StefanieGrace.Styles

Do you know the difference between gray blending and gray transitioning?

These terms are often used interchangeably but they do not mean the same thing and they do not achieve the same result.

If you’ve been struggling with your own gray hair, fear not - you’re in good company! I am going to teach you not only what options are available but which ones are best for you and your unique situation.

One (wo)mans partial is another (wo)mans platinum and vice versa.

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that the hair industry has almost zero consistency when it comes to service terminology, timing and pricing? Is there any other industry that operates this way?

I’ve seen some ppl say a full traditional highlight is up to 120 foils and I’ve heard others say it’s up to 60 maximum …. while someone else has said 45 and then another said there is no number it’s just what is needed for the client and the goal 😩

Do we need a formal counsel and representatives to get this in order or do you like the freedom to choose service terms and definitions - pricing - timing etc without the parameters of an official industry standard?

There may not be one right way to install extensions but there are definitely wrong ways. (Ask me how I know. 🥴)

The conversation around move-ups vs. reinstalls is one that comes up a lot. Personally, I prefer a maintenance schedule that allows my guests to comfortably go 8–10 weeks between appointments.

Move-ups absolutely have their place. Like everything in hair, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Where I think the conversation gets confusing is when move-ups are treated as a replacement for a reinstall.
A move-up is designed to extend the life of an install….not replace the point where the rows should be removed, reassessed, and customized again. In my opinion, move-ups make the most sense around the 4–5 week mark, followed by a full reinstall around 8–10 weeks (12 weeks at the absolute maximum, depending on the client).

After a few months, your hair has grown, the shape of the row has changed, and the way the extensions are distributing weight has changed too. That’s why I choose a method that allows for an 8-10 week grow out and to fully reinstall every maintenance appointment rather than simply returning the row to the same placement.

My goal is to continually redistribute weight, refine the placement, and avoid repeatedly loading the same sections of hair over long periods of time….especially for guests with finer hair.

That’s why my it may be an unpopular opinion but I believe every maintenance appointment should end with a fresh reinstall, not another move-up.

Have move ups changed the game for you or do you prefer longevity between maintenance, too? What are your thoughts 💭

She asked for a mix between a butterfly cut and a 90’s layered cut but her fine hair couldn’t support either fully… not without potentially sacrificing fullness through the ends and collapsing style.

So instead of copying the haircut, I borrowed the movement, face-framing, and softness she loved while preserving enough structure at the perimeter to keep her hair looking full and capable of holding the style she was going for.

Sometimes the goal isn’t giving someone the exact haircut they ask for.

It’s giving them the result they’re after 🫶🏼

Just a refresh of what was already working✨

Giving my sister freedom from the salon cycle so that she can fill her weekends doing what she does best and loves most 🖤

6 months later and her main request was:

“Can we basically keep it the same?”

6 months of grow-out.
Minimal upkeep.
Still felt intentional.

That’s the goal every time.

Part 2 coming next ✨

This is why I don’t film content 💀😂

I told this girl 3 different times to turn TOWARD me and every 👏 single 👏 time 👏 she went to show me the back of her head!

And she’s one of the easiest ppl I have to work with - so yall can see my struggle 😂😂😂

ILY Jaida!!!

Mandeville| Northshore | Prom Hair | 90’s Blowout | Hairstylist