designHouse Salon

Holistic Hair Salon Victoria BC

The Fall 2018 Makeup Trends Taking Over Victoria

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beauty salon victoria bc
It would be easy to tell you about a single trend hitting the city streets this fall, but we can’t. Makeup has always been a way for an individual to show their inner personality and colour on the outside. This fall, we’ll see the full spectrum come alive. Beauty salons in Victoria BC will be overrun with requests for anything from a natural to sci-fi inspired makeup look this fall.
 
Eyes
Time to bring your focus back to the eyes. Neutral lips are placing focus on bright eye colours. The 60’s are being channelled in creative ways. The floating liner look is back with a modern twist allowing for individual creativity. Although we have seen a lot of glitter on the runway, this trend will not translate to the streets of Victoria. Thanks to the microplastics movement, Victoria is a sustainability first kind of city. What we can expect is a range of natural, more business-ready, fresh faces and punk rock-inspired evening looks with vibrant splashes of colour.
 
Lashes are back. For a time, the focus was on liner and colour and, in many ways, this is still true. If you’re opting for a more natural and nude makeup look, long fluttery lashes are in. Layering on the eco-friendly mascara is the way to go this fall.
 
Lips
Lips are looking naked. The vibrant matte lipstick trend appears to be taking a break and instead shimmery nudes are back in the front seat. If you are craving colour, ombre lips are the look this fall. If you want to go dramatic and place the focus on your lips with some vibrant colours, a blended ombre is the way to go.
 
Skin
Hallelujah. The trend this fall is to move as far from layers of foundation and cover-up as possible. Cream over concealer. Let your beautiful skin shine through. The trend this fall is to layer up on moisturizer and SPF-protection in place of foundation and concealer. Healthy skin is happy skin and all the focus is placed on health and proper skin care first. This is a trend we love seeing. After the smokey air that your skin had to deal with this summer, a season of care is exactly what’s needed.
 
Hair
Often we ignore hair when we think about makeup. Not this fall. This fall, hair salons in Victoria, BC will be giving a wispier, layered look to frame your natural beauty. Your hair is a big part of your makeup this fall. Showcase your natural waves and opt for a bit of a natural, air-dried look instead of pin straight hair or heat-styled curls.
 
What we love the most about the makeup trends this fall is the focus on natural beauty. Makeup is a great way to have fun with colour but on a day to day basis, it’s refreshing to know that we will be seeing more of a ”woke up like this” aesthetic. Beauty Salons in Victoria, BC will be focusing more on selling sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products this fall to help your skin really glow. Come in today to shop Elate cosmetics and try some trending fall looks with a mini makeup application.

Benefits of Mineral Makeup

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Elate Clean Cosmetics

Mineral makeup has become incredibly popular, and for good reason. Made from minerals like mica, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, mineral foundation is far better for your skin than regular makeup. “Minerals are not new and began as alternative to existing foundations. In recent years the demand for such cosmetics has been driven by the increase in consumer knowledge and demand toward natural products that use as little artificial ingredients as possible, (source).” With improved shelf life, versatility, numerous health benefits and increased quality its no wonder women are making the switch the mineral formulas. Our house line Elate is entirely mineral based and made here in Victoria, B.C. by using mineral base formulas they’re able to provide a completely clean, non toxic line with everything even the most avid makeup wearer needs. Below is a list of reasons why mineral makeup is truly more beneficial than conventional and why you should make the switch:

Elate Clean Cosmetics

Health: Mineral makeup is by far the healthiest foundation option for a variety of reasons. Mineral makeup is incredibly safe because it adheres to the natural oils in a person’s skin and doesn’t seep into the pores. It acts as a protective agent against free radicals, which can wreak havoc on sensitive skin. “The unique combination of mica, zinc oxide, iron oxides and titanium dioxide has anti-inflammatory properties which are great for those with problematic skin such as acne, eczema, rosacea, or those sensitive to sunlight following invasive procedures like chemical peels, (source).” A mineral barrier lets your skin breath and provides a barrier against environmental factors. “Pure mineral makeup binds to oils not water. This gives the makeup a natural water resistance and is much better for your skin then conventional cosmetics. Conventional makeup contains chemicals, oils and other additives that can either irritate sensitive skin or cause unnecessary breakouts, (source).”

