Beauty Q and A by Mary

What Drives Me: What we believe, is what guides us through life. Limited only by my imagination, I've always loved the art of creating something beautiful out of the not-so-beautiful and improving on something that is already beautiful, even if it is by only one simple addition that others haven't noticed as being possible.  My passion for the beauty industry comes from loving to help others feel better about themselves. There’s nothing quite like seeing a clients eyes sparkle, and a smile slowly etching itself across their face, as the mirror tells them to walk just a little taller. The stress seems to melt away, and heaviness disappears. It’s just the best! If we can imagine, or believe where our heart leads, we can attain it. If we couple that with passion, patience, persistence, and a direct reliance upon God, failure becomes something that leads us to greater things. This belief has quickly translated into my love of adding to someone's life, not only in the beauty ind...

It has become the biggest topic in my salon, with female age ranges from 35 years to 60 years. There are so many reasons hair becomes thinner than what it was in our teen years, and even in our 20’s. If you feel something else is happening besides aging, speak with your family doctor. But the main cause is simply age. And here is why… Just like the aging process in the rest of our body, our hair begins a decline in reproduction. We lose approximately 150-200 hairs per day. Yikes! I know that’s a pretty scary number, but if one only knew just how many hairs were actually coming out of the scalp, one would be amazed. Sorry, ladies and gents. It’s simply the truth of the matter. And I’m pretty sure you already know this. But just for the sake of making it obvious, let’s examine what happens as the years of becoming mature, do to our hair. To our reproductive cycle in the scalp. 1) Since the hair follicles are structures in the scalp and skin that help hair grow, as we age, the hair follic...

Too much summer fun takes a toll on chemically treated hair. Heading into the “dry” season, it’s time to call in the big guns! Read below for tips on how to get your hair back to shining and building strength! Autumn brings cold, dry air that can make your hair brittle, frizzy, and hard to manage. But no need to worry, I got you! Below are seven hair care tips for fall weather that will ensure your hair remains healthy and beautiful all through the season. 1) Schedule a hot oil treatment and a hair cut. Summer repair time! You’ve had fun in the sun, now it’s time to get cozy with indoor time, where humidity is at an all time low. This means it’s time for a 15-20 minute specialized mix of ProRituals Hydrate Treatment and Dream Oil to be thoroughly applied to your hair. We’ll cap the hair to protect and advance the prescription, then grab the roller ball dryer and position you under it. Once it’s done it’s job, out you come to let the hair cool down for 5-10 minutes, rinse, then proceed...

PURPOSE Jewelry - Who are they?  “We employ survivors of human trafficking. All of our jewelry is handmade by women escaping human trafficking. Your purchase directly impacts the life of a woman and brings transformation and hope. Wear freedom, Wear PURPOSE!” HOW TO CLEAN BRASS ITEMS: Brass is an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to gold plating. When kept polished, it almost perfectly mimics the look of real gold, and unlike plating, it won’t wear away. Brass does, however, tend to tarnish, and needs care to stay bright and shiny. There are many different natural and effective ways to take care of your brass jewelry that can eliminate any harsh effects of chemical cleaners. Often the tools needed for these remedies can be found right in your own home. Regardless of the natural cleaning remedy you choose, always clean in the direction of the metal’s natural grain. Brass is also prone to retaining water spots, so dry immediately and thoroughly after cleaning. WARM WATER & SOAP...

                                          We all have them if we don’t get regular hair cuts. A misconception is that a “cut” entails taking inches off, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Read on for why split ends happen and what to do about it… Split ends occur when the protective outer layer of the hair cuticle wears away because of external stressors such as heat from irons and blow dryers and chemicals applied when highlighting or artificially coloring the hair. Once the internal structure of the hair is exposed, it becomes weakened, dehydrated and damaged, causing split ends. It only takes 4 to 8 weeks for this to start after your last haircut. If the hair is not cut within that 8-week period, the picture you are looking at shows what happens at the bottom of each strand of hair. And if not attended to, will continue right up the hair strand until it begins to break off. That’...

At any given time, about 85% to 90% of the hairs on the average person's head are actively growing (the anagen phase) and the others are resting (the telogen phase). Typically, a hair is in the anagen phase for two to four years, then enters the telogen phase, rests for about two to four months, and then falls out and is replaced by a new, growing hair. The average person naturally loses about 100 hairs a day. In a person with telogen effluvium, some body change or shock pushes more hairs into the telogen phase. Typically in this condition, about 30% of the hairs stop growing and go into the resting phase before falling out. So if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose an average of 300 hairs a day instead of 100. Telogen effluvium can be triggered by a number of different events, including: • Surgery • Major physical trauma • Major psychological stress • High fever, severe infection or other illness • Extreme weight loss • Extreme change in diet • Abrupt hormonal changes, includ...

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD DISCUSS WITH YOUR HAIRSTYLIST I get it! It can be just a bit scary when you finally decide on that new hair stylist. You’ve stopped people in the street, in the department stores, at church, at work, basically anywhere you’ve noticed a great look on someone, and asked them, “Who does your hair?” Still, your mind wanders as your adrenaline races up and down your body, playing tag with the neurons in your brain.Will the new guy (or gal) understand what you are wanting? Will they really listen? Let’s just head on over to the reason you are reading this post. Here are 5 things you should discuss in a consultation with any stylist about to put their hands in your hair. 1) Because we are artistic by nature, we often times seem to speak a different language. A good stylist will always explain anything you don’t quite understand. Don’t be afraid to ask. It would be helpful if you knew the differences between balayage and baby lights, but you shouldn’t have to. Again, a g...

Retirement Notice for June 2nd, 2025 Dear Valued Clients and Friends, After more than five decades of doing what I love…including the past 13 years here in North Carolina…I’ve made the decision to retire on my upcoming 78th birthday.  While my passion for hairstyling and connecting with all of you remains as strong as ever, I’m listening to my body’s wisdom that it’s time for a new chapter in my life. Throughout the years, you’ve been so much more than clients; you’ve become dear friends who have shared your lives, families, joys, and challenges with me. I’ve had the privilege of being part of your special moments…from weddings and proms to new beginnings and celebrations. Each of you has contributed to making my career not just a profession, but a true calling. The memories we’ve created; the laughter (and sometimes tears) we've shared, in this salon will forever hold a special place in my heart. Your trust in my skills, the wonderful conversations, and your loyal suppor...