As a Seattle Hair Stylist working out of an up scale private studio I see a wide range of clients of all ages.  As I’ve been cutting and coloring hair in Seattle for nearly 20 years now I have a number of clients I’ve been seeing for over a decade.  It’s been a pleasure to help women work through style changes that come in the 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.  I don’t do hair for just 20 something model-esque women.  Most of my clients are normal human beings… just like you. Everyone has features they want to play up and those they want to draw attention away from.  When you’re in your teens and twenties, you can get away with a lot of different styles.  It’s generally in your 30s and beyond that you have to start thinking things through a bit more.

Weather you end up coming to me or another stylist, here are some tips for getting the very best out of your hair at any age.

30s

These are good hair years for most women.  Follicle diameter continues to increase until you hit your 40th birthday so your hair may actually feel thicker and healthier now than it did in your twenties.  Even some early graying can work to your benefit.  Many women go through a gorgeous pre-gray stage where some pieces are coming in a little bit coarser and wavier.  It’s easy to style and has a little extra volume

For those reasons—and also because the thirties is a time when many women come into their own, personally and professional, this is when you have the confidence and the looks to make big changes. You can go short; you may go bold with color. You can be experimental.  With few wrinkles or complexion woes to deal with, you may also be able to carry off a strong blunt or geometric cut.

With your lifestyle and physiology working in your favor, now is also the time to give up bad hair-care habits from your twenties. Health-wise, you’re likely at the top of your game.  You’ve moved out of the partying ways of your twenties and are taking better care of your body. So start working on good habits, like weekly conditioning treatments. And get a cut that complements your body type and your features instead of the style your friend has. If you’re petite, think about a sleeker look that won’t overwhelm your figure; if you have a wider frame,create balance with layers and volume. And pay attention to any texture shifts that may develop during the pre-graying stage. Because hair becomes wirier as it grays, if you’ve always had fine strands, you may be able to switch to lighter styling products and lower heat settings on tools as your hair gains body and fullness. But if your mane was coarse to start with,you may need more emollient stylers.

Your biggest physiological challenge may come with pregnancy. Your hair will become thick and lustrous while you’re pregnant and start temporarily shedding three months after birth or breast feeding, You may want to take advantage of your fuller hair with longer, layered cuts that balance out the body’s swell. But don’t make the mistake of chopping it all off after the baby comes.  That can sometimes make thinning look worse. Instead, to camouflage the shedding, add layers and bring up the length a little. That will also distract from any sleep-deprivation-related puffiness in your face.

40s

My clients in their forties frequently say, ‘My hair just isn’t the same.’ And they’re right.  The changes—wrought by declining estrogen—are subtle, but they’re there. Both diameter and density decrease in your forties.   So if you’ve always had more hair than you can manage, this gradual change may feel like an improvement. I’ve had some clients tell me that suddenly their hair behaves better but those who started with less of a mane may be less thrilled… from at least as many clients I hear ‘My part is a little wider. My ponytail seems less full.’

Whatever style you wear, thinner hair tends to look better worn in longer layers,which add volume. And if you’ve never colored your hair, you may consider starting. Color coats and bulks up your strands.

In this decade, hair may also become noticeably drier as scalp sebaceous glands produce less oil. Women who have battled limp, oily hair may find themselves enjoying a new era of manageability. Suddenly you’re not getting the greasies. Your hair is a bit coarser and holds a style better.  This means if you were reliant on hairspray, you may be able to stop. And instead of styling with gels, you can use lighter foams. However, if your hair was already dry, it’s probably time to switch stylers. Chances are, you’ll need to upgrade to creamier styling products like creams and waxes.

Changes in your hair may be accompanied by more obvious changes in skin and figure.  Fine lines start appearing and in your mid- forties,as your metabolism slows, you may also notice extra weight around your middle. If that’s happening, you can use your cut to elongate your frame and create softness around the face. A little length is more flattering.  A severe cut can become harder to pull off unless you add some layers, which act like soft-focus lighting, drawing less attention to facial lines while simultaneously creating the effect of extra body.  Modified shags and styles with soft waves are good options. A little asymmetry can be your friend (e.g., switch from a center part to one that’s on the side). And bangs can grow a bit longer and get swept over to the side.

