designHouse Salon

Holistic Hair Salon Victoria BC

How to Determine the Best Hairstyle for Your Face Shape

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Source: Pretty Designs

Let’s face it, we all want to look our best and our hair plays a big role in looking and feeling good. Not every hairstyle is going to look good on you though because we all look different. We all have diverse face shapes and sometimes it’s hard to find a look that compliments it. Fortunately for you, we’ve come up with some styles that’ll suit some of the most common face shapes. Continue reading below and find out which will look best on you!

What is Your Face Shape?

We may think we all have round faces, but that is definitely not true. Things like your hairline, jawline and length of your face all determine your shape. Take a look at the image above, pull your hair all the way back while looking in the mirror and figure out what your face shape is. If you still can’t tell, take an eyebrow pencil to the mirror and trace your face!

Oval Face

If your face length is longer than it is wide, you have an oval face shape. Some celebrities who have this face shape include Rihanna and Bella Hadid. Consider trying out a pixie cut, layer your hair, do a middle part, or take the ultimate risk and get bangs. The best styles are the ones that keep your hair away from your face.

Square Face

Square-shaped faces tend to be wide. This face shape includes a prominent jawline and a forehead and cheekbones that are almost the same width. Think Olivia Wilde. When you’re choosing a hairstyle for a square face shape, choose something that accentuates the square nature of your face. If you are looking to stand-out, get some blunt bangs or a short bob.

Round Face

Round face shapes have no prominent angles as your face is roughly the same in width and length. But don’t worry, people with round faces are often considered to have “baby faces” and tend to look younger. Kirsten Dunst and Miranda Kerr both have round face shapes and they look great! The main goal of your style is to elongate the face and make it look more oval. Leaving a small piece of hair untucked on one side of your face will do the trick. If you do a deep side part, your eyes will trick your brain into thinking your face is narrower.  

Heart Face

Heart Shape faces are wider at the hairline and temples and taper to a small narrow, pointed chin. In this case, your forehead will usually be the prominent feature. Tyra Banks and Reese Witherspoon really own this face shape. When choosing your hairstyle, you’ll either want to accentuate your face shape or make the bottom half of your face look wider. If you’re doing the former, you’ll want to pull your hair up into a high top-knot. Side parts with long curls also look super cute and chic. If you want to keep it safe, shoulder length hair looks best as it adds volume to the bottom of your face and makes it look like you have a wider jawline.

Oblong Face

This face shape is the same as an oval shape, just a lot longer. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker or Liv Tyler have this shape. The key here is to make your face look wider. A hairstyle with curls and big waves will achieve this look.

Make an appointment with designHouse today and get the best possible look for your face shape!

Staff Q&A Series: Senior Stylist Sara

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We think the world of our staff and we want you to think the same, too. Hence, the beginning of our new blog series, Staff Q&A. Trust is an essential component to any successful hair stylist-client relationship and we believe that by getting to know our stylists a little better, you’ll feel comfortable coming to them with all your hair care needs. Whether you’re a regular client or new and curious about who we are, get ready to discover our favourite people.

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Besides earning more and more money to grow and still be profitable (like any business that wants to thrive), what do you think the goals of designHouse Salon are?

  1. Provide quality services that not only meet but exceed client expectations.
  2. Make everyone feel welcome and taken care of.
  3. Operate as sustainable as possible to minimize our carbon footprint

What do you contribute to the team that makes you stand out? What do/should clients come specifically to you for?

My willingness to teach clients and coworkers about proper styling tools and the importance of creating rituals to improve quality of not only hair but life as well.

What does sustainable beauty mean to you and why is it an important focus?

Sustainable beauty is important because I care about planet earth, mother nature and all earth’s plants and inhabitants. When you not only care about yourself but also your environment that is shared with others, this caring is contagious in the sense that people will, in turn, make sustainable choices for themselves as well as encourage others too.

Why should people come to designHouse Salon over the TONS of other available options?

It is nice to see and hear about other salons becoming more aware of our environment, however, dH (designHouse) has set the standard for sustainability way higher than any other salon as well as supports a team environment. By supporting dH, clients can feel good about minimizing their carbon footprint as well as support an active business of the local community.

What about the beauty industry excites you and why?

Being able to make people feel good about themselves. Sometimes without even noticing, we can make a big difference in people’s day/mood/life/confidence.

When you aren’t working, what are you doing? (ie. Hobbies, interests, etc.)

Lately, I have been into low to no cost activities like hiking, cooking, and am currently one world away from beating Super Mario Bros.

