Trust and the Elusive Makeover

So many times, as a stylist, I find myself looking into the mirror at a client who desperately wants to change but lets fear keep them from it.

I have had many longtime clients say to me "I would love to go on one of those makeover shows! I am always a bit flummoxed by this. "Hello???" I want to say. "What am I, chopped liver?"

But one of those many who, when I asked why they fear letting me, as their regular stylist, make them over, said because it would be easier to let a stranger do it since they don't have a relationship with that stranger.

Springtime is a great time to allay some of those makeover fears that some of you may have.

First of all, many of you have spent years building up your relationship with your stylist. So why not take a leap of faith and trust them?

If you are feeling a bit stuck, talk to your stylist about it. Tell one of our fabulous receptionists that you are thinking of a big change and need extra time. Even if you spend that whole half hour consulting and only get a trim.

These days, with all the access to social media, you can find a myriad of ideas for styles and color and products. It's always good to have some kind of visual idea of what you have in mind.

Once you've armed yourself with ideas and made an appointment, it's time to really dig in and think long and hard about the change you're looking for. So many times, clients come in and say that they really want to change but they don't want to cut any length.Or they bring a picture of Victoria Beckham and say they want that haircut but they want it to be down to their shoulders which means it is no longer Victoria Beckham. Don't fence yourself in. Keep an open mind. And find a variety of lengths that you would actually be willing to consider. Change does not mean that you have to cut off all your hair. If you don't want to cut a lot of hair, maybe a big color change is what you need. Trust your stylist's intuition, though. They are not going to do something that will make you look bad. Keep your mind open. How many times have you seen a haircut on someone and said "Sure, she can carry that style," or "I wish I had the guts to cut my hair off"? We are very aware and understanding of the psychological hold our hair has on us.

I see so many women and men come in and they are dressed very stylishly and carry the latest designer bags or sport the coolest glasses and yet they will not change their hair.

So many people, especially women, give their hair way too much credit. Keeping your lenght or the style you had ten or twelve or twenty years ago is absolutely not going to make you look younger or thinner or make your butt look smaller or any of the other miraculous things we think our hair is doing for us. More often than not, keeping that style you had ten years ago may be doing the exact opposite...it could be making you look ten years older. But that doesn't mean that women of a certain age can't have long hair. Nor does it mean that you have to wait until your kids are in college to cut your hair short. Why fall into the stereotype?

There are many ways to change your style without cutting all your hair off.Sometimes,  baby steps are the best way to begin. Add some highlights. Put layers where you never had them before. Grow out your bangs. Add a side bang. Take off two or three inches. Make it a shade darker or lighter. Try a different styling product.

As your Soto beauty experts, we have well over a hundred years experience between us. We go to classes, subscribe to trade magazines and stay on top of the latest techniques via internet access. When one of us learns something new we pass it on to each other. Use our knowledge. Pick our brains. Beauty is our job but it is also our passion. We love what we do and we love using our knowledge to help you look and feel your best. Come in and let us make you over. No need to go on a TV show. We are here whenever you are ready for that change, big or small.

Look for "Soto Favorites" in our next post. Find out what we use on ourselves and our families. Find out our favorite products and maybe a few of our secrets.

Spring Fever

Happy Spring and welcome to Soto Salon's new beauty blog.

In this blog, we will be providing answers to many of your burning beauty questions using the expertise of our talented and highly trained beauty professionals.

Check back every other week for up to the minute news and tips for hair, makeup, skin, and nail trends.

Since Spring is taking such a long time to come to New York, Soto would like to bring some Spring to you!

The season will be chock full of bright colors to perk up our looks and our moods after the long winter. Intensely bright hair color is very big this season. And how about a pop of vivid orange or intense violet lipstick? And what could be more springy than robin egg blue nails? Another fun trend for Spring '14 is intensely bright eyeliner. Line your eyes with black or charcoal gray and right above that line, add bright blue or turquoise.

Why not give your dry, dull winter locks a pick-me-up? Come in ten to fifteen minutes earlier than your appointment for that Spring clean-up haircut and ask for a conditioning treatment after your shampoo. Why not try a glaze to perk up color that has lost its lustre?

Take a look at our retail shelves and ask one of our stylists to recommend a treatment for your particular hair type. Maybe you need a leave-in conditioner like It's A Ten or Marrakesh. Or maybe you need to replenish the moisture balance in your hair by taking home one of our deep conditioners such as Deepshine Repair or Redken Real Control Intense Mask.

We have a complete line of skincare to rejuvenate skin that has been dehydrated by the extreme cold and dry indoor heat of winter. Repechage is a wonderful line of products with many options for many different skin types. Maybe a nice hydrating or firming facial is just what your skin needs to bring it back to life and prepare it for the warmer weather.

We wouldn't want our male clients to feel left out. Guys, don't be shy. You can come in for some manscaping or hide some of those silver highlights with a color glaze. Trim that beard and groom those nails. Men's haircuts have taken on a very polished and groomed look and they need maintenance.

There will be a myriad of social engagements coming up in all our lives over the next few months-weddings, graduations, communions, bar/bat mitzvahs. Why not call on one of our stylists for a make-up application or up-do? Maybe you just want a blow-out that will last. Let us take care of it for you. Perhaps add a few curls and some false eyelashes to make you feel extra special.

If you have that occasion coming up, make sure you book your appointment now to ensure you get the day and time you need. Our weekends book up quickly in the Spring.

We look forward to pampering you and watching you bloom!

Next blog: Makeovers!