Check out Katie Kate’s just released YouTube music video for “Uh..no” from her album Flatland. It was directed by Stephen Gray and was filmed at Capitol Hill’s Fred Wildlife Refuge.

D’Arcy Harrison (of D’Arcy Hair Design at Emerson Salon) created two looks for the video. Both looks incorporate her side buzz cut that needs to be freshened up every 3-4 weeks. The braided/bun updo was achieved with 3 and 4 strand braids pinned into a bi-level bun. The long, flowy hair was achieved by taking out the braids (which left it wavy). adding bright blond extensions and back brushing. And of course, Kevin Murphy Session Spray was the hard hold heavy to keep the hair looking fabulous during the 18 hour video shoot!

Look for Katie Kate to perform at the Sasquatch Music Festival at The Gorge in addition to the labor day Bumbershoot Music Festival at Seattle Center. Make sure to follow her on YouTube.

To learn more about D’Arcy, you can read her profile on this site or go to her NEW website www.darcyhairdesign.com and subscribe to her mailing list or like her facebook fan page.

In all the gossip and fashion magazines we have been seeing a real trend towards “ombre” highlighted hair. Ombre is a french term meaning,”shaded.” In terms of haircolor, it is the slow melting effect of a darker shade gradually getting lighter towards the ends until the entire ends region is the brightest haircolor on the head.

We have seen this trend show up on Lauren Conrad, Jennifer Lopez, Drew Barrymow and now, everyday Seattle gals who come in to Emerson Salon! Here, we advise you on how to have realistic expectations of what getting “ombre” will entail so you can make an informed decision before plunging into a new look.

Pros of Ombre Highlights:

This application does not require a lot of regular color maintenance services. Generally, the darkest shade is within 1-2 levels of the natural hair shade and helps to buffer any growout demarcation line. Once the ombre is achieved, you might only need to schedule regular trims, deep conditioning and a toner for the ends.

If you take care of your hair, it can be absolutely gorgeous! It is soft, modern and looks good with browns and auburns or brown and blonds, or beiges and platinum blonds. Make sure your stylist works within a color palette that works with your skin and eye tones. The ombre looks good curled, flat ironed or beach waved as long as you use a nourishing protectant like Kendi Oil by Alterna Bamboo. It is a miracle worker for split ends and adds shine.

Ombre is becoming ripe for experimentation. We’ve seen Drew Barrymore do a reverse ombre with blond roots- midshaft and black ends. Lauren Conrad just did a ponytail dipped in pink. If you can, think outside the box and make yours especially you!

Cons of Ombre Highlights:

In order to achieve the ultra light blond on the ends, most hair will have to be bleached unless the hair is naturally a medium blond or lighter. Bleaching can cause major damage to the hair as it creates explosions within the hair structure that blows the hair shaft and cuticle layers apart. This damage is permanent. It can be colored over but the damage lives in that hair until it is cut out. IMPORTANT: If you switch back and forth between ultra light, to darker, to ultra light, etc you will get breakage. This means loss of fullness and/or length. The longer the hair and the more checkered the chemical history, the more likely the hair is to break or become a gummy mush that can’t be styled or colored. So be careful what you ask for!

The service can use a lot of bleach and a lot of color and depending on your type of hair, its history, and the desired result this can mean a service that ranges from $100 to more of a color correction that can go upwards of $200-250+.

Once highlighted, it can be problematic to add pigment to the ultra light damaged ends. This also can turn into a color correction if the hair needs to be “filled” or stepped down to the desired darker shade. We recommend committing to an application of ombre for a minimum of 3-6 months with regular trims to maintain the least breakage. That way, you get the trend and bang for your buck.

You will need appropriate support products and appointments to repair some of the damage and keep the color looking its best. A great deep conditioner is the Restorative Mask by Moroccan Oil to be used once or twice a week. Its has moisture and protein that can be applied to damp hair for 15-20 minutes at home. Also, use a great shampoo and conditioner line like Luminous Shine by Alterna that is color safe, sulfate free and eco certified.

