Saturday, April 12, 2014

Intermission

It looks like Charlotte Style will be taking a small break during a temporary reassignment.

Ann Doss Helms will be focusing on a special project in the lead-up to the Observer's May 5 "Solving it Together" forum on teacher pay in N.C. I'll be lending a hand covering CMS in the meantime.

Still know of something stylish happening around CLT? Email htrenda@charlotteobserver.com.

Charlotte Style will be back soon.


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Civic Duty Shoes at CLT's SilverFly

Who would have thought that Tyvek - that papery-looking material usually used in FedEx envelopes and home construction- could be so stylish?

But the New Jersey-based brand Civic Duty found a way to be fashion-forward while creating shoes with uppers made entirely of Tyvek.

Designer and brand founder Steven Weinreb said that Tyvek, which is made by DuPont, was an appealing material for his casual footwear line for several reasons:

It’s water-resistant but breathable. Extremely lightweight, yet very durable, and full of unique characteristics such as its ability to be scrunched up (perfect for packing) then “fluffed back up” and be ready to wear, Weinreb said.

Also, because the material takes print very well, it’s great for printing bright colors. (Have you seen the company’s hue of orange? Love.)

Plus, the papery appearance is just fun.

The line has been featured in Oprah’s “O” magazine and has been a hit with a number of customer bases: the trendsetters - who gravitate toward the bright colors - the eco-conscious (the shoes are completely recyclable) and the animal lovers (all styles are entirely vegan), among others.

It looks like patent leather, but is actually a cruelty-free synthetic.




Weinreb started tinkering with Tyvek years ago while working for an international distributor near his home in New Jersey. They were distributing a casual travel shoe in the U.S. and he found himself more interested in the shipping bag than the shoe itself.

The recession ended that job at the close of 2008, he said, and searching for a new one revealed that Weinreb’s age and level of expertise essentially made him unemployable in a market trying to stay afloat.

So his interest in developing Tyvek into shoes was prompted by job necessity and, voila, Civic Duty Shoes was born. The small company got its official start about four years ago and now his line is the one with international distribution.

Weinreb will be at SILVERYFLY at the Metropolitan Friday and Saturday, helping pair people with their perfect shoe.

Civic Duty Shoes founder Steven Weinreb

He’ll bring numerous styles (for men and women) and colors in a variety of sizes for the trunk show. While customers won’t walk out of the store with a new pair, he said, their order will be shipped (likely directly to SILVERFLY) within the week.

Weinreb said he enjoys visiting the stores that carry the shoe line because he values the customer feedback. "It gives me really good insight on what we're doing right, wrong and suggestions customers have and would like to see."



The casual footwear brand is partially known for its trademark argyle strip down the back of the shoe, which made more sense than a large logo typically found on athletic shoes, which Civic Duty shoes are not, he said.



“If you go try to play basketball in them, forget about it,” Weinreb said (with perfect New Jersey phonetics). “It’s not going to happen.”

But just because the shoes aren’t meant to run a 5K in doesn’t mean they’re not comfortable. One thing he hears most often from customers is how surprised they are with the comfort level, as casual sneakers typically don’t offer much arch support, he said.

Real life example? Weinreb said he can walk all over New York City visiting boutiques that carry Civic Duty (we’re talking up to 60 city blocks in a day) and the shoes remain comfortable for hours

Civic Duty Shoes usually retail between $50 and $60, come only in whole sizes and – despite their delicate appearance – have the lifespan of any other shoe, Weinreb said, adding he's had pairs that have lasted more than two years.

“They’ll wear down the same way other sneakers will, but it won’t be the upper that wears out," he said. "The more the rubber hits the pavement, the more it wears away ... It depends on how hard and how often you use them."



At shows such as the one this weekend in Charlotte, Weinreb said, they've invited people to pour water on the shoes or challenge them to "tear the Tyvek," to demonstrate the shoes are much sturdier than expected.

