VAIN stylist Liza: beachy curls, sunny smile, great lady.

VAIN stylist & nationally-renowned curly hair expert Liza is celebrating 10 years with VAIN today! To mark the milestone, we asked a few people to share their thoughts on our longest-reigning resident Curl Queen.

“I came to VAIN to get my dreads dyed bright red about seven years ago with Liza Jo. Fast forward to today, I am now working beside her as a stylist. She has taught me many great curly cutting/coloring tricks and tips and I am thankful for all that I’ve learned from her over the years. I loved her when I was a client, and continue to love her as a coworker and friend.”
-VAIN Downtown & West Seattle stylist TT

“Liza is as sweet as cherry pie and wild as Friday night.”
-VAIN Downtown stylist Bash

“The most amazing thing about Liza is her ability to connect with people. On whatever level, she can talk to anyone and always ends up putting a smile on their face. At work and outside of VAIN, just at the grocery store. She’s got a good soul and is one of the greatest people I know.”
-VAIN West Seattle front desk & Liza BFF Christina

“She is always in a good mood, positive, and confident and in control of what she’s doing with her clients. She’s solid!”
-VAIN Downtown stylist Melanie

“Liza rules.”
-VAIN Owner & Styledriver Victoria Ptak

We agree with all of the above. Happy 10 year VAINiversary, Liza! We love you!

Not only do we at VAIN love Liza, but her clients do, too… a lot (translation: she is fully booked up). However! We have an all-star cast of other curly hair experts at all three VAIN salons. Call us at VAIN Downtown – 206.441.3441, VAIN Ballard – 206.706.2707, or VAIN West Seattle – 206.535.2595 to learn more.

It’s a paper bird, it’s a paper forest, it’s an art installation and grand opening party! Join us this Thursday, May 10th from 6 to 9pm at VAIN West Seattle during Art Walk as we officially celebrate our first months in the neighborhood and unveil a folded paper art installation that will transform our salon and boutique into a vivid wonderland.

The installation, by artist Katy Itter and VAIN owner + styledriver Victoria Ptak, will feature hundreds of brightly-colored, origami-inspired folded paper pieces, including thistles, chrysanthemums and other flowers, foliage, and a huge flock of birds in flight. Models (including some familiar faces from neighboring businesses!) will help bring the flora and fauna to life with pieces incorporated into dramatic and nature-driven hairstyles.

Ptak says, “I really wanted to create something beautiful as a gift to the neighborhood that has been so welcoming and supportive beyond anything I could have anticipated. WE LOVE WEST SEATTLE! I know folks will enjoy our twisted paper jungle all summer long.” 

The party will feature snacks from West Seattle favorite Husky Deli, with springtime refreshments served by the aptly-named Lily from our across-the-river friends at Hudson. Party-goers are encouraged to stop by anytime between 6 and 9, meet the artist and VAIN team, and enjoy the colors and shapes of the paper art environment.

Hope to see you this Thursday on the Westside!

VAIN West Seattle is located at 4513 California Ave SW, in the heart of West Seattle’s awesome Alaska Junction. The paper art installation will be on display at the salon until August. Call (206) 535-2595 for additional details.

Some happy tax news (no, really!): VAIN West Seattle is participating in The Junction’s 4th annual Tax Free Day this Saturday, April 21! We’re offering 10% off all retail/accessories and hair product purchases at VAIN WS, all day long. VAIN is in great company, too: check out the full list of Junction merchants (over 40 of them!) participating in the Tax Free action here.

While we realize that nothing can completely take the sting out of that way-teeny refund you’re getting or that massive check you have to write today [Editor's note: OUCH], we’re excited to be offering a little relief, retail therapy style, alongside our new neighbors this weekend.

Hope to see you on Saturday in the Junction!

VAIN West Seattle is located at 4513 California Ave SW, between SW Alaska & SW Oregon and is open from 10am to 6pm on Saturday. Haven’t been by yet? Just look for our new, awesome signage.

