Gina's Platform

Your SUPER-powered WP Engine Blog

Business

TIP OF THE WEEK – Everyday Hair Maintenance

by Leave a Comment

As we age, the way we maintain and take care of our hair often needs to be modified for the best results. Here’s a few things that I recommend for aging beauties when it comes to hair care:

  • Stop with the daily wash to avoid drying out the hair. Natural oils tend to lessen with age so you want to maintain some of them.
  • Keep your hair well-moisturized. Hair tends to lose some of it’s natural shine due to a decline in the natural oils generated by the scalp. Moisturizing can help with shine and movement.
  • Don’t assume you have to go short. Nowadays, any length for any age is the rule.
  • Embrace your natural texture meaning go curly if you have curls. Contrary, wear your hair straight if it’s naturally straight. This will help you to avoid over styling which lends itself to drying the hair out.
  • Embrace your grays. Never before has gray been so fashionable. Don’t be afraid to capitalize on this trend.
  • Enjoy your age. Remember, every age offers new opportunities.

How Insurance Can Protect You: Why All Cosmetologists Need Liability Insurance

by Leave a Comment

What is Liability Insurance?

And better yet—why the do you (a cosmetologist, esthetician, stylist, or beauty pro) need it in the first place?

Let’s dive right into the basics to give you a better idea of what liability insurance and how it can save your career.

Liability insurance—like other forms of insurance—is a form of risk management where the insured (that’s you!) can be protected and relieved of the financial responsibility of a potential loss as well as gain peace of mind that experts are handling any claims.

In other words, think of liability insurance as a safety net. You don’t expect anything bad to happen in your cosmetology career, and you certainly don’t plan to make mistakes—but just in case, you’ve got a seriously reliable safety net watching your back. That way, if anything does happen, the financial, legal, and professional burdens of it are going to be taken care of by pros in the insurance industry.

Let’s go a little deeper.

Liability insurance exists in many forms.

· Professional liability insurance is one of the most common types—it protects you against any claims (alleged or actual) that say you’re responsible for causing harm or damages to any of your clients.

· General liability insurance still protects you but deals with things that are more of an indirect effect—so, instead of someone bringing a claim against you for accidentally snipping their ear during a haircut, they’d bring a claim against you for slipping on your carpet in the salon.

· Product liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects you should anything bad happen as a result of something you used during your services (we’re talking shampoo, moisturizer, hot oil, etc.)

To be properly covered and adequately protected, it’s crucial that you’ve got all of those fronts on lock. The right insurance can change your cosmetology career for the better.

Learn more about why insurance is an absolute must (beyond the obvious reasons, of course).

The Top 5 Reasons You Need Insurance ASAP

Liability insurance is crucial for a lot of reasons, and we’ve got a feeling you’re going to want to be aware of all of them.

Protects You (& Your Career) From the Unlikely & Improbable

We’ve all made little, tiny mistakes in our careers, right? Look, we’re all human. No matter what you do, no matter how trained you are, and no matter how badass of a cosmetologist you are, you’re bound to make a mistake. And yes, liability insurance is a must when it comes to covering the little, inevitable stuff—but it’s also an absolute necessity for the unlikely and the improbable.

Your State Might Require It

While every state is different, it’s likely that yours requires some form of liability insurance. Not having it in some states could just be risky, but in others, it could be illegal. Do a quick double-check to see what your state requires. And while you’re at it, see what your salon or shop requires, too. Even if they have their own liability insurance, it might be on you to protect yourself—and you don’t want to figure that out the hard way.

Without Insurance, You’re Responsible

Sure, if something bad happens and someone accuses you of making a mistake, you’ve got to deal with all the professional repercussions that go hand-in-hand with that.

Without insurance, you’re likely going to be the one handling all the fees and finances—are you prepared to wave goodbye to lots of your hard-earned money? If not, we highly recommend looking into some quality liability insurance.

It Protects You on All Fronts

If you get the right kind, of course. Liability insurance isn’t just for your professional needs—AKA, when you make a mistake or allegedly make a mistake. The right type of liability insurance will actually cover other things, like product liability insurance and general liability insurance. Yep, someone can (and might) sue you if a product you used makes their hair fall out or if they trip on your spa rug and break their ankle. But with the right type of protection, you don’t have to shoulder these responsibilities (especially when it comes to finances).

Shows You’re a Serious Pro

There’s some weird stigma in the cosmetology world where people think if you have liability insurance, it’s because you’re afraid of the potential mistakes you’ll make. AKA, that translates to you not being a confident stylist, esthetician, cosmetologist, etc.

The opposite is actually true. The most professional, prepared, and caring cosmetologists are the ones investing in liability insurance. Why? Because they believe in protecting themselves, their careers, and of course, their clients. Without insurance, your entire career could vanish with a single, false accusation.

Investing in liability insurance is the step you need to take in order to gain control over all the unlikely, improbable, and frankly outlandish stuff that could happen. Elite Beauty Society is here to protect you from any accidents that may occur in your salon, salon suite, spa or wherever you practice. We are dedicated to making sure that you get insured and can grow your career with perks that Elite Beauty Society offers, such as FREE business education, lifestyle discounts, industry specific discounts, and so much more.

Tip of the Week: How Dietary Habits Impact Your Hair

by Leave a Comment

Strong and healthy hair is a direct result of the nutrients and minerals you consume to fuel your body.

-A diet lacking in nutrients can lead to hair loss, dullness, and more.

-A well-balanced diet loaded with protein, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids, can contribute to longer, thicker, and stronger hair.

