The perfect color...Blue Velvet

Yay! The first hair cut of the new year is like seeing the first tulips in spring - gives you hope and fills you with love. Isn't 2007 supposed to be the Chinese Year of Good Hair? Hmm. I think so...

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.

No more grey days

Service date: 12/20/06

I have no recollection of my first gray hair (or of the introduction of the hundreds that followed). I can’t even remember who first told me I was “going grey” – but thank you to the many so bold (and occasionally, tactful) who have pointed it out. It was these courteous folks who delivered me to the crossroad: color it or keep it?Publish

Before shot - may or may not be author.

A friend of mine pushed me over the edge with this comment: "Dude, you drive a minivan, you're planning a vacation to Orlando, and you have a chiropractor on speed dial...what have you got left?"

Before I go any further, I should disclose the fact that I had previously colored my hair. This was long before any grey hair (or better judgment) and was a do-it-yourself-from-a-box-you- bought-at-the-grocery-store job. Let me be clear that this is not an approach I’m recommending (especially for people with jobs, responsibilities, etc). Trust me, you will look weird and people will point. Despite whatever it may say on the box, you really can’t be sure what color you will end up with. Plus, it’s messy and it burns your scalp.

Armed with that wisdom, I decided to take my greys to a professional - specifically, Jeanine Brast at The Salon at Parisian. First, a quick word about the salon…yes, there is a salon at Parisian (at least the one in Brookwood). And it’s an upscale, full-service establishment (to see some photos and a service menu click here).

Jeanine Brast, stylist, The Salon at Parisian
Okay, that being said, back to the appointment…Jeanine greeted me within just a few minutes of arriving and took me back to a very nice dressing room where I could put on an apron (yes, I put it on backwards…apparently, only hospital gowns are meant to open in the back…now we know). Once properly attired, Jeanine and I discussed my color expectations. Of course, I really didn’t know what I wanted…no more grey would be nice…something subtle so that most would still believe it to be my natural color…then again, something rich and bold would be fun. Basically, just read my mind and make it perfect. What’s with all the questions?

Jeanine decided on a natural brown from Wella’s Koleston Perfect® line. Sounds impressive, but it just looks like brown paste to me. The whole process of carefully brushing the color into my hair (literally with a small paintbrush-looking thing) took about 20 minutes. And unlike my previous do-it-yourself experience, no stinging scalp or eye pain (just a slight tingle). Once the color was finished, I spent about 15 minutes with my head under a steamer (to speed up the color-bonding process). Sure, it’s a little weird with a large punch-bowl on your head, but it takes a lot longer for the color to set without it (and how many times can you read People magazine in one day?). After my head was adequately “cooked”, it was off to the shampoo bowl for some hair therapy and an unanticipated (but unfortunately desperately needed) brow wax. No ever thinks they have a uni-brow, yet they still exist – thank you, Jeanine, for caring.

Dramatic action shot
After the color process, we discussed my hair style (which now had more to consider than my typical preference). For example, my penchant for short-clipped sides would mean new greys in no time. Accordingly, she recommended keeping a little more length and we abandoned using the clippers altogether. And, oh man, Jeanine is a careful cutter. I can honestly say that I have never had that much attention paid to my hair before. From what little I know, I understand that a good stylist is shaping your hair over a period of cuts. That means you really shouldn’t be expecting a show-stopper until a few visits down the road (note to those “hair hoppers” who bounce from stylist to stylist claiming no one can cut them properly). Jeanine really gave the impression of long-term strategy for my hair and I really appreciated her expertise. And, for a nice bonus, it turns out that I really did like the first cut. And this was a cut right before the holidays, people – so we’re talking about big pressure.

A completely different guy - younger, more handsome, right?
Wrong! It's me...after Jeanine annihilated my greys!
Overall, the visit took about two hours. For those really stingy with their time, it could have gone quicker, but I tend to ask a lot of questions (basically, I don’t have much else going on). And I am definitely happy that I colored. Jeanine did an expert job of finding a color that blended naturally, but had enough rich tone to make me feel re-energized.

Jeanine Brast is a fully-licensed, junior stylist at the Salon at Parisian (where she apprenticed for 2½ years). She is a very talented (and patient) professional who currently cites a preference for coloring. For access to some great promotions at the Salon at Parisian (some of which feature Jeanine’s services), visit salonfly.com.

- Jason O

a new you...Sanctuary

I know many people are intimidated, stressed out or frightened to try a new salon or spa... especially when it comes to changing a style you've had for two years too many ( i hear big hair is coming back. We must Revolt! Dear God... don't let your children see you that way! ) I love to change it up... trying new places & services. This will be my space to share good salon & spa experiences with those who care to learn more about beauty & pampering in Birmingham... so hopefully they'll have good experiences too.

This time, I chose Sanctuary. I have to admit, I've always been curious about the place, but was a bit apprehensive... I thought it would be out of my price range. I've seen all the ads & their impressive website (click here if you haven't yet seen it). My curiosity finally bubbled over, like a poured-too-fast beer. Last week, I flung those big wooden doors open and came at those Sanctuary folk with the massive challenge - make me hot!

What a pleasant pleasant experience! The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the salon is... not beautiful in a prissy-faced model way, but more like a beautiful I-hope-to-create-in-my- home one day. Very cozy and warm... with nice things that I wouldn't have to move to the top shelf from grabby toddler hands and swooshy dog tails. It will happen one day, dear diary, it will.

The second thing I noticed were the smiles. Holly and Celia at the front desk were just the beginning... those dames were quite charming and very approachable. My stylist du'jour, Heather Freeman, also came to greet me with a friendly smile and I noticed all the other stylists and staff constantly in a good mood... smiling at clients that weren't theirs... people they had no possible way of getting a good tip out of! Unheard of, but Brilliant! The place has a warm feel.

Heather did a great job on my hair ( see pic and I do think you'll agree...). She made sure we were on the same page by showing me some pictures of what she thought I meant by "Oh, I don't really know what I want." ( I always say that because I'm indecisive... some stylists handle it well, others just kind of melt away into a puddle of hair products on the floor. Heather handled my cluelessness wonderfully.) We decided to do a cute bob with some highlights and lowlights. "Pump up the blonde," she said. "Fabulous!" said I. Jason ( my hunky hubby) couldn't stop singing the praises of my beauty all night long. I believe him (although he also used to say I was beautiful when I was 9-months preggo, and I have seen the pictures... ).

A few things I'd like to mention about my Sanctuary experience... Heather is quite a steal for the talent. She's still an apprentice, which makes her (female) haircuts only about 35 dollars!! Holy crap. I need to make my next appointment before she books up. ( I was very wrong about Sanctuary being too pricey... they've got several levels of quite fantastic stylists that fit all budgets ). Also, I was impressed to learn that Sanctuary offers a complimentary cellophane wrap with all color services ( a "cellophane" locks in the color and gives super shine! I'd never had one before.) Just make sure to request it. Blankets. Oh, what a nice touch! There were soft chenille blankets on the backs of near every chair. I got comfie under a blanket whilst being shampoo'ed ( by "amazing" April) and owner Todd Cargo, while on the shortest of breaks between clients, felt a "chill in the air" and placed said blankets on all clients getting their hairs cut. Fun.

The last thing I will mention (promise) was that I noticed, when I signed in, I was the only one having to give my address as a new client. What that means to me is that people who try Sanctuary love & stay with Sanctuary. Whether it's for the hot talent they've found, the "we're family, you're family" feel, or just the great products they use/offer... what I got was quality, style and maybe a little extra love from the husband. wink wink... nudge.

- Amy O