Elate Clean Cosmetics

Quality: Mineral makeup has the added benefit of a little going a long way. A light dusting of powder produces a soft even coverage and mineral eye shadows need just a pinch for a variety of vibrant colours. “Mineral cosmetics should have very few ingredients. Most mineral makeup has a base ingredient of mica. Mica does have a nemesis in the cosmetic industry, the nemesis is named “talc.” Do beware that talc is technically a mineral and used by almost every cosmetic company as their #1 ingredient, however it is a cheap and wasteful filler, (source).” When looking for a high quality mineral powder such as our own Elate brand you want to look for talc free formulas. Mica has incredible skin adhering properties and looks incredibly natural compared to talc. “Mineral formulations do vary from company to company, researching the ingredients a company may use is very important because there are many companies on the market sneaking talc into their formulations, (source).” Mineral makeup also doesn’t hold onto bacteria so it’s shelf live is significantly longer than conventional brands.

Sun Coverage: Mineral makeup can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. “There are two types of sunscreen, physical and chemical. Physical sunscreen contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the two minerals most commonly found in mineral makeup, (source).”

Pop into designHouse Salon to check out our full line of Elate mineral cosmetics or even book a complimentary makeup application!

 

Fall Makeup Looks With Elate

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Fall colours always make us excited to transition from the “no makeup, makeup” summer looks to more sultry richer looks. The fall runways felt like a celebration of women, of individuality, and of freedom of expression. “That meant shadow was dark and smudgy, but also bright and precise. The options were endless, but the takeaway was clear: This season have fun with beauty, and most importantly, stay true to yourself, (source).” The makeup displayed the multi dimensional layers of what it means to be a woman and also expressed incredible diversity. Everything from geometric shapes to zero makeup was seen smattering different runways around the globe.

The fashion industry is truly showcasing the shift that is happening in society surrounding being yourself and rocking what feels right specifically for you. We’ve compiled a small list of some of our go-to looks and we’ve coupled them with some of our favourite Elate products to showcase the beauty of green products:

Vampy Lips

Ruby-red lips were all over the runway this season. Minimal eye makeup needed as the entire focus is on the plump red pout. Another great idea is to “dip a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover and dab it in the center of the lips. It has a slight ombré effect as well, (source).” Elate’s crème lipstick in “Tantric,” is perfect to complete this look.

Colour Blocking

The more colour the better on the eyes this season. Makeup artists are combining blocks of bold hues on and around the lids. “Now, more than ever, makeup is about enjoying color and making statements, and while some of the looks are fantastical, there are several options that could definitely translate to real life, (source).” Elate’s pressed eye shadow colours in Rave, Kindle and Modish are all great hues to colour block with.

Kissed Lips

“Ditch the lip liner. Forget the indelible mattes. Makeup artists purposely wanted the models’ lipstick to move around, blurring, fading, and sometimes even smearing it over their mouths, (source).” You know the messy smudged look you get after kissing someone? That’s exactly what we’re talking about. Elate’s creamy non-toxic lipstick in “Warrior,” is the first that came to mind when replicating this trend.

(source)

Black Liner

Black liner will never be out of style and fall always seems to bring it back. “It’s time to colour outside the lines with your basic black liner, (source).” Fashion always goes back to black, but this season makeup artists had had enough of the classic flicks. Elate’s black liner is a classic go to!

 

Elate is our exclusive in house makeup line that we carry because it’s value deeply align with our own here at designHouse. With an emphasis on sustainability, Elate is a leader in the local Victoria markets as well across Canada. Using non-toxic, vegan beauty is something we deeply believe in and that’s why we offer complimentary colour matching and also booked appointments with our resident makeup artists. Call to book an appointment and see how these Fall makeup looks are wearable for you –> 778-433-4393.

Cruelty Free versus Vegan Makeup

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Makeup marketed as “vegan,” and “cruelty free,” has been popping up across the country from a variety of well-known makeup brands. What few people know is that just because a product is vegan doesn’t always mean it is also cruelty free and vice versa. “It’s important, however, to note that cruelty free items aren’t truly animal friendly. They often contain ingredients that require the death of an animal to produce – a process that’s hardly cruelty free, (source).” First let’s breakdown these two definitions:

Vegan: A true vegan product “does not contain any animal ingredients or animal derived ingredients. This includes, but is not limited to, honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, gelatin, and many others, (source).” This term is largely unregulated resulting in the definition being simply a way to show a product doesn’t contain animal ingredients. Items that are tested on animals can still claim to be “vegan”.

