6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
Ten Ways . . . to be Resilient in the Midst of Everything
Don't let a full day at the salon wring the life out of you. Give yourself the care you need and you'll thrive even on the most challenging of days.
by Ann Mincey
April 1, 2006
3 min to read
Begin the day in quiet contemplation of who you are. Listen to soothing music, read inspirational thoughts, or write three pages of anything that comes to your mind to clear the channels for creativity and communication with others.
Eat a sustainable, healthy breakfast and take time for an energy generating lunch. Take time to chew, too. After the meal, check your breath, hands, and clothing to guarantee no “left-over” odors prevail that could be off-putting to clients.
In between clients, take a deep-cleansing breath. Inhale and count to five; exhale and count to five. Inhale the thought of joy; exhale the thought of fear.
Stretch your limbs throughout the day. During a break, bend forward hanging like a rag doll allowing the weight of your head, arms, and torso to stretch your back and legs. Slowly return to a stance; clasp your hands and bring them over your head — stretch to the right, then to the left. Release your hands and return them to your sides in a powerful stance.
Stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle filled and nearby for continual hydration throughout the day.
To feel that “just out of the shower” freshness, keep a spritzer bottle filled with distilled water nearby. Spray the water into the air above your head and lift your face to capture as many of the water particles as possible.
Take a look in your mirror throughout the day to check your hair, makeup, clothes, and posture. The last client of the day deserves to see you at your fashionable and energetic best, just as the first client did. Over 57% of first impressions are made within four seconds and are based on appearance.
Enjoy the services you give to others. Make time for yourself and invest your finances in pampering services such as regular manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages.
When you have a break, a cancellation, or a space in your day, take a walk. The movement in the fresh air surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature gives a natural shift in perspective and clears your mind. At the beginning of the day, park your car further away from the door of the salon and walk.
In a quiet time, settle into a comfortable position, take a deep breath and ask your body, “What can I do for you?” Sit quietly. Listen for the response — an urge, a word, an image. Write it down and do what it tells you. Your body will love you for it.
– Ann Mincey is vice president of global communications for REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC. She is also the author of Get Glowing! You Are a Star Right Where You Are! a book and original music focused on individual significance and unconditional encouragement.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Wellness
The Invisible Hazard in Every Nail Salon and How to Fight It
From acrylic monomers to airborne bio-dust, the air inside a nail salon carries risks most professionals never see coming. Aerovex Systems reveals the source-capture and room-purification strategies that are setting a new standard for salon safety.
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
Nail Safety Council Warns Holiday Shoppers About Toxic 'Magic' Gel Polish Removers
Products marketed as 'magic' or 'burst' gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
How Beauty Pros Can Prevent Pain: Somatic Movement for Career Longevity
Working in beauty doesn’t have to hurt. Learn how Somatic Movement helps hairstylists, lash artists, and other beauty pros release tension, improve posture, and extend their careers.
Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks
As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.
Federal Research on Nail Salon Safety Concludes Due to Budget Reductions
A federal initiative aimed at studying chemical exposure in nail salons has ended due to staffing and budget changes. Here’s what the project set out to do—and what its conclusion means for salon professionals.
by Anne Moratto
Opinion: What You Need to Know About Pedicure Safety
For many people, a pedicure is a relaxing beauty ritual. But what most don’t realize is that this simple service, if done without proper hygiene and sanitation, can cause serious infections and long-term health issues.
Onycholysis: What Nail Pros Should Know About Nail Separation
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
What to Say--or Not Say--to Someone Grieving
Mckenzie Kool, Psychologist, MC, RPsych provides us with guidance on what may or not be helpful in speaking with someone who has suffered a significant loss.
Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections
Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).
Beauty Professionals, It's Time to Take the Green Pledge
As Earth Day approaches, The Green Beauty Community Foundation and the Green Spa Network invite beauty pros to step forward and embrace sustainability through the Green Pledge--a powerful initiative designed by and for beauty industry leaders.
How Not to Be Cynical About Valentine's Day
Don’t cancel Valentine’s Day altogether, urges Jill Palmquist. Instead, think of it as a (frilly, flowery, Champagne-bubbly) wake-up call to fall deeply in love with your own life.
Temporary Burnout or Time to Hang Up the Shears?
Life coach and Culture Ambassador of Sam Villa, Andrew Carruthers, outlines how to tell if your burnout is temporary - or if it's time to make a bigger career change.
Nail Care and Cancer Treatment: 6 Tips for a Safe Nail Service
Cancer treatment can create very specific challenges for your guest when it comes to hair, skin, and also nails. Here are some tips for working with your salon client who is going through cancer treatment to help you provide a relaxing, enjoyable, and also safe experience.
Sun Patch Protects Hands from Sun Damage
For those clients concerned about exposure from UV lamps, the Sun Patch might be a solution. Sun Patches are waterproof, reusable (up to 10 wears) block 98% of UVA/UVB rays, and maintain their UPF 50+ rating all day long.
by Anne Moratto
The Nail Doctor: Onycholysis, or Nail Separation, Has Different Varieties
One of the most common conditions that affects the nail is onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. Onycholysis occurs as a result of or along with a great variety of nail traumas and disorders. Probably the most common cause of onycholysis is a fungal infection of the nail.
Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity
Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.