10 Essential Grooming Habits for Everyone

1.  Get a facial at least every 2-3 months. It must be kept clean just like your clothes.  You wear it every single minute of every single day of your life.  Your esthetician will notice things that you don't like weird facial hair, black heads, dry skin and pimples. 
2. Wax or trim nose, ear hair and any other weird hair - wax it and keep it trimmed in between visits to your esthetician.  The more you wax the finer and sparser the hair will grow back.
3. Have nice hands and feet -  rough heels, talon like nails, dry cuticles, yellowy fungus and stinky feet are a major turnoff. See your manicurist once a month, use Aveda Hand Relief and Foot Relief to keep you hands and feet exfoliated and moisturized.
4. Keep any body hair trimmed, shaped and waxed if necessary but don't overdo it.  A good manscaping, Brazilian or waxing can transform the way your body looks. Don't forget your back and private bits most people don't like a big bush or a shaggy back.  The prepubescent look is creepy, don't overdo it.
5. Smile!  Showcase nice teeth and breath.  Crest white strips, flossing and a good toothbrush with regular dentist visits will make you want to smile.  Always have a good sugarless mint on hand.
6. Smell good but not too good.   Spray your scent into the air and walk through it. If your scent lingers after you leave the room it's offensive, smell like yourself with just a hint of fragrance.
7. Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize.  Ashy, dull skin and chaffed knees and elbows are not sexy. Skin glows when when it's well hydrated and moisturized.
8. Sport a healthy tan, not a neon orange glow. Stay within a few shades of your natural color, natural being the key word.  Avoid the booths, put on some SPF 30 and get outside for some exercise, use a good self tanner or see a professional for a sculpting airbrush spray tan.
9. Get a great haircut and trust your stylist's opinion.   You wear your hair on top of your head every day and it should be your crowning glory. Spend the money on a good cut, color, products or whatever your stylist recommends.  People will easily throw down $100 for a shirt they wear just once.  Your hair is everyday all the time, invest in it.
10. Take care of your insides, a good diet, rest, exercise and happiness will always show on the outside

Wow! I can't believe it's been 5 years!

When the barber lounge turned 5 in January.

the building begins

5 years!!

It got me thinking about how it all started and why I opened the barber lounge in the first place.  So I revisited my old business plan and looked at pictures of how it all started, remembering past events and staff that has since moved on.

 

My YBL studio

After working at various salons all around San Francisco, I couldn't find a salon that felt like home, so I worked from my tiny apartment in the Castro.  Washing my clients hair in a utility sink in my laundry room and watching The Rosy O’Donnell show or Oprah while cutting and coloring my clients hair in my little living room.  I put my poor clients through a lot of moves all around the city.  Working from my apartment allowed me to finally save enough money to buy my loft across the street from the barber lounge at the Yerba Buena Lofts.  This was a great move up for me.  It felt like a real business, I was on the ground floor and actually had a storefront and I finally hung my tile.

I was making great money, traveling a lot, I had an amazing clientele, but I was missing something.  I missed working with a team having co-workers and working around other creative people.  So I started to write a business plan, it changed a lot over time and finally I finished it in the spring of 2006.

I started to look for space downtown and noticed a for lease sign right across the street from my loft.

The space was quite a bit bigger then what I was looking for but I immediately had a vision of how the space would eventually look.   I somehow got an SBA loan and used the equity in my loft and multiple credit cards to open the barber lounge.   After almost a year of construction, planning and a lot of worry and stress we opened in January 2007.

I was the only stylist, I had one esthetician, Kristina at the front desk and Dean as my manager.   Still working in a construction zone, I slowly started to build the business and the staff.   There was a lot of stress and a lot of worrying especially when the bottom dropped out of the economy.   

There were definitely times where I didn’t think I would make it.  But I continued along, throwing parties and hosting events in the space, marketing and trying to recruit more staff.

Over the years the BL has carried multiply product lines and we even created our own private label line called “Barber Botanicals” before finally going Aveda Concept.  Over the five years I’ve seen a lot of staff come and go,  trying to get together the best team possible.

I’ve learned a lot about managing people, customer service and running a business through trial and error.   

This was truly my business school education.  Over the years maybe because of fear or maybe just trying to survive I lost track of what I really set out to achieve.

I set out to create something new and different and I set out to be the best.

So now... after 5 years of doing business, I’ve pushed the re-set button and re-launched the business.  We have a fresh new website, a new outdoor sign and a new commitment to excellence and stellar customer service.

