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Professional Products vs What’s At The Drugstore

Have you ever walked the isles of the drugstore and seen the EXACT same products that your hair stylist or local salon sells? Maybe they’re a little cheaper or even the same price as the salon… so why are you seeing them there? What’s the difference between buying at the salon and buying at the drugstore? Well here’s what someone told me when I first started working at the salon, because honestly, I didn’t know the difference at first either. Think of the hair products as wine. All wine is made with grapes and similar processes, yet some bottles are $6.99 while others could be $300+. But a professional wine supplier can tell subtle differences in the two. A stylist feels the same exact way about professional products and drugstore products.

Here are the top reasons professional products are better:

  1. Salon Products Are Better. 
    Plain and simple. Generally professional products uses gentler surfactants and have a higher concentration level than those found in the drugstore. Just think, you could spend hundreds of dollars on your hair, wouldn’t you want to do everything you can to keep the integrity of your hair after spending all that money? Drugstore products have a lower concentration level which makes you use more of the product than if you were using a professional one. Think of it this way, want to spend less money on something you’re going to have to repurchase sooner with WHO KNOWS what’s inside, or pay a little more for something you’ll have to use less of, that will last longer, give you better results, AND have your stylist guarantee… which one would you pick?
  2. No Guarantee.
    Your stylist is the only person who knows your hair to know which shampoo, conditioner, and styling products to use. While you may see the same product bottle at the drugstore there is absolutely NO guarantee about the product inside. Salons are the ONLY place allowed to sell professional hair products. So when you see that liter of Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner in TJ Maxx, know that they got it from a wholesaler who went out of business, or worse. Notice how they never have a constant supply of the same salon brand, and usually only like one or two of each. Sometimes the products are even expired OR most of the product inside is watered down or replaced with a cheaper cream or lotion trying to mimic the real thing. Which brings me to my next point….
  3. Support Your Local Salon.
    When you purchase products or retail, you’re allowing us to further our education, to buy new tools, to keep us in business. You’re home hair care purchase is what provides us the resources we need to improve the salon experience you enjoy so much. When you purchase things at a big named drug store, grocery store, etc. your money is going into the pockets of these big CEOs who don’t even know you. So remember, #shoplocal and support your local business.We understand everyone wants to save money when they can, and we get it. Just know we do price match from reputable companies AND if you don’t love your product like we hoped, you’re more than welcome to bring it back so we can try something else you may love. Remember we are here for you, to spread our knowledge to help you make the best decision possible for your hair.
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The Truth Behind Unicorn Hair

Fashion colors have become INSANELY popular over the last year. I’m sure you’ve seen “unicorn” hair posts all over pinterest and instagram. So what exactly  goes into achieving a look like that. Here are a few IMPORTANT things to remember when you ask your stylists for those crazy, cool colors.

      

  1. It takes time & LOTS of it.

    So what does that mean? Expect to be in salon for multiple appointments because it’s going to take time to get you light enough. Not only multiple appointments, but for each appointment being at least 4 hours long, sometimes even longer. Lightening hair is a time consuming process as it is, then add deep conditioning treatments to keep your hair happy, and blow dries after most steps, and cutting and blow drying again. (be sure to bring a snack)

  2. It’s not cheap.

    Keep in mind, multiple appointments can add up and be costly. Always be open with your stylists about what you’re willing to pay to make sure you both are on the same page when it comes to $$$.

  3. You have to be BLONDE first to have unicorn hair in the end.

    Your hair has to look like this     if you want to look like this .
    At the very least you need to be a darker blonde for your hair to even take to darker fashion colors. Looking for a pastel lilac, let’s start with violet first and safely get you to that lilac color you’re wanting.

  4. REMEMBER fashion colors are NOT permanent.

    Fashion colors are direct dyes offering TEMPORARY color. They fade faster, which is why using the products your stylists recommends is crucial. Although the products won’t completely stop fading, it’ll slow down the process a little but expect to be back in salon for a touch up between 4-6 weeks.

Still think fashion colors are for you? Talk with your stylist today about the HEALTHY way to get there to maintain the integrity of your hair because as always that is our main goal.

 

 

*all pictures are from clients or stylists in our salon*
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Spring Color Trends 2018

Spring is a time for change, a time for new growth, or a “freshening” up and this spring’s color trends are perfect for just that.

PEARLY BLONDE

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A perfect mix of white, grey, & platinum creating a gorgeous pearly shade. Just remember the upkeep is tedious and you’ll have to be in salon every 4-6 weeks for a touch up!

EXPOSED ROOT

AKA the “shadow root” has been a GO TO for clients recently. It gives you that “blonde” look you’re looking for without the constant upkeep.

CARAMEL OMBRE

The caramel ombre is perfect for brunettes who are looking for a nice change. Using caramel tones to create richness and warmth.

