designHouse Salon

Holistic Hair Salon Victoria BC

Bangs Are Back — Here’s How to Wear Them This Year

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Bangs are making a huge comeback right now for good reason: there’s something for everyone. These face-framing styles can add depth and mystery to any hairstyle. We’re even seeing some styles of bangs that we haven’t seen in generations. What are some of the most popular bangs styles on the streets of Victoria? Let’s fill you in.

 

 

Side Swept Bangs

Side swept bangs have always been popular. This style of bangs goes with many different lengths and cuts of hair. The longer length of a side swept bang also means a more versatile styling routine. You can make them fuller or pin them into an updo easier to get them off of your face. A haircut with side swept bangs suits a rounder face shape well.

 

Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs are an easy way to bring more body to the front of your haircut. This style of bangs is often slightly parted in the middle and gets longer as you move to the outside of your face, giving the look of curtains being held open. Make sure you want attention drawn to your forehead and eyes as the shape of this cut will have that effect. If your hair has any natural wave to it styling curtain bangs can prove difficult. Use a medium hold sculpting paste that’ll give your hair a healthy shine and help you keep it under control without it looking greasy or crunchy.

 

Short Bangs

Short bangs are the perfect look to pair with a pixie cut or similar short style. A short side-swept bang with an edgy pixie cut can add a hint of feminine strength we all loved on Tinkerbell. This style can also give you the flapper girl vibe you’ve been longing for with your new haircut.

 

Micro Fringe

A micro fringe can give you an edgy, sci-fi inspired look or a softer frame around your face. The effect of a micro fringe on your look is dependant on how full and blunt it is. A reliable hair salon will be able to give you the perfect micro fringe for the vibe you want to portray. Think about Leeloo from the Fifth Element or Emma Watson’s new micro fringe she’s been sporting this year. This haircut can work on any face shape and is a real personality statement.

 

Choppy Tousled Bangs

Choppy tousled bangs seem to be all the rage right now. This edgy look is inspired by the need to rock and roll all night. The uneven texture can give you that “woke up like this” look but with a bit more control. Use a texturizer to help you get the perfect messy look just the way you want it.

 

Thin Fringe

A thin fringe is perfect for a longer hairstyle with thick hair. Full bangs with a thick head of long hair can end up making you look tired and weighted down. A thin fringe with a long, full hairstyle is the perfect look for framing your face.

 

Lash Skimming Full Bangs

Sometimes you just have to commit. Full, long, lash-skimming bangs are next level commitment. This look can bring any new haircut to the next level. A good, long length bang can be as full or as thin as you want. The shape and thickness of a lash skimming bang will depend on your face shape and personality. A qualified hairstylist at a good hair salon will be able to help you decide on the perfect long style of bangs. This style is best suited for someone who understands that bangs need to be maintained. It won’t take long for these bangs to block your vision. Regular trims will be necessary for this haircut.

 

Thick and Blunt Bangs

Thick and blunt bangs can be so fun, especially with a textured bob. The popular style this fall is a tousled bob with straight blunt bangs. Pulling off this look takes a serious amount of hair and is easiest on thicker hair. If you want to try this haircut on for size but worry your hair is too thin, talk to a stylist at your local hair salon. These thick bangs will be front and centre in this haircut so make sure they look healthy by using a moisturizing serum to fight frizz and add shine.

 

Curly Bangs

Who said you can’t have bangs with curly hair? They must have been crazy. Having bangs with curly locks can have a romantic effect that’ll turn anyone green with envy. The trick with this haircut is keeping the frizz to a minimum by moisturizing your hair and having defined curls in your bangs.

 

Bonus: Faux Bangs

Want to have bangs but not all the time? The biggest trend we’re seeing right now are clip-in bangs or faux bangs. With some good quality clip-in bangs, you can have all of the fun and excitement of a new haircut with none of the long-term commitment. It’s perfect for someone who wants a change but has always had the same look.

