Early this week, MODERN SALON joined Cosmetologists Chicago (CC) at the historical Cultural Center in downtown Chicago to learn Redken Education Artistic Director Chris Baran 's quick tips to recreate haute holiday looks for your clients.

As an approved sponsor of continuing education by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, CC offers exciting and inspiring continuing education opportunities for salon professionals each month at First Mondays.

For this month's event, multiple NAHA award winner and Canada's Educator of the Year, Chris Baran showcased five looks for the festive season. Each of the looks incorporated one of three fundamental techniques for special occasion hair including, braiding, rolling and waving. Baran promised the knowledge of these techniques would only help to increase retention and return clientele.

One of the highlights of the evening was an in-depth tutorial on creating finger wave-style finishes using a thermal tool. Here are Baran's four tips for success:

      1. See the "C" before you use your iron-- visualize the end result before creating the wave.

      2. Always use minimal elevation--keeping your section close to the scalp.

      3. The tail end of the iron goes to the open end of the precious "C."

      4. Curl each section crest to crest.

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