Us and Our Planet

   We as a salon aim for perfection when practising our craft. So why shouldn’t it be the same for the environment in which they live?

                                                      

   ‘Going Green’ for salons isn’t necessarily new but it’s definitely gaining momentum and those who have climbed aboard the green bus are reaping the rewards. There are numerous programs available to salon owners that are focused on running a sustainable, environmentally friendly business. Such programs include the Ontario Energy Savings Blitz program which focuses on decreasing air pollution.

   One of the latest eco-friendly programs is Green Circle Salon. Their mission is to “provide green solutions to the salon and spa industry” Green Circle Salons is a positive, ethical and creative company looking to help salons and their loyal customers contribute to the well-being and sustainability of the earth by uniting the industry as an eco-team. They help salons recycle and re-use materials such as colour tubes, foils, papers and plastics. Ten years ago those materials would have been in the dumpster but with innovative solutions from cutting edge companies, recycling and reusing has really taken off in this sector.                   

                                                       
   Ergys Tafilica, Artistic Director of evoke Salon says “ As hairstylists, our craft is to create beautiful, wearable art. But, if the environment around us isn’t just as beautiful, then it’s our responsibility as business owners to make a positive change towards more sustainable operations”. If all business owners thought this way and projected an image and attitude of environmental awareness we would all be on a shorter path towards a healthier earth.

  Creative ways in which salons are going green?  Salons have started collecting the discarded, chopped hair to be reused in the creation of hair mats. These amazing advances are being used to soak up oil spills in our oceans around the world. Another saver is replacing light bulbs and all chemically enhanced cleaning materials with all natural cleansing products. They work, and save you time, money,  your health and the environment.

 

  
   The new way of living is spelled G-R-E-E-N and it you haven’t caught the green bug than,... maybe you live under a rock. I recommend to you, my earthly neighbours to experience a green salon. Get some personal treatment at your nearest green salon and know that as a customer you are also contributing to the sustainability of Mother Earth.

Danielle Fong

She`s Going To Vegas!!!

Elaine Waltman is our winner in the "Win a Trip to Vegas" competition held this year for all evoke clients. The competition ran from May 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The objective was to refer as many friends and family as possible to either location. Elaine, it must be said destroyed her competition by referring a whopping 35 new guests to our Yonge and Eglinton location! Congratulations Elaine and thank you for all your support! Hope your have some great luck in Las Vegas!!!

Jon DiMauro

Working Out Your Kinks

Exiting your morning shower signals the start of another day, another opportunity to let your radiant, beautiful hair shine on. Unfortunately you’ve already grabbed the towel and have started rubbing it furiously over your scalp. Now you’ve gone and done it, you’ve got the frizz.
 

Frizzy hair is very common among people; however there are various preventative measures you can take to keep the frizz at a minimum. First and foremost, start ending your showers by readjusting the temperature from hot to cold in the last couple of minutes. The cold water will seal the hair cuticles, diminishing your chances of split ends and frizzy pieces. Towel drying your hair is another common mistake. Allow it to air dry almost fully before blow drying. You can also keep it wrapped in a towel while eating your breakfast and applying your makeup and voila! A quick blow dry and style and you’re out the door.
 

Those of you out there with envious curly hair, unfortunately are the most prone to  frizzies.  When dampened, curly hair tends to retain more moisture causing the hair shaft to expand, allowing you to become vulnerable to a bad case of the frizz. Using shampoos that are geared towards frizzy hair is an excellent idea but make sure to do your research or ask your stylist which one would work best for you. All products containing Aloe Vera are also an excellent treatment for hair and scalp. Aloe contains cellular regenerators and allows for hair growth by stabilizing the hair follicles.
 

Digesting vitamins and the proper nutrition is vital. Vitamins such as B8, B5 and Omega three fatty acids will be a tremendous help in smoothing out your frizzy hair.  Foods containing these vitamins include; milk, walnuts, whole grain cereals and citrus fruits such as tangerines and lemons. The healthier your body and digestive system are, the healthier your hair will appear.
 

