August 3-5, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Color experts from Samuel Cole Salon attended an intense four day workshop entitled “Don’t Sweat It, Fix It” at the Redken Exchange in New York City. Master Stylist and salon owner, Jack Ray, along with his top color team learned the latest advanced color correction techniques from the best in the industry. The course is designed to place a narrower scope on the big issue of color correction by focusing on pretreatments, filling the hair, color product choices, and foiling techniques for creative correction.

“The class centered around the concept that there are basically four ways that color goes wrong. It’s either too light, too dark, too warm, or too cool. Focusing on these four color issues will enabled me to always remain confident and in control when a color mishap walks through the door” remarked a stylist.

“Learning from the creators of Redken color in such an intimate setting was not only one of my career highlights, but also an honor. Hands-on practical and technical application of theory and skills is the cornerstone of all great hairdressers. While at Redken, I grasped concepts and stepped way out of my box to achieve results that I never thought were possible. I am so eager to share my new knowledge with my team and clients”, commented another stylist.

August 1, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Samuel Cole Salon was named one of the best in Metro Magazine’s 2009 Metro Bravo Awards. Metro Magazine has presented these annual reader’s poll awards for the past ten years. Samuel Cole Salon has had the honor and distinction of receiving several of these awards in past years.

“We are thrilled to once again be recognized by the readers of Metro magazine as the best hair salon in the area. As a team, we work tirelessly to create a world-class salon experience for all of our guests. It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts”, said Joelle Ray, co-owner of Samuel Cole Salon with her husband and master stylist, Jack Ray.

July 6-10, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Samuel Cole Salon stylists were on hand to help budding fashionistas who attended Austin Jade’s Fashion Rocks Camp. Stylists offered tips, performed demonstrations, answered questions, and gave hands-on instruction to students. Jade Murray is the camp’s creator who is a local designer turned national fashion prodigy with her clothing line, Austin Jade. She developed this week long event to inspire young people with a passion for fashion. The students attended fashion-oriented classes all week which culminated in the camp’s grand finale, a fashion show for family and friends. Samuel Cole Salon stylists were on-hand daily to help prepare the students who would do hair and makeup on models themselves for the show that featured looks chosen by Jade. “It was so gratifying to watch these students take what they had learned and translate it into very professional runway hair and makeup creations on the models”, commented a stylist, a Samuel Cole Salon stylist and renowned makeup artist.

“Samuel Cole Salon are always eager to get involved with the local fashion scene. Having worked with Jade during Raleigh Fashion Week & Strut 09, we didn’t hesitate when she asked us to be involved in her camp. She is a phenomenal designer and a joy to work with”, remarked a Salon Cole Salon Director.

“Samuel Cole Salon are so up-to-date in trends, fashion, and the art of hair and makeup designs that this collective blend of our worlds just made sense. I needed a team of talented people in the fore-front of their industry with a great reputation and I found the best”, said Murray.

Both salons were presented with the camp’s official t-shirt with autographs from the very talented and enthusiastic students as a thank you. “What a perfect way to show their appreciation for all of our stylists’ hard work and dedication. Our teams are remarkable. They are very deserving of this recognition”, said Joelle Ray who owns the two salons with her husband and master stylist, Jack Ray.

June 4-5 (RALEIGH) – Samuel Cole Salon stylist, Sara Beard, honed her ability to analyze, communicate and create all aspects of curly and textured hair at Bumble and bumble University’s Curl Workshop in New York City. The intense two day advanced course is designed to apply Bb U Design School’s scissor, razor, and styling techniques to analyzing different curl textures, talking about them, and creating suitable long and short shapes with precision and control (and adding your own professional signature). Beard engaged in daily hands-on sessions with multiple models. She learned how to conduct effective curl consultations and deliver on these by utilizing cutting and styling techniques specific to curly textures.

“As always, going to the House of Bumble is a life changing experience. The curl workshop was incredibly amazing and unique. So few classes in our industry focus solely on cutting and styling curly and textured hair (which is an art form itself). The techniques were very conceptual and I was taken aback at how simple the removal of weight in the hair when used in the right capacity can create such astounding results. I feel tremendously inspired and proficient. I can’t wait to take my “curly girls” in a more modern “get classy” direction”, said Beard who has naturally curly hair herself.

May 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – StyleSpeak – Salon and Spa Journal, India’s number one professional hair and beauty magazine, shined the global spotlight on Raleigh’s own Samuel Cole Salon in their May 2009 issue featuring “Inspiring Salon & Spa Interiors – The Inside Story”.

The salon’s remodeling in January 2007 and subsequent Salon of the Year honor in Salon Today magazine’s décor competition caught the attention of India’s StyleSpeak. In the article, entitled “Inside Out”, Stylespeak describes the salon as “a modern, urban, chic oasis.” It highlights the salon’s “industrial white walls with rich tones of glowing amber….tawny (and ultra-environmentally friendly) bamboo flooring…faux copper focal wall….custom-designed, curvilinear styling area [and] espresso cabinetry with stainless steel accents.”

Samuel Cole Salon is owned by Jack and Joelle Ray, who worked closely with interior designer Clark Hipolito and architect Tom Ammon to create the interior, which has also been featured in American Salon and Raleigh’s Metro Magazine.

Celebrating its 6th anniversary, StyleSpeak magazine is India’s first professional hair and beauty magazine and serves as a monthly guide to hair and beauty trends from India and around the globe.