VAIN Blog

Don’t get us wrong - this isn’t out to bash the sparkly and shiny products of the world. An entire novel could be written on our love for Pureology’s Glossing Mist, for one. But sometimes that’s just not what you’re looking for; sometimes a lack of golden glow is just the ticket.

L to R: Kevin Murphy - Sticky Business, Spice - Mat Wave, Osmo - Clay Wax, Hairgum - Matt Wax

Both Sticky Business and the Mat Wave have a soft touch but no shine to the finish, whereas the Clay and Matt Waxes have a dry texture right from the start. All of the above work well for shorter hair textures, while Sticky Business also works well for longer layered cuts looking to add shape and definition. None of them fit the mold of most TV advertisements, where shine is seemingly lauded as the only desired end result.

Ask your stylist during your next appointment what your perfect product would be, or drop by any time to consult with our front desk staff on the best choice. The products listed here are available at both Downtown and Ballard locations.

Back to your regularly scheduled [sparkly] holiday shopping…

xo,

VAIN

Client: Heidi

Stylist: Alexis

Style: Hot hair for cooler temperatures

Quote du jour: “Just because it’s gross out doesn’t mean you have to feel that way. Brighten up, be blonde!”

Alexis is available at both Downtown and Ballard locations - call either one to add some brightness to your day.

 xo,

 VAIN 

I am a hands-free hunter/gatherer type of girl on the go.

As an urban person, my bag is a critical piece of my wardrobe. It needs to be waterproof, have inside and outside pockets, secure easy access zipper closing, be able to fit letter size paper/catalogues, adjustable on and over the shoulder straps, and be able to fit a laptop. Anything less is a deal breaker for a bag relationship.

I have found the perfect fit in my new “Rita” bag from our NW favorite Queen Bee line. This bag hits all the marks. Q Bee took the feedback they’ve gotten from customers and vendors over the years and used it to create this awesome new design.

VAIN has carried the Queen Bee line since the beginning (theirs and ours) and they have grown up along with the rest of us.

“Rita” comes with a standard shoulder strap but we have over the shoulder straps available, too. There are two sizes (to fit all my stuff I went with the large), three colors, and several designs. All high-quality PVC-free alternative to vinyl. Throw in a couple Walker net shopping totes and you’re packed for the day and ready for plastic bag-free grocery purchases. You won’t even need to call a sherpa.

-Victoria Gentry, VAIN founder + sherpa-free styledriver

Queen Bee bags are available at VAIN downtown. Prices range from $59 - $79 depending on size. Wallets also available.

Each month at VAIN Ballard we’ll be unveiling new works of art by featured jewelers. This month we’re excited to share the lightweight and elegant pieces by Miel Paredes.

Paredes is a metalsmith and jewelry maker living in Portland, Oregon. She began making jewelry for herself because she loved big jewelry, but wasn’t able to wear heavy earrings. She earned her BFA from California College of Art & Craft and her MFA from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Here’s what Miel had to say about her creations:

“I draw inspiration from antique lace and ornamental ironwork, from art nouveau and art deco patterns. I am interested in creating beautiful silhouettes and lines, and many of my designs are layered pieces that create dynamic movement when worn.”

“My jewelry pieces are cut from thin sheets of stainless steel with an industrial water-jet cutting machine. I cut out the finer details with a jeweler’s saw and finish each piece by hand, giving it a brushed satin surface. The stainless steel allows me to create delicate yet bold pieces that are lightweight, and very strong.”

It’s a beautiful contrast between delicate designs (which can so often mean fragile) but maintaining strength and durability. Also, the Art Nouveau aesthetic also ties in quite well with VAIN’s own beliefs. From Wikipedia:

“The Art Nouveau movement wanted to make art part of everyday life, thought to break all connections to classical times and bring down the barriers between the fine arts and applied arts.”

In other words, bring the beauty to the people; every where, every way. Miel’s inspiration for this jewelry reflects that spirit, losing the limiting weight of traditional larger pieces, and utilizing deceptively simple lines and materials to create such beauty. We’ll be featuring these pieces throughout December, perfect for holiday shoppers looking for unique and dynamic touches.

xo,

VAIN Ballard
5401 Ballard Ave NW

I had the chance to witness an amazing hair transformation while at the front desk. Bash created a fantastic, not to mention super fabulous inverted bob on his client Kara.

