Judy De Luca

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Head Lice, A Mother’s Nightmare

Posted on July 29, 2014 by judydeluca

As a hairdresser, this is the time of year I start thinking about kids, back to school and head lice. When a child gets head lice I call it, “a mother’s nightmare”! Just talking about this I’m getting itchy. When I have a client at work that has them, I get really itchy! The power of suggestion!

One piece of advice I can give, be diligent about checking your child for head lice or nits as soon as they start school. If they scratch their head once, check them so you don’t have a household epidemic on your hands, “a mother’s nightmare”. Lice, plural for Louse are the actual bugs and nits are their eggs.

When you check your child, look for something that looks like dandruff. Dandruff will move when touched, a nit will not. It clings onto the hair shaft and literally has to be scraped off. Check the warmer area’s of the scalp such as behind the ear and the nape of the neck.

I’d like to debunk a couple of old beliefs. Head lice do not jump or fly. The only way a bug will fly is if you scratch so hard you fling it onto someone. A louse has claw like legs that enable them to crawl up the hair shaft. Second, you don’t get head lice from being dirty.

One out of ten children will contract head lice and the most common ages are 4 to 14 years old.

The reason I call this “a mother’s nightmare” is, because if you don’t catch this right away the whole family can get head lice. The head and scalp have to be treated with a medication to treat the live louse and the nits have to be combed out.

A medal nit comb used on wet hair is the best. Persistence is required and it’s a good idea to comb through the whole head every three days because of the life cycle of the lice.

I can’t say this enough, combing out all the nits is key to getting rid of these pesky things and using the medicine to treat the live louse.

Everything and I mean everything then has to be cleaned, any place your child has been. Car, couch, bedding, stuffed animals, everything! This is where the “mother’s nightmare” comes in.

Tell your kids when school starts not to share, helmets, combs, brushes or hats and be sure to start checking your child as soon as school starts so you don’t have to deal with “the mother’s nightmare”.

Throughout my career I’ve seen many cases of head lice and because of that, it has made me very aware of my surroundings. When I go to the movie’s I always brush down the chair before I sit in it! Just a little paranoid, but that’s how bad I don’t want head lice!

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

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The History of Wigs, Wiglets, Falls and Extensions

Posted on July 8, 2014 by judydeluca

From 30 BC onward, wigs and wiglets have always been a part of society. In Cleopatra’s day wearing a wig meant you were considered an elite member of society.

In 1812, thanks to Rapunzel, long lavish hair introduced the public to hair extensions.

As time moved through the 1830’s to the turn of the century, Hairdressers used padding and forms to create the luxurious Victorian hairstyles.

By the time the twenties rolled in women were crazed for the flapper bob cut.

Falls, a weft of hair that was clipped onto the back of the head, created length and more volume were popular from the forties to sixties.

The seventies brought a weaving trend in. African American women were sewing hair onto cornrowed braids.

And as time still passes, wigs, wiglets, falls and extensions are still popular today.

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

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Chlorine Build Up In The Hair & UV Damage

Posted on June 17, 2014 by judydeluca

Don’t let swimming in a chlorinated pool or the sun ruin your hair. These are factors which contribute to drying out your hair and fading your hair color. Summer can be brutal on the hair and every year I tell my clients a few helpful hints. Such as, before you go in the pool wet your hair down first. Think of a sponge. Once the sponge is wet its hard for it to absorb any more water. Always use shampoo’s and conditioners that are for swimmers immediately after swimming. These two things can help a lot with chlorine build up.

How do you know you have a build-up? The hair will have a slimy feel to it when wet and it will tangle easily. Blondes tend to show a greenish cast on the hair. For more protection you can smooth on a leave in conditioner before swimming.

UV damage is also something you can try to beat with the many products out there to minimize UV damage. Look for haircare products that contain UVA/UVB sunscreens to provide protection against the sun. Wearing a hat or a top knot will also reduce sun exposure. Using a hair mask a couple of times a week helps restore moisture and strength.

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

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How To Cover Greasy Blond Roots

Posted on May 27, 2014 by judydeluca

Here’s a cheap little trick to help your greasy blond roots.

Using talc powder can make blond hair hair look gray and dull.

Dig in that makeup bag of yours and try using some loose powder on a makeup brush to dab those greasy roots with. The color of the powder is likely to be closer to the color of both your scalp and hair and will help soak up the excess oil on those greasy blond roots.

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

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How To Get Volume Back In Day Old Hair

Posted on May 6, 2014 by judydeluca

Waking up with flat bangs and need some quick volume in day old hair?

Apply a small amount of volumizing mousse and roll your bangs on Velcro rollers. With your blowdryer, blast with hot air followed by a cool shot of air.

