Shake those Winter Blues at Ashka Salon Spa

Winter Blues

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

Winter Blues
Winter Blues

What Are the Winter Blues Exactly?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winter Blues

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

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Di Biase Hair Extensions Class

Hair Extensions Class

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

Hair Extensions Class

What Did We Learn In Our Hair Extensions Class?

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

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

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

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

After Our Hair Extensions Class

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

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Scalp Benefits at Ashka Salon Spa

Scalp Benefits Line

When I was talking to Jessie the other day about our favorite shampoos she said, “I feel like AVEDA’s Scalp Benefits is a real hidden gem”. It really made me stop and think. I personally had not ventured into that line at all. She said that she normally has a very oily scalp and since she started using the line, she has been able to extend the amount of time in between shampoos!

After our conversation, I was talking to my manager about possibly writing a blog about the Scalp Benefits line. She immediately said it was a great idea and that Jessie was exactly right. My manager uses it for her hair as well and loves it just as much.

Scalp Benefits Line
Scalp Benefits Line

What is Scalp Benefits?

Aveda’s website describes the shampoo as a “daily shampoo that cleans hair down to the root and removes excess sebum and other build-up, creating the ideal foundation for healthy hair”.

The conditioner is described as a “daily conditioner that hydrates hair and soothes the scalp, creating the ideal foundation for healthy hair”.

The last product in the scalp benefits line is the Scalp Benefits Dandruff Solution. It is a “daily leave-in treatment that relieves itchings, reduces flaking by up to 41% in one week and helps prevent the reoccurrence of dandruff to promote a healthy scalp”. This statistic was determined by a one week clinical study which of course, like all AVEDA products was done only on humans. 🙂

The point of the scalp benefits line is to help balance your scalp’s pH. It will help with both dry and oily scalps!

I Tried Scalp Benefits for the First Time!

Something that amazed me about this line was that both Jessie and my manager swear by it. Even though they both have very different hair! I was super excited to try it out myself.

What I found was that my hair felt extremely clean after shampooing. I shampooed twice, which I normally do, but I still couldn’t believe the difference.

I am a conditioner hoarder. There is no other way to put it. I mean, I know for a fact that I use way more conditioner than is needed. I just can’t stop! Being nervous about not having my SUPER conditioning Damage Remedy for the day, I pushed through with my experiment because I needed to know how it worked.

Much to my surprise, my hair felt so incredibly silky! I still am blown away with how much I really liked the Scalp Benefits shampoo and conditioner! I did not try the Dandruff Solution simply because I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about that.

Moral of the story is that I HIGHLY recommend getting your hands on some of these products, no matter what your hair is like!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Wellness: Vision Boards, Intention, Breath, Sound

Sound Healing Wellness

As I have said in the past, one of my new year resolutions is to be very tuned into my yoga practice. An overall sense of wellness throughout my life has become super important to me. Shardae Sanchez from West End Yoga Company held a workshop called Art of Intention, Breath, and Sound Bath in mid January. I challenged myself to sign up for it. I knew this would help to push myself in the right direction of achieve my goal. In the workshop we were going to make vision boards and learn about the importance of intention.

Vision Boards Wellness

We started our workshop with talking about the importance of intention. There is scientific proof that by thinking about something, you are sending that out into the universe. I believe what you send out into the world is what you receive. This is the exact point of making a vision board. It has been proven that you are more likely to achieve your goals, if they are written down.

Wellness

We used water colors to paint an “I AM” circle to put on our vision boards. Once it dried, we wrote “I AM” in the center with positive adjectives around it. I choose words like: strong, caring, and enough. You can put any adjectives you want, whether you think you encompass that trait or not. Fake it till you make it! 😉

After we made our “I AM” circles, we went through magazines to create our vision boards. I found things eluding to accepting that I am not perfect, my desire to travel, and my need to wellness.

Breath and Sound Wellness

After we got done doing our vision boards, we did two different breathing techniques. The first one that we did was called the “Bee Breath”. This one is good to help empty your brain. If you are anything like me, you never have an “empty mind”. I really felt the benefits from this breathe immediately. We also did alternating  nostril breathing. This is meant to help balance the left and right sides of the brain.

