Hair Tutorial Gone Wrong...

Good Morning, It's Friday, the most wonderful day of the week isn't it?!

I know many of you have already had the pleasure of watching this but I figured anyone who hasn't is missing a REAL funny Vid. I know that isn't nice because the poor girl must have freaked out but when I saw her laughing at herself on Ellen I realized it's all good. A must see...

HOW TO: Awesome FishTail Braiding!

Fish Tail braids are very current and can really help to pump up your look and give you a current and yet classic style. Here we sourced a great tutorial video for you guys that we know will make the whole look much easier to create. Share this with your friends and practice it on yourselves or on each other, a fast and effective way to get you that fresh style now! As always... Love Yourself!

Desperate for a Bang?

We thought that with the summer heavy upon us FINALLY, those of you with long heavy hair might want a tip that makes hair easier and lighter. This is a great video showing you how taking that long heavy hair and use it wisely to create a quick, trendy, AND easy style. Let's us know what you think with a comment, Love Yourself.

P.S. We've missed you, its real nice to be back..

No More Kinky Business!!!

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.

Family Day Break! For Your Hair Too!

So we are about to head into a much needed and very deserved holiday weekend,  one that the government decided a few years ago would be a nice addition to out list of already great holidays!  Well,  while our minds and bodies need to rest I am sure that for some if not most of our readers hair needs it too.  All the styling and primping and prodding can and should come to a rest this weekend.  I mean your sitting on the couch and chillin with the fam,  do you really need to have that hair all smoothened and flat ironed out?  I will venture to guess not!


So,  having said that lets take a sec to look at some of the ways to be treating your hair this weekend.  For most of us a little moisture slash protein combo never hurts,  so why not try using a Moroccan or Macadamia Oil treatment for seven minutes in the shower this weekend.  The combination of protein and moisture is seldom found with such great balance as in these two great lines.  The key ingredient in both products is the Argan Oil.  An oil extracted from the Argan seeds of Morocco,  it has a fantastic balance of being high in omegas creating dense and rich protein,  while leaving the hair feeling softer and more moist than ever before.  The objective here is not to sell product but to let you know that when you are having a hard time finding the ideal moments to treat your hair you MUST take full advantage of stat holidays!  You need rest.... ALL of you!

How To Apply Clip In Hair Extensions

A great tutorial for someone who is looking to start using extensions on a daily basis, these extensions are great and easy to use. They are inexpensive and easy to use while being long lasting and an effective way to create extra length...

Braided Buns anyone?

Now this girl has the braided bun down to a science! Check out this tutorial vid, I thought she did a really simple and easy to interpret version of this look... Very Well Done!

The Future Is Now...

So thank you all so very much for coming to this crazy little blog everyday and reading/skimming/watching or whatever it is you do when you get here.  The other day I posed a question on our Facebook page and asked what you all thought about the prospect of spending 25% more for your technical services (Hair Colouring,  Straightening etc...)  and I was given some phenomenal feedback that I very much appreciated.  The reason of course is that as a salon we are now moving into what we believe in and feel will be the future of this great industry. 


To start to offer services in your professional environment that are different and are cutting edge is always a plus as a salon owner.  Having said that I believe we are all aware that sometimes we are a little resistant to change.  From guests to staff  this will be a real test,  remaining optimistic in the face of a new colour when you are soo comfortable with you are currently using will take adjustment.  I believe as do my staff and partners that this is the way the world is heading.  I for one have started to make REAL change in my life through diet, environment, and above all cosmetics.  From choosing shampoos that are Gluten Free,  Certified Organic, Local,  and Vegan to choosing styling products that are free of plastic i`ve done it all with real success.  I now feel that we as a salon owe it not only to ourselves but also to our guests to try and show them that they can achieve the same great colours and styles while minimizing their exposure to harmful ingredients,  and being kinder to the environment at the same time.


