With so many makeup brands, tutorials, and gurus out there nowadays, it is hard to keep it all straight. I feel like I even get overwhelmed with it all sometimes. Hopefully with this blog I am able to clear up just one of multiple options out there for you; Airbrush Makeup.
Airbrush Makeup by Mona
Airbrush Makeup Vs Traditional Makeup
At Ashka Salon Spa, we used to offer traditional makeup applications using AVEDA makeup. It was a hard decision but we finally switched over to strictly Airbrush Makeup a few years ago. There were many reasons behind this decision.
Airbrush Makeup looks flawless in photos. When you are using a brush or a sponge, it is very difficult to get every line blended perfectly so that our high tech HD cameras don’t pick up on them. With airbrush, because it is applied as a mist, those lines are automatically blended. This gives your face a natural perfect complexion.
Like I have already mentioned, it is applied in a sheer mist. This allows for your natural coloring to come through the makeup. This not only gives it a more natural look, but it also helps prevent “cake-face”.
The brand we use at Ashka Salon Spa is TEMPTU. It is waterproof. This means that it is also tear, sweat, and any other liquid proof to keep your look perfect throughout your event.
All in all, I truly believe Airbrush Makeup is the way to go for any special occasion you may have. It is just so lightweight and flawless looking. I personally love how it feels on my skin. If I didn’t know I had a full face of makeup on, I wouldn’t have guessed it simply because you feel fresh faced.
Airbrush Makeup by Jessie
Call today to set up your makeup application for your next event! 734-414-9980
Extensions are such a popular trend right now. At Ashka Salon and Spa we offer multiple times and brands of extensions. One of the types that we offer is Sticker Extensions. Sticker Extensions are a great way to create a lasting style that still is not as much of a commitment as some other extension types. Every summer I usually get sticker extensions put in my hair for a temporary pop of color. It’s perfect because I don’t have the commitment of a purple or blue streak in my hair but I also have long lasting results. I wore my purple extensions half of summer and it didn’t fade noticeably. I was able to swim and enjoy the summer sun without worrying about ruining my hair color!
Sticker Extensions – How Do They Work?
Sticker Extensions for a Pop of Color
Sticker Extensions are just like how they sound; stickers! There is two pieces of hair that sandwich a small slice of your own hair and that is how they stay on. Our extension specialists will customize the placement and cut of your extensions so that you can have the look you’ve always wanted. You can use them for an whole head application, to add volume to your sides, or as accent pieces of color.
Sticker Extensions
With all extension services at Ashka Salon Spa, we require a complimentary consultation. During this appointment you will see hair swatches of colors, get an exact price for your custom extensions, and learn exactly how it will work with your desired style. We do require that you put down a nonrefundable deposit of half of the cost for your extension appointment before booking your service. This pays for the cost of the hair as well as to hold your appointment for the day of.
Call today to see Lisa or I for your custom extensions! 734-414-9980
There are many different careers within the Beauty Industry. There are many different paths just within Ashka Salon Spa. If you are thinking that you may want a salon job, there is so many ways to go about it. One route would be to start working the front desk first. While this is a tasking job, it gives you a complete taste of what working in the salon would be like!
Many of you might have noticed a lot of new changes around the salon, including some new faces! We recently welcomed Rachel as a Front Desk Coordinator to our team. She is a wonderful addition as a new team member. Not only do we love her, I know our clients will too! Rachel is super friendly, and an amazing multitasker. I have full confidence that she will thrive at the front desk.
Who is Our New Team Member?
Rachel is so happy with her salon job!
Rachel is a recent graduate from University of Michigan Dearborn with a degree in Psychology. She applied to Eastern Michigan University for graduate school. At EMU she hopes to study Social Work for Families and Children. She currently works two jobs including the front desk at Ashka Salon Spa as well as a group leader at Westland’s Youth Assistance Program. On top of that she also does a weekly paper route! When Rachel isn’t working or studying, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She can often be found at the baseball fields in Westland rooting on her dad, boyfriend, and many friends in their softball leagues.
