We love it when our clients take the time to offer us feedback! Here is a comment that was submitted in the 'Share your experience' box on our website:

"Wonderful haircut!  From Columbus OH and was visiting family in Kettering. Referred to Jesse by my sister in law! I'm seriously considering driving 4 hr round trip to get hair cut by Jessie every 5-6 weeks!"

Thanks for taking the time to send us your feedback! We love hearing how our talented hair stylists are doing.

Have any of you readers been in the salon lately? How was your experience? Let us know - leave a comment here, or send us a message on our website, Michael's Facebook page, or Michael's on Twitter. We'd LOVE to hear from you.

We love it when our clients take the time to offer us feedback! Here is a comment that was submitted yesterday in the 'Share your experience' box on our website:

"This was my second time having Brooke cut, color, and style my hair. The first time I came with three different ideas that she morphed into one hair-style. I have received so many compliments from friends, family, co-workers, and fellow students. Coming back I wanted to get relatively the same hair-style and she did an equally amazing job, and I think I like it even better than the first time. 

Her talent as a stylist is complimented with great customer service and conversation. Sitting in her chair feels like I am talking with an old friend.  Great service and even better hair!!  Thanks!!"

-Holly

Photo: Holly's A-Line Bob Hairstyle

Brooke took a photo of Holly's cut and color. Brooke used a chocolate brown hair color on Holly's bottom layers and around her face, and lightened up the top layers with blonde highlights for spring. Holly's cut is an a-line bob, which is a very current look, and it's flattering on most face shapes. For styling tips, check out this recent How to video featuring Katie round brushing her a-line bob.

How To Tuesday videos are back! Check Michael's Beauty Blog weekly for a new video featuring Michael's beauty team demonstrating the techniques they use everyday when getting ready in the morning. There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to recreate your salon look at home, so we're going to do our best to show you some secret tips and techniques so you can have a salon look everyday!

How to Curl Hair with a Flat Iron

In our last video, Sheena demonstrated how to crimp your hair with a flat iron. This week, Brooke's taking it a step further to show how to CURL with a straightening iron. Sound like an oxymoron? Watch the video to see how it's done:


Video: How To Curl Hair with a Flat Iron

To recap, here are some of Brooke's tips:

• Brooke preps her hair with Michael's Styling Creme before blow drying to give her hair more texture and hold
• This look is good for the day(s) between shampoos. The build up in your hair can help hold the curls, and prevent fly-aways
• Always use a thermal protectant spray to protect your hair from heat damage
• Brooke used a 1.5 inch wide flat iron - the size of your straightening iron determines the tightness/looseness of your curls
• Section off your hair and start on the bottom layer and work your way up, one side at a time
• In small sections, start the flat iron at your root, turn the flat iron, and pull it all the way to your ends
• Brooke curls her hair toward her face, but you can alternate in and out for a different look
• For the back, Brooke pulls the pieces toward the front to make it easier to control
• Once your hair is curled, take a look to make sure you didn't miss any pieces
• Use a dime-sized amount of Michael's Texture Taffy to give your curls separation and texture
• Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray

What do you think? Is this a look you will try? If you have any styling tips or beauty techniques you would like to see, please let us know! You can leave a comment here on our blog, or on Facebook or Twitter!

How To Tuesday videos are back! Check Michael's Beauty Blog weekly for a new video featuring Michael's beauty team demonstrating the techniques our they use everyday when getting ready in the morning. There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to recreate your salon look at home, so we're going to do our best to show you some secret tips and techniques so you can have a salon look everyday!

How to Crimp Your Hair with a Flat Iron

This week's video features Sheena demonstrating how to crimp your hair with a flat iron to create messy, beachy waves.