It goes without saying that the length of your hair and your regimen of maintaining it directly affects the amount of frizz you will have. Proper upkeep and trims are key for healthy hair.
 

So, next time you come across someone with an obvious case of the frizz; inform, educate and aid them on living a frizz free lifestyle. Who knows, it could be you or a loved one that the frizz creeps up on next.

Danielle Fong

Curl Sticks Rock!

NEW TREND ALERT !!!


Today we are going to talk a little bit about a new trend, one that we here at evoke are really excited about. Its called a curl stick, and has pioneered a new way of creating easy, quick, beautiful flowing wave! More importantly, you don't end up with those ugly bends that you get from using a curling iron. It also creates much less of a curl effect and more of a loose sexy wave.... exactly what stylists and clients are looking for right now. The wave we want looks a lot like Kate Winslet`s in this runway shot.

The sticks are incredibly easy to use, in that all you need to do is wind a section of hair around it in a spiral. The stick will heat up and allow for the hair to mould to the rod in the shape you set! its that simple.  In our salons we are currently really attached to one stick in particular, the TIGI Bedhead Curl Stick. We love this stick because of its easy to use digital controls that have a simple on (green) and off (red) button system. It is also equipped with a temperature dial making it easy to set it to your desired temperature.

Another feature that we love about these sticks, is that they come with a little piece of plastic at they're tip. This makes it possible to place your finger on its end after you've wrapped the curl around the wand. This will allow you to support the stick while you set each sections curl.  

Make sure if you didn't get this awesome tool in your stocking this year you pick one up as soon as possible, they will be the difference between a nice smooth wave and a curl that's too tight and awkward looking.

Jon DiMauro

What A Holiday!

All of us at evoke Salon hope that you had an awesome holiday with your friends and family, we sure did! After the in-salon rush, with all the treats and chatter, we had a really great time relaxing and enjoying our time at home. Wishing you all the best for the rest of this wonderful time of year, and a happy new year!

Know what brush to ask Santa for ?

So, its that time of year again, the time of year where we get the chance to spoil the ones we love. However, that does not mean that we should not be spoiled ourselves! I am sure that some of you are absolutely addicted to blow drying your own hair... or maybe you have no choice (ha ha ha). Regardless you all need a hair brush, and knowing which one to choose can save you a lot of grief. To decide on the right brush, you first have to decide what look you are trying to achieve. The right hair brush is essential in being able to create that look;  for instance, if you were looking to create a wave and loose curl effect, you would definitely want to be using a metal brush round brush. The opposite is true for those looking to create a smoothed out straight effect, they should be using a natural bristle round brush. Why is that, well we first have to understand our hairs make up. Our hair strands work in the same way our skin does, cold air will close our pores and our hair cuticles while hot air does the opposite and opens both cuticles and pores alike. So, when trying to achieve a wave we need our hair shaft to take the shape of our brush in order to lock in that wave.


Metal brushes are designed to hold in the heat from your dryer by heating their metal surfaces and circulating hot hair around the brush. They also have very few bristles to allow the hair to be circulated easily around the now hot surface. Hair surrounding the brush will open its cuticle layer and take the brush`s shape, hence create a rounded wave. A little cold air locks that shape into place.

 Therefore in a very opposite way one would imagine that a natural bristle brush, with so many more bristles and a plastic or wooden handle;  is designed to do the opposite of add body or wave but to help straighten and smooth out the hair shaft. Natural bristle brushes should be rolled in to each sections root area and pulled through with good tension to create a straight finish.

I hope to have made your holiday wish list slightly easier to figure out, I know that I have made your decision on brushes more clear. Have a wonderful holiday season from all of us here at evoke.






Jon DiMauro

evoke Salons celebrate the holiday season together.

It is always a real pleasure to bring both of our teams together under one roof. We really enjoy each other`s company and have a great time touching base. Here is a peak at what our night at Copacabana on Eglinton was like for this year`s holiday party. Hope you enjoy the video as much as we obviously enjoyed making it! We truly hope that all of your holiday parties are just as special.