So we ask that you give us a little time to work out the kinks and get going but we do want to letter you all know that soon ( very soon) we will having some GREAT alternatives to your current hair care regime that WILL allow you,  me,  and our staff,  the whole environment in general a chance to rest a little easier.  So stay tuned....

This Deserves A Bow!

One Of The cutest styles I have seen performed on the internet! This girl is a fantastic artist who obviously knows her stuff! Check Out This great tutorial!....

Stunning... Hair Done By: YOU!

A really beautiful way to put your hair up quickly this holiday season! Why not stun the fam with your gorgeous looks this holiday!

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!

Sexy Gone Wrong!

This is what happens when you mix drugs, alcohol, bathtubs, bikini`s, and candles all together, that @%*! don`t go together!
Honestly one of the funniest videos I have seen on Youtube, sad because weaves are not cheap and neither is self esteem. She must have felt a little embarrassed after this because it came out of no where while she was attempting to look as sexy as anyone ever has. I don`t know I mean its rude to laugh and ever more shameful because I style the stuff for a living but wow this vid caught me off guard!
Check This one out, hope you enjoy a little chuckle at someone else`s expense from time to time...

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!

Birds Of A Feather...

Okay I know I have already done a blog post on feather hair extensions,  But I cannot help doing another one!   This things are the hotness right now!  IT`S CRAZY!!!  I mean we are selling extensions like it going out of style (even though it REALLY isn`t!).  People are buying up these feathers because they are durable,  trendy and have a beautiful appeal to them.  They  create a really beautiful bohemian soft feel on long wavy hair and on shorter more cropped looks.  At the shop we sell them for $15.00 per feather and $25.00 dollars for three.  As you would imaging people tend to jump on the latter option just because it creates a nicer look to have multiple shades and textures of feathers.  It does so because it creates a more natural and eclectic look.  We love these things as I have four members of our staff sporting them and that helps to create a buzz.  Anyway I really think that if you have`nt tried them out yet you may want to give it a go before the trend changes.  They are easily cared for and can be shampooed,  blow-dried,  styled and last at least 6 weeks!  Anyway if you are interested come by either of our locations in Bloor West Village (at Runnymede)  or at Yonge and Eglinton for a chance to try them out!

C U SOON!

Hello out there!  I hope you guys have started off your weekends with a bang so far and are enjoying your chill time.  I am writing to let you all know that I will be away from my computer for the next couple of days.  I will be attending the wedding of dear friends and so as much as I love you all I love them too!  I will not be around again until Wednesday of next week,  so here is to hoping you all miss me as much as I`ll miss you!

2011 Canadian Weblog Awards NOMINEES!!!!!

http://www.ninjamatics.com/2011-categories-and-nominees/

OMG!!! I am absolutely over the moon honoured and thrilled to have had our blog place as a finalist in the upcoming 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards!!! I am uber flattered becuase we were nominated in the first place but even more excited because we were nominated in 2 Categories! CRAZY! We have been nominated for the "Best New Weblog" and "Fashion, Style and Design categories"!!! I have to say that this is a lot more than I was expecting and that I am truly honoured and whole heartedly flattered by this. Thanks go to all of you out there who read the blog and interact with us! I thank you for continuing to send your questions in and for keeping me on my toes having to answer them! The nominees shortlist will be announced on December 1st 2011, and the winners on January 1, 2012. We are just happy to have made it this far, and are really thrilled! Thanks again guys and I guess stay tuned to find out what happens on the 1st of December! WOOOOHHOOOOO!!!!!

200!!!!

Yep,  that`s right this is our 200th post!  I am soo happy to announce that because for me ( a guy who still types with two fingers)  it was along time coming as you would imagine!  I have however gotten a bit better in that regard,  not because I type with more fingers now but just because I have learned how to move fast while only using the two!

