At our salon we often have brave guests who want to really change up their look and style. I’m talking about those big changes, the “oh wow” transformations that we like to see on makeover TV shows. We love to help our clients make this leap to something new.
It’s not always like that though. In fact, most of the time the changes we make are subtle. You might get a highlight, or leave your bangs a little longer or your fade a little higher. And sometimes, people get the same cut and style month after month. But even then, your hair is changing all the time. It changes colour, it gets dry, and yes, it eventually goes grey or goes away!
This month more than most I think about change, not only for our customers but also for our community. I’m proud to say that, like many others, Eliegante Salon actively promotes positive change in the lives of others in lots of ways -big or small. Last weekend I rode my bike in Hamilton’s Annual Road2Hope Marathon, which has an incredible 24 charity partners. The weather was a little chilly but what an amazing event to be a part of. Later this month we’re taking part in McMaster University’s Shave for a Cure fundraiser, supporting cancer research. Last year we were part of helping the Smiling over Sickness team raise over $7,000 for Camp Trillium!
And of course, this is all taking place in the month of Movember.
Everyone who is a part of these kinds of causes is pushing for positive change. And just like a haircut, those changes can be little things or big things. Or sometimes it seems like we aren’t doing anything different. But even when we look back on times of simple consistency we won’t fail to see something new about our journey or ourselves.
We all love seeing big change, the kind these organizations are working towards. But let’s also celebrate each positive step, no matter what size it is.
Because every step, just like every person, matters.
image credit: YouTube
What a big birthday we have around the corner! We are so blessed to call Canada home and I’m thankful to live in a country that people around the world look to for peace, freedom and opportunity. I came to Canada from Lebanon so many years ago now and got my own opportunity to start a business doing what I love. That opportunity has been a reality for over 17 years now.
I got a glimpse into my past just a few weeks ago. When I first started out cutting hair, I worked for a chain salon in West Hamilton. I didn’t know any English! I remember one of my first customers, a lady who has sadly passed on, was trying to tell me what she wanted. I had no idea! She said, “Elie, don’t you speak English?” I threw up my hands. No, not a word! When I came home, my wife gave me the suggestion of using numbers (like the settings on clippers) as a way to get by until my English got better. It worked, but it still took a while before I could communicate well with customers. Now I speak four languages— go figure!
A few weeks ago, a Ministry inspector came into our salon. I looked up from my chair and I recognized her immediately: it was the manager from that old salon. She hadn’t changed a bit. But I had a little fun with her because she didn’t remember me.
So I said hello, calling her by name. She was startled and gave me a puzzled look. “Umm, have we met before?” she asked. I then described her old position in that salon we worked in together all those years ago. Now she was really curious! She said, “How do you know all this about me”? I said, “See if you remember me now” and I told her my name. Her eyes got wide and she gasped. “No! The Lebanese guy!” We both laughed. Yes, it was me the Lebanese guy who couldn’t speak any English with his customers! So was so pleased to see that Eliegante Hair Design and Spa was going strong and that my English has gotten much better since then!
So when we celebrate on July 1, it will remind me again of where I came from, because we’ve all come from somewhere, we’ve all got a story. So does our great country. Happy Canada 150!
It was a Saturday I’ll never forget.
The date was May 13, 2007, and I had just gotten the keys to our new salon here on Upper James Street near the escarpment in Hamilton. In two days, we would be re-opening our doors to the public and being a day-maker for our clients in this wonderful new space. Yes, this coming Mothers Day weekend we will be celebrating 10 years at this location! Wow! And actually, this month is extra special because we have one of our amazing stylists getting married! I’m pretty sure someone around here is going to be covered in cake and confetti (probably me, lol).
But that Saturday in 2007 wasn’t so special because of the building. We’ve done lots over the years to improve our salon so we can offer our guests a luxurious style getaway. Recently we updated our upper level to make it feel more relaxing while your hair is being coloured or styled. But what I love most now is what I loved most then: the people that we get to spend time with while we do what we do best.
