 Male pattern baldness is an issue everyone is familiar with, but many don't realize millions of women deal with thinning hair as they age, too. Thinning hair is a problem that many women face in private. It can be embarrassing and emotionally trying, but there are a few causes of thinning hair that you might not be aware of. Avoid these top five triggers to ensure your hair is healthy and beautiful regardless of your age. Too-Tight Ponytails Pulling your hair back into a tight ponytail or bun might seem like an easy way to look stylish, but overtime it can lead to thinning hair. This tight hairstyle pulls on the hair follicles, damaging them. this is known as traction alopecia. A couple of tight ponytails are fine, but years of such hairstyles can lead to permanent hair loss. High Heat The high heat from blow dryers and straighteners can damage your hair; that much is known. But most people don't realize it can lead to thinning hair, too. Limit the amount of heat you use on your hair, and air dry as often as possible. Also, never use a straightening iron on wet hair, even if the product suggests it is safe to use on wet hair. Not Managing Stress Stressful events (such as the death of a loved one, a breakup, or financial issues) can cause hair loss, experts say. In many cases, the hair loss can take up to six weeks to take affect. The actual mechanism behind this effect is unknown, but doctors believe hormone shifts may play a part. The good news is that hair generally grows back when stress is under control. Brushing When Wet Brushing your hair when wet can damage and break the hair, leading to thinning hair in patches. Avoid brushing your hair as soon as you get out of the shower. Instead, opt for brushing once it is dry and less vulnerable. Be sure to squeeze the water out of your hair — don’t rub it with a towel. Before using a wide tooth comb, apply product. You can also comb in the shower to remove tangles when wet. Eating A Poor Diet Your diet can affect everything from your overall health to hair growth. According to doctors, a spike in Vitamin A can actually cause hair loss. To keep your hair in great shape, avoid taking excessive vitamin supplements, and ensure you are eating a healthy, balanced diet. Download our free infographic on nutrition for optimal hair below. If you are in need of advice for your thinning hair, contact the professionals at The Salon by Lora Brown. 
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 Having money set aside for retirement is a major part of living a stress-free life. Unfortunately, many hairdressers are self-employed or work for small salons that aren’t able to offer retirement benefits. If you're a stylist, can you still plan for your future? Fortunately, you can. Here are five vital steps for creating a comfortable retirement as a hairdresser. 1. Establish A Savings Account This should be a no-brainer, but many adults fail to open savings accounts. Savings accounts are beneficial for three main reasons:
Once you’ve established your savings account, it’s important to handle it well. Start by determining how much you can afford to put in it each month. If you can, have your clients pay in checks. You can then deposit these checks directly into your count for ease of access. 2. Work To Pay Off Debt Student loans draining your bank account? Or maybe you bought a new car on a whim and are now regretting the payments. Whatever the case, debt is the no.1 contributor to poverty. Before you can begin saving for retirement, it’s crucial to pay off as much debt as possible. Yes, it may delay your retirement fund for a couple of years, but think of it as a necessary part of the process. When you have little to no debt, you can save and invest even more for the future. 3. Invest Safely With An IRA Some salons offer 401K programs or other retirement plans, but many don’t. If yours doesn’t, or if you’re self-employed, it’s important to invest in your own plan. Investing can be scary, especially when you work for yourself. You don’t want your hard-earned money being flushed down the toilet. The good news is that investment accounts vary in risk level. With the right IRA (Individual Retirement Account), you can take on low-risk investments that make money slowly and steadily. Even better? When you have an IRA, you qualify for tax breaks that help you save even more money. 4. Seek Out Professionals Finances can be overwhelming. Whether you’re stuck in debt with no end in sight, or you want to learn which type of IRA is right for you, speaking with a financial advisor can help. In addition to meeting personally with a professional, you can browse the internet for classes and programs offered by well-qualified experts. 5. Get Started Now The most important thing to remember about planning for retirement is that it’s never too early—or too late—to start. No matter where you are in your hair stylist journey, implement these steps now and look forward to a bright future. Are you ready to prepare for your future as a stylist? Enroll in the Associate Program at The Salon by Lora Brown.   