Find your Pot of Gold at Ashka Salon- Golden Hair that is!

Golden Hair

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and I know I’ve got my eye out for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. One place to get your hands on some “treasure” is at Ashka Salon. For years, all that I ever was asked for was ash tones, or white blonde hair. I finally am seeing the trend pendulum swing back over to a slightly more natural blonde color. Golden hair is being asked for more and more in my chair. In comparison to the more cool tones, golden hair tends to have a little more shine to it. It has a little more depth to it and often appears healthier because your hair doesn’t need to be lightened as much to achieve that color.

There is a difference between Golden Hair and Brassy Hair!

Golden Hair
In this before and after by Guy Tang, you can easily see the difference between brass and warmth.

I believe a lot of people often ask for “cool toned hair” because if they ask for something other than that they are afraid of being “orange”. However there is a HUGE difference between being brassy and having a finished gold hue. When you are lightening hair, it gradually exposes something called Natural Remaining Pigment. This pigment is ALWAYS warm. It often looks very raw, or unfinished, and would definitely fall into the “brassy” category for most. However, when your hair is finished with one of Aveda’s Demi Plus glosses, it refines the warm making it look purposeful.

Golden Hair, Ashka Salon
Golden Hair by Alaina

In my honest opinion, I have been loving adding a little warmth to my blondes because it tends to help add the shine that most blondes are missing. One of the Stylists at Ashka Salon Spa in Canton, Alaina, recently shared with me a golden hair color secret.

I love adding just a pinch of light copper to my warm blondes! It seems to give them just enough warmth, without being overboard!

Alaina, Ashka Salon Spa

Call Ashka Salon+ or Ashka Salon Spa today to book your appointment and your hands on a pot of golden hair!

Until Next Time,
Josie 🙂

Balayage Hair Color Near New Hudson and Salem

Everyone is talking about the balayage hair color trend. We have been seeing it on celebrities for a while now and people everywhere are dying to get this low maintenance look! Now with Ashka Salon+ open in South Lyon, people in the New Hudson and Salem areas can reach their hair dreams easier than ever! Balayage is a great option for people who like dimension through their hair! It’s a nice way to add a pop of color.

new hudson salem balayage

Balayage Hair Color Available Near New Hudson and Salem

The “rooted” trend that balayage is nothing new. It has been around for a while now, but it truly does take an expert to give you that seamless blend. Without a perfect transition, this look goes from naturally sun kissed to a very harsh pop of color.


Balayage can be done in so many different ways to achieve a variety of looks. It can range from super blonde to subtle dimension. It’s always important to bring in pictures of the look you are going for so you and your stylist can have a full consultation about the process. It some time will take more than one session to achieve your desired out come. Many “pinterest pictures” are of 12 hour long appointments or have thousands of dollars worth of extensions. When you come in for your appointment your trained colorist will be able to give you a realistic expectation for your specific hair.

A lot of times you see balayage processing in open air. Really though to be able to get the bright blonde ends you need to put the hair in foils. By incubating the hair in foils, the heat gets trapped and helps lift the hair to a lighter color.

Call up to Ashka Salon+ and book your appointment today to get your dream hair!

Until Next Time,
Josie 🙂

12 Days of Aveda Holiday Deals

Aveda Holiday Deals

The best type of Christmas is an Aveda Christmas! With the holiday season in full swing, I am constantly wracking my brain on what to get people. With an Aveda salon in your area, it’s easier than ever before to give your loved one the perfect gift. I can’t get enough of Aveda, so I definitely have a holiday wish list. I have a feeling, people in your life would love them too! Keep reading to find out more about some Aveda Holiday Deals we have this season.

Aveda Holiday Deals
Aveda Holiday Deals

Josie’s Aveda Holiday Wish List

Aveda always is a great gift choice in my opinion. However, there are three products in particular that I think would really be stand out gifts.

  1. Hand or Foot Relief – Aveda has the hand and foot lotion game on lock. I love how moisturizing the Hand Relief is without being “greasy”. It soaks into the skin quickly without leaving a film. The Foot Relief is similar in that it is super moisturizing, but it also has a mint aroma that leaves your feet feeling fresh.
  2. Beautifying Radiance Polish – Every person I have gifted this scrub to loves it! My boyfriend’s mom has been obsessed with it ever since and even said she noticed that her other son has taken a liking to it as well. It is super moisturizing which is great for the winter dryness we experience here in Michigan. It makes an everyday shower turn into a spa experience.
  3. Speed of Light – I have been absolutely LOVING this hair product since it’s came out. It helps to speed up the time of your blow dry. It helps to spread apart the hair strands so that the blow dry air flows through better. It also is a detangler and a heat protectant making it a great all in one prep product for all hair types!

