Ask the Hair and Beauty Experts
May 2012 Article
It seems that this is the year for new inventions in salon tools!
Rowenta has another fantastic idea in hot tools. This one is especially helpful for those who have very stubborn, curly hair that just won’t straighten without spending a lot of time and effort.
Let’s take a look at the new 2 in 1 stretch and straight flat iron with a built-in comb and high tech, tourmaline plates that smooth hair instantly, eliminating frizz, locking in shine and protecting hair from damage. This ceramic titanium tourmaline is a professional coating….tourmaline is a mineral that emits negative ions naturally helping to reduce frizz for smoother silkier hair. Also, because it is ionic, it is anti-static and that is a huge bonus.
The efficiency of this tool is amazing. Unique technology allows for straightening in two successive actions each time it moves over your hair. The heated comb pre-heats fast in 30 seconds, stretching hair prior to being straightened by the floating plates which allow continuous and uniform pressure on locks of hair. That means even the most coarse, kinky curls can be smoothed to perfection with one swipe.
This iron heats to 450 degrees F, has 1inch slim plates, has a dock system and comes with its own heat resistant pouch for an easy pack into the gym bag or for travel to far-away places.
In a test conducted in France in April of 2010, by an independent institute with 60 women, 95% of users gave positive feedback on immediate straightening. Try it. You will too.
April 2012 Article
Has curling your hair got you over a barrel? Do you love those long, spiral curls, but do not have the time or the expertise to do them?
Fret no more, because now, you can create curl magic with the Rowenta’s Curl Active automatic curl iron. It is brand new and very easy to use. In fact, it basically does most of the work for you. Just pop in a lock of hair and it will curl automatically around the iron for glamorous curls that are full of bounce with a single movement. It has:
- Ultra-shine, nano ceramic for maximum protection while increasing shine so that hair is soft and silky.
- 1 1/4” barrel which is an ideal diameter to produce full, glamorous curls.
- Both left and right automatic rotation so that your curls go the direction you want them to go.
- A heat resistant pouch, so that you can safely carry it with you.
- 90 second instant heat-up that goes to 400 F.
- Adjustable temperature settings with position 1 for fine, fragile hair and position 2 for thick, course hair.
- A special introductory price a Masters School of Hair Design for a limited time while quantities last.
Become an Expert®……Create curl magic!
March 2012 Article
I think that everyone can agree that this has been a very mild winter…especially compared to the last one! However, the furnace still needs to be on, and the air is still very dry and many of us still are vexed with dry, flakey, dull-looking “winter skin”. We need regular facials including exfoliation to remove the dead, dry skin and much heavier moisturizers that include more oils than we would use in the summer months.
How wonderful it is to get away to a sunny, tropical climate for a week or so! Our skin just seems to soak up that extra humidity and actually starts to look and feel like skin the way it is supposed to feel. We can get away with sunscreen during the day and a lighter moisturizer for night time.
I can recommend from personal experience a simple line of facial products from Alexandria Professional that are hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic and perfume-free.
1. Presept Skin Cleanser is an antimicrobial solution formulated to cleanse the skin of any dirt, make-up or oils. I find it to be fabulous for removing eye make-up for sensitive eyes.
2. Essential Tonic possesses anti-microbial, anti-septic, anti-fungal anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also cell-regenerating (speeds up the formation of new cells to keep the skin looking fresh). Does that sound like a little miracle in a bottle, or what? The ingredient that is responsible for this is myrrh (as in the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh of the first Christmas long ago). It is not only great as a facial toner but can:
- help heal the effects of sunburn,
- be sprayed on feet, underarms and basically anywhere that you sweat, to help control odor.
3. Restore Hydrating Lotion contains natural chamomile extract, therefore, gently soothes and protects even sensitive skin and because it is a high quality trans-dermal lotion, it maximizes hydration of the skin. It, too, will help soothe sunburn…just apply very gently after spraying on the Essential Tonic.
These fabulous products are great for the face and body and are available in travel sizes, so that you can take a “little miracle in a bottle” with you on your next sun and sand vacation.
February 2012 Article
Attention all Moroccanoil Junkies!
You know who you are. You are the people with shiny, healthy hair that others are envious to have. You are the ones that already know the benefits of using Moroccanoil….and you are addicted.
Moroccanoil contains Argan Oil which is a remarkable gift from nature found growing only in Southwest Morocco in Africa. It is rich in vitamins E and F, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It is patented, ensuring a weightless formula which is absorbed by the hair instantly, resulting in a natural, silky finish and brilliant shine without leaving a residue.
