designHouse Salon

Holistic Hair Salon Victoria BC

Perms

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Big, wild curly hair is back and not just for those naturally curly haired girls. There has been a resurgence of embracing natural textures and the bigger the better.

People (yes men too) used to subject their locks to some serious harsh chemicals to get the permed look. “Well, with advances in hair styling technology, you can retain the health of your hair while still getting that perfect curl. And if you are one of those people who has straight hair and has always envied the dynamic energy that curly hair exudes, a perm is exactly what you need to go for, (source).” If you are already spending tedious hours curling your hair each morning considering a perm is not only a great way to save time but your curls will actually last throughout the day. Women with flat, limp hair at the root especially benefit from this treatment as they can gain volume and also body throughout the hair shaft. “If you’re one of the millions of women who love wearing their hair in curls, you’ll know how much of a hassle it is too though. How many seemingly endless hours do you spend a week trying to achieve the perfect curls? (source).” Below are three of the most popular and chic styles of perms, keep in mind different hair lengths and textures will determine what style works best for your individual hair type:

Spiral Perm: Long perm rods create extremely tight, cascading curls or ringlets. “They look like tightly wound spirals or corkscrews. Of course, how tight the curls are depends on the size of the perm rod and the various chemicals used, (source).”

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Body Perm: This style of perm is perfectly suited for people with thin or flat hair. The curls will be larger and looser on women with hair that is naturally quite straight. “This style produces loose curls and a gentle wave which is great for adding volume and a bit of life to dull hair, (source).”

Loose Wave Perm: “A gentle wavy perm will give you soft and natural-looking wavy hair that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s created with large rollers that add volume to your mane without making it look artificial, (source).” This is one of our favourite styles of perm to work with as it creates beautiful body throughout that is manageable and effortless looking.

The perming process remains similar across the board with changes regarding perm wand size and also time needed to set. Disulphide bonds are applied to the hair in order to make the hair more flexible before being curled into the perming rods, this mixture will depend on the kind of perm you desire, acid, alkaline or exothermic perm. A neutralizer is then placed on the hair after the desired amount of time, working to bond your hair into its new curly structure.

Here at designHouse we strongly encourage setting up a consultation appointment to determine what style and tightness of curl you are looking for. We take great care to ensure your hair is left healthy and also provide you with the tools you need for maintenance of your new look. Contact us at ~ http://designhousesalon.com/booknow/

Silver Fox

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Now I know what you’re thinking…grey hair? How could this be desirable, chic or even remotely flattering on the average woman? We wanted to write this article to empower women in various age brackets to not be afraid of their grey. Now this differs from the grey hair trend going around on celebs such as Rihanna, and Cara Delavigne as this movement is about embracing natural grey tones that signify so much more. Anne Kreamer, author of “Going Grey: How to Embrace Your Authentic Self With Grace and Style,” works to debunk grey hair myths. Her mission is to disprove the societal stigmas of “how you’ll look old. About how you’ll look as if you’ve let yourself go. About how you can never have long hair again. About how you’re invisible. About how you’ll kill your career. It’s simply not true, (source).” Firstly we want to define the different kinds of colouring that can manipulate the hair:

Permanent: Dyeing your hair permanently is a two step process. “When permanent hair dye is applied to the hair, ammonia (alkalizing agent) causes the cuticle to ‘open up’ and let the dye in. Then, peroxide (oxidizing agent) is used to penetrate into the hair cortex and remove your existing hair colour (melanin), (source).”

Semi-permanent: This form of colouring is less intense and harsh on the hair than permanent but usually only lasts 4-6 weeks. “Semi-permanent dye doesn’t have ammonia or peroxide, and simply adds tiny colour molecules to the cuticle of your hair without dramatically changing the original hair colour, (source).”

Au natural: Just straight up leaving your hair be. This can be incredible difficult and take time when trying to go completely grey after dyeing hair for long periods of time usually years! Noami Rand author of “To Dye or not to Dye, That is the Question,” went through this herself. “So I stripped out as much of the color as I could and then waited. And waited. And waited some more. It turns out hair grows surprisingly slowly at my age, (source).”

