SalonLife '08 Coming to Chicago in August
Looking for an event that will teach you how to live your personal and professional life to the fullest? Attend the NCA SalonLife conference for salon owners and professionals August 9 to 11 in Chicago. "The NCA has always supported salon professionals in their career development," NCA President Marlene Bridge said. "With the evolution of SalonLife to include an all new expo that is built around the value of building relationships, we can say with confidence that SalonLife truly is a new kind of event for the industry."
 Vidal Sassoon will be the keynote speaker at this year's SalonLife conference August 9 to 11 in Chicago. |
SalonLife '08 will focus on enhancing networking skills through classes, trade shows and other new programs. This year's conference speakers include an all-star roster of salon industry icons, such as Lydia Sarfati, Robert Cromeans, Christopher and Sonya Dove and Ann Mincey. Last, but undoubtedly not least, this year Vidal Sassoon will make the SalonLife keynote address. salon-life.com —R.A.
Wella, Sebastian and Graham Webb Join Fight Against Breast Cancer
Last September, Wella, Sebastian and Graham Webb launched the Look Feel Heal With Hope campaign to support the City of Hope's fight against breast cancer. Individuals, corporate employees and salons were encouraged to participate and help raise funds for the effort. Company officials recently announced that the Kris Cole Salon in Burlington, NJ, took home top honors in the Look Feel Heal With Hope challenge, donating more than $21,800. The funds were raised at last fall's Philadelphia City for Hope Walk, when Team Theresa—composed of Theresa Peterson, her salon coworkers, and her friends and family members—walked alongside the salon manager to support the worthwhile cause. For more information on City of Hope's upcoming events, visit walk4hope.org. —K.D.
 Theresa Peterson, third from left, with members of the team from Kris Cole Salon |
Joico Helps Women Win Big in Las Vegas
It rarely rains in Las Vegas, but it was a perfect storm of beauty when Joico joined up with Smashbox Cosmetics, The Cutting Room Salon and celebrity makeup artist Patrick Tumey at the Indulge Beauty Suite inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Fifty ladies got lucky in the Beauty Suite when they were presented with gift bags containing cosmetics, Custom Indulge T-shirts and the coveted Joico K-Pak Hair Repair System, perfect for desert-stressed tresses.
The beauty and fun continued as the women in the crowd enjoyed luxury hair extension and styling services courtesy of The Cutting Room Salon. Grand-prize winner Charlene Petersen also scored a wedding-day makeover from Tumey, whose celebrity clients include Paris Hilton, Sandra Oh and Mandy Moore. —R.A.
Alterna Sponsors Benefit for Children's Foundation
Alterna Professional Haircare recently sponsored A Stellar Night 2008 to benefit the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. The foundation helps children with critical medical conditions by providing support and entertainment. "It was inspiring to see so many people come together to support this worthwhile cause, and we're so happy to have played a role in this momentous event," said Marion Johnson, Alterna's vice president of marketing. —R.A.
 Alterna contributed a variety of products for the VIP gift bags. |
NCA Congratulates OMC World Championship Winners
The National Cosmetology Association (NCA) hosted the 2008 Organisation Mondiale Coiffure (OMC) World Championships of Beauty in conjunction with America's Beauty Show in Chicago. The international event, which happens only once every two years, draws competitors from all across the world and features both individual and team contests in hair, nails and beauty. The NCA's Team USA was sponsored by Goldwell, which provided travel expenses for practice and competition, as well as the haircolor products that the team members relied on to compete. The NCA would like to congratulate its Team USA, as well as the following members who competed and won medals by placing in the top three in their categories: Dale Dees, gold medal, Senior Ladies Street Fashion; Vicki Stronczek, bronze medal, Senior Ladies Street Fashion; Michelle Welch, silver medal, Senior Ladies Black Trophy; Deanna Maker, gold medal, Junior Ladies Hair Extension; and Alana Greene, silver medal, Junior Ladies Hair Extension.
 The Senior Ladies Competition heats up |
"Competing in the World Championships requires talent, skill, creativity and dedication," said Marlene Bridge, NCA president. "NCA's Team USA represented our country with enthusiasm, passion and hard work." —C.W.
 NCA member and Team USA competitor Dale Dees accepts the gold medal—OMC past President Pierre Seassari and OMC President and NCA member Salvatore Fodera are in front. |
SoftSheen-Carson Announces Turnaround Contest
Calling all haircare professionals! If you have a client with damaged, dry or weak hair, SoftSheen-Carson Professional, the industry leader in textured haircare, invites you to enter to win the Optimum Salon Repair Hair Turnaround contest, designed to demonstrate the restorative benefits of using Optimum Salon Repair. To enter, use Optimum Salon Repair (as directed) on a client with damaged hair, then send the company before and after pictures, along with a note card describing the challenges and results achieved. One grand-prize winner will receive a $500 American Express gift card. For more contest information, visit softsheen-carson.com/professional. —C.W.
