Tuesday, October 22, 2013

HOT HEADS EXTENSIONS

 

Okay...get excited!! I just went to my first extensions class in California at Elle Salon in La Jolla. Hair is a valuable accessory that has to look good!!

Over the past 8 years I have used clip in/removable extensions for brides, salon clients, and photo shoots. I have gone to the hair store with brides to hand select their extensions. I have cut, colored, styled many over the years. Any celebrity I've done who tours or many NYC clients have come to me with typically the SoCap bead extensions with many tiny pieces filling their manes.

Now in California, I have a clientele that demands extension work. I couldn't be more thrilled!

HOT HEADS began 34 years ago as a company that specialized in wigs and hair pieces. Permanent extensions became available 15-20 years ago, Hot Heads created their own custom blend that has been evolving with the market for 11 years.

WHAT MAKES HOT HEADS SPECIAL?


PATENTED SURGICAL GRADE ADHESIVE TAPE- HOT HEADS lye flat not bumpy, flow naturally, not in separate clumps, tape is gentle on the hair, easy to remove for less damage than traditional extensions, faster/painless placement and removal process..
QUALITY HUMAN REMY HAIR WITH CUTICLE(outer most layer of the hair strand)ALL GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
The collection process very regulated from India and Mongolia processed in the USA. Unlike other brands hair is not shaved off collected in piles off the floor, then raked over nails removing the cuticle. It is not put through acid baths to take off the cuticle then dipped in silicone to make it smooth again. When the cuticle of each hair strand is going in different directions more matting occurs leaving hair tangled, fuzzy, and dull. The hair does not last as long because it is difficult to take care of.
HOT HEADS LASTS 8-10 WEEKS, THE HAIR CAN BE REAPPLIED 3-4 TIMES ON AVERAGE POSSIBLY 5-6 WHEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

Can my HOT HEADS be colored? YES!
Can you match my color? YES!!!
Can I have ombre extensions? YES!
Can we change the HOT HEADS color when I reuse them if I want to change my hair color? MOST LIKELY YES!!
Can I get Brazillian Blowouts or straightening treatments on my extensions? YES!
Can I go in the pool or ocean? YES!!
Can I pull my hair up in a ponytail or upstyle? YES!
Can I let it air dry? YES! HOT HEADS HAVE A SLIGHT BODY WAVE
Can I use blow dryers and hot tools? YES! It will not melt like synthetic or blended hair.
Can I use dry shampoo? YES!!

Products without oil, silicone, alcohol, ethanol are best. Why? These ingredients can break down the extension glue. Your extensions come with a HOT HEADS shampoo/conditioner. You can still use your styling products focusing on the ends being mindful to keep product off of the extension tabs. This usually is not a problem at all because extensions are placed lower. Even volume products at the crown do not touch extension tabs. They are durable and with proper care last 8-10 weeks.




Come in for a consultation and choose between 19 human air colors 10-12 inches, 14-16 inches, 18-20 inches.


hairstylist kirapinski f   

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Sunday, October 13, 2013

Fashion Week San Diego FWSD



Fashion Week San Diego was a huge success. In it's 3rd year it has attracted a wide variety of designers and talent backstage.  If you love fashion this is the place to be in San Diego.
The designers brought inspiration from San Fransisco, LA, New York, Buenos Aires, Mexico,  the Mid West, the East Coast, and the Pacific North West. The diversity in the Spring/Summer collections guaranteed something for everyone.

Favorites

I loved the color and the lines in this suit. The design was shorts, but the cropped image lets the imagination flow... shorts, pants, skirt. The bright color of the suit and the dark almost paint/floral impression contrast nicely. The color placement gives the models slight curves a hint of shape.




i.l.l.aphotography.com


MarAlanzo has an artists vision when approaching his designs. He uses imported silks and one of a kind fabrics to really customize his pieces for the women he dresses. I spoke with his business partner Alejandro about style and elegance. How women in Paris and Buenos Aires have an elegance, sophistication, sexiness...They dress for their shape, sometimes understated, but always gorgeous. He wants to give women this experience this untouchabe yet available beauty.  The experience begins with a dream...MarAlanzo becomes your guide with his expert eye in the design process of creating a garments with you in mind... selecting fabrics, colors, draping, fit... A woman knows what she wants and MarAlanzo has an eye to make that vision a reality.






i.l.l.aphotography.com


MarAlanzo creating dresses for weddings, events, and everyday glamour

What's Spring Summer without SWIM SUITS

 

Dos Caras Swim Suit designers

THE SHOW STOPPER Andre Sariano



 





i.l.l.aphotography.com



 

I loved being a part of the backstage hair team at FWSD. It was a great opportunity to learn from my peers, experience new products, and meet talented leaders in the hair industry.

