A Closer Look at Shandy's Faves

As you you've already heard, Shandy is our featured stylist of the month- and with that comes featured products. These products were specifically chosen as her two favorites and for the month of December, and we are offering them at buy one get one half off! Now we just need to familiarize you with them, so you can see why they would be perfect to amp up your holiday (or everyday) hairstyles!

The products are Morrocanoil Hairsprays (Medium&Strong) and Root Boost. Both come from the luxury line MoroccanOil, which we very proudly carry in its entirety!

I had Shandy answer  couple of questions to further explain why these are here preferred products.

Q: What is it about the Morrocanoil Hairsprays and the Root Boost that stands out to you the most, and why should someone purchase them?
A: "The hairsprays and the root boost are great products for the person who doesn't like to feel products in their hair. The hairsprays are made to be buildable, so if you want a light hold just do a light mist once or twice. If you want something a little stronger, you just spray on a few more coats. With the root boost, it gives you great volume, especially if you're blow drying your hair upside down. People should by the products because they do exactly what they say they say they will do while still allowing your hair to feel like hair."

                                

Q: La Brezzas are your fave service to provide, could you explain what would be the ideal occasion for coming in to get one? And explain each style and what it would go with best.

A: "I couldn't tell you how many times people tell us they wish we could come to their homes every morning to do their hair. La Brezzas give people the chance to have their hair done for that special occasion-like the baby shower or bridal shower, or even something every day; like a woman with arthritis who has trouble styling her own hair. Either way, they can come get their hair styled, and leave feeling gorgeous.

There are four styles of La Brezza and each one can be adapted to meet your needs:

The Milano is our signature style. This is our big, voluminous style that is done with the round brush. This would be the perfect hairstyle for a guest going to a daytime wedding.

The Firenze is our completely straight style. This look is perfect for our curly haired girls who want that changed up look without spending hours trying to do it themselves.

The Napoli is our big, curly style. This style would be perfect for that girls' night out, when you want to look fun and flirty.

Last, but not least, is my personal favorite: The Portofino. This look is our loose, carefree, beach wave look. This look could really take you anywhere, from your sister's baby shower to that date night with hubby"

There you have it: we now know more about the products and you have been given an idea on just when you could possibly need La Brezza services! (from the looks of it, I'd say any excuse is a good one) No matter what the occasion, you should take full advantage of our sweet December deals on these products and La Brezza.

After all....'Tis The Season to be jolly (and beautiful)

Moroccanoil's Hairsprays and Root Boost: BOGO 1/2 Off

Any La Brezza Service with Shandy: $10 Off

Call La Bella to book your next La Brezza Service with Shandy: (804)285-2490

Featured Stylist of the Month: Shandy

Here at La Bella, we like to consider our salon an intimate, yet upscale environment in which we take pride in personalizing the experience for each and every one of our unique and beautiful clients. Not only that, we are also an extremely tight-knit, family-like group who embraces each other for our own special talents, personalities, and style... after all, each one of us contributes a special ingredient to the recipe that is the La Bella Hair Studio Experience! Month by month we will be featuring a different hairstylist to offer you the opportunity to get to know us better, and to give us the opportunity to shine one by one!

The Featured Stylist of the Month for December is....

Shandy!!

Shandy is our newest team member! Though she started out on the track toward a career in accounting, Shandy stumbled upon her love of cosmetology while doing her cousin’s hair & makeup for special occasions. She attended Empire Beauty School and received her cosmetology license in January 2013. As one of our Junior Stylists, she underwent La Bella’s training program when she started here while assisting her fellow stylist and building a committed clientele. She has been a natural at getting to know & working with La Bella’s great team and awesome clients, and we have been very lucky to have her as part of our family.

Q: How long have you been in the industry?

I have had my license since January 2013.

Q: What is your favorite service to preform, and why? 

I love doing La Brezzas. It's so fun to have a client come in, who is just taking the time to pamper themselves. Sometimes it's for a special occasion. Other times, it's just for the fun of it. The other week I even had a client come in for a costume party. It is just so fun to see the confidence that comes from someone getting their hair professionally styled.

Q: What are your two favorite products, and why? 

I absolutely love the MoroccanOil Hairsprays and the Root Boost.

I love that the hairsprays are designed to be applied in layers, so that you don't get that super sticky, 80s feel when it's applied. Your hair still feels like hair. I like the Root boost for the same reason. It has great hold and really gives amazing volume, but the hair doesn't feel like there is a ton of product in it.

Q: How would you describe your personal style/niche? 

Country Chic, like Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert ....I love dressing up when the occasion calls for it, but on my down days, I live in jeans and t-shirts.

Q:What is your number one beauty tip? 

Always take good care of your skin and hair! Drink water, take vitamins, take your make up off before bed! Any new hair style or make up look will only look as good as the skin/hair that is underneath it!

Q: What is your favorite quote?