Are you thinking about getting bangs but are unsure what style will suit you best? Perhaps you know the style you want but don’t know if it’ll work with your hair type and face shape? If bangs are something you want in your next haircut, find a reliable hair salon in Victoria BC you can trust and a hair stylist who understands bangs. Our team of highly qualified stylists love matching styles to the individual and are here to help you find the perfect style of bangs. Book your appointment online today.

Ready to Switch Things up for the Fall? Check out These 5 Hair Colour Trends

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hair salon in victoria bc
As autumn changes the colours of the foliage in our neighbourhood parks, we start to see fall reflected in our fashion, coffee and holidays. Autumn is a great time to change up a hairstyle and infuse some colour into our lives to brighten the darkening days. Heading into your local hair salon in Victoria BC and walking out with a vibrant purple bob may leave you longing for the days of summer for all the wrong reasons. This fall, pick a hair colour that you’ll love the whole season through.
 
What’s trending in hair colour this fall?
 
Subtle Colours & Subdued Pastels
Summer saw bright pink hair and vibrant bursts of rich colour. This autumn, try something a bit more subdued. Strawberry blonde instead of a cotton candy pink hair colour is the flavour for fall. When you think of non-natural colours, like purple and blue, pair them with a naturally-occurring hair colour or tone them down to a faded hint. Let the true vibrancy of the season be the changing colours of the leaves and give your hair colour a much-needed rest.
 
Foliage-Themed Colours
If you do want to change up the colour of your hair, try some themed colours. Give a warm cinnamon or caramel a try. If you want to make more of a statement and turn some heads, we love the look of pumpkin spice waves. If vibrant colour is a part of your personality, going bright orange can be a dream come true. But fair warning: be cautious going from subdued, natural colours to a full head of orange this fall. If you’re not used to bright hair colours, stick to the subdued pastels or subtle hints of colour first.
 
Dusty Blonde & Bronde
Bronde? Yes. This season, try the best of both and have brown meet blonde for a warm fall glow. The light catching effects of blonde can make a brown head of hair look like the sun’s shining on the darkest days of fall. Bronde is a colour you’ll see a lot of this autumn. The marriage of warm and cool tones here is the perfect hair colour for the season. Think of spiced apple cider and hot cocoa.
 
What’s Happening with Roots?
Balayage and dark roots are ideal for fall. Big scarves and long jackets pair perfectly with some shading around the crown fo your head. Summer’s all about sun-kissed and sun-dazed looks. Autumn’s all about warm drinks and time spent cozy by the fire with friends. Darker roots are perfect for this season. What’s great about balayage or dark roots is that for many, it comes naturally after the highlights of summer.
 
Rich Browns & Bold Blacks
Nothing says autumn like a rich, dark brown hair colour or a bold black. As the leaves turn brown and we all start wearing our favourite flannel, a healthy head of hair in a rich, dark tone is a natural choice.
 
Don’t let fall pass you by this year without your dream hair colour. Head to our hair salon in Victoria BC to get that perfect autumn shade. We would love to see you in the salon for a bit of sugar and spice this season. Book your appointment today and get the perfect hair colour before the season is over.

Don’t Let Your Hair Drown, Protect Your Hair in the Pool

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hair salon
Swimming is a great way to stay in shape with minimal impact-related injuries. As an exercise, swimming helps you to work on cardio and flexibility. A pool allows you to indulge in this activity regardless of what the weather is like outside.
 
Though pools are great for your health, they can be harmful to your hair. There are a few easy tricks you can use to protect your hair from the harsh chemicals used in swimming pools. If you don’t protect your hair from chlorine you may find yourself in a hair salon more often than need be.
 
Pre-Care
Every good precautionary measure involves a pre-care stage and a post-care stage. Preparing your hair before a swim is the best way to protect your hair in a pool.
 
Before you jump into the deep end, make sure you give your locks a good soaking. Showering before you get into a pool is about more than cleaning off your lotion. Your hair is like a sponge. Once your hair is saturated, it becomes harder for it to soak in any more moisture. Showering before getting into the pool is a great way to protect your hair from the dehydrating effects of chlorine.
 
