New York Fashion Week with AVEDA

Working behind the scenes of New York Fashion Week has always been a huge dream of mine. Being able to help major designers fulfill their visions of their art sounds absolutely incredible. When I found out that AVEDA guest artists work on these incredible shows regularly, I knew I wanted to work with them.

New York Fashion Week – AVEDA

New York Fashion Week

One AVEDA Guest Artist who works backstage for fashion weeks all over the world is Jon Reyman. Beginning his career with AVEDA, Jon followed all the way through with it. He became a Purefessional and was working as the Artistic Director of the Advanced Academy by 2002. He works with a lot of celebrities and behind the scenes at multiple fashion shows and photoshoots. Jon is very passionate about education and it shows.

My Future New York Fashion Week Goals

New York Fashion Week
The Skingraft AW15 Show

Through personal research, I have found out that there are classes offered at the AVEDA Advanced Academy that allows you to attend New York Fashion Week. I am determined to attend this course within the next couple of years. This amazing opportunity is taught by Jon Reyman himself. I cannot even imagine the amount of knowledge one would acquire from this class. Starting with a 2 day hands on workshop in New York, then you meet back with Jon Reyman for New York Fashion Week to assist behind the scenes on some of the biggest runway shows.

Honestly, I am continually in awe about the multitude of possibilities that AVEDA supplies through their company. I am so thankful that Ashka Salon Spa is as involved as I am when  it comes to continued education. I cannot wait for the time to come when I can write a blog about how I get the chance to go to New York Fashion Week.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Wellness and Tulasara Lifestyle

As I have said before, Tulasara means to “bring into balance”. With AVEDA’s new skincare line coming out, I have been thinking a lot about this phrase. How could I bring my life more into balance? I recently moved into a new condominium. With such a big lifestyle change, I want to be as close to “balanced” as I possibly can. I truly believe that by living a Tulasara lifestyle and maintaining my wellness, I will be on the right path for achieving the balance I aim for in my life.

Tulasara Lifestyle

What is a Tulasara Lifestyle?

I believe the Tulasara lifestyle can be characterized by consistent efforts toward balance, whether this be moral, physical, mental emotional, etc. This can be compared to something as simple as eating an apple and peanut butter instead of going out for pizza. This can even be applied to more difficult matters in one’s life. No matter what situation, though, this life is made up of choices. We have the ability to choose to work towards balance. We have the ability to choose to move farther away from balance.

“Balanced skin is the absence of negatives, it is free of stress, healthy and beautiful”
– Dr. Upadhyay

While the quote by Dr. Upadhyay is obviously talking about skin, I think that it is applicable to life. When I get rid of negative energy and thoughts, I can physically and mentally feel the difference in my life.

While life can never be completely stress free, our stress can be eased. This is one way that Ashka Salon Spa can help everyone move towards a tulasara lifestyle. By coming into the salon, you are  promising yourself a time to sit and relax. Use our space as your oasis. Leave your worries at our door and enjoy the time that you have while we pamper you. I promise it will help bring you closer to balance, closer to Tulasara.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

AVEDA’s New Tulasara Radiant Oleation Oil

Radiant Oleation Oil

If you read my other blog, “New AVEDA Skin Care, Here is a Sneak Peek!”, you know that I am SO excited about Tulasara. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the Radiant Facial Dry Brush and the Radiant Oleation Oil early. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this product. When Ashka Salon Spa gets these new products in for retail, I promise that you NEED these! Keep reading to see exactly how to use it.

Tulasara Radiant Oleation Oil and Dry Brush – How To

Radiant Oleation Oil
Makeup after a long day!

To start, I washed my face with AVEDA’s Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser. I have dry skin and always seem to get build up on my face. Having a physical exfoliant, my skin always feels super smooth.

Radiant Oleation Oil
After cleansing with Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser.

After washing my face, I let it completely dry before I begin dry brushing. You use circular motions starting at your chest and neck and moving up to your forehead. You always want to be brushing up and out. Dry brush for 1 minute.

