Junk Runs Hard Water

Hard Water- Contains salts of calcium, magnesium and other metals; does not allow shampoo to lather freely. Usually found in wells. Not typically used in salons for shampoo services.

Our internet has been dead for the last two weeks and it was resurrected yesterday. I am sorry for neglecting you. This is week 3 of beauty school and things have been swell, but also a bummer.

We have studied ergonomics (the science of protecting ones body while working), ethics (to appropriately communicate with clients regarding everything from comfort to mixed up appointments), Bacteriology and Trichology (the study of hair diseases/disorders/knowledge of hair build, etc.) and now we are studying massage- Scientific method of the manipulating the body by rubbing, pinching, tapping, kneading or stroking with the hands, fingers on an instrument.

We are mostly concentrating on this so we know exactly how to shampoo and condition hair (it is a lot more than sticking someones head in a bowl and scrubbing their hair).

Before you cut/color/perm/relax/etc. anyone's hair, you must first look for any abnormalities:
1.) Dry, dehydrated hair
2.) Dry, tight scalp
3.) Oily scalp
4.) Abnormal flaking on the scalp
5.) Open wounds/scalp irritation
6.) Scalp disorders or diseases
7.) Thinning
8.) Excessive hair found in the sink after a shampooing (usually a sign of some form of alopecia-losing hair)

The whole reason for shampooing is to "cleanse the scalp and hair by removing dirt, oils and product build-up" ["Salon Fundamentals"].

And what about those crazy capes (the kiddie one we got in our kit has penguins on it;)? There are four different capes we must learn how/when to use depending on our service. For a regular shampooing, we must use vinyl cape for the shampooing and a cloth cape for the dry service (the styling or cutting).

Unless your hair is being dyed, relaxed, permed or undergoing any chemical treatments OR there are abrasions in the hair (broken hair because of traction) hair is brushed first because tangles are removed and it stimulates blood circulation, to the scalp while removing dust, dirt and product build up.

At our school, it is a grade when we bring in a model (I brought in my mother last week and styled her hair) and we must give that model a basic hand/arm massage, cleaning manipulation facial and a scalp massage. Massaging is not a walk in the park.

When massaging the scalp, it is important to:
1.) Establish a soothing or stimulating rhythm when performing the manipulations
2.) Maintain contact with the client throughout the manipulations to maintain a relaxing experience
3.) Carry out manipulations with firm, controlled movements to maximize full benefits of the massage
4.) Keep nails at moderate length so you don't scratch the scalp (the scalp is very fragile)

There are important moves that one must master:
1.) Effleurage: Light, gliding strokes or circular motions made with the palms of the hands or pads of fingertips. This movement is often used before and after a treatment. It is used on the face, neck and arms. The Effect? Triggers relaxation.

2.) Petissage: Light or heavy kneading and rolling of the muscles. You knead the muscles between your fingers and the thumb. You also press the palms of your hands firmly on the muscles. The Effect: Deep stimulation of nerves, muscles and skin glands. Promotes circulation of blood and lymph. This is the first and most important massage movement you learn.

3.) Tapotment: Light tapping or slapping movement applied with the fingers or partly flexed fingers. Used on arms, back and shoulders. The Effect: Stimulates nerves, promotes muscle contraction and increases blood circulation.

4.) Friction: Circular motion with no gliding used during a scalp massage or facial when less pressure is desired. The Effect: Stimulates nerves and increases blood circulation.

5.) Vibration: It is a shaking movement. Your arms shake as you touch the client with your fingertips and palms. The Effect: High stimulation.

There are many different shampoos to select from such as anti-dandruff, all purpose, Clarifying (To remove residue such as product build up), color, powder dry (for clients who have health problems that do not take well to a shampooing), etc. The list of conditioners is endless (customized shampoo to moisturize and build body, etc.).

I like to think that I'm Warren Beatty in "Shampoo". Too bad I'm....not that awesome.


