Bangs Done By... You!

I must admit that my pet peeve is seeing a guest after she took the blades to herself! BUT this girl has cutting bangs herself down to a science, Check this out....

Holy Caboki!

Okay this tripped me out when I saw it! How do you feel about this?





The Magic is Immense...

Just Like A "Pledge"

So today is the last day that I am going to bother you guys about your new year hair resolutions.  I mean it, this is really the last one ( I have a tendency to be long winded... Hehe).  Today we are going to discuss your product cabinet,  I know its a touchy one!  Most of you out there are quick to spend that little extra on yourself when it comes to nice things (Pandora charms, Leather Boots, Fancy jeans etc...)  There is absolutely NO problem with that if you can afford to do it.  I am all for the work hard and play/spend hard mentality especially when its earned.  What confuses the heck out of me is why some of you have not adopted that same mentality when it comes to your hair care regimen.  I mean I continue to hear from some of you that your shampoo of choice is a Drug store brand (Any one of them,  They are all equal!)  Or that you cannot switch to professional product because it doesn't leave your hair feeling silky enough.  I must admit that this really confuses me considering the type of ingredients used in these brands.  Most of you would probably be absolutely stunned to know that most of the "Big Name" brands you find in a drug store are literally only one or two ingredients away from being the same thing you clean your floor with!


What we need to remember is that these companies that are producing shampoo and conditioners along with other styling aids for hair are also producing toilet bowl cleaners and dog food!  Ever heard the old adage " Do One Thing Really Well"  This does not in any way apply to these companies.  How can a major manufacturer that produces everything from toothpaste to household cleaners and tupperware really know how to truly tailor a product for hair and scalp?  I know,  its in the research,  and I can see that BUT there are HAIR companies out there doing the same research... Just specified to what it is they do... HAIR.  I was always under the impression that you not only get what you pay for but that anyone who is a specialist in one area charges more and IS more capable and qualified.  The truth is that the conditioner "feels silkier"  because it is,  its FULL of silicone and therefore is coating your hair shaft and not actually creating any longer term moisture repair or damage control.  To me its never more clear,  in hair as in life what you put in is what you get out.  John Lennon said it best when he said "The love you make is the love you take".   So enjoy those boots and those fancy new charms but remember... Your hair needs some love and affection too!

Why So Squeaky?!!!

I heard a client the other day say "Wow that shampoo really made my hair squeaky, eh?" the perception of what our hair should sound like seems to be very important to you guys.  The important thing to remember is that there are many factors to our perceptions.  When we have always used certain types of products on our hair we are accustomed to what they make our hair feel like.

As an example,  I am pretty sure that there aren`t very many of you out there that are currently using river water,  berries, lemon, and gelatine to wash your hair.  In early times these were very common cleansing concoctions mixed by women when attempting to wash their hair.  Nowadays we are way to comfortable with that silky softy feeling that we think must come with every single wash.  Problem is we aren`t willing to look into what exactly it is that is formulating that softness.  

Let`s take a look at a couple of things here... 1)  Your hair shaft is a natural fibre,  2) You have probably used some form of colour or chemical service on it in the last two years,  3) You probably hot style your hair at least one or two or more times a week,  4)  When you have it style you probably use some form of styling aid either when it was wet or when you finished the look.  All of these factors lead to one very important fact... Your fibre is being ruffed up.  When our natural hair fibres are ruffed up or compromised we can expect a dryer hair shaft,  the only reason your hair feels any "better" is because you just slathered it with silicone.  99.9% of shampoos on the market place currently use some form of slicking agent (anything that makes the hair feel silky) to "re soften" the cuticle layer.  The problem is you aren't re softening at all,  you are masking the real condition of your hair!  This all came up ironically when I used a local, certified organic, vegan, gluten free shampoo and conditioner system on that guest.  Funny... we are all starting to worry a bit more about what it is we put in our bodies (organic food, boycotts of fast food chains, etc...) but we haven't yet realized that when we slather on the silicone we aren't worrying about what we are putting ON our bodies!

In Summary,  when we lose the chemicals and start to care about what we`re putting on our bodies,  we may find that the transition can have a few squeaks in it.  If and when we stick it through,  it all gets silky yet again.

So easy a child can do it!

