ASK ANTONIO

Hello Everyone!

I first want to wish all of my friends and clients a Happy New Year! Thank you for your love and support for the past year, and also for being so inspirational in many aspects of my business. I must admit, it was fun to experience the growth of my business with my clientele. I want to especially acknowledge all of my loyal clients that have stayed with me over the past seven years in New York!

I wanted to say a special thanks to one of my biggest sources of inspiration this year (and past years), Eva Scrivo. For those of you who don't know that story of how Eva and I met, well...

After complaining to a very close friend, Peter (and some of my other clients) about the inconsistency of the service in the salon world, Peter said to me, "Well, I can only help you so much. You need advice from someone you admire about what your next step should be."

I had read an article about Eva and decided that she was on to something great. I had hoped that she would hear my cries and give me a sense of direction for my career. So, I marched into her salon, asked to speak with a manager, and this beautiful woman said, "My name is Eva, I am the owner. How can I help you?"

Well, it was love at first sight! Eva not only listened, but cared and gave me her best advice...then hired me!

Working with Eva has given me a platform to do what I love most, as well as provide an endless source of skill, business building tools, a great employer and most importantly a friend.

I want to thank you, Eva Scrivo and to wish you and Arik Efros all the best on our fabulous new salon on Bond Street and on the moving of our Hudson Street location to the heart of the Meat Packing District (a few blocks away).

Thanks guys!

I am excited to offer a place for my clients and future clients to view my weekly happenings in the salon as well as updated information, photos and some of my favorite links.

You are more than welcome to join in on my discussions. If you have any beauty challenges, please feel free to post your questions or comments, and I will be more than happy to answer them.


STAY TUNED FOR FEBRUARY'S TOPICS

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New Cuts

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Hair Mishaps & How To Fix It: Part III

How can you be really sure that you and your stylist are on the same page about the right color of your new desired blonde to brunette transformation? I feel that the key to this is educating the client. Some may feel that this is too much information to give to their clients. I think not! I talk in depth with my clients about techniques and products using language that is basic enough for them to understand. If I feel that the client's knowledge is about average on hair color, I open the door to get them a bit more involved in the process. Actually, clients who have been color treating their hair for some time can bring valuable info to the process.

Some educators/ stylists feel that you should not get the client too involved. Oh, yes I do agree to some extent, but there must be some interaction here.

The days of "diva" hair stylist that were almost unreachable and of clients only speaking when they were spoken to are gone!

I want my clients to be educated enough to ask smart questions and to appreciate the value of my service and commitment to beautiful hair.

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MEN'S HAIR: What's Age Appropriate? (Continued)

Men in their 20-40s also tend to hold onto some hair trends of the past...most of which are not worth mentioning. It is important to have the right hair cut that can carry you through this competitive world in the work place. You would be surprised to hear the things that your male co-workers say about your hair behind your back; referring to you not by your name, but by your hair cut.

So think... really think, have you recently heard a loved one say, "Honey, I love your hair, but maybe you can try my stylist for a change?" This translates to,"Child, please!! I can't take anymore of this Grace Jones meets Chuck Norris gone wrong!"

As we know men's hair cuts can range from $8 to $400. It's up to you to find a stylist that is talented enough to deliver a quality cut that grows well and is versatile; be it conservative by day and a bit more relaxed at night.

Tips

DO's
-Listen to your stylist's recommendations...products DO HELP and can go a long way
-Think about how you want to best describe your style. Is your hair a part of it?

DON'Ts
- DO NOT hold on to words or descriptors like "feathered","spikey" or "frosted". These are style killers and secretly make your stylist want to scream every time you say them!
-DO NOT sport the Marine Cut for the rest of your life. You must be style appropriate too!

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Bridal Hair

Since this is such a huge topic, I would prefer to make this an on-going topic of discussion.

The beginning...

The frenzy starts from the moment you accept the proposal. You tell everyone who will listen from family to friends and co-workers about the news. You've spent years of your life dreaming of what your perfect day would be like and how you would look on your big day. Now it is finally time to make it happen.