It will:
1. soften thick, unmanageable hair.
2. restore shine and softness to dull, lifeless hair.
3. strengthen dry, brittle hair and alleviate split ends.
4. promote healing and provide nourishment to hair damaged by coloring and styling tools.
5. create an optimal balance for the hair and scalp
6. nourish the scalp (alleviate the itchy, dry scalp that is so common during the winter months).
7. protect against UV damage and other environmental factors.
8. reduce drying time and speed up styling time.
9. eliminate frizz and will revive, hydrate and detangle hair, wigs and hair extensions.
I now want to update you on the shampoos available to further enhance your Moroccoanoil experience:
1. Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner team is intended for chemically damaged hair and is color safe. It contains Argan Oil and Keratin, is rich in fatty acids and proteins and restores damaged hair. Both are paraben-free and sulphate-free.
2. Extra Volume Shampoo and Conditioner team is also color safe, free from parabens and sulphates and is made for all hair types, especially fine hair. It, too, is enriched with Argan Oil and enhances body while it gently conditions.
Join the Morcoccanoil Junkies and watch your hair repair right in front of your eyes…..Get addicted!
January 2012 Article
Happy New Year!
Isn’t it great to know that a whole year is ahead of us…a whole year in which we can improve in the areas of our lives that we may need to improve?
I know of one area in particular that seems to rate fairly high on the list of improvements to make (we won’t call them New Year Resolutions because that title just begs to be broken) and that is the area of health. This can mean changes in diet, activity and beauty regimes to name a few.
For those of you that are looking for more natural ways to enhance your beauty, check out Essensity Color by Schwartzkopf. These products are free from any artificial fragrances, parabens, paraffins, mineral oils, PEG derivatives, silicones, formaldehyde derivatives and artificial coloration. In other words, this company has removed the “bad boys” and put in beeswax and mineral and vitamin supplements to enhance shine, and Ectoin, a natural substance to protect hair against external influences (smoke, smog, etc.)
This color product is perfect for those who want to:
1) Enhance natural color
2) Add warm tones or, cool down existing ones
3) Blend grey hair
4) Go darker
This can be done safely without compromising color performance of health.
So go ahead….this year you can have your cake and eat it too (oops, we’ve all probably had too much cake…Christmas cake that is). You can have both beauty and health without breaking any New Year Resolutions at all.
December 2011 Article
It’s been 25 years! That’s right….it’s been 25 years, as of September 1986, since Masters School of Hair Design opened the doors for the very first time to begin to train students in the art and science of hairstyling. Hairstyles have come and gone, and students have come and gone, and a great number of those students have become very successful in their careers. There have been students of all ages, and there have been those that have come from many different parts of the world as well.
I would like to thank those of you that have supported us throughout the years by coming in to have the students do hair, manicures and pedicures, facials and body sugaring etc. We couldn’t have done it without you…they couldn’t have done it without you. It is so important for them to get enough hands-on training in the client services component so that they will be ready to work in a salon when they graduate.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and that you will be blessed with some time for family, friends and, yes, even some time for yourself, in this hectic season. For that very reason, we are going to be closed for two weeks between December 22nd and January 4th, so that staff and students can have a well-deserved break. We will be open on the 5th of January to take care of all your beauty needs.
We hope to see you in the New Year and that it may be a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous one for you.
November 2011 Article
This year we have been blessed with such a beautiful fall that it is hard to believe that winter is on its way….and that means Christmas is right around the corner.
On November 24th (just one month before Christmas!) the downtown merchants are hosting a huge party called Midnight Madness. This is a time for some entertainment, fun, eats and, of course, shopping. It is a chance to get some Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers at great prices and since most businesses are open late into the evening, you can shop till you drop…literally.
We will be open at Masters School of Hair Design till 9pm serving cookies and hot chocolate, and will have some great deals on styling tools and selected products.
Don’t forget gift certificates for those on your list that are hard to buy for or for those that already have everything and don’t need any more “stuff”. It can also be a gift showing appreciation or as an add-on tucked neatly into a stocking. What a perfect way to treat someone special to a facial (so necessary during the harsh winter months), a pedicure, hairstyle etc.
We can customize a mini-spa or hairstyling package all at a very affordable price. If a package is purchased between 5pm to 9pm a Midnight Madness, you will receive 20% off our already low prices.
Now that’s madness!
