the fresh perspective...

How to look ‘cute’ and stay warm. Is it possible?

Ahhh the age old question! Can comfort be formal? Well, well, well…. I’m going to say this. “it depends". What kind of function are you attending? Are you receiving an award? Are you just a bystander? Are you outside or inside?

This time of year, it’s hard to navigate -55 with a ‘cute look’. I believe that one can look ‘cute’ and still be warm and comfortable but it just takes some conscious effort. If you are wearing Sorels, maybe have a full face of make up and a kick ass up do? If you’re in a toque, maybe some sky high boots to balance it out?

As long as you’re going with a look, it’s all good! Toques, scarves and a well fitting winter parka or coat can always look sharp. If you are recieving some award or are an honorary guest at an event, as long as you are inside, you’re good! Anything goes when there are controlled temps!

That’s the fresh perspective…

the fresh perspective...

First impressions: How to make ‘em and how to bounce back from bad ones…

We’ve all been there, meeting someone for the first time and saying all the wrong things. Or even worse, being out of your mind so you don’t remember what you said at all! Impressions are a part of life we can do nothing about. The reality is, as much as we try, we do judge each other and our actions.

I believe the best way to make a good impression is to just be yourself and read the social cues. Just mirror the situation you’re in. If the mood is somber, don’t break out into a song and dance. If everyone is pumped up and jazzed, ditch the long face.

Look the person in the eyes when you’re being introduced and give a decent handshake. It’s good to be able to engage in casual banter so if the person asks you a question, answer and then reply with one of your own. One word answers are a conversation stopper and shifty eyes make people uncomfortable.

Unfortunately if you flubbed a first impression HARD, pray to cosmos that you never see that person again! I’m serious! Studies show it is really hard to change someones perspective of you if you defecated on their great grandmother doily at her funeral! There is not much one can do after that but to send a gift basket, mountains of apologies, and an offer to have the doily dry cleaned.

In most cases, bad first impressions happen when you fail to be yourself, you are under the influence or you don’t pay attention to the social ques of the situation. When you look at it like that, it’s pretty easy to avoid. Let it be known that humans are funny individuals and for the most part cannot be pleased. That being said, just do your best and be yourself!

…that’s the fresh perspective

DIY Spa night!**

Happy Thanksgiving you lovely Canadians! I’m not sure about you, but last night I ate my weight in turkey and all the trimmings! It was delicious! Tonight though, I will be indulging in the American Music Awards and if you’re like me (you watch random t.v.) you’ll want to see it live in all it’s glory. A boob might pop out, maybe someone calls out a fellow nominee (Kanye West I’m lookin’ at you) or there might be a mispronunciation of an artist name…. You get me. Anyways, what better way to watch this live reality show than with a hair mask, mud mask and the perfect shade of orange polish on your nails.

Repair.me treatment by Kevin Murphy is my all time fave right now. The smell of pineapple is so relaxing you won’t be able to think of yesterdays overload of pumpkin. After washing your hair, put the hair mask on and tie up your hair with towel and begin your face cleansing routine.

After your face has been cleansed, wet the tip of your buck naked charcoal activated mud mask and liberally cover your face. Remember to keep wetting the piece, as it gets dry with application. Once your face is sufficiently covered, move on to that manicure!

What I would suggest is setting yourself up before the show starts. You’ll need a bowl of warm water and a face cloth to remove your mask after your polish has been applied and completely dried. You’ll also need your polish, base and top coat, and some lotion.

Don’t get me wrong, the best manicure should include cuticle work, but I would leave that to the professionals and just do a simple polish change. I have attempted to cut my own cuticles from time to time and just end up with baby chunks of my cuticle missing. A) no amount of polish can hide this mangled mess and B) unless you have all the tools and you are an aesthetician yourself, skip that part. If you apply a decent amount of moisturizing lotion to your hands and cuticle before you start your polish change, that should work.

Just remember to swipe a bit of nail polish remover over each nail before you apply your base coat. This will allow for your nails to be dry and allow the polish to stick better which means, less chipping.

