Demi Plus: New Blonde Treatment Toners

Demi Plus

As you may have realized, Hair Color is my passion. I love everything about it. I can totally nerd out about hair color any day, for any time, with anyone who is willing to listen. That is why when I first heard about Aveda’s new Demi Plus hair color line coming out, I was geeked! I was given the opportunity to attend a preview class and learn about the new line prior to it becoming available to all. Taking in all I could about this AMAZING new color line, I was in awe. I was excited to bring it back to Ashka Salon Spa and share with my team.

Demi Plus

What Make Aveda’s Demi Plus So Special?

Aveda’s old deposit only color line was released 15 years ago and like all other aspects of our lives, hair color technology has drastically improved. The chemists at Aveda started by looking at what they loved about their current line, and then at what areas they believed needed improvement.

The amount of shine that we now get with Aveda’s new Demi Plus is incredible. Aveda added certified organic kukui oil which is definitely the reason behind this show-stopping shine.

One of the best things about Demi Plus is that you are able to get incredible color pay off without ammonia. The formula itself is filled with plant-derived oils including L-arginine. This which works as a power booster to increase pH for maximum color deposit into every strand. L- arginine provides lasting results that fade on tone.

My Experience with Demi Plus

Between having Demi Plus on my hair, and using it on as many of my clients as possible, I have fallen in love with this new color line. I have clients tell me that it makes a difference in how their hair feels weeks after leaving the salon. When I first got my color done, I was in shock at how shiny and healthy my hair looked. Aveda definitely nailed it with Demi Plus.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Lash Lifting and Tinting at Ashka Salon Spa

Lash Lifting and Semi Permanent Mascara

Eyelash Extensions have been all the rage lately. With so much focus on how our lashes are looking, many people who don’t want to deal with the maintenance that comes with eyelash extensions have been looking for alternatives to getting those lashes they dream about. We have been doing Lash Lifting and Tinting at Ashka Salon Spa for a while now! Madison has been trained and worked tirelessly to perfect her craft.

When Madison was training, I was one of her models! I have had eyelash extensions in the past, and while I LOVED them on vacation, they just are not for my everyday lifestyle. I was eager to try out this new service and see how I liked it. As soon as I got done with my lash lift and tint, I instantly fell in love. While the results were subtle, when I applied mascara I could tell a huge difference in how curled my lashes were. I would recommend this service to anyone who is scared to try eyelash extensions because of the commitment to them.

Lash Lifting and Semi Permanent Mascara
Lash Lifting and Semi-Permanent Mascara

I Interviewed Madison on Lash Lifting and Tinting!

I asked Madison a few questions about Lash Lifting and Tinting to get the inside scoop about everything!

Question #1: How did you know you wanted to learn lash lifting and tinting?

When Jozie [the manager] first presented the opportunity for me to learn Lash Lifting and Semi Permanent Mascara, I knew instantly that I wanted to do it! Eyelashes are a huge focal point on the face. It’s a feature that opens your eyes, making them seem larger and brighter. Eyelashes are my personal favorite feature on the face, so being able to work hands on with natural lashes definitely excited me!

Question #2: What are the most important things to remember when getting this service?

The most important thing to remember about Lash Lifting and Semi Permanent Mascara is that with the service, it is working with your natural lash. There is no additional length or volume added. The curl is done strictly with the natural length of the client’s eyelashes. With doing this service, it is very important for the client to take care of their lashes!

The Interview Continues…

Question #3: What makes a good lash lift and tint candidate?

A good candidate for Lash Lifting and Semi Permanent Mascara is someone who likes a very natural look. Since this service works with their natural lash, it is great for people who are a little bit more low maintence with their appearance. It is great for those who prefer to wear less make up and people who don’t spend that much time in the morning getting ready. This is also a great service for those who already have a busy schedule and spending time on themselves in the morning is usually very minimal.

Question #4: Can you break down the process of a lash lift and tint?

There’s a couple of steps to doing a Lash Lift and Semi Permanent Mascara application. It’s a process that usually takes around 45 minutes to achieve. The Lash Lift is the first thing you do. While the client is laying down with their eyes closed, I will measure the length of their lashes to find the perfect silicone rod for the curl. once the lashes are fitted to the rod, I will apply the solutuon. I then apply a neutralizer. After both steps, I then cleanse the eyes to reveal a beautiful set of curled lashes! From there I prep the lashes for the tint. Using customized tint for each client, it will then be applied. After that, the lashes are cleansed one last time to reveal the final look.

