designHouse Salon

Holistic Hair Salon Victoria BC

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!

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!

Feed Your Hair From Within

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Luckily when waiting for hair to grow there are a few things you can do to feed your hair that will yield healthier, stronger hair that will be more resistant to breakage and split ends. The idea of nourishing your hair from within is not new but making the connection between what you eat and how this will affect your hair is essential in gaining understanding of the whole body perspective. When we think about growing our hair we first go to what products we should be putting on the scalp where in reality what goes into your body plays a larger role in the overall health of the hair. Below are 6 of the best nutrients to feed yourself to get those mermaid length locks:

  1. Salmon: According to StyleCaster, “This fish is loaded with the strong hair supporters like vitamin D and protein, and it also contains omega-3 fatty acids that promote hair growth by keeping your scalp healthy. A win-win, (source).”
  2. Collagen: Collagen surrounds the hair follicle and supports strands in staying strong. “The best way to boost collagen is not through some expensive medical procedure, it’s by getting more vitamin C, (source).” Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries and red peppers. There are also some great collagen powders on the market that can easily be thrown into your morning tea or coffee to encourage beautiful skin and hair.
  3. Avocados: Avocados are one of the best foods to add into your diet for better hair health. “Due to their high concentration of essential fatty acids naturally found in skin cells (which help to keep your skin smooth and supple), avocados are an age-old beauty secret, (source).” Avocados are easy to incorporate into your diet as they can be added to smoothies, made into sauces or thrown on top of salads too!
  4. Biotin: Biotin is a B complex vitamin that is directly linked to hair and scalp health. Taking a supplement and eating oats, nuts and brown rice can aid in feeding the hair from the inside out.
  5. Spinach: Spinach is truly packed with loads of nutritional benefits from being iron rich and to containing sebum, which acts as a natural conditioner for hair. “The leafy green also provides omega-3 acids, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. All help keep hair lustrous, shiny and, most importantly, out of the drain, (source).”
  6. Lentils: Lentils pack a powerful protein punch and they’re also full of iron, zinc, biotin and folic acid. The body needs folic acid to restore the health of red blood cells that supply skin and scalp with hair-improving oxygen.

Overall feeding the hair and scalp from within is one of the best ways to look after your overall health and grow strong hair. Avoiding fast food, alcohol and sugar is also recommended when getting serious about your hair and overall health. Using quality hair products is another way to nourish the scalp that can’t be overlooked. Pop in to designHouse Salon to check out our full range of Davines products to also nourish the hair topically or buy them online on our online store!

Choosing Your Perfect Shade

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Choosing your perfect shade and formula of foundation can be tricky to say the least but when chosen correctly foundation should be virtually invisible. The cosmetic industry is swirling with information and options that can definitely be difficult to navigate and make sense of. According to Women’s Health Magazine “It should seamlessly blend with the skin so it evens out your tone and makes you look natural, but the best you can look. When you choose the correct shade you will not see it, (source).” Here are some simple solutions to getting the right shade and type of product tailored to you:

  1. Speak With A Makeup Artist: This is by far one of the most overlooked but essential steps to getting the right foundation shade. Makeup artists are trained to be able to match skin tones and different skin types up with the correct products for them. This ensures a foolproof way to get exactly the product you’re looking for and usually samples are given to take home and try before buying. Technique and application can also be gone over in an appointment, which can make a huge difference in the longevity and look of the product. Here at designHouse we have experienced makeup artists that are familiar with a variety of skin types and tones. The ability to colour match clients to our featured line, Elate, is an integral part of their work as makeup artists.

