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Articles from ‘D’Arcy Harrison’

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Awe Inspiring

Once a year, the North American Hairstyling Awards attracts the country’s top talent in hair. It is there that anyone from student up to master stylist compete for the coveted privilege of being featured as the region’s best and most creative. This year was no exception. The awards were held at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada and really wowed us here at Emerson Salon when we saw the end results.

Jake Thompson, Avant Garde Stylist of the Year


Eli Mancha, Hairstylist of the Year


Kris Sorbie, Master Hairstylist of the Year

These hairstyles push the envelope in color and styling and to be honest, some of these styles look nearly impossible to achieve! Our stylists were racking their brains to try and figure out how the heck they did all that! These styles are definitely not ‘everyday’ hair but instead serve to inspire and revitalize the hairstyling community to stretch and challenge themselves daily.

Some go to products for any creative stylist who wants to make a big impression are:

    • Session.Spray by Kevin.Murphy: This resin based hairspray is workable when lightly sprayed twelve inches from the hair or sprayed directly for a hard hold. It has no CFC’s and contains conditioning hydrolyzed wheat proteins and a UV shield to protect color.
    • Working Spray by Alterna Caviar: This workable spray is light and flexible and contains Age Control Complex and Seasilk.
    • Rapid Repair Spray by Alterna Caviar: This no-hold finishing spray has great shine, vitamins and a fruity smell!
    • Night.Rider by Kevin.Murphy: This product is a matte texturizer with firm hold and contains beeswax which aids in its pliability. It is easy to use and sets almost on contact which is great for creating a sturdy, messy look.
    • Moroccanoil: This treatment line uses a dry argan nut oil that is non-greasy and and multifunctional. Blow dry and straighten, or scrunch and diffuse! Either way your hair will feel moisturized, controlled and conditioned.

Feeling inspired to do something to your hair that pushes the envelope? Be brave and let Emerson Salon take you outside the box!

Post by D’Arcy

TagsD'Arcy Harrison, Extreme Hair, Hair Art

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

Bursts of Color

Lately we have seen many female stars getting bolder and bolder with their hair choices. This is encouraging as the definition of beauty becomes broader and broader. This week, Dianna Agron of Glee fame shocked us all by donning a pink hue to her usually blond tresses. This color was most likely achieved through the use of a vivid semi permanent like the Pravanna Vivids we use at Emerson Salon. These products are better than Manic Panic or Special Effects colors because of their added chromasilk protein and shades formulated with botanicals and plant derived pigments.

Most hair must be pre lightened with bleach prior to applying a vivid color and this process can cause damage. The chromasilk helps to fill in the damage and aid the hair in feeling healthier. Dianna also just cut her hair into what is now being dubbed a “shab” which is a play on combining a bob and a shag. A bob is a haircut just below the ears or down to just above the shoulders. A shag is a haircut that has lots of texture, layers and movement.

Weeks ago, I did a post on pop star Katy Perry’s process to get her hair lighter. She had to live with “ginger” locks for a few weeks while on the way to blond hair so she could eventually apply the subtle lavender color you see here. Lavender is a difficult color to achieve as many vivid lines just have concentrated colors and not pastels. If I were to try to achieve this color on a client, I would bleach it to pale yellow and then create a custom color, coupling light pink with a dot or two of violet.

Last but certainly never least is the Queen of Bold- Lady Gaga! Her array of wigs gives her many options for her appearances and concerts. Here she wears an eccentric teal bob but for a few weeks we saw probably 4 or 5 different versions of teal- long, short, super high beehive, whatever! I even have a client who rocks the electric blue like Gaga and loves how it looks! She is in every 5-6 weeks to have the vivid shade refreshed.

Whatever your style you can add as much boldness as you want! Add a streak or do it all over! Book today…

Post by D’Arcy

TagsBobs, Celebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Color, Shab

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Current Trends in Style: the Center Part and Buns

I’ve found that center parts, buns and chignons have been this year’s most used classic modern trends. From the Miu Miu runway, to the red carpet with Mila Kunis, to the grocery store and the mall, we see these trends popping up everywhere!