Hopefully, you learned more about our Lash Lifting and Tint from reading this blog! If it sounds like you would like this, call the salon today to set up your appointment!

Until Next Time,
Josie 🙂

 

Aveda’s Beautifying Radiance Polish

Beautifying Radiance Polish

Nothing feels better than super soft, moisturized skin. I have always had dry skin. No matter what I do, it always seems like my skin prefers to be dry and flaky. Ever since Aveda came out with their Beautifying Radiance Polish, I have been obsessed with it. It had definitely worked it’s way into my “Holy Grail” products. I can honestly say, I haven’t used any other scrub-type product since I’ve gotten my hands on it! My favorite way to use it is in the shower, after shaving, I will scrub my body until it has fully melted into my skin. Instantly, I can tell how much more moisturized my skin is! I have friends who use it now, because I just can’t stop talking about it.

Beautifying Radiance Polish
Beautifying Radiance Polish

What is Beautifying Radiance Polish?

Aveda’s Beautifying Radiance Polish is a moisturizing plant oil blend with mineralized salt crystals. It helps to remove dull, dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Simultaneously, it is moisturizing your skin with certified organic safflower, sunflower, and olive oils. It also smells AMAZING! The best way to describe the “beautifying” smell is uplifting. I always feel brighten after smelling it. It is made with certified organic rosemary, lavender, bergamot and other pure flower and plant essences. The product consistency is thick enough that it seems luxurious, but can be easily spread with just a few drops of water! And of course, like all Aveda products, it is cruelty free. Aveda products are NEVER tested on animals, only on humans.

Stop in to the salon today to pick up your very own Radiance Polish! Anyone you ask at Ashka Salon Spa will tell you how much they love it. I know you won’t be able to live without it once you’ve tried it yourself.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Earth Day 2018: Responsible Packaging with Aveda

Earth Day 2018

Every year when Earth Day comes around, the topic of how we can keep our planet healthy becomes more prominent. As Earth Day 2018 approached, I wanted to do some more research on how Aveda helps the environment every day. There are so many reasons why I love Aveda. I think the biggest reason of all is their commitment to environmental responsibility. Aveda is environmentally conscious is a multitude of ways. One of them is through their responsible packaging.

Earth Day 2018: Responsible Packaging

Earth Day 2018
Earth Day 2018

Aveda is the first beauty company to use 100% post-consumer recycled PET packaging. As of right now, approximately 85% of all of their products have this type of packaging.

With every package we develop, we’re mindful of our environmental footprint and work to minimize our packaging and maximize our use of recyclable and post consumer recycled materials.

Now if it is not possible for Aveda to use 100% PCR material for their packaging, they will use a combination of post-consumer recycled material and bioplastic. Both the Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner and Masque tubes are made out of this combination. The bioplastic that Aveda chooses to use is 96% derived from plants and 4% from petrochemicals.

What Does Earth Day 2018 Mean to Me?

Earth Day is such an understated holiday. I think it should be considered a much bigger deal than it is. Keeping the Earth as healthy as we can, will only help us in the future. Some of my favorite memories are times that I was able to immerse myself in nature. I am mortified by the idea of there ever being a time that I couldn’t lay out on the beach, or walk through the nature trails by my house.  I truly believe that as humans, we have a responsibility to do our best to keep our planet in the best shape possible.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Aveda’s Stress Fix Line at Ashka Salon Spa

Stress Fix

As much as I would love to say I am completely calm, 100% of the time, I’m not. Stress is inevitable no matter how much we try to avoid it. The only thing we can do is learn how to manage our stress. Everyone has different ways that work best for them. Lately, going to the gym has been a huge stress reliever for me. Another way that I have been able to help manage my stress is with a bath bomb and a face mask. However, some days are so filled that I may not have the time to do either of these things. When this happens, sometimes deep breaths with some of Aveda’s Stress Fix aroma does the trick.

Stress Fix

What’s the Deal with Stress Fix?

Aveda’s Stress Fix line is a wonderful addition to anyone’s at home spa routine. The aroma is proven to reduce the feelings of stress with certified organic lavender, lavandin,  and clary sage formulated using the power of pure essential oils.