Another way to balance a figure that may be widening:Grow your hair longer. A woman who once had an over-the-ear cut might consider a short bob, and a woman with a short bob may graduate to a shoulder-skimming one.  For at least some of the consultation, make sure you get out of the stylist’s chair and stand up in front of the mirror while you talk with your stylist about your cut.  If your weight is shifting, your cut should be, too.

 50′s

By now, the changes in hair, skin and body are more overt.  At some point, you’re going to be in peri- or actual menopause, and the hormonal changes really kick in. Your hair follicles are shrinking, and the change has become noticeable. You may also see short, fine hairs near the temples and hairline.  What does this mean for your cut?  You need to be gentler with your styling.  Cut back on heat tools and use lower temperature settings. Do all you can to preserve your hair’s integrity and health.

The hormonal shifts of menopause may also affect the curl of the hair, the follicles’ strength and the growth rate. Androgen-dependent alopecia [doctor-speak for genetic hair thinning] may be triggered by menopause. In that case, minoxidil [commercial name: Rogaine] has been shown to be very effective.

Women of this age must also deal with more visible signs of aging. Skin is more lax. Fine lines remain, even when you’re not smiling or frowning. You may have some drooping along the jaw. Overall muscle tone may begin to decrease, adding some bulk to your frame. And as the fat layer in the dermis begins to thin, some women appear more angular and their features stronger—a change that can add character to your face but also make it a little more masculine. A good response to all of the above: strategic layering.  Look at Madonna and Michelle Pfeifer.   They have sexy, layered, slightly angled cuts that soften their faces. And they get the length right: Their hair is long enough to narrow their silhouette, without looking like the high-maintenance style of a twenty-something.

This is actually a great time for a shoulder-length style.  If your hair is getting finer or thinner, going longer than that can look stringy—while going too short can make hair look sparse.  Mid length cuts with movement, like a longer, layered bob, will soften your features and make hair look healthy and youthful. Go for a shape that’s a little rounder, not quite as blunt.

This is not a decade for going to extremes of long or short. Nor is it a time for just giving up. You see people turn 50 and cut their hair really short.  If you’re going short because you have the petite figure for it, great, but don’t do it just because you think your look doesn’t matter anymore. You should also avoid the opposite extreme: long hair that falls toward your butt. For one thing, it adds bulk to your body. For another, the cut has to work from the front and the back.  What’s unsettling is when you see a woman from behind and think she’s a teenager; then she turns around and she’s 55. I think it’s more powerful to look like a stunning, confident woman in her fifties—from every angle.

60′s

Good news for you: Hair calms down again during this decade. There may be more of the same changes—continued graying, a little thinning—but once menopause is over, hair stabilizes.  Now you know what you’re working with.

What to pay attention to: changes in your body. Your neck may become a little shorter. You may lose an inch or so off your height.  As you get into your sixties, you start to notice loss of fullness in your face.

The right cut now should help elongate your body and “lift” your features. It’s a good time to add height in the crown.  If the fifties are the decade to add fullness and width, the sixties are a good time to consider cuts that add height. Gravity is pulling everything down, so you want a cut that defies gravity in essence and brings everything up.  The length can be short or long—but you should pay attention to how it affects your silhouette. Let’s say that most of your life, you wore a long bob that hit your shoulders.  Well, if your neck is getting a little shorter, you may have to take it up a few inches so it doesn’t look as if your head is sitting on your shoulders. It’s a subtle change,but it makes a huge difference.

Another lifting trick? Style your hair so the sides go back and away from your face. I encourage clients with longer to push the sides back like Lauren Bacall.  She wears it swept back and over the ears a bit. It opens up your face, lifts your eyes and flatters your neck. You can keep a wisp in the front so you don’t feel naked, but you want to get the bulk of the hair off your face, off your shoulders.

