An end to an era..

Hello Everyone,

After 14 years at Blue Velvet Salon, I've decided it's time to close. Our last day of business will be this Saturday, September 14th. I have a great appreciation for all of your help and support through the years! I've learned so much, and feel very blessed to have been able to own the salon.

It's the end of an era for me. This has been one of the biggest decisions I've ever made. It has been made with a lot of thought, planning and consideration. Please trust me when I say that I gave it the best fight I had. The recession has decimated our business; I tried to save us by advertising, coupons, email specials, internet campaigns, in salon marketing, spending freezes & so much more. Unfortunately, even with our awards & recognitions the money coming in has not been enough to compensate for our expenditures.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished. It's rare for a small business to survive as long as we have. I leave Blue Velvet with my head held high and a smile on my face. As the saying goes, when one door closes another door opens. I know a new door will open and good things are to come.

Each of our stylist will leave with a list of their clients. They will personally contact you to let you know where they will be working.

Thank you again for your support through the years.

Sincerely,

Rachelle Perrin

My Favorite Haircut This Month

Piecey Bob

JANUARY JONES’S STYLE: A below-the-chin, above-the-shoulders cut with long, choppy layers.
WHAT MAKES IT HOT: ”The length of this bob is what really creates that sexiness,” says celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. “It’s meant to hit right at the sloping curve of the neck.”
WHO IT WORKS FOR: Every line of this haircut has been broken-up with thinning shears, which allows the hair to fall loosely with very little styling. Read: If you’re a shower, shake and go girl, this might be the perfect do for you.

August 2010 Newsletter

Thank you for continuing to read our monthly newsletter!

In this months issue-

We've been award as one of the Best Salons in the US by Elle Magazine...... twice!!

It's our 14th Anniversary! Come celebrate with me!

Back to School extended hours

Student's Fall Special

Elle Magazine!
For the second year in a row, we've made Elle Magazines Top 100 Salons in the United States! We are so honored & excited! Blue Velvet Salon always works hard to offer you the sophisticated style you want with the friendly Southern service you deserve. Elle is on news stands now, please check us out. Here's the link to the online copy of Elle. http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Hair/Best-Hair-Salons-ELLE


Our Anniversary!
This month celebrates our 14th year in business! I've been here the whole time! I can hardly believe that 14 years has passed. In celebration of our success, make an appointment with me (Rachelle Perrin) & save $20* on your next service! *Please be sure to bring a copy this newsletter to receive the discount, may not be combined with any other offer.

Labor Day Hours | Summer's last hurrah!
To help accommodate your kids-back-to-school/last-break-of-the-summer schedule, Blue Velvet is offering some special extended hours to help you find some much needed time for yourself and your hair.

8.27-Fri: 9am-7pm
8.28-Sat: 9am-6pm
8.29-Sun: Closed
8.30-Mon: Closed
8.31-Tue: 9am-7pm
9.01-Wed: 9am-7pm
9.02-Thu: 9am-8pm
9.03-Fri: 9am-5pm
9.04-Sat: Closed
9.05-Sun: Closed
9.06-Mon: Closed
9.07-Tue: 9am-7pm
(regularly posted schedule resumes)
So give us a call and we'll be glad to make an appointment that fits your busy schedule!

Student's Fall Special
Summer's End is enough to leave any college or high school student feeling a little blue. So we'd like to offer you a little something special to help you feel better and look great this fall.
Blue Velvet Salon Student's Fall Special - Receive $10 off any service of $25 or more.*
Call and ask about appointments with Brittney, Leslie or Niki: 205.879.2080
*A valid college student ID must be presented at time of service. Offer runs from now through October 31st, 2010 & may not be combined with any other offer.

Labor Day Hours | Summer's last hurrah!

To help accomodate your kids-back-to-school/last-break-of-the-summer schedule, Blue Velvet is offering some special extended hours to help you find some much needed time for yourself and your hair.

8.27-Fri: 9am-7pm
8.28-Sat: 9am-6pm
8.29-Sun: Closed
8.30-Mon: Closed
8.31-Tue: 9am-7pm
9.01-Wed: 9am-7pm
9.02-Thu: 9am-8pm
9.03-Fri: 9am-5pm
9.04-Sat: Closed
9.05-Sun: Closed
9.06-Mon: Closed
9.07-Tue: 9am-7pm
(regularly poste schedule resumes)

So give us a call and we'll be glad to make an appointment that fits your busy schedule!

Market Day | Saturday 24 July

Mark your Calendar for Market Day, Saturday, July 24th! Market Day is an annual merchant-centered event in Mountain Brook Village. A European-style sidewalk and tent sale, it’s a giant one-day only (8AM to 5PM) flea market with great discounts.