  1. Trust Your Neck: Women will often make the mistake of colour testing on their hands or inside of the wrist. Although not a terrible method the skin on your hand is completely different from that on your face and can easily lead to a mismatch of colour tone. The ultimate goal is to have your foundation blend seamlessly with your neck, by doing a jaw patch test getting the right tone is easier than ever.
  2. Choosing the Right Formula: Colour matching is one thing but a whole other aspect of choosing the right foundation is the formula. Looking to see what you feel you need foundation for is an easy way to distinguish this. Oily? Acne-prone? Look for lightweight varieties with fuller coverage. Dry? Aging skin? Looking for dewy alternatives that have some oil and a luminous sheen. Elate has different formulas depending on your coverage and skin needs. We’ve been loving the fresh tint foundation going into spring and summer! We have it on our website here.

  1. Apply Like a Pro: Different foundations require different application techniques and by investing in the appropriate brushes you can ensure flawless coverage.
  • BB/CC creams work great with hands.
  • Liquid foundations require a soft flat brush. “Buff in a circular motion from the center of your face, blending outward, (source).”
  • Powder varieties require a big fluffy brush that can be lightly swept over the entire face ensuring even application.

  1. Undertone: Figure out what undertone your skin has by looking at the veins on the underside of your wrists. “If they’re mostly blue or purple, you have cool undertones; if they’re more of a greenish yellow, you have warm undertones; and if your veins look like a mix of green, blue, yellow, and purple, your undertones are neutral, (source).” By choosing the right undertone you can get the right mix for the time of year and how much coverage you want.

Looking for some help getting colour matched? Contact DesignHouse and one of our in house makeup artists would love to help you get matched up. You can easily book an appointment here so what are you waiting for?

Grow, Grow, Grow Your Hair!

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Unfortunately there’s no magic pill or potion that will transform your hair into a ‘mermaidey’ masterpiece overnight but with some dedication and a few tips even the stubbornest hair can grow. The biggest hurdle is the having the patience to let your hair do it’s thing. Hair grows anywhere from ¼ to ½ an inch a month so it can definitely be a bit of a waiting game. Below are some of the easiest tips to implement when looking to grow your hair incredibly long:

  1. Lay Down the Brush: Many women obsessively brush their hair to rid it of tangles and knots, which can cause a large amount of breakage. The important tip here is looking to brush your hair from the ends up instead of starting at the root. By starting at the ends you’re able to rid hair of tangles and also do it more gently to prevent breakage.

  1. Scissors are Your Best Friend: It may seem counter intuitive but regular trims are actually one of the best things when it comes to growing your hair. According to Cosmopolitan “Although getting regular trims to snip splits won’t make your hair actually grow faster, it will keep tips looking healthy and prevent splits from working their way up strands, requiring you to chop hair off more often, (source).” Getting a tiny trim (we’re talking an 1/8th of an inch) off every 10-12 weeks will prevent split ends from starting in the first place.
  2. Apply an Oil or Mask Weekly: Hair is several years old by the time it’s past shoulder length making some extra love important to keep it happy and healthy as the rest. By using an oil treatment before shampooing residue is left aiding in healthy scalp and overall hair. Leaving some of Davine’s Oi Oil on the hair for 10 minutes before shampooing acts like a treatment that is sealed into the hair.

  1. Sleep on Satin: Cotton pillowcases can actually lead to breakage and the friction can rough up the hair shaft. “Cotton is actually not the ideal consistency you want when trying to grow your hair, (source).” By choosing a satin or sateen pillowcase you’ll wake up with fewer tangles.
  2. Wash Your Hair Less: Washing your hair everyday can be one of the worst culprits for inhibiting hair growth. The use of harsh detergents in conventional shampoos can lead to stripping of the essential oils leaving hair dry and frizzy. “Only wash your hair 2-3 times per week, and don’t feel weird about it – you’re doing your hair a huge favor!  Remember, less is more.” Using a gentle shampoo like DEDE by Davines is a great option as it won’t strip away oils but still leave you feeling cleansed and refreshed.

Now that you ‘re equipped with some tips paying a visit to DesignHouse can help you further. Whether you need a trim or are looking for some ways to style your hair in the awkward growing out phase we’re your people!