Center parts are great because its a fast fix to elongate the face shape and in some cases it can visually accentuate hair length as well. A center part is great whether the hair is worn up or down. Wearing your hair down makes it seem casual and fresh, while putting it up looks elegant and sophisticated. The center part can be used for modern, straight looks as well as bohemian and wavy.


Kim Kardashian is known for her thick, raven locks that she usually prefers to wear down with a center part. She wears this look often for red carpet appearances, her tv show, interviews and so on. She’s getting married soon, do you think it will be up or down, center part or side? We can’t wait to see!
If you have a similar hair type to Kim try using these tips:

  • Prep your towel dried hair prior to washing and conditioning with Silky Sleek Brilliance Cream by Alterna Bamboo which uses an Indian Gooseberry extract. It even has minute shine particles that catch the light! (Tip:Make sure to part the hair in the center part by aligning it with the nose.)
  • Using a larger bristle round brush, blow dry the hair making sure to elevate the sections above the part for root volume. Feel free to use Body.Builder by Kevin.Murphy on the roots if your is extra thick or dense. It is a spray in mousse and can be aimed only where you need it.
  • Using a larger barrel curling iron, take larger vertical sections and slightly twist them. Start the curl near the root for lift and then roll the section horizontally making sure the ends are wrapped all the way into the curling iron.
  • Allow the curls to cool and separate lightly with Kevin.Murphy’s wide toothed anti-static comb.
  • Spray with Alterna Working Spray to finish

Buns and chignons (the french term for tightly knotted hair at the nape) are quick and easy as it only takes a hairband and a few bobby or hairpins to secure. This type of style is great to show off bridal or formal gowns in addition to casual maxi dresses as it accentuates the bare neck, decollete and shoulders. Show off some new jewelry this way or your newfound summer tan! (Tip: A fun way to spice up a bun is to move it to a side bun with loose waves. )

Gwyneth Paltrow is also known for her fine, golden locks in addition to her new vocal styling contributions on Glee. She sports the center part for her formal and casual looks, yet rarely chooses to don the upper bun style for those formal occasions. This is probably because down styles are quicker to do with 2 kids and a crazy career! Also, a down style tends to deaccentuate a squarish jaw like Gwyneth’s. Think of ways to use hair to accentuate and deaccentuate your strengths and flaws. It can’t hurt to know what enhances your look rather than the opposite!
It takes a good amount of prep to maneuver a lesser density hair type like Gwyneth’s into a sixties style bouffant bun. Here are some tips on achieving this look on a fine to medium density hair type:

  • Wash with Angel.Wash and Rinse from Kevin.Murphy, towel dry and apply Anti.Gravity oil free volumizer all over.
  • Spray Body.Builder into the roots prior to a rough blowdry.
  • Once dry, use cushion boar bristle brush to “back brush” volume into the ends and crown.This makes a soft volume that can be easily smoothed. Feel free to use Powder.Puff by KM at the crest of the head to support the backbrushing.
  • Part the hair in the middle making sure to smooth back the crown.
  • Gather all the hair slightly off center at the nape of the head and using bobby pins, hook the chignon into itself and into the hair outside the bun. Do this a few times and you will have a super sturdy bun!
  • Spray with Alterna Hard Hold Spray to finish.

With a little work, a little product and the right styling tools, you are on your way to debuting these great looks!
Wanna avoid the hassle? Book a styling session with Emerson Salon today!

Post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Uncategorized

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Style Shifts in Hollywood

It seems now is the time to change hair looks- from Hollywood, to New York, from music to film, and from celebrity to everyday jane!


Here we look at a fun, outside the box change with Lauren Conrad’s new blue and purple hair tips. This is an easy way to transform blond hair into a more vivacious and bold, new look! We love this spunky new addition that transforms her from her usual put together look into a more effervescent beauty!