Video: How To Crimp Your Hair with a Flat Iron

To recap, here are some of Sheena's tips:

• Sheena preps by blow drying her hair up-side-down to create as much volume as possible
• Part your hair into one-inch sections
• Starting at the root, slide your flat iron down the section, flipping it over and under to create a zig-zag wave
• Always end "under" so you don't have harsh edges on your style
• Squeeze your flat iron tight to get more definition in your waves
• Sheena twists her bangs to the side and pins them with a stylish clip
• You can vary the look by parting your hair in larger or smaller sections

If you have any styling tips or beauty techniques you would like to see, please let us know! You can leave a comment here on our blog, or on Facebook or Twitter!

The balayage highlighting technique is referred to in many different ways and many designers claim to know the technique.  But at Michael's Salon and Spa, our designers are trained by a Balayage expert, Master Designer and Hair Colorist Jodi Schuh.  Jodi mastered the balayage technique at the Jacques Dessange Training Salon in Paris. Jodi says she loves the balayage hair color technique because it is natural-looking and very different  from traditional foil highlights.  With Balayage your colorist will actually "paint" the highlights into your hair. This gives your designer more creative control over the intensity and amount of highlights  in your style.    An added benefit, as your hair grows out the roots are more subtle than with foils.




Jodi recently conducted a balayage training class to certify more of Michael's talented hair colorists on this exciting technique. Designers go though several classes performing the technique on mannequins and actual models before they can provide the service  to  Michael's clients. This ensures that our stylists have practiced and mastered the technique, to provide the best possible hair color results every time.

This training is just one part of Michael's continuing education program for our staff. We offer many classes throughout the year to ensure that all of our stylists  stay up-to-date on current fashions and trends.

How To Tuesday videos are back! Check Michael's Beauty Blog weekly for a new video featuring Michael's beauty team demonstrating the techniques our stylists use everyday when getting ready in the morning. There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to recreate your salon look at home, so we're going to do our best to show you some secret tips and techniques so you can have a salon look everyday!

Round Brush Blow Out

This week's video features Katie demonstrating how she round brushes her angled bob haircut to get lots of volume.

Video: How To: Round Brush Blow Out

To recap, here are some of Katie's tips:

• Finger-dry your hair until it's 80% dry, and then start round brushing
• Clip your hair out of the way to start round brushing your bottom layer and work your way up
• Round brush one section at a time, and hit the cool button on your dryer to allow your hair to cool before removing your brush
• Work in small sections for the best results
• At your crown, brush your hair back at about halfway up your part - if you follow the part all the way back it will look flat.
• Use a good hairspray to hold your look

If you have any styling tips or beauty techniques you would like to see, please let us know! You can leave a comment here on our blog, or on Facebook or Twitter!

We absolutely LOVE it when clients take time to offer us feedback on their experiences at Michael's. Good or bad, we want to know what you think (of course we love the good, but if we can make your experience better in some way, please let us know). On the left side of Michael's website is a 'Share your experience' box that goes to our general manager. It's like having her direct phone extension.

Here is a recent comment from a new client:

I just wanted to send a note to say that I was a new client to the salon a couple of weeks ago and had a haircut from Reagan. I've tried several hairstylists in the last few years and she gave me the best haircut that I've had in as long as I can remember. It not only looked good when I walked out that day but I've also been able to style it on my own. She really did a really great job and I can't wait to come back.
Thanks,
Amanda

Just to let everyone know, the video we told you about last week, with AOL Stylelist, is here! A congratulations goes out to Courtney Collins, Rebecca Krause and Jodi "Reese" Melvin! The video turned out fantastic!

To keep you all updated, Monday was a big day for Michael's Salon and Spa! AOL Media came to the salon and shot footage of unique make-up styles for the "Hot in My Salon" video program on Stylelist.com! Michael's designer, Courtney Collins was featured creating two "wild eye" looks. Models Rebecca Krause and Jodi "Reese" Melvin looked fantastic!

We will keep you updated for more news on when the video will be shown. Until then, check out some of the photos below taken of the event and of the girls after they were finished!

At last - the long-awaited makeover photos of Shana, our Young Professional makeover winner!

