Going to Great Lengths 411 on extensions with Chad Clark

Long, luscious, thick and sexy hair. Deep down, there’s a little part of us that wants it. Welcome back to the Style Lounge, and this fall, we are going to take a look at the different options you have inside of this increasingly popular trend, which is giving us the locks of our dreams. Hair Extensions. From the Red Carpet, to the small towns, women everywhere are beginning to experiment more and more with some form of hair extension. Whether it is from a professional salon, or applied at home, the latest craze of lengthening hair has left all of us wondering, “ what’s right for me?” Well, with so many options out there, some old and some new, we need to take a look at all of our options before we commit to something that has the potential to have negative effects on our hair. So now that I have your attention, lets get into the braids and tracks of it all!

Starting off with some of the more semi-permanent types of extensions, these are either secured into the hair with glue, usually biodegradable, or by braiding the entire head into tight rows, and sewing wefts of hair onto the braids. But before we get into the types of extensions, lets talk about the hair. That’s right, most extension services start off by selecting the type of hair you want to use. There are many different types of hair that is used, ranging from synthetic to 100% natural human hair. Synthetics can tend to be a bit more challenging to work with to the person wearing them, as they cannot be styled with heat tools. This can cause the hair to melt. So I recommend going all out and purchasing the natural human hair. It has been sterilized and tinted to your desire, comes in a variety of textures and lengths. It is common for guests to go and purchase the hair themselves and bring with them to appointment. This can save money and time, but can also be challenging for the hairstylist, as they need to be knowledgeable about the hair they are applying, so be sure to schedule a consultation before you actually need the extensions, to go over all these details. Hair can be found at a variety of places. Salons, Beauty Suppliers, Wig Shops, and certain areas in Los Angeles’s Garment District are know for their wide variety of selection. Now that we have the hair, we need to decide the best way to have it applied into the hair.

Starting of with the simplest form of extensions, there is the at home, glue in individual tracks of hair. These are commonly found at the beauty supply and are relatively inexpensive. These are not a particular favorite of mine, as the glue can be difficult to use at home, and tends to build up on the scalp and in the hair if not properly removed after each use. This can be counter productive to obtaining hair length, as the end result may be having to cut them out of the hair. And then we are back to square one again. So lets just say that we can all agree that unless it is Halloween, we can avoid the home glue in, hair extensions. The next option still involves glue, but this type of extension service is performed professionally in a salon. The glue, as we said earlier, is usually natural or biodegradable. This helps when the extension is to be removed and reapplied. A stylist takes small bunches of hair from the extension track, and applies a small amount of this glue to the ends, rolls it in the fingers, and then twists it into the root area of the hair shaft. Many of these small extension pieces are systematically placed on the head until the desired length and fullness is achieved. These have their ups and downs. The ups are that with such precision placement these can be very blended and natural looking. The downs are they can be difficult to wash, cause a bit of scalp discomfort, difficult to blow dry, and not the most pleasant experience to remove them from the hair. A special glue solvent is used by the stylist to remove the extensions from hair. They usually last from anywhere from 1-3 months, depending on amount of hair growth experienced by the individual wearer. Next, we have the weave extension. Made popular by the more textured hair guest, these services are becoming more and more popular with every day gals, to runway models. The stylist begins this by braiding individual rows of skinny, closely packed rows of hair. The entire head is braided to the scalp, and all excess hair that is braided is tucked and clipped away to the side. Once the hair is braided, the stylist uses a curved sewing needle and thread to sew the wefts of hair to the head. This process produces beautiful results and can take almost anyone to a long luscious look. The challenges faced with these types of services is that if you have very fine and sparse hair, it can be difficult to braid the hair thick enough to support the weave. Next is it can be very painful. Most stylists tend to braid very tight to ensure proper hold. Because of the tightness of braids, it can also be difficult to cleanse the braids at home, and can cause an irritation to the already sensitive scalp.

