How To Inspire Junk

Although stylist are demanded to remain updated, there is a hint of their own touch on each customers head. I believe all stylists are inspired by some sort of celebrity. Besides being influenced by Cleveland and pin up girls, there are those women who sparkle. These are some of the women that trigger my interest.

15.) Michelle Pfeiffer. Her heart-shaped facial structure and high cheeks bones allow any hair style to work on her. She also has the ability to appear very sweet (like in Mid Summer's Night Dream) or like a Marine who remains fearless of a roomful of gangsters (referring to her role in Dangerous Minds).


Obviously on the right playing a white, suburban teacher in "Dangerous Minds".

14.) Patricia Arquette. Has to be one of the most underrated actresses in America. She deserves a spot for not only leading in my favorite movie (True Romance), but for being a chamillion (she has the ability to morph for any movie role). Her hair has been short, long, wavy, straight, dark, light. I love clients like this and hope I meet many of them.


Patricia playing call girl, Alabama in "True Romance"

13.) Kelly Osbourne. She doesn't have the ability to pull off every look (her cheekbones are very dull), but she makes it happen. She uses her features to her advantage (her full lips, clear skin, etc.). I'd be honored to splatter pink in her tresses.



Kelly Osbourne impersonating a 1920's flapper.

12.) Kim Basinger. Her skin glows. She would stand out in the most extensive crowd because of that skin. Her skin even glimmers when she plays up the part of a trashy, drug-addict mother (8 Mile). That's miracle-worthy.


Kim Basinger

11.) Heather Locklear. She's almost 50 and her hair is still big and her eyes still make me weak at the knees. Doesn't even require further explanation.


During Heather Locklear's prime in the 80's

10.) Lucille Ball. Besides my appreciation for humorous women, I also happen to love redhaired women with bright, red lips and perfectly sculpted legs.


Lucille Ball was not a natural redhead, but she was one of the first pin up's to indulge in comedy.

9.) Amy Winehouse. Sure, the heavy drug use puts me off, but I cannot resist her huge beehive hairdo and striking eye make-up. The pin up girls tattooed on her arm is a huge plus.


Amy Winehouse about an hour before accepting an award for her R&B singing.

8.) Zoli Suicide. For those of you who don't know what a Suicide Girl is, it is a website of inked, pierced and painted nude ladies. Zoli was an original SG. Her vivid choices for hair colors and almond-shaped eyes allow her to be my most prominent fantasy as a stylist.


Zoli Suicide travels America to photograph and entertain.

7.) Bobbie Brown. I love video girls. I know that sounds skanky and low, but video girls fascinate me (I mean, no one really wants to look at Warrant, or 50 Cent). Her red lips (I love girls who invest in bright, red lipstick), hairsprayed tresses and rocking body earned her a notable spot on this list.


She may not be throwing a pie, but that's her alright.

6.) Dita Von Teese. Her dainty, yet fierce features animate the pin up girls of yesteryear. The fact that I drool over the whole black hair, pale skin and bright eyes trio also explains her position. The perfect hour glass figure doesn't hurt either.


The beautiful Dita Von Teese at work.

5.) Lil' Kim. For those who don't know, she was a teenaged prostitute before deceased rap artist, Notorious B.I.G. discovered her for improv rapping. Over a decade later, celebrity stylists still mock her, "slutty" appearance. I eat it up. I love the dramatic make-up, the huge, fake boobs (I dote on boob jobs) and the comical weaves.


Always looking sexy, even when she's locked up.

4.) Pam Anderson. The lips. The eyes. The boobs. The hair. The famous, red one piece. The getting married to Kid Rock in a slip. That's all that needs to be said.



She can always laugh at herself, even when people diss her for making a sex tape with Tommy Lee.

3.) Daisy De La Hoya. Let's get this straight: I hate reality television, but I was flipping through the channels one lazy day and I saw that annoying Rock of Love series playing and I couldn't help but wonder, "who's that pretty little blond thing with the grand tits and the beautiful eyes?"


None of those guys in "Daisy of Love" could handle her....

2.) Marilyn Monroe. My first inspiration: her tall, full body posted up in How to Marry a Millionaire, displaying that sexy, red swimsuit (I don't know what my infactuation is with the color red-my favorite color is lime green!). She has mass amounts of sex appeal. Anyone would look silly with their white dress blowing up while standing on a subway grating (The Seven Year Itch).


Marilyn Monroe is considered by many to be "America's first beauty".

1.) Bettie Page. The jet black locks and perfect face aren't enough. She also has to sport every animal print and provocative set of lingerie ever created to just barely cover her flawless body. The sex appeal cannot even be described on paper (I am a writer that is not often left speechless), but she takes the cake for sexiest woman in history.


