We had the most wonderful surprise the other day! One of our clients, Terri Kizner of Charlottesville Chiropractic and Sports Medicine, brought a beautiful sheet cake as a thank you to us for giving her the most wonderful experience ever! Look at the cake! Angie is the stylist that did the work on her. We all enjoyed the cake and shared it with our clients. It was made by the most darling little bakery called Short and Sweet Bakery in Waynesboro (www.shortandsweetbakery.com). Yum!!

I am always on the look out for great products, as you well know. In my constant quest to make sure anything I use in my salon is safe and effective I began to hear rumblings about keratin smoothing treatments. It turns out the one I was using had some harsh components in it. So I set about looking for an effective, yet gentle replacement. I found one.

It is from Bio-Ionic and is called KeraSmooth. Bio Ionic is a great alternative to the The Brazilian Blow Out. It has no Ether, Formaldehyde Or Aldehyde. It uses Keratin, Henna and Perm solution to temporarily relax the curl.

It is shampoo'd from the hair the same day, blown out and flat ironed after the shampoo. Usually takes one hour to do on the average head of hair!!!

The curl is a more relaxed less frizzy curl and your hair will be much easier to blow out with lots of shine.

The lack of those strong chemicals make it a much better choice for smoothing the hair. You have to realize that to alter the hair structure you MUST use something that has some kick to it. I am just trying to make sure to use the least destructive product to protect the hair and all who are exposed to it.

I had a client who had a severe response to our haircolor, even though I am using a no ammonia, flower based color line that is designed to Heal, Seal and Protect. (Lanza) So, since I want to be a salon that has REAL answers for people and my client was even willing to endure discomfort I began the quest to find a color product that would work for her with NO irritation. After much searching and reading I discovered Organic Color Systems, out of England. I ordered some color from their Florida distributors and we did a skin test on my client. Just the slightest redness, NO stinging or burning. We colored her hair and here is her response.

"After searching many years for a salon that truly listens and cares about its clients, I have found Face Value Salon. I absolutely cannot praise Lucinda Riley (Face Value Salon owner extraordinaire) highly enough. Much to my dismay, I developed a reaction to hair color and was quite distraught that my highlighting and color days were over but out of her concern to help me, Lucinda did extensive research, talked to numerous cosmetic and color experts and found a line of hair products with no PPD (chemical linked to mild/severe skin reactions from hair color)! We proceeded carefully, Lucinda did sample testing on my skin to make sure I would have no reaction. This product is amazing, smells heavenly, and I had absolutely no reaction; the color is rich and my hair texture is like silk! What a blessing to have found Lucinda and my amazing stylist Yary Lam. For all their care, customization of products just to find a product that works for me, I am very grateful and encourage anyone who wants the ultimate in service, care and professionalism to visit Face Value Salon! They don't just strive for superior customer service, they achieve it!"

Hooray!! That is what we are all about! Come see us with your hair problems, we'll find an answer.

Well, what a night was had by all! Face Value had the honor of doing hair and makeup on the bride of entrepreneur Dr. Bob Parsons. The wedding was held at Keswick Hall in Keswick, Virginia. The event was off the hook!!! Here is a picture of the bride and groom just after the ceremony.

Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman personally delivered the groom's cake. A lifesized Ducati motorcycle. His tip from the groom was a REAL Ducati motorcycle complete with helmets, jackets and gloves for the Chef and his girlfriend. Bravo television was onhand to film the event and it will be part of a future Ace of Cakes episode. More to come on that later.

Kristin Newman Designs was the event planner from Charleston, South Carolina, and did a fantastic job on this high level event.

Clifton Inn wedding on Weddings Unveiled blog!

This past May, I had the privilege of working with Susan to create her dream wedding day look and what a wonderful time we all had!!!Now, we get to relive the joy because Completely Unveiled, Weddings Unveiled's awesome blog, is featuring Adam Barnes' fab photos!!!

Thank you again Susan for allowing me to be a part of your glorious wedding day!!!

Thank you also to the rest of the wonderful team:
Photography: Adam Barnes and Ryan Portnoy for Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography. Event Planner & Paper Designer: Jennifer Carroll Events. Venue, Catering & Baker: Clifton Inn. Florist: Pat's Floral Design. Dessert: Carpe Donut. Hair & Makeup: Lucinda Riley for Face Value Studio. Tent: Skyline Tents.

Happy Friday! Lucinda

Another first!!! Face Value is going to be the only salon in a hundred mile radius to carry products by the incomparable Ouidad.

Who Is Ouidad? Ouidad is a stylist, salon owner, mother, author and educator who pioneered the curly hair industry. In 1984 she opened the first salon in the country to cater only to curly hair. With her trademarked cutting and styling techniques and specialized line of award-winning formulas, Ouidad is considered the "Queen of Curl" by editors of national fashion and beauty magazines. Ouidad is dedicated to instilling confidence in curly and wavy haired people everywhere.

I am determined to bring big city products and services to our beautiful little village! Why should you have to go to D.C. or New York for world class services? I am always on the lookout for what does the BEST job on ALL hair types. Ethnic, Coarse, Damaged, all of them! Here's to the fabulous looking hair we are all going to have! Hooray!!! My stylists are going to New York in early November to become certified in the patented "Carving and Slicing" method of cutting curly hair. Then you will truly have access to ALL the benefits of her wonderful products! I'll keep you informed. Later gator,

We have had several inquiries about a product called Keratin Complex. It is not a straightener, it's a new revolutionary smoothing system that infuses keratin deep into the hair cuticle eliminating up to ninety-five percent of the frizz and curl from the hair, leaving the hair soft, shiny and luxurious. The staff is being trained in how to the perform the service and we will be offering it by the middle of next week. It is pricy, $350,( plus for thicker, longer hair), takes about two to two and a half hours to complete but it lasts between 4 and 6 months. I've read rave reviews online about it. There is no formaldehyde in the product, which makes it safer to use for both the stylist and the client. The only downside I could find is for 72 hours (three days) you cannot wash your hair, or sweat too much or put your in a band or clip. The price includes a take home shampoo and conditioner to help maintain your smooth, shiny new look for the maximum time. They even have an Infusion Therapy Keratin spray that helps extend the treatment. Can't wait for it to get here!!!

Come in and experience a world class facial. Leah Ley, our Aesthetician, has the magic touch! Clients are raving about her work. We use Image skin care a line that has a proven track record of results at a reasonable price. Minimum investment, maximum results. With Image products you can actually plump your skin with NO injections!! Leah will analyze your skin and give you the right prescription for best skin ever!

Book any Personalized Facial between now and September 30th and receive a waxing service of your choice absolutely FREE. You could save up to $75.00

Click Here to take advantage of this special.