We also did a short session of sound healing. It was very interesting. I don’t know a lot about it so I am definitely interested in learning more about it. All I really know as of now is that there are 7 bowls that are all specifically designed to create the sound associated with the 7 chakras. We meditated while listening to the bowls.

If you are interested in any of this definitely check out the West End Yoga Company website as well as Shardae’s website Gaia Love. You can also follow both of them on instagram: @westendyogis and @gaia_love_yoga.

Sound Healing Wellness
Sound Healing Wellness

At Ashka Salon Spa we are required to do at least 2 different “personal growth” things in order to receive our bonus. This workshop was the first thing I have down for the year for my personal growth! All in all, I loved every second of it. I look at my vision board daily to help keep me on track.

 

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

 

New Year Resolution – Wellness Lifestyle

Wellness Lifestyle

It is that time of the year again when the gyms are overflowing, everyone seems to be dieting, and there are endless new ways to try and save money. However, this year, I want to challenge everyone to make their New Year resolution about overall wellness: mind, body, and spirit. While attempting to live a wellness lifestyle, we are slowly making attempts to become more whole.

Wellness Lifestyle – Mind

My “Mind” resolution this year is to read at least 12 books. I really do love reading, however with the craziness of life, it sometimes becomes an afterthought. I am going to push myself to read at least one book a month. However, I am going to give myself the freedom of what I want to read.

Wellness Lifestyle
Wellness Lifestyle

For January I have been reading “Power Your Happy” by Lisa Sugar. She is the founder of POPSUGAR, an incredibly well thought out blog site. This book is inspiring me to take a hold of my own writing and to truly enjoy it every time I am doing it.

For February, I already have Amy Schumer’s “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo” on my bookshelf and waiting for me. I have heard this was a hilarious book. I’m excited to read it because it will be a little bit more of a laid back read.

I cannot wait to read more this year, furthering my mind and allowing it continued growth.

Wellness Lifestyle – Body

In 2017, I am dedicating this year to getting a regular skincare routine. I have personally always struggled to stay on top of a routine and continuing it for an extended period of time. I want to incorporate getting facials more frequently and purposefully. With AVEDA coming out with all of these new products and facial protocols, I thought it would be a perfect goal for myself. I always feel great I have a freshly washed face. It is just a matter of doing it!

Wellness Lifestyle
Wellness Lifestyle

Here is my idealistic skincare routine:
Morning:

  1. Dry Brushing and Oleation Oil
  2. Cleanse Face
  3. Tone/Treat/Moisturizer

Evening:

  1. Cleanse Face
  2. Tone/Treat/Moisturizer

Weekly: Masque at home
Bimonthly: Facials

Wellness Lifestyle – Spirit

Spirit is something that I believe to be super personal. This year, to enhance my “spirit” I am going to take yoga classes multiple times per week at West End Yoga in Canton. I started my yoga journey the last couple of weeks in December and I have been obsessed ever since. I couldn’t believe how connected to myself and the earth I felt after my first class. It will help me to clear my mind and have a better sense of what really matters in life.

Like I said, spirit is super personal. Some people will take this as religion, and growing closer to God and that is wonderful too. Really take a deep look at yourself and find what it means to you this year.

All in all, I am excited to have a life enriching new year resolution this year: to live a wellness lifestyle. You should join me!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Salon Assistant Training Program

Salon Assistant Training Binder

I was already working at the front desk at Ashka Salon Spa when I started to near the end of my cosmetology program. I needed to consider if it would be a good fit for me as a stylist. One of the many reasons I decided to begin my career with Ashka Salon Spa was their intensive salon assistant training program. There are two major parts to the New Talent Training Program here: classes twice a week with our Training Manager, and following our mentors.

Classes in the Salon Assistant Training Program

Salon Assistant Training Binder
Salon Assistant Training Binder

At Ashka Salon Spa, the assistants are lucky enough to take classes twice a week. They are usually with Evelyn, our Training Manager, Jozie, our General Manager, or Lisa, our Owner. We cover most services that we provide. They range from hair cutting to make up, and even eyebrow waxing. It is great being able to meet so often to talk about different subjects. We also usually have “homework” that we need to do on our mannequin. Our mannequins, also known as doll heads, have real hair to be able to duplicate working with real clients as closely as possible.  It typically takes about a year to get through the entire program.