What you don’t want to do is hide behind a curtain of hair.  As more wrinkles appear around the eyes and forehead, some women want to cover their foreheads with thick bangs or have long bobs that hang in their faces. But you don’t want to look like Carol Channing.  You can’t be afraid. By hiding too much, you’re really drawing the wrong kind of attention. Use Goldie Hawn as an example . She does have those long bangs, but the rest of her hair is quite layered, so it isn’t too heavy around her face.

That said, don’t assume that you can’t have longer hair.  Lauren Hutton is a great example of a woman in her sixties whose longish hair is working.  It’s natural and bohemian and has great texture.  You want the cut to be modern, to be cool, but you want it to really be you.  At this point in your life, your look should say that you know who you are.

When you contact a hair salon in Seattle, you will almost always be talking first to a receptionist. When you call HBJ you’ll be speaking directly to Joey; your own personal stylist. By cutting out the front desk experience which can be hit or miss at times, HBJ gets you right to the person who can answer all your questions. This system eliminates misunderstandings and time-wasting booking errors completely. With Joey, you can book right there on the phone or even easier, you can see his entire schedule online and book your own appointment right here. When you call a regular salon as a new client, you’ll naturally be matched first with stylists who have more availability. Often this can mean new stylists who may or may not know how to get you the result you want. At HBJ, you’re always booked with Joey: a seasoned, 19 year veteran and career-long top Seattle hair stylist and colorist. At public salons parking can be a serious hassle… particularly downtown or at the mall. Located just 3 minutes off I-5 on a main arterial but in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of free parking, at HBJ you can always park within a block if not right in front of the studio. So if booking your appointment and getting to Hair By Joey is sounding convenient and easy, it get’s better… lets talk atmosphere.

The thing we hear most often from clients when we ask them what they really appreciate about HBJ is the peaceful, quiet environment. Joey and his wife and partner Jessica do all they can to make you feel utterly pampered from the moment you walk in. You enter HBJ through beautiful glass doors on your right just inside the main home entrance. Moving into the studio space, you’re greeted by large sunny windows which dominate the walls on two sides of the spacious room letting in plenty of natural light (a big bonus when it comes to assessing hair color) and offering soothing views of trees and even the Cascades on clear days. In the guest seating area you’re welcomed by the gentle murmur of a fountain situated above a gorgeous fire place which keeps the studio cozy on cold Seattle days. The over arching motif engenders a sense of the far east drawn into contemporary style. Dark bamboo floors and grass cloth wall coverings create an immediate sense of peace and tranquility. As opposed to public salons which are usually buzzing with the combined energy of multiple clients, stylists and front desk people HBJ offers an atmosphere where you are the focus. The music is subdued and the cacophony of blow dryers, gossip and cross talk which dominate most main stream salons is completely absent here. There are seldom more than 2 clients present at one time and never more than one stylist. If you’re a person who prefers to relax when you get your hair done you could not find a more fitting place. After the consultation, conversation is optional as Joey knows that some people just like to catch up with magazines or close their eyes and relax while getting their hair done.

As the experience continues, guests are offered an assortment of delicious beverages including organic Mighty Leaf tea, gourmet, fresh ground, French press coffee and filtered water. Clients are encouraged to arrive a little early or stay a little late to enjoy a soothing, complementary massage in HBJ’s state of the art full-body massage chair. Sinking into this atmosphere of peace, comfort and tranquility you’ll find your worries slip away while your hair is transformed. The atmosphere is relaxed… never rushed. Because Joey runs his own schedule, has so much experience and possesses a keen sense of timing he almost never runs behind so you’ll never be forced to wait more that a few minutes past your scheduled time. At the end of the service clients leave with gorgeous hair, renewed energy and a gourmet chocolate truffle.

If all this sounds like a fit for you, booking couldn’t be easier. Give Joey a call today at 206.228.5639 or book online.