So we really like to show you hair tutorials... We know that you love seeing hair tutorials... Sooo today we are going to showcase a hair tutorial for all you moms out there. A tutorial that both you and your little ones will be sure to love, bevause this one is performed by the sweetest little hair instructor I have ever seen! Her name is Mariah and she knows just how to put her hair up! She has some serious skill I must say... But I won`t judge it, you guys take a look for yourselves!

Whats your NAME?... evokesalon.com

So every once in a while we get a little silly... When we do you don`t really ever know what is going to come out of it. We will generally make a video to help showcase just how silly we can get! Anyway the other day a couple of stylists from the Yonge St. location decided it would be a good idea to make a video, a video that would showcase one of our stylists. That stylist was Ryan Yee, an up and coming artist at our Yonge and Eglinton location. Needless to say, after you watch this you will see just how wrong these videos can go when you step up and don`t really have content! Hilarious! Anyway the objective was to ask him what he enjoyed most about his job, and what he loves about his clients.... Check this out.

Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin!!!

Here we are again guys with another episode of Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin!!! And this one had to be especially good considering the fact that this weekend is a longer one! My ugly mug has to be up there just a little longer on the blog this week! Anyway hope you enjoy it as I touch on the difference between flat ironing and blow drying your hair straight. Believe it or not one is worse for your hair than the other... Check Out This Vid!

Don`t FLIP Out!

Hey folks! We Are OFF! with another week of blogging for you to enjoy and we want to start the week of right today!. Hope you guys had beautiful weekends filled with time for family and friends. Anyway, I would like to extend my gratitude to our readers for staying engaged in what we do and actively contributing to the blog. Thanks for your readership and continuing to ask great questions that get me thinkin! So here we go with today`s question!...


" Hi Jon, I am having a real hard time working with my hair :( I seem to have this crazy flip happening on my right side and I have no idea why it always forms in the same place! Its crazy because it does n`t matter what I do to work with it, it always comes back! My hair is cut in a bob and it looks silly having one side tuck under really well while the other flips up like crazy. It looks like my hair is being blown with a gust of wind in one direction... Please help."

Funny because you have no idea just how often I am asked about this! Its even more often because it does n`t only relate to ladies wearing bobs. Rather it relates to ANY length of hair on ANY person! That`s right girls it also effects the guys! Anyway the reason that flip is forming is because we ALL have circular growth patterns that dictate which direction your hair will move in. Think back to the last time you took a look at the top of a baby`s head... Remember, remember that cute little swirl that formed in their crown? Well, as their hair gets longer (like yours did) the swirl just becomes more and more pronounced. All of the hair that grows back toward the crown area (back of your head) will tuck under beautifully, you won`t even have to work at it! BUT, the hair that grows forward (toward your forehead) that hair, THAT hair IS your problem. It will flip... that`s what it WILL do. It is the same scenario with 99.9% of my clientele. I have found over time that the BEST way to work with it is to trick it. What I mean is, try and trick the hair into believing that it actually grows the other way. We can achieve a more balanced style that does n`t flip as much if we blow out both sides in a backward direction. So, when drying the front area of you style you drag ALL of the hair, from the front of your hairline on both sides toward the back. As you stretch these sections toward the back ensure that you release them at the back by the nape and that will help to force it to tuck under better. Works for me ALL day, so there is no reason it won`t work for you!

Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin!!

We are BACK! With another episode of Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin!! This is our first episode in a couple of weeks so I try to go hard on this one and give you curly hair clients something to talk about! In this video we try to get across the best ways to create a smooth natural curl with a diffuser while not being left with the frizzies! Check it out!

Hairlarious!!!!!

Okay, every once in a while I get a tip about a video I have to check out on Youtube. When I hear about them they are usually pretty hilarious and end up on our blog. Today guys is NO different! I heard about this one from a client of mine who told me she almost wet herself when she saw it, so naturally I felt the need to look into it and see what all the fuss was about! When I took my first look at this vid I was in hysterics! I thought to myself that if I ever had a funny vid to post this was it! I mean I have clients like this! Anyway please take a minute to check it out because you won`t regret it!

We`re Ba ack!