The final option we are going to talk about tends to be my favorite method. Thanks to celebrities like Jessica Simpson, we see the at home clip in extensions everywhere. These can be purchased from authorized retailers or from your hairstylist’s beauty product distributor. Online shopping is available as well. But Jessica Simpson isn’t the only one who crafted these magnificent hair extensions; you can find similar extensions at beauty supply stores and salon. Some stylist actually just sew their own! These are nothing simply more than wefts cut to desired width and hair clips are sewn onto the edge. These can be applied in numerous different ways, and come in synthetic pre styles, or human hair. The synthetic are great, as you don’t even have to curl them if you purchase the pre curled. It looks natural and beautiful. Heat cannot be used on the synthetics, and washing them is as simple as using a mild shampoo and setting them out to dry on a towel over night. The human hair is great for curling or straightening day in and day out. They can be washed the same way as the synthetic, and have a more natural color effect. The challenge with these is that they can be a bit expensive. Finding someone to make them may actually be less expensive than purchasing name brand clip ins.

We covered a lot today, and I think the bottom line on hair extensions is, go with what works for your hair, and your budget. It’s important to research all of the options available out there so you can be sure to make the best decision, and find the best stylist to help you achieve the locks of your dreams. Now that we are getting to know each other a bit, I’d love to help answer any questions you may have inside the beauty world. From skin and nails, to hair and beauty, if there is anything that I may be able to shine some light on, email me at cuttingedgeofstyle@hotmail.com, and have the chance to have your question answered in the next edition of valley trends! From all of us, to all of you, Happy Thanksgiving, and see you downtown Visalia.

Fall into the season of Weddings with Chad Clark

Welcome back my loyal style watchers. Its time for another lesson is hairdressing, from your favorite stylist, Chad Clark. The leaves are beginning to turn to the beautiful shades or red, gold, orange and brown. The weather is cooling down, and the days are getting shorter. As the temperatures drop, we cozy up with our loved ones, and we start to see love in the air. And as we know, love can lead to one big thing....weddings, of course. That’s right; fall weddings are the one of the hottest trends in the wedding industry. And for this special occasion, the fairy tail day is spared no expense, to ensure the blushing bride has the perfect day she deserves. Now anyone that has been through a wedding knows, that is just dust in the wind. Too many people, not enough chairs, not enough chicken or fish, late grooms, wrong mailing addresses on the invitations, you name it, it can and probably will happen on that perfect day. So with all this madness ensuing around you, why not make at least on decision a little easier on yourself. Lets talk a little about finding your perfect hairstylist for your wedding. On your big day, you want your tresses polished and set, with every last detail tailored to your look. Finding a hairstylist doesn’t have to be a nightmare or a guessing game. You just need to know what to look for, what to ask, and how to prepare yourself for the search.

First things first, lets head over to your local bookstore. Barnes and Noble is a great start. Head on over to the magazine rack, and start grabbing every local Bridal magazine in sight. There are quite a few, you may be surprised, that feature salons, spas, independent contractors, etc. I always say, if you can find them in a magazine, they care enough about their business to invest in advertising. This isn’t a for sure, but it’s a good start. Next hop on over to the hairstyle magazine section. Grab as many as you can hold in both arms. The more pictures you have to look at, the better you can decide, create, combine, and discover what you like and don’t like. Then head on home and start ripping and gluing your favorite pictures to your “HairStory Board”. This can be a poster board, butcher paper, the whole wall! Just make sure you can bring it with you! Once you have found what you like, start calling around to some of the salons you have read about. Don’t underestimate the power of Google. Type wedding hair and your area in the search bar, and Voila! Your own personal Rolodex of stylist. Craigslist is great too. When calling salons, ask the front desk right up front, “who do you recommend for wedding style hair?’ any good receptionist knows who the power hitters at wedding hair are, and if she doesn’t know, or cant find out, I’d thank her for her time and keep on calling. If she doesn’t know, than they probably aren’t worth the time. Another great way is to attend your local bridal expo. These places are crawling with hairstylist that specialize in wedding styles and are dying to get their hands in your hair. Another way is to stop by your favorite photography studio. They usually have demo books of weddings they have shot photography for in the past, and would be more than happy to share with you any stylists they have worked with in the past. Don’t be shy to ask people these things. It’s there job to know, and also to share.

