So here it is, November 8th and I am eight days into growing a moustache for a cause known as the “Movember Foundation.” Started in Australia, the Movember Foundation charity has run Movember events to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer. I have joined Mo’s from around the world to help raise awareness and money for research and education. My goal is to raise $500 for the month; a modest but attainable goal. I am also planning on bringing back the Tom Selleck, I think I should make it with three weeks to go! Check out our salon Facebook page to see updates.

Rules:

1. You must begin the 1st of November with a clean shaven face.
2. You grow/groom a moustache for the entire month of November.
3. No joining of the mo to your sideburns.
4. No joining of the handlebars to your chin (that is considered a goatee).
5. You must conduct yourself as a true country gentleman

My Movember page: movember.com/mospace/1598608/

Check out Tyson Kennedy’s product placement in Details magazine. They voted it the best new product! We’ve been there since day one!
Click here for pdf:
fatboy.

One of the reasons we continue to work in New York at Cutler Salon, aside from working with great people and drawing inspiration, is to take advantage of opportunity’s that stimulate our artistic sense and challenge us to stay one step ahead.  One of the fruits of this relationship is the open invitation to participate  backstage at the famed bi-annual Fashion Week shows.

On Sunday I worked along a team of hairdressers from Cutler, lead by Heather Packer, on the Yoana Baraschi show at Lincoln Center.  While it is a cliche, organized chaos would be the best way to describe the happenings before the show. Models, hairdressers, makeup artists, press, photographers, designers and miscellaneous support staff make the entire experience feel like being in a vacuum.

The hair, while relatively simple, was elegant and clean.  An on off center parted, tight ponytail, with a front section left out.  We set the front section and put a slight wave in, then pulled back and pinned it to the base of the ponytail.  We then pulled the ponytail straight out and twisted the hair until it wrapped around itself; like twisting a rope until it knotted up, then pinned it back at the base.  Not an over the top look, but the whole challenge is not only to be able to complete the look, but to think up the design to begin with.

The shows are based on a collaborative effort of the designer, hairdresser, and makeup artist.  They will meet prior to the show to do a “test,” develop an interpretation on a  model,  and come up with the look that completes the collection.  Once backstage the concept is translated to the rest of the team and from there it’s a race against time to finish the models before the start of the show.

Only made it to one show this season (the clothes showcased are two seasons ahead); it’s certainly a challenge to balance life and logistics, but I had a great time and am looking forward to the fall!

For more information on Yoana Baraschi’s collections check out:  www.yoanabaraschi.com

-Carlos

Straight razor shaving is a skill that I have been interested in for a number of years. I’ve practiced on myself and even had the opportunity to have a few of my clients sit under the blade.  The art of shaving is something that I would like to become better at for the simple reason of perfecting an old school technique.

Thanks to one of our great clients (Adam Pincus), I was privileged to use the gift card given to me for the holidays this past weekend at The Art of Shaving.  Located on Walnut Street between 15th and 16th, this boutique men’s salon (they do offer haircuts) specializes in straight razor shaves.  I have had a straight razor shaves  before (my first actually at The Art of Shaving in Manhattan years ago) and it is certainly a treat!  My gift card included a shave and a facial (The Royal) and the thirty minutes lying back and having my mug catered to was pure heaven.

My operator was a woman in her mid-twenties (Brittany), and while I admit it was a novelty to have a woman perform a shave; she wouldn’t be behind the chair if she was not entirely skilled. Starting with pre-shave oil, warm cream and a hot towel and continuing with her gentle strokes of the razor I knew my skin would be in good hands.  The art of the shave is not necessarily how close you get, but how you handle the beard and the skin together.  My first shave way back, while pleasant, was actually a bit too close!

Completing the shave and lathering up for a second time ensured that all the whiskers would be cut.  She then applied a cooling balm, mask and finally after wiping my skin, a mild toner.  My skin felt terrific!  And no blood either, not that I was worried; in the hands of an expert you extend your trust.  That’s why if you are reading this you’ve let us do the same with you!

For all the guys I’d certainly recommend booking an appointment for the novelty and for the experience.  And, for all the girlfriends and wives who like their men clean shaven this would make a great gift!

Art of Shaving 1528 Walnut Street  Philadelphia, PA 19102  (215) 875-6702

www.theartofshaving.com

-Carlos

Well-Groomed: Scoring the Perfect Product.

Welcome to my office, sit down, relax…take your shoes off.  Can I offer you a drink?  Perhaps a pillow. How are you doing?  Kids driving you crazy, bad day at work, spousal issues?  These were the topics we covered during our last session, but after reviewing my notes, and conferring with my peers I’ve come to believe that you haven’t gotten in touch with your deeper, darker issues.  Do you know where I am coming from?  Feeling a bit uneasy?  Can you feel it slowly coming to the surface?  It’s ok, I’m here; let it out.  Ah, yes…feel better?  You are not alone; in fact I’ve only diagnosed you with a mild case so it’s really not that bad and the good news is your problem is treatable!  What is it you ask? A strain of inflammation in your hair strands causing an emotional imbalance thereby creating a sense of uneasiness about how you feel about your hair.  How to treat it?  Go to your hairstylist, look in the mirror, and repeat these words together over and over…,” I look good, I feel good, and doggone it people like me!”