Radiant Oleation Oil
Drying brushing away!

Next you are going to massage the Radiant Oleation Oil in back and forth motions. Start at your chest and neck again, moving up to your forehead. You are going to let the oil steep in for 4 minutes.

Radiant Oleation Oil
After cleansing with Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser, again. Side Note: I had a stressful day when I took these pictures. My skin will often become more reactive on these days. I have used these products in the past without any irritation!

Cleanse your skin again and finish with your normal skin routine. For me this meant to cleanse with the Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser again. I then used Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming Toning Mist. After that soaked in I used Tourmaline Charged Radiance Fluid as my serum. I finished with Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme, and Hydrating Lotion.

If you prefer, you can watch a video on how to do this right here.

Benefits of the Radiant Oleation Oil and Dry Brush

Radiant Oleation Oil
Radiant Oleation Oil and Dry Brush

Why should we be dry brushing our faces? What does dry brushing even mean? It gently exfoliates your face, removing dry, dead skin cells. Dry brush does help to support natural cell turnover. It also promotes smooth, soft skin. Who doesn’t want that?

The Radiant Oleation Oil is 100% naturally derived. This means that it was made from plants, non-petroleum minerals, or water. It is non-acnegenic no matter what your skin type is! By massaging your face, you awaken microcirculation and instantly reveals skin’s radiance.

Radiant Oleation Oil and Dry Brush – What Is My Opinion?

Radiant Oleation Oil
Selfie after using Dry Brush and Oleation Oil and Applying Makeup

Yes, Yes, Yes! It is very rare that I am sold so quickly on new products, but I swear that I saw a difference after the first time I used it. I am absolutely obsessed with these new skin care tools. It is great because I am able to use it daily. I personally like using it at night just because of my schedule but I have tried it in the morning before apply make up and I looked like I was glowing from within. I cannot wait for you guys to get your hands on these.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

New AVEDA Skin Care, Here is a Sneak Peek!

AVEDA has been working on revamping their skin care line for a while now. I am happy to announce that it is right around the corner from being released! The estheticians at Ashka Salon Spa have now taken three webinars in order to get ready for this new AVEDA skin care launch. Coming up within the next few months, we will have taken the AVEDA Skin Transformed. Here our estheticians will learn all about the new Tulasara line!

AVEDA Skin Care – What is Ayurveda?

While AVEDA has always taken an Ayurvedic approach to skin care, with the new Tulasara they are taking it to the next level. Ayurveda is a traditional healing method of India. When the word is broken down it means the “knowledge of longevity”. It is based off of your certain element. The options are Infinity/Air, Fire, and Water/Earth.  If you want to figure out what element you are, you can take a quiz here. 

When I took my quiz, I actually ended up being a balanced version of all three. The quiz gives you your results and recommends diet, medicine, climate, and yoga for your specific type.

AVEDA believes that your skin is the first to show when you are imbalanced in some way. On the other hand, when you are living a balanced life, you will have healthy, vital skin. 

AVEDA Skin Care – What is Tulasara?

The new skin care line that AVEDA is coming out with is called Tulasara. Tulasara mean “back to balance”.

What is different about it is that there is one main line for everyone, and through the use of concentrates, it is fully customizable for everyone’s skin care needs. The concentrates that Tulasara will have include firm, bright, and calm. 

AVEDA Skin Care - Concentrates
AVEDA Skin Care – Concentrates

Firm: helps to lift and firm the skin, will also restore radiance.

Bright: also helps restore radiance, but will specifically help with dark spots and discoloration.

Calm: instantly soothes the skin, makes it more resilient over time. 

AVEDA skin care is also coming out with their very own dry brush and oleation oil for at home use! I am personally really excited about these two. Dry brushing is great for exfoliating and promoting healthy cell turn over. 

