Do It. Cut Your Hair

After 18 years of having long hair, I did it. I cut off my beautiful long locks. Now, 6 weeks after the “big cut”, how I’m doing, and how much I love it.

June 4th, 2016. The Orlando Premiere Hair Show. 11 am at the Sexy Hair Stage. I got my hair cut at Sorelli Hair Salon in Melbourne FL.

When I told people that I was planning to cut my hair, a look of sheer terror came over them. And whether they meant to or not, let out an expression like “Oh my God why would you ever do that” or “But your hair is so pretty!” I would just smile and shrug them off. But the truth is, I was ready for a change.

My whole life, all 18 years, I had long hair. With college just two months away, I wanted to shed my childhood and get ready for my new chapter. Like Coco Chanel said “ A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” A change I’m about to do. Leaving my closest family and friends for the Big Apple.

So when I got a phone call about modeling for the Orlando Hair Show, I jumped at the opportunity for multiple reasons. One, I would get paid. And two, I would not be able chicken out in the chair.

6 weeks later. Do I regret my decision? No Way. With my new shoulder-length hair, I can do so much more!I rock the new top knot half up style, I curl it more often because it doesn’t take me hours to do, and I wear it naturally more often than not. Not taking a hot tool to my hair everyday allows for minimal damaging, and lets my hair breathe.

If your thinking about changing up you look, I highly encourage it. Change is good. You don’t have to go to as extreme as I did, but a new haircut can make you feel like a new person.

If you do decided to cut it, not only will you be rocking a new you, someone else can really benefit. There are so many companies that take your hair and make wigs for cancer patients. Pantene has a program called “Beautiful Lengths”, which give free, real-hair wigs to women battling cancer. You can feel good that all that beautiful hair won’t end up in the trash can, instead it will be a sign of strength and hope to someone who needs it most.

By cutting my hair, it was really good for the health of my hair. I had so many split ends and damage from flat ironing it everyday. With my new cut, my hair looks and feels healthy.

So go ahead, do it. Cut your hair. Remember hair grows, and you may end up loving it.

10 Years- An Insight to the People Behind Sorelli

10 Years- An Insight into the People Behind Sorelli

As many of you know, Sorelli Hair Studio is coming up on its 10 years anniversary. It started with a staff of 10 in a little scruffy strip mall on US1, and has now grown to a staff of almost 50 in a free-standing building in Suntree. Rose & Grace grew the business with love and care and I know they are very proud when they unlock that door every morning. From the years of working as stylists for other salons, they took all the experience they had and put their hearts into making a place where creative individuals could come and make people feel beautiful.

You look at Sorelli Hair Studio and Spa today and see the success of two sisters from Long Island. But I look at that establishment and see blood, sweat and tears. Not everyone realizes the late nights and the sacrifices Rose and Grace made to create one of the top salon and spas in Brevard County.

You see my aunt and my Mom behind the chair and in the office and think wow, look at what they accomplished! And I agree with you. And behind the scenes, there are so many more people that make Sorelli the success it is. From the maintenance team – my dad, brother and uncle – coming when a light goes out or the lawn needs to be cut, to my Nonna sitting in the breakroom folding laundry on busy days to keep us from falling behind.

Or if you’re lucky, my Nonno walking the building talking to anyone who will listen. And I, working the desk and the office to support the dynamic duo and my family in this business. We have that salon engraved on our hearts and pumping through our systems. We work our asses off to create not only a beautiful spa but a team of people who want to work and grow as individuals and as a team.

You have heard the company refer to the staff and clients as “Part of the Sorelli Family”, and that’s more than true. Each new employee is thrown into the mix like an adopted family member. We share clothing and war stories about kids and boys. The staff is so much more than just employees to my Mom and aunt, which sometimes can create heartbreak and pain. But like any good family, we adjust and adapt to the circumstances and become stronger with every obstacle overcome.

When I was growing up, I learned that family was the most important thing. My best friend was my Nonna and I wouldn’t trade that for any number of sleepovers with the other kids in school. I feel beyond lucky and blessed to have been raised by the family I have.

They taught me how to love and be a part of something greater than myself. My family will do anything for each other, and even today being 1,000 miles away at school, I’m on the first flight home when they call saying they need me.