We see it day in and day out. Clients want what the don’t have. Whether it be hair density, texture, or color we’ve seen it all.  It’s a lifelong battle, or a changing of the times as clients age; mix that in with wrinkles, and weight gain and you have a perfect recipe for complete dissatisfaction.  And of course the latest celebrity trash or fashion magazines don’t any good  because you just end up comparing yourself to something that is just not real. Let’s face it Oprah can talk your ear off about being ok with who you are and what you’ve got; but easy for her to say when she can have a team of pro’s “put’” her  face and hair on before every show!

Our job is to provide honesty to you, the client, regarding what we feel will work best; even challenging you to adopt a fresh outlook.  The best way to do this is to do a great consultation and follow it up with the best result possible.  Why cut bangs if you have a strong center part and a cowlick?  Why do streaky highlights so you have roots in two weeks?  Why leave swirly hair on top if it’ll look like a combover?  We want people leaving our chair feeling and looking great and part of the challenge is to get you to see the real you!  So go ahead, look in the mirror again; really look, and say those words…, “I look good, I feel good, and doggone it people like me!”

-Carlos

May flowers bring spring showers; well maybe it was April, but who cares! The weather is nice!
This month’s book of the month is I Love You More Than You Know, by David Sedaris. If your a fan you’ll love this read, and remember there is no monthly meeting unless you book your  next appointment with us.  So double book it!

Also, mention the HSP Blog and you’ll receive 20% of your purchase of Nest Candles for the month of May.  Go to our products page, click the link for Nest Fragrances, and you’ll be able to find out more about this premier line of scented candles.  Indulge yourself, you deserve it!

-Carlos

There is no harm in supporting those who support you. In fact, business is all about relationships; you never know how your initial introduction may benefit you in the future. To that I would like to shamelessly plug a few of our favorite product and beauty brand companies that we at Hush Salon Philadelphia support.

If you haven’t tried the CUTLER shampoo and styling products don’t be left behind. We are an exclusive retailer of the New York based Cutler Salon product line. Developed and manufactured to the standards set by Rodney Cutler; we wouldn’t be a retailer of his products were it not for our years spent working for him in Manhattan or his support of us opening in Philadelphia. You can find out more about the salon and the products by logging onto their website.

www.cutlersalon.com

We also want to share the love for a one man, one product operation; FATBOY. Cool name, say it out loud!  This product, Perfect Putty, is nearly perfect and will be soon after the first mass produced run gets on our shelves. After countless hours experimenting with various recepies in his kitchen in Brooklyn, Tyson Kennedy has in fact developed the perfect putty. We dare you to try it!

www.fatboyhair.com

And in another independent, startup success story; one of our first clients at Hush quit her job, and with her husband, has blasted onto the online beauty retail scene. LOCK and MANE offers high end beauty items from shampoos to blowdryers, styling products to cleansing creams. They even have a section dedicated to mens grooming and carry my favorite products by Nickel. Located in Philadelphia means shipping is only a day away for most of our clients, and they even do free shipping for orders of $25 or more. Plus, when you enter the “Hush 15″ coupon code you get an additional 15% off!

www.lockandmane.com

It’s all about relationships!

-Carlos

A constant on my ever growing list of things I want to do, was starting a book club. Well, I finally scratched that one off my list. We at Hush have decided to start a very laid back and informal book club.  Starting in April ,we invite you to double book your next appointment.  Throughout the entire month, we will be reading Colum McCann’s  Let the Great World Spin. Come on in and share your thoughts on the novel with your stylist and perhaps even the client sitting in the chair next to you. If you can’t make it in and want to share, feel free to post a comment.

-Ruth

Welcome!  First of all, let me say  ”thank you” to our website designer, Jared Coles of JC Media Designs, for putting together our fabulous site.  Part of the website development alloted space for our blog, and we appreciate  all of you who take the time to read what we have to say!

I personally haven’t spent much time reading blogs, but now, given the opportunity to write, I feel I may become more involved in the blogger community. I enjoy writing, so having the platform to express my thoughts, feelings and opinions, will be an excellent way to be creative.  I am sure the content of our blog may cover various themes because we will have the salon staff submitting entries. So please check in often!

I would like to wrap up this first entry by saying how extremely pleased we are with the success of Hush Salon Philadelphia. On the client front, we are grateful to have, in our short time, established loyal clients who not only ‘get’ our positioning in the crowded salon industry, but are eager to spread the word with reviews, word of mouth and good will.  The development of our staff, who also ‘get’ what we are trying to do, could not make me more proud.  I am eager to stay motivated and concentrated on keeping Hush Salon Philadelphia the talk of the town!

-Carlos