That morning, I got the pleasure of having my wife, mother and mother-in-law all here at the salon together to have their hair cut. What a privilege to be able to have these special women as my first guests at our new salon, and to bless them on Mother’s Day with a gift that I’ve loved offering for so much of my life. If I was their day-maker that morning then great, because I’m just returning the favour!
I wish all moms out there a Happy Mother’s Day this weekend and, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a day at the spa (or you are looking for a great gift idea for your emmi – that’s mom in Lebanese) give us a call and we’ll set a date to make you look and feel great!
We have special Mother’s Day gift cards too! Buy a $40 card and your mom will receive an additional $10 off ($50 total value) her next style getaway when she visits during her birthday month.
To book your next appointment with us, call (905) 575-9835 or visit our website today!
You know what I find funny about hair styles coming back into fashion? They never left! Some of the so-called “hot new trends” for 2017 are considered comebacks of old styles. But they didn’t somehow disappear.
Let me explain.
Parting the hair down the middle, for example, is in-style for men this year. This was considered big in the 90s, with the grunge look finding its way into music and movies along with longer, parted hair. For women, 80s curls are back in, as are high pony-tails, the wet-look and extreme layers. Every year, aren’t we always reading that a least a couple different styles are “back in?”
The truth is, we shouldn’t be surprised at hair style comebacks because they aren’t really coming back. They may have had a bit more attention at certain times, but the basics of hair — long hair, short hair, curls and straight — have never changed. The only things that change are the ways we play with these basics. There were women with curly hair in the 80s just like there are now. There were men with long hair in the 90s, just like there are now.
The whole thing about style isn’t about when something is “in” or not, it’s about what works for you.
The truth is, we shouldn’t be surprised at hair style comebacks because they aren’t really coming back. They may have had a bit more attention at certain times, but the basics of hair…have never changed.
Getting your part line cut for men is still in from last year, but I haven’t cut it into my hair. Am I not in fashion? Of course I am (LOL)!! It just doesn’t work for me. But for the man who visited my salon this morning, it worked for him.
At Eliegante, we stay on top of fashion trends and styles not so we can tell you what you should look like but to be able to share options to help you find a style that works for you. You don’t have to fit fashion; fashion has to fit you. And with the products we have today for hair care, as a customer you have the freedom to really find your style and make it work for you every day.
I like what actress Anne Hathaway said about the fashion industry. She said, “There’s nothing wrong with the fashion industry. What’s wrong is changing yourself for something you don’t really care about just to get somewhere faster”. People are trying things more and more these days, because today’s customer has more options and power than ever before to be an individual. This might make bloggers and fashion writers say there’s a comeback for this or that. Maybe, if the fashion world is there to make everyone fit into a mould, we could call it a comeback.
But, if fashion is what you make of it, then good style never left.
They say that beauty is only skin deep, but I disagree. I look at it from a different perspective. Just like love, beauty starts not on the outside, but the inside.
There’s something amazing that happens when someone sees themselves in the mirror with a new hair cut, colour or style. It’s not just the “oh wow” moment, which feels great but lasts only a second or two. Sure, we all love the big reveal: we see it all the time on TV shows. But the amazing part for me is what happens after that moment. You see a person’s eyes shine a little more, their smile gets brighter and they stand a little taller.
That’s the growing sense of beauty on the inside. It’s the feeling of joy and confidence that rises up when a person truly feels and appreciates his or her natural beauty. Really, it’s always there, but sometimes it just needs a boost to make it come out.
A friend came to the salon a while ago and asked about getting a new hair style. This friend, a man, had had the same haircut for a long time and was looking for something different. We talked about his hair and I gave him some consultation, and then we went for it. You know what was so great for me? It wasn’t just seeing the reaction of him and his wife (which was very good). It was hearing that he received so many complements from people that his new style really suited him and looked great. I bet he was smiling wider and standing taller…on the inside.