Red is the hardest molecule to push into the hair and the easiest to come out. Therefore, the product line your stylist uses for color and for maintenance after the service are more important with reds than with any other shade family. Again Redken comes through with three different product options to get sensational staying power and coverage whether hair is chemically damaged, going grey or just unprocessed healthy hair. I always encourage clients to use my Alterna Caviar line to protect their color at home. Utilizing a panted blend of fatty acids, anti oxidants, sea silk and U.V. blockers Caviar can add weeks to a colors staying power.

Going red is a big decision. When you’re visiting your stylist to consider the shift be sure to bring pictures of what you have in mind. A good stylist will be able to work from what you bring in by either reproducing that color for you or helping you find a shade that will work best for your skin tone. Collaboration and consultation are key. If you’d like to book you’re free consultation or would just like to talk about your ideal ravishing red I”d be more than happy to chat any time.

Not surprisingly, here at Hair By Joey I like to provide the same type of experience for my male clientele. I’ve been cutting guys hair for almost 18 years. Even though women make up the majority of my clientele, I’m a dudes dude and enjoy cutting men’s hair as well. I used to work at more of a barber shop set up in my early years so I learned early on how to do fast, detailed precision cutting. I know what to look for in skull and face shape so as to craft a cut that will work for your particular set of features. I know how to use clippers, trimmers, thinning shears and scissor over comb to create just about any look a client can imagine. I know how dopey hair can look if it goes too short, isn’t blended correctly or is aloud to maintain too much bulk. I cut a lot of Asian and Indian hair as well and am quite comfortable working with more challenging coarse or curly hair textures. I’m fast (I can have most guys cut and out the door in about 20 minutes) and precise and pride myself on delivering a consistent hair cut every time.

If you’re looking for a sharp, consistent and contemporary men’s haircut in Seattle particularly if your life takes you anywhere near the Maple Leaf neighborhood I hope you’ll consider stopping by. It’d be nice to meet you… and get you looking a little better than you do now.

Here at Hair By Joey, we strive to provide an environment that is restful and low pressure. Wouldn’t it be nice to get your hair done and leave feeling like you’d been to a tranquil spa for an hour? Our unique North Seattle hair salon features specially chosen music, lighting and aroma therapy that’s guaranteed to put you at ease. Hair By Joey also features the most advanced massage chair in the world (http://www.osim.com/product/udivine.aspx). Why not show up a little early for your appointment or stay late to enjoy a complementary massage?

Here at years end Joey would personally like to thank all of his wonderful clients for five amazing years of support! Thanks to you, Hair By Joey remains one of Seattle’s top hair salons. Joey is thrilled to be able to continue to do what he loves most in one of the most pampering environments on the planet.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

I do two things. Cuts and colors. I’ve spent 18 years fined tuning these two particular areas of the hair stylist craft. I have many clients that enjoy dramatic colors but the majority I’ve found like things to look blended and natural. For this reason, what I do more of than anything else is highlights. I love doing highlights. There are so many combinations, so many subtle tones that can shift a look one way or another. This year soft golden tones have come more into fashion though I still do lots of icy cool blonds for clients that don’t care for warmer tones. Many hair colors are fairly simple to apply but highlights are another thing entirely. When you’re choosing your next color specialist consider the following…

Whether you decide to visit me or another stylist be sure to ask plenty of questions. Communication is key. Make sure your stylist knows what you mean when you say you want to be a “blond”. “Blond” can definitely mean a lot of different things to different people. If you hate gold tones be sure and let your stylist know that. If you’ve been washed out with ashy tones before and prefer more warmth make that clear. You don’t need to take all the communication on yourself though. A good stylist will be able to look and your eye color, and skin tone and be able to suggest the color hues likely to be the most flattering on you. Don’t be afraid to use words like “bright”, “dramatic”, and “bold” if you know you want a striking blond look. Conversely, words like “natural”, “subtle”, “blended” and “easy grow out” are important for stylists to hear. Pictures can be very helpful too. Here at HBJ, I have a notebook computer handy so clients can bring up links to looks they like.

