• by Jennifer Coleman , October 28, 2005

There were plenty of shimmering highlights but no dumb blonde jokes at Kathleen Flynn-Hui's recent book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Manhattan's Chelsea. A star colorist -- and colorist to the stars -- at Salon AKS, Flynn-Hui is also the author of Beyond the Blonde, a fictionalized account of her experiences in the New York beauty industry.

At the signing, Flynn-Hui did joke that she couldn't take a book tour because her clients can't live without her. Instead, her publisher, Warner Books, blanketed luxury salons across the country with free copies of her book to build buzz. Warner also sent personalized notes and books to its own employees' stylists and colorists. For salon clients tired of thumbing through the normal slew of celebrity and fashion magazines while retouching their color, Beyond the Blonde offers an amusing change of pace.

And in case you're wondering: Yes, Flynn-Hui is still taking new clients.