Summer Hair Care tips.

So it's summer time, the humidity is high and you have your lovely hair to deal with.  Whether short, medium or long length; curly, wavy, thick or fine straight texture, your hair has to withstand and maintain the extreme sun, heat and humidity it has to face.  Along with weather, there's also the possibilities of being in the pool (or ocean water if on vacation) as well as your own body heat from daily activity that can be a challenge to your hair. 

Just because it's summer time it does not mean that you should not keep your hair healthy by keeping the ends trimmed. Every 6-8 weeks max is when your ends should be trimmed on your hair- period.  The difference is simple terminology.  I didn't say get a hair cut which sounds like getting a new look- I'm stating simply trimming your ends.  The summer weather is just as harsh as the winter weather: extreme sun, extreme heat, being in chlorine from the pool and/or salt-water from the ocean can bring damage and breakage to your hair.  So it's important to keep your ends in tact and healthy.  Another way of keeping your hair healthy is to reduce the amount of additional heat you place on your hair with blow drying and hot tools: curling irons, flat irons etc.  The more additional heat you place on your hair the additional damage you place as well.  If you do any type of coloring and/or highlights to your hair, ask your Stylist to use an option of less chemical intensity to achieve the same result.  For example, I don't always (for a lack of better words) bleach my clients for their highlights on each visit.  One visit I may use lightner to lift and/or bleach but for the next one I will use just color in the same tone to help blend/even out the new growth.  Again, your hair is already dealing with enough on it's own, why add more stress to it.

Let your hair rest.  Try new natural styles.  Try using hot rollers for a quick lift, body and curl to your hair.  Braiding is one of my FAVORITE things and looks!  For one braiding is a fun, flirty, youthful look but you can also use braiding to set your hair into curly/wavy styling as well.  The night before bed, shampoo and condition your hair.  You can even leave the conditioner in your hair- don't rinse out and simply braid your hair and go to bed.  You can also keep the conditioner in the hair, place into a ponytail then twist into a top knot, pin the knot and call it a night.  In the morning, take out the braids and/or top knot, let it air dry and go on with your day.  The key to maintaining the look and style is to simply leave it alone.  Once you take the hair out, reduce how much you play with your hair with your hands and fingers- unless you want your hair to be bigger .  Otherwise you run the risk of hair being flat.  You have natural oils on your hands and fingers and the more you play with your hair the more those natural oils will make your hair lifeless and simply limp.  A favorite product of mine when you braid your hair or place in a top knot is to spray it with Salon Grafix Touchable Hold Spray to help set the look.  When you take the look out, lightly fluff the hair with your fingers.  If you're wanting more volume- dry shampoo is the best!  Salon Grafix Dry Shampoos in different colors (including clear) works amazing.  Dry Shampoo is also a great alternative to shampooing your hair.  Also you don't have to shampoo your hair everyday.  Try using conditioner and just rinsing out.  Your hair and scalp needs the natural oils it produces.

If you plan on going in the pool or ocean, use conditioner and before and after the water to keep it moisturized and free from damage from the chemicals from the water.  Use olive oil every other day as an option for shine and smoothing- it also helps reduce fly-aways. 

The bottom line is in the summertime, less is more so try these options and enjoy your hair and enjoy your summer!

Thanks for stopping by!  Got a question and/or Hair/Skin/Makeup topic you would like me to blog about?- please email me: brian@brianchawkins.com.

Envisioning and preparing to be a Cosmetologist- inspirational.

Hello all and thanks for stopping by!

I'm writing this because I was inspired by a beautiful young lady that I met this past weekend who showed me that no matter what the challenges you have in life, to keep your mind and energy focused on what your joy is in life and simply work towards your goals.

Her name is Ava, she's 11yrs old and she was born with spina bifida .  She is my partners niece that I met over the weekend and her smile lights up the room and my heart.  She is the oldest of 3 and has 2 great parents who are truly heroes in life for the love they provide to all of their children.

While talking and getting to know her, I was informed by her mom that Ava has a strong interest in Cosmetology and doing hair.  The mom wasn't sure where her daughter picked up the interest however she is happy that she has found something that she likes.  The mom has gotten Ava a mannequin head doll that Ava uses to practice dry hair styling and braiding techniques on.  The mom doesn't want hot styling tools involved yet due her age and simple safety precaution(s) which I can totally understand.  Needless to say though Ava enjoys it greatly!

I share with the mom and Ava more about me and my background and gave my website link for them to look at on her Ipad while we were at lunch and it seemed to get Ava's attention with a smile.  A day later, I go on to my Instagram account and guess who is my latest follower- little Miss Ava!  That truly made my day and brought the biggest smile and joy to my heart!  I shared it with my partner (her uncle) and he too was joyous.  Being a Hair Stylist and/or Makeup Artist in this Industry comes with SO much potential and opportunity but to me the greater reward is in the people you meet!  Yes, I have met and/or worked with some fantastic people that I look up to in the Industry, Icons in the Industry but the ones that I appreciate the most is someone like Ava.

This young lady has a vision of being a Hair Stylist at 11yrs old.  Not every day is a good one for her but she still will take her mannequin head, watch a YouTube video on a Styling or Braiding technique and duplicate it and THAT is what determination is all about.  Meeting her and knowing what she deals with health wise yet will still push through to enjoy each day, deserves much praise and respect.

