The Salon Movement

Moving Salons Forward Sustainably

Sneaky Ingredients To Watch Out For

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Anything you put on your skin absorbs into your body so don’t you want to make sure you’re putting on the best? Even some sustainable beauty products labelled “natural” aren’t as natural as they advertise. The list is long (sadly) but here are some of the most common questionable ingredients which often make their way into beauty products. If you see any of these, put that bottle back on the shelf and walk away!
 
Phthalates
 
Phthalates are all too commonly seen in beauty products yet should be avoided at all costs. Studies have shown some correlation between phthalates and endocrine disorders which can possibly lead to certain cancers.
 
Unfortunately, some manufacturers disguise their use of phthalates by using the term “fragrance”. Make sure the products you’re buying have transparent ingredient lists so you know exactly what’s in them and what that “fragrance” really is. Which brings us to our next sneaky ingredient…
 
Fragrance
 
As we’ve just told you, “fragrance” can be an evil term. Some products smell amazing and that’s because of the natural herbs or essential oils added. However, other products smell amazing due to chemicals like phthalates being added.
 
Once you use products that have a true natural scent, you’ll start to notice the difference. Until then, watch for “added fragrance” and other indecipherable names on chemical labels. Fragrance can also be an irritant so also try buying fragrance-free.
 
Alcohol
 
Alcohol is added to a lot of skin care products because it makes your skin feel cool and fresh temporarily. But after just a few uses, alcohol can lead to irritation and excess sensitivity of the skin.
 
Watch out for alcohol-based ingredients, and look for terms like methanol, isopropyl and ethanol. These are scientific names for different types of alcohol.
 
Colours
 
Other than to make it look fun, there’s no reason to add dyes or colours to any product. Colours listed with numbers such as “Red 3” and “Yellow 5” are especially dangerous and can lead to behavioural issues in kids, as well as skin irritation.
 
BPA
 
OK, so BPA (or Bisphenol-A) won’t actually be on the product’s ingredient list but it’s quite likely to be in the packaging. Even if you’re buying sustainable beauty products with only organic ingredients, if it’s packaged in plastic containing BPA, it may cause you problems anyway as the packaging can leech into the liquids.
 
BPA is linked to hormonal imbalances, not to mention the damage it can do to the earth. Look for earth-friendly packaging on everything you buy.
 
What Next?
 
Luckily, many cosmetic companies are coming around and taking unnatural, dangerous ingredients out of their products, including the sneaky ones. It may take a little research but look for transparent companies, ones who are open about what’s on their ingredient list and what those unrecognizable terms on their labels really mean.
 
We use and recommend Davines products to everyone for both home and salon use. It’s a fantastic company that cares about the earth and your body. If you’re not sure where to start, please read our previous blog post, Davines products your salon MUST carry.
 
Be part of the movement by partnering with The Salon Movement. We’ll help make sure you’re using the very best sustainable products and are a part of a committed team of professionals who make a difference. Join now.

Summer 2018 Hair & Beauty Trends

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When new seasons are upon us, it’s not just fashion trends that change, beauty trends do, too. It’s important to stay on top of what’s hot so you know what your clients are looking for when they ask. Not only will it keep you fresh, it’ll show how much you really care about what your clients need.

Here are the top beauty trends predicted to be huge (and heavily requested) this summer:

HAIR

It’s All About The Texture

Texture will be huge this summer. Think natural, loose waves and lots of movement. The “bedhead” look is back in a big way.

Give your client a wash-and-go style haircut along with a few simple products such as Davines This Is A Volume Boosting Mousse and Davines LOVE HAIR SMOOTHER to smooth down any flyaways and excess frizz.

Ponytails

Summer is hot and people want to pull their hair back and forget about it. Enter the ponytail.

The low ponytail is a sleek way to keep it all pulled back and still be work-friendly and stylish.

To stay on-trend, opt for a fancy accessory or nice ribbon to tie it back instead of a plain old elastic. Suggest Davines THIS IS AN INVISIBLE SERUM to keep it sleek but leave out a few hairs to keep it more casual.

Adding some volume to the crown before putting hair in a ponytail easily combines two popular styles into one cool, yet fairly easy, hairstyle.