BLUSH BALAYAGE

The blush balayage is perfect for those who are wanting to step onto that rose gold side but aren’t ready to dive head first into full on pink. *Just remember you’re ends have to be previously lightened before*

DIMENSIONAL MAHOGANY

This dimensional mahogany brunette offers its own shine & dimension without adding extra highs. Easy maintenence but still that super shine look.

 

 

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Microdermabrasion, what?

Wouldn’t it be lovely to wake up every day with glowing, subtle skin? Are your at home exfoliators not doing the job? Microdermabrasion may be the answer for your problems.

 

Microdermabrasion is a noninvasive skin resurfacing procedure. It gently buffs away the dull, uneven outer skin layer to promote the growth of new, healthier skin cells and promote collagen production. The removal of the skins outer later allows creams, serums, and lotion to penetrate deeper. This in turn allows products to be more effective and so you receive the most benefits from them.

At our salon we use a diamond tip microdermabrasion machine. This type of machine is less abrasive than conventional crystal machines while still delivering amazing results.

 

Microdermabrasion is an effective treatment for those looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, hyper pigmentation, and acne scars. It also helps to treat acne, reduce enlarged pores, and get rid of those blackheads. For the best results, a series of treatments should be preformed in 2-4 week intervals. At home care is essential. Using the right products with quality ingredients will help to prolong the treatments effects.

We use Naturopathica products, an amazing plant based line with no chemicals or synthetics, only the best nutrient rich ingredients. Naturopathica has products suited for all skin types and even a special men’s line.

 

Another added benefit to microdermabrasion is there is virtually no downtime. After a treatment your skin may appear pink and feel a little time. It is advised to not wear makeup for the first 24 hours and avoid sun exposure for a few days. That’s it! NO peeling, NO burning, NO weeks of recovering.

 

CALL THE SALON TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU’RE A CANDIDATE FOR MICRODERMABRASION.

 

-KAT AMSDEN (ESTETICIAN)

 

 

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Did You Know?

Did you know our salon does so much more than just hair? We also offer a full range of facial and nail services as well. Kat is a facial god and Brittney works her magic on the manis and pedis. If you haven’t tried either service, your first one is also 50% off!!! Keep an eye out for special deals on both facial and nail services by following our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

 

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BANGS: Should I Get Them?

I feel like this is a question every woman asks herself at one point or another. Whether it be that you’re in need of a new ‘do’ or just looking for spice up your current hairstyle, there’s a type of bang for you. But here are a few things to consider before taking the big chop.

  1. Bangs are HIGH maintenance.
    If you’re the type of girl who likes to get up and just go, or who NEVER styles their hair, then bangs may not be the right fit for you. Having bangs takes work. You have to make sure they’re styled and tamed at all times of day or else they’ll have a mind of their own. (trust me, that’s not what you want HA)
  2. Bangs grow REALLY fast.
    Did you know bang trims are actually a thing at salons, where they literally just trim and touch up your bangs?? (our’s here start at $7 depending) Bangs have to be kept at an optimal length because oddly enough they grow really fast. Trimming your bangs go hand in hand with being crazy high maintenance because you’re going to need them touched up at least every 2 weeks.
  3. But we’re begging you not to cut them yourself.
    Even though the trim may look easy to you, we don’t recommend trying it at home. There’s a certain technique we use, and let’s be honest, you wear your bangs in the front of your face… there’s no hiding any mistakes up there. Trust a professional, we got this.
  4. They don’t grow fast enough.
    Remember how I said they grow really fast? Well, that’s not the case when you’re trying to grow them back out (speaking from experience) They literally grow like moving snails. About 4 months ago, I decided I was going to be daring and get really piecey straight across bangs. (Mind you I’m now 23 and haven’t had bangs since I was like 5) And I loved them the first two days. Then I washed my hair….. and I had absolutely NO clue how to style them on my own. See, I fit in with the lazy girl when it comes to hairstyles on myself, bangs weren’t for me. Moral of this short story, I’m trying to grow them back out and they are now just to the bridge of my nose…
  5. Now that we got that out of the way, what’s your face shape?

    Different fringe flatters different face shapes which makes choosing the style of bang that much more important. For example, side swept bangs are a go to for people with round faces because it creates the illusion of a more oval face. And for a heart shape you may want to lean towards crescent shaped bangs (longer on the outside, shorter in the middle)
  6. Bring in picture of what you want (and what you don’t).
    The best possible thing to do is bring in TONS of pictures to show your stylist. Bring in pictures of the type of bang you want and don’t want so communication is as clear as day between you two. Ask your stylists questions about how to style and get product recommendations before leaving the salon as well.

At the end of the day, if you do decide to rock a new bang look, remember change takes some getting used too. Always reach out if you have any questions on products, styling, or tools to use. It’s just hair, it always grows back 🙂

How about you? Have you ever had the urge to chop your bangs? Did you do it? Tell us in the comments.

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Lighting Makes a BIG Difference

Ever come into the salon to have your hair colored and love it, only to go home and notice it may look a little warmer or different in the light in your own bathroom? Lighting makes a big difference when it comes to hair color. That’s why it’s so important to see your hair in natural light because chances are if your like there, you’ll like it anywhere.