To style: Rough blowdry with Anti.Gravity by Kevin.Murphy. Spray in Hair Resort Spray By KM and curl with a large barrel curling iron. Finish with Rapid Repair Spray for shine by Alterna.


For a few days, people thought Vanessa Hudgens was sporting a short wig for a film but alas! it was actually a drastically shorter do! Vanessa has naturally wavy hair that is very thick and dense and has been long ever since she debuted in High School Musical. This cut is great as it still softens her and actually aids in making her look taller as the petite Vanessa was visually almost overpowered by her hair length. The perimeter hits past the ears and leaves a rounded nape in addition to long layers that are pulled back away from the face.

To style: Apply MoroccanOil Glimmer Shine to towel dried hair and dry with a medium sized, round bristle brush away from the face. To finish, lightly spray Texture Master by Kevin.Murpy for movement, height and hold.


Lastly, we came to know Evan Rachel Wood’s True Blood character Queen Sophie-Anne LeClerq as a feisty, redheaded lesbian vampire. Recently, though, Evan opted to completely alter her look into a shorter do with cropped sides and a longer, textured top. She also toned down the red by “browning out” the sides and nape in addition to bleach and toning the top into a beige blond with a balayage technique.

To style: On dry hair apply Night.Rider by Kevin.Murphy to the top lengths for texture and height. Then spray with Session.Spray by Kevin.Murphy for height and hold. Tip: Using your fingers and a medium heat blow dryer will help set the hair spray when creating height.

Looking to shift your style, too? Subtle or Dramatic we are here to serve at Emerson and we give you,
“Whatcha Whatcha Whatcha Want!”( Beastie Boys)

Post by D’arcy

TagsBalayage, Celebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Color, Movies, Short Hair, Styling Tips, Television

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

Fresh and New Musical Style

Are you looking for the next Seattle music and style icon? Look no further! One of my clients, Katie Kate, is a super talented songwriter, rapper, and sound engineer. She recently finished up an album that promises to transform her into a real force like her mainstream counterparts: M.I.A., Nicki MInaj and others. We can’t sample anything (yet!) but in anticipation of all the new attention she will get, Katie Kate gave me the opportunity to completely change her look.

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Katie Kate started out with extremely dense, wavy/curly hair past her shoulders that I have been trimming and thinning for the last couple years.For her new look, I started out with my Andis Master Clipper to get the bulk of the length off. Kate wanted to take her hair off in stages as this was a drastic change she had never tried but was excited to embrace! Then I used my Oster 76 Fast Feed clippers and “buzzed” off the one side to an extremely shorter length.

Kate decided she wanted a “cut out” pattern in the shorter side and decided upon a “sine wave” pattern. A sine wave is a sound wave with smooth, repetitive oscillation. Kate knows her stuff and this was a perfect opportunity for it to show up (literally) on her hair. I used my edge trimmers to create this effect by starting off with hair adhesive tape to get the crisp, horizontal line. Then I freehanded the fluid line with patience as the grain of hair can present challenges with creating a smooth line.

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For the rest of the haircut I created an inverted (asymmetrical from back to front) long bob with thinned out ends and trimmed swoop bang.
To style: Apply MoroccanOil to towel dried hair and round brushed section by section from nape to top.
To Finish: Flat ironed the entire head from mid shaft to ends and lightly sprayed with Alterna Caviar Working Spray.

I am SO excited to hear Katie Kate’s entire album! You should be too!
Wanna look like a rockstar too? Book today at Emerson Salon!

Post by D’arcy

TagsClient Photos, Community, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Art, Hair Styles

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

Katy Perry’s Color Adventure

There has been a lot of talk on twitter lately since Katy Perry tweeted, “So I didn’t get to the exact color I wanted from being black for so long! To get to goal I have to be a ginger for three weeks!” (US Weekly). Katy has worn many different hair looks from colored wigs, colored extensions, to elaborate hair creations for videos and gorgeous red carpet looks.