Always bring a picture of what you think you want your desired result will look like but always be somewhat flexible due to hair type and hair condition. Your stylist will review what the game plan will be to achieve that look and whether that works within your budget for the service, products and maintenance.

These fashion trends can be so fun to play with but always make an educated decision before you color- Hair is your everyday accessory- make sure it always looks and feels its best!

Post by D’Arcy

D’Arcy Harrison of D’Arcy Hair Design (at Emerson Salon) was most recently named 1 of the TOP 56 stylists in the Seattle area by Seattle Met Magazine in its March issue (see image of pg. 72). D’Arcy also participated in Seattle Metropolitan’s anonymous survey to help customers get in Seattle Stylists’ heads on subjects like tipping, using pictures, and finding out what celebrity styles stylists are sick of doing.

D’Arcy has garnered this special attention in particular for her recent partnership with rapper Katie Kate. “Kate started out as a haircut client and morphed into a creative partner and trusted friend,” D’Arcy says. “I have enjoyed collaborating and seeking fresh looks with her in order to maximize Katie Kate’s ‘buzz’. I love the challenge!”

Katie Kate just released an album this past fall called, “Flatland.” She also has done the rounds at Chop Suey, Ballard Tavern, and the Crocodile. You’ll see her this summer in the Sasquatch and Bumbershoot Festivals as well as in an upcoming music video for her song, “Uh..no”. Click on the song title for a behind the scenes look!

In addition to working with Katie Kate and serving many satisfied haircut and color clients, D’Arcy also recently shared a color class in Italy Hairfashion with the growing team at Emerson Salon. “I love helping other stylists almost as much as helping my clients. The more I assist their understanding the happier I am,” she says. “I am so lucky to live where I live, and work where I work!”

Want to have D’Arcy tend to you and YOUR hair? Go to her profile and email her when you find an appointment opening in day or week view:
Wed thru Sat 10a-8p at D’Arcy’s Public Calendar
click here for a Price List
www.facebook.com/DARCYHAIRDESIGN

Post by D’Arcy

This week I had the honor to be a featured artist for the RAW artists showcase at iMusic. There was art, fashion,music, makeup, hair and great times! Part of participating in a showcase with RAW is the portfolio building as well as a taped video piece which I will share when it comes out in 3 weeks! But for now.. I will share with you my thoughts behind what I created!

I want to start off by saying that this runway show was an opportunity to “push the envelope,” on what I could accomplish with hair. I get to work with stellar clients daily making their styles work for them and their needs but for one night I threw practicality to the wind! I let my imagination wander to places, ideas and concepts I wanted to explore. One of the main concepts I kept coming back to was,”SCULPTURAL FLOW.”

What this means to me (as a daughter of a sculptor) is a 3 dimensional (3D) hair representation of how flow is created in hair and with hair. In the same guise, I also wanted to see how flow can be stopped or redirected with hair in order to establish different components of a style. The images that kept running through my mind were of: Talum and Chichen Itza pyramids in Mexico, rippled sands in an Arabian desert, and the waves in the “Bride of Frankenstein” hair.

In order to accomplish the varied styles, I used clip in human hair extensions. In order to ad fullness to one of the styles I custom colored the pieces to match the models hair using It&ly’s Vivly semipermanent Titian to repigmentize and then toned with It&ly’s Colorly transluscent color formula 7FA tutti frutti and 10 volume. Other clip ins were sprayed with costume spray color, Extra Hold Hairspray by Alterna Caviar and Gloss Sealant Spray from Blick art supply. In order to set the pieces I used a triple barrel wave iron in order to have a consistent, fabricated wave pattern in the pieces.

I also employed some old school styling tricks like back combing, backbrushing, and creative bobby pinning (they have to be hidden!) in addition to using newer products like Morroccan Oil and Anti gravity+Session Spray by Kevin Murphy. I am super proud of the work I did and I hope you do like it too….. Enjoy “going with the flow!”