Growing up with a big brother taught me how to respect myself, and wrestle without getting into trouble with our parents. That also taught me that no matter what, I will always have someone devoted to me in this life and vice versa. Grace is not only my aunt, she is like my big sister and I would not want any other.

She was the person I confided in, stole clothing from, went shopping with, and later drove to work with. Someone once told me I was crazy to work for family, that one day I would grow to resent them, but they couldn’t be more wrong. While we do fight like any other family, we also come together and share a meal at the end of the day, friends forever and devoted to each other.

My Mother: there are not enough words to describe this extraordinary woman. She is the strongest woman I have ever met. She works harder than anyone I know to keep her business strong and growing, her clients happy, and her family together. In the midst of all this, she always has time for me, for a talk, for comfort, for guidance.

Looking back at the past 10 years, we had our fair share of rough patches. No one is perfect and no relationship is either. The salon opened when I was 11 years old, going into my toughest years growing up. I would like to say I was a perfect angel, but that is far from the truth. Like any teen, I gave my mom a run for her money.

But no matter how busy she was, she always made time to listen to my mental breakdowns in the office even with a client processing in her chair. I started working at the salon when I was 13, because I secretly missed my mom and Grace. I didn’t know it at the time, but I learned more about how to run a business and manage people then any college or entry-level job would ever teach me.

I pen this open letter as an insight to our life. To show that this business isn’t all business. To give you the backstory to how Sorelli Hair Studio and Spa came to be. The Salon’s 10-year anniversary is an achievement that not every salon gets to celebrate. And I know that Rose & Grace feel so blessed to be celebrating it with you and the people who make it great. They wouldn’t be where they are today without the support and love of their loyal clients and devoted staff.

To all our current Sorelli Family Members, I am thankful for you all and the support you give us. And to all the past Sorelli Family Members, you will always be a part of my childhood and I wish you all the best.

Here’s to another decade of creating, loving, and supporting each other!

The very proud daughter and niece of the owners,

Julianna

Microblading Magic

We’ve all seen it…. bad brows. Eyebrows can make or break our overall look. Thinning, balding, sparse, and light brows are all issues that make us want to fill our brows in an effort to have beautiful brows. Makeup is a great solution, but it’s also time consuming and difficult to do over and over on a daily basis.

Microblading Magic

Microblading is a type of cosmetic tattoo for the eyebrows where pigment is inserted into the skin in hair-like strokes. The results are beautiful, natural-looking brows. The color is custom blended for each client to match existing hair or to compliment the client’s complexion. Rest assured that your brows won’t be too dark, too light, or fake looking!

So if you’re ready to wake up with gorgeous brows every day, call us to make an appointment with Lauren, our Microblading Specialist! Have questions? Lauren is always Microblading Magic happy to

answer any questions you may have!

321-253-0030

Professional Vs. Drug Store Buying. Know the Difference

We’ve all done it. Bought shampoo and conditioner the same place we buy milk. But, unlike milk, do you know what is really inside that bottle?

Professional Vs. Drug Store Buying

If you’re like me, you like to kill two birds with one stone. But what if the result of that is actually killing your hair? When you buy hair products at drug stores or general retail stores, you are not always getting what you think.

Professional brands like Redken, Paul Mitchel, and MoroccanOil sell their products through reps to salons and spas only. So then, how do these professional names get on the drug store shelves? Well, through the Black Market. Yup, that’s what I said…and although this Black Market is the world’s least threatening, it’s very real!

Underlords buy salon products from a legitimate distributor, then set them aside in a warehouse for years until the barcode expires so they can’t be tracked. But the barcode isn’t the only thing that expires – the product itself does! Heat, age and ingredient breakdown cause whatever is inside the bottle to no longer be effective, yet you still think you’re buying professional-grade products.

Not convinced? Next time you are browsing the haircare aisle, look at the back or the bottom of the bottle/box. More often than not, the bottles barcode has a sticker bar code with a totally different barcode.

Unfortunately, the consumer is the one that suffers. When your stylist recommends a product to help you style, or help the overall health of your hair, 9 times outta 10 they work. But if you are buying expired products, your hair problem isn’t fixed, and you’ve spent more money than if you bought at your salon.