Hopefully we have found a hairstylist by now, and we are ready to step into the salon for the first consultation. I can’t stress this part enough, the earlier you go the better. I like to say give at least 3 months in advance, just in case the first stylist doesn’t work out, or if you have a really large wedding party, or you need to change or tweak the intricate style. All I am saying is be prepared, and give yourself plenty of time. The next thing is if you plan on wearing any kind of veil, bring it with you. Nothing is worse than to design a style and last minute find out a big net with a band of flowers is going to be squishing the top. Now that we have our hair accessories and our HairStory board, it’s time to meet our stylist. Now, this person we have carefully selected should have a couple of things. Confidence, professionalism, and a portfolio. Any serious stylist will have photos of his/her work from previous experiences or photo shoots. Again, if they don’t have this, they may not be the right pick for you. Once we have seen what they HAVE done, know lets see what they CAN do. Show them your pictures, tell them your ideas, and the rest is literally in their hands. Now remember, this is their audition, it’s all about first impressions, and they need to be 100% with you, the guest. If the stylist isn’t giving you their full attention, having their assistant do most of the work, etc. then I would consider going somewhere else. If the style isn’t working for you, communicate your thoughts in a polite way, and give them an opportunity to make it right. It may be a new style for them, or maybe the first time working on your hair, so be patient and ensure you are communicating your needs to your selected professional. If you like what you see, I recommend booking your date right away! Don’t wait, don’t sleep on it. If they are good, get em while they are hot! You would hate to miss an opportunity to get them when you need them. Once they are booked, I recommend booking about 3 weeks before the wedding to do another run through, and make sure that everything is set and ready for the big day. On your day, I recommend you book your stylist for the whole day. They need to be there as early as they can to start prepping the hair. And it’s great to have them there through out the day of photos, dances, hugs, and laughs. A quick touch up here and there can be the difference to a refined photo memory book, and something you look at year after year, wondering why no one told you your hair was a mess!

So know that we have found your perfect stylist for your perfect day, I am sure you will look as beautiful as you have always dreamed. I hope I have helped ease some of the stress off of what should be the most perfect day in the world. Email your Beauty Woes and Wows to me at cuttingedgeofstyle@hotmail.com until then this is Chad Clark, and I’ll see you downtown Visalia.

Beauty Going Green with Chad Clark

Greeting’s my loyal style watchers! Welcome back to another style session with your Go-To-Style-Guru. This edition, I decided we would get back to our roots, but this time, not our hair roots, our natural, organic roots. Yes, with more and more joining the “Go Green” philosophy, we find ourselves scouring our local supermarkets for the latest “All Natural”, 100% Organic, and “Earth Based” products. From our lotions to our meats and fruits, we are becoming more conscious of the importance of our health at a booming rate. With this sudden resurgence in the organic and natural movement, I started to investigate how I could incorporate this ever growing trend into a natural, organic treatment that could help treat and correct some everyday hair and scalp challenges that we all may have faced, or be facing. So let’s get ourselves down to our local grocery store and farmer’s markets, and start shopping for some ingredients.

I like to start off at my farmer’s market for my 1^st ingredients. These people put that extra love into ensuring their fruits are the best around. For our first ingredient, let’s find the biggest red seedless grapes we can find. These grapes are revered for their antioxidant properties, and also contain a natural ingredient called pycnogenol, which is a skin purifier and will help deep clean, tighten and refine the tone of your skin and scalp. This is ideal for persons suffering from overly oily hair, as the antioxidants drawl out the overactive oil on the scalp, while the pycnogenol will help eliminate, cleanse and close the pore. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So after we have found our grapes, our next stop is the avocado stand.

The avocado is a rich and extremely deep penetrating oil based fruit. It is highly rich in vitamins A, D, and E, lecithin potassium, and its most moisturizing ingredient sterolins which makes it ideal for treating dry skin, eczema of the scalp, psoriasis, and rehydrate undernourished hair and skin. This super fruit is the foundation of our second treatment we will discuss today. Now that we have our grapes and avocados, we can head to the local grocery store. Once inside we just need a few more things.

