Billionaire Advice For Less Stress Styling

One of my favorite clients. A lovely Chinese bride who had her wedding at Victoria Hotel in Interlaken, Switzerland.

A billionaire gave advice in a magazine I read once (paraphrased):  Wait at least 24 hours before telling somebody you are angry with them because in 24 hours you probably will not say things you regret.

What does this advice have to do with being a stylist?  A lot!  It is wedding season for me here in Basel, Switzerland.  Have you ever seen the American TV show, “Bridezilla”?  A reality show about misbehaved brides to be and how horribly they treat others.   I have not encountered one of those but perhaps it is because I use the billionaire advice as much as possible.

Weddings for different cultures are vastly different.  All weddings are very different.  Why?  Mainly due to the two families involved.  In Switzerland I have the blessing and the curse of working with many different cultures.  I thought Los Angeles and Chicago were challenging to work at.  As an American stylist; Basel is my biggest challenge.  I know it is hard to believe but it is true.  The little city packs a big punch.  People are speaking so many different languages within one wedding party.  It can make my head spin.  Please use your own imagination and experiences to consider how much is lost and found in my translations.

People are stressed sometimes.  People can be just plain rude and it’s usually not the bride or groom.  I believe certain people in the wedding party know that this is the one special day that they can take the opportunity to sabotage the makeup artist… and get away with it.  For example, digging in my kit and misplacing important makeup I will need for the bride.   Giving their opinions when nobody else asked them for it.  Not even the bride who was looking very pleased with herself.  You get the idea.

As stylists, always try to consider the human factor.  I try to think what it is like to be the other person.  We all have our faults and we all make mistakes.  Won’t you agree that we see ourselves differently than others see us?   I think this is where the high wedding stress comes from, the desire for others to see us at our very best.  As a stylist I tell myself that the bride and her party are only human and quite frankly, not acting like their usual selves.  This is not a typical day for them.  For some, looking fabulous daily is not typical for them either.  As a stylist, I try to have patience with clients because it is not their field of expertise and that is why I have been hired to do the job.  I’m simply grateful for the work.

When one is challenged during a wedding styling job try to remember the billionaire advice and that some things are just not worth fighting about.  By keeping the mouth shut, although very hard to do, this will help one gain better referrals for more future work from very happy clients.  I will admit at times I could have  been more confrontational, however, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  Keep in mind that many times we are dealing with strangers and it’s a very small world.  Positive word of mouth is the best advertising.

Please feel free to look at my, “Style by Victoria”,  website to see photos of my hair coloring and makeup artistry portfolio.  Have a good hair day!

Thank you for reading,

Victoria

” I’m a beautician. Not a magician. “

Blonde high lights for actress, Melissa Jean Woodside, done by Style by Victoria.

I heard this quote before I became a hair dresser and thought it was funny. “I’m a beautician. Not a magician.” Now that I am a hair dresser myself and it’s reality, it’s not always that funny. Well, yes, it’s still funny to me. I would like to tell you what I have learned after becoming a hair dresser. I hope it helps you find what you are looking for so you are content with your future hair and beauty appointments.

It takes time to get to know a new person, right? When we meet a new friend, we are meeting their representative. That representative is usually polite and friendly. For the first 3-6 months of knowing them. This is my experience.

We all are not perfect. Of course, after letting our guards down, imperfections come out as we are more comfortable with a new friend. This is the same as a relationship with your hair dresser. This explains why some people are so very loyal to their hair dresser, who has been with them through good times and bad times.

That being said, I learned that I made a past mistake when I went to a totally new hair dresser and asked them for a major and drastic color change. They simply didn’t know my personality well. To no fault of their own. They didn’t know much about my lifestyle or my work either. When one books a color consultation, it is for 15-30 minutes. Is that how long it takes to call somebody your friend?  Actually, I would not trust some of my best friends with the condition of my hair or let them color it.  That would certainly be taking a chance.

Hair color is very personal. Shouldn’t your colorist know you more first before making a big change in your hair color? Even though they may do a good job and give you a nice professional looking color, it may not be what you want for yourself. It may look good on you and your skin tone but it very well may not be…”you”. That is a horrible feeling. It leads to awkward situations.  Getting the perfect hair color for “you” is much about accurate communication with your hair stylist.

I suggest showing one photo to a colorist of the color you really love.  Only one.  Dont describe the color you think it is to them.  Show one photo and say, “I want that color, can we do this today or will it take a few appointments to get to that color on me?”.

Going to a stylist without knowing exactly what you want first, leads to confusion.  Which might lead to your unhappiness.  If you must bring a few photos, allow your colorist to describe what those different colors are actually called, professionally.  Caramel, honey, chocolate are names that may get lost in translation, trust me on that, please.  Allow the colorist to speak and honestly tell you if your desired color would look good on your skin tone.  Allow your colorist to inform you of the expenses and maintenance a new color may bring you.