12 Days of Aveda Holiday Deals

This year we are doing 12 Days of Aveda Holiday Deals as our promotion for the season. How it works is every night from the 11th until the 22nd, you will receive and email with a special deal that is only valid for the following business day. They could be product deals, or service deals! Half of the fun is getting the surprise deal at night. So keep your eyes peeled so you don’t miss the day to get someone you care for the perfect Aveda gift.

 

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Aveda Hair Products in South Lyon and Canton

Aveda Hair Products

Unfortunately, there is only a select few people in this world who are lucky enough to be able to truly “wash and go” and still have a good hair day. Using good hair product is a game changer when it comes to successfully styling hair. For more than just the ethical reasons, I believe that Aveda Hair Products are the absolute best. Not only are they never tested on animals, they are also made with amazing ingredients to truly nourish your hair.

Aveda Hair Products
Aveda Hair Products

The Importance of Aveda Hair Products

Using hair products can completely change the outcome of your hair in the morning. It makes it possible for your curl to hold a little bit longer, or your volume to stay where you want it. It even saves me from having to wash my hair everyday. (Thank God for dry shampoo!)

My Favorite Aveda Hair Products

My top 3 go to hair styling products from Aveda are:

Speed of Light Blow Dry Accelerator Spray – this is one of the newest Aveda hair products to come out and I have been obsessed with it since day one. I really can tell how much it speeds up my blow drying time. Also, I love that it is also a heat protectant and a detangler. In my opinion, it’s the best “prep”” product you can get.

Volumizing Tonic – I have thick, long, heavy hair. Many people ask why I would using something for volume, but I love the body that my hair gets when I use this product. My hair typically wants to lay flat to my head, but with the volumizing tonic, I never have to worry about “deflating” throughout my day.

Smooth Infusion Nourishing Creme – When this came out a couple years ago, this product changed my life. I always wanted smoother hair, but all of the smooth infusion products were too heavy for me personally. The Nourishing Creme has just enough power to get the job done, without making my hair feel greasy.

Everyone is going to have a different go to product team. Stop in at either our South Lyon or Canton location to get products recommend for you.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Get Your Complete AVEDA Hair Care System

Aveda Hair Care System

Healthy hair is pretty hair. Simple as that. The best way to ensure you have healthy hair, is to take proper care of it. With a complete Aveda hair care system at home, I promise your hair will be getting all the love it needs to be long, shiny, voluminous; whatever adjective you want! I have been using strictly Aveda on my hair for close to 5 years now. Occasionally I have used other products in a pinch, but I can tell the difference in how my hair feels and looks immediately.

Aveda Hair Care System
Complete Aveda Hair Care System

What Makes a Complete Aveda Hair Care System?

  1. Shampoo and Conditioner. Aveda has multiple options for multiple hair types. Whether you have dry hair, or need some extra volume, Aveda has an shampoo and condition set for you. What is nice about how Aveda markets their products is that their names make it easy to know what they will do to your hair. For example, Smooth Infusion will help tame frizz and smooth your hair for a sleek style. Damage Remedy helps to rebuild your hair with quinoa protein.
  2. Leave-in Treatment. Aveda has 7 different leave in treatment options for your hair. These include:
    Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil – for moisture
    Scalp Benefits Dandruff Solution – for dandruff control
    Color Conserve Daily Color Protect – to prevent color fading
    Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair – detangles and protects hair from blow dry while adding protein to the hair
    Damage Remedy Split End Repair – instantly repairs split ends
    Sun Care Protective Veil – help protect hair from sun damage
    Invati Scalp Revitalizer – helps keep the hair you have on your head longer
  3. Treatment. Treatments are similar to leave-in treatments where they give the hair special attention, however, these are to be rinsed out before styling. There are 5 that Aveda offers including:
    Dry Remedy Moisturizing Mask – for moisture
    Men’s Exfoliating Shampoo- gets rid of scalp build up
    Color Conserve Strengthening Treatment – adds shine and strength to hair
    Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment – adds protein to the hair
    Smooth Infusion Smoothing Mask – softens hair and seals in moisture

By adding a complete Aveda hair care system to your at home routine, I promise you will see a noticeable difference in how your hair looks, feels, and styles. Stop in today so we can get your started on your regiment.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Some of Your Favorite Hair Stylists: Now In South Lyon!