The old barber lounge as you have known it is over.

Its time to get back on track, to be new and different and to be the best!

And thanks to all those that have helped us get to where we are today.

Greg's Gift Guide - Super Easy, Top Rated Gift Ideas

Well it's really starting to look a lot like Christmas with fake snow blanketing San Francisco storefronts and downtown parking garages horrendously full. Save yourself some time and money this year and shop online. Or call us and we'll help make Christmas shopping easy for you.

Here are a few top rated Aveda gift ideas for you at a range of prices.  Each of these top picks are rated at five stars by people who've purchased them. From $26 to $56 there's a little something for everyone. Here's what I recommend...

 

The Gift of Pure Relief

This is a great little wintertime set. Great gift for people dealing with wintery dryness, keep one for youself and gift the other.
gift set ($56 value)
24 of 25 (96%) of Aveda customers recommend this product to a friend.
» Shop Aveda

Rosemary Mint Set
One of the most popular and versatile products made by Aveda.  It smells like winter, a great way to wake up in the morning.  Amazing on fine or oily hair.  An essential top seller.
gift set $37.00
121 of 126 (96%) of Aveda customers recommend this product to a friend.
» Shop Aveda 

Go for smooth
Bay Area winters are especially damp. Remember, you’re in control, you don’t have to fizz out!
gift set $26.50
428 of 447 (96%) of Aveda customers recommend Smooth Infusion™ Shampoo.
392 of 415 (94%) of Aveda customers recommend Smooth Infusion™ Conditioner.
» Shop Aveda 

Shampure™ Soy Wax Candle

Everybody loves it. It’s refillable and green. You can not go wrong.
"Calming aroma of 25 pure flower and plant essences—including certified organic lavender, petitgrain and ylang ylang—in a candle that burns cleanly, completely."
9.7 oz/275 g $32.00
177 of 185(96%)of Aveda customers recommend this product to a friend.
» Shop Aveda

Hey SF tech start-ups! We have a deal for you!

Does it look like your developers sleep under their desks? Your team has worked hard this year so why not reward them with some Lounge time?  I don’t know anybody who doesn’t crave any of our fabulous services. Whether it’s a massage or a manicure, there’s something for everyone at the Lounge. You can still give Barber Lounge gift cards to your team for the holidays and receive 20% extra. This is a no-brainer if your office is located South of Market in San Francisco.

We’re close to Moscone Center convenient to the epicenter of technology & culture in SF.  Drop by, or call us to get hooked up.

Bay Area Beauty Blogger Kaitlyn Visits The Lounge - Video

A few weeks ago we were visited by beauty blogger Kaitlyn to be featured in this awesome video blog for Kaitlyn's Beauty Journal. We were thrilled to be a part of this Asian American show on KTSF. 

Here Kaitlyn discusses the importance of a great night sleep and explores the Aveda Chakra System with our spa team leader, Stephanie.




In the second video, Kaitlyn and Stephanie talk about how to combat acne with Aveda. Just in time too, since there's no bigger bummer than wearing spots at your holiday party.

Great job spa team leader Stephanie, you rocked it!!!

A Gift of Thanks From The Barber Lounge - 20% Extra on Gift Cards

Thank you for making our salon a huge success this year! Without you, our loyal customers, there would be no - award winning - Barber Lounge!

Purchase a gift card and get 20% MORE!

$50 gift card: we'll make it $60


$100 gift card: we'll make it $120


$150 gift card: we'll make it $180


$200 gift card: we'll make it $240

Pass-on the THANKS!  Must be purchased as a gift for someone else.

Some restrictions apply. Call or contact the salon to inquire.

Also, every Aveda Holiday gift set purchased comes with a $10 Aveda gift card for service, upping the Value of your gift! 

Do you know a special host or hostess who would love a gift visit to the Barber Lounge? This is a great opportunity to share the relaxing experience of the Lounge. I don't know any woman in San Francisco who doesn't love looking great. Weather it's a mani-pedi, a massage, or our fabulous salon services there's something for everybody - and every budget - at the Lounge.

- I love the Aveda fragrances, don't you? -

Guess What? - We're Not Just Barbers!

Hi it's Steph, the Barber Lounge web mistress. Several years ago when Greg told me he was opening his own Salon I literally begged him to let me create his website. At the time I was working on really boring web software in Silicon Valley and at last I had an opportunity to be creative and have some fun with my work. Plus the project came with some outstanding perks, I made the site for a trade in services. It was well worth it.