Bash expertly in action

♥
-My

Check out this video from MSNBC on how Barack Obama is inspiring new hairstyles. We like the “Yes We Can” cut:

Dear unwanted facial/bikini/leg/other hair,

I’ve had it with you and your stubbly, unsightly ways. People are starting to notice! Luckily, it’s now easier and more budget-friendly than ever to get you off my face/body/other and out of my life. Starting this week, every Wednesday from 3 to 6pm is Waxing Wednesdays Happy Hour at VAIN downtown, with $5 off any and all waxing services in VAIN’s private waxing studio. Wax master Belinda will make this Happy Hour all the happier with her speed and attention to detail. Bonus!

And what am I going to do with that $5 I save on my waxing service? Head down the street to the nearest bar and celebrate my newly arched brows and silky smoothness during their happy hour. Because as good as Belinda is, a little post-wax beverage is always a welcome chaser. Feel me? I know you do.

Love,
Me (aka Rebecca P.)

Call VAIN downtown at 206.441.3441 to book your waxing appointment with Belinda, whether it’s for a Wednesday or any other day that could use a little less stubble.

I couldn’t sleep the morning of November 4th. Awake and bright eyed at 4 AM, I rose out of bed, showered, dressed, made breakfast, and fixed myself some hot green tea. Today was a brand new day, and after what seemed like a political eternity, I was finally able to vote and hope that others would too.

Our polls opened at 7 AM, and as I walked to the polling station I had an undeniable sense of urgency and hopefullness. Inspired is a word that has been thrown around so much during this process, but it wouldn’t be used if it were not indeed true. Today, my vote would matter. Today, WE would help to make change indeed happen, and hopefully elect Barack Obama as the president of the United States of America. When I arrived at Qwest Church, there was a line already formed of about 40 people. The polls had just opened and apparently I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait to get in line and exercise their right to vote. The line moved very fast and soon enough my ballot was in the machine and I was on my way back home. The line outside the church had dissappeared as had the rain. Today was shaping up to be a beautiful day.

As we all know by now, Barack Hussein Obama did in fact win the historic election of 2008. As the father of a 5 year old son who goes to daycare in very racially diverse setting, and as the father of a 2 year old daughter who was adopted by a mixed race (african-american/caucasian) family, I bask in the glow of victory for some very personal reasons. My children will never undertand the struggle that so many African-Americans went through to see this day actually happen. My children will grow up in a world that is not seen through the filtered lenses of skin-color, but will instead be blind to that and just see people for the measure of the man. That is a beautiful thing.

Today, is very much a new day, but we still face many of the same challenges we faced 3 days ago. I just pray that with a new direction, a new hope, and a new sense of what it’s like to be an American that we will change this world for the better.

–Jake

Jake is a hairstylist at both VAIN downtown + Ballard. Check out his full profile on vain.com.

We like to keep on top of our fashion blogging friends, and it looks like Beyonce’s latest endeavor got mixed reviews.

The Fug girls were obviously not pleased with the futuristic getup, but Fashionista seems thrilled that she went with Pugh’s adventurous dress.

It goes to show that ultimately you just have to love what you’re wearing. And that no one is really going to start referring to Beyonce as Sasha Fierce.

xo,

VAIN

VAIN props to everyone out there who voted today. Way to express this:

A couple Saturdays ago, VAIN celebrated our Rocktober art gallery opening! Visitors enjoyed the rock-inspired art work and were treated to free gravity-defying hair-dos by our Guerilla Hair team: Sam, William, and Cassie. Dj Kingblind had a choice selection of tunes going, and in the spirit of things, we took it to the next level and invited people to play Rock Band the game. Thanks to everyone who came out! Here are a few photos from the event:

Frank Mullen’s amazing Rock photography | Photo by My Vu

Liza Jo on the faux drums
Hair by William | Photo by My Vu

Guerilla Hair: Sam works that Bouffant
Photo by Josh Buesseler

In case you missed your chance to stop by, the current show will be on display through November 30th while the pieces last!