Lastly, when considering where to go for your Seattle highlights consider your time. A seasoned stylist can usually have you in and out in less than two hours with a stunning cut and color and no need for return visits for fixes and fine tuning. Less experienced stylists can take upwards or 3 or even 4 hours to apply a full head of foils and often need to go back and adjust thing afterwards so while the cost may be lower, the time cost can be much higher.

If you’re looking for the best highlights in Seattle, a mixture of expertly applied tones that will put the shine and glow back into your hair, enhance your natural beauty, blend well and grow out with a minimum of fuss and muss, I hope you’ll considering visiting me for a consultation here at Hair By Joey. You’ll be glad you did.

Dark Brunettes
There is a mixture of colors that can be very dark, just think of Kim Kardashian and how she has almost black hair that is long and shiny.

This style will be in place for most of the winter and summer months. It is a nice contrast for some complexions.

You can purchase hair extensions to add length to your hair to achieve this look.

Strawberry Blondes
One of the colors that is very complimentary is the lighter hair color that is worn my many celebrities to highlight sections of the long strands around the face.

Tanned skin looks good with lighter hair shades.

If you are looking for a style that will brighten your day try one that can be mixed with multiple tones to get the effect you want.

Warm Browns
Some of the earth tones for hair color is good for those with green or blue eyes, the hair can really frame the face and showcase the facial features.

Since the color is muted it is best to wear makeup that stands out such as a nice lip color or eyeshadow.

Long wavy hair looks good in these golden brown shades as well. It can be layered hair with full body curls to maximize the effect.

To begin with, skin tone, eye color and life style are all big considerations when picking the perfect look for you. Seattle highlights tend to be more subduded and blended that the popular styles in LA or Vegas. I’ve found that most women around here prefer a more natural look with just the right amount of accent so I’ve worked hard to develop looks that are striking while remaining low key and low matinence. However, there are those that like to go bright and bold as well. For more dramatic looks I use an ammonia free lightener by Redken called Blond Icing. Blond Icing delivers dramatic results in less time than traditional bleach while (thanks to built in deep cortex conditioners) leaving hair soft and shiny. With the tight economy, I’ve also honed my fast and low cost express highlight service for those on a time or financial budget. Weather you’re after buttery, golden glints or cool, icy shimmer tones If you can think it I look forward to creating it here at Hair By Joey.

It’s been my experience that my 50+ clientele often found themselves under-appreciated and rushed through in the hustle and bustle of big city Seattle hair salons or they’re given the standard “grandma” cut and color when they visit their local beauty shop. Here at Hair By Joey I put the focus on slowing down and asking the right questions. I see each client as an individual with unique features… some they’d like to emphasize and others they’d like to minimize. Over the years, I’ve developed techniques to manage the challenges that come with aging (changes in texture, density and color) to create looks that are fresh, modern, classy and youthful while remaining age appropriate. Nobody wants to look old and tired but no one wants to look like they’re trying to be 21 again either (particularly in Seattle). With the right consultation and the correct application I’ve found that every women has a unique beauty that can be discovered and highlighted at any age.

Clients, meet the the Osim uAstro zero gravity massage chair

This machine is flat out, the most amazing massage chair I’ve ever experienced. As you recline into the zero gravity position this chair adjusts to your body shape while gently working your feet, calves, hips, back, arms neck and head using a state of art system of rollers and forced air. Tension and muscle soreness slip away as you are put into a state of absolute relaxation. Fifteen minutes in this thing will have you floating in the clouds. The entire unit is completely adjustable to fit your comfort with a touch of a button whether you prefer nothing but a comfortable chair, a mild massage or a more vigorous and invigorating experience.

Since the color line I use requires very little if any heat processing my color clients (at no additional cost) can now enjoy time in the uAstro instead of under a noisy dryer while their color processes. The difference will take your salon experience to the next level. At Hair By Joey, it has always been our goal to create an experience that is much more akin to a trip to a luxury spa than to a hair salon. Thanks to Amy, with the addition of the uAstro massage chair the Hair By Joey salon experience is closer than ever to achieving that goal. Now if you’ll excuse me… I’m going to go get a massage.