The team at Donna Bella hair extensions had another great show at IBS New York 2008. IBS NY is always a fun show because stylists attend from all over the world. In years past, we’ve noticed a lot of our new stylists come to us with little or no experience with hair extensions. However, due to its popularity, we now notice a lot of stylists are switching to Donna Bella after using other companies products. For marketing purposes we’d love to share the names of companies and reasons/complaints that you divulge to us, but also don’t want to upset anyone. So without mentioning names, we will mention your concerns so others can be on the lookout. Hands down the most common complaint about other hair extension companies is “the poor quality of hair”. With further questioning, we heard:

“A lot of black hair is mixed in with the blonde colors.”

“The hair is very dry and course.”

“The hair is beautiful when I first take it out of the package, but after my client washes their hair a few times, it loses that shine and becomes very dry and frizzy.”

“The hair quickly becomes a tangled mess, even when cared for properly.”

Unfortunately at hair shows, companies can and in some cases will tell you whatever they want just to get a sale. Keep in mind, exhibiting at these shows is very expensive, so can you blame them for trying to sell as much as possible? I say YES, if they’re lying to you. So how do you protect yourself from making the mistake of investing a lot of money toward a new hair extension system, only to find out how bad the quality is? I wish there was some easy trick to it all, but there’s not. Human hair is a lot like diamonds. To the untrained eye, a fake can sometimes look even better than the real thing.

Be weary when companies start throwing around phrases like “remy, virgin, European, Indian, cuticle” etc. Before going to a show, I would suggest that you jump online and do some research. Also try and find out how many years a company has been attending the show. Usually the small guys that throw a company together, just to make a buck, don’t and can’t keep coming back. Some of the major players that have been at this for many years are: Great Lengths, Hair Dreams, Socap, Cinderella and HairLocs.

We’re not afraid to list these companies because we believe in friendly competition. All of these companies have done good things for the progression of our industry. We encourage you to also look at our competition and make the decision that best suits you. Watch for future posts about some of the complaints that were mentioned above. There are answers and solutions for all of these concerns.

It’s that time of year, when the hair and salon industry’s biggest and best do’s are shown off in Vegas. This year’s award ceremony promises not to dissapoint and the following stylists have been announced. The event will be held at the Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas Nevada on July 13th.

From all over North America, talented stylists have been selected to compete in 12 categories. There are 60 finalists, entered from over 600 entries, and the judges have admitted that these are some of the best entries to date.

Editorial Stylist of the Year
Michael Albor (The Loft Salon + Day Spa, Boston, MA)
John Donato (Donato Salon and Spa, Toronto, ON)
Nicholas French (Matrix Global Academy, New York, NY)
Charlie Price (Click Salon, Denver, CO)
Maryl Velbeck (Trend Wave Studios, Los Angeles, CA)

Make-Up Artist
Raquel Atienza (Toronto, ON)
Giancarlo Intini (Aurora, ON)
Janell Geason (Eden Prairie, MN)
Angelia Senevisai (Minneapolis, MN)
Tatoulian Sevan (St. Laurent, QC)

Master Stylist of the Year
Edwin Johnston (The Cutting Room Creative, Nanaimo, BC)
Alain Pereque (Salon Pure, Montreal, Quebec)
Charlie Price (Click Salon, Denver, CO)
Ruth Roche (RARE, New York, NY)
Brian & Sandra Smith (Dahon, GA)

Student Hairstylist of the Year
AbBear Blasi (Eric Fisher Academy, Wichita, KS)
Daniella Bowman (Aveda Fredric’s Institute, Cincinnati, OH)
Denise Joyce (Eric Fisher Academy, Wichita, KS)
Whitney Vallee (Inpure, Montreal, Quebec)
Chelsea Vittorio (Aveda Fredric’s Institute, Indianapolis, IN)

Salon Team
Deborah Gavin (Fresh Hair Studio, South Hampton, PA)
Daniel Holzberger (Van Michael Salons, Atlanta, GA)
Suzanne Martin (Three Small Rooms, Barrie, ON)
Tony Ricci (Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton, AB)
Ryan Teal (Capello Salon, Milwaukie, OR)