"Never Give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." - Earl Nightingale

As always, we each had something special to say about Shandy--

Susannah: "Shandy is fantastic. She's eager to learn and quick to pick up new techniques! She's always pushing herself to learn something new. In addition, she's extremely helpful and reliable as a team member. I love working with her!"

Eric-Michael: "From the day I met Shandy I realized she had a hunger for knowledge and desire to work like none I've seen in a long time. It's because of that and her ability to be down to earth sweet and heartfelt with everyone she meets. It is because of those qualities that she has become an important member of our team. I see a very bright future for this young person and wish her all the luck in every endeavor she undertakes."

Jessie: "If you've had the pleasure of meeting Shandy, then you already know she is one of the sweetest people on earth! Along with a kind heart she is also generous, passionate about her work, and savvy. I love that Shandy is always seeking to learn and staying up to date with what is going on in our industry. Her desire to grow and compassionate attitude make her an imperative part of our team. I truly enjoy having her work at La Bella!"

Sarah: "Shandy has an amazing thirst for knowledge. She's always looking for new opportunities to explore her field further as well as take on new techniques in hair and makeup. She's also a kind and patient person with her clients and friends. What makes her a great friend and stylist is her ability to listen and really relate to people. Her country charm makes her really accessible as a person and makes her clients feel easy in her chair."

Shanti: "There are so many wonderful/special things to say about Shandy, I don't even know where to start. She is by far the most motivated person in our industry I have seen in years, and it is extremely inspiring to see her eagerness to be the best at anything she can. Not only does she go above and beyond with her work, she spends her down time researching the latest trends and techniques...Seriously, if you catch her at anytime she is not on her feet I can guarantee she is watching a Youtube video of some sort of new hair or makeup technique! She takes pride in her work, isn't afraid to ask for help, and in turn is always offering a helping hand. She has such a humbling personality which is nothing short of genuine sincerity, empathy, and there is not an ounce of judgement exuding from her. She is somebody we are all privileged to know and work with, and I have just loved being around her!"

We love you Shandy!

To celebrate Shandy's success and reign of Stylist of the Month, we are offering deals on her featured products and services for the month of December only!

For the month of  December we are offering either of the Morrocanoil Hairsprays at BOGO 1/2 off (that's buy one get one half off in any combination)

Also during this month only we are offering any of the La Brezza services with Shandy at $10 off ($25)! What better time of the year to have such a deal, than the holiday season- when you are sure to have holiday parties, family photos, and dinners to attend!

Call La Bella to book your La Brezza with Shandy today: (804)285-2490

La Bella Featured Employee of the Month: Sarah

Here at La Bella, we like to consider our salon an intimate, yet upscale environment in which we take pride in personalizing the experience for each and every one of our unique and beautiful clients. Not only that, we are also an extremely tight-knit, family-like group who embraces each other for our own special talents, personalities, and style... after all, each one of us contributes a special ingredient to the recipe that is the La Bella Hair Studio Experience! Month by month we will be featuring a different hairstylist to offer you the opportunity to get to know us better, and to give us the opportunity to shine one by one!

The Featured Employee of the Month for November is....

Sarah!

Sarah is the administrative assistant/receptionist here at La Bella- many of you know her well, as she has a way of connecting with each and every one of our clients with the truest sincerity. What you may not know about her is: she graduated from VCU with a B.S. in Psychology, a field she is very passionate about (makes sense when you consider her uncanny personalized attention for ALL of us). She plans to continue her education and pursue a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.

She enjoys working with La Bella’s clientele and working so closely with cosmetology. The feeling is completely mutual!

Q: How long have you been in the industry?
A. About a year- La Bella has been my first foray into the beauty industry!

Q: What is your favorite service, and why? 

A. I love helping clients buy products. I enjoy the challenge of helping assess hair problems and finding a good product solution!

Q: What are your two favorite products, and why? 

A. Currently, my favorite products are UNITE's Session Whip and Go365 hairspray. The Session Whip is a great base for volume and the Go365 lets me choose how much hold I want/need. 

Q: How would you describe your personal style/niche?
A. My style, for a girl, is really simple! I like clean, classic lines in my clothing and tend to gravitate towards a neutral look with just a pop of color- usually in my jewelry! I like a natural look which translates to my hair and makeup choices too.

Q:What is your number one beauty tip? 
A. ALWAYS MOISTURIZE. It's a simple rule but your face will thank you for using an SPF and a simple moisturizer later in life!

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A. "There will come a time when you believe that everything is finished. That will be the beginning." Always try to embrace change, it's just the next chapter of your life.

Let me share with you some of the awesome things our team members had to say about Sarah--

Susannah: "Sarah so quickly and seamlessly became a part of our team when she joined us last year. She's so easy to work with! She's considerate, thoughtful, creative, and a lot of fun to be around."