Hair and Makeup Leads includes:

Joseph Anthony
Jeffery Floyd
Karla Lopez-Martinez of Gila Rut
Kristina-Monique Cortez of Bellus Academy
Joanna Quinn of Style Squad San Diego
Latera Pugh of Bellus Academy
James Overstreet
Sonia Tabor of Bellus Academy
Llewelyn Labio of Style Squad San Diego
William Williams



 photography JONATHAN SEVILLA

Leaders brought their own teams. For hair, the Bellus Academy used 3 tables of about 7 students each, and salons brought at least 4 experienced stylists. There were easily over 15 stylists at FWSD who were at the top of their game.  Bellus Academy brought talented students, up and coming artists. Everyone wanted to be there. It was difficult for me to find a position backstage as the show approached, but Joseph Anthony created space. I am forever thankful.

 


photography JONATHAN SEVILLA

I was excited to be a part of a new market. With years of backstage experience in Portland including 7 years on Portland Fashion Week 2 years as lead stylist as well as working on and leading top Portland shows, San Diego had plenty to offer.



words from the FWSD Hair/Makeup leads

FWSD took the time to put this video together to create a connection with the hair/makeup sponsors.




I learned:
setting up table mirrors
volumizing braids with powder to add a dry, full texture
shoe sponsors provide shoes in each size for fast, consistency
adding hair filler to a roll for shape and fullness
a new technique to wrap beach waves on a curling iron
tree braid











Watching my peers helps me mix up habits at the salon that I might have forgotten or didn't know. It's  important to stay fresh. When I assisted Joseph Anthony or when stylists assisted me handing bobby pins or rubber bands I remembered from my apprenticeship that there is an art to handing a pin. The assistants hand takes up as little space as possible. Holding the pin with the tips of your fingers in the same position either teeth up or down every time. Placing it just where the lead stylist would reach without having to extend or search for it. With a rubber band placing 1 in your hand leaving the palm open.  Fashion shows work well with teammates.

My Team lead by Joseph Anthony













Allison Andrews, FWSD show producer




Thank you for making it all possible.


Hairstylist Kira Pinski FB

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Biotin For Hair Growth

Real quick..I'm procrastinating my Fashion Week post..

I started feeling like my hair was thinning. Moving to a new city is fun but also stressful. Stress, diet change, medications, aging can all be causes of thinning hair. Hair loss can also be caused by clogged pores in the scalp from waxy shampoos/conditioners/products. I've also found that more flexible scalps (not tight) have thicker hair. So moisturizing your scalp with stimulating/minty conditioners can also help like Pureology or ColorProof Hydrateing line in the purple bottles. Anyway..back to business. One lifestyle change you can make is adding more biotin to your diet. The only negative I've heard from a professional waxer and a few of my clients is that not only does it make your hair grow faster and fuller it also makes all of your body hair grow more. So..pros/cons..I'm not planning to stay on it forever..But, for the time being I'm adding biotin to my daily routine. 

Hair Tip of the Day

Biotin is a vitamin that is found in small amounts in numerous foods.

Biotin is used for preventing and treating biotin deficiency associated with pregnancy, long-term tube feeding, malnutrition, and rapid weight loss. It is also used orally for hair loss, brittle nails, skin rash in infants (seborrheic dermatitis), diabetes, and mild depression.

How does it work?

Biotin is an important component of enzymes in the body that break down certain substances like fats, carbohydrates, and others.

There isn’t a good laboratory test for detecting biotin deficiency, so this condition is usually identified by its symptoms, which include thinning of the hair (frequently with loss of hair color) and red scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Nervous system symptoms include depression, exhaustion, hallucinations, and tingling of the arms and legs. There is some evidence that diabetes could result in biotin deficiency.

