CONTEST

LOTS OF GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON!!

Style06 is preparing for their first big contest, where guys can win hair products and girls can win clothes!

Round one of the contest starts Oct. 1, so be sure to get your look together for then.

Check it out here.

Hive Hair Spa - Asuka

My friend got her hair permed at Hive Hair Spa the other day with Asuka, so here's some of her comments:

Like usual, service was performed with a smile. Asuka is very friendly, and will do her best to make you happy.

Of course, this all starts with the consultation. Unlike many stylists these days, Asuka actually takes the time to listen to what you want and discuss it with you. This doesn't mean starting right away cutting your hair to what you said, but actually explaining what she can do or can't do with your hair. After all, it's better for your stylist to explain the limitations of your face/hair than to disappoint you.

For example, my friend was getting her hair permed, and Asuka explained that since she'd never had her hair chemically treated before, there was a chance that the perm wouldn't turn out as curly as they were aiming for.

After the perm was done (some 3 hours later), Asuka also took the time to explain how to care for her newly permed hair, as well as her hair in general.

If Jun isn't back the next time I go back to Vancouver, I'll definitely give Asuka a chance with my hair. And you should, too!

On straightening and irons

So, I'm personally against straightening irons, but that's a combination of my:

1) Naturalist approach to hair (match your style to your hair, not the other way around)

2) Dislike for the amount of time straightening takes (to do it properly)

3) Various burn scars from irons (kidding, there are no visible scars, just painful memories)

4) Damaged hair

But I know that many of you will continue to straighten your hair to achieve "that look," so at the least, I will share my advice with you.

1. Never use full power / maximum temperature. You always want to be a little under. If your iron goes from 0 to 10, set it at 8. Higher heat will straighten your hair faster, but it's also more damaging. Instead, use a lower setting and take a little more time. If you have a fancy straightener with a digital temp. read, set it to no more than 95 degreees celsius.
2. I was never much for heat protectant spray, but from what I've heard they actually do a good job of protecting your hair, so you may want to give it a try if you straighten daily.
3. Know your equipment. A salon-quality straightener (~$200) will have full ceramic plates and heats up much more quickly, while a consumer level (~$30) will have ceramic-coated plates that are much less effective at heat distribution. When your ceramic coating starts to chip off, it's time for a new straightener. Stay away from anything else altogether (ie uncoated steel plates).
4. Do not straighten wet hair unless your straightener has steam vents. It will say on the box, "steam vents allow for usage on wet or dry hair" or something like it. If it doesn't have steam vents and you use it on wet hair, your hair will burn (due to the steam trapped between the plates... along with your hair).
5. Always wipe the plates down with a towel after use. Residue left on the plates after use (i.e. hair oils, product) will dry up and burn the next time you use your iron. This may burn your hair.
6. In general, it's best to straighten only freshly-washed hair. Since oil heats to a very high temperature (think deep-fryer), straightening dirty hair will superheat the oil in your hair and can damage it (your hair, that is).
7. If (and I don't recommend it) you choose to use your iron with product in your hair, please do not use a $200 iron. Use a $20 iron. It's overall safer for your hair and for your iron.

And now, a video tutorial! Not by me, but by a colleague over at style06.com

(But you should go here to watch the video, because my blog doesn't accommodate videos very well)