Shandy: "Sarah is an excellent receptionist and friend. She stays on top of all the day-to-day tasks of the salon to make sure that the stylists are taken care of. She also genuinely cares about the clients and wants to give them the best experience possible, from their first phone call or email to their checkout. Above all, she is a great friend, who is always ready to listen and give advice."

Shanti: "It has been a pleasure getting to know Sarah. I really can appreciate her special way of dealing with each and every client as an individual. The way she remembers tiny details about each and every one of them really sets her apart in my book, because that kind attention to detail is hard to find. She is very considerate when booking clients, making sure to accommodate as much as possible, while still making sure the stylist is well aware of each circumstance! She is a fun person to be around and have a good laugh with!"

Eric-Michael: "Sarah is funny, sweet, and kind-hearted. She is always willing to help out in a pinch. It is so important to get to know our clients on a more personal level, and I really appreciate that she takes that to heart and truly takes the time to ask them how they are doing, or how their vacation was. It has been great having her on the team."

Jessie: "It's great that Sarah's bright and bubbly face is the first you see when you walk in the door at La Bella! She is my right hand man and keeps me straight 99% of the time. I can't tell you how many compliments I hear everyday from our guests who commend her on her positivity, helpfulness, and professionalism. It speaks more volume coming from you that I could even say myself!"

I think we are all in agreement that Sarah is such a great asset to the team! 

As a big thank you to our clients from the La Bella team, we are offering some specials this month on Sarah's favorite products and a gift card special!

For the month of November, buy one Gift Card and get the second of Equal or Lesser Value for 1/2 OFF!**Original Gift Card must be at least $50 value to qualify for deal

AND... Sarah's favorite products, UNITE's Session Whip mousse and Go365 hairsprayl, are also Buy One Get One Half Off for the month of November! This deal applies to the purchase of one of each product OR two of one product. Drop by today to pick up your products and gift card before these deals are over!

Call La Bella Hair Studio to book your next appointment today! (804)285-2490

A Closer Look as Jessie's Fave Products

As you you've already heard, Jessie is our featured stylist of the month- and with that comes featured products. These products were specifically chosen as her two favorites and for the month of October, we are offering them at buy one get one half off! Now we just need to familiarize you with them, so you can decide whether or not they are as perf for you as they are for her.

The products are MoroccanOil Volumizing Mousse and Curl Defining Cream. Both come from the luxury line MoroccanOil, which we are very pleased to announce we carry in its entirety! 

I had Jessie explain to us, in her own words, what sets these two apart.

Q: What about the Volumizing Mousse and Curl Defining Cream make them so unique, you qualify as your favorite products?

A: "I love the fact that the Volumizing Mousse gives your hair an incredible amount of volume and you can barely feel it in your hair!  The Volumizing Mouse has "memory" which means that it will "remember" so to speak that you are styling to get height (ie. round brushing) but it doesn't have that tacky hold feeling. The great thing about this product is that it is extremely versatile too.  You can put it in your hair when wet and blow dry as usual but you can also finger dry your hair and add more in before you round brush.  You can also add some into your hair when is is dry (say, second day hair) and blow-dry it in to fluff up your flattened locks.  The other great thing about this being so light is that you can also use it in curly hair...which I would normally say to sty away from mouses if you have curl, because no one wants that 90's crunchy hair, but since the Volumizing Mousse is so light weight you can add it right in to your regular use."  

Volumizing Mousse

The Curl Defining Cream has the same curl memory factor as the Volumizing Mousse but it offers an intense amount of moisture. It controls frizz for an extended amount of time. Just like the Mousse you can also layer this with itself and other products (one of the great qualities about most of the Morroccan Oil products!). I will put it in wet out of the shower and then add a little more before I defuse my hair.  And on the occasion that I over dry my hair I will just scrunch in a little more and run out of the door.  It offers optimal hold with movement so you don't feel stiff.  A must try for Curly Girls!

Curl Defining Cream

Q: Styling Curly hair is your favorite service, what are 5 tips you would offer to any lady with curly hair?

A: "1. Use an old t-shirt instead of a towel when you get out of the shower.  The terry cloth will over dry your hair.  Switching to a shirt will really tame your frizz. Life changing for anyone with dry or curly hair!

2. Use pins to clip up the top of your hair when it is wet. Just clip them in at the base to add extra lift and simply let air dry.

3. The more you touch your hair the bigger it gets! So if you feel like your hair is getting a little limp just scrunch the top of your hair and leave the ends out of your hands.

4. Condition your hair! Curly hair tends to be drier so you need to do deep conditioners more often and use cremes so that your hair continues to get conditioned throughou the day.

5. Don't wash your hair every day! I understand your hair can look crazy when you wake up but like I said curly girls' hair is drier, so the more you wash it the drier it will get.  Try just rinsing your hair in the shower and conditioning so you don't strip out your natural oils." 

Figure out your curl type! (See below)

**There you have it: we now know more about the products and you have been given a "how to" from the Curly Queen herself! No matter what you hair texture, you can still take full advantage of our sweet October deals on these products and a special service!