Okay, so let’s go over this one more time. Have a shower/ bath and then apply your hair mask after washing your hair. Lotion your body and slip into something very comfortable. Cleanse your face and apply your mask. Get your tools for the polish change ready and a bowl of warm water by your spa station for mask removal. Remember to remove the mask only AFTER your nails are dry!

Also, no snacking when your nails are wet, too much food was consumed last night anyways... The AMA’s are about three hours so you will have enough time to do all the things. When the show is finished and everything is dried, rinse your hair off in the sink. I wouldn’t recommend going back in the shower unless you are okay wasting that sexy lotion you put on earlier.

Now you can start the week with fresh feels and ‘stylspiration’ from the award show. What better way to come back from the tryptophan overdose from the night before!

**Note: There is no proper way to spa night. We support all types of self indulgence.

-Freshair

the fresh perspective...

GOBBLE GOBBLE!

So this weekend is Thanksgiving! What are you doing to show your appreciation to those in your life? We thought, to help you out a bit, we could give you some ideas for topics to discuss during your dinner! What’s acceptable? What’s not? Don’t worry, we got you!

Thanksgiving Dinner Do’s:

• Do acknowledge any small child at the gathering. Feel free to ask questions about their development to their parents (parents love talking about their kids. you cannot go wrong).

• Do try to keep your topics on positive type things like, the tasty food and the ingredients used. Example, “Is there turmeric in this? It tastes delicious! Did you know turmeric is the new super-spice..blah, blah, blah….” FYI: turmeric IS the new super-spice. You’re welcome.

• Do try to listen more than you speak. These days, everyone has something to say and we never really listen. Here’s your chance.

Thanksgiving Dinner Don’ts:

• Do not bring up Donald Trump. Just don’t do it. Everyone will be in a terrible mood. Also, we’re not American…. Ha! Unless you are!

• Do not talk about yourself too much. Sure, this may be the only time you hang around this much family but try to keep it simple. No one likes a braggart.

• Do not get wasted! I repeat, DO NOT GET WASTED. Just get buzzed enough to let your aunties remarks about your current relationship status (single) and your waistline (expanding) slide right off your back. No one likes a lush either….

OK folks! Go forth and be thankful!! Happy Thanksgiving!

-the fresh perspective

the fresh perspective...

FLOW

Flow hair care is the best product line we have found that delivers on all the levels of performance and sustainability.  This styling and wet line is manufactured in a LEED Silver certified facility in Canada and is completely sustainable.  Utilizing water from their own aquifer, Flow purifies this water and converts it to a pharmaceutical grade level.  This rejuvenated water is the leading ingredient in all of their products and sets your hair up for success with the most purified h2o available.  That, coupled with the fact that this line has caused no damage to the earth, make this line a winner in our books!

Oh yah, we forgot to tell you how awesome it makes your hair feel!  Next time you're in, ask for a sample of the 30 second treatment mask, it'll change your life.

That's it.

Ashlie's Aesthetic

Gel Nails vs Acrylic Nails

I've realized now that I've started doing gel nails again, and just with the conversations I'm having with coworkers, friends, clients etc...some people are still unaware of what the difference is and sometimes are being told they have gel nails on when in fact they are acrylic nails. Choosing the type of extension nail you want is totally up to you, and one isn't better than the other. Sometimes it's just a personal preference of which you'd rather have on your nails but you should know which one you are paying for.

Acrylic nails don't need to be cured under the light, the technician will use a liquid monomer and a powder polymer to form the nail. Some locations do use a gel top coat and that will be cured under a light.... this however does not make them gel nails. They are still acrylic nails with a gel topcoat. When getting acrylic nails done there is a strong odor from the product, it's very distinctive. The finished look has more of a cloudy appearance on the nail.

***There is no such thing as a powder gel***

I've heard this a few times that the technician will say to you that it is a powdered gel if you are getting gels done... This is in fact still acrylic nails they are just trying to up-sell you on the service (pay more for a product that isn't as expensive).

Gel nails will always be cured under a UV light, the product is a gel product only and won't need another one added to it to form a nail. Some locations do like to add a shellac/ permanent polish to them for colour, this will also be cured.

The finishing look has more of a clear shiny appearance to the nail.

This is just a couple little things you can pick up on at your next appointment, that way you know which service/product you are purchasing.

-Ashlie.