Notes from Katja...

Katja Marsman is a popular stylist at Parlor . She's always giving great styling advice to her guests (and coworkers!). Here she shares her insight on an Aveda favorite-- Style Prep Smoother.

With Spring/Summer approaching (finally!), I have some tips on how to keep your hair tame through the heat and humidity. If you haven't yet discovered the Style Prep Smoother from Aveda's Smooth Infusion line, then you've yet to witness what I consider a miracle! This light cream will defend against the humidity. You start by applying the Style Prep Smoother (about the size of a dime for most hair types) from roots to ends on damp hair. You would then apply the Aveda product of choice next to supply hold to the hair if desired. Style Prep is a fantastic product, that many of my guests/clients can attest to. Because Style Prep Smoother does not offer hold and is very light it can be used easily on all hair types and textures to fight against the effects of humidity (think frizz or static electricity); from fine and straight to coarse and curly.

That's Katja's take on her favorite anti-frizz product. What do you think?

Donna Mehalko's paintings at PARLOR

We are welcoming Spring with a display of landscapes by our very own web illustrator Donna Mehalko. She is an acclaimed fine artist and painter. She first moved to New York to work on contract with Lord and Taylor in 1987. Her first assignment in New York was a full page ad in the New York Times. She has worked for many fashion and beauty clients including Henri Bendel, Revlon, and L'Oreal. She has also illustrated books by William Morrow, Viking-Penguin, and covers for Farrar Strauss Giroux.

In these paintings Donna uses a technique called gouache which is heavier and more opaque than water color but in a similiar vein. Please feel free to stop by Parlor and see them first hand. We have received a wonderful response to our new website and are very excited about introducing some of her other work to all of you.

Gwenn and Molly Ringwald do the morning news show circuit after the Oscars

We did a long string of radio and TV shows in our three days together, so many I couldn't even name them all. I hadn't seen Molly in almost a year, and it was nice to catch up with her. She spends most of her time on the West Coast now filming her series on ABC Family "The Secret Life of an American Teenager". She has also been recording an album, writing a book, birthing twins... not necessarily in that order. She looks fantastic, amazing actually! I can't believe she is a mother of three now. She looks great and works like crazy and once again she is my idol: she was my fantasy muse and inspired my fascination with creating the perfect red heads, (didn't you know I was the red head expert of the Minneapolis punk scene in the 80's) and now through her book as she embraces being a 40 year old mother, and woman growing out of the image of her as perennial teenage girl.

It was a treat to hear a few songs from her upcoming album... It honestly gave me shivers, her dramatic singing voice is deeper than one would think! Did you know she started out as a singer? Her Father and her performed together when she was a child. Then John Hughes found her and well you know the rest. I have had the previous pleasure of catching her performances in "Tick, Tick, Boom", as well as "Cabaret" and her upcoming endeavour has even more soul.

I will be working with Molly for a few days again starting on April 27TH as her new book is released by Harper and Collins entitled: "Getting The Pretty Back: Friendship, Family, and Finding The Perfect Lipstick". It's a witty and cute look at life as a woman who enjoys above all motherhood, but also turning 40 and how her perspective changed overtime with her added wisdom. With chapters on hair and her theory on stylists (of course I had to scan that chapter if no other). She doesn't mention me by name but rather I would like to think in spirit. She states that if you find a good hairdresser that really gets you, stick with her. We have been together for over 10 years sometimes near and sometimes far, so I think I passed the muster. She also writes about lipstick colors, and other funny fashion anecdotes. A favorite segment of mine is the "Fashion Faux Pas That Work", such as roots, chipped nail polish, etc... written by her favorite fashion designer Todd Thomas. It's not the curly haired adolescent red head giving advice in the high school bathroom ("Breakfast Club"), but rather vivacious auburn haired woman with a glass of wine and friends at Balthazar. Not a ghost writer in sight either! You can pre-order it on Amazon by clicking on this link: http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Pretty-Back-Friendship-Lipstick/dp/0061809446/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268599288&sr=1-1. I'll be sure to let you know when her album comes out as well. You will be sure to find it on Parlor's i-tunes the minute I get my hand on a copy!

You're Welcome, Texas!

As many of you have probably heard, Rachel Banks will be relocating to Austin, Texas, at the beginning of April. Below you can read a letter Rachel wanted us to share with all of her guests. Please join us in wishing her well on her newest journey!

Dear Friends, I have good and bad news. Let's get the bad over with so we can end on a high note! Bad news is...I'm moving to Austin in April. Probably not what you wanted to read but this is so positive and wonderful for me. I'm moving to create space to start a family. I'm so excited. I would love to see each and everyone of you before I go. Also,the good news is that when you come see me, I can introduce you to your new Parlor hair stylist. We've some awesome new talent for you. In addition we will prebook your next service and you get 10% off! See the story ends quite happily. I hope to see you very soon. Sincerest Gratitude, Rachel Caregiver to your locks

Gwenn and Michelle Teach at the Aveda Institute New York

Gwenn and Michelle spent the morning sharing some great haircutting and coloring techniques with the Gamma students at the Aveda Institute New York. Gwenn began the morning with an Aveda wellness activity: Students paired off and tried their hands at drawing a picture that was only verbally described by his or her partner. This activity showed the importance of a detailed consultation!

Michelle demonstrated a creative color application and Gwenn showed off her short hair cutting skills.

Here is a picture of Michelle showing her color creation off to a room full of New York's future professionals! You may recognize her model, Andrea, from behind the desk at PARLOR.

The paintings of Jane A Hugentober

I first saw Jane Hugentober's paintings while having my breakfast burrito warmed at Ciao For Now (http://www.ciaofornow.net/), a great place to grab a peaceful breakfast and some quiet time to start the day.

The dramatic tones and hues drew me in. I had just finished renovating our salon ( P A R L O R www.parlorhairsalon.com) on the other side of Tomkins Square Park and was craving some rich deep art to warm up our newly crisp white walls. I decided to give Jane a call and see if maybe by chance she might be looking for a place to hang her next show. We met and made it happen.

I am now the proud owner of "Kristine II" (in the bottom left corner above) and a few of her other paintings have found their homes as well. Our guests really enjoyed her work, it was an honor to be able to introduce her pieces to everyone. At the end of March we will be changing the installation but are in talks with Jane about showing some of her other work in the near future. If you can't make it down here in March you can always find her on the web at http://www.janehugentober.com/