Moroccanoil's Volumizing Mousse and Curl Defining Creamm: BOGO 1/2 Off

Any Moroccanoil Deep Conditioning Treatment: 20% Off

Featured Stylist of the Month: Jessie

Here at La Bella, we like to consider our salon an intimate, yet upscale environment in which we take pride in personalizing the experience for each and every one of our unique and beautiful clients. Not only that, we are also an extremely tight-knit, family-like group who embraces each other for our own special talents, personalities, and style... after all, each one of us contributes a special ingredient to the recipe that is the La Bella Hair Studio Experience! Month by month we will be featuring a different hairstylist to offer you the opportunity to get to know us better, and to give us the opportunity to shine one by one!

The Featured Stylist for the month of October is....

Jessie!!

Jessie is our Senior Stylist....and none-other than the owner/founder of La Bella Hair Studio! She completed an apprenticeship program in Richmond and went on to become the program educator at one of the top salons in the Richmond area. She also has spent time training in places such as Italy, Florida, New York, and California! Jessie opened La Bella Hair Studio in March 2006 and has gone on to become very involved in the community and in fund raising for such causes as Veronica’s Voice Fund and Locks of Love. On top of it all, in 2011 Jessie was named one of Style Weekly’s “Top 40 Under 40”....Basically, she's amazing (and I'm not just saying that because she's my boss)

Q: How long have you been in the industry?

A: "Since I was 18....so 2 years! Ha- hard to believe it has almost been 11 years. If you don't count all the years of doing my friend's hair in the kitchen before I really knew what I was doing....Geek."

Q: What is your favorite service to perform, and why?

A:"Curly hair. I think because I have naturally curly hair I love to show people how to use what they have to its full potential. It is amazing to see someone accept their curl or realize they can actually let their hair air dry. It's all about working with what you have."
(I've seen what the lady can do with curls-amaze!)

Q: What are your two favorite products, and why?

A: Moroccanoil's Volumizing Mousse and Curl Defining Cream. The Volumizing Mousse is such a great product, it's not heavy, extremely light weight, and gives your hair an explosion of volume. The Curl Defining Cream is perfect for the curly haired ladies who are looking for great hold, without the 90's wet-look/crunch. And a bonus for both is they have a subtle yet alluring scent, making them that much more appealing. 

Q: How would you describe your personal style/niche?

A: "Classically modern- I have a great appreciation for classic fashion (Icon: Audrey Hepburn) but I prefer a modern flare. I tend to do something trendy in a black/neutral color, or a bright color but classic structure. I can appreciate fashion in every sense of the word, but for me I need a little more structure. That's why my take is a twist on something simple."

Q: What is your number one beauty tip?

A:"Try something new. I love changing something so small like switching your part, adding a lowlight, or trying a new product- these small things can give you a boost that can totally lift your spirit and change your look just enough to make you feel more uplifted 

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: "Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you've always imagined." and "Know what? B*tches get stuff done"-Tina Fey

^Those quotes are absolutely fabulous, but I have a feeling that after she reads the following quotes from her admiring employees/team mates she may have a new fave!

Shandy Myers: "Jessie is the kind of stylist I aspire to be. She truly cares about her clients and seeks to give them the best possible style that fits their lifestyle. She seeks perfection in her work and isn't happy until she truly feels the cut and color are perfect. This makes her a wonderful stylist and a great person to learn from."

Sarah Ditulli: "Jessie is inspiring in her passion for hair and great service, but she also has a really good way of turning situations into usable, constructive experiences. Those abilities are what make her a great hairstylist as well as a great business woman."

Susannah Craft: "Jessie is not only the most grounded and fair boss I've ever had, she's also an incredible stylist. She has a gift for tuning into the client in her chair and creating a color, cut, or style that is perfect for that person. She takes everything into consideration so that the client is as happy as possible not just when she walks out of the salon, but also everyday when she styles her hair. I only hope I can grow into the kind of stylist Jessie is!"

Shanti Lynn: "Working with/for Jessie has been such a privilege. Before I ever knew her, I was inspired by her story and knew I had to meet her.  I never knew it was possible to have an employer you have the utmost respect for, but at the same time genuinely feel a connection on a stronger level- like close friends or even family. That is exactly how it has felt knowing her-- You know not to mess with her and want to make her proud, but you can poke fun with her and make jokes because she has a way of making everyone feel like her friend! She has the perfect balance of every responsibility in her life and it shows everyday. Her understanding for the importance of family is equally as special as her personalized relationships with her clients. Not to mention she is an amazing stylist who I am so happy to work for!! I can wholeheartedly say Jessie is the best boss I have ever worked for."

Happy Hair Stylist of the Month to our fave boss everrr!!!

As a special thanks to each and everyone of you from Jessie and the La Bella Team: we are offering a couple of awesome deals during the month of October, inspired by her preferred products and services!