(Credits:D’Arcy Hair Design- Hair, Nyk Foto-photography, Fashion- Kim McCormick/Kimmi Designs and Jessica Nees-Makeup)

In a hair stylist’s career, it is always awesome to be presented with a great artistic opportunity.

D’Arcy Hair Design of Emerson Salon will have the honor of being a featured Hair Artist for RAW artists Thursday, February 9th Showcase. RAW artists is in 22 cities nationwide and works with the local arts community to create showcases, events and awards that puts a spotlight on emerging talent in fashion, makeup, performing art,modelling, film, art, photography, hair, and music. A RAW artist gets invaluable portfolio building, exposure, and will not only network and socialize but most importantly, get a chance to collaborate with peers in different fields.

“ACTIVATE,” Seattle’s first RAW showcase will be held at iMusic on 5th Ave North (across from EMP/Space Needle) and D’Arcy will be styling for Kimmi Designs (formal fashions of repurposed/recycled fabrics.)

The doors are at 8pm with a DJ, a unique visual and visceral artistic experience, 3 bars, good vibes and at 10pm there will be 2 fashion runway shows. Advance tickets are only $10!
Check out http://www.rawartists.org or BUY a TICKET to see D’Arcy Hair Design.

Come out and support our thriving creative community with us!

Post by D’Arcy

In the last few years, hair extensions have blossomed from a rich girl’s indulgence to a fun, reasonable change for a stylish girl with specific hair length or fullness preferences.

At Emerson Salon, D’Arcy of D’Arcy Hair Design has been wearing Babe Hair Extensions since March of 2011. Here, we show you her old look with blunt bangs and a short bob. Then, right after the extension application and haircut, Lastly, the most recent pic of her on this website. It is a dramatic transformation but it is not necessary to add length. Some finer hair ladies like to add extra density so styling looks its best and lasts longer. And others like adding pieces of the fun purple, magenta, pink, blue, green, or orange to save their hair from prelightening damage. (Darker hair needs to be prelightened in order for some vivid colors to show up the best.)

My pricing for extensions is as follows:
(The colors will be chosen during the consultation in addition to determining the number of pieces required for the desired result. The selection ranges from vivid, punk colors to natural hair colors.) You pay after the consultation for the cost of the hair and beads (wholesale).

• Application: $70/hr (due at time of service)
• Move up: $35/hr (due at time of service/usually every 4-6 weeks)
• Beads: $14.00/100 beads
• 18” straight: $38.75/ 20 pcs
• 22” straight or wavy: $50.00/ 20pcs

It can take between 40-200 pcs depending on desired result

It is important to provide appropriate care to the extensions by:

• Combing from the ends up
• Use dry shampoo so oils from your scalp will not break down the hard wax on the extension tip. D’Arcy uses Alterna’s Caviar Dry Shampoo. It is a talc free powder and it rocks!
• Scheduling regular maintenance (every 4-6 weeks)
• Using salon quality shampoo, conditioner and styling product. D’Arcy uses Alterna Bamboo Anti Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner because it helps keep the extensions from matting up by smoothing with bamboo extract and other ingredients. She also uses Alterna Kendi oil to protect her hair while she curls it.

Be brave and try out a new look- its within your reach!

Post by D’Arcy

My name is D’Arcy and I specialize in formal, vintage and bridal hairstyling. If you take a look at my online portfolio (DARCYHAIRDESIGN on facebook) you can see the examples I have of many joyous brides who were ecstatic with what I came up with for their big day.

