Trendy with Kim Allison

Welcome back to the red folder, Trendy Tribe! This week’s showerhead filter deep dive has a follow-up. I took the hard water test, and the results made my decision for me. Here’s what I’m doing about hard water, calcium and magnesium buildup, and my hair and skin, and which shower filter I’m still buying. Hit that subscribe button if you’re watching on YouTube, and rate and review wherever you stream!

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Welcome back to the red folder, Trendy Tribe! We’re continuing our shower filter series, and I thought we’d finally get to go shopping, but first we’re digging into the six showerheads featured in NewBeauty, from a $49 budget pick to a $599 red light splurge.

I’m unpacking what’s actually backed by independent NSF/ANSI 177 testing, what’s just marketing, and why a shower filter can’t fix hard water, plus the three questions I’m emailing every brand before I spend a dime. Whether you’re after a chlorine-reducing showerhead for healthier hair and skin, a filter...

Welcome back to the red folder, Trendy Tribe! After spotting an article in NewBeauty about six different filtered showerheads, all claiming to do different things, I had questions, and before we spend our hard-earned money, shouldn’t we know what’s actually in our water?

Today I’m unpacking chlorine, chloramine, hard water, calcium, magnesium, and metals like copper, plus soap scum and mineral buildup, what pools, oceans, lakes, and rivers do to our hair, why metal buildup matters when coloring or lightening, and when professional metal detox treatments make sense.

You’ll also lea...

Welcome back to the red folder, Trendy Tribe! Before we spend our hard-earned money, do we actually need a filter showerhead for healthier hair, or is it all just marketing hype? I'm doing the dirty work for you, unpacking hard water, chlorine, and what’s really coming through our water pipes so you can stop buying stuff you don’t need. Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and rate and review wherever you stream!

— Kim

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Welcome back to Trendy with Kim Allison, you guys! Today I am sitting down with my longtime client turned fellow hairdresser, Leesha Wynn, to talk about her incredible story of starting over and pivoting into cosmetology at 50. We are getting into everything from her early days sitting in my chair with that iconic pixie cut to transitioning out of corporate, navigating beauty school, and building a thriving salon suite business on her own terms. It is never too late to reinvent yourself and build a career you truly love! Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube...

Welcome to the yellow folder for a brand new salon stories episode! Today we are challenging the arbitrary timelines society puts on our careers and retirement. If you have ever felt too old to start something new, I am here to remind you that it is never too late to be a beginner. Plus, wait until you hear my conversation this Wednesday with Lisa, who jumped into hairdressing at 50!

Hit that subscribe button and leave a review to support the show.

— Kim

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Welcome to another episode of Trendy with Kim Allison, you guys! We are opening up the blue folder today for some life lessons and a little reintroduction of where this show is heading. If you are a working hairdresser who knows that surviving behind the chair is about so much more than just doing hair—we are talking burnout, setting boundaries, raising your prices, and the daily reality of running a profitable salon business—this podcast is exactly for you. But clients and beauty lovers, you always have a seat in the salon with us too to hear the conv...

Welcome back to the yellow folder for some salon stories, Trendy Tribe! Today we are tackling the mystery of disappearing hair color and training your eye to figure out why your gray hair seems to return so fast. We are breaking down how to tell the difference between rapid new growth and an actual coverage issue, the truth about using root concealers, and how to properly assess your roots so you can have a much better conversation with your hairdresser. Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and rate and review wherever you stream!

Welcome back to the yellow folder for some salon stories, you guys! Today we are tackling one of the most frustrating questions I get asked behind the chair: why does it look like your gray hair is already back just two weeks after a color service? We are exploring the illusion of color contrast, how to do a quick "mirror test" on your strands, and whether your fast-growing roots are a stylist error or just nature taking its course. Consider this your quick precursor, and be sure to tune in this Wednesday when we are fully diving into the...

