Pramasana Scalp Treatment at Ashka Salon Spa

After Pramasana

One of the newest things that Aveda has come out with is their new scalp care line, Pramasana. Like Tulasara, Aveda’s new skin care line, Pramasana was inspired by Ayurveda. It also came from the two Sanskrit words: prama and asana. Prama means foundation, and asana means take a stand. The Pramasana line will be replacing Aveda’s Scalp Benefits.

“Our scalp care takes a stand to give you a strong foundation for beautiful hair.”

Pramasana

Pramasana is 96% naturally derived. The cleanser contains babassu to gently clean the scalp as well as wintergreen derived salicylic acid to exfoliate. Seaweed extract is used throughout the line to help balance sebum levels of the scalp. Tamanu oil and patented ferment help to support the scalp’s natural protective barrier.

Why Pramasana?

We need to cleanse our scalps, shampoo is for our hair! Aveda has found that the secret to beautiful hair is a healthy scalp. We use specific soap for our face and bodies; why should we use shampoo on our scalp? If you find that you have dry scalp, an excess amount of buildup, and or excess sebum, Pramasana might be your golden ticket!

Before Pramasana

After Pramasana

What Comes in a Pramasana Treatment?

Pramasana

This treatment can be done as an add on to a Haircut or Shampoo Style (not with color appointments), or on it’s own! You will experience the Exfoliating Scalp Brush to break up excess build up. Next you get to try the new Purifying Scalp Cleanser. The cleanser deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and instantly balances the sebum levels. The treatment completes with the Protective Scalp Concentrate which nourishes and helps to protect the scalp’s natural barrier. Our scalps’ natural barrier helps to protect us from pollution and other free radicals so it is super important to keep it healthy!

Ashka Salon Spa is running a special right now that if you receive any of the following treatments, you receive $15 off your Aveda product purchase of $50 or more!

pramasana deals

The beauty of Pramasana is that it is also a take home treatment, because of this you can use it as often as you wash your hair.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

Ashka Salon Spa Giving Back

Giving Back

Part of Aveda’s mission is “give back to society”. This phrase has always struck a chord with me. I think it is super important to always be thinking of how we can be giving back, especially those less fortunate than you. Ashka Salon Spa has a very similar Core Value:

“Always uphold our integrity and contribute to the betterment of local and global community.”

Ashka Salon Spa is Giving Back Through Anchor of Hope

Ashka Salon Spa sees the importance of giving back in to our communities. Through their Community Giving Back Fund, Anchor of Hope, Ashka offers a 100% Give Back Policy. As long as you give us at least a 30 day notice, giftcards, goods, or services will be given to your event as long as you are local! Due to the frequency of inquiries of donation requests, we do ask that you abide by our donation requirements.

To apply just visit our website and fill out our Donation Request Form.

Giving Back at Forgotten Harvest

Giving Back
Owners, Steve and Lisa, volunteering at Forgotten Harvest

Steve and Lisa Curry, the owners of Ashka Salon Spa, recently volunteered at Forgotten Harvest in Fenton, Michigan. Forgotten Harvest’s mission is:

“We are dedicated to relieving hunger in metro Detroit and preventing nutritious food waste.”

They were established in 1990 to fight two problems: Hunger and Waste. What I think is so cool about Forgotten Harvest is the amount of opportunities they have to volunteer! For instance, Lisa was working in the kitchen  separating meals into bags to send out of shelters that they had gotten from restaurants that no longer fit in the guideline of “restaurant quality food”. By this I mean, even though they might not be able to sell it anymore, the food is still good and can provide nutrition to someone in need. Steve on the other hand was going through pounds of potatoes picking out rotten ones and separating the good ones to be used and sent out.

I think it is so important to attempt to give back to the world around you. I am so lucky to work for a company, both Aveda and Ashka Salon Spa, who believe that as well.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Father’s Day Gift Ideas at Ashka Salon Spa

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is around the corner, and approaching more rapidly than I’d like if I am being honest. I have yet to get the men in my life something for this special day! When I was thinking about what I could get my Dad, I was completely stumped. I realized that I cannot be the only person feeling this way! So, I decided to pull together a list of what I would consider to be the top 3 Father’s Day Gift Ideas at Ashka Salon Spa.

