Red Union Hair Salon – San Francisco

Jessica began her career in 2004, working as an assistant at a bustling Bumble and Bumble salon in downtown San Jose and eventually moving on to work 3 years at a beautiful Aveda concept salon taking classes every few weeks in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Within that time she moved quickly up the food chain, blossoming from an assistant to a senior stylist position by the end of year 3-specializing in creative cuts and coloring techniques, color correction, bridal and special event do’s.

She participated as both a stylist and a model in many avant-garde productions and fashion shows throughout the years (and continues to do so to this day). She has worked on an extensive clientele with a wide range of hair type and texture.

Creative longing and the desire to expand her knowledge led her to Southern California where she worked closely with extremely talented Vidal Sassoon-trained stylists. There, she delved into new experience with training from Davines, freelanced as a hair and makeup artist and even styled hair for the 2007 Academy Awards (Exciting!)

Upon returning to the Bay Area, she accepted a position as a Regional Educator of sales for Phyto Haircare (right in the vein of the botanical and natural products she had always loved.)

Over the last year and a half she traveled several times to New York to train under world renowned colorists such as Beth Minardi, as well as some of France’s top colorists and stylists. She has taken and taught classes for Subtil- one of France’s most coveted hair color lines. She has traveled all the Pacific Northwest, teaching stylists not only how to use Phyto’s incredible botanical formulas, but also how to create the ultimate relaxing experience for their client. She demonstrated and conducted deep treatments with the use of Phyto’s masques and essential oils to provide ultimate health to hair and scalp (“I am a healthy hair junkie!”- Jessica Russo) She has presented as a speaker at trend shows across the country from Honolulu, Hawaii to Portland, Oregon, all the while, continuing to maintain a clientele (many of them the very first she worked on as a junior stylist at Aveda!)

Her commitment to continued education has covered Bumble and Bumble, Aveda, Redken, Goldwell, Davines, Subtil and, of course, Phyto!

She prides herself on her ability to tune in to clients needs and create the look that not only meets their desires but suits their features. Her down-to-earth nature allows clients to open up and truly express themselves.

“I love this industry! I love creating! I love learning and teaching! I absolutely love my clients! I couldn’t be happier to be making more time to dedicate to my craft and I’m thrilled to join your team!” – Jessica Russo

Comments or questions are welcome.

Tags: Aveda, Beth Minardi, Bumble and Bumble salon, Davines, Goldwell, hair salon, Hair Stylist, Jessica Russo, Phyto Haircare, Redken, San Francisco, San Jose, Subtil, Vidal Sassoon

Red Union Salon uses organic hair products as well as botanical hair products as well as aromatherapy where optimal results can be achieved. Red Union Salon is proud to carry the best hair products by Phyto, Logics for Matrix, Redken, and Goldwell.

Be sure to check out these hair product reviews

Tags: aromatherapy, botanical, botanical hair products, Goldwell, hair, hair product reviews, herbs, Logics for Matrix, organic, organic hair products, phyto, plants, Redken, roots, salon

Erika Redding, also known as Hairika, is the founder and owner of Red Union Salon, and loves running a dynamic hair salon on fashionable Union Street. Erika opened Red Union Salon to merge hair, fashion, and art all into one space. Now this vision has come true, and Red Union Salon frequently hosts art openings and continually displays new artwork in the salon.

Her hair and fashion expertise has included work both in front and behind the camera as a hair designer, fashion designer, makeup artist, model, set and wardrobe designer. Her advanced international training by Martin Parson, Redken, Matrix and Vidal-Sassoon has enabled her to educate other stylist at hair shows across North America. She has even modeled and designed hair backstage at Prêt-à-Porter, the famous international fashion event in Paris. Her closest friends and clients include many actors, actresses, athletes, artists, models, and fashion designers here in the United States as well as back in her native land of Germany and throughout Europe.

Erika has been called the “Zen” hairstylist for her grounding, calming effect, on her clients, and takes you from “Zen” to “Ten!” With her expert haircutting and hair coloring techniques, she is a true artist at work that loves designing a breathtaking new look for you!

Comments or questions are welcome.