I updated my price list recently and here is the latest info on my pricing:
Formal Style in salon………………………………………………………………$65-$85
Bridal Updo in salon………………………………………………………..$110.00-$140
Bridal Practice+pics in salon………………………………………………………$40.00
Formal Styling On-Site*………………………………………………………$85 per hour
Formal Styling On-Site Day Rate (12 or more hours)*…………………..$850 ($170off)
(Travel costs will be added for on-site stylings if not provided)
(*required: electrical outlet, table+chair, dry environment, $100 deposit up to 1 week before)

Consultations are always free and if you have a larger bridal party and a small amount of time- I can pull in a colleague or two to accomodate your matron/maid of honor and extra bridesmaids. We can even style the groom and groomsmen!

Whether you want to be pampered inside our salon or beyond I am sure Emerson Salon and D’Arcy Hair Design can confidently serve you!

Post by D’Arcy

Happy New Year’s Seattle! Emerson Salon is taking part in some 2012 New Year’s Resolutions of our own and this year, our team’s goal is to become even more integral to our community’s and clients’ lives. Now more than ever, small businesses like us really bolster a local and diverse neighborhood like Capitol Hill much more than a national chain. We reinvest our energy back into you!

One major change at Emerson Salon we’ve made with the new year is that all stylists have switched over to become self-employed, renting their chairs and managing their own books. While you will still get the same great hair services from your team at Emerson Salon, this means that each stylist is working to build their own business and future. One change is that you might see is that the staff at Emerson are taking part in a new revolution in small business called Square. Through a mini-card reader, any smartphone can swipe a credit or debit card and be free of costly credit card machines and merchant-services contracts. Through Square, you can pay, sign, tip and receive email receipts in seconds, its pretty amazing!

Going forward, each stylist will be managing their own schedule and appointments and will be sure to let you know the best way to get your appointments booked, but we will still have our salon email and phone for your convenience. If you are a new client, feel free to write emersonsalon@gmail.com to book or look for contact information on a particular stylist’s profile. We appreciate your patience during the transition and we are confident the adjustment will be minimal and smooth.

An additional note, D’Arcy and Lancer have been accepted to WashingtonCash.org’s 8 week business training course at the end of January. This is a great non profit resource that provides small business entrepreneurs ongoing support with bookkeeping, tax calculations, goal setting, savings, coaching, etc.

Seattle, what are your New Year’s Resolutions? What changes will you make this year…..a hair change maybe! We sure hope so!

Post by D’Arcy

Meredith recently reviewed her visit with D’Arcy on Yelp:

“D’Arcy Harrison is the BEST stylist I’ve ever been to, and I’ve certainly done my homework. First of all, she sat down with me for about 15-20 minutes the first time I came in, just to get to know my personality and my preferences. No one has ever done that with me before, but it should be required when dealing with someone’s hair. During the entire appointment, she was pretty much educating me on all things hair…I learned a ton about the balayage process, as well as other tips on how to maintain a great cut and color.

I’ve been getting balayage for the past 2 years, but no one has paid as much attention to detail as D’Arcy does. The color turned out beautifully, and the cut (a short bob) was adorable, too! I’ve gotten numerous compliments on my hair in the past few months, even from really catty girls who don’t just hand out the ‘feed goods’!! I have another appointment with her tomorrow, and I can’t wait to see what king of magic she works on me this time!” (Read full review here)

Katherine, another client at Emerson Salon, has posted an update to her review. Here is the post about her first visit: “……I was fed up and wanted my RED. I looked around and found Emerson through a simple Google search of “Red hair Seattle”. I immediately came on to yelp and started to read reviews. I found Amanda S.’s review and decided right then I would go here and try D’Arcy.

BINGO! She red bleached my hair and put a semi permanent color on that really pops! Its exactly the color I showed her. I was nervous about semi permanent seeing I had DIY red hair in high school that was awful, but I’m writing this 3ish weeks later and my hair is still the same exact red as when I walked out their door! And double bonus, although I have dyed my pillow, every towel in the house and a couple of shirts, this stuff actually washes out of fabric, something manic panic in HS didn’t. Doesn’t wash out of my hair, washes out of my clothes, I’m in heaven.”

