HAIR BY ANTONIO

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SOCIAL DIETING

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

My darling client Penny Klattel visited the salon for her usual, which involves a great cut, good conversation and laughs galore. But today there was added excitement due to the launch of Penny’s new blog, The Social Dieter.

As soon as I got home this evening, I rushed to visit her new blog and was so pleased with the topics she’s addressing. Because of my personal stomach issues due to stress, I felt Penny provided me with a better guideline on how to watch out for those troublesome foods that may look good, but don’t deliver favorable after effects.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s all learn how to eat out while making well-informed decisions when it comes to our health.

Antonio

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OPAQUE VERSUS TRANSLUCENT

HOW TRANSPARENT ARE YOU?


When it comes to professional permanent hair color, hairstylists and salons will always have their favorites. I would like to explain how we choose the different brands of color lines and how our choices affect your hair.

OPAQUE : -adjective
Impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through (i.e. metal, wood).

When you look at opaque color on the hair, its effect is a bit flat because of lights inability to shine through it. The coverage can seem a bit cool in color and it lacks sparkle, which you can get from translucent color. I use opaque colors on clients with hard to cover gray that would prefer not to see any evidence of their pesky white hair. They want the feeling of flawless coverage while still having natural, shiny, healthy hair.

I prefer to use opaque colors on cool brunettes, warm brunettes and curly/thick, hard to cover gray hair. A client’s skin tone also plays a part in my choosing this color. If the client has warm or red tones to their skin, I may choose an opaque color to help keep the appearance on the flatter side, instead of a warm translucent hair color on warm skin. When I use the word flat, keep in mind that opaque colors can be high in shine.

I also allow the client to guide me when making these choices by taking into consideration their opinion on hair color and skin tone.

Here are some examples of opaque professional hair color.

Redken Fusion


Miss Clairol


Framesi


Goldwell


TRANSŸLUŸCENT : -adjective
Permitting light to pass through but diffusing it so that persons, objects, etc., on the opposite side are not clearly visible (i.e. frosted glass, some plastics).

Translucent hair color has more of a sparkle as it allows light to shine through it. The coverage is not as flat as an opaque color; it gives high shine and is flawless nonetheless. I love translucent colors on my light, warm or cool blonds. I also like using it on warm brunettes who don’t seem to mind its luminosity. When low lighting on my warm blonds, I choose translucent colors to keep that luminous effect throughout the hair.

Here are some examples of translucent professional hair color.

Majirel by L’Oréal

Wella


Please look forward to Part 2 as I provide you with a greater understanding of why we do what we do.

Antonio

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SHEAR GENIUS

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SHEAR GENIUS?

Honey child, if you don’t know by now, Shear Genius will be back on the air February 3^rd. Season Three promises to have a great lineup of hairstylists dishing up some fabulous do’s…and don’ts I’m sure.

And to add some raw talent to mentor the contestants, Bravo has asked my boss Orlando Pita to join them. I am so looking forward to seeing Orlando work his magic by sharing his amazing talent, humbleness and soothing tone with these contestants – it’s what makes this man so unique.

When he’s in the salon, I honestly feel that the energy is so different. We all feel inspired by his very presence and even my clients can feel the buzz. They quickly realize that we are all happy to be there.

Look forward to my weekly posts on the show and how it unfolds. Cause baby, no one does drama like a hairstylist!

Antonio Gonzales

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WHERE TO STAY IN TOBAGO

TO TOBAGO WE GO

Have you ever been to Tobago? Well, if not, you are missing out on a magical experience. The people are easygoing and friendly. The beaches were voted as being some of the best in the world and the Tobago Rain Forest is the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. What does this all mean (you might ask)? Child, it all adds up to a damn good time!

As most of you know, I generally go home once a year to get my dose of TnT (Trinidad and Tobago) and while I’m there I always stay at Enchanted Waters, owned by the Patino Family. I met the Patino’s about 12 years ago before moving to the United States and we have remained friends to this very day. Not only are they some of the best friends I have, but they are amazing hosts.

