The Church We Chose

The Church We Chose

There’s a lot a beautiful ways to get married… all special in their own ways.  Obviously, it’s the marriage that counts more than the wedding.  Lyndsey and I decided to go to Puerto Rico and get married, just the two of us, for several reasons. Mainly, because we felt it would be just for us. We had some crazy ideas but with no real way of knowing if or how it could happen. I now know it wouldn’t have happened without the invaluable help of our photographers, Marlene Rivera Montesino and Alfredo Riverllano and our officiant, Joel Lopez and very trusting bride. Mother Nature had her hand in this as well and we didn’t mind being upstaged by the beauty of the Cascada Las Delicias.  We thank you all.  Our dream wedding came together and transpired around us, beyond our imaginable hopes and dreams and will never be forgotten.  I love you so much Lyndsey and I’m over the moon that we did this and you got your dream wedding.

This is the wedding of Thomas Sena and Lyndsey Victoria Sena.  The song is “The Falls” by Ennio Morricone, which it seems was written for this moment.  Photos and Video by Marlene Rivera Montesino and Alfredo Riverllano.  Movie edited by Thomas Sena.

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Subtle Lightening on Dark Hair Color

Subtle Lightening on Dark Hair Color

If your client wants to lighten her dark, artificially colored hair, talk to her about highlights.  They might be thinking they want an all-over color and/or have had disastrous results in the past.  If they haven’t had a nice subtle highlight before they might think you are talking about putting blonde stripes in their dark hair.  Assure them you won’t give her really light highlights and because of that they will blend nicely with her dark hair to give an overall softer look.  AND you can do it without it looking brassy.

What she had:

She had a level 2 neutral (almost black) artificially colored hair with 3/4 inch of natural outgrowth (natural 2.5 with 5% gray)

What she wanted:

Something lighter and softer without brassiness.

What I did:

  • Retouched her outgrowth all over at the roots with permanent level 3 neutral to cover her level 2.5 (2 1/2)natural blended with 5% gray with a slightly lighter color than she had on mid-shaft.  (this only works if you are going to blend with highlights).
  • Then highlighted right over the retouched color and all the way out to the ends.  I weaved a LOT of fine pieces with 35volume with bleach as quickly as possible.  I remixed more bleach for the back when I got to that.
  • Put her under a little heat for about 5 min around the 20 minute mark (after the entire head was woven) and then rinsed.
  • Toned her all over with semi-permanent ashy level 7.5 (7 1/2) for 25 minutes.
  • Round brush styled her for luxe finish.

Common mistakes:

Stylists don’t take time to really consult with clients about past experiences and what they are wanting.  You will often hear clues to what problems might have happened in the past or why they believe something that you know may not be true.  Magazines and stylists have passed along a lot of misinformation.  Also educating your client about what you know you can do and why it will be better.  But don’t use absolutes like, “always” or “never”.  Every head of hair is different and will react differently in every different condition.  Explain it’s a “process” and that you will work together through it.  Making them feel comfortable about you and what you are doing.  They are usually scared.  It’s understandable.  Let them know you know that, it’s ok and you’re on their team.

For this look you need to weave fine pieces to help you lift lighter.  Chunkier pieces are resistant to lifting because there will be hair in the middle of the chunky pieces that don’t lift.  Also, chunky can end up looking like stripes.  Fine pieces help you lift lighter than the target color you will eventually be toning to.  Doing this will help you eliminate the remaining warmth (brass).

A lot of stylists rinse toner off very quickly.  I believe if you are rinsing it quickly then you are using the wrong toner.  I understand time is money but if you don’t use the right color (and level) and processes it at least 15 to 20 minutes minimum, it’s going to fade out too fast.  I also think you will get a truer tone for a better looking color.  Plus it’s easier to duplicate when they come back in.

ALWAYS finish (style) your clients so they walk out looking and feeling amazing (even if they’re going home to do laundry.  Doing the laundry isn’t as bad when you look great.

This was the first time I met her or did her hair.  She posted this on social media later that week.  Happy clients are priceless!

and the right clients 🙂

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Your spark may become another’s.

Please excuse me for more than a bit of self indulgence here.  I recently received an email from a young woman that asked my permission to do a school project about me.  “Um… ya, but are you sure you have the right guy?”  Needless to say I was very flattered, honored and happy to be her subject.  There’s nothing better to find out you have made a spark somewhere in the world.  Thank you so much Chaele Redding.  Here’s her letter and finished project.

Thomas,

I am sure you do not remember me as it has been probably about 12 or 13 years since I met you originally. I was a student at the Nancy Bounds modeling agency when I was a freshman/sophomore in high school. During that program, my class spent an evening at T’eez getting our hair and makeup done. I don’t think I knew it at the time, but looking back now, that experience changed my life. It was the moment I fell in love with cosmetology. I will never forget how great I felt about myself leaving your salon that evening and a part of me knew at that moment that I wanted to do the same thing for others. …
… I was accepted to the Aveda Institute Denver in March and I began my 15 week journey toward my cosmetology degree 2 weeks ago, on July 13th. I am so incredibly excited for this opportunity and I really would like to make the most of it.
Part of my first phase in the program is to compose a presentation on an “Industry Icon” and I have chosen to do my presentation/project on you. I have followed you and your work via your blog and social media. I really believe that you have so, so many accomplishments in this industry. Your work is amazing and something I find truly inspirational. Although I currently live in Denver, I am from Omaha and I would just love to show my class, educators and fellow students your amazing work and tell them about your accomplishments. 
Chaele Redding


Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy3Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy9Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy2Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy11Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy4Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy

8Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy10Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy12Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy
5Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy6Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy 7Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy14Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy15Industry Icon project by Chaele Redding for Aveda Academy

 

 

 

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