I hope to be creating blog posts that satisfy the questions I am  being asked with good answers.  It takes a lot out of a hair dresser to write a blog everyday and come up with good content so I figured the best way forward was for you guys (my amazing readers) to help me and in turned be helped.  I think that this setup has worked well for both as I am often sent great questions that I am told are being answered well.... Yippee!

Anyway,  a small note to say thank you all for your questions and feedback.  Most of all thank you for inspiring me to get to this 200th post by staying interested and asking great questions!  And remember I am always here to answer them and any other queries you may have at dimauro.jon@gmail.com!  Thanks again guys!

The Simple Truth on Colour

Hey guys!  Hope you all had a great weekend with friends, family or whomever you spent it with.  I think its official that it~s getting pretty freaking cold out there!  I even saw a guy out there with his full blown parka on!  Anyway,  I hope you all enjoyed Saturday Night Lights, Camera, Askin this pat weekend as I truly enjoyed getting back to it.  Speaking of getting back to it lets get to today`s question...


" Hi there,  I am in need of some advice here.  I have recently started to react to the colour that is being used at the salon I frequent,  and never did before.  I guess I have two questions because the first is why all of a sudden I would have started to react?  The second being in light of all of the news that has been coming out recently and the negative effects that hair colour can have on us,  is there a product line that is professional and still chemical free?  Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon."

Well,  lets start with the first question which is why the change all of a sudden.  I would have to say that the salon may have recently A) Changed their in house colour brand or B)  Introduced a new range of products to the salon that your colourist has recently started working with.  Generally,  if you have been a guest of their for a while and are simply asking for the same look,  they may have decided to go ahead with the new stuff as long as they could still achieve your same old shade.  If they have changed the colour line then you may want to find out about it because you will continue to have reactions after every use.  A simple phone call to your colourist should answer those queries,  have you started taking any new meds?  Because that may have an effect on your chemistry and have you react to the chemicals in the colour line.  To answer your second question I must say NO,  "Chemical Free" is a very strong term to use because in professional hair colour lines you must have some form of chemical that will open the hair`s cuticle layer and allow for the dye to develop onto the cortex layer.  Without some form of chemical to get the hair shaft open in the first place then the dye cannot penetrate the interior of the hair shaft and develop itself.  Natural lines like Henna and some other vegetable dyes work well enough by staining the outer layer of the hair shaft,  they do not penetrate.  This is a good enough system I just find that most people end up going a little more red than they had hoped.  There are some lines that are lighter chemical based like Davines or Organic Colour Systems,  But chemical free.... No,  they still need to work.  Hope that answered your question and thank you for sending it to me at dimauro.jon@gmail.com feel free to send any more you may have!

Looking For The After Party?

Hey Folks!  Hope you loved little Mariah`s Tutorial video yesterday!  I thought it was hilarious, and super cute.  Considering that she is only like 4 years old she did an absolutely amazing job of those pigtails!  Anyway  as we move into the end of yet another long week today`s  question has been needing addressing for the last couple of days.  So lets get to it because Margherita has been waiting soo patiently....

"Hi there,

 

I'm trying to find out where I can purchase Bed Head by Tigi (After Party smoothing cream).  We received a container as part of a loot bag for a birthday party our daughter attended and we absolutely love it for her hair.  Do you carry this product?

 

Thanks for your help!"


Okay so Margherita,  I can say that no I do not carry this particular product however I may need to start if you are feeling like it is the perfect product for your little ones hair!  Funny enough I do carry quite a bit of the Tigi Bed Head line just not the one product you are asking about!  Anyway lets get to some options here because I would love nothing more than to make sure you get what you need.  I can go ahead and special order that product from my manufacturer and have it in by early next week if you are in the area,  I can also ship it to you if you are not.  However I should be honest in saying that quite a few drug stores in the Toronto area have started carrying the Tigi brand and may carry that exact product.  Alternatively I may just look into carrying it from now on any way,  so having said that thanks for the tip!  Anyway let me know when and if you would like that ordered,  it would truly be our pleasure.