Josie’s Top 3 Father’s Day Gift Ideas at Ashka Salon Spa

Father's Day Gift Ideas
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
  1. Aveda Men’s Shampoo and Conditioner
    Everyone shampoo and conditions their hair, and if they aren’t they should be! Aveda’s Men’s aroma is one of my absolute favorite out of the whole company. The aroma’s key notes are certified organic spearmint, vetiver, and lavender. If your dad has been loving our new Men’s Grey Blending Color, you could always grab some Color Conserve for him too!
  2. Aveda Men’s Aftershave
    Aftershave is one of the most under appreciated skincare products in my opinion. With Aveda’s Aftershave, it helps with razor burn and moisturizes your skin. However, it also controls oil, making it good for all skin types! It has been dermatologist-tested as well.
  3. Ashka Salon Spa Gift Card
    When in doubt, a gift card is never a bad option as a gift. I know someone feel as though it is less personal to give a gift card, but I know that when I receive one, I am ecstatic about it! I love being able to pick out my own thing and just get exactly what I want or need. If you think your dad would have a hard time picking something out for himself, you can always recommend a spa service, such a massage or facial, with one of our amazing spa service providers.

I hope that this list makes your shopping trip just a little bit easier this year for Father’s Day! Stop in today for your last minute Father’s Day gift ideas!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

 

Get Your Beauty Box at Ashka Salon Spa

Beauty Box

Monthly subscription boxes of any type seems to be all the rage lately. At Ashka Salon Spa we have jumped head first into that trend! We now are offering our own “Beauty Box”. Although most of these types of products change monthly, ours goes as long as supplies lasts. I have seen multiple of my guests fall in love with new products this way! Its an awesome way for people who want to try out Aveda products but don’t want spend a lot in case they don’t like it.

Beauty Box
Beauty Box

What Can I Expect To Find in a Beauty Box?

Each time we come out with a new “Beauty Box” it is different! We have had two now. One was Damage Remedy themed, and now we have a Smooth Infusion box.

Currently in our Smooth Infusion Beauty Box you get:

  • Smooth Infusion Shampoo Sample
  • A Sample of Smooth Infusion Smoothing Masque
  • Smooth Infusion Style Prep Sample
  • A Sample  of Smooth Infusion Nourishing Styling Creme
  • $5 COUPON for product at a FUTURE visit

Would you believe me if I said you get ALL of this for ONLY $5? Well you should, because it is!

What is the Beauty of a Beauty Box?

I think the coolest thing about Ashka Salon Spa’s Beauty Boxes is that it gives you a chance to sample the Aveda products. I have said it before, and I will continue to say it, I TRULY believe that Aveda products are the best choice for your hair. However, living on a budget myself, I understand that it is scary to invest in something you don’t know for sure. By giving this affordable option to dive into the Aveda world, Ashka Salon Spa is making it much less frightening.

Give it a try! I promise you won’t regret purchasing one of our Beauty Boxes.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

Hair Color Magic: Part 1

Hair Color Magic

I had the incredible opportunity to return to Minneapolis a few weeks ago for another color class! This time it was with Hair Color Magic Founder, Lupe Voss and Daisy Colina who is apart of the Canadian Hair Color Magic team. I was so excited to be back at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. There is just something about the atmosphere there. Everyone seems to love Aveda just as much as I do.

Josie Takes on Minneapolis – Round 2 Hair Color Magic

Hair Color Magic
Hair Color Magic: Lupe Voss, Josie, and Daisy Colina

I got into town on Saturday night. This is one tip I learned from the last trip. Don’t fly in the day of the class. You will be exhausted by the end of the day and fall asleep eating pizza in your hotel room by 7:30 pm. I was staying in an AirBnB this time which actually went as smoothly as it possibly could have!

Sunday Morning was the first day of class! I woke up early and felt prepared to take on my day. I got to the institute and went up to the room I was in a mere 10 months prior for the Ian Michael Black class. Lupe and Daisy greeted the class with as much excitement as I was feeling! We spent the first day listening and taking notes about how to formulate for predictable results.

Around 4 we broke from class to take a Paint and Sip class. It was interesting to learn about why artists put certain colors together and others not. Even though my thought process as a hair colorist is extremely similar to that of an artist, this was the first time I actually made the connection. I am an Aveda Artist and I love every second of it.