Blue Velvet Salon Walk-In Specials
Wash & Blow Dry: $25 (a 28% savings!)
Take a moment for yourself and let one of our stylist wash and blow some style into your hair - a perfect treat before an evening out (or some more style-savvy shopping).

Waxing (Brows, Lip or Chin): $10 (another 28% savings!)
It never hurts to have a little touch up. (Okay, it may sting - but just a little.)

Gift Basket: Pre-book an appointment when you walk-in on Saturday and register to win a $200 Bumble & Bumble product gift basket. (Certain restrictions apply.)

To learn more about Market Day, visit: welcometomountainbrook.com

We're in Elle Magazine Again!

Blue Velvet Is Still Stylin’!

Blue Velvet Salon has been named one of Elle magazine’s Top 100 Salons in the USA. The magazine’s article, "United States of Style," ranked the Birmingham-based shop again as one of America’s best hair salons in the August 2010 issue--the only salon in Alabama to receive this highly esteemed recognition.

This is the second consecutive year Blue Velvet has received such an impressive commendation by the magazine. “I’m elated!” replied Rachelle Perrin, owner of the 14-year-old establishment. “It's a thrill to be recognized by such a prestigious magazine.”

Blue Velvet opened its doors in 1997, and it’s been rockin’ the newest styles, latest products and best client-based service ever since. “We wanted to bring big-city style to Birmingham and blend it with true Southern hospitality,” Perrin stated.

“The salon is about creating a personalized experience. Leaving here with beautiful hair is a given, so we strive to keep an open, friendly feel. We do that by thinking big but staying small.”
“It’s a lavish experience, like the name suggests,” affirmed Katie Odom, a 17-year-old, Curry High School senior and first-time client. “The place is cool and the stylists are awesome. Elle (magazine) had it right; Blue Velvet is one of the best.”

When asked why people should treat themselves to a day of beauty in light of the country’s struggling economy, Perrin reveled an optimistic viewpoint. “People need to feel good about themselves,” she asserted. “A new color or cut will last five to six weeks. That's a lasting investment in looking good & feeling great; and, it’s a lot cheaper than six weeks of therapy. If you look good, you feel good! A great, new style can bring you confidence; it may even help get that new job.”

Blue Velvet’s success can be attributed to innovative stylists, committed to keeping current on the freshest techniques and trendiest fashions; its unique product line, Bumble and bumble, sold in only two percent of top hair salons across the US; and its loyal clientele. “Our clients are the whole reason we are here,” Perrin said. “Elle Magazine’s recognition is an exciting honor but, it’s our clients that keep us reaching for the stars.”

Blue Velvet Salon is located in Mountain Brook Village, across from Daniel George. For information regarding hours of operation, employment opportunities or to meet the stylists, clients can visit
bluevelvetsalon.com
or call (205) 879-2080.

2834 Culver Road
Mountain Brook
Rachelle Perrin, Owner

Link to related article: http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Hair/Best-Hair-Salons-ELLE

Hot Hair For Independence Day!

Ryan Bedford's hair color and cut for the 2010 Olympics is probably a bit over the top for most of us!

Let us give you a new summer color to impress friends & family at this years July 4th celebrations.

Independence Day is just around the corner. In celebration we're offering color and highlight specials through the end of July! With extra special discounts on Monday, June 28th!

Yes, we will be open on Monday, June 28th from 10am - 6pm. We will be closed on Saturday, July 3rd to celebrate with our friends and family.

June/July Color Special - Mention this blog or facebook to save $25 on any color or highlight service through the end of July.

Monday, June 28th Special - Mention this blog or facebook to save $35 on any color or highlight service.

Call now to reserve your appointment! Space is limited!

Specials are for a limited time only, space & time are limited, and are not valid with any other coupon or offer.

If you saw this blog earlier, I am sorry for the confusion. I had to edit the saving on the specials.

New To Bumble & bumble? Here's why we love them!

Bb. Story

Your salon is one of the best salons in town.

How can you tell? It’s a Bumble and bumble Network Salon.

A limited group of establishments around the world sell Bb. products and share a vision for a stronger hairdressing culture. Each is the best in their region and employs stylists who are impeccably trained, unusually talented and have an unyielding passion and love for their craft. In addition to selling Bb. products, they develop their skills at Bumble and bumble University (Bb.U) in New York City – an institute for higher learning or graduate school for hairdressers.

Bb.U Design School offers advanced training in cutting and styling and how one depends on the other. We teach stylists to work closely with colorists, to collaborate on texture and effect. We share our decades of photo shoots, runways, films and television work to inform our design classes and introduce new ways of seeing and creating.

