the fresh perspective...

TREATMENTS We're officially on the countdown to the holidays.  Every morning I wake up and anticipate my attire for the day.  I usually end up donning layers, upon layers because I love the way a fall kit goes.  I love the boots, cardigans and toques.  I love the tights and the corduroy.  I love the light film of cold that lingers in the air.

I don't like the dryness though!  Ugh!  My lips, my feet, my hair and hands... It's a trade-off I guess and I just want to prepare you all.

Treatments are the best way to keep your hairs condition during these dryer times.  You can and should definitely be booking them with any service you receive from now till March.  You can also double up and get a take home deep treatment that you can do on your own every two weeks or so.  How many times you do a 'home treatment' is something you should discuss with your stylist.  He/She would know the type of stress your hair may be under and can recommend a good schedule.

In regards to your nails (hands) and feet, you'll need to chat with your esthetician and get a recommendation here as well.  I know for me, I was told to use a scrub on my cuticles and a heavier lotion for the soles of my dry feet.  My feet are dry ALL the time so I use heavy lotion always (just a little FYI).

Regular manicures and pedicures will eliminate a lot of the guess work related to the maintenance of your dry extremities.  Getting these types of services on a regular basis will keep your cuticles under control, your callouses soft and your feet moisturized...

Treatments are just that...a treat meant for something specific.  Don't sell yourself short! While you're running around this month preparing for the impending snow and large family gatherings, think of your body and all it's dry, cracked and frizzy parts... Take good care, that's the fresh perspective...

FYI- CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK FOR UPCOMING SPECIALS ON TREATMENTS, MANICURES AND PEDICURES.

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the fresh perspective...

Salon Etiquette PART 2 ~ BRINGING PICTURES The last salon etiquette entry was about re-booking your appointment and this one is about pictures.

Why is it that clients are always apologizing to their stylist for bringing a picture?  I don't get it?  Whoever said it was a bad idea?  I think that somewhere down the line clients had began to feel that bringing a picture to your stylist was insulting to the stylist and his/her craft.

It seemed that the clients felt that the image would make me feel like I couldn't create something different.  Maybe I would feel too constrained with my 'vision' for my clients hair and my creative juices couldn't flow because the magazine clipping of Meg Ryan was causing me to have a tiny mental block...  Pshaw!  I love pictures!  I love magazine clippings that are worn out from years of carrying in a wallet.  Even more than that, I love actual photos that clients carry of the hairs from their past.  When they were young and wild and free...

Pictures allow me to really see what you see or what you would like to see on yourself.  Pictures allow me to see what YOUR definition of chocolate-brown is.  Pictures give me a small idea about how much time your really want to spend on your hair. Unless your stylist says to you, "DO NOT BRING ME A PICTURE. EVER!", please do.  We welcome them and only want to help you on your hair journey.  And as cheesy as that sounds, that's the fresh perspective...

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the fresh perspective...

SCARVES Since we're on a scarf kick this week I wanted to show you guys some other ways to wear them.  Scarves are a great accessory and can be used for so many things.  Belt it around your waist, wrap it in your hair, wrap it around your neck...the combinations are endless.

As someone who owns a few scarves I will leave you with a few tips.  Try to make sure your collection has variation.  If you have a lot of long scarves, maybe try buying a shorter one.  If your collection is mostly heavy scarves, opt for a light one on your next purchase.  Material is also important.  Some scarves do better when bunched up, some are nicer looking when left sleek.

Don't be afraid to ask anyone of us at the shop to show you how we would wear them or tie them.   I know that there's a scarf sale at the shop, and If you are looking to get someone a gift or maybe just add a little something to your repertoire, come check out our selection.   Keep in mind that it's only a deal if you need it so...I hope you guys have cold necks and/or bursting wallets! That's the fresh perspective...

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Headband a la Jimi Hendrix...

If you follow us on facebook then you would have seen my cheesy video on how to wear a headband.  My youngest daughter has some wild and curly hair and this style worked well with her.  Here are some photos.

Some tips: Make sure the headband is relatively tight.  Not too tight that it'll pinch their heads.  You should be able to fit a finger underneath the band with a little effort.  Also, if your kids never wear stuff in their hair do not expect them to all of a sudden want to comply.  Start at a young age with hair clips, bobbles, and bands.

We are working hard on our tutorials so stay tuned for more!

Peace

the fresh perspective...

Salon Etiquette PART 1 ~ RE-BOOKING APPOINTMENTS

For many of you salon regulars, you may have noticed that in the past few weeks it's been a little harder to see your favorite girls... What's going on?  What's happening? We are getting busy.

Our little shop is finally catching on around these parts and we are working, working, working.  If you are a regular client that's used to just calling a few days before your desired appointment then you should know that those days may be over.  How does that seem fair?  You're the one who's been coming regularly, a loyal and consistent client. Now no one can fit you in?!!! BALONEY!!

What you need to do is to be booking your appointments when you leave the shop.  It's easy to cancel an appointment you have, but very hard to make one when there aren't any available.  This is good practice for everyone and should be done at every appointment just to insure that you indeed have an appointment.

This booking etiquette is something stylists can work on as well. Your stylist should be telling you when to book your next appointments to coincide with whatever hair goals you are trying to reach.  Try to remember, and we should try to remind you as well.

Every service at Freshair Boutique should be a marvelous one and the salon etiquette series will help you learn what should be happening at every visit and what you could be doing to make it great!  That's the fresh perspective...

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the fresh perspective...

Crappy Hair

So, let's face it.  We've all been there, excited to get your hair done only to realize you hate it?!  If this has never been you then, bravo, stop reading.  It's rare that some folks may not have experienced disappointment in a service that they had paid for.

I think that's how we all should look at it. Our clients (you) pay us to do a service (hair) for them.  Most times it works out but, other times it may not.  This is completely normal and the point of my post today is that it's okay to 'complain'.  It's okay to speak your mind if you were confused about the service(s) you were receiving.  It's okay to hate your cut and color.   It's okay to wish you never tried something new.  The fact is, it's hair.  It grows everyday and after a few months -if your hair actually grows- you have new hairs to tamper with.

We need to realize, as stylists, that we may sometimes swing and miss.  We may sometimes suggest something that was not really suggestable (yeah. I made that up).  We may have cut your hair a little too short.  If you don't tell us then we assume everything is okay.  If you are ever unhappy with your hair, as my client, I would hope that if you liked me enough and respected me enough as your stylist, you would tell me.

Stylists and clients do have close relationships and that's why I think it's best to be honest if you are unhappy.  Obviously there are ways to express your unhappiness that should not include expletives or references to one's mother, but this type of reaction is only going to get you a bad reputation amongst salons.  If you're truly upset then don't call the shop till you've had some time to relax, and think it over.  Don't forget that it is just hair and the professional that caused your emotional collapse can probably fix it if you speak to them in a respectful tone.

I could regale you guys with stories of situations in which a client was unhappy and reacted negatively but that would be pointless.  No one likes to be yelled at or called names.  If your service was less than stellar it is your right as a paying customer to speak to someone in charge, just remember that the individual you are 'complaining' to is a person just like you.  That's the fresh perspective...

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