Featured Stylist of the Month: Eric-Michael

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 is.....

Drum roll please......

Eric-Michael!

Eric-Michael is our Master Stylist and Educational Director. He has been in the industry for 14 years, and in the process made a name for himself not only here in Richmond, Virginia, but across the United States by teaching color classes and product knowledge as a guest in many other salons, preforming in Hair Shows, and constantly networking and being approached by fellow stylists. He has an advanced education in cutting and coloring around the world including New York City from the world famous Vidal Sassoon Academy, Bumble and Bumble, Nick Arrojo, and the Doves. He has traveled to Dallas, Texas for more continuing education, studied abroad in Portugal and Spain. 

Needless to say, he is an amazing asset to the team and not only offers top notch client experience, but also a helping hand for each of us if we are ever in need. He is just absolutely fabulous! 

Let's get to know him a little better!

Q: What is your favorite service to preform, and why? 
A: I love doing updos because not only do I have the opportunity to show my creative side, but updos are always for a special occasion, and it is a great feeling to know you helped someone feel beautiful on her special day.
(In my own personal opinion, Eric-Michael is a master at updos, having taught me how to do them when I first started in the industry. I have always admired his attention to detail, effortless patience, and artistic flow he has with every updo I have seen him do over the past 7 years of working with him.) 
Q: What are your two favorite products, and why? 
A: Unite's 7 Second Condition and Schwarzkopf Dust It. 7 Seconds evens out the porosity of the hair, aids in evenly distributing products throughout the hair (avoiding build up), and has the element of heat/SPF protection. Dust It is an amazing volumizer which works great layered with other products or alone, unlike the common use I prefer to use it on wet hair for more control, and it is completely water soluble so you don't have to over shampoo to get it out! 
Q: How would you describe your personal style/niche? 
A: I would describe my personal style as body conscious and fashion forward...meaning I dress to accentuate my best features with form fitting clothes. I like to use my body as my number one accessory since I have worked so hard to build and maintain my physique! At the same time I am driven by trends and I am NOT label driven. Simple does it: I look for in clothes what I look for in hair...I like simple form and not a lot of distraction with color and texture.
Q: What is your number one beauty tip? 
A: ALWAYS protect your skin by using sun protection, and invest in good products because you will be thankful for it in the long run.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: "I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them." - Sarah Breedlove aka Madam CJ Walker

Not only was I able to get Eric-Michael to share with us his personal opinions on hair, fashion, and products....I also got to gather some amazing quotes from our coworkers on their own opinions about Eric-Michael as a key member of the La Bella Family. Check it out:

Susannah Craft: "Eric-Michael is so generous with his knowledge and time-- he is always offering to help us out if we need it, and he's more than willing to be a sounding board for new ideas!"

Shandy Myers: "Eric-Michael is one of the best teachers I could have asked for. His technical ability is awesome, but it's his willingness to give each client a look that both reflects them and stays modern that truly makes him a great artist."

Sarah Ditulli: "I'm always amazed at Eric-Michael's compassion for his clients, professionalism, and desire to educate others about hair. His comic story-telling abilities are also one of his greatest and most unforgettable attributes!"

Shanti Lynn (Me): "I am lucky enough to say that from the first day I started my career I have worked next to Eric-Michael. He was my mentor when I was an apprentice who quickly assumed the role as somewhat of a life mentor in the long run.  I am privileged enough to not have only learned the ins and outs of this industry from such a brilliant teacher, but also to have learned so much about life from an amazing friend. No matter how long I have been licensed, I feel I can always go to him whenever I need an extra pair of eyes, and no matter how long I have been an adult I feel I can go to him for an unbiased productive outlook on absolutely anything that comes my way. Any one who has had the pleasure of meeting him knows how special of a person he is, and I am honored to be able to call him my friend." 

Jessie: "Eric-Michael is a valuable asset to our team. He has stepped up as educational director and given our whole team a new level of expertise to strive for. He also brings so much passion to everything he does, from designing hairstyles to telling stories and even engaging with his coworkers, as well as all of our guests. I'm glad he is a part of our family here!"

We love you Eric-Michael! And Happy Hair Stylist of the Month to you! 

As a big thank you to each and everyone of you from Eric-Michael and the La Bella team were are offering you a couple of awesome deals during the month of July, inspired by his preferred products and services!

For the month of July the 7Seconds Condition and Dust It are buy one get one half off (in any combination of the two)

Do you have an event coming up? (Even something as simple as a romantic date night) Schedule an updo with Eric-Michael for the month of July OR add it on to an existing appointment and receive 20% off! 

Call La Bella today to book your next appointment with our Master Stylist, Eric-Michael!
(804)285-2490