One of the many impressive things about Enchanted Waters is how a humble space has been taken and transformed into a tranquil home for us all. The rooms are self-contained overlooking beautiful landscaping with the sounds of waterfalls designed by Mrs. Patino herself. The on-site restaurant is a peaceful venue steps away from your room and boasts some of the best seafood from the blessed waters of Tobago.
After a long day at the ocean, there is a conveniently located pool on the grounds to soak in before heading to your room.


So the next time you are looking for a vacation free of huge all inclusive resorts, go to Tobago. I guarantee you will have the time of your life.

Welcome to a home away from home.

Antonio

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THE BEST HAIR POWDER 2009

TO THE POWDER ROOM

Feeling “not so fresh” the day after your blow dry? Oily scalp getting you down? Is being limp irritating you? We all have those days, don’t we?

Hair stylists such as myself have told you that hair powders are the answer. They help save your three-day blowout by lifting oils from the scalp. They help give body to ladies with fine hair and they can even blend your color if unwanted grays have grown in.

Well, would you like to know what the main differences between the best hair powders on the market are? I would. That’s why I’m here darlings; to put hair products to the test for you and only you.

After trying many different hair powders while performing salon services and freelance , I’ve narrowed it down to 2 with results that will benefit you.

The first is by Bumble and bumble. I’m a huge fan of this line and have used their products for years. I’ve written about them, talked on the radio about them and used them during my photo shoots. Their powders come in 5 different colors in aerosol cans. I’ve been using them for quite some time and my clients approve.

The second is new to me and is by Orlando Pita in the T3 line. It contains three colors and claims to produce comparable results. Over a period of time I have used them both and am prepared to share my thoughts with you now.

First, I took two pieces of white paper and sprayed them with a can of hair powder from each line.

Bumble and bumble

This product adhered to the paper nicely, but no matter how much I sprayed it never accumulated to be as powder-like . When I ran my finger across the paper, it barely moved from the paper.

T3

After a few minutes of spraying this product, it quickly dried and turned into a powder. When I say “powder”, I mean it was as if though I was almost touching loose powder. I could actually rub my fingers together and it would crumble.

I then tried them on clients…

Bumble and bumble

Their blondish was dark on white paper and on the client’s roots I found that it was not versatile enough for different shades of blond. The red was great, the black was black and I did like the brown.

T3

The colors are true to their names. Their light blond is exactly that; on white paper it was a pretty shade and covered it well. Because of its consistency, I was able to spray a little for a lighter blond and more for a deeper blond. The auburn is a true auburn. The coverage was flawless, especially on the re-growth of gray hair. You can actually save money on your single process by applying this on your gray roots. This will allow you to stay away from the salon longer.

The true test here is application. These have to be easy enough for the client to use, which is my main concern. Clearly T3 was the easiest because of its consistency. Ultimately, it’s a hair powder and it should feel like powder no matter what.

Here are two tips on using both Hair powders.

TIPS ON APPLYING BOTH PRODUCTS FOR OILY ROOTS

Shake the can well. Lift the root area and lightly apply hair powder. Work section by section and apply more if needed. If you feel that there is too much in one section, use your blow dryer to remove excess product.

TIPS ON APPLYING BOTH PRODUCTS FOR COVERING GRAY RE-GROWTH

Try spraying the powder on a sponge tip applicator or makeup brush and apply to the gray hair while trying to avoid the scalp. It will eventually get on the scalp on its own which is fine.

Please try both powders and see which is best for you.

Antonio

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SHOPPING WITH ANTONIO

MUSE BULLETIN

Recently I was in the salon and noticed some commotion at my friend Joe’s station. So being the nosey Trinidadian that I am, I sauntered over to see if anyone needed saving. To my delight, there in the center of the excitement was Zani; a tall beauty explaining the inspiration behind her latest jewelry line – Santo by Zani.

The pendants are bullets designed into stunning pieces for her well crafted chains. She truly captures my personal taste in jewelry; I found some to be masculine without being gaudy. The smaller pieces are feminine without looking like they belong to a 13 year old girl. She has received amazing press and is clearly on to something great.

Ladies and gentlemen, Santo by Zani.

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