Question and Answer with Our New Team Member on Her Salon Job
Enjoying Our Salon Job
What do you like most about working at Ashka Salon Spa?
Rachel: I like that everyone is so passionate about what they do. Everyone is happy without effort and it makes a huge difference!
What is the biggest change from your last job?
Rachel: The biggest change from my old job is that I have a lot more responsibility. I play a much bigger role in ensuring the company runs smoothly for service providers and clients.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome so far at Ashka Salon Spa?
Rachel: The biggest challenge has been adapting to a job that I really did not have an experience with. My multitasking skills have greatly improved since starting at Ashka Salon Spa.
Would you recommend a salon job to someone? Why or why not?
Rachel: I would recommend a salon job to someone because it is an excellent example of what true customer service is. Working at a salon provides the opportunity to master customer service and communication skills among the staff. It is a job that provides you with skills that can be used to enhance future career opportunities.
A salon job can be hectic, but it is easily the most rewarding job I have ever worked. Ashka Salon Spa has definitely shaped me into the woman I am today. I believe that it is a great way to learn many life skills, even if your end goal isn’t to work in a salon for the rest of your life. Other salon job are manager, owner, service provider, and front desk assistant.
Like I said, I know that the entire Ashka Salon Spa family, including our clients are going to adore Rachel as much as I do! Be sure to welcome her to our team during your next appointment. Call today so she can help you book it! 734-414-9980
It’s officially Prom season! This is one of the biggest days in a young person’s life up to that point. It is so important to many of the Seniors and Juniors going to prom that everything goes as smoothly as possible! Ashka Salon Spa is your one stop shop for all of your prom needs. Get your prom hair, nails, and makeup done by our fabulous team. Stop in earlier this week to get your eyebrows and maybe even a facial too!
Prom Hair at Ashka Salon Spa
Prom Hair by Josie
With Pinterest making amazing up style pictures available with ease, at the salon we are seeing more intricate styles from our clients! To me, this make my job that much more fun. I absolutely love giving my clients upstyles that they wouldn’t be able to achieve themselves at home. I always worn people, “it’s kind of an ugly process so bare with me, but it will all come together in the end”. In order to achieve these beautiful (appearingly) effortless looks, you have to approach the style in sections. Because of this puzzle-like technique it can look worse before it gets better. Honestly, that is one of the reason I love up styles so much. After teasing and curling the hair, you could look like a lion. But by the time I am done smoothing and pinning the hair, you have a sleek elegant look.
Prom hair styles can range from $60 to $105 depending on who you see. Extensive braiding, the addition of extensions or placement of embellishments may incur an additional charge. Please mention these extras when making your appointment to insure enough time is scheduled.
Pair Your Prom Hair with the Perfect Makeup
Prom Hair and Makeup by Mona
At Ashka Salon Spa, we use Airbrush Makeup for all of our face makeup. We do this because of the versatility that it provides our Makeup Artists and clients. The Temptu Airbrush Makeup is extremely lightweight but still provides full coverage. It looks amazing on camera making it perfect to look back on for your Prom memories.
Airbrush Makeup Applications range in price from $60 to $80 depending on who you see. Our Makeup Artists will be able to give you a customized look for your special day to meet your needs!
All in all, Prom is a very exciting day for all, including us stylists! I know I can’t wait for Prom Day this year. Book your appointment today! 734-414-9980
Guest Appreciation Week seems to come faster and faster every year. June 1st through the 7th will be here before we know it! This will be my 3rd annual Guest Appreciation Week that I have worked; however this will be my first working as a stylist. In the past I have worked the desk and assisted. This week is always absolutely insane behind the scenes. Even though it is always a lot of work, it is amazing seeing how much our guests absolutely love it!
Guest Appreciation Week – What is it all about?
