Business
Absolutely | Look Sharp: Absolutely Welcomes Gina Rivera to the UK
Phenix Founder and Celebrity Stylist appears on the cover of the widely-read Absolutely magazine in London. Copies hit stores and newsstands today across London. Get your first look here!
Phenix Salon Suites’ In-House Color Line, COLOURS by Gina, Has Arrived in the UK
Brit hair pros rejoice because Phenix Salon Suites’ hair color line has made its journey across the pond.
As of this month, COLOURS by Gina will officially be available in the U.K., exclusively at Phenix’s new Manchester location. With this exciting expansion, U.K. salon pros will now be able to shop the 60-piece, collagen and biotin-enriched hair color collection.
“I’m so grateful, blessed, and humbled to have the honor of sharing this incredible line with Salon Professionals in the UK and Europe,” says Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites and Colours By Gina. “Expanding the Colours by Gina line internationally has been one of my dreams and I know we’re just getting started!”
For those unaware of the brand, COLOURS by Gina was founded by celebrity stylist Gina Rivera, who also founded Phenix Salon Suites—a California-based salon suite franchise that currently has over 300 salon suites nationwide in 33 states. Her popular hair color line is now offered in a color bar within the salon suites’ U.K. location.
The news of COLOURS by Gina’s U.K. launch comes after Phenix just opened its first international salon suites this past fall in Manchester. Already, the brand has plans to rapidly expand across the U.K., with additional locations to open throughout the U.K. and Sweden. So, get ready to potentially see more COLOURS by Gina color bars popping up in these new locations sometime soon!
For now, if you’re in the Manchester area, be sure to drop by Phenix’s salon suite over there and shop some incredible COLOURS by Gina products.
For more information about Phenix Salon Suites’ U.K. location, make sure to follow @phenix_salon_suites_uk on Instagram. And, for the latest on COLOURS by Gina, make sure to follow @coloursbygina on Instagram.
Credit to: Camille Nzengung for thetease.com
Using This Type of Brush May Be Making You Lose Your Hair
A HAIRSTYLIST REVEALS THE BRUSH THAT COULD BE MAKING YOUR THINNING HAIR WORSE
It’s a fact: Hair thinning comes with aging. While your twenties and thirties may have been defined by thick, voluminous strands, some of that density may decrease as you blow out the birthday candles. Of course, this isn’t the worst thing in the world—it’s just one of the many ways our bodies change as we enter our golden years. But our hair can be a part of how we see ourselves, and losing it may be harder for some than others. Luckily, there are ways to minimize hair thinning, including using the proper tools to care for it. Read on to find out what you should avoid doing in your beauty routine if you’re concerned about thinning hair.
If your hair is thinning, don’t use a tightly bristled brush.
Not all hairbrushes are created equal—especially when you’re trying to be gentle with your strands. Tightly bristled brushes can pull on the hair due to rough edges and cause additional breakage, especially when the hair is wet. “It’s very important to use a good wet brush after cleansing the hair,” says Gina Rivera, celebrity stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. Wet brushes—which can be used on dry hair as well—typically have more widely spread teeth that are less likely to snag on your strands.
While you’re editing down your hairbrush collection, this goes for boar bristle brushes as well. These tightly bristled brushes are best reserved for thick or coarse hair textures, as they can damage thin strands.
Consider that there could be health factors at play.
Not all hair thinning is the result of a haircare mistake. According to Andrea Claire, a licensed hairstylist, there could be other issues at play. When one of her clients mentions hair loss, she asks them to consider the following common culprits: new hair products or chemical services, big life changes or stress, medications, changes in diet, and simply, age.
She also asks them to assess the volume of hair loss. Losing between 50 to 100 strands throughout the day is totally normal, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD). But Claires says “if you glide your fingers through your hair and 20-plus strands of hair come out, then further investigation may be required.” In other words, you’ll want to consult your GP or a dermatologist.
You already know that using heat on your hair can lead to damage. But did you know the temperature of that heat also has an impact? “Make sure that when using styling tools the settings are on low or cool heat to avoid doing damage to the hair that would cause it to break off,” says Rivera. A quality heat protectant can also work wonders.
Skip a wash day.
Once you rule out a medical issue, you can make other modifications to your hair care routine to prevent thinning. One of the most effective ones? Skipping a wash day. “Avoid shampooing daily which can cause stress onto your follicles,” says Claire.
To make sure each wash packs a punch, invest in quality shampoos and conditioners that your stylist recommends for your specific hair type. You can also coat strands with a leave-in conditioner to help moisturize and strengthen the hair shaft. “Iles Formula Finishing Serum and Color Wow’s Dream Cocktail are my new jams,” says Claire.