Hey everyone!!!! 
So Happy to be back to the sunny and warm T.O!!!  Banff,  Jasper and the whole of the rockies is absolutely gorgeous! There is not a thing about that area that I did not enjoy.  The people are laid back and very relaxed ( you would be too if surrounded by breathtaking scenery!)  and the pace of life seems to move a little slower.  Although it is gorgeous it can get a little colder up there at that altitude and it is nice to get back to the heat!


Anyway without any further adieu lets get to today`s question!


"Hi there,  I was wondering if you could refer me a good product to use on fine hair that might help me get some more body and lift throughout the day?  I find that I can get it pretty full in the morning but by about 1pm its as flat as a board.  Something that can give me a little jolt mid day would be fabulous!"

Of course!  I must say that having worked as a stylist for 11 years in areas of the city that seem to have quite a few fine haired clients I see this a lot.  The most common complaint is exactly that,  volume is achieved at first but then disappears.  I will say this... Gravity sucks!  There is very little we can do to make hair that is supposed to fall flat stand up at attention!  However,  there have been some great progressions made in regard to volumizing products.  The objective is not so much to create body at the root as much as fullness everywhere,  and there are quite a few products that can "swell" your hair up!  I use the word swell because that is exactly what they do,  they swell the hair shaft making it seem fuller all over.  My favourite so far in this family of products is called "Dust it",  a talc powder that can make even the flattest hair seems huge!  You apply this product on dry hair by sprinkling a little into your palms,  emulsifying it slightly and then massaging it in all over.  The results are fantastic and the bottle is so small that keeping it in your purse because easy, care free,  and extremely beneficial!  This stuff has saved many of my clients from cutting it short in desperation so please give it a go... it works!


Thanks for your patience guys and hopefully you missed me as much as I missed you!

Just Say NO!

Hey Guys!,  Today I have a pretty awesome question to get to.  A question that I think must of us do not realize is extremely important!  One that most ladies and gentlemen out their don`t even know is important!  And it is in regard to the texture of our hair.  Most people battle with frizz and fly away daily,  what they know for sure is that they hate (those little hairs that stick out everywhere!)  However,  what they are unaware of is how they got there in the first place!


"Hi,  okay I am going to get right to this because I am soo frustrated right now!  I just went to the Hairdresser the other day and she destroyed my hair!  I have been trying for at least three months not to over style and keep it healthy,  Then I let her use those stupid scissors on my hair and "VOILA"!!!  Frizz central!   What happened?  Why does it feel like this now?"

The "Stupid Scissors" that she is referring to are called Thinning Shears... (A.K.A Death Touch!)  Okay so maybe that is a bit dramatic but hey! ...  Anyway I hate those things just as much as she does!  


I know that a lot of hairstylists just cannot work without those things but I have to be honest and say that they are a copout.  A way in which to speed up your hair cut process (your Stylists can earn more money doing more cutting!) and make your hair feel lighter.  That Sounds good no?  Well, that is going to  depend on how much time you have for styling in the morning!  Lets put it this way,  I am a 11 year hair professional and when those scissors have been used I have to blow dry your hair out about four times per piece to get it even close to smooth.  Then,  after having achieved a slightly smoother finish I wait about 30 seconds to watch as your hair shaft goes frizzy again!  


The reason is simple,  you have just been gifted a split Hair shaft!  And yes I said Hair shaft and not Hair ends because thinning shears are generally used throughout the hair shaft.  When a shear is used on your hair the blade of the scissors is being run from the root area of your hair all the way down to the ends.  This blade running along your hair shaft splits the cuticle layer (little pieces) from the main hair shaft.  Meaning,  it does not matter how much we blow dry and primp you now have two separate pieces that CANNOT,  EVER be smoothened back together.  


As you will notice in the picture above teeth intersect with the standard blade,  where they do the hair gets cut,  where they don`t your hair stays... Do you really want to create that much damage AND only have hair of your hair shafts potential?  The answer is simple, NO.... so just say NO!  Hopefully that helped and I am sorry that you had that happened all I can say is be patient hang in there let me know if I can be any further assistance at dimauro.jon@gmail.com!

This Is A CLASSIC!!!

Hey Guys,  hope you are managing to stay cool out there because this is some CraZy weather!  I figured this would be the most appropriate question to address considering that right about now ALL of us would love to use one of these machines!  You will see what i`m talking about....