Starting off in the baking aisle, we need to get a box of sugar. That’s right, sugar. Sugar will act as a scalp exfoliant, when combined with our pre-treatment shampoo, to help prepare the scalp. The thing I like about sugar is it dissolves through out the massage and lather stage, but still does the trick. Next stop cooking oils. We are looking for some Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This will act again, as an ultra hydrating, high shine, and help achieve the desired consistency of our treatment. We’re almost ready to go, but we still need one more ingredient. Organic Wheat Flour. The Organic Wheat Flour acts as an emollient, helping increase shine and luster in the hair. It is also and intensive pact treatment for the scalp.

Now that we have all our ingredients, lets start off with the antioxidant treatment. This is ideal for people with overly oily hair and scalp. For this treatment you will need:

1. A medium bowl
2. 15-35 Seedless Grapes
3. 2 tbsp Organic Wheat Flour
4. Surface Cleansing Shampoo (I love Shampoo 2 from Paul Mitchell)
5. A bowl of sugar
6. A fork or masher
7. Shampoo Cap

So we start of by mashing the grapes into a bowl. Try and pick out any large skin matter. Will help in the rinsing later. Then mix the 2tbsp Organic Wheat Flour, and mix. A paste will form. Set-aside for now. You will want to start by lathering your wet hair with your surface cleansing shampoo. Once lather is achieved, sprinkle a liberal amount of sugar through out the hair. Proceed to massage the scalp, utilizing the sugar as an exfoliant. Lather and massage for 5-10 minutes, allowing the shampoo to cleanse and prepare the scalp. Once completed, rinse hair thoroughly, until water runs clean. Now it’s time to pack on our treatment. Apply liberally to scalp, focusing on the scalp, not the hair. Once paste is completely saturated on the scalp, place a shampoo cap overhead, and let sit in hair for 25-35 minutes. Use heat for more intense treatment. After time is up rinse thoroughly and apply a mild detangler to hair, and rinse again. I recommend this treatment 1 to 2 times a month, depending on severity of oily scalp and hair.

You may be asking, “what about me? I have dry thirsty hair.”

Well here I come to save the day. This is another one of my favorite organic treatments that I offer inside of my salon. This is my Avocado Hydration Pact. For this you will need:

1. A bowl for mixing
2. 1 large organic avocado, halved and pitted
3. 3-6 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4. A bowl of sugar
5. A fork or masher
6. A surface cleansing shampoo (I like Shampoo 2 from Paul Mitchell)
7. A Shampoo Cap

Begin by prepping the hair with the Shampoo 2, surface cleanser, and sugar to act as a gentle exfoliant. Once a rich lather and massage is complete, rinse hair thoroughly. N your mixing bowl, combine the halved avocado and mash until almost smooth. Some lumps okay. Once mashed, add 3-6 tbsp of E.V.O.O., this will act as an intensive hydrator and shine stimulant. The more severe the dryness, the more E.V.O.O. you will add. Once this is ready, time to break out the tortilla chips! Just kidding, it’s time to apply liberally to the scalp. Once applied, process with a shampoo cap for 25-35 minutes. Heat will intensify the treatment. Once processed, rinse thoroughly with tepid water, and apply a light detangler to the hair.

I would love to hear back from you on the success of these treatments for you at home. Now of course, it’s ALWAYS better to have yourself pampered by someone else, but in the event you cant, this should be a great way to kick back, relax, and show your hair and scalp some love. So sit back, put some cucumber slices over your eyes, light some of your favorite incense, and give yourself a little treat. For the full experience, I encourage you to stop by Reflections Salon in Fresno, and I will whisk you away to heaven. But until then, see you downtown Visalia! GO GREEN!

Tools of the Trade with Chad Clark

We meet again, this time it's our anniversary! And you may think I forgot to get a gift, and honestly, I did, but I am here to make it up to you with some more salon friendly advice that can save you time and money. What a better gift than the gift that keeps on giving, KNOWLEDGE. So, Happy Anniversary Trends Magazine, and let's keep on bringing Visalia the best magazine we can. Let's get rockin'!