AVEDA Skin Care - Dry Brush
AVEDA Skin Care – Dry Brush

All in all, Ashka Salon Spa is pumped about these new products and so am I. They should be in salon no later than september! Be sure to plan on stopping in to try one of our updated facials and get your hands on some new products!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

My Photo Shoot Experience in Canton, MI

Photo Shoot Experience

Working on behind the scenes of photoshoots and runways has always been a dream of mind. Whether it was designing clothing, modeling or doing hair, I knew I wanted to be in that atmosphere. I have worked on one other photoshoot helping  someone do hair. Ashka Salon Spa has added 2 photoshoots per year where the team is able to participate. The salon can then use these photos for promotional material! Jessie and I decided it would be a great opportunity to work together on. Evelyn also decided to do her own look as well! All in all it was a great photo shoot experience.

photo shoot experience
I had an amazing photo shoot experience!

Jessie and Josie’s Photo Shoot Experience

Photo Shoot Experience
Back View of Josie and Jessie’s Model

This was my first photo shoot where I was completely in charge of the hair. Jessie loves doing makeup, and is amazing at it. We knew we were going to work together. I love braids so I knew I wanted to incorporate that somehow into the hair design. Jessie wanted to use warm deep tones.

One thing we learned with working on our first photo shoots was how much work it really is. We also learned how much preparation goes into it. Jessie and I didn’t realize that you even need to think about how you want your model to pose! We are looking forward to working together again on the holiday photoshoot later this month.

Evelyn’s Photo Shoot Experience

Photo Shoot Experience
Evelyn’s Model

Evelyn had her cousin come in and did a very beautiful balayage. It really brightened up her model’s look. Day of the shoot, she curled and braided her hair. Evelyn also gave her model a natural makeup look. She looks glowing and beautiful!

You definitely need to stop in to see what our amazingly talented stylists can do with your hair and makeup! 734-414-9980 Look for the other images on our facebook and other social media accounts.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

Sun Protection with AVEDA

Sun Protection

There is no doubt that too much sun exposure is bad for your skin. Did you know that the sun can have negative effects on your hair too? At Ashka Salon Spa you can get your sun protection for your hair and skin with AVEDA products.

Sun Protection – Hair

If you are like me, you absolutely love the sun and want to soak up as much of it as possible during the summer. The issue I always seem to have is that by the end of summer, my hair very dry and fragile. Until recently, I never made the connection that it could be from sun exposure!

With extended sun exposure the UV rays from the sun can damage your hair just like it can your skin. It will cause your hair to feel thinner, dry, and brittle. Too much sun can even fade your hair color! Luckily, AVEDA does have a product designed specifically for sun protection. The Sun Care line by AVEDA is a must have for Michigan summers.

Sun Protection
Sun Protection for your hair

Here is a breakdown of everything included in the line!

AVEDA’s Sun Care Protective Hair Veil:

  • Lightweight, waterproof mist.
  • Protects from UV damage.
  • Lasts for up to 16 hours.
  • Great detangler.

AVEDA’s Sun Care After-Sun Hair Masque:

  • Restores the look of sun-exposed hair.
  • Plant oils help to moisturize the hair.
  • Antioxidant blend helps to protect against free radicals.

AVEDA’s Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser:

  • Color-safe formula.
  • Removes chlorine, salt, and product build up.
  • Corn-derived chelator helps to remove minerals in chlorinated pool water that causes discoloration.

The best part about AVEDA’s Sun Care line is that it is so easy to just throw in my beach bag and know I have everything I need to protect my hair from the sun.

Sun Protection – Skin

It is much more common knowledge that overexposure to the sun can be detrimental to your skin. Beth, our lead esthetician at Ashka Salon Spa, told me today “If you want to stay young and beautiful, you need to start wearing a sunscreen on your face everyday”. Who doesn’t want that? AVEDA recently came out with a new product to protect your skin from the sun. It is the new Daily Light Guard.