Hairstylist of the Year
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Marjorie Clarke (The Hair Force, Paradise, Newfoundland)
Daniel Holzberger (Van Michael Salons, Atlanta, GA)
Charlie Price (Click Salon, Denver, CO)
Dimitrios Tsioumas (HiLites Hair Salon, Fulton, MD)

Haircolor
Rene Antonio (Salon Gregories, Balboa, CA)
Dana Lyseng (Supernova Salon, North Vancouver, BC)
Lisa McAuliffe (Afif Salon, Toronto, ON)
John Simpson (Lewis Salon, McDonald, Pennsylvania)
Chisun Tsang (Blushes, Ottawa, ON)

Fashion Forward
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Lucie Doughty (A.T. Tramps, Venice, CA)
Shirley Gordon (Strands Hair Studios, Weaton, MD)
Ryan Teal (Capello Salon, Milwaukie, OR)
Lisa Vann (Etherea Salon Spa, Seattle, WA)

Salon Design
Scott Cole (Paul Mitchell the School, Carefree, AZ)
Van Council (Van Michael Salon, Atlanta, GA)
Eric Fisher (Eric Fisher Salon, Wichita, KS)
Bruce Osgood (Osgood-O’Neil Salon, Dallas, TX)
David Wagner (Juut Salon and Spa, Edina, MN)

Contemporary Classic
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Chrystofer Benson (Logics, New York, NY)
Marjorie Clarke (The Hair Force, Paradise, Newfoundland)
Steve Elias (Elixir Salon Spa, Berkeley, CA)
Matt Swinney (Evolution, Minneapolis, MN)

Texture
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Nicholas French (Matrix Global Academy, New York, NY)
Shirley Gordon (Strands Hair Studios, Weaton, MD)
Charlie Price (ClicMaureen Anlaufk Salon, Denver, CO)
John & Rebecca Sentell & Morris-Hele (Fresh Hair Studio, South Hampton, PA)

Avant Garde
Martin Alarie (Pure Salon, Montreal, QB)
E. Darian Bishop (Toni & Guy, Dallas, TX)
Nicholas French (Matrix Global Academy, New York, NY)
Daniel Holzberger (Van Michael Salons, Atlanta, GA)
Janine Jarman (Hairroin Salon, Los Angeles, CA)

NAHA 19 will start with a Red Carpet Reception at 6:30pm followed by the Awards Ceremony at 8:00pm. The event will be emcee’d by the witty and beautiful Victoria Jackson (of Saturday Night Live fame). Additionally, special artistic presentations by NAHA 2007 Fashion Forward winner Veronica Bessey, sponsored in part by TIGI, and NAHA 2006 Master Stylist winner Heather Wenman will end the evening.

For tickets, visit www.probeauty.org/naha or by calling 800-630-3603. NAHA is held in partnership with Cosmoprof North America, visit www.cosmoprofnorthamerica.com for more information. Article tip courtesy of Behind the Chair.

Hair extension boutique Donna Bella will be at this year’s ISSE (International Salon & Spa Expo) showing off their latest hair extension products. Donna Bella will be showing their newest line of HiLo-Light hair extension clips, made from 100% human hair and ship ready to clip-in.

You can read more about the HiLo-Light clip in extensions here. Donna Bella will also be featuring their extensive line of Brushes & Combs, Education and Consulting products, Hair Extensions, as well as Shears and Wigs

Always wanting to get the word out about their popular product, Donna Bella is also running a special to ISSE attendees. Be sure to stop by booth #2111 to pick up your coupon for savings on your next hair extension kit or related hair care product purchase.

Get Donna Bella’s Booth info here.

It was announced today that Paris Hilton has launched her signature DreamCatchers European hair extensions at the annual Chicago Midwest Beauty Show in Rosemont.

“Hair is such an important part of my everyday life, I wear a different hairstyle everyday, and I want great hair to be easy for everyone,” Hilton said.

DreamCatchers permanent extensions, produced by HairTech International, come in a various textures and colors. DreamCatchers hair extensions are made of virgin (unprocessed) hair, and can be styled, permed or colored. It’s reported that each extension will cost between $8 to $10.
According to HairTech International CEO Chris Volek:

“The extensions are applied in a salon and take about two hours for a full head application - four to six hours less than most other extension processes.”