VAIN West Seattle: can you see us now?

We know, we know: our newest VAIN, located in the heart of West Seattle’s Alaska Junction, has been flying a little under the radar signage-wise since we opened (what can we say? We’ve been busy doing hair). But, as of this week, we won’t have to say “where the liquor store used to be!” or “just up the block from Easy Street!” anymore. Behold: major signage! Check us out, California Ave! Hope to see you see us soon.

VAIN West Seattle is located at 4513 California Ave SW, between SW Alaska & SW Oregon. Give us a call at (206) 535-2595 to learn more about our services and/or book an appointment!

Curls up close: learn how to manage & style yours at VAIN West Seattle on March 24

Calling all curls: VAIN is offering a FREE class for people with naturally curly hair at our new West Seattle location on Saturday, March 24th from 4:00-5:30 pm!

The class will be taught by VAIN senior stylist and curly hair expert Carinn, and will give participants tips and tricks for managing and making the most of your curls. Carinn will cover her favorite products and demonstrate how to develop an easy routine for doing your hair at home (“from shower to showtime!”). If you’ve ever struggled to get that salon look with your curls, this is the class for you. As a bonus, all participants will get 20% off hair products and retail purchases at VAIN West Seattle after the class wraps up.

Space is limited and participation is by reservation only, so give us a call at VAIN West Seattle at (206) 535-2595 to hold your spot. All curly and wavy textures and lengths are welcome, and you don’t have to be a VAIN client to participate. And this isn’t just a class for the ladies- curly-haired fellas are welcome, too.

Hope to see you in West Seattle on March 24!

VAIN West Seattle is located in the heart of the Alaska Junction at 4513 California Ave, SW. Call us at (206) 535-2595 to reserve your spot in the class. For more about VAIN stylist/class teacher Carinn, check out her profile on VAIN.com.

The one + only Eli Blü

“I don’t know if I’m cool enough to get my hair done at VAIN.” That was me back in 1999: a little worried, a lot un-tattooed or manic panicked, and really wanting to get my hair done at that edgy salon down the block.

But all my worries floated away as I made the call (ROTARY!) to book my appointment and heard this: “Hello VAIN, this is Eli.” From that friendly moment on I felt like VAIN, and its whole explore-your-personal-style ethic, was a place for me, too. And that is in huge part to VAIN front desk legend and modern bionic technoid with a heart of gold, Eli Blü.

In the twelve plus years since that call, Eli has booked dozens of my VAIN hair appointments and thousands of yours. He welcomes longtime clients and new ones like old friends. He inspires his co-workers with his evolving style and steadfast sweetness. And he has always, always looked at my hair, whether it was my 23rd “darkish brown” shade, my brief foray into blonde, or anything in between, like it was great. Because no matter the cut or color that a client walks out of the salon with, Eli gets that VAIN exists as a safe environment for people to try things out and explore their personal style. And for that, on this, Eli’s last day with us, we celebrate him, we cheer his years of hard work and creative spirit, and we thank him with all our VAIN hearts.

Rebecca P.
VAIN Blogger
On behalf of VAIN Beautyworld

Eli Blü is off to greener pastures… literally! Learn about FERNVILLE, the vegetarian, low-impact farmstead he’s founding with friends and family and how you can support it (including sponsoring & naming a chicken or goat!!!) here. Catch Eli as he spins as DJ blü for the last time tonight at Bloodlust at Pony.

Everyone was talking about stylist Kellianne‘s amazing cherries & chocolate color ‘do on her client April.

Our very own Valentine (that’s his name. It counts.) gave a new client a sweetheart of a haircut at VAIN’s new West Seattle salon & boutique.

Assistant/future hair star Dylan got into the V-Day spirit by the product wall at VAIN Downtown.

And over at VAIN Ballard, Cassie delivered a gorgeous, dare-we-say-it romantic (yes we dared!) cut and color.

Overall, a pretty sweet day. Hope yours was, too.

