We're Under The Dryer today with the fab ladies of CT Styles beauty salon, where hairstylist Charmaine Thompson, who got her start at Chic Lines, has been managing her business for six years. Read on to learn more about her adept styling.

The Big Chop

Vanessa Bennett - Mortgage officer, Jamaica National Building Society

For most women, birthdays are an extra-special occasion... a time to make remarkable changes, be fabulous and celebrate life. Vanessa is one such person. Our team encountered her on her first visit to the salon. Her friend Kayann introduced her to Charmaine, who would give her a new birthday look... the big chop.

The Routine:

Charmaine first cuts her tresses in an asymmetric bob, then applies Revlon relaxer. When this is finished, her hair is shampooed with Revlon products, and then a dollop of foaming mousse from the same line is worked through.

A drop of Fantasia IC hair polisher follows, after which her hair is blow-dried then flat-ironed for smoothness, as her hair is naturally wavy. Charmaine then uses a barrel-heated curling iron and a large-toothed comb to style it for fuller volume. Design Essentials Formations Styling spritz and shine sprays are then misted onto her hair to complete the look.

Vanessa's Take:

"I look totally different, which is what I wanted for my birthday and I think it looks great. I'm loving it!"

Glimpses of Colour

Ann-Marie Walker - Customs broker, Comfort Systems

Ann-Marie has nothing but praises for Charmaine and her team. She has been a client of the salon for six years, and tells Under The Dryer that she enjoys the "relaxed, family-type setting". She visits the salon bi-weekly, she explains, and today she needs a shampoo and style job, as her hair was relaxed and a few rows of tri-colour extensions added two weeks prior.

The Routine:

Ann-Marie's hair is shampooed with Motions shampoo and conditioner, after which a generous helping of Smooth 'N' Shine Polishing Mousse and a drop of Design Essentials hair polisher are applied to her hair while damp. Charmaine then blow-dries her hair and gives her a layered trim ahead of flat-ironing. She finishes with lightly misted Design Essentials shine serum and spritz.

Ann-Marie's Take:

"I feel as fabulous as I should."

Short & Chic

Kayann Ramlal - Mortgage officer, Jamaica National Building Society

Kayann is certainly enjoying her chic new crop. She had Charmaine take a pair of scissors to her tresses two weeks prior as she yearned for a new look, which, incidentally, inspired her friend and co-worker Vanessa to do the same. Today she visits for moral support while Vanessa undergoes the big chop, but indulges in a shampoo and style job while there.

The Routine:

Motions shampoo and conditioner are first used to cleanse Kayann's hair, after which Charmaine works Design Essentials Compositions Foaming Wrap Lotion through her hair ahead of wrapping it and placing her under the dryer for 15 minutes. When this is complete, she combs her hair down and uses a flat iron to smooth the strands. Design Essentials shine serum is lightly misted onto her hair to complete the look.

Kayann's Take:

"I'm in love! It's so much easier to deal with shorter hair! I really felt like I needed a change and I'm happy I made the decision, that's what helped to give Vanessa the courage to try it."

Tresses Aplenty

Michelle McNaughton - Marketing executive, Innovative Signs & Awnings

For Michelle, there is no one quite like Charmaine, who has been styling her hair from the moment she set up shop six years ago. She tells our team she visits quite often to get her hair done, and she also likes the fact that she can pop in next door to Definitions, where nail technician Terry Chin ensures her nails are looking fab. She visits today for a routine shampoo, set, and of course, a mani-pedi.

The Routine:

Charmaine shampoos her hair with the Motions line of products, then liberally applies Design Essentials Compositions Foaming Wrap Lotion ahead of roller-setting her hair and placing her under the dryer. She follows with Design Essentials Styling spritz and works in a drop of Fantasia IC hair polisher, ahead of styling with a barrel-heated curling iron. Michelle's hair is then swept to one side so that it falls nicely over her shoulders for an ultra-feminine effect.

Michelle's Take:

"Gorgeous... as usual (smiles)."

Bob Crazy

Denise Byfield - Senior export promotions consulting officer, Jampro

Denise usually alternates between at-home styling and Charmaine's 'dos, but today she wants to be pampered, so she visits the salon for her stylist Stacey-Ann Griffiths to give her a nice, elegant coif.

The Routine:

Stacey first shampoos her hair with the Motions line, then applies Design Essentials leave-in conditioner and mousse, which is followed by a roller-set and blow-dry. She then flat-irons her hair and works a dollop of Design Essentials hair polisher for added boost, then styles with a large-toothed comb for a fluffy finish.

Denise's Take:

"I definitely like it. It's a nice, professional finish. Quite different from when I do it at home."

Quick Styling

Pansy Dixon

Pansy visits CT Styles religiously on Saturdays to have her hair shampooed. Today she pops in for a quick spin in the styling chair ahead of her engagement. Charmaine happily obliges.

The Routine:

Charmaine uses Remedy shampoo to cleanse her hair, then applies a deep-conditioning treatment from the same line for added moisture. This is allowed to set in for ten minutes before rinsing and towel-drying. Design Essentials leave-in conditioner and mousse are then worked through her hair, which is blow-dried and styled with a flat-iron. Charmaine also creates a few swirls towards the ends, and Design Essentials hair polisher is misted onto her hair for added sheen.

Hair Medicine

Okelia Parredon and Khalyla White

Executive investment advisor - Mayberry Investments

There are a number of little girls who visit CT Styles with mum for a quick shampoo and style (read: corn rows) each week. Khalyla is one such patron, whose mum Okelia hands her over to Stacey, while Charmaine attends to her own hair issues. Today Okelia needs a medicated shampooing job for her itchy scalp, and Charmaine immediately gets to work.

The Routine:

Keracare medicated shampoo and conditioner are used to shampoo Okelia's hair, as the line is therapeutic for her itchy scalp problem. The conditioner is left on her hair for five minutes before rinsing, then a dollop of Design Essentials Compositions Foaming Wrap Lotion is worked through. Charmaine then sets it with rollers and places her under the dryer. And when her hair is dry, Design Essentials hair polisher and spritz are applied lightly to complete the look.

Okelia's Take:

"My scalp feels relieved already... and both my hair and Khalyla's look great. She tends to cry when her hair is being done, but she usually likes the finished product, as do I."

Hairstylist In The Making

Paige Smith

Paige loves to show off her new braids after having them done each week, but her favourite thing about visiting the salon is borrowing the mannequin to construct hairstyles of her own. Our Under The Dryer team couldn't resist snapping her as she got to work.

Definitions and CT Styles

9 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10

Definitions

Tel: 968-0503

CT Styles

754-6140

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