Another trick is to use coconut oil before your swim. Not only is coconut oil, or jojoba oil, moisturizing, it also forms a barrier against the water in the pool. Think of it like mini umbrellas all over your hair.
 
If you have longer hair, you know that a short dip usually ends with a long stint of brushing out knots. To avoid all of these unwanted knots, try braiding your hair. You can also use a bathing cap to keep your hair dry and without tangles. This is not always an option or one that you may want to choose. With proper pre- and post-care, you can avoid using a bathing cap and still show great care for your hair’s well-being.
 
Post-Care
It’s not enough to soak your hair, use a bit of oil and throw it in a braid before swimming. To protect your hair in a pool, there is a bit of post care involved.
 
A good quality sustainable hair care product designed to replenish moisture is a must. Chlorine soaks away the sebum in your hair. Sebum is the natural moisture that gives you that healthy hair shine. Without this sebum, your hair can feel dry and brittle. It is vital to infuse your hair with moisture and wash the harmful chemicals off as soon as you are out of the pool. Moisture-rich shampoos and conditioners, such as the momo shampoo and conditioner, are a great idea.
 
If you are swimming in a pool frequently, add in a replenishing cream or butter to your hair care routine. This does not need to be used every time you head to the pool. Putting on a treatment like this and letting your hair air dry is the perfect way to end a day.
 
Before you can air dry your hair, you’ll need to brush it post-swim. Your everyday brush just will not do. A wide-toothed comb and slow even brush strokes are what you hair needs after a swim. The dehydrating effects of the pool can make it more brittle and prone to breakage without proper care and patience.
 
Taking the time to properly care for your hair when you swim in chemically-treated pools is the only way to retain shiny, healthy hair. Having a healthy trim to remove any split ends is also vital to healthy hair. Being a sustainable eco salon is about more than the products we use in the salon. Using natural products on your hair outside of the hair salon helps it to stand up against harsh unnatural chemicals like those found in pools.
 
If you would like to learn more about sustainability in your hair care routines or how you can protect your hair naturally when swimming, book an appointment and come to see one of our stylists.

How To Keep Your Coloured Hair Vibrant and Alive

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organic hair products
Adding some colour to your hair is fun — what happens if you don’t properly care for colour-treated hair is not.
 
As the hair-dying process has evolved, so has the maintenance that comes with it. There are a host of new organic hair products and techniques that can increase the longevity of your colour-treated hair.
 
By adding these simple tips into your hair ritual rotation, you can rest assured knowing your colour will stay intact until your next appointment at the eco salon.
 
Choose Your Shampoo Wisely
After your hair dye has fully soaked in, you need to be picky about the shampoo you use to wash your hair. It’s important to use sulphate-free shampoos since sulphates can cause your colour to fade in a hurry.
 
Track down organic hair products to avoid shampoos that can have adverse effects on your hair colour with unnecessary chemicals. It’s also important to make sure that shampoo is specifically designed for colour-treated hair. This also applies to whatever conditioner you end up going with as well.
 
You can find the right fit for whatever hair type you have, too. If you’re not sure, ask any eco salon stylist to point you in the right direction.
 
Wait Between Washes
Most eco salon stylists will tell you to wait roughly 72 hours before shampooing your hair after getting it dyed. This is because it takes up to three days for the cuticle layer to fully close. The cuticle layer holds the colour molecule that promotes longer lasting hair colour.
 
Don’t wash too often anyway, even when the colour has settled. Colour can start bleeding after multiple washes and it may start fading faster. If you wash your hair four days a week, for example, chopping that number in half will help preserve colour.
 
Not only does washing less frequently help keep colour intact, it also holds in the natural oils that nourish your hair.
 
Finding a dry shampoo can also help buy some time between washes. While they might not work quite as well, they do save time and keep your hair from getting wet.
 
Keep It Cool
Everyone loves a nice hot shower — except your hair dye.
 
Once you’ve got your shampoo on deck, it’s time to get cleaned up. The important thing to remember here is not to run your water super-hot.
 
When washing your hair, run the water to the coldest temperature you can without giving yourself hypothermia. Lukewarm water is acceptable, but running hot water through your coloured hair can cause it to fade over time.
 
