Musings by the Hairslave

This is an article I wrote for Davis Life Magazine that was published in June of 2008. This is from my original writings, and probably hasn’t been fully edited.  We’ll see.  I always have a great time collaborating on projects with co-workers, or friends. This proved no exception. Tenaya and I rock this makeover challenge. We had a great time doing it as well!

Tenaya and I met our models Morgan, Kelly, Shanna, and Angelica bright and early the day after Picnic Day. It was a Sunday morning, and anybody who knows me, knows I’m most certainly not a morning person. But I was determined that we would all have fun. Lucky for us Tenaya is a morning person. On this particular morning she, our 4 young clients (all UC Davis students) and I, would be shooting a before and after photo shoot for the issue of Davis Life Magazine you are now reading. Our models were recruited by our editor Cary from students she talked with on campus. They are all charming and quite attractive; so we knew our work would be easy, and we would all have a rewarding day. I met with our models at the beginning of the week to discuss their looks, so we were ready to go on Sunday.

My name is David Martin, and I have been a stylist in Davis for over 20 years. I started at J. Cunningham and Co. when it was downtown at Mansion Square, worked at All That Jazz hair salon for 15 years (owning it the last 5), and am currently back downtown at the Hair Saloon (hopefully new name at time of print).

My good friend, and coworker of 7 years, Tenaya Freitas has been a stylist for 14 years. She trained in the bay area before working in Chico and Sacramento. She has worked as a stylist and colorist in Davis for over 8 1′2 years 7 years at All That Jazz, and the last 1 and 1 1/2 years a David’s Haircutting in the Orange Court Center.

We both work extensively with color and color correction, so our focus today was to give our models a brand new summer style, complete with the perfect color, and styling recommendations.

Angelica is a 3rd year human development major at UC Davis, She is from Oakland, CA., and she works part time at the Department of Public Health. Angelica wanted her hair to look healthy and shiny for summer.

Angelica has thick, coarse, curly brown hair. She also has bleached tips growing out. After a consultation we decided not to simply cut off the bleach, but to trim her beautiful curly hair and color it a rich, burgundy/purple brown. This demi-permenent color will not only add gorgeous shine and even out her color, but also help decrease frizz and enhance her natural curl, all while covering the bleached tips.

Her cut was designed to trim off damaged ends, while maintaining length. Layers are added in back and around her face to lighten the curls.

We followed up her cut and color with the appropriate products. In Angelicas case, for curl, I recommend an anti-frizz lotion combed through the ends, followed by a curl crème. Scrunching with a good diffuser helps enhance her lovely curls.

Morgan is a 1st year Ag Management and Rangeland resources major from Santa Barbara. She is not currently working, but is a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She had had a significant cut recently, but was still looking for a summer change.

Morgan had her hair cut quite a bit shorter a few months ago. And though she liked the change, she and I didn’t feel it was quite the right length to enhance her charming features. We decided to take it up to shoulder length, give her a striking new full bang for drama, and add a few foils around her face to give her a sparkle.

For Morgan I recommended an anti-frizz lotion (Davis Water can have a harsh effect on hair, even if you have a water softener). Followed by a blow-dry, polishing iron and a finishing crème for an especially glossy finish. I think the results speak for themselves.

Shanna is a 2nd year international relations major from Carmichael. She is not working at the moment, but she keeps busy with the UC Davis Spirit Squad and the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Shanna is a natural redhead. After a few recent color experiments her hair is now a warm blonde.

Tenaya decided to add highlights to give it some brightness for the summer. She then worked to lighten her thick hair in front with lots of face-framing layers. She cleaned up her side-swept bangs and added layers throughout with point cutting on the ends for extra texture.

Tenaya recommended a root-lift foam applied directly at the roots for volume, and combed through for curl support.

To style, she curled it with a big barrel curling iron to give the texture that’s all-important this season. Tenaya advised her that it’s important when styling hair to alternate the direction in which you curl each time you grab a section of hair, and curl it with a big barrel curling iron. It looks more natural, with variation and volume.

Tenaya finished the look with a shine crème. These types of products are greaseless, and add a beautiful glow. Movie star chic!

Kelly is a 1st year UC Davis undeclared who thinks she might head toward psychology. Kelly is from (not emeryville) and works at the arc part-time, and is also a Pi Beta Phi. Kelly was up for a bit more of a change than the other three.

Kelly is one of the few clients I’ve had over the years who recognizes what wonderful hair she has. Kelly has a rich warm brown color, which had been lightened a few months back, and beautiful waves which she can straighten easily. We decided to add a warmer caramel brown around the front, and a burgundy brown at the crown. This block color technique is great for a dramatic, and yet professional color change. We brought her hair up above her shoulders, and added razored layers for volume.

For Kelly’s hair I added a body building blow-dry lotion and a root-lifting foam (scalp to ends). A nice blow-dry with a round brush and some spray to hold the waves, and off she goes.

It turns out we did have a fun day. Morning or not-I love my job. Tenaya and I feel that being professional hair designers allows us to touch many people’s lives in a very positive way every single day. If you think you’re ready for someone to help you design your new summer look, contact us, or your favorite stylist right now. What better way to meet the new season!

David Martin works at the Salon at Maple Court at 735 H Street, Suite B To schedule an appointment with him directly call 916-806-3141 or e-mail him at contact@davidmartinsstyle.com.

Tenaya Freitas also works at the Salon at Maple Court at 735 H Street, Suite B, and can be reached at 530-400-7163.

Now is the perfect time to consult a stylist about your perfect summer style!