Guest Appreciation Week
Here at Ashka Salon Spa, we truly hope that our guests feel loved throughout the year. We make a point of going above and beyond 1 week per year to make sure that they know! June 1st through the 7th we will be offering multiple deals and fun for our guests! You will receive 15% off all services and products during that week. This is however excluding Airbrush Makeup Applications and Special Occasion Styles. Ashka Salon Spa will be offering champagne and cheesecake throughout the week as well. And if that wasn’t enough, there will be over $1000 of prizes given out!
Our Guests are so Great We Need a Whole Week to Celebrate You! 5th Annual Guest Appreciation Week
Our guests mean so much to us at Ashka Salon Spa. We are all so lucky to have such an amazing community to serve. You all truly make our jobs easier and so much fun. It is important to our team that we are able to express this to our guests. Like I said before, just working the desk and assisting, it was amazing seeing the joy on our clients faces. Whether it be the shock and joy of being offered cheesecake and champagne, or that little bit of a difference on their bill for the day, everyone leaves happy. I am so lucky to be able to experience this interaction from behind the chair this year. I cannot wait to see those smiles on my very own clients.
Guest Appreciation Week
Appointments are going fast and I recommending calling as soon as possible to ensure you can see your favorite Ashka Salon Spa team member at a time that is convenient for you! 734-414-9980
Since I was assisting for the past year and a half, my hands have really be taking a beating. No matter what I do to them they still seem dry and my cuticles are always stained with hair color. This is the exact reason I needed to see Kym for a Shellac Manicure. Kym is our lead nail technician at Ashka Salon Spa. She is seriously a miracle worker. The benefits of a shellac manicure versus a regular manicure are endless to me. I work with my hands in water all day everyday and regular nail polish will only last a day.
What Do You Get in a Shellac Manicure?
Shellac Manicure by Kym
Kym starts with doing any nail maintenance that you may need first. It is important to completely clear the nail bed of any cuticle and oil. This makes your shellac stay the longest possible. Kym will shape your nails first and then let your cuticle sit with product on them to remove them. After pushing back your cuticles and nipping them, your nails are wiped with a hot towel, buffed and the oil is removed. Then the fun part begins. I love picking out my nail color. To me, it is a huge part of self expression. Am I feeling bubbly and pink? Or more mysterious and dark? After a base coat, two color coats and a top coat, your nails are completely dry and ready to go. That is one of the best parts about a Shellac Manicure, the minute you are done, your nails are dry. I can’t even paint my nails anymore with regular polish because I am so impatient with the drying process. And since they are dry, you get to enjoy an amazing hand massage by Kym before leaving!
The Power of a Shellac Manicure
Shellac Manicure Results
The power of a manicure is absolutely incredible. I’m pretty sure after every manicure or pedicure I have every gotten, the first words out my mouth have been “Ahhh, I feel human again”. It gives me confidence and feeling of being put together. I feel professional when my nails look professional. A shellac manicure is without a doubt is a can’t miss service for me. Call today to book your appointment with Kym!
Before I started working in the beauty industry, I was definitely guilty of using drugstore brands for my shampoo and conditioner. I used whatever my mom bought me and that was it. As far as I knew, my hair felt great! Wrong. Looking back, my hair was super crispy. I was using an outrageous amount of hairspray and gel to hold back my ballet bun, and I was washing and straightening my hair everyday for school. Between how I was styling my hair and the products I was using, my hair was NOT in good shape. After working in an AVEDA salon for 3 years now, I would love to go back in time. I would tell myself so many things. But one of the biggest would be to shampoo correctly. Starting with the correct shampoo and conditioner means you are prepping your hair for success. When you wash your face before applying your make up, you want the cleanest, smoothest surface to work on. Wouldn’t you want the same before styling your hair? I thought it would be a fun experiment to compare a common drugstore brand shampoo and conditioner to my favorite AVEDA shampoo and conditioner.
What is the Correct Shampoo? – The Experiment
I typically with washing my hair 2 to 3 times per week. This helps insure my color stays the best and also doesn’t dry out my hair from excessive oil stripping. For this experiment I washed my hair with my favorite AVEDA shampoo, Smooth Infusion. And I conditioned with AVEDA’s Damage Remedy conditioner. I blew out my hair and wore my style for 2 days. I curled my hair on day 2. I repeated this using a common drugstore brand and recorded my findings. I used the same AVEDA styling products and tools to style my hair. This insured that the only differences was my shampoo and conditioner.