Getting volume back in day old hair can be easy with hair-refresher products such as dry shampoo’s.

Apply dry shampoo to the roots of your hair to absorb any excess oil. Blast the roots of your hair with a blow dryer while turning your head upside down and massaging the scalp to give roots a good volumizing boost.

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

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History Of The Flat Iron

Posted on March 25, 2014 by judydeluca

I love hair history and I thought I’d share a little with you on the flat iron

Flat irons today are like curling irons of the 80’s, practically everyone has one!

Back in 1909 Isaac K Shero

invented the first flat iron made of two irons that were heated and put together around the hair.

In 1912 a Scottish heiress woman by the name of Lady Jennifer Bell Schofield invented the first hinged flat iron and changed history.

If you like hair history and you haven’t seen my photo Museum of Hair History, check out Museum on my website.

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

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From The Farrah Haircut To The Bi-level aka Mullet Haircut

Posted on February 18, 2014 by judydeluca

I set the time of my ebook, Towel Dry and a Good Cry, in the late seventies and early eighties because it was a crazy time for hair and I was a working hairdresser through it all! In this scene, Josie, the main character, attends the New York International Hair Show. There she learns all the newest trends, including the latest rage in haircutting, the Bi-level aka the Mullet. Until this new trend women wore their hair in the Farrah, long, full, permed and feathered back.

This is the scene from Towel Dry and a Good Cry:

Further down the row I was in, I saw a crowd gathering. A mini stage was set up, and a haircut was going on. The bi-level. I was trying to concentrate on every snip. Someone dressed in black with a headset microphone said to me, “Excuse me. Do you mind if I feel your hair? I’m Michael, with the cutting team.”

“Go for it.”

He ran his fingers through my hair and began scrunching it. “You have the perfect hair for this cut. Would you be my model for it?”

“Really? When, now?”

“Right now.”

I had to make a split-second decision. I thought it would be crazy and fun.

An assistant escorted me to a private area. Lots of models were running around in their underwear trying to find what they were supposed to be wearing. Makeup artists were applying, and assistants were washing colors out and blow drying. I was caped, shampooed, and brought up to the stage.

“What was your name again, darling?” he whispered.

“Josie.”

“This is Josie, everyone. She’s about to let me cut off some serious hair.”

Gulp.

Judy DeLuca’s Latest Novel

Available at your favorite ebook store

http://www.youtube.com/toweldryandagoodcry

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Tricks For Using Velcro Rollers

Posted on January 21, 2014 by judydeluca

Velcro rollers provide soft curl, root lift and can be used on damp or dry hair. The beauty of the Velcro roller is that the hair is not subject to heat abuse and is a quick easy way to spruce up your hair, especially if you don’t want to wash your hair. Velcro rollers can be applied to dry hair and sprayed with hairspray and left to set while applying makeup or dressing.

Another choice, especially for fine, curly or dry brittle hair is to wind the rollers on dry hair before taking a shower and the steam will help set the curls for a long lasting, conditioning style when you remove them.

For a loose long hair style, put hair up in a high pony and roll the ends up.

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Judy DeLuca’s latest novel, Towel Dry and a Good Cry.

http://www.youtube.com/toweldryandagoodcry

Men’s Hairstyles of the 90’s

Posted on January 14, 2014 by judydeluca

Hairstyles for men in the 90’s came a long way after the ever so popular mullet of the 80’s. After surviving the 80’s as a hairdresser, I was glad styles for men made a drastic change. Here are some of the hairstyle trends that were popular for men in the the 90’s.

The Caesar

Curtains or the long fringe front

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Long side burns

Shaved sides and back with a mop top or the swimmers cut

Crew Cuts

The Quiff, half pompadour half flattop

Spikes

And thanks to the Grunge era, a variety of Mohawks and colored Mohawks were also trendy men’s hairstyles of the 90’s

When I wrote my novel, Towel Dry and a Good Cry, I chose the 80’s time frame because it really was the most outrageous time for hairstyles and a time before electronic devices.

Protect Your Hair Against Heat Damage

Posted on January 7, 2014 by judydeluca

Protect your hair against heat damage.

Glamming your hair up for all the holiday season parties and gatherings is a lot of work, not to mention all the extra heat abuse our hair takes from more frequent use of, blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons and hot rollers.

As a professional, I always recommend a thermal protection product before you blow dry, curl or straighten. The conditioners and polymers in the product will protect your hair from scorching. Be sure to have your hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks and ask your professional hairstylist which product would be best for your hair.

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Judy De Luca’s latest novel is Towel Dry and a Good Cry.