Some might ask, why does Katy Perry have to wait for the color she wants when she has access to the best products and top of the line services? This is something I tell many of my clients who want to go significantly lighter on previously colored dark hair: Black and Natural Black hair colors are the most difficult to remove from the hair.

When lifting the hair it is easier to soften the hair color to brown or red but lifting past the brassy or orange stage can be a challenge even for the most seasoned stylist. I ask my clients whether they feel committed to the dark hair color for at least 6 months to a year because frequent color changes can cause major breakage and color fading and inconsistencies. I generally recommend using a demi-permanent darker shade to avoid such issues in the future.

As a stylist, I have encountered the “Bleach Wall” which means that after extensive bleaching to lift the black color out that the hair will decide not to lift any more. Hair can only take so much and the last thing anyone wants is a “chemical” haircut where you lose density and length due to extensive damage. So, in order for Katy Perry to keep as much of her hair as possible it is necessary to give the hair a week or two break. During this time it is best to do as much deep conditioning as possible. We have a few we carry at the salon:

  • MoroccanOil Restorative Masque goes on damp hair after shampooing and is left in for 2o minutes at room temperature. This contains protein, shea butter, canola oil, vegetable protein and keratin.
  • Born.Again by Kevin.Murphy goes on damp hair and under heat for 20 minutes. It contains natural anti-oxidants and botanicals such as rose hip and rose absolute which are intensive hydraters and regenerators.
  • An in salon treatment called Caviar Rejuvenation Treatment (CRT) that contains 3 steps and takes up to an hour to complete. It contains no sulfates, parabens, gluten, dea, paba, paraffin or pthalates. It does contain skin enzymetherapy, seasilk and uva/uvb protection. This service can be done the same day as the initial bleaching process but is recommended as a preventative tool rather than an aid in additional bleaching the day of.
  • After the hair has taken a well deserved vacation from bleaching, high heat tools and sun then the final step of lifting through the “ginger” can be achieved. The hair will still be delicate and must be treated with the ultimate care with professional level shampoos and conditioners like Alterna’s Bamboo Anti Frizz line which not only helps smooth down the roughed up hair but is also color safe.

We can’t wait to see what haircolor Katy comes up with after her “hair break”! What color will you change to? Book a consultation today!

Post by D’arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, Corrective Color, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Care, Hair Color, Women's Hair

Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

How to Look Your Best on the Wedding Day

Ah, wedding season is upon us! Some of you are getting married, some of you are participating in a wedding or some are going to be attending-but regardless of what role you play, you want to look your absolute best!

Here, I have shown some examples of simple, classic formal styles for weddings and some that get a little bit more creative. The range of styles is wide so I tell my brides to schedule a consultation a few weeks before the big day. Its always best to bring pictures of what you would like and not like as I can create a personalized look for you based on the elements you would like to include. No bad prom looking hair for you and my updos are built to last through sweat, tears and dancing!

I also recommend a bridal practice session ahead of time to trouble shoot any problems in the style. It eases your mind and helps me to plan out the best layout for the hair to maximize aesthetics for pictures as well as making sure the style stays all day into night!

Here is our pricing structure for formal styling:
-Bridal practice session: $40 (can include a shampoo/ blowout after)
-Bridal styling: $100-$120 (price varies based on length or density)

(Group discount: More than 3 people (including the bride): bridal $85-$95, others in group $45)

Look your best on your big day with Emerson Salon- book today!

Post by D’arcy

TagsBridal Hair, Client Photos, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Consultation, Hair Styles, Updos, Wedding Hair, Women's Hair

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

New Inspirations!

We are extremely excited and inspired as stylists any time a new tool is introduced that we have never used before. Emerson Salon recently received a new concept in styling by Kevin.Murphy called the WAVE.CLIP. This well designed tool is intended to create soft, consistent,undulating waves on medium to long hair. Our receptionist, Ashley, graciously volunteered to let me play with them on her hair.

IMAG0283

We started with dry, stick straight hair and applied Anti.Gravity because of its style setting properties in addition to being weightless in the hair once heat activated. The product was applied to the midshaft to ends in order to maximize the style where we apply the clips (they open and close with just a click!)