With the help of Generation Dayton, the dynamic networking group for Young Professionals in the Dayton region, Michael's sought out young professionals who would be willing to put their trust in the hands of our talented beauty professionals for a beauty makeover. We had a great response, but one nomination really stood out.

By day Shana Douglas is Marketing Director at Sunbelt of Miami Valley, by night, she is a social media extraordinaire, volunteering her time and expertise to such organizations as the March of Dimes, Dayton AMA, Greater Dayton Advertising Association, and more. She is very active and involved in the Dayton community and online (she's @ShanaDouglas if you're on Twitter).

"I nominate myself... solely because I don't have time to take care of myself like I'd like to! Between a full-time job, consulting and numerous volunteer roles, there's little time left for beauty."

Hairstyle Info:
Tonya worked with Shana to find a hairstyle that suits Shana's professional-by-day/"rowdy chucks and heels wearing diva by night" personality.


If you want to see more photos of Shana's makeover, there are more on Michael's Facebook page. What do you think of Shana's new look? Are you ready to make a change?

Congratulations to the Kettering 2010 Holiday at Home Queen Morgan Sandstrom! Morgan is the daughter of Kevin and Debbie Sandstrom - Debbie happens to be a makeup artist and floor manager here at Michael's Salon! You may recognize Morgan from our Spray Tan information or makeup videos; she has graciously been a model for us on several occasions.

Have you tried the Axxium manicure by OPI yet? Michael's first introduced this non-chip manicure to the Dayton area about a year ago. Through the month of September, we are offering a special price so you can try this revolutionary manicure!

Cherice, Alana, Samantha and Jenny have all been trained on the Axxium process.

Have you tried Axxium yet? How did you like this manicure?

We absolutely LOVE it when clients take time to offer us feedback on their experiences at Michael's. Good or bad, we want to know what you think (of course we love the good, but if we can make your experience better in some way, please let us know). On the left side of Michael's website is a 'Share your experience' box that goes to our general manager. It's like having her direct phone extension.

Here is a recent comment from an out-of-town visitor:

Not from Dayton, but was there this weekend and decided, on a whim, that I wanted a haircut...called in to make an appt and said that my only requirement was awesome bangs.  I was scheduled w/ Tasha and I can honestly say I don't think I've had a better haircut ever before.  My bangs were spot on and she was incredibly friendly and down to earth...seriously bummed that I live 2 hours away!! 
-Name withheld

We love it when our clients take the time to offer us feedback! Here is another comment that was submitted yesterday in the 'Share your experience' box on our website:

"I had a great experience. I cut 11 inches off to donate to locks of love. I was a little nervous but Myka did such a great job. I get compliments every day on my cut and color. Everything was great and I love my new do for summer!
-Kristyn

We love it when our clients take the time to offer us feedback! Here is a comment that was submitted yesterday in the 'Share your experience' box on our website:

I promised Laura I would give an update, so here it is. Laura gave me the Keratin treatment on Wednesday. She did an excellent job. I loved my hair walking out of the salon. I had to wait three days to wash it. Saturday was the big test. Would I be able to cut my styling time in half??

I am so excited to say that it only took me about ten minutes to style my hair and walk out the door the way I like it. I was absolutely amazed. On top of that, my hair stayed completely straight without any frizz or curl. I am so excited about this treatment, and will do it again next year, just in time for the humid weather to start. Thank you so much to Laura for doing such an amazing job. You rock!!!!!  :) :)
-Name withheld for privacy

Have you noticed how many celebrities have been wearing their locks in wavy curls? Have you tried to style your hair like this at home, just to end up with a tangled, half-curled, half-frizzy, doesn't-look-good-at-all mess? Here comes Myka to the rescue! She wears her hair in curly waves every day, so she took some time to show us exactly how to make your hair look naturally wavy, when it's not:

To style, Myka used products from Aquage and TIGI.