"Hey I was wondering if you could let me know what type of shaver you use when working on your male clients.  I like to keep my head shaved and recently had the one I use burn out on me."

Hahaha!  See what I mean!... Who on earth would n`t  want to shave their head in this heat wave?  I mean it is definitely easier than creating a bubble that surrounds you and keeps you air conditioned.  Okay in all seriousness I am absolutely in love with one particular clipper and I will NEVER change.  The clipper is an all time classic and is the single most reliable, dependable, and efficient machine I own.  Its called to Classic76 by Oster,  and is by far and large the worlds BEST when it comes to barbering and tapering machines.  This thing is deadly!  It has an incredibly tough motor that cuts through wet, thick hair with ease.  That would n`t sound impressive to anyone who does n`t hair but I will tell you that I have worked with many, many machines and NONE cut through wet, thick hair NONE.  Other than the Classic76 of course, it has removable blades which make it easy to clean and comes with a lifetime warranty.  You can purchase it for about $100-$150 and although that sounds steep you will NEVER need another machine and can easily maintain it and keep it clean and oiled.  This IS the cadillac of clippers, and you should really think twice before purchasing any other one.

Texture Monkey!

What`s Up Guys!   It is SOOOOO Hot Outside !!!!!  My Goodness!  This is some of the hottest weather we have had in a long time,  or at least that is what it feels like!  Anyway today`s question relates to something we probably ALL wish we had right now and that is short hair!  Check it out...


"Hi Jon,  I have been reading your blog for a while and finally decided it was time for me to get some advice!  I have very short hair that I apply product to and try to create some texture and lift.  I was curious if you knew of a good product to help build texture and hold that isn`t too sticky?  Thanks for your help,  and keep it up!"

NICE!  That is great!  I just got a little reader love!  That makes you feel like people really are enjoying the content and thank you soo much for that.  Okay so YES,  I can make a couple of recommendations  that I think might be what you are looking for.  I have a product that I swear by called Matt Moulding Gesso by Davines.  This product is great in that it does n`t create to sticky of a hold  and yet creates a phenomenal amount of grit and texture.  It is the type of product that is meant to be a matte finish (which I love by the way) so it is therefore white as a base colour.  When using this product you want to be sure to really emulsify and break it up in your hands before you apply it to the hair.  For your short hair you would want no more than a nickel size worth,  after taking it into your palms you would rub it in until it gets hot and starts to turn opaque.  When you have gotten to that point I recommend applying it in a circular pattern until you have it all out of your hands.  When finished take a look at the mess you have just created... AWESOME!  All that is left now is to piece it out and place all the little wild pieces where you want them.  Anyway I think this is a perfect fit for what you are looking for,  and so don`t let the price tag slow you down (about $28 per container)  It spreads well and is concentrated so a little goes a long way and should last a while.

Good Bye Frizz Monster!

Considering that we have some warm weather finally I knew it was just a matter of time until all the ladies who have curl realized that... straightening right now is useless! (haha) Now trust me I am aware of the fact that this is quite painful for all of you out there that have an issue with your curls. I get it! But at the same time there is nothing you can do, any form of curl you have WILL form in humid weather. You can try all day to straighten but if I were you... I would save the energy. So anyway here is the question I received, hope it enlightens...


"Hi my name is Lisa and this question is one I know you have been asked before! I know because I am not the only girl out there trying to straight hair out of crazy curls. Unlike some ladies I am okay to wear my curl as long as it is smooth and frizz free, so my question is... Can you help me get frizz free curls?!"


Alright, I could try and explain OR just let Nicola Dupont our featured artist today out of our Yonge and Eglinton shop do the talking with her hands!

I Hope You Go BALD!

This is NUTS!
There really isn`t very much more to say than that. I mean, I know that this is the second video day in a row and I know that what you really want is hair tips (which I promise will be back soon, like tomorrow) but c`mon I had to post this vid! When you watch it you will definetly understand why! Let`s put it this way, it involves a group of weirdos who decide that deodorant or hairspray are good things to spray onto your hair before you apply a flame to it! As a stylist I am pleased to see people having a great time with their hair, and believe me we love the business and you will definitely need that fixed! However, as a regular everyday dude, I think these guys are idiots and should be left bald! I mean there are quite a few guys out there that have been thinning out and would love the hair these dudes have! Believe me the last thing they`d do is set it on fire! It just goes to show you that at this point even people with absolutely NO talent can end up on YouTube! Check This Out...