Curls

Encourage your clients to embrace their natural curls this season. Curls can be another easy, wash-and-wear style with the right cut and products such as Davines THIS IS A CURL BUILDING SERUM for added elasticity and shine.

Short Cuts

When ponytails just won’t cut it, summer is a great time to chop it all off. Give your client a texturized style to show off their amazing facial shape and features.

Pixie short is in but so is a choppy bob if they’re not ready to say goodbye to so much hair.

BEAUTY

Glitter & Glow

This summer we’ll be seeing a lot more than the usual dewy skin, everyone will be seeking glow in excess. Show your client how to use a shimmery bronze highlighter all over the peaks of their face. For your more flamboyant clients, add some extra sparkle or glitter. Don’t overdo it, though. Remind them that a little goes a long way.

Nail Art

Funky, bold polishes and fun designs are going to be on everyone’s nails this summer. Get some experience creating dots, stripes and small pictures on nails. Focus on a single nail to make a statement or if you want to get really flashy, bling them all up.

Vivid Colours

A pop of electric blue eyeliner, a sweep of lime green eyeshadow, a cherry red lip stain or a bright mod pink lipstick are all great additions to your client’s makeup look this summer. Give them a few different ideas for that punch of colour but remind them not to go overboard. Only enhance one feature at a time.

Sustainable Beauty

Sustainable beauty is so popular now, there are so many body and earth-friendly beauty lines with incredible colours that keep up with seasonal trends.

We love suggesting Jusu Body products to our clients for their luxurious smelling skincare and Elate cosmetics for their beautiful, wide range of colours.

Join The Salon Movement

As with keeping up with trends, it’s important to keep up your skills, too. We’ve already given you a few simple ways to keep your skills fresh and new, now you’ll be ready to completely WOW your clients.

For more information on sustainable beauty as well as how to make your salon stand out from the rest, join The Salon Movement now.

Hurry up, Summer!

Simple Ways to Keep Your Skills Fresh and New

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It’s all too common – mastering a skill only to get stuck in a rut after. However, the beauty industry is extremely competitive. To become the “go-to” salon or stylist in your area, you have to get and keep people talking and stand out from the crowd. In other words, stay out of that rut!

One of the best ways to keep your customers happy, and gain new clients is to keep your training up-to-date, offer the latest styles and services. When you show new techniques to your clients, you gain their trust and respect. In turn, they end up recommending you to others. Besides, when a new person comes in to request something, you want to make sure you know what they’re asking for, right?

Have we convinced you that ongoing training is super important? We hope so. And best of all, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of time or money. Here are a few easy tips to keep your skills fresh:

Follow Trade and Fashion Sites/Publications

This is the simplest, least expensive way to keep up with current trends and techniques. Popular fashion and beauty sites will show you what’s hot right now, and therefore what clients may be asking for.

Trade Shows and Conventions

Much like above, conventions and trade shows showcase the latest offerings of new products and techniques that you need to know. And PS – they’re also a great way to network and get your name out there, too.

Contact Your School

Most hairdressing and beauty schools will offer their alumni opportunities to upgrade every so often at a low – or sometimes NO – cost. These are typically evening events or online seminars. If you haven’t kept in touch, reach out to your school now.

Online Resources

The world of technology has made it so we can all have training right at our fingertips! As mentioned above, you can often find courses through beauty training schools, but even following stylists and beauty personalities you admire on social media or YouTube can help you pick up some important new tips and tricks.

But don’t forget to give back. If you’re an expert in something, let others in on the secret by sharing your training tips online. It will help you get your name out there, too.

In-Salon Training

Get your staff together for some ongoing training a few times a year. These evening or Saturday morning events can include skills workshops, new equipment demonstrations and social management skills. You can have your staff share their own new techniques with each other or bring in an expert.

This will not only create some comrade among your staff but keep everyone up-to-date.

Keep Up With Green Resources

If you can find a sustainable way to do your craft, that’s a step-up on most of your competition. In 2018, sustainable and organic products are becoming increasingly important to clients. Keep up with these services, and make sure you let your clients know exactly what you offer.

Remember: You are your brand so keep it fresh. People will notice!

Creative Ways To Market Your Sustainable Salon

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2018 is predicted to be a huge year for sustainable beauty, and a month in, we’re already seeing this! Now is the perfect time to grow your business.