• While her hair was still wet, she used Sea Salt Texturizing Spray from Aquage to add volume, texture and separation to her locks.
  
• Once her hair is dry, she preps her strands with Bed Head Masterpiece shine spray by TIGI.
  
• When curling, Myka takes vertical sections of her hair, and curls by starting mid-shaft,  and working her way down
• She makes sure not to curl the ends, to keep the look loose and natural
• Once she curls the top front sections, she works on the bottom layers around her face, then curls sections in the back
  
• You don't have to curl every strand
• To finish, use a pea-size dollop of Bed Head AfterParty by TIGI to separate strands and add a smooth shine
• Flip head upside down and shake out curls, then use your fingers to separate and shape

What do you think - can you get this look at home? Is there a style or beauty tip you would like to see featured? Let us know, leave a comment here, on Michael's Facebook, or @michaelssalon on Twitter!

We've had a lot of questions from clients asking about Axxium manicures. We have written blogs about it, but we thought the best way to explain it would be to show you in a video!

Here is a video featuring Samantha, one of our newest nail technicians, demonstrating the Axxium manicure:


Some key points from the video:

• Plan an hour for this manicure - the process is the same as our regular half-hour manicure, but the polish application takes extra time
• Each coat of polish is cured under a UV light - drying the polish instantly
• At present, Michael's has 14 colors to choose from for an Axxium manicure, as the service becomes more popular, we (and OPI) keep adding more
• Removal of the Axxium gel lacquer polish doesn't damage your nails like other nail enhancements
• Axxium is available for pedicures also!
  

Have you tried the Axxium manicure? What do you think?

Today must be client feedback day - thank you all so much for sharing your experience with us! Here are two more comments that we received today:

"I went to Kellsey yesterday for a big change...a huge cut and highlights for my hair. Kellsey did a FANTASTIC job!! She has always done a great job and I wasn't disappointed with this big change! Thanks so much Kellsey!"
-Michelle

Our website has a "Share your experience" box for clients to leave feedback on their Michael's experiences. Here is a recent comment we received:

I always get my hair cut styled and colored by Amanda, she is great and always listens and gives you exactly what you ask for. Always satisfied with Amanda.  Thanks Amanda!!

Amanda

Thank YOU for taking the time to leave us a comment. We encourage client feedback, and have several places online where you can let us know how we're doing at Michael's:

• First is the feedback box that Mary used - which is located on the left of every page of our website - www.michaelssalon.com
• Also, please feel free to leave a comment here, on our blog (www.michaelssalon.com/blog)
• We also have a Facebook page: facebook.com/MichaelsSalon
• And you can send us an @ message or direct message on Twitter: twitter.com/michaelssalon
  

This week's How To video is a little different. First, we're showing a spa treatment instead of a hairstyle. Paula is demonstrating what the MD Express peel is. Many people are confused and don't know exactly what a chemical peel is - an episode of Sex and the City comes to mind. Paula shows you exactly what to expect - it's a quick and easy treatment that makes a big difference! Also, you can use this video for follow-up at home with the MD Skincare Alpha/Beta Daily Face Peel. Use the same strokes around the face that Paula uses on Mary to exfoliate your skin and leave it fresh and luminous!

An MD Alpha/Beta peel is a recommended treatment for several skin disorders, including acne, rosacea, hyper pigmentation, fine lines and more.


I asked Mary how her skin felt a few hours after the treatment, and she said "it feels really clean - comparable to how your mouth feels clean and fresh after going to the dentist."

To follow up at home, Paula recommends using the All-In-One Facial Cleanser with Toner at morning and night to wash your face. At night, follow with the Daily Face Peel Two-step system, and finish with a good moisturizer.

We love it when our clients take the time to offer us feedback! Here is another comment that was submitted yesterday in the 'Share your experience' box on our website:

My daughter is a freshman in high school and wanted bright red hair. I reluctantly agreed. I took her to Lisa for the new look. Not only did Lisa give my daughter the red she was looking for, she did it so beautifully that I like it too. She added some black to frame her face. The color looks great with her skin tone.