Considered by many to be the Queen of Pin Up.

"Women are always beautiful"- Ville Valo

-M. Junk

Junk Reviews The Keystone

Everyone is forced to sort through shit tons of paperwork when they apply to and get into colleges, universities, trade schools, etc. Along with the the application, the payment plan, my contract with Brown Aveda, etc, I received a rule book. This booklet includes rulings regarding the fairly strict dress code, what we are expected to do with our baroque name tags and beauty school kits, what classes I am supposed to take (I already mentioned the basic topics I'll be educated in), etc.
"Semesters"
This training is 45 weeks long, Tuesday through Saturday, 9am-5pm (but I was told that arriving to school at 8:45 is best. This is a buisness where if your on the dot your already late) and 1500 hours. The "quarters" are split up into units:

Introduction Unit- 404.00 classroom hours and 16.00 clinic (salon) hours coming to a total of 420.00 hours (12 weeks). Alpha Unit- 70.00 classroom hours and 315.00 clinic hours coming to a total of 420.00 hours (12 weeks). Using many lectures, demonstrations and workshops (God, I hope someone will use me like a guinea pig and sew in a nice weave that's not from Sally's), well learn the basics of hair cutting and styling hair and scraping the tip of iceberg on nail and skin care. Retail merchandising (Aveda has a grand line of products), mastering costumer service, state safety laws, etc. are covered during this "semester".

Beta Unit- 70.00 classroom hours and 350.00 clinic hours coming to a total of 420.00 hours (12 weeks). All that time in the clinic will boost our confidence when it comes to professional ability and we begin to grasp the art of being a good interviewees and becomming expertees at resume writing. This is also when I'm supposed to, "unlock your creativity as you explore the latest trends and techniques in hair cutting, stying, coloring, permanent waving, and chemical restructuring" (I'll be on my knees, begging to a higher power for beehives hairdos, finger waving, etc. to come back into style within the next month- I know, Bill O'Reily would advertise the Black Panther Party before that happens).

Gamma Unit- 56.00 classroom hours and 219.00 clinic hours coming to a total of 275.00 hours (8 weeks). Our levels of concentration, accuracy and talent are salon-ready. This is when we are to work on time management, entrepreneurship and self-promotion (I don't think they mean sell merchandise like a band, but mugs with my "BUH" face or my ugly cat, Boy printed on them could be a successful and worthwhile move, yes?). This is when we take our final salon tests and the written exams.

(Note: I am in no way part of the esthetics program. This blog is focused on cosmetology. I am skimming over the esthetics part of the pamphlet but I will not take notes in this blog).

"Admission Requirments"
-Informational interview with an admissions representative. It is not as frightening as it sounds. As controversial and forward as I appear in writing, I am painfully shy when I am in unfamiliar situations. After about fifteen minutes of the woman's warm voice, I was rested enough to admit to learning and speech problems that I have and that I am very shy around demanding people and people I don't know well, but that this has been an interest of mine for as long as I could remember.

-Take and pass a basic skills exam. You don't study for this test. A large portion of this test is common sense. It includes basic math (I don't have math education past some geometry so when I say it's "basic", it really is), english and some science. Very typical street smarts is involved (Example: Which side of the road do you drive on in America? The right side).

-Submitting a letter of intent, describing goals and why you want to attend Brown Aveda. I sent two pages to Brown Aveda, telling them when I discovered the world of beauty (surprisingly it wasn't during modeling, it was when I saw Marilyn Monroe in, How to Marry a Millionaire, frollicking about in that sexy, red bathing suit).

-Submit a letter of recommendation. My human rights/living law/government teacher, Mr. D wrote me one when I was still in high school (he helped me begin our high schools sect of the Gay/Straight Alliance) and my cousin also wrote me a letter. They made me sound decent so I was satisfyed.

-Submit high school transcripts. I had to twist the college counselor's arm to get these (the one that said I would never make anything of myself). I wish you luck and hope you don't have to go through hell (this is for anyone applying anywhere).

-Submit an enrollment contract. When I signed that contract, I felt like I was suddenly giving my life to someone. My heart jumped to my throat. It was that of a blood oath. The loyalty and elbow grease I am dedicating to this institution makes my organs play tug of war with one another. Just take a deep breath and sign your name. If it's something you want to do.