"It's really taken a good bit of education to let the consumer know it's okay to buy these shoes. First thing they think is 'It's paper, it'll tear, it'll disintegrate,'" he said.

"But to have these big macho guys trying to tear this piece of paper, it's kind of fun to watch. Obviously there's a tearing point for everything. It does happen," he said. "But 98 out of 100 people can't do it."


Weinreb said the brand's offerings are growing slowly, typically adding one new style per season. They’re experimenting with messenger bags and backpacks, as well as exploring creative marketing methods to boost brand exposure.

"I'm not enamored with the traditional 'Lets buy a billboard' (approach)," Weinreb said. "I like to try to find other creative ways to do things ... To let people know these are fun, comfortable shoes."

More trunk show details here.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Charlotte salon says, 'There's an app for that'

I occasionally worry that I've become overly-reliant on smart technology. (Usually after I can't remember something important or easy, such as my husband's phone number.)

But then I'll use Taxi Magic, or check the weather, hit up mobile banking, or call up a recipe from Pinterest and all I'm left thinking is how easy that was.

KM and Company Salon knows what I'm talking about.

The South End salon is scheduled to launch its own app today, which will allow customers to request and confirm appointments, see the menu of services, the photo gallery with before and after pictures, buy and send gift cards, get driving directions and more.



Available free for iPhone and Android, the app has been developed by Web Cloud apps.

Salon owner and stylist Karla Kuhlmann anticipates the app making things easier both for the customer, as well as staff.

"I think the greatest benefit to our salon guests will be the ability to contact the salon whenever they want, even when we are closed, basically, 24/7," Kuhlmann said.

"We can also send an 'App Kick' when we have a special offer or a last minute savings."

The idea was seeded after reading a trade industry article about salon-specific apps, Kuhlmann said, and she eventually was put in touch with a developer. It took just over three months to get to this point, she said.

"The more I thought about it, and about conversations I’ve had with our guests about 'meaning to call' the salon to make an appointment or something else, it just made sense," she said.

Kuhlmann said one of her favorite aspects of the app from the business side is the alert feature.

"We can target all or specific guests (and notify them) of something, like their stylist is sick. Or, like recently, the salon closing because of bad weather."

KM & Company has been around nearly a decade, and Kuhlmann said being one of the first in town (if not the first) to have a salon-specific app will take her "service-based business into the digital age."

She expects it won't be long before other local beauty businesses launch their own apps as well.

"The cost wasn’t cheap, but I was expecting it to be much more expensive. I think this might just catch on if the salon is willing to invest in their future."

Friday, April 4, 2014

Fido fashion show

Oh, dogs in clothes...

This was an April Fool's joke by Scarves Dot Net, but it wouldn't have surprised me had it been legit.

Love or hate puppies in people clothes, dogs will be dressed to walk the runway tomorrow as part of the Humane Society of Charlotte's Pet Palooza.

The annual fundraiser is the organization's largest, setting a record last year by raising more than $97,000.

Courtesy of dogswearingpeopleclothes.tumblr.com.

The 2014 Pet Palooza will be rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Independence Park, Seventh and Hawthorne, Charlotte.

In addition to an adoption fair and $15 microchipping, there's a 2k dog walk, dog contests, paw painting, the Triple C beer and wine garden, live music, food trucks and more than 70 vendors, among other activities.

For the full schedule of events, click here.

Happy weekend!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

'Style Under the Stars' Charlotte



Want to to mix fashion and philanthropy with a sneak peek of one of uptown Charlotte’s newest rooftop venues? On Friday night, the inaugural “Style Under the Stars” runway show to benefit the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage promises to roll it all together at Rooftop 210.

Effie Loukas, owner of Lotus and mastermind behind the annual Style Night Out fashion show, is producing “Style Under the Stars.” In addition to raising funds, Friday’s show is meant to be a simple, but fun, showcase of spring.

“We want to get people excited to come out and support a really great cause,” Loukas said.