Many people dream of pursuing a career in the salon industry. Sadly, the majority of those dreams don’t see the light of day. Some people give up before they even begin, while others fail as hair stylists because they mistakenly believe something about the industry that isn’t true. Before you give up on your dream of being a hairstylist, take a look at the five biggest myths about the salon industry. What Are The Biggest Myths About The Salon Industry? Just as any career, hairdressing comes with its own misconceptions. Sure, there may be a bit of truth behind some of these notions, but there’s no reason to let falsehoods hold you back. These are the five biggest myths surrounding the salon industry. Myth 1: Becoming a hair stylist is easy. How hard can it be to cut hair, right? In reality, styling hair requires a very specific skill set that can’t be taught overnight. It takes proper training and plenty of practice. Then, even once you’ve developed your skills, landing a job won’t be a walk in the park. There are less than 2,000 hair stylist job openings each year, on average. That may sound like plenty, but considering how many people try to become stylists, the number’s unimpressive. Myth 2: All hair stylists make a lot of money. There’s a perception of glamor that surrounds the salon industry. Working as a beauty professional seems like the perfect golden career, but in reality, it’s a ton of hard work for not always a ton of money. The average hair stylist earns $30,000 a year; some make much less. That’s not to say you can’t have a profitable career in the salon industry. It can certainly be done—with hard work, determination and the right business training. Myth 3: Hair stylists can’t retire. Because many smaller salons don’t offer retirement benefits, you may think you’ll have to work forever if you choose a career as a stylist. That simply isn’t true. Retirement is all about the way you handle money. Planning ahead can make a huge difference for your future. What’s more, there are career advancements to be had in the salon industry. Starting out as a stylist doesn’t mean you’re stuck as a stylist. You may become a manager, or maybe even open your own salon one day. Myth 4: Hairdressing doesn’t qualify as a business career. Despite popular belief, being a hair stylist requires sufficient business knowledge. It’s not all about making people look good, though that’s a big part of it. Another tool for success is a knowledge of how to run your business, the best ways to bring in customers and keep them happy, and how to properly manage your expenses, etc. Myth 5: Going to cosmetology school is all that’s needed for success. Education is crucial to success in the salon industry, but cosmetology school can only go so far. Stylists often need additional training, such as the Associate Program, to really thrive and grow. In fact, 80 percent of stylists quit in the first two years after graduating, and the average hairdresser’s career only lasts three to five years. With more in-depth training, these numbers could change drastically. Is It Possible To Succeed As A Hair Stylist? If you’re one of the dreamers envisioning a career in the salon industry, realize it’s not an easy way out. It can definitely be a lucrative, enjoyable career, but it requires hard work, determination, education and perseverance to make your dream a reality. Find out more about how the Associate Program can lead you to success by clicking the button below.   Many hair stylists believe that receiving a cosmetology degree or some other initial training is adequate to build a career on. While this preliminary step is important for developing skills and landing a job, it shouldn't be the end of your education. Whether for personal or professional reasons, lifelong education is the key to success. This is especially true in the beauty field, where trends and customer needs are in constant ebb and flow mode. Still not convinced that continuing education makes a difference in your salon career? Here are three concepts that will change your mind. Staying Relevant In an industry that is always evolving, hair stylists must stay "in the know" about current styles and techniques. It’s all too easy to succumb to the monotony of the day-to-day and never venture outside of your comfort zone, but that’s the fastest way to lose customers. Participating in regular continuing education – both in your salon and at outside events – keeps you relevant to new and existing customers. With so many outlets to learn and stay educated on hair and beauty trends, there’s really no excuse to continue your education. Keeping The Spark Alive Just as with any career, burnouts happen in the hair industry. Maybe it’s a result of working with the same people day in and day out, or maybe it happens because you lose your passion. You forget why you began this journey in the first place. One benefit of attending trade shows and hair events is that you become surrounded by new people who remind you what you love about your career. This reignites your spark, making you a better stylist as a result. Honing Your Craft Working on a client’s hair is generally not the time to experiment with new techniques. But without experimentation, how can you possibly learn new things? Educational events allow you the opportunity to try things you may not ordinarily have the chance to try. You can even fail with no repercussions. This kind of freedom releases your inhibitions and allows the creative juices to flow. Taking Your Skills To The Next Level One of the best ways you can improve your education is by getting some new hands-on experience. Online courses are great for learning the fundamentals, but they don't provide you with the same knowledge as you would get from practice. Continuing education courses like the Associate Program at the Salon by Lora Brown provide you with invaluable experience you can't get through a textbook. Additionally, these programs are designed to equip you with the business skills you need to succeed in your career as a hairstylists. Many hairdressers are forced to find new lines of work. With the Associate Program, stress about finances and the future will become a thing of the past. Find out more about the Associate Program at the Salon below.  *This post was originally published on May of 2016 but has been edited and republished for the sake of accuracy and freshness.