Welcome back to Trendy with Kim Allison! Following our interview with Derrick Brown, founder of Sublime AI, we’re unpacking the real impact of AI receptionists in the salon industry. From eliminating late-night client texts and protecting your boundaries to looking at the true ROI, can an AI receptionist save your time without sacrificing human connection? Let's talk about it!

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Welcome to another episode of Trendy with Kim Allison! Today I am sitting down with Derrick Brown, tech entrepreneur and founder of Sublime AI, to break down what artificial intelligence can actually do for stylists, suite owners, and salon managers.

From battling late-night client messages to losing thousands in missed calls, running a salon behind the chair can lead to burnout. Derrick shares the story of how he created "Maria"—a custom voice AI receptionist modeled after his wife’s salon needs—and how automating front-desk tasks, booking, and Google reviews can give stylists back 12+ hours a week...

Welcome back to the yellow folder for some salon stories, Trendy Tribe! Today we are tackling a massive debate: AI in the salon. Are robots replacing hairstylists, or is an AI receptionist the ultimate salon business tool? I am breaking down the fears of losing the human touch behind the chair, what happens when you are too busy to answer the phone, and teasing our big Wednesday interview about a brand-new AI built specifically for hairdressers. Would you let AI talk directly to your clients?

Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and...

Welcome to the Under the Sink challenge, Trendy Tribe! Today we are raiding your bathroom cabinets to audit all those unused hair products and uncover just how much wasted money is sitting under your sink. Drop a comment with your total product count, your estimated cost, and the oldest product you found living under there! Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and please rate and review wherever you stream.

— Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

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Welcome to the red folder! Today we are diving into beauty culture to help you finally find the right hair products for your routine. I am breaking down 6 essential takeaways (plus a bonus tip at the end!) on what to look for on the shelves and the hidden things secretly ruining your hair without you even realizing it. Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and please rate and review wherever you stream! - Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

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Is your hair product not working, or are you expecting it to do a job it was never designed to do?

As a hairdresser with nearly 30 years behind the chair, I’ve seen clients -and even hairdressers - give up on perfectly good hair products because we didn’t think they worked on the hair.

In this episode, I’m breaking down 4 things to check before you blame the product. We’re talking about choosing the right hair product for the job, understanding the difference in performance of hair products, and knowing when the cond...

I know, I know, I've been talking your ear off with this all week. But to cap the week off, we're tackling the six-figure stylist illusion! It is time to stop stressing over massive salon revenue claims and start focusing on your business overhead, actual profit, and what you are genuinely keeping in your pocket behind the chair. Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and please rate and review wherever you stream!

— Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

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Welcome back to the green folder, Trendy Tribe! Today we are getting real about what happens when a hairstylist finally starts making real money. I am all for celebrating your success, but there is a massive difference between faking the flex with cheap designer dupes and actually building long-term wealth. We are talking about why success should never turn into arrogance, the dangers of letting your lifestyle outgrow your budget, and the simple truth about keeping the money you worked so hard to earn behind the chair. Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and rate...

Welcome back to the yellow folder for some salon stories, Trendy Tribe! Today we are tackling the massive debate over hairstylist prices and why seeing a hairdresser succeed triggers so many people. I am breaking down the true cost of doing business behind the chair, from expensive hair education to hidden salon expenses, and why everyone needs to stop counting other people's money.

Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and please rate and review wherever you stream! — Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

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Welcome back to the life's lessons folder, Trendy Tribe! Today I am following up on my chat with Cris Coleman and unpacking the recent Alfredo Lewis drama to ask if our industry can actually handle nuance. I am admitting that maybe I was wrong about why hairdressers get so defensive, and sharing why it is perfectly okay to disagree without making someone the villain. Make sure to hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and rate and review wherever you stream! — Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

https://www.virtuelabs.com/en...

Welcome to the yellow folder for some salon stories, Trendy Tribe! Today I have an amazing guest with me, Cris Coleman, who is dropping some serious knowledge on us. Cris literally grew up in a family salon and is now the powerhouse behind Dolce Salon in Austin, Texas.