If you’re on a tropical vacation with lots of sunshine, stock up on organic hair products that will protect it from UV rays. Since you’re already on vacation, you may end up in the pool as well. That’s fine, but make sure not to wet your hair or wear a shower cap so it won’t absorb chlorine.
 
Our trusted team of stylists at designHouse Salon is here to help keep your hair colour looking good. Book an appointment today for the best hair salon experience in Victoria, BC.

How to Keep Thick Hair Looking Luscious All Summer Long

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Summer is here and everyone is loving it. Who doesn’t love hitting up a patio for some afternoon cocktails, going to the beach or taking in all the great summer events Victoria has to offer? Now, while we may be ready for summer, our hair never is. During the summer months, it’s hot, sunny and beautiful outside and while it’s great to bask in every minute of it, you should always be wary of how your hair handles it. If you have thick luscious locks, you need to make sure your hair is protected from possible heat damage to your hair.

One of the biggest annoyances in the summer months is knowing how to style your hair and keep it from looking frizzy or heavy with all the heat your hair is absorbing. For those of you that may not know, having thick hair may need some extra attention in the summer. Check out the tips below so you can make sure your hair stays beautiful all summer long.

 

Protect Your Hair

First and foremost, you want to protect the length you have. If your hair runs well below your shoulders, you know how long it took to grow that, and how long it’ll take to regrow your locks if there’s a lot of sun damage. A good hair salon will tell you to use leave-in conditioner, like this one, in the morning and put your hair in a bun. You’ll lock in moisture and rehydrate your hair from any sun exposure.

 

Layer Your Hair

When you come into our natural hair salon for a trim, ask your stylist to keep your length, but ask them to cut long and loose layers in the back and the front of your hair. This reduces any bulkiness and weight, especially for the summer. Having bulky hair can make styling your thick hair in the summer a lot harder to maintain so keeping it bulk-free is key.

 

Braid Your Hair

Braiding your hair can help reduce the weight of your hair during the summer months. Choose a French braid and pin it back in place behind your neck. You can also do a cute side braid. Having thick hair can be a lot of maintenance and with the added heat, your hair can seem even heavier. Alleviate some of that weight by braiding it before you head out.

 

Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, you’ll want to use natural products to help maintain your curls. Less natural ingredients can make your hair heavy and your curls can look weighed down and dishevelled. Use a curl cream like this one to keep them intact and choose a stylist that specializes in curls when going for a trim.

Long, thick hair is truly a gift and the last thing we want is for the sun to damage or ruin your hair. Being a hair salon in beautiful Victoria, BC, we know how the seasons work and how you should be caring for your hair. We’re a natural hair salon that offers some of the best organic hair products on the market. Book an appointment at our salon and come in for a trim. While you’re here, don’t be afraid to ask for more advice on how you can maintain your beautiful hair all summer.

How Often Should I Be Cutting My Hair?

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eco salon
Figuring out when to go for a haircut all depends on your hair (shocker!). There are general recommendations when it comes to ideal timelines for going in for a trim. However, knowing where your hair falls on those timelines depends on the length and type of hair you have.
 
Generally, our hair grows about half an inch each month, though, of course, some people’s hair grows faster or slower. But if you fall into the half an inch per month category, then our guidelines for how often you need to cut your hair will apply.
 
Running a hair salon in Victoria, BC for as many years as we have gives us the knowledge and experience to know how hair works. Myths such as cutting your hair often will make it grow faster is simply not true.
 
If you use organic hair products, your hair may be in better shape than others so you may not need to come into the salon to freshen up as much. Hair can sometimes appear shorter if you don’t trim often because of damage and breakage. If your hair isn’t damaged and you’re coming in for a trim, you’re just going to lose length. If you’re looking to grow your hair out, you’ll need to spread out how often your hair is trimmed and make sure it’s still frequent enough to stop split ends.
 