 The beauty industry, with all its glitz and glamour, is not as simple to break into as many imagine. Opening and running a salon takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. Unfortunately, many salons around the country are failing – not because the owners lack these attributes, but because they’re missing the resources and support necessary for success. In fact, 80 percent of salons are currently losing money, and a 52 salons are forced to close their doors every single day. Last year, a whopping 26,000 closed for good. Your salon could be in danger of closing, too. How Can Salons Experience Continued Success? As an industry, we need to do better. And we can. It will take a little change, and it starts with one salon at a time. Here’s how you can prevent your business from getting flushed down the drain. Provide Stylist Training And Support Staff turnover is a huge issue within the beauty industry. It’s nearly impossible to succeed as a salon when stylists and other employees are constantly turning over. Many brand-new, fresh-faced stylists come into the beauty industry with stars in their eyes. They’re blinded to the harsh realities that exist in the salon world. Take low salaries, for example. The average stylist makes less than $30,000 a year — not exactly glamorous pay. It’s important to educate new stylists thoroughly right away. Set realistic expectations, and then continue training periodically so employees stay up to date on the latest trends. Help them get excited about the beauty industry and they’ll be more likely to stick around. Focus On Business Education Often, salon owners are beauty experts but know little about running a business. This is like sending a lawyer into court with no evidence. It will only lead to failure; after all, excellence starts at the top. How do we combat this epidemic? As a salon owner, make sure you not only educate your staff on techniques but also yourself on best business practices. A good way to do this is to enroll in our Associate Program. Our Associate Program designed to make you a successful, talented and confident hairdresser that maintains a strong, secure path with a flexible, balanced life. It equips you with the skills you need to be business-minded and successful even outside of the chair. Whatever method you choose, take the time to invest in your own education in order to ensure salon success. Make Your Salon A Great Place To Work Give employees a reason to stick around. Plan group activities to foster a sense of community, offer incentives for a job well-done, etc. When the environment of your salon is on-point, business will naturally thrive. If you're ready to take your salon business to the next level, join our Associate Program today.   Being part of the salon industry is a dream for many people. Unfortunately, that dream often comes to a sudden, heartbreaking halt not long after being realized.
While some beauty professionals thrive for decades and beyond, an overwhelming majority watch their salon businesses crash and burn within a few years of launching. In fact, only five percent of salons are actually profitable – 15 percent are cash flowing. Sadly, 80 percent of salons are currently losing money, and a whopping 26,000 closed last year. Roughly 52 salons a day are forced to close their doors for good. So what’s the catalyst of this downward trend? There are a number of factors to consider, but perhaps one of the biggest causes is a lack of adequate business training for stylists. For this reason, The Salon by Lora Brown is adopting a new associate program: the Summit Salon System. What Is The Summit Associate Program? Cosmetology Schools teach stylists the base level skills to start your career as a stylist and get your license, but you are left to learn the business side of your new career on your own. Knowing best practices for enhancing your earning potential while providing an exceptional client experience is the only way to succeed as a stylist. That’s where The Salon by Lora Brown leads you in the process of success. Using the Summit Salon Business Process, we teach you and mentor you on how to join your passion with realistic financial goals, allowing you to prepare for a long, profitable career in the beauty industry. Superior Training Using the Summit Salon Associate Program, The Salon by Lora Brown starts on day one taking your education to the next level and eventually leading you to be a Master’s level stylist. It gives you the skills necessary for staying in business years after you graduate — skills you can’t get most other places. Flexibility Following the Summit Salon system, The Salon by Lora Brown provides you with the process to create a career with more flexibility than you might otherwise have. Say goodbye to long 12-hour shifts in the salon, and say hello to a work/life balance. Whether you’re a mom, young professional, or a new stylist, career flexibility is possible when you’re are a team member at The Salon by Lora Brown following the Summit Salon System. Summit Salon Program Benefits Once you go from an associate to a Level 1 Stylist at The Salon by Lora Brown, you’re a member of the team at The Salon and are part of the Summit Program. You can work your way up the Levels in the system and eventually become a stockholder in The Salon by Lora Brown if that is your desire. Eventually providing additional income that is not earned behind the chair. Client Satisfaction Above all other reasons for joining The Salon by Lora Brown is client satisfaction. When you received extraordinary training, you’re able to give clients better service in a shorter amount of time. The client satisfaction that results from improved service leads to repeat business, referrals and word-of-mouth advertising – all because you took the initiative to further your career by joining The Salon by Lora Brown and following the Summit Salon Process. How Does The Salon by Lora Brown Help? The Salon by Lora Brown is the only salon in Amarillo to offer Summit Salon System to stylists. We’ll provide everything you need to succeed with the program, including support, hands-on experience, and coaching. Ready to take your passion for hairdressing to a new level? Apply for our Associate Program today.  Gray hair and balding are common issues many men and women face. These conditions can take a toll on your self-confidence. And once hair starts to fall out, it can be difficult or impossible to grow it back.