We are getting real about the realities of salon ownership and how to navigate the modern hair industry. Cris shares her incredibly innovative approach to running a salon business, focusing heavily on hair education and building a rock-solid salon culture. We talk about the shift toward independent stylists...

Welcome back to the yellow folder for some salon stories, Trendy Tribe! The temperature in the hairdressing streets is hot right now as we dive straight into the latest online salon drama. Today I am asking: can the hair industry actually handle nuance? We explore what community truly means for your salon business, why hairstylists feel forced to pick sides, and why sitting in the gray area is completely okay. Hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and rate and review wherever you stream! — Kim

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Welcome back to the blue folder for a life's lessons episode, you guys! Today we are talking about the ultimate battle between your intuition and your fear. Have you ever known something was a bad idea before it even happened? I am opening up about a time I completely ignored my gut behind the chair and the costly lesson it taught me.

Trust yourself enough to make the right decision! Please hit that subscribe button if you are watching on YouTube, and rate and review on your favorite streaming app. — Kim

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Welcome to another episode of Trendy with Kim Allison, you guys! Earlier this week I talked about the reality of success and the crabs in a box trying to tear you down. Today I am bringing on a powerhouse guest who knows exactly what that feels like on both sides.

I am sitting down with the incredible Danielle K. White to talk about building her massive hair empire. We are getting into how she learned to tune out the hate, navigate copycats, and why trusting your intuition is everything when it comes to the business of...

Welcome back to the blue folder for a life's lessons episode, you guys! Today we are getting real about what happens when your biggest dreams finally come true. Does reaching the top actually erase your insecurities? I am opening up about my own journey to becoming a salon owner, the unexpected realities of success, and how your relationships shift along the way. Plus, I am teasing a powerhouse guest coming this Wednesday! Like and subscribe! — Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

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Welcome to the life's lessons folder, you guys! Today we are wrapping up our conversation on choosing money over integrity, and I am explaining exactly why losing money can actually be the best investment you ever make.

We are getting real about pride, ego, and how a bad attitude will drive your clients right out the door. I am even putting myself on the hot seat with a personal story that proves why it is time for a serious self analysis. What are you holding onto that is costing you more than it is worth?

Let's just be real for a second, you guys—does financial pressure change your integrity? Today, we are diving deep into the money mindset folder to talk about why some money just isn't worth keeping.

We all love a quick payday, but what happens when you fumble a service and your ego gets in the way? I’m calling myself out and sharing my own recent "fumbles of the century" to show you exactly why your reputation is your true currency. 

Make sure to hit that subscribe button, leave a review, and let's get i...

Okay, I've got a beef today, and we need to talk about money versus integrity.

We all feel financial pressure, but what happens when fear starts making decisions behind the chair? Today, I’m getting into why we justify taking money for work we know isn't right, how scarcity affects our choices, and what that paycheck actually costs your business in the long run. Said with love, but you know I'm not sugarcoating it.

Thank you for watching, always. — Kim

🛍️ Shop Virtue Labs through my link:

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Okay, I've got a beef today, and I need my fellow professionals to hear me on this one.

I'm tired of seeing clients cry in their cars after an appointment. I'm tired of watching stylists blame the client every time something goes wrong. We hold a license, and right now, more than ever, that license needs to mean something.

So today I'm getting into ownership, negligence, and the one thing I think matters even more than talent behind the chair. Said with love, but I'm not sugarcoating it.

Thank you...

Audra Brown is back for part two, and this is the story we didn't get to last time.

She got fired her very first day behind the chair. Then she bounced from salon to salon, through walkouts, shutdowns, and every kind of chaos you can imagine. But she swears the whole time, the universe was leaving her little signs about where she was meant to end up. And when you hear how it all lined up, you might start believing it too.

This one's part hairstylist journey, part something bigger. Come hang out...

Something showed up in my feed this week that I can't stop thinking about. Not because of what happened, but because of how all of us reacted to it.

So today I'm asking a bigger question: where are we going with social media? When did someone's real, human crisis turn into something we watch, screenshot, and share? I don't have all the answers. I just think it's worth sitting with.