Sun Protection
Sun Protection for the Skin

AVEDA’s Daily Light Guard is super light weight. It is perfect to add to your skincare routine. It has 100% mineral-derived sunscreens. This product is dermatologist tested and it great for all skin types because it is non-acnegenic.

As I get older, I realize how important it is to guard yourself from the sun. I am so happy that AVEDA recognizes this as well. I can’t wait to pick up these products from Ashka Salon Spa tomorrow so that I am 100% ready for summer! Hopefully I’ll see you there.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Balancing Work & Play at Ashka Salon Spa

Balancing Work

If you were to talk to my manager, she would tell you that I constantly struggle with balancing work and play. I have been caught multiple times asking if having down time is even worth it. Some people may even consider me a “workaholic”. Coming from someone who just adores her job and wants nothing but to be able to be the best she can be, squeezing in me time can be very difficult. I have found though, those off chances that I do pamper myself, are more than deserved.

Balancing Work
Balancing Work and Play can be harder than it seems.

Balancing Work with Play

How many times have you worked yourself so hard that you dread when your alarm clock goes off in the morning? While I am not saying we can make you love that (annoying) sound every morning, I can promise that we can help make it a little more bearable. I challenge you to end a long work week with a Manicure with Kym, or a Massage with Sarah. Maybe you even just need a trim so you can enjoy your complimentary scalp massage. At Ashka Salon Spa, we are working to give you some “me” time. We want you to put down your phone that can drive you batty during the work hours and just enjoy the peace and quiet with us. Book an appointment with Beth for a facial after a big presentation. Again, I promise you will love it.

 

“The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration—it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.” This was written by Tim Krieder for the New York Times. It is a wonderful quote. It shows how important downtime truly is. You need downtime in order to accomplish anything.

As I said before, I challenge you to set aside time for yourself. Away from your work. Away from your family. Away from any responsibilities. Enjoy your time in the serenity offered at Ashka Salon Spa

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Airbrush Makeup in Canton Michigan

Airbrush Makeup

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
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
Airbrush Makeup by Jessie

Call today to set up your makeup application for your next event! 734-414-9980

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Shellac Manicure in Canton, MI

Shellac Manicure

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
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
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!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Beauty VIP – Join at Ashka Salon Spa

Beauty VIP

VIP. Very Important Person. Who doesn’t want to be a VIP? At Ashka Salon Spa, with a $100 gift card purchase you can be just that! Becoming a Beauty VIP means you will receive nine coupons that are good for an entire year! Stop in soon though because this offer is only available until February 15th, 2016. We believe all of our guests are very important people and deserve to be treated as such!

Beauty VIP
Join Today!

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, this is a great way to spoil your special someone! By spending $100, you will be able to gift $250+ worth of relaxation. Let your loved one know how much they mean to you, for only a fraction of the price!

What’s the Perks of Being a Beauty VIP?

There are nine different coupons on your Beauty VIP card! That’s not even the best part. These coupons can be used any time from 2/15/16 until 2/01/17. That is nearly a whole year! The coupons include:

$10 off $50 AVEDA product.

Buy 3 get 1 free AVEDA products.

20% off AVEDA product.

$10 off Shampoo and Blow dry.

$15 off a Shellac Application.

$20 off Massage, Facial, or Deluxe Pedicure.

FREE Botanical Hair Therapy with a Haircut ($28 value).

FREE Lip Wax with Brow Wax ($15 value).

FREE Paraffin with Hair Color Service ($10 value).

Beauty VIP
Hair Color Service By Jordan

Don’t have someone to spoil you this Valentine’s Day? Spoil yourself! Make yourself a Beauty VIP. We challenged you to resolve to have healthy hair. Now we are challenging you to spend a little more time on yourself this year. We want to be with you every step of the way. Make 2016 the year of yourself. Sometimes we need to be a little selfish. Pamper yourself. Trust us, you deserve it!

Call Ashka Salon Spa at 734-414-9980 today to get more information!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