Susan Maccoy, Hair Artist

Make-Up Tip for Fall

hairartist

Use a retractable blush brush. Run the brush across the blush; close the tractable brush, place in cosmetic bag. One less item to carry in your purse.

Transitional women: A Midlife Change-of-face

                              hairartist From a glance at the bone structure, it's clear that these two pictures are of the same woman — same eyes, same cheeckbones, same smile. So why does she seem to be glowing in the photo on the right? Why does that smile seem so much more winning after the makeover? It could be the way she feels about herself. It might also be that she changed the way she presents herself.

The point of a makeover is to make the best use of a woman's best features. By the time she reaches midlife, a woman tends to fall back on using the same colors, make-up, and haircut that served her in youth. But during that time, her skin tone and texture, even the shape of her face may have changed. That makes midlife (and menopause) a good time to take inventory and reconsider one's appearance. For her makeover, this model had her hair recut to remove the excess and reframe her face. Note how the old hair overwhelmed her face before, whereas the new cut draws attention to those lovely cheekbones instead. The shorn hair was then colored to a mid-range blonde to remove gray and give new highlights, lightening her overall look. With a change of make-up to emphasize her eyes and great smile, she looks and feels like a new person. Combined with a new focus on appropriate diet and excercise, that vibrant new look will last her well into her later years.

Teen Girl Creates Hair Cut Win – Win

Dana grew her hair for over a year so she could donate it to Locks of Love to be made into a hair prosthetic for an unfortunate peer. As her hair grew to the required 12 inches, the amount of hair to be donated, she pondered about what her soon to be new style.

She met with Susan Maccoy, Hair Artist for a consultation and discussed what was to become her all new hair style.  She decided on a swingy bob that could be tucked behind her ears that would show off the high shine on her hair. Photos by MOM.

Http://www.lockoflove.org

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Locks of Love's: Mission

Statement

Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

                                             Wowwie – Way to go Dana. Congratulations on your new do.

   
   Susan Maccoy, Hair Artist

Clairol Professional Premium Creme Hair Color Tests Impressive

Midwest weather: Chicago, It's a  Karmic Joke. All we have had is rain, wind, rain, wind. That spells  STORM, Storming and Stormy.

What does a Hair Artist do on a rainy day in Chicago? Test hair color, of course.  Clairol's new line of professional hair color, Clairol Professional Premium Creme was on my list.  Since the day was dull and drab I decided to test the Gold Series  Numbers 8, 10 and 12.  I did the rounds: retouch matching Wella, Corrective recolor over 70% gray hair and foil highlights.

Impressive to say the least. Color tones were vibrant, shiny and yes, WOW, 100% gray coverage as promised. I have to say, "Luv the conditioned feel".  I am sure this soy based technology will show up as an retail independant product for home use in the near future.  I didn't see any mention of it on the Clairol Pro Blog http:premiumcreme.com/blog.php

It is saturday and raining again. Guess, I will try another color in the series.

Want makeover success? Get a Hair Coach

Teen Guy to Girl Magnet in just One Hour - Wowzers!

CHICAGO — Image coach, Hair Artist, Susan Maccoy pulls together a quick and but impressive make over for teen boy, LT.  Former high school senior and martial arts practioner, knows the value of practice, teamwork and coaching.  Dedicated to sport kick boxing, he realized as far as image was concerned he would need a secret punch.  A soul patch beard, long scruffy hair may work in a kick boxing ring but not a winner in the dating ring.

Based at Chicago's Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa, Water Tower Place, Susan MacCoy was a good choice for a coach.  She has been awarded the Clairol Hair Fashion Award, appointed to the prestigious Clairol Presidential Haircolorists' Council, and selected as Chicago's Stylist of the Year and Today's Chicago Woman's Colorist of the Year.  Susan did an initial evaluation of LT’s appearance and goals and quickly assembled a plan and execute an instant makeover strategy.

• The starting lineup included:
  * Elizabeth Adam, salon director and skin care expert;
  * Basia (Barbara) Walasiak, skin treatment specialist;

"Makeovers can be instant! A life changing amount of transformation can be accomplished in an hour-and-a-half,” Susan observes.  LT’s makeover consisted of two parts: a makeover hair cut, blending hair color, shave and facial; and a maintenance program. 

The strategy included:

• haircut,( conservative work style and one for DATES), a mini-color wash to blend beached brassy over tones, and a deep conditioning treatment;
• a shave, facial cleansing and peeling to clear up LT’s  acne and calm the skin, augmented with a home care program; LT’s new look now takes 5 minutes daily. Skin care taking two minutes; and EZ Hair Cut  maintenance at 3 minutes, daily shampoo and natural dry for day, and hair gel for dates.

Hair artist Susan MacCoy is based at Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa, located in Chicago’s Water Tower Place.  She has taught in venues as diverse as the Goodman Theater of the Art Institute of Chicago; the Clairol Summer Sessions at Northwestern University; classes offered by Helene Curtis in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and Africa; Clairol, Inc.’s Famous Haircolorists’ Educator Program; and sessions for Glemby International, as well as in training videos for beauty professionals and students.  Formerly manager of the Glemby International Salon at the Drake Hotel and long established on Michigan Avenue, MacCoy has served many famous clients, including Barbara Walters, Princess Diane Von Furstenburg, Lucille Ball, and Lady Bird Johnson.

