Urban Broadcasting Company

Tech Savy Salons

by E. Hosea Hicks

Professional styling is one of the most creativity-driven industries in the modern industrial world. I can only think of a few professions where pure talent and creativity is as embraced and nurtured. When developed properly, cosmetic arts and sciences are well respected and serve as financial strongholds for many individuals worldwide. ::read more::

Feature Articles

by E. Hosea Hicks

Chemical Vs. Chemical

The beauty and wellness industry is growing at an alarming rate and because of this accelerated growth, now more than ever, continuing education is the fundamental safeguard for progressive salon and spa professionals. The archaic visual learner is now a relic in the accelerated salon environment of today. ::read more::

A Clean Approach to Style

The professional cosmetologist is constantly seeking continuous knowledge to advance the science and art of professional styling. It is the ongoing arena of research and development that empowers the creative element that flourishes through styling and delivers the technology and products necessary to meet the changing demands of the industry. ::read more::

Household Beauty Aids
The time and research that goes into developing a new product is long. It sometimes takes years to perfect the formulation. The next step in the process is F.D.A. approval and package design. So what appears to be new may have actually been in the planning stages several years prior to it being available for purchase. However there are some things that we all have in our kitchen cabinets, refrigerators, and medicine cabinets that are effective health and beauty aids. Egg whites are great to use on freshly shampooed hair to condition and increase volume in limp hair. What the egg whites are actually doing is moderately swelling the hair strands which temporarily give the strands more volume. Mayonnaise is effective in conditioning extremely dry hair. The key ingredients in mayonnaise eggs and oil are useful in hydrating dry hair. Aloe Vera gel is a great styling agent and conditioner. It can be used to smooth edges and fly away hair, to aid in curl definition and to condition and maintain locs. Baking soda has various uses from cooking to order elimination. Baking soda is also useful toothpaste that helps whiten teeth and a powerful non allergenic deodorant. Oatmeal can be used as a facial scrub or facial mask. Oatmeal when mixed with lukewarm water and applied like a paste can draw oils and debris away from the skin. When used as a scrub it gently removes dead skin cells away from the skin’s surface. The are countless other products found in your household that aid in your personal grooming and hygiene so go through your cabinets and see how many other household ingredients you have that have multiples uses. So, until the next time I put pen to paper, “brush” up on your attitude, “comb” through your thoughts and “curl” up with a healthy outlook on life. You can contact me E. Hosea Hicks at the salon Rhythm Hair Studio 706-569-7166 or via the internet at hairalive.net or hairalive.comb@yahoo.com or www.myspace.com/hairalive.

E. Hosea Hicks - HairAlive University

E. Hosea Hicks is a master cosmetologist, educator, journalist, producer and consultant with over two decades of experience in the industry. His passion and dedication to the craft have attracted stylist, manufactures and media personnel nationwide to his unique approach to the craft.

E. Hosea balances his time between styling, educating, consulting and writing for Salons Unlimited Magazine and the Columbus Times Newspaper. He truly believes in making the hairstylist the main priority in the beauty industry. He created Hair Alive University as a central learning academy for progressive hairstylist to sharpen their skills and continue to be productive throughout their career.

For information regarding HairAlive University, visit www.hairalive.net , www.myspace.com/hairalive , or contact E. Hosea at 706-617-0873 or hairalive.comb@yahoo.com

Wedding Day Wisdom by E. Hosea Hicks

June has become the month of choice for wedding ceremonies throughout the United States. This sacred ceremony is also a personal expression of the bride and groom’s style. Every detail of your wedding reflects the journey from courtship to covenant. With all of the important decision to make for that special day hair and makeup should not be the most difficult. Here are some helpful suggestions that can aid you in selecting a winning style for your wedding.

