Raleigh hair stylists

Raleigh Hair Salon Expands Staff

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April 28, 2010 (RALEIGH) – Lather Hair Salon in Raleigh has recently expanded its staff to include a new stylist and a new cosmetology apprentice.

Cameron Barbour, 30, has joined the Lather staff as a professional stylist. Originally from Benson, NC, she has five years of experience in all aspects of hair styling including up-dos and extensions. She previously worked at Salon 21 in downtown Raleigh.

“Cameron is a great addition to the salon,” said Jessica Williams, Lather’s owner and senior stylist. “She fills our last chair and we couldn’t be happier with her. She’s a very vibrant, very talented member of our professional team.”

Williams has also hired Stephanie Dungan, 24, as the salon’s new apprentice. Dungan studied cosmetology at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, graduating with an apprentice license. She moved to Raleigh when her husband entered the School of Engineering at NC State University. She will complete the requirements to receive a full cosmetology license at Lather.

“I am hoping to hire Stephanie on a stylist as soon as she finishes up her work as an apprentice,” Williams said. “She has fit right into the salon and is a great asset for us.  As an apprentice, she can do everything a licensed stylist does except the physical act of cutting hair and applying colors. So she’ll spend a lot of time shampooing, blow-drying, and assisting in curling hair.”

With these new hires, the Lather team includes five professional stylists, one apprentice, and a salon manager.

For more information on Lather Hair Salon, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com.

About Lather Hair Salon:

Lather Hair Salon is a full-service, upscale salon specializing in color, cuts, waxing, deep conditioning treatments, shine glossing, perms, anti-curl treatments, and both trendy and classic styling. The salon was recently named one of the best salons in Raleigh by American Salon magazine. Lather also offers special wedding party services both in-salon or on location, and the stylists maintain “Hair Academy 101,” an on-going blog on hair care, styling, products, and DIY techniques. Lather Hair Salon is also available on Facebook and through Citysearch. For more information, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com or call 919-792-0715.

Lather Hair Salon Announces Staff Promotion

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Schuyler Smith, Lather Hair Salon's new salon manager

April 17, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Jessica Williams, owner and senior stylist at Lather Hair Salon in Raleigh, announced this week that receptionist Schuyler Smith has been promoted to Salon Manager.

A Raleigh native, Smith, 25, moved to San Diego, CA, after graduating from Western Carolina University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She also served as vice president of Delta Zeta sorority at WCU and is a member of two academic honors fraternities. While at Western, she was asked to be a student role model for incoming students by blogging on WCU’s homepage and being featured on posters, giving advice to new students.

In San Diego, Schuyler (pronounced “Sky-ler”) Smith worked for an insurance company where she rose quickly to office educator. She returned to Raleigh in October 2008 and worked as a coordinator for “It’s Just Lunch,” a dating service for busy singles, until the service was sold and relocated to Florida. Her former manager introduced her to Williams.

“Schuyler definitely deserves the promotion,” Williams said. “She is what Lather stands for: the finest customer service in a professional, no-attitudes atmosphere. She exceeds my expectations every day while treating each and every person in the salon, clients and employees, with the utmost respect and importance.”

As salon manager, Smith’s responsibilities include all the duties she had as a full-time salon coordinator, plus handling all marketing, scheduling, and payroll responsibilities within the salon.

Lather Hair Salon is located at 8521 Cantilever Way, just off Glenwood North/Highway 70 West near Carmax. For more information, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com.

About Lather Hair Salon:

Lather Hair Salon is a full-service, upscale salon specializing in color, cuts, waxing, deep conditioning treatments, shine glossing, perms, anti-curl treatments, and both trendy and classic styling. The salon was recently named one of the best salons in Raleigh by American Salon magazine. Lather also offers special wedding party services both in-salon or on location, and the stylists maintain “Hair Academy 101,” an on-going blog on hair care, styling, products, and DIY techniques. Lather Hair Salon is also available on Facebook and through Citysearch. For more information, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com or call 919-792-0715.