Turn down the heat.
You already know that using heat on your hair can lead to damage. But did you know the temperature of that heat also has an impact? “Make sure that when using styling tools the settings are on low or cool heat to avoid doing damage to the hair that would cause it to break off,” says Rivera. A quality heat protectant can also work wonders.
If that’s not possible with your current ‘do, try opting for a cut that minimizes your need for hot tools. “A textured bob can often be styled by simply towel drying and using product to emphasize waves and curls,” says Rivera. “This omits additional heat exposure that is often required for styling many looks.”
Even if you’re not open to a dramatic chop, a hairstylist can guide you in building a hair care routine that will give you the strands of your dreams.
Credit to: Juliana LaBianca for bestlifeonline.com
The 8 best blow dryer brushes for achieving a professional blowout at home
If you love the look of professional blowouts — but hate spending a small fortune on them — then consider investing in a blow dryer brush. This versatile tool pulls double (or more like triple) duty as a brush, hairdryer, and styler. Put simply, blow dryer brushes are designed to save you time, effort, and energy when it comes to styling your hair, and, fortunately, they’re suitable for all hair types, textures, and lengths.
While there are dozens of great options on the market, keep in mind that the best blow dryer brushes feature ionic technology, which is supposed to help minimize frizz and enhance shine. The result? Frizz-free, softer strands in mere minutes. You’ll also notice that most blow dryer brushes are round- or oval-shaped which is ideal for creating volume. Many have three or more temperature settings, cool-touch tips to prevent you from burning your fingers/hands, and a ceramic surface. A handful of options offer bonus features like cool settings for preserving curls, interchangeable barrels for custom styling, and two different types of bristles that allow for simultaneous detangling and styling.
As someone who owns several blow dryer brushes — including a few mentioned below — I’ve picked up quite a few tricks. For example, I’ve found that blow dry brushes work best on my hair when it’s about 80% to 90% dry. Not only does this cut down on styling time, but it also helps minimize heat damage.
From a wallet-friendly favorite to a splurge-worthy staple, I’ve scoured the Internet — and spoke to the pros — to narrow down the best blow dryer brushes for every hair type and budget.
To read the full article, click here
Credit to: Lauren Dana for insider.com
Gina Rivera: Creating a wave of growth by leading intentionally
Since the last decade, the business world has seen an exponential rise in women entrepreneurs sharing the center stage. It takes an iron will and an intricate understanding of the industry to become a leader who inspires others. One such leader is Gina Rivera, Celebrity Hairstylist & Founder of Phenix Salon Suites. Being in the business since 2007, Gina has been offering professional & upscale suite solutions to beauty and wellness professionals who desire to become entrepreneurs and be their own boss. Considered as one of the top leaders in the industry, Gina, with a dynamic mindset has been inspiring leaders and setting leadership benchmarks for others to follow. Phenix Salon Suites currently has 320 sites across the United States. Their first store is now under development in England, with another 75 planned. They are also looking into additional international markets with intentions to expand.
In an interview with PerceptivX, Gina shared detailed insight into her journey thus far. Below are the highlights of the interview.
PerceptivX (P): How would you describe Phenix Salon Suites? What do you stand for as a business?
Gina Rivera (G): “Phenix Salon Suites is a leader in the industry and provides an upscale suite solution for beauty and wellness professionals who have the desire to become entrepreneurs and open their businesses. Further, Phenix Salon Suites provides the opportunity for sole beauty and wellness proprietors to own and operate their business in a suite at a fraction of the cost of owning a multi-chair salon. Our philosophy is to keep the Professional at the center of our decision-making process. We understand that if they are successful, we are successful. We believe it’s an honor to help others achieve their dreams of business ownership.
We also believe in providing support in areas that we can. We currently have a national scholarship fund where applicants that are seeking to pursue a career in beauty can apply to have their cosmetology school paid for. As founder of the By Gina product line, a portion of our sales is designated to cancer research in honor of my mother who was lost to the devastating illness.”
(P): How did it all begin? Tell us a bit about your journey and what led you to start Phenix Salon Suites?
(G): “Coming from a family who has been in the industry since 1929, I was destined to pursue a career in the world of beauty. As a child, I would sweep hair from the floors of my parent’s salon. At 17 years of age, I attended beauty school and later worked in a booth renter salon where I was blessed to develop a strong client following. I truly liked making my clients feel special and I always worked to improve. Later I opened my first salon and I realized how much I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with new stylists and offering support where it was needed. Based on these experiences I realized that not all salons are created equal and a majority of booth renters are provided very little support to ensure their success.