Bb.U Business School helps salon owners, managers, and educators strengthen their culture, raise their productivity, and fuel their growth. Nearly 30 years of running our own thriving salon makes us uniquely positioned to advise them.

So if you thought you always got a fabulous haircut because your stylist is really talented, you’re right. And if you think our products are great, you’re right again. We teach your stylists to teach you how to look great. We also give them the technical and inspirational training to be the best hairdresser you’ll ever have.

But if you thought Bb. was just stuff in a bottle, you’d be wrong. We’re a company dedicated to the craft, culture and commerce of hairdressing.

Bumble and bumble.

Opened & Closed: Memorial Day at the BV

Whether you're firing up the grill with the fam or taking some time for yourself - Memorial Day is the spring board for everyone's sunny summer playtime. That goes for us as well. So we've adjusted our schedules to help you fit in that hair appointment before you go and do what you do. Have fun with your friends. Have fun with your hair.

We will be opened:
Monday, May 24th from 10am - 6pm
Friday, May 28th from 9am - 5pm

And, we'll be closed:
Saturday, May 29th

April Showers

Grant Tatum
Salon Coordinator

April showers bring May flowers - and lots of other positive changes as well. That is, now that the plant world has stopped trying to kill us with pollen.

Arrivals:
We're all very happy here to have Rachelle returning to cut, color and style - and we're sure you will be too! As owner, Rae has worked many hard hours over the years to making sure the service Blue Velvet delivers to you is exceptional. After spending some time devoted to herself, some home remodeling and taking care of her dog, Goblin, she's ready to spend a little time back here.

Her schedule is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Appointment times are limited, so give us a call to reserve your time now. 879.2080

Departures:
Senior Stylist, Jenny Pittman has been a part of the Blue Velvet team for many years. Apart from BV, Jenny has volunteered often at homeless shelters and service organizations in Birmingham, giving a lot of herself back to the community. After the January 2010 earthquake which devastated Haiti, Jenny found another opportunity to make a difference, this time, a little more globally. She has moved to Haiti to help in the recovery efforts. We anticipate her being gone for at least 6 months, perhaps longer. As she readied herself to go, Jenny asked us to express to her clients her deeply felt thanks for your years of loyalty and friendship.

While Jenny is sad to be leaving us, she also wants to make sure you know that you are left with a very capable team stylists who are ready to take care of your hair style needs. And having your color and haircare history at hand, we are able to us make that transition more comfortable for you. Just give Grant or Michael a call at the salon and we'll be glad to make a stylist recommendation and set up your next appointment. 879.2080

Other Travel Arrangements:
We're certain this warm Spring weather has stirred a little something in you too. Ready to start your own adventure? Maybe a trip to the beach, or just out to the pool? The sun, salt water and pool chlorine can all do a number on your hair. Ask your stylist how to best keep your hair healthy this Spring and Summer. And if you want to give Mother Nature a little assist with those sun-kissed highlights, this is the perfect time to schedule a trip BV.

Your Big Day

Kelly Yokel

Master Stylist

So, he popped the question… finally! Let the planning begin – the dress, the flowers and most certainly how you want your hair to look on your wedding day.

This is your shinning moment, and it should be relaxed, fun and full of wonderful memories. A little planning and preparation will make it all the more easy. The first step to that end is to make a consultation appointment with your Blue Velvet stylist 4-6 weeks prior to the wedding day.

Bring with you any hair accessories you plan to incorporate – falls, extensions, a tiara or of course, the veil. Another helpful thing to bring your stylist is pictures. Whether they’re from your favorite fashion magazine or from last year’s vacation when your hair looked “perfect,” these are a very valuable resource when trying to communicate to your stylist exactly what you do, or don’t want your hair to look like.

When calling in to set up your consultation, go ahead and check with customer service to make sure your stylist will be available on your wedding day. And, when you book your wedding-day appointment, be certain to create adequate time for your service without any rush to make it to your ceremony or photographer’s session.

On that note, keep in mind that your wedding day will be well documented in pictures. If you don’t normally wear your hair up and an updo puts you far out of your comfort zone, then simply don’t. You’ve no obligation to do so—and that’s not the memory you want your wedding album to preserve. There are plenty of ways to style your hair that’ll make you a beautiful bride.

Just remember, this time is for you to enjoy. So, smile.

Kelly still considers herself just an easy-going girl with a pair of shears and a blow drier. She understands the hard work it takes to balance career, family and time for the beach – which makes her equally sympathetic to the needs of her clients and their busy lives.

Finding a Happy Medium

Hair Models Needed
Thursday, March 4th from 9 until 11 am

We're seeking 6 volunteer models for our next style class. Models should have medium-length hair (long enough to put in a pony tail). Straight, wavy or curly is fine with us. The class is on quick-and-easy updos.

