Runway to Freedom

2 Inspired and talented stylists from a beautifully quaint, local boutique salon present a fashion show gala to benefit women in need at New Beginnings.


Seattle, WA September 2010 Shawn Michael and Lauryn Grinnell of Intermezzo Salon and Spa, and Seattle natives have more than 20 years of combined experience in the fashion culture and entertainment business not only of Seattle, but also on a national level. They are both now successful hairstylists at a locally owned salon in the burgeoning West Galer neighborhood of idyllic Queen Anne hill. This duo has won awards for team styling, and is bringing together their varied experience in both high stakes worlds of fashion and music, to give support to women in need and New Beginnings.

“Runway to Freedom”, a fashion show gala event is their brainchild. It will be held Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Bastille Café and Bar, located at 5307 Ballard Avenue Northwest, Seattle, WA 98107. “Runway to Freedom” will be hosted by local celebrity MC Macklemore. Significant raffle prizes, including designer handbags, appetizer specials, and VIP swag bags are all there to “sweeten the deal”.

3 Local designers and boutiques (Zebra Club, Powder Room, and Lina Cho) are featured. And, along with the sponsorship of Salon Services, Davines of Italy, and Kevin Murphy of Australia, hometown interests from Bastille and Intermezzo, have given Shawn and Lauryn the clothing, artistry, and support they needed to help many women in need. Admission is $15 which includes one raffle ticket, and $25 for VIP front row with a swag bag. 100% of proceeds will benefit www.newbegin.org .

“New Beginnings' mission is to provide shelter, advocacy, and support to battered women and their children and to change attitudes and social institutions that foster and perpetuate violence.”
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Intermezzo Salon and Spa is Located on Queen Anne hill in Seattle, Washington, and is locally owned and operated. Intermezzo was founded by hair designer, Marnie Hendrix in 1997, not just as a salon and spa – but a place of elegant beauty, a place for pampering and primping, and a home for complete hair care and skincare. For more about Intermezzo please visit us at www.intermezzosalon.com .

Note to editors: For additional information, photos or to schedule interviews, please contact Shawn Michael, Stylist, at 206-724-7743 or shawnmichael@clearwire.net . For more information about “Runway to Freedom”, log on to www.everydayhair.blogspot.com

Hair Brushing 101

Hairbrushes have been around as long as hair itself. Ok, well, almost. After early man got tired of picking and grooming by hand, and learned how to make and use tools, the hairbrush came into being. The very first people known to use the hairbrush, is a mystery. But earliest accounts point to Romans and Greeks. Egyptian peoples made combs of bone, and hairbrushes of animal hair. The Vikings had wild heads of hair to tame with crude brushes. The history and development of brushes has come a long way and changed with time and technology.

William Kent began producing hand made hairbrushes in England in 1777. These brushes were painstakingly crafted by up to twelve people for one little brush! Kent Brushes is one of the oldest companies in the UK and makes over 250 different types of brushes today. www.kentbrushes.com

In 1885, Mason Pearson automated brush production, and revolutionized brush making. These brushes were first to feature a rubber cushion pad combined with natural boar bristle. This allows the brush to gently massage the scalp and spread natural oils throughout the hair. This actually cleans and polishes the hair! This is the brush that grandmothers always told us that 100 strokes will make your hair shiny and soft. I can confirm this, and strongly recommend picking one up. I recommend the “Popular”. It has both Boar and Nylon bristles and is a perfect size. www.masonpearson.com

With the addition of a few American brush manufacturers like Hugh Rock, Samuel Firey, and Alfred Fuller hairbrushes were ushered into a modern age. Now, brushes come in different sizes and shapes, with as many different functions and uses. Round brushes are mostly used to volumize hair, and add wave or curl. Ceramic round brushes can be heated and used like an iron barrel to set curls. Flat brushes are used to straighten hair or to dry hair quickly. There are paddle brushes, and vented brushes in either case. Overall brushes are mostly used to control the hair while drying.

As a stylist or an everyday woman the brush should be viewed as a trusted friend, an everyday tool, even an extension of the hand in some cases. To control hair while drying is essential. Ideally hair should be pulled taught, with tension, and dried completely. This will smooth the hair and eliminate frizz. If you dry your hair with tension around a circular object (brush, iron, roller, or beer can), you will have a smoothe curl. If you pull your hair tightly straight out, you will have smooth and straight hair. It’s almost that simple.

For further information about hair brushes, styling, or products; or to make a free private consultation or styling lesson, contact Shawn Michael at Intermezzo Salon.

www.intermezzosalon.com
Twitter @intermezzosalon
206.281.7833