Jamie Kimble, 31, was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend on Labor Day 2012. Her parents - Charlotte’s deputy city manager, Ron Kimble and wife, Jan - established her namesake foundation to raise awareness of domestic violence issues, to help other victims of abuse and fund programs that curb the spread of domestic violence.

Local boutiques Fab’rikKK BloomThe Cheeky BeanDollVestiqueBlank CanvasSloan BoutiqueSaks off 5th and Lotus will each showcase about five of their favorite looks for spring on the runway. Allison Latos from WSOC will host.

The majority of participating models are professionals, Loukas said, but there will be a number of community leaders on the runway as well.

Ron and Jan Kimble, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority Chief Executive Officer Tom Murray, Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance President Mohammad Jenatian and a number of other Kimble family friends will be guest models, Loukas said.

Though there won’t be post-show pop-up shops, there will be a number of silent auctions with items such as tickets to the U.S. Open, she said.

Organizers hope to make the show an annual event. Mike Stephens, director of Full House Productions, said “Style Under the Stars” is part of a series of high-profile events leading up to Rooftip 210’s public grand opening weekend April 11-12.

Ticket sales for Friday night have been brisk so far, Stephens said. While Rooftop 210 can accommodate between 1,200 and 1,500 people, Stephens said, organizers expect between 600 and 700 guests Friday night.

In the event of rain, the show will likely move to another EpiCentre venue, such as Whiskey River, Stephens said.

General admission tickets (i.e. standing room) are $20 and prime-seating VIP tickets are $40.

VIP tables are also available by contacting contact Shane McKee: 704 - 526 -5845 or smckee@suitecharlotte.com.

Event attire is cocktail/fashion forward, doors open at 8 p.m. and the show will likely get started around 9:30 p.m. Rooftop 210 is on the third floor of the EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St.

Friday, March 28, 2014

That 'J. Crew model' glow

You either love J. Crew or you really don't.

My cousins trend towards the love side, and they both look great in those print skirts, bright, preppy sweaters and seemingly endless layers. (It probably helps that they're waif thin, too.)

If it didn't take an act of congress to get me to tuck a shirt in, I'd probably wear more of their clothing, especially if it were a bit closer to my price range.

Collection pencil wrap skirt in cubist print
Me + this look = not going to happen
Regardless of your feelings on their apparel, J. Crew models are apparently renowned for their fresh-faced, natural looks.

 Marled linen V-neck sweater

I hadn't ever really given them much thought (beyond cursing their baby giraffe thighs) but the beauty world went nuts last week when the clothing line's stylists revealed their secret weapon.

The dewy (yet not greasy) glow comes courtesy of RMS Beauty. The organic makeup line's Living Luminizer and Lip2Cheek tint are credited for the models' "lit from within" look.

L2C
Lip2Cheek tint in Demure ($36)

LL1
RMS Beauty's Living  Luminizer ( $38)
Prices vary depending where you're buying from, but J. Crew is also selling both items.

Byrdie has a tip for those who want a faux-glow without spending money (assuming you already have it in your toolkit): Use the same light-colored eye shadow that you use on your brow bone as a highlighter.

Master a Quick Glow

Will have to test that theory, though I suspect the shadow finish - matte vs. pearl, etc. - would make a difference. (And I'd assume that either way, the lighter the hand, the better.)

Happy weekend, stay dry!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Your handbag can make you a hero

"There's change in your purse."

Love the clever duality, it's the perfect summary of Purses with a Purpose. The local, annual sale of gently used handbags started six years ago, when Kelly DeMario was fundraising for her Relay for Life team. 

Uncomfortable asking others for money, even for a reputable cause, DeMario was looking for “an easy ask, something you could ask a girlfriend,” she said. “Everyone has a purse … We take everything as long as it's still intact and someone can get a little life and use out of it.”

Kelly DeMario among a wealth of donations

All proceeds, then and now, go to the American Cancer Society. Purses with a Purpose always holds its annual sale the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend.



This year's sale will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. The website is under construction, but the video link is live.