“I think my favorite part of training is watching the “ah hah” moments… the dots connect and the light bulbs come on. It’s very rewarding as an educator to watch everything come together.” -Evelyn, Training Manager

Mentors in the Salon Assistant Training Program

Courtney, Christine, and Lisa are the three Master Mentor Stylists are the salon currently. I went through my program working with Courtney but throughout the year I also had a few instances where I worked with the other mentors. I think it is extremely important to assist a successful stylist when you are first starting out. You see what works for them and what doesn’t. While I don’t do everything that my mentors did exactly, it definitely helped to form my own techniques.

While following your mentor, you are interacting with their guests and see what they like. You also are able to how a seasoned hair stylist faces challenges. This all helps to improve technique.

Next time you are in the salon, take a look around and find some of our assistants. We are extremely proud to have them as a part of our team. I am ecstatic to see their career flourish!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

 

Ashka Salon Spa’s Popular Beauty Gift

Popular Beauty Gift

It is that time of the year again! We all know those people who are great at giving gifts. They always seem to find the perfect thing for everyone on their list. Gift giving can be stressful when you can’t seem to find anything for your loved one, no matter what the occasion. I decided to help make everyone’s shopping lives easier this holiday season by creating a popular beauty gift list! I asked some of the girls in the salon to share what AVEDA gifts they would be giving this year.

Popular Beauty Gift Recommendations

My personal recommendation as a popular beauty gift would be AVEDA’s new Radiant Awakening Ritual. I have been super into perfecting my skincare routine this year. This specific product will make for a great gift because it is good for all skin types! Everyone’s skin can use some exfoliation with AVEDA Dry Brush. No one would ever say they didn’t want their skin to look “radiant”.

Popular Beauty Gift
Popular Beauty Gift

I asked Jessie what she would get someone for the holidays and she immediately said they everyone needs Hand and Foot Relief. Winter is so incredibly drying for so many people. Help your loved ones out this year by giving them the gift of moisture. They will be thanking you all the way until spring because their hands and feet won’t be splitting!

When I asked our Front Desk Representative, Shayna, what products she loves to give as gifts she said:

I’d choose the Beautifying or Stress-Fix Compositions. The compositions are great because they have so many uses! They’re awesome to add to a bath to relax and helps add moisture to your skin. You can also try mixing it with body lotion for even more moisturizing benefits. Another way I like using them is by mixing with the compositions with water and spraying on your pillowcase to help ease you to sleep.

Popular Beauty Gift
Popular Beauty Gift

There are endless amounts of popular beauty gifts for you to choose from at Ashka Salon Spa. Stop in today so we can help your find the perfect one!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Power Painting with Ashka Salon Spa

Power Painting

Two weeks ago, I traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to attend the Hair Color Magic: Power Painting class! This class has been a hot commodity ever since it came out at the beginning of this year. Since hair painting techniques such as balayage, have been all the rage lately, Hair Color Magic thought it would be best to create a class for it.

What is Power Painting?

Power Painting
Power Painting

Power Painting is Hair Color Magic’s version of hair painting! It gives a flawless blend with customizable amounts of dimension throughout the hair. Lupe Voss, the founder of Hair Color Magic, took the time figure out the best formulas using AVEDA enlightener and viscosity for this technique. She also spent time using multiple types of application brushes to find which one works best with our particular product. I actually got one of the brushes from attending the class, and let me tell you, it’s a miracle worker.

This grown out, hand painted, sun kissed look seems like it should be around for a while. There are so many ways of rocking this style. And realistically who doesn’t want to look like a glowing goddess? I know I do!

Why Should You Power Paint?

Power Painting

By “power painting” you are using AVEDA products. In my personal opinion AVEDA products are the best. You are able to condition your hair with the AVEDA’s plant power while getting your dream hair over time. After getting your color it is always important to properly care for your hair. Your stylist will recommend the best at home care, personalized just for you! One of the biggest benefits is that power painting does not mean one specific look. Everyone’s will be different! No one will have the same color as you. You are also able to ask any questions you may have about your personal style.

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

Holiday Promotion 2016 at Ashka Salon Spa

Holiday Promotion 2016

The holiday promotion 2016, Season of Savings, has started everybody! Ashka Salon Spa has a different deal everyday for the rest of the year. There is something for everyone on here! I am going to talk about a few of my favorites.

