Planning a wedding can be stressful. Believe me, I know. My name is Kristy, and I’m the Wedding Coordinator at Atelier Salonspa and Atelier Studio. I have worked as a Wedding Planner, and I happen to also be a Bride-to-Be, planning my own wedding. So I feel your pain, and I want to help make your special day and the journey leading up to it, as pain-free as possible.

A wedding is THE big day. While you’re obsessing over the small details of ceremony: music, decorations, seating arrangements, and centerpieces; everyone is thinking about how fun it’s going to be to celebrate your special day and how stunning you will look. That’s right, did you forget? You’re going to be breathtakingly jaw-dropping gorgeous! Whether you’re a low-key kind of bride or planning to outshine The Royal Wedding, there are important beauty regimens and appointments to set in stone before you walk down the aisle. The best way to beat Bridezilla is to be organized. Let’s start with a pre-event schedule:

9-12 Months before
Find your beauty team. I’m lucky that I work at the top salon in the Bay Area –Atelier—so I didn’t have to look far to find my bridal day beauty crew. Great sources for referrals to your own dream team are your wedding venue, your photographer, or your recently married friends. Book a short consultation with a couple of stylists to meet them and see if you ‘click’. The hair and makeup artist are important to your photo album—you’ll want to look your absolute best and be comfortable with the stylist you choose.
Reserve your wedding day hair and makeup for yourself and your bridal party. Be sure to start your research and have photos to give your hair and makeup artists some inspiration.

6 Months Before
Working backwards from the big day, pre-book all of the necessary appointments up until your wedding day, such as nail care, waxing, facials, and of course, your hair. Whether you’re looking for a dramatic change, need to grow some length or have to get your hair into better condition, plan ahead–it might take a few appointments to achieve your look.
Schedule a facial and get one every 4-6 weeks until a week before the wedding to be sure your skin is radiant. Make sure you take home products to keep your skin healthy and looking great between appointments. Pre-booking ensures you aren’t scrambling to get in with an in-demand stylist or esthetician at the last minute. That’s not relaxing for anyone!

3 Months Before
Schedule your Wedding Hair and Wedding Makeup Trials. If you’re having photos done or have any pre-wedding parties, it’s nice to schedule for the same day. Your hair and makeup will look great. If not, it’s also a great reason for a nice date night with your fiancé!

1-2 Months Before
Start your waxing/hair removal treatments, and pre-book those appointments too. You have so much to get done before your special day—it’s nice to get a few beauty breaks into your hectic schedule.
Be sure your Bridal Party schedules trials, if necessary, too. Chances are they’ll all have different needs, and getting everything “tested out” and perfected prior, will help things go smoother on the day of. (I heard Bridesmaid-zilla is just as scary!)

2-3 Weeks Before
Treat yourself to a well-deserved day of pampering and relaxing, since next week will be hectic. Try to squeeze in a massage if you can.
We know you’re going to be in tip-top beauty shape, but how about your Groom? Make sure he goes and gets his haircut too.

1 Week Before
Go in for your final waxing/hair removal appointments. You may consider adding an Eyelash Tint, Eyebrow Tint or Eyelash Extension service too. Talk to your stylist to see if those are good options for you. Time to go in for your final color and cut services.

1 Day Before
Get your manicure and pedicure. What condition are your Groom’s hands in? Keep in mind that your photographer will most likely take photos of both of your hands and rings. Your groom should probably join in on the nail services.
The best beauty tip I can give you, is…get plenty of sleep. No amount of makeup can hide a sleepless night.

The Wedding Day
At last, THE day has arrived. It goes by so fast, so enjoy this day, which is all about you and your future spouse. Relax… all you have to do is sit and have your hair and makeup done, put on your special dress, and exchange vows with your Prince Charming. Then enjoy the party with your friends and family. (That’s what I’m looking forward to!)

I have two simple tips that are the key to defusing Bridezilla:
1 – Stay organized, don’t procrastinate, and DELEGATE! Your bridesmaids are there to help you. I know I couldn’t have planned my wedding without my besties.
2 – Keep up with your beauty appointments and at-home regimens. If you look good, you’ll feel good.
Atelier Salonspa and Atelier Studio can handle all beauty aspects of your Wedding Day or Special Occasion. We have a variety of hair and makeup experts that can bring your bridal vision to life. You’ll have so much on your plate; let us help you make it a relaxing, fabulous, and fun experience.

