Sonya Benham is a hairstylist and colorist at Steven Papageorge Salon in Chicago, IL. She has a passion for her craft and is always striving offer her clients the most on-trend looks. Her interest in staying current and always learning led her to found the beauty blog Parlor: Diary of a Hairdresser. On Parlor, you can find everything from beauty product recommendations to tips on how to choose the right tools to quick and easy updo tutorials. Find Parlor on Facebook.
How Do You Spend Your “Me” Time?
I really love to go out dancing lately. It’s a great way to have fun, blow off steam, and connect with myself as “Sonya” and not “Mommy.” It may be the one thing I do that doesn’t involve me blabbing on and on about my son.
What beauty essentials should every mom carry in her purse?
I suppose it’s different for everyone but I would say a travel-sized can of dry shampoo, a hair elastic, bobby pins, lip balm, and hand cream. If you have great eyes, add mascara to that list; if you have great lips, add lipstick. That’s the bare minimum.
When did you know that you wanted to be a hair stylist?
It was a slow process. When my friend and hairstylist at the time, Michael Seales, first suggested the career, I thought it was kind of crazy. But the more I thought about it and the idea had a chance to sink in, I realized that I would really enjoy both the artistic and scientific sides of being a stylist and colorist.
How do you balance family and career?
I work 4 days a week and I usually work later in the day so I have a lot of time with my son. I’m very lucky.
What IT hairstyle is in this season?
Smooth retro styles, loose waves, ombre haircolor, and braids are still really popular and, I’m kind of scared to say this but I’ve heard that big hair is making a comeback.
What can women eat to improve complexion and have healthy hair?
No secret here! Fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and fish and other foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Additionally, I recently started taking a hair and nail formula vitamin supplement containing silica and biotin (in addition to my multivitamin, vitamin D, and Omega-3 supplements) and I’ve already noticed a difference.
No secret here! Fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and fish and other foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Additionally, I recently started taking a hair and nail formula vitamin supplement containing silica and biotin (in addition to my multivitamin, vitamin D, and Omega-3 supplements) and I’ve already noticed a difference.
1 comment
the only think I miss about having long hair is the missing the opportunity to have ombre hair. I was probably way ahead of the trend as I let my hair grow out for months before retouching LOL