If I were to go back and fix my mistakes before I became a hair dresser; I would go to a new stylist a few times for less dramatic services first. Trims, deep conditions, semi permanent colors first. Get to know each other. Earn trust. Invest some time and money (tips) toward that stylist. Even while in Europe, one should consider giving a tip.  As it is a simple thank you & appreciation for your stylist being on their feet and serving you like a king or queen.  It is about showing your appreciation, more than the small bit of money, involved in the tip.

Let the stylist know you respect them as a human being.  As you know, we humans are far from perfect! Then, if you are not totally happy with your color, it will be easier to communicate together and find a solution that makes you both happy.

On the bright platinum side, the beauty of hair coloring is that you can usually change it easier than you can a short, bad hair cut.

Have a great hair day everyone!
-Style by Victoria-

Ride the wave of styling. What a makeup artist/hair stylist does.

I talked on the phone with my parents last night.  I told my Mom about a nice job that I might get soon depending on how an upcoming work meeting goes.  After 20 years of me being a professional makeup artist she asked me, “What do I call what you do?”.  I was taken back by this question at first but then I understood what she meant.  I do so many different kinds of jobs for styling work and I free-lance.  I tell her so many different things that I do and I know it’s confusing to her sometimes.  Many people really don’t understand what being a makeup artist is all about.  We deal with many types of personalities and we are physically very close to people while doing our work.  Its challenging but rewarding if one is good at it.

What do I call myself?  Does it matter?  I guess so!  So I answered Mom, “Professional makeup artist and hair stylist”.  Actually,  I also help the photographer, producer, models, designers, with all kinds of errands. I even sometimes go get snacks & drinks for staff, models and actors when they can’t leave the set. My main job is doing hair and makeup and assisting throughout the production.  Even with clothes & jewelry sometimes.

I have always tried new things when they are offered to me, jumped into the unknown waters and did what I could do best.  I look back and laugh at some of the jobs I have done they are so amusing! I tried to be of service to the project in any way possible. As stylists, we can always learn more from how others in our field manage business.  It really is a circus juggle act at times.  We have to be organized and prepared to succeed.  Plus, on time or early getting to a job while looking our best.

Since I have broadened my horizons by attending the Toni and Guy Hair Academy in London for hair coloring, it has opened even more doors for me.  Therefore, I am doing many more tasks during photo shoots because I’m capable and trained.  For example, in Zürich I spent an hour searching for a hair extension tool used for removing hair extensions.  I walked around to many places until I found it and borrowed it from another salon. That was clearly not in my job description and it was not glamorous!   I did this for another hair stylist and not  for myself. This was urgent because the tool had broken right before the scheduled appointment with a repeat client!   These are the kinds of simple and humble acts that build relationships and trust with peers.

As a stylist, its best to be open to trying new things and that means being willing to help others at work too.   Even if you are not good friends or even if you don’t like them very much.  One of my former bosses at a salon told me when I was starting out, “You don’t have to really like a person to be able to work with them.”

I am out of my comfort zone now that I do hair and I have a hair coloring diploma. Learning to cut hair is my new challenge and I have to be self motivated.  It’s hard!   I have to go with the flow and be humble.   What we say in California is, “Ride the wave”.  We all will have ups and downs surfing and certainly we do not always choose which way that wave is taking us.  It’s exciting but we have to first just get on the board, learn how to stand on it and balance.  Even as a professional with experience, I still have to get used to a new surf board in uncertain waters after all these years.  Ride the wave the best way you can!

Please feel free to see photos of my work on my website, Style by Victoria. 

Michael Jackson bad in Basel. Los Angeles vs Basel.

“Michael Jackson Bad in Basel”

I am a person who tries to do good things and not bad things. Perhaps this is why I finally moved from Los Angeles, California to Basel, Switzerland?  Where the precision of Swiss clocks can be heard ticking from people’s subconscious, at all times.  It is a quiet, “tick, tick, tick”, reminding the entire population of Basel that one can and will be replaced, if they don’t do a perfect job. The best job!  If one does not constantly further ones education, if one does not simply obey the rules, if one does not fit in, they can be easily replaced.

Basel is the home of power house pharmaceutical companies, Roche and Novartis.  Plus the most powerful bank in the world, Bank for International Settlements.   It is a glorious, clean and prosperous mecca of international science and banking.  Its civilized and to be emulated by other countries. Its one of the few “direct democracies” in the world.  I think that is easy to do, because only 8 million people live here.  Unlike USA 313 million population.  LA has 18 million total in the whole surrounding area.   Basel, dare I say, boasts a magnificent Picasso art collection and exquisite museums too.  Dare I say, it exceeds its motto, “Culture Unlimited”, in art, history and theater? It is home of the awesome Basel Art Fair.  Where the punctual tram lines carry the eccentric and famous people of the world all around the city once a year to different art exibits to shop.