Bridezilla? Not if we can help it!

Happy Wedding!
Kristy Ecalnir (soon-to-be Kris Romero)
Wedding and Special Events Coordinator,
Atelier Salons at Santana Row

Except for finding a hairstylist. Finding someone to give you the haircut, color, or style you’ve been waiting for can feel a lot like a blind date.

So, how can you make the search for the perfect hairstylist a successful one? There are a few steps you can take to find the hairstylist of your dreams, not your nightmares.

1. When you see someone with great hair, ask them where they got it done. Don’t be shy, they will most likely be happy to share the salon and hairstylist’s name. If possible, take a front, side and back view photo with your smartphone to show the stylist, and get the name of your new friend. Be sure the light comes in behind you as you snap the pic to show off the cut and color.

2. Look up the salon on Facebook, Yelp, and check out their salon website. A well-populated Facebook page is a good sign. Daily status updates and new photos says a lot about the salon: they are interested in communicating and connecting with customers. An up-to-date website will give you a chance to understand their services, see photos of their salon and their stylists, and even have information on the stylist’s education and specialities. Many even offer online booking, making it easy to schedule from your mobile phone.

3. Book a consultation appointment. Some salons offer free consultations, and some charge a small fee. The fee can be a good investment, since the consultation is generally more thorough and you’ll get good tips and advice. Sometimes the salon will apply your consultation fee towards your first appointment. And if you decide not to go to that salon, you’ll at least have some great information to consider.

4. Bring in photos (hard copy or smartphone camera roll) of the best haircolor you ever had or the worst haircut you ever had to grow out. Hairstylists love to see your hair history. Also you can find hairstyles online and print out or save to your phone’s photo library. You can show the hairstylist what you like. Caveat: the model in the photo may have completely different hair texture, length, or color, and the skin tone and eye color might create a totally different result. Be realistic. If your hair is a mass of tightly wound spiral curls, you’ll only get a Jennifer Aniston sleek look if you also sign up for a permanent straightening service or go into the salon for weekly wash, blow, and iron appointments.

5. Sometimes it takes a second try. Hairstylists meet people for the first time a lot. It’s what they do. But sometimes people just don’t click on the first try. Hairstylists try to strike a delicate balance between asking icebreaker questions and seeming nosy. They want to know what your lifestyle is like (busy mom, full-time student, type-A CEO) so they can tailor your hair and the subsequent home care and maintenance around it. Help them out with your own list of what you can and can’t do with your hair.

BONUS: How to make your hairstylist crazy about you. (It’s not the tip, although that’s always appreciated.) The line between patronage and friendship in the salon can be hard to see sometimes. When the hairstylist and customer are really connecting and it seems more social than professional, it’s easy to forget that a business transaction is taking place. If you aren’t happy with your hair, be gentle, but be honest. Hairstylists want you to be their best advertisement in addition to making you happy. They won’t take it personally.

Also, please call ahead if you have to cancel the appointment that you made. A hairstylist makes a living by reserving time for you and providing a service. If a customer fails to show up, that time doesn’t generate income for the her. If she has a waiting list of other customers who want the time slot you have, giving her a day’s notice allows her to call that list. It’s also nice to call if you know you’ll be late. She might be able to call her next customer and give her a fair warning. She’ll appreciate it.

When the hairstylist/customer relationship is good, it’s really great. The hairstylist will do everything she (or he) can to make your visit amazing. The rest is up to you.

Reposted with permission from author. Article available on examiner.com at: http://www.examiner.com/article/5-steps-to-finding-the-perfect-hairstylist

Whether you call them ‘bangs’ or ‘fringe’, we have strong opinions of these forehead covers. Fortunately, there’s a version for everyone, it’s just a matter of determining which bang style is right for you. How do you know if a fringe will be a good decision or a year-long regret?