Pivot Point Announces L.E.O. Award Winners
Pivot Point International, a leader in beauty education, recently recognized six Pivot Point-educated industry professionals for the success they have achieved in the beauty industry. The chosen six each received a Pivot Point L.E.O. award. The award was named for Pivot Point founder Leo Passage, but it also stands for "leadership in the salon industry, excellence in designer education and outstanding Pivot Point graduate." The six award recipients were as follows: Joseph Cartagena, owner of Genacelli Salon & Spa in Chicago, who currently serves as vice president of Cosmetologists Chicago; Mary Beth Janssen, owner of The Janssen Source in Palatine, IL, and author of four books on beauty, who now teaches beauty and wellness to professionals around the world; David Raccuglia, founder of American Crew and the successful Art + Science salons in the Chicago area; Manuel Rodriguez, an international educator who has taught the Pivot Point approach since 1983 and has been on three USA World Hairdressing Championship teams; Christine Schuster, who is senior vice president of education for Redken and PureOlogy and was responsible for developing the Redken Exchange; and Andre Walker, hairstylist to Oprah Winfrey for 24 years. He credits Pivot Point for allowing him to do almost anything in hair design. —C.W.
 David Raccuglia, Andre Walker, Pivot Point founder Leo Passage, Joseph Cartagena, Manuel Rodriguez, Christine Schuster and Mary Beth Janssen |
Salon Ciseaux Stylists Handpicked to Work Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show
Three stylists from Salon Ciseaux, handpicked by renowned fashion designer Juan Carlos Obando, received the opportunity to showcase their talent at Obando's Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear debut during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.
 Clockwise, from top: The Zulu knot complemented the knotted texture of Obando's clothing; Salon Ciseaux stylist Christopher Maldonado helps Juan Carlos Obando fulfill his superhero-meets-socialite vision; the Salon Ciseaux stylists created a sleek chignon. |
Arlene Webber and Catherine Imbesi, founders of the Orlando, FL-based Salon Ciseaux, and stylist Christopher Maldonado worked closely with Obando and the M.A.C cosmetics team to achieve a look inspired by superheroes and Los Angeles socialites.
To realize this vision, Webber and Imbesi created two distinct looks for the models and styled them according to the length and texture of the hair. The first style was a Zulu knot that complemented the knotted texture of Obando's clothing. The stylists used American Crew Styling Gel and Rusk Weightless Hairspray to provide the models with a high-gloss shine and hold.
The second style was a chignon, a classic twist on the ordinary bun. The team used smoothing brushes and rat-tail combs, as well as hair doughnuts, to accomplish the glasslike buns that drew rave reviews. —R.A.
Godiva Salon Gains Top Colorist
Godiva Salon in Buckhead, GA, has announced that Stephanie Nimmer has joined the staff as master colorist. Nimmer, a Paul Mitchell Hair Care international platform artist, has more than 20 years of professional haircare experience, is a founding member of ColorCutting USA, which uses Scott Cole's methods of training, and also teaches color at the Paul Mitchell School in Atlanta. —N.P.
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American Crew Offers American Dads Free Gift
American Crew, the leading manufacturer of men's grooming products sold in salons and barber shops, will repeat its successful campaign called "A Free Gift of Grooming" this year for Father's Day, with the goal of helping salons increase male clientele and retail sales.
 American Crew will offer several special boxed sets in June. One of them comes with a coffee mug, as well as Classic Body Wash, Daily Shampoo and Firm Hold Gel. |
During the week of Father's Day, June 8 to 15, participating salons will give male clients a free 8.45-ounce bottle of American Crew Daily Conditioner when they purchase a regular-price haircut or qualifying service. Last year, the promotion generated more than $11 million in service dollars nationwide, and it's expected to generate the same amount of business this year, as well.
Salons can purchase 90 full-size (8.45-ounce) bottles of American Crew Daily Conditioner for $1 each. Every bottle features a "Free Gift" label to emphasize the deal. Salons that purchase the bottles receive a free merchandising kit to help promote the gift of grooming. americancrew.com —R.A.
De Berardinis Salon Toasts Opening
De Berardinis salon in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan officially celebrated its recent opening with an impeccably styled launch party. Hosted by owner Adrian De Berardinis and his father Giancarlo, who owns De Berardinis in Greenwich, CT, the glossy event catered to the New York City society set. On the menu: delectable finger food and pomegranate-infused Prosecco cocktails. The salon's decor, which features a gold and white color scheme, was created by interior designer Celerie Kemble. —R.A.
 Interior designer Celerie Kemble, flanked by Giancarlo and Adrian De Berardinis, at the opening |
 Kemble designed the salon's interior |
San Diego Salon Gives Back
San Diego-based salon dk hair recently invited members of the media and public to interact with stylists, models and salon owners during its BackStage Pass and Silent Auction, which raised money and awareness for life-debilitating diseases affecting San Diego infants.
 Andres Medina, a color specialist at dk hair, discusses hair management techniques with a guest. |
Infantile Leukodystrophy, a group of rare genetic diseases, affects the central nervous system in infants. The salon raised $1,360 through its silent auction and raffle, held in memory of 8-month-old Jaden Taylor, and donated the proceeds to 9-month-old Gavin Lund.
 DK hair's Lexi Hoback styles hair to raise money for Infantile Leukodystrophy |
During the event, the salon also unveiled a new collection of styles and cuts and discussed the best practices of hair management, damage prevention and skin maintenance. —R.A.