January - Stylist and Salon Newspapers

Challenge Yourself to Break the Routine and Grow Your Passion
By Damien Carney
Having a routine in both your professional
and personal life is important, but too
much of the same thing doesn’t keep your
energy flowing.
To keep my passion alive, I challenge
myself to break my routines in different ways.
I keep my creativity flowing by being
aware of my surroundings. Slow down just a
bit as you go about day-to-day activities and
observe what’s around you.
I turn to people, architecture, nature, objects
and the media for inspiration. Really look
at someone or something and “see” the shapes,
lines and irregularities. Beauty is all around
us – really open you eyes and mind.
I stay current with fashion and trends by
subscribing to a variety of hair and fashion
magazines. The desire to stay current will
keep you motivated. Remember fashion
changes so quickly that if you blink, you’ll
miss a decade. Use this information to
stimulate yourself and your clients. All types
of clients love to know what’s the “hot” new
thing and you need to be able to tell them.
Taking my observations, I then invest in
what I feel is the most imperative way to stay
passionate – continuing to learn.
I learn from my colleagues and students
every time I attend an event or teach. Invest
in yourself. Spend money to make money –
education, education and education. I take
what I learn technically and give it my own
spin using elements from my
observations.
To make education affordable,
I make a plan. Find what
works for you. For example,
save some of your tips to invest
in educational events at least
twice a year. Attend events
that motivate you to become
better, both professionally and
personally.
In today’s economy, we
all need to stay sharp and
focused to be competitive. I
have to do hair better than
ever before. I enhance my skills through
education at industry events and trade shows
such as the International Salon & Spa Expo
in Long Beach, Cosmoprof North America,
PBA Symposium, and the North American
Hairstyling Awards.
Seminars and classes from various media
outlets, distributors and the professional
associations are also great sources. I also turn
to websites, magazines and social media from
within and outside of the beauty industry for
ideas. The one thing I have learned is that if
I don’t make the time, it will never happen. I
always write down my plans and check them
off when done. I feel a sense of accomplishment
and confidence that
I pass on to my clients. We
are busy, but to be successful
you have to make the
time and invest in yourself.
Once you have attended
a show, go back
and experiment with what
you have learned. This will
keep you moving forward.
Sharpen your techniques
and the way you view
See Damien Carney at the International Salon
& Spa Expo (ISSE) Long Beach (Jan. 29 – 31,
2011) and Midwest (March 26 – 28) shows as
he emcee’s the International Fashion Theater.
things. It’s great to challenge yourself to
change a little bit of something when your
client sits in the chair.
Clients leave a stylist or salon because
they get “bored.” Don’t be afraid to mix it
up a little. Talk to clients about staying fresh.
They love it! Remember you’re the expert.
That’s why they’re coming to you and not
the salon next door. Also, don’t be afraid to
charge a little extra for the “new or special
technique” you’ve learned. This is another
way to cover your educational expenses.
Continually apply your new ideas and
techniques. There’s no point in learning, if
you don’t apply what you learned. Don’t slip
back into your routine ways of doing hair.
Keep your favorite elements of design, but
update them. Invigorate them with simple
changes.
Read and learn new ways of expressing
looks and trends or develop your own language.
That’s the sheer joy in being a stylist.
You can cultivate your own signature looks
and words to describe them. How fun!
When the wheel of education stops, it
can be difficult to restart, but not impossible.
Continually exercise your mind and your hair
skills regularly and then reap the rewards.
Learning something different can be
challenging, but when we master it with a bit
of practice, it becomes easier. Practice makes
perfect, and your passion will thrive with
your courage and confidence.
Damien Carney, celebrity stylist and International Creative Director, is one of
the most accomplished hairstylists in the industry today. For creative ideas
and educational events, visit Damien’s website at www.damiencarney.com
and follow him on Facebook.com
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2 | JANUARY 2011 | TEXAS STYLIST & SALON