IMAG0278

The point of the clips is two fold: 1) you use as many clips as needed to create a fluid wave from 3″ from the part line to the bottom of the section and 2) there are ventilation holes to aid in faster drying. Once all the clips were applied (see how Kevin Murphy demonstrates the WAVE.CLIP in the video below) I briefly used high heat on a low setting to activate the wave pattern in the clips.


Once the WAVE.CLIPs were quickly removed, the wave achieved was soft, shiny and great for a day at work or happy hour with friends! Just think how much time is cut out when you don’t have to curl or start from freshly washed hair. This look could be a great way to transition your hair from day into night, work into fun!

IMAG0281

Want to get that quick, soft wave too? Book a styling appointment at Emerson Salon and experience a style revolution!

Post by D’Arcy

TagsD'Arcy Harrison, Hair Styles, Hair Tips, Kevin Murphy, Styling Tips, Wavy Hair

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

How to get Blake Lively’s hair from the Green Lantern

On June 13, the long awaited movie adaptation of the DC comic, Green Lantern, will be in theaters (starring Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Peter Saarsgard.) The film follows a young test pilot who suddenly gains super powers when a green ring is given to him from another world.

With-Ryan-Reynolds-in-Green-Lantern

For this movie, the usually blond Blake Lively (of Gossip Girl) had to darken her hair in order to look more like the comic’s rendition of Carol Ferris. If you would like to attempt this rich, warm, medium chocolate brown after being light blond we recommend the following:

Book a consultation with an Emerson stylist to review pricing, maintenance and product recommendations as having realistic expectations about the service will only aid in the satisfaction with your hair.

If you have been a light blond for awhile and have any amount of damage we recommend a conditioning treatment to prep the hair prior to the service. (Try Born.Again by Kevin Murphy on towel dried hair after shampooing twice a week)

This is considered a “color correction going darker”. This means that due to the lightness of the hair that a first step of staining the hair with a orange or copper color needs to occur before the final color is applied. This aids in stepping down the haircolor in order to prevent unnecessary fadeage or “hollow” color.

This process can take anywhere from 2 -4 hours depending on the hair’s length, condition and density. If the hair is extremely damaged it still might fade even with the right service or support products as damage stays in the hair until it is cut out.


This movie’s special effects and story look literally out of this world- and you can look and feel out of this world if you come on in to Emerson today!

Post by D’Arcy

TagsBrunettes, Celebrity Hairstyles, Corrective Color, D'Arcy Harrison, Movies

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

Saying Goodbye to Oprah


Oprah’s last season is over and we salute her devotion to true beauty and education here at Emerson Salon. We wish we could give her a going away present as a send off but she has everything! Including a network, O.W.N.!

If we ever had the privilege of doing Oprah’s hair (her stylist Andre does a fantastic job of transforming her daily) we would probably use the MoroccanOil line. We’re sure she would greatly appreciate how the MoroccanOil company contributes to a women’s co-op that cultivated the argan nut for the product line. The dry oil has tons of UV inhibitors to protect color and does not build up on hair like silicone serums you can buy at drugstores.

Oprah likes to wear her hair a number of ways so here are some tips on what to use on African American textured hair:


To straighten: Cocktail the MoroccanOil Oil Treatment with the Hydrating Style Cream. It gives ample moisture for smoothing hair when blowdrying and flat ironing. Moroccan Oil is a treatment line so when using high heat implements it is the perfect way to style and condition simultaneously.


For natural curl: Use the MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream for ultimate frizz control and moisture when blow dry diffusing.

For added moisture and conditioning: Use MoroccanOil Moisturizing Mask for 10 minutes on towel dried hair once a week. Easy to apply and no major wait time so you can get on with your day.

Thank you Oprah for all your many years of gab, charity and education. You have made us better.

Post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, Curly Hair, D'Arcy Harrison, MoroccanOil, Television

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