The causes of grayness and balding have been relatively unknown. However, a recent study sheds some light on why some people have gray or balding hair. The Study The breakthrough from Genes and Development began as a study on cells causing tumors but turned into a fascinating look at the causes of hair-related issues. The study focused on a protein called KROX20, which affects the cells that make up strands of hair, and SCF, a gene impacting hair development. The Results During the study, the researcher analyzed how manipulating KROX20 protein and SCF gene affected hair volume and color. They found that taking away SCF caused hair to turn white and taking away KROX20 caused hair to fall out completely. Adding or deleting one gene was all it took to completely alter a person's appearance. Changing The Industry Manipulating genes is no easy task. However, the study provided some important information about how grayness and balding occurs and showed that it can be avoided. With further research, it may be possible to develop products that could add the genes back into strands of hair to reverse the cosmetic effects. Obviously, hair loss and graying are a huge part of the hair industry. Those who struggle with these problems are eager to find solutions. Now that the research has begun, developing new products could be the next step to ending hair loss and graying hair. What It Means For Clients Anyone who has their hair styled regularly knows that there are always new products and services coming out. There are ways to solve everything from a lack of volume to color mishaps. When science gets involved, there's no limit to what can be done. For clients, it means you'll be able to tackle every hair care issue and get the look you love with less time and effort, with the help of a great stylist. What It Means For Stylists Changes in the industry mean changes for stylists. If researchers are able to determine how to prevent gray hair and baldness, stylists will have an even greater supply of tools to help clients change their look and become more confident in their appearance. Trends in the beauty industry are always changing, but having a great stylist can make all the difference in staying up to date on hair trends and looking your best. Call The Salon by Lora Brown today to make an appointment.  The Salon by Lora Brown is hiring!
We’re looking for two long-term front desk sales representatives to support and grow The Salon by offering opportunities to incoming guests. First impressions can make or break a customer’s experience, so we want the first face our guests see to be warm and welcoming. This is not a receptionist position. It’s a sales position. Applicants must enjoy and excel at sales. Full-time and part-time positions are available. We're looking for people who want a career rather than a temporary job. Previous sales experience and a passion for great hair is preferred. However, we’re hiring this position based on personality rather than experience. The front desk is all about customer care, so our sales representative must be charismatic and friendly. If you are career-minded, enjoy helping others and want to start a career where you can grow, this could be a great fit for you. The front desk is a revenue center, so these openings won’t last long. Apply for the full-time position online here and the part-time position here.  What Transformation Did The Client Desire? The client wanted to lighten her dark, gray roots and add dimension to her hair. What Challenges Was The Client Experiencing? Although the client liked her golden blonde hair, she felt it was a shade too dark. What Was The Salon’s Solution? The Salon’s solution was to add her base color to the roots, lightening them to a natural, blended shade. The Salon then added highlights and lowlights to lighten her hair and add voluminous dimension. Want to see more Before & After photos? Follow The Salon by Lora Brown on Instagram!  What Transformation Did The Client Desire?
For prom night, the client wanted a loose, flowing style that looked natural and not too done-up. What Challenges Was The Client Experiencing? The client had finer hair that does not have much body to it. What Was The Salon’s Solution? The Salon’s solution was to curl her hair for some extra body and to apply Oribe Swept Up at the Root Volume Powder Spray to her roots. The Salon then made her prom-ready with a half updo and loose braids. Want to see more Before & After photos? Follow The Salon by Lora Brown on Instagram! |
Lora BrownLora Brown is a master stylist and the owner of The Salon by Lora Brown. She has worked in the salon industry for 30 years. Archives
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