AVEDA Shampoo and Conditioner; Is This the Correct Shampoo? – Day 1
Sunday morning I woke up and washed my hair. I shampooed twice with AVEDA’s Smooth Infusion Shampoo. I conditioned using AVEDA’s Damage Remedy Conditioner. I left my conditioner on for 5 minutes. I used a wide tooth comb and AVEDA’s Damage Control to comb through my hair. To style my hair I used AVEDA’s Pure Abundance Style Prep and the Smooth Infusion Nourishing Creme. I round brushed my hair out how I normally do.
My hair felt soft and fluffy. Once I took the picture I could tell I needed a trim. Which, unfortunately, no product will be able to fix that. They just need to be cut fresh. Other than that my hair was in good shape. Combing through my mane was easy and didn’t cause much discomfort.
Day 1 with AVEDA Shampoo and Conditioner – Correct Shampoo Challenge
AVEDA Shampoo and Conditioner; Is This the Correct Shampoo? – Day 2
Monday was my day off from work so I took it easy in the morning. Like I previously said, I don’t like to wash my hair everyday because the natural oils your scalp produces is good for your hair. To get ready for my day I curled my hair and used AVEDA’s Air Control hairspray to hold my style.
My hair didn’t have as much body as it did the day before. I expected this though. I’m a crazy sleeper and usually wake up with bed head. My curls held pretty well throughout the day and really only fell a little bit. My hair still felt really good and had a lot of natural shine to it.
Day 2 with AVEDA Shampoo and Conditioner – Correct Shampoo Challenge
Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner; Is This the Correct Shampoo? – Day 1
Tuesday morning I had to go to the salon early to do my best friend’s hair. While she was processing, I had her wash my hair with drugstore damage repair shampoo and conditioner. I picked this kind because if I were shopping for shampoo and conditioner, I definitely would be looking for damage control. It promises that my hair will be fixed in just 3 washes. Talk about a miracle worker. I blew out my hair using the same products and tools as I had when I blew out my hair for the AVEDA shampoo and conditioner.
My hair felt oddly soft. I knew my hair wasn’t healthy enough to feel the way it did. It almost had a wax-y feeling to it. I can easily see how people are fooled by how your hair feels when using these products. However when I was combing out my hair, I lost a lot more hair than I had before. I used the same comb as I had so I was definitely shocked to see what a drastic difference there was. My hair was are to blow out and I had a hard time giving it any bend to the ends with my round brush.
Day 1 with Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner – Correct Shampoo Challenge
Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner; Is This the Correct Shampoo? – Day 2
I woke up on Wednesday and my hair was so silky soft. Knowing that I was supposed to curl my hair, I knew this would be an issue. However, I couldn’t use anything more than what I had used previously. I attempted to curl my hair and I loaded up my hair with hairspray but it just wouldn’t hold no matter what I did. I was blown away by the difference in my hair after just one wash.
Day 2 with Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner – Correct Shampoo Challenge
In conclusion, I will definitely not be switching from my AVEDA shampoo and conditioner anytime soon. I love the fact that they are all natural ingredients and my hair feels better than ever.
AVEDA makes a lot of different shampoo and conditioner lines to fit everyone’s needs. Whether your hair is thinning, or you are concerned about your color fading, Ashka Salon Spa has something for you! Call or stop in today to get our professional opinion about what would be best for your lifestyle and hair.
AVEDA held a hair contest this month called Full Spectrum Fusion. We as colorists had to create a look using a combination of our two permanent haircolor lines. When I saw the flyer in the break room, I knew I wanted to enter. Just starting on the floor, I figured this would be a good way to really look into the color lines and get comfortable with them.