"Student Evalutation"
Projects, class participation, written tests, homework, daily clinic times, quotas, accuracy and improving quality of services, customer service, etc. are all closely examined by teachers and supervisors and graded. This isn't the grading system I remembered from high school:
100-99%: A
98-96%: A-
95-93%: B+
92-90%: B
89-88%: B-
87-86%: C+
85-84%: C
83-81%: C-
80%: D
79%: F
*Gulp!*

"Standards"
1.) Success is achieved partcially due to maintaining a professional appearance.
a.) We get one uniform shirt and one apron. We are expected to keep it clean, ironed and unaltered. The replacement cost is 75.00$.
b.) No other shirt, jacket or sweatshirt is to be worn over the top of the uniform. All undergarments must be BLACK.
c.) We use identification badges to clock in and out each day. We are never to leave the building with them on. I wonder how many people will ask me the origin of my name, if it's my real name, etc.
d.) We have to wear solid, black dress pants (how dare one wrinkle be visible). Revealing clothes, hats, sunglasses, etc. cannot be worn. At least that stage I went through freshman and sophmore year where I constantly wore bandanas over my face has come and gone.
e.) No tennis shoes, tennis shoe look alikes or open toed shoes are permitted. The shoes must be black.
f.) "Brown Aveda Institute reserves the right to maintain an esthetic standard for all students". It scares me to think that they can tell us that we don't look clean. I'm too worried. I shower.
g.) If the Brown Aveda Institute doesn't believe your dressed for work, they can send you home to change. I live a half hour away from this school. I may as well leave my wardrobe in the car just in case.
h.) Students may leave the property during lunch as long as they clock in and out and return in time for clinic/ classroom time.
i.) Services may not be performed on fellow students unless the class is doing a fashion show or a demonstration with supervision.

2.) We are supposed to conduct ourselves in a professional matter.
a.) Actions disrupting the learning process (foul language, rudeness, etc.) will have you being dismissed for the day.
b.) Food, candy and beverages stay in the lunchroom. No gum is to be chewed anywhere.
c.) Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the property.
d.) You may use cell phones on lunchbreak in the locker rooms and the cafeteria.
e.) Visitors come through front doors and check in at the front desk. They can only visit a student if the student is on an approved break.

Everything else was about the absense policies and refunds which was putting me to sleep.

"Holidays"
-January 1st: New Years Day
-Martin Luther King Day
-Memorial Day
-Independence Day: July 4th
-Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thursday in November
-2 day December break
-5 Conferance Days throughout the year

This is a majority of my time being eaten alive in just a little over a month. I must begin to make preparations to say, "good bye" to people. To be honest, I've been feeling woeful and depressed for the last month or so, but lets not launch into that. I don't want to be one of those bloggers who complains about their girlfriend dumping them or whatever.

"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men"-Douglas Bader

-M. Junk

Does Junk Qualify?

Admirable cosmetologists are everywhere. They work at Great Clips. They style famous peoples' locks. They work at those cheesy 50's salons (that would be my personal dream come true). But what makes a prime stylist? I found this list ( http://www.cosmetologyschools.com/cosmetology-top-10.html):

1.) Adaptability. "A great cosmetologist stays on top of changing techniques and technologies in the industry and can easily incorporate these changes into their work". Now, I love pin curls, pin ups, beehives and fingerwaving (which by the way, my attempt last night did not turn out the way I was hoping in the least). However, I can also work around a modern hair straightener (I say "modern" because the hair iron was actually first patented in 1906). I think as much as I loathe current and trendy fashion, I can suck it up and master the latest prom up dos'.

2.) Color and Style Perception. "A great cosmetologist has a keen sense of what hair styles and colors work for people and will make suggestions to help clients look their best". Actually I have knack for this. I can tell just by observing a ladies face shape, skin tone and their natural hair texture what they would look like with a new hair length, color or style. My best friend, *Avery is a blond (partially natural and partially courtesy of Garnier 59# blond). Her skin is paler but her cheeks have a lot of natural color (and the freckles are a fantastic extra kick) and her eyes are striking blue. She disagrees but I can see black hair as a distinct possibility (I love pale women- to hell with those spray tanned oompa loompas). I say she looks a little like pin up girl Ingrid Bergman (nice hair texture, standout eyes, pale skin, etc.). I can make similur judgements on any girl I meet.

3.) Creativity. "A great cosmetologist has a sense of creativity and can think of new and different ways to style hair, apply makeup, or perform other cosmetology procedures". I am anything but monotone. Style inspirations are pin up girls, drag queens, the movie "True Romance", the 90's, Amy Winehouse, the city of Cleveland, music of all genres, San Francisco, photography, exotic plants, Suicide Girls, etc. My mind never stops expanding.