Yes, the venue, caterer, dress, invitations and flowers are all REALLY important, but let's fast forward 15 years when you are sharing videos and photos of your wedding with friends (or children). What is the first thing that they will see?

Sure, the overall feel fo the event is there, beautiful space, great decorations, and things so well planned that everyone is just glowing with happiness (providing that you have an event planner like James Abel Events...of course). Then there is what truly matters, your hair and make-up. These photos should last a lifetime, and you should be able to show them feeling confident enough to say, "You know, I really looked great on my wedding day!" TO BE CONTINUED...

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AFG's Guide to NYC: Path For Life

Over the course of my career in New York, I have met and worked with some incredible people, places and products (And, this list is still growing!). So, I want to give my friends and clients the opportunity to experience them only after I have done my research and approved it for all to enjoy. Look forward to my monthly/bi-weekly updates with the AFG stamp of approval. Enjoy!

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

We have all tried it – the perfect and most wonderful haircut and it still does not look great. It did a few days ago but today it is just not there. Sounds familiar? Well you might want to take a look at what your food choices were like over that past couple of days. It shows. Both your hair and your skin will tell the tale of how you have been taking care of yourself beyond the hairdresser and the facial. Your nails will show the signs of your long-term nutritional choices and are often used in Eastern Medicine for diagnosis.

Did you know that about 90% of your hair is made up of proteins? Also call amino acids. Within these amino acids are so called essential amino acids and also essential fatty acids. Not only do they feed your brain, the also feed your hair and your skin. So choosing fat free is relative. The greasy fried meal you had the other day will make your hair so as well. You just cannot get a lift after a greasy meal. Too much sugar and alcohol? Well that is going to make it limp and thin looking.

Your skin will show the signs as well. The bad fats give you the oily surface, too much dairy and flour the white pasty look, and the sugars will give you wrinkles.

So can you actually change the quality of your hair? – Yes you can. Not quite from day to day, but over time. Your hair can get thicker and richer as your food choices balance out. And your wrinkles can disappear too, or at least lessen, with the right food choices. No botox necessary, just skip the sugar, the refined flour, and the extra glasses of wine. Add the good fats from fish, nuts and seed, avocado and olive oil.

Of course sleep is essential as well - and so is plently of water. All in all, if you take better care of yourself with mindful choices, you will not only feel better, you will look it as well.

Written by Jeanette Bronée, Nourishment Counselor with Path for Life Self-Nourishment Center in NYC. www.pathforlife.com

Jeanette has developed and teaches the Path for Life 9-point system to her clients. She always looks for how to best help her clients find their way to health and healing, with food, new daily self-caring habits, and emotional healing. She educates about food and guides through change in an upbeat non-dogmatic way. Her wish is for each client to take charge of their life, health, wellbeing, and daily joy.

Health is a journey that we embark on. The philosphy behind Path for Life is that change is like walking the labyrinth. As we enter deeper and deeper into our core, we find what truly nurture us. As we walk back out with this new awareness, we create new choices, habits, and patterns that support and continue to nurture us in our everyday living.

Posted by Unknown at 3:59 PM - 0 comments

ASK Antonio

Hello Everyone!

I am excited to offer a place for my clients and future clients to view my weekly happenings in the salon as well as updated information, photos and some of my favorite links.

You are more than welcome to join in on my discussions. If you have any beauty challenges, please feel free to post your questions or comments, and I will be more than happy to answer them.

This is a picture of me and one of my clients, Chris Carrabba. You may recognize his as the lead of singer and guitarist of the band Dashboard Confessional. I have been doing Chris's hair for about five years now. He is an extremely talented man that is driven by his love of music. Seeing him recently has inspired me to delve deeper into providing a resource for men to go to for hair and fashion advice.

This month I have also decided to create my own guide to NYC. Look forward to AFG's guide to NYC that will feature the hidden gems of the city each month!


