Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category

VAIN Hair + Style Interview 001: Courtney

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Hello VAIN Blog readers, and welcome to the debut post of our VAIN Hair + Style Interview series! Each month we’ll sit down with a stylish VAIN hairstylist, staff member, client or other FOV (Friend Of VAIN) and get their take on hair and personal style.

First up is VAIN front desk superstar Courtney, who, in between booking VAIN appointments and generally being a salon operations ninja, likes to switch up her hair cut and color. A lot. Any visit to the photos from our VAIN Mirror digital photobooth will show you what we mean.

Here’s Courtney, DIY mistress, Cut and Color Chameleon, and Woman of Many Do’s, in her own words:

Describe your personal style in 6 words or less.
The result of following my whims.

What are your style influences?
There are so many, really! I can be influenced by anything: nature, art, architecture, books/comics/manga, anime and video games, music, street fashion from around the world…I could really go on and on, but you get the idea.

What style staples can’t you live without?
Honestly? Comfy undies that don’t ride up, a correctly-fitted bra and black socks… but I know I should say something more like: my Italian leather boots, a superior quality basic tee, comfy well-fitting, form-flattering jeans, the perfect leather jacket (AllSaints what?! Soon to be mine, oh YES!!) and my latest hair cut/color.

How does your hair influence your style or vice-versa?
Compared to my adventures in DIY hair-land my clothing style is pretty tame these days. I used to really fancy it up but these days I am a jeans and tee-shirt kind of girl. In terms of clothing I do tend towards a lot of black and neutrals, whereas my hair colors tend to be anything but.

What have been your favorite hairstyles and why?
I really have loved them all. I have especially loved my myriad extreme asymmetric bobs and short cuts and more recently my foray into periwinkle territory.

Click to keep reading! There’s more>>>

VAIN Mirror Pic of the Week!

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Ah-dorable! This week’s selection is of the DIY sort. This here is the family of one of stylist Sarah B.‘s clients- way to match, kiddo! What a great Papa.



To take your own magical photo visit VAIN’s Beauty Mirror @ our downtown salon. To get some extreme color of your own call VAIN Downtown 206.441.3441 or VAIN Ballard 206.706.2707!

Hair Product Roundup

Friday, November 26th, 2010

The hair product wall at VAIN Downtown: we mean business.

If you’ve been to VAIN, you know we’re serious about hair products. We’ve been called hair product specialists, hair product mixologists, hair product wizards, Chief Executive Hair Product Officers [editor's note: ok, maybe not that last one], and everything in between.

To help spread the word about the sprays, creams, waxes, pomades and powders we use in our salons, we recently started a series of VAIN Blog posts spotlighting a favorite hair product of one of our hairstylists or staff members. The posts list what each product does, what type of hair textures it’s good for, and expert how-to tips so you can get your DIY on at home.

In case you’ve missed any of them, here’s a roundup of the hair products we’ve featured with links to the full posts + how-to tips:

  • Osmo Clay Wax for short hair
  • Moroccan Oil Styling Cream to smooth hair (and make it smell really, really good)
  • Session Spray for strong hold without stiffness or stickiness
  • Kevin Murphy’s Full on Protection to add texture and definition to fine hair
  • Dust-It adds volume to all hair types (and fixes the dreaded “greasy bang” look)
  • Pureology Real Curl Cream + DevaCurl AnGel, a hair product cocktail for coarse, curly hair
  • M.O.P. C-Curl Creme to enhance curls and waves
  • Redken Full Frame 07 Mousse for body, hold, and shine
  • So there you have it: hair product picks from us to you. Check out the entire list here, and as always let us know if you’ve got questions about what to use and how to use it.

    Happy hairstyling!

    ♥,

    Your humble hair product specialists/mixologists/wizards/CEHPOs at VAIN

    Get 10% off all hair products tomorrow (Sat 11/27) at both VAIN downtown and VAIN Ballard tomorrow as part of Shop Local Saturday. Viva shopping local… and having hot hair!

