Follow these tips for cutting & styling a fringe:

1. Cutting fringe dry allows the natural texture and growth pattern to be taken into consideration when deciding on a length.
2. When styling fringe, always dry fringe first to control the natural texture and erratic growth patterns. Letting fringe dry naturally before styling allows the hair to form to its natural texture making it more difficult to stretch dry and control.
3. Use a comb instead of a brush when drying fringe – it gets closer to the scalp and provides more tension to control natural texture and redirect erratic growth patterns.

Go for maximum visual contrast between the comb and hair to increase visibility – use black combs on lighter hair and ivory combs on darker hair. Always use the fine-toothed end of a comb in an X pattern (comb to the left and then to the right), fine teeth allow for maximum tension and control when redirecting hair.

What do you think about LC’s new look? Leave your comments below.

Sam teaches us a speedy technique that is especially useful for creating a deconstructed look when cutting naturally curly hair:

To create a horizontal zigzag part:

• Comb the hair back
• Working with the wide teeth of your comb, place your comb in vertically
• Keep the teeth right up against the head
• Now, simply move the comb in an up and downward stroke
• Once you have moved from front to back, take your finger and slice where you choose to have the zigzag section
• Comb the section up and you’ll see it!

Using this technique for cutting naturally curly hair results in the hair falling naturally textured!

You can use this technique as well for a vertical zigzag part by placing your comb in the opposite direction – horizontally – and apply the same technique as above.

So very simple and quick – works like a charm every time! See this technique in action below.

Written by: Lya Navarra
Contributing Editor | Sam Villa®

Sam Villa has this styling tip for smoothing hair right down to the scalp without creating extra volume at the base.

• Apply a heat styling product like Redken iron silk 07 and place a fine-toothed comb underneath at the scalp area, with the teeth facing up and toward the body.
• Position the outside of the Sam Villa Signature Series SLEEKR iron on top of the teeth of the comb and slowly comb through the section with the outside of the iron on top of the comb.

The emanating heat from the casing of the iron smoothes hair close to the scalp area and adds incredible shine. It’s all about the slow pass, not the compression.

Watch the video below for a demonstration of this technique.

[Watch this: Ribbon Curl Flat Iron Technique]

Options are endless, but keep it simple.  Sweep your hair back into a ponytail, backcomb for texture and then fishtail braid, regular braid, create multiple braids…your choice.  A messy fringe and loose layers up the coolness factor!

Source: Getty

If sleeping in a tent and not about to tackle a braid, just let hair hang loose and wear a headband, it’s groovy and functional.

[Recommended: Overnight Waves How To Look]

BOBology |bŏb-ŏl’ə-jē|

noun (pl. BOBologies)

A subject of study of the classic Bob as interpreted by Sam Villa; a branch of Bob knowledge streamed through Sam Villa.

Sam Villa presents BOBology, the first installment of The Aspire Tour, Sam’s ground breaking digital education series available for preview and purchase on www.samvilla.com.  Villa, being the innovator that he is, wanted to offer a unique experience with his educational materials — he teaches real stylists in real salons across America.  With his groundbreaking DVD series, he is able to bring the viewer as close as they can possibly be to his message without actually being there live.

BOBology is Villa’s contribution to the eternal study of the classic Bob and its perpetual re-invention. First introduced by Vidal Sassoon in the 60′s, the Bob has graced millions of women for over 40 years. Today, the Bob continues to be a major fashion statement for style conscious women everywhere.  Sam has studied the irreplaceable Bob throughout his 30 year career, and came to appreciate this classic shape that is at the heart of great hair styling.  By teaching the Bob, Sam conveys foundational technique and fundamental styling skills to stylists, along with his modern interpretation of the classic look.

Running Time: An hour and 7 minutes
Order Now: From our online shop

Nozzles are included with most professional blow dryers and they are included for a reason – they allow us to work smarter, not harder! Take advantage of the work they do for us:

Wide Nozzles – (wide in length and narrow in opening)

• Essential for drying long, thick hair
• The wider length expands the airflow and dries the hair faster for you!

Thin Nozzles – (shorter in length with a wider opening)

• Essential for drying fringes and frizzy, wavy and curly hair
• Concentrated airflow from a smaller area
• Use for looks that demand a more polished finish

Beware of suffocation! Don’t suffocate the dryer by making direct contact with the nozzle and the brush:

• Keep the nozzle at least ½-1 inch away from the brush

If you do not, over time you will ruin your brush and you will have to replace your dryer from overheating – not to mention you run the risk of burning the hair.

Watch the video below as Sam demonstrates the differences between the wide and narrow blow dryer nozzles.