Jon Di Mauro

Seriously Rockin "hair" by The Cowsills

This is the latest Youtube video to put a HUGE smile on my face! Anyone who watches this video will immediately be brought a wonderfully huge grin. I mean what I find amazing about this clip is that most of us will watch this and think that there is NO way, I repeat NO way that this whole group isn`t high while recording this! First of all hair should never ever be this big! Second of all, they either hair more than life itself or got paid A LOT of money to dance around like this.


The funny part about it though is that this was a group that did the family jam well before the Partridge family did their thing! This family was seriously PUMPED on hair! It looks to me like the one thing that had them all moving and shaking... Literally. I think that big hair is back, and if not all the way yet than very soon. However, Cowsills I don`t think its coming back like this! Check Out this CrAzY tune performed by "The Cowsills" in concert in (1969)...





Jon Di Mauro

Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin!!!

So here I am interacting! Send me your hair questions cause i`ve got your answers! Check Out This Video for more details!

Hot Right Now?... Undercutting!

Remember Docs? What about the Plaid shirts we used to tie around our waists? Or  do you remember Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, hole, and so on and so forth! I remember  a lot about the nineties, and all of it I loved!  However, the one thing I remember most, is the thing I was so attached to... My undercut. Oh yeah, I used to LOVE my undercut! I rocked it for like two years! Thank goodness it`s made its comeback because it`s such a cool look.  So edgy and trendy, I love it on both men and women and in all its variations. Check out this amazing version below done by Ashley Nurisso at our Bloor  location the other day.

Over the last three months I would say that I have about 6 guests that I have personally introduced some form of under cutting to.  Men and women alike, this look attracts and inspires both.  I remember having my sides and back buzzed to a 1 or 2 maximum! that`s pretty short folks! I would then leave the top much longer and slick it back with a Dippity Do medium hold gel.  On winter days I remember my hair freezing on the way to 9 o`clock homeroom!

Anyway Under cuts are back HUGE, and you may have noticed as many stars and musicians are starting to adopt the look (Rihanna).  I think it`s a look that might be around for a little while considering that we are just now seeing people begin to be daring enough to take it back old school!  Speaking of school, that to me is an indication of just how long I think this trend will last. I think this will for sure be this spring and summer`s hottest trend, leading us right up till back to school.

This is a play back from a time in my life when music, friends, chillin, underage drinking, and learning to play an instrument (or saying you were learning) were the coolest things out there. I think our music is also being influenced by it and so too is our fashion. The ripped jeans with the big holes on the knee and ruffled un-hemmed bottoms are again on the rise! and so are all of the other trends. Men are going to have a blast with trend because, its cool and can still be manipulated into looking somewhat conservative for the office. I am loving what I have been seeing on Queen, and am happy the Doc martin store is rockin busy! I really hope more and more of us adopt this trend with open arms as its cool in a variety of textures, lengths, colours and styles.

Have fun with your hair and rock this look because it won`t be around that long and then you will have to wait another 20 years to get it back! So pulled out that old plaid and those doc`s. Clean the dust off those cassettes and bring it back, because we really loved the 90`s for all they were! A rockin good time with great music, relaxed clothing, and some damn good hair gel!


Jon Di Mauro

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME !!!

Okay although I must admit I have seen some pretty cool cuts done by people on themselves (yeah, yeah strange I know!) 99.9% of the time it ends like this. I think its amazing that there are so many talented and creative individuals who feel it`s okay to attack their hair with scissors! and I cant lie it can work depending on what you`re doing. However, you have to be someone who is okay with maybe lookin a little grungy! If you work in the corporate world I cannot stress to you enough that this is not for you. Now, having said that some people are a little more daring and care just that much less. It takes guts and confidence to grab a pair of kitchen scissors and start going to work on your head! Even this young lady (Gash) seems daring enough and then... Well take a look for yourself. I`ll tell you this, it got a great reaction out of us!





Jon Di Mauro