View the book trailer: www.youtube.com/toweldryandagoodcry

A Hairdresser’s Christmas Story

Posted on December 17, 2013 by judydeluca

A Christmas Story

By: Judy De Luca

The slightly stooped woman left a Christmas gift on the hairdresser’s station on her way out of the salon. “Put it under your tree,” she had said. But the hairdresser opened the gift her longtime client gave her as soon as she got home.

The woman was old school, brought up by immigrant parents who valued life, loved their neighbor and went to church every Sunday. She had always been an active member of her church and raised her own children in the strict moral values her parents instilled in her.

And when the Lord took her soul mate, her last memory holding his hand while he took his last breath, she fought the loneliness that gripped her by doing even more volunteer work for her church, taking pleasure in helping others. The ladies sodality collected toys for under privileged children in the community every Christmas and she was elected chairperson this year.

The woman, not being an extravagant woman in any way, chose her Christmas gifts carefully, choosing the perfect gift, in her eyes, for the person she was buying for. Her grandchildren were easy, and so were the women, it was the men she had a hard time with. Her hairdresser was fun to buy for and she never forgot her at Christmas. Her hairdresser was responsible for her hair looking good not to mention, that poor girl listening to her cry and cry over the husband’s death and all her other woe’s throughout the year.

The hairdresser, at it for ten years, had many clients she felt were like family, a unique bond brought on by her profession. She was good at what she did, had the real talent, and was also good at talking and pampering her customers, creating herself a little empire of loyal followers at one of the better middle class salons in the area. A single girl, trying to make it on her own, was a little down on her luck this Christmas season. While her friends were out partying and spending money, she stayed home and saved hers, purchasing a three room condo six months ago. It was her pride and joy, her little place to call home and she had earned it with her hard work. Most of her tip money went into fixing her little place up. But life kept getting in the way for the hairdresser. First it was the horrific toothache that led to a root canal, an expense she wasn’t counting on and a week later the alternator went in her car, another expense that put her budget behind and now the mortgage was about due. The hairdresser loved Christmas time because it is the busiest time of the year and the time of year that she made the most money. The extra tight bookings couldn’t be helped with all the up do’s and blow dry’s for Christmas parties and that meant more money along with Christmas gifts and extra tips. She was hoping to make the extra money to pay the mortgage and to buy her parents and brother a Christmas gift.

She ripped open the wrapping paper in her hurried excitement, tore through the tissue paper, to reveal a chrome rimmed sink strainer. She allowed the barest chuckle and smiled to no one but herself. Then her eyes became tearful as she pictured this sweet, practical woman walking down the aisles of the five and ten looking for a gift especially for her, chosen out of love. The hairdresser’s soul filled with the Christmas spirit as she laid the gift under her tabletop ceramic Christmas tree her mother had given her.

Judy DeLuca’s latest novel:

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Excerpt From Towel Dry and a Good cry

Posted on October 8, 2013 by judydeluca

I was sweeping the hair from Phoebe when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I jumped. It was Wendell.

“Jeez, Wendell, you scared me.”

He grabbed me in an embrace, broom and all. “I finally found you,” he said in a tone that made me want to barf. “I finally found you.” He smelled like he’d bathed in cheap cologne. I got an instant headache.

“You should’ve called me. I had to go back to your other salon and finally, someone told me where you went.”

He bent his knees slightly and made a quick ball re-arrangement, never taking his psychotic eyes away from mine. Son-of-a-bitch, he caught me off guard. I looked down. I felt the heat of his gaze, but I didn’t look up. I focused on the floor.

“I figured word would get around.”

“This is a beautiful place, Josie.”

“Let me show you where to get shampooed.”

“Okay. Do you mind if I leave my book here?”

I pointed to a clear spot.

When I came back from directing him to the shampoo station, I glanced at his book. The Joy of Sex.

Haven’t read Towel Dry and a Good Cry, yet? You might want to check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/toweldryandagoodcry

Hairstyles For Women Over 40

Posted on September 24, 2013 by judydeluca

As a hairdresser, I try to encourage my clients in their late thirties to grow their hair long before they get too old to wear it like that again. When a women gets to be in her late forties early fifties cutting their hair a little shorter can give her an instant facelift. Cutting doesn’t necessarily have to be a pixie but bringing up the length can give a woman a younger look instead of the long hair dragging her face down. Professionally speaking, that’s the last thing a woman in her fifties wants a hairstyle to do. This is a little gallery of some hairstyles that I think would flatter a woman in her fifties.

For more beauty info and tips follow me on Pinterest. Have you read my novel, Towel Dry and a Good Cry, yet? If you’ve ever stepped foot in a salon, are a hairdresser or Italian, this is a must read. Prepare for lots of laughs and tears in this heartfelt story. Check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/toweldryandagoodcry