Archive for May, 2008

To all the hair products I’ve loved before

Friday, May 30th, 2008

VAIN hair products
The VAIN downtown hair product wall: so embarrassing when you run into your exes.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m currently in a deep, committed relationship with the Kevin Murphy line of natural hair products, but the truth is that there have been others… many others. Some of my favorite formers, in no particular order:

Tigi Bed Head After-Party
The name says it all: if you’re walking home in last night’s shoes, at least your hair can look good. The hot pink After-Party container/pump looks like a mic and the product itself smoothes flyaways and tames hair-of-shame like a champ. By far the best-smelling hair product I’ve ever used.

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Great for color treated hair. This is the one in the light purple bottle and my hair always drinks it up. It just feels luxurious to use Pureology products in general, and VAIN has just about all of them.

Redken Outshine
This anti-frizz polishing milk doesn’t have the scent or pizzazz packaging of Bed Head After-Party (yep, I said pizzazz!), but it’s a light n’ lovely product for soothing your hair. Truly one of my favorites. Use After-Party casually; take Outshine home to your parents.

Murray’s Pomade
What can I say? I like a nice tin.

VAIN’s Dirty Boy, Dirty Girl
I told myself I wouldn’t cry! Like listening to PJ Harvey (a LOT) and making completely avoidable life choices, this amazing, magical purple goo was an essential part of the dawn of my 20s. I don’t even know what it did, exactly, but my hair always looked better and smelled really good when I used it. AND THERE WAS A TEENY PLASTIC PIG AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH CONTAINER. So random, so great.

So there you have it. As Kevin Murphy and I explore new ground in our relationship together (I just met his Fresh.Hair dry shampoo and Body.Guard smoother and I think they liked me!!), I can’t help but take an occasional visit down hair product memory lane. Your firsts and favorites are always the hardest to forget, I guess.

-Rebecca P.

Visit us at VAIN downtown (2018 1st Ave) or VAIN Ballard (5401 Ballard Ave NW) to check out any of the above listed products. Our hairstylists and front desk superstars are always happy to help set you up with the right fit for your hair and budget!

Posted in Hair, hair products, VAIN flashback | 2 Comments »

Vote for VAIN!

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

MrT_VAIN
Mr T pities the fool who doesn’t vote for VAIN. Cutest dog ever courtesy of DJ Colby B.

It’s been a busy month for VAIN- not only have we been nominated for Best Hair Salon on NWSource.com, but we’re now up for Best Color + Highlights and Best Barbershop on Citysearch, too. Triple threat!

Thanks to our friends and clients who have already voted for us- keep up the clicks and vote for VAIN!

Where to make it happen:

Best Hair Salon- NWSource.com People’s Picks (if you don’t see VAIN on the list right away you can just write us in up top)

Best Color + Highlights- Citysearch.com

Best Barbershop- Citysearch.com

Thanks again for voting. We love you.. and your little dog, too.

xo,
VAIN

Posted in VAIN | No Comments »

Hot Hair: double-sided cool

Monday, May 19th, 2008

Sometimes you see a cool hairdo and then the other side of it makes you wonder if you ever even knew what cool was. Case in point:

Jackie L Hot Hair
Figure 1: Yep, that’s cool.

Client: Jackie L.
Stylist: Jenny Slay (VAIN downtown)
Style: eclectic, fun, edgy, and avant-garde all rolled into one trademark look.

Jackie L Hot Hair 2
Figure 2: Oh no she didn’t!

VAIN loves this kind of bold personal style expression and experimentation (some of the best hair we’ve done started out with “you know what I’ve always wanted to try?” ideas), so we nominate Jackie L. as one of the boldest and the coolest around, left side and right.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Hot Hair!, VAIN | 2 Comments »

Will someone please try this out for me?

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Cap
Photo: Drugstore.com. Curious: Rebecca P.

All-in-one. Microwavable. No rinse. Amazing?

Posted in hair products, Hair tools | 3 Comments »

Golden!

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Saturday night was fantastic! Many new friends were made, and equal numbers of our nearest and dearest dropped by to join in the fun. Not one cupcake survived the evening.