STAY TUNED FOR JANUARY'S TOPICS!

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Hair Mishaps & How To Fix It: Part II

Last month, we touched upon common mistakes that some women make when making the drastic change from blonde to brunette. Let's now take a look at what could have been done to prevent this situation...

1) Always bring a photo of your desired look with you to your hair appointment

2) Before your color appointment, go into wig shops to try on different color wigs. This give you an opportunity to see how various colors work with your skin tone. Although the wigs may not be the style you want, it will give you an idea of what will and WON'T work for you.

3) Consult with your stylist prior to the the appointment. This puts the idea in motion as well as makes the idea more realistic. This will let you know if you are really ready to make the change or let you know if you need some more time to think about it.

4) Make a gradual change. As a stylist, I know that this is a difficult thing to say to a woman who is convinced she must have her drastic, life altering change now! But low lighting dark color into blonde hair makes the transition less dramatic as opposed to all over dark coverage.

5) Make sure you and your stylist are on the same page. During your consultation, ask your stylist to look with you through a color swatch book. I have had many clients that have come to me saying that they want no red in the hair. So, I tell them to select a color from the swatch book, and the first thing they point to is a hair color that has a red base. Sometimes describing color is difficult for people to do. Using a swatch book alleviates any confusion.

SOLUTIONS

There are truly only three things that you can do to fix this type of mishap...

1) Give it some time. In many cases, a person needs time to adjust to their new look.

2) If you've given it some time and it still isn't working for you, you may want to consider adding a couple of highlights around the face. This softens the blow of the change.

3) If all else has failed, the truth is... that particular style may not be for you, and you should go back to your natural hair color or the blonde that you loved. I've seen this happen many times before. FYI: going back natural is not a quick fix. It's not a simple one hour process. It can take up to three hours. Recreating natural hair color takes layering of pigments which takes time. If anyone offers you a quick fix, they are looking for quick $$$ and you should run for the hills!

Posted by Unknown at 4:53 PM - 0 comments

MEN'S HAIR: What's Age Appropriate?

This is such a touchy topic because there are so many men that are walking around with someone else's hair or a hair style that should never have happened(and have yet to be told of their offenses)!

Men of a certain age (generally between the ages of 40-60) seem to hold fast to the hair styles of the 80's. Unlike most women within the same age range, these men are unable to let go. If you feel that you may be one of these culprits, here are some tips to get you started on your NEW, FRESH, MODERN hair style.

DO NOT'S
- Look at any teen magazines for your hair style
- Try to recapture your look from 20 years ago. You are aging and your hair should age with you!
- Overuse hair gel or styling produts, especially to create slicked-back/ spiked hair styles. These styles are not age appropriate nor are they creative.
- Buy boxed hair color to color the entire head and leave your sideburns gray. This is NOT believable...you're fooling no one!
- Try a mini comb-over with out consulting with a comb-over specialist (FYI...there are none!)

DO'S
- Look around for styles you like. These may be at your place of work, on the street or at your favorite restaurant.
- Ask your significant other what he/she thinks about your hair.
- Find fashion magazines that are age appropriate for hair styles.
- Embrace a creative hair stylist. Haircuts are created with more than just clippers and a comb. Be open. If you are unsure about a technique, ask your stylist.
- Dispel the myth of the 20 minute haircut. A great hair cut takes time. The whole myth of a 20 min men's haircut is just that, a myth!
- Embrace hair lost by wearing shorter hair styles and changing products.
- Consult a stylist about hair colors that are appropriate for you. Such as gray blending products that leave a percentage of gray visable.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Posted by Unknown at 4:25 PM - 2 comments

AFG's Guide to NYC: RAFFAELA e PAOLA

Who says I can't have my own guide to the city! Good quality is hard to find! When ever I stumble upon great fashoin and delcious food, you'll be the first to know about it.

