designHouse Salon

Holistic Hair Salon Victoria BC

Revamp Your Self-Care Routine with These Summer Tips

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personal development

Summer is a busy time. With festivals and longer days, we’re all filling our schedules with fun things to do. It’s easy to burn out with all these summer activities, though. Make sure you take some time to care for yourself and work on some personal development. Avoid the burnout and sunburns characteristic of summer with these summer self-care tips.

  1. Take your workout outside

Summer is a great time to take your physical fitness routine outdoors. Instead of the stair master, enjoy a late afternoon hike with friends. Longer days means more time to enjoy the outdoors. Refresh your winter workout routine with some fresh air and fresh perspective. A new change of scenery can lead to personal development and new fitness goals. Try joining a team or a new summer sport and bring some energy and fun back into your fitness routine. If you’re more yogi, stretch out outdoors. Outdoor yoga is a great way to refresh your mind and check back in with yourself.

 

  1. Take a Break from Social Media

Summer is the perfect season to distract yourself from the social media addiction a lot of us have developed. It’s a time to load up the car and get lost in a no service zone with friends. Plan an afternoon hike or a weekend camping trip and leave the phone in the car. Disconnect from your devices and reconnect with yourself and the world around you for a bit of a recharge.

 

  1. Incorporate sun protection into your routine

Now that the sun is out, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are part of the daily routine. It’s the perfect time to make wearing an SPF a daily habit. Find yourself a natural SPF that you love and start using it in your daily makeup routine. Just because we cannot feel the warmth of the sun’s rays in the winter doesn’t mean that harmful UV rays aren’t around in the winter.

 

  1. Shop Local for your Produce

Shopping local can sometimes be difficult. In the summer, there’s a farmers market almost every day. Shop local in the summer and appreciate how good local fresh produce tastes. Summer’s a great time for barbecuing vegetables, tossing crisp salads and inventing new fruit smoothie recipes.

 

  1. Revamp your look

You’ve just finished spring cleaning and revamping your home so it’s not crazy to want to revamp your look. Summer’s a great time to try something new. You can go as simple as a new shirt and a new all-natural shampoo or as drastic as a completely new hairstyle, a few new outfits and a new natural makeup routine. No matter how far you want to go, it’s nice to spend some time and money on yourself. You deserve a bit of pampering, and it can be fun to try something new in our looks from time to time.

 

elate makeup

 

  1. Take time to rest

With all the plans and activities you’re sure to be participating in this summer, make sure to take some time to do absolutely nothing. FOMO (fear of missing out) may be a real thing, but sometimes you need a bubble bath and a night in. Make alone time a priority throughout the summer so that you don’t burn out before the fall.

We hope these helpful tips can infuse some summer sun into your self-care and personal development goals. Looking for an all natural salon to help you get that new summer look? Come see us. We’re a natural hair salon in Victoria, BC with two locations.

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 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.

Do You Know What Makes For A Great Barber?

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barber

A lot of men today are missing out on having a great barber they can visit on the regular. Although the barbershops of yesteryear are making a comeback, they’re not as mainstream as they were before. Luckily for us, though, a lot of stylists possess barber skills that can otherwise be hard to find. Every man needs a reliable and skilled barber in their life. Barber cuts involve a sharp and consistent haircut for whenever you need it. If you’re looking for a trim for an event or a big meeting, or just want to freshen up, look no further than a barber.

A good barber has an amazing memory. From the first time they cut your hair, to the 20th, they know your head and how to style you based on the complexities of your hair.

How do you know when you’ve found the right one, though? We’ve outlined some tips that will help you make an informed decision when you’re choosing who to go to when you’re getting your next cut.

 

Hair Knowledge

A professional barber should be incredibly knowledgeable about cutting hair and anything related to the profession. They need to make judgement calls when it comes to cutting someone’s hair because no two heads or hair are the same. Like many stylists, when you’re looking for a change and you mention it to a barber, they’ll know whether the cut will actually suit you. They have your best interests at heart and trusting a knowledgeable barber is an important factor when going in for a cut.

Respect

They have to love and take pride in what they do for a living. They have to have a set of ethics to abide by and hold themselves to a higher standard. Look for a barber who is passionate about what they do.

Interest in Hair

A professional barber has to be obsessed with hair and has probably been that way since they were children. Perhaps they enjoyed playing with dolls hair, their own hair and their sibling’s hair. Styling friends and family’s hair would have been a passion for them growing up.

Creative

A professional barber has chosen a rewarding career that involved them being creative all the time. They’ll always know about the latest hair trends and will always want to try new things. Creating fun and fresh looks are something a barber relishes in.

Social Butterfly

Anyone who works with hair loves to chat and be around other people. A great barber is a great listener and wants to get to know their customers. When they get to know you, they get to know your style and who you are which can help them pick and recommend looks for you.

designHouse hair salon in Victoria, BC has a great, diverse and creative team that can help you achieve whatever look you’re going for. And we’re growing — we’ve added a barber to our amazing team! As an eco salon, we pride ourselves on using organic hair products and making the environment our priority. Book an appointment online today if you’re looking for a change, or if you just need a trim. One of our members of our exceptional team will be happy to make you look your best!