Do you prefer cinnamon or vanilla?

Easiest question yet! CINNAMON! So much that 2% makes me a special “Sara Latte” with cinnamon steamed into the milk.

If you could grant a co-worker a superpower, who and what would it be?

EMERALD: I would grant her super wings to fly anywhere in the world at any time so she could come back quicker.

What’s your go-to midnight snack?

Salty: stove-top popcorn with butter, salt, and yeast flakes

Sweet: Toast with peanut butter and honey

Name two things you want everyone to know about you.

  1. I beat cancer
  2. I love nature

Name one thing on your bucket list.

Walk the Great Wall of China.

Five Reasons To Go Green

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Going green is no longer a fad or trend, it’s a lifestyle that’s here to stay. At designHouse, we’re 100% committed to the green way and urge others to jump on the environmentally-friendly train, which means being conscious of the products you buy and the choices you make in your everyday life. So before you pick up your favourite cosmetics or cleaning supplies, check out our top five reasons for making the switch.

It Tastes Good

When it comes to veggies, opt for organic, local and seasonal rather than produce that’s clearly not in season anymore. Organic tends to taste better and fresher, uses less energy, and supports local farmers. It’s an easy way to help the environment while boosting the local economy.

Less Chemical Exposure

Want to breathe cleaner air? Go all-natural. Eco-friendly products use fewer chemicals and are generally less toxic than traditional products, ensuring you won’t be spraying chemicals into the air every time you clean your kitchen.

And here’s another way to limit daily chemical exposure. “The average woman absorbs more than 4 pounds of cosmetics during her lifetime” so by changing up your beauty routine, you reduce the chemicals you put on your skin, improving your overall health.

Reduce Waste

Creating anything requires a lot of energy and everything from your coffee beans to your car impacts the environment. The same goes for water. By making a green switch, you reduce packaging waste and energy and water consumption. “It can take 2,700 liters to produce the cotton needed to make a single t-shirt” and “about 37 gallons of water to grow the coffee beans and process them to make one cup of coffee“, so think about that the next time you’re buying a coffee.

Cut Down On Clothes Shopping

If you weren’t already aware, “the apparel and textile industry is the second-most damaging industry on the planet“. Every time you buy from fast-fashion retailers, you’re contributing to an industry that pollutes more than any other except oil. We know buying from local designers or green brands can be more expensive but think of it as an investment. Buying quality pieces will not only last longer but you’re likely to take better care of it. And every time you put it on, you’ll feel good about your purchase.

An alternative to buying new is to search for vintage and second-hand stores. Vintage never goes out of style and with more consignment stores popping up, you’re sure to find unique, quality pieces. And as you add to your closet, consider donating old clothes to second-hand stores or charities. Non-profit organizations like Dress For Success or Wear 2 Start Society in Victoria, BC take your donated clothes and give them to women in need. If you’ve got unique pieces in great shape, look for a consignment store near you and make a bit of extra cash.

You’ll Feel Better About Yourself

Speaking of feeling good, doing any good for the environment is a sure-fire way to improve your mood. By making greener choices, you know you’re making a small impact on the world and people around you. Why wouldn’t that make you happy?!

So how does our salon make a green impact? All the products we use, sell and promote are sustainable, as is our approach to hair and beauty. Even our building, The Hudson, uses sustainable approaches like geothermal heating and a full recycling program. Looking for eco hair and beauty products to get you started? Check out our online shop, Well Fed Beauty, or come in and talk to us, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Foods To Eat For Healthy, Glowing Skin

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No matter what season we’re in or what’s “on trend”, there’s always one thing that stays in style — clear, healthy skin. Looking at flawless skin on the runways and in editorial photos can have us green-eyed with envy but hydration is attainable, we promise! By adding a few of our favourite foods to your diet, you’ll see an improvement in your skin in no time.

Turmeric

This spice is a God-send for any and all skin issues. Acne, eczema, dermatitis, blemishes, you name it, turmeric can help. In fact, this is why India and China have been using it for a multitude of different diseases for over 2000 years. Ingesting it can help regulate your gut and as it’s full of antioxidants, it’s great for glowing skin.

Take it a step further and try creating a turmeric paste for your skin. With its anti-inflammatory properties, reduce itchiness, redness, scars, wrinkles and heal wounds. Simply add a little turmeric to flour such as chickpea flour with odourless oil (Indian sesame oil is a favourite but simple vegetable oil will do) and water and watch your complexion transform.