"One time I introduced my orchestra as the Shampoo Music Makers instead of the Champagne Music Makers"- Lawrence Welk


Warren Beatty in "Shampoo"

-M.Junk

Junk's Last Day In Hades

Today is my last day working at this coffee shop. Gertrude JUST strutted in here with all her fabricated glory. Yes, she IS wearing an extra slovenly ensemble!
An off-white-but-not-quite-cream pantsuit with a washed out, bright pinkish orange button down shirt (obviously from Talbots) drowns her bony body. Her usual clunky, brown shoes are matched with argyle socks and she forgot to style the back of her hair (so the front is flippy and the back isn't).
She's chit chatting with another lady about spending Halloween at Legacy Village. Whoever heard of anything so lame?!
The other lady is actually very pleasant on the eyes. All her body parts are real and her hair is messy but somehow also neat and nicely highlighted. She's wearing these thick glasses and Mary Jane shoes. She could be a naughty teacher in a magazine or something.
Another older woman just sat with them. Her thick eyebrows, mustache, hacked-up, dull hair and unflattering, bright white sweater with her bright red turtleneck puts her in the "hopeless" category.
Today is also going to be a photo shoot day:
Shoot 1#- Raw Cherries.
Photographer: *Daisy
Location: Cleveland Heights. Coventry Road. Playground.
Time: 4:30pm

I have worked with *Daisy before. She actually shot photos for me when I was accepted as a Suicide Girl.

Time to end this minimum wage life once and for all and live the way I yearn.

"Dreams are the touchstones of our characters"-Henry David Thoreau

-M.Junk

Recycling Junk

Two of my friends and I were talking the other day and a topic of discussion was the different life stages that we have been through. I began to sort out all the unusual, clashing lifestyles I have lived over the nineteen years in this body. My sense of style has also changed.
As far back as I can recall:

Aged 5: My mother and Aunt Bobbi took me to a nail place in University Heights and took me to get a manicure and I fell in love with the world of cosmetology.

1st grade: I went to my first sleepover party. All the girls, the giggling and the Spice Girls music petrified me. My father and his brother, dad and friends raised me on bluegrass (they hold together a bluegrass band), classic rock, old time Disney movies and "Beavis and Butthead". I didn't see a professional salon until my modeling began.

4th grade: This was a chief year. I went on a silent treatment for a few months (it was my reaction to a death in the family). I was a bit of a butterball and my complexion erupted. This was my ugly duckling stage. This was also the year when my family and I were informed about my not growing over five feet dilemma. I hated being short at the time (though I love it now). This was also the year my hair was dyed for the first time. This was also the year I won my first writing contest and began seriously observing the world of hip-hop. Tupac's, "All Eyez On Me" (1996) was the first album of that genre I ever purchased. This also marked the first pin-up movie I can recall watching. This of course was, "How to Marry a Millionaire" starring Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable.

6th grade: My musical taste moved around drastically. This was the year I went through a brief period when I was obsessed with disco such as The Trammps (yes, I DID have a pair of glittery pants and these paint-splattered chunky platform shoes that I sported constantly). From there, I uncovered Funk (such as Funkadelic and Parliament). I had a duration in the middle of all this when I listened to German Polka with my Mom's father. Reggae music (such as Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and African Head Charge) was introduced into my life as well. This was also the year when "8 Mile" came out so I held a extremely bizarre, fanatic crush on Eminem for a few months. Some would consider this a "wigger" stage.

7th grade: This was my anarchist stage. I was completely anti-government and I shouted about it at the top of my lungs. Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, Anti-Flag and Bad Brains became apart of my music list. Clawed up vests and studded belts were apart of my wardrobe.

^ This is "Jello Biafra". He was the lead singer of Dead Kennedy's. He has since become a politician, representing the Green Party.

8th grade: This was a difficult year because I was anorexic/bulimic for a little over 6 months. Modeling was dying and no longer showing as an option for me. I did however, go through an abrupt stage where I couldn't stop listening to Macy Gray. This was also when I discovered screamo, black metal and progressive metal. This was the year I first heard Salt The Wound.

9th grade: I moved to Beachwood and knew I would be nothing like "them" (wear ritzy clothing and listen to John Mayer). I went back to early 90's hip hop and funk. I also dabbled in new rap (such as Kanye West and G-Unit) for a VERY short time period (I'm talking less than a couple weeks. I came to the conclusion that I didn't like it). I transitioned into industrial music (such as Skinny Puppy, Nimheil and Brainclaw). This was also the year I decided to study Wicca. Wicca is a nature-based and peaceful religion that originated in Britain. Multiple God's and Goddess' are trusted and believed in. Forms of "witch craft" are used, but there is nothing evil about it.

