CONTINENTAL HAIR BLOG

February 11, 2012

The Wigs For Kids Program has been going for almost 20 years. What we do is take hair donations and blend them into free wigs for Canadian kids that need hair. It could be because of cancer treatment, lupus, alopecia, trichotillomania, and accident. Whatever the need.

It is a popular program. Last year I got a call from the manager of some rock band, Amplitusian, telling me that the lead singer wanted to donate his hair at a fundraiser at the Hard Rock Cafe in Toronto. He asked if we had someone that would cut the hair on stage. I said sure. He asked “We want this to be a fun event. Are they the fun kind?”

My response was evident.

Posted in: Ask Seven

February 7, 2012

Over the weekend a woman and her daughter came to see me. It is not unusual for a woman to be apprehensive about seeing someone about her hair loss. It is not easy. But she was downright scared. She sat down and we were talking and I finally said,

“It’s okay. You can breathe now.”

She looked at me and smiled. She understood that the hard part, getting herself to see me, was over. I told her that we were going to walk through things and hopefully have some fun. And we did have fun. She wanted to see herself with bangs again. So she did. And with highlights. And of course, with more hair. It was a lot of fun. I am so glad they came to see me, and from the experience I can say that they felt the same way.

Many women tell me that they follow my website for months, or even a year or two, before coming in. That is one reason why I try to keep things up to date. If you have a particular topic that you would like me to address, please email me at michael@continentalhair.com and I will try my best to answer it.

Posted in: Ask Seven

December 21, 2011

If there is anything that I’ve learned in my short career it’s that anything creatively done, (example drawings, paintings, hair color, haircut,) is subjective to those who are judging it. I’m trying to learn sooner than later that you cannot please everyone no matter how much heart or effort or skills you put into your work. This is actually a difficult concept to grasp, and I think that it’s probably one of the harder things about this industry to accept. What I’ve learned from this is that if you’re going to do something, do it because you believe in what you do. But in the end we are there to help our clients and our satisfaction derives from theirs.

Posted in: Ask Seven

October 13, 2011

For every uncut wig I’ve put on a clients head, the first reaction is usually always, “Is this still going to be cut?” or “This wig is too thick!” My reply to that is, “OF COURSE it needs to be cut in!” and “YES it is thick because it’s always better to start off with more then less.”

When a client first gets their wig, it doesn’t look anything like them. However as the client begins to see the change as the piece takes shape, they slowly realize, “You know what? This is looking more and more like me.”

That’s the place we always want our client to end up. A point where they are shocked and excited because they feel closer to feeling like themselves again.

It takes time to get there, but it’s the end result that really matters.

-Seven

Posted in: Ask Seven

October 2, 2011

I would like to share a recent experience I had. I am a stylist at Continental Hair and recently had to cut a wig for a client who was overseas. I had to use a surrogate to cut the wig, which was the clients sister-in-law. The interesting thing about this haircut was, as I was cutting the wig, the clients brother contacted her VIA skype using his smart phone with a video camera.

This allowed the client not only to see her hair being cut but she was able to give her input so I could cut the piece to her specifications. This was great because she was really able to be part of the process and ensure that I was doing the best job possible.

Technology is really amazing!!!

Posted in: Ask Jacquie, Ask Seven

October 2, 2011

There’s no doubt about it; our wigs are an investment. A good quality human hair wig can last years, so our clients like to embrace classic looks. But classic can still be on trend – especially this year. I’m very excited about some of the hair trends that have been emerging in 2011 – they are very wig friendly.

Posted in: Ask Jacquie, Ask Seven

February 17, 2011

For skeptics who are not sure just how natural wigs can look, I wish that you could have come with me to the two photo shoots I recently had the privilege of being a part of.

Posted in: Ask Seven

February 10, 2011

For a couple of years I have aspired to live and work according to this motto.
During my hairschool days, we were told to write a motto for ourselves, in hopes it would come along with us in our careers. I found that I have been able to use it as a hairstylist, and just as someone who wants all women to feel beautiful and confident.

I think that it’s fitting for the industry that I work in. Not only the type of industry, but this part of the beauty industry. In working here, we get to be part of women of all ages in building the feeling of beauty and confidence in them. I never realized or witnessed until I worked here, how common cancer is; how common alopecia is; how common male pattern baldness with women is. There are many children, young girls, and women who experience hair loss everyday. However, women I have met @ Continental Hair are the most beautiful people I have ever met (inside and out).
Lots of hair, some hair, little hair or no hair; either way, they are all beautiful.

Posted in: Ask Seven

February 3, 2011

I find it so difficult to fully execute an inspiration.

For example, lately I’ve been working on sketches of hairstyles that I’d love to see on someone. However I can’t seem to push myself hard enough to put this paper work to life. It drives me crazy because I know that there are all the resources available for me to just do it!

So why don’t I just do it?

Possibly pure laziness?

I’m just going to have to wait and see if I’m willing to put the hard work into something I actually have control of.

Posted in: Ask Seven