Tags: actors, actresses, art, artist, athletes, barber, Erika, fashion designer, Germany, hair, hair designer, hair salon san francisco, haircut san francisco, hairdresser, Hairika, makeup artist, Martin Parson, Matrix, model, models, Prêt-à-Porter, Redken, salon, set designer, wardrobe designer, ZenVidal-Sassoon

As I was doing my research on summer hair it occurred to me, that  summer hair  in San Francisco is a  whole different story than anywhere else.  As Mark Twain said “The  coldest winter  I ever  spent  was the summer in San Francisco”. That being said, whether you are a newbie in our fair city or  have been  here  for a  while  you are going to need some San Francisco Summer  Hair tips.

First of all, you will notice that it is not unusual for you to want to put on a  heavy coat,  a scarf  and even some boots  for our summer.   It can  be very foggy and windy, hence “styling products” are  the key. 

To start you will need  a “blow drying aid” to keep the frizz away!  One of “Carmen Electra’s” and my favorites are  ”Phytodefrisant”. It smoothes and moisturizes while keeping  your hair from getting frizzy. Followed by “Phytolisse” a finishing serum for lots of shine. Voila you look like  a movie star!

If you have curly hair like me you may love this  weather.  A moisture absorbent towels from “Bed Bath and Beyond is a must”.  Blot your hair by gently scrunching it when you get out  of the shower. Then using “Curl Refiner” by Redken scrunch in and distribute evenly though out your hair. Do not comb! On a windy day follow with “Curl Boost” also Redken and scrunch some more.  5-10 minutes to Goddess Tresses!  

For you manly men, “Crew” is the  way to easy San  Francisco  Summer hair.  My three  favorites and our best sellers are  ”Molding  Clay”, a high hold with medium shine.  ”Defining Paste”, with medium hold and low shine or  ”Fiber” with high  hold  with low shine.  If choosing the right  on is confusing, stop by and we’ll make sure you walk  out  with  the  right  one.  

So there you  have it.  Stunning summer hair here in  San Francisco is yours!  Now that  you know which dab will do you go forth and be  beautiful  and be  handsome!

Tags: Carmen Electra, Curl Boost, Curl Refiner, curly hair, Defining Paste, fiber, Foggy Hair, Frizz, Goddess Tresses, Mark Twain, Molding Clay, Phytodefrisant, Phytolisse, Redken, San Francisco, Summer Hair

Jonathan comes to us originally from the east coast and currently made the move from Southern California to San Francisco.

He combines the ability to give shape, texture, and color to clients by just looking at them. He specializes in highlighting and Vidal Sassoon precision hair cutting.

Using his judgment he formulates the hair and chooses the color picking from the very best of Paul Mitchell, Goldwell, Redken, and Wella.

He has done many a runway shows in both LA and NYC.

Doing amazing extensions using Great Lengths with the highest quality in human hair.

He has also assisted in television and has done wig work with drag queens at National pageants. He is always furthering his education when ever possible, taking classes and keeping fresh on all the latest trends.

He has also done a lot of make-up work with weddings, runway, and drag queens.

When not working he enjoys Roller-skating through Golden Gate Park, hanging out with friends in Dolores Park and hitting the bars, clubs dancing to mash up and 80’s music. You can always find him vintage shopping around the mission or hanging out in local coffee shops reading or chatting with friends.

Comments or questions are welcome.

Tags: drag queens, Goldwell, Great Lengths, Jonathan DeNardo, latest trends, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Vidal Sassoon, weddings, Wella

Simple haircuts for Spring
Despite  the economic news, the spring 2009 runways featured bright, shiny and  geometrically constructed collections.   From red-carpet ready goddess dresses to ’80s street fashion to silky harem  pants and jumpsuits, designers went bold.  As a result, runway hair tended to be subtler.  It  seems this  season is  all about  paring down the hair.  Hair had a very modern feel that stayed close to the  head.  Loose hair was the exception not the rule.

Off the Face Hair
Whether swept up or slicked back, this season’s was kept away from the face with no bangs to disturb the lines. The close-to-the-head wet look was seen on the runways of Badgley Mischka, D&G, and Versace.  At Prada, Guido Palau pulled hair into a classic French twist,  and then gave the style  extreme edge by giving it a lacquered look.

