel.

My favorite part about my job is the ability to add more confidence to someone and change the way they feel about themselves in a positive way.

I was recently able to do a transformation behind the chair that was so satisfying that i wanted to share the entire story.

JOELLE

Joelle and i are actually good friends and work together in business. A combination of hormonal/health issues have led her no choice but to wear Hair Extensions for the past 7 years, with absolutely no break in between.

She was kind enough to allow me to share her before pictures.

The density (or hairs per square inch on her head) was very little. This made a lot of Hair Extension methods nearly impossible or too damaging on her own hair to attempt.

This was my first time doing NBR™️(Natural Beaded Rows) on her. In the past she had been wearing another “Beaded Row” extension method.

Pictured below is the previous method, NOT NBR™️.

So what’s the difference between “beaded rows” and NBR™️

NBR™️ was specifically designed to support fine, thin hair types by the founder and creator Danielle K. White, who also has a similar hair type. After years of searching for the right method she finally created the first beaded row method over 12 years ago. A method that would support all hair types and textures.

The combination of the NBR method with hand tied hair creates the opportunity for the most full, lightweight, natural-looking extensions.

So you can see why i was stoked to get my hands on Joelle. The possibility to enhance her experience with a better method of hair extensions and boost her confidence was exactly what I knew NBR™️could do for her!

The weft placement is crucial to fill in the sides and front. The color of the extensions is vital to ensure a seamless blend, and tight seamless stitching helps the tracks lay flat to the head. All of these details make NBR™️ undetectable.

Even if the wind blows Joelle will never have to worry about her tracks being seen.

There is no other method on the market that could have helped Joelle’s situation more.

This is why i chose to do the NBR™️ method. I have worked with and worn hair extensions for over 10 years, and I wanted to offer something that stood apart from everything else.

NBR™️ is the difference.

Hair affects the way most of us feel, whether it’s good or bad, and good hair can make someone feel amazing. I see the change in my clients every day through the smiles, laughter, and borderline tears when we finish their transformations.

Good hair can change your life.

To get the process started to sit in my chair I require every person to fill out an application. This will help me get to know you better and explain more details including investment and maintenance. Click here to get started.

To learn more about the NBR™️ experience click here, or to view more before and after pictures of my work click here.

To view the official website of NBR™️ click here.

My Hair Story

I get asked the question all the time: “How long have you been doing hair?”

There isn’t a simple answer because, honestly, hair is my life. It always has been. My journey in hair is complex and deep, so if you want know why i bleed hair… keep reading!

My Journey started with this beautiful woman pictured below.

My momma. She’s been a hairdresser for over 38 years, and has been an owner and CEO of her own Cosmetology and Esthetics school in Provo, UT for over 12 years.

She has been my number one inspiration since i was a child. I watched her be a successful artist, educator, friend, and mother.

When I was little I would draw pictures of her, the hairstyle she had, the clothes she wore, and i wished i could be exactly like her when i grew up.

I am blessed to have a mother that is the best example and best friend to me. She is still obsessed with education. We took the picture above when we were taking a cutting class together in NYC.

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After attending 2 years of college and then getting married at age 20, very young, i know! I attended my mom’s school in Utah. I felt an extreme amount of pressure to deliver and prove to everyone that I could live up to my mom’s legacy.

I was fascinated with color brands and formulating color in general. I dreamed of educating on a big stage with a big haircare brand one day…

I had NO idea how far this career would take me…but I knew I wanted to do hair for the rest of my life.

Below are a few of my first before and after shots out of school. I remember was SO PROUD of these pictures! Haha.

With the help of this brand new app called “Instagram” I was able to built my clientele rapidly by posting pictures of my work. Some advice I could give to a new student or hairdresser is to post before and after pictures of your work. They are so important because they show people what you really are capable of!

Before I knew it I was opening my own salon with my best friend, Kelcie. We needed room grow and be creative. We loved our own little space. We brought our puppies and the salon never felt like work!

I was obsessed with sharing my knowledge with everyone i knew. It was very fulfilling to me to share with other people what techniques has helped me and made me more successful. I didn’t care about the money, i really just loved how I felt teaching!

Kelcie and i would hold color/balayage classes out of our salon and travel to salon teams around the Utah Valley area.

I had so much fun with these classes but I knew I was ready for more in my business. So I applied for a competition called TIGI Inspirational Youth. A mentoring program founded by the founder of Bedhead and icon hairdresser, Anthony Mascolo. I was obsessed with everything TIGI. i used the entire color line and sold all the styling products in my salon. I wanted to by an educator for them, so being picked would be a huge opportunity for me.

I submitted my application and waited for months..

Then one morning, while i was still in bed, i got tagged in a post on facebook congratulating me on becoming a finalist. I would be flown to NYC to be mentored by the best in the company to teach on stage at the biggest hair show in the nation . I was in tears!

Pictured below are some pictures of my week in NYC at the TIGI Academy in SoHo.

I was so inspired by all the people, the photoshoots, the creativity and the willingness for everyone on the team to share their knowledge with me.