Start compiling a folder of bridal hair fashions that you find attractive. Set up a consultation with your stylist and start communicating about what you desire for your wedding day hairstyle. Do consider your stylist’s professional opinion because their focus is hair while your focus is on every aspect of your ceremony. Be realistic about your request this is your wedding not a stage play. If you have the desire to color, cut, pin up or add hair additions start testing these style options months prior to the big day. If you entire bridal party is using one salon schedule a group consultation outside your personal one to address the needs of everyone. It is standard business practice to pay for special event consultations and pay security deposits for bridal party styling. Each stylist establishes their own day rates and price points for bridal services. Note that larger bridal parties require more time and it is an impossible task to style them all the day of the wedding. Your wedding pictures should look timeless. Consider bridal hair that is modern with a classic feel and easy to restyle after the ceremony. One thing you do not want is any regrets years later about your style selection. Make sure that you scheduled all chemical services one to two weeks prior to the wedding to expedite time the day of the wedding. Make sure that everything in regards to your bridal style has been thoroughly discussed and you are comfortable with the choices made. It is our goal as stylist to make you look as radiant as you feel on your very special day.

Reviving and Restore Hair by E. Hosea Hicks

Many progressive hair professional are embarking on a journey to reverse the harmful effects of decades of uninformed and aggressive styling procedures. We are equipping ourselves with the proper education and training to combat the chemical and mechanical damage that occurs when styling hair. The desire to have bone straight hair, high lift color, weaving, braiding and high fashion styling has created a market of hair restoration and revitalization. This is the first generation of African American women that are experiencing hair loss and thinning because of salon services. This is not entirely the fault of the stylist. It is our desire to get the most out of our product performance not knowing the long term effect it would have on the hair. Now that we are more informed and knowledgeable about our products we make educated decisions concerning the hair. We now taylor our relaxers to each clients individual hair texture. We understand that not every client is a candidate for color. We value the importance of proper protein and moisture levels in the hair. We are mindful to control the amount of heat that we apply to the hair. We take an active role in educating our clients about proper home maintenance. We do not advocate using products the coat or dry out the hair. We are implementing treatments that create an environment for the hair to grow and retain its tensile strength. As an industry we now make it our priority to maintain the correct pH levels and the best strand quality for every client's hair and scalp. It is our desire as salon professionals to produce glamorous hairstyles for our clients but our first priority is to restore and revitalize and maintain the healthiest head of hair for every clincher the duration of our client stylist relationship. So, until the next time that my words become your thoughts "brush up" on your thoughts,"comb through" your opinions and "curl up" with a stylish outlook on life.

What Hair Is! by E. Hosea Hicks

Recently, I had the pleasure of encountering a beautiful brown woman who wears her hair slightly bald or since she is Georgia peach, peach fuzz. I instantly was overwhelmed with her declaration of beauty. Her hair (or the lack of it) was so refreshing to me that I was compelled to complement her. Everything, her mannerism, wardrobe; speech profusely indicated that this was a renaissance lady. After greeting her and complementing her on her personal style I told her that I was a master cosmetologist. She immediately honored me with her mega watt smile. During our exchange she made me aware that she had endured so much with her hair. Through out her life she had gone through many situations that caused caustic things to happen to her hair. So her choice to wear her hair without any enhancements enhanced who she is to herself. This simple but radical act of self affirmation reaffirms what a hairstyle is. A hairstyle is an outer ward expression of your inner beauty as defined by each individual. True there are popular styles and trends that define a decade or period of time. However, each person expresses that particular hair fashion totally different. Mrs. Terry Green a master stylist states and I agree with her that "hair fashion is what you wear style is how well you wear it". Hair in the African American community is a culture. No matter what your economic background is hair is priority. The expression of your personal style through hair is paramount and how we interact with each other is sometimes determined by our hair fashions. Sometimes in leisurely passing someone we will complement there hair before we say hello. Our God given ability to alter and creatively express our hair amazes other ethnic groups. As a master cosmetologist with two decades of experience I can't think of any other ethnic group on the planet that can produce as many distinctively different style formats as the African American hairstylist. Just when you think we have reached that maximum point of creativity a gifted stylist progresses the artistry. India . Arie recently blessed the world with her recording "I am not my hair". I am in total agreement with her declaration about her hair not defining who she is. I also extend the liberty to myself to amend her proclamation. Hair does not define who you are as an individual. You as individual define, express and impress others with the hair you wear or the hair you don't wear as is the case with the beautiful brown lady with the peach fuzz. So, until the next time I put pen to paper keep your thoughts "straight", your opinions "cut short" and your lifestyle " well groomed".