    No Ordinary Product

    Thursday, October 7th, 2010

    This week’s staff product pick is coming straight from the hands of texture wizard, Alexis, and she is loving her some Moroccan Oil Styling Cream.

    Alexis is nuts for the stuff!

    Who? Those with coarse, thirsty hair. Bleach addicts.

    Why? To make your hair as smooth as your wildest dreams.

    Secret Tip from the Stars: Not only is it a great styling product to put in curly hair while it’s wet, it’s great for blow outs, too! No matter how you use it, it’s sure to smooth out all of your hair’s sorrows. Use a little to tame frizz after your hair is dry and still won’t just behave. We imagine this magical cream is what Sade would smell like if we ever got close enough to her in real life.

    Grab some Moroccan Oil Styling Cream @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard for $30.99. You can book an appointment with the fabulous Alexis at either location while you’re at it!

    Protect Yourself!

    Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

    This week’s staff pick comes from stellar stylist Scott. He’s a big believer in the power of Kevin Murphy’s Full On Protection.

    Scott is so excited to share his secrets!

    Who? Folks with fine hair that want a lot of texture.

    Why? To add shine or to add definition in place of a pomade.

    Secret Tip from the Stars: Blow-drying Full On Protection into the hair activates the texture enhancing capability. When that’s all said and done and you’re still thirsty for more, spray on a little more Full On Protection and blow-dry that business in for extra messy magic.

    Stop on by and grab a bottle or book an appointment with Scott to get the full on (tee-hee!) experience.

    Scott works exclusively at our VAIN Ballard location. 206.706.2707

    Lift & Lock

    Thursday, September 16th, 2010

    Hairdresser hero and volume vixen Cassie wanted to tell you all about this week’s Staff Pick, the magical hair wonder that is Dust It.

    Who? Anyone! Short, long, thick, or fine textures are bff with the stuff.

    Why? For added texture and volume.

    Secret Tip from the Stars: If your bangs are a little greasy, sprinkle a little Dust It on top of them, then comb it through with a fine toothed comb. The result is instantly revived bangs! Throwing in a little before backcombing doesn’t hurt either- it helps build the big hair you’ve always dreamed of.

    Pick some up for yourself @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard. Cassie is ready, willing and available at both salons to whip your hair into shape. Call and make your appointment today!

    Curl Cocktail

    Thursday, September 9th, 2010

    This week’s Staff Pick is a favorite of curl-wrangler Liza Jo. Queen of cocktails (the product sort, of course), this is one of her favorite concoctions: Pureology Real Curl Cream + DevaCurl AnGel.


    Who? Those with coarse, curly hair.

    Why? For hold and shine that isn’t a “wet look”.

    Secret Tip from the Stars: Squeeze out any excess water from your hair with a t-shirt instead of a towel. Apply the product while your hair is still soaking wet, mixing the two together in your hands. Get this- you can diffuse or air-dry! Your pick.

    Look for Pureology Real Curl Cream and DevaCurl AnGel @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard.  You can look for Liza Jo, curl specialist, at both salons as well!

    M.O.P. C-Curl is the Creme Dreams are made of!

    Monday, August 30th, 2010

    M.O.P. C-Curl Creme is stylist superstar Vai’s New Favorite Product!

    double up on this magic!

    Who? Those with Fine to Medium curl or wave looking to enhance that business.

    Why? To create soft curl or wave with hold.

    Secret Tip from the Stars: Apply to super wet hair to minimize frizz and maximize awesome!

    At $18.95 a pop it’s a steal- a little goes a long way with this one.  Look for it @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard.  You can look for Vai at both salons as well!

    Redken = Rad!

    Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

    We humble hair hustlers over @ VAIN Beauty World would like to introduce a new kind of post which features a focus on specific and magical product each week in order to make you masters of your own domain!

    VAIN stylist Carinn is the brain behind all this Staff Pick business and is a huge fan of Redken Full Frame 07 Mousse.

    Sportin' Sexy!

    Why? If you want body, hold and shine- this is the stuff. It’s extremely versatile. It’s not the mousse of the 80′s, people.