In this edition, we are going to talk about the tools of the trade. No, not the scissor and combs, but the heat tools that take our hair from straight to curl, or from flat to phat! Right now, there is an over-abundance of tools available out there from the drugstore, to Target, to your professional brands, and it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide what tools are right for you. Should I get a ceramic iron, or copper plates? Is an ionic blowdryer any different than a regular blowdryer? And how about the wet-to-dry irons……Yikes!!! We are going to examine some of these questions, and take a look at new technologies that are providing the healthy, shiny, more long-lasting look that we all love.

Lets start off on talking about what works. A lot of us have heard of the word "ionic". It is being placed on everything from blowdryers, to smoothing irons. Even round brushes are being coated with this new technology. To simplify the scientific side, lets say this: Ionic technologies send out charges to help dry the hair from the inside out, giving a faster blowdry and, as an end result, more shine. It is a great technology because less heat equals healthier hair.

Most of the tools that utilize this ionic technology also involve ceramics. Years ago, heating tools were made out of metals that could retain heat and heat quickly. Aluminum and copper were most commonly used, but these metals tend to be rather unstable. They have been known for heating at uneven rates, easily burning hair, and in extreme cases (blondes especially) leaving a deposit of tinge from the porous metals in the hair. Ceramic was introduced to styling tools because it was discovered to be a more reliable and consistent heat source, and softer on hair. Most professional irons, round brushes, blowdryers, and styling irons have ceramic cores.

You may be asking, how do I know if my styling tool is really ceramic or ionic? Well the first place I go when I need to ask a question about a car is a mechanic. With that concept in mind, for recommendations on a quality hair styling tool, it only makes sense to visit your hairstylist. As professionals, we are always out there trying new tools, comparing ideas and experiences with other hairstylists, and constantly trying to find out what works. If your stylist isn't confident in a recommendation, then please, come see me… just kidding, but seriously I would love to help. Most styling tools will boast their technologies right on the box. When trying to find that perfect tool, remember that lower prices usually means lower quality. If that iron was on sale at Target or Longs for $19.95, you're going to get a product that is as good as it can be for that price. And that is not saying much. Professional tools come reasonably priced, and any reputable styling tool should come with a lifetime warranty. Remember, it is an investment. Fill out and send in those warranty cards. They only take a few seconds to fill out and are definitely worth the time if a challenge arises.

Thus far, we have decided that styling tools with ceramic and ionic technology are smart investments. I recommend the New Express Ion Dry V.1 from Paul Mitchell. It is amazingly lightweight, takes advantage of the silicone ionic infused technology, and a cool shot button that is a one-touch "lock and load" switch. When it comes to smoothing or curling, I always go for my Express Ion Style also from Paul Mitchell. It has a straight swivel cord to assist in those long, beach curls and a controlled heating element that goes up to 400 degrees in as little as 6-10 seconds. To top it all off, it has two, silicone ionic infused strips on the top plate that gives you that added shine - love it! You can take your hair from Hendrix to BeyoncÈ without working up a sweat. For more info, check out your local Paul Mitchell Salon.

Now that we know what we like, let us talk about what we NEED to stay away from. Technology is constantly getting better, and with the change of times, some old habits do die hard. Well, I hope we can put a few things to rest, as they will not be missed. First, wet-to-dry: This is the worst possible thing you can do to your hair. Taking the hair from such extremes while "steaming out" moisture can and will actually create more dryness than anything else. The cuticle of the hair is delicate, and with such an invasive process, the hair is often left burnt, dry and sad. The steam effect does NOT moisturize - sorry, but it is true.

I believe we should also do away with the copper-plated HotTools brand. I still see them in drugstores to this day. After using them, people are left wondering why their hair is dry and their ends are broken. The reason for this is because copper plates do not hold heat evenly. This can cause hot pockets on the iron, which will expose some parts of your hair to more heat than others causing major damage. Another problem found with HotTools is that it leaves natural and platinum blonde hair with a brassy hue caused by the copper deposits left behind after the porous metal is heated.

Aluminum is another one we've got to throw away. It is often found in round brushes and other styling rollers. As with copper plates, it heats unevenly, causes drying of the hair…, just bad, bad, bad.