My daughter loves her new look and I love it too. Lisa gave us a win-win situation which is hard to do for a head-strong teen and her mother!
Thanks Lisa!

Designer Spotlight - Kristin “Matti” York

 Kristin “Matti” York graduated from Creative Images Cosmetology School in 2006. She couldn’t wait to start working at Michael’s Salon. Matti pursued a career at Michael’s because she wanted to continue learning after obtaining her cosmetology license and work for a salon where she saw a future.

She has always wanted to be a hairdresser and says she has never thought about doing anything else. One of her favorite services is specialized styles, so if course she enjoys working with wedding parties and loves prom season.  It goes without saying that Matt is definitely a people person. She goes above and beyond to make her clients happy.  

“A happy client is the best feeling in the world” says Matti. “I feel like I’ve accomplished something wonderful if I can make someone’s day a little better. I know when I get a new hairstyle; I look better and feel like I can conquer anything. I love that I can make my clients feel that way too.” And, Matti does just that. She makes her clients feel great and they absolutely love her.

In February, Matti was awarded the Michael’s Salon 2010 Rising Star Award. Her client base and service revenues grew over 100 % from the previous year.

Besides building a solid clientele, Matti believes that one of the most important things to be a successful hair designer is to be a great listener. She says “Listening to your client is important to accomplishing the look they are going for. If you can give them that, they will leave your chair looking great and feeling happy.”

www.michaelssalon.com

It's How To Tuesday (a day late) again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

We didn't want to leave out the guys, so this week's video features Michael Ison, a new designer and intern here at Michael's. Ison gets questions all the time about how he styles his hair, so here's his video to show you exactly what he does:



Ison uses products by Sebastian to hold his look: the Volupt Spray before blow drying, and the Microweb Fiber to style.

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to look fresh from the salon everyday.

This week is part 2 of Debbie's Jane Iredale makeup application. Last week she showed how to apply makeup for a classic day look. This week, she's showing you how you can quickly and easily dress up that look for a night out. She turns the basic eye makeup into a smokey eye and adds some shimmer to the look.


Debbie added Jane Iredale's Cream to Powder Eyeliner in Black Plus and used the Eyeliner/Brow brush to soften and smudge the look. She added some shimmer with the 24 Karat Gold Dust in Silver, and added some shine to Morgan's lips with Jane Iredale's PureGloss.


For more makeup tips, check out Jane Iredale's makeup blog and YouTube page. The great people at Jane have lots of videos and ideas on how to update your makeup look. And as always, let us know what you think of today's video! Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook or Twitter accounts. Also, let us know if you have any ideas for next week!

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to look fresh from the salon everyday.

This week Debbie is showing you a basic daytime makeup look. She is using Jane Iredale products, which are all available here at Michael's. Jane Iredale has created an awesome line of products that are great for your skin. For more info, check out this previous blog post.


Next week, Debbie will show you how to dress up this makeup look for a night out. She will give Morgan the smoky-eye look that is always popular.

Do you want more makeup tips? You can get a complimentary Jane Iredale makeover with Debbie next time you come in to Michael's! It's a great way to try different shades and colors - we do recommend scheduling an appointment to ensure that she's available.

For Jodi, having a career in hair design just made sense. She’s been involved in the beauty industry since the age of five when she participated in her first hair show. She attended her first New York hair show at age 13 and studied under designers working in the most prestigious salons in France at age 19.

Jodi started working at Michael’s Salon and Spa in 1984 and has participated in numerous national and international hair shows through out her career. She is a member of the Intercoiffure, a world organization representing over 2,500 master hairdressers from five continents. She performed at the Intercoiffure Dames World Congress and received two John Jay Awards for Excellence in hair design.