Lather Hair Salon Prepares For St. Baldrick’s Buzz Cuts

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March 11, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Lather Hair Salon is gearing up the clippers to create a lot of bald heads this weekend as willing participants show their solidarity with children undergoing chemotherapy. Stylists from Lather will be on hand at Lynnwood Grill on Sunday, March 14, from 1-5 p.m. to donate their time and “buzz” techniques for “Shaving the Way to Conquer Kids’ Cancer,” the annual fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Last year, over 100 people – men and women – participated in the  Lynnwood Grill event, where the Lather stylists set up on the restaurant’s porch to help raise over $26,000. 

“We’re hoping for even more this year,” said Lather’s owner and senior stylist, Jessica Williams, who pointed out that the goal is to raise $40,000 this year.

St. Baldrick’s events are held each March in various Raleigh locations and across the nation to raise money for children’s cancer research. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation uses the money to fund more childhood cancer research grants than any organization other than the United States Government.

“It’s a wonderful cause and a wonderful opportunity for our salon to give back to our community,” said Williams, who also noted that her upscale salon seldom gets the chance to perform full head shaves. “It’s fun to play barber for a day!”

Lynnwood Grill is located off Glenwood Avenue/Highway 70 West next to the Raleigh Grand Theater. For more information on The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, visit www.stbalddricks.org.

For more information on Lather Hair Salon, go to www.latherhairsalonnc.com.

About Lather Hair Salon:

Lather Hair Salon is a full-service, upscale salon specializing in color, cuts, waxing, deep conditioning treatments, shine glossing, perms, anti-curl treatments, and both trendy and classic styling. The salon was recently named one of the best salons in Raleigh by American Salon magazine. Lather also offers special wedding party services both in-salon or on location, and the stylists maintain “Hair Academy 101,” an on-going blog on hair care, styling, products, and DIY techniques. Lather Hair Salon is also available on Facebook and through Citysearch. For more information, visit www.latherhairsalonnc.com or call 919-792-0715.

Lather Hair Salon Stylist Promoted To “Masters”

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March 1, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) — Whitney Page, a hair stylist at Lather Hair Salon in Raleigh, was recently promoted from “undergraduate,” or entry-level, to the salon’s “masters” level.

Whitney Page

Page’s passion for her work, and her dedication to increasing her artistry are the reasons for the promotion, according to the salon’s owner and senior stylist Jessica Williams.

Whitney Page received her cosmetology degree from the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill.  She specializes in cutting, coloring and blowing out curly hair, “yet she’s perfectly adept at all hair types and textures,” Williams said. “Whitney loves to create modern, creative and classic styles for her clients. She also loves to make people feel beautiful and pampered.”

Page has also been involved in Lather’s work with fashion shows and magazine spreads, and in community-outreach events held at the salon. She has been with Lather Hair Salon since it opened a little over a year ago. Her promotion allows her to command a higher price for her services.

Lather Hair Salon is a full-service, upscale salon located at 8521 Cantilever Way near the corner of Glenwood Ave./Highway 70 and Ebenezer Church Road. For more information, including business hours and the salon’s “Hair Academy” blog, go to www.latherhairsalonnc.com. Lather is also available on Facebook and at triangle.citysearch.com.

Airbrushing & Up-dos: Lather Hair Salon Goes To The Southern Bridal Show

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Bridal hair styling and makeup by Lather Hair Salon
Bridal hair styling and makeup by Lather, a Raleigh hair salon.

April 16, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – When Lather, a Raleigh hair salon, opens its booth in the Southern Bridal Show and Expo on Sunday, April 19, in Raleigh, owner and senior stylist Jessica Williams will offer attending brides-to-be something few salons in the Triangle can: the opportunity to get flawless airbrush makeup application for their wedding day.

“Airbrush makeup application is the cutting-edge in cosmetics application,” Williams said. “Have you ever wondered why models’ and movie stars’ make-up looks so incredibly flawless? Airbrush application.”

She explained that a gentle mist of air creates the natural and flawless finish, minimizing skin imperfections without the appearance of heavy foundations and powders.

