VAIN Blog

Victoria Thomas Gentry’s dahlia hair, 1999: “It was a color obsession that built up.”

Last month we challenged VAIN Blog readers to consider going cherry tree pink for Spring, and mentioned VAIN owner + styledriver Victoria Thomas Gentry’s onetime dahlia-inspired hair color. After locating a photo in the VAIN archives (they are so vast!), we asked VTG herself to share the dahlia hair story:

“I had the inspiration when one of my favorite clients brought me a dahlia from her garden. You don’t see a lot of dahlias on the east coast where I’m from and I had no idea there were such big varieties.”

“The biggest question I got was “so what do you call that color?” Pink just didn’t cut it as a description. Depending on the light and what I was wearing it could be cherry or coral or blush pink. I loved it!”

Grab your favorite flower and call VAIN for a free consultation with one of our hair color experts: 206.441.3441 (downtown) or 206.706.2707 (Ballard).

I finally got to take my long awaited return trip home to San Francisco last week. The weather was absolutely gorgeous- bright and sunny with not a single cloud in sight. I happened to fly in on St. Patrick’s day. One could only imagine how jam packed the streets were with the most interesting characters. One person in particular who caught my eye was the dapper gentleman you see below.

Meet Michael Sandoval:

Michel and I were both waiting at the bus stop in front of Hobson’s Choice Pub on Haight Street. His super stylish (not to mention holiday appropriate) outfit caught my attention, as did his expertly groomed mustache. I stared at him for several minutes before getting the nerves to ask if I could snap his photo. He enthusiastically agreed, while telling me all about how he made both the kilt and leather bag himself. I boarded my #71 bus towards downtown, hoping that I would run into him again.

Then my wish came true. Two days later I was on the E-line heading to Embarcadero station when Michael boarded. This time he wasn’t wearing a hat, instead showing off his impeccably groomed hair with another snazzy outfit. As we both stepped off the train and walked separate ways he jokingly yelled out “I hope these pictures aren’t being taken because I’m a style DON’T.”

Nope Michael, you’re a definite style DO!

♥

-My

(VAIN dowtown front desk + resident shutterbug)

Happy almost-Turkey day! The holidays are descending in full force, and I for one cannot wait for the celebrations that the season brings. I’ve got the perfect dress, and thanks to VAIN stylist Jenny Slay, the perfect hair style ideal. This time of year gives us the opportunity to go above and beyond if we so choose. My day to day style tends to be fairly simple - soft, undone waves with a little help from DevaCurl’s Set It Free spray.

Saturday Jenny did a style for a client that was straight out of 1962 - in the best of ways! A head full of curls was set with hairspray and then brushed and teased into the perfect coif. The client looked like a blond Jackie O, well-kempt glamour and all:

While not a look I could pull off daily, I cannot wait for cocktail parties and high heels to match this out of the ordinary hair. Whatever your standard styling is, I hope you get the chance to do something different this winter. And where ever you’re celebrating, with friends or family, eating Tofurkey or the real deal, I hope you have good hair to be thankful for.

-Sarah Jo