May is National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and during the first week of May, salon professionals across the country came together through individual events to Break the Silence, Break the Cycle and Save Lives.

Why? Because salons are special places for so many moments in people lives - from the first haircut, to salon held birthday parties, back to school haircuts, prom, weddings, a cut before a job interview - most big moments in our lives begin with a salon professional helping to make it perfect. A salon chair is also visited by 80 percent of everyone who lives in the United States of America every 4-8 weeks to get their hair done – a stat I learned from Colin Walsh, Matrix VP and GM. It is a special environment that promotes unique moments we as salon professionals have with our guests. We touch them in ways that few other people in their lives have the ability or opportunity to do. From a hand on the shoulder to the relaxing moments we create while washing hair, it is amazing how through our touch they touch our lives too. It is this intimate relationship that is built on trust, we as hairstylists make guests look better and ultimately feel better, yet the experience often blossoms into so much more than just doing hair. This is truly a gift that all successful hairdressers I know understand and it is a gift of an opportunity we can use to save lives.

During May, salons across the country are working together to raise awareness to help cut out domestic abuse, because sometimes the best way to help a problem is to acknowledge that a problem exists. With Purple Butterflies Decorating Salons acknowledging $1 to $2 guest donations, to purple extensions donated by SHE USA by SOCAP to adorn guests hair, to parties at the Hard Rock Café, each one of these gestures is one more opportunity to save a life.

With the shame, embarrassment and fear that domestic abuse creates, our salons serve as sanctuaries offering the right environment and opportunity to help someone who is in need learn where they can go to be safe and get the help they need. Our salons are also the perfect place to educate people on the signs of abuse and empower them with the tools needed to avoid becoming a victim of abuse.

As the father of two young daughters and the brother to two sisters, abuse is one thing I never want to touch their lives, and I know awareness and talking about it is the first step. And, because of our amazing industry that is full of fun, positive and beautiful people on the inside and out, we are able to do this is a fun environment. So, as I finish the first leg of my trip to Phoenix to Rock the Purple at the Hard Rock Café, I am so honored to be part of what our industry, with MATRIX Chairs of Change and the Purple Ribbon Counsel is doing together.

Check out pictures and video from Rock The Purple and hit me on Facebook if you want to be part of Rock The Purple Philadelphia (July 6th) Rock The Purple Seattle (July 28th) or want to raise awareness at your salon and help Break the Silence, Break the Cycle and Save Lives.

About McIvor:
Patrick McIvor, Matrix Artistic Director, owns patrick mcivor color studio (Bethlehem, PA) one of the hottest hair studios in the Lehigh Valley. As one of the most respected colorists in the industry, the former Color Director for Nick Arrojo and Rodney Culter in NYC, McIvor mentors his team by involving them in runway work at New York Fashion Week; fashion/beauty editorial shoots and interviews with publications like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Real Simple, Seventeen, Family Circle and Allure (editors named him one of the best colorists in the USA); and television segments on “The 10! Show”/NBC Channel 10, WFMZ “Channel 69 News” and “Good Housekeeping Reports.” A cultural junkie, Patrick is Inspired by international cosmopolitan influences from fashion, global trends supported by technology and social networking, guests leave his studio and stages with his studio’s signature beautiful, sexy believable hair. McIvor is also featured in the book “50 Hairstylists.”

Website: www.patrickmcivorcolorstudio.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/patrickmcivor
Twitter: patrickmcivor
Facebook: Patrick Mcivo