Hair Stylists

With Ashka Salon Spa expanding out to South Lyon, some hair stylists from Canton have picked up days at our sister salon Ashka Salon+. We wanted to be able to seamlessly carry the Ashka culture to our new location, and the best way to do that is to fill it with familiar faces. Lisa will servicing guests again in South Lyon. Kristin, Evelyn, and I have both picked up 1 day a week at Ashka Salon+. Kay will be working some weekends in South Lyon, as well as Canton! Casey, with experience in other salons, has been training in Canton for the past month to learn the “Ashka way”. She’s now seeing guests, both return and new at Ashka Salon+. Call the South Lyon location at (248) 667-9680 to book your appointment!

Hair Stylists
Hair Stylists at Ashka Salon + that came from Ashka Salon Spa in Canton (Casey not pictured)

Hair Stylists’ Favorite Things About Ashka Salon Spa

My favorite thing about working at Ashka Salon Spa is the sense of camaraderie that we have. We always call ourselves the “Ashka Tribe” and that is truly what it is. Another great thing about Ashka Salon Spa is that it has been open for 15 years now. It is established and well known in the Canton area. I have been there for 5 years so I am busier there than I am in South Lyon, for right now. Being busy makes the days go by faster which is never a bad thing! Finally, one of my favorite things is the different lunch options available. If you know me, you know that I am a pizza fanatic! I love how close Ashka Salon Spa is to both Hungry Howie’s and Jet’s Pizza. Whenever I get a craving for some pizza, I’m right there.

Hair Stylists’ Favorite Things About Ashka Salon +

Working at Ashka Salon+ has been an adventure! I look forward to coming into work in South Lyon because of the sense of “newness”. However, it is still the same company and team that I love making it still comfortable. I also think it is cool to be apart of a beginning. This first year will definitely be full of memories and firsts. Another thing I like about working in South Lyon is being able to work with our manager, Jozie, more often! Our schedules in Canton were pretty opposite so it’s be great spending sometime with her again. My absolute favorite thing about the new location is how they have decorated it! It’s absolutely beautiful and the potential is unimaginable!

If you haven’t yet, come stop in for at least a tour at Ashka Salon+. We’d love to show you around our new home and welcome you into the Ashka family.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Spa Renovations at Ashka Salon Spa

After Spa Renovations

I have been working at Ashka Salon Spa for 5 years now. It is super impressive to me how the owners are constantly investing back into the salon. Between updating paint colors, new shampoo bowls, or even just new computers to keep things running smoothly, Lisa and Steve consistently are looking for the best. I have not worked at another place where the owners care that much about the quality of the environment their employees are working in. Recently, they have put these efforts towards new spa renovations! When it was all said and done, the spa looked completely new. The whole team was extremely pleased with the updates. I know I was excited to show it off to my clients.

Before and After Spa Renovations:

Before Spa Renovations
Before Spa Renovations

Ashka Salon Spa was closed for spa appointments for a weekend while the owners, Steve and Lisa, and manager Jozie along with her husband Jay worked like crazy to revamp our spa rooms. They redid counter tops and updated the paint. A beautiful backsplash was put in the pedicure room which really tied everything together. In the massage rooms, there was new paint, and some new shelves added to help open up the rooms. New mirrors make it easier for guests to examine their skin after a facial with one of our incredible estheticians.

After Spa Renovations
After Spa Renovations

All in all, I really think that our spa is now looking “Pinterest worthy”. Al of the details that went into perfecting these spa renovations really came together nicely. I am so appreciative to work for employers who care what our work environment is like.

Take advantage of our Spa Memberships and enjoy the new and improved Ashka Spa. Call today to book your appointment with Sarah, Misty, or Kym. I promise you, you won’t regret it!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Texture Tonic at Ashka Salon Spa

Texture Tonic

The epitome of my esthetic lately has to become to be as “beachy” as possible. I love having a warm summer glow to my skin, minimal makeup, and tousled hair.  I don’t know what it is about it, but I just can not get enough of that vibe. I have been craving for Aveda to come out with some sort of sea salt spray for the longest time and they finally did. Introducing Aveda’s Texture Tonic! I have been loving this product. And it is the perfect finishing touch to my beach babe style that I am constantly trying to achieve.