XOXO

The waxing studio at VAIN Downtown

Valentine’s Day, aka National Oh-Damn-I-Need-a-Bikini-Wax Day, is almost here so we thought it would be a good time to give our VAIN waxing services a little love.

Here’s what you need to know: VAIN offers waxing services from brows to bikini and beyond in our private waxing studio above the VAIN Downtown salon. Our Masterwaxer Belinda has been with us since 2008 and does an amazing job [Editor's note: seriously. She has un-Frida-Kahlo'd my eyebrows many times. Not easy.] And all first time waxing clients get $5 off their waxing services.

Check out answers to frequently asked questions about VAIN waxing services here and give us a call to book your appointment! Limited Valentine’s Day appointments still available.

Happy waxing, everyone!

Wax on: Belinda waxes at VAIN Downtown: 2018 1st Ave, Seattle. Give us a call at (206) 441-3441 to learn more.

Well, here’s why and here’s how:

Client: Taylor
Stylist: Bash (VAIN Downtown)
The look: Cut to look good while growing out!

Bash says: “Taylor came in wanting to grow her hair out into a bob without having a “grow out” boxy look. We took some length off at the nape in order to let her already short sides catch up and did some texturizing and facial framing, but left a nice weight through the cut so it would grow out naturally into that nice bob shape.”

So there you have it, VAIN Blog readers. Transitional hairstyles can look both great and intentional with the right shaping. No more awkward in-between styles!

Want to grow your hair out and have it look great while you’re at it? Call VAIN downtown to book an appointment with Bash or any other of our other transitional cut specialists- (206) 441-3441. Not downtown? Call us in Ballard- (206) 706-2707- or West Seattle (206) 535-2595.

The sequined beret: crown jewel of the VAIN winter hat collection

Lose that ratty old beanie and get ready: VAIN’s mega annual winter accessories sale starts this Friday at all three VAIN locations (yes, including West Seattle)! We’ll have cozy scarves and hats, stylish head wraps, tons of gloves, jewelry and more at big discounts. Come visit us downtown, in Ballard, and in West Seattle to get in on the action. Sale runs through Feb 12. While supplies last!

Downtown- 2018 1st Ave
Ballard- 5401 Ballard Ave NW
West Seattle- 4513 California Ave SW

VAIN West Seattle: ready to make some hairstyling magic.

Our newest VAIN salon and boutique, located in the heart of West Seattle’s Alaska Junction, is now taking hair appointments! We’ve got an all-star roster of VAIN stylists ready to make your cut, color, and style dreams come true out West.

And those stylists are (DRUMROLL PLEASE)…

• Color queen & style visionary Carinn
• West Seattle resident & fine hair wizard Sam
• VAIN rising star & amazing volumizer Braeden
• Curly hair pro & dreads guru TT
• The one & only, VAIN legend, senior stylist Jenny Slay
• Short hair & barber cut champ Valentine
• Coarse hair tamer & VAIN be-weaver Dez
• Bold coloring & blonde specialist (& lifelong West Seattleite!) Janae

With more to come! Hope to see you all in West Seattle soon.

Call VAIN West Seattle at 206.535.2595 to book your appointment, or stop by during business hours (extended to M-F 12-8, Sat & Sun 10-6 starting Jan 19)- 4513 California Ave SW.

Client: Ryli

The look: winter white

Stylists: Bash (cut) + Carissa (color) at VAIN Downtown

Bash says: “It’s always fun to cut Ryli’s hair. She’ll come in with an idea like a sharp angled bang and we’ll take it from there.”

Carissa says: “Having clients like Ryli make my job easy! This extreme icy/cool tone works all year round, but it’s very fitting for winter months. It reminds me of a snowflake. You can even add more blue to a platinum toner to get a more silver effect. The more you add, the darker the silver, into grey/gunmetal hues. This look is easier achieved on those with naturally light hair.”

Want to winterize your look for the season? Call VAIN Downtown at 206-441-3441 to book an appointment with Bash, Carissa, or any of our other stylists. Happy winter, everyone!