yech...I need a new "Blue" do!
On a balmy January afternoon (the first tulips are up in our yard already, yeah, what's up with that, global warming - recycle!), I waved to my neighbors as I took off from my driveway with something new (pic of great-year-starting hair cut), something borrowed (husband's credit card! he he he) and something Blue (an appointment at Blue Velvet Salon). Those neighbors were in for such a treat when I got home - maybe they wouldn't even recognize me - or maybe this new haircut would make me look so young again that I could sell them Girl Scout Cookies?I've gotten many comments from Supaflys singing the praises of Blue Velvet Salon, so I thought I'd check it out and see if these Supaflys could be trusted in their judgement. (You know they'll let anyone be a Supafly these days.)
I arrived at the Blue Velvet in Mountain Brook Village (right across from Daniel George restaurant) right on time, fyi. A very adorable Stacey greeted me. The salon is spacious and they've got
a very relaxed, fun vibe going - atypical of what I normally think of Mtn. Brook establishments. There's not a stitch of intimidaton and I didn't get one "what are YOU doing HERE" kind of look.My appointment was with the owner, Rachelle Perrin, who has owned Blue Velvet for the last ten years. She had recently taken a hiatus from being on the floor, but she's back and ready for the cuttin' now. (Word on the street: it was my hair that inspired her to get back to styling.... hey, it's just what I heard...) I was so very excited to get started with her - I'd never had an owner do my hair before. She brought me my beverage of choice - a tall glass of water with just a splash of water - refreshing. I noticed right off that Rachelle was different than my perecption of how most salon owners are
. She is approachable, easy-going, nice and humble. Other owners may well be all these things, but I only know what I see on tv, folks.I started off by asking her - if you could do anything to my hair, what would you do? She said, Well...are you up for something different? It was at that moment I knew this was going to work out. We discussed the course of action for about 15 minutes - then she said the words that made my heart skip - why don't we do all over more platinum-like color?
Now, why this made me so happy is a long story. This is what I've been wanting to do for a very long time, but most stylists talk me into highlights - with good reason. All over color is a lot more upkeep, being the main one. (scary sidenote: The last time I asked a stylist to make me platinum (two years ago), I PAID for it. She turned my hair Betty White WHITE and it was FRIED. I went to different places and tried different serums, potions, lotions and dances to get my hair back. I had to chop it all off - terrible, terrible ahhhh terrible. I wish I could name names and salons, but sadly, I cannot. And I'm not one to normally freak out about a hair mishap - I always say, it'll grow back, it's JUST hair. This incident was beyond horrifying. I've got emotional scars.)Back to Blue Velvet! I really wanted to do this all over color because that's what I used to do when I lived in Chicago years ago and I actually like the way I look in pictures from that era.
So sassy! Thanks, Rachelle. Love it!
So, by the end of the appointment, I was calling Rachelle my 'psychic stylist'. She would say exactly what I was thinking often - can they start teaching that in beauty school (and marriage counseling)? I left Blue Velvet that day with curly brilliant blonde locks - the color is gorgeous! People will stop me on the sidewalk and compliment it, which is sweet (I'm sure you've seen me walking about town by now - why no compliment from you? Jealous? Don't be that way). Oh, and yes, I did say curly. My hair has always been the anti-curl (except, of course for the 80s-early 90s poodle home perms - thanks mom). Rachelle styled it with just a little Bumble and Bumble product, some scrunching and a good old fashioned diffuser. I felt so damn sassy.I've always got to include a little bit about what the hubby thinks - he's the one that has to look at me all day. When I walked through the door after my hair make over, he had that look on his face. That look. My Burrito of Good Feelings look. I love that look. Dim the lights please.
- Amy O
The Fly heard it first - hot tip!: Blue Velvet is looking for hair models... they need all types of people with all types of hair for continuing education classes. You get a free hair cut out of the deal and now you won't be lying when you tell people you're a model. Email Rachelle (www.rachelle@bluevelvetsalon.com) for more detail.
