Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Ivy.
Melissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey from a stylist to a new mom and how I kept my passion strong through it all even 3 moves later.
Graduated with my BA in Communication from CSUN. Went on to Attend Paul Mitchell, started in Los Angeles, finished in Dallas (Carrollton) in 2007.
My first job was with Tangerine Salons (their 1st on is in Coppell) where I worked and assisted the owner,
Janet Hensley. They since have opened 5 locations, their latest in The Star.
Had my 1st baby in 2008 and moved to The Woodlands, TX for my husband’s job with 24 Hour Fitness.
From there, I assisted at Brian of London where I eventually went on the floor as a stylist.
Had my second baby and moved to Redondo Beach in 2012.
After my 3rd move since the start of doing hair, I found myself frustrated after having to start over and over again rebuilding a clientele. So, I decided to find a mentor who could keep me hungry to learn. That’s when I reached out to Vivienne Mackinder (major hairstylist) who taught me the art of razor cutting and editorial styling all through her courses online. Through her programs, I eventually was given the opportunity to assist her at a workshop in The Hamptons, which later led me to the opportunity to work with her for New York Fashion week for Malan Breton. I also did Malan Breton’s show for Fashion Week LA. Another opportunity I received through Vivienne was to assist her for Joico’s shoot for Salon Ideas looks in June of last year and then, assist Vivienne with teaching it at their Salon Ideas Gathering in February of this year.
This brings me to where I am at today. Another move last June to Frisco, TX. Again, for my husband’s job
It has been amazing because with all of my training with some of the best celebrity stylists in the industry, I feel I am able to offer Frisco a taste of what LA has to offer and bring it to North Dallas.
I now have a studio at Sola Salons in Little Elm on the border of Frisco.
Razor cutting, I believe is the new star of the show in hair cutting. Just the way balayage was to color. Both have been around a long time but are just now making waves.
My strengths are what some refer to as LivedIn Hair. I accomplish this through doing natural hair color that pops through foilayage technique (foils mixed with balayage) and razor haircuts that make the ends of hair easy to minipulate when styling and give it a customized feel. This type of look is designed to feel as if it was created and cut just for that person and their bone structure. I always say there are a million great pairs of jeans but you feel like a million bucks when you find the one that fits perfectly for you. That’s how I feel precision razor haircutting is. It compliments and enhances the person wearing it. Enhancing their facial features and bring out their natural beauty in the best way possible.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been tough.
I would say my journey from getting my BA to assisting, to becoming a new mom (twice) and 3 moves. How do you stay motivated through it all… how do you stay current and relevant. Most in this situation would move on to something else. But my passion got me through. So, the question is how do you not lose your passion!
#1. Struggle – You aren’t ready to go on the floor after hair school. Assist at the best salon you can get to. If you have to drive an hour, drive for an hour. If you have to fold towels and scrub 20 heads of hair a day do it. The amount of knowledge you will get from that is invaluable. I gave this advice to a friend in LA and she has now worked her way up to assisting the top celebrity colorist in Los Angeles, Tracy Cunningham owner of Meche. I guess my advice paid off
#2. If you are a new mom… which SO many women in the business have to take maternity leave don’t give up. There are so many options now of places you can work that can be more flexible to your schedule, you can even rent a suite with possibly another mom. Also, ask owners for what you want. Tell them the hours in which you are willing to work and be honest. Don’t say you can do more then you can just so you can get hired. It will only get you in a bind later on. With so many people going off to be independent these days commission salon owners or more willing to work with your schedule.
#3. Whenever you lose your passion and feel like you want to do something else, be sure it’s not just that you need to be reinspired. Over the course of 11 years, I’ve learned that so often all we need (other than a career change) is a little inspiration. Go to a hair show. BehindTheChair.com has one every year, always fun always a blast. This August, it’s in San Antonio. You can meet other like minded stylists from all over and be filled with energy and new information and techniques that will be sure to get you yearning to get back in the salon upon your return. So many times I’ve taken breaks and have come right back to hair only to realize I just needed to be reinspired.
#4. Stay Current – The beauty of our industry is that it is ever changing and ever evolving. We are part of making trends. Just like fashion changes from month to month so does hair. Make sure you read the latest fashion magazines and see what celebrities are wearing and how they are coloring their hair.
#5. Get a mentor – Wether you cut or do color or both, find a mentor. Someone who intrigues you. Someone who you really resonate with maybe not only in their techniques but by who they are as a person. With the internet and all the online courses being offered now we are almost bombarded with new techniques and ways to do things. It’s almost like do we need all of them and if not how do we choose which ones to do? I would say find someone who speaks to you and pulls on your heart strings. Get involved with what they have to offer, take their courses online and then in person. If you are persistant with them they will learn who you are and if you are passionate it could possibly lead to business opportunities with them.
#6. Do social media even if you don’t like it. You don’t have to be the best at it but do it anyways. This way when clients ask you for a look you can refer to other looks you have created in the past.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Gloss & Blow – what should we know?
I’m most proud of my razor cutting and glossing techniques. My ability to transform old school hair, (I call them 90’s highlights into beautiful sunkissed looks through a combination of foilayage and glosses. I come up with a haircolor system that has clients hair looking better longer spacing out their appointments farther out.
I’d love to talk about that transition happening in the industry right now!!! The transition from old haircolor into the new Balayage looks and why there is a gap in misunderstanding between clients expectations and the reality of what that process looks like in the salon.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Assist at the best salon possible and take your job seriously. It is one of the most important things you can do in your career and I believe it will make or break you.
Contact Info:
- Address: Gloss & Blow
2705 Little Elm Pkwy, 180-31
Little Elm, TX 75068 - Website: www.glossandblow.com
- Phone: 214-317-9593
- Email: melissaivy01@me.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbymelissaivy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glossandblow/
Image Credit:
Melissa Ivy
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