Hair Color Magic
Paint and Sip

Stay tuned to hear more about my trip! I’d love to use some of my new techniques on you soon. Call to book your appointment today!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Aveda’s New Thermal Dry Conditioner – Now In Canton!

Thermal Dry Conditioner

Dry Shampoo has been my absolute favorite product when it comes to saving my hair and my sleep schedule. The only thing that I don’t like to about dry shampoo is that after a day or two it really feels like it has dried out my hair. When Aveda said that they were coming out with a Thermal Dry Conditioner, I was ecstatic.

What is Thermal Dry Conditioner?

Thermal Dry Conditioner
Thermal Dry Conditioner

“Instantly conditions, detangles and softens hair in between washes while a calming aroma with 25 pure flower and plant essences naturally refreshes all hair types and textures.”

This product gets rid of that “dry shampoo feel” in my hair. I love the way my hair feels after I use it! I haven’t tried using heat tools after it yet. Others have curled their hair after using it and swear it makes a huge difference. It has a heat protectant in it so that you are safe from the added heat!

The Aveda website says that it contains “a blend of certified organic jojoba and sunflower oils” that “conditions and detangles hair in between washes”. Everyday I hear more and more people talking about how long it has been since they have washed their hair. It is important to adapt our products to these types of trends and that is exactly what Aveda is doing with the new Thermal Dry Conditioner.

Thermal Dry Conditioner on Extensions

Jessie, one of our Extension Specialists at Ashka Salon Spa, has found that she really likes using the Thermal Dry Conditioner on hair extensions. Since your natural oils aren’t going all the way down to your extensions, they can end up drying out a little. By adding this dry conditioner, it will keep your extensions feeling fresher, longer!

I promise you won’t be sorry if you invest in the new Thermal Dry Conditioner!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

Benefits of Drinking Water

Drinking Water

I found myself thinking “water is life” earlier this week. With my new year resolution this year being to really focus on drinking water, it has been on my mind a lot lately. While I have always been told that drinking water is amazing for you, I realized that I have never actually looked into it myself. I did a little bit of research and this is what I found:

Drinking Water

What I Found to be the Top Benefits of Drinking Water

  1. Improves Skin Complexion
    – Another one of my New Year Resolutions is that I want to be more consistent with my skin care. As an esthetician, I recommend drinking water to my guests regularly. While I knew that water is great for your skin, to hear that it helps get rid of wrinkles and is “the best anti aging treatment around” sold me.
  2. Puts You in a Good Mood
    –  How can anyone be mad about this benefit? If all I have to do is drink more water to be in a better mood; sign me up! No one wants to be a Debbie Downer and this could be a simple solution!
  3. Increases Energy and Relieves Fatigue
    – One of the sources I found brought up the point that our brain is made mostly of water. When we are fully hydrated, we are able to focus better. This is something that I can personally struggle with since I have been diagnosed with ADHD. If this will help me buckle down on what I need to, I am 100% down to try it.
  4. It’s FREE!
    – Have you ever noticed how much of a difference that coke or wine makes on your bill at the end of night? If you are only drinking water, you will definitely notice it in your wallet over time. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather spend my money on other things.

And there is multiple more benefits! All in all, drink more water! You, your esthetician, and your wallet will thank me later.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Men’s Grey Blending with AVEDA

Results of Men's Grey Blending

Slowly but surely more and more men are becoming interested in covering those pesky greys that seem to keep popping through. However, there is this (ridiculous) stigma that the salon and hair color is only for women. Luckily this is where AVEDA comes to the rescue. They recently launched their new Men’s Grey Blending line and I promise it is about to change the men’s hair color game forever.

How Does the Men’s Grey Blending Work?

Men's Grey Blending
Men’s Grey Blending

AVEDA’s new Men’s Grey Blending color line is going to make more men color their hair now than ever. AVEDA has designed this color to take 5 minutes at the shampoo bowl. It doesn’t smell like hair color and can now be done on people’s lunch breaks! Most men do not like sitting around waiting for their color to process. This removes the extra time spent at the salon. It is super quick and easy!