For the month of October: Moroccanoil's Volumizing Mousse and Curl Defining Cream are Buy one get one half-off (in any combination of the 2.)

And we know you curly hair ladies are suffering from post-summer-dry-hair-blues, come in and receive 20% off either of the Moroccanoil Hydrating Masks or The Restorative Treatment Mask to say good-bye to those brittle ends! (That goes for you straight or wavy hair ladies too, we ALL could use a post-summer treatment!)

Call La Bella Today and book your next treatment today! (804)285-2490

Balayage Highlighting with Susannah

**Guest post by our Featured Stylist of the Month, Social Media Director, and beauty blogger at A Greater Gorgeous, Susannah Craft**

Heyo! Susannah here again. I thought last month would be the end of my time as a guest blogger, but as it turns out, I'm this month's featured stylist and I'm here to tell you about my favorite service, balayage highlighting!

Okay, first of all, I know you're all asking yourselves how to even pronounce the word: it's bah-lee-ahge, that's a soft g. It comes from the French word for "sweep", so we like to get fancy and pronounce it the way it's supposed to be pronounced. Sometimes you'll see it written "balyage" or "baliage," too. For our purposes, we're going to call it balayage.

So what is balayage highlighting? To put it simply, it's a highlighting technique in which you freehand-paint the highlights onto the hair instead of using foils (or the dreaded highlighting cap -- run as fast as you can). It allows your stylist to be more creative & precise with highlight placement, and to give you a more customized look.

The results end up being a more natural-looking highlight; more sunkissed than highlighted. You know how kids get those amazing highlights from spending all that time outside in the summer time, and then over the course of the fall & winter they start to grow out and look even more amazing? That's what balayage highlighting imitates. And that's why it's my favorite service! It's such a beautiful, natural look. It brightens you up without making you look over-processed.

Want to see some examples?

Gorgeous, right?? Giselle is known for being the first major celebrity to sport this grown-out-highlights look, and she rocks it well, don't you think?

So who is balayage highlighting good for? As you can probably see from the photos, balayage highlighting -- in the pursuit to create a more natural look -- leaves a little bit more root showing than your typical foil highlights, so balayage is great for the woman who isn't afraid to see a little bit of her natural hair color. And guess what? That means that as the highlights grow out, you don't get an obvious line of roots vs. highlights, allowing you to go longer between your appointments. This is a great service for low-maintenance and budget-conscious ladies.

Think you might be interested? Balayage highlights are 20% off with me, this month only! Give us a call at (804) 285-2490 or visit mylabella.com to book an appointment. If you're still not sure, at the very least we can have a consultation and talk about what you have in mind!

I look forward to seeing you!

Susannah

Featured Stylist of the Month: Susannah

Here at La Bella, we like to consider our salon an intimate, yet upscale environment in which we take pride in personalizing the experience for each and every one of our unique and beautiful clients. Not only that, we are also an extremely tight-knit, family-like group who embraces each other for our own special talents, personalities, and style... after all, each one of us contributes a special ingredient to the recipe that is the La Bella Hair Studio Experience! Month by month we will be featuring a different hairstylist to offer you the opportunity to get to know us better, and to give us the opportunity to shine one by one!

The Featured Stylist for the month of September is....

Susannah!

After graduating from JMU, Susannah completed her apprenticeship at La Bella and is now a Junior Stylist. She has a wide range of interests that have led her to a focus in cosmetology. In addition to being a stylist, she is a beauty blogger at agreatergorgeous.com, and has created her own line of natural lip balms (available at La Bella and online). Susannah’s focus as a stylist is to help clients feel as gorgeous as they can, whether that be through helping them create a new look for themselves or through helping them embrace their natural beauty!


Q: How long have you been in the industry?

A: I've been licensed since March of this year, but since I completed my apprenticeship at La Bella, I've been doing hair here since the summer of 2011.

Q: What is your favorite service to perform, and why?

A:I love to do balayage highlights! They're different from traditional foil highlights because they're painted on in a more free-form way, and the result is much more natural and sun-kissed. Since this technique leaves more root showing and creates an uneven line of highlights, it's perfect for people who want low-maintenance (or low-budget!) highlights. You can go up to 12 weeks between highlights because they grow out in such a natural way!

Q: What are your two favorite products, and why?

A: First is Schwarzkopf's Thrill, which I always use on my male clients who want a little style in their hair without looking like they've got product in. It's a perfect amount of hold, and it's not shiny. Second is UNITE's Blow & Set, which is a miracle for women with hair that resists being styled. I grew up with fine, stick-straight hair, and curling my hair was never worth the effort -- the curls would fall out within an hour or two. But once I found Blow & Set, I could curl my hair and it would still be curly at the end of the day! It's like magic - and it's so light, you can't feel it in your hair.

Q: How would you describe your personal style/niche?

A: I've always been simple and feminine in the way that I dress. Classy, without being preppy. But I love to throw in something bold, like a head scarf or false eyelashes! Simple is good, but it's always fun to try new things. 

