5 pro tips for booking your new year, new 'do
Plus: Winter makeup and sunscreen • a game-changer for slugging • introducing Midst Mornings!
BeWell | The Midst beauty, style & wellness newsletter
New year, new ‘do?
Many occasions call for new hairstyles — promotions, breakups, boredom, and the always-fabulous notion of reinventing yourself in the new year. With 2024 just around the corner, salons anticipate a slew of requests for fall 2023’s trending hush cut and the cult-classic Birkin bangs, along with the caramel, buttery hues expected to turn heads next season.
To make sure you get the most out of your new-look appointment, I consulted with the best colorist I know: 25-year veteran stylist Alison Lewis at Boss Hair Group in Chicago. Here are Alison’s top five tips for booking your new ‘do…
1. Book a consultation before your appointment
“If you are a new client, or you’ve been a forever client, you’ll always need to book extra time for a consultation when wanting a change,” Alison says. Most stylists are booked back-to-back, so forgetting this important step is a faux pas.
“For new clients, plan to come in about a week before your appointment so we know how to properly schedule it into the system,” she continued. “For repeat and regular clients, when you make your appointment, just ask for extra time to consult since you’re thinking about changing.”
2. Bring lots of photos
Photos take the guesswork out of describing your color or cut. Plus, lots of pics can help stylists determine how the new look will work with your hair type.
3. Set a budget
Of course, new styles require new maintenance, especially when it comes to color. “Be sure to set yourself up for a budget, whether it be future appointments or right-at-home care,” Alison says.
4. Set realistic goals
E.g., you can’t go from brunette to platinum blonde in one go. For big changes, prepare for the steps it takes to get there.
5. Play with AI
A good way to objectively see yourself in a new look than with some fancy AI. There are plenty of apps like YouCam Makeup that can help you pick your new style.
Your hair is the outfit you never take off, so take the time to invest in your new look.
Ask Lauria
Our Beauty & Wellness Editor welcomes your Qs
Q: “I know we should wear sunscreen on our faces every day, but I hate wearing it under makeup, especially in the winter. What can I buy that’s wallet-friendly?” — Andrea Wolf (46), Detroit, Michigan
A: I always tell people that daily — this means wintertime, too — sunscreen with SPF 30+ is the best way to maintain youthful skin by preventing sun damage. I adore Supergoop! Glowscreen for under makeup and during winter days when skin is dull. It boasts SPF 40, acts as a non-greasy illuminating primer, and includes good stuff like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 — and no bad stuff like parabens or fragrance.
Get answers to your most pressing beauty, style, wellness, or whatever questions: “Ask Lauria” in comments or by emailing Lauria@The-Midst.com.
Staff faves
What we Midst GALs love to love
Have you tried CeraVe Healing Ointment for slugging? (“Slugging” is the term for when you apply a thin layer of an occlusive agent like Vaseline.) Talk about life-changing for less than $20! It’s one of my holy-grail products — and I got my mom and brother hooked on it, too.
I recommend slugging with it after your last layer of moisturizer or oil to seal everything in. I also like to use it after applying my eye treatment and recommend applying it on your lashes and eyebrows. It helps them grow like weeds!
— Asia Thomas, Business & Development Manager
How groundbreaking women start their days
It’s in the bag: Kim Bowers
Meet entrepreneur Kim Bowers, 48, cofounder of Thread Original, a new custom merch branding agency with clients including Gwen Stefani’s cosmetics line, GXVE Beauty.
Leaving a 20-year career in beauty, Kim helped to build Urban Decay, most recently as a field sales executive, participating in product development, presenting to thousands, and acting as the face and on-camera trainer nationwide (traveling to 30 states — and 186 Orangetheory studios along the way!).
Kim launched Thread Original with partner Amy O’Brien, honoring her passion to create and help build other brands. Was it scary? Yes. But holding back a dream is even scarier. See how this branding genius, mother, and fitness guru starts each day in our new video series, Midst Mornings.
(Click on Gwen below to follow Thread Original on Instagram.)
Thanks for reading the first edition of BeWell!
X, Lauria, The Midst Beauty & Wellness Editor
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