I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I was going to need a model for it. I put out a “hair color model needed” post on social media and immediately heard back from people. One of my friends who went to cosmetology school messaged me. She was interested in trying the oil slick trend. The oil slick trend is meant to replicate what it looks like when there is spilled gas or oil on the cement creating a rainbow effect.
Oil Spill
Entering a Hair Contest 101 – Never Stop Thinking About it
I spent the next couple of weeks looking into different ways to achieve this technique. There were a few big name stylists who had posted how to videos and I watched as many as I could. I took my time making swatches in the salon so I could see exactly how my formulas would turn out. I made a huge poster board explaining step by step how I was going to achieve my work.
My preparation board to enter the hair contest!
When my model came in, I showed her all of my preparation and we were both eager to get started. As I worked through my process, I became more and more eager to see the final outcome. It seemed like everything was going perfect! It took a total of 6 hours to get the results I was looking for and unfortunately my model needed to go so I wasn’t able to get the pictures I wanted.
My oil slick colors for the hair contest
Entering a Hair Contest – The Photoshoot
One of the many images taken for the contest!
My model said she would come back in a day for me to style and photograph my work. I was definitely nervous that she would wash it before then just because I knew the colors would be the most vibrant right then. However she didn’t and waited for me to style her hair for her. I learned a lot while we were taking pictures. There is a lot of “behind the scenes” when you look at a beautiful picture in a magazine. We styled her hair with products that I wouldn’t necessarily use if I was just sending her out the door. We also had to be very critical of how the hair was laying. We ended up taking a total of 23 pictures only to submit 1.
My Oil Slicked Mermaid – My Final Image
In the end, all of my colors turned out exactly how I wanted. There is definitely some things about the process that I would change, but all in all I love how it turned out. You never know how your work will compare to other entries but I know that I did my absolute best. I turned in my photo knowing how much work I put into it, and I was, and still am proud. I will be sure to post another blog once I hear how I did!
Last weekend I attended America’s Beauty Show in Chicago with 9 of the girls from Ashka Salon Spa. It is held once a year at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. I went for the first time last year and it was absolutely amazing. I had gone in really not knowing what to expect at all. However, I was determined to make the most out of this years trip. Especially since I had to reschedule another AVEDA class I registered for in order to go.
America’s Beauty Show 2016
America’s Beauty Show – Classes
As I have talked about before, I LOVE continued education. I love talking classes. And I love to learn. My manager had said I should try to take a class over the weekend to make up for having to reschedule my other one. I could not find where the classes were anywhere and I was really starting to stress out. Luckily my coworker Christine had taken classes at America’s Beauty Show before. She showed me the catalog of all possible classes. And of course, I went crazy. I ended up buying a three day pass to the show and signing up for a total of 5 classes. I know everyone thought I was crazy but honestly I was so pumped.
I had two classes on Saturday. My first class was Larisa Love’s Color. Larisa Love is an amazing colorist that I have been following on Instagram for some time now. This was the class I was most excited to take! I had ubered (by myself! Eek!) to the McCormick Place and arrived an hour and a half early. I checked in to the show on the main floor and had bought myself a pop. I knew I was early and wanted to check out the showroom before class. I knew I needed to figure out where I was going first. I asked one of the hair show workers where it was being held and she said it was “across the skybridge and in the hotel”. I said thanks and headed that way. I was looking for room C-2004 but I couldn’t find it anywhere. By this point I had killed 45 minutes and I was starting to panic. I asked the hotel concierge where the room might be and he told me it’s right by registration. If you were to ask my boyfriend or my best friend, they would tell you how much of a panic I was in. I was sending them video updates throughout the weekend via snapchat. I sprinted back to where I needed to be and got to class with 30 minutes to spare. I was in the front room and settled into my seat when I opened my pop and it exploded everywhere. Luckily the lady next to me was super nice and we laughed about it and she helped me clean it up. When the class started I was in awe. I couldn’t believe Larissa was really there in front of me. She brought out two models. One whose hair was completely done with the techniques she was going to teach. The other model’s hair was half done because she was going to complete the look in front of us. She taught us multiple color technique’s including the balayage sandwich and the teardrop technique. Larissa did a meet and greet after where I was able to talk and ask her questions one on one with her and get our picture too!