Q: What is your number one beauty tip?

A: Don't be afraid to try something new, whether it be a hairstyle or makeup look. At first you may feel like it looks strange, but that immediate reaction is usually based on seeing yourself looking so different. Give it 15 minutes, and I guarantee you'll feel like you look totally normal - and you'll get tons of compliments!

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: "Real style is never right or wrong. It's a matter of being yourself on purpose." G. Bruce Boyer

Now that you know a little more about Susannah, let's see what our team mates had to say about her:

Shandy Myers: " I admire Susannah's passion for the industry. Through everything from her blog to classes, she is always looking for the latest trends and techniques to share with those around her. The best part is that she actually teaches her clients to recreate the trends at home. Overall, she is an awesome stylist, who is dedicated to her clients truly feeling La Bella's motto!"

Sarah Ditulli: "Susannah is a really thorough and careful stylist. She takes a lot of care in developing and evolving her own personal style. I also love that she takes a long time to consult with her clients and really takes pride in giving them exactly what they are looking for!"

Jessie Menz-Crenshaw: "It has been awesome to see Susannah grow and to see her enthusiasm for the beauty industry expand. She started as a receptionist at La Bella and went on to become an apprentice. She is now a Junior Stylist as well as our Media Director, and has created her own beauty blog. She has a great natural artistic ability to make her clients look beautiful and also help people feel beautiful. She is always giving people tips to do simple tricks at home to keep up their style. Her young raw talent and excitement to learn has been an inspiration to our team and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her!"

Eric-Michael Steward: "I have known Susannah but a little time but I find her enthusiasm and desire to learn about the industry infectious and inspiring, not to mention that she always brings good snacks."

Shanti Lynn (Me): "Susannah has an eye for things many people may overlook- I believe that stems from her passion and drive to achieve perfection with each and everyone of her clients. She is never afraid to ask questions when in doubt, and her receptive quality to any information is uncanny. She has a way of making you feel extremely comfortable opening up to her and trusting her abilities without doubt, and a lot of that is the confidence she exudes on a daily basis! I have loved getting to see her evolve into her own style and know she can and will go far in this industry."

Congrats Suse, and Happy Hair Stylist of the Month to you! 

As a big thank you to each and everyone of you from Susannah and the La Bella team were are offering you a couple of awesome deals during the month of September, inspired by her preferred products and services!

For the month of September the Thrill and Blow & Set are buy one get one half off (in any combination of the two)

Trying to get your hair back to a more natural or "fall friendly" color for the fall? Or just simply want to try something new? Come in and get the balayage technique with Susannah during the month of September for 20% off!

Call La Bella today to book your next appointment: (804)285-2490

Bonus: Fun Facts about Shanti!

**Guest blog from our social media director and beauty blogger over at A Greater Gorgeous, Susannah Craft**

Unfortunately, Shanti's reign as featured stylist of the month is almost done (and so, therefore, is my reign as La Bella guest blogger!).

One of the biggest reasons we started featuring one of our stylists every month is to allow you, the client, to get to know us each more personally - even if you don't see us to get your hair done! With that in mind, the first blog of the month was intended to highlight Shanti's history as a hairstylist; the second, to highlight Shanti's favorite products; and now, the third, to tell you the fun stuff that you would probably never ask her. Or anybody. Because they're just not the kind of questions that come up in normal, non-hairstylist conversation. :)

If you follow us on Facebook, we've had fun facts about Shanti throughout the month -- but here are some extras!

Who are your style icons? Dita Von Teese, Kat Von D, and Bettie Page

What's your least favorite haircut? Somehow I'm having a difficult time choosing between the mullet and the Kate Gosselin... for obvious reasons.

What's your favorite haircut? Any precision bob with hidden layers throughout the interior - at least that's my favorite to do, I don't think I could pick just one of all time.

What hair color have you always wanted but never tried? Platinum blonde... I'm a closet blonde but could never pull it off so it'll never be attempted. I just live vicariously through my blonde clients.

Who would you choose to be your personal designer if you had an unlimited budget? Not to be redundant but Dita Von Teese has designed throwback dresses and I absolutely love her style! She is all around flawless and inspiring.

Which celeb always has great hair? Kim Kardashian always has amazing hair, and David Beckham never disappoints. He is constantly setting trends for men everywhere.

What was your favorite hair decade? The 60's

Who is your favorite stylist of all time? Vidal Sassoon

What would be your dream event to do hair for? The Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows!! The hair is always jaw dropping and it would be such a dream come true to have a part in it.

If you could "hair" study abroad for an extended period of time, where and why? Probably Japan, because they are always doing so many futuristic things with fashion and the men are just as adventurous, it seems.


We're all sad to see Shanti's reign end, but on September 3rd, you'll find out who September's Featured Stylist of the Month is - as well as what we'll be offering at a discount next month!