Written by: Lya Navarra
Contributing Editor | Sam Villa®

To pump up the volume for any style, try spraying hair with Redken iron shape 11 (to protect, lock in thermal styling and preserve color) and tap the Sam Villa Signature Series TEXTUR iron down each section to texturize the entire head – it expands the hair and creates a solid foundation for updos and wild styles.

Check the videos below for a demonstration on how to use the Sam Villa TEXTUR iron.

Sam continues his interview with Sean Larusso from Madison Avenue Salon and Day Spa in Phoenix, AZ.  Sean speaks to Sam about HOW to go about educating your small salon on a budget…

1. Get involved with a great manufacturer and build a relationship with the distributor
2. Effective communication between salon and distributor – build the relationship
3. Take advantage of frequent buying points manufacturers offer to cash in on education
4. Let your distributor know your goals to grow and stay educated – they need to see your big picture
5. Use your distributor resources
6. Don’t give up!

Watch the video below for business tips from successful salon owner Sean Larusso.

[Related: Building a Successful Loyalty Program For Your Salon]

Written by: Lya Navarra
Contributing Editor | Sam Villa®

Both thinning shears and blending shears can remove weight and soften hard lines from the hair. The main difference between the 2 shears is a thinning shear has teeth on both blades and a blending shear has one blunt blade and one blade with teeth. [Click here to learn when you should use a blending shear.]

A blending shear gives us the ability to stay in control of the amount of hair to be removed as opposed to a thinning shear that has teeth on both blades – you run the risk of removing too much hair with a thinning shear.

Sam named his shear, the “Reversible Blending Shear” due to the fact that both right and left-handed stylists can work with it. There are many techniques to remove weight and add texture by reversing the position of the shear for the blunt blade to be utilized on the bottom or the top while cutting.

Here are just a few techniques you are going to want to use right now…

Blending Shear Slicing Technique

Blending Shear Backstroke Technique

Cutting Length With Your Blending Shear

Written by: Lya Navarra
Contributing Editor | Sam Villa®

Brittany Carter, Director of Admissions for ELITE Cosmetology School mentions that the school is so excited to be a “Sam Villa School” and the students are raving about the tools so far. Below are some quotes from the students at ELITE:

I love the SLEEKR, it’s so cool that it has a feature for color treated hair. It’s amazing that after you color a guest’s hair you can use Sam Villa SLEEKR flat iron and it won’t damage the hair. The blow dryer is super light and doesn’t hurt my wrist after a long day of constant blow drys. – Joshia

I love the way the SLEEKR feels in my hands! – Shelby Elser

The SLEEKR is amazing! It smooths the hair so nicely! – Kim Spicer

The blow dryer makes long days so much easier. My wrist doesn’t hurt at the end of the day. AMAZING!! Sam Villa took the time to make sure that we can do our job without the fear of getting carpel tunnel. Thank you for designing a tool that doesn’t make me exhausted by the end of the day! – Shayne Powers

The SLEEKR goes through the hair like butter! Very cool! LOVE the blow dryer too! – Jackie McCoy

I love the cutting combs! I use them for all my hair cuts and they are great for long hair! – Arielle Warner

I love Sam Villa combs! They have a sectioning piece on each of his combs. This has made my life so much easier! I love the feeling of how the SLEEKR feels on the hair, and the features for color treated hair! – Mallory Elizondo

Sam Villa combs are amazing! I enjoy the features of the SLEEKR and how it can be used on color treated hair! – Oyushkaya Bolanis-Thumm

I love my SLEEKR flat iron. It doesn’t tug or pull the hair and it’s good for all hair types. Amazing that it has a feature for color treated hair! The blow dryer gets really hot really fast! Sam Villa Combs are SUPER, SUPER, SUPER good! Each comb has a built in sectioning feature! – Joshua Ray

ELITE Cosmetology School is owned and operated by Maurice “Moe” DiVirgilio, Michael DiVirgilio, Jodi Hussey and Nicole Vitez, who decide to put their knowledge and experience in the industry together to develop their vision of how a Cosmetology School could enhance the Cosmetology industry by creating a better prepared graduate. ELITE Cosmetology School was established in 2008. They emphasize the importance that business plays on our industry. As a Redken premiere school, they incorporate product knowledge into fundamental learning as well as a salon business program developed specifically for ELITE students. Redken certified artists will be visiting their campus on a regular basis to provide cutting edge color and cutting classes to the students. Additionally, ELITE will be hosting post graduate technical and business classes that will be available to all licensed professionals. This is an exciting time in our industry and as an Elite Cosmetology student, you will have the competitive edge when entering the workforce. The ELITE team actively participates in your job placement and continues to monitor your gainful employment long after you graduate. When you successfully complete their program, you will not only be prepared for the basic fundamentals of cosmetology, but also you will have all of the tools necessary to build yourself as a career driven individual.

To learn more about ELITE Cosmetology School visit their website or call 760-365-9700.