www.webmd.com



Biotin Side Effects

  • Acne. Getting too much biotin in your system increases your risk of developing cystic acne on the chin and jawline. The reason why this occurs is unknown, but it is found that the acne fades a few weeks after you stop using biotin supplements. Make sure you take doses of biotin that are less than 2500 mcg or less each day and drink plenty of water while using biotin supplements to reduce your risk of developing cystic acne. You may need to experiment with different doses until you find the amount that works best with your skin.
  • Allergies. Allergic reactions to biotin are not common, but they are still possible. People that have known allergies to vitamin B12 cobalamin or cobalt tend to be allergic to biotin as well. If you are suffering from an allergic reaction to biotin you may feel nausea, develop an itchy rash, tightness or pain in your chest and swelling of the throat and face. If you start to develop these symptoms call your doctor for help immediately as some of these developments can be fatal.
  • Miscarriage. If you are taking high doses of biotin while you are trying to get pregnant it can increase your risk of suffering a miscarriage. The reasoning behind this is not clear, and no tests have been performed on humans to better determine the likelihood of this risk. Talk to a medical professional before taking biotin while pregnant to ensure your safety.
  • Interactions. Biotin negatively interacts with anti-seizure medications and medications that help lower cholesterol, causing these medications to work less effectively. While biotin is helpful in regulating your metabolism and blood sugar levels, it can have a distinct effect on the overall blood glucose level in your body. If you are taking medications like cholesterol medication or anticonvulsants or treating a condition like diabetes, taking biotin can have an impact on your symptoms. It is rare that people have a life-threatening experience while taking biotin. There is only one recorded case where a woman that suffered from heart and lung condition known as eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion developed life threatening conditions while taking vitamins B5 and B7 at high doses. After she stopped using these supplements her symptoms stopped. It is currently not known what role each of these vitamins or the combination of the two had in her symptoms.

Biotin Benefits

Although taking too much biotin may have potential side effects, biotin is one of the most vital nutrients in the B-vitamin complex, helping you promote growth and overall health. This nutrient carries carbon dioxide in the tricarboxylic acid cycle or TCA cycle. This helps your body convert protein, fat and carbohydrates into glucose energy to promote a better functioning metabolism. Biotin also helps you maintain the look and health of your hair and nails, preventing them from becoming brittle and dull. Diabetics find that biotin can help them manage their symptoms, as do those that suffer from depression or high cholesterol. Biotin can help you metabolize carbohydrates more effectively, helping you to manage your blood sugar levels.

www.md-health.com


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Fashion Week Day 1

Fashion Week is like Christmas to me. The excitement of backstage..fast paced..drama like a family..new clothes..everything is a bit over the top..lights, cameras, new and old friends..exactly like Christmas..right?

I've been a part of Fashion Weeks backstage for 7 years beginning with Portland Fashion Week in 2007. Portland Fashion Week is the 3rd longest running show after New York and LA beginning in 2002. I began my working with Eric Nelson founder of Sidlab who was the first major hair sponsor for the show. In 2010 and 2011 in their 9th and 10th year running I had the honor introducing Pureology  to the production as a major sponsor and becoming the solo lead stylist for the week managing teams through Pureology. Each night I would have a different Pureology salon working together backstage to create the looks. My team would change the hair between each set possibly 6 times in a night...That means fast hands, sharp eyes, and a well thought out plan. I love every second of it. Christmas for hair!!

 In 2013, I moved to San Diego for warmer weather and following my heart. This year I got to work backstage doing hair for Fashion Week San Diego with Joseph Anthony as my direct lead stylist as well as teams from Bryll Hair Lounge, Gila Rut a 2012 NAHA (North American Hairstylist Award winner), and Bellus Academy. I saw product backstage from Evo, Bumble and Bumble, a href="http://www.wella.com/">Wella
, and a few favorites here and there. This was the 3rd year Fashion Week San Diego has run. And, I'm excited to report the similarities and differences from each show. I love my new home in sunny California.

This week in the spirit of Fashion Weeks around the world which from my experience run Thurs, Fri. Sat. (sometimes Sunday) I will do a write up each day pertaining to Fashion Weeks local and around the world this Thurs. Fri. and Sat. Follow me in my Christmas Spring/Summer excitement!!

BEST SHOW according to The Wall Street Journal



"For models, Rick Owens has step dancers flown in from the U.S.- mostly African-American, whichmeans the show was also the most diverse. His collection, fitted for their sturdy athletic bodies, proved the Rick Owens woman can be broad and strong. It took a few moments to realize the dancers, whose strange expressions and poses seemed to poke fun at unsmiling models, weren't an opening act. But in the end, some guests and models were moved to tears." -Christina Binkley, Wall Street Journal




I have never seen every model showing a collection walk with such confidence, power, and emotion. There was no fear, no awkward strides, no zombies, no dear in headlights...just strength and talent...which is beauty...

Hairstylist Kira Pinski FB