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.

On Sunday morning, CEO of Michael's Salon and Spa, Michael Schuh was reading the Dayton Daily News when he turned the page and saw a picture of long-time friend, Margaret Vinci Heldt, creator of the iconic beehive hairstyle.

Michael remembers Heldt from his competition days in the 1970's:

"I would be competing on stage, and she was always there in the crowd. Margaret and I would talk after the hair shows, and we joked that she was my #1 fan. It was exciting to see her grow professionally into the Grand Dame of Chicago hair salons."

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

Michael has been a member of Intercoiffure Mondial since 1972. Intercoiffure is an elite organization of the top hair salons and designers from around the world. Every fall the US/Canada group hosts the Fall Atelier in New York City. This year, Jodi Schuh-Keeley participated as part of the ICA Haircolor Council.

ICA Haircolor Council
The mission of the ICA Haircolor Council is to unite and raise the profile of color specialists of all levels through a network of creative energy, supported by the highest level of pure education and best practices. The group was created in 2007 by the Lois Christie, president of Intercoiffure America/Canada. " I saw a need for a forum uniting colorists throughout the industry - a forum that will help to identify and train the next generation of talented color artists."

The theme for the presentation was Soft and Strong Hair Color. Jodi designed her look with strong pieces of red and copper to accent the soft medium brown - auburn base color.

Video: Jodi Schuh-Keeley presenting her hair color design at the 2010 Fall Atelier in NYC


Jodi preparing her model for the ICA Haircolor Council

Continuing Education at Michael's Salon and Spa
Continuing education is a large part of what sets Michael's apart from the competition. While Jodi was teaching in New York, she was also taking notes and learning other trends in hair design to bring back to Michael's team here in Dayton. Esthetician Jill Luttrell also went to New York, where she visited several top-of-the-line spas to stay on top of the latest trends in skincare.

More pictures from the Intercoiffure Fall Atelier and Jodi and Jill's trip to NYC are posted in an album on Michael's Facebook Page.

What do you think of the hair styles at the show?

We've established that professional products are better than store brand products. Now, I would like to tell you about Michael's "Brown Label" products.

This is the only full line of all-natural, gluten free products available in the Dayton area. Not only are the products gluten free, but they are also free of parabens, preservatives and salt, ingredients that can damage your hair follicles, and that are commonly used to dilute products. Michael's line of products are highly concentrated - it takes less product for each use, so one bottle will last much longer!

What's the big deal about gluten-free?
For those who suffer from celiac disease or gluten allergies, ingesting gluten can lead to reactions that range from uncomfortable to downright dangerous. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it absorbs everything you put on it - even hair products that touch your scalp.  Although it's not very common, severe reactions of gluten allergies have included hair thinning or falling out at an alarming rate. A good rule of thumb is if you can't put gluten IN your body, you shouldn't put gluten ON your body either.

Even if you don't suffer from gluten allergies, Michael's line of products is specially formulated by cosmetic chemist Irma Jobst to protect your hair from damage caused by environmental factors - it protects against sun damage and fading - and from over-styling. Irma (right) was here this morning training our staff on product chemistry.



Are you ready to try our new line of products yet? I understand if you're a little hesitant, so ask your designer at your next appointment. She or he will be able to recommend the products that are best for your individual type of hair. And, here's a good deal to sweeten the pot a little more:

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 love the new hair cut I got by one of your new designers, Emily. I needed a new look and she had great suggestions and did a great job. I have had so many compliments on my new 'do'. They ask, and I tell them... I got it at Michael's... from Emily!" -Jill

Emily is a new designer - so new, that we don't have a headshot of her yet :) She is one of our talented interns who is still in training. Let me clarify what I mean by "still in training." She has graduated from cosmetology school and has her cosmetology license. But when we hire new designers at Michael's, we have a comprehensive training program that lasts 1-2 years, depending on the individual designer's experience.

In this training program, we build upon the skills learned in cosmetology school by having each trainee complete internships with our master designers. In their internships, the master designers teach interns advance cut and color skills, as well as business tips - such as how to grow your clientele and how to treat clients.

Jill, thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience with Emily! We really appreciate client feedback, and we love to hear that our new designers are on the right track! 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 Jill 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 (@michaelssalon)