Middle Hair Parts
A runway  staple, middle parts are sexy, simple and can be reinvented each season  to work with bouncy curl, loose waves or super straight styles.  Seen on the runways  of Calvin Klein, Donna Karan,  Marc Jacobs and Versace.  The middle part can add edge to an updo or infuse style with casual glam.

Hair accessories
Almost every designer incorporated a  headpiece into their show.  Guido paired romantic waves with jauntry fedoras for Ralph Lauren and created “caps” by wrapping tights around the models’ head at Jean Paul Gaultier.  Marc Jacobs fashioned a textured braid to go with the designers hats using Redkens‘ Fabricate and create flyaways for a messy look.  Adding a  hair accessory like a hat or headband can really complement an over-all look.

So, there you have the scoop for spring!  We look forward to seeing you soon to incorporate these new looks into your life style.

Tags: Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, D&G, Donna Karan, French twist, Guido Palau, haircut, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Ralph Lauren, recession fashion, recession style, Redken, San Francisco, Spring Haircuts, Versace

Wow, does this article (see below) ever take me back. Do you remember when Sebastian invented Cellophanes? It was one of the first colors that created a lot of shine with a lot of color deposit, and one of my favorite colors ever.

Being a new stylist at the time it was a bit challenging however. Many of the colors where “Hot!” – in the industry meaning on the “unnatural” side. Punk was in then. However if you where not a “punker” and did not want screaming bright hair, it was definitely a problem. So, when Redken came out with Shades EQ, I fell in love. We use Shades EQ in the salon now and it is “perfection every time”. We still also use Sebastian and love it too. Of course it’s not scary any more since we are all seasoned colorists & stylists now.

For more information, be sure to check out the Do You Shades EQ website.

Do you shades EQ – Celebrating 20 Years of Inspiration
Stylists around the world depend on its gentle, no-lift formula to glaze refresh and correct. With every Shades EQ service, they know their clients will end up with healthy, shiny, amazing color. What else would you expect from the “haircolor that thinks it’s a conditioner”.

Amazing Credentials
In 1988, haircolor wasn’t the first thing on stylists minds. Back then, it was all about the “cool factor” of being a great cutter. Companies focused on product and education desighned to cater to younger clients desire for cuts and body waves. Hard to believe but color was thought of as complicated, old fashioned and-frankly-just not hip!

Something had to come along to change things. That something was Shades EQ. Redken Founder Paula Kent Meehan turned what seemed like a limitation into an asset, creating haircolor that was simple, dependable and totally versatile. The EQ represented the equalizing effects on the porosity of the hair, and “conditioning color gloss” let stylists and clients know they’d end up with healthy, gorgeous shine. What’s more, catch names like “TerraCotta” amd “Rocket Fire” helped stylists easily visualize the results they’s get.

For the first time, stylists where empowered to give clients their dream haircolor, and they weren’t afraid to do it, in fact, they were excited about haircolor.

An Inspiring Future
20 years later, that excitement hasn’t faded one bit. Now, with more than 50 shades in 16 tonal families, there’s simply no limit to the possibilities. No wonder stylists vote Shades EQ the #1 long-lasting, no ammonia, demi-permanent haircolor year after year.
-Ann Mincey,
Vice President, Redken Global Communications
Favorite Shades EQ Shades: 06AABonfire and 06R Rocket Fire

Tags: Ann Mincey, Cellophane, color deposit, hair color, haircolor, new-wave, Paula Kent Meehan, punk, punk hair, Redken, Rocket Fire, Sebastian, Shades EQ, TerraCotta

Lynne Chapman has a good review on BellaOnline of the Redken products we feature at Red Union Salon.

Her bottom line, “These items are very effective and useful for creating the styles for which they are designed“, is really important. All of our stylists at Red Union Salon receive extensive training from our vendors and have many years of experience using products, like those from Redken, for achieving optimum results for our customers.

Tags: BellaOnline, hair, Lynne Chapman, Redken, salon, stylists