^Skinny Puppy in stage attire. I also dote on Mushroomhead for their unusual stage appearance (but I don't like juggernauts!).

10th grade: I quit smoking and labeled myself straight edge (this went strong for about a year). At-the-time Warped Tour music such as The Pink Spiders, Alexisonfire, Protest The Hero and The Gym Class Heroes caught my attention. Instead of shrinking to a size zero and wearing kilos of make-up, I developed a habit of covering myself. Oversize peasant skirts, trench coats and hoodies became a constant. I also began covering my face with bandannas; and wearing sunglasses was the norm. This lasted for a couple months.

The other chick was pretty cool, I just didn't ask her for permission to post her face. That was the ninja/neighborhood gang/cowboy chapter of my life that has concluded.

11th grade: I ended life as a straight edge person when I began taking medication. By this time, I had expanded my thinking and discovered a passion for sociology (I had always been an observer-the first time I wrote about peoples' behavior goes back as far as middle school). I decided to study potheads. I smoked weed twice a day for a month and wrote about what happened to me physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and socially. This introduced me to Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead and Phish in a whole new fashion. I also began recognizing the beauty and detail of techno and trance such as The Mother Acid Temple and Angerfist. Ska stood out more than ever (such as Reel Big Fish, Big D And The Kids Table and Streetlight Manifesto).

12th grade: This was a challenging year as well. I note a small time I went through when I wanted to date "good guys" and not live on edge. This sent me to sleep. I leaned the other direction and ended up with a guy so abusive I couldn't even turn my head without him yelling at me. After leaving him, I realized how courageous and brave that move was. I applied for colleges as soon as I broke up with him.

So yes, mixes of religious and sociologist studies, a drawn out list of music I have uncovered, the places I have dwell ed and the people I have met have made me who I am today.

A punked out, weed-smoking, straight edge, concert-hopping, politically active, disco-hustling, dorky, eccentric, odd, anarchist, anorexic wigger who practices witch craft that you can find a bluegrass shindig.

I still find more to investigate everyday.

"The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be"-Oprah Winfrey

-M.Junk

Junk Captures A Skankover

It would be tomfoolery to reopen this joint located in East Cleveland:

It would offer every beauty service imaginable.
Also, I finally landed a photo shoot for this Friday. It's a main obligation to build a strong and hardy portfolio. I want to base all my shoots off different musical genres (early hip hop, world, ska, reggae, etc.). Another primary theme I will be using is politics (anti-death penalty, pro gay rights, women's rights, etc.).

"Well, hip hop makes the world go around"-Snoop Dogg

-M.Junk

Tea Time With Junk at 3:00

^Phoenix Coffee on Lee rd. Photo Cred: Not Me.
There are a few tasks I must complete before going to school in 7 1/2 days. I must:
1.) Visit my relatives at Lakeview Cemetery.
2.) Buy some pens/pencils/binders/etc.
3.) Fill up on 10 months of Pamprin Menstrual Medication.
4.) Make a list of resolutions.
5.) Tell my boss I'm cutting back many hours.
6.) Have fun at my last Open Mic for a few months (Open Mic takes place on Wednesday evenings at Phoenix Coffee on Lee Road. There are also Open Mic Nights at the Phoenix Coffee's on Mayfield Road, Coventry Road and West 9th Street but my friend hosts at the one on Lee Road).
-I always get mango, coconut or Thai bubble tea (sometimes I'll get hot chocolate if it's too cold outside to bear). However, when I'm in Columbus on North High Street, I indulge in milk, honey, pineapple, peach, etc. bubble tea. The place is called Pochi Bubble Tea. I highly suggest you make a trip out there (plus its a few miles of strange record/vintage clothing/stores). Bubble tea is also all over San Francisco (The Castro, Japantown, Chinatown, Haight/Ashbury, Market Street, etc.). It ranges from all price ranges, tea flavors and even types of bubbles (little, little-medium, medium, medium-big, large, extra large bubbles in different colors and shapes!).
I should coordinate bubble tea into fashion somehow. I'll get back to that.