Today the Barber Lounge is over four years old and has been winning awards left & right like San Francisco City Paper's "Best of". But despite being a full service day spa and salon for both women and men the Barber Lounge has a slight naming problem. At first glance people think it's a Barber Shop. Well, there is a barbershop at the Barber Lounge, but there's ever-so-much more.

I stumbled upon this blog post by Muffin Loves Biscuit about her visit to the Lounge.  Let me  re-post her photo which wonderfully depicts just how great the Barber Lounge is for us ladies. This totally reminds me of why I will be forever devoted to Greg, and his Salon.

Right now I'm thinking mani/pedi for the holidays. But whatever service anybody receives it's all fabulous at the Barber Lounge.

Let The Barber Lounge Help You Get Into Character This Halloween

San Francisco, Are You
Ready for Halloween?

It seems like Halloween must be the greatest holiday in the city: we like to "drag" it out into a multi-week affair. Whether you need help achieving the perfect Bachmann hair, or transforming yourself into the living dead, our expert stylists want to help you get into your chosen character.

Here are some recent transformations at the Barber Lounge. Photos by Kelly Koehler. View more photos on Flickr.



- Hauntingly Angelic (note the low-lights on the hair) -



- Playful & Architectural -



- Reminds me of Dr. Seuss -

- And of course Zombies are always welcome! -
Walk-ins always welcomeormake an appointment now!

New Hours - More Lounge Time!

In order to better meet the needs of our ever-growing client family, we have decided to extend our salon hours!

We Will Now Be Open:

• Monday-Friday 9am-8pm
• Saturday-Sunday 9am-6pm

Remember! Walk-in are always welcome!

The Schedules of our Stylists, Barbers and Spa staff will be changing also,
so please call us if you have any questions!

Fight The Frizz Forum, 10 easy steps for Fall

Save the crazy hairstyle for Halloween and control bad hair days and fly away frizz. There are a few easy steps to help minimize your "finger in a socket" look for the next few months.

Let's start at the beginning of your day...

1 - Use the right shampoo and conditioner. Yes! It really does make a big difference. If you're prone to big hair, you'll want to use a very emollient shampoo that will add some weight to your hair. I like Aveda's Smooth Infusion line.

2 - Don't rinse out your conditioner all the way. Leave in just a little bit to help tame the mane.

4 - Add a leave-in conditioner to prep your hair and protect it from the heat of styling. Adding a straightening serum with some hold on top of that will ensure that your blow out will last through the storm.

5 - Having a good blow drier is huge! Make sure it's Tourmaline Charged, Ionic and at least 1800 watts. Tourmaline is a mineral that when heated will seal moisture to your cuticle, and the positive ions make for a faster, frizz-free blowout. My favorite blow drier is the Sedu Revolution Green drier. It's a light-weight, hot-wind powerhouse that uses less power than most driers, so you get a lot of bang for your buck, and it's better for the environment.

6 - Blow dry your hair using your hands until it's 70% dry, then section off your hair just above the ears and start working with a round brush from the nape up. It sounds time consuming, but it will save time in the long run. Make sure to invest in a good Boar Bristle Round brush. The bristles really grab the hair and pull the strands straight and smooth without tangles. Make sure the hair is 100% dry when you finish - if it's even slightly wet, it will frizz. Finish with a cool blast using the cool button on your drier. Hair is workable when it's warm, and cooling it will lock down your style.

7 - Finish with a few drops of glossing serum from the ponytail down and a light mist of aerosol hairspray. If you have fly-aways, spray some hairspray on your hands and smooth down what's sticking out. After this finish, your blow dry should last a few days.

8 - At bed time, wrap your hair into a bun or top knot, secure it with a non binding piece of fabric, or wrap your head in a silk scarf. Sleeping on down pillows with cotton cases is hard on hair and a surefire way to ruin a good blow out.

9 - Try going a few days before washing your hair. If you get oily easily, use a dry shampoo: spray at the root, give it a minute to soak up the oil, then blow dry out the excess and brush your hair with a paddle brush. Your hair and scalp will thank you. Your natural oils are really the best conditioner for your hair, and a good dry shampoo can re-vamp a 2-day old blow out like nobody's business.