The whole thing comes down to loving yourself and appreciating who you are. At Eliegante, we want to bring the best out in you. We want you to love your hair and feel good about how you look, and all of that starts with having inner beauty. You have it! Let it shine!
You know, we say to our customers that we want to be your Day-Maker. Coming to our salon and sitting in our chairs may only take a short part of your day. But what we hope to leave with you should be part of your everyday.
If you’ve been upstairs at Eliegante salon, you may have noticed the curved shelves full of all the wonderful hair
colour we use. Guess which one is the most popular these days? Grey! Are you surprised? Yes, the colour most of our customers are asking about is the colour that, until recently, has been the one everyone wanted to make disappear! Orange may be the new black, but grey is the new standard for young and old alike!
This month’s chair education is to help you understand how to get that perfect grey look you’re seeing on celebrity Instagram’s and magazine covers. Believe it or not, while going grey naturally may seem easy, colouring you grey is not. There’s a lot of time and effort involved, so if you like how Zayn, Dascha or Ginnifer got their grey and want to do the same, let me tell you how it’s done. (If you’re a Euro Cup fan and want one of those footballer hair styles we do that too, but let’s talk about that another time!)
First, we pre-lighten your hair to get it ready for colour blending. This takes some time to complete, but don’t worry: our delicious homemade cappuccinos or espressos will help you pass the time! Then we will choose a highlight to blend with the grey. There are lots of options here, and the goal is to match your skin tone, the type of hair you have, and the kind of cut you’re looking for. I definitely do not recommend trying this double-colour process on your own, because it puts your hair under a lot of stress and can damage your hair if not done properly. My team and I are trained to give your hair exactly what it needs, letting you leave the salon with the look you love and the knowledge on how to keep it looking great.
I hope you enjoy watching the rest of Euro Cup 2016 wherever you are! But if you want to venture into the grey area of your hair style, come by the salon and see how we can help you look great in grey!
It’s growing season! At Eliegante we’re busy these days making things beautiful inside and out. In between making bridal parties gorgeous and getting young prom princes and princesses ready for the ball, I’ve been outside fixing up the garden in front of the salon. We’re closed on Wednesday’s, so I spent yesterday afternoon weeding and cleaning up (my poor back!). Today I unloaded a heap of mulch to help curb weeds and hold the moisture for our tulips, hostas and daffodils that are already showing their brilliant colour.
There’s a lot that goes into making your garden ready for growing season: weeding, trimming, cultivating, adding mulch, and giving it plenty of water. Gardens don’t just grow beautifully on their own: they need care!
And, really, it’s a lot like caring for your hair.
When someone walks by my salon on Upper James Street with luxurious hair blowing in the hot summer breeze, I know she doesn’t have that look by accident. Her hair is the result of proper care. The summer can do damage to your hair if you’re not careful, so here are 5 tips to help you have great summer hair.
1. Start with a trim
Warmer weather leads to dryness, which for most people means split ends. Split ends are like the dandelions of hair! Some people are surprised to know that no product can fix split ends; they can only prevent them. So starting with a trim means that split ends can be cut away and we can work on strengthening the rest of the hair.
2. Add plenty of moisture
Here’s an easy tip to remember: give your hair what you give your face. If you apply a facial moisturizer for dry skin, chances are your hair needs moisture too. Using a leave-in conditioner or a once-a-week treatment will keep your hair looking shiny and soft.
3. Get the right shampoo
Make sure you choose the right shampoo for your hair. Professional products are designed to give your hair exactly what it needs, and there’s a product out there that’s suited to your needs. At Eliegante we feature Paul Mitchell Awapuhi and Phyto products.
4. Don’t forget to masque
Applying a hair masque every week to two weeks will ensure your hair is protected. If you have coloured hair, make sure you use a colour-safe masque.
5. Enjoy yourself
Once I get my garden all spruced up, I’m going to stand back and enjoy its beauty. Similarly, once you’ve taken these simple steps, it’s time to stroll into summer with ooh-la-la hair!