Now we know what to look for, what to stay away from, and most importantly, the reason behind it. With that, let us lighten it up a bit and get our hands in some hair.

We are going to create a quick beach curl with our smoothing iron.

Begin by applying your styling product of choice. A styling foam with a bit of a root lifter is a great base. Power dry with your fingers or use a brush for more control. Once dry, begin taking sections approximately 1-inch in width and comb through each section once to detangle using a brush.

Next, using your smoothing iron, point the end of your iron down, pressing the section with the iron, starting at the base.

Slide iron out slightly while rotating your iron one full rotation forward, or backward to change the curl direction. Once rotation is complete, hold the loose end in your fingertips and slowly slide the iron to the ends without rotating, allowing hair to curl around the iron as you pull out. The slower you go the tighter the curl.

Repeat the technique until desired level of curl and body are reached. Finish with your favorite hairspray and away you go!

We really covered a lot today. Please keep this one handy. Share it with a. friend! From my hands to your hair, I am Chad Clark. See you Downtown Visalia

Email your beauty wows and woes to me at cuttingedgeofstyle@hotmail.com

Color Lab with Chad Clark

Hello again readers! It’s that time of year again, when the temperatures are rising and any chance you get to jump in the pool, you take it. That’s right, summer is right around the corner. With that in mind, I thought we could dedicate this edition to something the ladies may appreciate. As a hairstylist and educator, I travel the country talking with hairstylists and clients alike, hearing the pros and cons to our industry wows and woe’s. One thing seems to always be a topic of conversation, and that is hair color. That’s right, our old age defying, self-expressive magic in a tube that allows all our wants and ideas possible for our hair. But when we get to the point when we are ready to the closest salon and trust someone with some pretty strong chemicals on our heads, we should have a little information under our belts 1^st, so we can choose the most knowledgeable, experienced stylist, to color or highlight our precious locks. So sit back, and relax, and let’s talk about some color.

When it comes to hair color this summer, lets thin about some dimension! This may translate as “ natural” or a “soft weave” of a high light and low light. But the important thing is make sure to use at LEAST three colors to achieve a nice, natural blend. Try and stay away from the heavy white on black, aggressive two-tone looks. The 90’s were fun, but it’s time to put it to bad. Whether you’re in the reds or blondes, browns or golds, emphasis the color with some cleverly placed soft accentuations and variations of color. Now that we have selected our color, the number one enemy against our beautiful color is the sun. Fade outs, drying, the damage can be sever depending on how chemically processed your hair is. But bottom line, with color, we need to use a little “insurance” as I like to call it. And this is ONLY something you purchase from a professional salon. Not Longs, not Costco, a beauty salon. If it’s anywhere else, chances are it’s diverted or “ bad” product, but that’s a whole other story. Back to the color, select a shampoo that offers color protection and moisturizing abilities as well. This will help protect and nourish your colored tresses. Next, using a color locking spray after you shower, before you style can also help maintain the longevity of your color. Packed full of sunscreens, sunflower extracts, and wheat proteins, these sprays are a great way to of a little color protection. Now ladies and gentlemen, let’s not be fooled by the shampoos and conditioners we find and the drug store that claim “ Color Protection”. They can work for some, but for everyone in the world that has a different hair type and body chemistry, we can’t all believe that one product is going to work for us all. Ask your Hairstylist for a recommendation.

Lets not forget that summer time is also time to bring out those peroxide bottles and lighten up! I mean your hair that is. Yes, as sure as the sun will set, highlights will always take center stage in the summer. We are trying to move away from the over processed damaged platinum or orange highlights, but people are going to get what they like regardless of if it’s in or not. So we can at least have some tips on how to take care of our Bling-Bling Blondes. First ladies, try not to go too light too fast. Stretching the heavy blonding process out over a few appointments can help ensure a healthy, even lift, with minimal damage. Try to go for subtle natural blondes. If you have really dark hair, try some caramel instead of light blonde. Keep it healthy no matter what. If you are heavy lightened, ensure that you are deep conditioning your hair at least once a month. This will help rebuild the hairs strength and shine. I also recommend using “ Tonal Shampoos” or “Tonal Foams”. These products can be purchased through your major beauty salons, and vary in usage. The purpose of these products is to help “balance out” any un wanted tones inside of your blonde or darks, and also enhance tones you may enjoy in your hair.