Pochi Bubble Tea on North High Street. Photo Cred: Me.

"Tea is a cup of life"-Unknown

-M.Junk

Junk Meets New People

On October 20th, I had to attend an obligatory orientation at the Brown Aveda Institute. This is when I paid for my beauty school kit, fit for my uniform and met my fellow peers.
I already forgot my educators' names. I met a few of the students I will be with 40 hours a week for the next 10 months.
There were two long tables. The wannabes, the nerds (yes, there are nerds in this field), the bitches (you could tell by there cold glares and ironed Lacoste Polo shirts) and the outcasts all separated by about three seats. It was like high school but the whole place smelled like Aveda hairspray and massage oils.
We were all given a bag filled with fun goods (candy, hand lotion, a tube of signature Aveda lipgloss, etc.). The first move we were asked to make by the dean was to give the girl sitting across from us a hand massage.
Of course I felt atypical and creepy, touching this poor girl I had never seen in my life until about 10 minutes before the announcement. She was charming about the bizarre situation we were just thrown in. I'll call her *Jo. She had drawn on eyebrows and very detailed eye make-up. She was very petite (but not anorexic) and had a bewitching chest piece. She said she was home schooled her senior year because her name appeared on a motivated hit list. She was 2# on the list. She openly expressed that she was very proud of the accomplishment. I like her already.
Mannequins with heads of hair were put in front of us. We had three minutes to style it however we desired. With a split second to think, I began doing a familiar look: The Amy Winehouse beehive. I wasn't sure if that was a pert move or a completely feeble-minded move.
Besides that I need some more clothes (the best way to go is thirft stores-I'm bound to spill bleach, perming chemicals, perfumes, oils, lotions, etc. on myself at some point), I believe I am pretty much ready for this adventure.
The fact that I will have my license when I leave this academy (and that I have Saturday visits from friends to look forward to) will keep me going (despite all the stress).
And now it's time for loathsome-fashion-at-the-college-I-work-at!
BREAKING NEWS!: I found out the name of the Jackie Kennedy wannabe. Her name is Gertrude! (usually I would create a fake alias to protect identities, but this is too great). Someone called out to her in the cafe and she responded. I haven't spotted her recently. She wasn't here on Tuesday, yesterday or today. Perhaps she has swine flu or much worse (she went blind upon seeing her horrible crows feet). Maybe she had a heart attack because she realized she wasn't Jackie Kennedy.
I see two members of her clique. They are in front of me as always.
That huge blond who wears the tight-fitting, paisley tops appears as though she got a haircut (the back is uneven, it was either an at-home attempt or a Great Clips do). She is also wearing a shirt with ruffles! Yes, a woman standing at about five foot three and has at least 200 pounds on her is sporting ruffles! *shakes head*

"Dogs never bite me. Just humans."-Marilyn Monroe

-M. Junk

Junk Chips In Her 2 Cents

Before I begin the official topic for this rather crude blog, let me tell you about something marvelous and yet, completely bewildering that just occurred.
The Jackie Kennedy wannabe bought something at my stand today!
I cast a glance above my laptop to see the horribly flipped hairdo a foot away from me. I could see her gray roots from where she was standing (I never noticed that before) and the crows feet was jabbing at my eyes.
She was sporting these brown flood pants and this cream colored jacket with matching-shade brown flowers all over it. The material was thick but not insulated. The trying-to-be-posh, off-white clutch wasn't helping.
When she spoke, it was how I had always imagined. Her mouth moves very oddly and she pronounced words with an "AR" sound slowly. It left a lasting impression on the ears. She asked for stationary cards on October 15th at 10:16am.
I should name this lady. Use her as a novel figure. So far, I've simply been referring to her as The Jackie Kennedy Wannabe. I'll have to come back to that.
I mentioned being able to name all my fashion pet peeves.
Here are some of my favorite looks to hate:

10.) Northface Jackets. They don't keep you warm. They are plain and ugly. They don't flatter any body type. They are expensive. In-depth explanation for why this has landed a spot on the list shouldn't be required for anybody with working eyes and a shred of taste.


Ok, so this guy is kind of cool, but that still doesn't make up for the awful threads.