How to Get Your Hair Summer-Ready

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Our favourite time of year has come! In fact, after a cold and rainy winter, summer can’t come soon enough. With that taste of summer we got in Victoria last week, we realize summer’s just around the corner, so it’s time to think about super cute summer looks. Summer may be fabulous but the sun and heat have the potential to wreak havoc on your hair. The last thing we want is to have bad hair while you’re out enjoying the sun on the beach or on the many patios Victoria has to offer.

To achieve that gorgeous, summer-ready hair, we’ve put together a list of tips so you can not only enjoy the heat but keep your hair feeling healthy!

 

Get A Trim

I’m sure a lot of you have been cooped up inside binging your favourite movies and tv shows on Netflix. So while you’ve been lounging in comfy clothes all winter, getting a haircut may have fallen off your radar. Now that summer’s on its way and you know you’ll be soaking outside in that sun, booking an appointment in your nearest eco salon for a trim is imperative. Cleaning up your split ends and taking some of that bulk out of your hair is essential.

Treat Your Hair

Time to bust out those organic hair products. Winter can leave your hair feeling super dull. With summer almost here, you’ll be in the sun, on the beach, out and about and generally outside more often. This can be tough on your hair. Treating yourself to a conditioning treatment like some of these can not only prepare your hair for the heat and sun but also stop the frizz (who doesn’t hate that!?). Hydrating your hair is essential if you want to protect or undo any damage that you may have caused to your hair. Plus, it’ll add that extra bounce we’re sure you’ll love!

Eat Healthy

We delved deep in a previous blog on what to eat if you want healthy hair, but we think it’s important to mention it again. If you want shiny, strong hair, you must provide your hair with the right nutrients and tons of water. Keep your diet high in protein including lean meats, fish and various dairy products. Don’t forget to eat your greens and delicious fruit too, which will not only help your hair look great but make you feel great.

Stay Away from Heat

We all use hair dryers, curlers and straighteners but in the summer, try your best to stay away from them and enjoy your natural hair. Adding heat to your hair when it’s already hot isn’t the best idea.

Clean Hair, Don’t Care

We know you probably don’t wash your hair every day, and you probably shouldn’t, especially if you have curly hair, but in the summer, heat and humidity can make your hair greasy and you’ll likely crave a clean head of hair. Don’t be afraid to wash your hair more often because having a greased-up head of hair is never a good look!

 

Now, if you’re wondering why we didn’t mention colouring your hair for summer, that’s because later this month, we’ll have an entire blog devoted to how to get that perfect colour with the hottest 2018 trends.

Book an appointment with designHouse hair salon in Victoria, BC today to get your hair summer-ready. Go online to book the stylist of your choosing or give us a call — your hair will thank you come June.

Staff Q&A Series: Master Stylist Cory

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We want you to get to know the people that do your hair because trust isn’t earned overnight. Our monthly Staff Q&A helps you learn a little bit about who we are outside the salon. This month, we focus on California bombshell, Cory.

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Besides earning more money and becoming even more profitable, what do you think the goals of designHouse Salon are?

I think one of our biggest goals has always been to educate our clients on the importance of sustainability in the beauty industry. I want to make sure each person leaves our space looking and feeling like a million bucks!

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

I like to build a strong bond with my clients and co-workers. I feel like being a caring and sensitive friend has always taken me far in life and I feel that it is something that is appreciated by coworkers and clients alike. I also love huge transformations and makeovers!

What does Sustainable Beauty mean to you and why is it an important focus?

To me, sustainable beauty means making people look and feel their best, while also taking care of the environment. This is important because people shouldn’t have to choose between helping the world and helping themselves. They should feel good about looking good.

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

We care about every person that walks through our door. Our service and attention to detail separate us from the competition. We are also a Green Circle Salon, which means that we strive to contribute very little waste to the environment.

What about the beauty industry excites you and why?

I love that boundaries are being broken down. The term “beauty” can mean so many things now. The classic definition of what is beautiful no longer applies and expressing yourself through your style is incredibly exciting!

Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What have you accomplished?

I am originally from California, but my story really begins after moving here, meeting my boyfriend and having a beautiful daughter. They are by far my biggest accomplishment!

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

When I’m not working, I love going on adventures with my boyfriend, Drew, and daughter, Chloe. I also love exploring the island, horseback riding, painting, jewellery making and planning my next vacation spot.

Do you prefer Cinnamon or Vanilla?

Both!

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

I would grant Matt the power to magically make me food of my choosing mainly because he’s always at work when I am — and I’m usually hungry!

What’s your go-to midnight snack?

Chocolate.

Name 2 things you want everyone to know about you.

  1. I’ll never say no to chocolate;
  2. The best gift you could give me is to be kind to animals (via a donation to BCSPCA)

And lastly, name 3 things on your bucket list.

  1. Scuba dive with a whale shark;
  2. Skydive;
  3. Eat a chocolate croissant in France.