It was a huge undertaking to train all 10 of us to teach on a huge stage in front of 4,000 people. I had never been so nervous in my entire life. I was doing what i always dreamed of. There wasn’t any room for error!

The show was great, we all did amazing and pulled together a good show! But the second I got off that stage I wanted to do it all over again. I wanted more. The energy i felt was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I had a little taste of all the potential i could be.

So i went back to Utah, and I took as many classes as i could, and assisted at as many hairshows and events as possible. I sent an application and portfolio to TIGI to become a Colour Educator for the company. I was accepted and put into extensive training at the TIGI corporate headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Kelcie and I at the colour bar in the TIGI Academy in NYC.

Below was my first class i taught on my own with TIGI Copyright Colour. It was so much harder than i thought.

Education has changed a lot in the last few years. Influencers are now offering their own personal classes and are charging big money for people to come watch them work. There is nothing wrong with that. But i learned a system when i was trained to become an educator…which is to make the students of your classroom the stars of the show.

The difference between a good educator and an even better educator is one who can facilitate a classroom. A facilitator is someone who can get the students to guide the class on their own and help the lightbulbs turn on for everyone, no matter how long they’ve been doing hair. TIGI taught me this. Because their company was founded through education and run “by hairdressers for hairdressers”.

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Once i went through color training i felt like i needed a bigger push. I had been in my Utah salon for 2 years and i felt like i had tapped out in growth. So in January of 2018 my husband and i pursued a bigger dream of ours, and we moved to LA.

We knew our careers would propel if we changed our surroundings and went somewhere where everyone was doing better than us. That for sure was LA haha!

And so… the opportunities came.

Shooting on location with Bedhead.

I have gotten more amazing experiences in the last year than i have in my entire 5 years of hairdressing. Hair Shows, Photoshoots, Classes, and Music Festivals. It was by far was the best and most challenging year of my life.

Filming with Bedhead.

LA is fueled by the film, talent, and fashion industry and the city arguable breeds some of the best hair colorists in the world. I wanted to learn from the best. I am lucky enough to work in a salon owned by a color icon of mine for many years, Alen M.

He is a celebrity colorist known for his classic techniques which create truly perfect results. I have learned so much about color since being in LA. and how to create really perfect hair. It’s exhilarating to work next to others that have the same goals and aspirations as me.

Below is some color work i’ve recently done since moving to California.

To book color with me in Los Angeles you can click here for the salon, or send me a message on my instagram here.

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My newest aspiration is creating transformations in the salon with Color and Extensions.

I specialize in NBR™️ Hair Extensions which is a method using hand-tied-hair based out of Laguna Beach, CA. NBR is known for is pain free, no glue, no tape method and its natural look.

I custom color all the hair extensions myself before installing in order to get the most seamless blend.

Doing transformations is so rewarding because it can change a persons entire life… how they feel, their confidence, their relationships with their partners and children.

I love being apart of that process.

Below are some transformations I’ve done recently.

In order to book with me i require every client to fill out an application. In this application i you give me a little bit of information about your hair history and also submit pictures of your own hair and your dream hair.

This is necessary in order to give my my clients exactly what they want. After receiving the application I set up a free phone consultation to see if NBR is a good fit for you.

To fill out my application for NBR click here

To learn more about NBR you can visit their official website here

To see what a transformation with me in the salon looks like, watch this

What we think you should do (mostly eat) when you come to LA

So here we are. Its been almost a year since we packed up our rental van full of our most precious belongings and headed towards the city of our dreams.

A stable one year mark feels like the right moment to finally be able to call ourselves locals. Yes, I finally said it. (sigh) We are here, and we aren’t going anywhere soon. We have been changed forever. For the good…as we have seen a lot, done a lot, and ate A LOT. And for the bad…because we now compare everything with what LA has to offer.

So here is my list! A compilation of what we have done since Jan. 2018. These our my (our) opinions only. and there is still so much to try. And I promise if you tell me that you won’t come to LA because of the traffic…we can no longer be friends.

I did you a favor and left out the typical things I know you have already done in southern california like Disnelyland, Universal Studios, and the Santa Monica Pier…that’s it right?

Cactus Taqueria #1

950 n. vine st. hollywood

What would LA be like without some DIRTY tacos and burritos? We are mexican food snobs and it doesn’t get much more authentic than this. When we find super authentic Mexican street we like to call bean dip. Which is a privileged name that it earned! Don’t expect much from the amenities, but do expect to be full and happy when you leave. If they have an A inspection rating thats all that matters…right?

My personal favorite: California Burrito, or Street tacos with Melted cheese and Carne Asada.

Austin’s favorite: Fajita Burrito with beef.

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IMAX VR EXPERIENCE

157 South Fairfax, Los Angeles

Tired of doing the same thing when you come to LA? Check out this IMAX Virtual Reality experience, which is only 1 of 3 locations in the world! Get strapped up in gear from head to toe with your friends and enter a new dimensions while you complete tasks and challenges together as a team. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy this experience. Just about everyone will love tagging along!

To book an experience, click here.