IMG_7902

Our models, Racheal and Beth, greeted guests out on Ballard Avenue and invited them to join us for floral updo’s and discounted boutique treats. Makeup for both ladies was done by VAIN artist Christine Cherbonnier; Racheal’s full on faux hawk by Megyn and Beth’s romantic twist by Aran.

IMG_7910

As Victoria mentioned in the comments on our last post, our most enthusiastic fans devised a cheer to be “a PART of the ART!” It was performed with style in the park across the street. To our young fans, thank you for bringing so much joy to the evening!

IMG_7949

The full set of photos can be found on our flickr page here. All guerilla hair gorgeously created by Valentine, Melissa, and Megyn – with a few bonus rounds courtesy of Jenny and owner Victoria Gentry!Thank you to everyone who came by, peeked in the windows, scored goodie bags, and (as the cheer shouted) took part in the art.

xo,

VAIN Ballard

Posted in Art + Events, Art + Photography, Community, VAIN Ballard | No Comments »

Who’s got the gold?

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

Tonight’s the night- our lovely Springed-out hair models are giving out VAIN goodie bags at Ballard’s Artwalk from 6 to 9, and one bag will have a gold ticket worth $100 in services at VAIN Ballard. See you on Ballard Ave for your chance to win!

Posted in Art + Events, VAIN Ballard, VAIN Giveaways! | 2 Comments »

Kevin Murphy and I are taking it to the next level.

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

Leave In Luxury
Kevin Murphy’s Leave-In.Luxury: I thought that dreams belonged to other hair.

Almost paradise
We’re knocking on heaven’s door
Almost paradise
How could we ask for more?
I swear that I can see forever in your eyes
Paradise

I’m back and I’m in love. I told you a few months ago how VAIN hairstylists had fallen hard for the awesome new line of Kevin Murphy hair products, and now it’s happened to me. If his natural ingredient-rich Angel Wash shampoo and Angel Rinse conditioner were the dinner and a movie of our budding relationship, then Kevin Murphy’s Leave-In.Luxury leave-in conditioner was our first weekend together. And it was fantastic.

It’s got silk proteins, mango butter, and extracts of Peruvian bark (really?) to moisturize and protect colored hair and reduce frizz (please and thank you). It smells like a fancy organic spa and a nickel sized amount left my bleach-weary hair soft, smoothed, and soothed. I always worry that leave-in conditioners are going to weigh my hair down, but not this time. Not Kevin Murphy’s Leave-In.Luxury. I’ve found my silky, no-sulphate, paraben-free forever.

-Rebecca P.

Get your hands on my man! Kevin Murphy hair products are available at both VAIN downtown and VAIN Ballard.

Posted in hair products, VAIN | 6 Comments »

Artwalk Celebrations

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

It hasn’t snowed anytime recently, and we feel safe in saying that Spring truly has arrived. Given that we’re knee deep in the month of May, let’s just say… it’s about time. To celebrate, we’ll be doing Spring up-do’s [and more!] this Saturday, May 10th, at our Ballard location.

VAIN Ballard

Festivities should begin around 6 pm and last until at least 9 pm. Items in our boutique will be 15% off throughout the celebrations, and we’ll have free goodies to give out as well. Best of all, one lucky visitor will receive the ‘gold ticket’ worth $100 in hair services at VAIN Ballard! Stylists will be on hand for “Guerilla Hair” up-do’s – a quick 5 minute style transformation. We’ll be exploring the neighborhood, too, for Ballard’s Artwalk – be sure to stop by OKOK, 20twenty, or Miro Tea, just to name a few!

Bring your Spring-fevered self out of the house for a night of hair + art – and free treats + discounts!

xo,

VAIN Ballard

Posted in Art + Events, Community, VAIN Art, VAIN Ballard, VAIN Giveaways! | No Comments »

Incumbent

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Hello friends,

After a 2007 victory, we’re once again looking to see if we’re your favorite salon! Let your voice be heard at nwsource.com/peoplespicks

Vote early, vote often!


Thank you, we love you… we pick you, too!

xo,

VAIN
Downtown
2018 1st Avenue
206.441.3441
Ballard
5401 Ballard Ave NW
206.706.2707
Everywhere
www.vain.com

Posted in VAIN | No Comments »