Cruelty Free: For a product to be labeled cruelty free there has to be truly no animal testing from start to finish. “It’s common for companies to not test the final product on animals, but to test it along the way or to use ingredients that have been tested on animals by a third-party. “Required by law” animal testing is also common, (source).” This means that the final product is tested on animals by a third-party to comply with various regional laws around the world. A good example of this is in China where by law products must be tested in order to be sold. “It might be shocking to learn that animal testing is required by law in China for all foreign cosmetics companies. This means that all the big American and European cosmetics brands that are currently sold in China, must undergo animal testing, (source).”

cruelty free international

Now that we’ve defined what you’re looking for we want to provide an easy way to find the best cruelty free and also vegan products. In an unregulated industry such as cosmetics looking for some easy clues will help wean out a lot of big brands. The leaping bunny logo is a great place to start. “Joining the Leaping Bunny Program is free for companies (the only cost associated with the program comes with the optional licensing of the Leaping Bunny Logo), but is also optional, (source).” The actual brands are responsible for reaching out to Leaping Bunny to start the process to gain their certification. “Internationally, over 600 companies are proud to be Leaping Bunny Certified. Many display the Leaping Bunny logo on their products, allowing shoppers to identify and choose products that are not animal tested, (source).” Another great way that is not quite as simple is to actually contact the brands you’re interested in wearing or ask through questions about where you’re buying them. Our in house line Elate is entirely vegan and cruelty free along with being made here in Victoria. Smaller non-toxic beauty brands are usually able to give you the straight answer on what standards they abide by and be transparent on what products they produce. If you have more questions about Elate or want to try some of their beautiful line, stop by designHouse at 4-1701 Douglas Street.

 

 

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?

 

Why We LOVE Elate Cosmetics at designHouse Salon!

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There is a reason we love Elate Cosmetics at designHouse Salon! They embody the same goals and inner passions that we ourselves have. By placing a large emphasis on sustainability, green initiatives, and putting an end to animal testing, Elate is a leader in the green beauty industry. “Through healthy ingredients, sustainable practices, and wellness minded goals, we strive to build confidence through kindness, and allow you to create your own standard of beauty, (source).” This motto is apparent in all of Elate’s products and campaigns, and a strong sense of self is witnessed in the models themselves. The makeup has the ability to showcase each individual’s unique look and also provide a creative space.

Elate strongly encourages women to take that extra bit of time to turn putting makeup on into a ritual, rather than just another step in a busy routine. “We believe everyday routine becomes ritual when the action is more meaningful than the outcome. We believe true beauty is in the ritual itself, (source).” This approach to makeup application means making the healthiest choices for your skin and also feeling good about what you’re putting on your face. As stated by Joli Naturellement “If I had to use one green beauty make-up brand for the rest of my life this one is it, (source).” Women are busier than ever trying to balance their lives and also feel good about themselves. By making a morning routine that is usually interrupted by children or the chimes of a cellphone into a ritual it makes it an expression of self love instead. Elate truly offers products that are cruelty and toxin free, vegan, organic, affordable and sustainable. As mentioned in the popular blog by Laura Jane Atelier she loves that “all of the products are not only clean but reasonably priced which makes them accessible to everyone, (source).”

Elate’s philosophy and products themselves led the company to be the best option for a partnership with designHouse. By having a knowledgeable and talented in house Elate team, designHouse is able to offer not only the best salon services but makeup application as well. Whether it is a quick touch up or a full face makeover, Elate has the products that will stand up, while also being non-toxic and vegan.  Here at designHouse we offer complimentary colour matching designed to help you find the perfect hues. This also provides a great starting point to slowly start switching out older toxic cosmetics for new non-toxic alternatives. We also offer Elate makeup applications, the “mini” includes lips, cheeks and a smoky eye. The “full” application includes a foundation match, contour, brows, lips, cheeks and eyes. Our in house Elate artists are available for a variety of events whether it be for bridal, a graduation or a big date night. Call us at (778) 433-4393 or visit us online at designhousesalon.com to book an appointment, OR if you are so excited that you just want to order some Elate products right away, visit our online store Well Fed Beauty!

Elate – New Spring Launch

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Elate is our premier local natural makeup line of our holistic beauty movement and we are really excited about the New Spring Launch of products.

There are 20 New Products/Shades released for spring !!

elate spring launch pic 2

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