A Closer Look at Moroccan Oil and Unite's Lazer Straight

As mentioned in our previous post, I (Shanti Lynn) am the featured stylist of the month at La Bella Hair Studio and with each featured stylist comes featured products--with amazing deals for you! In case you aren't familiar with Unite's Lazer Straight and Moroccanoil Treatment,  (or you just want to get to know them a little better) this will help you decide whether or not they are for you--and if so, hurry in and get them before the month of August is over!

Unite's Lazer Straight: Since the first time I ever was introduced to this product, I was in love. Unlike a lot of straightening aids, this one is great for any texture and thickness of hair. The first impression you get as soon as you put some in your hands is the delectable aroma that reminds you of cake batter. Warning: although you may be tempted to taste it, this product is not edible--yeah it smells that good. Once you get past the first smell, it's time to see and feel what it can do for you...and I promise you, it works wonders. On the bottle it reads "Lazer Straight: Relaxing Fluid" although it can hardly be characterized as a relaxer given that it's chemical free and it's benefits are solely for styling purposes: it's main job is to smooth down the cuticle, soften the hair, reduce the amount of curl making flat-ironing an easier feat, enhance a weightless shine, and block out humidity making your sleek 'do last until your next shampoo (hence the name "Relaxing Fluid") But what's in it that sets it apart from all of the other straightening aids? Lazer Straight is fully equipped with UV filters, heat protectors, and color-locking antioxidant botanisil (extending the longevity of artificial or natural hair color and tones). Unite is also famous for what is NOT in their products, because that is almost more just as important as what's in it. Lazer Straight is free of sulfates, sodium chloride, MEA, DEA, glutens, and parabens making this product a perfect pairing for that Keratin Treatment you just got. Oh, and did I mention they DO NOT test on animals and all of their products are Vegan friendly? Seriously, this product is for anyone.
Just use a dime to nickel size amount depending on thickness of hair, rub it in your hands; and if you have a lower volume of curl start from mid-strand to ends, but if you're hair is overly curly you can go ahead and apply from root to ends. Comb it through your hair, continue by blow drying with a paddle brush to smooth it out, and finish with a flat iron for touch ups if necessary.

Moroccanoil Treatment: I consider this product liquid gold for it's amazing qualities and benefits for the hair. This is also a great product  for any hair texture or thickness. It's versatile, nourishing, and residue free formula is best used for conditioning as an overnight treatment, styling used on the hair wet, and finishing tool adding shine to already dry hair. It perfectly pairs with any product and can also speed up drying time by 40% making your life and styling routine that much easier. The way it works? It absorbs instantly to fill gaps created by heat, sun damage, styling, and environmental damage. It is known to completely transform and repair your hair--although you instantly feel a difference in your hair, over time the results get better and better--it transports lost proteins for strength. What's in it? Fatty acids, omega-3 oils/vitamins for shine,  and also contains antioxidants for protection. Basically, it works as food for the hair and instead of resting on the outside of the cuticle (which would weigh the hair down) it is absorbed into the hair creating weightless shine and giving your hair the opportunity to bounce back from everyday wear and tear.
A dime to nickel sized amount is also sufficient with the Moroccanoil Treatment. If using for styling: work it through the hair mid-strand to ends paired with your Lazer Straight other fave product and comb it through, followed by whatever styling method you have chosen. If you are using for finishing, a pea to dime sized amount is perfect: rub into hands and flip your already dry hair upside down working the product from the nape of the hair, to the front ends, ending with whatever is left over on your hands over your part. If you are using as a treatment overnight, a quarter sized amount is great: work it through root to ends, throw your hair up in a bun, and rinse out in the morning!

Both of these products alone are absolutely amazing in giving your hair extra shine to make it through the humid seasons, and add moisture and strength to make it through the drier seasons as well. Together they make the perfect combo to master that sleek look you have been working towards.

Come in La Bella today to take advantage of the August special we are having for the Lazer Straight and Moroccanoil. The special is as follows: BOGO half off...meaning buy one Lazer Straight-get another half off, buy one Moroccanoil Treatment-get another half off, or buy one Moroccanoil Treatment-get a Lazer Straight for half off. The last day to get this great deal is Saturday August 31st!

And don't forget: The Keratin Treatment is 20% off (when added onto another service) for the month of August as well. It's an amazing smoothing treatment that is chemical free, gets rid of frizz, and can reduce up to 80% of curl.
**Call La Bella to book your next (or first) Keratin Treatment: (804)285-2490

Featured Stylist of the Month: Shanti Lynn

**Guest blog by La Bella's Social Media Director and beauty blogger at A Greater Gorgeous, Susannah Craft**

Here at La Bella, we like to consider our salon an intimate, yet upscale environment in which we take pride in personalizing the experience for each and every one of our unique and beautiful clients. Not only that, we are also an extremely tight-knit, family-like group who embraces each other for our own special talents, personalities, and style... after all, each one of us contributes a special ingredient to the recipe that is the La Bella Hair Studio Experience! Month by month we will be featuring a different hairstylist to offer you the opportunity to get to know us better, and to give us the opportunity to shine one by one!