Susan MacCoy is a talented hair artist, image consultant, beauty educator, consultant to the hair care industry, and an expert for the legal profession. Winner of the Today's Chicago Woman Reader's Choice Award, Gold Coast Magazine's Chicago Stylist of the Year, the Clairol Hair Fashion Award, and Glemby International's Outstanding Achievement Award, Ms. MacCoy is the creator of the ProWorks Professional Haircare System and a master haircoloring expert.

Her Chicago practice is based at Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa in Water Tower Place, Chicago.

For appointments or for more information call 312-635-5116 or www.susanmaccoy.com

Want makeover success? Get a Hair Coach

Teen basketball star discovers the lasting value of an experienced image mentor

 

CHICAGO — A good coach and a good team can pull you through when your own skills and experience fall short.  Former high school senior varsity basketball player, April McCarron knows the value of practice, teamwork and coaching.  A dedicated athlete, she realized she didn't have the skill set to prepare her for college life.  April had a svelte, toned 6'2" figure, but the mirror reflected a girl barely in her teens.  April was determined to change her look and consulted hair artist and beauty consultant, Susan MacCoy.

Based at Chicago's Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa, Water Tower Place, Susan MacCoy was a good choice for a coach.  She has been awarded the Clairol Hair Fashion Award, appointed to the prestigious Clairol Presidential Haircolorists' Council, and selected as Chicago's Stylist of the Year and Today's Chicago Woman's Colorist of the Year.  Susan did an initial evaluation of April's appearance and goals and quickly assembled a team to plan and execute the makeover strategy.  The starting lineup included:

• Elizabeth Adam, salon director and skin care expert;
• Basia (Barbara) Walasiak, skin treatment specialist;
• A salon nail care specialist;
• Irina Zinchikeva, eyebrow artist; and
• Paula Sino, make-up artist.

"We are conditioned through the media that makeovers are instant fixes, and an amazing amount of transformation can be accomplished in an hour or two, " Susan observes.  "However, making improvements requires planning and a change in everyday behavior to last.  You need to take the time to learn the skills, review your progress, make adjustments as necessary, and practice, practice, practice.  Over time, the new image can be integrated and sustained.  Then, you can play your best and do it with grace and ease."

Susan and April set the short-term goal to give April confidence and control over her everyday image and the long-term goal to give April a look that would work for her at school, work, play, in sports, and dating — all looks that she could maintain easily.

April's makeover consisted of two parts: the makeover program and a skills/maintenance program.  The makeover strategy included:

• haircut, light perm on the ends, two-tone mini-highlights, and several deep conditioning treatments;
• two-phase, six-stage facial cleansing and peeling program to clear up April's severe acne and calm the skin, augmented with a home care program;
• professional eyebrow arching and a styling lesson;
• professional make-up evaluation, make-up palettes for daytime and dressy evening wear, along with a make-up lesson and supervised practice session;
• nail restyling and manicure, along with a paint-at-home-like-a-pro lesson; and
• overall image and style analysis to develop a fashion/image style suited to April's face and body type and her taste, activities, and busy schedule.

April's new skill set included daily skin care, including facial lessons; daily hair care — including how to maintain her new cut, how to blow-dry, and change styles for different occasions — a daily make-up practice; and nail painting at home.  After each session, April was invited to bring questions or problems to the team.

April began to see initial results after three weeks, and after six weeks, her skin was much clearer.  "Through it all," Susan says, "April never balked, never missed practice or appointments, and she never complained.  She organized herself and her schedule.  That's when I realized her training as an athlete was what kept her going.  She went the extra quarter-mile."

Hair artist Susan MacCoy is based at Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa, located in Chicago’s Water Tower Place.  She has taught in venues as diverse as the Goodman Theater of the Art Institute of Chicago; the Clairol Summer Sessions at Northwestern University; classes offered by Helene Curtis in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and Africa; Clairol, Inc.’s Famous Haircolorists’ Educator Program; and sessions for Glemby International, as well as in training videos for beauty professionals and students.  Formerly manager of the Glemby International Salon at the Drake Hotel and long established on Michigan Avenue, MacCoy has served many famous clients, including Barbara Walters, Princess Diane Von Furstenburg, Lucille Ball, and Lady Bird Johnson.

Susan MacCoy is a talented hair artist, image consultant, beauty educator, consultant to the hair care industry, and expert for the legal profession. Winner of the Today's Chicago Woman Reader's Choice Award, Gold Coast Magazine's Chicago Stylist of the Year, the Clairol Hair Fashion Award, and Glemby International's Outstanding Achievement Award, Ms. MacCoy is the creator of the ProWorks Professional Haircare System and a master haircoloring expert. She divides her time and consulting services between Chicago. Her Chicago practice is based at Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa in Water Tower Place. For appointments or more information call 312-635-5116 or www.susanmaccoy.com