“Airbrush make-up application dries quickly and can be layered to cover fine lines, wrinkles, scars, spider veins, even age spots,” she said. “It’s truly amazing and a great way to make sure the entire bridal party looks fantastic.”

Lather  is a full-service, upscale Raleigh hair salon that specializes in bridal hair and makeup and provides both either on location – at the site of the wedding – or in the salon. “We’ll close the salon for an entire day just to accommodate a wedding party,” Williams noted. “How many salons will do that?”

Among Lather’s bridal services is a six-month “Wedding Planner” that spells out exactly what brides and their attendants should be doing to prepare for wedding-day hair and make-up, from six months before the event up to the actual day. The Planner can also be accessed on Lather’s website at www.latherhairsalonnc.com.

“We like to start working with our brides months in advance to make sure their hair and skin is truly prepared for the makeup applications and hair styles on their wedding day,” Williams said.

The Southern Bridal Show & Expo, hosted by Forever Bridal Productions Ltd, will feature vendors addressing all aspects of weddings and wedding planning. It will be held April 19 in the Jim Graham Building on the NC State Fairgrounds from 12 noon until 5 p.m. For more information and to register, go to http://www.foreverbridal.net.

For more information on Lather Hair Salon’s bridal services, visit the website at www.latherhairsalonnc.com and click on “weddings & make up.”

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Salon Products vs. Drugstore Brands: The Truth & Nothing But The Truth

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April 1, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) –We’ve all been there — wandering down the beauty aisle of our favorite drugstore, wondering if the .99-cent shampoo and conditioner is just too “economical” to pass up.  Jessica Williams, owner and senior stylist at Lather, a Raleigh hair salon, wants you to know the truth — and the science —  behind the drugstore vs. salon brand products controversy.

“Unless you work in the beauty industry, you have probably wondered if salon brands are actually worth the extra cost,” she said. “ More times then not, the answer is yes.”

First, she explains the science behind the truth:

“Believe it or not, all shampoos have the same basic ingredients. The differences are in the cleansing agents, which are also called surfactants. There are three kinds of surfactants: ammonium laurel sulfate, sodium laurel sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate. Salon brands use sodium LAURETH sulfate, the most expensive of the three but also the gentlest.

“Ammonium laurel sulfate is the harshest surfactants, according to Williams.  It strips your hair of vital oils. And if you color your hair, ammonium laurel sulfate will strip the color MUCH quicker than sodium laureth sulfate (salon brands). Ammonium laurel sulfate is also the least expensive of the surfectants. That’s why most drugstore brands use it.”

That’s the science. Here are four more facts Williams suggests you keep in mind when you’re deciding between that .99-cent shampoo and your favorite salon’s pricier products:

(1) Salon products are professional products.  That means they are much more concentrated. You use smaller amounts of professional, or salon, products, so the product will last longer than a drugstore brand.  Bottom line: Ultimately, you won’t spend much more (if any) for a salon brand than a drugstore brand.

(2) Salon products come with more then a product in hand. They come with your stylist’s free recommendation based on his or her assessment of your hair’s specific needs. Different types of hair require different products for the best possible results. Take advantage of your stylist’s advice to get the best product for your hair.

(3) The best part about buying a salon product from a salon is that most salons will allow you to return or exchange the product if you are not happy with it.

(4)  Which brings us to the last fact: Be wary of “professional brands” sold in the mass market or discount beauty shops.  While you might possibly — possibly — be buying the same product, more times then not that product has been rerouted because it’s discontinued, old or tampered with. Typicaly, salon products are only guaranteed if purchased in a salon.

Lather is a full-service Raleigh hair salon located at 8521 Cantilever Way near the corner of Glenwood Ave./Highway 70 and Ebenezer Church Road. For more tips on hair care and products, visit Lather Hair Salon’s website (www.latherhairsalonnc.com), click on “specials” then scroll down to the “Hair Academy 101” blog. Lather is also available on Facebook and at triangle.citysearch.com.

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Lather Hair Salon Sweetens The Deal for Locks of Love Donors

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February 20, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Lather Hair Salon in North Raleigh has announced special perks for anyone who comes in to donate his or her long locks to Locks of Love: a free shampoo, cut and styling.