-Make sure you’re consuming foods rich in biotin, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

-Eggs contain a great amount of protein and biotin, two nutrients that help promote hair growth.

-Berries provide antioxidants that offer beneficial vitamins and minerals to help protect your hair follicles against damage from free radicals.

-The body uses vitamin C from to produce collagen, a protein that helps strengthen hair.

-Always consult with a physician before making any dietary changes.

Tip of the Week – How To Select A Mask For Your Hair

by Leave a Comment

Need to know what to look for when selecting a hair mask? Here is my Tip of the Week for selecting a hair mask.

 -Seek out a mask that has ingredients which can lend to repair and hydration such as keratin, biotin, collagen, essential fatty acids, vitamins, emollients, and humectants.

-Avoid masks with silicones which can clog your pores and drying your hair from the inside out.

-Avoid Isopropyl alcohol which can strip the hair of its natural oils and can cause damage to the hair.  Hint: As a rule of thumb, you should avoid any hair product which has alcohol or an alcohol derivative in the first four ingredients listed on their label.

-Always use a professional product line to ensure quality non-damaging ingredients are used.

-Select a mask based on your hair need, ie; for color treated hair, for broken or damaged hair, etc.

-Always consult with your Salon Professional when you have identified a mask to try or ask for their recommendation.

Cute Hairstyles for Women Over 40 – 2021 Guide for Women

by Leave a Comment

Finding a good haircut is like finding the fountain of youth. That’s especially true of hair over 40. Few features have more transformative power than your locks. The right style is an essential part of your look, and let’s face it, a lot cheaper than plastic surgery! 

Don’t worry though. There are plenty of youthful haircuts for those over 40 to choose from. Whether you’re after something edgy or sophisticated, the best hairdressers can help you pick the best age 40 hairstyles for your face shape and lifestyle. 

A few minutes in the chair can change your life and even a decision as simple as whether or not to get bangs can make you look 10 years younger (or older if you’re not careful). With that in mind, we’ve amassed the best hairstyles for women over 40 based on hair trends in 2021. 

The Classic Bob

Consider this one of the go-to hairstyles for women over 40. No matter your face shape, a classic bob or lob (long bob) is a safe, flattering bet. The trick here is to make sure your hairdresser incorporates some longer layers. It’s the best way to pump up the volume. Since harsh, blunt hairstyles in your 40s can make your locks look limp, you want to make sure they remove the weight for a light, airy, youthful feel.

Bangs

Not all bangs work when talking about hair for women over 40. In fact, some can actually make you look :: whispers :: older. If the bangs are too blunt across the brow, they can often draw attention to your eyes – and more specifically, your eye wrinkles. Instead, a feathery curtain bang or set of swoopy side bangs can frame and soften your face in a sweet and sophisticated way. They’re also a great example of stylish hair for over 40 that universally works for most face shapes. They’re also easy to care for and grow out (bonus!). 

The Pixie

Definitively one of the cutest hairstyles for women over 40, the pixie cut has long been a favorite of chic ladies entering the best years of their lives. If you’re looking for a way to highlight your eyes, cheekbones, or any other favorite facial features, this is it! It’s the ideal choice when trying to diffuse fine lines as it draws the attention up to your trendy tresses. It really is a must-try at some point in your life. You don’t even know the meaning of easy and freeing until you’ve tried a pixie cut. 

The Short Shag

You’ve heard us rave about shag haircuts before. Well, that wasn’t just the quarantine talking. The volume you get from a short shag alone offers unbeatable fullness and movement, even if your hair is thin or thinning. (Don’t worry. That happens naturally as hair ages.) It’s the queen of the hair trends for women over 40, and not just because most of us are going out less. This tousled, multi-dimensional favorite has a carefree, chic feel that will make you feel proud of your age. 

Asymmetrical Cuts 

Yes, edgy hairstyles for women in their 40s definitely exist. Case in point: the asymmetrical cut. We love it for its charisma and uniqueness. It’s also super versatile. Go with layers at varied lengths and add some extra interest or you can go the classic route and sport pure sophistication. Either way you slice it (pun intended) longer on one side and shorter on the other look is trendy in the best way possible. The cut also has all the hallmarks of a pixie (read: feature popping and line softening). 

Hairstyle Tips For Women Over 40 

In general, make sure you always consult with your stylist to determine the best cut or style for face shape and lifestyle. ⁠You don’t want to get a chop that makes your face look worn or that’s more upkeep than you’re ready to commit to. 

You’ll also want to make sure you have a quality, light-weight mousse or gel on hand. Applying it to the crown of your head and fluffing with a blowdryer creates a youthful, tousled look, everytime.  ⁠

Cute Hairstyles Over 40 FAQ

We get these a lot, so let’s set the record right once and for all. 

Does long hair make you look older?

Texture more than length can make you appear slightly older. When searching for hairstyles for ladies over 40, look for ones that are textured or wavy for a youthful feel.

Should you go darker or lighter with hair color as you age?

If you want to appear younger, stay away from shades that can look grey. Platinum blondes count, too! However, if you are going grey, be aware it could be more difficult to cover over. But not impossible! Talk to your hairdresser to see about color correction or grey coverage color options and pricing.

At what age should a woman stop wearing long hair?

To that we say, your hair, your choice. There are cute hairstyles for women over 40 at all lengths. If you’re unsure, schedule a consultation with your hair stylist. 

At what age should a woman cut her long hair?

Again, that’s really a personal choice. In general, we say if you’re ready to make a change in your life, short hair is often the gateway. 

Picking a signature hairstyle when you’re over 40 doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Find a professional to help you choose the one that will make you look and feel young at heart! 

Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.