 

Holiday Promotion 2016 – Product Deals

Holiday Promotion 2016
Holiday Promotion 2016

For the remaining Sundays in November you will receive 20% off all products with an appointment. Get freshened  up for the holidays and also save on some gifts for your loved ones (or maybe just yourself ;]). If you are going to be traveling at all this year for the holidays, it is important to be able to bring your favorite AVEDA products with you! November 18th, you will receive 30% off all AVEDA travel. On November 29th, you will receive a free, full size AVEDA hairspray of your choice will you spend $175.

We will be kicking off December with a buy 2 styling products, get 1 free deal on the first! Perfect for any holiday gifts. December Sundays, 4th, 11th, 18th, all give you 15% off products with an appointment. Later in the month on December 22nd, receive a free pair of Ashka Salon Spa tech gloves with a $150 purchase. There is so many more product deals that you just have to take advantage of. What an amazing holiday promotion 2016.

Holiday Promotion 2016

Holiday Promotion 2016 – Service Deals

Holiday Promotion 2016

There is an endless amount of deals on services this season! Whether you want your nails, or hair done we have something for you. Some of the deals include: $25 off a Pure Brazilian Blowdry, free Lip Wax with Eyebrow Wax, $20 off a Full Highlight, and free Haircut with Ombre color! No matter what your favorite service is, I am sure you can find a day where there is some kind of deal associated with it. Every Saturday from now until the end of the year, buy a $100 gift card and receive a $20 bonus card. Our Season of Savings calendar is absolutely incredible and you need to take advantage of it this holiday season!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂

13 Year Salon Anniversary in Canton, MI

Salon Anniversary

This past week marked Ashka Salon Spa’s 13th salon anniversary of being open! To celebrate I thought it would be fun to ask the people who have been here since the beginning how they have felt about the progression Ashka Salon Spa has made throughout the years.

Salon Anniversary

What Does a 13th Salon Anniversary Mean to the Owners?

I started by asking the Owners how they feel about having a business for 13 years now. They talked about the early years and how this business really was “their first child”. They are incredibly pleased with how their hard work has paid off.

Lisa Curry, Owner:

It’s been a wonderful journey being an entrepreneur, everyday is different and we never stop learning. We have been so blessed to have a great team, we started with 4 and now we have almost 30! I want to thank the community for welcoming and supporting us. Ashka has grown even more than what we had dreamt of!

Steve Curry, Owner:

We’ve had a great 13 years’ operating our business in Canton. The culture, economy and technology in our country have been rapidly evolving over the years. Today’s entrepreneur needs to stay flexible, and ready for change. Our company, and our ability to engage with guests has evolved to meet the needs of the community. Learning and being flexible is a core value of Ashka Salon & Spa and we have had an amazing journey being proactive in business growth. As owners we have invested in the Canton community, living and raising our children here. We look forward to many more years of providing exceptional beauty and wellness services to Canton and our neighboring communities.

Celebrating 13 Year Salon Anniversary with the Originals

I think that it would be hard to find a salon of this size anywhere where they have two stylists who have been there since the very beginning. Kristin and Amanda are Lisa and Steve’s first employees. It was so cool to hear about Ashka Salon Spa’s unwavering commitment to it’s values.

 

Kristin Halliday, Senior Stylist:

Thinking back, starting my career as a hair stylist with Ashka Salon & Spa (before the doors were even opened for business), was both scary and exciting. Thirteen years later, I can tell you that it is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. Ashka is a success because,  we are a company that lives up to it’s mission, while having a strict set of core values which each and every team member encompass. Often, guests will comment about how welcomed and comfortable they feel whenever they enter our building and I agree.  I am very blessed to be surrounded by great women and men who care, respect and encourage each other. It doesn’t really feel like work at all. It feels like home. I love this place 😊

Amanda Allen, Senior Stylist:

I can’t believe it has been 13 years since we have opened! The biggest change over the years is that we started off with 6 employees and now we have grown to 30!  Our core values are the same as they were in the beginning. We all respect each other and strive to give the best service to our clients. We are a big family at Ashka and will continue to be today and in the future!

Until Next Time,

Josie 🙂