I found a new found reason and purpose to rise up and push through and accomplish more for myself in this Industry and it's because of Ava!  I hope that maybe this or next year that I will be able to have Ava backstage with me during New York Fashion Week and be my number one Assistant!- real talk!  She may not be of age yet to technically do hair but she can certainly get a first hand look at what it takes to be a part of something so incredible as Fashion Week and I know I'll enjoy having her with me as part of the experience.

Thank you universe (and my partner) for introducing me to Ava.  Her presence and purpose has redefined my presence and purpose as a Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist. 

The overall point to this blog, don't let any circumstance stop you from living your dream and purpose.  I dedicate this blog and my continuing career to you Ava, little do you know the big difference you made in my life.

Continue living with and on purpose everyone.
Brian C. Hawkins

Find your passion and live in it!

My post I want to share is simply about finding your passion and living it to the fullest.

I've always had a love and passion for Hair, Makeup, Fashion but after High School, went to College and then ended up working in Corporate America because it was safe and of course has security to it: guaranteed paycheck, vacation/sick time, health benefits, 401k savings and of course the ultimate dream to climb up the Corporate ladder.  The problem was, I wasn't happy.

I sat in a cubicle, staring at a computer and dealing with an Industry that did absolutely nothing for me except keep me "secure" in having a nice paycheck every 2 weeks.  I maintained that until I turned 34yrs old when the Bank I worked for downsized and eliminated my position.  At that time the choice was transfer into another position within the company, post my resume and find another corporate job or dare I say, do what makes me happy.

The day before my 35th birthday was my first day of Cosmetology School with the Ohio Academy Paul Mitchell Partner School in Columbus Ohio.  It literally changed my LIFE for SO much better!  Granted I was the oldest student (the average age was 22) however it was an amazing experience and learning journey!  Great Staff and an amazing Owner and Director (NeCole Cumberlander) made my transition into pursuing my ultimate passion an opportunity I am beyond thankful to have pursued.

Everything happens for a reason and in the time it is supposed to happen.  Who is to say that if I had started my Career in Hair and Makeup years prior or right after High School or College that I would achieve what I have today as well as have a respect and true appreciation and drive for what I do!  Because my start was later in life, what I do and work for, I put my true heart into and I feel it truly plays it's part in the opportunities and success I have obtained to date.  From working on an independent film set, being part of the Hair Team for 2 Network tv Shows, community involvement in donating my services, working every Season for New York, LA, Miami Fashion Week as Lead Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist, having my work published in various Magazines and my ultimate pride in having my own Salon space.  There are other achievements that you are more than welcome to check out on my website www.brianchawkins.com.

My point in this post before I can go further about trends, tips, etc for Hair and/or Makeup is no matter what it is, find your true joy and passion and pursue it!  People have asked me how do I know what my passion is or what I like?: when you're at the bookstore, what types of magazine(s) and books are you drawn to?; in your spare time what do you find yourself doing for yourself?; what type of tv shows are you watching?; we all have a joy and passion that fulfills us- the challenge is the fear of exposing and enjoying our inner joy and passion.  We are raised, taught and engrained throughout life what we "should" do in order to live and survive but we are rarely encouraged to live in what makes us truly happy.

Yes, we all need the comfort and security of an income and health care benefits and savings and stock plans, and, and, and......but what all is it worth if at the end of the day you look back on your day or you think of the day ahead with disdain and disappointment because you have to go to work.(?)  I look forward to each day I have in my Career of Hair and Makeup and don't consider it work because it fulfills me- whether with my Salon Clients, backstage at a Shoot or Fashion Show or even better, when I can give back to my community with my talent and skill and provide to someone who hasn't given to themselves- it's a wonderful thing!

Thanks for stopping by and yes you will see more things related to Hair and Makeup in future posts but for now I just wanted to say to my fellow Industry folks, what an AMAZING Career we have- don't take it for granted the difference and change you make in someones life by what you do to their Hair and/or Makeup- it's a gift that they look to receive from you!  If you're not in the Industry of Hair and/or Makeup- find what fulfills you!  Life is always about choices- live without regret in anything you do! 

Love what you do and love the life you live!
Brian C. Hawkins

Let the blogging begin!

Hi all and thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to my blog page- finally!  I say finally because for quite some time it has been asked and suggested that I should do a blog page of myself in the Industry as a Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist.  I had all the reasons and excuses as to why I couldn't or shouldn't but that's all it was- excuses.

So, here I am with my blog page for Brian C. Hawkins, Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist (www.brianchawkins.com). 

Being that it is a blog page I know it's what I choose it to be: the consistency, the relevance, format etc.  Brian C. Hawkins Blog Page will be about my journey, adventures, opportunities and even challenges in the Industry as a Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist.  From daily Salon life and business that I run, to Fashion Weeks in Miami, New York etc., to Photo Shoot opportunities and all in between will be about behind the scenes, advice, tips of my life in the Industry of Hair and Makeup.

How often I blog will be consistent at least once a week- maybe more based on the week but I will commit to once a week.  It will also be based on you, the reader and your feedback.

So here's the intro and beginning.  Thanks for your time and stay tuned! 

Thank you Charley, my partner in life, for ultimately giving me the encouragement to do this- you're a great man and support to me!