That first year, DeMario only asked friends and family for donations. She hosted the sale in her front yard, with hundreds of purses strung on a clothesline between two trees. The inaugural sale brought in roughly $1,000 and loads of contacts.

The next year, DeMario tapped those contacts “and it became very organic,” she said. “They asked their girlfriends … we had so many (purses) we moved to my daughter’s preschool.” By year three, DeMario knew the sale would require a large space. A blurb ran on the evening news and by the end of the night, DeMario said, “There were people lined up, willing to donate space.”

For the next several years, the former Blake Hotel in Uptown was the site of the sale and groups would hold “girls’ nights” and book rooms so they could be at the sale first thing, DeMario said. As a Mother's Day gift, one gentleman sent a friend at midnight the night before to be the first in line, so his wife could have first dibs when the sale opened.

The majority of bags are priced between $10 and $18 and higher-end bags such as Coach and Michael Kors usually sell for $50. But DeMario said it’s the volume of donations that allows them to raise money.

"People think ‘My purse is from Target or Macy’s it’s not high-end.’ That’s not what we’re shooting for. So many people just want a cute handbag,” she said. “Prices are very approachable, there’s (even) $1 purses.”

Just a few donations available for sale at the 2014 Purses with a Purpose sale May 10.
In the event's fourth year, DeMario called it a miracle when CLT-based handbag designer Martha Clifford donated her entire inventory as she transitioned into jewelry.

DeMario wasn't sure what to expect (five bags? 10 maybe?) and was floored when she picked up more than $30,000 worth of Italian leather, silk-lined handbags, donated by Clifford.


The M. Clifford designs were priced at $100, a steal considering many originally retailed for more than $400.
"I called my husband and said 'There is more value in the trunk of my Jeep than (the vehicle) is worth.'" That year, the sale raised $13,700, DeMario said.

The annual Purses with a Purpose donation kickoff will be 5-8 p.m. April 10 at The Boulevard in South End, (1440 S. Tryon Street) and will feature wine and nibbles. Those who bring a purse donation will receive 15 percent off any full priced item. (If you can't make it to the kickoff, that offer is good through April 30.)

Or, those with a donation can email to schedule a pick up, arrange to meet/drop off, or take your bags to designated donation spots, such as Boulevard. “We make it as easy as we can.”

For about four months each year, DeMario's garage becomes a holding pen for literally thousands of handbags. It's not unusual to receive a donation of 500 all at once.



Together with some friends, Relay for Life team members and volunteers, DeMario said it takes about a week prior to the sale the make sure each bag has been cleaned out, wiped down and tagged.

Last year, DeMario and friends also lobbied celebrities for their hardly-used handbags. "Based on how many requests we sent out, I wouldn't call it a success," she said. I have to beg to differ, considering they did receive donations from Carly Rae Jepsen, Patricia Heaton, Gloria Gaynor, Vivica A. Fox, Catherine Bach, Jane Seymour and Susan Sarandon.

Susan Sarandon autographed her donation to the 2013 Purses with a Purpose sale.
Vivica A. Fox sent three bags and an autographed picture for the 2013 sale.
Patricia Heaton, who played Ray Ramano's wife on "Everyone Love Raymond," was one of the celebrities to donate a bag to the 2013 Purses with a Purpose sale.
Sound like a recipe for shopping disaster? Thankfully, there’s never been any Black Friday-esque madness or what DeMario calls “purse drama.”

Happy shopping!
“It’s really funny, people are very strategic.” The first round of shoppers rush through and scoop up anything that remotely strikes their fancy, DeMario said. “They’ll have like 25 purses on their arm.” They’ll meet up with friends and sift through, while “sharks in the water” stand behind them, waiting to start negotiations. Meanwhile, other shoppers take their time, perusing the tables.

So many choices...
And after five years, aside from finding a location to host the sale, DeMario said the fundraiser essentially runs itself.

"You ask one person and it turns into a 'Let me ask my friend.' It's been organic and fun to do," she said.

