the fresh perspective...

THE BRAID CROWN

Next week is the Academy Road Live festival and Freshair Boutique will be participating by setting up a braid bar. Between 2:30-3:30 we will be braiding hair and giving tips. If your hair is long, and you'd like to learn a little more about braiding then come on down. Braids are amazing and have been around for-ev-er! The new and improved braid is rough, messy, and full of texture. Back in the day we would make sure our braids were tight and secure. Now, we want them to look like they've fallen out a bit...

On June 8th we will be setting up our very first braid bar. The braid crown will be one of the styles and is one of my personal faves. Our receptionist (and Monday blogger) Pascale has taught herself how to do a braid crown. It's not easy, but she practiced, practiced, practiced...

If you are thinking about coming out next Saturday be sure to swing by the bar and maybe get a braid! It would be a good time to ask for some tips and tricks to help get you started. That's the fresh perspective...

**TIP-Braiding is easier to do on dirty hair and hair with a lot of texture. Don't be afraid to use some dry shampoo and toss your hair up with a braid on day three or four. The braid may buy you more time between washings... **

the fresh perspective...

FASHIONISTA Now that it's getting a little bit nicer here I'm excited to try some new styles for summer.  I have a floral print dress I picked up and have never worn yet, some shorty-shorts (short for me), and some sweet minty/blue pumps...  I like to push myself a little bit and like to try different trends and styles.  It doesn't always work out that they suit me, but I do try none the less.

Natalie from the tiny closet has some great taste and knows how to dress her very short frame.  Check out her blog and maybe get inspired!  That's the fresh perspective...

Renée's Aesthetic

NAIL SHAPES

When it comes to shaping your nails, there's more options than you think.  Do you know what kind of shape you like?  Here's a great, simple photo to give you an idea...

It is always helpful to the aesthetician for you to have an idea of what you like!  Or perhaps, what your goal is.  Keep in mind the condition of your current nails and the shape they go in naturally.  A great aesthetician will guide you in the right direction or towards what would suit you best.  There's definitely phases of what's in and what isn't.  For example, stiletto/extremely long, wacky, and pointed nails have been a HUGE hit these days.  That doesn't mean we all have to rock the superstar look.  A perfectly shaped oval nail is always a classic.  Or maybe you use your hands a ton and you have great long nail beds.  In that case, maybe a nice short squoval or rounded nail is best.  Those are just a few little tips and tidbits for you to get the best shape possible.

Here are some more beauties...

- né xo

Renée's Aesthetic

LADY CRUSH

We are all guilty of having a celebrity crush.  Whether we like to admit it or not.  My crush of the moment is miss Cara Delevingne.  Her style screams attitude and confidence.  A sort of simplified/ladylike grunge.  She definitely seems to have an aesthetic of her own, which is incredibly alluring.  It's a complete package.  It is important to develop a look of your own but I love getting inspiration from other people.  Here are a few of my favourite looks of hers...

Who doesn't love a burger every now and then?  If only we could all look as good as she does while chowing down on one...  But hey, nice nails!

-né xo

Wordless Wednesday

Spring outfits we like...

Renée's Aesthetic

NAILS, NAILS, NAILS.

We all love getting a good manicure, but who are we kidding...we are almost more excited to show them off afterwards.  Taking photos of freshly painted nails can be a tricky thing.  You want to show if not all of the fingers, at least most of them.  Fingers can be some of the toughest and most stubborn models I know, ha!  I always have a good giggle with my friends and clients when I ask them to pose for pictures.  Whether you're taking photos of your own work, or someone else's, my best suggestion is just to keep them relaxed and take a number of photos.  It usually doesn't happen on the first shot, so don't get discouraged.  The beauty of photography, is that you can edit and crop almost everything.  Good lighting and background are also key points.

Here are some photos to give all you nail addicts some photo inspiration...

Most of all, have some fun with it ;)

- né xo