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We do want to emphasize that going grey is a personal choice and we fully support both sides of the colouring or not colouring spectrum. It is about personal freedom, choice and feeling like if you want to go grey that you should act on that decision. “Men who embrace their grey are treated as if they’ve found a cure for cancer,” she laughs. “They’ve become gorgeous. Women who do it don’t get that response. We’re either brave or mad. It would be good to change that, (source).” Colouring your hair can act as an ageing disguise but that doesn’t mean you will have more confidence. “It’s your sense of vitality and your character that define you. You could have the best dye-job from a top salon, but have a slump in your step, and you would look ancient, (source).”

Here at designHouse we want to encourage you to make your own decision when it comes to letting yourself go grey or not. We want you to know we fully support the grueling growing out process and will make it all the more bearable with a beautiful cut and maintenance techniques. Interested in more tips on going grey? Contact us and we can help!

Effects of Weather on Your Hair

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With the change in climate happening all around us, hair and scalp issues commonly pop up due to increased humidity and heat. Most people believe the winter to be the most difficult season on the hair but did you know summer months actually wreak the most havoc? We’re here to tell you just what to expect and also provide some tools on how to protect your hair from all that extra heat.

Summer And Your Hair

We’re all gearing up for another amazing summer here on the west coast which for most people involves long hours outside and as much beach time as possible. Although we’re all for experiencing the amazing weather, having some knowledge about what the sun can do to your hair is valuable to protecting it from damage. Direct heat from the sun can be extremely harmful to the overall health of your hair. According to Beauty Heaven, it “can have a similar effect on your hair as styling, blow-drying, and washing your hair with non-conditioning products – effectively, all these activities can dry out your hair or diminish its ability to hold on to moisture, (source).” Sunshine is also incredibly dehydrating on the hair and increased scalp sweat can cause it to lose its oily coating, which is what protects the hair and makes it shiny. “Ultraviolet rays also cause hair cuticles to change, making the surface prone to damage, (source) .” In the same way that UV rays from the sun affect the melanin in the skin, it also causes changes in the melanin in the hair. “Prolonged sun exposure can lighten the hair, and sometimes, when dealing with artificial hair color, can alter the color to an undesired shade. The UV rays penetrate the hair shaft and disperse the melanin that gives the hair its color, (source) .” The salty air can show its effects on your locks as well, along with saltwater dips in the ocean. While these dips can make hair beautifully wavy, it can also dry it out. “All in all, a hot climate or long Summer vacay can result in split ends, frizzy hair, and loss of volume, (source) .”

Products To Use

Now that you know what to expect from the oncoming hot weather there are numerous tips and tricks that can be implemented to keep hair protected from weather changes. One of the simplest changes to implement is to make sure hair is properly hydrated starting with a high quality shampoo and conditioner. Davines’ MINU shampoo and conditioner are our best-sellers when it comes to keeping coloured hair happy all year long. The shampoo’s formula, characterized by a rich and full-bodied foam, is designed to gently cleanse coloured hair, protecting the colour and keeping it shiny for a longer period of time. While the conditioner is light and creamy, making hair soft and silky and also protecting vibrant color. With scents of orange blossom it’s easily one of our favourites. The next step to protecting hair exposed to heat is an oil serum designed to coat the hair shaft. One of our go-to’s is Davines’ Authentic Nourishing Oil. It contains 100% natural origin ingredients and 30% of organically grown safflower oil. The oil is also free from artificial colours, and silicones. Place a dime size amount on the hair and twist up into a bun for increased hydration and protection. Limiting sun exposure and wearing a hat are also great options!

What Causes Split Ends and How to Fix Them?

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Do you constantly deal with split ends? Split ends are the splitting or fraying of the hair shaft due to various external factors.  “The splitting of the hair is a type of hair damage that typically begins near the ends of the hair shaft. But don’t be fooled split ends or damage that causes the splitting of the hair can occur anywhere on the length of the hair, (source) .” Split ends are one of the peskiest hair problems and they are caused by a variety of physical, mechanical and internal imbalances. For example, improper detangling, by brushing wet hair or excessive blow-drying can cause split ends.  Environmental factors can also damage or break the hair such as dryness caused by heat and humidity. “Some hair splitting behavior is also internal. The strength of your hair and its susceptibility to split ends can be directly related to your diet, hormones, and vitamins or minerals, (source) .”  Nutritional stresses are usually a deficiency of vitamins or even hormones that promote healthy hair. Below is a list of ways that can all contribute to healthy hair meaning less breakage and split ends:

