I cannot believe that it’s 2010. BOY how time flies.

This year it seemed to me that everyone attending the show was more beautiful than in previous years. I was talking about this with a friend of mine and wondered if I was just getting old and was appreciating the beauty of youth, but he assured me that was not the case and that everyone WAS more put together, fashionable and attractive than in the past few years. He also told me “Yes, you are getting old”. Thanks Joe. This is also where I take the opportunity to tell you about Joe’s product line, Shuga and you absolutely have to try his Leave In aerosol conditioner. It is just plain brilliant!

I was honored enough to be able to work with The Netwerk this year in their Technical Theater presentation. The inspiration for this presentation was to design your haircut based on architecturally designed furniture. My designs were based on the cardboard chair (simple shapes with corrugated edges for texture) and the iconic bean bag chair (a big puff shape with seams and a dent where someone was sitting). The hair was something that we should all be proud of. I hope to continue to work with the guys in the future.

I was styling my ‘bean bag chair’ shape, crimping and crimping and teasing and teasing. I was a little lost as to how to develop the shape at first but then I remembered a pattern that Martin Parsons had showed me so I started to develop the shape off that concept. After I got finished with one entire side, I had the seams looking pretty good, the texture was good and it was pretty big, I’m fine tuning it and over my shoulder I hear “That’s looking really good”, I turn back to see who it was and it was none other than the style master himself, Martin Parsons. What a surprise. I laughed and told him that I was stealing his patterns and I was going to claim it as my own. He laughed and said that he would steal it back. EVERY time that I do any kind of style I always fall back on the techniques that Martin taught me at one of his hands on classes that I was lucky enough to attend and assist at. If you have never been, I would strongly urge you to take advantage of it because he will give you not only the knowledge but also the confidence to style hair. Worth every penny!!! Thanks Martin for teaching me.

I walked around the show floor on Monday, as I was working on the presentation Sunday, and found myself at the Sassoon booth watching the artist do some amazing work when in front of me Nick Arrojo snuck by. I jokingly said to him, “Trying to sneak a peak without being noticed?”. He saw me and we chuckled, we started talking about Sassoon and my current favorite hairstylist Mark Hayes. Nick Arrojo then proceeded to give me some advice that I will never forget and treasure. Remember the saying “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”? Well, evidently I was ready and Nick Arrojo was my teacher that day. I always liked Nick, but now he is a mentor to me and he doesn’t even know it. Thank you!

I’ll be posting some pictures from the show, so be on the look out for those.

Until next time my friends….

The LA Caucus did not have enough attendees to justify a full blown seminar, so instead and as a treat to those who already purchased tickets, airfare and hotels, we are going to be doing a very special “unplugged” version of the Caucus this weekend.

The line up is as follows

The Netwerk will be doing mens cutting first thing on Sunday morning

Anthony Presotto will be presenting on marketing and salon business practices (how to run a successful business, promotion, advertising, etc.)

And I will be doing a haircutting presentation on the implementation of modernizing of classic shapes.

The following day, in the morning we will be working hands on doing at least 2 haircuts, I plan on pushing for 3. I know, such a slave driver! After noon we will be having a hair party and we are all going to cut and color each others hair! WHOO … oh wait…. I don’t have any hair

After finally getting my main computer fixed and upgraded I am able to finish the Transformer Challenge videos with out final entrant Hair Geek (also known as Addicted To Red on AskMags.com).

I think this is one awesome entry so enjoy and if you like it, feel free to post your comments.

I’d like to thank all the guys who took the time to do the challenge and for being so patient with the process of getting these posted. I was originally going to add them to the next Video Magazine DVD but don’t have enough content to put one out so I decided instead of just sitting on them to share them with the Internets and Hairmaven.com. You guys are just awesome!!! and thank you!

Headed back home. look for the final installment of the Transformer Challenge this weekend.

Here are a few more pictures from my trip home.

Nice to have a little snow, it puts a smile on my face!

The snow makes the fire place all the more cozy!

My artist friend Adrian. Check out his website.

“GOD bless our mobile home” Really does say it all, doesn’t it?

I am back in my home town of Louisville, Kentucky for a long weekend to see family and friends. After going around and seeing my old stomping grounds and how much it has changed, it really hasn’t changed at all….

Old of my father’s salons in now a bicycle shop, it seems that when ever one of my father’s salons closes a bicycle show opens up in the location, this is the second one.

Ultra POP, who says that cool stuff isn’t in Louisville?!?

Bardstown Road, the official stomping grounds for a young punk rock/new wave Russell. Looks exactly the same, but fewer skate boards.

Still love the old aluminum Christmas trees!

I’d like to thank everyone for visiting Hairmaven.com and for being a positive part of the industry as well as wish you a Merry Christmas.

I was lucky enough to attend the Master Class with Mark Hayes at Sassoon in Santa Monica this last Sunday. Boy, let me tell you. The man is an artist and has now officially become my hair hero (a title I do not hand out lightly!).

Enjoy a few pictures from the class

hint: click on the pict to view the entire album!

As promised, here are the pictures from this years Salon International.

This was my first trip to London and I didn’t really know what to expect but I left totally inspired!

hint: click on the photo for all the pictures.

Well, after many an adventure in London and Paris, I am SO glad to be back home and behind the chair (even though clients act like I’ve been gone for months).

I’ll post a full report and full set of pictures in the next few days. My computer is still on the fritz so I’m having to post from my baby ibook.

Here are a few to get things started.

Sassoon was awesome.

Booty Sweat!

I was suckered by the scam artists at the Louvre!