This happy “blood” redhead was told by D’Arcy to return in 3-5 weeks in order to retouch the grow-out of her dark brown hair. It is important that this color is maintained on a regular basis to make it look its best. This is also because application can become complicated if the new growth is more than an inch due to the fact that the chemicals behave differently with the warmth of the head. If there is more than the one inch of growth- bleach or color must be applied to the area beyond the 1″ prior to applying to the root. This can take additional time and can cost more money than a straightforward retouch.

Here is the follow up on Katherine’s return:

“I got my hair re-done about a week ago ….and GREAT customer service! I’m so glad I found this place! Did I mention that my hair looks just as perfect as it did the first time?” (full reviews here)

She heeded the advice of her stylist and was rewarded with consistent color! HINT: to keep a vibrant red shade at its optimum make sure to wash in lukewarm to cold water, shampoo less frequently (we recommend using FRESH.HAIR spray dry shampoo by Kevin Murphy), and shampoo with sulfate free shampoo. Sulfates are salts that fade color.

Thanks for the props Katherine! The red looks fabu on YOU!

Essy also just posted a new review with D’Arcy on 12/2: “I have never been loyal to any hair salon let alone a single person. To be honest I never had such a haircut that I loved so much that I sought out one specific person. But I have been going to D’Arcy now for several months and love her!

In these past months i’ve seen her i’ve gone through several different looks. She has given me awesome bangs (something I always wanted but never tried) and taught me how to train them. Cut off 13 inches to donate, and given me a very stylish bob (random people would compliment me on the street). And now is helping me grow out those bangs. –yes i cant seem to keep the same look for more than a week!

I sincerely recommend D’Arcy. Best of all she listens to what you want and then tells you what will look good. Afterall SHE is the professional!” (full review)

Post by D’arcy

Last month we saw the release of the film version of the popular book “The Help,” which stars Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Allison Janney and Sissy Spacek. The story chronicles a young woman in the 1960′s who decides to write a book from the controversial point of view of the African-American “help” who aid in the raising of caucasian children in a segregated South. Acting as a true to life expose, the ripples from the book end up stirring part of the Civil Rights movement.

As the lead character, Eugenia (or Skeeter), Emma Stone’s hair departed from her natural auburn shade through the use of a wig to a lighter strawberry blond. The hair color is very soft and feminine and is easier to keep up than a vibrant red shade as it’s a more neutral tone. In addition, the texture or movement to the hair is a very tight curl (like the type we saw during the 1980′s) If you don’t have natural curl it can be a process to achieve. If you wish to create this look on yourself there are some ways to go about it:

• If your hair is a natural medium brown or auburn, ask your stylist to formulate a lifting hair color. This type of color is a custom formulation that uses a higher level of chemicals that will break up the natural pigment deep within your hair. It is not always necessary to bleach out the hair to achieve lightness on naturally pigmented hair. (If you have any artificial pigment anywhere on your hair, it is necessary to bleach.)
• To achieve the tight curl, ask for a permanent wave service that uses small to medium rods in a corkscrew layout. This will give the most optimized curl from just below the root to the ends. Perms are much more advanced these days and there are types that can be used on colored hair, highlighted hair, resistant hair or normal hair. It is even possible to color and perm on the same day!
• To style on permed or naturally curly hair, start with MoroccanOil Shampoo and Conditioner which are paraben and sulfate free. By prepping with the appropriate products in the shower you can minimize frizz and manageability. Once towel dried (scrunch, don’t rub), mix MoroccanOil treatment oil and the Intense Curl Cream. This will hydrate and control the curl in addition to giving it hold and bounce. Diffuse on a medium heat setting until 90% dry as drying completely can frizz up the hair. Finish with Working Spray by Alterna for a flexible hold.

This film looks like a really great conversation starter and exhibits some really awesome 1960′s hair. The performances are also amazing!
Want to maximize your hair’s performance? Come on in to Emerson Salon and receive a free product consultation with your service!

Post by D’Arcy