October 2011 Article
Did you ever wish you could change your hair colour like you change your clothes?
Do you want to change business hair into party hair in a matter of minutes?
Just add Hi Chic Clip-In Hair Extensions and you can go from short and sassy to long and luxurious in no time.
Or maybe you just need to fill out a less than perfect head of hair.
Going out to a club?
Just add funky coloured peek-a-boos and you’ll be a hit.
Our Hi Chic Clip-In Hair Extensions are made of the highest quality 100% human hair. You can colour them, curl them or straighten them as you wish. They come in over 30 colours including highlights and funky fashion hues and are easy to work with.
Go ahead. Be the hit of the party. Change your peek-a-boos on a whim… a different colour every night. A colour for every mood.
Accessorize your hair – use Hi Chic Clip-In Hair Extensions!
September 2011 Article
Have you been having a “bad hair day” lately?
Maybe it’s time to visit your stylist on a more regular basis.
Here are just a few of the more common “bad hair” complaints that stylists hear while working:
Damaged, dry split ends – some of the reasons can be:
-not deep conditioning regularly enough. It is important to do a protein or a moisture replenishing treatment at least once a month to maintain the integrity of the hair…more frequently yet if coloring or perming the hair.
-going too long a time period between cuts. Regular shaping keeps the ends of the hair from splitting and breaking.
-exposure to the elements…ultra-violet light, wind, chlorinated pools etc.
-exposure to heat styling methods…try using appropriate thermal protecting products.
2. Snipping your own hair between cuts: Chances are you are either going too long between cuts or the hair was not cut properly in the first place. Hair grows approximately ½ inch per month and randomly as well, so the ends ultimately start looking very shaggy as they grow out. If the cut was uneven in the first place, you are going to have a problem area right off the bat, and if you leave too much time between cuts, it will get worse. If the hair was cut evenly, it will grow out much better, but will simply get too long all over. Six weeks is usually the time frame between cuts.
3. You colored your own hair and it didn’t work out: This is one of the most common complaints encountered. There is so much technical knowledge required in coloring that it is not something to play around with. So many factors must be considered when choosing a color or colors. Stylists take classes on coloring on a regular basis so that they know: -(a) what they are working with, (b)what they want to achieve and (c)how to get there. It is best to leave this one in the hands of the professionals.
4. Frizz – even though you styled your hair in the morning, it is frizzy part way through the day. Try using styling products that are made for curly hair to control frizz and don’t forget humidity resistant hairspray to finish your style and keep it smooth.
5. Your child cut his/her own hair…can it be fixed? It is amazing what a difference a professional shaping can make, although quite a bit of length may have to be cut off in order to do so. Hopefully, it is not just before your child has to be a ring-bearer or flower girl in a wedding!
There are solutions to your hair problems…so, if you are having a “bad hair day”, come in and see us…we’ll help to make it a good day.
August 2011 Article
Before we even know it, summer will be a thing of the past and the “Back to School” month of September will be upon us. Many of the students will approach the new school year with a mixture of anticipation and dread…and many mothers of young children will look upon it with absolute joy.
“Back to School” also pertains to post-secondary students…those that are looking at obtaining the necessary training for a specific career. This can be a very exciting time of life, especially if there has been interest in a certain career for quite some time.
This is what I find with so many of the students enrolled in the cosmetology course at Masters School of Hair Design….that there has been an interest in the Beauty Industry in one form or another since they were young. Some recognize this aptitude right away and start after high school. Others take a different route, (“life happens”) and take a bit longer to realize that the Beauty Industry is indeed the career they want. Still others wait until the family is all grown up and gone to find their niche as a hairstylist and pursue a very rewarding career.
There is no right time to become a stylist…there is only YOUR right time. Once you have decided that this is the right choice for you, it is time to act.
We would like to invite you to an information session and tour at Masters School of Hair Design to see what our Pivot Point Course is all about. Simply contact us by phone at (403)527-6822, fax (403)527-4151 or email mastershairschool@gmail.com to set up a convenient time where we can discuss admission requirements, application procedures, financing options, course outline, and answer any other questions that you may have. We will walk through the facility so that you can see some of the various hands-on learning experiences that are happening at that time. We have new intake every two months, so there is never a long waiting period to start the program.
If you are a real “people person” and have considered a career change for the future, let us help you reach your full potential. Go ahead….get a head start in a very fulfilling career and make your life beautiful. After all………
Beauty Starts Here….Why Don’t You?
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