Making a decision to add a bang to your hairstyle needs to be an educated one. Hair type and face shape are factors that cannot be ignored.
Let’s take hair type. Thick, straight hair that is not influenced by any growth patterns or cowlicks at the hairline is perfect fringe material. But perfect hair scenarios are not always what we’re given.

Curly hair rarely makes for a successful bang experience. Take the old Sarah Jessica Parker photo, at above left. That hair is just a series of curly noodles marching across her forehead. Add the unruly brows, and it’s a photo she’d probably love to forget about. The photo in the center features better brows but the bangs are too short and too straight across. Her strong nose features very prominently with this look. At far right is the SJP we all know and love. She’s embraced her features, and softened the whole look with romantic waves, lightened and shaped eyebrows, and no bangs, which gives her face a vertical line. Notice how the hair waves inwards to skim the wide cheekbones and streamline her face shape.
A great evolution for her.

However, if the face shape isn’t right for a fringe, the bang stops there.

Christina Ricci is a great example of how bangs can transform a face. She’s absolutely beautiful and exudes confidence in the photo at above left, and, fully exposed in her tightly pulled back hair, we can see what a heart-shaped face looks like. There’s a lot of exposed forehead—in fact, close to 50% of her face is empty real estate. In the next photo to the right, having her hair down slightly slims down the width of the forehead and cheekbones. Next photo, the short sideswept bang really takes the heart shape and brings it almost into an oval shape, save for the more pronounced chin. Still a gorgeous style, you can see how keeping the vertical line from hairline to chin keeps her face elongated and slims it. In our last photo of Christina, we really see how a full bang totally changes her face and neck. The longer length of the rest of her hair keeps the vertical line, while the slightly sheer bang brings her eyes into sharp focus and shortens the face but makes the best use of the cheekbone line. The chin is softened as well, and in the high crewneck of her dress with the soft drape of the hair on each side, her neck is in better proportion to her face.
A perfect transition into a successful bang.

Remember that a bang can be used for good as well as for evil. A side sweep that keeps a vertical line from hairline to chin can slim a wide or round face but might elongate a thinner, longer face shape. A full bang can shorten a long face, but beware if you feel sensitive about the roundness you see in your face shape, this will make that more pronounced.
If your eyes are close together, a wider bang will make them appear farther apart, like Zooey Deschanel’s fringe:

and wide-set eyes will benefit from a narrower bang, a’ la Anna Wintour:

Remember that bangs touch your skin, so be sure that both are clean and free of oil, to avoid this unfortunate situation:

Bangs also need to be maintained more regularly, so either learn how to trim them yourself, (always cut the hair when dry to avoid surprise shrinkage) or ask your hair artist about bang maintenance.

One thing’s for sure, a fringe can make or break your style, so consider it carefully. If you’re stuck in a hair rut, a bang is a great way to get out of it, but do your research and be sure you’re making the right decision.

On wet, clean hair, apply your styling prep and gel of choice.  At Atelier Salonspa and Atelier Studio, the Aveda salons at Santana Row, we love Aveda’s Style-Prep Smoother mixed with Aveda Confixor gel.  Apply throughout hair, comb through to distribute.  Using blowdryer and hands, get hair about 90% dry. Use any multi-row plastic bristle or boar bristle brush (we prefer using a Denman brush), start wrapping the bangs across your forehead, from left to right, then from right to left, downwards onto your forehead.  Once the bangs are warmed up, put the brush and blowdryer down and hold your bangs down flat on your forehead using the palm of one hand.  Hold them down like that until they cool down.  Remove hand, and you’ll see that they have decided that you’re the boss and they will behave today!  If you want a bit of a bend in the hair or for the ends to turn under, use an appropriate-sized round brush to just turn the hair under.

Now you have a new trick to use to control your hair!