As I was walking through my neighborhood, I stumbled upon a RAFFAELE e PAOLA, a store that had displayed this fedora to die for! I entered the boutique and introduced myself to the owner. During our conversation, I asked her what inspired her to open a store, and this is exactly what she said...

"Raffaele e Paola offers fine European fahions accessories for men and women. It was founded with the belief that one item, no matter the size, no matter the bling, can transform an expression of one's self. And, therefore an outfit! At our boutique, that one accessory has to have style, and a unique personality all onto itself...and be European of orgin."

Raffaele e Paola
270 West 19th Street
212-633-0828
www.raffeleepaola.com
Tues-Fri 12-7 PM
Sat/Sun 12-6 PM

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Visual Strategy With Elaine Armstrong

Elaine Armstrong is one of my long-standing clients. She has an incredible sense of style and keen eye for fashion. I would love to share her talent with you!

What is Visual Strategy? In our everyday lives we create strategies for all facets of our

lives; our career, our money, etc. A strategy gives you an advantage in that it is a clear path for what you need to do to get results. One of the areas that people often neglect or don’t understand is the importance of is their own visual strategy, their outward appearance that the world sees. This forms people’s perceptions of who we are and where we are in our lives.

“I see so many clients who get frustrated with their personal appearance – what to wear, what color palette, hairstyles, etc. Clients who understand the importance of image, but no clue as to how to get started or pull it all together. I can make that process so much simpler for you.”

About Elaine: A design industry veteran with a distinctive approach to fashion and style, Elaine’s 20 years of fashion experience gives her unique insight into helping clients sort through the fashion clutter to define and develop their own personal style and transform it into an attractive, smart reality, suitable for their career, lifestyle and personality.

Email us for more information: info@elainearmstrongco.com

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DON'T SWEAT THE SWEATERS by Anthony Gonzales

Guys it's all about sweaters. The key this season is layering and looking stylish while doing it. I'm getting a lot of requests for sweaters especially cable knits. Make sure any sweater you get is thick enough to keep you warm all day. Color is very important, like hair color it needs to compliment your skin tone. Please stay away from pinks, bright oranges and/or lime greens. Let's face it some colors from the 80's should be left in the 80's. Another one of my personal favorites is the Henley. Henleys are fashionable, flattering to any man reagardless of shape or size and they also layer well with v-neck sweaters.

One item that I can't seem to keep on the shelves, is a brown sweater with a light beige mohair trim around the neck by Burberry. Not only is it comfortable, it fits well. I like sweaters that have a woven texture to them. I'm not much into sweaters that have argyle in them, but if that's your style, go for it!

Lately, I've been seeing men wearing a cardigan with their suit, instead of a vest. I personally like that combo. If you decide to go for that look, make sure you match your colors and you can even try pulling it together with tie.

So, guys get out there! Let's go shopping!

Some of my favorite stores include:

-Burberry (6th Floor)
-Saks 5th Ave
-Macy's
-Hugo Boss
-H&M

Posted by Unknown at 3:37 PM - 0 comments

UP DID & I DOs (RECENT WEDDING SHOTS)

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Ask ANTONIO

Hello Everyone!

I am excited to offer a place for my clients and future clients to view my weekly happenings in the salon as well as updated information, photos and some of my favorite links.

You are more than welcome to join in on my discussions. If you have any beauty challenges, please feel free to post your questions or comments, and I will be more than happy to answer them.

I would like to mention a few successful business. This month I would like to highlight the following:

-James Abel Events, Wedding & Events Planning Company


-The Pet Buddy, Premium Pet Boarding & Pet Sitting


For more information, please visit their links!

STAY TUNED FOR DECEMBER'S TOPICS

Posted by Unknown at 8:13 PM - 2 comments

Visual Strategy With Elaine Armstrong

Elaine Armstrong is one of my long-standing clients. She has an incredible sense of style and keen eye for fashion. I would love to share her talent with you!

