metro FOR MEN Blog
September 3rd, 2010
Do you remember your dad using a shaving brush with a cup and soap? I do and I was never quite sure why he used a shaving brush. I have devoted the past 12 years of my cosmetology career to men’s grooming and I continue to learn every day about this niche market. I have recently learned about the use and need for shaving brushes. I found a great explanation of the history, brush quality, and need for shave brushes on Wikipedia. here’s the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shave_brush
According to Wikipedia…”The greatest benefit from shave brush use is the tendency to soften and lift facial hair before a shave. Applying shaving cream by hand mats hair or raises it unevenly. Shave brush use, however, requires agitation of the soap or cream in a mug to form a lather suitable for a shave, before application of the lather to the face in a gentle circular motion. Therefore, a razor does not need to be pressed to the skin in order to provide a close shave…” Wikipedia also explains that the more bristles on the brush the more water the brush holds, which leads to a richer lather consistency. The thicker the lather will create less drag from the razor over the skin and this will lead to less irritation.
I’ve purchased many shaving brushes for our guests to buy over the years at metro FOR MEN. Having researched this topic, I now feel more equipped to explain the features and benefits to our guests, as well as make better purchases of badger brushes in the future.
Tags: Best Barber, Irvine, men's grooming, men's hair stylist, men's salons, metro FOR MEN, orange county, trendy men's haircuts
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August 27th, 2010
I have had a very busy week learning about how to coach others and be a “No Compromise Leader” . It was an amazing experience to learn about my leadership and communication style. I was invited to attend a week long class at Strategies in Connecticut (check them out at www.strategies.com). Who is Strategies? Since 1994 Strategies has had one goal: to help businesses operate more efficiently and profitably. They work with business owners and their teams to create stories of success, balancing prosperity with a happy work environment and excited customers. Their passion lies in fueling your knowledge and understanding of new ways to conduct business. What fueled my interest in Strategies came about a year ago when my company was struggling through a culture issue and if I did not take drastic measures, I’m not sure where metro FOR MEN would be today. I hired the founder of Strategies, Neil Ducoff, to personally coach me and he required I read his book NO Compromise Leadership. This book helped me realize I can have the company of my dreams and I do not have to compromise that vision. Staying true to my dream will attract and retain top talent. I embraced this book so much that I sell it at the shop.
What has Strategies done for me and my company? metro FOR MEN now has a clear vision, path to obtain that vision, built a leader, enhanced a culture, and helped me obtain a team of dedicated professionals. Thank you Neil.
Tags: Irvine, metro FOR MEN, orange county
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August 19th, 2010
I am so passionate about the beauty and barbering industry and it angers me what some individuals are doing to it. I came across an article the other day that spoke of unlicensed professionals being hired by salons to provide services to unsuspecting customers. To be a cosmetologist or barber it takes 1600 hours and a full day exam by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology where a license is presented IF one passes this test. Cosmetologists and barbers are regulated by Consumer Affairs which also regulates doctors, contractors, dentists, and any other licensed profession. It is not a best practice for a salon owner to hire an unlicensed professional and allow them to work on guests entertaining a salon, spa or barber shop. Please read this article…
At metro FOR MEN we ONLY hire licensed professionals and then train them for another 12 to 16 weeks to CARE for our guests. Please support the beauty and barbering industry by entertaining salons, barbers shops, and spas that only hire licensed professionals. Ask to see the professional’s license if there is any question.
