Miss Tina Marie

Accountability is a Rare Ability

2011-08-16T20:19:00.000-05:00

Over the past few years, I've learned that holding myself accountable is a rare form of continuing education. Because, no matter how far I've come, I can remain positive and realize change, but if I don't constantly survey my actions, thoughts, and behaviors, I am no further than I was a year ago.

I've done some crazy things throughout my life and depending on how anyone looks at it, none crazier than abandoning a web design career for an unpaid year of cosmetology school. My career seemed like it was going nowhere and every other part of my life was going in a positive direction, so I didn't want any part of me to fall behind. So, hey..why not quit my job and go to hair school? Yes!

I never really thought I could do it, but I wanted a dramatic change anyway. Shortly after I started school, my fiance and I broke up and moved out. Luckily, financially that event didn't effect me, but it was still a set back. I never let that affect my schooling, though. I went and pushed myself every day, challenged myself beyond what I thought I never could achieve, and I achieved a lot.

My growth emotionally and personally was phenomenal, and I still see it. I lost weight and gained confidence in myself. I dug deeper into my own image and expressed myself as honest as I could. I became more outgoing. I made friends with every imaginable type of person that you could..well..IMAGINE. I embraced a forward-focus culture that has changed a depressed single mother to an incredibly positive individual that never looked this hard in a mirror.

And, if I didn't stop to think about it today, the progress would have stopped there.

I graduated and took my state board licensing test. I am now back in school getting my 1,000 hours for my masters instructors license. And, it's the most challenging but rewarding environment I've ever been in. However, what makes it even more challenging is feeling like I've progressed back to that old person. The girl who never challenged herself or stepped outside of her big comfy chair. But, I took a good long look today and saw it this way - if you're always looking at others before you act, you never get a good look at yourself.

And, what I mean is..right now, tomorrow, and the next day, be yourself without consequence.

Exploring Our Love for Wig Making

2011-08-15T13:43:00.000-05:00

Last week at imagine Paul Mitchell, our texture specialist introduced wig making and styling to both our adaptive and creative students. We brought some hair for students to work on and some students brought in their own hair so they could keep them.

I'm always amazed by the efforts of our students, even when I was a Future Professional myself. As a team, there is no limit to the amount of creativity that exists as we're learning about the beauty industry.

Tiffany, human hair wig

Even a few of our students (including the one in the picture) were exciting about using this skill to make themselves more successful in their career. To me, there is nothing more exciting as a teacher as feeling the passion explode in a room of inspired students.

Everyone did an amazing job and each wig had it's own personality. We had synthetic hair, human hair, long and flowing, platinum blonde, pink, purple, blue, red, brown, curly, extra curly, straight, and any combination you can think of. The styles ranged from classic to pin up to alternative and edgy to emo and gothic.

When inspired, there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

New Paul Mitchell Cutting Collection

2011-05-25T10:40:00.001-05:00

My family has always told me that I'm a career college student. Hell, if I could get paid enough I would be, because I absolutely love learning new things and especially ones that stimulate me in some way. Last Monday, I attended a Paul Mitchell cutting class that was taught by the always inspirational and amazing Neight Gutierrez from Springfield, Missouri.

To start off the experience of the day, I have to admit that I almost didn't make it. In theory, the SSG Oklahoma City location is only 30-45 minutes away, but the class started at 9 in the morning. So, you already know!! I hit traffic on two separate highways and was cussing the whole way because I ABSOLUTELY HATE to be late to anything. But, by some miracle, I passed the traffic, sped up a lot and made it just in time.

And, not to worry, I made it 60 seconds before one of my instructors at school, who had arrived to assist Neight. So, I felt the weight go away.

He started off by asking us what we wanted to learn, which I've never seen happen in a training class for cosmetology, so I was impressed with the class right away! There was talk in the audience of face shapes, figuring out a hair cut from a picture, and internal layers. I'm still not sure what internal layers are, but I'll survive that. I'm just happy I can do the basic layers I've learned without killing somebody. I never thought I'd be able to do hair.

The first haircut Neight taught was a quick and easy long layer cut that I wasn't really crazy about the results, but I've never been one for boring haircuts. I liked the next haircut more - it started with concave layers in the nape area and then just used that as a guide in the remaining sections. I diagrammed it in a way that made me comfortable with the cut. Yes! Megan Vaughn Hightower would be proud!

The last haircut was absolutely amazing! My mind and my heart are still buzzing about it. He did an entire triangular graduation with his clippers. It was beautiful and easy. I want to attempt this on my daughter after I practice on a mannequin.

After the class, I went to Sally's and bought items for my wet set kit so that I will be ready when my state board test date comes. I also got perm rods for my soon-to-be permed head! I'm really excited. I'll post pictures. :)

The End is the Beginning is the..

2011-05-22T20:40:00.004-05:00

I wish I could rewind my life and make myself more accountable to the effort I didn't put in. That's the only reason my posts are so sparse - laziness. The only worthwhile excuse I have is that this past year has drained me of a large amount of my energy. My routine lately has been - attend school 9:30 to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, stay home most of the time and do homework or absolutely nothing at all, and repeat..pretty much. But, now that graduation is so close, I'm realizing that I am lacking a few things I should have been able to pick up before now.

Since I last posted, I became a member of Take Home Team, Student Council and John Paul's Pet Club. I've been involved in photo shoots and fashion shows. I've taught classes. I've spoken in front of 100-200 people. There's been a lot of frustration, tears, broken hearts, and wet sets. I've lost, found, lost, found, and lost again my complete focus. I've met amazing mentors and friends, instructors, been inspired, and felt like I'm a complete failure.

All of this beauty and pain is part of being inspired to transform who you are and where you're headed.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to a Paul Mitchell hair cutting class in Oklahoma City.

In June, I turn 36 for the first and only time of my life.

In July, I graduate cosmetology school.

These are the certain things. Everything else is up to my imagination.

One day, like many, unlike any

2010-11-01T20:02:00.002-05:00

I've been meaning to write something about what's been going on lately, but laziness tends to take over and I rarely care about speaking to a nearly empty audience. Who knows, who cares, but at least I am paying attention. Perhaps few others can afford it.

The floor is chaotic to me. I'm not confident that I can do any of it, but I'm working on that. They say anyone can do it. I doubt I'll prove them wrong, but it's hard to see big open spaces when your eyes are focused on the ground.

Last Saturday was the biggest challenge I've experienced so far. My sister's friend came in to get her hair colored a red similar to Nicole Kidman. She came in with a violet red on the top and blonde on the bottom. Because you have to destroy the makeup of your hair to go blonde, it doesn't take color that well, depending on what tone it is.

Sidenote: I've only been going to school since August, we've been on the floor for a month, and I've never colored blonde hair before.

First, we color balanced to tone down the red on top. Then, we mixed some color and went on our way. The blonde part didn't really take, but had a slight green tone to it. Lovely. Next, we're advised to use a demi-permanent color that will help condition the hair as well as make it even more red. This time, the blonde part got a bit darker, but not even close. And, then we colored a third time.

Oh, by the way, did you know you're supposed to re-pigment blonde hair before you attempt to color it? Even though it was mentioned in passing in our core training, it didn't really creep into my mind at all. Or, the mind of any of the instructors I dealt with until we were six hours into the process.

This has been my experience so far - difficult situations that serve as cruel learning experiences. I'm dedicated to remaining positive, though. Well, in my own jaded way.

I've had two awesome days off and now it's back to school tomorrow. A new month, a new worksheet, and another theory test.

Oh yeah..I think I'm going crazy. Saturday night when I got home from school, I tried to open my garage door with my student ID number.