Birmingham, AL

This past weekend the entire Salon Nfuse crew,well almost, drove down to Birmingham for the Premiere Beauty 2011 Hair Show and as we were pumping ourselves and our guests up for the new things we were going to see and learn,the general response was "Oh! That's so exciting! What's a hair show?"

A hair show is basically a trade show for hairstylists. There are various booths set up in a giant convention center with thousands of hairstylists looking for the next big thing. At these booths one can find anything from two crazy elaborate hairstylists dressed in sparkly bandannas chopping away at hair at a million miles a minute with four pairs of scissors in each hand (I am not making this up), to gel nails, tanning booths, make up, and some seriously legitimate hair stylists that really inspire.

Unfortunately, the latter of these things is a rarity but we found a serious stylists that inspired each and every one of us. I am sure you all have seen the show What Not To Wear on TLC and remember the likable British stylist, who most of the time, got it right with the hair makeovers. His name is Nick Arrojo and we all had the pleasure of sitting in on his classes this past weekend.

Nick is truly a master of his trade. Having been in the business for over 30 years and having worked for the hair masters, he knows what he is talking about. His "thing" is ensuring the stylists under his empire (he owns a salon, a school, a product line, and teaches these classes all over the country) are as comfortable using a straight edge razor as they are with shears on almost any hair. I know that I am still a newbie, but I have heard plenty of times from my guests "DON'T USE THE RAZOR ON MY HAIR!" and in an effort to stay busy, I don't. Well, Nick Arrojo was there to tell us that the razor is a friend, not foe. So, if you have been feeling that your hair has been a little bulky on the ends and needs to be loosened up, or you are wanting a seamless, fluid haircut maybe you should talk to your stylist about the option of a razor cut. Also keep in mind, we are not razor happy so if it scares you or you are dying to have it and it won't work on your hair, we will tell you!

We also learned a beautiful new way to curl hair. It gives a beautiful soft wave that falls around your head, rather than down for a slightly more styled, '70s look than the waves that are all the rage in Hollywood right now. Think 1920s finger waves, meets 1970s brushed out blowouts, and the waves of today. It's really beautiful, I swear! Pictures to come as soon as I get Jordan's hair curled today.

We picked up a few other things along the way... Such as a jewelry cleaner that will even clean my Forever 21 bangles without removing the finish and adding sparkles. It will safely clean all metals and stones and they will look as radiant as the day you got them, I found the most perfect topcoat for nails, and we also just got in an assortment of hair accessories from headbands to sparkly bobby pins, and flowers. All would make perfect stocking stuffers or add something special to an up style or blow out.

Needless to say we are roaring and ready to go for the holidays so be sure to come in and see us in our freshly inspired state!

Pictures to come...