Offer Free Services or Products

Wait, we’re telling you to give stuff away for free?! To get people through your door you may need to. Some people are still skeptical of sustainable products and services so it’s up to you to show them how incredible they can be.

Offering a free wash and style, or a complimentary bottle of shampoo when they book a service will allow them to experience the products and fall in love. And using the words “free” and “complimentary” rarely fails to get people interested.

Befriend Real Estate Agents In Your Area

Getting your name out to people new to your area is key! Talk to some local real estate agents about handing out your flyer to their new home buyers. Even if they’re not particularly looking for a sustainable salon, if your name is the first one they see, it may end up sticking with them.

Get Involved!

Community events are always popping up in the spring and summer. Search for some markets and festivals you can be a part of, join neighbourhood fundraisers, and attend local sporting events. Get your name out there and make some connections!

Some people may not have realized there’s a sustainable beauty salon in their area, or they could feel too intimidated to visit. Once people see a smiling face and realize what you can do for them, they’re more inclined to follow up.

Team Up

Utilize us, the Movement of Sustainable Salons! If you haven’t already joined us here – what are you waiting for? Team up with some local organic, green businesses as well so you can cross promote one another.

Be Your Brand

Always remember YOU are your brand. Live your passion and sustainable life wherever you are. Amp up your social media. Share pics along with occasional peeks into your life at the salon and as someone living the sustainable beauty movement. Get people excited to come see you!

Every time you step out in public be ready to start a conversation. Style your hair so people ask you what products you use, carry a bag with your salon name on it, and wear your Movement Gear. Get ready to be noticed!

Get Your Info Out To Young People

Advertise in places where teenagers and young adults hang out. Influencers want the newest, hottest thing, and sustainable beauty is on trend. Let them discover you, and spread the word to their networks.

And last of all, but arguably, the most important:

Don’t Forget Your Regular Clients

Trying to get new clients to walk through your door is great, but your regular clients are the key to your success. They already know and like you so why not offer them an incentive for recommending a friend (or three!) to you? Word of mouth is one of the best ways to build your business.

We wish you the best of luck building your salon in 2018! It’s going to be a BIG year and we’re working on some exciting new content to keep you up to date.

A Green-Inspired Holiday

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At a loss for what to buy friends and family over the holidays that they’ll cherish and won’t throw out after? We create so much trash around the holiday season from extra parties to gift wrapping and the unnecessary gifts themselves! Here at Salon Movement, we want consumers to vote with their dollar and also think about the kind of company and it’s ethics that they want to be supporting. Below is a small list of simple but thoughtful gifts that say “I care.”  

Abeego — In 2008, Toni Desrosiers decided to make a living, breathable food wrap that was entirely sustainable. This gave birth to Abeego!  You may have seen this incredible idea on Dragon’s Den or Buzzfeed but if you haven’t, it’s a food wrap made entirely of beeswax. You can reuse it, shape it, wash it and cut it to any size you need. These wraps are great stocking stuffers or part of a “green” centred gift.

Davines Products — As you know, we’re huge fans and supporters of Davines for a host of reasons. Ethical, sustainable and good for your body are just a few. Davines can be given as a whole gift or travel sizes can be popped into stockings too! With recyclable packaging and a large variety of hair and body care, there’s a little something for everyone.

An Outing — We don’t know about you but planning an event or outing with someone you want to give a gift to is even BETTER than a physical present. Going for a hike, paint night or an evening out on the town are all great ways to rekindle connection and create more memories. By planning and creating a special day or night with the one you care for shows how much you deeply care. Anyone can run to the store and grab a gift card but a unique event is much more thoughtful.

Jusu Body Products — Nothing says that you care about self-love more than gifting some beautiful non-toxic, organic body care products. Jusu Body is a line based out of Victoria, B.C. and they have a full range of amazing, pure, pulp-based lotions, scrubs, soaps and face care, too! Two of our personal favourites are the body lotions scented with essential oils and with no chemical fillers and the lip balms which are super creamy and nourishing.

We want you to have a “green” holiday and feel good about the purchases you’re making. This is not only going to force you to think about what you’re spending money on but also introduce new products to friends and family that may not be as familiar with the sustainable lifestyle! Happy Shopping!