Once you live in Basel, you quickly learn not to dare to brag much about anything.  It is very taboo to be proud of yourself and show it.  If you want to make a local very uncomfortable, compliment that person in front of others.

So, you see, it is the polar opposite of the city I moved from.  Los Angeles.  Where its best to stand out of the crowd, to be different and special.  It is a very bad, bad place.  In a Michael Jackson, “Bad”,  kind of way.  I am a person who wants to be good and do good, so here I sit, in Basel, feeling kind of bad sometimes but what for?!

This summer, I attended a classy Basel party.  It was unlike any party I have been to in Bel Aire or Beverly Hills, with the exception that famous sex therapist, Dr. Ruth was there.  The majority of guests were pharmaceutical employees, her fellow doctors and the like.  Most made sure not to act like they knew who she was, even when they did.  I on the other hand, made sure to meet her, shake her powerful & tiny hand and say, “Thank you for empowering women through many great years by leading sex education.” You can see a photo of us together on my website soon.

Over 15 years I have slowly become a professional makeup artist and hair stylist.  I earned a diploma from Toni and Guy hair academy in London.  I constantly further this education, believe it or not.  It was never a dream of mine, I fell into the occupation while doing my university internship in Chicago.  Years later, in Los Angeles, I accepted another job for a pop act that later sold platinum.  As I strolled through a Best Buy store, I was surprised to see a huge poster of this band.  It was a photograph by Danny Clinch, NYC. A project that I had worked on with him two years prior.  So, I can not deny that this gave me credibility as a makeup artist and therefore more jobs.

This was during a time in Hollywood when SAG (Screen actors guild) and writers were striking often, so I stayed out of the union because I simply got more work.  It was never my goal to be a celebrity makeup artist although I did work on a few.  I have finally come to the realization that it is meant to be. I’m just a natural at this I’m told.  So I am going to try harder rather than take good jobs I get for granted, as I did in LA in the past.

Now in Switzerland, I consult male and female business people as to how they can look much better, while still looking natural.  With the exception of a posh job I did for Cartier watch advertisements, Hong Kong.  Styling fashion models was fun.  I have been featured in, “Swiss Wedding”, magazine for doing hair and makeup too.  Hey, it is OK to be proud of one’s accomplishments. In Basel people are surely more impressed with my Cartier fashion model styling work than my Playboy tv model work.  Go figure (no pun intended).  I must admit, the Playboy tv models had a lot more genuine personality and spunk!  Some became party buddies of mine when I visited The Mansion, which was not often.  I find that the term friend is used much to loosely in LA.  I keep it for real friends of mine.  In Los Angeles, to work for Playboy is rather respectable work.  In Basel, well, not so much.

At another sophisticated Basel party, I was told by a wonderful couple who collect fine art in Basel, that I should blog on WordPress. They were complimentary and encouraging to me!  They appeared to sincerely respect that I lived and worked independently in Hollywood for 10 years before arriving in Basel.  They did not ask what my job title is or what university I graduated from.  These two lovely people told me about this blog and because of them I feel compelled to repeat these quotes on WordPress:  “When it comes to friendship, quality matters more than quantity.” and “It is nice to be important but its more important to be nice.”

It is OK to give people compliments and recognition, it makes them feel good about themselves, its nice.  It is also OK to confidently  say, “Thank you”,  with your head up when you get complimented.

I am on WordPress to let people know that I have a fun website called Style by Victoria.  Men, women and kids may get easy and affordable online consultations via Skype, from me.  My goal is to meet more interesting clients from all over the world. I would like to meet you.

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Style by Victoria is for all ages and all reasons.  Did you know that your possibilities for self beautification and self improvement are endless, at any age?  Why not do something creative for yourself every day? Be yourself, be unique, be brave and proud of who you are and where you are from.  I will help you gain confidence and with this you become more attractive in many ways.  I do believe I have already helped Basel locals, since moving here in 2008.  My husband is Swiss and worth the move.  I was not sure of this at first though.  He also encouraged me to do WordPress and is very supportive of me these days.

I intend on blogging about different subjects and I hope they are good blogs that you enjoy.  Writing makes me feel good and not so, “Michael Jackson bad in Basel”, sometimes.  I do have a speech minor, after all, so I will put my lofty state university degree to work (kidding!).  Please check out the photos and music I wrote and recorded on the STYLE BY VICTORIA website…if you dare to go there.

Thank you for reading,

Victoria