Are you the right color?

While I was away I learned a LOT about coloring hair (especially blondes).  The most important thing I took away was that many of us color our hair without any thought of the specific shade.  No one likes brassiness, and natural (matte) colors wash us out...?  What's a girl to do?

During our class, we did spend some time talking about what natural hair shades, skin tone, eye color, eyebrow color, and lash color can do for you when you're deciding what color to be or what color to try.  In my humble opinion, there's always going to be a color that suits you best considering the guidelines I mentioned earlier.  They aren't set in stone, but they do make sense in what would look harmonious with your natural coloring.

If you're one to try any color REGARDLESS of your coloring, that's awesome!  I think life's too short to stay the same shade but let me say this.  If you are venturing out in coloring your hair in a shade that is VERY unnatural, be prepared to do some work.  You might need to change-up your entire make-up regime.  Maybe your wardrobe would need some updating, and more often than not, you'll be spending quite a bit of money to maintain this 'crazy color' you've chosen for yourself.

The next time you're in the shop seeing your stylist, ask him/her about shades that are most flattering to your natural state.  I will be honest, not every stylist will know what to look for, but I'm hope your stylist would be able to be honest with you if they didn't know. At the end of the day, you need to decide what color you think you feel the best in, and what color is the easiest on your lifestyle and your wallet.  There are a lot of factors that go into coloring your hair including proper products.

There are so many tones of red, blonde, brown or black that you can be, so don't feel like your options are limited.  Take the time to find out what shade would be most flattering to your natural coloring.  Ask a professional and see what they say... You might be surprised.

the fresh perspective...

SERVICING OTHERS

With all this talk of expansion, it got me thinking about how we run our business at Freshair Boutique.  I wonder how people rate us or even if they think we give good service?  From when they walk in till when they walk out, are they satisfied with the amount they were charged?  Would they come back?  Would they recommend a friend?

A few weeks back we had a complaint from a client in regards to the specific service they were booked for.  They emailed us promptly and told us their issue.  I was grateful.  I feel like most times we are unhappy with bad service or a botched service, we don't tell the business why we were unhappy, we just don't return for any other services.  Herein lies the problem, how can we rectify anything if no one wants to speak up about the way their haircut went, or that they were never greeted, or whatever it may have been to ruin their experience.

It's tricky but we're looking for new ways to try to track how every customers experience is.  We want to really be different and really make a difference.  Do you speak up?  If you were unhappy about any type of service did the business know about it?  Any tips or tricks you can give to try to track how we're doing?  I'd love some suggestions and hope that anyone who frequents our establishment will have enough guts to tell us if we need improvement.  Let's face it, we could always improve on something.  That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

FISH-TAIL HOW-TO This is a great way to keep your static under control!  A braid can hold all your hair together and give a more 'styled' look than a pony-tail.

This particular braid (fish-tail braid) is best for long hair, with longer, or no layers.  As much fun as layers are, they can be difficult to control when attempting to get all your hair back.  Try this braid and see how you do.  For one, it'll keep your hair out of the way, and if you are heading somewhere hot, it's a nice alternative to the regular braid or pony-tail.

Remember gals, practice, practice, practice!  You might not get it on the first round but the more you try the better you'll get.  That  is all.

That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

DRY TIMES...

We have about 3 more months of the cold before we can look forward to the humidity, sweat, and mosquitoes!  How much more static can you take?!  With the on-and-off of toques and the constant friction of scarves, our hairs are suffering...

Cue the masques, and the treatments!  This time of year we could all benefit from extra conditioning.  Our skin, our hair, our lips, our hair, our bodies, our hair....  A deep treatment/masque might be all you need to cure your hair's thirst.  Weekly masques coupled with a treatment spray/oil can help moisturize your dry ends, and take care of the static.

Don't let the price of a treatment scare you off.  You don't need much, and if you use it properly you'll find that you'll use less of your other products as well.  You'll need less shampoo and conditioner, and probably less styling products.  Healthier hair tends to be easier and shinier and more cooperative.

For this cold season, we're offering masques as an add-on for $5 with any hair service.  And in my humble opinion, this is a great deal because treatments usually start at $15!  We want you to try one so you can see and FEEL the benefits.  Ask your stylist for any suggestions that they can give you for the dryness and static state your hair might be in.  If you come to our shop, remind your stylist that you would like to try the treatment special for this season.  Trust me, you won't regret it.  That's the fresh perspective...

Holiday Traditions

Got any family traditions that are coming up?  Anything that a lot of you, or a few of you, get into in December?  I have two small kids that are at the age of actually remembering experiences.  This holiday we will attempt to take the bus (again), go sledding, go skating, and last but not least, go to the Nutcracker.

As they get older, I'll see what we keep and what we ditch.  Taking the bus, in my opinion, is pretty fun.  We take it to the University of Manitoba, and when we get there we run around the snowy fields and throw snow and make snow angels (last year, my youngest sat in the snow and cried while my other daughter and I did all that fun stuff).  I think it's something that they should experience instead of being driven around all the time by me...

At the shop we've kept the tradition of stockings going for the third year in a row.  Starting December first, we put up stockings and all of us fill them till our last shift at work.  On the last day, we open them up and laugh, and cry, and laugh.  It's the best.  We do take the Holidays off and this time spent to make memories and be together is very important for me.  I hope all of the clients that patronize us aren't too inconvenienced by our break, but all of you should know that we are so grateful for each and everyone of you that choose Freshair Boutique to be your salon!

Whatever you get into this month please be careful and please enjoy your friends and family.  You know I will!

Peace

the fresh perspective...

VERGE CURL STYX

This curling iron is amazing!  I just bought one yesterday and I love how easy it is to use.  It's a curling wand with THREE sizes to choose from.  The wands heat up insanely quick and are super hot.  Because of the heat, make sure to use a heat protector with the wands.  Also, because it's really hot, you don't need to have it in your hair for as long as some other curling tools.

For $110 you get the wands, a lame little glove, (I personally hate the glove, it creeps me out and I refuse to show an image of the horrific aforementioned item) and a carrying case.  I like the case because it keeps all the parts in one place and allows you to take it wherever you like, if you like.

Next time you're in the shop ask for the wand to be used on you and see what you think?  Some important things about this tool 1) protect your hair and 2) protect yourself.  The wands get pretty hot and because the wand is quite long it's easy to burn yourself.  Please be careful and curl safely!  That's the fresh perspective...