10 - If you MUST wash your hair, apply conditioner from the pony tail down and just shampoo your scalp. Hair doesn't need to be washed every day, and shampooing your ends too frequently will remove your hair's natural oils, which are nature's best frizz fighters.

Barber Lounge is Forever SF Faithful - Niner Miners TV Spot

We were more than thrilled to participate in this San Francisco 49ers TV spot with The Niner Miners. Check out The Niner Miner's getting their "beards" trimmed at the Lounge in this hilarious ad.

The barber lounge turns 4!

Fight the Frizz Forum 10 easy steps to Smooth hair

With spring showers come May Flowers and frizzy, fly away, bad hair days. There are a few easy steps to help minimize your "finger in a socket" look for the next few months.

Let's start at the beginning of your day...

1 - Use the right shampoo and conditioner. Yes! It really does make a big difference.  If you're prone to big hair, you'll want to use a very emollient shampoo that will add some weight to your hair.  I like Aveda's Smooth Infusion line.

2 - Don't rinse out your conditioner all the way.  Leave in just a little bit to help tame the mane.

4 - Add a leave-in conditioner to prep your hair and protect it from the heat of styling. Adding a straightening serum with some hold on top of that will ensure that your blow out will last through the storm.

5 - Having a good blow drier is huge!  Make sure it's Tourmaline Charged, Ionic and at least 1800 watts.  Tourmaline is a mineral that when heated will seal moisture to your cuticle, and the positive ions make for a faster, frizz-free blowout.  My favorite blow drier is the Sedu Revolution Green drier.  It's a light-weight, hot-wind powerhouse that uses less power than most driers, so you get a lot of bang for your buck, and it's better for the environment.

6 - Blow dry your hair using your hands until it's 70% dry, then section off your hair just above the ears and start working with a round brush from the nape up. It sounds time consuming, but it will save time in the long run.  Make sure to invest in a good Boar Bristle Round brush.  The bristles really grab the hair and pull the strands straight and smooth without tangles.  Make sure the hair is 100% dry when you finish - if it's even slightly wet, it will frizz.  Finish with a cool blast using the cool button on your drier. Hair is workable when it's warm, and cooling it will lock down your style.

7 - Finish with a few drops of glossing serum from the ponytail down and a light mist of aerosol hairspray.  If you have fly-aways, spray some hairspray on your hands and smooth down what's sticking out. After this finish, your blow dry should last a few days.

8 - At bed time, wrap your hair into a bun or top knot, secure it with a non binding piece of fabric, or wrap your head in a silk scarf.  Sleeping on down pillows with cotton cases is hard on hair and a surefire way to ruin a good blow out.

9 - Try going a few days before washing your hair.  If you get oily easily, use a dry shampoo: spray at the root, give it a minute to soak up the oil, then blow dry out the excess and brush your hair with a paddle brush.  Your hair and scalp will thank you. Your natural oils are really the best conditioner for your hair, and a good dry shampoo can re-vamp a 2-day old blow out like nobody's business.

10 - If you MUST wash your hair, apply conditioner from the pony tail down and just shampoo your scalp. Hair doesn't need to be washed every day, and shampooing your ends too frequently will remove your hair's natural oils, which are nature's best frizz fighters.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly. Pregnancy and Post Pregnancy Hair

As a hairdresser and owner of a busy salon, many of my clients are either pregnant or new mothers.  I've given plenty of advice for new moms.   I grew up with a pediatrician for a dad and a nurse for a mom as well as three sisters, and twenty nieces and nephews.  These experiences taught me useful tips about the all-important matter of hair care during and after pregnancy.

Throughout a woman's life, hormonal changes occur due to various factors, including going on or off birth control or changing brands or methods of birth control, menopause, and issues with hormone producing glands such as the thyroid.  Such shifts can affect mood, energy, sleep patterns and body weight, not to mention hair, skin and nails.  Nine months of pregnancy can do a number on a woman's body.  Normal hormonal shifts can contribute to swollen feet and hands, adult acne, intense mood swings, indigestion and gas.  On the other hand, pregnancy produces thick, shiny, fast growing hair and nails adding to that wonderful mother-to-be glow.

