Matrix Appoints New Vice President and General Manager
L'Oréal Professional has announced that Colin Walsh is the new vice president and general manager of Matrix U.S. In his new position, Walsh will be responsible for strengthening Matrix's development within the distribution network and building a connection with hairdressers. He will also reinforce the brand's position as a company committed to salon success by giving salon professionals access to education and affordable products.
 Colin Walsh |
Walsh has been a member of the L'Oréal family since 2000 and has held various leadership positions within sales, marketing, product development and distribution throughout his career. "Walsh's diverse background and career successes in brand development, sales and distribution have prepared him well for this exciting new opportunity," said Pat Parenty, president, U.S. Brands Professional Products Division at L'Oréal. "He has a strong passion and knowledge of the salon industry and a commitment to the hairdresser." —L.M.
CND and American Crew Pamper Wounded Soldiers
In June, CND joined with sister company American Crew (both are part of parent company The Colomer Group) to provide wounded American soldiers who had just returned from Iraq with some much-needed pampering. The full-day event was held in San Diego at the Balboa Naval Hospital. Sixty soldiers and their families experienced a day of services and products, with 10 CND volunteers giving manicures and a team from American Crew providing haircuts. "Everyone who participated was touched and felt great about finding a small way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for us," said John Heffner, president and CEO of CND. —L.M.
Joico Artist Raises $5,000 for HIV/AIDS
Joico Artist Robert Josef of the Robert Josef Salon in Dallas celebrated a decade of success by throwing a party to raise money for AIDS Arms, a local nonprofit AIDS and HIV case management organization. The anniversary celebration was a huge success, drawing 150 guests and raising $5,000 for the cause. Joico donated gift bags containing its K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor.
 Robert Josef |
During the party, Josef spoke to attendees about the past 10 years and about AIDS Arms. "I talked about all of my close connections with my clients, many of whom have been with me from the very beginning," Josef said. "We were also able to provide education about the AIDS Arms organization and about AIDS in the community. Best of all, it was great to see all of my clients coming together for the cause." —L.M.
Pureology Supports Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Pureology Serious Colour Care, the exclusive haircare and styling sponsor for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), is helping build awareness about ovarian cancer with its limited-edition Break the Silence PureVolume Collection, which includes PureVolume Shampoo, PureVolume HairCondition and PureVolume ThickeningMist. "The Break the Silence PureVolume Collection will help increase awareness and features information about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer to educate women about this disease," said Shae Kalyani, vice president of marketing for Pureology. "In conjunction with this limited-edition collection, Pureology will make a $25,000 donation to the NOCC." —N.P.
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Freestyle Systems' SpectraLights Featured on Chronicle
Freestyle Systems' SpectraLights were featured on a July episode of the newsmagazine show Chronicle as part of a report on companies creating "green" jobs in New England. On the show, Blair Hopper, chief technology officer for SpectraLights, shared information about the history and future of the company's energy-efficient solid-state Lighting fixtures. "I initially designed these light fixtures for a niche market, but I quickly realized the worldwide market potential and focused on how to manufacture them in the United States to create more jobs here at home," Hopper explained. "We develop products that are more environmentally friendly in every sense of the phrase. We manufacture 80 percent of the components here in the United States, and we will be able to manufacture 100 percent of the fixtures domestically very soon." —L.M.
 SpectraLights in use at Salon Beck in Cincinnati |
J Beverly Hills Hosts Stylists from Denmark and Norway
J Beverly Hills recently got a dose of European flair when the company invited 30 hairstylists from Denmark and Norway to participate in a three-day educational seminar on technical cutting. Attendees were trained in the latest techniques by top J Beverly Hills educators from across the United States, including DJ McDermott, who taught his Updo-ology course on designing and sculpting updos. J Beverly Hills concluded the event with a hair show featuring updos created by McDermott and a certification ceremony for the visitors. —A.F.
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Metro Beauty Academy Receives Accreditation
Metro Beauty Academy of Allentown, PA, recently became an accredited institution after an evaluation by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. "The accreditation enables us to become approved by the Department of Education to provide various government grants and loans for education," said Gary Menzies, CEO of Metro Beauty Academy, which opened in 2007. "Although we have had a steady increase in our student base, we expect enrollment to double when we can offer additional financial assistance to students." Because of the likely increase in enrollment, Metro has begun expanding its Allentown location with additional buildings and facilities. "There is currently a waiting list for our fall schedule, but new classes begin every six weeks," Menzies added. —A.F.
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Tressa Celebrates 40 Years With Big Giveaway
Tressa is commemorating its 40th anniversary with a big giveaway. Starting this month, the company will give out more than 5 million Style Reward points that stylists can redeem for Tressa products, electronics and education. Select Colourage Color, Individual Wave and Econo Pack Wave boxes will contain reward tickets with points stylists can use to enroll in the loyalty program, which requires 1,000 points and awards an additional point for every dollar spent on Tressa and KIS purchases, or they can add to an existing point balance. To learn more, visit tressa.com. —A.F.
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Toni&Guy Holds Annual Photographic Awards
Toni&Guy recently held its 14th annual Photographic Awards in Dallas, drawing hundreds of Toni&Guy beauty professionals and academy students from around the world. The show opened with a tribute to the company's co-founder, Guy Mascolo, who passed away in May.
 Models debut Toni&Guy's New Puritan collection. |
Dawn Clark from Plano, Texas, took home three awards: Total Look, Color and Colorist of the Year. Carolina Yasukawa from Newport Beach, CA, won for Texture and Hairdresser of the Year, while Toni&Guy National Makeup Director Amber Miller got her third win in the Makeup category. Other winners included Aaron Watkins (Men's), Amy Allen (Avante Garde), Zach Blalock (Cut), and Cameron Allison and Nneku Igwemadu (tie for Student). Cumberland Salon in Toronto was awarded Best Salon Team, while the company's salons in Phoenix were given a joint award for Pursuit of Excellence. Along with the awards ceremony, attendees were also treated to a presentation of Toni&Guy's New Puritan collection. —L.M.
Reinvent This Look and Win!
Redken announces its Runway Reinvention contest. You could win a trip to New York City, where you'll work on a photo shoot to be published in American Salon.
Do you have what it takes to use one of fall '09's top runway hair trends as inspiration to create a wearable look for your clients? If so, you'll want to enter the Redken Runway Reinvention Styling Contest. We want to see your interpretation of the look shown here, so feel free to modify it, tone it down and give it your own unique spin to create a look that your clients will love. You'll need to provide three color photographs of the wearable look you've created—a front view, side view and back view. Next, you'll need to include a step-by-step technique guide to how you achieved the look. You must use at least one Redken haircare product to prep the hair and at least two Redken styling products to style and finish the hair. You may use only current Redken products to create the look. Finally, explain in 150 words or less how you envision the client wearing this look. The contest begins September 1, 2009 and ends on October 31, 2009. The grand-prize winner will receive a seven day/six night trip to New York City for two to be part of an American Salon photo shoot during the week of January 31, 2009 to February 6, 2010. The trip includes round-trip airfare, six nights' hotel accommodations, ground transportation to and from the hotel, a free pass for the Session Skills and Photo class with Noah Hatton at The Redken Exchange and $1,000 spending money! There are also four runner-up prizes. What are you waiting for? Log onto redken.com/runwayreinvention for details.
 Redken Creative Consultant Guido created this look for Prada's fall '09 show in Milan, which you'll be asked to reinterpret. |