Unfortunately, the people that sell professional products to drug stores can tamper with or water down the products. Products that were created to be clear can come out yellow, or you notice that your shampoo is running out too fast (because it’s mainly water!). A client came in with a bottle of MoroccanOil Oil. Instead of the silky light brown color, it was tinted blue. She paid close to the real price but got a HUGE difference in the product.

Surprisingly enough, the price difference between drug store and salons is minimal. The $3-5 difference isn’t worth the risk of buying bad products that may damage your hair!

Unlike the drug stores, the salon allows you to return products that didn’t make you happy, you were unsatisfied with and allows you to try something else. We understand every head of hair reacts differently to new products and we want you to be happy.

Take advantage of the trained and educated professional you are paying as your beauty consultant. They have such a wide range of knowledge and experience with products that a metal shelf can’t tell you. For example I have pin straight hair, and to get volume I use a curly hair products, but I would never have thought to use it unless my hairdresser told me.

Another really good example of professional grade vs a cheap drugstore copy is The Wet Brush. When you buy your Wet Brush from us, you’ll receive a beautiful long-lasting rubber brush that is safe for your hair. The rubberized handle not only allows for a longer brush life, but makes for a soft, sure grip. This makes it both a consumer favorite and a stylist favorite as well. The drugstore copy is made of plastic, a cheaper product, and is more likely to break if dropped or after long-term use.

We want you to be happy with your hair and how you care for it. This blog is to educate you about spending your hard earned money on the right hair care products for your particular hair. Your hair and beauty is an investment, and can be an expensive one. Don’t spend more on old, tampered-with, watered-down “professional” products. Know what is in your bottles, buy your hair products from your salon professional!

Bold Lips. Yay, or Nah?

Ah yes, the lip craze. Big, bold lips are in right now, and we have Kylie Jenner to thank for that, but is it for everyone? I wore bold lip colors for a work week, and here’s what I found out.

Day 1. Port by GloMinerals. This is one of my favorite colors! For those of you who aren’t familiar with GloMinerals lip colors, first what is wrong with you, and second you don’t know what you are missing. Port is a deep red color and comes in a long black skinny tube. It applies like any other lipstick, and I recommend lining your lips before applying.

The feedback I received was amazing! Multiple people commented and told me that the color was beautiful, not to dark and not to vibrant. Not only did the people I saw love it, I did to. It gave me life and put a pep in my step. I wore it to work, and wore it out to dinner with my friends. The best part was, I didn’t even need to touch it up. I applied it in the morning and reapplied before dinner, only to make it darker. My skin tone is olive, but this lip color would look good on just about anyone.

. port tube Red

Day 2. Punch by GloMinerals. Sticking with the same side of the color wheel, Punch is in the same lipstick family, coming in the long skinny black tube, but is Bright Pink. It’s the perfect summer color. The spring was all about nude lips, but the summer is totally taking over with the vibrant colors! This color would be perfect for your summer vacation, or a shopping day with your girlfriends.

Day 3. Orange Lips. Pop by Glo Minerals. I started the week off doing great! I was getting compliments about my lips and even people wanting to buy the lipstick out of my purse. But then day 3. I decided to try an orange color, something I wouldn’t normally do. Lets just say it wasn’t the best color on me. A few of my friends said remarks like “interesting choice of lipstick” and my true friends said “Wow J, really not your color”.

Although I appreciate the honest remarks from my sweet friends, it made me feel self conscious all day. The only time I would ever put this color back on my lips, is for Halloween. Unlike my deep red and bright pink that made me feel extra confident, this orange did the reverse for me.

Day 4. PURPLE. Sorbet from Glo Minerals. Man, did I love this color. After day 3, I was ready to call it quits, but I knew that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of my newly bought, unopened bold lipsticks waiting to be used. I paired this purple with a t shirt dress and a pair of white converse. This color had just enough shine that I didn’t have to pair it with anything else, and lasted all day. Although I would not wear this color everyday, it was a nice switch up, and ended up being really really pretty.

Luckily I am off on Fridays, so my week of bold lips ends here!

If I have learned anything from my week of bold lips, it’s that with the right color, I could conquer the world. The only downfall I found was if I wasn’t totally comfortable with the color, it made me second guess myself, and feel insecure. So my advice for everyone to scared to try the newest bold lip fad, DO IT!

