Happy Holidays

I know.  I can’t believe it myself, but they’re here.  Crazy, right.

I hope this finds you in good spirits. ​

I wish I could say I'm doing well.  As I'm getting this ready to send out my Mother suffered a stroke Sunday evening.  We were on the phone when it happened. She lost control of her speech and was slurring her words. I called her neighbors and they took her to the hospital.  She was later transported to Denver and is in ICU and being monitored closely.   Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. ​

You can definitely feel fall settling in.  It’s a little darker in the mornings and my sunset lights are coming on earlier and earlier every day.  Thank goodness our weather is still pretty nice right now.  Well, except for the fact that we need A LOT more rain.

I could really see the effects of climate change while I was in Colorado.  Older trees were really struggling with half alive and half dead branches.  My Mom has older Pine and Pinion trees in her backyard that got hit hard with the triple digit heat this summer.  I was seeing much of the same all throughout Southeastern Colorado.  It makes me sad but I have to keep my chin up, not let it get me down, and keep doing my part for this Big Planet.   It’s the only one we’ve got.

Word on the street is that we’re heading from some really tough times.  I know they haven’t said the “R” word yet, but we are in it.  Personal services, my business, are going to be hit hard as the economy goes deeper in to recession.  Most of us pushed through the lock-down years and came out the other side (barely), but some won’t make it through the end of the year.  We’ve seen so many older business (and new ones) making the decision they need to close.

Personal services are a “luxury” item for most and the last 3 years have shown people they’ll be fine stretching out their appointments, if they come back to the salon at all.  I say this not to make you feel uncomfortable. That’s just how it is. I’ve been picking up a few new clients the last few months so right now, I’m doing fine. Thankfully, I'm still here.  Some of the reasons I’m seeing these new clients are because their stylists have moved, retired, stopped doing hair completely or needed to a job benefits. My point here, and I mentioned this a few times earlier in the year, is that if you know of anyone whose hairdresser or barber has moved or is no longer doing hair and they need someone, please send them my way.  At the very least please give them my information.  Here’s my digital business card and a QRCode you can share.

Sorry for being a little heavy there, but these are trying times and we’re all doing our best to get through the day.  ​

I have.  I've had a nice Summer so far.  I’m still lying low so I haven’t been out and about much.  Even so it’s been a good Summer. 

I think a few of you will have some Summer travel stories to share me when I see you next. I’m looking forward to hearing about what you did this Summer.

Next week I’ll be taking a few days off and heading to Colorado.  I’ll be away September 8th thru the 17th.  You still have a little time, just a little, to get in for an appointment before I head out.  So, let this be your reminder to book an appointment.

This was completely unintentional. I swear. There is a little bit of a theme with this month’s newsletter. Stress has a tremendous impact on our health, our hair, and impulse decisions we make with haircuts.

There is no denying that it's a crazy world out there.  There are stressors and stressful situations everywhere you turn.  Stress shows up in our bodies in so many different way.  We physically feel it with aches and pains.  Our head throbs from tension headaches.  Some feel it in their gut.  Even our hair can’t take chronic stress and says I am out of here.  The fight or flight hormone, cortisol, if prolonged,  has a negative effect on our bodies.  Scientist now study hair samples as a way to spot chronic stress.  I have a couple articles for you below on that research.

We’ve all had those moments in our life when a dramatic haircut or bold new haircolor would make everything better.  Am I right.  “Some respond to stress by grasping for things they can control since life feels so out of control: Cue the new haircut and color.”  Sometimes these emotional new looks work out just fine, but there are other times when that impulse decision can leave us with feelings of regret.  It’s hair and it will grow. But, if it wasn't a good impulse decision you’re going to have live with it while it grows out. Thank goodness getting a hair cut or new color isn't permanent like a tattoo, right.  I have an article for you on “Why Emotional Haircuts Feel So Cathartic.”
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One thing that’s for sure, you and I need to continue practicing good behaviors to alleviate and reduce any prolonged stress.  I have some helpful tips to help with that, too.

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This month have articles for you on Autumn hairstyle trends, debunking some men’s hair myths, a dude’s guide to conditioner, oiling mistakes that can ruin your hair, and ways to embrace growing out your gray hair.  Other articles focus on how stress can cause us to make emotional hair decisions and how an old medication is being prescribe off-label to treat hair loss.  Oh, and I have a baseball related article on lifting the lid on players hair secrets. 
All that and more so please check it out!

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As always, I am available by email, text or phone if you have any questions or concerns.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!
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Be Well and Take Hair!