If you’re trying to keep your trips to a hair salon less frequent, avoid using tools like flat irons and colour your hair less often. At the end of the day, it’s really all about breakage. The healthier your hair is, the better position you’re in (and your hair should be healthy after visiting an eco-salon like us!). We provide you with the best tips and products so you can make the right decision on how often you need to come into the salon.
 
Medium-Long Hair
The longer the hair, the older and more delicate it will be. You should be coming in every 6-8 weeks if you’re looking to maintain your length. If you’re looking to grow your hair even longer, try coming in every 8-10 weeks.
 
Short Hair
If you love short hair and want to keep it that way, coming in every 4-6 weeks is ideal. When short hair grows out, it’s a lot more noticeable and can appear dishevelled and unkempt so you want to stay on top of it at all times. If you want to grow your hair out, then your salon visits should be much less frequent, more like 4-6 months.
 
Chemically-Treated Hair
When you put chemicals in your hair, it becomes a lot more fragile and maintaining it is a little more work. Trimming it every 4-8 weeks is an ideal time to stop your hair from getting to the point of breakage. Between cuts, opt for organic hair products. They’re a smart way to help keep your chemically-treated hair from breaking.
 
Natural Hair
If your hair is completely natural, maintaining it is a little bit easier. Trimming it every 4 months will help you maintain your length, and if you’re looking to grow it out, every 4-6 months is an ideal time to come into the salon.
 
Whether you have short or long hair, once you figure out how often you need to get it cut, make sure you stay consistent with your haircuts. And when you’re done getting a trim, designHouse in Victoria, BC is a natural, eco-salon that offers some of the best organic hair products on the market. Whenever you need to come in, book your next appointment with us online or by phone.

Do You Know How to Wear a Lob?

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eco hair salon
Going to the hair salon can be an exciting experience. Whether you’re there for a trim or to try out a brand-new look, nothing beats that after-cut fresh look and feel. It doesn’t matter if you’ve rid yourself of split ends or cut it all off, you can leave the salon feeling great. You might even have a new ‘do you want to start showing off.
 
Before this all happens, let’s rewind to before you even go to the salon. How much do you want to cut off? If you like your current length, a quick trim to clean it all up is all you need. If you’re ready to go really short, make sure you read up on how to care for short hair before you commit. But if you want to be a bit more daring, you may want to try the lob aka a “long bob”.
 
A lob can seem like you’re making a huge change, but the feel of a lob doesn’t require as much of a commitment that a super short haircut would. There are several types of lobs to try out, here are some of our favourites.
 
Blunt
Blunt cuts like this one on J.Lo definitely give off that ‘90s supermodel vibe. This is a great cut to show off your facial features since it’s shorter in length. Using a large curling iron at the ends to flip them out helps give off a subtle, yet chic finish.
 
Layers
If you want your hair to look as voluminous as possible, get a cut that hits your shoulders but incorporates long layers throughout. If you have medium to thick hair, your layers will look more pronounced.
 
Asymmetrical
No, we don’t mean the, “Can I speak to your manager?” haircut. This look is a little longer in the front and shorter in the back. It could give you that soccer mom vibe, but done right, you can look très chic. Try curling the edges toward your chin to exude a much softer look.
 
Shoulder Length
Shoulder length hair is probably the simplest lob you can get. Think Kendall Jenner in that awful Pepsi commercial. This style is quite classic and easy to maintain. Getting a fresh cut every two months to maintain the look is all that’s needed.
 
Textured Lob
If you have medium to thick hair, a textured lob that is one-length can add that extra definition you may be looking for. If you’re looking to grow your hair out, this style will allow for an easier transition as there are no layers.
 
Mini Lob
We’ve seen Selena Gomez sport this trendy look. A mini lob is essentially a shorter version of a classic lob. What’s interesting about the look is that it incorporates a bit of edge. Because the look isn’t super straight, you can let your hair dry naturally and style it however you feel.
 
designHouse in Victoria, BC is a natural, eco salon that prides itself on offering the best organic hair products on the market. If you’re looking to make a major change or simply need a trim, book your next appointment with us. We’ll be happy to figure out which lob will look best on you and get you started on your next hair journey.