"We've got a good team of people, it takes lots of hands to make it happen ...  It's fun to watch it grow as purses come in."

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Busy beauty CLT

As everyone keeps their fingers crossed for warmer weather, lots of spring beauty-related events are popping up around Charlotte.

On Thursday, the local Aveda Institute is hosting its "All About You" customer appreciation event from 6-8 p.m.


Freebies include stress fix hand massages, chakra balancing head and neck massages, mini facials and more, including product and service discounts.


There are also about a billion ways to enter to win a $50 Aveda gift card, especially through their Facebook page. Want to go? 1520 South Blvd.

Also starting Thursday is Woo Skincare and Cosmetic's two-day Natura Bissé  event. Call ahead reservations are a must ( 704-333-0443) but there are still a few spots left.


Appointments will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature "Time Rescue," an anti-aging treatment based on a deep facial cure that helps purify and nurture skin. A complimentary facial ($200 value) with Natura Bissé's aesthetician is included and a gift (valued at $370) comes with a Natura Bissé purchase.

Want to go? 2900A Selwyn Ave.

If Woo's Natura Bissé  event is already full, Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be holding an LED light facial event with Natura Bissé  brand rep Stephanie Trigg April 8-10.

Speaking of Jeffre Scott, they've also got an event planned for Friday and Saturday, but this go round, the local store is featuring Felicia Roman, national makeup artist for Kevyn Aucoin Cosmetics. (Advance reservations are also a must for Jeffre Scott events, made by calling 704-339-0010, locations vary.)

The late Aucoin - makeup artist, photographer and author - has been heralded as the grandfather of makeup, creating some pretty incredible transformations, particularly turning modern celebs into old Hollywood royalty.
Believe it or not, that's Calista Flockhart on the left, as Audrey Hepburn, and Gwyneth Paltrow on the right, styled as James Dean. 
(Seriously: look what he did to Courtney Love - whom I'll always love and adore - and you have to admit the man was a genius.)


Have an upcoming beauty/style event? Email the details to htrenda@charlotteobserver.com. (At least two weeks in advance, when possible.)

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Free dresses for prom

No one should miss prom because they can't afford it.

That's the mentality behind Kiss 95.1 Presents Drex & Maney's Gown Town this Saturday. Your old cocktail, evening, bridesmaid or prom dress can help ensure high school girls in the area - who otherwise might not be able to afford it - have something fabulous to wear this prom season. For free.

Gown Town is first-come, first-serve, so there's usually a line of girls waiting to get in.
Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

Morning show hosts Drex, Maney and their cohort, Cassiday, said it’s the 15th year the station has hosted Gown Town, but the third that it's been under their purvey.

They’ve been surprised and pleased with how many dresses have been donated in about three weeks, especially from the gown-getter bins placed at local school. "I think we went from zero to 400 in a week," Drex said.

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1


Seeing the mother/daughter duos shopping for the perfect dress at previous Gown Town events is something Cassiday said she personally relates to, having had the same experience with her own mom.

“I saw the same excitement with moms and daughters and their friends, of ‘This is the one,’” she said.

“Every girl wants to go to prom.”

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

But how do two guys feel about herding all those dresses? Pretty awesome, in fact.

“It’s been fun to see people call in, who are so excited to give,” Drex said. “Bob, yes, Bob, in Lincolnton called and said he had 48 dresses.”

“Everybody deserves the prom experience,” Maney said. “No one should sit at home.”

In the past, between 1,000 and 3,000 dresses have been donated each year. Average attendance at Gown Town is between 400 and 700 girls, and more than half find a dress to take home.

(What about the rest? Some are donated to charity, but the majority go into storage for next year, Drex said.)

More than 1,000 dresses in all sizes will be at Saturday’s Gown Town, which will be first-come, first-serve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the store space between the Body Shop and Dick’s Sporting Goods on the second level of Northlake Mall, 6801 Northlake Mall Dr.