What is Aveda’s Texture Tonic?

Texture Tonic

Texture Tonic is Aveda’s version of a sea salt spray with a twist. Sea Salt spray is meant to give your hair more texture and add an addition wave or curl to your hair. Traditional sea salt sprays can be very drying to your hair. The salt tends to suck up any moisture it can. Aveda wanted to make a spray that gives you the effect of sea salt spray, without the harsh drying effect. That is when they decided to add sugar to their formula!

Cane sugar and salt work in harmony to help create naturally tousled texture and flexible hold, while leaving the hair touchable and infused with natural shine for an effortlessly “undone” look. The ingredient babassu helps create effortless texture.

Texture Tonic can be used on dry or wet hair. My personal favorite ways to apply it is after showering, I let my hair air dry about 50%. I then flip upside down and spray about 3-4 sprays of texture tonic. Scrunching it into my hair, I instantly see my waves begin to bounce up. Another way I like to use it is after my hair is dry and curled, I will spray in a couple spritz to make it “perfectly messy”.

If this sounds like the product for you, stop by Ashka Salon Spa today to pick yours up! One of the girls would be happy to demonstrate how it works for you.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

How is Our Natural Hair Products Made?

Natural Hair Products

Something I take great pride in is the fact that I work Aveda products. Aveda’s core values and mission statement aligns with my personal beliefs. It makes me so happy that I am able to represent such amazing products. Aveda makes, in my opinion, the best natural hair products on the market. I was curious about exactly how they go about making them. I did some research and thought it would be fun to share what I found!

How It’s Made: Natural Hair Products

Natural Hair Products
Natural Hair Products

Aveda is the first beauty company to be manufacturing with 100% wind power. Aveda also only uses sustainable ingredients in their products. We source a lot of our ingredients from different countries with different plants. Because we do need certain plants to be able to create our products, if there is a natural disaster in the area that we source from, it can cause Aveda’s production to be put on hold. An example of an ingredient sourced from another country is Brazillian Uruku. It is used in a lot of Aveda’s makeup now.

Aveda finds it really important to celebrate the different cultures from which we source ingredients. You can find multiple “Aveda sourcing stories” on Youtube!

Finally, all of Aveda’s packaging is recyclable! This is just one of the many ways Aveda tries to minimize their carbon footprint. It is nice knowing that I can recycle all of my beauty products rather than it just piling up in our landfills.

Afte reading this, I hope you choose to join me in supporting a company whose main goal is to support our environment. Stop into Ashka Salon Spa today to get your hands on some of the next natural hair products on the market. I know you will love them as much as I do.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Bright and Pastel Hair Color

Bright and Pastel Hair Color by Ian Michael Black

Green. Blue. Purple. Pink. More and more people are adventuring into the world of fun hair color these days. I had the pleasure of attending another class with Aveda’s Global Artistic Director of Hair Color, Ian Michael Black. It was called Kinetic Color and it talked all about how to achieve bright or pastel hair color. These types of colors can sometimes be daunting. I was so excited to learn about how to guarantee my formulas to turn out the way I was expecting them too. With his expertise, I learned how much of what to add to ensure bright or pastel hair color results.

Bright and Pastel Hair Color by Ian Michael Black
Bright and Pastel Hair Color by Ian Michael Black

How to Achieve Bright or Pastel Hair Color

The first thing that needs to happen when you want to attempt bright or pastel hair color, is that the hair needs to be lightened to basically a white blonde. I like to think about it as if we were painting on a canvas. Bright pink is going to show up A LOT better on a white canvas than it would a brown. This typically means that you need to bleach the hair to achieve that white canvas. This sometimes takes multiple applications and is best done over time to ensure the integrity of your hair.

Once you are there, that is where the fun begins! We then get to paint on whatever color you desire! Maintenance when you have bright or pastel hair color is kind of high. They tend to fade fast so it is super important to use a color safe shampoo. I recommend using Aveda’s Damage Remedy Line when at all possible during to the extensive bleaching process that is typically necessary.

Have you always been curious about getting a fun color in your hair? Call Ashka Salon Spa today to book an appointment with one of our amazing stylists!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