The Featured Stylist of the Month for August is....

Shanti Lynn!

Shanti is our associate stylist and Artistic Director, who decided to follow her passion of hairstyling when she began cosmetology school in 2005. After a year of school, she continued her education through an apprenticeship. She gained a vast knowledge through hands-on experience and went on to obtain her instructor license. She then began mentoring and educating students.

Shanti has expanded her knowledge through many local classes and studied in New York. She has attended a wide range of product classes including Bumble and bumble, Wella, UNITE, and Schwarzkopf, and she has styled for fashion shows, photo shoots & movie trailers. She specializes in the dry cutting technique, has a passion for color, and loves doing up-dos for any occasion!

Let's get to know her better!

Q: How long have you been in the industry?

A: 8 years

Q: What is your favorite service to preform, and why? 

A: The Keratin Treatment, both the full treatment and the Blowout Express. Not only is the Keratin Treatment known to potentially reduce curl by up to 80%, it also reduces all frizz and strengthens the hair by reconstructing the keratin protein-  this creates more shine and versatility in the hair. It is also chemical free and safe with color which makes the Keratin treatment a girl's secret weapon for summertime humidity!

Q: What are your two favorite products, and why? 

A: UNITE's Lazer Straight and Moroccan Oil treatment. Lazer Straight is a perfect product to compliment a Keratin Treatment (and any hair for that matter) by relaxing the hair temporarily with smoothing agents and silicone shine which reduces frizz for a polished finish. It also contains UV filters, heat protectors, and has color locking antioxidant molecules which prolong the life of natural and artificial color. Moroccan Oil speaks for itself -- it's liquid gold, in my opinion! Unlike most oils it doesn't coat the hair and weigh it down -- it's like food for the hair, which gets absorbed over time. It also stimulates healthy hair growth and reduces drying time by 40%. 

Q: How would you describe your personal style/niche? 

A: Rockabilly, most definitely. My style portrays my rock and roll side, while embracing and channeling a pin-up-inspired look through my hair and makeup (though I do my make-up more dramatically than the original pin-up style) It's edgy, yet classic. Music and fashion culture combined, originating in the 1950's and carried on through today. I love my style! It completely sets me apart and I couldn't see myself any other way.

Q:What is your number one beauty tip? 

A: Everyday, do at least one thing to make yourself feel beautiful. Whether it's putting on a little mascara, curling a few pieces around your face, trying a new lipstick, or playing around with braids--you will be surprised how much better you will feel day in and day out. The way we feel about ourselves directly effects our social interactions, daily routines, and love lives. We should always feel beautiful.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln

Here's what some of our other team members had to say about Shanti...

Jessie: "Shanti is a great asset to our team! Her drive and confidence exudes itself in her leadership skills. She has stepped up as our artistic director and keeps our team both inspired and motivated. Above all things, what makes Shanti unique is her honesty. She not only sincerely compliments her team but also is open with her clients and truly recommends what she feels best suits their needs. She is a true talent and I'm glad to have her as a key player on our team!"

Shandy: "Shanti is one of the best stylists I have ever seen. Her confidence in her work gives me something to aspire to. She knows what she's doing, she knows how to make the client happy, and she knows what is going to look good for them. That's why her clients keep coming back to her and what makes her the great stylist she is!"

Susannah: "Shanti taught me to find & own the technique that works best for me as a stylist instead of trying to conform to someone else's standards. She uses dry cutting techniques because it's simply what works better for her, and she's not afraid of what other stylists think of a less common technique like dry cutting. I learned from Shanti the foiling technique that I now use on every foiled highlight, and she was so helpful when I was trying to learn it! She's great to talk to about different ideas & options, always lending her opinions without shutting down everyone else's. She's a great person to work with!"

Sarah: "Shanti is gifted with people. She has the uncanny ability to make her clients feel like they're old friends even though she just met them! She also has an amazing sense of humor about herself and life -- she's a blast to be around."

Eric Michael: "I've had the honor and privilege of knowing Shanti since the beginning of her career. I have watched her grow and flourish as a stylist, and have come to know her as a friend. I am continually amazed at her ability and her desire to grow and develop professionally, not to mention personally. She's a beautiful friend, loving mother and fantastic human being."

As a big thank you to our clients from the La Bella team, we are offering some specials this month on Shanti's favorite products and services!

In August only, add a Keratin treatment (blowout or full treatment) to your service and get 20% off of the Keratin treatment!**

AND... Shanti's favorite products, Lazer Straight and Moroccan Oil, are Buy One Get One Half Off for the month of August! This deal applies to the purchase of one of each product OR two of one product. Drop by today to pick up your products or call La Bella at (804) 285-2490 to add a Keratin treatment onto your August appointment!

**The treatment must be paired with another cut or color service to receive the discount.