What is Visual Strategy? In our everyday lives we create strategies for all facets of our

lives; our career, our money, etc. A strategy gives you an advantage in that it is a clear path for what you need to do to get results. One of the areas that people often neglect or don’t understand is the importance of is their own visual strategy, their outward appearance that the world sees. This forms people’s perceptions of who we are and where we are in our lives.

“I see so many clients who get frustrated with their personal appearance – what to wear, what color palette, hairstyles, etc. Clients who understand the importance of image, but no clue as to how to get started or pull it all together. I can make that process so much simpler for you.”

About Elaine: A design industry veteran with a distinctive approach to fashion and style, Elaine’s 20 years of fashion experience gives her unique insight into helping clients sort through the fashion clutter to define and develop their own personal style and transform it into an attractive, smart reality, suitable for their career, lifestyle and personality.

Email us for more information: info@elainearmstrongco.com

Posted by Unknown at 8:07 PM - 0 comments

Men's Fall Fashion Tips by Fashion Expert Anthony Gonzales

Going over the basics of what every man should have in his wardrobe...

BLAZERS

Two-button blazers (in a nice cashmere fabric perhaps) look great on any guy. You may want to consider navy or charcoal for a more casual look. Shades in a tweed blazer such as greens or browns are also wonderful. To really dress youself up, try a black wool or velvet blazer. Remember to choose a blazer that gives you a slender silhouette. Two-button blazers are great for this!

SHIRTS

The white shirt is a must! If you don't have new white shirts or own one at all, you must go buy one now! You should have a few in your wardrobe and at least one with a French cuff and spread collar. These two things make men stand out at any age.

ACCESSORIES

Now, let's accessorize yourself by adding a silk scarf for a stylish look or regal ascot. Don't get too wild with bright colors. Look for nice warm winter shades that are going to compliment you. Also, consider pulling out the bow tie. It is definitely making a come back in men's fashion. So, catch it while it is still fresh. A bow tie is also a great way to change up your style a bit.

JEANS

We have to talk denim. Always keep a dark blue or black pair of jeans close by. Stay away from heavy stitching or worn/torn looks, these can look sloppy. Finally, remember the rule... straight leg, never flare!

SHOES

Getting down to the foot of the matter. Shoes add the final touches to an outfit. If you don't have a handsome brown or cognac, you should. They put the look together. Guys please match the belt to the shoe!

You look put together (or you should if you've followed these guidelines)! Until next month!

Look forward to next month, we will talk holiday looks and winter wear.

Signing out,

Anthony Gonzales




About Anthony

Anthony Gonzales is highly accredited fashinon consultant. He has worked in the fashion industry for seven years dealing with high-end luxury retailers. His experience is a great blend of west coast relaxation with east coast sophistication. He is a personal stylist for his friends and family.

Posted by Unknown at 7:11 PM - 0 comments

Going Back To Grey: Should I Stop Coloring My Hair??

The challenges with dealing with grey hair include texture change and loss of vitality. These factors can often leave the hair appearing limp and dull; adding years to one's overall appearance. However, there are still women that can defy the rules and naturally have a healthy head of greying hair that suits them. These women typically wear shorter hair styles and are comfortable doing it. They are also aware of the fact that they have to make many other changes to support the look.

I fully support the idea of going back grey, just as I support those that continue to color their hair. With that being said, the question of whether or not a person should go back to grey or if they should continue to color their hair becomes a rather difficult one. I feel that it is something that I cannot give a clear cut answer. The decision to go grey is more than a choice about your color. It is an entire lifestyle change that needs to be made to support your hair style.

I do feel that there are some women that may not be ready to make this sort of a change. These are women that enjoy wearing longer hair styles. Women that like to play with their hair color; dark hair to highlights to blonde. Most importantly, I feel that women who are not quite ready to embrace the effects of aging should not opt to stop coloring their hair.

No matter whether you choose to continue coloring your hair or fully capture the essence of aging gracefully, the important thing is to choose a look that supports your lifestyle!

Posted by Unknown at 6:22 PM - 1 comments