Immediately following delivery, the female body retains some of its pregnant characteristics and hormones.  Things can be a bit bumpy with a new baby which often adds lack of sleep, sensitive breasts, and perhaps some postpartum depression.  When baby is four to six months old or when they are weaned off breast milk the body says "Okay, I'm done with this pregnancy."  At this point the hormones begin to re-regulate, typically resulting in mild depression, brittle nails, skin rashes, and most notably sudden hair loss.  In fact all the hair retained during the pregnancy sheds within a few weeks.  This can be very shocking, upsetting and drain-clogging.   But don't panic the hair all grows back.

"But how long will it take to grow back?!" the new mom asks.  Take comfort!  Healthy hair grows about a half of an inch per month, so within a few months hair will begin to fill in again.  The first few months are the hardest because the hair sticks straight our from the head like a fright wig.  In approximately six months to a year a full head of hair will generally return.   I wouldn't recommend a short haircut during or right after a pregnancy, it's usually not a good idea unless you have short hair to begin with.   Feeling pretty and feminine is important during this time and a big style change added to an even bigger lifestyle change is usually a bad move.

A good way to deal with those first few months of "bad hair days" is to try a more layered haircut or bangs.   Hair may seem more frizzy and fly-away than normal.   The best way to combat the frizz is a light styling creme, check out Aveda's Defining Whip,  Supremo Magic move or Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme.  To finish your style, spray your hands with a medium-hold hairspray like Aveda's Brilliant hairspray and smooth over the surface of your hair, this technique should calm things down.  If none of this works or you have super thick or curly hair, go shopping for some new headbands or scarves, it's a very chic look and will hide the baby hair until it grows out.

As a stylist, I know that our hair is important, especially to a new mom who may not feel the best about her looks during this stressful time.  Be assured that as time goes by your hair will become more manageable and you'll get your body back.
So enjoy your new baby... and don't stress the rest.

The Secret to Longer Thicker Hair

I know, I know...
All good things come to those who wait, 

Pam with her new long hair

and patience is a virtue.  
But when you're trying to grow your hair out... 
When you want long hair you want it now.


I just spent the day getting certified by 
Peter DeRosa Celebrity stylist and 
director or education for
Platinum Seamless Hair extensions .  


My model Pam showed up with fine, collar bone length, naturally auburn hair.   We discussed what she was looking for and decided to add four inches of length and thickness.   


I started by carefully sectioning the hair and pressing the double adhesive 3 inch wide wefts on the part and sandwiching fine sections of Pam's own hair between the extensions.  I mixed in a few highlighted wefts to add some dimension and shine through the ends.  It took me about one hour to give Pam a full head of Victoria's Secret worthy locks.  She was tempted to keep the super long tresses, but we thought better of it and trimmed 5 inches off the length and cut face framing layers.


We were both amazed at the quality of the hair and the great color match.  It totally looked and felt like her real hair.  In the past Pam was always reticent to try extensions because of the lumps, and bumps and hair breakage.  As I stylist I was always searching for the perfect extensions.  I wanted something you couldn't see or feel, easy to care for,  great quality hair and a good price point.  


Pam left feeling great about the way she looked.  That made me feel amazing.  

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Everyday I get asked about hair loss.  As someone who is shedding his way to male pattern baldness I can completely relate with the panic surrounding hair loss.
So why do people lose hair?

Hair loss can be caused by many things including genetics, stress, diet, medication and most commonly hormones.  Typical male pattern baldness can be held at bay and often reversed by daily use of  Propecia.  The original drug Finasteride is currently used to treat enlarged prostate but was found to increase hair growth so it was re-packaged as a much more expensive hair loss drug.  Another weapon against hair loss is a topical solution or foam like Minoxidil or Rogaine that is applied twice daily to the scalp. Other topical, over the counter treatments for thinning hair are shampoos such as Nioxin.  The latest and FDA approved fight against the chrome dome uses red laser light therapy technology like those used in the hairmax laser comb.  The comb has mixed reviews and doesn't seem to work for everyone.  Several well known dermatologists tested it and shared the positive results on the Today show.  Basically the comb is brushed against the scalp three times a week for 15 minutes,  and on most testers there was noticeable new hair growth.  I'll let you know how it works once I save up the pricey 500 bucks.
As a general rule the less hair you have the shorter it should be cut, don't do the pony tail, mullet, comb over thing!  I always cut thinning hair dry so I can see how it falls naturally, it's a fine line between too short and just long enough for coverage.  If you have a good head shape and nice features you may be a good candidate for just shaving it off.  If you're thinking about shaving your head, go see a barber and cut it very short with a 1" or 2" guard that way you can see your head shape before going full Kojak.