Larissa Love and I at America’s Beauty Show 2016
My second class was much easier to find and I still arrived about a half hour early and was able to catch the last half of the class before the one I had signed up for. My second class was Camera Ready Styling. My dream is to work behind the scenes at New York’s Fashion Week one day. I love the idea of working on photoshoots and expressing myself creatively through that platform. This class was put on by Tearsheets which is a company who offers classes in runway and editorial styling. The biggest thing I learned from this class was that this company will teach you how to work effectively on photo shoots. By taking one of their classes you are put on their creative team and they invite people from that list to help behind the scenes for runway shows. They even bring people in for Fashion Week! It made my dream extremely tangible. I am excited to look into taking one of these classes in 2017 as one of my big education investments.
America’s Beauty Show – Showroom Floor
Showroom Floor
Besides from classes, America’s Beauty Show has a HUGE showroom floor. It has almost any product or tool in the industry that you can think of. I was like a kid in a candy store. Last year was my first year attending and I just went in blind to see what I could find. This year I made myself a shopping list. I knew I wanted new round brushes, my boyfriend needed trimmers, and my mom wanted some color touch up. When you walk in, it’s hard to not be overwhelmed by the amount of activity that is going on.
What is cool about the showroom floor is that each brand that is there usually has demonstrations and seating in their booth area. I could walk around and watch mini hair shows all day long and honestly that’s pretty much what I ended up doing!
I walked up to one booth that had a bit of a crowd around it. The gathering wasn’t big enough for me to think anything of it other than how busy the show was in general. I looked down at a table and there was a book written by Jenny Strebe. She is another amazing stylist who I love and follow on social media platforms. She specializes in styling and braids. I had wanted her new book for a while. On the table I saw a sharpie and it clicked that she must be at the show signing books! I looked around to see her standing not even three feet away from me talking to someone else. I couldn’t believe it! I purchased her book and she signed it for me. I even got a picture with her!
Jenny Strebe and I at America’s Beauty Show 2016
All in all, that weekend was extremely successful. I love being in such an inspiring place and I am very fortunate to be able to attend these types of shows. I cannot wait to try my new techniques and tools that I purchased!
AVEDA releases an education calendar twice a year and every time it comes out, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. I love advanced education. It is my favorite walking into a class not knowing what mental treasures I will end up leaving with. The most recent calendar was released this past December. I knew I wanted to take creative formulations with Jeffrey Scott. I had already taken one of his classes. Ashka Salon Spa had Jeffrey Scott come in to teach a Pure Blonding class in 2014. Even though I was still in cosmetology school, I was able to sit in on the class. I learned so much in pure blonding and I didn’t truly grasp just how much until after I graduated from school. Seeing Jeffrey’s name on the new education calendar was enough to get me pumped up.
Creative Formulations
Creative Formulations – Think Outside of the Box
Creative Formulations
We started class with the AVEDA mission and a warm up exercise to wake up our brains. The exercise was to get us “thinking out of the box”. Creative Formulations was about thinking about different ways to use AVEDA hair color other than the general rules they give you. What always really impresses me about Jeffrey Scott is how much background information he knows about AVEDA and their products. He was able to give us a chemical breakdown of two of the different color lines. This gave us background information on why certains things could and could not be mixed together.
Swatch Boards with Creative Formulations
Creative Formulations
Throughout the day Jeffrey broke down different ways to formulate certain colors. My favorite part about the class was making our own swatch board to take home with us. He provided us with 20 swatches, velcro tabs, thick poster board and labels.
I took this class with 3 of the other stylists at Ashka Salon Spa. It’s always nice attending class with people you know. I love going on our lunch break and being able to discuss what we’ve already been taught in the class. It is great to recap and see how others are feeling about the class. I am a strong believer that if you can reiterate a concept, you then truly understand it.
I always get so excited after taking a class. I can never wait to get back in the salon and try some of the things I had learned during the day.