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Halo Top Scoop Shop

The Grove Mall, 189 The Grove Dr. Los Angeles

When you are done at the IMAX VR keep your car in valet and head across the street to the grove mall for one of these tasty treats. Halo Top is known for their unrecognizable “healthy” ice cream. The calories are questionably low for how ridiculous this claimed ice cream tastes. They use little sugar and opt for Stevia instead. This is our favorite treat with out the guilt or stomach ache after!

My personal favorite: Soft Serve Vanilla in a Rainbow Cone with Cake Batter bites and rainbow sprinkles!

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Sweet Chick

448 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles

Look no further for comfort food full of soul. Widely known in NYC at the place to hit for Chicken and Waffles, owner and music artist Nas, opened his first chain location in LA a few years ago. Pop in for Dinner almost any weekday but be sure to make reservations for the weekends and Brunch.

My personal favorite: Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy with Poached Eggs.

Austins favorite: Spicy waffles with spicy chicken.

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Runyon Canyon Hike

Whether you need to burn a few calories from all the food, or you just want a good view of LA, take a hike up Runyon Canyon. This 1 mile trek up this paved fire lane shouldn’t challenge your sweat factor much. and the first bench mark will give you a view of the Hollywood Sign, Downtown LA, and Catalina Island on a clear day. Score! The best part for us is the majority of the hike is an off leash area for dogs, so Mako can get his social pup hour in.

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Joan’s on Third

8350 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles

Did you work up an appetite yet? Take a 10 minute drive over to a locals favorite lunch spot Joan’s. This casual cafe is similar to a Dean and Deluca concept with Deli walk ups, a bakery and coffee stand, and a full menu. The options are endless so your picky eaters will be satisfied.

My personal favorite: Egg sandwich, Cappuccino, and Banana Bread.

Austin’s Fav: Breakfast Burrito

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The Ivy

113 N. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles

Looking for a brunch that a little more boujee? Despite its “overrated” reputation its champagne taste and socialite scene will fulfill your fancy desires. Literally…they serve free mimosas while you wait for your table. We don’t even drink, but I can always appreciate some good hospitality. For the reasonable prices, amazing quality of food, and entertaining scene, we give it a 10/10. Especially when they give you the royal treatment on your birthday.

My personal favorite: Fresh Shelled Crab Benedict with French Fries

Austin’s favorite: Huevos Tamatillos

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Melrose District

Looking for the perfect scenery for your LA pictures to make all of your friends at home jealous? Look no further than the Melrose district. Between Fairfax and La Brea are blocks laced with unique urban graffiti that is surely in my book Instagram Worthy backdrops. Put on your best outfit and head over the anything BUT the pink Paul Smith wall.

Within walking distance you’ll find limitless art. All of these photos were taken within yards of each other.

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COFAX (coffee shop)

440 N. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles

People come here from all over LA to get a homemade doughnut and satisfying breakfast burrito. This Dodgers baseball themed cafe is always full for their fresh ingredients are hard to beat combinations.

My personal favorite: Vanilla Doughnut with rainbow sprinkles. (i get one of these at least once a week!)

Austins personal favorite: The Impossible burrito with vegan chorizo.

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Pearl’s Finest Teas

523 N Fairfax Lost Angeles

We’ve been coming to this spot since they opened and i am firm on my stance that they have they best boba in LA. But if you aren’t a boba fan they’ve got plenty of other drinks to quench your thirst and your sweet tooth. Don’t forget to grab a punch card if you are local…i’ve already filled at least 5.

My personal Favorite: Orange Yuzu (pictured above) a super refreshing citrus based tea. Or Vietnamese Coffee...tastes like chocolate milk and will give you enough energy to clean your entire house.

Austin’s Favorite: (not on the menu) Mango Coconut Slush blended with Green Tea and boba.

Watermelon Mint drink, blended.

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Jon and Vinny’s

412 N Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles

My absolute favorite italian food in the city and i BEG Austin if we can eat there every weekend. And im sure everyone else wants to as well. It’s got a pretty nice reputation so be sure to make reservations. The fresh traditional italain mixed with hip hop music is a cool environment to bring any of your friends to. for a fun experience ask to sit at the bar to watch the chefs cook in front of you.

My personal favorite: Meatballs, Parmesan Garlic Bread, and (if they have it) Mozzarella Sticks

Austins Favorite: Chicken Parm

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République

624 South La Brea Ave. Los Angeles

This gorgeous spacey venue with communal seating is always a fun brunch experience. The wait time isn’t long for the amount of people that visit. The menu is tricky, lengthy, and the food comes out with very nice presentation.

My personal favorite: Mushroom toast with egg scramble.

Kelcie’s fav: Breakfast plate with a baguette and fresh jam.

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The Getty Villa

Pacific Palisades, CA

Wanna skip the museum crowds? Check out J. Paul Getty’s personal home, where he is currently buried. His entire home was remodeled into a museum in the 70’s and is based on first century italian architecture. With it’s irreplaceable art pieces and artifacts plus the free admission, it can’t beat a relaxing afternoon.

Getty’s prized piece: Hercules (125 AD)

Head up to Malibu Beach after for lunch at Malibu Farms.

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I hope you enjoyed our list, and we wish your bellies are fully satisfied, or grumbling from all the pictures!

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