“We love when clients tell us they want to donate their hair for Locks of Love,” said salon owner and senior stylist Jessica Williams. “ Not only are they donating for such a great cause but also it gives us, as artists, a chance to show off our creativity by designing a whole new look for someone.”

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that uses donations of human hair (it must be at least 10 inches long) to make wigs and hair pieces for disadvantaged children under 18 who suffer from any number of balding conditions, not just hair loss due to chemotherapy for treating cancer. The most common cause, according to Locks of Love, is alopecia areata, an autoimmune deficiency disease that affects over 4 million people in the United States, two million of whom are children. There is no known cause or cure for alopecia areata.

Men, women and children who would like to donate hair to Locks of Love should contact the salon at 919-792-0715 or email Jessica@latherhairsalonnc.com. The stylists will shampoo, cut and style contributors’ hair for free on the day of the donation, then package the donation and pay all shipping charges.

Lather Hair Salon is a full-service salon located at 8521 Cantilever Way near the corner of Glenwood Ave./Highway 70 and Ebenezer Church Road. For more information, including business hours, go to http://www.latherhairsalonnc.com or visit the salon on Facebook.

Raleigh Salon Makes The Most of Bb.U. In NYC

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Jack Ray, Joelle Ray, Kristina Weeks, Laura Andrews
L-R: Jack Ray, Joelle Ray, Kristina Weeks, Laura Andrews

December 15, 2008 (RALEIGH, NC) – Four stylists, the owners and the marketing manager of Samuel Cole Salon in North Raleigh recently traveled to New York City to spend four days immersed in Bumble & bumble University (Bb.U.), a full-time advanced educational facility for stylists, owners and salon managers located in the heart of the city’s historic Meatpacking District.

Stylists Britt Crane, Sara Beard, Eric Lockhart and Kristina Weeks attended Bb.U.’s “Design Studio” for experienced hairdressers who want to sharpen their skills and expand their repertoire. The Studio covers the techniques of hair graduation, square layers, round layers and long layers through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on cutting exercises, technical guidance, and structured feedback.

“It was amazing, as always,” Sara Beard said of the experience. “Bumble is such an inspiring place. The atmosphere is great: You’re surrounded by so many creative people and a level of energy you just can’t recreate anywhere else. They’re obviously so passionate about what they do – that it’s such an art form. It’s also great being in New York. It’s such a magical place.”

Meanwhile, Joelle Ray and Laura Andrews attended BbU’s “Immersion II” class. Ray co-owns Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie (also in North Raleigh) with her husband, master stylist Jack Ray. Andrews is the salon’s marketing manager.

The Immersion II class is an advanced course that offers salon owners and managers strategies for effective employee management and relations, advanced financial management, and communication competency techniques through workshops and lectures. Participants learn how to create a strong, service-oriented culture in their salons. They also learn how to best nurture their employees and successful coaching techniques.

“It was fantastic,” Joelle Ray said. “The focus on leadership and service development will take our salon to the next level and help me improve my skills. I received great information on running the front desk and on guest services so that we can better care for our clients. It’s also always inspirational just to be there – at B&b and in New York City.”

Jack Ray continued his education as a certified Bumble & bumble network educator. This certification allows him to teach the same B&b stylist education programs in Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie, that are offered at Bb.U. He participated in “Network Educator II,” a three-day, advanced course that gives participants new tools for enhancing their skills as leaders in the salon environment .The course includes six categories: Advanced Presentation Skills, Customer Service, Advanced Product Knowledge, Creative Styling, Team-Building and Understanding the Educational Needs of the Salon.

“Participating in Bumble & bumble’s world-class education is motivating and inspiring,” Ray said. “The education I receive helps me to be the best educator I can be for our teams of stylists at Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie. I can offer them the same classes they would get at Bb.U. It’s a honor to work alongside the B&b educators and stylists in New York – to be a part of that team as a Network Educator myself.”

Samuel Cole Salon is located at 240 Newton Road, Raleigh. For more information, visit http://www.samuelcole.com.

