jennyleigh

My friends, please meet a great multi-talented artist and dear friend, Kris Catoe. Kris used to work with me at Rococo Hair Design ( where yours truly presently works ) a few years ago.  Ok, it was a lot of years ago but don't be bringing me down.  He is a laugh riot and as a hairdresser, well.... he's got skills. But that's not all.  This fella is also an Assemblage Artist.  He's got some incredible pieces that are just so interesting and unique.  Definitely like nothing I've seen before.   He's got a show in September; I'll post some pics of his work for you all to enjoy and a way to purchase, if you feel so moved.    Kris, who now owns The Moxie Salon in Gadsden, Al., was kind enough to invite me to a Rusk Color class he was hosting .  So, yea, I love those Learning Mondays so you know I was too happy to accept.  Getting to catch up with my friend and grow in some Rusk knowledge,....well, it ...

Today's post is a tribute to a totally nontraditional ponytail. On the left is my hair on one of my many days at work when I rushed to get there. I gave it a product fill up and followed by a rough blow dry. Then, realizing I was running out of time, I took advantage of the volume and whipped it into two ponytails.  I don't want to call them pigtails  because the style just didn't have a "pigtail" look. I wore one pony behind my shoulder and one pony in front of the other shoulder.  ( You know I love "Ragamuffin" style and this fits me perfectly!! ) So the photo on the right??  Well, that's a funny story. Last night before going to bed I was perusing an old Allure magazine.  (I am quite the magazine junkie) So I open it up and there on the page was the fuller bottom ponytail by Orlando Pita! I was so excited; I had to get out my pics that we had taken from a while back and  share them with you guys....

This is such a pretty look.  It goes super dressed up or super casual. Either way, it's a classic with an interesting twist. One that is sure to make others want to get a closer look to see how you did it. And the big bonus is, it is SO easy. Love easy! So we are borrowing a few pics from an earlier post, the  braided bun . (click on "braided bun" to take you there) So first, we start off with a braided ponytail.  This can be high on the head or lower. I'll elaborate on that at the end of the post. Then give the braid a slight tug to loosen and soften the braid.  It'll make the braid more pliable. Now just simply wrap the braid around your ponytail band and tuck the ends under. Pin on bottom first then pin on top to secure. Pin around the edges and since a braid is heavier and stiffer, it may take a few pins to make sure it holds. Sorry there aren't any pics of this stage but it's hard to snap all the steps. ...

Here's a Show and Tell on a slightly more Polished Top Knot. Start off with scary, big, blown out hair.  No need to make it super straight. The more texture in the hair before, the better! Me - Before  ( Told you to start off with scary, big, blown out hair ! ) Next, begin pulling all the hair back for a ponytail. I always start with my front first and hold it in my hand so that I can leave a little fullness.  This will keep it from looking too slick and tight.  Finish the ponytail by brushing the nape hair into the front section. Remember to keep it high on your head. It's a TOP Knot.  Gots to be on TOP.   You can use a clear elastic for your pony but my hair is uber thick so I use the super fat black bands.  It'll be covered anyway so no worries. Using a traditional teasing comb, begin to moderately backcomb small sections of your ponytail. Work your way through the entire ponytail until yo...

I love Learning Mondays! As you probably already know, most salons are closed on Mondays. It's great to have a weekday to handle "stuff".  But it's also the day that one can occasionally find extra education!!!  And I am ALL about that!!   So today was spent with some of the guys from Suddzz FX.  Up top's picture is with Elloy, from Austin, TX, and my friend and co-worker, Razel. I was so excited that we went together today. The last class I went to I had to go alone and it's just not nearly as fun. I have a tendency to find humor in the goofiest places and desperately need somebody to LAUGH WITH ME!  So thank you Razel for being my laughing buddy!  So the class, yes, it was great. Learned a chic-y new up-do. (I'll post on it later so I can get some good pics.)  Here is Elloy working on it.  Taken from my iPhone camera, they're not the best quality but I get so frustrated with my real camera that I couldn't br...

My daugter's dance group did several numbers from "Cats" for their recital this year. They also performed from " The Sound Of Music " and " Mame ".  But I must say, " Cats " was definitely my favorite!  I call her my " Angelical Cat ".  I wish I could show you a pic of the whole group.  They were INCREDIBLE! Have you seen "Cats"?  What's your favorite musical?? 

Ok I have been one CrAzY Mama over here!!  So much fun stuff has been happening with my kids that I have been out of pocket and quite frankly, out of my mind. It's normal life but somehow I manage to make it look soooooo much more complicated than it is. I'm good at that. But before I catch you up on some of the "highlights" I thought I would give you a quick HAIR TIP. TIP When toweling your hair dry, NEVER rough the towel back and forth. This is such a No-NO and people do it all the time. Instead , take your towel and SQUEEZE your hair dry. By holding the towel closed on one section of hair the water is absorbed into the towel.  Roughly moving the towel around trying to use air to dry your hair works but it also makes combing it out afterward a nightmare .  Much like my schedule has been the last month!!! Whew, May is over.  BRING ON SUMMER!!!