Archive for the ‘hair products’ Category

Oh, Onesta!

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

If you know me, you know that when I fall for a line of hair care products, I fall hard. And I’ve fallen hard for one, dear VAIN Blog readers.

Its name is Onesta.

Let me count the ways I love Onesta: the products are natural, color safe and free of harmful parabens and sulfates. They contain organic botanical extracts like sea kelp, green tea, sunflower and white willow bark, and they leave my hair feeling super clean and soft. Plus they smell amazing (seriously: we’re talking pure and vaguely peachy with subtle undertones of fresh citrus and what I can only describe as all-natural Tide. I am addicted to this entrancing organic aroma!). I use the Strengthening Shampoo ($12.95 at VAIN) and Daily Conditioner (ditto) topped off with a bit of the Volumizing Foam for body and shine, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. So good!

But don’t just take my word for it. Come experience Onesta for yourself! VAIN is hosting an Onesta event this Saturday, August 20 from 1-3pm at our downtown salon. We’ll have Onesta freebies, a chance to win products, and an Onesta expert onhand to answer questions about the line and recommend specific products based on your hair type.

Now, I know it might seem strange to some of you that I’m willing to share my new relationship with the world, but a love this natural and pure deserves to be shared. Treat Onesta well, Seattle. This one’s a keeper.

-Rebecca P.
VAIN blogger & Onesta lover

Hope to see you all this Saturday 8/20 for our Onesta event at VAIN downtown! Stop by anytime between 1 and 3pm. 2018 1st Ave at Virginia, Seattle.

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!

    Awesome-O!

    Thursday, October 21st, 2010

    This week’s Staff Product Pick comes from D.J. by night, VAIN hot hairdresser by day Valentine. He’s so in love with Osmo Clay Wax he should probably just marry it!

    Wax on, Valentine!

    Who? Folks with shorter hairdo’s.

    Why? For a matte finish that’s not too dry. To create a pliable, piecey look.

    Stylist Tip from the Stars: Emulsify a bit of the wax in your hands until it is warm and translucent. Work the product into your hair back to front. Less is more with this product!

    Want it, need it, can’t live without it? No problem. Grab your own little tin of Osmo Clay Wax @ VAIN Downtown or @ VAIN Ballard for $18.95. Valentine works at both spots, too. Wax on!

    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!

    Session in Sass

    Thursday, September 30th, 2010

    This week’s staff product pick is the sultan of sleek, Session Spray. It’s awesome apprentice Lea‘s new favorite!

    demonstrating the awesomeness

    Who? Folks with fine hair that want a smooth and polished finish.

    Why? For a perfect style with strong hold that doesn’t feel stiff or sticky.

    Secret Tip from the Stars: For a flawless finish for any style, make sure to hold the can about 10 inches away from your head and mist evenly. To soften wave, spray on some Session Spray and use a wide toothed comb to break up the curl for an instantly relaxed texture.

    Pick some up for yourself @ VAIN downtown and VAIN in Ballard for a smooth $19.95. You might even be lucky enough to have Lea try it on you if you score a blow out with her at our downtown salon!

    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

    Obsessed: Night Rider

    Thursday, July 1st, 2010

    And, no, I don’t mean the Hasselhoff variety. I’m talking about Kevin Murphy’s newest styling product- an oil-free, matte texture paste with a strong hold that’s great for short and choppy styles. Here’s what VAIN Downtown stylist William has to say about it:

    “The first thing you must remember about Night Rider is that the product starts setting within 60-90 seconds so you have to work it into your hair quickly. You have up to five minutes before the product completely sets all together.  Once its set, its not going to loose its hold, but its pliable so you can bump it, move it around, and kinda reshape it as the day (or night) goes on. Its PERFECT for pompadours and really sleek shorter looks“.

    From radical, rockabilly hair to chic, sleek ‘dos, its looking like Night Rider has got us covered… whether we’re fighting crime in a Pontiac Trans Am or not.

    Night Rider is available at both VAIN locations, come on in and try it out! Downtown – 2018 1st Ave. Ballard – 5401 Ballard Ave NW


    Boutique Buzz

    Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

    Have you seen VAIN Downtown lately? We’ve revamped the boutique area to make room for the best in hot, affordable gear. What’s in store for you?

    boutique1The VAIN boutique – plenty of treasures

    Behold! Trapper hats, circle scarves, and fingerless gloves to keep you toasty in this early frigid winter! Bags and belts! Jewelry, cuffs, and headbands from the sparkly and shiny to our Rock n’ Roll roots!

    boutique2
    New goods and the Wall of Wigs

    Did we mention several unique local handcrafted finds – perfect for your one-of-a-kind special person? And of course, we’ve always got our hair and beauty supply essentials on hand.

    We’re constantly keeping it coming with new items Downtown as well as at our Ballard location – so be sure to come by for the freshest in wares, gifts, and holiday inspiration.

    Visit VAIN Downtown at 2018 1st Ave and VAIN Ballard at 5401 Ballard Ave NW.