“I can’t wait to see all the people lined up,” Drex said.

Dresses are grouped by sizes and dressing rooms are available so girls can try them on. “We make it really easy for them,” Cassiday said. “It’s more than just a dress, we’re creating the experience.”

The hosts will be on hand playing music, shoes and accessories will also be available and the only thing missing will be the cash register, Maney said.

“Because it’s free. Everything is 100 percent off.”

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

While the event isn’t only for those with a limited income – any high school girl is welcome, Maney said – they’ve tried to make sure every guidance counselor in the six surrounding counties got the info about Gown Town.

“It’s cool the counselors are so in tune with knowing who (could benefit,)” Cassiday said. “There’s no shame in it. We make it like a real store experience. We don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed.”

The morning crew hopes to get a photo album online after the weekend, so listeners can see if their former frocks have found new life, Maney said.

Technically, dresses were only being accepted at area locations through the end of the day Wednesday. "But we would never turn down a dress,” Cassiday said.

Cassiday finds treasure to try on at a previous Gown Town.
Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1 

So those with special occasion dresses in their closets have till the end of business on Friday to bring them by the CBS Radio studios in SouthEnd.

More than anything, Drex said, it’s about area women helping girls make a memorable experience. “It’s great to see that empathy for a listener they’ll never meet.”



Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Dress donations for 'Gown Town' Charlotte

I'm the world's biggest fan of this concept. (And I have two dresses to drop off.)

Kiss 95.1's Drex & Maney's annual Gown Town will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Northlake mall.

Your old cocktail, evening, bridesmaid or prom dress can help ensure high school girls in the area - who otherwise might not be able to afford it - have something fabulous to wear this prom season. For free.

Last year alone, more than 600 dresses found new homes.

Through the end of the day Wednesday, dresses, shoes and accessories are being accepted at the Kiss 95.1 studios, 1520 South Blvd. Suite 300 in Charlotte; at Charlotte Skin and Laser, 130 Providence Road Suite 100 or these area Ultra Tan locations.

More details to come...

Friday, March 14, 2014

Nail it this weekend

Nothing says "Happy Weekend" quite like a mani/pedi. Even if you're doing it yourself, taking the time for something fancy is definitely a mood booster.

P.S.: Purewow has put together yet another fantastic and quick "how to" video. This time? DIY mani.



Now come the colors...

Feeling festive? Polyvore rounded up some great green and glitter polishes for your shopping pleasure...

Polishing Off the Week


Refinery29 shares some of their faves in this slideshow
Surprise: seasonal emphasis on pastels and sparkles. 
(Bummer there's no link to the lemon yellow.)




Meanwhile, on the local front, Scoop Charlotte and Kisten Hunter of Polish Pauper put together a few finds likely to get the Queen City buzzing. (Added bonus: Scoop has a handy calendar of St. Patty's Day events AND sales.)


Not sure what you're in the mood for? 

Take Makeup.com's "Nail Art Personality" quiz for some inspiration.

And should your weekend of shopping and St. Pat's celebrations put a few dings in your new paint job, it's PureWow to the rescue again with how to do the easiest removal ever. (Even glitter.)



Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Hot scissors hit Charlotte

So have you heard about this “hot scissor haircut” method?

It started gaining attention in the U.S. toward the end of 2013, mainly in NYC, but has apparently been wildly popular in Europe and Russia for ages.

Essentially, a pair of scissors are plugged in and heated (to between 230 and 338 degrees, depending on your hair type) and are supposed to be the silver bullet for split ends.


In theory, the heat seals the end of each hair, helping to retain moisture and manage split ends, as well as keep styles looking fresh longer.

To read the Jaguar TC Thermocut page, they describe it not as a haircut, but a wellness treatment:

"Fine hair will be given more volume, split hair will become healthy and more resistant, permed hair will be given more elasticity, dull, brittle hair will be regenerated, every type of hair will be easier to style."

