Oversized

I’m super into this oversized tapered pant.  I first noticed them in the Asian fashion scene 3 or 4 years ago.  

At first glance I didn’t know what I was feeling, but I knew there was a tug at my strings, which usually means ‘this is something’.  Whether I like it or not, this is something. 

Now here we are, seeing them in all our local Urban Outfitters and online fashion stores like ASOS...

So what’s to learn from this?

1. Fashion, style, expression is personal.  It is individual.  It is interior. 

2. To move forward is to ‘pull strings’.  It is to change or shift the status quo... which often times, if not always, creates fear.

“One definition of fear: fear is simply believing the lie.”

The lie that you aren’t stylish, you can’t pull those pants off (literally/figuratively), moving forward is change, and change is bad.

Im here to tell you this, whatever the subject be: hair, clothing, skin, weight - you are an individual, a being, a soul, a creation.  You have the power to create, to move, to change.  

Now you may hate these pants, I get it, I'm still trying to decide as they're in my checkout bin on ASOS, but don't ever walk away from something that promotes growth.  I've had plenty of 'trial' haircuts and 'trial' outfits that just didnt feel right, but now I know and looking back, it pushed me in a direction.  

And that, my friends, is the meat and potatoes... sometimes the direction doesn't matter, as long as your moving.

Give it a try...

Cheers to you,

k

Google Gosling

What happens when you Google Gosling??

Its an interesting thing really.

1. He never shows his teeth while smiling.  Ever.  Look back at the google results... Ever.  Either he hates his teeth, or his publicist smartly recommended he'd be even more of the mysterious neighbor that every women would beg to know a bit more about.  Like does he have a dog or a cat?  Does he prefer red to white wine?  Would he hold my hand while watching Evil Genius on Netflix?  Not what this post is about, but an interesting side note nonetheless... Next time I cut his hair i'll ask him.
2. Other than the image of his hair shaved, in every photo he wears a part with a direction of style.  By parting and pushing the hair to the side vs wearing it straight forward with a faux hawk, it promotes that classic, masculine style, while tousling the hair for a bit of a younger feel.  

Some may say, well sure Kris, thats a simple thing. 

I agree, but as a professional, I notice this simple thing is rarely utilized when it is truly needed.  Its a refresher for some, a realization for others.

So Google Gosling and take some inspiration to your next cut or 'styling session' in the mirror.  

Cheers to you, 

D E A N ' S Q U I F F

“QUIFF
kwif

noun

BRITISH
a piece of hair, especially on a man, brushed upward and backward from the forehead.”

— Dictionary

Quiff. What a word...

Watching John Mayer's new music video for New Light this morning, I couldn't help but enjoy his manicured quiff.  Manicured quiff.  What a phrase...

It takes me to that world of Dean, that world of rugged masculinity, that world of man, motorcycles, strong, rough, I mow my own lawn while thinking of my '72 Barracuda.  

But lets break down this famous hairstyle.

First, its called "quiff"
Secondly, its a tapered, medium-length cut.  That length allows movement or change, its a length that allows 'bedhead' to be an actual haircut in itself.  

When I look at this cut, I see human error.

Wait, what???? Kris, are you telling me, that the cut that is my osmosis protein, is accepted and adored, because of its imperfection more than its perfection?  Its idolized because of its 'who cares' projection, more than its 'perfectly placed' perception?

yes, thats what im saying. 

You see, the element of human error produces the whimsical or soft or 'quiff-y' finish to it.  Its amazing to me how the softness and whimsical result of the quiff, is what promotes so much GQ attention.  Now of course, I know its James Dean, but still, lets enjoy the fact that the true foundation of the quiff is its balance.

Thats awesome.

This is why I do hair.
There is always more to the story of a haircut.  Lets dig...

Cheers to you... 

A N G L E S

Its a funny thing... Angles.

I just bought this new plant from FLWR here in Nashville, if you don't know, now you know.  Go. Tell Quinn + Alex I say whatta...  I got it because it reminded me of bonzai.  It reminded me of angles.  Ive always had this thing with angles: light posts/electrical wires/branches/stems.  I think it comes down to movement; the journey.  I love when my eyes start at a given point, then they're forced to follow something, then stop, then continue, then stop, then maybe go backwards, then stop, then move forward.  

To me, thats called interest.

So what is interest?  Its looking, continuing to look, moving to look more, following a line, stopping, looking.

Art is this.  Hair is this.  

So next style, next cut, next conversation with your stylist/barber... lets talk about interest, lets talk about angles. You never know what new branch is hiding behind the angle you're looking.

Cheers to you,

Dreamin'

BDD
b l o w  d r y  d r e a m i n '

We all expect greatness to come flying out of our fingertips like Zeus and his lightning.  Doesn't matter what we're doing or working on, today, right now, a couple seconds ago, must be great.

What if I were to tell you that if you have been a client of mine for more than two haircuts, that the previous haircut, was not as good as the most recent one.  Or even: the previous haircut was better than this most recent one!!!??

WHAT?  (all sales final)

Craft is malleable.  Hope is malleable.  Dreams are malleable.  I'm not a robot.  Now I know what youre thinking, "kris, youre so good at hair, are you sure youre not a robot?".  I understand that thinking completely, but im sorry, no, im not a robot.  

What i am..... am....., is an artist who practices, a human continuing to learn a process.  Just like you... (you don't know me)

The blowdryer is a tool that I highly recommend for most of my clients.  If you have short to short-mediumish length hair its essential.  AndrewDoesHair is a stylist out in California with his own product line, blah blah blah, but ive always been a fan of his slogan, "good hair doesn't come from a jar".

Brilliant.

Good hair comes from a process, a practice, a dream, and of course, a jar of something to help hold that beauty together.  

The problem is the blowdryer can be tricky, cumbersome, old-school, pathetic, ya right, no way, and a nuisance for many people who have never used one or even looked at one for longer than 3 seconds.  

"I'm here to say, the blow dryer is possibly the most important
tool and process in your hairstyling process."  -me

Damn it kris. 

I know i know.  

So where can we start?

1. Get yourself a blow dryer, here are three 'beginner' blow dryers at a reasonable price:
 

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Babyliss Pro Ceramic Xtreme

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Nano Titanium by Babyliss Pro

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Conair 1875

2. Watch my video on how to blow-dry your hair.  Click Here.
 

3. Write me a letter of gratitude and wonder to:
The Yellow House Salon 1104 Forrest Ave. Nashville, TN 37206

Theres a lot of science behind why the blowdryer works, and typically i explain it to my clients, its not happening right now through my fingers for some reason, if you really want to know get at me.  Just know its a process that takes a bit of practice, i was in the same boat as you 24 years ago... i know, i was destined.

So, if you don't trust me, fine, but you should, why?  

"The blow dryer has completely changed the game with my hair." - Mike D
"How have I never known that this one tool makes my hair exactly the way I want it?" - Jeremy H
"At first I was like, 'no way', but after the 2nd or 3rd try, I'll never be going back." - Chris C

Woah, testimonials in a blog?  woof.

Well woof is right, cuz its real and you should know it.

I know youre feeling the pressure, the sting behind the eyes, the wonder, the question.... could this be it?

My answer to you is, maybe.  But most likely.

So get on your way and start blow dry dreamin'.  Youre facebook profile pic will thank you later.

Cheers to you, cheers to life, thats what up

K