    Who? It’s great for both curly and straight haired folks. Amazing!

    Styling tip from the Stars: Adding heat to the product (i.e. blow-drying or diffusing) intensifies the product’s styling ability and adds softness. If it does get a tad crunchy on you get scrunch-y on it! Loosening your locks by making a fist and squeezing sections of your hair will instantly soften it.

    Pick up some Full Frame Mousse for yourself at our downtown or Ballard salon for a smooth $16.95. To make an appointment to see the vixen with all the moves, Carinn, call 206.441.3441

    VAIN Ballard: Featured Jeweler

    Thursday, February 11th, 2010

    This Saturday, as part of VAIN’s “Love Heroes” weekend, VAIN Ballard will feature the textural metalwork of Chuck Domitrovich of “Down to the Wire Designs” from 6-9pm as part of the Ballard Art Walk.

    Reversible Heart Earrings

    Domitrovich has been working in metal and making jewelry since 1988 when he was a student at University of Washington.

    Cupped Padlock Earrings

    As Domitrovich says, his “patterned metal jewelry is meant to evoke the work of the Weiner Werkstatte (Vienna Workshops). This group was a contemporary of the Arts and Crafts movement and it sought to make art that was simple, practical, and accessible.”

    Patterned Sterling Hearts

    Join us this Saturday from 6-9pm for art, drinks, food, and make your own valentine station – 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

    VAIN True Life: I Backcombed My Bangs

    Sunday, May 24th, 2009

    Ok, so maybe it’s not quite as dramatic as the MTV series. But before I met VAIN, the thought of backcombing terrified me. And backcombing the FRONT of my bangs? Not even something that occurred to me.

    Last weekend I went to Vegas with a group of uber stylish ladies – we’re talking Dior shoes, Bebe dresses, Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, the whole nine. They have great taste + amazing style. I can’t match their budget, but I gotta say that thanks to a trusty pink VAIN comb I held my own. I failed to schedule a bang trim before I left town, but rather than accepting my sideswept disaster, I loaded up on hairspray and went for a faux pompadour that made me feel like a million bucks.

    Naturally my favorite photo from the day cuts off the top of my head.

    vegas

    You’ll just have to trust me on how awesome the bangs were. You can see my other budget-saving VAIN accents here though, with a pair of $8 sunglasses that have all the glamour of ones that run for 10x that amount. The dress was just a simple Old Navy thing that cost all of $20, but combined with an investment piece by Mayapple [the gorgeous feather/gold necklace seen above, similar pieces available at VAIN Ballard] it was a capital-O-Outfit.

    Proof you can look and feel good on a budget. It is worth overcoming the anxiety about ratting one’s own hair to have a sophisticated look this summer.

    xo,

    Sarah Jo

    Are you afraid of hairspray? Many of our stylists offer amazing updos + style appointments. Call our front desk to schedule with someone who can walk you through the fear and into fashion.

    Got Tuba?

    Thursday, April 9th, 2009

    VAIN is a proud sponsor of this weekend’s HonkFest West. The event, continuing at multiple venues over the course of three days, is a celebration of radical marching bands. They’ll even be playing in the streets!

    One of our favorite quotes for the how + why of this festival:

    “…they honk their horns because it’s the best way they know to protest a world of violence and oppression. Many of these bands are less than a decade old, and many were born in reaction to the fatalism and indifference that has gripped the advanced industrialized democracies. In response, honkers have been providing a heartfelt musical antidote, a soundtrack for anti-war rallies, political mobilizations, pride parades and joyous reclamations of public space. Every one of these bands has a unique sense of humor to complement their sound, as they mock and discredit the roots of hatred and injustice through the whimsical act of making music together. The result is a spectacle that is radical and subversive without being militant or sanctimonious.”

    wcb57

    The What Cheer Brigade, pictured above, played at HonkFest East – while they won’t be here for the West, it’s a great example of how awesome the event will be!

    Check out their schedule to see the full lineup – we’ll see you there!

    xo,

    VAIN