4.) Skilled at Customer Service. "A great cosmetologist has fantastic customer service skills. They are friendly and helpful to all clients and help create a welcoming atmosphere". This one will be tricky. I can't lie. A lot of people trouble me a great deal. The thought of having to smile at these imbilsoles purchasing their spirit apparel (I sell school spirit attire at a college) is bewildering. When I hung my apron at Panera Bread, being warm and sweet was worse than the Chinese Water Torture. Matters worsen when customers shrill, shriek, gripe, cry and demand refunds. My nicely made Panera shake would be thrown at the ground in fury (it's really happened). What got me quitting my job at Panera Bread in blind outrage was when a customer began snapping their fingers at me. Yes, my lack of patience could hold me back.

5.) Good Grooming Habits. "A great cosmetologist is always impeccably groomed. Their hair is styled in a current fashion and make-up is neat and attractive". I already knew this rule held a great importance. I'm not sure about current hairstyling (this is why I want to work at a 50's salon), but being cleanly is crucial. It's not like high school. You can't roll out of bed fifteen minutes before first period, brush your teeth and bike there in record time (my usual routine). I will have to begin prepping for this routine change.

6.) Knowledgeable of Standards. "A great cosmetologist keeps abreast of and follows industry standards for safety and health concerns. They keep their equipment clean and sanitary at all times". This is merely common sense. It's against the law to not be consistent with the strict sanitation rules and regulations specfically written for each state.

7.) Good Manual Dexerity. "A great cosmetologist is good with his or her hands. Whether cutting hair, performing a facial, or giving a manicure, a cosmetologist must be able to perform intricate maneuvers for extended periods of time". My hands puzzle me. The foreign language I took in high school for two years was American Sign Language, so my hands can bend in awkard forms (except when I'm trying to flash any gang sign of the sort- don't cross examine that statement;). I believe I have a pretty well-defined natrual touch. Unprofessional massaging is one of my side jobs. I hope my hands can work endlessly. Something I have a desire to train in is braiding hair. When I say braiding hair, I mean pixie braiding, creating dreadlocks, box braiding, weaves, etc. Those women make bank for working on the same head of hair for hours. Mass amounts of concentration is involved and I would have to find a mentor (braiding in detail isn't apart of the Brown Aveda cirriculum).

8.) Pleasent Personality. "A great cosmetologist has an engaging personality. They can make people feel comfortable and welcome and are easy to talk to". This is why I will have to choose my salon carefully and with much thought. I'm not boring. I'm not 'normal'. I'm not neccessarily mean. My personality is rather odd and difficult for some folks to comprehend and be compatible with. What is going for me in this situation however is that I love to learn and listen to people. Baby Mama drama, bands of all genres from all corners of the world, if peach or off-white roses would be a better centerpiece at some wedding, Brad Pitt (or whatever guy is considered 'hot' these days)....I can hear it all and find a connection.

9.) Adapt with Several Techniques. "A great cosmetologist is skilled at the various techniques used in the industry. They are adept at using scissors, brushes, files, and other equipment". Not only do I have to, but I want to master every technqiue for every piece of equipment I will recieve in my tradeschool kit.

10.) Ability to Visualize Ideas. "A great cosmetologist is able to share a vision with his or her client for an end result. They are able to clearly visualize the goal and skillfully perform the work required to reach that goal". I know I am able to create a clear picture for someone. I am a writer, it's a requirment. Also by nature, I compare women in my life to pin up models. This brainstorms ideas of what I should do with her hair, etc. As I mentioned earlier, my best friend, *Avery reminds me of Ingrid Bergman. *Daisy alludes to Jane Greer. Almost every girl I know reminds me of some pin up.

So it's obvious that I have some goals to aim for (besides fingerwaving hair of course). I should dig deeper into this.

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you"-Henry Ward Beecher

-M. Junk

History of Junk & Why Fingerwaving Is Getting Her High Strung

39 days until my life forever changes.

While talking to my hairstylist, *Jackie, she informed me about the perplexity of finger waving but that it's easy to catch onto after you get the "movement" down. My *Aunt Suzy claimed that finger waving brought frustrated tears to her eyes. I wonder if Brown Aveda will teach me with the aid of a tutorial such as this: http://www.vividinfinity.com/fingerwave/fingerwaving.pdf

I have an associate who began the cosmetology program at the high school about a month ago. *Daisy says that using rollers has been quite a challenge, but she promised to reveal the secrets of how to make this assignment less of a headache.

Almost everyday for the last four months I have made a daily, fifteen minute journey to Cleveland Heights. A chief obstacle to overcome will be getting used to not traveling there everyday.

Cleveland Heights is a quaint niche. The high school is roomy. The buildings have history. Every street appears to be wearing a personality. Lee. South Taylor. East Overlook. Hampshire. Coventry. Queenston. Mayfield. Washington. Superior. Euclid.