For you naturalists out there don’t forget the age-old trick of lemon juice and water in the sunshine. Planning a day at the lake or beach? Or maybe just working outside in the yard for a few hours in the hot sun? Add about one lemon, squeezed, into a spray bottle of water and soak your hair. As it dries the citric acid will cause subtle lifts and will not damage your hair. This will not give you salon quality looks, but it’s just an idea for the summer. Try it out and email me at cuttingedgeofstyle@hotmail.com. Id love to hear how it works for you! Until next time, Im Chad Clark, see you downtown Visalia!

Men's Style Lounge with Chad Clark

Welcome my friends, to a new twist on our already beloved Valley Trends, a little style for ya. So sit back, relax, now when you have a style, fashion, or trends question, you know where to look. This First Edition, I have to dedicate to the gents. Guys, There so much out there for the ladies these days. What to wear, how to look, how to smell! It's crazy how many "How-To's" there are out there. With that being said, lets get down to the nitty gritty.

Where do we begin? Let's start with my favorite thing, keeping it simple: HAIR. Just because we’re guys doesn't mean we can't get a great haircut without the buzzer. We’ve come a long way from the barber shops, and hair today is typically a little looser than the "high and tight" days. Keep it soft, loose, and manageable. Short or long, ask your stylist to recommend a great cut for your features. Also, remember that product is a good thing; think of them as your "styling tools". There are a lot of great men's lines out there, such as Paul Mitchell, Bed Head, and American Crew, that all cater to the men's department. All have great shampoos, conditioners (YES you need to use it sometimes!) and even skincare lines to accompany your favorite smells and features. Dry wax, pomades, and other soft "lived-in" styling products are at the top of the list. When it comes to your style, the one thing I have to make sure of, is to stay away from the hair gels- the dry, crunchy, stiff, and spiky is not working anymore. Running your hands through your hair should be an option!

Another thing we can't forget, is hair color. More and more of us men are in the salons, getting our hair colored to hide grey or accentuate our style. One thing that is important is to find a colorist that you trust, and come ready to talk about your hair. It's important to have your color highlight your style. If you’re bold and artistic, the blue mohawk may be right up your alley, but if you’re relaxed and low maintenance, a few cleverly placed lighter or darker pieces can be the little extra something special that gives you the style and edge that’s up with the times. Keep it in mind, you'll thank me later.

Now that our hair’s out of the way, let’s get to the face. We have to admit, sometimes we get grimy, and our skin pays the price. It's important to take good care of your skin, as it keeps you looking youthful and healthy. I recommend a daily face wash and skin moisturizer, but be careful what direction you go. Bar soaps that are not designed for the face can leave you dry and flakey. Certain products contain a lot of alcohol, which also dries out our skin, so find something mild and moisturizing. Nivea and Clinique both have men's skincare lines. Paul Mitchell even has a Tea Tree oil men’s face wash and skin moisturizer, which feel great.

Now that we are fresh and so clean, we probably want to throw on some deodorant and go! But wait, we have to talk about the thing that can also have a lasting impression on someone, and it's not your personality, it's your smell! That's right, the studies are tried and true, men shouldn't stink. So after we go for our deodorant, we need to add some flavor. I always recommend going with a scent that is not too overwhelming, fresh, and with a hint a spice. Canali, Lacoste, Diesel, and Thierry Mugler all have great fragrances, and give you option of regular, or sport. Both have their place and time. One thing is for sure, men don't want to smell like women, women don’t want to smell like men, and your cologne should be a reflection of that.

We have talked about a lot today. We covered hair color and haircuts, shampoo and products, face wash, and cologne. It's safe to say, we have tackled every sense; sight, feel, and smell... Look out ladies, here we come. I you have any beauty or style questions that you need answered, please email me @ cuttingedgeofstyle@hotmail.com and we may feature your question in one of our editions. Thank you to all my new readers. Until next time, see you in DownTown Visalia.. I'm Chad Clark