Holy Caboki!

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





The Magic is Immense...

Enough Of The Silicone!... Try Silica!

So we are continuously trying to find out ways to better the condition of our hair are we not?  I mean I don`t think I know one person who doesn`t want fuller,  thicker,  shinier, or more lustrous hair.  One of the previously listed is for sure on your wish list.  Men for example are trying desperately not to lose it,  or if that isn't the issue then they could definitely use more shine.  Women always want more of it to aide them in creating more volume,  and if thats not the case then I am sure they too want more softness,  less frizz and a lot more natural shine.  We all know that what we put in IS what we get out and we are sure that we have all heard the little tricks ( "Add more protein to your diet" or "Make sure you take enough Vitamin B").  What we may not have heard is that Silica could be your hair`s secret weapon!

Our Hair at 90 micrograms per gram is almost as rich in Silica as our bones at 100 micrograms per gram,  and is a major component of hair and most of all of healthy hair!  Using a good Silica supplement can make a massive difference in the vitality of your hair.  Make Silica a part of your daily routine to help revitalize limp and lifeless hair,  as it can help to prevent baldness,  stimulate the growth of healthier hair, and provide a beautiful lustre,  strength and shine.

Just A Light Kiss...

So,  more and more style is going the way of the bohemian,  free flowing, natural feel.  We are being asked in salon on a regular basis what the new trends are regarding colour.  The answer to that question is  simple,  literally.   More and more women are moving away from over done obvious highlights and moving into natural soft colours that blend give more of a "sun kissed" look.  Lots of salon brands have started rolling out products that make it easier to achieve that style.  As an example we in the Bloor West Village location of evoke use a colour line called Davines.  A fantastic  and trend setting line out of Italy that always seems to stay cutting edge and on top of the needs of stylists.  Davines recently launched a new segment to their line called "Flamboyage".   A play on the term "balayage"  which the technique is most commonly called.  This technique involves highlighting the outside of the hair to create the effect of very light tonal highlighting.  The kind of colour that most women want,  (you know the one your little girl has when she's been outside all summer)  but have a hard time achieving.  A lot of women may never get that colour naturally for varying reasons such as not spending enough time out in the sun (because we work in North America!)  or not having a light enough base colour to begin with hence making it impossible for the sun to lift.  Balayage is a fantastic effect for the hair and a wonderful new way to approach lightning,  if you have been waiting for this type of colour for a while then now is the time to try it out!

Save Yourself the Grief!

So every once in a while there is a brilliant invention,  from the little pizza tables inside your delivered pizza ( You know the one that keeps the box from squishing it)  to the amazing Apple iPad.  There are also some great ones in the hair world like feather hair extensions and the TiGi curl stick which we have covered.  Today I am bringing you another one that we are absolutely thrilled with in the salon,  the particular one that I have chosen to post above is called the Tangle Teezer which was the original.  This brush is phenomenal!  There are different lengths of bristles which makes it easier to get to the tangles on the outer and inner layer of your hair at the same time ( BRILLIANT).  They were also intelligent enough to make the bristles flexible enough,  to ensure that the brush ALWAYS gets through your hair. 

We are selling these things like hot cakes in the shop and the sale is an easy one considering it saves time and damage!  A great tool that I recommend you all take a look at this holiday... It will make you very very happy you did!

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.

Men Au Natural!

So one thing I have noticed in mens style and fashion recently is that we are really trying to go back to a more natural and care free version of style.  The look started to make a comeback when Robert Pattinson came on the scene with his free flowing and wild hair in the Twilight series.  Since then, our looks have been revamped! I don`t adore Robert Pattinson or the series but you gotta see my free flowing locks!  Anyway, I think it was just a matter of time before we'd realize that maybe the helmet heads we'd been sporting from all the crap in our hair was maybe not the best look for us.   I for one am absolutely in love with the new trend and feel like most guys out there sporting it actually pull it off really well.  


Now having said that and talked about just how crappy wearing product feels in a man's hair,  there are certain products that encourage this style well and help to keep it from looking sloppy.  I personally am really into the Grooming Cream by Hero For men.  It is a mens line that branches off of Eufora and is really making head way in the industry (Pardon The Pun!).  Anyway, I recommend checking it out if you are sporting this trendy look.  Let's keep this trend going for as long as we can because I'm really enjoy the lazy days!

Hey, Is This Safe?

So here we are with another week in front of us... For most of you this started yesterday,  but as stylists we are accustomed to a work week that starts on Tuesday and ends with Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin!!!  I hope you have all had a GREAT weekend and are settling in to a relaxing summer when not in the workplace!  Today we have a great question that will pertain to some of you right now and some in the future ( others not at all for obvious reasons!)  Check it out...

"Hi, my name is Jessica and I am currently 2 months pregnant.  I have about 40% grey hair and I am dying to colour it!  These roots are just viscous,  what do you think,  is it safe?"

Well,  I think the simple answer is MAYBE.  I know that sucks and that it really isn`t an answer at all but it is the truth.  There is no hard core proof that hair colouring during pregnancy is for sure a detriment to you and the baby BUT,  that does n`t necessarily mean that it isn`t.  It`s possible that some of the chemical compounds in hair colour can cause Cancer and or birth defects for you and or your new born,  however it is believed that one would have to use them in extremely high doses for them to have this effect.  These quantities would be far greater than the amount you would be exposed to when colouring your hair every month or two.  I must say that I have told many clients that during the first trimester of your pregnancy I encourage you to avoid their use,  however like anything else the choice is for you to make.  A safe alternative to try would be using colour systems that have a lower ammonia base to them and that can attest to less PPD content in their product.  Another way to go would be to consider using a vegetable base colour during your term such as Herbatint.  These are safe and effective ( just difficult to change)  in achieving the desired tone your`e looking for.  I hope this answered your question Jessica,  I know it is a tough decision,  let me just say this,  If you were my guest...  You would have to convince me to colour. Send me your queries to dimauro.jon@gmail.com

Saturday Night Lights Camera Askin !!!

Alright guys here we are again on Saturday Night! Whoohooo!!! Hope you are all gearing up for cottage country or something fun like that. Anyway before you take off for the weekend here is another segment for Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin !!! Tonight I talk about mens styling products and what is hot right now, Check It Out!!!

Curly Hairstyles For 2011

Here is a peak at a couple of new looks that will be hot this spring and summer for curly haired Women.  I believe that we will see the graduated curly bob make a serious comeback.  The graduated bob has never really left completely,  but the curly version of it has been on hiatus since the late 80's. This curly bob has been given a very cool update.  No longer are we searching for height and big volume in this look with perms and over refining.  Most women sporting this cute look are trying to allow for their own natural flirty wave to form.  I for one love the change,  and feel as though these natural looks are youthful, playing, easy, relaxed.... great on all fronts!

There are also great short cuts coming for curly hair.  This blonde pixie above is a look we should be seeing a lot of very soon.  More and more we are embracing the natural curl and allowing to form with really very little work.  With both of these looks we are applying a small amount of light curl cream to wet hair, ensuring that you have covered all the hair and then.. just not touching it! Allowing the hair dry in its natural state is imperative.  When dry,  you will see that the curls are defined and grouped together smoothly.  Great look, easy to wear, humidity friendly, and no work to style.  Enjoy these retro looks, dress them up,  wear them out! They Rock !!!


Jon DiMauro