If anything it’s a fun experience, and you won’t know if you don’t try. Who knows, maybe you end up getting proposed to in Port, or meet your new niece or nephew in Punch. And maybe you were able to rock the orange lips and got your dream job. Don’t underestimate the power of lipstick, and don’t get stuck in a rut. Change your look and have fun! Life’s too short to always have nude lips.

Get that Summer Glow, without Going on Vacation

Can’t get away this summer, but want to have that bronze goddess look? We’ll make it happen! Sorelli is adding Air Brush Tanning to our menu, and we have all the answers to your tanning questions!

How long is the appointment?

The appointment is a half hour. It takes about 5-10 minutes for the full body pray, 10 minutes to dry, and a 5-10 minute consultation

Who will be doing my spray tanning?

MaryAnn Hughes will be the airbrush technician. She is a fully licensed, certified, tanning technician-esthetician. She’s been a spray tan technician for 19 years – in fact, her very first job was with a tanning salon! She will be applying your flawless tan, and afterwards – wow! you should also book her for the most beautiful eyelash extensions ever! (and we have eyelash specials going on right now!)

What is the main ingredient in the tanning products?

DHA, (dihydroxyacetone) which is a colorless chemical derived from plant sources such as sugar beets, sugar cane and glycerin. It interacts with your own amino acids in your surface skin cells to produce your tan color. The ingredients and the tanning process are FDA-approved. Now what does all that really mean? In simple terms, it is safe. The tan does not absorb into the body and is 100% non-toxic. This sunless tan will leave you with a smooth, even, non-sticky glow

How should I prepare for my Sunless Tan?

We recommend that you shave or wax 24 hours before your service. It’s super important that you exfoliate your entire body and shower immediately before your appointment. DO NOT put on any lotion, perfume, makeup/foundation, or deodorant. These products can cause a barrier to the tanning solution. As far as what to wear, we recommend you wear loose, dark, clothing to the appointment and old undergarments. While the tanning solution should wash out of clothing, we don’t recommend wearing your newest or favorite undergarments, especially white. Bathing suits can be worn if you wish. A shower cap will be provided.

How long will my tan last?

Anywhere from 6-10 days, depending on your skin type and post-tanning activities. Your tan will fade as your skin naturally sheds cells, just like a tan created by the sun. Moisturizer is essential to keep your tan alive – we recommend using a moisturizer after a few days to help the tan fade evenly. After your tanning session you should wait a minimum of 6-8 hours before you shower, 24 hours is optimal. When you do shower, DO NOT exfoliate or scrub your skin. Make it a quick shower, no long hot baths. Pat yourself dry and coat your skin in a light moisturizer.

What happens after my tanning appointment?

– Right after your tanning session, for at least 24 hours , do not exercise or do anything that will make you sweat. You don’t want drip marks in your beautiful new tan!

– Refrain from any skin-to-skin contact until you have showered

– Sleep on dark-colored sheets and use dark towels for the first day or so.

– Make sure your moisturizer is alcohol-free. You want to use a hydrating moisturizer. We have the perfect ones here in the salon to keep your tan smooth and even – you may purchase one after your session. Ask MaryAnn which one she recommends!

– Remember, the spray tan treatment has no SPF in it. So if you are going to be out in the sun, please wear sun block to protect your beautiful skin!

We are very excited about our new service, and to get you and everyone else excited too, we are offering 20% off your first spray tan! Get that perfect summer glow, safely and in just a few minutes, without leaving town!

Creative. Fun. Crazy. The Orlando Premiere Hair Show

Once a year, a bunch of artistic, beautiful people get together in one convention room to share new ideas, learn techniques, and get the best equipment/products to bring back to the salon. This year, like most every other, the Sorelli team will be in attendance, and we are bringing YOU with us!

The Orlando Hair Show is rather difficult to describe. As soon as you open the doors to the convention, it’s immediate, beautiful, chaos. Their are hundreds of booths, big-name hair companies like Redken, Unite, and Moroccan Oil have stages showing off their work, and the models roaming the floor look like something out of a fashion magazine.

Not only is this a good time to stock up on our favorite products, but it’s the best place to learn. Business classes, color classes, product knowledge classes, you name it. Continuing education is a big part of the beauty industry. Each show something new is being brought to the floor, and we have to adapt to it. With the technology world going crazy right now, the beauty industry is fast at its heels.

If you missed any of our live streams from the show, have no fear, we are summing it all up for you.