 

A veteran in the industry, Jodi’s hairstyles have been featured in many national and international hair magazines. She has a talent for bringing in the latest and most innovative hair fashions.

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's Salon is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

Ladies, you can throw away your bump-its, because Elise is about to show you how to back comb and tease your hair to get volume, without having to use an uncomfortable plastic head piece!

Elise used products by Osis to get this look: Dust It mattifying powder and Freeze Fix spray.

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

This week Ali is demonstrating something that is usually very hard to do on yourself - a long hair updo. Once the steps are broken down, she shows that this style is actually pretty easy and quick!

One thing you need to keep this look in place is great hairspray. Ali used two different hairsprays by Aquage - the Freezing Spray to smooth and hold the look while styling, and the Finishing Spray to set it in place.

It's How To Tuesday again at Michael's! Do you have problems recreating your salon look at home? Michael's is putting together a new how to video each week to teach you how to style your hair at home. But here's the difference: our designers are demonstrating the styles on themselves!

This week Kinley is demonstrating a great style for the day between shampoos. Most people don't need to wash their hair everyday - by simply rinsing your hair every other day in lukewarm water you can extend the life of your color and keep your hair healthy.

Kinley used TIGI's Dirty Little Secret Dry Shampoo to give her second day hair life and shine. She secured her style with TIGI's Bedhead Masterpiece Shine Hairspray. 

Abby began her career in the beauty industry by attending the Aveda Institute in Cincinnati and became a licensed hair designer in 2006. Abby says she has always loved doing hair from the time she was a little girl. Actually, one of her fondest memories is playing in the beauty shop where her grandmother worked. Yes, her grandmother was also a hair dresser.

Abby loves everything about the beauty industry. She enjoys creative color, highlighting and styling, but her favorite service is hair cutting. She says with so many new styles every cut is different and this keeps her skills fresh. Abby is a very visual person and gets her inspiration from fashion magazines as well as television and films. She’s always seeking out new trends and feels that the media seems to direct the way styles are going.

Abby truly loves being a hair designer and she finds it extremely rewarding. She’s been very successful in her career and her clients love her. She was even chosen to be the on location hair stylist for movie being filmed here in Dayton, Ohio. The movie titled ‘True Nature’ is currently in the final stages of editing and expected to be released in the very near future. The movie stars Carolyn McCormick of ‘Law and Order’ as the leading actress. Abby was the only stylists on the set for 5 straight weeks of filming.

Abby said working on the movie set was a wonderful experience. She was honored and happy about the opportunity. However, she would never consider it as a permanent career because she would miss her friends and clients at Michael’s Salon and Spa.

For more information on the movie 'True Nature' visit www.truenaturethefilm.com

New in 2010 at Michael's Salon, we will feature How-To Tuesdays. Women in Dayton - heck women around the world - are frustrated when they can't reproduce their salon look at home. So to combat this problem, we will produce a weekly video starring one of our designers demonstrating how they style their OWN hair! Sure, it's easy to understand what your stylist is teaching you when you're in a chair in front of them and they have two free hands... but it gets a little more difficult when you're solo in front of the mirror.

Our first brave designer is Tonya Verhoff, who has been at Michael's for many years and is known for her cute and stylish short hair. In this video, Tonya will show you how she gets her short hair just right:

Ladies, don't be intimidated by the steps to achieve this look! If you pay attention to the clock behind her, you see that it took Tonya less than 20 minutes from wet to set.

To recap, here are some of Tonya's Tips:

• Tonya uses Styling Creme by Michael's when her hair is wet, applying from root to tip.
  
• When blow drying, begin by finger-drying your hair until it's 80% dry and then use a round brush to add body.
  
• If you use good products and a good flat-iron, you should only have to pass it through your hair once. More than once and you will burn and damage your hair.
• Tonya uses Beyond Shine by Aquage to protect her hair from heat damage.
  
• To finish her look, Tonya uses Michael's Shine It paste to give her hair flexible hold that's not too sticky.