If you’d like to learn more about how to get your hair ready for summer, come by Eliegante Hair Design and Spa and we’ll provide you a free 15 minute consultation. I promise to leave the gardening gloves outside!
“Your child has cancer and there’s nothing we can do for you.” These are words I hope people never have to hear. At Eliegante, we are blessed to be part of a community working to erase those words here in Hamilton and around the world.
Recently Eliegante Hair Design & Spa was invited to take part in two fundraisingevents at McMaster University in Hamilton. The first was Locks for Love, organized by Smiling over Sickness McMaster, and the second was the Hamilton Health Sciences’ 2016 Cancer Relay. Locks for Love is held each year in February to help raise money for cancer research and for volunteers to donate hair for wigs, which are given to children with medically-induced hair loss. At the Cancer Relay, a dozen or so volunteers had their hair cut by cancer survivors as part of the event.
We had the pleasure of providing a little “styling support” for these amazing individuals. I’ve been a part of these events for years, and each time I hear their stories my heart is both broken and encouraged. Broken, over what they’ve had to endure; encouraged, at their ability to hope and persevere. The care and compassion shown at these events is so great that my staff and I can’t help but be inspired to do more for our community.
When people come to our salon to donate their hair we provide these cuts for free, because it’s a way for us to bless those who are being a blessing for someone else. Donating hair is a big deal! To donate hair for a wig, you need at least 8 inches. Many people grow it longer, meaning it can take 1-2 years to get it long enough. That’s commitment!
I recently had a young man (yes, guys do it too) come to my salon with the reddest hair you’ve ever seen. He’d been growing it for two years in order to donate it. How awesome is that? He’s not in university yet, so he wasn’t part of these recent McMaster events, but his contribution makes it like he was right there with us.
The best thing Eliegante can do is make donors feel great about donating their hair. When it feels good to give, we want to give more.
And when we’re giving out hope, I don’t want it to ever run out.
One of the things I love about Christmas is the spirit of giving. It’s a feeling that stays with me long after that one day on the calendar because whenever I pull out a gift someone gave me, it reminds me of that generous spirit. Which is why I spend a lot of time trying to pick just the right gifts for the people I love. Most of the time I think I’ve gotten it right. But I’m sure there have been times where one of my gifts found its way to the back of a closet, became someone else’s gift, or got put in the trashcan. I’ll be honest: I’ve had a few of those gifts!
Have you ever gotten a gift like that… for your hair?
Over the years I’ve seen that hair and beauty products are popular gift items at Christmas, and why not? They’re needed every day and they make you look and feel your best. That is, unless it’s totally wrong for a person’s hair.
This often happens when people lack ‘hair product knowledge’. It’s not enough to simply choose a product based on price or brand name. You need to understand what the product will do to the hair and why. Otherwise, you won’t be giving your hair what it needs or, worse, you may end up damaging your hair or someone else’s!
That’s why at Eliegante Hair Design and Spa, I’m passionate about sharing knowledge with my customers; not only about cuts and style, but also about proper product use. It’s true we carry professional products like Paul Mitchell, Phyto and Awapuhi, but we don’t sell product just to sell it. Every product we sell we use in our salon, and when you ask how to keep your straight-from-the-salon look my staff and I are happy to explain. We call it ‘chair education’, and with a few tips and the right products we can help you keep your hair healthy and looking as great as right after your visit with us (well, almost!)
Chair education isn’t complicated and doesn’t take long. Hair is my business and my passion, and after 30 years no one has ever come back and said they hated a product I recommended.
For example, if you have fine hair and it looks flat, it’s probably because you’re using a heavy product. You need to switch to something that adds volume. If you apply product by simply scooping it up and spreading it around (this means you too, guys), stop! You need chair education!
This year, whether you’re buying that special gift for others or yourself, save money and buy a product that will do what you want it to. You can even bring in your old products and I’ll tell you which to use and which to get rid of.
And ladies, if you can’t find it in your heart to discard them, re-gift them…
Give it to your husband.