*Helps protect skin from environmental aggressors. *Provides lightweight moisture to skin. *100% naturally derived Plant-Powered Brightening Blend including Ascorbyl Glucoside (a vitamin C derivative), mulberry root, and grape extracts to help diminish the appearance of discoloration and dark spots. *Anti-oxidants, including Rosemary and Vitamin E, help protect skin against environmental aggressors. *Shea butter and bio-fermented hyaluronic acid moisturize. *A soothing aroma made predominantly with organic lavender, sustainably sourced sandalwood, organic rose geranium and organic rosemary essential oils also helps soothe and calm the skin. *Clinically proven to improve skin’s clarity by 52% and diminish the appearance of dark spots by 34%. Kick off your enbrightening journey with an Enbrightenment facial at Atelier Salonspa, then continue to fade blotches and spots with your home care system. Call us for your appointment with our Aveda certified esthetician. 408-244-4222

Atelier Salonspa and Atelier Studio are doing their part to help with a fundraising campaign designed to make it easy for you to get involved.

The first way:  Make a $12 donation to the Global Greengrants fund and receive a FREE organic lavender Light the Way candle.

Second:  While you’re having a wonderful hair service, you can text a $5 donation to the number on the mirror signage, or purchase raffle tickets with cash or check made out to the Clean Water Fund.  Show us your text and receive a raffle ticket to have a chance to win some amazing gift baskets, and take a guess at how many plastic caps are in our recycling jar and win an Atelier gift card!

Third:  Aveda and the Bay Area Aveda Salon Network will host a Catwalk for Water ‘Trashion’ Show with a goal of raising $67,000 to benefit the Clean Water Fund and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. Local salons will create a look made from trash and other eco-friendly/recycled materials, complete with runway hair, makeup and styling. Atelier will enter two models and will have one minute to showcase their look, concept and materials on stage during the show. A panel of judges will vote for Best Hair and Makeup, Best “Trashion” Outfit and Best Overall Look at the end of the night.

The event is open to the public! To purchase tickets call Aveda at 1-800-283-3244. Tickets are $30 per person for 21 years old or older.  When placing your ticket order, let them know you are supporting Atelier!

Aveda Trashion Show
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Ruby Skye
420 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Starts at 8pm
(Doors open at 7pm)

Thanks for your support of clean water!

Featured Gift basket:

“From Stressed-Out Mom, to Relaxed and Calm” $90

Gift Set includes:

• Stress-fix bath salts 16 oz
• Stress-fix body lotion 6.7 fl oz
• Stress-fix balancing concentrate .24 fl oz

Experience the clinically-proven stress-relieving aroma of Aveda’s Stress-Fix.

Ecocert™ certified organic, with an Aroma infused with French lavender and clary sage from organic farms.

Includes a $10 VIP Atelier Gift Card for to use towards any service.

Gift packages: 

1.  Thanks, Mom

Give your Mom something back with a visit custom made for her.

An Atelier gift card is the perfect way to say,

“Mom, you did so much for me…take some time for yourself.”

In any denomination–our suggestions are:

$115 for a facial (gratuity included)

$55 for an Artist level haircut and Botanical Therapy Hair Treatment

$35 for a Sexy Hair Blowout (yes, your Mom is still a sexy woman!)

Ask us for more great ideas!

2.  Hot Momma!  $95

She’s a new Mom, but also a woman with needs.  Skin care needs.

Treat her to a refreshing and rejuvenating facial, where her skin will be pampered–while you treat the baby to a change of Pampers!

Add a Sexy Hair Blowout to the appointment for just an additional $35.

3.  Honey, you deserve it  $95

Take her out for dinner on the Row with a $50 Santana Row gift card, but first, bring her to us.  We’ll wave our magic wands and work our makeup and hair magic on your special gal with an Aveda makeup application and Sexy Hair Blowout.  She’ll get to take home a purse-sized hairspray, and spend $45 towards Aveda goodies to keep the magic alive even after the night is over.

4.  Mr. Mom  $55

Mothering comes from the heart, and isn’t always defined by gender.  If you’re celebrating Mother’s Day by honoring the Dad or man in your life, this is the gift package for you.

Treat him to an Atelier Artist haircut experience that starts out with our “Moment of Wellness”: a scalp massage with nourishing aromatherapy oils that will relax and soothe.  A precision haircut follows, with attention to detail,  Included in this gift package is a take-home set of Aveda Men Pure-formance Shampoo and Conditioner.

Come and get it…

You’ll love the new changes, we sure do.

We don’t want to spoil the surprise, so come by and visit to see how we look!