Tags: Best Barber, Irvine, men's hair stylist, men's haircuts, men's salons, metro FOR MEN, orange county, trendy men's haircuts
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July 23rd, 2010
What a great inspiring week. I attended Beauty Week at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas and had the opportunity to meet incredible individuals in this industry. The show opened with Tabatha Coffey from Tabatha’s Salon Takeover on Bravo. Ms. Coffey shared experiences she has had as a salon owner and pitfalls as well. Sheencouraged salon owners not to deviate from their dream culture and not to compromise. This encouraged more to continue down my salon ownership path. I also had the opportunity to hear Susan Scott, author of Fierce Conversations and Fierce Leadership speak, as well as Michael Baker, and Eric Wahl. What I learned from these three individuals is to have those honest conversations immediately, treat guests as if they are brand new every time and to reach for my dreams. I’ve created a unique shop dedicated to men’s grooming and have received many awards like Best Barber, Best Men’s Haircut, and Fastest Growing Salon in America. metro FOR MEN is the leader in men’s grooming and we will continue obtaining our dream to become the preferred provider in Orange County, Ca.
Tags: Best Barber, Irvine, men's grooming, men's haircuts, metro FOR MEN, orange county
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July 16th, 2010
Hey guys summer is the time to focus on personal grooming. It’s the time of year when more skin is shown off, toes are exposed, and everyone gets to see how you take care of yourself. It’s time to focus on the details of your skin, body, and nail care.
- Skin: Skin care not only applies to washing and moisturizing, but protecting it from the sun too. Using sunscreen helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun which will maintain a youthful apppearance. Thinking, “but I want to get a tan?” No problem, just use a tinted face and body moisturizer. At metro FOR MEN we help keep our guest’s skin in check by offering our Deluxe Shave which includes a express facial to cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize the face using products from Menscience (www.menscience.com).
- Body: Rid your body of that unwanted hair. Have you checked for hair in your ears and nose lately? How about your back? At metro FOR MEN we rid our guests of that unsightly nuisance by waxing that unwanted hair, even from the ears and nose. Here’s a tip–use a clipper with a number two guard to trim down hair on the arms and chest. Keeping that hair short will show off a tan and muscle tone.
- Nails: When it gets hot outside, more sandals are worn and what looks better in a pair of sandals–good looking feet. A pedicure is a great way to clean up embarrassing feet. Get a manicure too. When we meet new people, we shake their hand, right? Make your handshake a better first impression with great looking hands. At metro FOR MEN we offer an all-inclusive hand and foot detail. Not only will we make you look good, but we will make you feel great!
Get you summer groove on by taking care of the details now. Got an iphone? Download the Yowza application (www.getyowza.com) to get a special offers from metro FOR MEN.
Tags: Irvine, men's grooming, men's salons, metro FOR MEN, orange county, trendy men's haircuts
Posted in Grooming Tips | 3 Comments »
July 12th, 2010
I would like to welcome Joel and Jessica to the metro FOR MEN styling team. Please help me welcome them by saying hi the next time you are in. They are both currently completing our in-shop training program and are offering complimentary haircuts to new guests of metro FOR MEN. Tell all your friends, family and co-workers to call for an appointment today so Joel and Jessica can complete their training. Our complimentary haircuts are supervised by the owner, Krista Martin in order to ensure we’ve met your expectations of a great haircut and experience. You will not be disappointed.
Tags: Irvine, men's grooming, men's hair stylist, men's haircuts, metro FOR MEN, orange county, trendy men's haircuts
Posted in Announcments | 5 Comments »
June 27th, 2010
I was asked to provide insight on whether salons and spas should provide special offers to new and existing customers. There were other opinions offered in this discussion and the majority felt salons and spas should not discount their services. The opinions were based on the only guests that will utilize the promotional offer is price shoppers and that 5 star businesses do not discount who they are. While some of this may be true, but I cannot believe that the only customer will be a price shopper and high-end businesses do offer web offers every day.
My insight to this discussion was I offer special pricing to all current and potential customers of metro FOR MEN on our website, as well as other sites. My reasoning is not to discount who we are, but to provide the opportunity to potential new guests to try our any one of our men’s grooming services and then to provide them with the most exceptional service they will want to keep coming back. I also offer web special opportunities to current guests to, as well have them try a grooming service they have not tried, but to say thank you for their continued support of metro FOR MEN. No matter whether the customer coming in on a web special or not, it is our objective to give them the best men’s grooming experience and have a happy long term customer. Please visit our special offers at www.metroformen.com/specials. Bring in one of our offers soon and we will look forward to providing you the best in men’s hair, nail, and body grooming services.