Paris noted that, after wearing the extensions for a couple months she should tie her name to them:

“It’s something I really believe in,” she cooed. “I want my fans to feel great, to feel sexy.”

The Afro Hair Show 2007

A lot can happen in 25 years. Very few venues are around long enough to even be worthy of a celebration, but in May 2007, the Afro Hair & Beauty Show will be reborn as Afro Hair & Beauty Live. This change will be accompanied by more demonstrations, more makeovers and more ways to get involved. The show boasts to be the most hands on ever.

Afro Hair & Beauty Live is taking place on Sunday 27^th and Monday 28^th May at the prestigious Alexandra Palace, London. The event will bring together the world’s leading hair and beauty brands with top hair stylists and beauticians for a dazzling weekend of top tips and hands-on fun.

Via HindustanTimes.com
Over 200 cosmetic firms from 25 countries are headed to India to participate in the International Beauty Expo to be held here February 6-8.

The first and the largest of its kind to be held in the country, the event will further boost India’s beauty industry here that is growing at the rate of 20 percent per annum.

Six national pavilions from Singapore, Turkey, South Korea, Indonesia, Europe and Taiwan will take part in the three-day exposition. Countries like Australia, Monaco, the US, Italy, Spain and Germany will also exhibit their beauty products.

“The beauty industry was very unorganised until recently. But now, with greater awareness among the people and globalisation, this is no longer the case,” said Blossom Kochhar, president of the National Hairdressers and Beauticians Association India (NHBA) who are the co-organisers of the expo.

“The expo will bring the world to our doorsteps and it will be a big boost to our industry,” she said.

The Indian beauty industry is growing at over $3 billion per year and the sale of cosmetics rose by six percent in 2005. More and more foreign cosmetic brands are hence willing to come to India and explore the market here.

Kendra Lee, official spokesperson of CitiExpo, the main organiser of the event, said: “India is an important new market to be explored. It has a huge potential and many international companies believe that the demand for their products is increasing here. The expo will provide an opportunity to gain a foothold in the market.”

Apart from showcasing global brands, the lifestyle event will include seminars to educate industry professionals about service skills in salons, demonstrations on make-up and hair trends and exhibit latest technologies and products like 4U cosmetics which is a non-surgical alternative to liposuction.

New therapies like oxygen therapy and the 24kt revitalisation will be demonstrated. Discussions on retailing and franchising, another facet of the beauty industry’s rising graph, will also take place.

Well-known fashion and make-up artists Clint Fernandez, Elina Damen, Robert Werner and Blossom Kochhar will be part of the demonstration programmes.

Spring fashion is already buzzing and we’ve barely entered the new year. What may seem at first glance to provide nothing for the normal shopper, a closer examination reveals that there are in fact some pieces that are practical for everyday wear, and will show off the everyday woman - not just the 6′ plus super model. Beauty Launchpad magazine has a feature article that rounds up this year’s spring fashion. Here’s a snippet of the article by Karie L. Frost:

The overall tone for spring seemed to lack cohesiveness, with some designers teleporting fashion far into the future and others waxing nostalgic for retro ’60s inspiration. Overly frilly frocks took a backseat to gauzy, transparent confections minimal in embellishment, yet heavy in innovative construction. And while waistlines moved up, up and away, hemlines did the same, leaving miles and miles of bare gams. Did designers have everyday women in mind when creating paper-bag waists, trapeze silhouettes and hot pants that practically double as knickers? Perhaps not, but among the styles sent down spring runways, plenty of wearable garments abounded, and with tons of trends to choose from, you’re sure to find your look for spring.

For the full article, click here.

Calling all Stylists!

The Emmy-winning producers of THE OFFICE, BLOW OUT and THE BIGGEST LOSER are excited to announce their new show, TOP HAIR!

Bravo is going to give a group of talented hairstylists the opportunity to show America their talent and creativity! Do you have what it takes to become a star of the hairstyling world and compete to become the next top hairstylist?

