Modern Glamour Portraits

Ever look at celebrities and wish you could be just as gorgeous? Well, you can! We all have a special beauty about us, it is just a matter of having it brought out and captured by someone who can see it.
Using my skills as a makeup artist, hairstylist, and photographer I now offer Modern Glamour Portraits. Portrait packages start at $450 and include makeup application and hairstyle.

My Sweet Little Room At Twelve Stones

Here are a few pictures of my room at Twelve Stones Salon.

Aquage's Biomega is one of the lines I'll be carrying. This is their Moisture Conditioner. Love it!

How great is this wall of photo's done by my talented hubby, Brett? All we need now are prints of our munchkins!

Just in case you bring a friend, they have a place to sit.

This is my fabulous station. The chair swivels around so I can shampoo your hair. The counter top is granite too! 

I look forward to seeing you at my new place. I hope you like it! :)

-Alicia

Meet Claire

For those of you who've been waiting to see if I had a boy or a girl....it's a girl!
I was blessed with a quick and uneventful birth. She was born just an hour after I showed up at the hospital. We are both doing well and I'm ready to go back to work. Thank you for all your prayers! I look forward to seeing you at Twelve Stones soon :)

A Place Of My Own

     For the last year, I've been perfectly happy at La Dolce Vita Salon. However, an unfortunate turn of events had me looking for a new place to call home. With the salon closing in April, (just a week beyond my due date with baby #3!)  I was suddenly put in the position of being 9 months pregnant and looking for a new place to work. For one short evening I panicked, then I put on my big girl pants and started handing out my resume  to various salons. I walked into several places on a Saturday and didn't like the vibe I picked up on in most of them. It was the usual noisy, chaotic, ego filled atmosphere you will find in most places. So where do I go? Time was running out. This baby will be coming in just a couple of weeks whether I find a new place to work or not.
     My hubby then offered a suggestion. He met a girl on a photo shoot recently who worked in a salon unlike any other in our town. Instead of renting a booth, you rent a suite. A little room I can call my own with a shampoo bowl and chair. Everything else can be customized to my liking by yours truly. This was the chance to own a tiny  salon all of my own. There are other rooms with other stylists (whom I've met and are all very friendly)  and a  welcoming lobby, but otherwise, I am able to control the environment, the retail, my appointments, my hours, the decor, music, etc. I can even shut the door when I'm on a break and just want to be alone. It is exactly what I need at this time in my life. I'm busy with my two little ones (soon to be three little ones) and I want the flexibility this salon has to offer. Other salons want to charge per day, and even half days for part time stylists. Many salons won't even let you have a key. Being locked into a very tight, defined schedule would make life more difficult and stressful. Here I can have full access and complete control of my work hours. I believe I have found the perfect place to grow my business and still have the home life I desire.
     Until the baby is born, I will continue to take appointments at La Dolce Vita. When #3 arrives I plan on a five week long maternity leave and then I'll start up at Twelve Stones Salon. It is located in an office complex right across the street from Bullard High at Palm and Barstow. My prices will remain the same and I will most likely work my previous three day schedule -  Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. I will be making all my own appointments so feel free to call my cel:

 (559) 709-0849

  to book your next visit. I look forward to showing you my new space and catching up!

If you want a peek at what Twelve Stones Salon is like, you can check it out HERE
I have yet to move into my suite, but when I do I will put up pictures so you can see how I've decided to arrange and decorate it. I already have the space planned out and I can't wait to have you see it!

A Photo Shoot Video

 I've been doing so many makeovers these days. I wish I could share each one in great detail. 

 For now  we put together a little video of our work with Nicole.

 I hope you like it! :)

Mini Makeover and Parking Lot Photo Shoot

Last week I decided to give my friend a surprise when she popped into the salon for a haircut. She was only scheduled for a trim, but my plan was to doll her up with a little makeup and shoot a few pictures of her in the parking lot as well. (Who says you need an exotic location to take a pretty picture?)
 Jackie is a busy mama and blogger. She writes blog.nerdfamily.com and nerdfamilythings.com. When she meets with fellow bloggers, they comment on how she has a vintage look even though that's not always her intention. This got me thinking and since I had my camera on hand, I was just dying to give her a glamorous new style. Old Hollywood became the inspiration for our mini photo shoot. Sexy waves and bright red lips were at the top of my list and I love how it turned out!
 We should all have a chance to be made up and have beautiful pictures taken of us. I would love to do these mini makeover sessions on a regular basis. Sometimes we just want to feel good about ourselves and it's sure nice to have a gorgeous profile picture for Facebook. If you ever want to book a makeover session with me, or have me do a little photo shoot, I'd love to chat with you and put together something you'll cherish forever.
Alicia Nelson at Twelve Stones Salon 559-709-0849
Brett Nelson at Ambient Art Photography 559-281-7896
ambientartphoto.com

Tips For Beautiful Bridal Hair

Today I was lucky enough to do hair for this adorable bridal party. They were all so sweet and all the hairstyles worked out so well.  So today I thought I'd share a few tips on selecting the best formal hairstyle for your big day.

Tips for Beautiful Bridal Hair

1. Decide if the theme of your wedding is formal, or a bit more casual and keep that in mind for you hair.

2. Browse Pinterest, blogs, magazines, etc. for hairstyles you think might work for you.

3. Choose at least three of you favorite styles as a guide for your hairstylist. Remember, your hair will never look exactly like the girl's in the picture. Length, texture, and color can drastically change the overall style.

 4. See if your stylist can do a trial run with your hair trying out at least two different styles a few weeks before your wedding and take pictures for reference on your big day.

5. Layers in the hair often makes curls and other styles hold better. Hair that is very long is often the most difficult to work with. So if you are growing your hair out, don't let it get too long. Your stylist can suggest the best length for the look you are going for.

6. Highlights with obvious contrast in colors always show curls off better even if they are a just a couple shades lighter than your base color.

7. Be flexible and keep your mind open to suggestions from your hairstylist.