Tags: Irvine, men's grooming, men's hair stylist, men's haircuts, men's salons, metro FOR MEN, trendy men's haircuts
Posted in metro FOR MEN | 4 Comments »
June 17th, 2010
How do you know when you got a good haircut? In my 22 years of experience I consider a good haircut when, after the cut and the hair is toweled dry, the hair is styled without product and it looks like the requested style. Then styled with product, the product enhances the haircut. Men do not always use product in their hair, which requires them to need a technically blended haircut. Another component of a good haircut is, as the cut grows out over the next few weeks, the haircut should maintain its original shape and continue to be manageable. The cut should never grow out uneven or get wide in the temple area. Lastly, when it’s time to get a haircut, you should still look great just shaggy and grown-out.
At metro FOR MEN, our service providers are required to go through a 12 week continuing education program before providing services to our guests. They are trained by me to give a technically amazing haircut. Please share your good haircut experience.
Tags: Best Barber, Irvine, men's haircuts, men's salons, metro FOR MEN, orange county, trendy men's haircuts
Posted in Grooming Tips | 3 Comments »
June 7th, 2010
I conducted an interview with a stylist who is interested in joining the metro FOR MEN team the other day. In this interview I instructed the stylist on our cutting technique on a model he brought to the interview. The model stressed to me several times in the consultation what he did NOT want. It was very apparent that this model was uncomfortable with a new stylists and a new hair cutting technique. It was my goal from that moment to establish trust with this model in order for him to trust my talent and my ability to listen to what he did not want in his haircut. I began the class focusing on the model and telling him about me, my background as a stylist, and explained to him what I was doing while I was doing it. This put the model at ease while also easing the anxiety of the stylist who was being interviewed. As we moved through the haircut, I continued to reassure the model and explained what we were doing as we were doing it. By half way through the haircut, it was obvious the model began to relax and started to trust me because he saw that I was doing exactly what I said. Three quarters way through the haircut, the model was more interested in what was on the television than what the stylist and I were doing. I established trust with this model and it felt good. By the end of the haircut, the stylist was so impressed by the technique we used and the model could not stop raving it was the “best haircut I have ever had” and basically said yes to everything I suggested we do to his hair. The stylist also thanked me for showing him how I build trust with a guest.
Tust is so important in being a hairstylist and I was reminded that trust needs to be established with guests before and during a service. As a stylist, I can feel when a guest begins to trust me and that is my opportunity no to lose it. I keep building trust during our professional relationship. When a guest trusts a stylist, they are a customer for life and will do anything a stylist suggests. That is the ultimate TIP a stylist could get–a lifetime customer that trusts him/her.
Tags: Best Barber, Irvine, men's grooming, men's hair stylist, men's haircuts, men's salons, metro FOR MEN, orange county, trendy men's haircuts
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May 28th, 2010
I attended a great function last Sunday put on by Northrise University Foundation (www.northrise.org). This foundation aids the people of Zambia to create a self-sustaining culture through education. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by people who care to educate others and reminded me as a business owner what I am trying to create with metro FOR MEN. My mission is to create a self-sustaining company that can continue to maintain our vision to build a company on the value of teamwork and growth. My team continues to learn new ways to work as a team by continuing to be educated on the meaning of team-work and demonstrate that action by helping each other work towards the same goal. Our company mission is to be the leader in men’s grooming by offering consistent quality services. We can only be the leader if we are equipping our associates with the neccessary tools to be successful. I educate my associates continually on technical skills that ensure consistent quality services and business skills that ensure his or her success at metro FOR MEN and in the industry. I equipe my associates with knowledge that he or she can use his or her future endeavors. It is with this philosophy that metro FOR MEN will be a self-sustaining company and will be the leader in men’s grooming.
Tags: Irvine, metro FOR MEN, orange county
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