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Raleigh Salons Host Redken Educators

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December 10, 2008 (RALEIGH, NC) – Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie recently welcomed two educators from Redken, a global leader in professional hair care products and services, who presented day-long, in-salon classes for the styling teams of both North Raleigh salons.

Redken’s Amy Hill and Sandra Hurd presented the Redken Color Symposium to acquaint the stylists with the company’s newest color formulations, applications and techniques.

They introduced Redken’s new “Colorfusion,” “Shimmer One,” and “Shades EQ” color palettes that celebrate autumn-inspired hues: rich browns, golden mochas, coppers and cinnamon. And they used actual, existing color formulations from the salons’ clients to demonstrate how the stylists could tweak and enhance those formulations then share them with their clients to create fresh, new looks.

“We take the time each year to look at our clients’ color formulations and to offer them something new and exciting,” said Joelle Ray, who co-owns both salons with her husband, master stylist Jack Ray. “They appreciate the fact that we’re always learning and always looking for ways to enhance the look of their hair.”

The Redken educators also conducted a “Clipper Class” for Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie stylists, demonstrating innovative barber techniques for men’s styling and for women who wear their hair very short.

“It’s important that we continually expand our versatility for all our clients, including the men,” Ray noted.

The Redken classes were part of the Rays’ ongoing education and training for all of their stylists so that they continue to offer fashion-forward, state-of-the-art hair care and styling.

Samuel Cole Salon, named First Runner Up in Salon Today’s annual “Salons of the Year” competition, is located at 240 Newton Road. For more information visit http://www.samuelcole.com.

Salon Moxie is located at 6196-112 Falls of Neuse Road and welcomes walk-ins. For more information visit http://www.salon-moxie.com.

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Raleigh Salon Owners Go On “Collision” Course

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Jack Ray in Redken's NYC studios
Jack Ray in Redken

August 25, 2008 (RALEIGH, NC) – After Joelle and Jack Ray, the owners of the award-winning Samuel Cole Salon and Salon Moxie in North Raleigh, spent time this month at the Redken headquarters in New York City and the Goldwell HQ in Baltimore, Maryland, they knew exactly where the trendiest of hair styling and coloring options is headed.

It’s all about collision.

“It’s about putting concepts together that technically shouldn’t or wouldn’t be together, to create a sense of clashing,” Joelle said. “In coloring, warm tones clash with cool tones. Texturally, sleek hair features textured, pieced ends, or smooth hair is combined with curls.”

The Rays spent three days at Redken’s on Fifth Avenue where they explored the latest offerings in the company’s Trend Collection. They learned new color placement and styling techniques that, combined with new Redken products, create the trendy collision look.

Then they headed to Baltimore where they spent three more days at Goldwell, one of the hair industries premiere sources for research, development and manufacturing of coloring products.

“We attended a preview of the latest collection from one of Goldwell’s educators, John Simpson,” Joelle said. Simpson is a veteran member of Goldwell’s North American Guest Artist Team and won North American Hair Colorist of the Year judged by the North American Hair Styling Awards  (NAHA).

“And again, the emphasis was on collision – of tone, style and texture,” Joelle said.

The Rays make it a practice to visit the leaders in the hair styling industry “to see what’s out there,” Joelle said. “ We want to be able to offer our clients in both of our salons the best possible products and techniques available. So we go to the sources and come back energized.”

Earlier this summer, Jack Ray and Samuel Cole Salon stylist Erica Lockhart participated in a two-day International Colors Seminar presented by Wella, one of the leading international beauty suppliers, in New York.

Samuel Cole Salon, the Rays’ original, high-end salon, has been lauded in national and international publications, including Salon Today, American Salon and Estetica of Italy.

Salon Moxie, Samuel Cole’s sister facility, attracts a hip, trendy, youthful clientele – literally and figuratively — with its vibrant décor, lively music, and art exhibits.

Samuel Cole Salon is located at 240 Newton Road in North Raleigh. Salon Moxie is located in North Ridge Shopping Center at 6196-112 Falls of Neuse. For more information visit http://www.samuelcole.com and http://www.salon-moxie.com.

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