I have only been to Mentor a handful of times. The quick surveillance leads me to believe that the town is at least normal. It has schools, a mall, churches, odd street names, etc. Hopefully the people are not as mentally destroyed as the people of Beachwood. That's where I attended high school.

City of Beachwood:
Last population count: 12,186
Total Size: 5.3 square miles
High School: has been rated one of the top 50 in Ohio
Rated in Cleveland Magazine: as the number 1# suburb in 2007

The suburb is eerie no matter what time of day or night. The houses are large and cold. Children and young adults are expected to be uproarious and expressive. Not in Beachwood. A single out of place sound was looked down upon like a bigot whipping his slave. A single out of style accessory was spat on. The icecream truck was asked not to come through this small city because "noise pollution" became a constant complaint. I happen to be one tacky dresser and as much of a pushover as I am, I do like the ring of my own voice sometimes. I also like chaco taco icecream sandwhiches and popsicles. It's apparent that the Beachwood lifestyle is not the one for me.

I have this plan to be like Barbie without the big boobs, guido boyfriend and dream car (unless you consider my Ford with broken turn signals and dents on all the doors a pie in the sky). I want to become a great hairsylist. Have the ability to work with anyones hair at anytime and anyplace (kind of like one of those house doctors). I can leave Beachwood. Refuse the people there. They'll suddenly run to me like a security blanket but I could laugh at them. Those people who called me, "stupid" will feel horrible.

This is only if I can learn finger waving! I am very excited to be taught any pin up style. Did you know I fell in love with fashion upon seeing How to Marry a Millionaire with my mother? Marilyn Monroe revealed my interest in pin up that lives on a decade later.

I will probably read more of the school rules book tonight.

"Living well is the best revenge"- Mother

-M. Junk

<---Downtown Cleveland

Finding Junk In A Salon

You can just call me Junk. I am not beautiful, but an unsightly, retired hussy. I project a feeling of uneasiness with my speech problems and outlandish opinions. Bigger than attending a conservative private school, winning nation-wide writing contests, and attending a haughty high school, I am doing the ultimate. I am going to the Brown Aveda beauty school. It's one of the best in the world. I will stay with you for these next 10 months, through the trials and tribulations. The hard training, conquering venustraphobia and defining myself will push me down everyday, but with writing, you can't flummox.
November 3rd will mark a very important day. I will begin attending the Aveda Brown beauty institute (the one located in Mentor, Ohio). It is one of the best beauty schools in the world and this opportunity only comes once.
I am enrolled in the cosmetology program, which will educate me in the areas of hair, nail and skin care.
More specifically, Ill be learning plant aroma logy, state rules and regulations, hair styling (wet styling, pin curling, updos, blow drying, irons, hair extensions, etc.), hair coloring (color theory, corrective coloring, multidimensional coloring, foiling, bleaching, tinting, etc.), Chemical hair relaxing (having ALL knowledge of relaxing hair, application, etc.), Shampooing and conditioing for all hair situations, Perms (history of perming, pre perm analysis, rod selection, etc.), Hair Cutting (use of scissors, razors, clippers, etc.), Skin Care (histology, facials, cleansing, skin disorders, etc.), Make-Up (tools, corrective make-up, different looks, etc.), Nail Care (manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, massage techniques for hands and feet, etc.) and the cirriculum doesn't end there. It would take all day to copy down every piece of knowledge I am expected to obtain.
I want to make people feel dazzling. I hear too many featherweight sixteen year old ladies referring to themselves as "fat". I witness girls barely into puberty picking at their hair and fussing over how big their boobs are supposed to get. It makes me sad.
When I was four years old, I could barely speak, but I could read and I had these insightful, deep brown eyes. My mother thought I was a model.
So it began. I modeled for childrens companies and lights were flashed in my face for the next ten years.
But my life took a turn. The doctor informed my parents that I was going to be petite. Four feet and eleven inches tall. I also wasn't bone thin like a model. It was also stated that I didnt have the face for modeling. It broke hearts. So I stopped eating in hopes to gain a newer contract.
I became ill over the course of 5 months (a good chunk of my 8th grade year). I have put that part of my life to the side.
I still struggle with image sometimes. I am learning to love my body more and more. I want to lead people down a path, one where they will realize that they are beautiful and important (I don't mean to sound like a fucking Halmark card or anything).
I will update you about my researching and progress but as soon as November 3rd rolls around, I'll be scrawling to you daily.

“My mama always used to tell me: 'If you can't find somethin' to live for, you best find somethin' to die for.”-Tupac

-M. Junk