Note: a little turmeric goes a long way. If you’re worried about staining your face yellow, keep the layers thing and keep the ratio low. A recommended 6:1 ratio of flour to turmeric will keep the risk of staining down to a minimum. And don’t worry, if you stain, it won’t be permanent.

Fish

The fattier, the better! Fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna or mackerel are perfect for getting in those Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). For years, we’ve heard how omega-3 and omega-6 acids are great for overall health and that includes your skin. By eating more fish, you can avoid clogged pores plus keep your cell membranes strong. It’s important for your membranes to get stronger as they let the right nutrients in while keeping the bad stuff out. Important, no?

Tomatoes

Including the three colours, red, yellow and green, is important in any diet but tomatoes get a special shout-out for one particular reason. High in the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are superstars at fighting sun damage. Anyone with sun sensitivity or pigmentation issues should be hopping on the tomato train.

When choosing tomatoes, remember: “The darker and brighter the color, the more nutrients.” In fact, apply this when choosing your yellow and green veggies too. You won’t go wrong. Cook your tomatoes to make it easy for your body to absorb, especially in “healthy fats, like avocado or olive oil”.

Green Herbs

Herbs like cilantro, basil, parsley and mint are excellent for healthy looking skin as they’re chock-full of antioxidants and vitamin A. Cilantro is great for healing the skin and balancing hormones while basil is perfect for acne sufferers. Adding any of these herbs to your meal will bring out the best in your skin.

Nuts & Seeds

Protein and minerals and EFAs, oh my! Nuts and seeds are essential for healthy skin and a healthy diet. Thanks to a trifecta of goodies, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and more can reduce inflammation and repair the skin. Have eczema or psoriasis? Nuts are a great and easy way to reduce the effects of these skin conditions.

All these foods are great for boosting your skin’s health but are nothing without water. Increasing your intake of water is a sure-fire way to clear up skin issues in a flash! Incorporate one or all these ideas for a glow the whole world will notice.

Amp up your 2018 Beauty Routine Using Sustainable Products

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We know that 2018 is going to be a HUGE year in sustainable beauty. There has already been a huge influx of organic, sustainable products and they keep getting better and better all the time.

If you haven’t already been thinking about it, now’s the time to put more sustainability into your beauty routine. Not only is it healthier for your skin and body, but it’s so much better for the environment. You can feel beautiful in more ways than one.

Start With Your Body

Actually, you can start where you want but if you’re looking for guidance, start with your body. Your skin absorbs what you put on it so doesn’t it make sense to put only natural products on the majority (or ALL) of it? The skin on your arms, legs, chest, back, etc., take up a lot of real estate on your body so you’re covering the most area.

Luckily, there are several natural, sustainable body products available now but we recommend JUSU for the gentle moisturizing yet effective benefits it offers. Plus the amazing smells they have… wow! Don’t worry though, if smells aren’t your thing, they also offer unscented.

JUSU offers soaps, moisturizers, lip balms, body butters, and everything else you need to keep your skin in tip-top shape!

Your Hair Will Thank You

Chocolate shampoo and conditioner, anyone? OK, so it’s not exactly chocolate flavour but for you brunettes, it keeps your beautiful hair shining in stunning chocolate tones. If you’re a redhead, copper-toned, silver fox, or tobacco-hued, there are formulas for that, too. Green, sustainable hair care has evolved quite a bit, don’t you think? DAVINES hair products offer all that, and much, much more. Every type of hair can be improved with something from DAVINES. They  even offer a spectacular, award-winning blowdry primer!

In addition to offering sustainable beauty products that are great for your hair, DAVINES give back in other ways as well. One percent of every purchase goes towards environmental companies. Pretty cool, eh?

Put On A New Face

Sustainable makeup is a game changer! You’ll feel so good about putting your makeup on every morning without worrying about the products you’re putting on your face. And with areas around your eyes and mouth being so sensitive, it’ll be a relief as well.

Elate is the best natural, sustainable cosmetic line we have ever seen. Although there are a lot more coming out on the market, Elate was our first love. With a huge colour range and a beautiful finish on the skin, what more could you want?

The next time you buy a beauty product take a good look at the label. Do your research on what exactly is in it, and how it’s packaged. It feels awesome to be putting toxin-free, cruelty-free, environmentally sustainable products on your body.

If you’re still not sure where to start any of our staff at designHouse Salon, a sustainable beauty salon in Victoria, BC, would be happy to give you a consultation and lead you on your new healthy, green beauty path.