Sending love to Perez and his family, and to anyone out there quietly struggling right now. You matter, and you're not alone.

You know the ones. They sit down, look in the mirror, and immediately start listing everything they hate about themselves.

After 30 years behind the chair, I've learned it's almost never really about the hair. So today I'm getting into what's actually going on in those moments, how I handle it without piling on, and where I think the line is between being a good stylist and trying to be something I'm not.

Stylists, you'll feel this one. And if you're someone who does this in the chair, come sit with me anyway. Thank...

I met Tanya on her wedding day, and we've been talking ever since. So I finally brought her to the mic.

This one goes deeper than hair. We get into growing up with immigrant parents, the messages we pick up as little girls about what's "good enough," and why she's worn her hair a certain way for most of her life. It's honest, it's real, and it's a conversation a lot of us need to hear.

She's a nurse, a mom, and one of my favorite people to sit with. Come hang out...

You think you're just sitting down to get your hair done. You're not.

After almost 30 years behind the chair, I can read a whole lot about you in the first 15 minutes, and today I'm telling on all of you. Lovingly, of course. Don't worry, I call myself out too.

Which one are you? You'll know by the end. Thank you for watching, always. — Kim

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I went looking for a hair solution this week. What I found was something a little more uncomfortable about myself.

Somewhere in all the Googling, I caught myself doing a thing. And once I saw it, I couldn't un-see it.

This one's less about my hair and more about what we all do when a decision scares us.

Thank you for hanging in with me this week, always. — Kim

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Okay, so I went down the rabbit hole. Several of them, actually.

When your hair starts changing and nobody can tell you exactly why, you start Googling at midnight and suddenly you're three deep into things you never thought you'd consider. Some medical, some natural, and one that honestly kind of shocked me that it's even an option.

I'm laying it all out: What I found, what scared me, what I'm actually thinking about doing. No, I don't have it all figured out. But I'm not doing this quietly, and I'm not doing...

Well, it finally happened. The one person whose hair should behave… mine doesn't. And I've officially run out of ideas.

I did everything right. Saw the doctor, ran the tests, got the answers. And then I made a choice I'd scold any client for making. I'll explain, and no, I'm not proud of it.

There's a big change coming this summer. A drastic one. I'll take you with me when it happens. But first I want to hear from you, especially if your hair started acting like a stranger too.

Th...

Everybody keeps saying things were better back then. And I keep wondering… were they? Or were we just younger?

I got to thinking about it this week and went digging through my own memories. The first cars, the first apartment, walking home from school with a key around my neck. Some of it holds up. Some of it really, really doesn't.

But there's one thing I'll say is better today, and I bet you can guess which industry I'm talking about.

Thank you for watching, always. Tell me below: were th...

I hadn't seen Dwayne Phelps in almost thirty years. Turns out we came up through the same beauty school, the same circles, and somehow never worked together once.

He's the owner of The Shop by Lefty's here in the Valley, and there's a reason for that name. I'll let him tell you.

We got into barbering, faith, building something that lasts, and yes, I finally asked him about those chalk lines. You know the ones.

Thank you for watching, always. Subscribe, hit the bell, and go show Dwayne some love. — Ki...

Little confession: I recorded this one poolside in Cabo, still on vacation and still very much not off the clock. Because even by the water with a book and a card game, these hairdresser eyes were watching everybody's hair. It's a sickness. I've made peace with it.

This one was fun. Thank you for watching, always. Drop your ethnicity, your hair type, and your one big vacation-hair worry below. — Kim

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Friday, red folder, and I'm landing this plane.

I've spent all week wondering why natural stopped being normal. Here's where I ended up: somewhere along the way, your appearance turned into a whole second job. Hair, lashes, brows, nails, injectables, the calendar never ends. And I'm not throwing stones. I'm on that calendar too.

But it made me ask something I can't shake. When did beauty become something we maintain instead of something we just… did?

I've got a theory about where this is actually headed, and it's not what yo...