A segment that aired in October on the "Today" show is partially credited with having brought one of the first pairs of hot scissors to Charlotte, said Zahava Thornton, co-owner of Poza Salon in Myers Park.

Thornton learned about and researched the growing trend online, she said, and clients began mentioning the "Today" show segment. So several weeks ago, Poza invested in a set of the $1,400 scissors, patented as the Thermocut system by Jaguar (not the car company) and made in Solingen, Germany.

So far, Thornton is loving the results. “Everyone's always looking for a split end cure.”

What many people don't realize is that a hair is fibrous, like a strand of yarn or ribbon, she said. “Ends unravel and with heat, sun exposure, from your flat iron ... (the damage) works its way up.

“So once an end is split, it’s probably split at least an inch up … This kind of cauterizes the ends.”

Thornton uses hot scissors on Racheal Haywood's hair.

Styling with hot scissors is ideal for several types: those who are growing their hair out, those who want to keep hair healthy without losing length, those maintaining the Ombre (two-tone color) look and those who want a very pronounced edge, such as China Doll bangs, Thornton said.

While one cut with hot scissors will provide improvement, those who use hot scissors five or six times will see the most benefit, Thornton said, as pre-existing damage is cut away.

An internet search of “hot scissor haircut, Charlotte N.C.” (and a number of variations) doesn’t turn up much, not even Poza Salon. The initial investment cost and relative newness of hot scissors has likely kept them off the local radar, Thornton said.

So because “hot scissors” are still a bit of a local rarity, you can expect to shell out money and time.

While no special training is needed, the heat element requires a stylist to slow down and hold the sheers differently to avoid burning themselves, Thornton said. (In all our Web trolling and research, we didn’t find any serious safety warnings, for stylist or client.)

Regularly, a haircut would take about 45 minutes, but a hot scissors appointment is allotted 1 1/2 hour.

At Poza, women’s haircuts range from $45-$105, and for the hot scissors method, an additional $50 is tacked on for the extra time needed. But so far, clients haven’t balked at the price, Thornton said. “The reaction has been to the difference you can feel at the ends.”

But as word of mouth spreads and the trend starts taking hold in Charlotte, more local salons will likely invest, especially with summer – months of sun, swimming and elemental damage – approaching, Thornton said.


Racheal Haywood after her hot scissor haircut on Tuesday

)

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Oscar trends most likely to be seen around CLT

(Full disclosure: This mainly has to do with hair and makeup, as dresses are entirely their own category. Though, not sure about anyone else, I preferred a lot of the "after-party" gowns to what was worn on the red carpet. But that's another story...)


Soft, unstructured and sweet. These are elements from the 2014 Oscars that local experts believe will carry forward, particularly in Charlotte.

 There’s always at least one beloved or trending element - hair, makeup, dress style - that gets recreated by the masses after the red carpet gets rolled back up.

Old Hollywood glamour is expected to be a big request with everyone from women attending special events to teens for the upcoming prom season.

Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lawrence were the celebs named most frequently by local stylists for representing the night’s best.


“Everything was sweeter this year, very soft and ethereal looking, almost like it could have been from ‘Frozen’,” said Tonya Reid, owner and stylist at T. Reid & Company in Dilworth.

A refreshing change from the perfect doughnut buns and sky-high ponytails of past seasons were the long, relatively simple styles at the Oscars, Reid said.

“I noticed the trends are changing, things are not as severe.”

The hair
“Every year, post-award season, we definitely see more and more photos coming in of celeb styles from different red carpet looks,” said Terra Hines, stylist at Varji & Varji Salon & Spa in SouthPark.

The Academy Awards appear to be the event that bring out elegance in the stars, Hines said, noting  Margot Robbie was another who wore their hair in a way she believes will be replicated around Charlotte in the coming months.

“The biggest trend that I noticed this year were the stars wearing their hair down, curled and either pinned and tucked to the side or tucked behind an ear,” she said.



This trend isn’t entirely new, Hines said, but a recurring classic. Last year, she had several clients request similar side-swept, curled looks, particularly the style Jennifer Lopez wore at the 2013 Golden Globes, she said.