Along with the continuing education we received from Peter Coppola, Paul Mitchell, and Redken, we also snagged some great products!

New Halocouture Extensions! Many of you already know and love Halo, but for those of you who know nothing about this line, Halo is an extension company with no commitment. This hairpiece is secured to your head with a thin clear wire, that fits your head like a halo. Now, the brand has expanded to The Fall, and Ponytail extensions.

The Fall is placed at the crown of the head, used mostly to conceal thin hair or roots. This piece attaches with four comfortable coated clips for easy application. The Ponytail extension is placed around your natural ponytail, and with a piece of hair from the extension to wrap around the base to conceal the band. All three extension pieces will leave you with full, longer hair without anyone knowing. The best part is, it goes on in minutes and can be taken out at home.

halo fall halo halo pony

Know the difference between professional and drug store. This weekend we learned the difference between Wet Brushes you buy in a salon, and those you buy at a drug store. The Wet Brushes you are buying from CVS or Walmart are plastic, and that’s the reason the price is less. But the professional brushes are made to withstand the use of stylists, making them last longer and made of better materials. So next time you go out to buy yet another Wet Brush from Walmart, you could be buying professional and buying less.

wet brush
Last but not least, the newest in automatic curling irons, The Spin Style Pro! With a touch of a button, the patent pending curling device instantly and automatically catches and curls hair- transforming straight locks into tangle-free curls in seconds. Don’t believe us? Come in a play with it for yourself! We will have a mannequin head and a sample iron at the front desk for clients to watch and perform the magic themselves!

curling

With this years show coming to a close, we are grateful for the continuing education and new toys! The staff can’t wait till next year!

All Grown Up And Presented To Society

Sunday, May 29th, 2016, 30 young South Brevard County Debutantes, including myself, were presented to society in front of their friends and family. The dresses, fashion, and hair is always the talk of the ball!

All Grown Up And Presented To Society — South Brevard County Debutantes Ball Dresses

The Dress. Traditionally, the debutantes wear long white ball gowns accompanied with long white gloves. Essentially, beautiful wedding gowns. Although the girls have to wear white, no two debs looks the same. Some opt for the mermaid gown, others the princess cut. Seeing the sea of white dresses is something truly magical.

South Brevard County Debutantes Ball Hair

The Hair. Of course, the most important. Although there is no restriction on what your hair has to look like, every Deb knows the hair brings the look together. A popular trend some girls take advantage of is hairpieces. Pink Pewter, which is carried in house at Sorelli, has recently come out with a whole line of bridal accessories, perfect for the Deb Ball. From jeweled bobby pins to clip in headbands, these sparkly pieces look good in any hair color, and because you aren’t allowed to wear a tiara, gives that extra sparkle without breaking the rules.

South Brevard County Debutantes Ball Jewelry

The Jewelry. With complete creative freedom from the Debutante Committee staff, the jewels sparkle extra bright the night of the ball. Let’s start with the earrings. To me, earrings depend on the hair. If you hair is all up, I prefer long dangly earrings. If your hair is all down, a nice sized stud is more acceptable (especially so they don’t get caught in your hair!). As for necklaces, because we don’t want to take away anything from the dress, a simple diamond necklace sparkles without stealing the show. Although I myself am a huge fan of statement necklaces, I have a whole article about them coming next week, the ball isn’t a place for them. As for hand jewelry goes, because we have gloves on, rings are on the difficult side to wear. But bracelets, they range from big and chunky bangles to small and delicate diamonds and personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

South Brevard County Debutantes Ball 2016

Sorelli Hair Studio and Spa is a huge supporter of the South Brevard Debutante Program and looks forward to the ball every year! The salon opened the Sunday of the ball at 10:00 am as a private event to ensure each and every Deb and their family attending looks and feels their best! See the final looks from the evening on our Facebook page. With a new year of Debutantes coming in, I can’t wait to see how beautiful and what trends pop up for the 2017 Debutante Ball!

Sorelli Hair Studio & Spa
400 St. Andrews Blvd.
Melbourne Fl, 32940
321-253-0030

Blog

So go ahead, do it. Cut your hair. Remember hair grows, and you may end up loving it.

10 Years- An Insight into the People Behind Sorelli

Microblading Magic

Professional Vs. Drug Store Buying