I had a deep passion for the industry but also for advocating and supporting the goals of Lifestyle Professionals. I was particularly interested in helping those who had the desire to operate their own salons but perhaps lacked the financial resources. I knew the options for operating a business in the industry needed to be redefined for sole proprietors working in beauty and wellness. With this, Phenix Salon Suites was born, establishing a new experience and opportunity for Lifestyle Professionals to own and operate a business without the heavy financial burden of opening a multi chair salon”.
(P): What is the secret to your success?
(G): “While I view myself as a leader, I also view myself as a person that has overcome obstacles and at times, naysayers. The skills that have helped me on this journey are the experiences that I have had throughout my career dating back to when I was very young. I worked my way up as a hairstylist and then a salon owner. I focused and tried to learn every facet of the industry. There is always new information, so I am always learning and working to understand and create better opportunities for the Professionals that I serve.
The main lesson that I have learned is that you must be humble and be a good listener. You need to have empathy for others. I think empathy is key to good leadership. Many great leaders are very empathetic people. Respecting everyone is important. For every leader, it’s important to be authentic and genuine as well. This is crucial in today’s business world. You are going to make mistakes and encounter obstacles, but you must be ready to learn from these experiences and move on. This is how you improve as a leader.
“As your leadership abilities evolve, more confidence emerges and it becomes easier to express ideas and share opinions.”– Gina Rivera
I think for me, the biggest barrier has sometimes been set by myself. To explain, I don’t believe that others can define your goals or where you want to go professionally. For me, I can get in my own way at times by putting limitations on myself. I have overcome this by always pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone and attempt to achieve and learn new things. Rather than becoming dependent on others for my success, I believe that I must be accountable for achieving my own goals. Of course, there are always others that help you in their roles, but it’s important to stay focused and forge forward.”
(P): Who was your role model? How do you mentor other upcoming leaders?
(G): “My mother was my role model as a person as well as a businesswoman. She was a hairstylist, a business owner, and an incredible person that deeply inspired me to be my best. When it comes to mentoring, I have been doing complimentary speaking engagements in beauty schools across the country. I am doing this in an effort to share my story and encourage young people that have aspirations in the industry. For women leaders at any age, it’s really important to attend educational events in a person’s chosen industry. It doesn’t matter what stage you are at in the game. There are so many resources available, it’s important to seek out these opportunities and continue to grow throughout your career. This is part of what defines a great leader.”
(P): What, in your experience as a mentor, prevents women from growing as leaders? How would you describe the growth opportunities at Phenix?
(G): “I believe at times women can be afraid to speak up and express their opinions. However, as your leadership abilities evolve, more confidence emerges and it becomes easier to express ideas and share opinions. We have many amazing women working throughout our organization at various levels including executives, directors, managers, and coordinators. We also have women in virtually every area of the company from marketing to product development and construction. There are many avenues available to grow with the company into a variety of different positions depending on one’s area of interest. I also have many accomplished women on my International Artistic Team that inspire me to be my best every day.”
I think for me, the biggest barrier has sometimes been set by myself. To explain, I don’t believe that others can define your goals or where you want to go professionally. For me, I can get in my own way at times by putting limitations on myself. I have overcome this by always pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone and attempt to achieve and learn new things. Rather than becoming dependent on others for my success, I believe that I must be accountable for achieving my own goals. Of course, there are always others that help you in their roles, but it’s important to stay focused and forge forward.”
(P): Who was your role model? How do you mentor other upcoming leaders?
(G): “My mother was my role model as a person as well as a businesswoman. She was a hairstylist, a business owner, and an incredible person that deeply inspired me to be my best. When it comes to mentoring, I have been doing complimentary speaking engagements in beauty schools across the country. I am doing this in an effort to share my story and encourage young people that have aspirations in the industry. For women leaders at any age, it’s really important to attend educational events in a person’s chosen industry. It doesn’t matter what stage you are at in the game. There are so many resources available, it’s important to seek out these opportunities and continue to grow throughout your career. This is part of what defines a great leader.”
(P): What, in your experience as a mentor, prevents women from growing as leaders? How would you describe the growth opportunities at Phenix?
(G): “I believe at times women can be afraid to speak up and express their opinions. However, as your leadership abilities evolve, more confidence emerges and it becomes easier to express ideas and share opinions. We have many amazing women working throughout our organization at various levels including executives, directors, managers, and coordinators. We also have women in virtually every area of the company from marketing to product development and construction. There are many avenues available to grow with the company into a variety of different positions depending on one’s area of interest. I also have many accomplished women on my International Artistic Team that inspire me to be my best every day.”
For the link to Preceptivx Magazine, click here.