When this first came out, my dad had came in for a haircut. I asked if i could try it on him and his initial reaction was “Dads aren’t for trying haircolor on. That is what Moms are for”. He reluctantly let me try it as long as I promised it wouldn’t be purple. I got a text from him within a half hour saying he liked it and might even want to do a darker color next time. 🙂

Results of Men's Grey Blending
Results of Men’s Grey Blending (Not my dad)

As you can see in the picture, the results are very subtle yet definitely different. It is like you took off 5 to 10 years instead of just coloring your hair. What I like most about this product is that it is so simple. I also like that it isn’t so dramatic that everyone will know you colored it!

Call the salon today to set up your appointment to reverse time. 😉

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Shake those Winter Blues at Ashka Salon Spa

Winter Blues

Everyone can agree that we have been having the most beautiful winter weather this past week here in Michigan! I can’t get enough of these 60 degree sunny days. It is going to hit me really hard if it doesn’t last. As someone who definitely suffers every year from the “Winter Blues”, Michigan winters can be long and hard for me. I know I cannot be the only one who gets a little more pep in their step at the first signs of spring.

Winter Blues
Winter Blues

What Are the Winter Blues Exactly?

The winter blues is something a lot of people of experience. Even in my own friend group I feel like I have this conversation multiple times a year with many different people! Of course everyone experiences this differently but I lose a lot drive during the winter months. The rest of the year I am more likely to want to try new things, work longer hours, and just overall be in a better mood. I am definitely guilty of packing on my winter layer with carbs, even more than I normally do. 😉

The more official term for winter blues is “seasonal depression“. From my research, I found that the farther away you live from the equator the more likely you will suffer from seasonal depression. With the lack of vitamin d from the sun in the winter months, our brains are forced to work extra hard to produce melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that helps to regulate your sleep pattern and also is linked to depression.

To help regulate your seasonal depression, there are “sunbox” lights that replicate the beneficial effects of the sun!

Luckily the actual sun starts coming around more often just in time for spring!

What Helps Me Shake the Winter Blues in Time for Spring?

Once the sun starts to break through the clouds on a regular basis, I try to start focusing on myself. I try to get exercise into my daily routine in someway. I always get on a “I need to drink more water” kick right around springtime too. Last, but not least, I almost always need a hair change! 🙂

My favorite thing to do in the spring is start to lighten up my hair again for the summer. I love that it can be subtle, or dramatic depending on how I’m feeling that year. And how big of a pick me up I might need. 😉 As a stylist, spring hair is one of my favorite yearly transformations as well. I just cannot get enough of it.

Winter Blues

Highlights and Balayage all around! Call today to set up your appointment.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Di Biase Hair Extensions Class

Hair Extensions Class

Jessie and I took an hair extensions class last month and it was such a great experience. We took our class through Di Biase Hair Extensions. While we were there we were certified in 2 different types of extensions: fusion, and sticker hair. We were there all day long and I mean ALL day. We started class around 9:30 am and did not leave until after midnight. While it was a super long day, I felt like I truly understood every concept we had covered that day.

Hair Extensions Class

What Did We Learn In Our Hair Extensions Class?

Class started with us talking to Dale, one of the owners, about the business behind extensions. He taught us about how Di Biase hair is “ponytail collect”. This means that when the hair was cut from the head it was put into a ponytail first. This keeps the hair all in the same direction that it grew out of the head giving you “remi” hair. If hair is not ponytail collect, they have to remove the cuticle from the hair and then create a fake one to simulate remi hair. If the hair is not remi, fake or true, it will literally fuse together because the cuticle is all different directions.

After we talked with Dale for a while, Vicki, the other owner of Di Biase then taught us how to do the sticker hair. I have already taken a couple classes on the sticker hair so it was more of a review for me.

We then moved on to the fusion extensions. As Vicki showed us how to do these, she made them look super easy. Jessie and I both were thinking, “Okay, we got this!”. We practiced on mannequins first and it was definitely harder than it looked. We probably put 20 to 30 bonds in the mannequin before we switched over to doing Jessie’s hair.

Jessie was my model and I was hers. It was an absolutely amazing experience and hair extensions class. If I don’t say so myself, I’d say we did a pretty good job too! Call the salon today to set up your complimentary consultation!

After Our Hair Extensions Class

Hair Extensions Class
Jessie’s Before and After
Hair Extensions Class
Josie’s Before and After

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