Los Angeles Times - Better Technology Makes Better Hair and More
Sherman Oaks cosmetologist Kay Berry says that improved technology is
making her work—helping people look fabulous—a lot easier.
Berry has used CyberImaging with dozens of clients for hair style and
color consultation and the results, she says, are impressive. The concept
of CyberImaging is relatively simple by today’s high-tech standards:
the individual chooses from among hundreds of hair colors and styles—Berry
says there are over 700 images from which to choose- sits before a digital
camera, and lets the computer software, operated by Berry, impose a variety
of colors and styles on the client. The procedure and consultation, which
cost $30, is exclusive to Berry in Los Angeles. Berry says the price includes
seven images (plus the image of the original you for comparison). Such
a range of choices, and the advantage of previewing a styling change,
whether a bob, highlights, or a radical redo, permits the client the opportunity
to show and tell friends and one’s spouse before a change occurs.
Berry, who started working as a hairdresser 33 years ago, estimates that
one in ten clients goes through with a styling change based on one of
the images. The rest of her CyberImaging clients, both men and women,
have a lot of fun.
Some of the men take the images home and put them up on the refrigerator,
Berry says. Everyone gets a real laugh. Berry says fulfilling the fantasy
of seeing oneself in a particular style or color can be very satisfying
for those inclined to plan ahead. Women with long hair are terrified of
having a hairdresser just cut off their hair, she says. CyberImaging alleviates
those fears. Not that Berry works any other way. I won’t talk someone
into doing something they don’t want to do, she vows. I ask questions
before I work. How much time you want to spend with your hair? What’s
your lifestyle? Do you like wearing bangs? Berry, who has worked in her
post at The Hair Connection for eleven years was drawn to the trade at
an early age, while working as a coffee shop waitress at St. Joseph Hospital
in Burbank. I was 17 and I didn’t know what I wanted to do, she
says. My mother wanted me to be a Kelly Girl. I wanted to be a hairdresser.
33 years later, Berry maintains a fresh approach and embraces new technology,
in addition to CyberImaging, Berry also offers clients a self-style survey
on CD—the user answers questions to determine suitable hairstyle,
clothes, jewelry, eyewear and more—for eight dollars. The CD is
also produced by CyberImaging. Kay Berry’s CyberImaging, hair color,
perms, cuts and full body waxes are available by appointment. Berry is
located in The Hair Connection at 13329 Moorpark Street in Sherman Oaks.
By Scott Holleran |