9.) Bad Plastic Surgery. Nose jobs are a commonplace where I went to high school, and I never thought those surgeries looked according to Hoyle. They just always looked inaccurate and kind of creepy and slimy. Their noses would go from being a bumpy snout to being delicate ski jump noses. This plastic must stop (but not those amazing, out of proportion boob jobs-done best by Pamela Anderson and Daisy De La Hoya;).


The procedure is uneconomical (the average cost for rhinoplasty in America is 4,277$. http://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com/rhinoplasty/howperformed.htm) and the surgical process, heeling and aftermath are as unappealing as your grandmother in a porno. Rhinoplasty is the most common cosmetic/plastic surgery among the under 19 population. Breast reduction, correction of breast asymmetry, treatment of gynecomastia (basically, ridding a guy of manboobs), chin augmentation and liposuction take places 2#-5#.

8.)Fake Smiling. The real thing gleams a brilliant light. The fake ones make your face appear tight and nervous. That's not so ducky. Genuine happiness is beautiful.


Well, besides the excessive use of cheap hair gel.......

7.) Polo Shirts. They make boobs look saggy. The collars are strangely placed and the tacky alligator label doesn't help. Unless there is a paint stain or a couple rips here and there (or it's attire for work and/or sleeping), you look like a tool (especially with the layering and collar popping-makes me shutter).


The breasts appear to be sagging. The label should at least be a kitty if it must exist.

6.) Hollister/Abercrombie/American Eagle. I find it very problematic when a tee shirt costs an arm and a leg and THEN it smells like a gay whore house. In order to find this shirt you would need to get past the plastic potted plants of horror and than obtain night vision to navigate (the mall can't pay to light up these stores- perhaps they think a rayless, awful-smelling room is better than seeing the merchandise?)


Nope, every Hollister looks the same.


5.) Crocs Footwear. I don't even consider them shoes. I love the environment, but not when a recycled product comes out in such a tasteless form. They come in all colors and sizes, but only if you want to pay the price. These babies run at a start price of 30$, are of poor quality and are ugly (Thanks Maddox;). People who sport this unworthy foot gear rant and rave about the comfort these shoes bring. Rejection and a white-trash vibe is what they bring.


No excuse.....

4.) Bad Prom Dresses. Pictures are required asap for a visual aid. Bad patterns (for me to consider a pattern "bad" calls for a round of applause), lines on the shoulders (from hours frying in tanning beds), unflattering waist lines, that birthday-ribbon-ish curly hair, dingy shoes and overdosed make-up put this...whole event really, high on the list.


Faces must be concealed, for these are citizens of Cleveland. The chick on the left wasn't actually that crummy of a human, but her tan lines are bringing me down. I always had this feeling that she possessed some neat talent (like dress-sewing, Boston Cream Pie baking or being able to play D&D) but she couldn't share it for some reason. The chick on the right had a face that was strictly from hunger, a malnourished body and a liverish personality to match. I applaud her for finding the ugliest dress pattern, the ugliest dress length and the ugliest dress cut in the city though.

3.) Spray Tanning. It breaks my heart. Natural skin is lovely. Pale skin reminds me of the moon. Why wrinkle and destroy your skin to resemble a carrot? Oh, and have gross, unnatural tanning lines?


Well-known pale beauties are Dita Von Teese, Liv Tyler, Amy Lee (of band, Evanescence) and Nichole Kidman.

2.) Bad Tattoos. I love tattoos. Men and women alike with excellent ink are a fantastic turn on. What if the ink is of poor quality, inappropriately placed or just a bad design? It's stuck to you forever and nothing can patch that up.


^What "regret" looks like.


^Ink done right. This is James Suicide. I, myself have a little ink on my left foot. It's a shamrock to represent my Irish heritage and that I have luck on my side. I plan on adding more throughout my life.

1.) Dogs in Purses. Dogs are mutts, but they still don't deserve to be treated like accessories. I want to free them from the stamped Coach purses. It's utmost degrading to the animal (and illuminates the stupidity of the woman).


Animal Cruelty.


I LOVE THIS MAN: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=fashion


"Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to the real critique of what really went on"-Paula Abdul

-M.Junk