Bravo is looking for licensed stylists—you don’t need years of experience, but you do need to be creative, highly skilled and ready to compete.

In order to be eligible, you:

• must be 21 years of age or older as of January 1, 2007
• must be a legal resident of the U.S.
• must have a current and valid U.S. license to cut, color and style hair
• cannot be, nor can anyone in your household be, an employee of Reveille, NBC, Bravo or their affiliates.

To apply, visit www.bravotv.com/Casting/ to download and complete the application, then either submit a video profile or attend an open call. Instructions on how to submit a video profile are on the bravotv.com website.

DEADLINE: Completed applications and videotapes must be received by November 20, 2006 at 12:00 PM EST to be considered. Applications will be considered only if they are complete. Completed applications consist of the following:

• Completed and signed Application Form.
• Completed and signed Certification of Veracity.
• One separate photo of yourself.
• BEFORE and AFTER images of your work.
• Your up to five-minute videotape clearly labeled with your name, address, and phone number.

Please do not include anything except the five items listed above. If Bravo likes your application and videotape, they may ask you to attend an interview during November in one of the following cities: Dallas, New York, Chicago, Miami or Los Angeles.

OPEN CALLS

VERY IMPORTANT: If you plan on attending an open call you MUST bring:

• Completed and signed Application Form.
• One separate photo of yourself.
• BEFORE and AFTER images of your work.
• Your resume.

NEW YORK
OPEN CALL: Sun. Oct. 29th / 12pm to 4pm
TIGI Academy
673 Madison Ave.
Corner of 61st (Second Floor)
New York, NY 10021

DALLAS
OPEN CALL: Sun. Oct. 29th / 10am to 4pm
Dallas Convention Center (Dallas Hair Show)
650 S. Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202
(Booth in the Registration Area)

MIAMI
OPEN CALL: Sun. Nov. 5th / 12pm to 4pm
The Sanctuary Hotel at The Rooftop
1745 James Avenue
Miami, FL 33139

OPEN CALL: Tue. Nov. 7th / 6pm to 10pm
Ola Steak and Tapas
320 San Lorenzo Ave
Village of Merrick Park Coral Gables, FL 33146

CHICAGO
OPEN CALL: Sun. Nov. 12th / 10am to 12pm or 1pm to 4pm
Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spa
900 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

LOS ANGELES
OPEN CALL: Sun. Nov. 12th / 12pm to 4pm
LOCATION: TBD

Via GUY TREBAY of the New York Times
WHEN business gets more interesting than art, smart artists go into business. That, anyway, was how Andy Warhol saw things. And if the talking heads in Ken Burns’s new documentary on him are to be believed, Warhol was not just the single most important creative talent of the late 20th century but among its cannier social analysts.

Of course, Warhol was neither alone nor even first among his contemporaries to play coy games with commerce. Early in 1961, at about the time Warhol was piecing together the first moves in his grand career strategy, a reporter asked Yves Klein, a founder of the Neo-Realist movement, what he would do if offered a job as head of General Motors.

“Would you give up art?”

“Why not?” Klein replied. “It’s a good job.”

Klein’s quote is printed on a wall at the entrance to a retrospective of his work at the Pompidou Center. And it would seem to have a lot of relevance for those who spend their time critiquing the fine and applied arts.

Lately the boundaries between creative forms and commercial forces have all but vanished. And this fact, much more persuasive than any of the notional drivel being spouted about the so-called future of fashion, is the indicator to watch.

(more…)

Welcome to the Donna Bella Milan Hair and Beauty Blog! We’ll be working hard over the coming months to bring you the latest in hair and beauty related trends as well as provide you with up to the minute news and information on our own line of products. At Donna Bella Milan, we do our absolute best to provide our clients and customers with the best in Remy quality 100% natural human hair for use in hair extensions and human hair wigs. We take pride in our Hair Extension products, and work tirelessly so that our clients can too.

After you’ve perused the blog for the latest in hair and beauty trends, tips, tricks, and gossip, mosey on over to our shop and see what products might best help you in your next hair adventure!

Thanks for stopping by -

The Donna Bella Milan Team