The products included in Aveda’s Stress Fix line are:

  • Composition Oil
  • Creme Cleansing Oil
  • Body Creme
  • Body Lotion
  • Soaking Salts

Stress Fix Special Offer

stress fix

Now until April 28, 2018, we have a couple of specials going on involving Aveda’s Stress Fix line. When you purchase two Aveda haircare products, you will receive a FREE Aveda Travel Stress Fix Composition Oil. This is a great way to try out this aroma and see how much you love it.

If you are already a fan of this line, when you purchase one or more Stress Fix Bodycare products, you will receive 20% your entire Aveda purchase!

Stop in before April 28, 2018, to take advantage of these great offers. We’d love to help you find the product that would work best for you! I know you will love adding this to your at home self-care routine.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Self Care Savings at Ashka Salon Spa

Self Care

Self care has been a huge topic of thought for me lately. As I have gotten older, I have realized the importance of self care. You cannot give, if your basket is empty. Everyone needs to take time to replenish themselves so that they are in the best state of mind to keep moving through life. Ashka Salon Spa believes this as well, and we are happy to provide a space that you can focus on that self care. Until April 28th, 2018, we are running a special called the #SelfCare Savings Package so that you can focus on yourself for once.

What’s Included in the Self Care Savings Package?

Self Care

Self care doesn’t have to break the bank. This spring Ashka Salon Spa is running a special so that you can enjoy multiple services for a discounted package price. Take a minute to take care of your skin and hair with the #SelfCare Savings Package.

For $100 you will receive:

• Fifty-Minute Tulasara Facial Treatment
• Paraffin Hand Dip
• Shampoo & Blowdry
• AVEDA’s NEW Shine Treatment

These services ala carte are normally a $160 value. You will get approximately two hours of peaceful alone time to center yourself. Think of it almost as mental spring cleaning.

Misty actually just gave me a Fifty-Minute Tulasara Facial Treatment today and I am always amazed at how much that deep cleansing makes me feel better. An hour of peace and quiet, while a trained esthetician takes care of my skin, is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Last week, I was giving my guest an 80 minute pedicure. This service includes a Paraffin Foot Dip. We both agreed that we love the difference the paraffin makes when it comes to moisturizing our skin. My skin personally has been so dry this winter. I know I can use any bit of moisture that I can get.

Aveda‘s New Shine Treatment is amazing! It came out recently and I have been loving adding it to any guest who is interested in it. My hair has never looked or felt better since I’ve been using it on my own head as well!

Call the salon today to book your #SelfCare Savings Package today while we still have availability.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Featured Service Provider: Kristin

Kristin

At Ashka Salon Spa, I truly believe we have the greatest team a salon can have. We all care so much for one another inside and out of the salon. I take pride in the fact that my clients can see our comradery and comment on it regularly. Today I wanted to talk about one specific team member: Senior Mentor Stylist, Kristin. I wanted to highlight (pun fully intended) her for her can do attitude, loyalty to Ashka, and being a great role model to aspiring stylists and veterans alike.

I Asked Kristin a Few Questions:

Kristin
Kristin
  1. What is your Ashka Salon Spa history?

    Kristin: Starting  as one of their first employees in November 2003, I have worked for Ashka for 14 and 1/2 years. I do women’s and men’s haircuts as well as hair color services. I am also certified to do Socap and Dibiase Hair Extensions.

  2. What is your most cherished Ashka Salon Spa memory?

    K: I have many cherished memories working at Ashka Salon Spa! One that stands out in particular though was when a guest called back a few days after her haircut and had one of my coworkers leave me a note. The note was to tell me that she absolutely LOVES her hair and that I have “hands of gold”.

  3. What’s your favorite thing about Ashka Salon Spa’s culture?

    K: I love everything about the culture at Ashka Salon Spa. Everyone is kind and has a positive attitude. All of us are willing to go the extra mile to make sure each and every guest is completely delighted with their experience. We truly are a big family.

  4. What do you like best about what you do?

    K: I love that each day I have an opportunity to make others feel great about themselves. It’s so rewarding to see someone smile when they look at themselves in the mirror and know I contributed to that.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Kristin a little bit better! Kristin is available for appointments Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10 AM to 8 PM. Call today to schedule your next appointment with her!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Aveda Full Spectrum Deep Hair Color Line

DEEP

Aveda hair color has been my passion pretty much since I started in Cosmetology school. I love having the ability to completely customize my client’s hair color formulas. No two heads are alike. Even when two clients have a similar hair color, their formulas can vary drastically. Hair color formulations are based not only off of what color their hair is starting at and what color you want them to be, but also their hair texture, density, and type. Aveda has 3 different hair color lines: Full Spectrum Permanent, Full Spectrum Demi+, and Full Spectrum Deep. I recently have been able to embark on the journey of teaching hair color classes with the Full Spectrum Deep line.