Models will be required to sign a salon and photo release. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come first-serve basis.

To participate, please call us: 879.2080

It's Not a Sin to Indulge Your Hair

Sure, there are plenty of times when restraint is called for, even admirable - but not when it comes to your hair. Your hair deserves to be indulged. And to make it easier, when you're here and you pre-book your next appointment, you may enter to win a $150 Bumble & Bumble gift basket. That's what Stacy D. of Mountain Brook did. Congratulations to her, Stacy is our January winner!

Conscious about Curls

Having a great salon is like having great hair. You want it to look effortless. But as will all good things, it takes some work and care to keep it maintained. Throughout the year, we evaluate the services we render and look for ways to improve the salon experience for our clients. And, we understand that our clients have a variety of special hair care needs. That's why once a month Blue Velvet takes some time for ourselves to facilitate ongoing educational workshops for our team. Niki Guin, Senior Stylist and Director of Education, facilitates our programs. She co-ordinates with our stylist, representatives from Bumble & Bumble — or Blue Velvet Salon owner, Rachelle Perrin, as she did this month for the topic of styling curly hair.

Got Curls?? Here's a few tips from our resident Curly Girl

As a kid in the late 70’s I was really jealous of the smooth “Farah Faucet” wings, unfortunately I felt cursed with frizzy curls. Like a lot of my naturally curly brothers and sisters, I grew up hating my curls. I lived through bad haircuts that were always cut too short because the stylist didn’t consider “shrinkage.” I tried every crazy thing I heard of to get those long straight locks. Like orange juice cans as rollers, really harsh chemical strengtheners that broke my fine hair, and I have to mention how my best friend would help me use an actual clothes iron to straighten my hair out! That’s not healthy.

Even when I became a stylist, I was motivated by vicariously living through the silky straight hair of my clients. As the years passed, new products were developed and my knowledge grew of the hair world. I finally learned to love my curls, but it wasn’t will out a lot of trial and error… and a few tears.

If you’re a curly girl, my hope is to share with you some tips to take to your stylist that will help you get the best cut for your curls. Be prepared! Stylist love pictures! It gives us a visual to work from. Think about the texture of your hair. For instance if you have fine thin curly hair, don’t take your stylist a picture of someone with thick course curls.

Long layers work great with curls! It doesn’t matter if your hair is a chin length bob or curls down to your waist. A common complaint I hear from new curly clients is that they have flat hair at the roots and “poofy” hair toward the ends. It creates a triangle shape. Long layers will help create balance throughout the shape of your hair. Ask your stylist to cut your hair where you part it. I have often seen clients come in with imbalanced haircuts because who ever cut their hair last parted it in the middle. Cutting hair with a middle part is fine if you part it in the middle every day, but if you part your hair to one side, get it cut that way. Your curls will hang better and you will have a more consistent style every day.

Okay, so here is where I get controversial. I believe cutting curly hair with even the sharpest razor makes it frizz. Your stylist may not agree, but I am a scissor girl all the way! There’s a time and texture for the razor but on curly hair it acts like curling a ribbon on a Christmas present.

Lastly, depending on how tightly curled your hair is, remind your stylist that your hair shrinks up! I suggest adding an extra 2-3 inches to your desired length. You can always ask to have it cut shorter .As you probably know curly hair seems to take longer to grow because of the curl.
-Rachelle Perrin, owner Blue Velvet Salon

February Salon News

Blue Velvet News

Newsletter Spotlight
Use code word “Email when checking out at the salon to save $15 on any service over $30. *Not valid with any other offer. Expires 2/28/10 *All offers expire 2/28/10. None of the special prices or offers may be combined.

Blue Velvet goes Green - we’re donating hair to help clean up oil spills
Hair used to absorb oil spills
"You shampoo your hair because it gets greasy. Hair is very efficient at collecting oil out of the air, off surfaces like your skin and out of the water, even petroleum oil. Hair is adsorbant (as in "clings to" unlike absorbant which is to "soak up.") There are over 370,000 hair salons in the US and each collects about 1 pound of hair a day. Right now, most of that goes into the waste stream, but it should all be made into hairmats." - Phil McCrory, inventor and stylist
Stylists and barbers are generously mailing in hair clippings to us and excited about this program and cleanup of oil spills.
Salons are sweeping up their hair clippings into plastic garbage bags, reusing the large boxes they get from shampoo deliveries and mailing us the hair. As well as for emergency oil spills, the mats are extremely efficient for drip pans during oil changes or under leaky cars, machinery, pipelines, even as booms for storm drains.
For more information go to www.matteroftrust.org