But the loose, long curls and wavy styles will be considerably different among the younger crowd, Hines said, after requests for lots of braids dominated prom season in Charlotte. “When it comes to prom last year, the largest influences came from “The Hunger Games” styles.”

Reid doesn’t believe braids have come to an end, but will be a way for the prom set to give texture to the side-swept styles. “Or you could put a pretty brooch or something sparkly (where the hair gets secured at one side), which could really play it up,” she said.

"Or y could take that side of the hair and do a chain of knots or loops ... There are ways you could make it a little more interesting,playful and youthful."

For those with shorter hair, local experts said Jennifer Lawrence's red carpet pompadour up-style impressed on a number of levels.

Chelsea Below, a stylist with Shine Salon in Elizabeth, said the volume in the front JLaw’s 2014 Oscar style “was really different” and gave great inspiration for a formal, but playful and temporary, change.



“We’re seeing a trend toward shorter styles. That (could) be a challenge with prom to see how to change it up.”

And volume isn’t just for those with shorter hair, Below said, but all lengths and ages. “We’re seeing a lot more volume than a couple years ago. Instead of sleek, straight hair, there’s move volume, waves, (in styles) up or down.”

Jennifer Misenheimer is one of two stylists at Escape Hair & Skin Studio in SouthEnd who mainly does special occasion styles,  such as prom and weddings. Hands down, Lawrence wore the next hottest trend with her tousled crop, Mishenheimer said.

“It’s between a bob and pixie cut, between the shoulder and jawline,” she said. Unlike a traditional bob, the perimeter of trending crop cuts remains one length with choppy, textured layers.

JLaw also disproved the misconception that updos are impossible with shorter lengths, Misenheimer said. “There are a lot of interesting new twists to put waves in and tease short hair."


“With the shorter haircut, we’re starting to see a lot of clients warm up as celebrities do it. There’s been long hair for awhile, and it will stay a trend, but my more fashion-forward clients are going towards these cuts.”

Especially for those who dare the seriously short styles, Misenheimer said, hair accessories are expected to grow in popularity, thanks to Lupita Nyong’o’s “fabulous” jeweled headband.



The Makeup
What was noticeable about Oscar makeup is that it wasn’t, said Kenna Ehman, a stylist and makeup artist at the Hearst Tower location of Modern Salon & Spa.

“In general there were a lot of very soft nude lips, not a lot of blush, but very natural,” she said.

Proving popular was an abundance of “really accentuated” lashes - real or false - with smokey eyes using natural tones of shadows or cat eyes using only liner and no shadow, she said.

“Very pretty but not over the top, it looks like they did their own hair and makeup even though you know they didn’t,” she said. “It’s very re-creatable, which is awesome.”

Misenheimer agreed, citing Bullock again as an example. “You didn’t see very bold looks, everyone was looking more natural, with softer looks.”

And the men?

"I'm not sure about men with hombre hair," Misenheimer said with a laugh.
"But if anyone can do it, Jared Leto can," she said of his subtle two-tone locks.



Another surprising trendsetter for men was Johnny Weir and his pompadour, Misenheimer said.



"Johnny looked quirky and right on trend." She's noticed a number of male models who have updated the style of shorter/shaved on the sides with a longer, often slicked-back length over the top turning to blow-outs for yes, more volume.

Expect to see more pompadour in edgier men's fashion, she said, and even on the local hipster scene.

Honorable mentions

Color has to be considered, Misenheimer said, citing Liza Minnelli's cobalt blue streak and Kelly Osbourne's continued work in pastel lavender.

"How bold is that to wear something like that to the Oscars, where it's all glamour? Those two were great."


While pastels have been popular in hair for some time, Misenheimer said she expects to see more bold colors like Minnelli's, as a nod to the returning  90's styles, particularly in Charlotte.

"I've got clients wanting streaks and panels of bold colors. It's right on trend."