Full Spectrum Deep
All colors done with Aveda Full Spectrum Deep hair color.

What is Aveda Full Spectrum Deep?

Aveda Full Spectrum Deep is a fade-resistant formula that provides a balance of lift and deposit for a naturally cool result and infuses the hair with incredible, healthy looking shine. It is also extremely conditioning with a signature blend of plant oils—castor, certified organic sunflower and jojoba. It allows for a more pleasant processing with an aroma of certified organic lavender.

I tend to grab for Full Spectrum Deep when my clients have resistant greys or dark natural color and want to be lighter. However, more recently I have been playing with using Deep when I am blonding. I have been amazed with the results. I also love using Deep for lowlights in my blondes because it seems to have a little more lasting power on blonde porous hair.

In my personal opinion, there is nothing better than Aveda hair color! I truly believe it the best option for healthy colored hair. Call the salon today to book your appointment with one of our amazing stylists!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Fifty Shades of (Artificial) Grey: Grey Hair Color

Grey Hair Color

If you have spent anytime on Pinterest or Instagram in the past year, I’m sure you have see the grey/silver hair trend that is going around. Some people find it funny that people are paying to get grey hair when if you wait long enough, you’ll inevitably get it. Other people find it absolutely stunning. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, people are definitely asking for grey hair color.

Getting Grey Hair Color – The Process

Grey Hair Color
Grey Hair Color

Unfortunately it is not as easy as simply squeezing grey out of a color tube and putting it on someones head. In order to achieve a true silver/grey hair color you have to get the hair to be essentially white blonde first. Either through highlights or bleaching the hair out, the hair has to be lifted as light as possible. After you have achieved that, your stylist then will have to apply a gloss over top of it to give it that “grey” hue.

I think the hardest part about artificial grey hair is that once you have lifted the hair light enough, it becomes porous and the “grey” doesn’t want to stay in the hair well. This is the same struggle that all fashion colors have. In order to keep that grey/silver hue, you have to be very diligent with your at home hair care. Even then, it sometimes will still just fade quick due to the nature of the color.

Blending Grey Hair with Artificial Grey Hair Color

I’ve had a few clients come in and ask me questions about growing out their grey hair. They want to know if we can just dye their hair grey so that it is easier to grow out. In this case, I suggest doing highlights of really light white, silvery blonde, and lowlights of a dark greyish tone. This over all will blend together to create a cool toned base that sometimes makes the growing out process easier. However at the end of the day, it is impossible to identically replicate someone’s natural grey hair. It helps to blend it, but you still have to go through the long process of growing it out.

If any of this peaks your interest, you should call the salon today! I know the girls on our team would LOVE to help you achieve your grey hair color dreams.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

Tulasara Purification Treatment

tulasara purification Treatment

The older I get, the more I realize how important skin care truly is. I remember being in high school and being blessed with clear skin that I didn’t even wash daily. (Eeek, you live and you learn!) Now if I don’t wash my makeup off the night before, I will wake up with a blemish. As I have traveled down the path to find my perfect skin care routine, I have discovered how truly personal it is. Everyone’s skin in different and react differently to products, even if they have the same “skin type”. Ashka Salon Spa offers a service called Tulasara Purification Treatment. I believe that if you are wanting to dive into the world of skincare, but it seems a little too daunting on your own, you need this service.

tulasara purification Treatment

Tulasara Purification Treatment – What is it?

A Tulasara Purification Treatment is a basic purification, dry-brushing exfoliation, facial massage and treatment plan. This basic treatment is a professional skin cleaning. It does not include manual removal of congestion or intensive work on skin concerns.You get to receive an amazing, relaxing service with a licensed esthetician and you will also be able to ask questions specific to your skin. You will be able to see how Aveda products react with your skin and our amazing estheticians will be able to guide you in the right direction for a good at home skin care routine.

Right now, until March 4th 2018, we are running a special that if you come in for a hair appointment, you will receive a coupon for a FREE Tulasara Purification Treatment. Another added bonus is that when you come in for the treatment, you also receive 20% off AVEDA products. You must have the coupon with you to take advantage of this $50 steal!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