Questions and Answers

Another Hole in the Head

Dear Todd,

               My daughter and I are at odds on the issue of piercings. I think having your ears pierced should be enough. I can even yield to a third hole in each ear. But I draw the line at nose and tongue and Heaven knows what else she'll want to pierce. Are you with me, or am I "completely dark age" like my daughter says?

               Cave Mama

Dear Cave Mama,

               I agree with you, and we both are living in the dark ages, to some degree. My mind is still stuck in the days where a piercing was in place simply to showcase your jewelry. You'd look pretty silly with a diamond scotch-taped to your ear, so you had to pierce it in order to show off your diamonds. But now people get pierced for the hole, not the adornment. I don't understand it. I have never been a fan of nose, brow, or lip piercings simply because I think it clutters up the face. When I look at you I want to be drawn to your eyes, not that clump of metal stuck to your upper lip. Now I suppose if you are not very attractive then maybe that stuff helps to hide your lack of appeal, but I've never understood why a pretty person would do that to themselves. With that said, it's a new day and your daughter is trying to express herself. Maybe back in the day you did it with a black lace glove, unbrushed-unwashed hair, and a bunch of black jelly bracelets on your arm. But you had your forum to express your individuality. This is hers. I'd just caution her not to take it so far that she limits herself socially, academically, or professionally. Don't let her do anything to her appearance that cannot be removed or undone. Other than that, give her space.

Summer Hair Plan

Dear Todd,

              I know that fashion dictates that hair is supposed to go lighter during the summer months and darker in the colder months. But how do you know which month is the one to do it. Would I choose June to be the month I get highlights, or should I wait until July so that it looks like the sun naturally highlighted my hair? How do we know which month to make the change?

Kimmie

Dear Kimmie,

               One of my stylists, Scott Laughlin, has a specific regimen he puts clients on to handle this exact issue. So for that reason, I went to him for the answer to your question. 

               "My spring transformation for my clients begins now." Scott said. "We start by brightening base tones. This clears the canvas and lays the ground work for what will eventually become summer hair. For clients that are already blonde, this could mean using a simple toner to ready the hair for our vision of what we want things to look like in June. Regardless of their color, this is the time to prepare our canvas! Our next step is to begin to introduce some highlights, or perhaps a lighter base shade. I like to take baby steps! A few strategically placed highlights will begin to add some dimension to the hair as well as begin the process of making it lighter. By just adding 3-5 highlights here and there we can get the gradual effect we want and its easier to work into my client's budget than doing this all at once. Then by May it’s time to take things up another level. We'll add a few more highlights, working in some neutral low lights. The client is now getting lighter and brighter, and their co-workers are left scratching their heads wondering how my client's hair manages to always to be just right each season."

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