  1. Avoid blow-drying: Leaving hair to air dry naturally can significantly reduce the amount of dryness in the hair follicle. “The hot air from the blow dryer sucks the natural moisture in your hair and causes split ends, (source) .”
  2. Dry with a microfiber towel: “Rubbing wet hair with a towel is one of the worst culprits when it comes to the creation of split ends, (source) .” By using a soft microfiber towel, hair is left less frizzy and rough resulting in sleeker hair.
  3. Brush hair gently: “Comb your hair gently and never when wet. Vigorous drying and combing is the most common reason for split ends, (source) .” By using a high quality hairbrush and avoiding rough brushing techniques the hair shaft will stay smooth.
  4. Deep condition regularly: Using a salon quality deep conditioning product can be one of the best hair savers. We love the Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Conditioner by Davines. This product is truly ideal for dry, brittle hair as it deeply nourishes and helps even out the hair structure.
  5. Healthy hair from the inside out: Eat an abundance of nutritious food and drink plenty of water to nourish the hair from inside. The body truly does work as a whole and eating a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables provides the essential nutrients and fats for a healthy scalp.

Here at designHouse we know a thing or two about those bothersome split ends. “The 100% effective road to lose them is by cutting. You can prevent them from coming back by cutting the hair every 6 weeks or so, (source) .” We definitely recommend small trims at the 6 week mark that will not only keep those split ends at bay but keep your cut and style fresh. Contact us for an appointment online!

Popular Hair Trends in 2017

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Who doesn’t like to start off the New Year with a fresh cut and colour? Especially with Spring finally saying hello we’re getting excited to try out some new trends that have been popping up all over celebs and the runway. According to The Fashion Spot, trends to watch out for include, “An updated and punchier version of balayage, new forms of metallic hair and specific shades of natural hair colors in store for this year, (source).” Below you’ll find some of our favorites, which we chose based on wearability and overall style:

 

  1. Geode Hair: Good Housekeeping highlighted this trend as their top look and we couldn’t agree more. “Looking to add color to your hair, but don’t want to bleach it? With minimal stripping, this amethyst-to-navy ombré is gentle on hair and in terms of color, truly lives up to its gem namesake, (source).”

Source: Good Housekeeping

  1. Grey Ombre: Grey hair continues to be a huge trend that easily transitioned into this year. Whether you’re embracing your natural grey or adding in those silvery pieces at the salon it’s a chic way to embrace an unconventional colour.
  2. White Blonde: The platinum hair trend isn’t going anywhere but stylists are choosing to dye the hair white blonde instead of keeping hints of golden yellow. This trend is gorgeous but keep in mind the upkeep and damage to the hair, look at deep conditioning treatments like MELU by Davines before taking the plunge.
  3. Grown out Shag: Harper’s Bazaar showcases a popular cut that we’re going to be seeing everywhere this year. “With hair that hits just past the shoulders and bangs that are long enough to be split down the middle, the grown-out shag is the haircut to keep an eye on this year, (source).”

Source: Getty

  1. Jewel Tone Balayage: Balayage is here to stay and we couldn’t be more on board! A new trend that’s popping up is creating a balayage with a gorgeous, rich jewel tone such a red, blue, or purple. Combining our favourite technique with a fresh colour = can’t get enough!
  2. Rose Gold Blonde: Thinking about amping up your usual blonde for Spring? Try adding in some warmth and dimension with a rose gold tint on top. Rose gold shades are beautiful on a variety of hair textures and also give a rosey glow to the skin. This shade is also easily taken in Summer. “Rose gold will probably never go away. As we transition into summer, you can take it up a notch and go more in the vanilla/sky shades, (source).”

 

If you’re contemplating trying a new shade or cut for Spring we can work with you to choose a style that works according to your hair and maintenance level. We’ll also get you set up with the products you need to keep your new look lasting and healthy. Contact us at http://designhousesalon.com/booknow or 778-433-4393 to book a consultation and/or an appointment!