Different lighting can give off difference affects to your hair like looking too warm or brassy, to too blue, to too dull. Here are some side by side pictures of the SAME hair, done on the SAME day, but how lighting completely changes the color.

 

See how vibrant both colors look in the sunlight? Who knew lighting would make such a difference.

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Short vs Long

One of the biggest debates when it comes to hair, and the one I think every person, women especially, fight with themselves on- short hair or long hair. With it being the new year, most have the mentality of “new year, I need a change” and just in the last month I’ve seen SO many people come in to chop their hair off and it always looks PHENOMENAL. I’ve struggled myself with this battle, and the only way its to be won is if you actually do it….. soooo with that being said, what’s better? Short or long hair… Is there even a better?

SHORT HAIR

From short bobs, to lobs, to asymmetrical pixies, these women pull off short(er) hair amazingly. “Lobs” have been the biggest hit in the salon recently, and I feel like that’s the safest transitional haircut when going from longer hair to short. (Maybe I’m just saying that because that’s what I did) So what is a “lob”? It pretty much translates to long bob- get it “lob”? Pictures 2 and 4 are perfect examples. Picture 1 is an asymmetrical bob, which is for someone who’s feeling a little brave. The woman in the picture originally had hair down passed her mid back, and had it all cut in one sitting. GO HER! Picture 3 (which I’m obsessed with) is an asymmetrical pixie, which is for the daring, adventurous soul. She came in with very curly, thick hair, not knowing what to do with it anymore, and decide this was the perfect style for her. And I completely agree. The asymmetrical pixie put focus on her prominent facial features  Even though your hair’s short, theres so many cute hairstyles you can do, so don’t knock it till you try it 🙂

LONG HAIR

 

The best thing about long hair is you can practically do anything to it- waves, curls, straight, up, down, half up, braids, etc. Some people see long hair as “boring” but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can spice it up with color, throwing in some funky pops, or maybe just highlights to give the length some dimension (just as you can with short) Style wise, the limits are endless. Just have to play around and get comfortable with your own hair. Pinterest and YouTube are going to be your best friend’s while playing around with quick new hair styles.

 

So at the end of the day, what’s really best is what’s going to fit you. Whether it be short or long, the decision is yours. Try new styles out, chop some ends off, have fun with it. Hair always grows back 🙂

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Introducing Redken’s All Soft Mega

Nothing makes us happier than new products! We’re super excited Redken is coming out with a brand new addition to the All Soft family. The All Soft Mega line include a brand new shampoo and conditioner, a MEGA mega mask, hydramelt, and a sheet mask for your hair. So who exactly is this line targeting? To all my friends with super dry and coarse hair, this is your answer. The All Soft Mega line has TWO brand new types of products, the hydramelt and the hair sheet mask. So what are they?
-The hydramelt is a leave in cream that replenishes softness, manageability, and control.
-The sheet mask is a recovery tissue mask cap that is a one time use mask for intense hydration.

All Soft Mega launches in February 2018

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Our Favorite Golden Globes Hairstyles

It’s no secret that the 2018 Golden Globes that aired Sunday night created a huge wave in the beauty and fashion community. An outstanding number of attendees dressed in black in support of the #TimesUp movement which made it easy to shift the focus to hair and makeup. While most makeup looks were kept simple, the occasional dramatic smokey eye did come out to play. The hairstyles on the other hand are what really caught my eye this year and here are a few of my favorite styles.

1. Millie Bobby Brown


instagram/milliebobbybrown                           instagram/blakeerik

I may be completely biased on this one because I’m actually obsessed with her and Stranger Things, but her hairstylist Blake Erik REALLY killed the game with this one. The triple braid is a nice touch to spice up the original top knot.

2. Dakota Johnson

  Kevork Djansezian/NBC/Getty

Simple yet sexy. Dakota Johnson’s low, beach waved pony paired with a near perfect ombre is one to be completely envious over.

 

3. Margot Robbie

Neilson Barnard/NBC/Getty

Looks like Ms. Harley Quinn cleans up nicely. I’m in obsessed with her “lob” cut and the soft and loose ‘S’ style curl. Sleek and classy, bravo Margot.

 

4. Kerry Washington

George Pimentel/WireImage

Something scandalous about Scandal’s star, Kerry Washington’s, messy yet not, curled hair. Always my go to style if I don’t know what to do.

 

5. Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev/instagram

I don’t know about you but this Vampire Diaries star makes me want to chop ALL my hair off. She pulls off the bob SO well. How many of you are wanting to go short now after seeing this too??

6. Kendall Jenner

And last, but certainly not least, Kendall Jenner’s collar bone length blunt cut definitely paired well with her gorgeous dress. Looking stunning in all black.

 

So many beautiful people Sunday night, it was so hard to choose which were my favorites. Happy Golden Globes 🙂

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